Needles on fire!!!

Holy smokes, my machine has been hmming all weekend.  I did go slow at first because I really didn't want to take this beauty off my frame.  I quilted this for Ann (she sewed the binding on my HUGE  Shining Star quilt).  I LOVE the dark blue with the greens and teals.  There was just something so comforting and soothing when I quilted this.  It's a pretty big quilt so it took me a little while.  This has Hobbs 80/20 batting, glide thread light blue thread on top and light grey magna glide in the bobbin.  Pantograph is Fan Fare by Patricia Ritter, still one of my favorites. I was glad it was nice enough to take pictures outside.  Does her quilt sparkle??  Great job Ann, I'm gonna miss this one.

Ann's Easy Street

Hobb's 80/20 Batting, Glide thread on top, light blue

Pantograph  - Fan Fare by Patricia Ritter

is that backing perfect?  just love everything about this one.

magna glide light grey on the back.

Then a friend of mine posted a story on facebook with some things she found in her yard  after the tornado last week.  This friend lives in Harvard which is over 55 miles from Rochelle.  And another friend in Twin Lakes WI, over 77 miles from Rochelle had debris in her yard.   From the same family, how crazy is that????  Well they decide to try to find these folks and let them know what they found and try to return it.  They found the family in Rochelle lost everything, breaks your heart.  So these two friends decided not only were they going to return what they found, but they were taking donations for this family.  Betty asked, if you lost everything what would you want.  I of course immediately thought, a quilt, I gotta have a blankie!!  Betty also was able to post a picture of the family and two of the girls had purple dresses on.  I knew immediately what quilt top to use.  Lucky for me we had 4 quilts waiting to be quilted for Hands 2 Help (see the side bar, still plenty of time to donate a quilt to one of three great charities).   One of those quilts got diverted.  It's done and ready to be delivered this week when Betty travels to Rochelle.  I've donated the quilt and a gift card.  Details on this quilt - Dew Drops pantograph, Glide thread on top - white, hobbs poly down battng, magna glide in the bobbin, light grey.  I almost like the back more than the front.  The size 54 ish x 64 ish.  Why don't I measure these when I'm done???

H2H 6 now going to Rochelle family

Poly down batting (Hobbs), glide thread on top white

Pantograph - Dew drops by Patricia Ritter

I think I like the back better than the front almost.  

Magna glide in the bobbin, light tan

Of course then I was feeling a bit guilty about not having a finish for H2H, so I got this one on and off the frame in no time.  Poor April needs a break!! Details on this quilt - Ebb and Flow pantograph (seriously quick and easy), glide thread on top, med grey and magna glide in the bobbin, dark grey.  I think it's 64 in square.  The pattern is Graffiti, simple and fun. 

Graffiti number 1 - H2H finish #2 wild and crazy color!

Poly Down (Hobbs) batting, glide thread on top, med grey 

Pantograph Ebb and Flow - Lorien Quilting 

Pattern Graffiti

Magna glide in the bobbin, dark grey - love the lines and curves on the backing

On the design wall, just a few more of this and a few more of that. I think something will need to come down before another block goes up, I really should get serious about finish one of these....

couple more stars, couple more shirting blocks, somethings gonna have to come off before anything else goes on!

Check out all the linky parties on the side bar, so many beauties out there you don't want to miss it!!  Hope everyone has a great week. 

Friday Finishes

I have a finish, I have a finish!!!  Seems like it's been a very long time (last finish 2/20)  I've had a finish but that all changes today.  This is my first full completed quilt for H2H.  Big Red Star (creative huh?) is a 63 inch square, I used Premo Soft thread on top, Hobbs Polydown batting, Magna glide in the bobbin.  The back is pieced with the left over charms and cozy flannel.  Pantograph is Fan Fare by Patricia Ritter - one of my all time favorites.

Big Red Start H2H #1

Big Red Star Detail

Big Red Star - Hobbs Polydown Batting, Premo Soft thread on top, Fan Fare Pantograph

Big Red Star Back

I had a couple of helpers on this Thursday H2H session.  We finished up another top, we are certainly hitting our goal of one quilt per session.  Pattern is Graffiti Quilt by A quilters dream. The blocks are 16 in blocks unfinished,  quilt is 62 inches square finished.  I can't believe we got this together in 3 hours.  What a fun quilt.  My helpers even got a picture of me.  Next session is Sat morning, if your in the McHenry area and want to help out, let me know. We'd love to have you.

Graffiti quilt - hey that's me, I like taking pictures better than being in them

My helpers on Thursday - Ladies did some amazing work!

Graffiti 

And I just took Marge's quilt off the frame.  She made this for her grand daughters wedding who lives in FL.  It's her grand daughters favorite colors and I think the fabric is just perfect for FL.  This one has Hobb's wool batting, Glide thread on top and magna glide in the bobbin.  Pantograph is Fan Fare again.  I've got one going on the frame today that will need the same pantograph.  I should be able to do this one in my sleep.  After two pretty intense quilts on the frame, it's nice to do a pantograph or three :)

Hobbs Wool Batting, Glide thread on top and magna glide on the bottom, Fan Fare pantograph

Check out the linky parties on the side bar and see what everyone is finishing up on Friday and Whooping about.

I need a nap! Four finishes this week!

