Knocking things off my List

Well August is almost gone, so hard to believe and my kids will be back in school day after Labor Day.  Hopefully, I will get a little more sewing time in on the weekends again.

My to do list for August has served me well with keeping me on task for getting some things checked off and done.  (that's the best part of making a list).

I finished my Heart Wedding Quilt.  Check out the full post if you would like more details.  It has been wrapped and delivered.  I love it!

I have made all 12 of the Fussy Cut Square Blocks.  These are too cute and really fun to make.  I will be sending them off at the end of this week.

I was also able to get the 6 blocks for section 2 in the Tula Pink City Sampler.  This definitely has not been easy for me to stay up to date with but hoping that I can get at least to the half way mark in September.

Here are the blocks 1-35.  This is a lot of color and a little blurry!

Here is my list to finish up this week and I will be making a new list for September as well.
My August to do List

1.  Quilt and Bind - the Heart Wedding Quilt
2.  Finish Section 1 of City Sampler Tula Blocks
3.  Cut and Piece section 2 of City Sampler Tula Blocks-5 to go
4.  MMQG Block for Barb- Improv-hopefully tonight
5.  MMQG Block for Peggy
6. 3 August Moda Blocks
7.  2 Missing Moda Blocks
8.  Fussy Cut Square - Flickr Swap

I am linking up to WIP over at Freshly Pieced, Thursdays Threads, and Needle and Thread Thursday.

Happy Sewing!

Wedding Quilt-A Finish

So my #2 son and I went over to the park to see if we could get some photos before it got too dark last night.  It was fun but had to set up pretty quickly since the sun was fading fast.  I starting making this quilt in April for a friend who is getting married tomorrow.  She is the girl who has everything!  Buying her something didn't seem like the right thing for me to do.  This is her first wedding and has lived on her own for years and I wanted something special.  I saw this on Don't Call me Betsy as a wall hanging and new immediately that I wanted to make this in a throw size.  (Sorry this going to be a long post.)

My hubby asked how we got this to hang on the wall.  There are a couple of old barns at the park and my lovely son held this up.  He had strict instructions that I didn't want any toes sneaking out!  He kept pulling it down "are we done yet?"  

As we walked towards the pond they had this sign for no swimming and I think it was made to hold quilts!  This may be my new go to spot to take photos.  It was really hard to get the quilting to show up.  This close up did a better job on that.  Starting at the top (that was the last section I did) there are concentric circles with wavy lines.  Each section was divided up by lines with pebbles and then a side by side lines.   Moving clockwise around the quilt there are swirls, flower, paisley, and then swirls with pebbles.  The thread was Superior So Fine.  It was beautiful to work with.  I ordered from Red Rock Threads.  I had run out and I ordered more and it came very quickly!  I will be ordering from them again.

You can see some the quilting better in these photos.

Then for the back I did free piecing for the date from the Word Play book.  I only needed to redo 2 of them to get the size I wanted.  I loved how they turned out.  The back fabric and the binding were from the Shades of Black from Me and my Sister.  The back is really beautiful fabric but is very busy so you can not see the quilting.  As I am definitely still learning and by no means even close to perfect it is nice to hide any of those issues that came up.The binding was the black tone on tone stripe.  The letters were the scraps from the front and the background was the grey with tiny white polka dots.

We, I mean son #2 set up the next shot by hanging it over the end of the sign. My photo - I didn't want to include the sign but he thought that looked cool.  He also tends to get much lower and change up the perspective.  He has a very good eye.  (I call him my quilt critic quite often-he has great perspective and a good eye and is brutally honest).  I also added a label. (still need to sign it and wrap it up)

If you read through this post - wow- thank you!  This quilt was quite the learning experience and I think this may be one of my favorites I have made and am sad to see it leave.  But I know it is going to a good home.

