Rachel's Quilts

Finish it Up Friday

2012-02-10T13:18:00.000-08:00

I didn't finish up as much as I wanted to this week, but next week I should have a few to show. Linking up at Crazy Mom Quilts Finish It Up Friday.

Amy, is hosting another One Thing, One Week Challenge this week and my goal was to finish this quilt. I had ripped out the bit of quilting I had done (but didn't like) and quilted almost half of it but for some reason just didn't get it finished. I completed the quilting this morning. Just need to bind it this weekend and it will be a finish.

My only finish for the week is this pair of socks. Still need to wash them and then they will be mailed off as a gift to someone special.

Yesterday I forced myself to sit down and wind these hanks (and watched the first 2 episodes of Downton Abbey). I wanted the brown yarn for a sock KAL, hosted by Knitting Like Crazy this month, so I figured I would do the other hanks that were waiting too. The green will probably be socks or a scarf for myself. The 2 blue are lace weight yarn and I bought those planning on knitting a beaded cuff for myself. Soon hopefully. I haven't decided about the top yarn yet - it was just so lovely I couldn't resist.

Our neighbor is having a baby boy (today possibly as she was suppose to be induced some time today) and I am making him a little hat. This should be done by tonight. I will also be giving him a boy quilt from my etsy shop.

A box of Valentine goodies arrived from my parents yesterday. My mother also sent along this yarn and a pattern for a scarf. This has to be the craziest yarn I have ever seen and I really hope my mom wants the scarf for herself because it is so not me. Sorry mom - happy to make it for you though.

This morning I read my sister's post about making a pillow out of a shirt of her husband's that she shrunk. Then my daughter came downstairs in the above dress that had fit in September but is now way too short. I made her change and she left the dress with me and I began wondering - should I mail this to one of my SIL's since they both have younger girls, or keep it and cut it up to make something out of it. I don't know what I am going to do. What do you think? Pass it on or cut it up? If it helps, there are little Hello Kitty faces on the snaps as well - so cute.

And if I get bored this weekend, the postal carrier has been very nice in delivering these to my mailbox this week and they should keep me busy.

Finish It Up Friday

2012-02-03T13:29:00.001-08:00

Linking up at Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish It Up Friday!

Glad to have some finishes this week.

Finished my January UFO. You can read the story about the quote, here.

I used this pattern and...

... made myself this purse. I needed something with pockets but I prefer my pockets on the inside. Looking forward to being able to find my keys when I need them.

Inside. I love having everything organized.

I finished the first sock of this pair, and cast on the second.

I finished the back of my mom's cardigan.

And this morning I finished a sewing machine cover. I used the tutorial by Jennifer of Ellison Lane Quilts but boxed my corners instead of using ties. I also put a patchwork sewing machine on each side. She had the word sew on the other side. You can find the tutorial here.

This is the other side. I used leftover Terrain charm squares, 2 squares leftover from a Just Wing It layer cake and a few pieces from my stash. I cut my squares 2 1/2 inches instead of Jennifer's 2 inch squares so I didn't waste any of my charm squares. I quilted random lines over the green fabric.

I added 2 1/2 inch strips on each side to make it wide enough to make the boxed corners (the green fabric wasn't wide enough on its own). You can also see the purple fabric I used on the inside.

Head over to Crazy Mom Quilts to see what others completed this week and the nice pillow Amandajean made.

January UFO - Done!

2012-02-01T13:09:00.000-08:00

Linking up with Judy of Patchwork Times. Go visit to see other January UFO's.

Here it is - my January UFO is done! First, I need to apologize for the following pictures as it is very overcast today, keeps switching between snow and rain. Yuck. This quilt was inspired by Oh, Fransson's Billboard Quilt, which can be found here. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to make one and put this quote on it.

Ok. Here is the story to this saying and why it means so much to me. I first read this about 9 1/2 years ago in the NICU of the hospital where my daughter was born. It was a round wall-hanging, about 10 inches across and above her isolette. I don't even need to close my eyes to remember sitting in the ugly pink chair and staring at it while the nurse rattled on about our daughter and the progress she was making; realizing that the little girl she was talking about was lying there crying and all the nurse would do is put a pacifier in her mouth instead of handing her to me. Calliope would spit it out and the nurse would get out another one and shove it in. The NICU experience was incredibly frustrating, and we only had to deal with them for 4 days! (Yes, I know that they do good; lots of good for babies and families who really need them.)

How did we get there? I'm sure that was one of the many thoughts that went through my mind those first four days of her life. This wasn't what we planned. After a very textbook labour - I was amazed that contractions were really like riding a wave and all those silly breathing exercises were working - this wasn't where we were suppose to be. We had planned with our midwives (daughter born in Canada) to leave the hospital within hours after the birth, not stay for 4 days. If the labour was textbook so was the pushing phase, but I just wasn't ready for it. The control I had over contractions was completely gone as the urge to push was overwhelming. I was scared and wanted it to be over and the midwife and I made the only mistake of the day. I asked her how long would I have to push before the baby would be born. She said 45 minutes since she was already so low. Almost 2 1/2 hours later my daughter was finally born. I felt like a failure. It had taken me about three times longer than the midwife had said and my baby... she wasn't crying.

The midwives went back and forth debating whether or not to contact the NICU and eventually decided that they should and before I knew it, 3 doctors in white coats rushed in. I still laid there naked. The first midwife helped deliver the placenta while the second stayed with Calliope. I think this is where I checked out, I just didn't know it yet. Although my memories of those days are quiet clear, I don't think I was really there.

They brought her over to me so I could hold her for a minute. They explained to me, she had gone into shock and was breathing too fast and wouldn't be able to nurse until some time the next day. They were going to take her to the NICU for 4-6 hours to observe her and then we would probably get to go home. 4-6 hours turned into 4 days. The biggest hurdle? They wanted her to soak a diaper. However, they wouldn't let me nurse on demand, so my milk wasn't coming in and she would spit out the formula they tried to give her. They threatened to put a feeding tube in. This was definitely not what we planned. I fought back and by the third night I was able to get them to bring my daughter to me when she cried so I could nurse her. Lucky for me they brought her just before a nurse change and forgot that she was with me! We spent hours together and then they came in and said, "Oh I guess she's fine since she's been with you this whole time. You can go home."

The first few months were torture. My tailbone had been injured during the birth and took about 2 months to heal (although it still causes me problems), nursing was painful and I felt robbed of those first precious hours. I loved her, but I had not bonded with her. At our 2 week appointment I asked the midwife, if it had been a homebirth, would we have gone to the hospital. She said no. All she really needed were some extra cuddles and time to adjust, but in the hospital they had to follow certain rules. This broke my heart and cemented the feeling of failure that had been haunting me. I blamed myself. If I had pushed her out sooner, she would have been okay and would never have gone to the NICU. We would have bonded and everything would be fine.

During that first year, and many times since, "Each new day is a beautiful adventure" ran through my mind. Especially on dark days where nothing seemed to be going right. And I wanted to believe it, even when the only thing I wanted to do was run away. And I did leave. Once. She was about 4 months old and I waited for my husband to come home. I handed him our daughter, put on my shoes and left. But. I couldn't even cross the street, I just walked around our block several times. Eventually my husband and daughter joined me and I cried many tears. All I knew was that I wasn't suppose to feel like this. I couldn't get past those first 4 days. He tried to help by saying we had a healthy daughter now but I couldn't move on. I read books trying to find the answer. I began researching becoming a midwife, doula or childbirth educator. Anything to try and find the answer - why had I failed and why do I feel so terrible?

Nothing really helped. I trained as a childbirth educator, but never taught. I did a doula workshop and a second midwife workshop and none of it helped. I thought having a second child might enlighten me but it only made me feel worse. The bond with my son (a homebirth in Michigan) was instant. There is a connection between us that is so strong that it still amazes me. I never felt like that with her as a baby and I struggle still in feeling connected with her sometimes. After his birth, I felt guilty about what my feelings had been at the beginning of her life and wondered if they would affect her as she grew up. Could she tell I felt different towards her brother?

However, sometimes there is light at the end of the tunnel. When we were living in Michigan, Midwifery Today had a conference there. I went and heard Penny Simkin talk about Post Partum Traumatic Stress. As she listed off the symptoms I slowly lowered my head as I realized that was what I had after my daughter's birth. After 6 years, I finally had a name for it and the healing could begin. When those 3 doctors in their white coats came into our hospital room, my mind went back to the only other time I have been in a hospital room and had doctors rush in. When I was 7 or 8 my mom had surgery. One time when we were visiting her, she started not feeling well and the doctors rushed in. I hadn't thought about that moment in years and as Penny explained that something often happened during labour or shortly after that connected to a previous experience, I instantly put these 2 moments together for the first time. How I felt as a child was exactly what I felt after her birth. Childlike, completely helpless and in the way. I should just be quiet and let those who know more take care of it. Give up my power to them. There was nothing I could do.

I can remember telling my mom when she was a few months old - I was crying, the baby was crying - that I didn't feel like her mother. I felt like her babysitter and that it was my job to keep her alive until her real mother showed up. Penny listed this as one of the symptoms. Feeling detached from the infant, as if you were its babysitter instead of its parent. This was exactly how I felt. Detached and unqualified to be her mother.

Lucky for my kids and me, I don't feel that way anymore. It took almost 6 years but I was finally able to get over those feelings and forgive myself. My daughter still loves me and I love her. And even though I felt detached most of the time, I was there. I gave her love and affection and she thrived. Each day wasn't beautiful, but they were definitely adventures.

When I told my husband what the quote was going to be, he asked if I really believed it. I said, "No. But I want to." And that's why I picked it and hung it up in our bedroom. I know I can't greet everyday like it's a beautiful adventure but I need the hope that it could be. And that no matter what our current problems or issues are, there is always the hope that it will get better.

So, there's the story to the saying.

My February UFO is lying on the bed in the above picture. It is a lap size quilt (just covers the top of our bed, except the pillows) and needs to be quilted. Pulled fabrics from the stash this morning to make the back. Not sure yet how I am going to quilt it or where this quilt will end up. Need to iron it first, then I'll start making some decisions about it.

It's taken me over an hour to write this post and I feel emotionally drained. Think I need to go take a nap.

The past few days.

2012-01-31T11:20:00.001-08:00

Since my last post on Friday, I've been keeping myself pretty busy. I wish there were some finishes but just a lot of progress. On Friday I finished cutting ALL the fabrics for the Oh My Stars QAL. I developed a blister by the end of it but it is nice to have it done. Since I ran out of white, my son and I decided to use black for some of the stars (this quilt will be for him). The white background will be paired with the blue star fabrics and the blue planet fabric. The black background will be paired with yellow star fabrics (there are 4 shades of yellow and 5 or 6 blue). Some star blocks are being completely replaced with the black solar system fabric seen in the top left of the picture. No borders cut yet. I will wait until it is all pieced and then decide.

Was able to get 1 black and yellow star done. I am hoping with all the pieces cut I can get in the groove one afternoon and put a big dent into the number of blocks needed. Today?

Yesterday I finished quilting my January UFO. Need to add the binding and hanging sleeve today.

I started quilting this quilt yesterday too. I thought I wanted straight lines but after I did a few I decided I didn't like it. Will spend a few hours with the seam ripper to take out what I did yesterday. Think it will end up getting a free-motion stippling all over it instead. Oh well. My husband offered to rip the stitches out for me. I know I have a second seam ripper around here somewhere... maybe I should find it today.

I really want to make this, but put the pockets on the inside. Today?

Making progress on my mom's cardigan. Have about 6-7 more inches before the back is done. Currently decreasing to make the armholes.

This past weekend were the finals of the Australian Open (tennis for those who may not know). The woman's started at 12:30am PST on Friday Night and the man's was at 12:30amPST Saturday night. I stayed up for both of them and this is what I worked on to help keep myself awake (didn't work for the men's final as it went to 6:40am - although I woke up and saw the end). This is an easy shawl that will have a lace border. Using the same yarn from the Molly scarf I made last week. My son gave me 2 skeins of it for Christmas. Hoping I have enough to finish this. Pattern can be found on ravelry.

Made progress on the sock during gymnastics on Saturday. Have about an inch left before I start decreasing for the toe.

Hopefully I will have my January UFO done by tomorrow and maybe another finish or 2 for Friday.

Finish It Up Friday

2012-01-27T11:18:00.000-08:00

Linking up at Crazy Mom Quilts Finish It Up Friday.

No quilt finishes this week, but I have 2 yarn finishes.

