Finally, another finish...

I've been quilting every day (almost) but seems as if the 'finish' eludes me. Today, I took a photo of this one that was done yesterday. It is indoors so the purple is not as purple as it should be. Too cold and windy to try it outside.

Anyway, this was a scrap-buster. Almost a third of the backing is improv using up the purples that didn't make it to the front. The panto to quilt it is called Soho, easy even fun to do. My hubby is not a lover of purple but he says he likes this one. It is about 56" x 72" so a lap-size and will go to Quilts of Valour, the Canada version.

I'm also working on more scrap-busters. The blues are being used and so are the leftovers from the post in this picture. That top is done but my design wall is so busy that I have no place to to put it for a photo. I've also finished the top from the kitten fabrics, big enough for a crib or to wrap a small child in, and used up every last bit of that fabric. Again, not had time to take photos. Excuses, excuses. Why is it that the older a person gets, the longer it seems to take to do stuff that was quick and simple a few years ago. Sigh.

Most Loved . . .

 I've been working on a very busy quilt for a very special person. It is mostly 4" pieces in blocks just a tad over 21" and based on the things she loves. I've been having lots of fun. This picture shows the 9 blocks, not sewn together and the lower right one is not finished. Also, I'll be moving the blocks around when they are sewn. Right now, I'm still exchanging squares etc. to get an arrangement that pleases me. I also plan to add a sashing, which will help with the busyness. More photos later when it is closer to being done.

Two Finishes

Finally finished two projects. This 'tree of life' is quilted now and ready to go back to our guild. I was given the blocks and told "make something from these" but it took me a long time to decide how to quilt it. It is about 72" square. I call it Almost Autumn.

This is a gift, but doubt the recipient is checking my blog so feel safe to post it. I saw similar patterns online but drafted my own versions to suit the amount of fabric I had. The place mats and table runner might only get used once or twice a year, but the colors are striking and although I am Canadian, I love the American flag.

Today I finished a sampler block to see if I like it enough to make nine of them for a bigger quilt. It took about a day, lots of cutting and piecing. It is 21" so nine will make a good sized quilt. I get bored easily with repetition but each of the nine blocks will be slightly different, so will go for it. My sample is not quilted yet, so will post it in a day or two.

 

Our winter persists, but the sun shines most days. We still have a bunny sleeping by our back door most days and lots of ice in parking lots. Most of the sidewalks are bare. Need to get back outside soon before cabin fever sets in!

Orphange is done...

Orphanage in Blue top is finished. I've not cut any binding yet. I have made four more large blocks and will add sashing from my stash to make a lap quilt. The rest of the leftover scraps are being cut into squares and strips, likely enough for two baby quilts, all this from a small box of scraps. I'm feeling a bit like the little boy who gave Jesus five loaves and two fish to feed several thousand people!

The leftovers will soon be in plastic bags labeled by size and back in the blue scrap box. I've other things to do and don't want the 'blues' to take over my mood!

Also, this picture is indoors, so again, the colors are not the greatest, at least on my screen.

Btw, I love piano key borders, especially on these scrap-busters!

Need a pep-talk? Try this!

"Orphange in Blue"

The blues are not done with me yet. Here is a photo of the leftovers at this point

All of this plus the quilt posted yesterday came from the little box in the middle of the table (except the backing on the right) and then I found a drawer of 'orphan' blocks, added the ones with blue in them and started making another one. So far this other one is nearly done and still have this table full of bits. They may not survive to go into a third quilt!

As for the second one, it is partly sewn, about 2/3 from the bottom, with two loose rows down there that need to be attached. They look like a step right now. The top part is just a mishmash. I'll be moving things around and may find another orphan or two to fit in rather than sewing stash bits to fill in between the blocks. It needs more lighter tones. I've three more piano key borders ready to go on the top and sides. 

Two quilts from a small box: one is a large twin and this one is going to be about 66" square.Yes, there is enough left for a baby quilt, but not sure I'll do it. Right now, I'm still having fun!

Busting the Blues -- top is done!

 I actually burst into tears when this top was finished. Partly because it was a lot of sewing and my UFO list isn't getting smaller, nor the list of folks needing quilts. And partly because it turned out better than I thought it would.

 

Process was sped up by doing the piano keys border a speedy way. I took all my scrap strips and put them in piles according to their length. Then I made strip sets out of the piles, keeping the starting ends lined up and ending wherever. Then I trimmed them to 5.5" chunks, like this ||||||||||| and sewed the chunks together until I had four pieces long enough to do the job. Lots easier than sewing individual 5.5" pieces together, and fast. My BabyLock goes like crazy.

I've a blue backing, but later. Just need a break for working on this insane stash buster. 

Oh, the photo was also taken in indoor lighting, so the blues were greyish again and the greens were neon. I tried to fix it, but made it greener. Next time. The close-up picture shows the color a bit better.

Busting the Blues, getting there!

The top is coming together. WARNING: On my PC the blues all look gray and the blue-green looks bright green. LED lighting? Believe me, this thing is very blue, even the pieces that look white. 

Improv is fun, but not necessarily does it make sense. However, that box of blue scraps (turn head sideways to see most of the box at the top of the third photo) is nearly empty -- only because the scraps are either on my longarm, or on a portable table STILL. I have plans to put a row on the top and one on the bottom. Right now it is 61 x 69" so maybe more on the sides too. 

Top photo shows the top so far, draped on my longarm so not all of it is visible. Beside it are strips from the box. The sideways table (sorry) shows bits and pieces. The other table is a few blocks that will be incorporated along the bottom. I've also sewn a bunch of short pieced pieces that will make a border, not shown. There are many to go, so not sure where they will wind up.

Yes, I'm having fun. I vacuumed up a fistful of threads and lint this afternoon but refuse to save them or the trimmings from all this sewing -- they hit the round file.