YESTERDAY WAS A GOOD DAY TO HAVE A GOOD DAY!!

I don't know what happened to me yesterday.

I work up running.

I cleaned the house at break neck speed.  My husband asked what the hurry was?

I didn't know but I wish I could bottle it for today.

So......

I finished this quilt.  I put the border, quilted it, and put the binding on.

Star of Bethlehem quilt.

39" x 39"

This quilt below, I quilted and put the binding on it.

I used the Hunters Star Accuquilt Go die and Island Batik fabrics.

27 1/2" x 27 1/2"

 This was the first thing I did yesterday morning.  Had started 8 log cabin blocks, finished them up

I decided that it was easier to do it in groups, searching for the right fabric among all of the cut pieces was tedious for one and I just felt it would go faster if I did it for more at one time.

 I have 28 blocks made, here you see 23.  They go really fast, the only thing that takes time is searching through all of the fabric I cut.  I should have figured out a better way to do this but for now, it works for me.  Music helps me stay focused.

I woke up yesterday thinking that it is almost the end of January and I had nothing to show for it, hence the two finished projects.

I also put two borders on a quilt I have not shown, or don't think I have.  It measures 90" square.  I am going to try to have it on the frame today. I am piecing the backing.

Sometimes I wonder to myself why I don't take the time and do some fancy quilting and I believe I said this before, if I did, things would never get done.  I am not out to make a trophy quilt.  That is one reason it took so long to get that one Hunter Star quilt finished, I was planning to do something fun on it.  Finally decided to just get it done and out of the way.  On to greener pastures.

Don't know what happened to that energy today.....I feel like a deflated balloon...haha.

 

SISTER QUILTS

How many of you have made a quilt and had a lot of scraps left over, I mean sewn together scraps?

This quilt here I made in 2014, I had so many  beautiful Samoan  scraps left over that I saved in a box knowing that I wanted to make another quilt.

This was a charity quilt.

                                                   Here is the Sister Quilt to the one above

                                                        
                                                                           80" x 80"

                                                          
                                                        Finished this one in November of this year

                This one is also a charity quilt for a friend that has a rabbit rescue in Idaho.

                                 I do not have room to lay this all out for you to see but I truly love it.
                        One day I will get my sewing room back!!

This quilt here was made with oriental fabrics from Inchworm Fabrics.  My sister Jeanette and I ordered the Quick Curved Ruler and then I purchased us both the "One Wonderful Curve" book.  We decided to do this quilt together.  She has hers and will be showing it as soon as it is quilted.   I have had this quilt done for sometime now.  I wish I had room to show you the whole thing.

                                                 

         72" x 84"

 I have shown this quilt before but it is the Sister quilt to the one above.  There were so many curved scraps  from the quilt above that I decided to keep them and make a quilt out of them.  I used the Orange peel Accuquilt Go die for this one.  The orange peel die was perfect and trust me there was very little scraps.

So I guess you could say that I got two quilts for the price of one.

I love doing sister quilts, what about you?

ISLAND BATIK 3D CHALLENGE

This will be my last post as an Island Batik Ambassador.  I have been an Ambassador since 2014,  one of the first of many Island Batik Ambassadors.

I have enjoyed every minute of it.  Sometimes stressfully enjoyed.

I will continue to love and use their products.

I love Hobbs Batting, which I have a huge roll in my sewing room as we speak.

I love Aurifil Threads as well and I appreciate having the opportunity to use all of these products.

I have had an Accuquilt Go cutter since 2009 (guessing here).  I love my Accuquilt Go cutter and do have a few patterns on the Accuquilt site as well.

3D CHALLENGE

Sometime around 1995 (guessing here again), I was given a partially constructed quilt top from my best friend.  Her mother had started it but passed away.  I was very close to her mother.  Her parents were like grandparents to my sons.

At that time I was just dabbling in quilting.

I didn't know anything about the 1/4 inch seam allowance but I went ahead and put this quilt together.  When I got the top finished I realized that one side was longer than the other.