First is the cardigan I knit for my son's birthday. Finished it Monday - on his birthday. I shared some pictures in yesterday's post, too.

Here he is wearing it while opening presents. This is probably the best picture of the actual colour. It is quiet dark but he loves it.

Here is another yarn finish. A purple scarf ready for a niece.

And which niece? Well one named Molly of course. As soon as I found this pattern I knew I had to make it for her and when she asked for a purple scarf for her birthday it was meant to be. You can find the pattern on ravelry. It is crocheted and works up very fast. I think I am going to make one for myself.

On Thursday, I sat at my sewing machine for the first time since last Friday. Here's what I was able to accomplish. I am now caught up on the Fat Quarter Stars Quilt Along hosted by Moose on the Porch Quilts. Here are blocks 8 and 9. Only 3 left!

And I've been wanting to start the Oh My Stars QAL but hadn't found the time. I made my first star yesterday and cut enough fabric to make another 17 (today maybe?). I cut all the background pieces and discovered I didn't have enough for the whole quilt. I bought this fabric a few years ago from I don't know where so I will be getting creative and hope it turns out. My son helped me decide what to do since this quilt will be for him. As soon as we decided to name him Nova I've been saving star fabrics knowing one day I would make him a star quilt.

I also pieced this top yesterday. My daughter gave me most of the fabric for Christmas. I had to add 2 fat quarters and the white from my stash. I will be using 2 green fat quarters from her as the border. As you might be able to tell the kids were up first today and don't have school. The living room floor is covered in hot wheels and lego - I figured it was easier to lay the quilt on top than ask them to clean it up to take the picture this morning.

And last but not least... I ironed the letters on my January UFO. Just needs to be quilted. I'll reveal the top once it's finished since there is a story that goes with it. (Inspired by Elizabeth's Billboard Quilt, found here.)

Hopefully next week I'll have some quilt finishes.

A Yarn of a Week

2012-01-26T11:01:00.000-08:00

It seems my week has been full of yarn. Have wanted to sit at my sewing machine but haven't. Finished my son's cardigan on Monday - his birthday. He asked that I not put a zipper, as he wants to use it as a housecoat right now. It does meet in the middle so maybe when it warms up a bit I'll add a zipper so he can use this as a coat. It looks better with a smile.

There we go. He loved it and wore it while he opened the rest of his presents. He's happy that it has pockets and even though the hood is a little small, he says he likes it that way.

After finishing my son's cardigan I turned to the next cardigan in my queue. My mother asked for brown yarn with flecks of colour in it. Here is my swatch. Isn't it lovely? After going through some patterns with my mom, she seemed to like cables and I was willing. However you can't see the cables in this yarn. I tried 2 different patterns. One with lots of cables, one with just a couple and the cables are totally lost in the yarn and if I am going to do cables, I want to be able to see them. Since third time seems to be the charm with cardigans for me, I have started the cardigan again but with no cables and just letting the yarn enjoy the spotlight. Fingers crossed.

My niece asked for a purple or turquoise scarf. Even though her birthday isn't until the end of March, I started it. It's a quick pattern (I actually finished it last night but it's too overcast today to take pictures so you're getting an in progress shot). I really like it (might have to make one for myself). I know it's hard to see in the picture but I want there to be some surprises when she receives it.

And I've been working on this sock, even when I'm not watching the kids do gymnastics. These socks will be a gift and were relaxing to work on as I finished up my son's cardigan. I never thought I would think of sock knitting as relaxing but I really enjoy it.

Now, I am off to do some sewing... finally.

Friday Night Sew-In

2012-01-21T15:22:00.000-08:00

Here is my Friday Night Sew-In results post, finally. It's been a little crazy here as my son turns 6 on Monday and is having his birthday party tomorrow afternoon. Here is what I was able to accomplish. Go visit Bobbi to see what everyone else got done last night.

My son and I put together 144 lego wheels. He is having a lego party.

We also made this birthday bunting for the fireplace.

I was able to sneak away to the sewing machine for a little bit. I pieced block 7 of the Fat Quarter Stars Quilt Along hosted by Moose on the Porch Quilts.

I cut out blocks 8 and 9 and started piecing block 8 before I had to stop and do other things.

My son also helped me decide on the layout for these quilt blocks. Here they are all lined up in their rows waiting to be put together.

My son's birthday present. I finished knitting the hood last night (not pictured) and started sewing in ends. Sleeves, fronts and back are all attached and sewed the left sleeve seam. Still need to do the side seams, right sleeve seam, add the hood and do the pocket and button bands. I can totally get that done by Monday and host a birthday party here tomorrow, right?

Anyway... cake is in the oven, still have the house to clean. I'm glad birthdays only come once a year and that I only have 2 kids.

A Couple New Projects

2012-01-18T10:05:00.000-08:00

I know, I know... I have several things that need to be completed and I really shouldn't be starting anything else. I had to start these though. These are my gymnastic socks. I need a small, easy project to work on while my kids have gymnastics on Saturday morning and all my other projects are too big or too complicated. These are going to be basic socks, no fancy pattern and fit easily into my purse. Not sure if these will be for me or a gift. I really like the colour of the yarn and would like to keep them.

I made 2 ticker tape blocks. I am using 2 solid black layer cakes and my green and blue scraps. They are the two scrap bins overflowing. I might throw in a couple purple blocks to mix it up a bit. Am really liking these blocks and will add to them when I just want to sew but don't have anything in the piecing stage. I am hoping to have all the blocks done by the end of the year and having this as a UFO to complete in 2013. Takes the pressure off.

A reminder that this Friday is Friday Night Sew-In. You can sign up at Bobbi's this month, here. Not sure what I am going to be working on. I still need to finish the cardigan for my son's birthday (which is Monday). I finished the first sleeve yesterday and am working on the second sleeve today. Then I just have the hood and piecing it all together. Need to decide whether I am going to use buttons or a zipper (I know he would prefer zipper). We'll see what happens.

Challenge Met!

2012-01-16T16:42:00.000-08:00

Amy hosted another One thing, One Week Challenge and I decided last Monday that I would challenge myself to finally finish my December UFO. And I did.

It just covers the top of our double bed so it should be good for a twin. I still need to wash it and then I will be donating it.

It took less than 3 hours on Friday afternoon to free-motion over the whole top. Kicking myself for taking so long to just do it. Thanks for the push Amy.

I kept it scrappy on the back and binding as well. I used leftover bindings from other quilts to do this one.

Been working on other projects this week too. My little guy turns 6 a week from today so I have been busy trying to finish his cardigan in time. Got the back finished.

And the left front. The right front was finished last night and I cast on the first sleeve. Have the second sleeve and hood left to knit and then piece them all together. I think I will be able to finish this on time.

Got some time in on my January UFO. Working on a quilt inspired by Elizabeth's billboard quilt, which you can find here. This week I finished making my scrappy blocks...

... and turned them into letters.

I also completed 98 blocks needed for a spring quilt. Most of these fabrics my daughter gave me for Christmas. I added the white and 2 fat quarters from my stash. Looking forward to playing with them this week.

Go here, to visit Amy's blog and see who else completed their challenge.

Works in Progress

2012-01-10T10:52:00.000-08:00

Here's what I am tackling this month.

My daughter bought me these fabrics for Christmas. Picked a fat quarter friendly pattern, washed and ironed fabrics and began cutting. Not sure what I was thinking starting this. I picked a relatively simple pattern so my daughter could help me piece it. Plans: to have it cut by next Monday so she can help piece on her day off from school.

Pieced the first 12 blocks of the Prayer Flag lap quilt UFO. This needs to be done by June so I am working on it when I can. I really like these blocks and fabric.

My January UFO - Billboard quilt inspired by Elizabeth of Oh, Fransson!. Fabrics are all ironed. Need to make some more scrap blocks to cut my letters from. I plan to fuse my letters onto the quilt instead of piecing them into the quilt. Need to get working on this.

My December UFO has been basted for.... a few weeks? It's starting to get in the way. I signed up for Amy's One Week, One Thing Challenge and plan to have this finished by next Monday.

Go here to sign up.

Other works in progress.

Look familiar? I posted a similar photo a couple weeks ago of a cardigan I'm making for my son. Well, when I divided the cardigan for the back and two sides it was obvious that it was too big. So, as I took it apart I cast it on again using smaller needles and omitted the cables at the button band to save time. This is my second attempt. Divided it again for the back and two sides - this one is also too big. ugh. I'm convinced that the yarn and pattern won't work together so...

I cast on a third attempt but in a different pattern. Pieces are all done separately and then sewn together. So far the back looks promising. It's smaller than the second try and I was able to measure it on my son's back and it looks good. Third times the charm, right?

If he hadn't purposely asked for a cardigan with hood and pockets, in yarn with lots of blues, I would have given up long ago. His birthday is on the 23rd and I aiming to have it done by then. No cables to slow me down. Wish me luck.

And not to neglect making something for my daughter. She goes to free Renaissance dance lessons after school on Monday and Tuesday. The teacher decided they are good enough to do performances so you know what that means - an outfit. All she has to have is a black skirt and white tights (school is providing the shirts). Do you know how hard it is to find a plain black skirt for a girl? Even a dress with a black bottom that I could make into a skirt? Next to impossible in our little town.

After 4 stores I gave up and bought this. It is a woman's large sundress on clearance from Wal-Mart. I am hoping to cut this up and make her a skirt.

I figured for $2 it was worth a shot.

First Finishes of 2012

2012-01-09T12:32:00.000-08:00

Horse purse for my niece. Her birthday is Saturday and I have yet to mail this - tomorrow? She took horse riding lessons last summer and enjoyed them and thought she might like this.

Another ribbon tree. Keeping this one, too. I purposely used just ribbon with snowflakes and non-Christmasy colours so I could leave it on the mantle for January and maybe February. This was on my list of things to do in December but didn't get finished.

Hat and scarf for myself. Started the scarf on Christmas Eve. There was no point working on gifts that weren't going to be completed in time so I started something for myself. I crocheted a long chain, single crocheted 1 row then repeated with single crochet rows but only working in the back loop, which gave the scarf a ribbing look. For the hat I used a pattern from my knitting day calendar for 2011.

I used almost 3 skeins. They were all different dye lots and you could tell. The two that were the closest I used in the scarf. I used the third for the hat. While I was knitting the hat I thought of giving these to my sister for her birthday next month. I had shown her the scarf at Christmas and she liked it and is more comfortable in brights than I am. However, when I finished it, I just couldn't part with it. I have only needed the hat so far. The scarf is pretty warm.

I used what I had leftover to make my sister a set of nesting baskets instead. If you compare the yellow you can see some of the colour difference - the inner one has bright yellow, while the outer basket is more of a mustard yellow.

They aren't too big but I think she'll enjoy them. What should I put inside the smallest one, Sarah? fabric? buttons? thread? knitted socks?

Finally finished the vest for my brother. This took a lot longer than I thought but I love it. It turned out really well. I am putting it through the washer and dryer to block since that is how I intended it to be cared for. I want to make sure it doesn't fall apart.

I love the cable pattern. It's a lot of cabling though. I went through my favourites of ravelry and actually deleted some that were all cabled on the front. I need a break. That being said the cardigan I started for my mother has cables. Not as many as this, so I'll finish it and then take a cable break.

What really surprised me was the time needed to do the ribbing at the neck and armholes. Each armhole took about 90 minutes and the neck took me most of Sunday afternoon.

Glad to have some finishes this year - although you will notice that there aren't any quilt finishes. I have a bunch of quilt projects in the works, but that is a post of its own - maybe later today or tomorrow. I have 3 knitting projects beside me waiting to be cast on. 2 are birthday gifts and 1 for me. Sounds fair, right? I need more hours in a day.

Last finishes of 2011

2012-01-03T10:33:00.000-08:00

I finished this in early December but couldn't share it here as it was a gift. I made this log cabin quilt for my mom. It's about 56 inches square - perfect for her to cuddle under and nap on the couch. I had already made her 2 slipcovers for her living room pillows which I blogged about here.

I free-motioned with blue thread in the blue and with black in the black. I used red and quilted a heart in each red square. I tried to get a picture of a heart but it was impossible, you'll just have to take my word for it.

For the back I used some stamp themed fabrics that I have saving for years to use with a quilt for my mom. I always thought they would be on the front but together they make a very nice back. My mother collects stamps. Then she sends them to me and I take the paper off the back and put them in her stamp collection.

An outside shot. The blue is a lot brighter than it is appearing in any of these photos. My mom helped pick the blue. She bought new curtains and wanted pillows to match. I decided she needed a new quilt too.

