Finally Off the Design Wall

This quilt has been up on my design wall for months. It feels good to have it down and done.

 Not only is it done, it's all washed and soft. Simon, of course, had to test that out.

 I used Aurifil 50 wt white thread for the whole project - top and bobbin. Quilted beautifully.

 Simon is pointing out one of his favorite blocks. I combined many of Leah Day's fills within some organic shapes surrounded with straight lines.

The front is fun, but so is the back. I just used fleece as the batting and backing, just two layers. This whole project was just an experiment to see how well quilting blocks using fleece and joining the using this QAYG method. 

The quilting shows up really nicely on the back, even better after washing.

Pea Gravel Path is one of my favorite

I've been a fan of Leah Day's for a very long time and she is the reason I'm somewhat fearless in challenging myself to try new fills and techniques.

I'll be linking up with to Linky Tuesday at FreeMotion by the River and Fabric Tuesday at  Quilt Story.

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

Quilt As You Go with Fleece Backing

I have finished quilting all of the blocks of my experiment with QAYG fleece backed quilt. 

I had some fun quilting the last few blocks

I joined the first two blocks

I was nervous to try out how well the blocks would go together, but it went together just fine. I did make the back strip used to join the block slightly smaller (1 1/8" instead of 1 1/4") than the tutorial calls for (click here for the tutorial).

The joining technique worked perfectly. I'm glad I choose to make the back strip smaller.


The question now is, how long before I can finish this project an get it off my design wall??!!

Today I'm linking up with Patchwork Times for Design Wall Monday.

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

Trifecta - Three Finishes

I might not have been blogging lately, but that doesn't mean I haven't been quilting. I have three projects that have been hanging around far too long, they are now finished.

The first project is a Leah Day panel I purchased from Spoonflower.

I have finished quilting eons ago, I just needed to finish it with a facing. I read abut how to do it, been told it was easy and still I procrastinated.

 I don't know why I so stubbornly avoided doing a facing, it was easy. I followed the tutorial at Silly BooDilly blog. 

The second project was a guild challenge to take a traditional block and make it modern. I chose an Ohio Star.

The guidelines were to make it 24" wide by any length. So I made the star with an improv method.

 I had to add a few bits of my favorite things; corgis and horses.

 I also used the facing technique on this project also.

My third project was my Lizzy House Meadow Quilt; Galloping through the Meadow.

 Simon really wanted in on the action. He is quite photogenic.

I'm linking up with What a Hoot for Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday (TGIFF)!

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

Putting Some Sparkle In the Stars

I've been working on my Stars in Your Eyes quilt/wall hanging. I have it all basted and have begun quilting it. Since some of the fabric I used had some metallic gold in the fabric, I thought I would continue that theme and quilt it with metallic thread.

I'm really enjoying this project and given that this is just a small wall hanging I may just be able to finish it quickly.

Today I'll link up with Freemotion by the River for Linky Tuesday

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

An update on how Simon, my new pup, is doing. He is a smart little guy. Here he is practicing stay.

Such a good boy!
 

Stars In Your Eyes

When I was a little girl, I dreamed of horses. I still love horses. So when my quilt guild had a "blox made modern" challenge" I thought I would incorporate some of that lovely Cotton and Steele Mustang fabric. This is for every little girl who has "Stars in Your Eyes" every time they see horses.

The challenge was to take a traditional block and make it modern. So I took an Ohio Star block and made it modern.

It is modern because:
     1. Scale: this block is 24"x 45"
     2. Wonky/Improv: the center is not square, the star points don't match
     3. Lots of negative space with solid fabric
    
I plan to back it and quilt it, leaving it this size for a nice wall hanging.

Today I'll link up with Freemotion by the River for Linky Tuesday

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

Welcoming Simon into the Family

It has been wayyyyyyy too long since I posted something here, but losing my dear corgi buddy Humphrey was very difficult. Both my vet and best friend said don't wait to get a new pup, start looking right away, but know exactly what you want. I said I wanted a slightly older (not a puppy) corgi, different coloring than Humphrey, maybe a tri-color, maybe a show dog that didn't make it in the ring. Guess what? The universe provided in spades! Meet Simon Kenton., aka (just plain) Simon. Registered name Edenfaire Treat or Treat (he was born on Halloween 2013). He was supposed to be a show dog, but for some reason, he didn't quite make it. Yay for me! Simon has already stolen my heart.

Simon is a handsome boy and very, very sweet. He has lots to learn about being a family pet, but he's smart and is figuring it out as we go. Yesterday Simon and I were finally able to spend some quality time in my sewing room. Yippee, Skippee! My husband likes to name the dogs, so click here to learn more about the origin of Simon Kenton

I walked he little legs to stumps, he was then content to sleep while I quilted.

 I like this off-center flower combined with straight lines.

 This was also a fun block to quilt. I love the organic quality of the quilting in little colored squares

 Stippling can also work well when filling in an area.

I was able to quilt several blocks on my quilt-as-you-go project. I love how they turned out. Even though this is Monday and not Friday, feel free to post pictures of your quilting project on my Facebook page (click here).

I plan to be back much more frequently, of course that does depend on Simon cooperating.

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

Sad News

Sorry I have been away so long, I have lost my beloved pup Humphrey Bogart. He was older and there was nothing anyone could have done. He is now in heaven chasing bunnies, chipmunks and squirrels. My mom and dad will have to watch over him now. Goodbye sweet prince, I will love you forever!