WHOOMP There IT Is! #30 - It's Been A While

Long time, no see. I've missed you. I honestly can't believe it's been almost a month. When I decided to start doing my WHOOMP There IT Is! linky party 1x/mo (first Fridays), I didn't intend to only blog 1x/mo!  But that's about where I am. I do plan to blog at least twice a month though.

The month flew by and even though I had a few finishes, I don't feel like I've accomplished much. Maybe because the last couple of quilts were very simple patterns? Who knows. Truth be told, I've been in some kind of mood lately and I really hope it passes soon because I don't like feeling this way.

I finished the commission for 2 baby quilts. A friend/coworker ordered a quilt for each of her grandsons who will both be turning a year old in August. She got the quilts on Tuesday and is very pleased and excited to present them in August.

And here's my other finish.

When I get to the end of a piece of fabric, 7" or less, I usually strip it down into strings ranging from 2.5" - 1".  Well one day, a long, long time ago, I got a wild hair and decided to sew all my 1" strings together (in jellyroll race fashion) and this is what it yielded. Too thin to be a lap quilt, and too wide to be a table runner, I'm calling it a bed runner. It sat as a flimsy until last month when #4 was chosen in our UFO Challenge 2016, and now it's finished!

One last thing I want to share before the party is a pattern test I'm working on. It's a pattern called Scrappy Litter Blox by Lillyella. The pattern will be included in the June Stash Builder Box.  I usually like to get all the cutting out of the way first, but not this time. I had to put at least one block together to show you.

I've quite a bit more cutting to do but the block goes together rather quickly.  I'll finish cutting tonight and hopefully get most of the quilt together this weekend. And speaking of this weekend, it's supposed to get upwards of 117° here in Phoenix! So yeah, I'll be indoors ALL weekend stitchin'!

Eeek! It's going to be a long summer. =( Maybe I can come visit one of you this summer. Anywhere is cooler than here!

So what have you been stitchin' on?  I'd love to see it!

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Thank the Host

Everyone likes to hear "thank you" and know their effort is appreciated.

Spread the Love

The more love you give, the more you get. Pick a number (mine is 5) and commit to visiting and commenting on that many link-ups. Let them know where you're visiting from and ask them to visit you. (This works well for me!)

Direct Link

Use a direct link to a specific post, not your main blog.

Link Back

In your blog post, include a link back to my post/blog and/or grab the WHOOMP There IT Is! button above and put in your post or sidebar. Thanks for spreading the love.

Follow Me ;)

Of course I would love for all you linky-uppers to be followers, but it's NOT required.

Party Hearty! 

An InLinkz Link-up

Linking up at Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?


A Thread for Life
Make Your ways known to me, 
Lord; teach me Your paths. 
Guide me in Your truth and teach me, 
for You are the God of my salvation; 
I wait for You all day long. 

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

Disclosure:  This post contains affiliate links that give me a small commission if you click on the link AND buy.

For those of you who haven't already heard of Craftsy, I'm about to take you to school!  It's an online platform that delivers crafts education classes via full-length, professionally-produced, interactive, high-definition videos. They offer a wide array of classes to include quilting (my drug class of choice), sewing, knitting, crochet, photography, wood working, paper craft, and many more.  The interactive feature allows students/peeps to connect directly with each other and the award-winning instructors.  I just became an affiliate and I have a special offer for you!  I'll tell you about the special offer in a bit, but first a little history about me and Craftsy. 

When I first heard of an "online" quilting class, I immediately pictured myself failing out of it!  I thought it was like a college course that I'd have to log into everyday and complete by a certain time...and my attitude was "thanks, but no thanks!".  But...after seeing Ann Petersen's quilts I started thinking maybe I too could make quilts that beautifully if I just took her class, so I decided to give the "online" class a chance.*  Needless to say, but I'm going to say it anyway, I was quite pleasantly surprised.  It was nothing like I thought it would be!  And now, I'm currently enrolled in several classes. 