This is about as good as I could get for the true value of the blue. It's a lovely quilt and if it hadn't been for my mom I might have kept it. I am planning on doing a log cabin for myself this year or next - already have the fabrics picked.

I finished this baby quilt on December 30th. I free-motioned and bound it and then washed it the next day.

I wanted this finished earlier in December but I couldn't decide how I wanted to quilt it. I love the circles in the blue.

I used brown for the binding.

The dad of the baby studies plants. I had been saving this remnant for awhile and decided it was a perfect back for this quilt. I added a strip of green to the one side.

And this should have been a 2011 finish. This is my brother's Christmas present. I am aiming to get it done and mailed with his daughter's birthday present by the end of this week. I forced myself to only work on this yesterday and I knit about 10 inches. I started the shaping for the armholes and the neck. Not too much left to do - just need to keep forcing myself to finish it. Then I can cast on something else - like a birthday present for my sister or a pair of socks for me. Or I'll just cast on both.

12 12s for 2012

2012-01-02T11:06:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a nice New Year's. We took the kids out to supper and skyped with my parents when it was midnight their time (only 9pm here so the kids got to wish them Happy New Year).

I have to admit I am really happy to see 2011 go. Not sure why I disliked it so much, it just felt like a blah year and I'm glad to see it go. 2012 is going to be a great year. There is also something about the 12 part of 2012 that is encouraging me to set lots of goals. I have made a list of 12 things I would like to do 12 times in 2012. Some of them are crafty, while others are not. I'll be creating a separate page on the blog to get track and will do a post at the end of each month to sum up what I've done that month.

Some of the socks knitted in 2011.

1. 12 pairs of knitted socks

4 of my completed 2011 UFO's.

2. 12 UFO's finished - see sidebar for list.
3. Read 12 novels.
4. 12 ornaments.

Gifts made for family in 2011.

5. 12 hand-made gifts.
6. 12 new recipes.
7. 12 letters to my grandparents.
8. 12 craft days with my kids.
9. 12 date/ movie nights with my husband with no crafting or work - we were able to accomplish this on New Year's Eve. I have to admit it felt strange to just sit and watch a movie with no knitting in my hands.
10. Give to 12 charities - some with be made, such as quilts and knitted squares, while others will be monetary.

11. 12 tutorials, patterns or giveaways on the blog.

12. 12 crafted items for the home that aren't quilts.

Some of my favourite completed quilts of 2011.

I think that is enough to keep me busy.

2012 UFO's

2011-12-30T15:15:00.000-08:00

I've decided to join Judy again in aiming to complete 12 UFO's in 2012. One a month. I was able to complete 7 of 12 last year with my December one close to being done, so hopefully I'll be able to say 8 of 12 very soon.

1. Lantern Bloom quilt. This was a quilt I wanted to make so I made the quilt top as a UFO last year. Now I just need to quilt it.

2. Patchwork Panche. This was on the list last year. It is a king sized quilt. I was able to quilt the middle section but would like to finish it. It takes up a lot of space. Not sure what will become of this quilt - keep? gift? charity?

3. This is the only block I made of 4 planned using a Just Wing It Layer cake. I had planned on doing a tutorial for the block so I didn't finish it as I needed to take pictures as I went. Need to finish piecing the last 3 blocks, piece the top together and quilt it.

4. Terrain quilt for us. Top done, just needs to be quilted.

5. Billboard quilt inspired by Elizabeth of Oh, Fransson! You can see hers here. I have the quote and fabrics picked out. This project just kept being pushed aside but I really want to finish it.

6. Prayer flag quilt. Lap sized quilt using a Prayer flag and cream jelly roll. Strips are pieced and ironed and some are cut. I would like to gift this to my husband's supervisor before we move this summer.

7. I tested this pattern for my sister but never finished it. Just needs some applique (or embroidery?) in the cream blocks and then quilted. Needs a good ironing too.

8. and 9. Dresden Quilt from Material Obsession. This quilt will get 2 months. It was on my list for 2011 but all I got done was 141 wedges cut. Got myself up to 180 the other night. Need to cut 76 more. I am only making a lap sized quilt (16 blocks). Giving myself 1 month to piece the blocks and the second month to quilt it.

10. Snowbound. This was also on my 2011 UFO list and didn't get completed. Still need to finish the last 7 blocks and quilt it.

11. My sister sent me this quilt top last year at Christmas and it has been sitting on my shelf since then. Going to quilt it and donate it to charity.

12. My sister also sent me this quilt top. I always think of this as the Man Quilt. Don't know why, just what it's been called in my head. Going to add some borders to make this a little bigger and quilt it. Offering it to my parents for their trailer or it will be going to charity.

Do you have some UFO's that you would like to finish next year? Sign up at Judy's by the end of the year.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-30T14:33:00.000-08:00

I know I'm a little late in wishing everyone a Happy Holiday season but I've just been too exhausted to post anything the past week. Here is a little of what we received and gave this year.

My SIL, made this quilt for my husband. They use to play Mega-Man together when they were little. Isn't it awesome?! He really likes it. It will be going up in either our bedroom or at the top of the stairs.

Flannel pillow case I made for my son.

Flannel pillowcase I made for my daughter. All the fabrics for the pillowcases are from the remnant bin at JoAnn's so together they may have costed me $5. Kids like them.

Wallhanging my sister made me.

Books and circle cutter from my parents.

Fabric from my family.

Yarn from my son and the calendar was a gift to myself.

A Green Lantern Tea cozy from my sister to my husband.

You may have seen this button on my sidebar. It's been there for awhile but I haven't posted anything about it. When I saw the layout of the quilt it reminded me of a quilt I had designed for my son. Going to do this one instead.

Star and planet fabrics I have been saving for his quilt. I should have enough to make it. Now I just need to start. I don't think I'll have it done for his birthday in a few weeks but hopefully I will have a few blocks to show by then. Go here to learn more about the quilt along.

I'll be back soon to post my 2012 UFO's.

Keeping Busy

2011-12-21T16:25:00.000-08:00

Just like everyone else I am busy trying to finish up some Christmas presents and enjoy time with my family. Here's a bit of what we've been up to the last few days.

So Fun Fabrics is closing at the end of the year - everything is marked down 40%. I picked the above Cloud 9 fabrics at a great price. She has lots of other great stuff still available - you should go check it out. I might make one more visit before she closes.

Cardigan for my son. He requested a new cardigan with pockets and a hood and in lots of blues. The yarn is much darker than it appears in the photo. It is a little hard to see since it is still on the circular needles but there is a cable running up each side, beside the button band. I have about 3 more inches to knit before I split it up to make the arm holes. Glad it is a chunky yarn and working up fast. Pattern can be found here.

Sewed 7 more rows onto the chevron baby quilt. Also made it 2 blocks wider than it was.

Here are the next 4 rows trimmed and ready to be pieced together.

Last 3 rows waiting to be trimmed and pieced. I have more if I decide to make the quilt longer.

Also trimmed 28 of the 35 string blocks I made Friday night. I would go back and forth between trimming these and the little squares above. I'll finish the last 7 when I am done trimming the last 3 rows of the chevron quilt. This is my December UFO. I hope to post my 2012 UFO list later this week. Go to Judy's blog to sign up or see other 2012 UFO list.

Made blocks 5 and 6 for the Fat Quarter Stars Quilt Along last night. Block 7 was put up yesterday and it uses templates! Should be interesting.

And when I'm not crafting, the kids and I made some chocolate chip cookies to be eaten with hot chocolate and marshmallows. This was a new recipe for us - it has hot chocolate mix in the cookies. We also dumped what was left of our chocolate chips and M & M's into the dough. It only takes about 3 cookies before your belly starts aching. They are great for eating while watching Holiday movies.

We also worked on our first 3D puzzle. Bought for $1.50 at Salvation Army it was missing 9 pieces. Oh well. Still fun to do. The kids helped for the first little bit, then got bored and went and played. Even incomplete they were pretty impressed with the final pyramid. My son put a snowflake at the top and called it our Christmas Pyramid.

Of my list of 31 things to do this month, I have completed 15; 6 were eliminated; 3 are delayed (2 of them are started) and 7 are left to finish (3 started). What would I like to have finished by Sunday? - 2 pillowcases (one for each child), my son's cardigan and a skirt for my daughter (which I haven't started yet). The other 3 projects for the month are another ribbon tree, my December UFO and an advent calendar to use every year that could fit chocolates or other little gifts in each pocket. I wanted it done for this year but that didn't happen. Leaving it on the list because I know I'd rather do it now than leave it until next year.

Time to get back to work/ eating cookies/ watching holiday movies.

Friday Night Sew-In Results

2011-12-17T10:43:00.000-08:00

Last night was the last Friday Night Sew-In of 2011. I spent about 4 hours at the sewing machine working on projects that aren't for Christmas. It felt great.

I knitted the day away trying to finish this shawl for my daughter's piano teacher. She had her last lesson of the year at 5:15pm. I knitted until 4:30, did the 6 rows of garter for the border, weaved in the ends, put it in a gift bag and then we were off to the lesson. It ended up being about 41 inches long - meaning I knit 18 inches yesterday. So glad it's done and she really liked it.

Close up of lace pattern.

Had my daughter take this quick picture of me wearing it just before we went out the door. I think she even had her coat on.

Once we got home from piano lessons and had some supper, I headed to my sewing machine - glad to be away from knitting needles. I was able to trim and piece 24 of the hst's I made last FNSI for the first 2 rows of the baby quilt. This is for a coworker of my husband's that is expecting a baby boy during the holidays. I really wanted to work on this but I wasn't in the mood for trimming so I switched to a different project.

This is my December UFO. It is a string quilt I started in 2009. I have 5 rows done with 7 blocks in each row. I wanted to add 5 more rows. Earlier this year I was really nice to myself and cut the remaining foundation squares and made sure I had enough centre strips.

Last night I made the 35 remaining blocks! I am totally stunned. I really had to push myself to get the last few done but I am so happy that I did. They need to be ironed, then trimmed, but then I can finish piecing the front. As I was working on it last night I decided that I am going to donate the quilt when it is finished. It should end up being twin size.

Now I have to find room in my scrap bins for the remaining strips (I have several small bins and scraps are organized by colour). The box looks huge in the picture but this is just a shoe box and not even half full. I even tossed some pieces that were small (less than an inch wide and some other small pieces) - it felt great to admit that I was never going to use them.

Go to Heidi's blog to see what everyone else did last night. Thanks to Heidi and Bobbi for hosting FNSI and keeping so many of us motivated.

Now I have to get back to the Christmas knitting.

Finish It Up Friday

2011-12-16T10:48:00.000-08:00

Linking up today at Crazy Mom Quilts, Finish it Up Friday.

This week has been crazy. I was looking forward to 5 days to myself before the kids start their Christmas holidays. It just wasn't meant to be. Monday I had to go to the post office and to my husband's end of semester/ holiday work party. Wednesday was spent at the mall and my son has been home sick Tuesday, Thursday and today with a bad cough and cold. So, I haven't posted all week, but I did find time to do some crafting this week. I'll start with works in progress.

Saturday I finished sewing together the jelly roll pairs that I had started last Friday during Friday Night Sew-In. I also ironed all 328 half-square triangles that I had finished making that night. Have decided on a lay out for the baby quilt (found out it is going to be a little boy named, Asa), just need to trim them and sew it together.

Knitted a couple more inches on my brother's vest. This is now a very late Christmas present. The plan is to have it done by early January and mail it to him with his daughter's birthday gift (see one of the finishes below). This was the only knitting project I had out to work on this week until my daughter's piano teacher called on Tuesday. I thought her last lesson for the year would be next week... nope. She's going to do a make-up lesson today and that's it for the year. So...

... I have been knitting like crazy trying to finish up this shawl for the piano teacher. When I got it out on Tuesday evening I only had 2 inches done. I am now up to 23 inches but need to have it done by 5pm today! I am giving myself until 3pm and if I'm not close enough by then, it is on to plan B. Well, I'll have to think of a plan B. Glad this is such an easy pattern to memorize and works up quickly.

Onto the finishes. I'd have more knitting done on the shawl if I hadn't spent most of yesterday working on this little pouch and the wallhanging after it. I made this for a work friend of my husband who use to babysit our kids. She moved to Texas in the fall and was back to visit this week. I had the fabric picked out for her before she left but didn't get it made in time. I found the fabrics this weekend when I was cleaning up and when I heard she was back in town for a few days this week, I decided to make it for her. She studies frogs.

