Showing posts with label Quilty Confessions: UFO Addition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quilty Confessions: UFO Addition. Show all posts

Sunday, September 2, 2018

Scrap Vortex II: An UFO and a Finally Finish

I can't believe how fast August went and now we're in the first days of September already which for some means Summer is almost over.  It seems like it took forever for Summer to start and once it did, we definitely had a range of weather from heat, cool, drought and heavy rains.  Last week heavy storms, took down our Willow Tree which has graced our backyard for almost twenty-five years and it has been used it as a backdrop for several of my quilt photos.  And speaking about another range is my activity on my project lists which I have to confess I did not follow much at all.  I have twelve projects on my UFO list which I committed to finishing for 2018  for Tish Adventure in Wonderland Quilty Confessions UFO Addition.  So far, I've only finished five of the projects but we still have four month left and maybe I can finish a few more.  I'm happy with my latest finish which is my Scrap Vortex II which last year was another UFO finish when it was completed as a top and now I can say it's a Finally Finish and a check off on my UFO Project List.
Here's a close-up of Scrap Vortex II which has scraps of fabrics from quilts past made and fabrics I still love:  Cotton + Steel, Denyse Schmidt, Lotta Jansdotter, even my beloved IKEA Nummer fabric and lots more.  I love the idea of sewing scraps together and have enough to keep me busy for years. I do plan on sewing more scraps to use for blocks and make quilts like the ones in Kelly Young's Stash Statement Book.
Like Scrap Vortex I, Scrap Vortex II is what I consider a patchwork throw since I only backed it with a plush fabric like Minkee and did not use any batting in the middle.  I take Scrap Vortex I with me when traveling to use in lieu of the blankets in the hotel rooms, it's cuddly and warm and I know who's been using it--just me.  Making patchwork throws is a quick way to finish quilt tops and one of the benefits is it only needs to be likely quilted.  I quilted it 6" apart vertically and 8" apart horizontally. You do have to baste it like you would a quilt and I use a Jersey/Knit sewing machine needle plus polyester thread--I do like the ones from Missouri Star Quilt Co.  I used Silver color thread, both top and bottom and I like how it blended with the lime green pseudo Minkee.
And here's a photo of the two Scrap Vortexes Patchwork Throws together. For Scrap Vortex I, I backed it with another type of plush fabric which has a chenille look which I like very much and used it for several other throws.   Both of these plushes were purchased from Walmart which seems to have the best prices but limited colors and variety. Scrap Vortex I measures 52" x 70" and II measures 52" x 75".  Scrap Vortex I, which was made several years ago, has been washed in cold water and dried on a low  temperature at least five times and have held up well.  In fact, after each washing it feels more softer on the top, as well on the bottom.  These really should be called Adult Blankies and make a nice gift.  Several years ago, I made one for my Godmother with some HST blocks just waiting to be made into a quilt top so I quickly made a patchwork throw to give her when she was recuperating from leg surgery and it was very much appreciated.
Here's a close-up of the two Vortexes side by side so you can see how well Scrap Vortex I looks. The top of the quilt does not look wrinkly and has a nice washed look--that's my opinion.

I'm looking forward to taking both of these patchwork throws with me when we go to Washington D.C. in September.  Sadly, this month's upper state New York trip was cancelled due to my hubby having unexpected laproscopic surgery for an external hernia. Scouts Honor, Halo Up and Horns Down, this hernia had nothing to do with his gig being my Master Quilt Holder and 99.99% sure it did not involve carrying massive shipments of fabrics into my studio. As for him being the FacilityManager for my studio, I plead the Fifth.

I hope everyone is enjoying the last holiday weekend of the Summer gone by too quickly.  It's much too hot and humid here so I do plan on finishing two more patchwork throws.

Linking up with:  Tish Adventure in Wonderland UFO BustingCooking Up Quilts, Main Crush MondayQuilting is More Fun Than Housework, Oh Scrap!My Quilt Infatuation, Needle and Thread Thursday,  Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Can I Get A Whoop Whoop Friday  and Crazy Mom's Finish It Up Friday.

