Uncle Sam (Dresden Buddies)

So, I started making a few new shop samples for the store and I'm really having fun with them!  I'd like to introduce you to Uncle Sam from Susan Marth's (designer, Suzn Quilts) new-ish Dresden Buddies series:

Susan has a really fun way of making tiny and mini dresden plates and incorporating them in to all sorts of designs.  I've gotta say, I've never enjoyed a machine applique project so much!  

For the most part, my husband is very supportive of my quilting, but I think he's getting a bit too comfortable with his commentary.  This time he pointed out that Uncle Sam has no nose!  "Where's his nose?" was the first thing he said when I showed him the finished wallhanging.  Susan Marth's response to this, "Noses are ugly.  He's cute enough without one!"  Hehe!  I like that chick!

When it came time to quilt, I just added an allover pantograph, but the stars and waving striped suited Uncle Sam just fine!  I know many people do not like to quilt over their applique, but I don't mind one bit!  Let's face it, quilting is not my favorite part of the process.  So, by the time I get there, I'm just ready to be done and on to the next project!

Uncle Sam is awfully cute and I can't wait to have him back home, hanging on the wall, tormenting my husband :)

Uncle Sam

Pattern:  Dresden Buddies - Uncle Sam 

Designer:  Susan Marth (Suzn Quilts)

Size: 10x43"

Panto:  Star Spangled Allover (Jessica Schick)
Quilting Thread:  Fil-Tec Glide (linen)

Disclosure: I received supplies to make this project from Jackman's Fabrics in Fairview Heights, IL.  The quilt will be hung as a shop sample in their store to promote sale of both the pattern and fabric lines.  In exchange, the quilt will be returned to me and becomes my property at the end of the promotion.  They did not require me to write a positive review of any of the products.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Uncle Sam is my second completion from my 2018 Q1 FAL list!

For fun stuff happening today in the blog-o-sphere, check out the link-ups on my sidebar!

~ Heather

Tutti Frutti (for Mishayla)

Who's Mishayla?  I don't know...that's just the name of the quilt pattern!  I just labeled mine "Tutti Frutti!"  No matter......  How's this for a quick and easy quilt?

Just one layer cake, add some strip piecing and a border and I've got a cool ocean-y quilt!

 I quilted it with an edge to edge pantograph (details below) and attached the binding. 

Finished it off with a label (actually I stitched it to the backing before quilting this time).  

I do confess to having a little bit of trouble with some of the batik 10" square precuts.  They weren't very square (more parallelogram in shape).  It took a little finessing to make them work, but otherwise, this quilt was super simple and so much fun!

Tutti Frutti

Pattern (Book):  Tutti Frutti for Mishayla (Easy Weekend Quilts)

Size: 64.5x83.5"

Featured Fabric Line: Mystical (Tonga Batik for Timeless Treasures)

Quilting:  Dandy (Keryn Emmerson)

Quilting Thread:  Fil-Tec Glide (Wisteria)

Batting:  Quilter's Dream Orient

Disclosure: I received supplies to make this project from Jackman's Fabrics in Fairview Heights, IL.  The quilt will be hung as a shop sample in their store to promote sale of both the pattern and fabric lines.  In exchange, the quilt will be returned to me and becomes my property at the end of the promotion.  They did not require me to write a positive review of any of the products.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Tutti Frutti  is my first completion from my 2018 Q1 FAL list!

For fun stuff happening today in the blog-o-sphere, check out the link-ups on my sidebar!

~ Heather 

WIP: Ring Around the Hexies

It's retreat time!  This year, one of the guilds I belong to (Heartland Quilt Guild) is hosting a Quilt Away.  Pat Speth (Nickel Quilts), Cynthia Bonds (wool applique) and Mickey Dupre (Pieced Hexies) are all coming to teach classes and I'm so excited!

A ton of preparation goes into this type of retreat as you can imagine.  Of course, the hosting guild's retreat committee has been planning for several years to bring together the event and the instructors must organize and pack for their classes.  But I've never thought about how much the participants need to do to prepare!

I've spent hours choosing fabrics and cutting hundreds of 5" light & dark squares for Pat Speth's class.  I'm not sure what to expect from Cynthia Bonds' class as our supply list sheet was very vague (for ex. bring wool....how much??? measurements???).  I'll be bringing my Buttermilk Basin BOM wool applique project and supplies.  I've decided that if I can play along during the class with what I bring, great!  And if not, I'll have the project sheet to do later and I'll just work on my BOM.

Ring Around the Hexies

Now, I've been looking forward to Mickey Depre's class since I heard she was coming (Pat Speth, too).  A while ago, I purchased the Ring Around the Hexies (from the Collaboration Celebration with Mickey Depre & Bonnie Hunter) as soon as it was available.  It's been sitting on my bookshelf ever since.  Well, I pulled that pattern out and sewed up the top.  The pattern features 4 pieced hexies and I'm hoping that those large blue squares will be the perfect background for the hexies I make in Mickey's class!

