January Finish!

So, at the beginning of the month, I talked about a Lovely Year of Finishes... and I'm so excited to report that I met my goal for January.  I came in nearly right to the wire finished two nights ago, but I'm so happy to see this one to the finish line.

I started January with this design up on the wall. 

Each piece was lop-sided and needed to be trimmed to 4 inches square to tidy things up.  What a lot of trimming... but it seriously made all the difference in the world when I pieced everything together!

And.... Ta Da!  It's pieced.   Setting this goal helped me realize that if I trimmed and pieced just a few rows a week I would be done in no time.  And to my delight, that approach worked very nicely!

Here's the top folded after ironing.  It's so nice to see it all come together.  

A closer look at it sewn up on the design wall again.

And an up close of the razzle dazzle center.  

My plans for this top are to turn it into a hawk quilt.  I know, you're looking at this thinking what does this have to do with a hawk.  But stick along, and you'll see!

Times Square {Project Quilting Challenge}

I've joined the fun over at Persimon Dreams and entered in the first Project Quilting challenge of season four.  It's a bit intimidated as the rules state you must create a quilt and finish it within the week and have the design based on the challenges inspiration.  This week we were asked to interpret "Square within a square within a square."  Simple enough, right?

{Project quilting challenge for Season 4: challenge 1, Square within a square within a square}


This piece is about 20 by 12 inches.  I started with the colorful squares in the background.

Then you will see several raw edge squares secured with embroidery stitches. I was inspired by Sashiko stitching for these.  And then I've been interested in trying "quilting on air" a process where you cut whole in your layered quilt.  Gulp!

Pillowcased and ready for quilting.  And here you can see the three holes I cut.  See the green from the cutting mat coming through?

After I quilted a bit, I zig-zagged the edges of the holes and then sewed over the opening with a walking foot to create a spider web look.  So scary and so fun!!  I could see using that technique again!!

A closer look at some of the detail.  By doing the three holes, I got better at maintaining the shape as I went on.  And I sure learned a lot.

Phew, what a challenge!  I'm happy to have stretched my creative muscles and tried new things!  Is it perfect?  Nah, but chalk it all up to practice and muscle memory and experience!  And now we rest for a week.  The next Project Quilting challenge will be announced next Sunday the 20th.

I will also be linking up with Quilt Story for Fabric Tuesday.
Happy Weekend!!

Rainbow Quilt {All Finished}

I'm so bad.  I can't believe I left you hanging like that.  And teasing you with the likes of quilting the Rainbow quilt, and talking about how it's done, but then skipping right to the using it part and not taking photos.  If anything it's just a testament to how much I'm enjoying this finish. 

Here is a quick photo of the quilt before I threw it in the wash for the first time.  Always a nerve wrecking moment!

An up close look at the flower quilting. ~love!~

And the moment we've all be waiting for.... here is what the ticker tape quilting looks like after one run through the wash.  I'm totally digging the soft frilled edges of the scraps!



I did have a bit of thread cutting once it came out of the dryer, but it's totally worth the effort.  Did I mention it's soft?

So many colors and so many memories all wrapped into one.  Nearly each scrap holds dear memories for me and reminds me of past projects.

I can already see it's going to be the perfect throw around quilt for the summer.  It would be easy to take it to the beach or throw an impromptu picnic.

The back of the quilt features a sheet from when I was a kid.  The sheet is so tender and soft and really adds to the memories contained in the fibers.

A better look at the reverse flower quilting.  Yes, I quilted this one upside down and traced the flowers for my quilting pattern.  It's a technique I definitely see myself using again on a future quilt.

See what I mean about the picnic potential?  I'll bring the sun tea... all we need is chips and salsa.  And yes, I'm one of those that really use a quilt to bits.  This particular beauty had coffee on it (courtesy of one small blonde puppy) within hours of it leaving the dryer. 

And more proof that it's already well employed and being loved. 

Hope you're off to a great start to the week.  Now, go hug a quilt you love and think about all the stitchy love that went into creating it!

Raised Veggie Garden Open for Business!

It's finished!!  The new raised veggie garden with hand built natural stone retaining wall.  Squee!

I couldn't be happier with my new dream veggie garden!  It's big with over 164 square feet of gardening goodness.  And there is even a new supply of dirt/manure mix which should make plants very happy. 

Oh, and how about the stone stepping path?  Isn't it marvelous?  It also helps me divide the space in half creating natural planting rows and squares/

I think the new wall does wonders for the front of our house too!  As much as I like brick... I think the stone makes more sense for our forest-y area.

And yes, I couldn't resist putting the first plants in the garden.  The first two are jalapeno plants!  I will be adding lettuce, spinach, green beans, peas, and probably a few others this coming weekend. 

Can't wait to get my hands in the dirt!!

How about a quick look at a few of the tulips that we are enjoying right now?

Having these brilliant colors around is really making me smile!  I also think I need to make a note to add purple tulips in the fall.  I seem to have a lot of red and orange. 

Lastly, a small story... I pass this tree at least ten times a day.  I mean seriously I have probably be staring at this tree every day for nearly 3 years.  And I'm not sure I ever really noticed this awesome knot on it. 

It's about the size of a bowl -- big!  And has lovely textures and shapes.  I think I feel it inspiring a quilt.  Don't you just love when you have a moment that you finally see something for the first time? 

Previous posts about the rock wall project:

The Rock Wall is Nearly Done

The Rocks are Multiplying
Veggie Garden Retaining Wall

Forms of a Dress Challenge

This is the continuation of the dress challenge; here is the first post.
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So, I knew I was up against a deadline to turn in my challenge mini and that I had to get back to my sewing desk.  Sammy was not thrilled with the idea.

