COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS~QUILT TOP

I started this quilt in June 2011 during a quilt~a~long hosted by P.S. I Quilt.  Sadly, I had too many things on my plate and wasn't able to finish it before Christmas.  Then I kinda forgot about it. 

 

A couple of weeks ago I was able to take a few days away from every day life and head up to West Des Moines, Iowa to visit my best girlfriend.  We had plans to do some sewing and I was so excited to rediscover my Countdown to Christmas blocks while going through my fabric.  In our short couple of days I was able to get the quilt top sewn together, yay!!

 

 

This quilt has some raw edges.  I can't wait to get it all finished up so I can wash it and see how scruffily it is. 

 

 Now I just need to figure how to quilt it, or better yet, have someone else do the quilting ;)

Linking this finish up to the wonderful:
Finish It Up Fridays @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Smiles~Beth



I HEART GRANNY SQUARES

There has been quite a buzz in blogland over granny squares.  I couldn't help but check it out.  Krista at My Bugs & Dana from Old Red Barn Company have teamed up with Jolene at Blue Elephant Stitches and are hosting the highly anticipated Granny Squares QAL.

I have to admit that I was a little turned off by the amount of 2.5" squares that are involved.  I decided to just make 1 block before I commited myself to the QAL.  Well, after 1 I was hooked.  I just adore the Granny Sqare blocks and can't wait to get more finished.  Of course, it always helps when you are cutting into a fabric you love ;)

You see how the middle square is smaller?  Yeah, that's a cutting oops.  I figure I can just turn it into a mugrug ;)

I am using a Flora jelly roll along with a few prints in my stash and Kona Cotton in White.  I just love the colors, especially the orange!

Have you joined in on all of the Granny square fun?  If not, you should check out the flickr group where there is a ton of inspiration.  It may just convince you to make some yourself ;)

Hope everyone has a lovely day!
Smiles~Beth

 

CRAZY FOR PEZZY!

I was the lucky winner of a $40 gift certificate to Fresh Squeezed Fabrics.  I couldn't resist using it towards this lovely 1/2 yard stack of Pezzy by American Jane for Moda.  A big thanks to Randi for the fabulous customer service and to Kristie @ OCD for hosting the Drunkard's Path QAL (where I won the the fabric for finishing this quilt top). 

Oh, the boys just got of the bus, gotta run!

Smiles~Beth

SPARKLE PUNCH QUILT & A CHALLENGE~COMPLETE

You may have figured out by now that I love challenges, especially sewing challenges.  You see, I am a bit of a procrastinater (the kind that waits until the day of a baby shower to finish up binding on the gift and then puts it in the wash 1 hour before the shower and then her washing machine gets stuck on the spin cycle with 7 minutes left and then she is an hour late to the shower...yep, that's me!).  So, when Amy of Amy's Creative Side (LOVE HER!!!) posted another One Thing, One Week challenge I was all over it.  Of course, it always helps when you have a project that needs to be completed anyway. 

Thanks to my middle monster, Sam, for holding this up for me in the cold wind!

This little baby quilt was lovingly made for my cousin's precious bun~in~the~oven, Alexandra.  I knew when I saw this quilt I wanted to make one like it.  When Elizabeth of Oh, Fransson! announced she was hosting a QAL (quilt~a~long) using her pattern for the quilt I jumped at the opportunity. 

Back in November I asked my cousin to bring the curtains for her darling baby's nursery to Thanksgiving dinner (I am typically not this organized, seriously!).  I compared the colors to my Robert Kaufman Kona Solids color swatch board and matched the solids up with some prints I had in my stash.  I think it matches the curtains pretty perfectly!

This picture shows truer colors than the ones taken outside

For the back I cut different width strips of the Kona Cottons...grass green, tangerine, dark violet, papaya, bright pink, jade green, peach & snow (some purchased at Fabric.com & some at Hobby Lobby).

