My Penny Sampler is Done!!

I have finished the 12 month long version of the Penny Sample Quilt Class with Rachel of Stitched in Color. This was the best class ever! The 12 month pace was the perfect pace for me, even with a move in the first quarter of the year. I was able to stay caught up and I learned so much from this class, which was my hope and goal for taking it. Lots of pictures now.

 This is the whole quilt top. As you can see, many different components make up the top. Along with that, lots of techniques. There is applique, piecing and machine paper piecing.

 The color pallet I chose was not as subdued as some I have seen on line, but this is more to my style. I am extremely happy with the way it turned out.

 I have some favorite components, but I love them all. The vase of flowers in the gold background above is one of my favorites. Also, the diamonds on the bottom. Both were machine paper pieced. A technique I have been wanting to learn. Not my cup of tea, but at least now I can do it and I might again some time.

 The paper piecing does give such crisp edges and points that meet where they are supposed to meet.

 I still need to do the eyes on the Dala horses. I decided I would do those by hand instead of machine. They are way too small and fiddly for me.

 The hanging diamonds are another fave as is the red ribbon block above. This quilt has so much to look at, doesn't it?

 The strip of fabric down the right side here is from one of Jeni Baker's collections. It is all one piece and I am so happy with how it works in this spot. The colors work and the stripes look like they were made for this quilt.

So next up, is the quilting of this big thing. I am planning to hand quilt it with Pearl cotton. I have decided that there are just too many different things going on here to do it any other way.

 Each section will lead me as to what it needs. I do not intend to over do it, but enough quilting to accentuate certain elements and stabilize the quilt. I put too much into it not to do it right.

So, a year in the making and now, on to quilting. Will it take another year? I don't know. I have the fabrics for the backing and I hope to have it pin basted and started before the end of the year. I will keep you up to date. I plan to link this up on Friday with Crazy Mom Quilts.

A Quilt Full of Hugs

Well, I finished my hugs quilt today. It took me almost two weeks, but at least 3 of those days were no sewing days, so they don't count. My friend will receive her quilt this weekend when I see her, and it is a surprise. So, here it is:

 I used all fabrics from my stash for the top. I googled X quilt block to get dimensions and then I just cut and cut and then chain pieced for days to make this 63 inch square throw quilt.

 I know there are parts where there is less definition between fabrics, but up close, it's a beauty.

 The back is all pink, a fabric I picked up at Joann. I just really didn't want to take the time to piece the back for this one. I wanted it done and in her hands.

 The red binding goes well with both sides and frames the quilt up nicely. I have had that in my stash for years and am glad it found a home.

 I used a cookie cutter to trace a heart in the center and then quilted hearts one inch apart from there outward. It does lose some of the definition, but I still love it.

Quilt inspector Pouncer came by to put her paw of approval on the quilt. She knows a good one when she feels it.

       Got my label and I wrote the date with a micron pen on the back.

 And now it's ready to be gifted and I am happy to have it complete. Now, on to my December Penny Sampler Quilt lesson. I have to finish that so I can put that year long project together. I have decided to hand quilt it, so that may take awhile. Don't worry, I will have lots of other projects going on to show you while I hand quilt. Have a great weekend. Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts

I Am, Therefore, I Sew

I cannot imagine not sewing. I do it as much as I breathe or eat, to live. My creativity is a part of me, so very deep. And I enjoy blogging about my sewing. I love reading blogs, more than looking at instagram, because I want to see the story behind the quilt. That is always interesting to me. Bloggers who have a story to tell, rather than just "I made this." Today's blog certainly has a story to tell.

It started with a stack of fabrics, reds and pinks, the recipient's favorite colors. I like to use favorite colors when I can. I have made quilts like this before. A tragedy occurs and I know there is really nothing I can do. I can't change things and I am not close enough, either geographically or otherwise, to be of much help. So I do what many of us do, I make a quilt.

I have made them before and I am sure I will again. They are for the sick, the survivors, or the ones left behind. I have done all of these. I spend every moment stitching love and hope into my creations.

 I chose reds and pinks for this one and I used my go to pattern, the X quilt, or Hugs as some may know it. There is nothing more appropriate for someone who is sick or grieving.

 I have been sewing these blocks for 5 days now, well, cutting and then sewing. I needed 196 of the squares, so I would have 4 per block. These are easy to chain stitch, but it is the volume that gets you.

           There are hearts, flowers and kitties.

           And of course, there is true love.

           And a few bunnies. My recipient loves bunnies.

And so now I have 49 Hugs blocks to stitch together, back, quilt, and bind. I hope to have it done in another week. I used to be able to get a quilt like this done faster, but I am not as young as I used to be. I will be back to share a finish soon. I also have some secret Christmas sewing to show you, soon, very soon.

What Was in Box Number 3?

So I know I should have posted this over the weekend since box #3 arrived Friday, but I have been busy. Anyway, I am here now to show you what was in the box of fun.

