Moving Right Along

Continuing along on my wave of motivation after finishing my first Christmas flimsy, I got started on another one last night. I cut 16 of the 20 initial blocks needed for the Five, Ten, Twenty pattern I am using for A2's boyfriend's quilt. I'm just waiting for the fabric for the last four blocks to come in to finish cutting. I decided on four different kona solids to use for the last four blocks, the backing, and a scrappy binding. They (hopefully!) match the colors of the electric guitars. There is so much going on in the fabrics above that I feel like a few solids will tie the prints together while giving the eyes a place to rest. Now to patiently wait for that fabric so I can keep moving along!

One Thing, One Week Challenge Complete!

With a last minute push late Sunday night, I managed to finally get all the parts assembled for A4's quilt top. I will warn you, this quilt is not too easy on the eyes. The bright and crazy fabrics probably won't sit well with everyone's tastes, but my baby sister will absolutely love it. Of that, I have no doubts.I have even managed to keep her from seeing it. She asked me one day last week if I would get her quilt done before she went to college - the child isn't even in high school yet! So I don't think she suspects she's getting it for Christmas.

Thanks to Amy for hosting the challenge. It was just the push I needed to get moving on these Christmas projects. I'm ready to get moving on the next one now. I ordered the remaining fabric I need for A2's boyfriend's quilt today. I think I might get started cutting what I have already for that quilt since I know exactly what I'm doing with it. I'm still not 100% sold on my patterns for A2 and A3's quilts so I'd rather work on what I am sure of.

Musical Pinwheels Progress

Musical Pinwheels is beginning to come together :-) I found another music themed white fabric while at Joann's shopping for Colt's quilt so I was able to put together the four additional white pinwheels I needed earlier this week. After experimenting with a couple arrangements, I decided this one showcased each of the four prints well and didn't lose the pinwheel look of each block (which happened when I put too many of the same color pinwheels together). What I've put together thus far is a bit smaller than I had hoped, but I'm thinking I'll just put an extra border on to make it large enough for a lap quilt. I cut the binding I will need out of the remaining pink fabric. Now if I could just find the black I bought for a border I could make some more progress with this...

One Night Wonder

About two weeks ago I offered to my mom and sister that I would make a quilt for their friend's new little one. At the time they didn't think much of the idea. They just sort of ignored it and said they'd go get a gift later. Fastforward to Thursday night when they still didn't have a baby gift that they needed for Friday. All of the sudden they liked the quilt suggestion. My sister and I ran out to Joann Fabrics and spent what felt like forever looking for fabrics. We finally found some sports fabrics after about five runs through the store.

Front

We got back from the store around dinner time and before I went to sleep that night, I had everything pieced, basted, quilted, and the binding was attached. It was nearly two in the morning (I'd had some other non-quilting things I had to accomplish that night also) and I had to be up at seven so I decided to machine stitch the binding down. I'd never tried it before, but I know my handstitching can be a little slow and didn't know how much time I would have the next day to finish it. I attached the first side and then let myself get some sleep, feeling that my work would be a bit cleaner after I rested.

Back

The quilt is pretty simple, but I put the baby's name in the center for an added touch. I liked the idea initially, but only decided it was possible once I heard the baby's name: Colt. Since it was only four letters long and I could spell it out with all straight lines, the idea got to come to fruition. It measures 41" by 43" before washing. Fabrics are sports and school colors - a perfect combo for the new little family.

Close-up

I was busy most of the day Friday, but finished the binding up before my twenty-four hours were up. I got the quilt packaged and ready to go, only to find out the baby and parents were out of town and wouldn't be back until today. I wasn't happy that I had rushed, since there are a couple little things that could have been slightly cleaner if I wasn't rushing, but oh well, no regrets, and I am happy its done.

Packaged and ready to go! And in a matching tiger striped bag :-)

My family thinks the quilt is wonderful and I hope the recipients like it as well. My mom was amazed I could make a quilt so quickly since all of the others I've made have taken some time to finish. The difference is that I just do a little bit every day most of the time, between everything else in life I need to do. For this quilt, I put everything else aside and powered through. Plus this design was quite easy. Hopefully she doesn't take advantage of the possibility again in the future. I prefer taking a little more than a night to make a quilt.

Much Progress

I have had a very productive couple of days. In addition to cleaning, studying, cooking, babysitting, and other such activities, I managed to get two items from my goal list checked off. First, I attached the binding on the disappearing nine patch. I am now setting this aside for when I need a car project or will otherwise be sitting for awhile without anything to do.

I finished the ironing and cutting for my Camelot Squared quilt. The ironing took forever and what felt like a gallon of water. There were so many wrinkles! I did some chain piecing and the top has come together quite quickly. I just need to sew the rows together and the top will be done.
After getting all that done, I still wasn't tired last night. I decided to put together a few more string blocks to add to the stack. I still need so many more though. I had no idea what a daunting task I had taken on when I began.
And finally, I whipped up this adorable little skirt from this tutorial this morning. I don't even know how I happened upon it, but I am so happy I did. All the materials came from my stash. It was exciting to realize I could actually make something entirely from what I already have on hand. When I figured out the cost, the whole thing ended up only costing about a dollar. And look...its reversible! I made it for a little girl that I babysit. I've spent hours and hours with her the last week and a half, but now that I have this I don't think I'll be seeing her for a couple weeks. Oh well, I'll get it to her eventually.Just looking at this makes me smile. I think I might have to make up a couple more.

Parade of Projects 4

The most important of my upcoming projects is a dorm quilt for my sister who is graduating next May. I'm planning and beginning a year early so it'll be ready in time to give her as a graduation present. I know how I operate and that I may need all that time. Plus I'd rather have it done too early than too late.

(I apologize this picture is sideways. I cannot get it to rotate.)

Fabrics: Michael Miller prints, Kona solids, and a floral print
Pattern: An original design I created. Blocks are 16 1/2"x9 1/2".
Size: Twin extra-long bed sized (I'm aiming for 66"x92")
Backing: Hot pink with a stripe pieced from the other fabrics
Binding: Black

She requested a French theme and hot pink. Everything else is up to me. I've (finally!) finished the design and now just have to get started.

That's all the confirmed projects I have at the moment. There are several others stewing in my brain, but they need to be firmed up a bit before I add them to the list.

A Little Quilt for a Little Friend

A couple weeks ago, I was supposed to get to spend the day with a little two-year-old friend of mine. I hadn't seen her in awhile and thought I would surprise her with a gift that we could play with that day and she could take home with her. I used some fabrics I had in my line up to start a baby quilt as I knew I had bought a little extra of each print and the scraps of batting from my primary colors quilt. Not only did I hope my little friend would be pleased with a gift, I was anxious to get some more practice (especially with binding!) and a chance to try out grid quilting.

The front: The back:Close up of grid quilting

The gift (complete with a baby doll wearing a nightgown with

matching purple polka dots that I found at the store!):

Unfortunately, I didn't get to see my little friend that day as she spent the weekend with her aunt instead. I passed the gift to her mom and asked her to please give it to her when she got home. Her big sister reports that she loved it and showed it to anyone who stepped foot in their house. I'm glad she likes it and hope I get to see her soon.