Fireworks in August

Camille's Fireworks pattern has been on my To Do list ever since it was released back in 2012.  Camille used Happy Go Lucky for her Fireworks, one of my all time favorite families of fabric, but I'm hoarding my bundle of Happy Go Lucky so I've been searching for another family of fabric to use, searching for 4 years.  Earlier this year I tried matching up some Miss Kate fat quarters for this pattern but it didn't really excite me, so I put the pattern away, again.

Last month, on Instagram, I saw a Fireworks quilt made with Daysail, and fell in love.   I made the Fat Quarter Shop's Snapshots quilt using Daysail, but I donated that quilt for a charity raffle.  Luckily I had another Daysail bundle that I was also hoarding but willing to use.

This is Lifetime Quilt Number 184

The pattern is Fireworks by Camille Roskelley for Thimble Blossoms

The fabric is Daysail by Bonnie and Camille for Moda

It finished at 68"x 68"

It has approximately 1,076 pieces.

This was the perfect summer project to work on after a July of Christmas Sewing. I think I have time for one more summer project!

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First Finish

My first finish and one 2016 goal met.

This is Lifetime Quilt Number 171

The pattern is Snapshots by the Fat Quarter Shop

The fabric is Daysail by Bonnie and Camille for Moda

It finished at 66" x 88"

It has approximately 653 pieces.

It even has a cute back!

I enjoyed piecing every block, the fact that is was a fundraiser for St Jude Children's Hospital was an added bonus.  Over $40,000 was raised.  Kits, backing sets, and patterns are still available.

Fat Quarter Shop is starting a new quilt along for 2016 to benefit the March of Dimes, it's called Crossroads, details here.

I love a good BOM,  the blocks usually take an afternoon and are a nice diversion from whatever I'm currently working on in m y sewing room.  Who doesn't have a spare afternoon one day a month? The problem I'm having this year is the number of monthly BOM's to choose from.  Quilt shops, pattern/fabric designers, bloggers, and instagramers are offering a myriad of blocks and styles.  So far I can't seem to make up my mind, maybe I'll just make up my own.

Thanks so much for leaving your goal comments on my last blog post.  Julie was the winner of the gift certificate with this comment, 

" I am determined to make Home for the Holidays, by Primitive Gatherings. To help keep me motivated, I'm sewing along with a group on Instagram. All of the wool blocks are prepped and it's time to stitch! Happy New Year!"

Good Luck Julie, you sound determined and sewing with friends always helps me stay on track! 

Let's revisit how we're all doing with our projects, UFO's, and plans in a couple of months!

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Snapshots - Final Block - A Walk in the Park

Are you ready for a new Snapshots block?  It's that time again!!  Plus it's the last block, I can't believe we're at the end!

This month's block is A Walk in the Park, my latest favorite.

This block is very easy and goes together quickly.  I made my block exactly like the pattern except for the beverage in the glass.

I am thrilled that the FQS has already surpassed it's initial goal of raising $10,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and its new goal of $20,000. The last time I checked the amount raised was over $36,359, how great is that!  As a reminder, the monthly patterns are a free download, a donation is up to you, the suggested donation is $5.  Here is a link to the pattern, instructional video, donation page, and everything else you need to know.  (click here)  The backing and finishing directions are also available.

Here are a few more folks participating in the sew along, be sure to check out their blocks.

Pat Sloan of The Voice of Quilting

Lori Holt of Bee in My Bonnet

Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life

Pam Viera-McGinnis of Pam Kitty Morning

Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs
Stephanie Kendron of The Modern Sewciety

Natalia Bonner of Piece N Quilt
Greg Jones of Grey Dogwood Studios
Jessie Fincham of Messy Jesse

Additionally, the Fat Quarter Shop is auctioning off 3 finished Snapshot quilts with all the proceeds also going to St. Jude Children's Hospital.  One quilt is made by the Fat Quarter Shop, another by Anne Sutton, and one by Pat Sloan.  All three quilts have a different look, and all are amazing. For auction details click here.

Thanks for following along, I've enjoyed each block and can hardly wait to have my top all done, hopefully by the first of the year!

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Snapshots - Sail Away

Are you ready for a new Snapshots block?  It's that time again!!  

This month's block is Sail Away, my latest favorite.

This block is very easy and goes together quickly, there are only 16 pieces.  It took me a little over a hour start to finish.  I made my block exactly like the pattern, I thought it was perfect as is.

I am thrilled that the FQS has already surpassed it's initial goal of raising $10,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and its new goal of $20,000. The last time I checked the amount raised was over $34,900, how great is that!  As a reminder, the monthly patterns are a free download, a donation is up to you, the suggested donation is $5.  Here is a link to the pattern, instructional video, donation page, and everything else you need to know.  (click here)  The backing and finishing directions are also available.

