RSC16 week 1

A NEW YEAR FULL OF PROMISE

I feel a new lightness and excitement today, mainly because I accomplished two goals this week, so RSC15 came to a good finish.

First, I completed the balloon block flimsie, my first ever Rainbow Challenge.

My friend and I put our heads together and worked out a final design for the backing.  It's going to be fun, but that's all I'm saying for now.

The second finish was my secret gift for my daughter, the table runner made from a Connecting Threads kit. which I ended up binding on Christmas morning.  I had to give it to her when I arrived for dinner there so it could be the centerpiece of her table.

She was delighted and my SIL got some great photos of it on her big dining room table.  She was especially happy that I had used the African-style valance fabric on the back, which she had seen on the two other runners I made for friends at Thanksgiving.  

The backing also made a perfect binding.  I machine quilted all the outlines, using my walking foot.  For the center squares I did a simple four-petaled figure, using a pale olive thread along with maroon in the bobbin.

That's not the whole story.  I love the elegant kit fabric so much that I ordered a larger kit from the same line, naturally on a great sale deal.  I will not make the kit, but will have three yards of this precious stuff, three yards of black and many other fabrics.   What better way to start off the year!

For my first blogging year my total of finished quilt projects included three Project Linus kid quilts, an iPad carrying bag, a rainbow zigzag twin quilt,  a butterfly throw quilt, the balloon flimsie and three table runners for a total of ten projects.  Not a lot compared to most of you, but I feel a sense of accomplishment.  And I am one happy quilter looking forward to a new year of fun, fabric and friendships.  I wish the same for each one of you, dear friends.

Monday Making, December 29

I hope everyone had as happy a Christmas as I had with my family.  We laughed and laughed, which was so special for each of us.  

My secret gift was for my daughter, the table runner made from a Connecting Threads kit. which I ended up binding on Christmas morning.  I had to give it to her when I arrived so it could be the centerpiece of her table.

She was delighted and my SIL got some great photos of it on her big dining room table.  She was especially happy that I had used the African-style valance fabric on the back, which she had seen on the two other runners I made for friends at Thanksgiving.  

The backing also made a perfect binding.  I machine quilted all the outlines, using my walking foot.  For the center squares I did a simple four-petaled figure, using a pale olive thread along with maroon in the bobbin.

Now  for the end of the story: 

I love the elegant fabric so much that I ordered a larger kit from the same line, naturally on a great sale deal.  I will not make the kit, but will have three yards of this precious stuff, three yards of black and many other fabrics.   So I am one happy quilter, looking forward a new year of fun, fabric and friendships.  I wish the same for all of you!

RSC15, week 52

A WONDERFUL YEAR

This year of quilt blogging has been a truly special year for me.  It got me started back in quilting again after about 20 years since my last quilt.  It's been meeting so many kind and caring quilters plus giving me goals to work for and renewing my creativity.  

So I want to show you the last quilt I made back then, which had a great deal of meaning for me.  I call it Shekinah, the light of the presence of God dwelling with His people.

I cut each triangle separately and placed it on my design wall before piecing the first half and then duplicating it in reverse.  My goal was using the stars as the basis and turning some into crosses, as well as having the light glow from the center and fade outward.

I machine quilted it at 60x60 in one week in time for a show entry.  After that life intruded and I put away the machine.

Meanwhile this year is finishing well for me, which I hope to share with you next week as an end and onto the new year with more projects piling up quickly.  

I wish all you dear friends, and especially Angela, a happy and blessed New Year.

I link up with RSC15 at superscrappy.blogspot.com, Sew Cute Tuesday at blossomheartquilts.com and Making Monday at Love, Laugh, Quilt.

Monday Making, December 21

GIFTING TIME

The moment I spotted this table runner at Connecting Threads I knew I had to make it.  The colors are so rich and elegant, and the piecing is not too complex.

I'm almost finished with this special gift.  It's the first time I have ever bought a kit and I worked very carefully to get the measurements right.  It was like putting together a puzzle.  The backing is the African type fabric.  I got it at our quilt group giveaway table, yards and yards of a deep valance.  This is the third table runner I'm using it for and still have 2-1/2 yards left!  It wil also be the binding.

I want to thank all of you quilt bloggers who have been such a help and encouragement to me this past year, and I wish you joy and peace now and in the new year.

I link up with RSC15 at superscrappy.blogspot.com and Sew Cute Tuesday at blossomheartquilts.com.  This is my first post to Monday Making, thanks to Beth for hosting it.

RSC15 week 51

TIME FLIES

So much to do, so much to look forward to.  I was so happy this week when my five yards of Kona aqua arrived from Craftsy.  It's going to make a fun backing for my 30 balloon blocks.

I've been busy piecing the rows with lime green sashing.  In fact, I got so excited adding side strips that I miscounted, attached too many and had to do a lot of ripping (they did not need a strip on both sides, only one.)  I've also made some progress on my secret gift, which takes priority for now. 