Bought this frog to go inside. The inside fabric reminds me of frog eggs. This was my second zipper. Hope it doesn't break.

My kids made these for her. My daughter made the coaster and the peace sign ornament. My son made the wreath ornament. They made similar ornaments for family as well.

Also boxed the corners so it could stand up. Size was limited by the amount of fabric I had. Fabric rectangles were 7 x10 inches before sewn together.

Teacher gift finished last night. Pictures taken this morning, sorry for the bad lighting. I sketched this snowman last week but didn't get around to cutting and piecing him until yesterday morning. He is just a small snowman and the finished wall hanging measures about 16 x 35 inches. I was almost crazy enough to make myself one at the same time but thought better of it.

Did loopy free motion on the white and added some fringe to the scarf. Nose, arms and holly are fused on but the face and body buttons were sewn on last night while watching a movie.

Finished another circle pillow this week, too. Frankly I have lost count of how many of these I have done. This is for my niece's birthday in January. I made her sister one in June for her birthday. Still deciding whether to put buttons in the middle of each side.

My son had some finishes this week too. Inspired by my sister and nephew, I had my son make the cards for his teachers by glueing on leftover triangles to make a tree. I had some extra mini lights from a craft we didn't do. I told him small pieces of tape. He loves tape. I really should have known better but it definitely looks like he made them.

He even added lights to the inside.

And you know you're sick when, you rest holding the kleenex box and snuggled in 2 quilts. Hope he feels better soon and that I don't catch it. Not until after Christmas at least.

And tonight is the second Friday Night Sew-In of December and the last one for 2011. Go here to sign up. Not sure what I'm going to work on but I should get off the computer now... I have lots of knitting to do.

Friday Night Sew-In Results

2011-12-10T11:49:00.000-08:00

I didn't sit down at my sewing machine until 10:30 last night. I didn't really expect to get anything done but my husband kept pestering me to go do something. So I did and surprised myself with how much I got done.

My husband casually mentioned this week that a guy at work and his wife were expecting a baby during the holidays. I asked if they would like a quilt (expecting the answer to be no), and he said yes. I had 2 charm packs each of Egg Blue and Chartre green bella solids (minus 2 squares of each colour that I used for a failed block). I decided to make a bunch of half square triangles. I got 22 pairs sewed together Wednesday night and 60 pairs sewed together last night. I started cutting them but since it was getting late I decided it was probably best to stop using the rotary cutter and started another project!

I have had a jelly roll of Prayer Flag for a few months and bought a cream jelly roll about a month ago to go with it. Sewing them in pairs, then I will cut them up into blocks. This quilt will be a gift sometime next year. Just needed some mindless sewing. I got 4 pairs sewed together last night.

One project I had got out but didn't get to, was making this stack of flannel into pillow cases for my kids. Hope to do it this week when they are at school and use the pillowcases to "wrap" odd shaped Christmas presents.

This week, my husband and I moved my sewing table and stuff into our bedroom. It had been in the garage but it is getting too cold to be out there. I had been using the kitchen table but was getting a little sick of moving my stuff back and forth everyday. Now I can just crawl out of bed and start sewing.

Go here to visit Heidi's blog to see what everyone else got done last night.

Friday

2011-12-09T14:52:00.000-08:00

Well, it's Friday. I'm so close to being done the gifts that need to be shipped. I finished a quilt Wednesday night but can't show pictures here. I have one gift left. It feels like it is taking me forever.

I am working on a vest for my brother. This is the back. I finished it yesterday after I took this photo.

This is as far as I got on the front yesterday evening. I want to mail this tomorrow. Part of me is saying rip it out and make him a plain stockinette front instead of the cables which are slowing me down. The other part of me knows no matter what I decide it isn't going to be done tomorrow so I should just do what I originally intended. I think I am going to keep the cables and mail the rest of his family's gifts tomorrow and just mail his when I get it done. I would rather pay express for just his gift than his whole family (he has 4 girls).

So tonight is Friday Night Sew-In. I'm not going to force myself to work on his vest. I'll probably work on it a bit but I am going to let myself work on some other, not so urgent projects as well. Go here to sign up for FNSI. There will be another one next Friday too.

More Holiday Finishes

2011-12-06T12:00:00.000-08:00

Our little tree is up. Our snowman countdown calendar is hanging behind it and there's a new tree skirt underneath.

I used some squares from a layer cake (The Caroler, I think), and cut them into wedges.

I finished these 4 placemats. I pinned all 4 on a half yard of fabric and sewed random lines across them. Trimmed and bound them.

They are a little small, so I have been calling them snack mats.

And yes, I showed this scarf last week. I didn't make another. I blocked this scarf twice but it refused to be flat.

As I ripped it apart I crocheted it into this ribbed scarf. I am happy to report that this one lies flat.

Made this circle pillow for a niece. Used "Diego" blue (or as close as I could get) since she is a big fan.

Another scarf for a nephew.

First box of presents from family arrived on Saturday. My SIL included some quilting magazines. Thanks Michelle. I looked at them all quickly but hope to look at them properly once things settle down.

Here they are... first 2 packages sealed up and ready to go. I mailed them yesterday. I hope to mail 2 more tomorrow and the last 2 on Friday.

And if I get everything mailed off, I will celebrate Friday evening with Friday Night Sew-In. There are 2 this month. Go here to sign up.

A Finish for Friday

2011-12-02T14:40:00.000-08:00

Cross another one off the list! Finished this quilt about an hour ago. It's a Christmas present and needs to be shipped soon to arrive on time. I bought the vintage quilt top from etsy a few years ago and then just let it sit around and get moved twice. Finally dug it out this year and forced myself to quilt it or give the top to someone else. I added the borders last month during Friday Night Sew-In.

This would be a small twin - definitely long enough but probably not wide enough. I was thinking of this being more of a quilt for resting on the couch. Great size for 1 person, but could fit across 2 laps of if you turned it. Hope they like it.

Linking up at Crazy Mom Quilts, Finish it Up Friday.

You can see all my other finishes this week, here and here.

November UFO

2011-12-01T11:09:00.000-08:00

November UFO, #3 is done! It's the Glow Happy quilt designed by Happy Zombie using her Holiday Happy fabric. You can find the pattern here or on her blog. I bought the fabric for this quilt last year on Cyber Monday. Happy to have it done.

Well, almost done. I ran out of black floss for the last lantern. Going to Michael's this weekend and I will pick up more. Should take less than an hour to finish the strings. Everything else is complete though, so I am considering it finished.

Stipple quilted in the white sections and then each part of the lantern is quilted as well. I mainly outlined the pattern in the fabric. The gnomes I just went around to make them pop. On the snowflake fabric I free-motioned little snowflakes.

I love this quilt. For an hour while adding the black embroidery I thought of giving it away for Christmas but decided to keep it. Here it is hanging in the hallway outside our bedroom. I also put up some other Winter quilts this morning. The quilt at the top of the stairs is Primitive Joy designed by my sister. I got to test the pattern but you can buy the pattern, here.

This is a quilt I made last year (or maybe the year before?), and had put in my etsy shop but no one bought so I decided to keep it. It's hanging in our bedroom.

Some other finishes since Tuesday, include this scarf for a BIL. It is currently being blocked on the living room floor. 2 skeins of bulky yarn make for a great, quick gift.

Finished these 2 pillows. Also a Christmas gift.

Finished the Tree skirt for my SIL and her family. It's flannel and the snowmen are felt. I rarely ever work with these materials and I don't know what possessed me to do it now. I hope it works okay. If this one falls apart, I'll make you a better one, Michelle.

I tried to fuse the felt to the flannel. Didn't happen, but it did cause the red felt to bleed on one of the snowmen. I had a dry iron so not sure exactly how I did it - maybe kept the iron too long in one spot. The other 2 are fine.

Last post I mentioned that I had made a list of what I needed to finish and make before Christmas. Of the 31 things on the list, 8 are complete and 2 have been crossed off - not happening this year :) 8 more need to be finished and in the mail by next Saturday to reach their destination in time. 8 doesn't seem like a lot except the 8 include 2 quilts that need to be quilted and a cardigan that has only been cast on. Guess I need to get back to work.

Go to Judy's blog to see other completed November UFO's.

Keeping Busy

2011-11-29T15:28:00.000-08:00

I made a list the other day and there were 31 things I needed to make or finish by Christmas. Most of those in the next 2 weeks so they will arrive on time to family in Canada. I brought everything into the living room and made a big pile to figure out what I actually had. I was able to eliminate 1 thing from my list.

Finished these capes for 2 of my nieces several weeks ago, all they needed was snaps and buttons. Done. Cross it off the list.

Needed something small for another niece. Made this cute little basket yesterday. Cross it off the list.

Stuffed and closed these pillows for my son and nephew. Cross them off the list too.

I finished this table topper a couple weeks ago and decided to give it away as a present - preventing an item from being added to the list is just as good.

When I need a break there are a few other things to keep me busy. Like the latest issue of Interweave Knits. Does it look a little strange? My son dropped it in the snow and I found it 2 days later.

I dried it out, but it's a little big.

I forgot to post that I have Issue 3 and 4 of the 100 Blocks magazine because my sister has a block in both and gave me a copy. What a great sis!

Here are her blocks.

Comparing the 2 Block magazines to the 1 knitting magazine. You have to admit it's kind of funny. When I asked him about it, he said, "I thought I dropped something." My husband can't believe I kept it.

And last, but certainly not least, I participated in National Novel Writing Month this month and... I wrote the required 50,000 words. It's not finished but it felt great to write. Hope to finish it up once the crafting marathon is over.

Finish It Up Friday?

2011-11-26T11:24:00.000-08:00

Linking up at Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish It Up Friday. Better late than never, right?

Last Saturday I cut 8 spools of ribbon into 4 inch pieces.

I sewed the ribbons in half and then pinned them on styrofoam trees. These are teacher gifts for my sons 2 kindergarten teachers. Still need to buy something to stick in the top. I'm still working on a bigger tree to give or keep but ran out of ribbon.

Last weekend, my kids worked on making ornaments to give relatives, friends and teachers. Here is my son with 5 of the 8 that he made. He was pretty proud of himself.

I finally finished this scarf. Christmas present.

Finished this shawlette but since it is for a child it will fit more like a shawl. This is a Christmas present for a niece. I made one in light purple this summer for her sister.

I love the leaf lace design in the middle.

Hopefully next week I will have some quilted finishes. I have several projects that need to get finished in the next 2 weeks so they will arrive in time for Christmas. Fingers are crossed that I get everything done in time.

Friday Night Sew-In Results

2011-11-19T12:41:00.000-08:00

Last night was the school carnival. One of the activities was too make a sheep with some real wool, sheared from the teacher's sheep. My daughter's is at the top, son's is on the bottom.

After the carnival is was time for the kids to go to bed and then I finally got to do some sewing. The top above is a vintage quilt top I bought on etsy a few years ago. It's just been sitting around, waiting for me to do something with it. Last night I added the border.

And pieced a back for it. Hope to quilt it this week and mail if off as a Christmas present.

Started a tree skirt for my SIL's family. Going to add some applique to the blue triangles.

Made these pillows for my son and nephew. Still need to stuff them.

Go visit Heidi's blog to see what every else did last night.

Friday Finishes

2011-11-18T11:21:00.000-08:00

Linking up at Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish It Up Friday. Go here to add your finishes or to see what others have finished this week.

I finished this little wall hanging yesterday. It was our 10th anniversary yesterday and we had decided no gifts but I thought of this on Monday and had the Superman and Green Lantern done by that afternoon I had to go buy some yellow and black before I could make the Batman and Wonder Woman blocks on Wednesday.

It is currently hanging at the top of our stairs.

I know it's a Halloween quilt, but I finally finished it this week.

Since I'm so late it getting it quilted it just got stippling all over in black. Nice to have it done and put away.

Finished Block 3 and...

... and Block 4 of the Fat Quarter Stars Quilt Along hosted by Moose on the Porch Quilts.

Here are the first 4 blocks all together. You can check out more details, here.

And tonight is Friday Night Sew-In. Not sure how much I will get done as we will be spending part of the evening at the School Carnival. Fingers crossed that I will have some energy left to do something. Go here to sign up.

In Progress

2011-11-14T20:10:00.000-08:00

I started this scarf at the end of last week. It will be a Christmas gift. This is how far along I was Saturday morning when I pulled it out to work on while my daughter was doing gymnastics.

This is how long it is today. I finished the first skein and just started the second. It measures 26 inches so far. I have a third almost full skein of this yarn, so by the end it should be around 65 inches long. Plenty long for a man.