You are probably thinking that the quilting is a little crazy.  Well, it is.  I did it on purpose though.  I haven't dove into the world of FMQ (free motion quilting) so that wasn't an option for me.  The random straight lines reminded me of falling stars so I went with it ;) For the binding, I used this super cute black fabric with itty bitty white polka~dots.  I just fell in love with it (seriously, it makes me giddy!). 

Oh, I almost forgot!  I tried my hand at a little hand embroidery, or maybe it is hand stitching, I am not really sure.  Either way, it didn't turn out horribly and I think it added that little something special every quilt needs.  I kept telling myself that all of the mistakes gave it more character ;)

Add caption

I want to thank Amy for keeping my behind in gear on this project and Elizabeth for providing the inspiration.

Linking up to:

Finish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Hope everyone is having a wonderful day!!

Smiles~Beth

CHRYSALIS QUILT BACK~FINISHED!

Remember this quilt?  Well, I added a couple borders and finally got the back pieced together.  I absolutely LOVE how the quilt top turned out.  

The back, on the other hand, isn't exactly how I invisioned it. 

I am just OK with the finished result but I decided the front makes up for it ;). Besides, I will be sending the whole thing off to Natalia of Piece N' Quilt to be custom quilted and I have NO doubt she will bring life to the back. (Seriously, have you seen her work? Besides running a great blog, she has also been featured in magazines and did all of the quilting in the Modern Basics book by Amy Ellis of Amy's Creative Side. How cool is that?!). Needless to say, I am super excited to have Natalia working on my quilt!

Hope everyone's week is going fabulously!

Linking up to these wonderful blogs

Finish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts


Smiles~Beth

SUNKISSED {A FINISHED QUILT}

Almost a year ago I jumped right into the Bloggers' block~a~palooza quilt along hosted by Quilt Dad.  I stayed on track, for the most part, but when it came to the back of quilt I went blank.  I had a ton of fabric left over but none of the pieces were big enough for the back.  I didn't really want to buy more either.  I also wanted to incorporate something very special into the quilt but didn't quite know how.  The quilt was supposed to be a gift for my Grandma Dee's birthday in August but that came and went.  I was determined to get it finished by Christmas and I am happy to say that I did (who cares that it came fresh out of the dryer on Christmas Eve morning, it still counts!). 

Fabric is Sunkissed by Sweetwater for Moda along with some Bella Solids

You can view close ups of each block and find links to the patterns here, here, here, here & here.

I decided to piece the back with mostly solids I had in my stash and added some windmill blocks.  I just love windmills and I think this fabric line suits them perfectly. 

You can see a close up view of the windmill blocks here .

I wanted to add something very special to this quilt so I rummaged through a bag of old hankies my Grandma had given me a while back.  They were mostly her mother's.  I was a little worried about cutting them up but I am glad I did.  Now they can be seen and appreciated.

Please pay no attention to my very wonky quilting lines, I was a little rushed!

I am happy to say that my Grandma loved it!  And it felt so good to finally be able to give it to her.

Linking up with

Finish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Smiles~Beth

SUNKISSED QUILT {IN PROGRESS}

With Christmas only 16 days away (are you kidding me?!) I am beginning to worry a little bit about getting all of my "made" gifts complete.  First on my long list is to finish my Blogger's Block~a~Palooza QAL quilt.  I started it in January of this year with the intention of giving it to my Grandma for her birthday (which was in August!).  It is now going to be her Christmas gift.  I pieced the back together earlier this week and finished up the very simple quilting yesterday.   I will hopefully get the binding sewn on the front today so I can begin handstitching the back during any down time this weekend. 

Front

Back

I will post more pics once it's finished.

Hope you have a fabulous Friday!
Smiles~Beth

DRUNKARD'S PATH QUILT~A~LONG {FINISHED TOP}

Whew!  What a busy week!  It was so nice to be able to spend our Thanksgiving with all of our family but after 3 celebrations I was exhausted ;)  A little relaxation and some quality time with my sewing machine was just what I needed yesterday.  I was able to get my DP quilt top done (and on time!)...whoo hoo!!!