Quilt Stats:

Backgroup- Essex Black Yarn Dyed
Pinks - scraps and a few 1/4 yard cuts
Binding and back Shades of Black by Me and My Sister
Thread- pieced Auril 50 wgt white
Thread - quilting Superior so Fine
Batting - a white cotton (not sure what kind)
Size 60"x 72"

I am so happy with this quilt and will be linking up at Crazy Mom Quilts,  Can I get a Whoo Whoo? This quilt is also on my list for the Finish Along for Q3.  I really thought I would have it done in July but so happy I finished it with 6 days to spare for the gift giving!

WIP Wednesday

My August to do List

1.  Quilt and Bind - the Heart Wedding Quilt
2.  Finish Section 1 of City Sampler Tula Blocks
3.  Cut and Piece section 2 of City Sampler Tula Blocks-5 to go
4.  MMQG Block for Barb- Improv-hopefully tonight
5.  MMQG Block for Peggy
6. 3 August Moda Blocks
7.  2 Missing Moda Blocks
8.  Fussy Cut Square - Flickr Swap

I have had some good sewing progress the best one is the fact that I did finish the Wedding Quilt.  Here is a quick peek.  I am planning on taking some better photos and it deserves a post of its own.  The quilting was fun but took way longer than I thought.  Overall I am really happy with it.

I did get 4 blocks done on my Moda Friendship Blocks.  I still have 2 applique ones and now the 3 for September.  At least I am not 9 blocks behind.  I may need to redo the top left - the fabric I used mushes a little too much.

I was only able to do one more Tula block so I still have 4 more to finish section two.  I have realized I am not going to make the goal of all the blocks done by September 20th.  That was to receive a t-shirt from the LQS.  I am still going to try to get this done.

I also need to commit to the MMQG challenge quilt. I have my one color and have bought the fabric and I just can't pick the pattern or idea.  I need to start that in the next week or so!  Hopefully I will pull some fabric and the rest will just speak to me and I will know what to make.

Hope everyone is getting lots done as summer is winding down.  I love fall but summers in Wisconsin are too short so I am sad to see it ending.

Check out what is happening on others sewing progress.  I am linking up at WIP at Freshly Pieced, 627 Handworks for Thursday Threads, and Needle and Thread Thursday.

August to Sew List and a WIP

Here is what I have working on and making some good progress too.  I am trying to get into the sewing room for just a little bit of time and work through a few things.

The Wedding Quilt is turning out great.   I am loving the quilting and it is fun to switch it up.  But I ran out of thread so I ordered some more and hopefully it will get here within the week. I need to take a picture of the quilting but didn't get to that.

City Sampler Blocks-Tula Pink 

I have up to block 28 done.  I have a long way to go but was happy to get some done this week.  I need to finish up section 2 with about 5 blocks.  I think I am going to take fabric to the cottage again and pick out some blocks again. That really has been working well.

A simple nine patch block for Peggy.  Now on to Barb's block of improv.  That one not so comfortable with.  But she has select pretty fabrics and I love that I get to try out just one block.  That is on my plan for tonight!

I need to break it down and list out what I need to get done so here it is:

1.  Quilt and Bind - the Heart Wedding Quilt
2.  Finish Section 1 of City Sampler Tula Blocks
3.  Cut and Piece section 2 of City Sampler Tula Blocks-5 to go
4.  MMQG Block for Barb- Improv-hopefully tonight
5.  MMQG Block for Peggy
6. 3 August Moda Blocks
7.  2 Missing Moda Blocks
8.  Fussy Cut Square - Flickr Swap

Hopefully this keeps me on track and I can get most of this done!  I am linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

Happy Sewing!

Day off - Lots of quilting

I had a really nice day off.  Not perfect but relaxing and I did get some quality sewing time in.  I started last night and did the one block from Moda Club I missed for last month.

I love the navy and dark pink.  I had been thinking about pairing those two up for awhile now so I am glad I did this one.  Here are the blocks I have done so far:

I am going to work on getting more navy in the rest of the blocks since that was my intent navy, grey and fun prints I liked.  I think it will work and I love how bright they are.