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Fassett February

This is my first February post and there's no better way to start off the month with a Finally Finish--my Kaffe Fassett Zig Zag Patchwork Throw.  This was a top I finished last year after taking his workshop last October and was on my 2018 Quilty Confessions- UFO Addition list to finish.  
I love the colors and fabrics in this quilt, they look velvety, don't they? I have a confession--this was not what I had envisioned; out of the twenty fabrics I brought to the workshop, I only ended up using eight of them and had to purchase the black and purple print from the vendor mall and my friend Carol, who brought her entire Kaffe stash in her suitcase with wheels, let me have one of her red stripe prints since she wasn't going to use it.  On a side note, I almost suffered whiplash at the beginning of the workshop because Kaffe mentioned that the Zig Zag pattern would look good in black and white fabrics, which I am pretty sure no one brought any, including Carol and myself, and he would be happy to help students choose black and white fabrics which could be purchased from the vendor mall. Carol decided she would like to do that and I turned my head in a snap at her and said "What!". Boy, what some people would do to get a little extra Kaffe time.  If I wasn't set on using the fabric I brought, I may have been tempted but then again no because I already have too much black and white fabric in my stash.
I'm pretty sure I was the only student whose color palette was inspired by the Grand Canyon so I bought fabrics with golds, browns, light grays and whites in addition to the eight I ended up using. When I showed this photo to Kaffe and Brandon Mabrey along with the fabrics, I don't know how they got me to change my mind or see things their way.  I did come away knowing the difference between low contrast where the fabrics accent each other quietly but nicely versus high contrast which would be a white fabric against dark fabric and according to Kaffe looks like a plastic shopping bag stuck on my quilt.  As you can see, my quilt is definitely low contrast.
It wasn't easy, but I managed to come up with a quilt top with just using ten fabrics compared to some of the other students who bought their entire stash to class and used the same  Kaffe color palette of blues, greens, reds, etc. in his books.  I'm pretty sure I was the only one who used my color palette of purple, gray, black and orange and if there was another one I would have been over at her table rummaging through her stash.  BTW, that's Carol's quilt on the left with the fabrics selected by Kaffe.  I don't do too well in workshops, I get too distracted by what others are doing and I sure was overstimulated seeing all those wonderful Kaffe fabrics on the other students' tables and worse of all, I had to rotary cut the diamonds myself.  I really would have liked to have used my die-cutter but the instructions were no pre-cutting before class.
And yes, I finally got a photo of Kaffe and me which for me is a pretty good momento along with the quilt.  I think we might have the same haircut.
And getting back to the quilt, I decided once the top was finished, it seemed that it should be a throw so I backed it with this wonderful rich purple Minky with zig zags.  There's no batting and only light quilting which is perfect for a throw.   Funny during the critique of my top in the workshop, Brandon said that I should back my quilt top with mink and good friend Carol said Minky and that's what I did; it really is perfect for this quilt.  While finishing this throw, I kept humming Lara's theme from Dr. Zhivago since I thought this would be perfect for a sleigh ride with a white horse pulling it but knowing me with the impending winter advisory with lots of snow we're having on Friday, I'll settle for snuggling with it in the warmth of my living room sipping some hot cocoa.
While I was on vacation, I decided to take my Kaffe appliqué project which has been fermenting for well over five years and I just kept putting this project off. I'm so glad that I brought it because it turned out that the resort where we were staying at had no Wi-Fi for the entire week.  It finally came back on the night before we were scheduled to leave so these blocks kept me occupied.  If I were fifty years younger, I would have been lost without Wi-Fi, but in truth, it's nice to have but really not needed as long as there's free Wi-Fi elsewhere.
And last but not least, I will be joining Sandra of mmm! Quilts who will be hosting the Postcards from Sweden QAL which will be starting next week.  It should be no surprise that I've picked out my fabrics which are Kaffe Fassett Shot Cottons with a few Peppered Cottons added.  I also will be happily die-cutting my 4-1/2" HST.