I love the colour pattern of this yarn. It is a simple knitting pattern. 10 rows of stockinette, followed by 4 rows of garter. 3 stitches on each end are worked in garter for the whole scarf.

My mom asked for a pillowcase to match the Christmas Avalon quilt I gave her. Unfortunately I don't have any pieces big enough and I didn't want to piece to much (no one likes to sleep on seams), but I did have a big piece of this tartan fabric. It's a light flannel, I think. I think she'll still like it and she can use it year round, not just at Christmas.

Started quilting my November UFO, #3. I barely touched my October UFO (#5) - just ironed fabrics. This one is looking like it might end up being a finish!

Friday Finishes

2011-11-11T13:13:00.000-08:00

It's been a busy week here. Kids only had 3 days of school. Parent-teacher conferences and all the other fun things that come with days off, like little friends over. Somehow this week, I found the time to finish some projects and it felt great to cross something off my list. Above is an owl rug I made for my niece's birthday. Her birthday is on Monday and I know it won't arrive on time, but it is in the mail and should arrive next week. I first saw a picture of this on pinterest, here and discovered it had been sold by Peanut Butter Dynamite on etsy (not sure if she still makes it). I decided that I could figure it out without a pattern and was able to use yarn from my stash. I think it's cute and am tempted to make another.

The big finish for the week is my log cabin quilt. I call it my charmed log cabin as I used charm squares for the middle. The logs are from 2 jelly rolls and that's all I needed other than backing. There were enough pieces of the jelly rolls leftover to do the binding. I love this quilt! I finished it Wednesday afternoon and ran outside and took pictures right away since it was so sunny. It's been overcast the past 2 days so I'm really glad I did. Still need to wash it. It's a large twin, a little too big for on the couch since it is so long.

When the "Origins" fabric line first came out, I didn't really like it. Then I saw it in person and I fell in love. Which has kind of been good because by then people were trying to move it and put it on sale. I hope to write up a quick tutorial of how I made the blocks but it is pretty straight forward.

I think it looks good on the back of the couch for now. Adds a little colour to the room. I offered it to my mom for the twin bed in her guest room. The walls are a pale yellow and I think the quilt would look great in it, but... I'm not sure I can let it go.

Finished the Terrain quilt top last night. I decided on sashing and squares between the blocks.

I was a little worried when I finished it last night and laid it on the floor but I put it on our bed this morning and it looks like it will fit. There is enough to tuck in and it goes over the side. Guess it won't need any extra borders. Going to start saving up so I can buy Terrain yardage for the back. I have already folded the top up and put it away; there's no time to quilt it now. I hope to have it done by late spring, early summer next year. I think it will make a great summer quilt.

I used a tutorial from Moda Bakeshop. I added more blocks so it would be bigger and I changed the sashing. I also used jelly roll strips for the blocks instead of 1.5 inch strips to make the blocks a little bigger.

I love the secondary pattern that the sashing creates. It almost looks like the square is the middle of the block. I am very happy with how this turned out.

I cleaned up my sewing area last weekend and came across all the triangles I've saved when making different blocks. I also found some white that I had cut up but didn't end up using. I played around last night and ended up creating this little mini quilt. I think it is about 8 inches square.

I almost like the back better.

Here it is sitting on the mantle with a fall tree my son made at school and a Thanksgiving card from my parents (for Canadian Thanksgiving last month).

Time to prioritize

2011-11-04T10:04:00.000-07:00

Here's the quilt I had hoped to have done this week and put in the Blogger's Quilt Festival. As you can see, it's not finished.

Of the 40 blocks, only 8 are quilted in these free-motion flowers.

Events happened this week, that made us sit back and think about what was really important. On Tuesday morning I got a call from my daughter's school - seen in the picture above, photo taken from our back porch - that she had been hurt at recess and was probably going to need stitches. I contacted my husband at work and then ran across the field to go get her. Playing during recess, a friend had bumped into my daughter's chin, causing her teeth to cut her upper lip and inside her mouth. There was lots of blood, her winter coat had to be thrown out and she indeed needed stitches. At first she got 3, but we went back that night and 4 more were put in. She has been super brave, completely amazing and stoic. We have spent a lot of time this week spoiling her - letting her eat ice cream and drink Mountain Dew - and last night we took her out to buy a new winter coat and a toy of her choosing.

So, this week it was time to prioritize what was important and quilting wasn't one of them. We hope to see her big smile again soon.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T16:20:00.000-07:00

I apologize in advance for the pictures. It wasn't til after I loaded the pictures onto the camera that I realized the camera had been set to nighttime photos to take pictures of our lit pumpkins last night. Oops.

Got the pumpkins out today and noticed a little something. My daughter's is definitely bigger. Which wasn't a big problem in the past since he's younger and smaller. However, this year I could already hear the words, "Not fair" being said once he got home from school, so I decided to do a little something about it.

I made them trick-or-treat bags that are exactly the same size. I used leftover fabric from the 2 Halloween quilts I made earlier this month.

I even lined them!

This one is my daughter's. I had 1 piece of her fabric (skull with pink bows) leftover from making her quilt that got included.

My son's. I figured this would stay age appropriate for the next few years (he's 5).

Also made this little blanket and pillow for a niece whose birthday is in 2 weeks. I bought her a little doll over a month ago and knew I wanted to make something to go with it. I found a great little box on Saturday that the doll fits in.

Perfect! Once she is out of the packaging, she can be tucked in with her blanket. The box has something special painted on the front, but there has to be some surprises for her. I used some Terrain charm squares, a fabric line I know her mom likes.

Did some quilting too. Not bad for an afternoon's work.

Some of the pins that came out while quilting this afternoon. Hope to get some more done tonight. After trick-or-treating, of course.

Friday Finishes

2011-10-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

I'm linking up today at Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish it up Friday. Go here to check out other finishes and if you are here visiting from Crazy Mom Quilts, welcome. Below are my quilty finishes for the week. Go to this post for my yarn finishes.

Finished the quilt I started with my daughter last Friday for Friday Night Sew-In. She decided she only wanted free-motion stippling over the whole thing.

I used a light pink thread.

Love the back. I've had this vintage Smurf fabric for awhile, saving it since I didn't know what to do with it. Glad it gets to stay in our house.

Here it is hanging up in her room.

I also finished this quilt this week. It is hanging in the hallway upstairs, at the top of the stairs. Sorry for the terrible lighting. I forgot to take pictures before I hung it up and I was too lazy this morning to take it down. I outlined the blocks and did stipple quilting around the dancing skeletons in the border. This is my first Halloween quilt. I have another waiting to be quilted but I'm not sure if I will get it done before Monday.

Completed 2 pillow slipcovers for my mom. They got new couches earlier this year and she requested these. Here you can see front and the back and since I don't own any pillows this size (14 inches) they are lying flat. Hope they fit mom.

Here is my project for the next couple days. My hopeful entry for the Blogger's Quilt Festival. It's all basted and ready to go. I've decided how I want to quilt it and the binding is made. Now I just need to do it. Go to Amy's blog to see all the amazing quilts (there's already over 100!)

Some finishes

2011-10-26T09:52:00.000-07:00

Got to love these! I have to admit that my taste in sock yarn really surprises me. Before I started knitting socks (just last fall!), I mainly wore black socks. I now have enough knitted socks to wear them everyday, and NONE of them are solid or have any black in them. And every sock I complete still amazes me. Did I really knit that?

So colourful! Love them.

I only had a little bit of yarn leftover from the socks so I whipped up this little basket. My mug behind it gives some scale.

Not sure yet what I am going to put in it. Maybe I'll just look at it.

Finished this baby blanket. Need to block it and then it will be going in the shop.

Didn't finish all my knitted projects. Got a few more inches done on the cape for my youngest niece. 4 more inches to go before I decrease for the neck and start the hood. There are still so many projects on my list that I would like to make for Christmas this year. November is going to be crazy. I'm either getting no sleep and finishing them all or I'll have to admit defeat. Right now I'm leaning towards no sleep.

I got one Halloween quilt, quilted. Need to add the hanging sleeve. The other one is still waiting for its border and life has been so busy I haven't been able to talk to my daughter about what quilting she would like on her quilt. Maybe tonight.

Friday Night Sew-In Results

2011-10-22T10:11:00.000-07:00

I had a special guest for FNSI last night. My 9 yr old daughter joined me for some quilting fun. I ironed and cut the fabrics during the day while she was at school and we were able to get all 9 of her blocks made before supper.

Here she is working hard. She was using a fat quarter bundle that she picked from JoAnn's.

Concentrating on keeping her 1/4 seam allowance.

Here she is this morning with the finished quilt top, basted and ready to be quilted. If she's willing, she can help do some of the basic stitch-in-the-ditch quilting and then I will do any other quilting that she wants done.

This fabric is so her and the finished quilt will hang in her room. Will finish at 35 inches square.

Here's what I did last night. My daughter helped piece the 4 patch squares for this quilt.

I think the dancing skeletons in the border make this quilt. It will finish at 31 inches square.

Here is my quilt using the same block my daughter used. I had drafted a block using 6 fat quarters than yesterday morning realized she only had 5. I made up a new block with 4 variations. I made my blocks while she was at school and determined that the blocks were easy enough for her.

Close up of my fabrics. This quilt still needs a border. Since all 3 of these quilts are relatively small, I hope to get them all done by Tuesday. My fabrics were also from JoAnn's.

Head over to Bobbi's blog this month to see what everyone else was up to last night.

Getting ready for Friday Night Sew-In

2011-10-21T19:54:00.000-07:00

Tonight's the night! I've been busy all day ironing and cutting fabrics for some special projects. Go to Bobbi's blog to sign up or see what others were up to.

This is my only finish this week. A crocheted pumpkin garland that I was able to complete before lunch on Thursday.

I found the the tutorial on Tangled Happy, which links to a different crocheted tutorial every weekday. I used the cotton yarn usually used for dishcloths. It was the only orange in my stash and I thought it would stand up to the heat of the fireplace behind it.

This is the book I won from Moose on the Porch Quilts during the first prize drawing of the Fat Quarter Stars Quilt Along. It's not too late to join!

And here is the pile of fabrics I will be working with tonight. I figure I have 10 days to finish up some Halloween quilts because... I've never made a Halloween quilt before, and I think we need at least one.

My special guest for FNSI - my 9yr old daughter! Come back Saturday to see what we accomplished.

A Yarn of an Update

2011-10-17T16:25:00.000-07:00

Woke up this morning with a sinus cold, so I have spent most of the day on the couch watching tv and drinking warm liquids to keep my throat happy. Have only done a little bit of knitting today but was able to take pictures of some yarn finishes and in progress pieces.

Finished this baby blanket last week (I think). Ends still need to be weaved in and it needs to be blocked, but then it will be going in the shop.

Finished this cape for one of my nieces for Christmas. Still need to add the clasp and block it.

Started a second cape in a lighter shade of green for her little sister. This is such an easy pattern and small enough that it works up quickly.

Started this very colourful sock yesterday morning. The last 4 pairs of socks I knitted were on 2.75mm needles. These ones are on 3.25mm and are working up so fast. I did the leg and heel yesterday and am about half way done the foot.

I only started another pair of socks because I finished this pair of socks Saturday night (and wore them on Sunday). This month is Socktoberfest and I hope to finish at least 2 more pairs (for me); then I should be set for winter.

Fun with Blocks

2011-10-16T15:49:00.000-07:00

I need a couple more blocks for the Terrain quilt but I only had 2 Terrain fabrics left from the layer cake. I used 2 from a "Just Wing It" layer cake and made the blocks I needed. I have made a decision on how I am going to piece the Terrain quilt top, and I have 2 rows together. Will hopefully show my progress later this week.

Made block 2 of the Fat Quarter Stars Quilt Along hosted by Moose on the Porch Quilts.

I also pieced the 16 log cabin blocks that used just solids into a quilt top. I am loving it and see solid quilts in my very near future. This quilt will measure 56 inches square - a great lap size quilt.

Finally... some progress

2011-10-13T13:03:00.000-07:00

My husband was out of town Saturday, Sunday and Monday, so I didn't get a lot of stuff done this weekend. Tuesday and Wednesday, I napped. I have a terrible habit of staying up til 2am (sometimes 4am) when my husband is away. I hate sleeping alone, so I stay up and watch tv until I collapse. Today has been the first day that I woke up full of energy and I finally got some things done.

