Lotta Stuff...

I am very happy to have several different things to show you...works in progress and a few finishes.

I finished the curio quilt top...and the backing, too!  Here is the top...I love the secondary pattern the background fabric makes...

 

I made mitered corners for the very first time!  It was actually much easier than I thought it would be...and I am really liking the look!

The backing is pieced, of course, though not as much as many of my other quilts...

Now to get batting...meanwhile, I need to think of how I will quilt it.

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

I received all the fabrics needed for the Lotta Jansdotter patchwork quilt I mentioned in the previous post.  And, I must say...Pink Chalk Fabrics absolutely rocks!  I wanted a solid to match the purplish/pinkish color in the Echo line and couldn't find what I wanted in the Kona colors.  So, I called the ladies at Pink Chalk and they found the perfect match in a Kaffe Fasset shot cotton...thank you, ladies!  I cut 5" squares - 182 of them...

 This one should be fast and easy!

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

I also pulled out some blocks I've had for awhile...from my friend, Cathy, of Quilting On Turtle Hill and Pink Petunia Cottage Dolls.  I had made a quilt using these prints/blocks a few years ago...see it here.  I loved this quilt so much and will be making exactly the same quilt for an upcoming happy event. 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Speaking of Cathy...when I first mentioned that 'knitting is my therapy', Cathy asked if I wanted some yarn that she no longer had a use for.  I thought she might be sending a skein or two...should have known better ~grin~.  Here is what I received - 11 skeins!

WOW!  What a generous soul!  I already knit two doll sweaters with yarn from her.  This one is a bit small for Aubrey...would fit a 12" doll nicely...

I made this one to send to me Mum...she has a little bear that she dresses up to fit the occasion...

It takes me about 3 hours to knit one of these doll sweaters...they are so easy and fun to make!  Thank you, Cathy!  You're the best!

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

And, last but not least...I continue to make the soft cotton face cloths. I love the pattern on this one...simple knit2, purl2...stitch count can be whatever you want...multiples of 4 plus 2 so that you begin and end each row with knit 2.  I use 34 stitches to knit the face cloths, making them to be about 7" square using Peaches and Creme yarn with size 5 needles. 

So.  That's what I have been up to.  How about you?

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

A special note...in six more days, Tag E. Butt will be 11 years old.  And, a week after that is my birthday.  I am thinking a giveaway is on the horizon...stay tuned for more information on that.

In the meantime, have fun doing what you love.


"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

Borders...

bor·der

[bawr-der] 

noun

 

1.  the part or edge of a surface or area that forms its outer boundary.

I am not always quite sure what type of border I want to put on each quilt I make.  It depends on the quilt...I treat them all as individuals.  Do I want to use just one big, wide piece of fabric?  Or, do I want to make it scrappy, using several different fabrics?  Do I want to make floating squares?  Perhaps alternating squares?  Do I want more than one border?  Crazy idea...what about no border?  Endless possibilities, really.

So much to think about.  And, that's not all.

How large I want the finished quilt to be plays a major role in determining the type  and size of the border(s). 

As I wrote in my last post, I decided to make only 9 of the 12 blocks of the Summer Sampler Series Quiltalong.  But, even with 3" sashing around each block, the quilt measured just 48 inches square.  I wanted it to be at least 60 inches square.  So, I gave quite a bit of thought to what type and size of border I wanted on this quilt.  I didn't want it to be too elaborate, as the focus should be on the blocks, not the border.  It took me a few days, but I finally hit upon an idea that I really liked.  And, that I thought would work well with this quilt.  

Half-square triangles (aka hst's)!  I had almost decided upon a floating squares border when I started thinking about all of the hst's I've made lately.  Between this quilt and the Aqua and Red Bee Block Swap that I am in....LOTS of them around here!   HEY!  I KNOW!  Why not a border of hst's??  So, that's what I did.  It's simple and frames the blocks nicely...I think it looks great!

I'm hoping to get that one basted/quilted/finished by the end of this weekend.  EXCEPT, I am not sure how I'll want to quilt it!
  

OH!  And, I finished the wonky charms quilt that I first mentioned here.  I am in love with it (big surprise, hey?).  I quilted it with simple meandering.  After laundering, and in all its crinkly softness, it measures 46 x 54.5 inches.  Thanks, Erin, for allowing me to rip off this great idea!

 

I used a charm pack of Sherbet Pips by Aneela Hoey for Moda and Kona solid in White.  I purchased a bundle of Collection Coordinates from Pink Chalk Fabrics for the other solids used.  The backing is yardage of Sherbet Pips fabrics with 5 more of the charm squares.

"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