Mystery Quilts?

Do you like making mystery quilts? 

I don't often make mystery quilts because I like to know what the quilt looks like before I put in all the time. However, I do like quilt alongs because of the community they create around doing the same projects. 

I recently joined Cheryl over at Meadow Mist on her new 

Mosaic Mystery Quilt Along. 

The first step was to pull fabrics. I wanted needed to use fabric from my stash so here is what I pulled. 

I'm still undecided on whether to use the dark gray or the pewter for B. I also have not pulled the border fabric. 

Step 2 comes out August 1st. 

Go over to the FB group or to Meadow Mist Designs to see what others are doing!

Block finishes

September brought a new color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge ~ ORANGE!

I was able to get busy this week and make a few mini orange spool blocks.

Only a few months to go before we put this scrappy quilt together! I will link up to Scrap Happy Saturday over at SoScrappy!

The other monthly QAL that I'm participating this year is the Milky Way QAL. I have been using this same color (for the most part) in this QAL as the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. So this month's star is Betelgeuse and here it is in orange!This QAL is by Alyce over at Blossom Heart Quilts.

There are 3 more stars in this QAL before we put it together!

Finally, I'm been doing the Sew Along with Pat Sloan, Grandma's Kitchen. This challenge is weekly so it is a bit more of a challenge to keep up. Here are the last 2 weeks blocks.

This is Recipe Box. For this block, several alternate layouts were suggested. I chose this layout because it reminded me more of a recipe box. My dark fabric forms the box around the mint green fabric which actually has recipes written on it. This is from the fabric line Domestic Diva by Riley Blake. Link up here.

The 11th block is a appliqué block Peppermint Swirls. 

Pat adds stories of her grandmas in each pattern. It is fun to reminisce about my grandma! My grandma didn't have peppermint swirls but she did have candy! Reeses peanut butter cups were her favorites and she always had plenty to share with her grandchildren and great grandchildren! Link up here.

Are you caught up with your QALs?

I'm joining...

the Simple Things Quilt Along over at Charming Chatter.  

I have decided to join in even though my summer is packed full of wedding activities. Last summer's quilt along was so much fun that I just don't want to miss it. Kelly has assured me that the quilt along will go at a slower pace so I should be able to keep up.  I'm hopeful even though I haven't had anytime recently to sew/craft anything other than for the wedding.  Here is a peek of one of the things I've been working on. I've made well over 30 of them. 

More on these later.

So I have decided to do the smaller version of the quilt due to my time constraints. Here is Kelly's...isn't it pretty.

Carol over at Brown Quilts is offering a larger version of the quilt.  Here is Carol's quilt...so lovely in its patriotic colors!

So last week we were to pick out our fabrics and today we got the cutting instructions.  I have chosen to use the lovely Charlevoix fabric line by Minick & Simpson for Moda. I fell in love with this fabric when it was introduced and I think this quilt will be perfect for it.  I will be using Bella white for the background and a red & white dot from my stash.  Take a look!

Perfect don't you think?

Note: There is still time to join my giveaway.  Just scroll down to the previous post or click here. It is open until my birthday, June 20th!

Also, next Friday night, June 17th is the FNSI. Click on the button on my sidebar to join in on the fun.  

Reflections of 2010!

I can hardly believe that last year at this time

I was not a blogger!

I didn't have any idea that a wonderful community of quilters and other creative and talented crafters existed out in cyber land.

Then in early January, we watched the movie Julie & Julia. 

Her idea of blogging her progress as she cooked through Julia Child's cookbook prompted me to start my blog to document my progress on the Mariner's Compass quilt that I started for my husband. 

I quickly discovered the vast pool of talent from all over the world.  The first blog that I came upon was Kviltstina over in Sweden.  I was amazed at Stina's talent and how she incorporated stitchery into her quilts.  I joined her Valentine 2010 block giveaway and started stitching!  

I hopped through several of the blogs on Stina's blog list discovering so many more talented quilters.  

I started following and reading blogs and I was inspired! 

