We're moving - Sewing rooms that is

I've had my sewing area in one part of the house and my longarm in a different part. Well that's all ready to change.  I've got the shelves in one area where the long arm will be and right in the next room is my sewing studio.  Hopefully Amanda and April will be very close to each other shortly!

Amanda's new sunny spot

April will be in the room with the fabric.  

And I even got a couple of projects completed.  First a panel quilt that is just super cute.  I quilted around it like applique then did some stippling and allover loops.  I have a hard time with stippling I need some practice.  Wish I had one more of these panels cuz it's really adorable.  And one of the girls needed a shower gift so I put together a twister quilt.  The colors are yellow and grey for the shower, I hope this is enough yellow, definitely think it's enough grey.  I think I have enough for one more.  White instead of grey?  Hmm do I have enough yellow in that fabric stash?

Panel quilt 

 Don't forget to check the side bar for linky parties, so much wonderful inspiration out there!

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two quick updates - one hexie update, I really need to go on a trip to work on these some more. One of the points of the star is attached, the other is ready to be attached. Kinda looks like a cat now doesn't it? Stop by Angie's to see all the other hexies wonders.

And if you haven't entered the give away, there's still time to leave a comment. A winner will be announced on 1/31, your choice of quilting or a fat quarter bundle, go check it out here

Done, Done, Done - Friday Finishes and a Giveaway!!

Three finishes - lol well I cut one of the finishes in two :)  Baby boy tube quilt is quilted, panto if Outside In by Barbara Becker.  Chevron Quilt, panto is Drunken Feathers by Barbara Becker as well.  Table runner is custom quilted by yours truly :)  I started doing the quilt this way and knew it would take me forever. The quilt started out being 50x80, no isn't that an odd size?  Well take 14 inches off and you have a nice little table runner.  All of them have Hobbs 80/20 batting, Glide on top, Bottom Line in the bobbin.  So here's a few pictures and then at the end details on the fun giveaway.  Did I tell you this was post 300?  Holy Smokes, never thought I had that much to say :)  Alright I couldn't wait until Friday, I'm so EXCITED - the *waiting to be quilted* list is empty and it's post 300!!  And don't forget to check out the linky parties on the side bar, there's more than one there for everyone, such great inspiration all around us.

Table runner back, another attempt at snow pics

Table runner, nice and warm inside :)

quilting detail

Table runner just hanging, oh hey you can see part of the kitchen remodel.hmmm I should have tidied up a bit :/

Chevron Quilt

quilting details

Chevron Quilt back

Just hangin

Baby Tube quilt 

Tube quilt back

quilting detail

Just Hanging

 So now if you look at my list to the right you will see there are no quilts on the "waiting to be quilted" list. This is the first time that has EVER happened.

I wanted to do something special for post 300, something besides cleaning up my "waiting to be quilted" list. So a give away it is, yippee!!  I'm giving away quilting! or a back prize of fabric.

• I'll do up to a queen size quilt of any of the pantos listed below, or 
• an allover feather which I do freehand (up to queen size) or
• a custom baby size quilt, 45x50 or less or
• a fat quarter bundle from the Fat Quarter Shop, cute little polka dots - 15 FQ bundle 

How does that sound?  Now, I know there are some followers that might not be that interested in the quilting for one reason or another, so I've got a back up prize of fabric.  If you win and your international, you get fabric!

If you choose quilting, you will need to ship me your quilt, backing and batting.  I have Hobbs 80/20 batting on hand, you can save on batting if you want to use that.  Make sure your backing is at least 3 inches bigger on all sides (6 inches total) and make sure it's square.   Let me know your thread  color preference.  I use Glide there on top and Bottom Line in the bobbin.  I"ll take pictures of the thread on the quilt so you can see before I start.  I'll ship it back to you when finished.  Or if you live in the McHenry IL area,we can meet somewhere convenient.

