challenge complete!

Thank you all for your kind comments about my mom's Orca Bay quilt.  I'll be forwarding comments along to her and I know she's going to be overwhelmed by the positiveness from total strangers.  (Well, you're total strangers to her!)

I sewed at her house yesterday and will show that in a bit, but first wanted to address the One Week, One Thing Challenge since I did finish my challenge.  My challenge to myself was to get this stack of fabric turned into the start of a baby quilt - choose a background and cut out the owls.

I feel so lucky to be working with such a beautiful stack of fabrics.  (Usually they're more boring because the quilt is for a grown-up.)  They've been chopped up and cut into shapes, but this is where I am right now:

Not the best photo, but I forgot to snap one until it got dark.  It does that far too early for my liking, but this shows I met my challenge.  And...the three orange owl bodies are sewn down!

So I sewed all day Saturday at my mom's.  I should have taken photos of what everyone else was working on, but I never think of it.  Too busy sewing!

I worked on my log cabins for the January UFO challenge.  They're ALL done!  All 80!

Just goes to show what I can accomplish if I set my mind to it!  And there's a third empty spool that could be in that photo!  (To be fair, that little one was nearly gone, though I didn't realize it and had to raid my mom's thread stash to finish.)

My mom has a pretty good design floor (my dad is working on making her a design wall, but he's also busy finishing the rest of the basement in their house and he's very active with the Boy Scouts in his area, so it's slow going!) so I set these out so you can see how the blocks will end up going together to make a star in the center.

This quilt is going to be fun to look at later.  I can tell you about a dozen quilts I've made that have contributed leftovers into this one.  Maybe when I post the top, I'll also post photos of quilts that share the same fabrics?

And a couple of fun photos. 

This first one is for A Left-Handed Quilter:

She showed a bolt of this fabric on her blog not long ago.  I said my mom also had some of this fabric and as I was trying to get the cats to let me sleep in this morning, I spotted this block in the quilt that's on my bed.  It's been on my bed since my senior year of college, but I'm not telling you when that was!

And this is what happens when you bake cupcakes (not so good recipe, so not sharing), make bread (Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day) and do laundry all Friday night and then go sew somewhere else all day Saturday...this happens while you unpack groceries on Sunday morning:

Tucker (in the middle) often gets on the counters and I let him stay so long as he's not in my way (unless I'm cooking for others) - he's actually pretty good about it.  Emma (front) and Luka (back) are not usually that naughty.  No idea what they were thinking, but it was funny.  Please pardon my messy kitchen.  It's usually a little better than this, but it's been a crazy week!

Happy quilting,

Katie

one thing, one week: challenge 9

It's been a while since Amy has done a One Thing, One Week Challenge, but I'm ready!

This week I've challenged myself to turn this:

into owl pieces and decide on a background.

If I have to buy more fabric, so be it, but I'm hoping once I get the owls cut out it will make the process easier.  (Thanks for that suggestion, my blog readers!)

With tomorrow off, I should have no trouble accomplishing this...unless those silly log cabin blocks take over again!

Happy quilting,

Katie

PS If you want to join in, the button at the top of the post should take you where you need to go.  There's even a prize for one lucky finisher!

one thing, one week challenge 5: met!

Once again, Amy has gotten me to get into my sewing room and finish something I've been putting off.  (And shouldn't have been.)

The keychain wallets are done.

Plus one for me!

I plan to add a few other goodies besides the gift cards. 

What would you put in there?

I'm drawing a blank after lip gloss...

I also whipped up a book bag this morning.

The friend who loaned me the first two Twilight books is bringing me the second two tonight.  (We're going bowling...yay!)  We got to talking and, long story short, I'm going to loan her some of my favorite books back.  But we don't have many plastic grocery bags since we purchased the cloth-like ones and those we do get are used for litterbox scoopings.  What to do?

Wait, I'm a quilter...pull out that bundle of fat quarters I'm not sure why I ever bought and whip up something.  I made all but one handle/strap from a single fat quarter.  And the bag could probably have been made the 3 inches narrower to make a second strap if I made it again!

Off to change my pants before bowling.  Lunch at A&W with the hubby and nephew turned a little messy when our waitress dumped my pop in my lap...  She was embarassed, but I just laughed.  There a 50/50 chance I'll do that to myself!

Happy quilting!

Katie

one thing, one week challenge 5

It seems Amy (over at Amy's Creative Side) seems to know just when I need the extra boost to get things done...  She's posted her One Thing, One Week challenge again, so here I go!

My challenge for myself is to finish the 5 keychain wallets I plan to give as Christmas gifts.

I started working on them last night, before I knew the challenge was coming.

I made good progress...once you get past the halfway point on string piecing blocks, they seem to just magically be done!

The back is on the left - one big piece folded in half, then quilted a bit to hold it together.  The front has holes cut and also needs to be folded in half and have a piece of clear vinyl sewn in the window, but I squirted a little FrayChek on the corners because the first one I made ravelled just a little bit there.  I wanted that dry before sewing any more!

