Back to Blocks

 Today's Block Count: 7

I got 4 Black and White Blocks done, which catches those up, and finishes the 3rd week of the year, as well as one more yellow and 2 bonus spools. I will have to double check my yellow count, but I believe I only need 1 more block for that border.

I finally got my machines out of my car. They don't seem to be too mad about being out there overnight, thankfully. Well after the gumming of Selma, I decided I needed to be rotating my sewing machines a little bit more. So, I set up Billie the Singer. She and I haven't had a lot of time to get to know each other yet because she came to live with me just before Christmas. She is a 500A Rocketeer built in 1961 (a few parts have been replaced but their serial numbers also coorespond to 1961). She was the penultimate machine on my wish list (purely because of the look of the machine), and takes my count to 7. The only other machine, I'm really specifically looking for, albeit not too actively yet, is one of the "toy" hand crank machines. Just because I think they are so stinking cute. She is a slant needle machine, but I've not really noticed much of a difference.

Today I also got to help out in Nate's Kindergarten class. I absolutely love getting to do that. And while, it can be a little disheartening before I go to think of what isn't getting done (ie. blocks, dishes, laundry, etc.), it is always a great boost to my mood to be there. I just do little things like make copies, and help a few kids with numbers they are struggling with. Kyle loves that he gets to go to. I think he really feels like he is part of the class a little bit.

Machine Work

Today's Block Count: 0

While I didn't sew today, I did spend a few hours cleaning, oiling, and diagnosing the problem with my first sewing machine, my Elna Air Electronic SU that my mom gave me, name Elna. I believe the issue she is having is that she needs a new Motor Pulley. Hubs would like me to have her officially checked though, just to make sure I didn't miss something before we try ordering the $60 part. Ouch, by the way. She is such a nice machine that it will be worth it, but it does feel a little harsh when I have machines that have not cost that much. But then again, I also remember getting her bobbins, and they were considerably more pricey than the normal bobbins I have for my singers, and even more than the plastic bobbins for my Janomes.

You may notice some changes on the blog in the next day or two. I am attempting to get progress bars up so I can stop posting the long "statistical stuff" list every night...which is even a little boring for me.

Pillowcases

Today's Block Count: 1

Today I got the absolute pleasure of teaching 9 young ladies at church, aged 12 and 13, how to sew. We made Pillowcases, and I was really impressed with how well they did. I think they were pretty pleased with the results, too. 

So this afternoon was spent preparing (so it would look like I knew what I was doing). Turns out the pattern was even easier than I thought it would be. I made 5 different pillowcases to different stages, so I can finish those later. And then I paired several more fabrics together, particularly ones that have been really hard to use in my quilts because the prints are large, or the colors vary a lot. So I think I'll go ahead and cut a few more out, and sew them all up. This is fun too because I actually really love pillowcases, and who couldn't use a dozen more. 😀

I took along the majority of my sewing machine fleet (5 out of the 7) which was fun, too. We did have a few issues, Selma Singer decided to seize up, but by the end of the night after a bit of oil, she was singing again. The other issues tended to be inexperienced user error and were quickly fixed.

My one block for today was simply a leader/ender 4 patch from while I was working on my pillowcase preparations.

Then while I was pulling some fabric options from my stash that the girls could pick from, I realized I had a batch of fabrics from my mom that all seemed to coordinate quite nicely. I guess it shouldn't really be surprising that I would have something that coordinated given that she gave me way more than 60 yards (that's just the first batch she gave me while I was visiting...there were a couple more, too). So now I feel I need to come up with something for these lovelies...Ideas are appreciated. Do you guys ever do this, pull fabrics just because you like them together, and keep them together until a pattern comes along that fits them?

Statistical Stuff:
365C2017 - 17/19
365C2016 - 16/25
RSC - 33/54
WS/SS/PSM - 0/18
Total - 74/126
Bonus Blocks - 192
Finishes - 2
Tops - 1
Borders - 1
Extra projects - 1

RSC2 - January Done (12)

Long Day

Today's Block Count: 0

Today has been one of those days where you wonder what happened. It started out so good and productive and ended with a ...wait what did I do today?