In March, I joined my first Friday Night Sew-In over at Handmade by Heidi and Crafty Vegas Mom.  Heidi and Bobbi co-sponsor this monthly sew-in and I have joined them every month.  I finished many projects by dedicating this night to sewing.  

I kept reading and discovering new blogs. 

  I followed a quilt along over at As Sweet As Cinnamon and another at Charming Chatter.  I joined a swap over at quilting gallery.  I joined the Charming Girl's Quilt Club and sew much more!

So here is a college of most of the quilts I made over this first year of blogging.  

There are so many other projects that I have finished over this year including totes, mini bags, wristlets, pincushions, needlecases, and toys.  I have knit baby blankets, an assortment of headbands, chemo caps, and coffee cozies.  I even tried some crochet.  

Many of the projects were found through the blogging community.

So a BIG THANKS to the blogging quilt community. I have been awed and inspired.

There are sew many more, I couldn't mention everyone by name.  Hope you understand.

Here's to a prosperous New Year!

  

Just A Few Things

Well, I have been quite busy but no pictures just yet! Soon, I promise!  

I needed to stop by to share that tomorrow night is Friday Night Sew-In hosted by Heidi and Bobbi.  A great way to devote some time to your sewing/projects!  It's not too late.  Just hop over here to sign up!  What will you be working on? I just love to see what everyone is doing!

Another little thing I signed up for is the free-motion quilt along over at A Few Scraps.  This quilt along hosted by Christina is a little different than others as it will teach free-motion quilting! It will be a good opportunity to practice free-motion quilting.  And who couldn't use a little practice?  I am anxious to learn some new ideas and tips!  If you are too, go over here to join in or see my side bar.

I'm back!

Well this post is well over due but somehow when you get back from vacation, it takes awhile to get caught up! 

First, let me show you what was waiting for me when I arrived home.  A package with these lovelies inside!

I won this give away from Dawn over at The Straw Needle.  Two quilted heart potholders and a charm pack of Aster Manor for Moda!  Thank you Dawn!

Next up is a follow up on my Charming Girls' Quilt Club.  As mentioned before, this month's theme is Self-Care.  When I first posted about this topic, I mentioned that I was going to treat myself to a pedicure!  And I DID!

It was wonderful to pamper myself and have pretty feet before heading off for vacation! 

Love the red!

This past Monday (the day after we got home), I completely finished by Between Charming Friends QAL quilt.  I needed to bind it since I couldn't do that without my machine.  Here is the finished 'A Little Gem!'

And finally an update on my goals!  

Quilting ~ finished by QAL

~put the borders on my Red & White, need to get backing material

~finished my Applique Posy Needle Case (and a little extra surprise) for my swap partner and sent it.  Will post pictures once it's received. 

~have worked on a design layout for my stitchery, but it isn't finalized.

~second Happy Camper quilt may have to be put on the back burner due to other priorities coming to up.

Reading ~ while on vacation, we listen to 3 books on tape.  Does that count?  I would think so since I couldn't really be reading while listening.  These included:

Airborn by Kenneth Oppel

Smiles to Go by Jerry Spinelli

and My Antonia by Willa Cather

I also finished 2 books.  

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

and Free Range Knitter by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee 

I'm currently reading The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks!

Vacation ~ I will share Part 1 of our vacation now! We had a wonderful time with our daughter, Kirsten and future SIL, Mike (and his family) in South Dakota. Take a look! Hope you enjoy it!

Digital slideshow generated with Smilebox

Will need to post about Vacation Part 2 later!  Be back soon!

Between Charming Friends Quilt Along Finish-well, almost

Just checking in from my vacation to show you my Between Charming Friends Quilt.  As I have been away from my machine for most of July, I decided to hand quilt my mini quilt.  Yep, most of my time in the car was spent stitching.  This was my first attempt at hand quilting a whole quilt.  I think it turned out okay for my first time.  I really admire those hand quilters out there.  I struggled with keeping my stitches consistent in length.  I guess practice makes perfect [and a better hoop and different thimble may help too!]  Any advise from hand quilters is welcome!

