UFO Busting #13

Have you ever had one of those projects that you completely forgot about it and it has a deadline?  Well you don't completely forget about it.  Maybe you just don't put it at the top of the priority list.  It's still really important but you just got...squirrel!  You know, something like that.  Luckily for me, while moving my piles around, I uncovered the tote this was hiding in and remember it.  Above are signature blocks members of the guild signed for a secret project that I agreed to turn into a wall hanging.  My dead line is June, but I want to be finished way before then.  Quilter's good intentions...wink, wink.  Hopefully, I will have them all sewn up before the weekend ends.

Jen is second from the bottom right

Last weekend I warned that there might be lots of pictures from the WV State Archery Tournament.  There won't be many, because I was so on edge watching the shoot, I forgot to take pictures.  Our high school team was ranked first going into the shoot.  Our elementary and middle school teams both placed first in their divisions and will be headed to Nationals in May!!!  Unfortunately, the high school team didn't place.  Jen still did very well, but missed placing as an individual by one point.  The competition was very close.  However, she still shot the best she's ever shot at the state tournament and was our teams top shot girl.  Both goals she's worked very hard to achieve.  Missing by one point makes her our little unicorn...she does love unicorns.  We are extremely proud of her and her team mates!  Next year guys, next year.

Jen is the really short one in the middle of the picture with her bow up to shoot.

So with all the travel last weekend, not much sewing happened in our house.  I wanted to share with you David's current project because I am in LOVE with it.

He's calling it Fractured.  It's made up of batiks with some hand dyed fabric (made with the help of Julie) and it's just gorgeous.  He started off by using Liz at Savor Every Stitch's Haphazard random HST generator (she also has one for squares and rectangles).  A very cool app for creating this style of quilt.  If you've never played with it, please take a few minutes to give it a go.  Liz, your a genius, thank you for sharing it with us!  After he had a general idea of how many HST's to make and a basic layout he got to work.  Once his pile of squares where finished, he played around with the layout some more and this is where everything fell.  He's quilting it now, so I can't wait to see it finished.

So what were you guys up to last week?  Let me show you.  Chris at Chris Knits, was busy finishing up a fun table runner for Easter.  She started this little project before taking a vacation and got right back to it after the fun in the sun was over.  I think that deserves some recognition.  I know I have a bad tendency after a break to not go back, just start a new project.  But, Chris hopped right back to it.

Now she has this bright fun piece to share with her family just in time for the Easter holiday!  Egg-celent job, Chris!

I also wanted to mention Wendy at Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life and her Lost Woods Batik Table Runner.

She pieced this beautiful table runner using left over blocks from another project.  I know those spinning strips brings back many childhood memories of playing in the woods for me and seeing the trees gently blowing above your head.  I applaud Wendy because after piecing them together she had to make a decision; table runner, bag or pillow?  I know for me, I can waste a whole lot of time with debates like this, or even abandon a project because of it.  Wendy, made the decision of table runner and quilted on.  I'm going to take a lesson from this and just keep quilting myself.  Congrats on your beautiful finish, Wendy!

So now it's your turn.  What have you been up to this week?  Are you looking around your sewing room for your abandoned projects like a toddlers on an egg hunt?  Or maybe you are stashing them in corners like the exhausted parents, praying that the kiddos find them all later.  Whatever the case, link up!  Let's celebrate some finishes and cheer each other on as we sew toward finishes.

An InLinkz Link-up

UFO Busting #12

Run!  Run!  The UFO's are everywhere!  They are multiplying!  They are coming to get us!  Oh, wait, this is just an art display throwing back to Orson Welles and his 1930's broad cast production of War of the Worlds.  The display played whooshing sounds (like helicopters) and the flying saucers even lit up at night.  It was up pretty much all of last fall.  I seriously thought about asking permission to hang a quilt between the alien's hands, but chickened out.  One of the flying saucers blew away in a wind storm...or did it fly away?  Whatever the case, it was quite fun to see every time you drove down Main Street.

Now on to my UFO's for the week.  I'm still plugging away at the doll quilts.  The pile isn't as small as I would like it to be, but I still have plenty of time.  This week I chose to work on the two quilts I made using PA Country Craft's Star Doll Quilt pattern.  Quilting has halted on both.

I'm half way through these 1/4" lines in the border.  I just simply needed a break.  I haven't fallen out of love.  On the other one however...

I was thinking fish quilt...water...wavy lines.  I decided to try using my curve ruler to create the wavy lines.  I'm ify on how I feel about the process.  So I ask, can you see the blip in my quilting?  I kept stitching trying to ignore it, but decided to walk away.  Do I rip it out and fix it?  Do I keep stitching with the ruler or continue on free hand?  Help!  I don't to abandon this project for five years.

