Bento Box for Quilts for Kids

Sunday I completed nine 12-inch blocks for a Quilts for Kids top. Here they are up on the design wall. Not that pretty...but I guess it'll do. I wanted to use up the Butterfly fling jelly roll - that doesn't make for a cohesive design strategy :)

Man! My sewing room looks terrible doesn't it? It looks even worse on the other side where I've been cutting and throwing stuff in a pile. I think I've made 4 quilts without putting up the scraps and fabric. I didn't used to be this sloppy did I? I suppose I'm trying to cram too much in and not making time for maintenance.

Of course I say that and I think -- but I want to finish this Quilts for Kids pair and mail them off this week....and I want to make Jessica's tree skirt by Thanksgiving. I think I should just stop and clean up enough to get the cabinets to close behind my 'design wall.'

Check out JudyL's blog to see what other quilters are up to this week.

Yellow Submarine Quilting Finished!

Its so beautiful! Margaret at Three Bears Quilting did an amazing job!

I took a few pictures last night but I'll get some more with decent light when the binding is complete.
The quilting on the background and blooming nine patch is perfect.
I love the flower power daisies and LOVE!
LOVE again - but I shot the picture badly.
A custom designed peace symbol for the front hatch!

A beautiful motif of swirling musical notes!

The back is perfectly aligned and looks great!

It is beautiful! Emily will be overwhelmed. I want to show it to the world....but I guess I need to bind it. :D

The wool batting turned out great! Its fluffy and breathable and light. Shows the quilting so well! Its turned out so beautiful because of the quilting. I was proud of it before....but now its truly exceptional!

We had some bubbly with Margaret and Johnny to launch the submarine. So glad that its almost in Emily's hands.

Two Tops with 3 Bears

I finished up the Spring Log Cabin last week and took it to Margaret on Friday. Was a real learning experience on using lengthwise grain of fabric. Since there is no give and no easing, strips that are lengthwise grain have to be on top of crossgrain pieces so the feed dogs can ease in fullness. Even if they're exactly the same size, the feed dogs have to be on the crosswise because you'll lose 1/4" or so in a 15" strip if its reversed. That said, I really like using lengthwise grain....very predictable results.

The Spring Log Cabin is so bright that we're worried Judy won't like it. I'd like to keep it if she doesn't.

I quilted the Quilts for Kid piece and bound it using my sewing machine. I plan to piece a bento box quilt out of the Butterfly Fling jelly roll strips to send with the one made from their material. Hopefully I'll start that tonight.

Margaret said the submarine quilt was going on the frame on Saturday....but I think she's a little intimidated. I hope she'll just got for it....I'd like to get that one bound.

Spring Log Cabin

Worked all weekend on the Spring Log Cabin for Judy. Its a beautiful quilt....but I think I have to make another 5 blocks. 80x80 doesn't really fit a bed. 80x96 is more like it. I have just enough scraps to do it I think. I expect it will take me working every night this week to knock out another 5 blocks. Its been surprisingly slow going really. I guess its the 16 inch blocks - whew! need to put this quilt top in Margaret's hands soon or she's going to hate me....if she doesn't already.

Pieceful Weekend

This past weekend I was able to piece and baste the Quilts for Kids top. I've also cut about a third of the pieces for Judy's Spring Log Cabin. I hope it will be as beautiful as the photo. I want to cut the rest of the pieces before the weekend so I can just sew. Since Margaret agreed to do the quilting for me - I feel I have to get her the top soon. I should be ashamed to even ask for such turnaround! I'll have to agree to do something for her in return - she's way too good to me.

Projects for October

I did meet the quilt group challenge for the month and I've already met the group challenge for November by finally basting the cotton boll top! YEA!

How I did for October (vs. plan):

Finish Up Jobs:

Hex quilt binding -- nope - ruler never came

Ongoing Projects:

Finish yellow submarine top -- yes!!

1 more poinsettia appliqued -- Yes

Piece 3 poinsettias for next month -- Yes

Prepare for Quilter:

Yellow Submarine top & backing -- handed over October 30th

Bunny Quilt & backing - Margaret is afraid to do it

Hand Baste:

Cotton boll - Done!

New Piecing Projects:

Mug mats - Nope

Christmas Tree Skirt for Jessica - Nope

Not too bad really :)