WIP Wednesday

It has been a busy week here, seems that has become the norm. Not always a bad thing, just saying..
Let's see what I have to show for the week

Simply Solids bee block:

 

This is for Lisa and is actually the March block-- yea! I am ahead of schedule ;) gotta take that where we can get it, seems many times we are chasing deadlines.
 

This is the Tilt a Whirl pattern and it is paper pieced. Went together easily and would be a good pattern for anyone just starting out. You can find the tutorial here. I love the colors Lisa chose!

 

Do.Good.Stitches. Nurture Circle

Wonky Stars in different sizes. These have a twist-- the block is trimmed at an angle so they are not straight up/down, centered. Makes them a bit more fun! You can find the tutorial from I'm Feeling Crafty here.

 

I have also completed my February Paper Pieced block for Feb Sugar Block Club with Amy Gibson over at Stitchery Dickery Dock. I am doing these blocks in my Flea Market Fancy stash that I had been saving for just the right project! I am also adding solids in with each block and using grey as the background or accent to tie it all together. I haven't been able to get a pic yet but will get one up soon.

Ongoing:

 

 1. Finish Baby quilt-- Ready to baste and quilt

2. Con't work on Modern Medallion- Handstitched Class-- I have made progress here, the dogwood blossom is complete and the first 3 borders are on. Next up is ALOT of handwork (like 2 wks worth according to the syllabus). So I am thinking of piecing the next round of borders and blocks and coming back to the handstitching... not sure yet have to read and see if this would work.

 

3. Paper Piecing Stars BOM with Don't Call Me Betsy - Printed patterns and chose fabric - ready to start - I am finding the paper piecing a bit intimidating, I just need reprogram my brain and sit down and do it!! Jan and Feb blocks to do.--Ok back in the swing of Paper Piecing - hope to get these done in the next week or two

 4. Sew South - this is coming up fast March 21-24. There is some prep work for this as in   cutting fabric for a duffle bag, purchasing fabric for PJ bottoms and some sewing projects for swapping, this will move to the top of the list in March! If you are interested Jennifer had one person who could not make it and her ticket is/was for sale as of 2/25

Check out the post here: http://ellisonlane.blogspot.com/ (2/25/13 post)

and last but not least a secret project for a fun event coming up next month! Can't wait until I can share that with you! Lots of fun and prizes too!

Linking up to Lee over at Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday!

Happy Stitching!
Ginny

WIP Wednesday

Here it is Wednesday already! And that means it is WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced with Lee.

How has your week been? Productive? Mine has been! Let's take a look--

THE  List:

1. Finish Baby quilt-- Ready to baste and quilt. (She said she didn't need it for another couple of weeks so it got bumped a bit down the list) 

2. Do. Good.Stitches Nurture Circle January Block-due end of Jan Jan block complete and Feb ready to start

 January Block

3. Con't work on Modern Medallion- Handstitched Class-- Wow! I love this project and fabric and I want it to be perfect!  Sometimes that also makes me hesitate because I don't want to screw it up! But hey, if you don't try you never learn! Reverse Applique dogwood cut out and ready to stitch. 

4. Modern Stash Bee Blocks for January (2)- due 2/15  January blocks are complete and so are Feb! Yea!

January Blocks

and February blocks:

5.Sugar Block BOM with StitcheryDiceryDock for January- due end of Jan Jan complete! on to Feb block

6.Paper Piecing Stars BOM with Don't Call Me Betsy - Printed patterns and chose fabric - ready to start - I am finding the paper piecing a bit intimidating, I just need reprogram my  brain and sit down and do it!! (I have done it before - a looong time ago- and love the results!) Jan and Feb blocks to do.

7. Binding on Batik Flowers quilt for A Lovely Year of Finishes- due end of Jan-- started the binding but didn't get it finished in time for January prizes. Will move it to Feb for a finish.

8. The Triple Zip Along with Debbie over on Flickr- this is going to be so Fun- it runs Jan 28 - Friday 2/15 -- Fabric and lining Cut out ready to stitch up on Friday.