They'll each be "filled" with an appropriate gift card.  I know some will argue that it's a lazy way out from buying gifts, but one niece loves to read and I wouldn't have the first clue what to buy her for a book....what has she read? what does she like? what will her mom allow her to read?  Another LOVES to be able to rent movies with her own money, so a gift card to a local video store will be tons more fun than a single movie.  And they're all girls, so shopping is a hobby!  (I might offer to do the driving for that outing...)

Better get busy or I'll never get them finished!

Happy quilting,

Katie

one thing, one week challenge 4: met!

I got so excited about all my new goodies, I almost forgot about the challenge!

But thankfully, I only had a few more parts to sew on and I'm done a day early!

There are only 4 in the pattern and my challenge to get all their applique parts sewn on is finished. 

The next step is to stitch a tail that connects that yellow circle, so I'm off to see if I can find a good tutorial on a chain stitch.

(But you all know I'm nearly dying to get started with my new goodies, right?)

Happy quilting

Katie

one thing, one week challenge 3: met!

This week has slipped by.  Not much quilting going on, but I did manage to get those labels sewn on...

One Thing, One Week Challenge 3: Met!

Yay me!

And with that, I need to get back to my sewing room and work on some creativeness that I will be sharing shortly!

(It's about time I get my behind in gear and do a payback giveaway for that charm pack I won in the first challenge...)

Happy quilting,

Katie

one thing, one week challenge 3

It's happening again... 

Amy's Creative Side has issued another challenge.

 

I'm in!

My goal for this week is a small one, but important:

Label the I Spy quilts.

Labels are made, but I'm having trouble getting them sewn on. 

Why? 

I'm distracted with my new project.

Sneak peek!

That's all you get for now, as this will be a gift and I don't want to spoil anything.

And I promise that the next challenge will not involve the I Spy quilts.  Because there won't be anything more to do to them!

Happy quilting!

Katie

one thing, one week challenge two: met

Amy's Creative Side

I wasn't sure I'd make my own goal, what with everybody and their brother wanting to see us this weekend, but I pulled it off.  The second I Spy quilt is a top!

(Sorry it's not a better picture...it's getting late...)

I bought backing fabric for it yesterday:

Can you think of anything more perfect?  The biggest circles are probably 3 inches across, so it's a good large-scale print for a quilt back.  I was thrilled when I found it!

And with that, I need to get going.  Late dinner tonight and it's needing my attention again.

Happy quilting,

Katie

one thing, one week, challenge 2

Amy's at it again...doing her One Thing, One Week challenge.  Since last time I not only met my own challenge but also won a fantastic charm pack, I thought I'd do it again!

The I Spy with circles is needing attention.  It's been sorely neglected lately, thanks to a rushed feeling about the twin baby quilts, but this weekend I did manage to get the remaining circles appliqued.

42

(wow)

I'm in the process of cutting bright lime green sashings and still not entirely sold on royal blue cornerstones.  Maybe more of the black dots instead?

So my goal is to get this into a top in a week. 
I think I can do it.

On an unrelated note, the dolls and quilts project has hit a wall.  I've been told the charity I've been donating to is not going to buy dolls this year.  So any extra quilts will not have dolls.  I'm trying to find an alternate charity (without much success - most want at least throw-size quilts), but in the meantime, the quiltmaking has stopped so I can attempt to catch up with doll purchases.

These three lovelies came home with me yesterday.  (The grocery list was short this week, so I squeezed a little harder and these are a little smaller and less fancy than the usual dolls, but no less cute!)

So...Mary and Beth, your fabrics WILL get used for this project (so long as the charity will still accept quilts WITH dolls), but it may take a bit longer than anticipated.  And there won't be any new dolly quilts to show any time soon.

I'm a little sad and frustrated, but since I've been gearing up for so many holiday quilts as gifts, it's probably better that I can focus on those for now.

Back to cutting sashings!

Happy quilting,

Katie

one thing, one week challenge #1: met

Last Tuesday I told you about Amy's Creative Side One Thing, One Week Challenge.  I challenged myself to get the first I Spy top done.  I had one week.

This is where I was a week ago today:

Challenge met!

Stats:

49x57"

inspiration here

I would have basted it and started quilting (I was that into it), but my basting tables have been loaned out for a garage sale.  (To none other than the momma of the gal this quilt will go to!)

Now I'm working on the 2nd I Spy quilt.  8 down, 34 circles to go.

I'll show more pics next time.

Happy quilting,

Katie

progress report

Was it really that long ago that I committed myself to finishing the first I Spy top?

I've been slacking... 

Tonight I kicked it into gear for a few hours...

They're sewn into rows now.

Skinny sashing to go between so it's a little longer than wide.

Then baste and quilt!

Bind with more purple.

Here was my help:

Making sure every block had the proper amount of off-colored fur. 

