Today's sewing

Besides doing some stitching and knitting today, I put these blocks (made last summer) together.  I played around with possible borders, but finally decided it looked fine without borders.

The dotted fabric will be the backing. I think there is enough of the flowered fabric to make the binding.

It will be a very small quilt, just big enough to put over your legs when there is a chill in the room.

1st finished project of 2011

This pattern from Bonnie Hunter is called Scrappy Mountain Majesty.  Bonnie came to our quilt guild last year and I took her workshop.  Since I had already done this quilt in oranges several years ago, I decided to use up some of my black and white stash for this quilt.  

I chose a light gold for the inner border and the binding.

Then I made a huge four-patch for the backing.

Best of all, I finished the binding tonight and it is the first quilt UFO that I have finished in 2011.  Just 12 more to go.

Backing

The first project I worked on yesterday after cleaning off the cutting table was the backing for the blue and white nine-patch quilt and the binding.  It can now be shipped to the long-arm quilter.  I can't cross this project off my list, but it is getting closer to being finished.

Borders on

My blue and white nine-patch quilt top is finished.  The next step is making the backing and binding - and deciding whether to quilt it myself or send it out.  (mmmmmm - me thinking - mmmmmmm)  Who am I kidding?  It will get sent out!

(Too bad the navy blue border does not photograph well - it goes so nicely with the quilt.)

Top finished.....

Top finished just in time for Bee tonight.

This is a lesson in contrasts.  The olive green blocks do not have enough contrast and the blue with the large print does not work.  However, it is DONE (except for the quilting) and will be a charity quilt - and I learned that although some fabrics look good together, they do not necessarily work well if the block needs high contrast.

Progress........

All the sashing is sewn onto the blocks and the first two rows are sewn together.  Tomorrow I will be out of the house most of the day, so I hope to finish up this quilt top on Friday.  Border?  I'm pulling and auditioning fabrics, but may decide it is finished without a border.

Crazy 9 patch - again

Along came a spider.........This big black spider has been appearing in my Quilt Studio day after day in a different spot. I'm much too squeamish to step on it, and besides, stepping on it would leave a spot on the carpet. Picking it up with a paper towel was out of the question. The poor spider wasn't doing anything except sitting there, so I left him alone.

My quilting friends know that one of my favorite patterns is the crazy 9-patch. I took a break from my black and white quilt to make this quick table topper of blue 9-patches, trying to use up some stash fabric.

This wonderful batik will be the backing and the binding.

Oh, and about the spider...............I kept carefully walking around Blackie, and then the phone rang. I went running to answer it. Oops. I turned around and looked. Oh no! I had been so careful all day not to step on Blackie and at a thoughtless moment my big foot ended Blackie's life here on earth. I then had to remove the squished body with a paper towel. Ick.

In progress.......

Since it is hot and humid where I live, the cool basement Quilt Studio seemed a nice place to spend some time today. All the blocks were completed for this black and white quilt when I was on my quilt retreat and now I am slowly sewing the blocks together. The two top rows got sewn today.

I have a great border planned. I'm hoping that my plans are as wonderful when completed as they are in my imagination.

To my family and friends I would like to tell you that any time you see a quilt on my blog that you would like for yourself or for a gift or for a special charity, please tell me. I cannot possibly use all the quilts I make and I am more than happy to give them away. A few years ago I had so many quilts stacked up that my cousin found a women's shelter in Indianapolis where I sent 20 of my quilts. Or if you would like a special quilt made just for you - a certain color or a certain pattern - ask me! If the pattern is too hard for my skills, I might suggest something else. Even quilts I make especially for my house or my beds I would be willing to give away to a family member or dear friend. I can always make more!

Finished (Smile)

Quilted and bound.

I started this quilt last year in July at the annual quilt retreat I go on with Bee friends. I recently got it back from the long-arm quilter and finished the binding tonight. The pattern is Come-on-a-my-house by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co.

New Project

This flannel fabric has been patiently waiting for me to make the Country Threads mitten quilt. I saw the quilt years and years ago when my sister and I visited Country Threads in Iowa. Then several years later I spotted this fabric at the local quilt shop and purchased enough for the backing to my anticipated mitten quilt.Now, in the Spring of 2010, when the bin of flannels is embarrassingly full, I picked out a stack of colors that pleased me and began cutting.
Here are a few blocks that I made. The pattern is so old that the directions require using templates, so I figured out an easier rotary cutting method that I wanted to test out.

In the meantime, the visiting cat found a cozy spot - the recycle basket I keep on the porch. The temperature was warm yesterday and the sun was shining, and he looks very content in this airy, yet confined space.

Yesterday was warm and sunny. Today it is cooler and rainy. Perhaps I will make time today to cut and sew more mitten blocks. Seems silly to be doing this Winter quilt in the Spring, but I'm determined to use up stash and the flannel bin was the fullest.