Here's a picture of me that my son took this weekend. This is how you find time to look at blogs and still have fun with your 5 year old. This is just one of many towers he built on my back. I'm just lucky none of the stuff fell on the computer. There are books under the black blanket.

Here are the 18 log cabin blocks I completed this morning. 16 are all solid, while 2 have a patterned blue fabric. The 2 patterned ones will be pillow slipcovers for my mom. The others.... a quilt? I started cutting and couldn't stop. Unfortunately there wasn't as much of the solid blue fabric as I thought. I cut enough black to make another 6 blocks but the blue fell short.

A Christmas present for one of my nieces. Only 4 rows left but I had to take a break after knitting almost 4 inches of it this morning.

My ambitious afternoon. Not sure how much of this I will get done but it's nice to be busy. Now it's time to finish lunch and then back to it until the kids come home in 2 hours.

A couple of finishes and more thinking

2011-10-06T11:55:00.000-07:00

Finished this quilt Sunday night for a family friend battling cancer. Very simple quilting. This quilt is meant to be used for warmth and comfort so I didn't want to over quilt it and make it too stiff. Afraid I may have under - quilted it, causing some of the fabric to pull in the corners.

Here's what I did for the quilting. It was washed before I took the picture. Fabrics are from a layer cake of Vine Creek.

Played with my Terrain blocks on Monday afternoon. Laid them all out on the living room floor.

My sister-in-law commented that they looked good without any sashing. So, first I placed them really close together and took a picture.

Then I separated them and added the white sashing. Still deciding. I like both.

Monday night I finished a quilt for my son to take to school. He started kindergarten this fall and stays at school all day. After lunch, they have a rest time where the teacher reads them stories and they rest on their mats. They were told they could bring a blanket from home. My son and I decided that I would make him a new quilt. It measures roughly 52 inches square. I stayed up Monday night to finish this so he could take it to school on Tuesday to share for show-and-tell. Of course Tuesday morning was overcast and my picture of the whole quilt turned out horrible. The rest aren't great either, but they will have to do as the quilt now lives at school.

He picked the vehicle fabrics from my stash, and I added the solids (also from my stash).

Back. I got the dinosaur fabric from Value Village years ago - I think I had almost 5 yards of it. I am finally down to less than a yard. I used leftover fabric from the front to make the blocks on the back. If you click on the picture to make it bigger, you can see that the inner squares are actually made up of 4 triangles.

I wrote a little message near the top: "For my Nova. Have a good rest. Love, Mama". I tried to use little words that he could read. I wrote the usual label stuff at the bottom.

Happy boy with his quilt.

Quilt design is my own. I knew I wanted something simple and quick that would show off the vehicle prints. Did a quick sketch, that my son approved. Cut fabrics Saturday, pieced it Sunday and quilted in on Monday. Border blocks are 12 inches, middle block is 20 inches with a 2 inch border. Outer border is also 2 inches.

September UFO - DONE!

2011-10-01T16:45:00.000-07:00

September UFO - Blocks from Rainbow swap 2009 is complete!

Over the past 2 years I have gone back and forth on what I wanted to do with these blocks. Sometimes I thought I would add sashing between the blocks. Sometimes I thought I would add borders. However, I ended up just piecing the 9 blocks together, free motion stipple on the white fabric only and binding it.

I used some fabric from my aunt for the backing. I made the light green block for the swap.

Here it is hanging at the top of the stairs. I'm very happy with how it turned out.

October UFO is the Snowbound blocks. I believe this was the free BOM offered by Bunny Hill Designs in 2010. I pieced the snowman blocks last summer during the road trip that moved us from Michigan to Idaho. I have completed all of the patchwork blocks, just have 7 snowman blocks left to piece. I hope to completely finish this quilt by the end of the month.

Head over to Judy's blog to see who else has completed their September UFO.

Birthday gifts and Blocks

2011-09-29T19:18:00.000-07:00

My birthday was almost 2 weeks ago. I used it as an excuse to do a little online shopping. I got the above Origins fabric from Stitch Steals. I had been pricing this fabric as I was going to buy some for the back of a quilt top I just finished, when I discovered it was the steal of the day... I bought more than planned. The top 2 I bought for my stash. The bottom flower fabric I bought enough to use as a backing.

Connecting Threads and KnitPicks are having book sales on now until the end of October. I picked up some for me (and a couple as gifts). Above are the ones for me. A Rose of Sharon quilt is on my bucket list so I decided it was time to start one.

Yarn... probably for me. The colourful one on the left will either be socks or a scarf. The 2 blue ones are lace weight - my first time knitting with such fine yarn - and will hopefully become beaded cuffs/bracelets.

After I finished opening all the boxes left on my doorstep today, I made blocks. Above is the first block of the Fat Quarter Stars Quilt Along hosted by Moose on the Porch Quilts. Still time to join in on the fun and win some prizes - like me!

I finished the last 12 of 40 of these blocks. I used a Terrain layer cake and this tutorial from Moda Bakeshop. Instead of 1.5" white strips in the block, I used the strips from a white jelly roll, helping to make the blocks a little bigger. I also used all 40, and not just 20 of the fabrics.

Here are 28 of them spread out on our bed.

I'm hoping there will be enough strips leftover for the sashing. I placed some strips over the blocks to see what it will look like. My biggest fear is that the beautiful Terrain fabrics will be lost in a sea of white.

I placed some fabrics at the corners to see if that helped. I have a charm pack of Terrain that I could cut up and use. Or I thought of making them all the same colour (yellow?orange?). Needless to say, I need to think about this one some more. Glad to have the blocks finished and off my quilt table.

A Couple Finishes for Wednesday

2011-09-28T19:02:00.000-07:00

Today I really started attacking my WIP pile. The holidays are coming up way too fast and since all gifts have to be mailed to Canada, I aim to get most gifts completed by the first week of December. I want to finish a lot of my WIP's (so I don't have to move them around while making gifts) and start finishing up the gift list. Some things appear on both lists and luckily I was able to complete some projects and leave them in Canada this summer. However, the gift list is still long. Got these 2 table runners, basted, quilted and bound today. The top one is a gift (something to cross off both lists!) and the bottom one is for me.

Did X's with black thread. Made with an Origins charm pack. This will be going on my dresser.

Used white thread for the gift table runner and a Hemming House charm pack. I used the tutorial from Cluck.Cluck.Sew.

Backs. Gift table runner is blue vintage fabric and mine is probably vintage fabric from my aunt.

After I was done these runners, I also quilted my September UFO. All I need to do is sew down the hanging sleeve. I'll post it on Saturday after Judy picks the UFO# for October. I also basted another quilt, and ironed some fabrics. A very productive day... and I still have the evening left.

I'm doing something, just not what I should be doing

2011-09-27T08:54:00.000-07:00

I made a list the other day of all the projects I am working on - quilting, knitting, crocheting. The list was way too long. I have almost 20 WIP's! How did that happen? It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have them covering my quilt table, ironing board, floor and every space I can shove a project in the living room. Time to complete some things. Unfortunately, with a bug of some kid working its way through our house, I haven't used my sewing machine much. I have made some progress on my knitting WIP's.

Last night I finished the body of the cardigan I was working on. Just needs sleeves. Not sure what length I am going to make them yet.

Turned the heel and started the foot of this sock. Would like to have it and its mate finished by this time next week. My plan was to make 3-4 pairs of socks for myself during October so I would be set for the winter. We'll see.

And since I didn't finish any WIP's, I guess I can add another. The first block was posted today, you can find it here. Instructions on the quilt along can be found here.

Hopefully by Friday, I will have a couple finishes.

The week so far

2011-09-21T18:33:00.000-07:00

Bought this last weekend on clearance at Michael's. I hope this will be something neat to do with the kids. Debating whether I should go back and try to get another. It seems like a fun introduction to dying.

On Monday, a birthday present arrived from my sister (only a day late). This was made from the challenge fabric she had bought us. Visit her blog to see the 2 projects together. I think she picked bow-ties because of the love I have for the quilt made by our great-grandma that I posted about here.

The back with some leftover bow-ties. Thanks Sarah! I love it.

I had started this cardigan at the end of July on our train trip. I hadn't touched it for awhile and got it back out to work on this week. I had started this to have for the fall soccer season... which starts tomorrow. Hopefully I can get it finished before the season ends at the end of October when it's a little chillier. I got several inches knitted this week and my goal is to have the body complete by the end of this weekend.

I have now completed 5 dishcloths. Weaved in all the loose ends today. 2 on the left are for me. The other 3 will be gifts.

County Fair Quilt Show

2011-09-19T20:41:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was our local County Fair and Quilt Show. Enjoy the pictures.

I think this one was also at the Spring show but I had put my kids in front for the picture. Still love this quilt.

My son with his favourite quilt.

My daughter couldn't pick between these 2.

You can now find me on Pinterest. It's very addicting. You should join, if you haven't already.

Friday Night Sew-In

2011-09-17T08:39:00.001-07:00

It's here! I finally wrote up a tutorial for this quilt. Click here or scroll down to the post after this one. Please use the tutorial for personal use only. Enjoy. There is also a button on my sidebar that will take you to it.

Last night, I pieced this table runner. I had pieced and trimmed the blocks earlier in the week. Last night I ironed and pieced them together. I used a tutorial from Cluck.Cluck.Sew., which you can find here. This will be a Christmas present.

I pieced together this quilt top. This will be a lap quilt for a family friend who was diagnosed with cancer this week. I hope to get it quilted and mailed out by next weekend. I'm just glad I had this layer cake lying around so I could make this quilt really fast.

Head over to Heidi's blog to see what everyone else did last night.

Jelly Roll Bargello Tutorial

2011-09-17T08:24:00.001-07:00

Want to make this quilt? I have finally gotten around to writing a tutorial for it.

These are notes to the specific quilt I made. Adding or deleting jelly roll strips will alter the size of your quilt. You can use my quilt as a guide to create yours. You may use the pattern for personal use (i.e. to make a quilt for yourself or as a gift) but please do not use this pattern to make quilts to sell.

One jelly roll makes 27.5 inches of the bargello. I used 2 jelly rolls, to make the width 54 inches, finished. If you want to make a wider quilt, use more jelly rolls, or add borders.

My quilt finished as a twin; 54 x 88 inches

The size of this quilt will depend on how many jelly strips you use. I only used 36 of 40, so before borders my quilt was 72 inches long. If you use all 40 strips of a typical jelly roll, your quilt will be 80 inches long. If you use all the strips you may not need to add borders, if you use less, you may need to add more fabric. Your length will be # of jelly strips X 2. Add borders to meet the size you want.

Fabric requirements

2 Jelly rolls - don't trim off selvages

Fabric for borders - 1 yard - cut 3 strips 8.5 inches wide. Make 2 pieces that are 8.5 x 54.5 inches long. I also cut 4 strips, 2.5 inches wide to be used for binding.

Yardage for backing - 6 yards (this is generous - I just pieced big scrap pieces together until it was big enough)

Batting - 58 x 92 inches

Binding - I used the 4 leftover jelly roll strips, along with strips cut from the border fabric.

Step 1: Picking your fabric order.

This might be the hardest part for some. Most jelly rolls are already sorted from lightest to darkest, it really is finding what you like best. For me, I picked 5 or 6 strips of 2 different colours that I thought looked good together, then added 1 or 2 strips to go in between them for contrast.

In this set, there are 2 blue strips between the green and purple strips. This set has 13 strips.

In this set, 1 green strip is between the pink and blue strips. There are 11 strips in this set.

Step 2: Piecing the strip sets

Instead of piecing all 36 strips together and then try to cut them for the bargello strips, I made 3 different sets that were then cut and joined together to make the bargello strips. This just makes it easier to handle.

For each set, I first sewed them in pairs - selvages at the same end.

Then sew the pairs together, starting at the lengthwise grain edge. Starting from opposite edges will help prevent the fabric from being stretched during the piecing process.

When you're done, you will have a set with all the selvages at one end.

Lay your sets down. This is your last chance to change the order (without creating major frustration for yourself). If you are happy with your sets, it's time to iron and cut them. Press the seams how you like - open might be the best way. I pressed each set a little differently and open seams went together better.

Step 3 - Cutting the Bargello Strips

Now is the time to trim off your selvages to give yourself a straight edge.

From each set cut: 4 strips - 2.5 inches wide

10 strips - 2 inches wide

6 strips - 1.5 inches long

You will have about 3 inches leftover in case you cut one wrong and need to cut another.

