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,

 

Grandma’s Kitchen–Block 22 of 25

I’m getting closer to completing my Pat Sloan, Grandma’s Kitchen quilt.  Block 22 is Pick a Posey.  Again, not one of my favorites but they can’t all be the star of the quilt.  So here’s my version.

I’ve also added the filler and sewn it to it’s next door neighbor block 21.  This will become the bottom row of the completed quilt.

I don’t believe block 23 is being released until December 3rd so I’ll patiently wait for it. 

Enjoy,

Grandma’s Kitchen–Block 21 of 25

I’m slowly but surly getting there.  Here’s the really cute block 21, telephone time.  Do you remember your phone number from your childhood?  Mine was Harrison 52365, or later became 425-2365 (very modern but before area codes).  As I’ve said before I barely remember my Grandmother’s but I was very impressed that my friend Marilyn actually remembers her Grandmother’s phone number. 

It will eventually have little buttons sewn on the dial but that will happen after it’s quilted. 

Here it is with the filler piece added to the top. 

The only problem is that after I looked at it for a while I realized that it’s not suppose to be a checkerboard, it’s suppose to have a single row of squares.  Time for the seam ripper to get a workout. 

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh………………………..all better.

Time to make block 22.  Stay tuned.

Enjoy,

Design Wall Monday–November 27, 2017

I have finally finished by “Five of a Kind gifts”.  Including 58 buttons (oh my, what was I thinking). 

As a reminder, I am part of a group that exchanges hand made items at a Christmas get together.  There are 12 of us but we each only make five items.  When you arrive you are given a secret code name and everyone’s code name is put into a basket 5 times.  We then each take turns drawing out 5 code names making sure we don’t draw our own and that we don’t have any duplicates.  We then one by one distribute our items to the five that drew our code name.  It’s a lot of fun and in the past I have received some very, very nice things. The party is on December 8th so after that I’ll share what I receive. 

Have a great week…………………….

Enjoy,

Grandma’s Kitchen–Block 20 - 25

This week’s block is called Lovely Dishes. 

This block completes the 5th row.  We have 5 blocks to go that will be added to the bottom and become the 6th row. 

I’m still loving the process as well as the quilt.  Can’t wait to see what comes next. 

Enjoy,

Design Wall Monday–November 13, 2017

I’ve made progress on my “Five of a Kind” that I’m making for a holiday gift exchange.  As a reminder, there are twelve of us and each make “Five of a Kind” gifts.  When you arrive you are assigned a code name and the names go in a hat.  When it’s your turn you draw out five names (not your own) and those are the five gifts you receive to take home.  It’s a lot of fun and although there are many table runners there are also a variety of other things people make. This is the first time I’ve made a small quilt for the exchange. 

The top one is completed but still needs it’s buttons sewn on.  The next three are completely appliqued to the background but still need to be trimmed, a little additional quilting, binding added and buttons sewn on.  The bottom one still needs to be appliqued down and then completed like the others.  It’s a slow process but I soooooooooo love these little guys.  They seem to take on a personality of their own.  I hope the five friends that receive one, likes it.

Enjoy,

 

Grandma’s Kitchen–Block 19/25

Some blocks I just like better than others and this week I love the block.  It is called Mending Basket.  I really wanted to use a stripe for the spool of thread but I didn’t seem to have one that worked so instead I ended up with this.

This is the block with the filler strips and checker board already added.  And here it is sewn into its row.

Can’t wait to see what’s next.  Thank you Pat Sloan for the great quilt.

Enjoy,

Design Wall Monday–November 6, 2017

I am part of a group that does a Christmas gift exchange.  There are 12 participants and each individual makes 5 gifts.  There is a random pick of which 5 gifts you will get in exchange for the ones you made.  It’s a lot of fun with a great group of women. 

I have made various things for the exchange in the past but this year I settled on a table topper (could be a wall hanging).  Before making all 5, I made one from start to finish to make sure I like it.  I’ve done that (and I do like it) now it’s time to complete the remaining 4. 

I still need to added buttons but that will come later.

Hope you have a great week.

Enjoy,

Grandma’s Kitchen–Block 18 of 25

“The Fridge” is this week’s block from Pat Sloan’s Grandma’s Kitchen block of the week.  Here’s mine.

I used kind of funky fabrics this week but I think it’s fun and I like it.  I’m pretty much caught up so I decided to go ahead and add it to its place in row 5.

Check back next week as we get closer to completing this really fun quilt. 

Enjoy,

Grandma’s Kitchen–Block 17 of 25

After getting all caught up with the Pat Sloan Grandma’s Kitchen layout, I was able to work on Block 17.  This one is called pantry goods.

Here the block is surrounded by some of the filler pieces that will be used when the next row is added.

I’m still lovin it!

Enjoy,

Grandma’s Kitchen Quilt

Last week Pat Sloan didn’t release block 17 but instead showed us the layout.  We still have 9 blocks to go, however the 1st 4 rows of blocks are done so I went ahead and added the filler pieces.  I love how it is coming together. 

I’ve added a white-on-white, a textured black and a funky grey to the mix. 

I think that we will get the directions for block 17 tomorrow.  There are still 2 rows to go.  YEAH!!!!

Enjoy,

Design Wall Monday–October 23, 2017

Last Wednesday Pat Sloan posted the layout for her Grandma’s Kitchen block of the week quilt.  I’ve started working on adding the fillers and sewing the rows together.  So far I only have the first row completed but it’s up on my design wall and hopefully I’ll get more of it completed before the next block gets released on Wednesday.

I’m introducing a new white on white, a textured black and a funky grey to the mix. 

In the mean time I completed a quilt top while at a retreat last week. 

It’s in the process of being quilted so it will be a while before it gets the binding added and ready to be given as a gift.  More about that later.

Hope you have a great week…………………………..until next time,

Enjoy,

Grandma’s Kitchen–Block 16 - 25

This week the block is called Small Change.  It’s not my favorite, but I’m sure I’ll like it once it sewn together with the other blocks. 

Here’s a link to Pat Sloan’s website I Love to Make Quilts.

Enjoy,

Design Wall Monday–October 9, 2017

Still working on my Grammy Squares.  I have 14 made and a gazillion to go.

I’m also looking at my Pat Sloan Grandma’s Kitchen and patiently waiting for this weeks block.

Hope you have a great week planned. 

Enjoy,

Grandma’s Kitchen–Blocks 14/25 and 15/25

I recently returned from a fabulous family vacation in New York so yesterday I played catch-up on my Grandma’s Kitchen blocks. 

So without further ado……………………

Block 14

Block 15

I can’t begin to tell you how much fun I am having making these blocks.  It’s been a very long time since I’ve made a sampler and the timing is perfect.  I’ve been wanting to use these fabrics together for quite sometime so it is really fun and satisfying. 

Enjoy,

Design Wall Monday–September 25, 2017

I’ve been busy getting ready to leave on vacation but I’ve managed to spend a little bit of time sewing three more of my Grammy Blocks.

They still need to be trimmed but all the pieces are sewn together.  Here’s the next one waiting it’s turn to be sewn. 

And in case you're curious, here’s a sneak peek of my sewing space. 

Have I mentioned lately, I love my Juki. 

Now it’s time to get serious about packing for my upcoming vacation.  Have a great week, I know I will.

Enjoy,