Design Wall Monday BOWs

Only one more week and this project will be off the design wall and ready to quilt up!  This is block #8 - Lisa's block, from the Marcus Brothers' Friends & Companions Sew Along.  The block was designed by Lisa Shepherd Stewart, Marcus Brothers' Marketing Manager.

Block 9, Marcus Brothers' Friends & Companions Sew Along

Here are all 9 blocks from the Sew Along...next week we'll get finishing instructions and I can hardly wait to quilt this little cutie up!  Notice the color differentiation in block 9 in both photos?  The photo below is actually more true to color.  And all of the blocks were made strictly from scraps...I didn't have to cut into so much as a FQ!  Hmmm...maybe I have too many scraps!!?!?

Marcus Brothers' Friends & Companions Sew Along:  Blocks 1-9

And...here's an update on my other long term Sew Along project, Women of the Bible hosted by Hoppin' Bobbin on Facebook.  This week, we made block #8, a 15" Girls' Favorite block representing Ruth.

Women of the Bible:  Block #8 - Ruth

So far, so good, I think.  I'm beginning to like the way the blocks are coming together.  Everything you see so far is strictly from my stash.  I'm not planning to purchase any new fabrics for this project either (with the exception of the backing later on).

Women of the Bible:  Blocks 1-8

Linking up to Design Wall Monday and BOMs Away!

September UFO Completions!

Yes, completionS, plural!  Whoohoo....both goals accomplished!

First, please meet "Peaches & Dreams," a 20 year old UFO that began with the ugliest, most terribly pieced fan blocks in existence.  I'm ashamed to say that, yes, I pieced them myself approximately 19 years ago and that is why they became a UFO...more about how this all got started here in this post from earlier this month.  "Peaches & Dreams" is my own design, a bit of a modern twist based on a traditional Grandmother's Fan block setting - my first "modern-ish" attempt.

Peaches & Dreams 

84x84"

Pattern Designer:  Heather Gunter

Quilting Design (Panto):  Paisley Playtime (Hermionee Agee, designer)

My second finish is a wedding quilt for my sister and her fiancee, who will be getting married next week.  This one was a rush order (more here) with a couple of weeks to spare and I LOVE the result!

Woven Together

72x84"

Pattern:  "Salute to Plaid" Natalia Bonner, Quiltmaker (free pattern)

Quilting Design (Panto):  Holly's Hearts (Patricia Ritter, designer)

Linking up with Can I Get A Whoop Whoop, A Lovely Year of Finishes, and 52 Quilts!

Design Wall Works in Progress

I've got the same 2 projects up on the design wall today.  We're getting closer to the finish line on the Marcus Brothers Friends & Companions Sew Along.  Here are blocks 7&8:

Block #7 - Mary Ellen's Block

Block #8 - Delores' Block

Mary Ellen Robison of Red Crinoline Quilts designed the block for week #7 and this week, Delores Smith of Homestead Hearth was our featured designer.  Both blocks were really fun to make!  Actually, all of the blocks were fun to make!  I can't wait for the last block next week and the final reveal the following week...almost there!!!

Friends & Companions:  Blocks 1-8

And, I've gotten caught up again on the Women of the Bible Sew Along hosted by Hoppin' Bobbin.  Here are blocks 6&7:

Block #6 - Jezebel

Blocks #7 - Rebekah

A "Ladies Wreath" block represents Jezebel's nobility and position in society.  The "Crosses & Losses" block represents Rebekah's dilemma caught between her two sons Esau and Jacob.  These blocks are really easy to construct...especially since they range between 10" and 15".  It's really nice to whip up a block for the week in just a few minutes!

So, that's what's on my design wall this week!  Here's everything all together on the left side.  I'll have to start a WIP to add to the right side of the design wall...and, yes, I've got a couple of small projects in mind!

 Today I'm linking up to Design Wall Monday and BOMs Away!

Friendship Circle

This little Prairie Women's Sewing Circle quilt worked up so quickly!  Lots of easy piecing of scraps from my Civil War collection (and some that are just close enough).

 I love making little labels for the back of the quilt.  I know it's a hassle for some people, but I just love using a coordinating fabric from the front of my quilts to make the label for the back!  This is the last of the little pre-preprinted labels I have (and I have no idea where I got them from - I didn't buy them, so someone must have given them to me at some point) and they have worked well for these little Prairie Women projects!