9. Finish my House Block for the Sew South group quilt for the Ronald McDonald House in Charlotte NC-- such a fun and worthwhile project! It is going to be sew awesome!

Wonky House Block for Sew South Quilt

10. Solids Bee- Feb block for Erin - started, was on a roll until I accidently cut a piece of material wrong, so I am waiting on the replacement strip-- how embarrassing! You know stuff just happens sometimes!

 March block fabrics and pattern received.
11. Swaps: Lizzy House Pearl Bracelets, Low Volume II, and Text Me a Text FQ -- all mailed

and the best news this week so far: I won a gift certificate from Christa Quilts! She gives a $10 gift certificate away each week to one of her newsletter subscribers! I was so surprised! I have purchased fabric from Christa along with other quilting notions. She has a variety of fabric and precuts and runs daily and weekly specials. I must admit my favorite service is that she ships for free (with in the US) with no minimum order and she ships FAST! Stop by and see her store here and sign up for her newsletter for your chance to win. 

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stitching!
Ginny

WIP Wednesday

It's Wednesday and that means WIP Wednesday with Lee over at Freshly Pieced

 

It has been awhile since I have linked up, and thought in the spirit of the New Year and self improvement, resolutions, and all that good stuff..... and because I have a ridiculously long list of things that I have in different stages of completion... er... some closer to beginning  vs completion that I would link up   The WIP master list can be rather intimidating. I am sure I am the only one with this issue..... ;)  

Regardless, let's jump right in as 2013 is off to an awesome start!

Here is my current - must complete- project for the week. (and actually this was on my WIP list previously) It is a commissioned baby quilt (my first commission :0 ) and it is for a beautiful little girl who is only a few days old--so sweet!

Cutting-- fabric is Animal Parade by Ana Davis

More fabric selections and blocks
.
The fabric and pattern was picked out by my client.
 Mom's request was for something with browns and greens, some pink, but not all pink!This fabric is beautiful, it has a wonderfully soft hand. It also has such fun, modern colors and prints!

The pattern is called Dancing Patchwork and can be found on Etsy here.
I am not affiliated with the maker but this was the pattern the client liked and I think it is very cute - especially for a baby quilt! It calls for a layer cake but I just cut from yardage and it works well. Easy to piece with fun results!

So  the goal is to finish it up this weekend and off to it's new owner!

Ok here is THE LIST for January:
1. Finish Baby quilt--it is going together fast and sooo cute!
2. Do. Good.Stitches Nurture Circle January Block-due end of Jan
3. Con't work on Modern Medallion- Handstitched Class
4. Modern Stash Bee Blocks for January (2)- due 2/15
5.Sugar Block BOM with StitcheryDiceryDock for January- due end of Jan
6.Paper Piecing Stars BOM with Don't Call Me Betsy for January- due end of Jan
7. Binding on Batik Flowers quilt for A Lovely Year of Finishes- due end of Jan
8. The Triple Zip Along with Debbie over on Flickr- this is going to be so Fun-starts Jan 28!
9. Finish my House Block for the Sew South group quilt for the Ronald McDonald House in Charlotte NC-- such a fun and worthwhile project! It is going to be sew awesome!

Next: Solids bee block for Feb (Erin has already sent out the fabric-- she is so on it!)

Whew! My goal was to join more groups (accountability there) and learn new techniques -- looks like I have made it there!

Good thing I have a couple of days off coming up! It is bitter cold here and just the perfect weather for staying in and stitchin' up a storm!

Have a great week!
Ginny



















 

WIP Wednesday

It's WIP Wednesday!










Time to take a look at what was completed and what is now on the front burner this week!

I completed my U R Priceless little coin purse and Blog Hop. Love these little purses and was happy with the way it turned out

I finished all my cutting for all the fabric swaps I am in and popped them in the mail yesterday.

I also sent off my blocks for Hurricane Sandy relief organized by Jennifer over at the Knotted Thread.

Front and center for this week is to finish up my Modern She Made Swap mini for my partner!

Here is the layout chosen, and I finished squaring up the blocks last night, next it will be on to sewing and quilting!