I can't believe everything that got done this weekend.  I had 4 quilts on the ready to be quilted list - they got done!  Two more pillowcases that are just super cute and another top waiting to be quilted.  Take a look:

Big Star 

Big Star Back - love flannel on the back, such great definition

Disappearing Hour Glass (DHG) - All Flannel

quilted with stars

Extra Block on the back, I think I like the back better than the front :)

Jelly Roll Jam Baby Quilt

Super Cute panto, flowers leaves and swirls, all those busy fabrics and you can't see it, but it is really cute

Jelly Roll Jam Back - still can't see it, cozy flannel on the back

Ok here's the specs on the quilts complete - all these are for 100 quilts for kids.  Big Star free pattern here .  Pantograph is Double Bubble by Patricia Ritter.  I thought that worked well with the polka dots.  I actually made two of these.  One is going to Project Linus the other to a not for profit day care center in Churubusco, IN. Glide thread on top, and magna glide bobbin thread.  There was a scrap of polyester batting that I used for this, might be Hobbs Poly down, looks like a bit of loft on this one.

DHG Pattern free here  I used a bunch of flannel scraps from different backings on this, front and back. The quilt is all flannel, definitely has the snuggle factor that's for sure.  Pantograph is Simply Stars by Stonehouse quilting.   Glide thread on top, and magna glide bobbin thread.  Hobbs 80/20 batting.

Jelly Roll Jam free pattern here Glide thread on top, and magna glide bobbin thread.  Hobbs 80/20 batting, nice flannel on the back. Pantograph is Flower Swirls by Debra Geissler.

How's that for a week of finishes!!

I did have some help this weekend, we had strings and blocks and things flying.  I pulled out the basket o'fun.  That is just so full of strings.  And we got this top.  The little guy was picking the strings, one ironing, one cutting and one sewing and before you know it, you have a 11 in blocks done, and then the quilt top is together.  Rather than doing just plain string blocks, we did string log cabins.  Started with a 2.5 in square then just kept going around and around until the block was the right size.  The log cabins we stopped at 9.5 in blocks (unfinished) then added 1.5 in white around them (unfinished size) and then a 1 in sashing.  20 blocks and you have a nice size quilt.  I love how bright and cheery this is, just like my helpers :)  This one is going to Project Linus as well.

What fun to have so many helpers!!

Log Cabin Strings

Two pillow cases which are so super sweet.  These are for Conker Cancer

Here's the totals for this week - 100 quilts for kids is running until 9/30, so I have time to see if  I can get a couple more.

• Pillowcases ready to go 15 (+2 from last week) - for Conker Cancer 
• Quilts ready to go (6) (+3 from last week) - for Project Linus

• Pillowcases cut and ready to sew (6)
• Quilts ready to be quilted (1)
• Quilts cut and ready to sew (2)

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.

DWM Finally!!!

I can't believe my last post was on 10/23.  My how time flies!  Work has been keeping me plenty busy these days but I've found some time to get some much need quilting therapy.

I've been making baby quilts :)  I LOVE baby quilts.  The husband hasn't been working for a while, and I though hey it doesn't cost me anything to make these as I have it all right there in my sewing room so why not get busy and see if you could see a quilt or two.  I know I'll never get the cost of the materials and the time. But hey, I won't get anything at all if it sits in the closet all nicely organized!  Also thinking about quilting services too.  Quilting is my favorite part of the whole process.

So, here I have 3 finish and 3 tops done.  The first three are Jelly roll quilts.  All there were based on the Strip and Flip Tutorial which can be found here.

This is the left overs from my Budding Nine Patch (seen later in this post).  Simple, quick and fun!

Contempo Pantograph - Urban Elements

Baby Jelly Roll - Rainbow

Baby Jelly Roll Rainbow - back

Next is  little girl quilt, I had a jelly roll and add a couple of solids and was able to get two out of all that.   This one uses one of my favorite pantographs - Splat by Anne Bright.  This Jelly Roll sat in my closet for well over a year and finally put it good use!  Love the colors.

Splay close up

Splat Front

Splat pantograph

Splat Back - cozy flannel

And the second one from the same jelly roll.  I did a free hand  all over swirl on this one.  The quilting goes so fast with free hand.

Free hand Swirls front

Free hand swirls detail

Love the texture of the swirls

Swirls Back

And then there are a few tops together waiting to be quilted - On the frame right now, without a single stitch in is is Budding 9 patch.  I have the eq7 file that I'll post in the next week or two on the tutorials and EQ7 tab

Budding 9 patch.  

And of course there are baby quilts - the first two are from Kate Blakesley and can be found here  Super quick, super fun and looks great!!  A boy and a girl version

Girl Marmalade Squares

Boy Marmalade Squares

And the last one is my favorite :)   I used the left overs from this one for the Boy Marmalade Square.  This is New Port Beach pattern from Judy Martin. I've made this quilt, twice before and I just love. Quick easy and makes such a statement! I LOVE the colors in this one.  I'm actually making two of these.  15 fat quarters, a little background fabric and you get 3 quilts, nice!!

New Port Beach

Well those were a lot of bright and more modern looking fabrics eh? How about this one for some more traditional quilting.  I finally finished the last of the 8 pointed starts !!!  WooHoo!  I honestly don't think I will ever make a 7 inch unfinished 8 pointed starts and put little tiny 4 patches in it!  Nope, not gonna happen with me ever again :)  But I like it so far.  The last border is really suppose to before all those 8 pointed stars, but mine came out a little bit smaller, so swapped the placement of the border and all is good again.

Common Bride

And there we have it, ahhhhh.  Linking up with the usual sources of inspiration and quilty goodness.