slowing down on my quilting finishes

I took an improvisational piecing class with the Fraser Valley Modern Guild and had lessons on to cut freely and just start piecing.  I wasn't too happy with the fabrics I chose but my stash had limited solids and didn't have time to get out shopping.  That is a poor excuse because I knew about the workshop with lots of time to prepare... but as usual, started getting organized a few nights before and that left me struggling to find solids to work with.  I did learn lots and as always, fun to be with a great group of women.

This is a kid's quilt made from a kit I bought at the Sewing Show in March from Hamel's booth.  I must say I wasn't overly impressed with the cutting and piecing and am sure there must have been a simpler way with less seams but I did like the fabrics and overall design.  It is ready to be quilted and bound and given to a deserving recipient.

These are some Quilts of Valour mug hug blocks that have been turned into me for sending off to Edmonton.  I was using them as a guide for cutting more fabric to make more mug hugs.

This is what is on my design wall.  Another St. Louis 16 patch that has blocks I used as a demo for my Quilt Diva group.  I decided I have some ancient purple fabrics and this might be a good way to use up some of the fat quarters that have lived in my house for far too long!

Also, on the left... just a peek... a fun project using 5" squares of batik fabrics.  Another project using up fabric that has been living with me longer than I care for.

And at the bottom, 3 more blocks that are for hug mugs for QOV made from Northcott's Oh Canada line of fabrics.

That is Susan's 3D block on the wall as well... it is made incorrectly and serves as my humility reminder.

A better picture of the batiks squares.  It will grow slowly into a decent size for a quilt.

This mug rug arrived in mailbox today from Alabama.  Isn't it just too perfect for a tea drinker?

Two more projects completed

I am determined to work through my stack of quilt tops and get them finished... quilted and bound.  Working slowly but surely and trying for two per week.  I just finished last week's two quilts and then spent some time finishing up a baby quilt and have that pieced so my total list only was reduced by one!
My original list of 15 is now down to 12 with four quilted but one added.

This first one is a relatively new UFO.  I bought a kit from Hamel's Fabrics out of their clearance basket that they have on their front porch last summer.  It was on sale for a really good price and it was all football fabrics.  The top got pieced last summer but it didn't get quilted until now. I think it will make a great Quilt of Valour.  Plus, it made a really good sized quilt, lots of fabric in the kit. So this is #3 from my pile of 15.

Quilt number 4 out of 15 is my St. Louis 16 patch quilt.  I demonstrated this block to my quilt group in Arizona and used some funky fat quarters purchased from Etsy and I really had no clue as to what to use them for.  These 16 patches worked well with the fabrics and has made a bright, cheery finished quilt. 

Quilt two finished

Quilt number 2 of 15 all finished... bound and done.  This was a quilt started by Annie and after her stroke two years ago, she asked me to finish it for her.  Of course, had to scrounge around to find some fabrics that would go with what she had started.  This is a Karla Alexander, cut and reorganize your piles and stitch together pattern/method. 

Will make a nice donation quilt. 

Now... onto the next 13 that are left plus the pieces on my design wall that are begging to be stitched together. 

We have been back in our 'summer' house for 13 days and I feel like I am still trying to get organized.  Of course, we did have Easter weekend to deal with and that meant a lot of grocery shopping and cooking.  But all is now calm and order is beginning to appear out of the chaos of grandchildren and company. 

I managed to get the backings organized for 15 quilt tops!  The pile includes tops from last fall as well as what I managed to piece this winter. 

My goal is to quilt two of them before I allow myself some piecing time.  I think I enjoy piecing more than quilting?  It is so much fun to see the quilt pattern emerge as you get blocks made. 

This is quilt number one.   Complete with binding. 

This pattern is called Cloud Nine by Villa Rosa Designs. I love these patterns.  They are simple and use either fat quarters or precuts plus some yardage for background.  Super simple and fun. 

Last week in my AZ house for the winter.

Am packing up my sewing/quilting projects ready to take home tops for quilting and tidying what I have here so I will feel organized when we leave for home. 

I finished a table runner that is perfect for here in Arizona

This is a mug rug that I sent to my partner for the March swap.  

And I made this mug rug for one of the upcoming swaps.  She wanted a mug rug with a USA theme.  I think this works. 

I made some of the St. Louis 16 patch blocks from fat quarters and got this quilt  top put together.

Now, a few more bits and pieces to finish up and as well, get all the wood furniture oiled, pack our bags and clean out the fridge and pantry.  And hopefully home to the pacific northwest to some nice sunny spring days.

March projects are moving along.

I did a demo today at my quilting group for a block called St. Louis 16 patch.  It uses two fat quarters and makes two blocks.  Great way to use fat quarters!

And I got two tops finished, ready to take back to Canada for quilting in a few weeks.  One is Pow Wow, nice and bright and colourful.

And my Town Square quilt.  Love the colours.

Time for me to start packing up my projects ready to head back to my other home.  But will get as much I can get done in the next few days.  Still have some mug rugs to finish up.

Marching on - time is running out for winter projects

Busy days here in Mesa.  I have been trying to find time to work on a few projects and get the tops ready to take home with me for quilting. 

One of my must-do projects was to work with the 10" orange squares that my Quilt Diva group exchanged last fall.  I played with my straight-out-of-line ruler. 

I added in some browns, greys and a turquoise sashing. 

One of the older projects here in Mesa is for a quilt called Pow Wow and the blocks are started.  Lots more to go before the blocks become a quilt top.

Have one more fun project also on my design wall.  I saw this last fall at the local quilt shop and it called my name.

You can also see the beginnings of a table topper that will be finished and will live here in Arizona. 

The following mug rugs were fun some swaps that I was in this month.

Busy days, sewing machine is humming!