Just One More Seam

24" xPlus Jumbo 

Fussy Cut Tutorial Coming soon

last block: the final piece of the puzzle

Originally I had hoped to finish and enter the quilt for our SBAMQG show and when I realized I wouldn't make the deadline (this week) I decided to work on it anyway - because I wanted to - the best reason, right?!

Approach: assemble in Chunks

Sew Day Progress 

Yummy new Kaffe in the center plus

I made sure to take pictures along the way because I plan to write a tutorial on the 24" fussy cut xPlus.

lower portion on the design wall

I combined the eight Jumbo 24" xPlus blocks that I made with the thirty two 12.5" ones that I received in April of this year from amazing ladies of Friends+Fabric2=A Modern Stash Bee and MoStash Magnum PI hive. The final size will be 96x96 for our Queen bed.

Seams that seem to last forever!

With one final seam to make it a top I'm VERY excited to be sharing it with you soon although I may need help for the photo shoot. (edit Wednesday afternoon): last seam sewn and without the extra set of hands I thought I'd give hangers a try so here she is:

wish my fence was taller and my grass was greener...but am super happy with the quilt top

 F+F2 August Blocks

2 log cabin blocks for Rebecca

Yesterday while my car was getting an oil change, I stitched on the hang sleeve to No Inherent Sense of Directions and Ring Around the Briar Rosies that I borrowed back from the Baby Shower and am realizing needs a proper photo shoot before I give it back!

Linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced - check out the linky party and Lee's adorable Bow Tie Required quilt. Also linking up to Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.

Finished:

2 August F+F2 blocks

Sleeves on two quilts for the show

Progress: 

xPlus

Seeing Spots

Feels like forever since I posted and even longer since I sat down to my machine although last weekend I did manage to finish up two matching polk-a-dot container covers, a coordinating boppy cover and rocking chair pad, all for my grandgirl's nursery. The countdown to her arrival is on!

Two matching covers made

the handle is hidden under the lace

Pattern making is not my strength so I was very pleased with how snug the container cover fit and the corners lined up, especially with the slanted sides.

the polk-a-dot underside

I sort of fussy cut the flower placement

Using the print out of a Poppy cover from Made by Marzipan I even faced my fear of inserting a zipper for this one!  Later I found several non-zipper options that I may try another time.

Beach meets Pink

There is no surprise that I'm seeing spots after the Baby Shower. It was a big success - a lovely day with family and friends. My SIL has an amazing home and garden and gave the menu a delicious gourmet touch.

one of three buntings made

sea creature shaped fruit and crabs for sandwiches

low tech bunting marking and I ditched the pre-made bias tape

I can craft with Paper too!

The vinyl letting on the vase was a last minute project

Frosting sugar cookies is not just for Christmas!

I Just Love Dahlias 

Ring Around the Briar Rosies was not the only hand made gift they received including several quilts, a baby pod, receiving blankets, a bonnet, a crocheted afghan, bath time apron, a hooter hider (such a catchy name) and toys - such a talented guest list.

Finally gifted!

Hubby and I at the Baby Shower 

Finished:

three buntings for the Shower

two basket covers

one bobby cover

one matching rocking chair cushion 

Tip Top of the To Do list:

2 August F+F2 blocks

Tire Rotation -my August goal

put a sleeve on something for our MQG Quilt Show

 - simply endless 

linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced and Finish it Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.

New Goals and Old Photos

Indulge me for a moment while I flashback to the early '90s (can you tell from the size of my glasses!)  Here I am 20 years ago with my youngest son posing next to my new "baby", my Pfaff Hobbymatic and the sewing desk that hubby built for me.  I find it amusing that my entire stash fit inside.

Linky time for my August ALoF choice Tire Rotation.  Hopefully the back will be a direct route without the detours I ran into with the front, which of course is how it got the name.

I'll use the rest of the Ride fabric and bind in the mid-night, other than that, it's all up for grabs.

The top is already done, it's just Backing, Quilting, Binding...I can do this!

The Weeks Ringle workshop was amazing and I just love the scale of quilt pattern Full Tilt.  It reminds me of one massive Broken Herringbone - did you see that Molli Sparkles announced a QAL??

Rarely do I buy kits because choosing fabrics to me is half the fun.  In the end I plan to mix and match from stash and use the fabric for various projects so that makes it OK.

I am so impressed by the contents of Modern Quilts Unlimited, it's about so much more that just the patterns.  I wish this particular pint of Passport came in every color of the rainbow. I'm not able to upload more pictures so I'll edit this post when things cooperate better.

One more old photo of my other son and hubby (sporting quite the '80s stache) so that I can embarrass them all equally. My mom made the blanket they are laying on and I've always loved the waffle pattern.  This g'ma to-be might just need to bust out the crochet hook and re-start an old hobby.

July 2013 Fresh Sewing Day

July 2013 Mosaic, a photo by capitolaquilter on Flickr.

It's been a good month. Linking up to Lily's Quilts for Fresh Sewing Day  My bee blocks were delivered ON TIME, my fabric is now safe from harmful UV, I got to play along a little with Zakka2 SAL, completed 5 of the 9  FAL Q3 goals..

With July behind us it feels like Summer is zipping by.  Normally, I'd find that depressing but August has a fabulous workshop on the calendar with Weeks Ringle so for that I am happy to see the page flip.

Our Negative Space secret swap item exchange will happen at the South Bay Area MQG August Guild meeting and we'll be taking Fall Retreat Sign Ups. I'm looking forward to finding out who is planning to attend.

August also means Baby Shower FUN- and even a new baby girl if she decides to make an early appearance!

Here a better look at the first of what I hope to be many for 100 Quilts for Kids Link Up at Swim Bike Quilt between now and September 30th. A traditional log cabin with a bit of a twist for the blue placement to give it an "off" appearance.  I also had fun mimicking the border geometric shapes for the FMQ which can be seen on the flannel backing.

39"x55"

Binding on and complete

FMQ done at SBAMQG Sew Day

Top done at BAMQ Retreat

So goodbye July - bring it on

2013 so far: a look back at June, May, April, March, February and January mosaic posts