Put your strips into groups based on size and set (2.5 at the top, 2 in the middle and 1.5 at the bottom)

Doing one size at a time, you are going to sew the strips in their correct order to make one long strip. Then sew the 2 ends together to make a ring. Above are the 1.5 strips lined up waiting to be sewn together.

I chained pieced my strips, causing the middle strip to make a loop between the 1st and 3rd strips.

This is what you should have after piecing. Keep all loops of the same width together.

Step 4: Piecing the Bargello strips

This is where you really need to pay attention, or you will be using your seam ripper. Trust me. To make it easy, I made the first strip start with the first fabric. I number the top fabric as #1 and the bottom fabric as #36.

Click to enlarge.

Using the chart above as a guide, sew the strips together, ripping the seam of each loop between the top and the bottom fabrics. The top number tells you which fabric will be at the top of your strip, while the bottom number, tells you which fabric is at the bottom. The middle number tells you the width of the strip to use.

Here is the first 2 strips sewn together with the next 4 waiting to be pieced. Take your time to make sure the pattern is going the right way.

First bargello section all sewn together (just realized this picture was taken upside down - oops). The pattern is set up so you can add as many sections as you want and the bargello pattern will continue.

Here are both sets done and sewn together - and the picture taken from the right way.

Add borders if you want. Quilt as desired. Bind and enjoy.

Finished quilt.

Pieced binding.

Enjoy my first tutorial. Thanks to all the other bloggers who have offered free patterns and tutorials. I really appreciate them.

Please let me know of any errors. I hope to make a printer friendly, pdf version in the future and would appreciate any comments on anything that is hard to understand.

Friday Updates

2011-09-16T15:50:00.000-07:00

Here's a little of what I have been doing the past few days. I completed 3 more squares for charity.

I quilted the pillow for my nephew and stuffed it. It will be mailed off tomorrow.

Knitted up 2 washcloths as I noticed one of mine was falling apart.

My father informed me today that a family friend and member of his church has been diagnosed with cancer. I tried to think of something I could make for her and got out this layer cake and decided on a layout. It should be an easy, quick finish that will hopefully provide some warmth and comfort over the difficult months ahead.

This fabric may be used as either a border or part of the backing. This fabric came from my aunt who sent along a bag of fabric when my parents came to visit in June. I realized I haven't shared any of it here... until now.

There are a few yards of this fabric. Definitely doesn't feel like 100% cotton so not sure yet what I am going to use it for.

I thought this was nice fish fabric until I unfolded it and...

... discovered there were 4 different patterns on one yard. Pretty cool.

I'm not sure what I should think of this fabric. At least it isn't scary clowns (found some of that in my moms stash).

Last but certainly not least, tonight is Friday Night Sew-In. I have so many projects on the go right now I'm not sure what I will get completed. Fingers crossed I get something done.

A Knitty Weekend

2011-09-12T11:27:00.000-07:00

Worked on some knitting projects this weekend.

On Sunday, in remembrance of September 11th and the National Day of Service, I only worked on charity projects. I completed 3 more squares for the Knit-a-Squillion challenge. It brings my total to 19. These squares will be mailed to South Africa and made into blankets for AIDS orphans. You can find more information here.

I started another pair of socks Friday evening. Not sure if these will be a gift or if I'll keep these ones for myself.

Birthday presents

2011-09-10T10:04:00.000-07:00

Another birthday season is upon us. It seems to come in spurts in our families, get a couple months off and then there are 5-6 within a month. Here's a little of what I've been working on.

Socks for mom and daughter. They are on their way and will hopefully arrive next week. Only a few weeks late.

My nephew turned 10 yesterday. I knew I wanted to do something with Super Mario Bros. but couldn't decide what or how. Finally got it all drafted and cut yesterday. The smallest squares are an inch, finishing at 1/2 inch.

Here it is all complete. I added some borders and hope to quilt it this weekend. The image I worked from is on the left. It was between this guy and the question box. I see a Super Mario Bros. quilt in my future.

Finished these socks for a friend whose birthday is in a couple weeks. Going to make some other stuff to go along with it.

Close-up of the colours.

I have a niece with a November birthday. Started her gift last night so hopefully it will arrive on time.

It's Still August, right?

2011-09-06T21:28:00.000-07:00

August UFO is done! It is the Avalon pattern from "Material Obsession". I had picked different fabrics but switched to Christmas fabrics when I was trying to decide what I was going to do with the quilt. This will be a gift - and I'm going to mail it early so they can enjoy the quilt before Christmas.

Free-motioned holly in the sashing/border.

Wherever 4 blocks met, I free-motioned a snowman.

Corners also got some holly.

A lot of the blocks were stippled or similar free-motion filler.

And my September UFO - finally pieced together, waiting to be quilted. These blocks are from a swap 2 years ago. I couldn't decide whether to add sashing or borders and finally decided it didn't need either.

Go here, to see other August finishes.

Quilt Distractions

2011-09-02T20:21:00.000-07:00

My ironing board is full of distractions. New projects waiting to be started.

I decided to join the quilt along hosted by Moose on the Porch Quilts. It doesn't start until later this month so you still have time to join.

Here are my fabrics. 16 fat quarters and about 3yards of yellow fabric. I am using some fabrics that I have saved and loved (some for years). I look forward to using them.

With both kids in school this year, I have had the living room to myself during the day. At the top is my September UFO, #11 - rainbow block swap. It was my one and only swap. I've had them for a couple years and am finally going to finish it this month. I was auditioning border fabrics in the picture.

The project at the bottom is my planning for my Billboard Quilt, using Oh, Fransson's Quilt Along instructions. This is one of the distractions on my ironing board. I got out yellow, blue and green scraps to be used for the letters. Fabrics have been ironed and letters have been drawn, next week I hope to have the letters completed.

Back for the Avalon quilt was pieced earlier this week. The quilt is basted and I almost done quilting it. Just need to quilt the sashing.

Got the binding ready to go, too. This is my UFO for August. It feels good to be almost done it.

One finish this week... I finished all the log cabin blocks and decided on a layout. Here they are stacked in rows waiting to be pieced together.

A quiet week

2011-08-31T11:24:00.000-07:00

No pictures to share, although I have been getting some things done. Finished knitting a pair of socks and almost done another. The Christmas Avalon quilt is all basted and ready to be quilted. Been working on some other things. Took pictures.

So, why no pictures of my progress? We have had many issues with our phone/Internet provider and after 7 phone calls everything has finally been cleared up, but I have no Internet at home til Friday. Using my iPad to do blog posts uses up a lot of our cellular stuff, so I am going to take a blogging break (and Internet break) until Friday. Hopefully I will have lots of pictures to share then.

Why I Quilt - Part 4

2011-08-28T10:36:00.000-07:00

Here we are at the end of August and my last Why I Quilt post. How did that happen? You can find part 1 here, part 2 here and part 3 here. This past 3 posts I have shown pictures of special quilts that were a a part of my childhood and first planted the quilting seed in my brain. This week, the result. The main reason I quilt is because of my family and friends. It is really easy (sometimes) to buy a gift in a store, but to decide on the right pattern, fabric and then make a quilt... is a lot of work. Once I decide to make a quilt for a specific person, I really do think about them as I make it. Here are just a few of things I have made over the years.

I made this Queen size quilt for my friend and her husband for their 10th anniversary 2 years ago.

My mother requested a quilt for each season to hang above her bed. This is Spring (and my favourite).

A small house warming gift for my brother and his family when they moved into their current home.

A pin quilt for my mom.

Made this for my brother who has been to Afghanistan twice with the Canadian Military.

My sister and I made this for my parents 40th anniversary last year.

A 10th anniversary quilt for my husband's sister and her husband last year. She has also caught the quilting bug. I'll have to post some of her amazing quilts - if she'll let me.

A birthday present for a niece.

For my daughter.

For my son.

A Birth Announcement quilt for another niece.

I made this quilt earlier this year for my step-grandmother, letting her know I was thinking of her as her son battled a losing fight with cancer.

I also crochet and knit for family. I crocheted this afghan for my paternal grandmother. She knit all her grandchildren many sweaters while they were children and her great-granchildren were also given sweaters, hats and booties when they were born. This was my way of saying thank-you.

I crocheted blankets for every niece and nephew (9 in total) and for my own 2 children. Here is 1 of 7 nieces with her blanket.

And the best part about quilting for family? Is passing the love onto the next generation. Here is my daughter piecing a doll quilt for one of her cousins.

My son watching me piece a quilt for one of my nephews a few years ago.

Thank you to my family for letting me make you quilts. You are the reason why I quilt. I really do enjoy thinking about what to make them next - even if the list is longer than I could ever complete. This is a picture of me with my parents, siblings and our kids, this summer.

Why I Quilt - Part 3

2011-08-21T08:56:00.000-07:00

This is the 3rd part in the Why I Quilt series. Part 1 can be found here. Part 2 can be found here.

This is the quilt that started it all. Some of my earliest memories are of waking up in the morning, crawling into my parents bed and under this quilt. I love it. There really are no words that describe how I feel about this quilt. It is a special part of my childhood and there is a feeling of comfort when I look at it. Even when I look at pictures of it on my computer screen.

My Great-Grandma Bacher, who made the quilt from last week (seen here), made this one as well. Some fabrics are in both quilts. She made this to celebrate Canada's Centennial in 1967.

The wonderful fabric on the back.

Hand quilted.

When I first started quilting, a bow-tie quilt was on my"Must make" list, just like this one. 8 years later, I still haven't. I think I finally have enough scraps to make one. From what I remember, a lot of these fabrics were leftover from clothes she had made. I feel so lucky to have her quilts to look at and be inspired by.

A Friday Night Sew-In Success!

2011-08-20T10:35:00.000-07:00

I wanted to get this quilt done before yesterday, so I could work on other projects for Friday Night Sew-In. All I had left was some free-motion stippling in the top and bottom borders, and binding. I decided to finish it and was able to complete the quilt just before 9pm, last night. I even washed and dried it, so now it is ready for a bed. I think it will go on my daughter's bed since the quilt I made her a couple years ago is in need of some repairs.

I love this quilt. The bargello design is my own and I plan to write this quilt up as a free pattern. I hope to have it ready and posted by September's Friday Night Sew-In.

The back.

For the binding I used some leftover jelly roll strips, mixed with strips cut from leftover border fabric. The binding was attached by machine.

Since I was able to finish the quilt early enough, I still got to work on another project. Of the 38 blocks I have cut and ready to be pieced, I got 16 done. They still need to be ironed, but I really like them.

Here are a few favourites from the ones I pieced last night.

Head over to Heidi's blog to see what everyone else did last night!

On Saturdays in August, I have been doing posts about why I quilt. The first post can be seen here, the second here. I'll post this week's quilt tomorrow, so you are welcome to come back and visit and see another beautiful quilt made by my great-grandmother. My sister has also been joining in the fun of looking at quilts from our past. Go visit her, too.

Socks and fabric

2011-08-18T16:19:00.000-07:00

Isn't it lovely? Finished knitting it yesterday. Still need to make its mate. These are a gift but I will definitely be making myself a pair in the future.

Close-up of the lattice pattern.

Even timed the toe right. They feel great, too.

Started this sock last night while watching tv. Got a bit more done after I took the picture this morning and am roughly 1 1/2 inches from the heel. These are also a gift.

I did do some quilting this week. The main part of the quilt is quilted. I just did stitch-in-the-ditch. Still need to do some free-motion in the borders, bind and then it is done. Not sure if I will get it done before tomorrow night, but I got enough done that I can work on a different project for Friday Night Sew-In tomorrow without feeling guilty. Have you signed up yet?

Also played with some other fabrics this week. This is just a sneak peek.

Just to let you know...

2011-08-15T10:23:00.000-07:00

Go visit Alissa and donate to this wonderful charity. Today is the last day to donate AND have the chance to win some great prices (i.e., fabric and quilt books).

And on a lighter note, sign-ups are now open for Friday Night Sew-In this Friday. Go visit Heidi and add your name to the list.

Why I Quilt - Part 2

2011-08-13T14:35:00.000-07:00

Here is the second quilt in my "Why I Quilt" series. My first post can be found, here. This quilt was made by my Great-Grandma Bacher. All of the great-grandkids have a quilt by her. She was not able to finish mine before her death and so my mother had the quilt group at our church finish it for me. I slept under it every night from roughly the age of 10 until I go married. Unfortunately, this quilt shows how much I used it, so I didn't risk taking it outside.

I love this quilt. I love the scrappiness of it and that I found fabrics in this quilt in some of her other quilts. The pale yellow has become one of my favourite colours just because of this quilt. If memory serves me right, the centre was complete and borders set aside before she died.