Now all I have to do is pack up everything else...

Linking up to WIP Wednesday and Let's Bee Social!

Finishes for Wounded Warriors!

This week I made another trip to MO to drop off a couple of quilts for wounded warriors (and to have my Bernina 820 serviced and to do a bit of fabric shopping and to drop in on my old sew day group...).  This one is a smaller version of Charming Stars.

Charming Stars (WW quilt)

I did quick meander quilting all over the quilt with a freeform star in each star center. The backing is a brushed cotton that I got a few weeks ago for $2.00/yard (yes, I bought the entire bolt so I'll probably be backing several WW quilts with this soft fabric).  I even used the brushed cotton on the binding and tried out machine binding once more...it's ok, but I really prefer a hand tacked binding.

Charming Stars (back/quilting)

You've probably already noticed how wavy this quilt looks, well, that's due to the 4 oz. poly batting that is inside of it.  I had so much batting left over from Kayla's quilt (she loves puffy fluffy batting?!?!), that I needed a place to use it.  That poly takes up a ton of space to store, so I was happy to use it up! 

Irish Chain Variation (WW quilt)

The Irish Chain Variation was a group effort from a new group of ladies I've met since moving to IL called Quilt Ladies.  We have begun to suggest an idea for a quilt each month and each person will make a block or 2 before the next month.  Then one of the ladies assembles everything and I have volunteered to do the quilting!

Irish Chain Variation (back/quilting(

Again, I just did quick and simple meander quilting (often my go-to for charity quilts), then I backed and bound it with this multicolored star quilt that I was given with this quilt top.  I think it came out really nice considering it is very different from the original design that was suggested!

January WW Quilt Blocks

This month we decided to each bring one or two of our favorite blocks in patriotic colors.  My friend Debbie and I pieced these together while I was in MO (I cut, she pieced).  These blocks will become a part of a sampler quilt which is always fun to do.  I can't wait to see what setting this month's flimsy assembler decides to use!

Linking up to A Lovely Year of Finishes, 2015 Finish A-long, Whoop Whoop and Link-A-Finish Fridays.

April's UFO is DONE!

Just in time for the end of the month!  This quilt began as 6 pre-printed blocks that were cross-stitched about 10 years ago.  Yep, they've been sitting in a plastic ziploc baggie on the UFO pile for THAT long!  You can read more about them here.

Now, they have become a really cute twin size quilt using some inspiration from a photo of a quilt on the internet called "Serendipity."    I was really nervous about quilting this one, but I was determined to do something "custom" that I learned from my APQS classes with Dawn Cavanaugh.  One thing that really stuck with me was the continuous curve quilting technique that she taught.  So, that was what I tried (after convincing myself that if it didn't work out,  this was a 10 year old UFO and I could give it away or donate it if I didn't like the result).

As you can see, it came out okay.  Nothing fancy, perfect, (or even symmetrical) since I didn't do any marking or try any ruler work.  This is just straight freehand (I probably should have tried a little harder - afterall, Dawn DID teach me better than that).  Not great, but not bad either...I can live with this as my first attempt.

 And, of course a pieced backing (using up another set of blocks that have been in the UFO pile/stash for just as long as the blocks on the front).  And, I've finally used up the rest of the rose yardage (surrounding the rose blocks).  There's just scraps left of that fabric (after using it as a main fabric in "And Many More" - Bonnie Hunter's pattern "Florabunda," and as a border on my "Bowdacious!").

I already added a little label onto the bottom right-hand corner, but I have yet to name this quilt.  Suggestions are certainly appreciated!  This baby is now in the washing machine getting all nice and crinkly!  Now, onto the next project....

Vintage Rose Tiles

Pattern:  Serendipity (internet photo, no credit given)
Size: 65x90"
Quilting:  free motion beginning custom

Quilting Thread:  Glide white

Today, I'm linking up to A Lovely Year of Finishes, 12 Finishes in 2014, Sew Darn Crafty, and Can I Get A Whoop, Whoop?  Hop on over to these blogs to see what other quilters are finishing this month!

I'm back!!!

Wow!  It's been a while!  So sorry...so much has been going on...

My last post was in October...why?  Well, we up and moved!  As most of you know, my husband retired from the Army after 20 years of service.  Now, he's got a new job...working for the Air Force!   With the new job, came another move, but not far away...just 2 1/2 hours up the highway from Missouri to Illinois.  Now we're all settled in, the holiday hustle and bustle is behind us and I'm back into my old routine...