Sandra, with all of the other Linky parties she is hosting, pattern designing and an Island Batik Ambassador, is also one of the Co-hosts for the 2018 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop which is near and dear to my heart.  I participated in it last year and it was an invaluable learning experience as well as being fun and definitely a "must do" if you are a new quilt blogger as I was.  This is a great way to meet new and experienced bloggers, introduce yourself to Blogland and many new friendships will be formed.  Registration started on February 1st and you can read about the 2018 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop here:

Now that I'm getting back into my quilting groove, I have some catching up to do with the other QAL's (Classic Meets Modern, Squiggy, and Scrap Attack) I started before I left on vacation which means I have to stay focus for a little while.  It should be no surprise that I bought some fabric while on vacation and really would like to make something with it now.  Stay warm and if you're going to be experiencing snow like I am, i'ts going to be good sewing weather.

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Plans, Projects and Peeks for 2018

It's the start of the New Year and my annual tradition of watching the Tournament of Roses Parade while planning my quilts/patchwork projects for the year was observed. The day was very productive and enjoyable and it's nice to start the new year with a plan in place which is the way all my New Year plans start but sometimes don't end because my plans are on paper and not set in stone. I've gotten to be very flexible in my later life and happy with what gets finished when it comes to quilting.  My green binder for my 2018 Quilting Life has been organized; the projects pages have been filled out, in pencil of course, calendar, log sheets and inventory sheets inserted, etc. and the jar of numbered wooden balls have been made which will be used for determining monthly projects when needed.  During the late afternoon when the TV was off and I was busy planning, Hubby walked into the kitchen to see why I was being quiet for so long and made a comment "this must be serious".  Yes, but also very energizing. These past four days felt like one of those videos where you plan and prepare meals for the entire week but only with fabric which to me is way more fun.  Here's a peek of my January projects which there was a lot of fabric pulling and die-cutting:
So far, for 2018, I am participating in two linky parties: Quilty Confessions, UFO Addition hosted by Tish's Adventure  in Wonderland and Scrap Attack hosted by Sarah of Confessions of a Fabric Addict. I will be working on these projects for January:
For my UFO Confessions project, (I previously wrote about my participating in this, you can read about it here, I will finish my Kaffe Fassett Zig Zag Patchwork Coverlet which involves a backing of wonderful royal purple Minkee.  I didn't pull a ball to work on this project, it's something I wanted to finish and it is one of my guidelines for this linky party that I can choose the project, plus I really want to be able to finally write a post about the Kaffe Fassett workshop from last October.
For my Scrap Attack projects, (you can read about it here) which I have listed twelve projects ranging from cleaning up scraps, misc. scrap projects to working on project from specific scrap stash, i.e, fabric lines or styles, I drew ball number #2 which are the scraps from my Gypsy Wife Quilt, the Wedding Quilt I made for my youngest son and his wife, a.k.a. Micah's parents and various other quilts.  I still love all of the fabrics in this sweet stash and didn't have any problems coming up with two quilts; one of these will be a version of the Ernie Quilt with the scraps on the right and the other will be a quilt for Micah from the wedding quilt, scraps on the left.  I know which one of these quilts will be saved for another month because it's been almost three weeks since I've made a quilt for the sweet granddaughter and I have to keep the Micah-jo going.

