June Charity

I completed my blocks in June!  (Which is more than I can say for my June cross-stitch box.).

I loved the colors in the June palette and, if I can be honest, I've been looking for an excuse to use these colors for some time now.  And the best part of these blocks is that my husband really liked the colors too.  So as soon as I decide whether to keep the stripe or go more neutral, I'll be headed off to the quilt store to get more slate blue - a fat quarter doesn't make that much background!

So proud!  All my stripes go the same way.

The next question is whether I will be brave enough to try using the tiny triangle pieces I cut off!

Linking up with Let's Bee Social.

Quilting with a View

There's been a little quilting progress on my baby quilt.  Almost two printed squares are done now.  Whoo-hoo!  I'm really tearing!  But who can blame me for not spending more time indoors with the lake right outside my window?

Unfortunately it was a little too windy to quilt outside.  Instead I spent most of my vacation just enjoying having a boat deck and sun.

I also picked off a few more mountains.  I even got my revenge hike on the only peak I previously attempted without making it to the top.  That's 32 hiked and 14 to go!  I've started out really strong this season - 7 mountains already in 2014.

After returning home it occurred to me that if I was going to make blocks for no hats in the house's June palate, I should probably start before it's July!  The center units were made last night and hopefully I'll get the points assembled today.

I even got my stripes to play nice!

Linking up with Let's Bee Social.

Finding Gold

Back when I revealed Secret Garden I had mentioned another mystery quilt that had rockier beginnings.  Today I'd like to share this quilt with you in all its finished glory.

I give you "Finding Gold".
Finished Size: 66 x 82.
Machine Quilted.

It was my first mystery weekend and I had been looking forward to finally being out of school and able to go away on retreat with my mom.  Unfortunately, that weekend I was feeling poorly.  But because of that I was working slower than everyone else and I watched as one quilter after another wasn't thrilled with their finished product.



 I brought my pieces home and let them languish in my closet for a couple of years, but I was determined to make this quilt into something.  I wasn't letting my hard work on 192 triangles amount to nothing!  So I pulled them out, started playing with layouts, and bought some gold to make the quilt a little more rounded.  (A solely pink and purple quilt means a lot more pink than I am comfortable with.)

Finally I came up with a design I was happy with.  And now, after a trip to the quilter and a bit of binding, it's off on a new journey.

I gifted this quilt to a coworker friend of mine to raffle off for Relay for Life.  She is one of two event coordinators for my area.  I hope this quilt will help her fundraising efforts.  Relay for life happens in early June, so I have to wait a while to see how it does.

Linking up with Finish it Up Friday.

Crazy Chevrons

I have been busily working on pillowcases.  I have nine that I want to make for the holidays this year, four of which will be for charity.  With these first two pillowcases I'm halfway there!

Next up is one of two pillowcases for my sister.  This one I have been planning for a while.

Hint: 1,1,2,3,5,8,13...

I was originally going to make this pattern in more subdued colors, but then realized that wasn't my sister's style.  My sister likes bright and loud.  The one time I brought her into a fabric store she thought all the brightly colored chevrons were awesome and should be made into a single quilt.

I didn't quite manage a quilt, but I think I think I covered lots of chevrons and bright fairly well.

It's a little long for a pillowcase in order to accommodate the pattern I was going for.  I usually make pillowcases about 20x30 inches, and this one is 33 inches long.  (Bonus points to anyone who knows what the pattern is.)

Linking up with Fabric Tuesday and Finish it up Friday.

Blocks for Boston

That's a lot of fabric pulled for two little blocks!

When I first heard about the call for blocks by the Boston Modern Quilt Guild, I knew I wanted to participate.  Being a hand quilter I don't really have time to make quilts for charity (as much as I wish I did)... but blocks, I can do!

 

Itty Bitty Star

I knew that I wanted to do something with the friendship star.  It seemed right to be sending friendship to those going through tough times.

I had wanted to do a friendship circle block, but given the time constraints, it just wasn't possible.  And after doing one three inch star, I'm kind of glad I didn't get embroiled in a pattern that required eight of them!

Something doesn't look quite right...

I pulled out all of the fabric I could find in my stash in the required colors.  Yellow and blue?  No problem.  White was another story.  Apparently I don't really use grey or white.

Now I just needed to actually make the blocks!  I've been training for a race and a few big quilt deadlines are approaching so time was scarce.  But training culminated Saturday, and I've been working hard since then.




Luckily piecing went smoothly.  Seams matched up and laid flat, my blocks didn't shrink, and all the pieces that I cut were correct.  (Being in a hurry a few pieces got forgotten...)

And this morning, mere days before the deadline, I was able to get my blocks in the mail.  I hope they get there in time!

Two finished blocks, on their way...

Linking up with Finish it up Friday.

Finally Pillowcases

Nothing big to report today, just thought I'd share these pillowcases.  I made them this week while taking a break from struggling with my machine and the free-motion foot.

I make pillowcases for charity with the 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge when I can, and this fabric has been sitting around waiting for me to attend to it.  I'll probably make a few more before bringing them in to my local quilt shop.

I don't know if you can tell, but the pillowcase with the gold band is actually purple.  I find purple to be one of the most difficult colors to photograph.  What about you?

They call me Little John. But don't let my name fool you.
In real life, I'm very big

Linking up with Finish it up Friday.