Busy times and a few things that are coming up!

This is my Island Batik Pillow for May, and an IAQ (International Association of Quilters) Project.  I will help folks find their way through this pattern with a few suggestions.  It is all done, but I haven't blogged about it yet.

These are my fabric pulls for Sandra @mmquilts.com Adult Plus Playtime QAL.    I couldn't resist as I had so much fun with hers last year - also another shadow quilt and I might be the Kathleen in her blog that called the Shadow Quilter....only the shadow knows!  I like both the blue or green for the background - although black looked good too..... 

I finished the napkins for the table in Maine. Wanted something more in keeping with the color of the placemats I made on our quilting weekend.  

Some of my friends also have me pulling fabric for Tish in Wonderland's QAL.  I think it is relaxed enough that I might get it done.  It will use up stash, so that's a good thing.  Still working on it, but here are a few options. 

I am hosting on May 10th for the X-Block Blog Hop.  I made a quilt that I love a bit ago and am thrilled to share it during this hop.  You can see who else is blogging by clicking on the image.

Carol at Just Let Me Quilt has organized a Star Blog Hop later in the month.  I'm on for  May 25th (and entertaining friends) so I'll be catching up in the between times!

I am doing the binding on this gem!  I rescued this and had it quilted.   I am "straigtening the edges" so it can be bound.  Binding is halfway on...more work tomorrow on it.  It is not the way you would preserve an heirloom, but I'll explain my approach later.

So there has been lots of prep, and very little time to blog the past few days.  Hoping to get a few more entries out over the weekend and early next week.

Happy Friday!

Partners in Design Presents.....Fall into a QAL!

Quilting friends who met in the 2017 New Quilt Bloggers group launched a succesful QAL last year - I Wish You a Merry QAL.  We decided to continue and in so doing, branded ourselves Partners in Design.  We design in many ways - some design the blocks, some their quilts and others just are generally helpful.  Many of the designers who participated last year are participating this year.  

Introducing our new theme:   Fall!  

Like last year, you will get directions for 12 blocks and some possible settings.  The block designers are listed below with the weeks their blocks are released and also if they are a host or not.

Abbie at Sparkle On (Host + Block 11 Designer)

April at JANDA Bend Quilts (Host + Block 2 Designer)

Bobbi at Snowy Days Quilting  (Host + Block 7 Designer)

Jennifer at The Inquiring Quilter (Host + Block 8 Designer)

Karen at Tu-na Quilts, Travels and Eats (Host + Block 9 Designer)

Kathleen at KathleenMcMusing  (Block 5 Designer)<---that's me
Sandra at Sandra Healy Designs (Block 10 Designer)

Sandy at Sandy Star Designs (Block 4 Designer)

Sherry at Powered by Quilting Host + Block 3 & 6 Designer)

Vanda at Quilt in Piece  (Host + Block 1 & 12 Designer)

Here are some of the particulars:

Theme:                        Fall

Dates of QAL:            May 15, 2018 through October 16, 2018

Blocks Schedule:        Every 2 weeks, 12 total

Settings Released:      October 16, 2018

Final Quilt Due:         November 13, 2018

Hosts:                          There are 7 and they are listed below

Fabric:                        These are approximations based on 12 blocks, 2"lattice, 6" border (56x70)

                                                    Scrappy will work!

                                     Blocks: 6 fat quarters (or scraps)  2 dark, 2 medium, 2 light [minimum]

                                     Background:   1/2-1 yard

                                     Lattice: 1 yard

                                     Border: 1 yard or length of quilt if you like straight of grain

                                     Binding: 3/4 yard

                                     Backing:  3 yards pieced or 4 yards for one seam

What else do you need to know:  

WHO?                Anyone who can sew! 

WHY?                TO have fun, win prizes, make a quilt or some blocks

WHERE?           Join the  Facebook group OR follow on Instagram #fallintoaQAL

HOW?                Post a completed block/quilt picture on facebook or instagram #fallintoaQAL

WHEN?              Usually by Monday 11:59pm EST 13 days after release of block

       

Below are some of the prizes that will be awarded (open to international quilters too!). Blocks and prizes for the particular block are announced at the same time.  As with many of the QALs (quilt alongs) more prizes are often added as we go.   Each block will have its own prize and then a Grand Prize for a quilt that is complete (all 12 blocks - top only is fine).  