The beauty of Craftsy classes is that they never expire and you can watch them anytime, as many times as you like, provided you have a proper internet connection.  And remember, it's interactive! Which means you can post questions and/or pics to get help from the instructor or other peeps taking the class.  And if you think your question might be "dumb" (which is how I feel about mine sometimes), you can scroll through other peep's questions in the sidebar and maybe find that someone has already asked that "dumb' question, so you don't have to! However, my experience was I asked the "dumb" question first, then scrolled and saw that someone had already asked it..so I was doubly "dumb"!

So now you know all about Craftsy!  Does it make you want to take a class?  I sure hope it does because I've got an offer for you!

  

Offer: 50% off Strip Your Stash

Original Price: $29.99

Your Price with Discount: $14.99!

Expiration Date:    9/23/15 @11:59pm MT

I chose this class for a couple of reasons.  The first being I'm already a stash stripper.  When I get down toward the end of a piece of fabric (less than 1/4 yd), I strip it!  I make as many 2.5" strips as possible then 2", 1.5" and lastly 1".  And I have bin drawers for each size. I have 2 for the 2.5" strips. One for lights and one for darks.  I also strip the extra fabric from backings after I've quilted a quilt AND I occasionally strip fat quarters!

The second reason being, I'm not the most creative person and I like following patterns and tutorials. For those of you who are like me and need some direction and inspiration on how to use scraps in your stash, this class is for you!

And remember if you click AND buy from somewhere in this post, I get a little kickback.  The offer expires on 9/23/15 @ 11:59p MT.  

Are you interested in becoming an affiliate? Click here to join.  Oh, and let them know Zenia Rene of A Quilted Passion referred you.! 

Also...coming on October 1, 2015 to A Quilted Passion. A new Thursday Linky Party!  I hope to see you all there!  The button will be "grabbable" a few days before the linky goes live! Spread the word!

*I soon realized that just taking a class isn't going to make me an award winning quilter. The class provides tools, tips and tricks for becoming a better quilter, but it's up to me to PRACTICE what I learn to become that award winning quilter I want to be.

A Thread for Life

...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil 4:8

Linking up at:

Let's Bee Social

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?

A Post of Finishes and Few Words

I'm in some kind of funk lately and I don't have much to say today, but I wanted to share my progress.

Diamonds and Purples is finished 68" x 80".

Spinning Stars is also finished 43" x 62".

I made a coordinating pillowcase

To reward myself for these two finishes, I sewed all my 1" strings together in jellyroll race fashion to make this panel. The panel is still just a flimsy but I plan on quilting it and making it a wall hanging. I also made a rag bag tote.

If you pray, pray me out of this funk please. Thank you and God bless.

A Thread for Life
Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithful love; 
according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion. Psalms 51:1

Linking up at:
TGIFF!
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop!
Anything Goes Mondays
Scraptastic Tuesday
WIP Wednesday

More Finishes and a New Addition to the Family

I finished the college bound, scrappy strip twist quilt for my niece. I'm extremely pleased w/how it turned out!  She is going to love it!

I practiced FMQ -  meandering in the pink borders. It's not the prettiest job, but the important things are:  I'm practicing, thus getting better AND I used a light colored thread so you can't see how not-so-curvy it really is. ;)






I've been experimenting more w/taking pics of my quilts. This one was too long to hang where I usually do to get a full frontal. I realize pics don't have to be full frontal but whenever I just "lay" the quilt over the end of the sofa or a wall, it looks stupid.  Anyone have any pointers?

I also finished this little charity quilt. At the last QA meeting, someone brought in a bunch of individual 10" squares already quilted.  I grabbed a handful and this is what they became.






I came across this handy dandy post by +bellezza squillace on how to fold and store quilts. I've tried this several times. Mine still aren't as neat looking as the originators pic seen here, but they will no longer have hard creases down and across the middle! =)

Remember the puppy I wrote about in this post? I named her Ivy. I brought her home last night. I got her from my dear friend +Pam Hammond. If anyone is interested in a Blue Heeler aka Australian Cattle Dog, she has 4 pups for sale; 2 females, 2 males.  I'm hoping Ivy and Inka (our cat), will be fast friends soon.

