Mid-Month Update

You may remember that I had 7 finished items in the first 7 days of January. Well, today is the 16th and I most definitely do not have 9 more finished. But I have 9 that got worked on or finished. 

First up are the remaining 3 small wallhangings. 

I also got my January blocks done for the Mystery Quilt Along

Then I had this bright idea that I could do a quilt-as-you-sew table runner, on my longarm machine!

Basically it's the stitch and flip method that I've done on my domestic machine. I really just wanted to prove to myself that I 'could' do it. The three main blocks were from a workshop I did with the Community Sewers back in Green Bay, WI. I did apply the binding to the top while it was still loaded on the rails, all except for 12 inches. That's the amount that I needed for making a bias joining. I did that and the final decorative stitching on my Viking 500. 

I got a potato pouch finished for my neighbors. 

Then I decided to make a One Block Wonder quilt. This consists of hexagons made of 6 equilateral triangles. You stack 6 identical cuts of fabric, align them precisely, cut strips, cut the strips into triangle-sets. You then take each set and make a hexagon. These are then arranged in some pleasing to the eye design and sewn together. Borders can be added. There are a few variations of the blocks that I might do. Here's a group picture of the beginning fabric, triangle sets, and the first 15 hexies up on my design wall. 

I have made more hexies, but my design wall can't display them all opened out, so this next photo shows 33 half-hexies. 

I'm trying to keep similar colors close together. I have 114 full hexies to make, along with some variations with other fabric. This will not be a quickly finished project. But, it is something I've wanted to get started on for quite some time. So it's a start, towards a finish, and I'm happy with that. 

I started this little coaster a while back, and it is now a finished piece. 

I've done some hand stitching on my jacket. It's an ongoing project to keep my hands busy at mtgs.

So that makes my project count at: 6 finished, 2 more having substantial progress made on them, and 1 with a little something added.  I'm satisfied. Actually, I'm pleased. 

So now it's your turn. What have you been up to? Leave a comment, and if you have an active blog leave its address so we can all come visit you. 

May God bless the work of your hands, and the words of your mouth. - Luann

A Very Productive Week

I put a few more stitches on my jacket. This was wrapped chain stitch and variations on the basic stitch. 

I got busy and covered my design walls, first with solid color felt or batting. Then it was time to fill them with projects, and some finished pieces that continue to inspire me. 

The grey background has a couple of empty spots where some pieces were, but I've been busy!

One of those taken down was the 10 pieces of printed fabric that distorted once they were sewn together. I picked out all of the stitches, squared them up and reseed them into this:

I'm not sure just how this will get finished, but I have a couple of ideas already. I'm just glad that it is now square, even if I haven't put it on the wall that way! LOL

And I finished making 40 square-in-a-square blocks for the BOM Mystery quilt along. 

Assisted, minimally, with getting my dryer vent cleaned out! PLEASE, check yours, and get it cleaned, I never would have imagined this much could have accumulated. 

And there were four chunks this size or larger!!

I also got busy with Craftsy BOM Summer 2015 project. I had finished one block, and the cutting of several basic pieces before I went on vacation in October. I had 15 more 12" blocks to do, and then for November the installment was for the central motif, a 20" block. The first picture is of 12 of the blocks laying on the floor, I don't have quite the right space to see all 16. Three of the last four appear after the center block. 

It looks like the blue underline thing has resurfaced! Time to post this and get ready for bed!

May God keep you in the palm of His hands,

Luann

Another Finish and Another Start

Here's my Canberra Tree art quilt. This was made from pieces of fabric received thru the surface design group I belong to. It's an international group that enjoys sharing techniques and monthly we swap some fabric. It's been a lot of fun and there is a wide range of techniques used. The Princess that I finished yesterday had several swap fabrics in it also. 

I used the technique of sewing twill tape along the edges of Canberra Tree to help it hang straight and stay square. I really like how it affected this one, as it was a bit wonky due to the varying volume of quilting and thread sketching I did on it. 

I decided to get the Craftsy 2015 Summer BOM quilt underway. I chose the fabrics awhile back, but kept second guessing myself. Would I like it once it was done? I like the fabrics. I know I'll enjoy making the blocks, and putting the top together. And another project to experiment with on my long arm, certainly gives me enjoyment. So, what's not to like? Sometimes I just need to get started. 

I am very pleased with my points on the first block. I sewed the flying geese units together on top of pages from a phone book. Bonnie Hunter uses phone books for her string-piecing and I thought it might help with those bias edges. It really helped a lot!! 

So tomorrow, between laundry and packing,  I'll be in the sewing room trying to get more blocks done. I only have 15 more to do by the end of the month to be caught up,,,,,that's doable!

May God bless the work of your hands,

Luann

First Intentions Update for September

Sending you sunshine and smiles,

Spent some time down by Shem Creek. 

     No picture of my messy calendar, but I 

Posted intention areas for the month, and announced the winner of August giveaway. 

Quilted this for Betty. I used an edge to edge design. I used Bottomline and Fantastico, both from Superior Threads. 

Edie dropped off a QOV top, batting, and back. We decided on a gentle edge-to-edge meander. King Tut and Bottom Line were used.  

Final decisions on fabrics for Terrie's Mystery Quilt Along. 

And the first 8 units. 

The surface design swap pieces, Aug and Sept, and a package to Monica, the winner of the August Giveaway, have been mailed out. 

I chose the collection above for the free Craftsy class, BOM Summer 2015. 

These three quilts are bound and ready to be given to my quilt guild's special project. 

           No before and after pictures, but we,

Cleaned out the attic that was filled with building materials, left by previous owners. The useful stuff went to our local Habitat for Humanity Restore. 

These three table runners are quilted and bindings are finished. The fabric across the top was used for backings, makes useable during the Christmas Season. 

Cut and packaged hand dyes for a special event at Cobblestone Quilt Guild meeting, tonight.

I also have bindings cut for 4 more Charity quilts. I ran out of steam about noon today! 

This is a good start to September. I'm keeping focused and getting some projects off my list. 

I had hoped to get my Improv pieces quilted but I chose to cut those bindings instead. 

I'll be back in about ten days with another update. 

May God bless the work of your hands,

Luann