It started with homework for the kindergartener, which actually resulted in very little fussing. There was visiting with a lady in the neighborhood, who it turns out is also from Indiana because her dad worked for the railroad there. And her grandfather was instrumental in the building of a famous monument there that was actually where my dad proposed to my mom. (At least, I think my addled mom brain hasn't screwed that story up in my head...). Then there was a trip to Walmart to get more drawers...I don't have much patience...

And then, since the day was going so nicely, I thought I would also pick up some training underwears for my 3 year old. He has been pretty resistant to the idea of even just sitting on the toilet, but the minute he saw the underwear he was all for trying. I was going to just have them where he could see them for the next week to prepare him. He had other plans. He wanted to wear them right away...I made him wait until we dropped his brother off, then I was even willing to let him take a nap with them. Well the next 2 hours consisted of him, pulling his underwears on, taking them off, running across the hall to sit on the toilet for 2 seconds, and run back butt naked. I think that the naked part was his favorite. I finally told him I would put him in a diaper if he didn't lay down for a nap immediately, and even picked a diaper up, and he was suddenly in bed and almost asleep. Silly kid. Unfortunately, he woke himself up wetting the bed...then the rest of the afternoon consisted of the same running to the bathroon, me telling him to put pants on...and 2 more accidents. One of those accidents was even while he was saying he needed to go and I was telling him to go. Then it was the end of the world for him when I told him all his underwears were dirty and that he had to have a diaper again. He was telling me before bed that he wanted his underwears (he knew they had been in the load of laundry as his sheets), so maybe we'll be trying again tomorrow. Please pray for patience for me...he and I will need it.

On a much better note, (than naked toddler butts), I did get our Christmas tree all the way down and put away. I had managed to get the ornaments off and new lights strung (it's a pre-lit tree but the lights had died, so I got several strands at 22 cents a piece from an after christms sale, so it is pre-lit again), before my husband's work party last Friday. And the kids had convinced the babysitter to let them put them all back on. Which was really a clever activity for her to do with the boys. I'm very grateful it is only a 4 foot tall tree, or that would have been a bit more annoying.

Then tonight, I decided I did, in fact, want to join in the Patchwork Quilt Along hosted by Fat Quarter Shop. I looked at the yardage and realized that I could do it with 12 fat quarters. Well I have 13 fat quarters of these coordinating fabrics. They are all larger prints, but I figure that if I only am going to be using 1 fabric per block, it won't look that odd.

Then I also decided on fabrics for my Quilt Your Weight Off 2017 project, which will be the Swoon Sixteen Blocks. I have a trash bag of poly-blend ginghams and dots in your basic crayon colors, that will be perfect. No picture for this, just because it is a "little" messy in that corner of my sewing room.

I also almost found my cutting table again. I at least found enough I can cut pieces for the tiny 365 blocks again tomorrow. So maybe my yellows will be able to be attached in the next couple of days.

Here's hoping for some more progress tomorrow.

Statistical Stuff:
365C2017 - 17/18
365C2016 - 16/23
RSC - 33/51
WS/SS/PSM - 0/17
Total - 74/119
Bonus Blocks - 191
Finishes - 2
Tops - 1
Borders - 1
RSC2 - January Done (12)

So Close

Today's Block Count: 10

 I'm making good progress on my Rainbow 365 Challenge 2016. I just need 2 more 3 inch blocks and I can arrange that border. It was fun pulling them out and seeing how they looked on my design wall and realizing how different they seem from the ones I'm making this year in Black and White. So I thought I'd get a picture of the first 17 from both years.

One thing I use a lot are Leaders and Enders, and when they have been 4-patches and simple blocks I don't always press the last seam right away, just because I want to keep going on my main project. But sometimes, it is amazing how I can have sooo many more "bonus" blocks than main blocks just by send the Leaders and Enders through so I always have something under the needle. I need to cut the next part for 1 of my En Provence quilts (doesn't really matter which one I pull out they all need something) for my leaders and enders, but I was talking with my mom via Video Chat and didn't want to have my back to her too long, So I just grabbed some leftover strip set ends and just turned them into 4 patches.

In random sewing room news, I've decided to try rotating my computer monitors around to the back corner of my desk. I have a corner desk and have Dual Monitors (great for watching something on one monitor and having the pattern I'm using up on the other) and my sewing machine on it. Before I had the computer stuff on the left and the sewing stuff on the right (and it would creep over in front my keyboard when laying things out). Now I've rotated my monitors so one of them is more behind my machine (It has a tall stand on it, so I can still see it just fine) and that means I can utilize that annoying back corner better, and opens up some space for some more of the medium sized Sterilite drawers on the left of my desk. I moved one of my strip units over to try it for a day or 2 before I hop over to Walmart and buy more.