So while I create a bit of space between me and these half quilted quilts, I worked on the pin wheel quilt for my friend.

The sashing and corner stones pieced together very quickly and I consulted with my quilt advisor, Caroline, about borders.  We both agreed, cut into the yummy dark blue Moda Grunge.

It's been hard to get a good picture of the background fabric since it is a white on white in winter light.  Here you can see all of the fun print.  Doesn't it look like cupcake sprinkles?

Here it is all pieced and out in the snow.  As you can see, big foot tromped all around the quilt ruining my perfect white back drop.

Incase you missed it, this past week (and last week too) has been Cheryl and Paige's hop for their book Modern Plus Sign Quilts.  Tuesday was my day to post about the quilt I made, Message In A Bottle.  You can read more about the quilts I made and the hop here.  I have been asked what are the fates of all these quilts.  The 48" and 24" versions are still waiting for homes as of right now.

Like a good daughter, I promptly gave my mother the 12" one as an early Easter decoration present.  And she like any good non quilter, promptly exclaimed, "thank you, it will look great on my table."

Then covered up all my pebbling work and focal fabric.  I was mentally banging my head against the wall, but physically hugged her and said your welcome.

At some point in the middle of the night my 6" quilt, maybe through mitosis, split into an identical 6" mini.  I'm just as surprised as you are and didn't know fabric could do this.  One thing is for sure, they are definitely up to something and I can't wait to find out what it is.

Speaking of being up to something, it was nice to see we were all up to stuff last week.  Including some finishes.  Vicki over at Vicki's Crafts and Quilting finished up a quilt that has been waiting on her for a little bit.

She finished up her version of Busy Hand's Jelly Roll Waves and I am in love with the quilting motif she used.  It's called dwirling and is super curvy and fun.  Like spirals meets meandering.  If you missed it last week, check it out here.

So now it's your turn.  What have you been up to?  Invaded by projects like a scary 1930's radio broadcast, that leaves you confused and wondering what's going on?  Or are you celebrating a finish, dancing with your hands in the air like you just don't care?  Whatever the case, link up and tell us all about it.

An InLinkz Link-up

Probably not much sewing for me this weekend.  I'll be cheering on baby girl as she heads to the WV State Archery Tournament.  I am so dag on proud of her and all she's accomplished in her years of shooting on her school team.  For all of this season she has been pretty much 3rd top shot (including boys) for her team.  Prepare yourself there will probably be pictures to come next week.  It's my blog, I'm a proud momma.  Bows have strings and so do quilters, it ties together.  So I leave us all with this piece of advice that I will be giving her tomorrow.  I think there is a lesson here for all of us if you think deep enough.

Message In A Bottle

Welcome to my stop on Cheryl (Meadow Mist Designs) and Paige's (Quilted Blooms) hop celebrating their recently published book, Modern Plus Sign Quilts.

When I was first contacted about participating in this hop and getting a sneak peek of the book, I don't think it took 60 seconds to respond with a big, YES PLEASE!  I've always been in love with both Cheryl and Paige's work, so there was no doubt that the patterns contained within this book would be amazing.  They did not disappoint.

Modern Plus Sign Quilts, is a book for everyone, beginner to well seasoned quilter, appliquer to paper piecer.  It contains sixteen fun projects ranging from small to large quilts.  Any of the projects in this book could be easily scaled up or down depending on your project needs.

I chose to work with the pattern Message In a Bottle. 

Picture curtesy of CT Publishing

This large scale plus sign quilt spoke to me.  As a lover of free motion quilting, when you quilt something you like...echo, echo, echo (to quote Angela Walters).  I think that is why I love the small outline of the plus sign, it's a nice echo.    Plus, who doesn't love a quick easy baby quilt? They are my favorite.  Quick to piece and bring on the quilting!

I dug into some of the Bonnie and Camille The Good Life that I had on hand and went to work.  As I pieced this quilt, my mind began to wonder.  Measuring in at 48" square, wouldn't it be fun to piece and quilt a smaller version?  The answer was..yes...yes it would.  So with a bit of simple division, I present to you, Message In a Bottle 24".

A 24" version of this quilt is the perfect wall hanging, table topper or even doll quilt for that special little one in your life.