Here are a few more folks participating in the sew along, be sure to check out their sail boats.

Pat Sloan of The Voice of Quilting

Lori Holt of Bee in My Bonnet

Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life

Pam Viera-McGinnis of Pam Kitty Morning

Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs
Stephanie Kendron of The Modern Sewciety

Natalia Bonner of Piece N Quilt
Greg Jones of Grey Dogwood Studios
Jessie Fincham of Messy Jesse

And finally, check out instagram, #fqssnapshots for some great blocks and inspiration.

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Fat Quarter Shop Snapshots Quilt Along - Block 9 - Quilty Cat

Are you ready for a new Snapshots block?  It's that time again!!  

This month's block is Quilty Cat, my latest favorite.  At the beginning of this sew along I would have thought I would be saying my least favorite, but now that this block is done, I really do like it, even if my house is a dog house.  Funny story, when I first looked at the pattern I thought this block was called Grumpy Cat, which I thought was hilarious.  But it's Quilty Cat, a more appropriate but less entertaining name.

This block is very easy and goes together quickly.  It only has 35 pieces.  I finished this block in less than two hours, start to finish!  I made my block exactly like the pattern except for swapping the navy  sailboat print for the navy circle print. I still need to add some eyes, I'm going to attach some fabric eyes now, instead of adding button eyes later.

Here's a picture of how I trimmed the scrappy blue quilt unit block.

I found it easier to trim with the block set on point and ruler straight as opposed to running the ruler diagonally as shown in the pattern.  

Here are all my pieced blocks.

So about this time during a sew along it's so easy to fall behind, lose interest, or even drop out.  If you're behind a block or two at least piece Quilty Cat this month!  Maybe that will motivate you to finish some of the other blocks, and if not, you'll at least have one more block pieced.  Just because you've missed a couple of blocks don't think you have to wait to piece this fun and easy kitty.  I've enjoyed sewing each block each month, but I have a deadline to blog about the latest block, congratulations to those of you who have also pieced your blocks right along with me! We only have 3 more blocks to go!

I am thrilled that the FQS has already surpassed it's initial goal of raising $10,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and its new goal of $20,000. The last time I checked the amount raised was over $31,189, how great is that!  As a reminder, the monthly patterns are a free download, a donation is up to you, the suggested donation is $5.  Here is a link to the pattern, instructional video, donation page, and everything else you need to know.  (click here)  The backing and finishing directions are also now available.

Here are a few more folks participating in the sew along, be sure to check out their bikes.

Pat Sloan of The Voice of Quilting

Lori Holt of Bee in My Bonnet

Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life

Pam Viera-McGinnis of Pam Kitty Morning

Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs
Stephanie Kendron of The Modern Sewciety

Natalia Bonner of Piece N Quilt
Greg Jones of Grey Dogwood Studios
Jessie Fincham of Messy Jesse

And finally, check out instagram, #fqssnapshots for some great blocks and inspiration.

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Snapshots Sew Along - Month 7 - Up, Up and Away

Are you ready for a new Snapshots block?  It's that time again!!  The months are just flying by, we're over half way there.

This month's block is Up, Up and Away, my latest favorite.

I used Daysail fabric, but chose different prints than what is listed in the pattern.  My puppy block has a lot of navy blue, and that was the only block with navy blue, so for some balance I went heavy on the navy for this block.  This block is a breeze (get it balloon, breeze, lol) to piece, really.  Start to finish I think it only took me two hours.  The background is the traditional white, but I took this picture on a rainy day so it looks more tan.

I also pieced the camera block that goes on the back of the quilt.  It's in the backing pattern that is currently available.

I love this block so much I'm thinking of adding it to the front in place of one of the other blocks, (hint, meow).  I went with some navy fabric for this block too, but it's all Daysail.

I am thrilled that the FQS has already surpassed it's initial goal of raising $10,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and its new goal of $20,000. The last time I checked the amount raised was over $28,000. Great job, give yourself a pat on the back!  As a reminder, the monthly patterns are a free download, a donation is up to you, the suggested donation is $5.  Here is a link to the pattern, instructional video, donation page, and everything else you need to know.  (click here)  The backing and finishing directions are also available now.

Here are a few more folks participating in the sew along, be sure to check out their hot air balloons.

Camille Roskelley of Thimble Blossoms

Bonnie Olaveson of Cotton Way

Pat Sloan of The Voice of Quilting

Lori Holt of Bee in My Bonnet

Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life

Pam Viera-McGinnis of Pam Kitty Morning

Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs
Stephanie Kendron of The Modern Sewciety

Natalia Bonner of Piece N Quilt
Greg Jones of Grey Dogwood Studios
Jessie Fincham of Messy Jesse

And finally, be sure to also check out instagram, #fqssnapshots for some great blocks and inspiration.

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