I also put a different quilt I've started on each monitor so I have inspiration when I'm not sure what to work on.

Statistical Stuff:
365C2017 - 17/17
365C2016 - 16/21
RSC - 33/48
WS/SS/PSM - 0/16
Total - 74/112
Bonus Blocks - 191
Finishes - 2
Tops - 1
Borders - 1
RSC2 - January Done (12)

Sunday Stitching

Today's Block Count: 186

Today the boys and I went back to Church for the first time since Christmas break began (due to travel times, and our annual illnesses, we just hadn't gotten to go). This year our meeting time has been pushed back up to 9am from 1pm because the 3 congregations that share rotate our start times each year. I struggle with mornings, but we made it. I often struggle with sitting still (I know where my boys get it) and have been known to take a small hand project with me. Usually it is just knit dishcloths, but today I took some tiny hexies (1/2") to work on. I managed to get 2 done before I ran out of fabric in my little take-along kit (old medicine bottle). It really helped me to focus today, and the tiny hexies make me smile.

I also managed to get my Black and White 365 Block done for today as well as my last Orange 365 Block. I then was able to attach the orange border, and layout (not permanent at all) the yellows to see how many more I need. The answer is 11. Which seems really reasonable. I do love how this is turning out.

I also made progress on my En Provence, Quiltville Mystery. The 4-patches are part 3 for my Constants En Provence (I'm doing 3 varieties; Recommended Colors, Constants, and Civil War). I had sewn the strip sets and a few of the 4-patches before Christmas and have been using the others as leaders and enders since I got back. I didn't press any of them until tonight, so I could count them in my block count...cuz who doesn't like seeing a number like 186 as a measure of what you got done in 1 day.

Then the 4 spool blocks are part of a project that has been a leader and ender project for awhile. I cut just a few at a time (usually 4). I prepped and sewed these a couple of days ago when I thought I was done with the purple 4-patches, but didn't press them. Then while cleaning a little in my room I found a container my youngest had tried helping clean up into. We had actually bought 5 of the shoebox size bins and he had cleaned up (he really thought he was helping because that's what I told them they were for) all of the purple strips into all 5 bins. I thought I had retrieved them alk, but that bin was still hiding under my nose.

In other news, I'm contemplating joining in on another mystery quilt. My goal for this year (unstated since I don't want to make myself feel obligated to only this) is to work on using my scraps. So while I was reading the blog Quilting Revolution. She mentioned that she wanted to join in Charlotte Hawkes Quilts mystery Surrounded By Scraps...And now I'm considering it. This was one of them I looked into joining last year, but decided that I was already starting waaaaay too many things last year, so maybe this year I will join in.

And just to document a small moment in my day (and because my foot hurts and I want to whine a moment)...Today my youngest son and I had an unfortunate moment. He was trying to cling to me, and I was trying to ask for a few minutes to wake up (I'd taken a nap.) before I fixed dinner. So as I tried to step out of his arms (he had ahold of my leg) his head came down and his mouth and my heel collided. He ended up with a bloody lip and I ended up with a bloody heel. From what I can tell, his tooth/teeth scraped his top lip and dug into my heel. He was perfectly fine by bedtime, and now I've got a reminder with every step that he doesn't try to make me antsy when he wants to be held, he just wants to show love, and be loved.

Seriously, this was in no way an act of physical violence towards my 3 year old. I am usually very careful around my kids. This one in particular is often clinging to my legs or upper body (he's got killer upper body strength). Accidents happen, I just want to remember this one. and the cuddles he and I shared afterwards, and the fact that he was really worried about my owie.


Statistical Stuff:
365C2017 - 16/16
365C2016 - 13/19
RSC - 33/45
WS/SS/PSM - 0/15
Total - 70/105
Bonus Blocks - 185
Finishes - 2
Tops - 1
Borders - 1
RSC2 - January Done (12)

Scrap Happy Saturday

Today I get to join up with others who have jumped in and are enjoying the Rainbow Scrap Challenge hosted here (I'm about #44). I've really been enjoying trying to focus on 1 color to work on lessening the number of scraps in that color. As far as I know, I really only have 2 more pieces of scraps in purple which I will use to try to finish out my 3.5 inch Jacob's Ladders (I'm at 33 of my 80 for the month.). If those run out, I haven't decided if I will cut into a fat quarter, or just make more of the other colors when I get to them...I guess I have 2 scraps worth of time to decide 😀.