I've also been preparing for the three QALs I'm participating in and are starting in January:
Roseanne of Homesewn By Us is hosting Regatta (you can read about it here).  The fabrics have been chosen and the strips have been die-cut; all I have to do are the sub-cuttings and I will be ready to sew or should I say set sail.  I'm using my stash of dyed denim blue muslin with scraps of Amy Ellis' Modern Neutral and I'm thinking my quilt won't conjured up impressions of sailing in calm waters but more like wild river rafting in Colorado.  Unlike the meaning of regatta, this QAL will not involve racing or crossing a finish line by a certain time but rather to be done at a leisurely sail.  I'm pretty sure, this is a quilt that once all the parts are ready and sewing is started, it's going to be smooth sailing and you won't want to dock.  (Funny, how I'm using some nautical terms in this part of the post.)  What's even funnier and sort of ironic is that one blogger I know, Louise of My Quilt Odysses who actually makes beautiful quilts onboard a boat won't be sailing with us--don't worry about this comment, I let her know beforehand that I was throwing her in the water. Louise saids "I tend to do QALs way after the fact so I may very well sew up a Regatta quilt a year or two from now :).  I totally understand this timeline and have done this in the past also.  I am just amazed that she makes quilts on a boat and thought of her when I joined the QAL.
Kelly of My Quilt Infatuation is hosting the Classic Meets Modern QAL, (you can read about it here).   I've chosen to use my stash of Zen Chic's Figures fabrics with some reinforcement and very excited to be working with these colors and prints.  The fabrics have been on my shelf too long and it's nice to find a project which I can finally use them.  The QAL starts next Monday and I am ready.
Christa Watson is hosting Squiggly (you can read about it here)  A big hooray here because I'll be using my way too large stash of Blueberry Park fabrics which is really sweet since it's listed on my Fabric List for 2018--a check mark on two different lists--sweet.  The charm squares and additional squares have been die-cut and all I have to do is decide which white fabric I want to use, will it be just solid white or a tone-on-tone white or a patterned white.  I'm a little bit worry about using white fabric with some of these red fabrics which can't be prewashed since they are in a precut state.  Once I decide, I'll be using my corner cutter ruler rather than drawing lines on 2.5" squares to make the connecting corners.  And nothing beats sewing during these cold winter months than bright, happy colors and prints.  
And last but not least, I need to make a baby quilt for a very soon arrival and I have the strips sewn and squares sewn cut.  I just need to lay it out on my design board and hopefully will have the top made this weekend.  If I'm really good, it will also be machine quilted and bound.

Good Quilt Karma paid a nice visit to me this week and I am excited to be working on these projects for the month of January.  What's really great is that no new fabric was purchased in 2018 to make these quilts, all of it from my stash.  It would be interesting to see what I finish since we'll be going on vacation at the end of the month.  Too bad one of these projects couldn't be made on the road. 

I hope your year is getting off to a good start too. And if you're experiencing snow days, especially the Snow Bomb, I really hope it will involve time for good and happy sewing while being safe and warm -- be sure to drink lots of warm beverages and eat good cookies too.  And if you're fortunate enough to be enjoying sunny and hot weather, have a cold one for me and know that there are a lot of people who are envious of your part of the world.

Linking up with: Crazy Mom Quilts,  My Quilt Infatuation and Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