To keep the contest portion of the quilt-along fair and fun for everyone, only quilts that use all of the designers' blocks will be eligible for prizes. Slight variations are okay, but substituting another block will disqualify you from the giveaway.

So we hope you join in,

share with your friends,

quilt, 

and have fun!!

Squiggle Finish

This quilt was a lot of fun to do.  I did it as a quilt along with Christa Quilts and it is all done.   The schedule was relaxed enough and I took the same break as Christa did, due to getting some Island Batik work done. The pattern is from her book Piece and Quilt with Precuts I think I like for the following reasons:

• it was not one of my ufo's - so I had no emotional blocks
• it was a well structured QAL
• it used up a charm pack I won and, most importantly,
• it will be a benefit quilt.

I won this group of fat quarters last fall during the Quilt Bloggers Festival.  They are from Moda and called Midnight Garden by 1Canoe2 and I thought they would be perfect for this quilt!  They were paired with a Moda Grunge and it made a great combination.

I used my Sizzix (affliate link - if you buy I get a little commision) for the first time to cut the squares and make the triangles.  It also saved the marking of the many squares.  And, with the leftovers, I cut some 2 1/2" strips.  I loved using it and know it will come in handy.  I don't forsee a huge collection of dies for me, but some of the common sizes or scrap busting sizes I will definitely use (5" square, 2 1/2" triangle,  2 1/2" strips are the basic ones I have now).  

Another fun thing was quilting as Christa did.  I used the squiggles and enjoyed the process.   It definitely is a new go to quilting pattern for me, as is the quilt pattern.

Another part of the fun of this quilt was doing it with a few of my blogging friends.  It was another nice little incentive to getting this done and staying up with the schedule. The participants included:

Wenday @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life, Jan @CocoaQuilts and the instigator, Rose @ SomethingRoseMade. [Rose says Jan instigated - no matter - it was fun to do it with 2017 New Quilt Blogger friends!]

Its a great go-to pattern for 5" squares  - I see more of these in my future.  My version measured 46" x 59".  I had a little less fabric than needed, but I made it work!  Thanks, ChristaQuilts for a fun quiltalong!

Linking up with:  Finish It Up Friday
                             Friday Foto Fun
                             Finished or Not Friday
                             Pieceful Sunday

Squiggling along

This pile is being transformed on a weekly basis.  I am making a Squiggles quilt following along with Christa Watson.  Its not too late to get in on the fun, especially if you have the right precuts hanging around.   I won this grouping of fabrics a few months ago and it seemed to work quite well with this pattern.  So, week 1 goal was met. These fabrics are all cut.  I used my new Sizzix to cut the squares and half square triangles.  

Here's the pile of half trimmed and half not trimmed blocks.   I think I have about 132 blocks and will make a 10x13 quilt.  I was a little short of what the pattern calls for, but decided to go ahead.  I could add a little grey border if I wanted it a little bigger.  Honestly, I found the precut to be pretty helpful, but there are always still some inaccuracies.  As you can see the triangles have the dog ears trimmed, so I didn't have to draw the line.  I trimmed with my scissors. Week 2 -  make the blocks - is complete. 

Week 3 is assembling the quilt and by the end of today I hope to be making some progress on that. Last night I started laying it out and today I finished (vinyl tablecloths can be carefully folded and most pieces stay in place on the flannel back.  This afternoon I finish laying it all out on the bed - carefully marked the rows and put in little piles.  

I am taking some time matching things up.  It is almost all working out!  The first two rows I redid most of the join.  It was just off too much.  I.AM.PINNING.  It is much easier to keep it lined up.  Sometimes, I just use my fingers, but today it went better with pins.  Who is to second guess why some days it works and some it doesn't?

Holding my breath as I have 9 more rows to go.

I am quilting along with a few internet friends, check them out at:

Rose at Something Rose Made

Wendy at Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life

Jan at Cocoa Quilts.

Linking up with: Inquiring Quilters Wait Loss Wednesdays

Block 11 in the I Wish You A Merry QAL

I am so excited!