The plan for my RSC17 included 2 "projects" each month. One was the 80 little Jacob's ladders to make a rainbow quilt at the end of the year, and the other was a top for charity out of the month's color. That is what happened to the rest of my purple scraps. They became this fun little Toddler quilt (42 x 56). On the plus side, this was the month with the fewest number of scraps for me (though I'm sure I must have more of this hiding in gifted scraps bags that just haven't been sorted yet...I have just a "few" of those 😏).

Today's Block Count: 3

1 more Orange Block and I'll be able to add the orange to the Red Center I made last year for the 365 Challenge. I'm also loving how different my black and white blocks are looking, It gives them a very different look to only be 2 colors.

Ok...Now I need some opinions from my readers. Should I absolutely keep today's Black and White Block (knowing that it will be next to other black and white blocks), Hold on to it until I lay out that border and see if it looks better with the others knowing I could make a different bonus block when it's time to put the border together, or Just go ahead and make the available bonus block now and put this in my orphans?

Statistical Stuff:
365C2017 - 15/15
365C2016 - 12/15
RSC - 33/42
WS/SS/PSM - 0/14
Total - 70/98
Bonus Blocks - 1
Finishes - 2
Tops - 1
RSC2 - January Done (12)

Purple Scraps Depleted

Today's Block Count: 14

I've been slowly working on this quilt top in the January Rainbow Scrap color. I thought I would have enough of each color in scraps to do a twin size quilt for charity each month. This is a super simple pattern I've come up with that uses 2.5 inch strips to make the blocks (7 strips for a 14.5 inch block). I also allow myself to use strips that are smaller and just sew them end to end, until I can cut the 14.5 inch strip.

This month, though, I have very little of the month's color, so I was only able to make 12 blocks. But it is a good size toddler quilt, and can still be used easily and if I want it to be bigger...I can also come up with 14 inches worth of border in another color...but I think this is the perfect size for this one. It is 42 by 56.

With this project done for the month. I'm going to "transfer" its daily block to my 365 Challenge 2016, and aim for 2 a day for that one the rest of the month, since I've decided that is what I want to work on the most right now.

I also managed to get 2 little blocks done for my 365 Challenge 2017, which makes that project current again. It also means I'll be able to enter into the weekly drawing for this week. Woohoo.





Block Counts:
365C2017 - 14/14
365C2016 - 10/13
RSC - 33/39
WS/SS/PSM - 0/13
Total - 67/91
Bonus Blocks - 1
Finishes - 2
Tops - 1
RSC2 - January Done (12)

Homework Fight

Today's Block Count: 0

I spent most of today fighting my 5 year old about his homework. I did play with some purple 2.5 inch strips while talking to my mom while he was at school...But that was all.

Good Day

Today's Block Count: 9

Today was a nice productive day. I managed to get the last orange side done and 1 of the corners for the orange border, leaving 3 more corner blocks and the oranges will be done, and I will be able to attach the oranges to my center. I also got today's black and white block done, as well as my RSC blocks for yesterday and today. I also cut a bunch of my purple scraps into 2.5 inch strips for my RSC2 (monthly charity quilt). I'm starting to think that the quilt this month will be a baby size, since my purple drawer is almost empty, I could also just go random scrappy for the rest of the blocks, or cut from stash....though purples seem to be kind of lacking in my stash.

Block Counts:

365C2017 - 12/12
365C2016 - 10/10
RSC - 33/33
RSC2 - 0/11
WS/SS/PSM - 0/11
Total - 55/77
Bonus Blocks - 1
Finishes - 2

I do also have another Bonnie Hunter project that I've only pulled scrap fabrics for, but have not begun cutting that will be using purples...so I could cut some for that and some to continue my RSC projects, it would also give me the chance to work on a new project (one I haven't cut for anyway) and a UFO at the same time (counts as a UFO for me if I have a plan and/or fabric...which was both for that project).

Now that this idea has entered my mind...I want to get started. Hopefully, my mind won't keep me up planning, so I'm not too tired to actually work on it tomorrow.