I want to give Kristie from OCD and Kate from Needle and Spatula a BIG thanks for hosting the DP Quilt~a~long.  They challenged me to step out of my sewing comfort zone with all of those curved seams and I am so happy I did.  This is the first quilt I have made for myself and I absolutely love how it turned out!  So much that I am going to send it out to be quilted.  It deserves better than my not~so~straight quilting ;)  I also have thoughts of another DP quilt with this layout in black and white.

You can see more great DP quilt finishes here. 

You can also find more inspiration for all kinds of sewing projects at the blogs below.  Just click on the picture or link.

Linking up to:

  Finish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Hope your day is splendid!

Smiles~Beth

DRUNKARD'S PATH QAL {PROGRESS}

I did it!  I finished sewing ALL 325 blocks together for the Drunkard's Path quilt~a~long! And, on time!  Happy dance!!

I have to admit that not all of my blocks look this pretty.  Although they are all sewn together I still have piles of blocks that look like this...

Ironed and ready to be squared up

and this...

Sewn, ready to be ironed & squared up

The hard part is over for me.  Sewing all of the curved seems definately took me WAY out of my sewing comfort zone. After conquering so many blocks I might even dare to call myself a pro at it (well, maybe not yet but definately closer!).  I am looking forward to getting all of these small blocks sewn into larger blocks and then into a quilt top. Now that there are only straight seems left to sew it should go by rather quickly, whew!

It's not too late to join in over at OCD {Obsessive Crafting Disorder} or Needle and Spatula.  Come on, it will be fun!

Smiles~Beth

DRUNKARD'S PATH QUILT~A~LONG

I have no business joining a quilt~a~long since I have 7 other quilts that aren't finished, including 2 from other QAL's (you can read previous posts on those here and here).  When I saw this quilt top, made with Drunkard Path blocks, by Kate over at Needle and Spatula I fell in love with the layout.  I was so excited when Kate and Kristie from OCD~Obsessive Crafting Disorder announced that they were going to host a Drunkard's Path QAL.  I just couldn't keep myself from joining in!  I am so happy I did! 

I decided to use some fabric I had in my stash cuz let's face it, I have way too much fabric just sitting around.  Plus, I really love this fabric and it seemed perfect for this QAL.

Chrysalis by Sanae for Moda and Moda Bella Solid in Stone

I also got to put my AccuQuilt GO! fabric cutter to good use.

650 pieces of fabric goodness!

I am new to sewing curves together so I got right to it to see how difficult it would be for this straight line quilting girl.  I used Kristie's modifed method and surprisingly it went pretty well.  I am not a pro by any means but I just might be after sewing 309 more of these babies together...ha! 

The wonderful thing about these squares if that there are lots of different layout options.  Here are just a few (you can see complete quilt tops here and here).

It's been so much fun playing around with these squares and seeing all of the possibilities but Kate's version is still my favorite.  I will definately be going with this layout.

I am so excited to get this quilt finished, especially since it's the first one I am keeping for myself!  And when I am done I may just make another one using this layout with black & white fabric (it reminds me of ninja blades, I think it would be a hit at my house with 3 boys!)

It's not too late to join the QAL.  Come on, give it a try!

Smiles~Beth

BLOGGERS' BLOCK~A~PALOOZA::LAST 4 BLOCKS

It's been 4 months since the Bloggers' Block~a~palooza wrapped up but I have just finally finished the last 4 blocks.   I really need to get better at finishing my works in progress before starting new ones.  I digress, here my blocks...

Block #13 was desinged by Tia Curtis from Camp Follower Bags & Quilts.

Block #14 was designed by Ryan Walsh over at I'm Just a Guy Who Quilts.

Block #15 was designed by Kerri Horsley at lovely little handmades.

Block #16 is my one of my favorites.  I love those little pinwheels!  I think that if I had a daughter I would make her an entire quilt out of them for her bed.  This block was designed by Vanessa Christenson from V and Co..

