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

Finishes and Progress

Lots and lots of WIP in my life still, but look at all the projects that moved up on the list to Finished in just one week.  with all these Finishes I'm linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts too!

I had fun trying a new quilting technique with my walking foot and Aurifil 40wt.  A full reveal of the secret swap will be shared next time once my partner receives it at our SBAMQG meeting on Tuesday.

Orange Peel Quilting

Pearl Bracelet binding and backing peek

Cradle Quilt complete

Ring Around the Briar Rosies still needs a proper photo shoot but I wanted to share an attempt at photographing the FMQ details. It isn't often that I bother controlling the areas but felt like this quilt deserved the extra attention.

FMQ of Strawberries - roundish shapes

FMQ of Clovers - clover-ish shapes

F+F2 blocks Finished and hand delivered

No excuse for not having gotten started on my son's Parsons Gray quilt, fabric is abundant.    I'm likely going to pull the blues, greens, grays and lights to use.  What style or pattern do you think would be good? I'd love to have you comment.

Parsons Gray fabric collection

Linking up to WIP Wednesday with Lee at Freshly Pieced. Pop over and check out the other participants as well as a peek at her new book Vintage Quilt Revival. 

Finished:

2 bee blocks (paper pieced f+f2 July)
SBAMQG Negative Space secret swap

Ring Around the Briar Rosies

Cradle Quilt

Progress:

Parsons Gray quilt - fabric, fabric, fabric

Prep for Weeks Ringle workshop 

Set a sew-date with a friend - finally

Still To Do:

X-Plus quilt for the SBAMQG show

2 August bee blocks (log cabin f+f2)

Tire Rotation  (need back, etc..)

baby shower bunting

Rip Curl Backing

Two fabric basket covers (change of plans...)

21st Bday Quilts (x3!)
more curtain panels (yawn-should get on this)

sandwich, quilt and bind Fruit Salad

Sparkle Punch - layout sketched
more Zakka 2.0 Patchwork Please SAL

a second quilt for 100 Quilts for Kids

Fall Quilt Retreat

Sewing Room ReDo -forever in this category

ALYoF July Goal: Cradle set

It feels especially gratifying to complete a goal when you're feeling overwhelmed doesn't it?  The cradle set including bumper pads, sheet and quilt were my goal described in this post.

July Goal : A Lovely Year of Finishes

Three piece set all complete

 I'm happy to have just stitched the binding down on the quilt to complete the last of the set in time to link up the the Finishes Party.  I'll try and add a photo of it in the cradle later on and with better lighting.

FMQ close up 40wt Aurifil

Cradle Quilt

I'm really happy with the thin binding and glad I decided to use the Art Gallery fabric on the back.

Check out Fiber of All Sorts or Sew BitterSweet Designs to browse and encourage other quilters and think about picking an August goal to join in.  These were also part of my Q3FAL goal mosaic which puts me at 5 out of 9 projects crossed off.

Linking up to Sew Cute Tuesday at Better off Thread - pop over and help celebrate her blogiversary.