Works In Progress - Nines and Attic Windows

I currently have several works in progress, but am only sharing two today.

The first is a quilt I'm making for my newest grand Cali, who was born on August 8th.

The pattern is a Disappearing Nine Patch and the fabric collection is Hashmark for Michael Miller. Cali's quilt will be finished soon!

Me and some friends sew together the 3rd Saturday of each month.  Most of the time we work on our own projects, but occasionally we plan to make the same project.  Last month we decided on an Attic Window quilt inspired by the Missouri Star Quilter's Attic Window Tutorial.  The tutorial called for a panel, but I didn't think any of my panels would look good as an Attic Window.

So instead I chose to use this older Springs Industries fabric that I've dubbed Flowers in the Meadow.  I think it works perfectly! Don't you agree?  I'll be adding borders and hopefully have this finished soon as well.

Until next time, God bless and happy stitichin'!

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A Thread for Life
There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true. - Soren Kierkegaard

The Party's Over

Last week I got an Account Expiration Notification email from InLinkz,  saying my subscription would soon expire.  I was surprised to learn it had already been a year since I started my WHOOOMP There IT Is Linky Party! The notice said my options were to extend my account (pay) to create image linkups or use for free as a text-only linkup.  I opted for neither, and so the party has come to an end.

 And to be honest, I'm not sad about it. I enjoyed hosting the linky, which started out as a weekly party, and later became a monthly one, but something about me and deadlines...  After experiencing both sides; host and linky-upper, I like being the linky-upper better.

Alas, a huge thank you to all who linked up and partied w/me along the way.

Moving right along...

I had a fairly productive month and have a few things to share w/you today to prove it.

One night I was jonesing for a finish. It felt like it had been forever since I'd finished a quilt.  I needed to make one and I needed to make it fast! I dug out some blocks that were given to me. Originally there were seven and they measured approximately 16" x 19". I used six of them to make this scrappy little number.  I used the quick turn/envelope/birthing method (no binding), and a combo of stitch-in-the-ditch and other straight line quilting.  And Tada! I got my fix!

I had used the 7th block a few months ago to make a pillow for Moe. This is usually where he is when I'm sewing.

This is Zebrina. A fun applique quilt from Heidi Pridemore of The Whimsical Workshop.  My grandson says Zebra's are only supposed to be black and white not "grey". He was not impressed w/mine. She's not grey though, She's made w/Sarah Watts' Shibuya in linen, from the Tokyo Train Ride collection.

I just have to add some quilting to the sky, and then she'll be hanging on the wall in my sewing room.

Oh! I also finished Scrappy Litter Blox a pattern by Lillyella. I pattern tested this before it was released in the June Stash Builder Box.

The Scrappy Litter Blox  pattern will soon be available directly from Lillyella.

And here it is in crinkly splendor after warshing and drying. I used a lot of Alison Glass' Sun Prints in this quilt.  I even got fancy and did FMQ meandering in the borders!

By the way, Stash Builder Box has been nominated for a Brassy award, which could mean $10,000 for their business if they are one of the winners. They have a great quilty box subscription program, and 20% of the proceeds go towards providing quilts for children in need.  They also have great ways for others to join in the giving - you can apply to be an Ambassador and help promote the program, or you can sign up to be a HeartBuilder and actually help create the quilts that are given out!  Go to www.voteforsbb.com to vote - you can vote once per day from now until Sunday, 10/9.
Vote now!

My last finish is from my UFO Challenge 2016 list.  It's a wall hanging for my grand-daughter and has been a wip for 1-2 years.

It'll make the perfect gift for her 6th birthday next month as it has 6 tulips on it. I wish I could say that was the plan all along, but it's simply coincidence.

The pattern is called Tiny Tulips by Quilting in the Rain. I won the pink fabric I used for the tulips from a QITR giveaway on IG! I got a little fancy w/the quilting on this one too. Anytime I say I did "fancy quilting", I mean I did FMQ in the form of meandering or a back & forth I learned in an Angela Walter's Craftsy Class. I also did my fave Faux Piped Binding.

That's all I've got today for finishes.  But I do want to mention that I'm super duper excited Katy of KatyQuilts will be spending several months in AZ!  I have all kinds of sew days and such planned for us. She's a talented and prolific quilter/blogger who inspires me immensely. Thanks Katy!

Linking up at:
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?
Finished or Not Friday
Fabric Frenzy Friday

A Thread for Life

WHOOMP There IT Is! #16 - My Binding Evolution

This post contains ad links.

