So Many Projects . . .

. . . so little time.

I had a little quilting hiatus this week while my main living areas went from

 with ultra-white trim.

 I wasn't going to buy new paint, so some miracle workers re-tinted my original purchase.

Much better.

Now little Joe has a cold, so the 15 minutes of sewing I did get in today was thanks to a beach ball and an ironing board barrier.

 

Since Kristine claimed the circle quilt, I offered to finally make one for her bed.  She saw this one and thinks she needs a cowgirl quilt (she has been on a bit of a cowgirl kick lately, boots, hats and all).

from Fons & Porter's Best of Love of Quilting, Feb 7, 2011

This is a mini, so it will need some redesigning.  I did find this fabric today . . . the wheels are turning.

Two more "solids of the month" have arrived.

April's haven't "spoken" to me yet.

But I'm rather excited about these purples and greys that showed up at my door this week.

I've had this quilt (by Amanda Jean of crazy mom quilts), on my mind and think these purples along with some additions will make it stunning.

And then there's the Christmas stockings I've purchased fabrics for, not to mention all the WIPs I have in the queue.  I'd sure love to spend all day in my sewing room, but alas, there is laundry and dishes and cute little kiddos to cuddle.  But now that the paint is dry, the precious moments of free-time can be re-devoted to sewing . . . can't wait!

Flying Over Kansas

It's finished!!!  And already claimed by a child. ;)

Finished Size: 56" x 56"

Fabric:

Browns from dark to light: Kona Coffee, Kona Mocha, Kona Stone, Kona Champagne

Greens from dark to light: Kona Forest, Kona Grass Green, Bella Pistachio, Kona Green Tea

Pattern: adapted from Modern Quilt Workshop

Binding Fabric: Hooty Hoot Kangaroo Stripes Green from Riley Blake

Backing Fabric: a flannel from the All Star 2 line from Riley Blake

Free motion quilted with Gutterman 100% polyester color #525.  I even included my "label" in the quilting.

Things I learned:

1) piecing curves is nothing to be afraid of

2) puckers in the backing disappear when you wash the quilt

3) so do perceived mistakes in the quilting

4) I really need to make a bed quilt for Kristine so I can keep my quilts

WIP: Flying Over Kansas

I've planned, pieced and begun quilting my version of the crop circle quilt with my "March solids".  I'm calling it Flying Over Kansas.

I asked the DH what he thought.

"You went outside the lines."

"That's so I can blend it in with the next one."

"Oh. Well, it's very circular."

{eye roll}

Here's where it started:  not enough hues between the really dark green and the other colors.

I added a couple more browns.

Much better.

Wish I had taken a picture before I pinned it.  I have a feeling that the quilting will really change the look of this quilt.

And with some of the left overs . . .

another little lovey for a friend's new baby.

Happy Quilting!

Tips, Tricks, and Tools: Color Card

Have you drooled over the Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Color Card like I have?  I've drooled, but then gagged on the price.  I've been purchasing a lot of solids lately and decided to create my own color card.

I just cut a little scrap of each color about 2" square (usually AFTER I've used the fabric for a project to make sure I have enough), stitched it onto an index card, and wrote the company and color name on the card.  A hole-punch and book ring holds them all together.

I'm not caring that they're sewn on perfect, and some of the scraps are different sizes (just what I had left), but the samples are bigger than the 1" square on the official card.  This will be especially fun as I receive my "Solids of the Month" from Pink Chalk Fabrics.

Happy Quilting.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

A little Irish Chain for the day to celebrate the color green.

1" finished squares.

Straight-line quilting.

Kona Jungle

Kona Chartreuse

Kona Pale Mint

Kona White

May the luck o' the Irish be with you today!

Catching Up

Last week, I finished this little exercise in free-motion quilting.

(again, this really is square in real life)

You might recall that I had a little trouble running out of thread right in the middle of the project.  I ended up hand stitching that last inch with the little bit of thread left on the spool.

The idea is from The Modern Quilt Workshop.  This is a great book!  It really is a "workshop" where you learn and practice new techniques.  I can't wait to try curved piecing next.

I've been distracted by a little crochet project.  My sister-in-law taught me how to crochet these nifty hot pads.  Now I just need a good chick flick and a cute quilt to snuggle under so I can finish these off.

I also spent some time this last week cleaning up and arranging a little work space for me in my dining room.  I do have a space to call my own, but it is in the basement, away from the kiddos.  I've discovered that (1) I like the light in the dining room and (2) I like being around the kids and (3) I get a lot more housework and sewing done when they are close to each other (wash some dishes, sew some blocks, load some laundry, sew some blocks).

I'd show you pictures, but right now my little space is buried under this project that I'm not really loving.  Oh well.  I must plow through and get it done.

And on a happy note: Joe discovered the ribbons on his little lovey yesterday.  He spent a good half-hour twisting that little brown ribbon right there.  Too cute.  I love watching babies discover new things.

March Solids Arrived!!!!

Lovin' the mailman today.

I signed up for Pink Chalk Fabrics' Monthly Solids Club and received my first package today.  I was hoping it would be green. ;D

I'm thinking about this quilt called "Crop Circles" by AmandaJean of Crazy Mom Quilts.  But I think I'd be sorely amiss if I didn't do just a little Irish Chain with some of this green.  I need to replace my Valentine table runner before the end of March, at least.