When it came to the quilting, I got a little carried away.  There was a panto already loaded on the table from my sister's wedding quilt (I'll show you that later - closer to the event, but it's getting it's binding now).  I just switched thread colors and off I went --- BTW, have I ever told you how much I love the Fil-Tec Glide thread for longarming...well, if not...I LOVE IT!

Friendship Circle  

Prairie Women's Sewing Circle - Journey 3, Gathering 6

21x25.5"

Pattern Designer:  Pam Buda, Heartspun Quilts

Quilting Design (Panto):  Holly's Hearts (Patricia Ritter, designer)

Linking up today to Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?  

Blocks of the week - this week...

And, here's the next update on my blocks of the week projects:  Friends & Companions (Marcus Brothers) and Women of the Bible (Hoppin' Bobbin).  Hope you're not tired of seeing them yet...and if you are, sorry, but it' my blog and I wanna keep track!  XOXOXO....

Friends & Companions - Block #6 

This week, Nancy Rink, of Nancy Rink Designs shared her block for the Friends & Companions sew-along.  This is the 6th block and she's calling it "Plus Four."

Friends & Companions - Blocks #1-6

I'm still able to work completely out of my scrap basket, but this time my background got a little light.  I'll just have to find at least one more light background to spread the love!

Women of the Bible - Block #5 Hagar

And, this week's Women of the Bible pattern was a 10" Hard Time block to represent Hagar.  It's really fun to read the devotional section of these patterns to get a bit of Bibical refresher (and a small history lesson, too, sometimes).

Women of the Bible - Blocks #1-5

Linking up to BOMs Away and WIP Wednesday!

What's on my design wall?

On the left side of my design wall today is Marcus Brothers' "Friends & Companions" Sew-Along and Hoppin' Bobbin's "Women of the Bible" Block of the Week.  The right side of the design wall is empty today because three quilts have been quilted this week and are currently undergoing the binding treatment!  Woohoo!

Linking up with Design Wall Monday!

Blocks of the Week...

And, here's the next update on my 2 blocks of the week projects:  Friends & Companions (Marcus Brothers) and Women of the Bible (Hoppin' Bobbin).  Hope you're not tired of seeing them yet...

Friends & Companions - Block #5

 This week, Gloria Parsons, of Olde Green Cupboard Designs shared her block for the Friends & Companions sew-along.

Friends & Companions: Blocks 1-5

I just loved making this basket block!  Isn't it cute???  And, yes, I'm still working completely out of my scrap basket!  I'm hoping that I can continue to do that until we get to the finishing instructions, but we'll see.

Women of the Bible - Block #4:  Noah's Wife

This week's Women of the Bible pattern was a 10" Storm Signal block to represent Noah's Wife.  Considering the size of that flood, I'd say a storm signal is about right!

Women of the Bible:  Blocks 1-4

Only 46 more weeks to go on this one!  Yep, we're just getting started!  

Linking up to BOMs Away and WIP Wednesday!

September UFO Goals

This month, I've got 2 UFOs to complete!  One, is an absolute must finish!!!

This project, I just started last month.  I'm sure many of you will recognize this most recent free pattern that Quiltmaker Magazine mailed out recently!  I'm making a version of this for my sister who is getting married at the end of the month.  See what I mean when I say I have an absolutely must finish???

Now, once that quilt is completed...it's onto my real UFO for the month...

Original Fan Block

This was the original block...I pieced 42 of these fan blocks approximately 20 years ago.  And, when I say pieced, I mean terribly pieced (do you see how off that peach piece is???)!

Fan block trimmed down to 7"

Now, here is what I have done to all of those fan blocks.  Each fan has been trimmed to 7" square and a new triangle of brighter peach has been added.  Here's what I had in mind...sort of...

7" Fan block layout

Fan block accent borders

Then, with this lovely assortment of teal/turquoise, I thought I could add some color in block borders...

Fan block with accent borders layout

Fan quilt center

This is as far as it's gotten (I pulled it out - after 20 years - and got a jump start last month).  When an idea finally strikes, you kind of have to go with it!  So now, all that's left is the borders and finishing.  Anyone have a good name for this updated oldie???

Linking up with A Lovely Year of Finishes.