How do you quilt? Some people quilt by hand, some by machine...and some by check. Check? Yep! I cracked up the first time I heard it...lol! What it means is, they pay someone to do the quilting for them. In most cases it's a long-arm quilter.  Now, some long-arm quilters also offer binding services but...some don't. So I had the awesome idea to offer machine binding services to local quilters who want to bind by check. =)  I'm currently working on a list of services and prices.

When I first started quilting I got anxiety when it came to the actual quilting, but even more so when it came to binding. My teacher wasn't always available so I went surfing and came across Quilting in the Rain. I used Jera's Binding and Blind Stitching Tutorial for awhile.

Before long, I decided that hand binding is for the birds.  I then graduated to her Machine Binding Tutorial. After using this technique for some time, I decided I wanted something w/a less bulky ending.  I went surfing again and found Binding by Machine by Carole at Fresh off the Frame. It teaches a smooth, mitered join at the end. It was exactly what I was looking for!

And then one day, either several months or a year later ( I don't know exactly how long as life is busy and time passes way too quickly), I was visiting my friend jkfreeman13 (IG name). She was showing me quilts she'd made over the years and they were all finished w/a gorgeous and very polished binding that also had an accent color.  She referred to it as Susie's Magic Binding.   It is also known as Faux Piped Binding  and it is AMAZING! I've written about this AMAZING binding before.  In the FPB tutorial, Trisha explains the difference in pressing the seam of your binding and accent fabric one way or the other. The effect is either "stuffed" like piping, or "flat" like a flange. This is my absolute favorite binding tutorial to date and will be an option that I offer w/my services.  Hand binding, on the other hand, will not be an option I offer.

Last week at our Quilters Anonymous Sit & Sew, in spite of excessive socializing, I managed to get all of the squares sewn together for this scrappy lap quilt I've named Lap Full of Flowers.

 Afterward, I came home and made a scrappy Jellyroll Race Quilt top.

And one more thing before I get to the linky, Craftsy is at it again! 

#ad Between the busy holiday season and the first flowers of spring lies the perfect time for creativity. Celebrate with BIG savings on supplies at Craftsy, at up to 50% off! Get great deals on art supplies, fabric, yarn, baking tools and more. Browse the sale prices now before the best products are gone! 

Shop NOW thru 1/31 @11:59PM MT 

So...how have y'all been? I've been seeing lots of fantastic WIPs in blogland and IG but, I'm always thrilled to see more!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://aquiltedpassion.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" title="A Quilted Passion" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4YsV6nk1H6N4SoytAqIMUezG-jJS06TJG89bPQzWj8oDoAOKu5rRBose1BqbkeEz9sma3x7OI6Utq0rOLWSu4WPRISs3QZERZHGpBLoEhoqSgiUmjkQwQ_n0Tc_42uJSI6MXdeyz5qU/s211/Linky+Button+Final+Whoomp300%252C+TII+150+AQP+LP+190+Fullsize.jpg" alt="A Quilted Passion" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Thank the Host

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Spread the Love

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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.

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A Thread for Life

And last but not least, GO BRONCOS!!!

Let Me See Your Jelly Roll

At Quilting in May, I suggested we come prepared to do a Jelly Roll Race Quilt for our June meeting. Though I'd sewn my 1" strings together in jelly roll race fashion (you can see that flimsy in this post), I'd never done an actual JRRQ, and neither had the other gals.  We agreed we'd have our 40 WOF (width of fabric) strips cut and sewn end to end and ready to race on June 20th. If you've never seen the JRRQ process, check out this video from Jenny at Missouri Quilt Co. 

When I started cutting out my strips, I decided I wanted to make one right then and there...so I did. 

I was so amazed at just how quickly it came together that I made another one.

By the time June 20th came around, I'd already finished 2 JRRQs.  We didn't actually race that day, but I did finish a 3rd flimsy. This is not a good pic but you can see my sis' quilt real good.

 A better pic of mine and Mel's.

 Here's my 3rd, quilted and ready for binding. Not a very good picture either.

And because I just couldn't help myself, just yesterday I made 2 more!  

This is definitely going to be my "go-to" pattern when I need a quick finish...but for now, I'm all jellied out!

What is your "go to" quilt pattern, when you need a fast finish?

A Thread for Life

Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:12

Linking up at:

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Oh Scrap!

Moving Right Along

The Blogger's Quilt Festival Fall 2014 has come to an end. A big shout out to Amy at Amy's Creative Side for coordinating the event.  Even though I didn't win this time around, I'm still super excited and very grateful that my quilt made it to Viewer's Choice Top 20!  A HUGE thank you for all who voted for my quilt. You can see the winners here.

