Project Quilting 13.5

 Challenge 13.5 we were to play with repetition and the creation of rhythm. Something had to be intentionally repeated three times or more.  Project Quilting is hosted by Kim Lapacek of Persimon Dreams.

When coming up with an idea for this week's challenge I as I'm sure most of the world has been doing watched the travesty that Russia is doing to Ukraine. My heart is with all Ukrainians. So it's no wonder that this week's project has at the very least hearts.

This is where I was in my project on Friday

I couldn't work on my PQ project as I had a deadline for a secret project, it had to be finished first. I finally had time on Friday to design and start making my creation. Hearts check. With a deadline of Sunday, I knew I had to get cracking on my PQ project. No time for progress photos.

a table topper completed before the deadline

This 21'' x 21'' table topper or wall hanging I put hanging corners on the back, is made in the colours of Ukraine's flag. I fmqed feathers in all the hearts using a light yellow Aurifil #2105, the blue is #2770 and the white is #2021. 

the back shows the quilting

I used Hobbs Thermore batting my favourite batting for table toppers and wall hangings.

Project 13.1 'Colour Snippets'

 It's time for Project Quilting hosted by Kim of  Persimon Dreams. The first challenge is called 'All the Colours', we were to use at least 5 colours. At first, I wasn't sure what I was going to make. Then during the middle of a sleepless night inspiration struck of course that was Friday night. Could I do this in one day? Yup!

definitely at least 5 colours

I think I better clarify something, I do not keep pieces this small. What I did was I took small pieces of Steam a Seam Lite and adhered scraps to them then cut those up with scissors.

scraps adhered to small leftover pieces of Steam a seam 

I then dropped the small snippets of adhered fabric to piece of a white fabric scrap. I adhered them to the fabric following manufacture instructions. I then cut the piece below into 2 1/2'' squares.

scattered snippets, the background fabric I used looked like it had snippets of white already

Next, I pulled out some 2 1/2'' HST's from my collection of leftover HST's from various projects.

some of my leftover or bonus HST's

Before you get thinking boy, is she ever organized, to a small extent with these I am. However, I have lots that aren't trimmed and nice and neatly stored.  That's a distant future organization job.

Snippets of colour

Some quick FMQing of sort of concentric circles in the squares with the snippets and arcs in the HST's. I could have done a better job of the arcs in the border. But overall I am happy with how the piece turned out.

I treated myself to flowers on New Years Eve, they still look good

My flowers look good on this piece, it is 9'' x 12''. I used Hobbs Thermore batting which I like to use in table runners and wall hangings and Aurifil #2110 for the quilting. Challenge 1 finished.

Granddaughter Quilt 'Shining Star'

The gifting of the quilt I made for one of my 5 granddaughters is done. I can now show you her quilt.

Nevaeh is my youngest son's oldest daughter and is 13, she has been through two major surgeries in her life already. The first when she was only a month old and the second when she was six. She is doing fine and hopefully will stay that way. When I asked what colour to make her quilt, all I was told was black. I just couldn't make a completely black quilt and was totally lost as to how to proceed.

Northcott Kensington Park border print and Northcott Shimmer 

When I saw this border print from Northcott I fell in love with it and my hope was that Nevaeh would too.  It was now Nov 9th, approximately 6 weeks until Christmas, and no plan in sight. Time to open EQ8 and start designing. 

I also used Kona black. The centre block is 24'' by 24''. 

More playing with inset seams

As if I didn't get enough inset seams making the block for the Virtual Cookie Exchange project you can read more about that here, I made four of the above blocks, what was I thinking?

Dec 4th and a long way to go

Piecing this top was a priority, I wonder if the Elves feel like this at this time of year?

Dec 5th a completely pieced top, excuse the poor lighting 

A sense of relief, with a finished top, now on to the quilting and 20 days till Christmas, with no idea how I wanted to quilt it. I started by stitching in the ditch, and then I let the quilt start talking to me. 