 I did not put up my little Christmas tree and entire Bethlehem village, just to keep things simple for me and my family without Chris. But one of my favorite antique quilts just speaks Christmas to me, so it comes out to enjoy.  It's a log cabin Courthouse Steps done in some kind of heavy twill fabrics, probably from around 1900.  It is done in red, tan, navy, dark green and a black, peach and white print.

From my home to yours a blessed Christmas, memorable family times and a Happy New Year!

I link up with RSC15 at superscrappy.blogspot.com and Sew Cute Tuesday at blossomheartquilts.com.   Come by and enjoy.

Sew Cute Tuesday, December 15

WINTER COLOR

Well, yesterday broke the December record high temp, in the 50's here in Madison, WI. But Christmas is coming soon and I'm working on a surprise project for someone special.  It is my first kit project ever, from the Kaliedescope collection at Connecting Threads.  I really love the rich colors and the feature print.  The directions are clear and I was able to streamline the process, so the major portion is finished.

I did end up substituting the green for a drab olive print and the teal for a much darker blue that gave no contrast to the star points.  I was so happy that those star points are showing.

Finally I have started on the balloon block sashing.  I'm using 2-inch cut strips.  I got the green print on a great sale, and here is the first photo of all 30 blocks laid out.  There will also be horizontal sashing and a wider border of the lime green.

One more important detail, the backing.  I looked online and found more of the balloon print available.  But the price would be more than I spent on the whole quilt.  Fortunately I found a great bright turquoise Kona solid at Craftsy's sale, a 5-yard piece for  about $22 plus free shipping.  I have about 8 extra balloon squares, so I can do something fun on the back.  That's how I like to do things, for fun.

I link up with RSC15 at superscrappy.blogspot.com and Sew Cute Tuesday at blossomheartquilts.com. Please join us there.

RSC15 week 50

WINTER COLOR

Well, yesterday broke the December record high temp, in the 50's here in Madison, WI. But Christmas is coming soon and I'm working on a surprise project for someone special.  It is my first kit project ever, from the Kaliedescope collection at Connecting Threads.  I really love the rich colors and the feature print.  The directions are clear and I was able to streamline the process, so the major portion is finished.

I did end up substituting the green for a drab olive print and the teal for a much darker blue that gave no contrast to the star points.  I was so happy that those star points are showing.

Finally I have started on the balloon block sashing.  I'm using 2-inch cut strips.  I got the green print on a great sale, and here is a taste of the color mix.  The total will be 30 blocks, a nice size.

One more important detail, the backing.  I looked online and found more of the balloon print available.  But the price would be more than I spent on the whole quilt.  Today I found a great bright turquoise Kona solid at Craftsy's sale, a 5-yard piece for  about $22 plus free shipping.  I have about 8 extra balloon squares, so I can do something fun on the back.  That's how I like to do things, for fun.

I link up with RSC15 at superscrappy.blogspot.com and Sew Cute Tuesday at blossomheartquilts.com. Please join us there.

Sew Cute Tuesday, December 8

COVERUP TIP

When I saw dust on the thread about to go through the needle in my machine, I realized THIS IS A PROBLEM!  It was obviously being picked up when passing over the machine surfaces.  Occasional dusting would not take care of this.  I needed a machine cover NOW. 

I have enough going on without taking the time to stitch up a cute colorful cover.  What did I have on hand?  Lots of green type fabric grocery bags, taking up room that could be used for more stash.  After pawing through a pile of them, I found this larger black plastic fiber one.  The size worked, so with my kitchen shears (NOT my Ginghers) I cut it down to size and voila! It fits perfectly and only took one minute.  Not very colorful, so I will have to do something to deck it out.  Maybe Christmas lights?

I'm working on a secret gift now, so that's it for now.  Have a good time quilting.

I link up with RSC15 at superscrappy.blogspot.com and Sew Cute Tuesday at blossomheartquilts.com.  Come see what everyone is up to.

RSC 15 week 49

STARTING TO FINISH

This week I've been able to make some progress on my balloons quilt.  The lime green fabric I ordered finally arrived and is exactly what I wanted at a great price.  I also squared up the 30 blocks to make a 5x6 block setting.  Here I laid some out on the uncut fabric.  Most of you who commented to me said the lime was the best color choice for sashing, so here's the proof you were right.

A HAPPY SURPRISE

I had wanted to make a disappearing 9-patch quilt for a long time. This was the result, as I posted in week 46.  It started with two charm packs based on butterflies and flowers, plus some batiks.

I finished making this butterfly quilt as a surprise for a very dear friend many miles away.  I knew she followed my blog, so I had to be careful what I posted about it.

  It had been a secret until Monday when it arrived at her post office.  She got the package and called me on the phone before she opened it, so we could share the moment together.  Her surprise and happiness overwhelmed her and she cried so much that she couldn't read the inscription. I was in tears as well.  She has been a faithful friend for more than 30 years and totally deserved it.

On Tuesday I received these photos from her.

  Z

That's the very best part of quilting, all the reward we need.

I link up with RSC15 at superscrappy.blogspot.com and Sew Cute Tuesday at blossomheartquilts.com. Come check them out, so many nice folks share their projects.