So I put it away in the closet to never bring it out again until two years ago.

I decided to go ahead and finish it for my oldest son for Christmas two years ago.  I knew this would be very special to him.

I don't know what happened to the pattern.

Fast forward to 2019.

At the time of finishing the quilt I made this drawing. I had wanted to make this quilt again.

                                           

Here is the quilt I made using Island Batik Fabrics.  The green and Black/purple fabric is Magical Reef and the turquoise is from Island Batik as well but not from the Magical Reef Fabric line.

I decided that I wanted to make this quilt using the Accuquilt Go cutter.  I used the Accuquilt Go 8" Cube, from that I used the 2 1/2" square, 4 1/2" rectangle, and the half square triangle.  Boy did it make fast work!!!

                                           

When I had finished this quilt for the first time, I noticed something was wrong....OOOPS

I had to take the rows apart, just the rows, the blocks were sewn together right but I had to take the rows apart and flip every other one.  Shewee....at one point I had just wanted to scrap this quilt but Gene Black another Island Batik Ambassador convinced me to continue on.  I knew that if I didn't the quilt would just be in the closet for another 20 years or so.....  I am so glad it is done.

                                                    

                                             I used Hobbs Batting as you see here and Aurifil #2810.

One thing I loved about being an Island Batik Ambassador is that I actually finished things as well as it stretched my imagination and had me doing things that I would not have done otherwise.  It was fun being a part of such a creative group of Quilters, artist, and designers, I will truly miss that but so grateful to Island Batik for the opportunity.

DREAM, CREATE, INSPIRE - Artsy Fartsy Challenge

(nice little wind going)

I had actually picked out the theme of my quilt several months ago.

I searched my mind and the internet for an idea for a house for my Bejeweled Sewing room.

Then one day it hit me.  My idea of retirement, happiness, freedom is on a beach, living in a hut.

Sometimes a gal has just gotta dream!

One of my most happy times was the three years we spent in Amerika Samoa and three years on the island of Oahu.

I have said this a thousand times "I am an island girl!"

So this month's challenge is to create a project using three different weights of Aurifil threads.

Aurifil 50 wt. threads

Accuquilt Go circle die.

What inspires me?

Color, beauty of this world, friends, and having the right tools.

"A Thing of Beauty is a Joy forever" John Keats

Aurifil 40 wt. thread.

I love this quote and when I think of the Islands, the joy still lives in my heart.

As I think of quilts, the beauty  just lives on forever and if we care for them they will live long after we are gone.

The orange is Aurifil  40 wt. and the cone is  Aurifil 50 wt. (notice I am almost out).

I decided to use Hobbs batting logos for my clouds.

Aurifil 50 wt.

I should have picked a darker thread for my Bejeweled Quilts but in person it is darker.

Aurifil 50 wt. thread

Isn't it amazing that Island Batik can find you anywhere?

Even on a small island out in the pacific!

So if you were stranded on a deserted island, what would  you most want to have besides food?

What about a sewing machine (the machine had to go in front of the window)?  A package from Island Batik?  Aurifil Threads?  Notice the Accuquilt Go cutter?  Hobbs batting?

If you look close enough at the top shelf, that is a picture of my last Island Batik box....ummm ummmm good.  

Here are seven Island Batik challenges and projects that I have done in the 4 1/2 years I have been an Ambassador.

Aurifil 28 wt. thread

I have to tell ya, I am in love with the 28 wt. thread, it is great for machine applique.  I see a collection coming on.

I used Hobbs 80/20 cotton batting.  Notice how the wrapping is all messed up (that was me cutting out the logos for my clouds).

I used Avery Fabric Transfers, which was a breeze compared to what I had originally.

                                        Here are just a few of the pictures around the quilt.

I have enjoyed being an Ambassador, as I was trying to find some of my favorite quilts to put on this quilt, I was amazed at how many projects I have completed in the past 4 1/2 years.