In the details picture, you can see my quilting, very simple.  I did use 5 different colors of hand quilting thread.  Next time I think I would like to try using pearle cottons. As you can see, I haven't bound my quilt yet.  That will have to wait until I can get back to my machine.  I'll post pictures later.  Sorry for the poor quality of these photos.  I'm not sure why they seem so washed out. 

We have finished Part 1 of our vacation and are enjoying Part 2.  Will share later!  Be back soon!

What's up!

It has been a while since I have posted and I do have so much to share.  First up, I would like to say a BIG thanks to those who voted for my Mariner's Compass quilt.  The response was awesome and my quilt won!! The sponsor for the week was Around the Block Quilters Shop and I won a $30.00 gift certificate to use in the shop.  I already picked out and received my prize!  I chose 3 - 1/2 yards of Woodland Bloom by Lila Tueller for Moda, 2 charm packs and 2 - 1/2 yards of Frolic by Sandy Gervais for Moda.  They are so pretty!  Thank you Christine !

Next up is an update on the Charming Friends QAL.  I am in the process of hand quilting my quilt.  Kelly has given us free range on how to quilt our quilt.  I have never hand quilted an entire quilt before so I thought I would give it a try.  May take me awhile!  

Kelly also opened up the Charming Girls' Quilt Club to new members!  Yes, I went along and joined.  Kelly's QAL was so much fun I couldn't resist.   I hope I can keep up with it.  We are to post goals every 2 months and each month there will be a theme.  July's theme is 

Here are my thoughts on the subject....

Moms (myself included) generally have a hard time with this subject.  It is a part of us to be the caregivers to others, especially our children.  When our children are small, they need us - we drive them to their activities, wait for them, help them, nurse them, feed them, clean up after them, encourage them, cry with them, etc.  You get the picture - there is not much left for ourselves.  Our needs are happily sacrificed. Our identity becomes tied to our children.  

Have you ever been known as [insert your child's name] mom? 

But our children do grow-up and their need for us becomes smaller.  When this happens, our role changes.  Yes, I will always be their mom but the time invested decreases and now there is more time available for me. I tend to find it hard to allow myself 'me time' [other than quilting].  I need to learn to allow myself to relax, enjoy life, be thankful and feel pampered.    

To start, I think I'll get a pedicure this week!

GOALS!

My goals for July and August will include some quilting but I will be away from my machine for a good part of July.  

Vacation - Week 1 - really enjoy our visit with our daughter, Kirsten.  Make it quality time! See and experience her new life out in South Dakota! Visit Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, caves, some quilt stores and more!

                       - Week 2 - hubby and I head to Colorado for some alone time.  Relax and enjoy each other in the beautiful mountains atmosphere.  Outdoor activities may include hiking, biking, hot springs, sightseeing.  

Reading - Summer reading is really lagging behind my usual goal.  Pick up the pace and read at least 2-3 books during July and August.  

Quilting - Finish QAL - hand quilting

              - Red and White - add borders, sandwich and quilt

              - Applique Needle Case Swap

              - Stitchery Quilt - design layout

              - Happy Camper 2 - recut and piece top

Lastly, I wanted to mention that I did have another finish for June.  It is my Happy Camper quilt that I have previously mentioned and gave peeks of here.  I finished the last stitches in the binding and labeled it on June 30th!  I can't show you yet as it hasn't been received by the special recipient.  Pictures soon!

Charming Chatter QAL

I have finished the next step in the Between Charming Friends QAL.  I love the way that this quilt is coming together!  Kelly has done a great job giving instructions on how to piece this quilt including step by step pictures.  She even gave a great little tip on how to get the piano keys border to fit perfectly.  This quilt along has been great fun!  It is amazing to see how each quilter has chosen different fabric for the same quilt and how different they all look.  Here is mine!!

I can't wait for the next step on Wednesday!

And a BIG THANKS to all who have voted for my Mariner's Compass quilt in the quilting bloggers weekly contest!  The response has been amazing!  Voting continues through Sunday!  Just click on my link on my sidebar and look for the link to the weekly quilt contest!  Thanks Again!