Seeing these two quilts together I began wondering, how low can I go?  **Cue the Limbo music!**

Message In A Bottle 12"

Message In A Bottle 6"

I seriously contemplated a 3" version, but chickened out.  Six inches is pretty teeny.  Three inches is crazy.  My point, with the patterns in this book and a bit of imagination you can create anything.  Like Kitty's (Night Quilter) zippered pouch, Soma's (Whims and Fancies) tea mat and coasters or Jessica's (Quilty Habit) pillow.  Or you can just challenge yourself to a great game of quilt block limbo, like me.

You can pick up your own signed copy of Modern Plus Sign Quilts at both Cheryl and Paige's Etsy stores.  Every day of the hop our hosts are giving away some pretty cool prizes.  Make sure you stop buy Meadow Mist Designs and Quilted Blooms to get entered and check out the designers posting each day and their beautiful plus sign projects.

Below is the schedule for the hop

Monday, March 12

     Cheryl @Meadow Mist Designs

     Paige @Quilted Blooms

Tuesday, March 13

     Signature Plus

          Soma @Whims and Fancies

          Ann @Brown Paws Quilting

          Kitty @Night Quilter

     Tribal Plus

          Sophie @Luna Lovequilts

          Afton @Quilt Mod

          Shelley @The Carpenter's Daughter Who Quilts

Wednesday, March 14th

     Plus Surround

          Jayne @Twiggy and Opal

          Jen @A Dream and A Stitch

          Abigail @Cut&Alter

     Kaleidoscope Plus

          Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

          Sandra @mmm!quilts

          Karen @Run Sew Fun

Thursday, March 15th

     Postage Plus

         Linda @Flourishing Palms

         Bernie @Needle and Foot

         Liz @Savor Every Stitch

         Stacey @Stacey in Stitches

     Rick Rack Runner

         Michelle @From Bolts to Beauty

         Patty @Elm Street Quilts

         Melanie @A Bit of Scrap Stuff

Friday, March 16th

     Row Addition

          Myra @Busty Hands Quilts

          Izzy @Dizzy Quilts

     Transparency Chains

          Ruth @Charly and Ben's Crafty Corner

          Christa @Christa Quilts

Monday, March 19th

     Faceted Rings

          Jessica @Quilty Habit

          Cindy @Hyacinth Quilt Designs

          Jennifer @Inquiring Quilter

     Petal Plus

          Julie @The Crafty Quilter

Tuesday, March 20th

     Message in a Bottle

          Tish @TishNWonderland

          Judy @Sew Some Sunshine

          Emily @The Darling Dogwood

     Cute as a Button

         Wanda @Wanda's Life Sampler

          Karen @Tu-Na Quilts, Travels and Eats

          Katherine @Sew Me Something Good

Wednesday, March 21st

     Celestial

          Anja @Anja Quilts

          Kate @Smiles From Kate

          Sue @Sevenoaks Street Quilts

     Pinwheel Plus

          Carole @From My Carolina Home

          Alison @Little Bunny Quilts

Thursday, March 22nd

     Intertwined

          Debbie @Esch House Quilts

          Laura @Slice of Pi Quilts

          Beth @Cooking Up Quilts

     Bear Claw Plus

          Janice @Color Creating and Quilting

          Joanne @Quilts by Joanne

Friday, March 23rd

     Cheryl @Meadow Mist Designs

     Paige @Quilted Blooms

I'll leave you with a few more pictures before I sign off.

A big thanks to Cheryl and Paige for allowing us all to review their book.  They have done an amazing job putting together a collection of modern quilt patterns using one of the most traditional blocks that is sure to become a classic for all quilters, traditional and modern.

Today I'm linking up with Midweek Makers and Let's Bee Social.

UFO Busting #11

Every time I finish a quilt, a Corona gets its lime.  Okay, so that might not be true but I was having fun quilting what I was calling line wedges this week.  I'm still working on quilting doll quilts, but may have got a bit distracted by other things.

I think I've talked about it before, that quilter Dave travels around our state for work quite a bit.  Sadly, I don't get out much, so I haven't seen most of the places he goes too.  We decided to take a little trip recently to one of those places, because he scoped out a good quilt shop.  The largest Moda dealer in WV.  So to Moundsville, WV we go!  Moundsville gets its name from the large Indian burial mound located there.

A site I had only seen in pictures is a very common site for David.  This historic landmark just happens to be right across from this...