A better shot of the pattern

Lets take a list at the List (with a capital "L" she said ;)

1. Finish up my Flickr fabric swaps by cutting and mailing off.
2  Finish up my U R Priceless Coin Purse and Blog Hop post
3. My Lime and Latte lap quilt: All blocks are made and the layout complete, now on to sewing the top up and quilting: so progress - just not as quick as I thought
4. Cut and piece my orange inspired Flying Free quilt: no progress here :(
5. My Modern She Made 2 Swap: Yes! Progress here, see blocks and layout above. Mailing deadline is coming up soon.
6. New set of scrappy hot pads: yes, there is progress here, the tops are pieced.
7. Craftsy BOM's : No progress here (yet)
8. Commissioned baby quilt: the fabric has arrived and the pattern decided on, so a little bit of progress here. Due by mid-January.
9. New to the list: The Weekender Bag! Yes I am going to make this bag--a bit intimidating by everything I have read, but this is not a rush project. I would like to finish it by March. Now on to scout out some fabulous fabric---or maybe I will do patchwork?

10. New--Not specifically sewing related, but I am researching updating my Blog--updating and a new look! So stay tuned, a fresh look is coming soon I hope!

Linking up over at Freshly Pieced!

Hope you are having a great week!

Ginny

A Little Bit of Lime with your Latte?

Hello all! It's WIP Wednesday, and it has been awhile since I linked up!

I have been gone a bit on a vacation --Las Vegas :) --And no, I did not win-- I lost   errr.. made a donation to the economy of Nevada....lol!  Really, I am not much of  a gambler but I was with my kid's celebrating a one of their birthdays and we had FUN! Then it was back to work and catching up. October is normally a very busy month here with many family/friends birthdays and a heavy workload at the job. More (or less) about that later! ;)

So what do you think?

As you know, I really had a hard time with these colors, but I am liking it better, now that the blocks are coming together! They come together very fast, I have been chain piecing them like crazy and hope to have the top completed by the weekend! 

Not much progress on the other items on my list (100 Day Hustle list)---here they are +1!!


1. Finish up my Flickr fabric swaps by cutting and mailing off the fabric
        a. Send Me a Text Swap--all fabric bought--just need to cut and send
        b. Almost Neutral Swap---ditto a.

2. My coin purse for the U R Priceless Blog Hop coming up in Nov-- My day is Nov 8th!!
    I have all my fabric and my frame -- ready to start! I can't wait, I just love these and hope to make a few
    for Christmas gifts

3. A lap quilt for a friend who has been diagnosed with cancer and is now facing chemo, life is short my friends you never know what the next day will bring..... Yea!! Progress here--see blocks above!


4. At least cut and hopefully piece my orange inspired Flying Free quilt, it is to be a child's quilt for donation.
    Fabric pulled and laying on the cutting table

5. My gift for my swap partner for the  Modern She Made Swap 2 ---still stalking my partner... purchased
    some fabric... and now trying to decide between two very different projects! So hard keeping  a secret
    when you want to make sure they are going to like  love it!

5. A set of hot pads for my son's girlfriend who loves a scrappy look!  No progress here....

6. I want to cut and piece the Vintage Holiday Quilt. I have all the fabric, stacked on my cutting table, but
    that is it!

7. And last but not least I want to get caught up on my Craftsy BOM'S! Poor things are sitting on my sewing table just screaming for attention!!  No more screaming at me.....just staring back at me, making me feel guilty :(

8. New Project: commissioned baby quilt for January! She is picking out her fabric now... So glad it is for January and not in 2012! Can you believe that---we are talking 2013 already!

Hope you are having a stitchy week! I will be back this weekend with an update on Little Bit of Lime with Latte quilt!  Oh! and guess who came home yesterday? Great Granny and Retro Flowers!! Yes, they are back from the longarm quilter and looking good! I am sooo happy with how Retro Flowers turned out!

Linking up with Lee over at Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday!

Happy Stitching!
Ginny

Antique Inspiring Modern

Where do you find inspiration for your quilting and sewing?