Here you can see some of the damage. Some fabrics were really thin and have ripped wherever they were in the quilt.

Here you can see 2 more fabrics that have almost completely disappeared. Aren't the rest of the fabrics just amazing? Not all the fabrics are 100% cotton so this quilt has a lot of texture. I used to love looking at this quilt and finding new favourite fabrics and tracing the quilting lines.

Hand quilted. Love it.

Some of the damage on the edge.

This quilt is now folded and on a shelf. I hate not using it, as it is so light it would make a great summer quilt, but I'm afraid to lose anymore fabrics. I'll have to remember to get it out every once in awhile and just enjoy looking at it.

My sister has joined in the fun of looking at the quilts in our lives. She posted on Wednesday her quilt made by our aunt. She also has a Grandma Bacher quilt but it might be at my parents house. She is planning to do posts on Wednesday, so be sure to check it out. It's great to see some of the quilts we grew up with, which started the quilting seed in our brains. It's interesting to look at the quilts made by the women in our family (my aunt who made the quilt last week, was on my father's side of the family, while Grandma Bacher is on my mother's side), and see that making quilts is a part of who we are and something we were destined to do.

Finally...

2011-08-12T10:40:00.000-07:00

.... my bargello quilt is basted and ready to be quilted. Aiming to get it done for next Friday so I can work on something new for...

... Friday Night Sew-In next Friday. Fingers crossed.

A couple finishes and some works in progress

2011-08-10T12:19:00.000-07:00

Finished this mug rug for a member of my parent's church. She is leaving and my mom requested something small she could take with her to her new place at the Senior's home.

My husband gave me an early birthday present - an iPad. Within hours of Marvin (since that is his name) joined our family, I made him this little pouch. I looked at a few tutorials online but ended up just doing my own thing once he arrived and could use him to measure the fabric. I made a prototype first and then this one.

My first zipper. I also looked at tutorials online for this but just followed the directions that came with the zipper. Works good.

Love the 2 fabrics I used. Glad I saved them for something special.

Yesterday I played with fabric on the living room floor.

After I cleaned up my piles I got 2 of 40 blocks complete. I really like them so far.

August UFO - UFO #7 - Avalon from Material Obsession. Cut the fabrics last week and pieced it last night. I had originally picked different fabrics but switched to Christmas ones when I was trying to decide who would receive this quilt. So, this will end up being a gift or maybe I'll keep it.

I didn't finished June's UFO (#8) or July's (#2) so I hope this will be an easy finish and then I can get a little work done on them.

A Lazy Sunday

2011-08-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

A lazy Sunday resulted in some tiny projects being done. I completed 2 more squares for charity, making my total now 16. The hot pad and coasters were made over a year ago, just needed the opening sewn shut. That is now complete. Will either end up as gifts this Christmas or donated.

I admit, I spent most of Sunday in bed. I think the busy summer caught up with me. I was exhausted. Hopefully I can get some things done this week. I cut fabric for 2 more quilt tops before exhaustion set in and I hope to work on those this week.

Why I Quilt - Part 1

2011-08-06T11:59:00.000-07:00

Every Saturday in August I am going to post some special quilts that started my love of quilts and quilting. The first one was made by my Aunt and was given to me when I was 6 or 7, she also made me a matching doll quilt. She also made quilts for my sister and brother.

Grumpy Bear.

The Care Bear squares were "painted". I can remember using these paints when I was a kid. I don't think you can find them anymore. My mom or sister might be able to help me with the details.

Tenderheart Bear.

Sunshine Bear.

I really liked this square as it was near the top and was the only Care Bear looking at me when I looked down at the quilt.

One of my favourites. The block was in the centre of the top row.

This quilt was on my bed for many years. When my daughter moved to her big girl bed, I gave her this quilt. The damage above was done by her. She took to sucking the corners and picking at the top seam. When I discovered the damage I admit I was pretty mad. However, now it makes me smile. My aunt (who died in 1999 and never got to meet my children or my husband) would have loved that my daughter got to use and love the quilt, too. Of course my daughter has the doll quilt (I'll have to try and find it for a picture).

Next Saturday I'll share another quilt that means a lot to me.

Fabric, Quilty Antiques and a Finish Friday!

2011-08-05T15:52:00.000-07:00

When I saw these fabrics on etsy, I couldn't resist. These fabrics are so me, and they were a good deal for such nice fabrics. Each is a 1/2 yard.

I also picked up this pin cushion/ thread holder. I've never seen these before and fell in love. I have put several of these in my favourites on etsy. (I may have ordered a second one that was on sale). This was the only one I saw that held 12 spools. Most of them held 6.

This one also came with the scissors included on the back. It's a little bigger than I thought it was going to be and is currently sitting on my quilt table.

My last etsy purchase was this little guy. For only $10 (plus shipping) I figured why not. It is missing the top handle but everything else is good.

Kids thought it was cool how it opened up. Not sure what I am going to put in this yet. Hope to take some time this weekend to fill it up.

My husband was out of town this week (comes home tonight). My sewing area eventually spread to the living room and here one of the barstools has become full of fabric and projects. I was up til after midnight last night, cutting and picking fabrics and the chair is now empty.

A finished quilt! I can't remember the last time I finished a quilt. Its been too long. I finished the binding this morning. This was such an easy quilt. 1 Chrysalis layer cake sewn together. I like how it came out. Still needs to be washed.

After stitching along all the rows, I free-motioned leaves all over.

Looks good with the couch.

And our bed.

Just fits on top.

All folded at the the bottom of the bed waiting for my husband to come and wonder why we need a quilt on such hot summer night. I don't care, I love it.

I know I was suppose to post Wednesday about why I quilt. Wednesday was just too crazy and the post didn't get written. I'll share tomorrow. This is how I multi-tasked today - kids working in their summer learning books, I'm cutting fabric and chatting with my husband on skype while he waits for his plane to board. I've discovered the counter is the perfect cutting height for me. I think I'll be doing all of my major cutting there from now on. I guess I will have to keep it clean and clear of those piles of papers that just seem to appear.

And since I finished a quilt, I bought myself one more thing (bought it last Friday but it arrived today). A Terrain layer cake. I have loved this line since I first saw peeks of it a couple months ago. So happy to have just a little bit of it (for now).

What I've been up to

2011-08-02T11:14:00.000-07:00

Visited Michaels this weekend after reading on Kate Spain's blog that there was some things for sale with her designs on it. I picked up some for me and some for gifts (these were a $1 each so I may have gone overboard). Love them.

Each of these little cases were also a $1. Each one is holding a different set of double pointed needles. I was going to make myself some little holders (even had the fabrics picked out), but these save me the work.

While catching up on blogs, I came across this charity. Just knit or crochet 8 inch squares, mail them to South Africa where they will be put together by youth inmates and given to children that have been orphaned by AIDS. Instead of sleeping on cardboard, this organization is trying to give each child a blanket. Their current challenge is for 1.2 million squares by next July. Go here for more info.

I joined the challenge. Here are my first 11 squares done. I have picked out a box and am trying to fill it. I will have a running total on my sidebar. This is a great way to use up leftover yarn, or yarn I bought for a project and then changed my mind.

This is yarn I have set aside to make more squares. I had been looking for a charity to make things for and liked this one because 1) they didn't care what yarn you use, just make the squares and 2) I love making things for my family. These kids don't have families to take care of them. There is so much more these kids need, but I am hoping the squares I make can provide some warmth and comfort.

I started this cardigan near the end of our train ride. It is for me. If you are on ravelry you can find the pattern here, (free).

Detail.

I finished this hat on the train. It was suppose to be a gift for a niece but my daughter really likes it. Found a different pattern that I am going to make for my niece (comes with a matching scarf).

Close-up of the hat.

When it's too hot to be under quilts, I guess they make good roads and parking lots for toy cars.

Fabric Friday - or why I still love my mom

2011-07-29T14:05:00.000-07:00

When my parents came to visit in June, she brought some fabric from one of her local quilt shops that was closing. I didn't really have any requests, but I said precuts are good. She brought me a Hemming House charm pack and a Vine Creek layer cake. Not sure what I am going to do with either of them yet.

This pile of fabric made my heart stop a little. There are several metres of fabric. It is one of my favourite from the "Greetings from Canada" line that came out several years ago. I hugged this fabric. I am going to cherish it and save it for just the right project (I'm thinking the next quilt I make for our bed).

Thanks mom. Sorry there is only 1 quilt shop left (there use to be 3!), but I'm sure you'll find me plenty of more treasures there :).

Where I Sew

2011-07-28T16:34:00.000-07:00

I decided to join in on the blog tour hosted by Pink Chalk Fabrics of "Where I Sew". There are also posts by designers about their sewing space. Go here to take a look at all the sewing spaces.

I was going to share where I sew before I discovered the blog tour. We moved to a new home in June and I finally have most things where I want them. The above shelf is in our bedroom. Upstairs.

My yarn stash takes up 3 cubbies.

My fabric stash, quilt books and UFO's take up most of the other cubbies.

On top (beside the printer), is a yellow basket I couldn't pass up at Michael's last year and a stack of 3 very special quilts. I'll be sharing these quilts and some others in a series of posts every Wednesday in August. (My husband made the little origami bunny that is sitting in front of them).

Now, to my actual sewing space. It is downstairs in the garage. The lighting is ok, the privacy is amazing and if I want to be a part of what is going on, I just open the door going into the house, that opens onto the dining room/kitchen/ living room. It's great to leave a frustrating project behind doors, and not have to clean up too much when I'm in the middle of something.

Above my table, I have hung rulers, pictures I love and some mini crafts. My sister made me the Iris wall hanging, I made the butterfly cross-stitch when I was 8 or 9, and the house in the middle was painted by my mom when she was pregnant with me.

To the side is my ironing board. It's nice to finally have a regular size board. Before we moved to this house, I had been using a mini-ironing board on top of my quilt table. I use my quilt rack to hold ironed fabrics and quilt tops waiting to be quilted.

Thanks for visiting my sewing space.

Playing with fabric - finally a QUILTING post

2011-07-27T14:32:00.000-07:00

Finally home after a month visiting family in Canada. Didn't touch a sewing machine for a whole month! Only went in 1 quilt store (bought 2 fat quarters). Bought some fabric from a chain store to make new living room pillows for my mom, but didn't get them made. Brought the fabric back home with me... but they can wait for another day. I've had a Just Wing It and a Chrysalis layer cake waiting for me to play with them. So I pushed all the ufo's aside and played. It felt great.

First up is Just Wing It. This set has a lot of "solids" so I wanted to do something to set those off. Here is block 1. I played with the fabric in my bedroom since everyone else was in the living room.

2 more blocks.

Block 4 on my bed. (I mainly took these photos so I'd remember what fabrics I picked for each block in case they got mixed up).

I was able to get the first block made. With the four blocks it would be roughly 54 inches square. May decide they need sashing once I have all 4 completed. There will definitely be plenty of space to do some interesting quilting. My brain is already trying to decide what to do.

Got out the Chrysalis layer cake one evening after supper. It had been a frustrating meal (thanks to my son), so I asked my daughter if she wanted to play with me and the fabric. Her eyes lit up and my son and even my husband soon joined in, trying to figure out the best place for each square. I love this line and didn't want to cut it up, just a quick throw that I can lay under and enjoy looking at the fabrics. After the kids went to bed, I pieced the top and surprised them with it in the morning. It was really neat to see their minds working, trying to decide which block should go where and learning to look at the squares around it. By the end even my daughter was saying things like, "Oh, it can't go there. Then it would be too brown heavy in that corner."

Got out this thrifted tablecloth made from cheater fabric for the back. Unfortunately it was made for a circular table so I will need to add some fabric at every corner.

I am going to try and use the green fabric on the left to fill in the corners and the brown polka dot for the binding. Time to do some ironing and then quilt!

Still alive and knitting

2011-07-13T20:00:00.000-07:00

We are still visiting family in Canada, so no sewing to report but I have been doing some knitting. Knitted this shawlette for a niece. Hope to get one more completed before I leave.

Close-up of the middle lace pattern. The yarn is a light lavender. Still needs to be blocked.

Finished this hat last night. I made a matching scarf earlier in the year.

Fits my head ok. Would like it bigger. Would add at least one more cable repeat if I do it again.

Made it to the local quilt store and picked up these 2 fat quarters.

My daughter picked this yarn out. She would like a pair of fingerless gloves.

Only a few days left before we head home. Trying to get a few more Christmas presents finished before we go. Wish me luck.