 These cute Lucy tunics were in the box. I know I already blogged them.

 Miss N has already worn one and it is as cute as I imagined it would be.

This blouse for my daughter was also in the box. I already blogged that too. But I also had a couple of other things in the box. I couldn't just send goodies to the girls. I had to come up with something for the boys.

I

 So I made another shirt for V. I got this fabric on sale and I extended the body of the shirt as well as the sleeves so it would fit better. It's a good pattern from Oliver + S, but the shirt was too short for him.

I ordered the buttons from Amazon

This is B's shirt. Made from Two Charley Harper prints in my stash

I didn't have enough of either one to do the whole shirt.

This is the back of V's shirt. My computer is giving me fits today trying to write this post.

This is the last dress for N...for now. It is the Geranium dress with long sleeve, made from a knit fabric.

 And here are the buttons up the back. I also used an extended waist on this dress. It really changes the look of the dress.

Not in the box, but just finished, are the Christmas ornaments for the Grandchildren. I found this tutorial on line last year and bookmarked it. These are Scandinavian stars. Just google it. Not hard to make. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I will be back here soon.

My Beatrix Obsession

I think I have an obsession. Maybe more than one, but let's focus on this one for now. The Beatrix blouse pattern by Rae Hoekstra of Made By Rae. I searched for and found this pattern last spring. I was looking for something to make for myself that fit my style at this point in my life. When you are 60 and go shopping for clothes it is rough. I don't fit the younger look any more and I don't feel like an old lady just yet. Then I found Beatrix. I made 3 for myself, blogged here. Then, I wanted to know if I could make one without buttons up the back. And I can! I have now made two of them. This is the latest one:

 I found a new to me fabric shop called Imagine Gnats, through Rachel Hauser's blog, Stitched In Color. When I went to see what she had, I was wowed by this fabric. It is a Lawn, made by Alison Glass. I had never seen it before and I just had to get it.

 I did not buy it for myself. My daughter needs a couple of new tops for work and this one really seems like her style. It is a soft and lovely fabric with great drape to it. I sewed it without buttons up the back and sewed all the seams flat fell so there would be no raveling. This is the second one I have made with this technique and it seems to work well since the fabric is so thin.

 Strategic pattern placement helped to get the look I was going for. The navy top about the shoulders and the aqua closer to the hemline.

 I had a 5 inch wide piece left that actually ran edge to edge and decided to make a small scarf she can use to accessorize or she can wear it with something else. It is also soft and flowing.

So can you see why I am obsessed with this pattern? It is also very well written and easy to follow. Enjoy your weekend and I'll talk to you soon.
Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts.

Some Friday Finishes

I sew. A lot. But I also like to crochet. I do not knit, but my daughter does. In fact, my first finish is an afghan she knit for me.

 I had bought her a kit for this from Knit Picks about 4 years ago for Christmas. She knit it up and then, I liked it so well, she bought the yarn to make another for me as a Christmas gift. It was all done except the crocheted edge when I went to visit her in August, so I offered to bring it home and crochet the black edge. And now its done. Beautiful.

 This second afghan I crocheted. I began it in 2014 right after I was diagnosed with cancer. I thought I could work on it while I underwent treatment. The pattern is from Lucy at Attic 24 blog. It's called Neat Ripple. It was easy to get started, but hard to keep going and finish. I used Blue Sky cotton yarn.

It's a bit heavier than some other yarns, but I love it and now it is finished too. Hope it cools off soon so we can use them.
My other  finishes for this week are sewing finishes. First, I finished piecing the Cobblestone quilt for my queen size bed.

 I used mostly Improv fabrics by Amy Friend. I love the colors and the basic patterns. I added a couple of other fabrics to the mix just to fill it out.

 It went together pretty quickly, and now I just have to find a backing and figure out how to quilt the thing. There is lots of wide open space here, and I am thinking something with curves.

 Then there is this little cutie. This is the Lucy Tunic by Shwin Designs. This is such a cute pattern and so easy to make. It probably took me about 4 hours to stitch it up. It is designed to be worn over a pair of pants, or shorts, or leggings. You could even pair it with a skirt or dress. Add a long sleeve tee shirt and there you go!

 It criss crosses in the front and is awaiting two button holes and buttons. The cap sleeves have two tiny pleats which help it be eased in, but also add a bit of style to it.

 This is the inside. You can make this as a lined tunic, or you can make it reversible. I am choosing reversible, because two for one? yes please! Also, one thing you can't see is the pockets in the side seams. On both sides and for both fabrics so even if you turn it inside out, you have pockets!

I think Miss N will look sassy in this. She already has a pair of navy leggings and a navy long sleeved tee shirt. Got one more of these in the works too. Next week another big box of goodies is going out, this time to my middle daughter. Once she gets it I will share everything here. Have a great weekend! Linking up with Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts.