Companions #1 & #2 MQG fabric challenge

Companions #1 & #2

Finished and uploaded on the MQG Community site just under the wire are my two Michael Miller MQG fabric challenge entries.  I named them Companions #1 & #2 because they are similar but different, related but not the same which kind of reminds me of our two dogs.  

22"x30" Companion #2 

I had hoped for a real photo shoot but settled for the helping hand of my son as he headed out.  We've had super sunny skies resulting in a washed out appearance - where's the fog and overcast when you need it?  Linking up for 2014 Q3 FAL finish and you can see this post where I set my GOAL.

24"x38" Companion #1 

If you're a MQG member take a look at the amazing variety of quilt designs that are pouring in.

For the backing, I had in my stash Michael Miller dots in the two color ways that I thought featured the best of the fronts, teal and green.  The binding is scrappy strategically placed. 

Usually I block off the living room and keep the dogs out while I spray baste.  But this time, the tops are so tiny and it was only going to take a minute.  Well, I turned my back and this is what I got!  Good thing he's adorable and that it's washable. 

FMQ details

If you're wondering why I made TWO entries, let me remind you that it's one less than I made for the Madrona Road challenge with No Inherent Sense of Direction, Driving in Circles and the Bed Runner. 

Burning the Midnight Oil

My Ottlite isn't fueled by actual oil I know, but the glow of it and the hands on the clock (yes, I know they don't actually have hands anymore) reminded me of the saying.  Hubby is hoping to install an LED strip right above my workstation this weekend, fingers crossed. 

#greekcrosspluspussquilt

Top complete!  I'm thrilled with my version of #greekpluspussquilt.   Pattern testing for @r0ssie_fmq has been fun.  I couldn't help but put a bit of my own twist on the layout.  She'll be releasing her pattern on etsy and Craftsy August 4th.

Linking up to Finish It up Friday with Amanda Jean, Let's Bee Social and TGIFF at quokka quilts

I've got to dash off the spend the day at a Jacquie Gering (Tall Grass Prairie Studio) workshop.  Her QuiltCon class sold out in a blink but thanks to SBAMQG,  she's come to see us! 

Fabric and Photo Organizing

King of Photobombing 

When I wrote yesterday's post for Plum and June's Let's Get Acquainted blog hop, I realized my sewing room photos I had to use from my major  Re-Do last year were pretty outdated.    

Chase take the crown from Dottie

So I tried to get a current picture of my stash shelves and had to go into the backyard and shoot from outside an open window (cuz, yes my sewing room is that small).   Chase has always been the camera shy one and Dottie the photobomber - not anymore!

FQ & 1/2 yard-ish bundles

I had to go double deep on the shelf this time with my bundles and did a bit of regrouped by general color theme.  There's a ridiculous amount of fabric but it has stayed relatively sorted for as lazy as I tend to be about filing things back after my workshops and sew days.

Freedom from Clutter

The Ugly Truth - Out of Control

Even though I knew it had to get worse before it got better - ugh, stepping over and around this mess as I cleaned up was pretty bad.  Bags of bags and buckets of who knows what!  It's not done yet but it resembles hoarding a bit less.

No space for this cool container - Sad Face

My Sewing Room is one big WIP and deciding what gets to stay and what needs to go is SUPER difficult for me - but I'm committed to making an effort even if it means ditching my "Flat and Happy" yellow library card cabinet.

My New way of storing strip scraps

Considering I downscaled my stash and scraps thanks to the recent Yard Sale and Flea Market put on by my two local guilds I'm feeling a little more in control.  The big push came during my long 4th of July weekend when I decided to declare Freedom from Clutter.

The old way of storing scraps

I'm also hoping to participate this year in the Where I Sew link up at Pink Chalk Fabrics.  It's so much fun to nose around other people's space don't you think? Wish me luck getting the place camera ready.

Photo Organizing

If nearly three thousand pictures in my flickr pool seems extreme, it's because I also upload photos from our MQG guild meetings and special events plus some are private so i can store them for my own reference.  