Long Day

Today's Block Count: 1

I had a slow mental day today, so I could only get myself to focus for 1 little 365 Challenge block. But I'm ok with that. Not every day can be a 14 block day.

Block Counts:
365C2017 - 11/11
365C2016 - 8/9
RSC - 27/30
RSC2 - 0/10
WS/SS/PSM - 0/10
Total - 46/69
Bonus Blocks - 1
Finishes - 2

Monday Progress

Today's Block Count: 14

Today I managed 1 Black and White and 1 Orange 365 Challenge Block each. I also got caught up on my Rainbow Scrap Challenge Purples (3 a day) by finishing 12. Now it's off to bed, since I should have gone to bed an hour and a half ago...oops.

Block Counts:
365C2017 - 10/10
365C2016 - 8/8
RSC - 27/27
RSC2 - 0/9
WS/SS/PSM - 0/9
Total - 45/63
Bonus Blocks - 1
Finishes - 2

Sick Sunday

Today's Block Count: 10

One of my boys is sick, the other is just over being sick, and hubs seems to have come down with another sickness. One of the dangers of traveling across the country is that we are exposed to many different bugs all at once. It's not uncommon for several bugs to travel through the family at the same time after holiday travels.

But anyway...

I managed to get my Black and White 365 Block done for today, and 2 make up blocks for the rainbow 365. I then managed to get 7 more Tiny Jacob's Ladder Blocks done for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I'm loving getting to use my scraps without feeling like it has to be specific (aside from the pattern I chose). I'm even contemplating a third project that will focus on the color of the month. It will use the same size as the second project, so I may just go through and try cutting all the purole scraps at one time, But then again, who am I kidding. I struggle to even make a tiny dent in my scraps when I cut a gallon size plastic bag's worth of strips.

I also worked out the math for a wedding quilt for this coming spring. I found a great pattern, and have even picked the fabrics I will use (still in an online shopping cart...sometimes it's really hard to pull the trigger). Then I had to increase the block sizes to make it a bedsize quilt. While I am not a huge fan of quiltmath (it's almost the only kind of math I use now) it is good for getting me out of mental funk.

Block Counts:
365C2017 - 9/9
365C2016 - 7/7
RSC - 15/24
RSC2 - 0/8
WS/SS/PSM - 0/8
Total - 31/56
Bonus Blocks - 1
Finishes - 2

Kyle's Birthday

Today's Block Count: 1

Today was my second son's 3rd birthday. It was a lot of fun to watch him be excited that it was his birthday. We got him a Fire House that is part of his favorite show, Transformers Rescue Bots, and I made a basketball hoop for him for small felt balls that my dad has made. I used a tri-fold project board, and blue fabric (blue is his favorite color) to make a stand that would roll the balls back towards him. My husband 3D printed the hoop and I added cotton yarn to make the net. I'm quite pleased with the result. It doesn't look very professional...but he loved it, and new exactly what it was, and insisted on finding some of the balls for it.

Since this took most of the day, I was only able to get 1 block done for the 365 Challenge 2017. But I'm ok with that. Tomorrow will be a new day, and there will not be a looming birthday present to make.

Block Counts:
365C2017 - 8/8
365C2016 - 5/6
RSC - 8/21
RSC2 - 0/7
WS/SS/PSM - 0/7
Total - 21/49
Bonus Blocks - 1
Finishes - 2

Making Progress

Today's Block Count: 14

I am still caught up on my 365 Challenge 2017. It's so nice to be able to say that. I've found that when you can say that something is up to date it makes everything else seem a bit less overwhelming.

I managed to get "caught up" on my 365 Challenge 2016, which just means that I have done enough blocks to have 1 a day for 2017. I don't think that 6 inch was supposed to be in my yellow border, but it's staying, and I will be jumping to the border that goes between my yellows and center...just so I can see the progress of it coming together better. It also means I can change some of the block colors for last year, to accomodate for the fact that there were bonus blocks and I wanted to be able to do those.

I also managed to make 9 Tiny Purple Jacob Ladder Blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge...and for my One Monthly Goal...however, one of them will be going into my orphan blocks because I rotated my 4 patches the wrong way, and I was not going to rip out on a 3.5 inch block.