(Poor Luka...he doesn't photograph well, he just looks evil when he's a truly sweet boy.)

And I did make good use of about an hour last night too, just not on the quilt I should have been working on...

42 circles ready for applique. 

(At least I can do this nearer the air conditioner!)

Happy quilting,

Katie

PS  I couldn't resist.  I started reading Twilight.  So far it's a good book.  Holds my attention, but wondering why so many adults are so infatuated with a book that's clearly a teen romance...I'd be embarassed to be in love with Edward...

one thing, one week

Amy of Amy's Creative Side (and the Blogger's Quilt Festival) has issued a challenge on her blog...  Choose one thing to challenge yourself with for the week (starting today) and at the end of the week (next Tuesday), she's going to have a Mr. Linky so we can all share.

I need help.  I'm in.

My challenge for myself?  Get the I Spy top together for Miss Makayla. 

(I have all weekend, right?) 

Here's where I stand:

Those blocks need a fourth border (there's 25 of them) and those purple rectangles get a white stripe between them (24 blocks).  This should be easy if I can just drag myself away from the air conditioner...  (Actually the sewing room isn't all that bad until I turn on the iron.)

But if this isn't bad enough, I went out and bought fabrics for the handprint quilt I plan to make.  Turns out there has been no diagnosis yet, but in the process of getting hand tracings, the cat was let out of the bag and now I'm committed regardless.  Oh well...

I was thinking about doing hearts for alternate blocks, but these fabrics just don't intuitively scream hearts.  Maybe random circles?  I'm still thinking on layout too, since the person it was supposed to be a suprize for knows...so I'm thinking to add her hand and the family's last name instead of "Mom".

And you think I'm done, right?  Nope.  As I was working on Makayla's quilt, I realized that my sis-in-law will probably be a little jealous that her little one isn't getting a second quilt for his second birthday like Makayla is...so while I have the box of I Spy fabrics borrowed from my mom, why not work on a second...

But I don't want them to be matchy-matchy.  The family already calls them girlfriend and boyfriend (they're about 2 months apart in age and see a lot of each other), so I had to take care of that.  Off to Flickr for inspiration.  Found it!

So back to JoAnn's I went for more fabric.  Boy is that store busy...

The smaller circle print will be block background, the larger will be outside borders.  Lime green sashing and binding, blue cornerstones.  Applique circles are pretty easy...she says before she's even picked fabrics for the 42 blocks she's planned...  (And I did not realize until just now that I'm using some of the same black prints as the original!)

But wait, there's more!  Books, that is.  Some friends borrowed the hubby's fishing boat this weekend and left these hanging on my doorknob (they were here very, very early):

Because that stack of books I bought on July 3rd isn't tall enough.  The friend who went to the book sale with me mentioned this other friend had these books.  I filed that info away into the deep recesses of my brain, thinking I'd ask to borrow them when the ginormous stack got a little smaller, but she beat me to it.  Now I want to read these instead!

And finally, Theri beat me to it, but I was going to make a list of projects I need to finish.  We'll leave out the few UFOs that have no destination in mind (truly there are only a few that aren't at least tops) so that I can concentrate on the ones I need to remember to make.  There are so many I keep forgetting and then going "oh no, not another one!"

In no particular order:

1.  Hubby's new bed quilt (Christmas deadline)

2.  Makayla's I Spy quilt (November deadline)

3.  Ethan's I Spy quilt (January or Christmas deadline)

4.  Alora's sports teams quilt (if I can find all those I want - Christmas deadline)

5.  Kim's hand print quilt (as soon as possible - I should probably set myself a real deadline)

6.  Erik and Jennifer's quilt (as soon as I get their address...and the binding on!)
7.  Make Life Charm Squares quilt (needs borders - no deadline, it's for me!)

8.  Amanda's twin quilt #1 (babies due November)

9.  Amanda's twin quilt #2

10.  Julie's 3rd baby quilt (no clue when this one is due or if the rumor is true)

I have at least fabrics and a plan for # 1-7.  #8 and 9 I called tonight too ask and the babies didn't cooperate at the ultrasound to find out the sexes, so she has another appointment next week.  #10 may not pan out, but I might as well include it.

Next Saturday (the 31st) my sister-in-law who quilts is coming down for a quilting day.  She's got 4 baby quilts she'd like to make, though I'm not sure she's committed out loud to the recipients, so she's not in quite the bind I'm in.  But we'll have a fun day, no matter what we're working on.

And I work better with multiple projects and deadlines. 
Especially deadlines.

Now that I've committed to the challenge, I'd better quit typing and start sewing!

Happy quilting,

Katie

(7/21)
Oh dear, I've forgotten a few more UFOs...

11. Birdies on a Wire quilt (for me, no deadline, just want it done!)
12. extra June dolly quilt
13. July dolly quilt
14. APQ swap quilt (borders only)

Let's hope that's all of them!