Something New

I gave the daughter of a good friend a quilt for her high school graduation last year. Her son was standing nearby and said he couldn’t wait to see what I made him for graduation this year! Well, it is time to get thinking.

I had a FQ bundle of these suede looking fabrics that I picked up from Connecting Threads a few years ago. I wanted something masculine, but not too old looking and definitely something simple. So I cut these rectangles and will add in the strips shown above.

I’m sure the arrangement of squares will change, but it feels good to be started on this one.

Have a great day!

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Dream Big

I bought a couple of these panels last summer when they were on sale at Urban Elementz. I finally loaded one on the frame.

I soon learned that nearly outlining those petals is harder than it looks.

This is the first thing I’ve quilted in over a month and I felt rusty. I used two layers of batting for extra definition. I’m hoping I’ll like it better when it’s done. It is definitely better at a bit of a distance.

Have a great day!

Posted in Free Motion Quilting | 7 Comments

Upholstery

It always gets worse before it gets better.

The mister and I went to Daughter #3’s house this weekend. She and I worked on our upholstery project.

We got most of one seat done. We have two more to go.

She made braised short ribs for us. It was incredible!

We spent a good chunk of Sunday working on some yard work.

My favorite part of the weekend was drinking coffee with her on her lovely porch.

Have a great day!

Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments

Slow Stitching Sunday

I still haven’t finished this quilt, but I am back to working on it with my new hoop set up.

As you can see, I have help. Anyway, I bought this Hinterberg hoop with stand at an estate sale last summer.

I loved it! But sadly, I broke the stand in January. Mr. Wonderful tried to fix it, but no luck. So I started looking around for another used one since they aren’t made anymore.

I ended up finding this Hinterberg lap frame instead.

You sit down with the flat board under your thigh and the hoop is up off your lap. It actually came with the smaller hoop shown below, but the big hoop from the stand works perfectly.

So far, I think I like this even better. I’m no longer sitting on the edge of my chair.

Happy stitching!

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Travel Sewing…..or not….

I decided not to take a sewing project with me. Until about an hour before we left for the airport. Then I threw this little kit together.

It all fits in a sandwich size plastic box. Want to know how much I got done?

That’s it. One single EPP flower. And it is poorly done to boot. Someone suggested a cure involving this.

Here is the after photo. I left one seam untouched so you could see the difference.

Better, but I’m still terrible at this and don’t really even enjoy it. I should have left it home. 🙄

If you are squeamish, look away before I show you the back. Ready?

I was too tired each night to sew and during the day, the scenery was way too good to miss. I think that’s a sign of a great trip.

Have a great day!

Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments

No Finish Friday – Upholstery

Last fall while walking the dogs, I found this on a curb for the trash. I headed home and came back with the Jeep. I asked the owner if I could take it and they were happy for me to cart it away.

Its a mid century modern piece by the designer, Arthur Umanoff.

I gave it to Daughter #3 for her birthday with the promise that I would help reupholster it. I still know next to nothing about upholstery, but clearly that has never stopped me.

We are redoing it in this white leather.

This project is way over my head. I have the parts for one of the three seats sewn and I hope to get the rest done today doing can take them to her tomorrow. I’m praying this turns out!

I’ll show more photos when it is done.

Have a great day!

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Hmmmm….

I finished the blocks I showed you on Monday.

I loved the first quilt I made in this pattern, but I’m not loving this one. Also, in my brain fog, I said these were 24 inch blocks. They are actually 18 inch blocks. I’m trying to decide where to go from here.

I did get another 50 leader/ended 4 patches done in the process, so there is that.

Have a great day!

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments

April/May Goals

Here are the goals I set for myself for April:

1. I need to nail down trip details. I know, not quilt related, but this has to be done before quilting happens! Done!

2. Make 10 more diamonds for the String Along. Done!

3. Finish my small quilt for a swap. Done!

What else did I do? I made a couple mug rugs.

For May, I would like to:

1. Quilt 5 Quilts of Valor.

2. Make 10 string diamond blocks.

3. Finish the red and white quilt that I’ve been hand quilting.

4. Make a graduation quilt.

5. Finish Dear Betty 2.

6. Make an I Spy quilt for my grandson’s birthday.

I’ll likely follow a few rabbit trails as well. 😊

Have a great day!

Posted in Finishes, Goals, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

String Update

In the nick of time, I finished my ten string blocks for this month.

I realized when I placed them on the floor that my string piecing has been turning into crazy piecing.

I’m going to try to get back to the string thing more this next month, but these will add interest. I’m still using ugly fabrics for my foundations.

Linking up with Lori at Humble Quilts for the monthly QAL link up.

Have a great day!

Posted in String Along | 6 Comments

DWMonday – UFO

Sometimes it’s hard to get back into the routine after vacation. The first thing I had to tackle in the sewing room was this mess.

That’s a bit better. Still plenty messy, but at least I can see my cutting table.

Since I didn’t know where to start, I decided to look at my UFO list and pulled this out.

These are left over block kits from my Dear Betty quilt. I changed my mind on the corner triangles though. Here is my first pieced block. They are 24 inch blocks and go together pretty quickly.

I have 8 more kits cut out so this will make a good size donation quilt.

Have a great day!

Posted in Design Wall Monday, Uncategorized | 8 Comments