End of the Year–Design Wall and Recent Finishes

As 2017 comes to a close I thought I’d recap just a few of my recently completed projects.

1st Up – Grandma’s Kitchen – Designed by Pat Sloan – The top is completed along with a simple border.  I can’t decide if I’m going to take it to the long arm quilter for do it myself.  We will see.

I’m really pleased with how it came out.  I’m not sure what in the world I’ll do with it when completed but it’s still very cute.

During the month of December, I sewed along with Moda Bake Shop and made their Countdown to Christmas. 

The 6” blocks are all made.  I’m waiting to see what sort of setting suggestions Moda makes but if not I’ll simply add a little sashing, quilt it and call it done. 

I also completed and mailed this quilt to my cousin Alicia in Australia. 

Alicia found me through Ancestry.com, DNA.  We have since communicated regularly and met in person this summer when she and her husband Grantley came to the Los Angeles area.  Alicia great-uncle (on her mother’s side, we’re related through our fathers) was Louis B. Mayer of MGM fame.  Alicia has become a historian of “old” Hollywood and her maternal ancestors.  When she was here earlier this year she did a entire lecture and slide show in downtown LA about her grandmother and her great-uncle. 

So, when I saw this fabric I knew I needed to make her a quilt.  Some people are “quilt worthy” and Alicia is definitely “Quilt Worthy”.  Since mailing it earlier this month it has found it way into her arms.  I think it’s fair to say she loves it.  And when it is no longer summer in Australia, she’ll be able to cuddle up under it and think of the “new” family she has found. 

Since this quilt was all about the “fabric” I wanted to keep it simple and highlight the fabric so I used the original “BQ” quilt pattern, sometimes known as “BQ1”.  It lets the fabric be the star, not the pattern or the quilting. 

I have several things planned for 2018 but that can wait until later.

Have a wonderful “New Year”. 

Enjoy,

Grandma’s Kitchen

It’s taken me a while to get back to finishing up my Grandma’s Kitchen quilt top but I finally added the border just a little while ago.  Here it is spread out on my dining room floor.

 I’m really happy with the way it turned out.  Now it’s time to figure out how to quilt it or have it quilted. 

Enjoy

Design Wall Monday–December 18, 2017

I’m a little behind, but making progress, on my Moda Bake Shop Countdown to Christmas blocks.

These are 6” finished blocks, so some of these pieces are really tiny.  I’m planning on working at getting caught up later today.  I’m still having fun and it’s a really good reminder of how important accuracy is.  It’s still not too late.  All the blocks are still available on the website.  You can check it out here. 

Until next time,

Enjoy,

Design Wall Monday–December 11, 2017

This last week, along with working on my Pat Sloan, Grandma’s Kitchen blocks I have been trying to keep up with Moda Bake Shop’s, Count Down to Christmas.  It is a block everyday from December 1st to Christmas.  So I guess that means 25, cute little 6” blocks.  I’m just using up scraps of red and green but I’m using the same white in all of them. 

As you can tell, some blocks are simpler than others and some of the blocks are paper pieced.  Typically I make blocks that are much bigger, therefore much more forgiving.  This has been good for me.  With little blocks you have to be so much more aware of accuracy in cutting, sewing and even ironing.  10 down and 15 or so to go. 

It’s not too late to catch up.  If you’d like to join along, head on over to Moda and check it out.

My friends Marilyn and Pam are also participating so it’s been fun sharing back and forth as they also work through the daily challenge. 

Enjoy,