3 wks

Look how much Ivy has changed in 5 weeks. They are born white and quickly develop their colors/spots like Dalmatians (because they were cross bred with Dalmatians way back when). She has beautiful markings w/ a single mask and was the only pup in the litter w/brown ears.

7 1/2 wks

I'm still hanging w/Bikram Yoga. I just completed my 4th week. Only 8 more to go. I have to adjust my schedule to 2 classes a week starting Monday because I drop my grandson off at school. I may have to adjust it even more to accommodate Ivy. I'll keep you posted.

Oh, I almost forgot, my blog's 1st birthday is this month and I want to do a give away. Any tips/pointers you can give for a successful giveaway will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time, Happy Quilting!

A Thread for Life
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Heb 3:13 NASB

If Only Food Fasting Were This Easy!

I took a Fabric Fast Challenge that went from Jan 1 - Jun 30. I made it! I did not purchase a single piece of fabric for 6 mos! It wasn't terribly difficult for me because I had the Canada/NY trip to save for. AND in addition to the previous fabric donations I wrote about in May, I was given another HUGE donation!   I have a considerable stash now and I'm honestly considering going another 6 mos - 1 year w/o buying fabric!  I'll keep you posted on my progress.

I'd been wanting to make the Strip Twist Quilt for quite some time. I decided to make it for my niece who is going off to college this fall.  I LUV how it turned out! I even added a flange!  I thought I'd finished the top last weekend (66.5in x 81.5in) but then she told me that her bed is an extra long twin. Good thing I hadn't started quilting it yet. I'm adding another 5 inch border to the top and bottom (in the same pink).

 I also finished the mystery quilt top I was doing w/my chapter - Quilters Anonymous QA.

I made this cute little pin cushion/scrap bag combo a couple of weeks ago. I used this tutorial, but filled it w/crushed walnut shells.

I also made this caddy for my cutting mat (18 x 24). I actually started a tutorial for it but  didn't take all the pics I needed, so I'll have to make another one before I can post the tutorial.

Here are a couple of the smaller projects we're doing at kids sewing camp this year. A pin cushion and scrap bag. Camp is July 7-11. Last year I volunteered for 1 afternoon, this year I'm doing 2 full days! I'm so excited!

I'm now debating on whether to start a new quilt OR start quilting the 4 tops I have completed. Decisions, decisions!!

On another note, about a year & half ago, a friend brought one of her dogs to church.  A Blue Heeler aka Australian cattle dog.  I really liked the look of the dog. She told me they are very intelligent and loyal dogs. I said I might be interested it getting one in the future. Well...her dog just had 7 pups and I'm seriously considering getting one. I've even picked one out! I'm thinking of names for her and am considering giving her a name from a character in the The Outlander Series, but maybe not.

And lastly, as if I don't already have enough to do, I've added yard work to the list. I haven't really done much w/the backyard since I bought the house a couple of years ago and so I've been doing improvements little by little over the last couple of weeks. My "grass" was just weeds really.  I've been getting up early in the morning, having my quite time on the back patio and then I spend about a half hour working in the yard before work. By spring it should be really nice.

I definitely need to blog more often...so my posts aren't so darn long! On my honor, I will try...to do weekly posts at the very least.

Until next week, Happy Quilting!

A Thread for Life
But I am not ashamed, because I know the One I have believed in and am persuaded that He is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day. 2 Tim 1:12 HCSB

Touching Base

I planned to have 2 quilts completed for my Denver trip, which I leave for in 2 days, but life got in the way and I was only able to complete one. What was going to be my niece's graduation quilt, is going to be her "off to college" quilt.  I don't feel too terrible about it though because I made her a quilt not quite 2 years ago and I bought her something for graduation., 

I did finish this scrappy log cabin lap quilt for a friend. I quilted it block by block to practice my FMQ.  Up close it's not very pretty, but from a distance it's a true beauty. 