Wild Child blocks

I'm working on finishing up one of my projects from last year's Rainbow Scrap Challenge hosted by Angela over at SoScrappy.  For RSC13, I chose to work on three of Bonnie Hunter's patterns thoughout the year.  This one is "Wild Child" from her book String Fling.

Wild Child on the long arm frame

I just took "Wild Child" off the frame this evening, and sewed on the binding.  I'll spend a few hours tomorrow hand stitching the binding to the backside tomorrow and adding the tag.  Hopefully I can snap a couple of photos of the finished project tomorrow...in the SNOW!

As for the other two RSC13 projects, "Bowdacious!" and "4-Patch Revisited" from Bonnie Hunter's book Scraps & Shirttails, well, I'll be working on them again during this year's RSC14!  I may also jump in on Angela's new RSC Sampler as well making bunches of 6" blocks...we'll see....

Dazzling Stars

Since the beginning of the year, I had been working on this quilt for my in-laws.  "Dazzling Scraps" (Quilt Magazine Jan/Dec 2012) was chosen as our Sew Day group project for the year.  It was a fun scrappy project to put together!  I named my version "Dazzling Stars" and that's pretty much what we've all called it from the beginning anyway!  

"Dazzling Stars"

My mother-in-law asked me if I could make a set of "regular" pillowcases to go with it, so when they came to visit, I made the guest bed up with their new quilt and pillowcases.  I guess my father-in-law thought that the pillows were for him as well and packed them right up in the car.  I guess making up the bed wasn't my best idea because I used my husband's Marriott pillows that I bought for him last Christmas!  Uh-Oh!

Prairie Women's Sewing Circle

We've just ended Journey 2 of our Prairie Women's Sewing Circle.  It's been such an interesting study in the women's lives in the 1800s.  I've really enjoyed using some of the civil war fabrics I've been collecting and hoarding over the last few years and we even get to swap small samples during our meetings.

Over the last few months I've gotten several lessons in yo-yo making and my friend, Debbie, taught me to applique felted wool.  I'm not sure she trusts me with a pair of scissors, though, since she cut out every piece of wool for me!  It was great fun!

"Peace Among the Flowers" & "Scraps from Home"

Both of the projects above required lots of yo-yos.  I got better at the technique over time.  The idea was to leave as little space in the center of the gathers as possible.  The first project, "Peace Among the Flowers,"is the wool felt project that Debbie helped me out with.  It was the bonus project at the end of Journey 2.  Notice that all of the yo-yos have button centers.  Can you guess why?  Yep, the centers are all huge!

In the second project above, I chose the best yo-yos with the smallest centers.  "Scraps from Home" was actually the final project of Journey One, but I ended up making so many yo-yos that I wanted to make this project, too!

"Remember Me"

"Remember Me" was the first project of Journey 2.  I altered it just a bit by piecing the signature blocks and adding star points around the outside cornerstones (the originally pattern calls for appliqued circles) and plain square in a square cornerstones).  Most of my blocks have been signed by ladies in the PWSC and my Sew Day groups, but I still have a few more to fill before I can get it quilted up.

"When this you see, Remember me!"

Scraps From Home

Prairie Women's Sewing Circle - Journey 1, Bonus Project

20x20"

Pattern Designer:  Pam Buda, Heartspun Quilts

Quilting Design (Freehand):  Checkerboard on the Diagonal

Christmas Table Topper

A few months ago, a family friend (and my wonderful realtor), Marianne, gave me a call.  She told me that she had a ton of "crafty stuff" that she was cleaning out of her house and wondered if the quilt guild could use some of it.  I told her that they probably could and offered to come and pick it up!

While at her house, Marianne pulled 4 blocks out of the bags and explained to me that years ago she took a quilting class and she had hand pieced a few blocks together.  She never finished the quilt and had no idea how to even put the blocks together.  Her point was...all the pieces are here if someone just wants to finish this project.  Well...

Christmas Table Topper

Here is Marianne's Christmas Table Topper all complete.  This was on of the very first projects that i meandered on my new longarm.  And, yes, I brought it right back over to her all finished.  She was so thrilled!  She couldn't believe I found fabric that matched to finish it up.  She couldn't believe that her hand work could look so good.  And she is so proud of it that it's been sitting on display in her dining room since I gave it back to her in July!  Hopefully she'll put it away with her Christmas things after the holidays!

Calendar Quilt

Last year, the historian of our quilt guild hosted a block of the month.  Each month she gave directions as to what needed to be included in each block such as "bugs for May" or "green for March."  After I heard the first set of directions, I immediately decided that I would make a calendar quilt and try my hand at word play lettering.

"Calendar Quilt"

The blocks were really fun to put together, but I really made some bad decisions on the setting.  I guess I didn't plan very well when I chose the block colors because I had a really hard time putting everything together to make a cohesive quilt.  Yikes!  Oh well!