What do you have to do?  Just leave me a comment.  It would be great if you were a follower but really not required. I'm just that excited about having 300 posts!!  I'll pick a winner on 1/31.  Easy enough right?   Ok here's the choices for quilting.  You can search my blog for the pantos, I've got example of all of them with the exception of the first one.  I've never actually used it.  Looks like it would be great on a guys quilt.

freehand all over feathers

brush fire 

constellation 

contempo

drunken feathers

fanfare - my very favorite

fantasy flame

flipping frawns

ground cover

Star Dance 

Stars and Bars

Splat - one of my favorites

And the back up prize - the fat quarter bundle

Fat Quarter Shop - 15 FQ bundle

DWM - A day off deserves a giveaway!

I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Baby Boy Tube Quilt.

I've got a couple of things on my design wall.  Trying to use up some more of those 2.5 in strips and a layer cake that was laying around.  The first is a tube quilt using 2.5 in strips, it's baby size and used up a few that I had laying around.  Second is inspired by a quilt I saw @ Brynn Sews  This was her entry in the Spring 2012 Bloggers Quilt Festival.  I just love this one!!  I had a couple of 15 fat quarter bundles that I put together and added a few solids and I got 3 quilts out of that group of fat quaters.  This was is a bit larger than I really wanted, but I also did want any scraps from that bundle and this used up every last bit!  Just need to sew the rows together and through on the borders and done!

My 300th post is the next post and I want to have a give away.  I'm thinking either a fat quarter bundle or giving away quilting - an edge to edge design for up to a queen size quilt.  What do you think, fabric or quilting?  Everyone loves yummy fabrics, but I really love the quilting :) UPDATE:  I'm so delighted that a number of you want quilting for the giveaway.  It's like an extra bonus for me.  I am going to offer the quilting and as a back up in case the person who wins just does not want the quilting, there will be a fat quarter bundle.  Don't forget to stop back on Friday for the giveaway!

Check the side bar for all the inspiring linky parties.  Hope everyone has a peaceful day in honor of MLK.

A very charming week

Yep, I used up 7 packs of charms this week, 5 on a quilt and 2 on coasters.  What fun!  The coasters took 6 charms each, so super absorbent.  They are super cute and spills not a problem, just toss them in the wash.  Here's a tutorial on these super easy coasters (note I just used charmed squares, no fusible anything and I did top stitch at the end for a bit more structure and finished look).  I also made the triangles by folding on the diagonal and layering in the same way.  I love the bright colored ones, those are going to be awesome for summer.

I saw this Garden Trellis quilt made with charm squares or a layer cake and knew I had to have one of my own.  I had a bunch of batik charm packs just taking up space for must be close to 2 years now!  Then I saw Connie's Runner in the Snow made out of batiks and regular fabric and I knew exactly what I wanted for my Night in the Garden quilt.  And I do have to say that I so admire those of you that get out in the snow to take pictures.  I gave it a try but it was just a bit too windy in the Chicago area, and yet, I still like those better than the others!  On the back of this one is some corded moleskin that is super soft.  I used a light blue Glide thread on top, bottom line in the bottom, light blue and Quilters Dream blend batting.  And pantograph is fantasy flame, one of my favorites.  It looks like something climbing up a trellis stretching to see how high it can get.

Night in the Garden 

Night in the Garden Back

Trying my hand at snow pictures, these colors look pretty accurate.

The wind gave me a little help showing the back!

 Take a look at the side bar for all the fun linky parties this week - so much inspiration!!

Hot off the frame

I was able to get the binding on during lunch today  - so excited.  I divided each diamond into 4 and did continuous curve on each of the sub diamonds.  I think it gives it a lacy feel.  Then add a couple feathers and you're done.  Nice cozy flannel on the back.  This went together so quickly.

Just some simple straight lines on this one.  Great way to use up those 2.5 inch strips.  I added the left over blocks to the back and calling this one done!  Check out the linky's on the side bar, added a few new ones for the new year.  Go get inspired!