Sorry, not a castle, folks.  The Moundsville State Penitentiary.  Opened in the state of West Virginia in 1876 and closed in 1995.  The penitentiary along with the Trans-Alleheny Lunatic Asylum (in Weston, WV built 1864, closed 1994) are gothic style sandstone structures that both had to be closed due to deterioration to the buildings.  Also both are places you didn't want to live in.  The state still owns the building and property that the penitentiary is located on and the public can take historic tours of the building and grounds.  However, our Division of Corrections, still uses the property and building for different training events.  Including something called the Mock Prison Riots held every spring, when corrections departments from all over the world gather...think of it like Quilt Market, just corrections.  Okay, enough of that.  No more history just quilting.

The quilt store was AMAZING.  The ladies knew David the second we walked into the shop. The shop is called Theresa's Fabrics and did I mention it is the largest Moda dealer in WV?  I saw Moda fabric lines I had completely forgot about.  I need to make a list of my older pre cuts and get back there ASAP.   Plus I need a Julie fix.  I didn't find out till after I was home she isn't that far away from where I was and was quite familiar with the shop.  If I knew geography a bit better, I might have figured that out on my own.

While I was at the store, I did pick up a few goodies.

I found this Hoopla fabric and charm pack and immediately knew what I wanted to do with them, but it's a secret.

I also picked up some beautiful blue fabrics and a white on white to work on another charity/raffle quilt.  After a weekend of sewing the raffle quilt left off like this.

Will be adding sashing, but should it become one larger quilt or 3 wall hangings?  Decisions.

The kick off of Cheryl and Paige's blog hop for their new book Modern Plus Sign Quilts has started.

Make sure you check out all the posts from this week (and next week too).  So many talented quilters have created beautiful projects using, Cheryl and Paige's easy to follow instructions. 

MODERN PLUS SIGN BOOK HOP SCHEDULE

Monday, March 12th

Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs

Paige @ Quilted Blooms

Tuesday, March 13th

Soma @ Whims and Fancies

Ann @ Brown Paws Quilting

Kitty @ Night Quilter

Sophie @ Luna Lovequilts

Afton @ Quilting Mod

Shelley @ The Carpenters Daughter Who Quilts

Wednesday, March 14th

Jayne @ Twiggy and Opal

Jen @ A Dream and a Stitch

Abigail @ Cut & Alter

Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl

Sandra @ mmm! quilts

Karen @ Run Sew Fun

Thursday, March 15th

Linda @ Flourishing Palms

Bernie @ Needle and Foot

Liz @ Savor Every Stitch

Stacey @ Stacey In Stitches

Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty

Patty @ Elm Street Quilts

Melanie @ A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog

Friday, March 16th

Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts

Izzy @ Dizzy Quilts

Ruth @ Charly and Ben's Crafty Corner

Christa @ Christa Quilts

Monday, March 19th

Jessica @ Quilty Habit

Cindy @ Hyacinth Quilt Designs

Jennifer @ The Inquiring Quilter

Julie @ The Crafty Quilter

Tuesday, March 20th

Tish @ Tish N Wonderland

Judy @ Sew Some Sunshine

Emily @ The Darling Dogwood

Wanda @ Wanda's Life Sampler

Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats

Katherine @ Sew Me Something Good

Wednesday, March 21st

Anja @ Anja Quilts

Kate @ Smiles from Kate

Sue @ Sevenoaks Street Quilts

Carole @ From My Carolina Home

Alison @ Little Bunny Quilts

Thursday, March 22nd

Debbie @ Esch House Quilts

Laura @ Slice of Pi Quilts

Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts

Janice @ Color Creating and Quilting

Joanne @ Quilts by Joanne

Friday, March 23rd

Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs

Paige @ Quilted Blooms

I dare you to try to flip through this book and not find a project you love.  You can't do it.  There is seriously something for everyone inside, from beginner to advanced.  Large projects to small ones.  I wouldn't steer you wrong.  My day to post is on Tuesday, I hope you will come back to take a peak at my project.  You can pick up a copy of the book by hopping over to Cheryl and Paige's Etsy shops.

I hope you caught Deanna at Dreamworthy Quilts last week.  If not join me in cheering her on.  Not only did she spend some quality time with her family, she also worked on some wonderful embroidery blocks.  One of her next goals is to work on her Medallion Quilt and it is a beauty!  I'm drooling over those blue and orange fabrics!

Help me cheer her toward a finished flimsy!  You can do it, Deanna!!!

So what have you been working on this week?  Are the UFO's floating around your sewing room like a flock of sea gulls heading back to the beach? They know where they are headed and are ready for summer!  Or are you like me, standing around like a flock of confused sea gulls stuck in a flurry of snow, wondering if you should have taken that left turn at Albuquerque?

Whatever the case, link up below and let's celebrate our progresses, the distractions we love, and of course finishes!

An InLinkz Link-up