 I pieced in a couple of orphan blocks into the teddy bear backing (which is always fun).  I figure this quilt can hang around the house for a little while, but likely it will get donated at some point because I am just not too crazy about it.  I'm sure that the right person to donate to will come about one of these days!  Maybe a kindergarten class???

Farmer Boy

Kayla loves to begin her projects...she's not so good, however, at finishing those projects (I know a few people like that?!?!).  Anyway, Kayla got really excited to find all of this John Deere fabric and decided to make a quilt for her boyfriend's birthday.  His family began dairy farming just a few years ago.

Before I know it, she had drawn out a bunch on square-in-a-square blocks and cut out everything she would need.  Those pieces sat scattered around her room for much of the summer.

"Farmer Boy"

I hate to see a messy room, but even more...I hate to see a project begun and never finished!  So, mom made her a deal...I'll quilt both "Tipsy" and this quilt on the long arm if she'd just get these poor pieces up off the floor and put together.  Over the next week or so, she pieced the top together between summer classes and sleep.  And once again...I added the binding 'cuz I just can't help finishing up a quilt!

Tipsy

After several years, and lots of pushing my mom...Kayla finally finished her "Tipsy" quilt!  Actually, I finally finished Kayla's "Tipsy" quilt (which is exactly what she was hoping for)!

"Tipsy"

"Tipsy" is based on the pattern "Uneven 9-Patch" found in Fon's & Porter's Fun Quilts Summer 2007.
Kayla and I began the piecing of this quilt while we were living in the Netherlands (she dated the piecing as being done in February 2010).  Three years later, she finally convinced me to just do the quilting for her and of course, I added the binding, too.  Who can resist putting the binding onto a completed quilt?  It's my favorite part...the finishing touch!

Christmas Lights

"Christmas Lights"

How much have I wanted to do this quilt???  I have wanted to make this ever since Bonnie Hunter first posted the mystery in Quiltmaker Magazine last year!

Last winter, I contacted Bonnie and asked her if I could use the Christmas Lights directions and host it as a mystery for our quilt guild and she said yes!

Bonnie's original directions are broken down into 3 parts.  I broke it down into 6 clues for the guild and results have been so beautiful!

I am also a big fan of the specialty rulers that Bonnie uses all the time like the Easy Angle and Companion Angle rulers used to make Christmas Lights.  The one thing I did request permission to alter in the directions was to write directions for those ladies who do not have those rulers.

We have had such a great time putting this quilt together and I can't wait to be able to share with Bonnie the photos of all of the completed quilts - I think we had almost 15 participants!

Tying the Knot

My little brother just got married earlier this summer.  I wasn't able to attend the wedding but, I sent the happy couple a wedding gift...

"Tying the Knot"

This pattern is called "Not Too Many Neutrals" by Jacqueline Paton for Red Rooster Fabrics.  It was offered as a free pattern and I picked it up at one of my LQS shop hops last year.  To be honest, I haven't worked with so few fabrics in one project for a very long time, so I found myself getting a bit bored with it (especially since I had to almost triple the pattern to get a queen size).  All in all, I am very happy with the result and the newlyweds seemed to love it!

XOXO

Now that I'm back and blogging again, I guess I've got to catch you up on all of my wonderful summer projects!

Last fall, I posted a bit about the "XOXO" quilt I was making for my friend's daughter who got married last September.  Well, it just happened to be the first quilt loaded onto the new longarm (just after a really long practice panel)!

"XOXO"

Left to Right:  top, label, back

This was a nice and easy quilt to put together!  The 9-patches are meant to be the "X"s and the square-in-the-squares are the "O"s.  In the backing are lots of signature blocks and well wishes collected by the bride's mother at the wedding ceremony.  It all came together with an all over meander and I'm so glad to have finally been able to gift it to the newly weds (just before their first anniversary)!

As American as Apple Pie!

This patriotic quilt is going to be donated to the local veteran's rehab facility/home.  It was inspired by several stripey quilts that I've been seeing around the blogosphere, so I decided to give it a try!

This is just one block, 8x10" finished (yes, the photo is a little wonky, but...it really is square, I swear).  I pieced each block together not worrying about the strip width or length (just as long as it was over 9").  I wasn't even bothering with squaring up strips that were a bit wonky...they all went in.

A close up showing that I didn't have a ton of variety in strips as I was trying to us up as many of the partiotic/Americana fabrics as I could.  I still have some more so I'm planning on using up chunks of fabric for the backing (and binding).  If there's still more, I'll whip one more Vet quilt for the year.

With all the apple and layering of fabrics, the quilt kinda reminds me of apple pie, inspiring the name "As American as Apple Pie!"

And this will be the backing - a pieced baking with navy girls!?!?!