I kept the centre fairly simple. I outlined the bird and added some gentle curves. Straight lines radiating out from the centre and more curves.

I wanted the stars to pop so I echoed each star and in the background, I quilted small loop de loops and stars.

The black side borders I quilted feathers and the border print got straight lines spaced at an inch and a half.

the quilt required two holder uppers and of course, the wind was blowing

Binding and quilting were finished on Dec 21st, after more than 45 hours of quilting all on my domestic machine. I was one happy grandma!!

the back shows the quilting. My daughter helped hold it up

The quilt finished at 100 inches long by 90 inches wide. I think she was happy with her quilt.

Twisted Path is in Make Modern

 Wow, I didn't realize it was so long since my last post. I've been doing this that and nothing at all. I did do some secret sewing and today I get to show you one of those secret sewing quilts.

I am pleased to introduce you to Twisted Path, which is in the current issue #43 of Make Modern Magazine.

 

The inspiration behind this design was Covid and how our lives have twisted together at times and apart at others. My hope is that we can get Covid under control and return to the times of togetherness. I FMQed some feathers and swirls in the negative space. Some vines and leaves in the tans and browns The quilting was all done on my domestic machine.

A closer shot of the quilting

 Here is a summary of what is available in Issue 43 which begins with the Editor telling an age-old tale of coffee, blue jeans, and too many WIPs - the overwhelm of which is paralyzing her desire to quilt. Jane shares a recent epiphany that has resulted in her tackling some of her oldest unfinished projects, and she shares tips to help us whip our own WIP list into shape ready for the new year.

 Issue 43 is a fabulous collection of modern quilt patterns and projects to fill your creative cup – we MAKE quick quilts and cushions which would make great gifts, a modern applique quilt, a postage stamp quilt, and something a little trickier for those of us who like a challenge. There’s also a handy project travel bag to hold your quilt blocks flat and notions to quilt on the go. We MEET makers Troy Murrah who makes quilts from wood, Sharon Burgess from Lilabelle Lane, and Annie Hudnut. Our regular columnists discuss making plans, fabric substrates, HSTs, and we chat with Jess Zeigler of The Longarm League. We focus on Sewing Room Ergonomics and how you can make quilting less of a pain in the neck! And we MOTIVATE you to try fussy cutting with tips from Ange Wilson and a whole gallery of fussy cut inspiration.

 If you would like to read more subscribe to  Make Modern.

July + Garden of Scraps

 July seems to have flown by, maybe because I was a little busier than normal. I had a dreami moment that took up a whole bunch of time, plus vacationed at my son's place.

This is a photo-heavy post.

I have been trying to use up some of my scraps, a little bit of truth tea here. I don't think I'll ever use them up. They multiply like crazy! I'm still working on the 2'' squares. If you want to read about my plus quilt using the 2'' squares go here.

scrappy 4 patch 

more scrappy 4 patches

I tried to control the scrappiness of the 4 patches, keeping the colours close yet not identical. 

a little bit of Canadian pride included.

Now to put those 4 patch units into a top.

there were a number of layout possibilites

layout option #2

option #3

I wanted to add a border or two. This is where I flew by the seat of my pants as I had no concrete idea of what I wanted just a few thoughts whirling around in my mind. That can be dangerous, to say the least.   

auditioning border ideas

I went up north to visit my son and his family. The peace and quiet of the lake while I kayaked daily, helps calm and settle one's mind. This has been a trying year at best. 

I love this photo of the sun reflected on Tyson lake

My oldest grandson(13) and my youngest granddaughter(4). we normally catch and release unless the fish is injured too much. I did catch the first and biggest bass

After a hard morning of fishing, a nap was required. I made this quilt for my grandson when he was two, it has been well-loved and travels with him

    After getting back from up north, I had a week to finish the top and get the quilt all done that included free motion quilting on my domestic machine. This quilt is 80'' x 71'' a little bigger to quilt on my machine. I used my favourite thread Aurifil in the following colours #2123 a light yellow for the quilting the 4 patches and strips, it blended in well. I also used #2024 in the white border and #1148 for the turquoise borders.

feathers and straight lines in the borders. Ribbon candy in the turquoise border.

the best overall photo I could get 

I will be linking this dreami up at Sandra at mmmquilts.

