A New Charity Mission....

Like many of us, my mom and I sometimes just like to try new patterns, yarns and fabric 

without any reason except to learn something new. 

But soon, we each find ourselves with a closet full of unused blankets and quilts: 

So together we have set out over the next year to provide a blanket or quilt for each of the students in my elementary school that are in Foster Care. Right now we have about fifteen kids.

The three pictured above were gifted to three girls last month. Two of the girls are in the sixth grade with special needs and were immediately drawn to the bright colored ones. They are actually in foster care together so were happy to each get a new blanket together. The pastel blanket went to a girl with a brain impairment and she immediately cuddled up in the blanket. It was sweet and inspiring and is a good "excuse" for mom and I to continue to try new things. (Not that we need an excuse) But sometimes don't you find it's rejuvenating to find a new purpose for a hobby you enjoy so much?

A Super Hero Finish

This is a pretty "busy" finish...but with two jelly rolls and a few 1/4 yards of superhero prints I was able to quickly put together this array of Super Hero fabrics for our grand-guys 5th birthday quilt! His two requests: "Meme it has to have Captain America and Spiderman annnnddddd be long enough to cover my feet! My feet fall out of last year's quilt now!"

It finished measuring 53"x 68" and should be big enough this upcoming winter 

as he keeps his feet warm under it's soft, fleece backing of superheros.

(Notice our traditional "birthday" label! Five already!!)

I will tell ya, I've never used fleece as a backing before and really like the extra layer of cuddly warmth it gives the quilt. I only had to raise the foot a little on my long-arm and it was easy-peasy to quilt. As you can see, it was not only big enough to cover his feet but, Jackson LOVED it as well!!!

Happy Birthday buddy!

Jan. OMG: Snowmen Jelly Roll Flimsy

Yeah!! Stash busting project number one for 2018 is done!

For my January OMG I successfully turned a jelly roll into a flimsy finish:

This pattern is called Strip Search by G.E. Designs. It was quick and easy to sew together.

I used the whole jelly roll and it finished into a comfy lap size quilt measuring 47"x 63".

I choose a tan flannel for the backing and once I get my long-arm back from repairs, I'm looking forward to getting it quilted and having it added to our livingroom of quilts.

Jackson awoke from a nap to watch me from the deck:

Our Winter continues to be unseasonably with 38-45 degree days with rain and no snow.

So though most the day will be spent sewing in the studio, I'm sure we'll take advantage of the mild weather to enjoy a long walk  and some fresh air. For now, I'm linking up with everyone else at:

I specialize in edge to edge pantographs with over 100 designs to choose from.

Check out my Long-Arm Quilting page for details.

I offer FREE Return Shipping on all quilts in the U.S.A.

Jan. OMG: Jelly Roll Progress

 I continue to enjoy stitching my Anni Downs BOM.
I'll receive my final block next month and will have the whole quilt baste stitched. At which time, I look forward to adding a bunch of Sue Spargo's creative stitching as this continues to be my evening stitching project though-out 2018. I can't wait to add a bunch of whimsical details to this piece.

And have found motivation in the rejuvenation of Kate's 15 Minutes a day linky:

Days with sewing this week:  5 out of 7

Days with sewing this month:  5 out of 7

Days with sewing this year:  5 out of 7

Success rate:  71% 

This is a perfect statistic for me as my "15 minutes" doesn't include my evening stitching. Instead, I;m using this linky as motivation to get myself into my studio and sewing. And it worked!

I got all my jelly roll strips sewn and pressed this week. Four sets of six:

Three sets of five:

At this pace, I'll have these cut and sewn into a flimsy by next week's report. This will put me right on track for meeting my OMG. Happy New Year to me! Thanks for the motivation Kate. 

Linking up with everyone else at:

I specialize in edge to edge pantographs with over 100 designs to choose from.

Check out my Long-Arm Quilting page for details.

I offer FREE Return Shipping on all quilts in the U.S.A.

Jan. OMG: Snowman Jelly Roll

This year I'm setting out to De-stash projects I've had sitting around for way too long. Each month this year, I'm going to use the motivation of the OMG Linky to get them done one month at a time.  With that said, say hello to January's OMG: 

Turning this Snowman Gatherings II Jelly Roll by Moda into a quilt top. 

I have a quick and easy pattern that allows for some easy strip sewing.

Thank so very much for organizing this event for us Patty!

I'm looking forward to a productive year of De-stashing.

I specialize in edge to edge pantographs with over 100 designs to choose from.

Check out my Long-Arm Quilting page for details.

I offer FREE Return Shipping on all quilts in the U.S.A.

Studio Reorganized & One Tip

While I should be working on my raw edged flowers and nine patches, I mean after all, they are my June OMG....but noooo instead: SQUIRREL!!! I got back from my retreat all inspired to rearrange my entire studio! (I have no idea why!) I created a larger cutting/quilting area:

Jackson was a great help! NOT! LOL!!Okay, see that big sectional in the background....

well I sold half of it (More...cash for fabric!! LOL!!) and...

