Waiting...

I was reading Ashley's blog (Film In The Fridge) the other day...she had written a post about her unfinished quilts.  Go here to see what she has to say (and show).  

It got me to thinking that I really need to finish some wip's.  Good grief!  I have probably about 8 quilt tops done, but five of them actually have the backing ready and are completely ready to be finished!  So, what's the holdup?  I just need to get at them and get them done!  Right?  (And, you know what's even better?  I have the bindings ready for those five, too!!!)

Here they are, in no particular order...

Wonky Log Cabin (wow...I started this back in September of 2009!) 

Paris Park...this is for Kaylynn and was started 2 years ago...

Paul (son) and Rachel's wedding quilt...been married almost 3 years now...oops!

And, this whirlygig quilt that I am not totally in love with (but am sure I will be once it's quilted)...

Kashmir Filmstrip...

I also have this one waiting...it's from Kelley and it is all hand-pieced.  I've not done anything but prepare a backing for this yet because I keep thinking I should hand-quilt it.  We shall see what happens with it.  Need to make up my mind and get it done.

                      

 

Of course, you know that there are more in various stages, but I really need to get at those five that are waiting.  

Anyway.  Just taking stock.

And, trying to keep cool in this hot weather.  

Have a great Sunday!



"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."   Jeremiah 29:11

Back to Back...

I just finished the backing for the filmstrip quilt...YAY!  (more on it later).  While working on it, I thought about the backings I've put together for my other quilts.  Some quilters prefer to use a single fabric on the back...nothing fancy.  Why?  I suppose because it's meant to be 'the back'.  Ya know?  Who looks at the back when all the gorgeous piecework and fabrics are on the front!  I get that.  I really do.  

However.  I must say, I actually prefer pieced backings.  I almost always opt to put together my backing with fabrics left from piecing the front of the quilt .  I think it's just more interesting to have a fun back.  As I gazed with love and admiration upon the quilt backing I finished this morning {grin}, I thought that it might just be easier for me to make backings.  Only backings.  And, then, ya know...use them for fronts!  {grin} 

Here are some of my fave backings...with links to the original post so that you can see what the fronts look like, for more information on the quilt and, perhaps, additional photos of the backs.

Whirlygig - I love this big floral fabric!  I pieced two pieces together almost perfectly...follow the link to see a photo of that. 

Carole's Quilt  - This is a single fabric backing, too.  I made this quilt in a hurry, so opted for simple.  This is one of my all-time fave quilts.

 

Postage Stamp Quilt - Another single fabric quilt backing...so many fabrics used in the squares (1296), that simple seemed better.  Plus, I suppose the hours and hours put into making the front did me in.  Well, probably not, but it could have been that I just wanted to be done with it, couldn't it have? 

Okay, so that's enough of that!  Now on to the pieced backings...the ones that are more fun to look at...more interesting...

 My First Quilt - Piecing my backings started with my very first quilt.  I'm not sure how much reading of quilter blogs I had read by that point...probably not many.  But, apparently, pieced vs single fabric was an early decision.  Actually, though, for this one, I think I only had a small bit of fabric left.  I know I don't have scraps of it anywhere.  (And, by the way, this is the only quilt with the brown dog label...I really should do something with that idea.)

Iced Mocha - This blue, chocolate and cream colored quilt was made for me Mum's birthday.  I used to get a bit perturbed because she liked this back so much.  I kept asking her if she knew how much time was put into making the front...but she didn't care.  She thought this looked awesome.  Or something.  {grin}

 

Ashley's Blush Quilt - This backing is so simple...just 4 rectangles put together.  What makes this one special to me is how the rectangular spiral done with brown thread looks on these solid colored pieces. 

  

Ashley's doll quilt - Usually, the smaller quilts are backed very simply.  But, I couldn't resist playing around with this one (and a few others done at the same time). 

Tag's Blanket - Joanne of Snippets & Scraps of My Mind sent fabrics for this little quilt for Tag.  I couldn't resist fancying up the back (a piece of muslin) with the little blocks in the center.  Case you're wondering...yes, he does lay on this blanket.

Sherbet Pips Wonky Charms Quilt - I think this backing is quite fun! 

Summer Sampler Quilt -  This, though.  One of my very most favorite backings.  I wanted to keep some of the Hope Valley fabric for another quilt, so had only so much that I was willing to use for the backing...but it worked out perfectly!  I love it.  LOVE.  

Kashmir Filmstrip (no link...first time shown) - I think that this may become my all-time fave of the faves.  I cannot wait...can. not. wait. to put this quilt together!  To quilt, bind, and finish it!

So.  What about you?  Which do you prefer...single fabric backings or pieced backings?  Do you have a fave?  Of mine...or of yours?  


Inquiring mind and all that.







"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Charmed, I'm Sure...

Finished my quilt top for the

charmed whirlygig quiltalong.

It's about 55 inches square.
I am happy with it.

Now to piece a backing.

But, first I need to finish the sample quilt for the shop.

The front is done.

Need to piece the backing.

Then to baste/quilt/bind.

Right now, though?

I am gonna go snuggle with Tag
in my big easy chair.

I am very tired tonight.

I want to watch American Idol,

so here's hoping I don't fall asleep!

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whirlygigs

I started putting my whirlygig blocks together.

Here's a peek...

 

What have you been up to?

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Frolicking...

Maureen and I bartered.

She'll clean.

I'll make 2 quilts.

For her granddaughters.

I think I have the better end of this barter.

Maureen was here this morning.

She cleaned. 

I sewed on my quilt for the 

Charmed Whirlygig Quiltalong

that I am doing with Cathy.

You know, my friend from Quilting on Turtle Hill.

For the whirlygigs,

I am using 2 charm packs of Frolic 

by Sandy Gervais for Moda.

Love these fabrics!

For the background of my whirlygigs,

I am using Kona solid cotton in Eggshell.

Love me some Kona!

I messed up cutting the whirlygigs.

Can you believe it???

I couldn't!

I've messed up before.

Here. 

But, I have already made 2 whirlygig quilts

(see them here and here)

so I was surprised that I messed up!

It's not like I didn't refresh my memory

on how to make the whirlygigs.

I looked at the instructions

and carefully cut them.

The wrong way.

{sigh}

So.

Instead of 8" blocks,

mine are 6.5 inches.

Not the end of the world, I know.

Still.

Not only are the blocks smaller,

but the whirlygigs don't have

as much of an angle to them.

I am okay with them.
The Kona Eggshell is perfect for these fabrics.

I love my Kona Cotton Color Card!

And, Tag!

What did he do?

Well, the first thing I saw was this...

 Then, I saw this...

(that's my ostrich feather featherduster)

Had to remind myself that he is, 

after all...

...wait for it...

a bird dog.

{grin}

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Ahead of the Game...Literally!

I've got my charms cut already.

There were a few doubles.

And I only cut pieces for 41 blocks...

one charm is almost the same color as 

the eggshell I'm using for background.

Can't use that one.

I'll end up making a 6 x 6 block quilt

with borders and will use a few of 

those remaining blocks on the backing.

I think Cathy was planning to do 

her cutting during the Super Bowl.

I couldn't wait.

ohwell.

I need to wait for my background to arrive,

so this is all I am able to do now, anyway.

I won't be watching the game tonight.

Will hear more than I want to at work tomorrow.

No matter who wins.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whirlygig Quiltalong Round 2

I am about ready to begin cutting my charms for the Charmed Whirlygig Quiltalong with Cathy of Quilting on Turtle Hill.  You'll find the tutorial here.   Click on the photo to go to our Flickr group page...you are more than welcome to join us.  It's a very easy quilt to make.

Here are the two I made last year following along with Cathy.

This year, I am using Frolic by Sandy Gervais for Moda.  2 charm packs and some yardage plus Kona solid cotton in Eggshell.  It should be an awesome quilt! 

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Am I A Bad Person...

 if I grin from ear to ear

when a bad guy gets what is coming to him?

When he's blown to bits...

or when a bullet finds its way to his brain?

I am not a violent person.

Not. At. All.

Yet, when it comes to entertainment,

there's nothing I like more than

shoot-em-up, blow-em-up,
kill-em-dead

books & movies.

I read the book, "Dead Zero".

I watched the movie, "Shooter".

A very good day for me.

Thanks to Bob Lee Swagger.

(see yesterday's post if you don't know what I'm talking about)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm starting a new project tomorrow.

Which is actually today.
Involving these fabrics...

Whirlygig Quilt Done!

Finally done!

I started this Charmed Whirlygig quilt almost 7 months ago. It's been done for a long while, but has been sitting here waiting for me to get around to quilting/finishing it. Got motivated & quilted it Tuesday, finished hand sewing the binding on last night. Got it washed, dried...all crinkly and soft. Made with the 'blossom' fabric collection by Urban Chiks for Moda and Kona cotton solid in 'snow'. Measures 55 x 62.

