July Oh Baby! Quilt and more

I can't believe the month is almost over already!  It seems like I just got back from our trip to Colorado.  We had new flooring installed while we were gone, to make it easier for Mom to deal with the change (she has dementia, and I'm her 24/7 caregiver).  Most of the china closet, small desk, bookcase, and entertainment center were boxed, so we're still going through and finding the photos and things that go back in place.  We also had to wash all the dishes and glassware from the china cabinet.  I'm just grateful my brother and sister-in-law returned with us, and really helped get most of that done.  They returned to Colorado last week.  I also finally had the flooring installed in my apartment, so I'm slowly going through boxes and putting stuff in place, in my area, too.  A friend is moving, and sold me her gorgeous desk, so I replaced the old broken one I had, and I'm going through files and supplies from my move 1 1/2 years ago, as well as old stuff that was here.  Had I mentioned that I've had this apartment set up with cast-away stuff, for about 18 years, and spent time visiting back and forth, or working here, until I moved back last year?  I'm still trying to figure out what goes where in the my kitchen.  It's been a maze of boxes and piles all that time.  I'm just glad to know I've emptied some in the last few weeks.  Moving forward.  

Back to the quilting stuff, the reason you even bother to read my blog.  lol. 

Island Batik's July challenge was #OhBabyQuilts, where we were asked to make a baby quilt.  I've done quite a few with Island Batik fabrics, but this time I wanted to make one with my new published pattern, Zen Baskets.  I had some of the blues left from the Zen collection quilt I made for the cover of the pattern, and added some from the previous boxes, as well as strips cut from some of the 5" strip rolls we get.  I used this fun green swirl from the Blenders collection for one of the accent colors and the first border, and another teal and green design for the other stake.  I had enough from the Zen collection to do a an outer border, and picked up some teal cuddle type fleece for backing. The quilt will be basted and quilted soon, but the top was fast and easy, and a quick way to use a collection of 2 1/2" strips.  It's even a great beginner quilt.  

 In addition to getting this top done, I also quilted a patriotic table topper for my Sister-in-law and brother.  She loves using my quilts for her house.  She actually sewed the pieced squares for this.  I used Aurifil 50wt Mako # 3852 named Liberty, variegated red, white and blue, for the stars and swirls for the pieced part, and a dark blue for the center.  I wanted to play with the center area, and quilted similar to a feather ring, but inspired by the fireworks in the fabric design.  Arlene already has it displayed on her table, and wants to make one for Autumn when she returns to visit.  

I also pieced and stuffed a Funky Friends hedgehog and 2 bunnies, but you'll have to wait to see them.  They'll be displayed in the Island Batik booth at Quilt Market in the end of October.  I also have 2 other quilt patterns to debut at Market.  

This next piece is a UFO from last year, featuring pinks from Island Batik.  The pattern is Winter Stars, one of the Aurifil mini Designer of the Month projects from 2015.  I can't remember when I made the top, but it's finally finished.  It was # 1 for the APQ UFO challenge, which was July.  I just had to finish quilting, add the binding and hanging sleeve, and get it on the display in my bathroom.  

 Detail of the quilting, again with Aurifil Mako 50wt in white and deep pink.  

I think it looks great with my watermelon pink towels!  It felt really good to finally finish this, and get it up.  I want to touch up some of the paint in there, but the room is finally done.  The bathroom was ripped out because of black mold, just before I moved back.  I had to have new walls, shower walls, shower door, vanity and shelves installed.  I'll share more photos of the finish when I get the last of the painting done.  

Just one more step forward.  I'm trying to squeeze in more sewing time, too.  I'll be in a row hop for Christmas Carols in a few weeks, and I'm getting the design ready and instruction written.  August's Island Batik Ambassador is Quilt As You Go, so I need to get started on that, as well as finish some other quilts, including a baby quilt I made last year with Island Batik's Sea Salt Sandy.  

If you got this far, and would like to win a copy of Zen Baskets, please leave a comment.  I'll draw a name on August 6.  If you wish to purchase, please check your LQS if they carry Island Batik, or my Etsy shop.

Thanks for visiting, and following along with my adventure.  I did receive the new box of Ambassador fabric from Island Batik, but that share will be another day.  

Maryellen

June Update and Curvalicious

Hi. I know it's July 1, but I actually started this yesterday.  I'm only a bit late for June's Island Batik #Curvalicious challenge.  Sort of, it's not quilted.  But the top is done, and it's very curvy.  

My plan was to make an Double Wedding Ring using the Accuquilt GO! die.  I've had it for a while, and have been wanting to try it.  My goal is to make a full size quilt using a variety of 30's prints.  I'll eventually get to that, but this was a great practice.  I cut the pieces out and started sewing, but then packed them for a road trip.  

 This is during my travels, using my 1957 Featherweight.   

 Yay!  The top is done, and will be quilted soon.  I love the colors and how it came out.  I used a mix of purple with aqua and teal accents, and the Sprinkles as background.  I have to check which fabric I have enough to bind with.  I have to use a bias cut binding, and was thinking of using the medium purple from the center of the arcs, but may end up using the darkest, where the arcs join.  This measures about 18 by 52, and will be added to my shop as soon as it's quilted.  I love it! 

Another finish to share is the quilt I made as a gift for my brother and sister-in-law, for their new home outside of Denver.  We drove to Colorado, and I asked that we find some good mountains to take photos.  We went to Silverthorne and Dillon for the day, and took photos in a park near the reservoir.  I used Bonnie Hunter's Scrappy Mountains Majesties quilt pattern. Their new living room furniture is navy and cream,and I found a FQ assortment of Timeless Treasures' La Vie Et Blu, in shades of blues and creams, and added some other FQs I had.  I quilted feathers through the mountains using Aurifil 2783, Medium Delft Blue in the blue sections, and 2000, light sand, in the cream sections.  Both are 50wt cotton Mako threads, and I love that they accent the quilt blocks, but don't compete.  I also loved that there was little lint.  I added feathers to the borders, too.

 My brother and great-nephew are holding it, as it got a little windy during the picnic and photo shoot.  

I picked the stripe fabric for binding, and Arlene just loves how it feels.    

It's draped over one of the chairs at their new place, and the colors are so good together.  Arlene can't wait to use it when it's chilly.  It's actually almost a full size, so it's wide enough for them both to snuggle and watch a movie, and long enough to cover John's 6ft+ length.  

I also received my Aurifil Artisan box, and was thrilled.  It contained a specialty box of assorted weights and colors curated just for the Artisans, plus a small box of floss, wool, and 80wt thread, on the adorable wooden spools.  There was also a large cone for piecing, and wool and cotton color charts.  

During the road trip, we stopped in Hamilton, Missouri so I could meet fellow Island Batik Ambassador Janet Yamamoto, who works with Jenny Doan in the design studio.  Janet invited me to meet Jenny, and Ron, Jenny's husband, offered to take a photo.  It was a sweet visit, and Jenny is so friendly.  

I also went shopping, and took a quick selfie in front of the Island Batik fabrics in their shop.  

I had to laugh at the size of these Jelly Rolls on display.  I think they were 12" tall, and lots of strips, so big enough to make a Jelly Roll Race quilt for the Jolly Green Giant, lol.  

So, June has been busy and lots of fun.  I have lots more to do, too.  I need to think of a baby quilt design for July's Island Batik challenge, also. Thanks for reading. 

Maryellen