Flickr Albums

There's a bit of clutter and chaos in my virtual world too.  I've tried really hard to make some sense of them by creating albums, including monthly and yearly projects, but maintaining them isn't really my forte.  Any advise on keeping on top of things?

Down to the Wire

Linking up to Finish it up Friday has been absent for quite some time but tonight I pulled it off with the completion of my Michael miller mqg challenge. 

Tomorrow in the light of day I'll get a better picture on a background less distracting than my bed so I can post it on the MQG Community site.  Linking up to Finish It Up Friday with Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts.

I'm the Caboose 

It's been wonderful to have so many new visitors to my blog and all the comments make my day.

Be sure to visit the 2014 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop.  Beth has a master list of links to make it easy on you.   You'll find me at the very very bottom - Yup - last but not least! 

Let's Get Acquainted - It's My Turn on the Blog Hop

Welcome to my stop on The 2014 New Quilt Blogger Blog Hop at Plum and June.  Thank you Beth for including me in this an amazing series.  Let's Get Acquainted!

Hi There!  I'm Karen, flickr and IG known as CapitolaQuilter - because I live in Capitola, California.  It use to read: capitolaquilter and was constantly mistaken for "Capitol A Quilter" so rather than rename myself I opted for this fix and it seems to have done the trick.   

Hubby and I celebrate our 31st wedding anniversary this month - more than many readers have been alive , I know.  

Celebrating my 50th Birthday

We have two grown sons and an adorable granddaughter.  She's featured often on the blog posing on many different quilts.   

My Sweet Baby Grandgirl on Mod Mosaic (aka Catalyst)

They've gotten much more use than ever before although she now crawls right off them. 

Always underfoot in my sewing room and frequently photobombing are our German Shorthair Pointers who we rescued 12 years ago.

Chase - Step on Over

Dottie - The Photo Bomber

Although my mom never quilted, she did sew while I was growing up and taught me how at a young age.  I use to sew my own clothes and made my boys some outfits but nothing too much recently.

Me in my Mom-Made Dress 

Before attending Sewing Summit in 2012, I decided it was only fitting to start a blog.  I've added an About Me Page with a bit more of my backstory.

All Together Now

 Collaborative projects and social sewing are among my favorite things to do.  

SBAMQG 31 Quilts in 31 Days Charity Drive

Pup Art Donation Quilt in Capitola Village

My First Quilt Retreat 

A Moving Target

My design style is evolving but I can say with certainty that I love to work from my stash and incorporate scrappiness.   Here are a few of my favorite quilts (including my latest finished top) to prove I can also be matchy-matchy.

Chain+Link top just completed

Finished and entered into Blogger's Quilt Festivals where you can read all about them are Catalyst, Ring Around the Briar Rosies, Old Italian Block, Giant x-Plus, and Tassels.

Ring Around the Briar Rosies

The melding of traditional with modern elements appeals to me.

My most Pinned photo 

There's a pretty big span of projects over the years.  Since I've been sewing longer than blogging and still like my old ones, I included a Quilts & Creations and a Pre-Blog tab too.  

Happy When I'm Scrappy-AreYou?

Old Italian Block Wedding Quilt

I'm not a purest or a perfectionist. Mixing batiks, traditional and modern fabrics is all good in my book.

Bordered Diamonds

Block swaps and Bees have given me cherished memories and awesome quilts for my bed.

Giant x-plus top

Not many, but I've written a few Tutorials.  They're harder to make than I thought !

Tassels Detail

It's a bit ironic that my Polaroid Chain Pieced attracts more traffic to my blog than anything else and yet I've never gotten around to making anything with my swap blocks.

My first Tutorial and Most popular one

Attitude and Approach

Double Bar Supernova Bee blocks

Another thing I like to do is give a pattern a bit of a twist to make it my own like this 12 1/2" variation of Lee's Supernova block (how to) I adore pure Improv.

Improv Bee Block

When I free motion quilt I have the same take it as it comes attitude.  It's a task that takes the right frame of mind which can be difficult yet rewarding.  Let go and go for it. 

FMQ 2012 QuiltCon Charity quilt

My Latest Detour

#greekpluspussquilt

Guess what I did? Yup, dropped everything and jumped on board something new that  caught my eye  this weekend with these four test blocks sewn up #greekpluspussquilt for @r0ssie_fmq.  

Linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

Tips and a Question for You

ADVISE: My Top Three
#1- Let yourself get distracting and sew what you want when you want and ditto for blogging.
#2- Trust your gut. Applies to quilting as well as life.
#3 Join Quilt Alongs, Bees, Swaps, Link Ups and attend Retreats and QuiltCon (are you going?  I am)

QUESTION for you - Are you happy when you're scrappy like me? I'd love to know and if you'd like to follow me, that's great too.

You can find links to the entire line up HERE and the very useful series Advice and Tech Help for New Bloggers HERE.

Keep on hopping and get to know these fine ladies:

Sharon @ Color Girl Quilts

Serena @ Sew Giving

Carmit @ Quilting Rainbows 

Jehn @ Jehnny And The Boys

Jenny @ Jack's Room

Deborah @ Sunshine Through The Rain

Jennifer @ A Quarter Inch From The Edge

Jane @ Where Jane Creates

Carla @ Granny Maud's Girl

Like Old Times and Something New

Chain+Link Top complete

Classic porch photo shoot 

Ever since my boys were little they have had the honor (or chore depending on who you ask) of holding up my quilt tops on the front porch as soon as I finished them.  I wrote about our tradition in this Duck and Cover post shortly after starting to blog. 

Well now that they're around less frequently the classic porch shot has become less of a regular thing - sad face. Today I got lucky and caught them both, just like old times.   It feels fabulous to have made progress on the Chain+Link wedding quilt for my niece.  Training my granddaughter early, she helped hubby with the billow of the breeze. 

Destash Second Chance

Pulling scraps from the bucket - pure entertainment

I also enlisted her assistance earlier this week with my prep for tomorrow nights annual flea market at our local guild.   A few weeks back our MQG had their very first yard sale and I purged quite a bit but realized after the fact that simply put: I have a ridiculous amount of scraps.  It's hard to part with potential especially ever since making the mod mosaic quilt seen behind her on the floor.  We had to move off onto the carpet to keep our visual sanity.

Pattern Testing

Put some pre-cuts to use and broke into my precious fat eighths of Lotta Jansdotter

I'm pretty new to IG but am finding the "drop everything" immediacy of it kind of appealing.  After diligently chugging along with my other projects lately, I think I earned the detour that my afternoon took when I saw a message from @r0ssie_fmq Rossie Hutchinson that said "Pattern Testers Needed". 

Auditioning possible puss corner square scraps

Her modern mash-up #greekpluspussquilt with it's scrappiness caught my eye and captured my heart.   Sewing on whatever-I-darn-well-feel-like has always been the way I roll (hence my last post confessing to zero completions for Finish along quarter 2).  

From design wall to next to my machine stacked on my big ruler

Not sure I will carve out more time than the 4 blocks in the works but it sure has been fun. She'll be releasing a pattern August 4th available on etsy and Craftsy. 

It's Almost My Turn

 

The hop continues so be sure to visit Plum and June for week #3 links along with a fabric giveaway.  I'll be joining in during the next round so I hope to see you back to hear all about me and my blogging and quilting tips.  Until then - happy stitching!

2014 Q3 FAL - following a shut out

I have been participating in FAL since January 2012 where I linked up 3 item. Since then I seem to repeatedly bite off more than I can chew linking up two or three times that with mixed results.

2014 Q2 was my low point- Yup. Zero out of ten - my first Shut Out that I recall. 

The group is fun and Katy at The Littlest Thistle very entertaining with her Good-Bad-and-Ugly Stats keeping us on our toes.  

Returning to my roots with 3 here they are:

2014 Q3 FAL

1. Chain+Link : all the parts for the blocks are done - it's an overdue June wedding quilt

2. Michael Miller A : the top is close but I want to make it a bit larger

3. Michael Miller B : spray basted and ready to quilt and bind 

Linking up to 2014 Q3 Goal Setting Party - hope you will too.

The other revelation is that I need to improve my blog tags for searching because I couldn't find my 2012 results post.   I know that they all got finished so I guess that's what matters.