It's time for Block 11 in the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-a-Long! I named it simply North Star and I am so pleased to have designed this block.  I was thinking of many more complicated versions, at first, but settled on one that I hope is accessible to quilters of all skill levels. 

I love stars and looking at them at night.  I spend part of my time in Maine and it is amazing the number of stars in the sky on a clear night.  Now, I am not so sure I could have them direct me anywhere, I am much happier using an app with GPS to get me there.

Please enjoy making this star!  I am so looking forward to seeing your interpretations of my design.  I am truly humbled by the amount of people who are working so hard on all these blocks and have followed along for so many weeks on this journey.  You are almost there!!!!

Block 11:  North Star

Instructions for North Star


Without further dithering, here are the instructions.  There are two versions, one for paper piecing and one for using a Tri-Recs™ Ruler.

Please download before printing.  

Also be sure you DO NOT HAVE print to fit checked.  

Paper Piecing Instructions             Tric-Recs™ Instructions

If you need to purchase a ruler, you can find them at Craftsy (and other places).



Remember, that each of the following bloggers are my hosts and specific hints that will help you and also many fun and different versions of the same block.  It is so gratifying to see the hard work each of these quilters has put into the I Wish You A Merry QAL!  Please visit and see their tips.

Abbie at Sparkle On

April at JANDA Bend Quilts

Becca at Pretty Piney

Bobbi at Snowy Days Quilting

Diane at Cwilt

Jennifer at The Inquiring Quilter

Karen at Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats

Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts

Sandy at SandyStar Designs

Sherry at Powered by Quilting

Vanda at Quilt in Piece

Giveaways

There are giveaways for this block too!  Hard to believe that the prizes just keep on coming.



First:  A binding baby, donated by Shari at Doohikey Designs.  Aren't they just the cutest things!

Second:  Jennifer at The Inquiring Quilter, one of my friends from the 2017 NewQuiltBloggers group, where we met and conceived this Block Party,  has donated a pdf pattern of your choice.  Jennifer is so supportive of other bloggers; it has been really fun to get to know her in the blogsphere.

How do I enter the Giveway?  

There are three ways to enter, BUT, whichever one you choose must be done by December 4, 2017 at midnight EST.   You do not have to finish every block to enter this giveaway - that's the good news - but you do have to finish the one to be eligible for these prizes and you must upload a picture.

Please upload a photo of your finished block to either:

1. my Linky Party at An InLinkz Link-up  OR
2. the Facebook Group I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long   OR
3. Instagram using #iwishyouamerryqal

Don't forget the grand prize:

There is a fabulous grand prize package (thread, fabric, batting, patterns and more), and if you have been working along, or decide to play catch-up you can win!  We encourage you to finish the top.

You are eligible to win the grand prize if you:
1)  finish your quilt top including all 12 blocks (it does not have to be quilted)
2)  post a picture of your finished quilt.
3)  do both of these thing by 11:59 PM EST January 15, 2018.  


Thank you for joining us in this journey,

Finish #2 for the quarter, Free Fall QAL

It was a terrific feeling to finish this quilt.  I wanted it ready for our quilt show, in the middle of October and it was.  It was part of my goals for this quarter for the 2017FALQ4; you can see them all here.  We had a family death and so I was unable to be at the show, but was out of the country.  In my hurry to get things done and delivered to friends, I forgot to take pictures of this quilt.  As I have a quilt made of these fabrics on my bed, I felt as though this deserved to be in someone's home that loved it.  It found a buyer a the show - I was thrilled.

The quilting was pretty intense for me.  It was all straight line, and I used a darker thread in the green leaf and a light thread in the the background.  I loved the effect and was pleased that I stuck with it. 

Here's the way we label our quilts at the show  We get to write a little description to tell people about the quilt.  Of course we could go on forever, but we are limited to 50 words or so.

This pictures shows my label.  I had this fantastic aboriginal print, that was just lovely for the background.  I often do my labels the same way, framing them, and you can see more about that here.

Thanks to my quilting friend, Sandra at MMM! Quilts for designing a great quilt and hosting a fun QAL.  

Here's how the end of the year list is looking:

2017FAL4Q List:  3 to go!!!!
1. Free Fall Quilt Along 
2.  Alphabet Quilt
3.  Sew Together bags
4.  Petal Play Loon 
5.  Organized sewing room

All people quilt UFOs   (so 7 out of 12 are done!!)