Many of the quilts I still have, a few I have sold (but not many), gave some to friends and family. and charities.

I look forward to putting this quilt on my sewing room wall.

It is fun to create when you have such wonderful tools to work with.

Island Batik fabric inspires me with the vibrant colors along with the Aurifil threads.

The Accuquilt Go is an amazing tool that makes life less complicated and the cutting process to go a lot faster.

Hobbs batting is just a dream in the clouds.

As most of you know, all of the items have been given to me through Island Batik and I have enjoyed every minute of it and just want to take a moment to thank Island Batik, Aurifil Threads, Hobbs batting, and Accuquilt.

BLACK AND GREY?

This picture does not do the paining justice.

My niece gave my mother this painting.

I have always loved (coveted) this painting and was so happy when it came to live at my house.

So this evening I decided to make a table runner to match/ my painting.  It is 56 1/2" x 15 1/2", was hard to get the whole runner in the frame.  This picture does not do it justice either but I just want to say that I am THRILLED.

I used my 5" Island Batik stash builders, grey Island Batik background fabric.  I had just enough of the 5" strips to make this using just three strips and some of my black Island Batik fabric.  As you can, see I used my 8" Accuquilt Companion set (kite die #15), plus the small circle on the circle Accuquilt die, and grey and black Aurifil Threads

It  takes ten of the kite pieces to make a flower.  If you make one, it might bunch in the middle but you cut out some of the middle so it lays flat when you iron it.  I did not use any heat n bond, I used glue.  I glued the small circle in the middle and I even glued the flowers down.

I sewed the border on before I did the flowers, with the half flowers sewn into the seam at the ends and glued down. 

  I sandwiched my runner, using Hobbs black batting (which doesn't show the fabric under the circle....love it). Then I pinned the sandwich only on the outside of the runner.  I found the middle and placed the whole flower, glueing half, place it down, and then glueing the other half.  I put two pins in the flower with pins around the outside of the flower to keep things in place.

Once I had that done, I blanket stitched around the circle, then without even cutting my thread, put it on straight stitch and quilted the middle of each petal.  Then blanket stitched the outside.

Centering the other two petal between the end and the middle flower, I did the same thing.  Saved the end petals for last.

Hope you don't mind my readers digest version of my table runner.  It is so easy.

The background fabric is 53 1/2" x 12 1/2"
 2" Borders - 3 1/2" strips width of fabric
Three 5" Island Batik stash builders (these 5" strips are the width of the fabric) (kite die)
One 5" black strip width of fabric (kite die)
   You need 21 black kites pieces, 19 print fabric for alternating kite pieces.
Four small circles (Accuquilt circle die) - cut one in half
Binding - 3 1/2 strips width of the fabric 2 1/2" wide.
Glue
batting and backing pieces larger than 56 1/2" x 15 1/2"


When I cut out my kite pieces I tried to get as much out of the fabric as I could so I cut on the bias and that is a NO NO....only because Island Batik fabric hardly frays but on the bias it does.  After I finished the table runner I had to go back and clip all the little threads on the end of each kite piece that was on the bias.  No matter, it worked, I had enough fabric, and this gal is HAPPY!!


I am doing the dance!!!

APRIL SHOWERS TRULY DID BRING MAY FLOWERS! April Showers Topper

It has been raining so much this month that I am sure the mosquitoes will have a field day this year.

Here is a little topper I designed a few years ago.  This was taken off the craftsy site when Craftsy did their purging.

Here it is using the beautiful Island Batik Fabrics.

Today I put the binding on three quilts.

I can only show you one.

If you have been reading my post, you will remember that this quilt is made from the scraps of another quilt.  I used the Accuquilt Go orange peel die to make the shapes.  I also used Aurifil 50 wt. thread.

I have yet to quilt the other quilt but it is sandwiched.

I love this Oriental fabric from Inchworm Fabrics.

I have really made some headway this month in all of the quilts I have an obligation to make.  I always worry about meeting deadlines but I think I am going to make it.

I have two quilts that need to be quilted (this is not counting the UFO's), yes, I have plenty of those.

IF LIFE HANDS YOU SCRAPS, MAKE A QUILT!

For several days last week I have been cutting the excess fabric off the back side of my quilt top.  It is applique and I cut out the bulk of the fabric.  I would show you but it is for Island Batik Fall/Winter catalog.  It took me six hours one day and about two the next.  

Wasn't a fun job but someone had to do it.

So Saturday when it was raining and raining outside I decided to do something non sitting down and sewing.

Hummmm

Why not cut up some of my Island Batil scraps?  So the story begins!

Half square triangles using the Accuquilt Go Cutter!

You think it would have made a dent in my scraps (this is me shaking my head no).

Then that evening and this morning I have been making these flying geese.

Look at the points?

Look how even they all turned out...

Just look!!

Now most of you know I love my Accuquilt Go Cutter but the Qube is the best idea since sliced bread.

I never thought I would be interested in the Go Qube, I have the 8" but I tell you having the half square triangle on one die is ideal for projects such as these.

I am not just saying this because this Go Qube was given to me by Accuquilt through Island Batik.

I loved it so much that I went and purchased the companion sets.

I originally purchased the corners but then Gene Black convinced me to buy the angles as well.

What are friends for, right?  They get you in trouble every time (smiling).

As I was in my Island Batik Scraps I noticed that I had all of these strips from one inch to two and a half inches.....

What to do?

What to do?

Hummmm  stay tune, the light bulb just went off in my head.

CHECKING THINGS OFF MY LIST!!

You will just have to forgive my pictures today, it has been raining like cats and dogs and now it is stinking cold outside.  I have been freezing for two days, under the covers reading books...yes, that is a whine and I would like some cheese with it.

This first quilt I have showed you before, it was waiting to be quilted.  I quilted it on my Pfaff since I can not get to my longarm, that is not a whine. 

The fabrics are Paisely Dots by Island Batik.  The cancer ribbon design is by craftistitch.  I used my white aurifil thread to sew everything together with.  I have a huge cone that I am trying desperately to use up....I say desperately because that is all I have been using lately.

This next one is just the top, needs to be quilted.  If you saw the previous post, you will know that this is scraps from a project I am doing with my sister.  Love the oriental fabrics which you can get at Inchworm Fabrics.

I used the Accuquilt Go Orange Slice die and pink Aurifil thread.

Here is just a sneak peak of my April Quilt for the April Island Batik Challenge.  Don't you just love the turquoise aurifil thread?  Ummmm Ummmmm good.

So, I have two of my eight projects done.  I feel good about that but I added one more to the list...ha ha!!

SAVED FROM THE TRASH BIN

Today I am happy to report that I have the quilt top finished.  If you saw the post before this, you would know that my sister and I are making the same quilt from the same wonderful fabrics from Inchworm Fabrics.

We are using the Quick Curved ruler, here are the scraps from the project.

I asked my sister what she did with her scraps.  She said she threw her away.  For some reason I just could not do it.  So....I thought...

and thought....

and thought.

This is what I came up with.

              I sewed two half moons together.  Then got out my Orange Peel Accuquilt Go die.

Before and after the cut.  Looks so nice and neat.

Even less scraps.

I decided to blanket stitch them with Pink Aurifil Thread, umm ummm good.

Ok, I know what you are thinking, one minute I am overwhelmed and the next I am starting another project.

Let the record show that I just needed focus and writing it down helped me do that.  When I have things I need to do if I can get a direction I do nothing.

Then...I just couldn't let these scraps go to waste and had to do something with them or they would be just that, scraps to be thrown away later.

Are my excuses any good?

I am going to set up my Pafff  so I can quilt the Charity Quilt....and when I get tired of that will work on some Orange peels. 

Sounds like a plan.

YEAH ME!!