 I think you can find it anywhere, a shape, a beautiful landscape, a person's favorite thing, or maybe
color.

I have a very small collection of antique quilts and this is one of my most favorites!


Antique quilt from my collection


 I call it the Orange Sherbert quilt because of the wonderful orange fabric! I just love it! I found this several years ago languishing in a corner in an antique shop in Indy (Indianapolis Indiana). You see it is not in the best condition, there are some holes, the binding is worn, and it is fragile just because of age. But I couldn't resist and finally purchased it for $50.00, and have never looked back. It lays folded on the top of one of my book cases and the orange still makes me smile every time I see it :)

 Here are a couple of my favorite blocks:

This has a bit of a Japanese feel to the fabric although very doubtful

When I remarked about the unusual orange fabric in this quilt, the lady I purchased this from told me that each state had a color and that quilters would make quilts with that color so that when seen people would know where that quilt came from....Orange was for Ohio. Well, I was born in Ohio so that just made me love it more! Now whether that story is true, I don't know. I never did any research on it, and frankly it would not make a big difference to me....but I do like the story :)



Look at this blocks background fabric! Very Modern looking!

 

Sorry for the poor lighting, trying to show you all the handstitching!

As you can see from this pic, the backing and binding are made out of muslin. And the quilt is totally hand quilted. She thought this quilt was from the early 1900's. Again I didn't research or verify that I just loved it and wanted to keep it from being cut up to make Teddy Bears by someone. No offense to anyone that does that, I just didn't want that to happen to this one. 

 

So what does this have to do with Inspiration?

 

Awhile back I was lucky enough to have won a pack of fat quarters over at Plum and June's that wa generously donated by Julie at The Intrepid Thread.

It is a great pack of the whimsical Flying Free with many great colors and notably Orange!

 

So when I seen that fabric and pared it with some orange mango

by RJR Supreme (a swap fabric I had purchased)

I was reminded of my antique Orange Sherbert quilt

and it inspired me to make a more Modern quilt!

 

Here are the fabrics I pulled and the pattern I plan to use:

 

 

So a new W.I.P.

And no I didn't go thru my WIP list...still working on the organization thing.

Or maybe it is denial? LOL

There are worse things in this world. 

Next time ;)

 

Wishing you a productive, quilty kind of week!

Psst...don't forget to stop back by on Friday...it's a Giveaway Day!!

 

Ginny

 

PS. Blogger is acting up again tonight... so if something is off or looks weird--hey I am just happy to get it posted!

 



I will be linking up to:

 

Beth over at Plum and June and Lee over at Freshly Pieced

 

Retro Flower Stack and WIP Wed

Here is the stack!
Part came yesterday and the rest today along with the templates.  It is for the most part Pat Bravo's Modern-ology line. The large grey piece on the end will be backing.
I really love the colors!

I am linking up to W.I.P. Wednesday at Freshly Pieced and the Flickr group for the Retro Flower QAL! 





Progress this week:
Jacks Jungle Quilt animals are being appliqued -- yes I finally took the plunge, the blanket stitching is not perfect but it sure looks cute! And as with anything -- practice makes perfect. Here is the giraffe and zebra--so fun!  Sorry for the poor pics- I really need to get a better camera -- or maybe lighting!

Civil War BOM- March Block and a few setting triangle blocks completed.

.

Craftsy BOM- New block just came out-- Hexy's and English Paper Piecing
Central Park Jelly roll quilt -- no progress, waiting for border fabric to arrive.

Magical Mystery Tour quilt - at long arm quilter's

Took pic's of any older projects I still have around so I can start a Flickr photostream. Sadly many projects were completed and given away without pics.


Older WIP's
Raw edge applique Batik Flower quilt --- needs binding sewn to back
Stack and Whack -- needs binding  sewn on
Sanibel lap quilt--needs batting, quilting, binding
Hmmm...see a pattern here? Binding! Not my favorite thing to do.


New Projects

Retro Flower Quilt Along
Juicy Blossoms Juicy Squares

What have you been working on this week? 

PS Any suggestions for better pics or a good camera would be appreciated ;)