Here are a few of my faves from the festival.

http://www.13spools.com/2014/10/bloggers-quilt-festival-icy-waters.html

http://quiltsmyway.blogspot.ca/2014/10/light-of-stars-quilt-bloggers-quilt.html

  

http://pugmomquilts.blogspot.com/2014/10/entering-bloggers-quilt-festival.html

If you missed the Blogger's Quilt Festival this time, don't despair, it happens twice a year! It'll be coming around again in Spring 2015, and I hope to see you there. 

In other quilty news...

I'm back to my countdown projects. I've been working on the double option star quilt which will be a Christmas present for my 3yr old sister. (my dad has a kid w/his girlfriend) 

Her favorite color is green so I chose this green from my stash BUT, it's very masculine.

What could I put w/it to make it more appropriate for a  3yr old girl?  Her mom said she also likes blue and red. So I went back in my stash and chose this beautiful blue paisley which has red (and the same green) in it. 

This fabric opened the door for yellow and a few other fabrics...which worked out well because I quickly ran out of the green. 

The blocks measure 8.5" square and originally I was going to make 42 of them for 6 across, 7 down. They are pretty busy though, so I decided to tone it down a bit by adding white sashing strips.

Here's what I've got so far. Because of the sashing I didn't need as many blocks after-all and settled on 24.  Four of these blocks (bottom row) are super scrappy because I used what was left-over from making the other sets. 

On Design Wall

 I'm calling it Spinning Stars. I've yet to add a white border and a 2nd border of the blue paisley.

Outside

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

A Thread for Life

If anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

"One way to have more faith is to ask for it! If you're like me, sometimes we don't need more of anything. We just need the courage to exercise what we already have.  Other times we authentically require an increase to do God's will, and He will not refuse it if we ask in Jesus' name.

Jesus will never turn us away when we come to Him with gut-level honesty and request what we lack. Since it is impossible to please God without faith, you and I constantly have new challenges to believe God.  Let's learn to confess our unbelief and ask Christ to empower us to overcome it." 

Beth Moore's Believing God: Day by Day

Linking up at:
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Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts

Finishes and Christmas Countdown Progress

In case you didn't already know, there are 67 days until Christmas.  With that being said, I'm making great progress.

In this post, I mentioned all of the projects I'd like to get completed by/before Christmas.   I've already finished the 2 charity quilts, both of which I did FMQ on. They both measure 36" x 36".

I've already started quilting mom's quilt.  Ever since I started making this One Block Wonder, well over a year ago, I planned to quilt it in orange. I'm using the color Pumpkin from Connecting Threads which is no longer available.

However, I'm not doing FMQ. I'm doing wavy lines which I've also seen called the Serpentine stitch. Mine is a lazy serpentine. You can see the quilting better from the back of the quilt. I really like it so far. I will do fmq/meandering in the borders.

back of quilt

 When mom's is finished, which should be by the end of this week, I'll get busy on my kid sis' quilt. Then I'll start knocking out the small quilted gifts, I've got 3 of 40 done so far.




Lastly, I'll start quilting Diamonds and Purples. I'm making it a quilt w/o binding AND keeping all the points. I'm trying something I've never done before and I'm excited to see how it turns out. It might even turn into a tutorial.  Stay tuned!

I spent some time this weekend organizing my stash. I usually get overwhelmed trying to figure out where to sort/file the multicolored prints, but this time...I just did it! I didn't touch the shelf on the right, but it has batiks, Christmas fabircs, pre-cuts and other miscellaneous stuff.

And since I was taking pics of my stash...I decided to straighten up the lab (that's what I refer to my sewing room as) to share some pics.

I guess that's all for now. I've got to get back to the lab.

Until next time, Happy Quilting and God Bless!

A Thread for Life

Where the spirit of the Lord is, There is freedom

Lift Your eyes to heaven, There is freedom

Freedom reigns in this place, Showers of mercy and grace

Falling on every face, There is freedom

If You're tired and thirsty, There is freedom

Give Your all to Jesus, There is freedom

Freedom reigns in this place, Showers of mercy and grace

Falling on every face, There is freedom

If your burden's heavy, He brings freedom

If you're hurt and broken, He brings freedom

Freedom reigns in this place, Showers of mercy and grace

Falling on every face, There is freedom

Great is Your faithfulness

Freedom Reigns by Jesus Culture

Linking up all over the place! 

Anything Goes Mondays
Freemotion by the River
Val's Quilting Studio Tuesday Archives
Let's Bee Social
Free Motion Mavericks
Needle and Thread Thursday
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop
TGIFF!