If I would've known starting a fabric fast would get me free fabric, I would've done it a long time ago!!  Remember back in March I wrote about my friend +Greta Anderson sending me a box of goodies? Well a few weeks ago, another friend gave me a ton of lovely batiks and just last weekend I got a bunch more fabric from another friend!! It may not be the latest and greatest lines, but I am so NOT picky. I love free! Honestly, I can probably  go a year from today, without purchasing any new fabric!! And I just might do it! 

I added a new machine to my family.  I bought this Viking on Craigslist to be my traveling machine. I have yet to name it. 

So, we leave in 2 days.  Originally it was going to be ALL of us going, but one of my sons is in the hospital in Nebraska and won't be able to go (please say a prayer for him), and my daughter and grand kids aren't going either. We haven't had a chance to all visit together since we left Denver in 2005. I'm bummed because my mom has never met her great-grand daughter who shares her birthday and is already 3 1/2 yrs old.  We'll have to have a reunion at some point. I am looking forward to seeing friends I haven't seen in years and the cooler weather.

I finally reupholstered my dining chairs.  It was on my fall/winter "To Do" list....so I was just a few months behind. 

before

after

I know some of you aren't going to like this...but I'm down to one cat.  Sadly, a few months back I had to put Kiko down because he had blocked urethra.   Sunday, I got rid of Roscoe. That morning, after not being able to sleep at all Saturday night, I was debating on whether or not to go to church.  After talking w/my son about driving me, I walked back into my bedroom to find Roscoe looking crazy and my curtains and rod pulled out of the wall on one side. When I went to try and fix it, I noticed he had peed in the darn windowsill! Instead of going to church, I had my son drive me to the Humane Society, where I surrendered him. I was relieved to find he was micro chipped and that most likely he'd go back to the wherever he was registered. I won't get any more pets. One cat at a time is plenty!

Lastly, I'd like to ask you to pray for me. Lately I feel calloused and empty. I'm in a funk.  I haven't been reading the bible or praying. I haven't taken stock or given thanks for my many blessings and instead I've been complaining about what I still don't have (namely a husband).  The nerve of me! I just wrote about family and gifts and and friends and I have the nerve to feel ungrateful!  I'm struggling... Lord forgive me. 

A Thread for Life

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again - my Savior and my God! ~ Psalm 42:11

 I'm linking up over at  Val's Quilting Studio.

Hello, my name is...

Zenia and I am a Quilter! I've been quilting for 2 yrs and am just recently inspired to blog about it. It's kind of odd because I've never cared for writing much but I am quite passionate about quilting so I'm sure I'll have a lot to say about it!  I've made 20+ quilts over the last 2 years and I plan to post all of my pics on here eventually. Someday I may write up some tutorials but  until then, I'll be posting about projects I'm working on and hopefully pass on some tips and tricks that have helped me a long the way. 

I'm currently working on a kaleidoscope quilt inspired by Maxine Rosenthal's book, One Block Wonders,( I prefer to call them one bolt wonders).  It's my 2nd one using this technique. I am using a fabric called  "koto" by Alexander Henry. 

I fell in love w/ this fabric about a year and a half ago but I couldn't bring myself to buy it at $12.99/yd.  So I put it off and put it off until finally one day I was browsing the Red Tag section at Joann when all red tag was 50 % off and  guess what?!! It was there!!! I ended up paying something ridiculous like $3.50/yd! Needless to say I bought all they had which ended up being about 8 1/4 yds.  

I plan to make 2 quilts for my bed. One for Spring/Summer and another for Fall/Winter. 
This shall be my Spring/Summer quilt  which I hope to have at least the top finished by this December.

The quick short version of this technique is. 

First stack and cut the fabric yardage into 6 pieces with the same design element. (I believe this is also referred to as a "stack & whack")

Cut into strips. I did the suggested 3 3/4 inches.

Cut strips into triangles. 

Stacks on stacks on stacks

Because the fabric is stacked up w/the same design element lined up, you end up w/6 identical triangles. 

You then sew the 6 triangles together to make some awesome hexagons! 

So this is what I have so far. I will be back again w/my progress.