My main objective today was to work on the Wedding Quilt.  That part not so good.  I had laid out all three layers on Wednesday night so then I would spray baste it in the morning when no one was hope.  Love days with no one but me and the sewing machine home!  Well, that did not work.  The spray was not working. Don't know why.  I tried twice and nope it was not sticking.  I actually got in my car to go get some 505 from the quilt store but then that would be an hour and I could be done pin basting it.  I had used the Dritz spray baste.  Yup that can went in the garbage. It has an odor and now it didn't work.  So I pinned it!  Basting is my least favorite part so to have to do it twice - not so happy.

I did get the heart quilted and the parts dividing it up.  I was happy with my progress.  I think the fill in parts will go faster.  I am still debating should each section be different or the same?  Not sure.  My hubby says the same since he likes more traditional balanced look.  This quilt ideas was from Don't Call me Betsy and she used wavy lines.  Hers was a wall hanging.

I like it so far.  So what do think all the same or different motifs.  I was thinking spirals, may be some free motion hearts.  I'll take some options.  There won't be a Friday finish since we leave for the weekend tomorrow afternoon and I have to figure out how to get a new phone for work.  Yup it died today.  Pain but hopefully I can get it replaced quick.

Wow that was a long post!  Thanks for hanging in there.


I am also linking up for 627 Handworks Thursdays Threads.  Just found her blog via Plum and June and lots of good things to check out over there.

Some sewing time

I was actually really happy that the weather was rainy on Sunday.  I didn't feel the least bit guilty as I headed to my sewing room in the basement. I had a few hours where I could get a few things done.

I had two quilty meetings this week.  Monday night I had my Moda Club meeting at the LQS and I had not made any of my blocks for the month.  I managed to get two out of the three completed.

I received three more Monday so that makes 6 blocks to make this month.  I really want to get caught up.  We'll see how that goes and what gets done or what draws me in first

I also had the MMQG meeting Tuesday night and I had volunteered to quilt our charity quilt about 2 months ago and I just needed to get it done so I quilted it and then sewed on the binding, threw it the wash. Ready!  I took one photo to put it out on our Flickr site.  I just did loops in each row.

On my to do list this week is to finish my Wedding Heart Quilt.

 I worked on the back last week and it is now ready to be basted.

So my plan is to baste the quilt tonight and take the day off of work to start the quilting.  Hoping my plan works!  I would love a finish for Friday!

To Do list:
1.  Plan and make 15 Tula Pink Blocks
2.  Cut out 10 blocks for the x and + quilt
3.  Just joined an Fussy Square Cut Block over on Flickr.  They are so cute!  I think there is one spot left go check it out!

Hope you all have a great week of sewing.

Thanks for stopping Linking up at Plum and June. and Freshly Pieced - WIP Wednesday

Finish Along Goals for Q-3

I really can't believe I am thinking Q-3 goals.  It doesn't seem possible that half the year is over and since summer is short here in Wisconsin that will be over before you know it as well.

Last quarter not as much got done as I would have liked but I figure if I didn't have them on my list I don't think I would have pushed to finish what I did. Linking up for the Finish Along over at She Can Quilt

1.  String Heart-Wedding gift - Updated - Finished

This was on here last month but I did get the top done and recently just finished piecing the back with free piecing the date of the wedding.  I love that!  The wedding is in August so this is a must do and would prefer to have it done in July.

2.  Bee Blocks from the MMQG  Update made 1 more block

I think I need one or two more blocks then I need to sew together.  I would love to finish this one!

3.  X and Plus Scrap Quilt- No Progress

I need at least 10 more blocks.  This one always gets pushed aside but I would really like it done.

4.Tula Pinks City Sampler   Update-Progress but not done- No t-shirt

Started this last quarter and thought I could keep up but nope behind and at my local quilt shop if I have them done by sometime in September there is a pin and a t-shirt in it.  That is my motivation and they are really fun to work on and sew!

I am stopping here. I know I will get number one done but I also have a quilt challenge to do by October 1 and I haven't even started that yet. No pattern and I haven't bought the challenge fabric yet.  I have pinned lots of inspiration!

 I need to get busy sewing!