Can't you just hear her... Mamma... your going to sew again? Uggg!

This is Katie's position for most of my work.  Yes, her head is on my knee/leg.  Always there to give me advice or cheer me on.  This gets a little challenging when I need to get up to iron something, but that hasn't deterred her.

So, once the pups had their positions I knew I could settle in to finish this mini quilt up.

I did some free motion quilting on the ivory and gold background following the design with a light blue shiny thread.  Gave the background a nice texture without taking away from the skirt.

And I decided to use the same background fabric for the binding so that it more or less melts away.  This mini measures 10 x 14.  I see a lot more minis in my future... hand sewing the binding went so quick!

And with that I give you "This Dance" ... as in, may I have the pleasure of this dance with you? 

I don't ever think in a million years that I would have thought to create a dress like this without the challenge pushing my far far out of my comfort zone.  But, then again, I guess that's what challenges are for, right?  For pushing, and pulling, and general creative creating discomfort. 

And I'm smitten with the results. 

Would I make another dress?  Maybe.  Probably not my first choice, but I have to admit it was pretty fun embracing my girly side for this one. 

Then, off to the guild meeting we went.

And guess what?  The next time I see This Dance.... it will be hung in a guild quilt show in May. 

I know.  I'm still pretty tickled myself!

And yes, I'll be linking to my favorite parties from my left sidebar to include Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story.

Mom's Quilt {Bird Watching in Winter}

How about a red quilt finish for Valentines Day?  I made this one for my Mom (the one last week was for my MIL). 

My Mom asked for jewel tones and I decided to work in her love of birds.

I did follow a pattern for this one, as I really liked the play of the red boxes that the blocks created.  It also gave me a way to let the fabrics with all those birds and baby deer and fox shine. 

If I think of it I'll come back and add the pattern name later. 

I had finished this quilt in December, but for whatever combination of reasons I am just gifting this to her now.  You know how that goes. 

Funny to see the leaves still intact in the pictures, isn't it?

I did random line quilting to compliment the boxes.  Gives it a really fluffy feel and I can see doing this type of quilting again.

The back is pieced freestyle with some of the fabrics I still had left from the front. 

And here's a look at the brightly striped binding I used to finish the whole thing off.  Really makes the whole thing sing!

Hope you are enjoying a special Valentine's Day -- hug and kiss the ones you love! <3

p.s.  I will be sharing this with some of the linky parties on my side bar and especially at Fabric Tuesday with Quilt Story. 

Love Upon a Star {Emotional Finish!}

So, as you might already know... I did it!!  I managed to finish Love Upon a Star and doll it up to be gifted!  It was hands down, one of my most emotional quilts ever (the Mister would agree). 

The good, the bad, the ugly:

I fought through a sewing machine issue, my thread was doing weird stuff, the quilt wasn't squaring,

I had to make my binding twice, and the second binding was still a smaller width than I wanted.  What was I thinking cutting 1 and 3/4 instead of 2 inches?  And all the while I was up against a time constraint that seemed to be laughing in my face.   

...and then the final straw came when I pulled the quilt fresh from the dryer (two hours later than I was hoping to finish) and the brown flannel that I used as my background had pilled -- you know those oh so not attractive little white fuzz balls?  tears.

Tears, like Niagara Falls, baby.  Oh sweet quilting faeries save me.  Quilting moments don't get any more raw than that.  It felt like a serious dose of, "I'masuckyquilter."

At this point, my poor husband is not sure what the heck is going on.  All he can see is my balling my eyes out and a beautiful quilt made with beautiful healing intention, for a beautiful person.  

He asks what's wrong.  I tell him that the flannel pilled and a seam busted open.  He doesn't even know what pilling is.  He reassures me that it looks incredible and tells me that he thought I bought fancy fabric that was supposed to antique with a wash. 

Isn't he amazing? 

I dried my tears, dabbed a cold wash cloth on my face, and nuzzled the puppy.   Best medicine ever!  As I was pulling myself together I decided I was just too close to this project which is why I could only see it's every flaw.  I needed to just trust myself, fold the dang thing up... tie on pretty ribbon and believe it would all be ok.

And honestly nothing could have prepared me for what came next.  You see, this quilt was made to go live with my Mom (in love) who is recovering from a surgery, hence the healing intentions.  I hand her the folded bundle all nervous and worried that it won't measure up to how incredible she is, but you know... she simply bursts with joy.  She kisses and embraces me.  She may have even been holding tears back.  I know I was. 

It felt great. 

The Mister was right.  It wasn't about perfect quilting.  It was about caring, connecting, and emotion through stitches. 

It was about a warm quilt that would stand in for us and give her constant hugs and warmth when we can't be there.  It's about reminding her that she is our rock and how very much we love her. 

And that's where the name came from.  Love Upon a Star... and if you love upon all the stars... well, that's a lot of love, isn't it?

This quilt has been an emotional journey.  But now that I am on the other side... I am so glad I stuck with it. 

I know it will be treasured.

And I know I found a way to say I love you more than I ever could through words, and I believe even more now in the power of quilting and seriously how therapeutic it can be for the maker and the receiver. 

The end.

p.s.  I will be sharing this with some of the linky parties on my side bar and especially at Fabric Tuesday with Quilt Story.  I hope my story urges someone else to share love through stitches too -- it's rewarding beyond the ends of the universe and back!