something rosemade: Quilty Confessions--UFO Additions

I'm back again with another post already since I've joined another linky party. Tish of Tish's Adventures In Wonderland is hosting a linky party for those of us who wish to make a quilty confessions as to the number of UFO projects which are lurking around our sewing spaces.   I find it very admirable that Tish created an Excel spreadsheet listing all of her UFOs. I used to keep a spreadsheet of all of my quilting activities but stopped doing this around five years ago.  I'm good with what are my quilty secrets are and I commented to Tish when she posted about this that I was going to plead the Fifth, sort of. I've been quilting for over twenty years now and there are some projects which were started in the 20th Century and are still languishing with possibly no chance of seeing the light of completion.  Sometimes I feel a thorn in my quilty side and I'll just finally finish one of these projects and this year I've completed several of them.  I decided that 2018 is going to be my year of making it easy because my modus operandi for quilting is not to let it make me crazy but to give me joy.  I will offer, though, a few quilting confessions:
  • the log cabin quilt for my sister-in-law which I started after I became quilter, at the most, there are ten blocks done and I need ten more to make a decent lap quilt.  Think navy and maroon calico bought from Joann's in the late 1990's  and you'll understand why I'm not in a hurry to finish it but am still attached enough that I don't want to donate it.  I believe one day calico is going to make a big comeback or will be considered vintage and I'll have a stash to be envied. I did make her another quilt in Thimbleberries fabrics over ten years ago to make up for this UFO.
  • the Block of the Month from Hell with the various sized blocks and techniques started over ten years ago and I only have a few blocks remaining before the tops can be completed.  I thinking of maybe making two quilts instead with the completed blocks; one with the pieced blocks and the other one with the appliquéd blocks.  Considering that appliqué is my least favorite technique, you can guess the other quilt top will be finished first if I ever feel the thorn.
  • the two Blooming Nine Patch Baby Quilt tops, one blue and the other yellow, which were made for the arrival of my two grandnieces who were born months of each other and will now be graduating from High School next year.  Once again to ease the UFO guilt, I did make each of them a bed quilt several years ago. I'm saving the tops for these grandnieces' future bundle of joy. 
So rather than list all of my UFOs (really it would be like opening Hades Box but maybe only scary for me)  I thought I would instead list twelve UFOs I plan to finish in 2018.  I have already assigned them a number and will pull a number at the beginning of each month to decide which UFO I will complete for that month but then I may change the rule and draw another number if there's another project I rather do.   There's no fun in doing a project if you're not in the right mood.  So with further gotta do, here are my twelve UFO projects for 2018:

# 1 Bible Quilt:  blocks completed, top to be assembled
#2  Strawberry Fields:  top completed, machine quilt
#3  Meadowbloom:  top completed, machine quilt
#4  Japanese Homespun 3-patch:  top completed, machine quilt 
#5  I Love London:  top completed, machine quilt 
#6  Dogma:  top completed, machine quilt 
#7  Tik Tok:  top completed, machine quilt 
#8  Cotton + Steel Stacked Squares:  blocks completed, top to be assembled
#9  Road 15 Table Topper:  top completed, machine quilt 
#10 Crazy Mom June QAL:  top completed, machine quilt 
#11 Scrap Vortex II:  top completed, machine quilt 
#12  Kaffe Fassett Zig Zag Patchwork Coverlet:  machine quilt

I will confess that these projects are ones which I have worked on during the past few years and none of them have been fermenting for too long.  I chose to work on the ones I know will bring me joy rather than relief when they are finished during my year of making it easy.  Ten out of the twelve projects will involve machine quilting and since I've been poring over Christa Watson's books this past week, I'm pretty excited to try something new with my machine quilting.

Another reason for only listing twelve UFO's is that I will be starting the New Year with participating in at least three QALs or Sew Alongs, (My Quilt Infatuation's Classic Meets Modern QAL, (you can read about it here), Christa Watson's Squiggles QAL, (you can read about it here) and Roseanne of Home Sewn By Us Regatta Sew Along, (you can read about it here) with another one coming up in the Spring which Sandra of MMM Quilts will be hosting a Shadow Quilt Along, (you can read about it here).  Then there are some quilts to be gifted:  a baby quilt to be done in January, a Minecraft Quilt for a grandnephew and a promised quilt for the grand cousin as well as several quilts for the granddaughter.   Also, there are the planned projects which can be turned into DREAMi if I decide to take a break from the "have-to-do" project and make something with some of the fabric stash which has been brewing like Tula Pink, Karen Lewis, Malka Dubrawskey, Marcia Derse, SUCH Design, Janet Clare, new Cotton + Steel, my Christmas gift of Alison Glass Chroma, etc.

Yes, I'm going to be busy in 2018 and wouldn't have it any other way.  I'm more productive when I have a list of projects to choose from but always allow myself for some deviation or what I call que sera, sera quilting which is very important for my year of making it easy.  I hope you consider joining Quilty Confession Linky Party because they say the more the merrier and there's no better way to quilt than to be happy.

Linking up with Tish, Adventures in Wonderland