A few close-ups...this is my first binding cut on the bias...LOVE it!

I really wanted to show off this fabric. I had to put two pieces together to get the width I needed, but you can't even tell where the seam is. (yay for me!) The big flowers (not counting the leaves) measure 7 inches.

I am very happy that today is Friday.

Not sure what I'll be doing this weekend.

What do you have planned?

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

This Long Weekend...Almost Over.

Finally got my larger whirlygig quilt basted...woohoo! 

That's about it for the day.  I may finish hand-stitching the binding on the irish chain challenge quilt.  I'll wait until tomorrow to let you know about that...though I know you may not sleep tonight not knowing!  

If you go here, you'll see how much I have accomplished this long weekend.  WOW...I am impressed!  {grin} And, very satisfied.

It is now time to take a shower and put my pajamas on (it's early evening somewhere in the world, isn't it?).  I have some hand-sewing to do and that's all I'm even going to think about for the rest of the day.  

Back to work tomorrow, but at least it's only 4 days until the weekend.

My Friday Night Sew-in Results!

I didn't get as much done as I thought I might, but I am very pleased with what I did accomplish.

You saw this yesterday...another tote bag. 

You didn't see this...a doll quilt made with scraps that were in the giveaway box I won from Cathy of Quilting on Turtle Hill .  This sweet quilt measures about 15 inches square.  I love this color combo! 

I spent some time trying to get this perfectly matched.  This is the backing for my large whirlygig quilt.  I wanted the backing to be one huge gorgeous piece of floral fabric.  Not pieced.  As you can see, I am just a teeny tiny bit off.  I think that once it's quilted and wash/dried, it won't be at all noticeable.  (click on photo to enlarge)

That's all, folks!

Have a great weekend!

Charmed Whirlygigs...

Here's the smaller of the two charmed whirlygigs I made.  This one is completely finished.  I love to use my walking foot, so on this one, I quilted straight lines...1/4 inch away from each straight seam, then did some straight-line stitching on the 2 inch border.  On the wide border, I sewed lines, not measuring...just going by eye...along each border...which made little squares in each of the 4 corners.  I am very happy with how this turned out.  And, I am totally in love with the creamy buttery color I used on the backing!  It's a Kona solid, though I cannot remember the name...will definitely get more of this.  This little quilt measures about 37 inches square.  

The larger one, measuring about 54 x 60 (something like that) before washing...the top is done, but I need to sandwich it with the backing and batting and then quilt it.  Will probably just do some free-motion meandering on that one. 

Don't you think these would be so dang cute as a lap quilt set...for mother and child??

Still Here...

& still without a keyboard.

This point & click on-screen keyboard is making me crazy!

[yes, better than nothing at all]

Here are 2 smallish quilts

I've been working on.

I need to finish hand sewing the binding...

and then wash/dry to get them

all crinkly and soft.

More about these [and other stuff]

when I get a keyboard & can actually type!

What's Goin' On...

I've got some projects going on.

4 major ones...a few minor ones.

I think.

Could be wrong.

In any case...

I got the backing together for last year's BOM.

This quilt will be going to Janer.

Not sure if you all knew that or not.

That corner there, with the red blocks...

that's a signature square.

On the back.

I started putting my Charmed Whirlygig top together.

Bit by bit, it'll get done.

Borders to add once the rows are together.

Backing is a large floral...gonna be very exciting!

I have all of the blocks cut out for Paul & Rachel's quilt.

I am very anxious to get started,

but really need to finish those other things first.

And, I got the backing all sewn together for the quilt top Kelley sent me.

With the backing fabric she sent me.

More than enough.

Will use the rest of these 3 for a scrappy binding.

Maybe.

I also have a large rug hooking order that I've been working on.

Almost done.

So, that's what I've been up to.

How about you?

A Good Weekend...

Yup, I had a good one.
It's always a good feeling to

cross a few things off my list.
And, to top it off, I received a special surprise! 


Remember the pillowcase I showed yesterday?
I did finish the 2nd one, so 
Julie will have a pair to match her quilt.

More done...
Here's the stacked coins quilt I first blogged about here...

now completely finished and laundered...all soft and crinkly.

 

And, I finished all my blocks for the whirlygig quiltalong 

(see my sidebar for the link).

I received a very early - and special - birthday present yesterday

from Lindy (see her blog here).

We met on Wool Snippets several years ago.

Lindy's birthday is the day before mine, which 
makes us almost birthday twins!

I LOVE all of the quilty goodness she sent.

Thank you so much, Lindy!

That's all I have.