I also managed a BONUS FINISH yesterday, I recovered my tv tray ironing board. This was the second time I had worn a hole into the top. Mine is removable, so that I could wash it if needed, so I just cut off the top and appliqued a new top layer on. Next time I might try just adding the new layer on top, we'll have to see if that works. But hopefully, I won't need to do that for a bit.

Block Counts:
365C2017 - 7/7
365C2016 - 5/5
RSC - 8/18
RSC2 - 0/6
WS/SS/PSM - 0/6
Total - 20/35
Bonus Blocks - 1
Finishes - 1

Why Do 1 When you can do 5?

So, apparently, I don't like to leave things very simple. While calculating all I wanted to do this year, I came up with a Big Monthly Goal, or a Monthly Block Goal...not sure what I'll call it at the end of the year. But I had seen someone who had a tally of how many blocks they made last year. And decided I wanted to see that too. So I'm going to try. Of course, my Daily Block Goal is 7 blocks a day to be able to do the ones that I have decided are my focus projects for this year (they could very well change, or get finished sooner...so I can substitute others in.). There is actually a breakdown for this.

Daily in order of Priority
1 365 Challenge 2017 (trying to stay current) (January count will be weird since It's on Australia Time)
1 365 Challenge 2016 (playing catchup...I'm in March)
3 RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) (Tiny Jacob's Ladder Blocks) (80 a month max)
1 RSC2 (Strippy blocks for Charity quilts) (30 a month max)
1 Winter Solstice/Splendid Sampler Block

I wasn't home the first 4 days of the year, so I am a little behind...but I hope to remedy that in the next couple days...but I'm still going to just push for the 7 and if I'm behind at the end of the month, I've got some Leader and Enders that can be pressed and counted too

Yesterday I managed 7 blocks.


Block Counts:
365C2017 - 6/6
365C2016 - 1/4
RSC - 0/15
RSC2 - 0/5
WS/SS - 0/5
Total - 7/35
Bonus Blocks - 0

2017 Goals

The first of the year always gets me thinking about what I hope to accomplish. This year, I'm really going to try to not join every quilt-along I see. This has always been a challenge for me because I see and I want to do. I'm giving myself just a few goals for the year.

1. I don't have to finish anything. This isn't about finishing, it's about enjoying. I have been a quilter, who just puts peddle to the metal and it gets a little overwhelming rather quickly. Then I stop everything.

2. I have a list of 2 projects that are carrying over from last year I want to find time to continue. The 365 Challenge is one of those. The other is the Splendid Sampler. (And I guess also in the category is Pat Sloan's Winter Solstice Quilt-Along, but I haven't actually started it yet. I did decide on a color scheme though. Black/White/Grey with a Color accent...Color to be decided later this week.)

3. I have wanted to follow the Rainbow Scrap Challenge for a few years, so I have decided on the project I want to use for that. I will be using a low priority UFO for this project. This will be my tiny Jacob's Ladder blocks that finish at 3.5 inches. I will need 80 blocks a month for this...but it should be a quick and easy little block that would be easy to get at least 3 blocks a day done. I will also be using the first 80 blocks in purple and neutral for my OMG link up with Elm Street Quilts. Picture is my trial block from some time ago (I think 2014).

4. If I have extra time (I know I have more than enough scraps). I want to try to get a quick and simple strippy charity quilt each month in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge Color...or at least the blocks sewn , so I can put the top together at Epic Sew Day. I will simply cut the scraps into 2.5 inch strips and sew 14.5 inch blocks with them.

5. #QuiltYourWeightOff2017 is a quilt along on Instagram that I am following this year as well. But it is more of a on your own project. As I lose a pound I can make 1 block. I'm planning on using Swoon Sixteen blocks for this project.

5. If I can manage all of these then I will go back and work on some of the other projects I was trying to follow, including the Quiltville 2016 Mystery Quilt, and a few other quilt alongs.

Play with Me QAL: Coppit

The block/board for the August for the Play with Me Quilt Along was Coppit. And the technique was curved piecing. This is as far as I've made it, thusfar, but the plan is to finish tomorrow.

I really am liking how this one is coming together. I specifically went with subtle differences in the squares. I play to accent the spaces when I quilt it by inlining (outlining just seemed like the wrong word :P ) each of the spaces.