1.  Grey batik flying geese

2.  Petal Play Loon
3.  Raw Edge Tree Runner
4.  Row by Row #3 (is this for real, one more??)
5.  Sew Together Bags

Here's hoping for a stellar finish - I think the Sew Together Bags will be done as well.  An organizer is coming Tuesday to help with #5 the Sewing room,  as the Raw Edge Tree Runner and the others just depend if I get any momentum.  I really didn't expect the move to last so long or the disruptions to be so pervasive but the are!

A Merry Quilt-A-Long is coming your way

Do you love trying new things and learning new techniques? Do you want to meet some new quilty friends? Would you like to finish a Christmas quilt BEFORE Christmas?  Consider joining or following along in the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long.

The quilt-a-long (QAL) starts August 1st. Every other Tuesday, a new FREE 12" quilt block pattern and tutorial will be released. If you complete the block before the next pattern release, then you will be entered to win some AMAZING prizes! There are bi-weekly prizes and a mega grand prize too!  Don’t forget to join the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long Facebook Group to join the party! Designers will post links to the tutorials there, so that is your best way to not miss a single post! You can also ask questions and post pictures of your blocks as you complete them to be entered to win the prizes!

All the bloggers that are participating in the QAL met through the 2017 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop. There are 11 bloggers that have designed blocks. They are:

April at JANDA Bend Quilts

Bobbi at Snowy Days Quilting

Diane at Cwilt Fabrics & Haberdashery 

Jennifer at The Inquiring Quilter

Kathleen at Kathleen McMusing  ⟽

Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts 

Sandra at Sandra Healy Designs

Sandy at Sandy Star Designs

Sherry at Powered by Quilting

Sola at Alice Samuel's Quilt Co.

Vanda at Quilt in Piece

In addition, there are quilt-a-long hosts who will be sewing along and making every block too! They will share tips and tricks for each block, plus you'll get to see the same block in many different fabrics! These bloggers will be there every step of the way to encourage you to finish the quilt too!

Abbie at Sparkle On

April at JANDA Bend Quilts

Becca at Pretty Piney

Bobbi at Snowy Days Quilting

Diane at Cwilt Fabrics & Haberdashery

Jennifer at The Inquiring Quilter

Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts 

Sandy at Sandy Star Designs

Sherry at Powered by Quilting

Vanda at Quilt in Piece

Still have questions? I've got answers!

• Do I have to make every block? No! This is laid back and meant to be fun! Make the ones you want! You will be eligible to win the bi-weekly prize for each block you complete.
• Is this for experienced quilters only? No! The quilt-a-long is for everybody! Every block is unique and uses various techniques. That's why we started a Facebook group - so we can all help each other be successful! Whether you're new or seasoned, I'm sure you'll find this an exciting and fun experience!
• Can I see the blocks beforehand? Nope! We are only releasing one block at a time. I know, I know. I'm a control freak too! Trust me, it will be worth it though!
• Who can participate? Anyone, anywhere....
• Can I still participate if I'm not on Facebook? Absolutely! If you're on Instagram, use #iwishyouamerryqal to be entered to win. Each designer will also have a linky party on their block post so you can link up blog posts or Flickr photos. If you want to sew along, we will find a way!
• What are the prizes? There are so many! It's best to keep an eye on the Facebook group, as we will begin sharing the prizes there soon! Just some of the prizes include patterns, batting and products from The Warm Co., thread from Aurifil, a gift certificate to The Fat Quarter Shop, signed quilt books, precuts, and much more! You won't want to miss a single week!
• How much fabric do I need?  This is hard to say but a 1/2-1 yard of a few Christmas fabrics will do.  I would include a light and a dark and then maybe two shades of green and red or teal and red.  This is always a good start for a sampler and if you need more you can always add in fat quarters as you go.   If you are thinking of a quilt, I suggest 1 yard for sashing and 1 yard for a border. To finish the quilt, you will need 4 yards for backing (or 2 yards of extra-wide backing), a twin size batting, and 1/2 yard for binding.  

