Week 6 - My oldest UFO!

This week I completed my oldest UFO!  Confetti throwing and celebrating is appropriate!!

I started this quilt at a Retreat held probably 8 years ago (as far as I can remember...)
I finished it later that year, but had not learned how to quilt yet, so the top sat...unfinished...for a long time.  A couple of weeks ago, I stayed late and used the longarm machine at work.  I quilted it and then, last week, I bound it.  I am so happy to have it finished.  Here is a close-up of the quilting.

I quilted loops and hearts in a meandering pattern.  Not too fancy for a not too fancy quilt.

Next, I made these pillowcases for my sister who loves most things French (also Texas).  This is from the Etchings line, and is a street map of Paris.  Of course, I used French seams.  I've been to Paris with her once, and I'm so glad I went.  If I could figure out how to travel without getting sick, I'd love to go again!  There are some fun French-type fabrics out there, but I didn't want it to be pink, so I was glad to find this instead (on our shopping trip last week).

My hot pad count is now up to 9.  I crochet when I'm too tired to do other things in my sewing room.  I also quilted a Valentine's runner for a friend.  It was super cute!

Upcoming projects:  One quilt for a customer.  Borders on my spool quilt.  Quick runners out of birthday fabric.  Contemplating next UFO to finish, and work on the Challenge quilt top.  Lynn's is so cute, the recipient is going to love, love, love it!  Mine won't be as cute, but it will be nice.

I've been looking around at blogs, and there are some good ideas out there. I think I'll stick to just getting things done each week.  I try not to buy new fabric, but some of it just jumps up and down and begs to be taken home.  Working at a quilt shop is dangerous to my pocketbook :).

Please let me know what you are working on.  I'd love to hear from you!

Keep on sewing!

Week 5

It seems I am getting later and later each week.  However, the week isn't over yet, so anything goes!

I had seen some big pillows at a store, and thought they would be fun to have on our bed, for sitting up to read, crochet or play on my phone.  However, I thought I might be able to do it for less than the $25 per pillow they were charging.  I checked at the local store.  They had pillow forms 50% off, the fabric I wanted (velour - for texture), was 40% off, the zippers were 40% and 50% off with coupons, and I had a coupon for an additional 20% off my total purchase.  Plus the pillows were bigger at 27 inches square.  I saved around $11.  Then, it only took me about an hour to make these:

And I love them!  They are soft, and comfortable, and easy to toss off for sleeping.

After I made the Whoopsy Daisy quilt (see last blog entry), there was plenty of fabric left over to make a doll quilt.  So, I backed it with a minkee remnant, and bound it with fabric from my stash and came up with this:

I think I am sending it to my husband's niece.  I think she will like to play with her dollies with it.

I started a new quilting class, and changed my method just a little bit.  I think it might lead to more success for my students.  I've been learning about tension while quilting, and I also have to remind myself to slow down just a bit.  The next class in this session is this weekend, so we will see if it keeps helping my students to learn this new way.

Next week, I'll share my shopping adventures with you, along with a very funny story.  Until then...

Keep sewing!

Week 4...

And I just noticed that last week was my 100th posting.  Can you believe it?  Also, can you believe I've kept up my blogging this year?  I think a once a week goal is working for me.  I am very goal-oriented, so I am pleased with this.

Now for the week's finishes:

I took this pillow top...

and made it into this pillow cover.  

Then, I finished the Whoopsy Daisy quilt for the store.

 Here is a close-up of the quilting,

 and here is the minky I put on the back. It is just a lovely quilt.

Then, I made a quick runner for my mother-in-law and put it in the mail today.  It will be a nice Valentine's treat for her table.

I also finished two more hot pads.  This makes 5 all together.

Now, for the works in progress:

Challenge quilt top.  I have the center block (16") done.  Now I just have to decide what goes around it next. I am toying with the idea of a rail fence type border, and definitely 9-patches in the corners.
My longest UFO:  I have a quilt top finished for several years.  I am going to stay late tomorrow and quilt it on the long-arm machine.  I am looking forward to having it finished.  I will try to get the binding on over the weekend.
My Itty Bitty pinwheels demonstration went well.  I just need to finish it.  I'm not sure if it will make it to the top of the pile this week or not.
My machine needs a tune-up and I will not be sewing for a couple of days.  I've got to get the tension adjusted for my quilting.