I do feel that the curved piecing was faster (and easier) than the foundation piecing used for the curved spaces. However, I can say that I am getting pretty good at being able to just fold down the strip of fabric to get the spaces so I don't have to cut a piece of fabric for each space. Check out the other boards here.

FAL 2016: 3rd Quarter Goals.

 It's time again to assess what I want to try to get done in the next 3 months for the Finish-Along 2016. Rather than just keeping the leftovers from the first and second quarter I re-evaluated what I actually want to work on (or what has a deadline) and narrowed it down to 9 for this quarter.

Check out the other proposed finishes here. My list is number 44.

4. Allietare

6. Blue Quilt

5. Disappearing 9-Patch

8. My Car Quilt

7. Tumbler Quilt

9. Bravo Indigo

2. Star Swap

1. BAD 3 (Block a Day)

3. Vomit Quilt

Easy Street

Managed another Last Minute Finish for the Finish Along 2016. This one is my Easy Street by Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville. This one measures 94 inches square. I love how it turned out. I used fabrics I already had and am quite pleased with how it turned out. I quilted it in an overall stipple.

You can find other great finishes here. This one is number 675.

Jacob's Ladder

This quilt was started as part of a Facebook group Quilt Along. We were working with the traditional block, Jacob's Ladder. I chose to make my blocks large and use some of the fun Novelty fabrics that I had gathered. The block size is 18 inches, and the quilt measures 72 x 90. I chose to quilt it with straight lines that followed the arrows formed by my layout. I am very happy with how this turned out.

This was also one of my Finish Along Goals. You can find other great finishes here. This quilt is number 367.

Play with Me Quilt Along: Ludo

One of today's goals was to get the block made for the Play with Me Quilt Along. I managed to do just that. This month's block is Ludo and our technique was traditional piecing. It went together really fast, and I'm quite pleased with the end result.

Check out the others that have been made this month here. I'm number 254.

Half Square Triangles 2

This quilt was pieced as part of a quilt along in a Facebook group I'm part of. We used Little Miss Shabby's Epic HST block. Because I was trying to focus on finishing things I'd already started, I decided to enlarge the block and use 1 to make a baby quilt. It was really quick and easy. I love how it turned out. And now I have a back-up baby quilt at the ready. It finishes at 48 x 48 inches. Which is a great size for toddlers, too. I quilted it with a loopy stipple in blue.

This is one of my Second Quarter Finish Along Goals. Check out the other great finishes here. This one is #222.

Winter Quilt

This is a quilt I made as a wedding present for the daughter (and future son-in-law) of a dear friend. I used the pattern Winter from the book Cultural Fusion Quilts by Sujata Shah. It uses a free-form piecing technique that started out intimidating me, but was actually quite simple and fast to use. The quilt finished at 92 x 92 inches. They used it at the reception (picture shown) on a day bed that served as the present table. I loved that idea. I definitely look forward to trying a few more patterns from this book.

There were lots of fun fabrics in this quilt. Including, elephants, rockets, flowers, and much more. I quilted it with a stipple with hearts thrown in randomly, at least I think so...this is why I try to remember to blog about my finishes when they are finished not 2 months later...oops.

Update: This was one of my 2nd Quarter Finish-Along Goals. You can check out what others have finished this quarter here. Mine is around #116 in the linky.

Play With Me QAL: Peg Solitaire

The block/board for May for the Play With Me Quilt-Along is the Peg Solitaire board. Our technique to learn was Applique. So I chose to Raw Edge Applique my circles on. I then was able to try out a new kind of thread as I free-motioned in the circles to hold them down. The thread I tried was Glide and the color was Warm Grey 4. I think it worked really well. It kind of had a soft metallic look to it. I loved the 3 color look that Alida used, so imitated that. The circles all came from my scrap bins and the neutral was a fat quarter I got at Corn Wagon Quilt Co. after one of our guild meetings earlier this year. I loved how quick and simple this board was. It made it a lot easier to get it done earlier in the month.

Check out what the others joining in on this quilt along are doing here. I should be around number 188.

Play With Me Quilt Along: Go

April's Block for the Play With Me Quilt Along was the Go Board. Each month we get a game board to make if we made the one from the month before. She gives us a different technique to learn, or practice for each board. This month we did embroidery. It was fun to try to some different stitch styles. I decided to use the colors of floss that would imitate a sun burst on the dark fabric.

Check out all the fun blocks/boards that the others have made here. I will be around number 185.