Hi. I've been busy! I like to think of this blog as a way to keep a record of my projects and finishes. I've had a few lately, so here's to catching up.
Most recent is the Spellbound quilt by Meg Hawkey of Crabapple Hill Studio. I won this kit when the Salem Quilt Show was a new line, and have been wanting to make it, but it's Halloween themed, and I prefer to work on projects when they're close to the right season. I love the bottles of needle potion, and the colors of the ribbons around the witch hats. Meg's designs are cute and full of whimsey. She has other collections, so I think you should follow her. I went to Hick's Nursery in Hicksville to have some fun with the displays.
I quilted spider webs, and used a wide Cuddle minkee backing, and Warm & White batting, so it's a great weight. I used Aurifil 40-3 for the quilting, in color 1243, Dusty Lavender, which is a little bolder than usual, but I did want to see the spider webs. I wish I could have found a great witch hat panto, but Haunted Web from Urban Elementz was a good choice. It measures 64 by 80".
I'm also working on Journey 2 Nebula with Jaybird Quilts. She's using her rulers to introduce the skills needed for the Nebula quilt for Tula Pink, a block of the month starting in January. I'm not planning to use Tula's fabric, but may decide to make it with Island Batik. My friend is doing it in Tula's fabric, so I wanted to make sure I could help her if she has issues. The Journey includes 6 patterns for pillows and table toppers. This last one is Rock Candy, and uses diamonds to make a topper. I have it assembled, and used a variety of black Island Batik fabrics, and Black, Grey and Charcoal solids. I hope to quilt a spider web on this, as well.
I also finished the Red Elegance custom quilt, again. When we were discussing the details, I had forgotten she wanted it longer on the sides to come to the bars on her sleigh bed. She approved the square design, but wanted me to add to the sides after it was finished, so I just added another border fabric and put it back on the machine to quilt. I had been thinking of doing a pieced block, but couldn't work out the math for the blocks needed. It's a big quilt, now measuring about 96 by 110". I also made pillow shams to coordinate. I chose the center Ohio star as the focal, and added borders of flying geese and piano keys, before the outer border that makes the flange edge. I did geese because I had miscut the pieces for the geese blocks on the top, and the colors were reversed. I thought they would add a good look for a border. The Piano Keys were actually trimmed from leftovers on the quilt. The tops, measuring about 26 by 30", were quilted, and I made an envelope back, and then stitched for the flange.
This is on my bed. I hope they're happy with it.
I also got Seaside, top 1 of Journey to Nebula quilted and finished, and listed in my shop. This is also a variety of Island Batik purples.
This pillow is Lucky Charm, from Jaybird quilts, and was made to coordinate with my bed quilt. I was happy to use more of Crystal Ball from Island Batik and have a pillow for my room.
This one is Jawbreaker by Jaybird Quilts, also, and it's a top for a pillow, waiting for quilting. I used Santa Fe from Island Batik for this. I'm hoping to get that and Rock Candy on the long arm this week. But I also have a custom to quilt for a friend, and need to get the Aurifil Thread Painting project done for the Island Batik Ambassador challenge. I've started. I'm hoping to have good progress tomorrow.
The Minions quilt was picked up for the donation by the Evening Star Quilt Guild to a local hospital or center that serves kids who need a hug. I'm happy to have a small part in charity quilting. The guild had kits of precut pieces, and I added the border to make it a little large, and used a fun circle design on the quilting.
Are you using #SewSomethingOctober? It's helping me to spend at least 15 minutes a day stitching. Tonight I worked on a counted cross stitch UFO, while watching the new Hallmark Christmas movie. Try doing something each day. It helps your brain! I'll have a new hashtag for November. Challenge yourself to post a photo daily, and see how much progress you make.
Thanks for visiting. I'll be back soon with the Ambassador challenge.
Maryellen