I started this quilt~a~long with the intention of giving the quilt to my Grandma Dee for her birthday in August.  Now you know why I am finally finishing it.  Let's hope I get it to her on time rather than making her wait 5 months like my other Grandma has been for her birthday quilt...yikes, that's a long time to wait!!  I promise, I really do have good intentions.  Good news is that I only have to handstitch the binding to the back :)

A BIG thanks to John from Quilt Dad for organizing this fun and fabulous quilt~a~long and also to all of the wonderful bloggers that took their time to create such beautiful blocks for us!  You can see the rest of my blocks here, here, and here. 

I would love to know how many projects you have in progress right now (it might me feel better about having so many of my own unfinished!).

Smiles
~Beth

QUILT~A~LONG with PS I QUILT

I joined a quilt~a~long over at ps i quilt (isn't Rachel great!).  You should join in on the fun.  Here is the fabric I am using.

Countdown to Christmas Layer cake purchased at Burgundy Buttons
Also using a layer cake of Moda Bella Solids in Snow

I know, it's only June.  I thought I would follow Rachel's lead though and make a Christmas quilt.  Really, who has time to make a Christmas quilt during the Holidays anyway?  I am a little behind but I do have all of my small sqaures stitched to my solid layer cakes.

Hoping to them cut up and sewn back together over the next couple of days.  I am excited to get this one finished!

Hope you have a marvelous Monday!
Smiles
~Beth

2 MORE BLOCKS!

I am behind on my blocks for the Blogger's Blocka~a~palooza.  I did manage to complete blocks 9 & 10 today.  You can see my other finished blocks here.

Block 9 by Scott Hansen of Blue Nickel Studios

Block 10 by Amy Ellis of Amy's Creative Side

I changed one of the fabrics in block 9. I am glad I did but now I wish the flower print was on the outside of the block rather than the small stripes.  Thank goodness for seam rippers!

Have you ever done a quiltalong?

Smiles
~Beth

SEWING WITH A FRIEND

My best friend (wow, that just made me sound like I was 12) came in town for a couple days.  We ate great food, enjoyed a couple drinks, talked (alot!), giggled like little girls and stayed up until wee hours of the morning, sewing.  You see, Terra is the one that turned me into the crazed sewer that I am today.  All it took was a few evenings of us sitting at her kitchen table side by side with our matching sewing machines and I was hooked.  For the first time (ever!) she came to visit without any of her 3 (wonderful) children.  My (more than wonderful) hubby took over with the boys as much as he could so us girls could sew together without too many interuptions.  I was happy to take breaks for hugs though :)  In a mere 48 hours Terra completed an entire twin sized quilt top for her youngest daughter. 

She used a pattern by Ellie from Craft Sew Create. 
You can find it on the MBS site here.

She also reconstructed and added onto another quilt that has been sitting around for quite sometime.  I was able to finish all of my Grandma's blocks for her quilt. 

I also completed blocks 5, 6, 7, & 8 of the Blogger's Block~a~palooza.  Only 8 more to go!

Blocks 1~8

This is definately my favorite block so far!

 
I am happy with what we got accomplished.  The time went by way too fast and I already miss her.  Good thing we are all headed to Iowa for a visit in just a few weeks :)

Smiles
~Beth

BLOCK-A-PALOOZA BLOCKS 2 & 3

Whoo hoo!  I finished blocks 2 & 3 of the Blogger's Block-a-palooza quilt along.  Block 2 was created by Elizabeth of Oh, Fransson!  After cutting and piecing lots and lots of 2" squares, here is what my "Word Search Block" looks like.

Due to some seam allowance issues (my oops!) and the required squaring of each 9 patch block before sewing them all together, it's a little wonky.  It turned out the right size so that's good.  I still really love the way it turned out and I am sure that once the quilt is all put together it won't be nearly as noticable (at least hopefully not to my Grandma!). 

Block #3 is by Amanda over at Sasikirana Handmade.  It's called the ‘Shoofly Geese’ block.  I changed the middle (yellow) fabric.  Still not sure about it. Hopefully the colors will all come together when all of the blocks are complete.

Thanks to Elizabeth and Amanda for the great tutorials for these blocks!  I am learning alot!

Smiles
~Beth