I enjoyed the quilting process on the Whoopsy Daisy quilt very much.  I have also enjoyed the Challenge quilt and taking a block and figuring out the most efficient way to put it together.

What are you sewing?  I'd love to hear.

Week 3

And a few more finishes this week.  I've really been keeping my nose to the grindstone, and trying to wrap a few things up.  First, this fabulous scarf.  My son bought me the loveliest yarn for Christmas.  I took a "before" picture of it, but that camera disappeared.  So, here is the "after" picture.  It is soft and lovely and I used up most of the yarn.  Yea, no leftovers!

Then, there is this tree skirt.  I know it isn't Christmas anymore, but, hey, I am ready 11 months early for next Christmas *wink*.  I figured it out without a pattern, but used a tree skirt I made before out of wider fabric for inspiration.  I am especially proud of the quilting in the border.

Then, I also finished my Calendar Cover.  This is the fourth one I've made (one each year).  I usually make it during Christmas break, but I think all I did during Christmas break was bake and clean up the kitchen.  So, I made it last week.  It only takes about an hour or so, and I make it different each time.  I think some friends want to learn how to do it, so we'll be making more.  I also want to make a cover for my Relief Society manual when I get it.

I also did a lot of cleaning, oiling cabinets and such.  This week there is something every day to be done, so I won't get as much accomplished, I'm sure.  However, I will keep plugging away and see what I can come up with.

Works in Progress:

Whoopsy Daisy quilt:  is basted and ready to be quilted.  Just gotta do it.
Itty Bitty Pinwheels:  quilt for a last-minute class on Thursday.  This time in red and white.
More Hot Pads:  I bought 7 skeins of yarn today for hot pads.  This should keep me in business for 2 months.
Cutting up Scraps:  my scrap basket is overflowing and needs to be cut into 5" and 2 1/2" squares.  Then they can be ready for another project.

There is always plenty to do, and this is helping me stay focused and not jump around too much.  Next week I really need to start my Challenge quilt top.

Happy sewing!

Week 2 - And the Month Goes on...

Hi everyone!  I hope you are able to get some sewing done each week.  I know I am trying to sew.  I actually got something done this week.

This is my "Baskets Quilt".  We worked on it all last year in Quilt Guild. A lot finished theirs by the May meeting.  I finished mine yesterday.  It was intense to make, and intense to quilt, and I am glad it is finished.

Works in Progress:

• A new Christmas tree skirt.  I started this in December, but run out of time to finish it.  I am in the middle of quilting it, so it should be finished this week.
• Whoopsy Daisy quilt for the store.  This quilt is basted and ready to be quilted.  I put minky on the back, so I am hoping it isn't too miserable to quilt.  
• My scarf is still in progress. I mostly work on it during small bits of time waiting for something else. 
• I finished a hot pad yesterday, and I am in the middle of another one.  I worked on the one last night while we watched a video.  The new one I worked on during quilt guild.  It helps me to keep my hands busy during these types of activities. 

I also found some pictures on my camera of things finished the last part of the year (2011).  I thought I might share them with you.

The above is a "Twister" quilt.  I made this to teach a class using the twister tool.  I love the fabric on this one!

This is a bag, (you know I love bags), to hold plastic garbage bags in my van.  I still need to get it out there.  Maybe tomorrow?

This is a pattern called "Harmony", and I used fun fall fabrics for it.  I think it would be fun in other colorways and leave the pumpkin and leaves off.  It is a table topper and I look forward to using it next fall.  It hung in the store this year, so it didn't make it to my table.  I actually used the long-arm quilting machine at work for this, so it isn't very good quilting, but it was delightful to try.

This is "The Ghastlies" fabric.  I love it!  Only I call it "Dinner with Teenagers".  You know how moody they get, right?  At least at my house they do.  How about at your house?

Last, this is the easiest runner in the world.  It took 1/2 yard of one fabric, 1/3 yard of the other, and about 30 minutes to make.  I actually brought the fabric home on a Saturday, and had it made by the following Tuesday evening.  I didn't see a pattern, but my friend talked me through it on the phone.  Later I found the instructions on http://extension.usu.edu/sewing/.  Pretty fun, huh?

Well, that's this week's review.  We'll see how the next week goes.  I hope to be able to report some work done.  Will you share with me what you are finishing?  Leave a comment if you'd like.


Happy Sewing!