Also linking to:

My Quilt Infatuation

Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Fairy Tale Blog Hop

Joan of MooseStash Quilting was in charge of this hop. The theme of this hop is fairy tales. My Fairy Tale started out innocently enough.

You all know the tale of 3 pigs, a big bad wolf, and the three houses, brick, wood, and straw. I made the brick house first as it was the strongest.

strong brick house with the little pig looking out the window for the big bad wolf

I was going to make book pages with the houses, pigs, and wolf. I printed out a part of the tale on an EQ printable sheet, cut it apart, and added part to the first page I made.

open book page

This is where my tale took a turn, I wasn't getting the fairy tale feel. So let's start again. 

As all good fairy tales begin: Once upon a time there were some scraps looking on sadly as they were not being used. While the creator of the pig tale was trying to come up with an idea that worked better. As she was looking at us, she suddenly had a gleam in her eye, and not skipping a stitch she brought us out to play. We squealed with delight as we joined the three little pigs, in a quilt sure to be loved by a child. 

I keep small HSTs made from cutoff triangles in a container, they made quick work in making some 4 1/2'' churn dash blocks.

auditioning spacer strips

In order for my pieced border of churn dash blocks to fit. I first needed to add spacer strips to do this I measured the centre, top to bottom of the piece. Time for some simple math. In my case the piece was 16 1/4'' long, add a seam allowance of 1/2''. So, I cut my pieces 1 3/4'' by 16 1/4''. Do the same to determine the strips that go on the top and bottom in my case 15 1/2'' x 2 1/4''. Sew the left and right spacer strips and then the top and bottom. Now I was ready to add my borders, which fit perfectly. 

the borders looked wavy, I just tossed and snapped the photo, this caused the quilt to look wavy

my new quilter holder upper is my grandson, he can be quite the character. As you can see the borders are not wavy.

I quilted straight lines in the green borders, in the print border I quilted pig and wolf outlines with loops. 

And that my gentle readers is the story of how the three little pigs and the scraps lived happily ever after together. 

The END!

For more Fairy Tales be sure to check out the rest of today's bloggers:

Tuesday, June 22

Quilted Delights

Stitchin at Home you are here

Karrins Crazy World

 Quilting & Learning - What a Combo!

Sewing Up My Fabric

Selina Quilts

Born to be Wild Almost

 Thanks to Carol of Just Let Me Quilt for organizing another wonderful hop. When I first saw the theme for the 'Born to be Wild' blog hop all that kept going through my mind is the song 'Wild Thing you Make my Heart Sing' sung by 'The Troggs' in 1966.  We were to sew something that's jungle-related. Like jungle animals, wild colors or designs, or jungle fabrics. In my defense for going roque, flowers and butterflies are in the jungle. RIGHT? Ahh all is good then, on to my project. Hopefully, Carol forgives me for doing my own thing.

The things that make the heart sing are the things that give you joy and happiness. I love flowers of any type, colour or shape. While my heart was singing I drew.

drawing out a plan

I drew out a design on a piece of freezer paper, it was convenient and big enough to do all on one piece of paper. After that, it was a simple matter to cut out what shapes I wanted to use for the 'Crafted Applique Method' my favourite method by far.

a few fauna and a wild butterfly, yup that fits the guidelines

For the quilting I did some 'Wild FMQ' from Christina Cameli's books. I stitched in the ditch around my applique pieces.

Okay are you ready, I did actually use an animal print for my project. It just happens to be on the back. It required a little bit of piecing to make it the right size. 

