Sundrops

Do you remember my Shower Shuffle quilt? (LQ#122)  I made 16 different blocks using half square triangle units.  And this block was my favorite block.

So when the Fat Quarter Shop promoted their free pattern, Star Cakes, made entirely out of my favorite block, I added that pattern to my To Do list while I waited for the perfect fabric.

I did't have to wait long, 

I used Sundrops by Corey Yoder of Coriander Quilts for  Moda.

I did add a few additional prints from my stash.

I love Sundrops, the colors and the prints.  Corey has already posted a sneak peek of her next line called Lulu Lane and it looks very similar but with a couple new colors, I think the two families will make a great combo, I need to get more Sundrops, and so do you, before it's all gone!  It should be in your favorite shop now.

This is Lifetime Quilt Number 175

It finished at 57" x 57"

The pattern is Star Cakes, a free pattern from the Fat Quarter Shop

The fabric is Sundrops by Corey Yoder for Coriander Quilts by Moda

This quilt has approximately 531 pieces.

The pattern was very simple, the fabric nothing but fun, what a wonderful time I had making this quilt.

SaveSave
SaveSave

Read more

Panda-Monium

I needed a baby girl quilt for an upcoming baby shower and thought this pattern by the Fat Quarter Shop was a winner.  

Plus it's a free pattern, so make that a winner winner.  (click here for free pattern)

The Fat Quarter Shop pattern finishes at 19 1/2" x 20 1/2",  I decided to make my panda a little bigger, by half.

So at this point my quilt was 29" x  30 1/2". 

Since my panda is a she, I added a bow.  This bow was machine appliquéd to the top after I pieced the head. I don't like a lot of bulk when I machine appliqué, since I don't do it but about once a year. To make the bow, I drew half of the bow, then cut two identical sides.  It's a little off, but it's not so noticeable with both sides being off.

To get an even bigger quilt I added two borders.

This was a very easy quilt to piece, I finished the top, start to finish, in one day, and not even a long day.

This is Lifetime Quilt Number 180

The pattern is Panda-Monium by the Fat Quarter Shop (click here for free pattern)

It finished at 40" x 41 1/2"

It has approximately 85 pieces

I thought a pretty quilt front needed a pretty quilt back, so I used my scarps to make this.

And I had enough scraps to make one house for my Village project.

It was a good weekend of sewing.

Read more

Up Next . . . .

I was so relieved to hear that several of you have a strong aversion to piecing backs just like I do!  Although really, I don't mind piecing one, every now and then, but piecing several over the course of a week is not fun at all.  Which is why I'm going to improve.  I'm going to give 108" backings another try.  Vintage Picnic by Bonnie and Camille for Moda will have 4 different 108" wide prints available, I'll let you know what I think of the quality and feel as soon as I get some.

I'm also going to change my attitude about backs.  A friend told me about a quilter named Diane Woodward who teaches classes on making "Happy Backs".  I don't think she has a blog but she has dozens of clever quilt backs on Pinterest.  She also has an Instagram account with the tag line "I make Mullet Quilts:  Business on the front, party on the back! "  What a great idea!  I've created a few party backs, but I can definitely improve in that area.

With all the backs done it's time to decide on my next project.  I can't make more Village houses if I don't create any scraps!  Have you happened to notice the myriad of sew alongs currently being promoted? Is it just me, or are there 10 times more than usual.  Maybe I'm just in a sew along mood.  I love sew alongs, sometimes I piece a quilt I would never have tried if it weren't for a sew along.  Sometimes I start out thinking the project isn't for me, then see some amazing finishes and jump on the bandwagon, better late than never.   This time of year I stay indoors and don't have much interaction with people, let alone quilters, so sewing with others is a great way to feel connected.

Even if I don't participate, I always enjoy seeing what other quilters create.  I'm following the Fat Quarter Shop's Crossroad's Quilt Along that's benefiting the March of Dimes.   Also the Moda All Stars Row by Row sew along featuring their book All in a Row has some interesting starts.  Pat Sloan is hosting or participating in several other sew alongs, check them out on her blog. And finally, Cindy at Hyacinth Quilt Designs is hosting an Outlined Plus Quilt Along.  Cindy's blocks are amazing, I'm eager to see some other finishes.

Here are some sew alongs that have I have moved from watching to my To Do list.

The Fat Quarter Shop promoted their top ten videos of 2015 with a sew along for each project and the patterns were free.  The Star Cakes Quilt was my favorite.

And these bloggers created some inspiring combinations.

Pat Sloan

Melissa of Happy Quilting

Tina of Emily Ann's Kloset

Cara of That Crafty Cara

Kim of Persimon Dreams

Shruti of 13 Woodhouse Road

Rachel of PS I Quilt

There's even a $100 giveaway associated with this sew along, the deadline is 1/31.

I love the Star Cakes block, and I love the hst's that make up this block, hst's are my favorite.  I was thinking maybe this would be a good pattern for my Christmas quilt goal.  It uses a layer cake and I have two Christmas layer cakes.

 
The only thing that's stopping me is that I don't think this quilt has a Christmas feel.  Do you think if I used Christmas fabric it would?

American Patchwork and Quilting is hosting a sew along called

There are two projects in the April issue of American Patchwork and Quilting, one project in the Spring issue of Quilts and More magazine, and a free pattern online.  This year's theme is Plus Quilts.    I participated in their sew along last year and made 3 projects.  I can hardly wait for my magazine to arrive so I can start sewing along this year.

I love this book, Sister Sampler Quilts, by AnnMarie Chany, and was hoping to make a project from this book this year.

Well there's a sew along for this book going on right now!  (click here)  That's a win win!  I've selected my fabric and hope to get started this weekend, which should be easy, with no football I'll have plenty of time on my hands.

I'm planning to use Basic Mixology by Studio M and Valley by Sherri and Chelsi for Moda.

Read more

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!

Read more

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!

Read more

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.

Read more

Are you Going Surfing', I am!

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

This month's block is Going Surfin', my latest favorite.

This block is very easy and goes together quickly.  I made my block exactly like the pattern except for the surfboard fabric.

Oh, and some fish managed to find their way into my car.  I don't have much in the way of novelty fabric, and I wanted someone in the car, dogs being my first choice, but given my limited stash I could choose fish, elephants or sheep.  Fish won.

Every month a few quilters get very clever with their fabric choices, this block has several opportunities for originality.  Although if I could choose any fabric I wanted for the car, I would have chosen the red polkadot. 

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 $33,000, 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 love cars.

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.

Read more