Ok, I want to do it! Now what? Yay!! First, join the Facebook group so you'll know when each block is released. Second, gather the fabrics you might want to use for your quilt. The quilt-a-long starts August 1st! Lastly, invite your friends! Share the quilt-a-long graphic on Instagram and use #iwishyouamerryqal. Share this blog post or a post from the Facebook group on your own Facebook account and in your quilty groups. A party's more fun with friends!

I can't wait to see all your blocks!

A finished top #FreeFallQAL

My Free Fall Quilt Along project is done, well the top is done.  "Done" is a funny term for quilts, as there are often many stages of done in getting to the the finished quilt.  Here are a few things quilters consider a quilt done:  

1. finishing the blocks, 
2. piecing the blocks together, 
3. sometimes adding borders, 
4. quilting the quilt, 
5. adding the binding,
6. putting the label on - NOW IT IS REALLY DONE! 

I really love the way it turned out.  I hope to get it basted so I can quilt soon, but am traveling this weekend, so it won't happen until next week at the earliest.   I have a few ideas about quilting it, but haven't really settled on the plan just yet.

Thank you, Sandra @ mm quilts for a great QAL.  It was fun to see what others choose and an unexpected project that I really enjoyed - using up my stash/scraps is one of my goals this year - and I love this little quilt.

Linking up to Let's Bee Social

Things I am working on:

April and May UFOs (a little late on April)

-Prepping M3 (Meadow Mist Mystery) Quilt for quilting on 5/23

-finish shashiko block and make pillow cover

Ongoing

-pick some colors for La Passacagalia

-begin animal alphabet quilt

-label a few quilts (I think there are about 4 needing labels)

Finish It Up Friday & FreeFallQAL #4

I finished the 6 blocks for my #freefallqal.  I love they way they come together and most likely it will remain a smallish quilt.  I don't have enough background to float the quilt as I would like (only the equivalent of 3/4" so I don't think it is worth it, but I may try....  That decision will be for next week.

The last three blocks for the #FreeFallQAL

For this week's blocks there were actually 3 different layouts for the blocks.  Two blocks were hard (not paying attention), the next two easy, and the third set I cursed myself by saying to a co-worker, I am nearly done!  Only two seams had to be ripped out but interesting how easy it was for me to mis-sew or misplace a piece.

And here they are on the table ready to be sewn together!

The proposed layout for the blocks

Linking up to Sandra at mmm! quilts and Crazy Mom Quilts.

#FreeFallQAL Part 3

I finished this piece a bit ahead of schedule!!!!

It is fun to see this come together.  I chain stitched a whole bunch of the segments together, which helped the assembly go much quicker.  Here is one part of the chain!  The first picture is of the pile on my desk, waiting to be sewn.  The second is the chain of that pile hanging on the door in my study!

I thought that was pretty entertaining.  On the whole, I  have figured out that having a system of organization for this is making me much happier.  Many patterns have pictures of the units, and while I don't really need them, I had to come to some easier way of putting this block together.

1.  Mark and make the half square units.
2.  Pin all the pieces that can be sewn next (one flying geese unit, 3 half square-rectangle units, one half square /square unit), so that the pin is on the side to be sewn (saves pieces getting turned and piecing on the wrong side).
3.  Sew and Press
4.  Pin next set of sections, sew and press.
5.  Continue until the top and bottom half of the block is together
6.  Sew the block together

So much happier putting this group together!!

#FreeFallQAL Link Up #2

I finished the first 8 blocks for my FreeFall QAL!

I love the way they are turning out.  These are leftover scraps form at least one bed quilt and a few fat quarters that were stashed some time ago.

However, I was not paying attention...and here are a list of the errors of my ways:

1. made 2 sets of flying geese (only needed one),
2. didn't trim my half square triangles,
3. didn't trim the flying geese, and
4. don't try to put an off center block together with the two sets of flying geese (I did it, but much faster to take them apart.

Here is a picture of some of the trimming along the way.

Helpful hint#1:  

 When paper piecing, you can glue the first piece to the paper to keep it in place, easier than dealing with pins.  For this project, I "chain-glued" - glued all the 8 points at one time.

Helpful hint #2:
When trimming squares you can trim on two sides at once, and if you have a turntable mat, this is a good time to use it!

Linking up with FreeFallQAL #2 at mmmquilts.com