What makes your heart sing?

    The other bloggers for today are:

Ms P Designs USA
Patchouli Moon Studio
Beaquilter
Hill Valley Quilter
Quilted Delights
Stitchin At Home
Sew Many Yarns

Salt and Sand Blog Hop

 Starfish or more accurately Seastars were my inspiration for my project in the Salt and Sand Blog hop, organized by Carla at Creatin’ in the Sticks. 

My starfish is hanging around in the rocks, usually, it's in my bathroom.

 

Did you know that all starfish resemble stars, the most common only have five arms, although some of them can grow up to 40 arms?  Interested in reading more fun facts about Starfish check this out.

Thread selection, not all of these made the cut

I drew out the shape of the starfish and traced it onto my fabric with a Clover Air Erasable marker. 

little bubbles

 I free motion quilted a star in the centre of the starfish radiating the bubbles out into the arms. There are some tiny bubbles in these arms, I used Aurifil #4666 40 wt variegated thread.

For the background, I used Superior Thread #4037 Twist and free motion quilted some curved lines trying to give the effect of underwater mountains. I added a few delicate water plants using Aurifil #3817 40 wt. I wanted the starfish to be more pronounced and the background to stay in the back, I think I accomplished that.  The piece is 10'' by 9 1/2'' and I used my favourite batting  Hobbs 80/20.

Want to see what fun my fellow bloggers are having in the salt and sand?

                                                                    March 25

Quiltscapes

Beaquilter

Stitchin At Home

The Joyful Quilter

Scrapdash

Freckled Fox Quiltery

Quilts Fabric and Thread Tales

                                                          Words & Stitches

Project Quilting 12.6 Ab Intra

 Up until this morning, I was not going to do this challenge. This week's challenge is Ab Intra, or "from within." At first glance, I think the theme is a little intimidating and I have too many raw emotions to contemplate putting them into this. 

But, you know there is always a but somewhere. While having a coffee this morning I thought of this challenge and how we as quilters give freely and put our heart into all we do. We are all stars! 

 So the challenge started at 7:27 AM, nothing like the last minute to do this.

a fabric pull of scraps began. I thought of my inner heart and fresh beginnings. Of course, green being my favourite colour didn't hurt

Not much time for anything else, it was put the head done and sew.

by 9:20 I had made progress

Keeping the pedal to the metal, well maybe not metal. But I was going full out.

11:45 AM

I can't believe I made it. Simple straight line quilting echoing the shapes. This little piece finishes at 7'' by 7''. Need to go small when there is no time to spare.

And so I have 6 for 6 done! 

My Crazy Tulip Patch

This week's Project QUILTING challenge is You're Crazy, which is inspired by the late 1800s “crazy quilt” movement.

I am not into crazy quilting at all. Plus a couple years ago I cleaned out fabric that I was no longer interested in ie: velvet. So my take on the crazy quilting challenge has a more modern feel to it. 
I first made a small crazy patch using my scraps of quilting cotton.

my rotrary cutting mat is not in the best of shape as you can see in this picture, this is my second one and I will not buy another of this brand

I drew out a tulip on freezer paper and cut out my tulips.

one pink tulip

If one tulip was good then why not three and each a different colour. I pulled out my Sulky threads to do the machine stitches on them.

three different tulips, I used some of the stitches on my machine for embellishment on my tulips.

The leaves and stems were cut from some extra fabric that I had prepped for an earlier project using the 'Crafted Applique' method. I keep the extra pieces between sheets of wax paper and use them when I need a quick piece. I didn't have enough of the darker green and thought what the heck a little variety in my leaves would be fine.

the back shows the quilting nicely. 

I quilted the background with small loop de loops as I didn't want the quilting to steal from the tulips themselves.

Without further ado let me introduce you to 'My Crazy Tulip Patch'.

I consider this an art piece

Spring is on its way and soon the tulips will be up and blooming.