... moved my little table and chairs over there (so cozy) :

My mom would call and after the third time of dropping the phone while she was talking, she asked: "What are you doing?" Reply: "Rearranging my fabric!" She laughed reminding me that I do that every summer...in reflection, I guess she's right. But I can't tell ya how rejuvenating it is. So I spent another day rearranging ALL my fabric. Truth be told, I was hoping to go through all my fabric in hopes of reopening my Etsy shop and getting rich selling my fabric stash...LOL!! NOT!...I found myself ooohhh and auughhhh way too much and only ended wishing I had more time to create.

I emptied my entire glass cabinets and here's how I always seem to end up organizing:

I organize my STASH in a RAINBOW spectrum.

My one tip: whether it be my thread or fabric organize them in a rainbow order. I start with green. 

Why haven't I finished this Metro-Rings quilt?? Until then, I 'll enjoy it here.

Here is my stash revamped: 

And now that I'm all reorganized...I got back to creating. I ending up backing my crazy jelly roll race classroom quilt with these pearl rings I found in my stash. I quilted it with a bubble pantograph.

Today I plan to sew a green binding on it and put it in my back-to-school pile.

Last thing I want to do is organize my WIP hand projects as inspired by Karen who blogs at Moose Bay Muses especially as our July will be a busy month filled with travels and family. She made these adorable vinyl bags and though I love their colored zippers, I'm pretty sure mine will be organized into gallon-size ziploc bags, put into a cute basket, of course. Thanks for the inspiration Karen.

So that's what I've been up to this week...no Etsy shop reopened...but never the less, reinspired am I.

Join us! Click picture to read about our Tuesday linky.

Recipe for a fun retreat!

Thanks to everyone for your well wishes on having a great retreat! I'd read your comments while at retreat and just smile at the wonderful virtual quilting guild we have here among us. So here's the recipe to a great four days away...sewing!

Ingredients:

One very nice hotel located in a small mountain community.

Rainy, windy weather outside.

A large room filled with quilters.

Your own little spot. 

Now mix in a little fun and laughter!

Yep! EVERY time you used your seam ripper you had to pay a nickel. I think I put $1.50 worth of nickels into that there little jar. But, darn didn't win the jackpot. Boy that would have totally bumped up my Piggy Bank Challenge contents huh! Bummer!

Using trader's dice, we played using fat quarters. I walked away with these six.

Lucky me, three that I can contribute to the I-Spy swap! This was a fun game.

Oh man, and what is quilter's retreat without a jelly roll race!

I would have never been able to do this without the help of my friend Lori.

Seriously this was kinda hard. I mean I was sweating and my machine was shacking!

But I finished this wonderful little masterpiece in 39 minutes and 36 seconds!

(I was trying to cross my eyes in this picture, but I obviously didn't accomplish that.)

I won a charm pack for coming in second place. YEAH!!

And soon after I received the nickname: "half inch" as my seams fluttered like ruffles as they were soooooo big!! LOL!! One participant even asked: "Don't you have a quarter inch foot." I responded: "Yep. and even an automated 1/4 inch setting." The room rolled in laughter and thus my nickname was created! (Go ahead look closer...so funny!)

It may have turned out smaller than everyone elses, but those seams aren't coming apart!  I'm going to add a black border, back it with some minky and it will make the perfect classroom reading quilt don't ya think. The kids will love it. Oh! Everyone's cracking up in this picture below because my neighbor in the white announced I should turn mine around so we could see all my pretty ruffles!

Fabrics used from left to right: Chipper by Tula Pink, Eden by Tula Pink, Polka Dot by Moda, Hello Darling by Bonnie and Camille.

We both worked on our raw edged flowers/nine patch quilts. Lori layered her flowers in threes and used all pinks and browns.  Pretty huh!

My flowers have four layers and I used a lot of Kim Diehl fabrics and some wovens.

Both of these will be queen size quilts and I think we are both about half way done. Pre-cutting all our flowers and nine patch squares saved the day for sure!

We all went home very happy campers and now need to get unpacked and set up at home.

Thanks again for your well wishes and as you can see, my retreat experience was fun and productive! (Though I don't think we'll get a lot of empathy from our husbands as we now complain about be so tired. Seriously, we never went to bed before midnight!) Speaking of fun. Please do share your favorite retreat memory or/and if you have ever participated in a crazy jelly roll race. 

Tomorrow we'll be rejuvenating  Farmer's Wife posts.

Little Apples Jelly Roll Finish

I have one more jelly roll finish to share. I used the same pattern that I did for the Twin Baby Quilts  EXCEPT: when you read the pattern, I made a lap quilt instead of two smaller quilts. You just have to sort your fabrics into seven sets (instead of two sets of three) of six prints. You'll need the extra set so you'll have four blocks across and five down. (And, I only had to add one strip from my stash.) 

I quilted this one using a pantograph called: Luna as it reminded me of leaves blowing in the breeze.

I also found this cute button flannel for the back and yes, couldn't resist adding the polka-dot binding.

I'm keeping this one for myself. I've been wanting a flannel quilt to cuddle under during those chilly Fall evenings as I enjoy hand stitching in the evenings, watching our favorite Fall shows.

This measures 47" x 70".

I just love this Little Apples fabric line and am so glad it's off the shelf and ready for Fall!

Wow! Three quilts finished in one week! I'm grateful for some summer sewing and those pre-cuts.