Pure Fun

Just finished binding this Pure Tic Tac Toe quilt - based on a Moda Bake Shop pattern by Mary at
Tulip-Patch.     Mary did her top with all of the blocks in the X formation - since this is for a little boy, I though Xs and O's would be more fun.  I love the combination of this fabric and Mary's pattern!  I used a very snuggly flannel in a blue and ivory houndstooth pattern on the back.  Now to send it off to its new little owner.

2011 UFO Challenge

I've decided to join Judy's UFO challenge for next year.  I have a bunch of quilts in various stages of completion that I would really like finished!

1. Madeira Charms Lap - piece backing, quilt and bind.
2. Flying Geese topper - quilt and bind.
3. Leaf tablerunners - these both need to be quilted and bound. 
4. Martha's Garden - quilt and bind.
5. Rooster Wallhanging - quilt and bind. 
6. White Oak sampler - borders, quilt and bind.
7. Buggy Star - decide whether this is a large lap, or 2 baby quilts.  Borders, quilt, bind.
8. RWB toile - finish blocks, assemble into top, quilt and bind.
9. Women's Voices - finish last block, assemble into top. 
10. Spring Morn - finish applique, assemble top.
11. Friends for Christmas - assemble blocks, quilt and bind.
12. Victorian toile - quilt and bind.

This isn't every unfinished project lurking in the closet, but if I can get these done, its a great start!

I really do quilt!

I made this quilt a while ago for my sister, and finally had it quilted.  She fell in love with this Crabapple Hill design at a show at least four years ago, but I was unsure how to quilt it because of the embroidery.  My friend Cindy did an amazing job!  The colors in this quilt are so soft, they are like a victorian watercolor. 

Figure about 10 yards for the top and back. Plus, I donated four yards to a friend for a backing she needed in a hurry.  So 14  yards down.

I really have to say how impressed I am with everyone who can keep up with blogging.  I barely have time to spend an hour a week quilting, let alone sharing about it.  I really am impressed and Inspired.

Bonus Christmas Runner

Lately there have been a lot of posts about the year end dash to use the fabric stash. I've been thinking of ways to use some of the abondoned blocks and projects, in order to clean up my stash closet, and clear the decks for next year.

For the past few Christmases, I've kicked myself for not making a runner for my sewing machine cabinet. My cabinet stays in my dining room during the holidays and doubles as a server. Same time, I've seen posts about machine quilting the binding to projects. I found several blocks that I decided to put together in a very simple layout - gives me a little runner for my cabinet, and the perfect opportunity to try machine stitching the binding.

These blocks were part of a class on perfecting flying geese - I still have several more blocks, some with larger geese. Marcia at the Happy Quilter taught a great class (at least 3 years ago!). While I have really put her tips to use since then, I am really happy these blocks ended up in something useful that I really like!

Stash Busting

Finished a few gifties this weekend. The first runner is for my MIL - the Asian fabrics are really pretty, and I love the focus fabric.

Next is a runner for my mom for Christmas - I gifted it early so she can use it during the holidays this year.

The Stash

This is humbling. This is a glimpse inside my stash closet, which is in a spare bedroom primarily used for my husband's office. I try to keep cut fabric sorted by color, and use bins to hold projects in various stages of completion. The pullout drawers hold fat quarters, leftovers sliced into usable sizes, and thangles as well as other notions.

The plan is to work towards getting this more organized by 1/1, and to show it again next year. JudyL is asking everyone to show current photos, with no tidying right now, to compare with our progress. Should be interesting!

Next bloggie thing to learn - how to create links in a post!

Wow- Second post in one day!

I really want to start Kim's Diehl's Halloween wallhanging, and have everything ready to go. But I decided at the begining of this year, I needed two finishes for every new start. Today, I put the border strips on last years Fat Quarter Shops Block of the Month. This is going to be a Christmas pressie for this year.