Sunday, November 6, 2022

Green Cottage One Block Wonder



A long time UFO is finally finished!





I purchased the fabric for this in the summer of 2014.  Shortly after I bought the Universe fabric for my very first One Block Wonder.  I cut everything out and fiddled with it on and off over the years.

I even put it away for a while thinking I had picked a bad fabric with too much green.

Every know and then I would think about what to do with it.  It sat for years without being touched.
Then earlier his year I decided to see what all this green would look like when I put it on the design wall




It actually turned out pretty good!  I had forgotten there was so many other colors in there.
My next dilemma was trying to decide on a background color.  Luckily this dilemma only delayed the project just a little and not years.   Once I got it out this year, it was the main project that always got worked on in-between my other monthly projects with deadlines.  I sewed rows and made sure they stayed on the design wall while I searched for the perfect background fabric. I did not want this to go back in the UFO pile.  

For the background, I started out with a dark green fabric and even sewed it on the right side, but I kept thinking I should try a lighter color.  After trying several, I eventually auditioned the lighter green on the left and liked it much better.

I unstitched the darker fabric and finished the top with the light green.





With the background picked out, I finally got the top complete and immediately made the backing and got it quilted.




The binding had to wait about a week while I finished up my October projects,  but last Wednesday night I finally had a completed quilt!






In my brain I thought this project was mostly shades of medium green.  I guess because that is what was on top of the hexagon pile for years.




At one time I even contemplated adding brown triangles around the hexagons to make stars, which could have been cool...




but when I finally got it up on the design wall there was enough contrasting shades that I didn't need to add anything else.




I had fun trying to decide on a layout, but finally chose a spiral.




Leaving the hexagons on the wall for several days staring at placement is one of my favorite parts about making these types of quilts.




I love moving hexagons around, seeing what fits better in different spots.
When the quilt stays stills for a few days I know I have the perfect design.




I kept calling this one the Green Cottage One Block Wonder as I worked on it.
There isn't a cottage in it, but the brown well and all the flowers mixed with shades of green made me think of a cute cottage in the woods.





So I took it to the edge of the woods for a photo shoot.

I enjoyed finishing this one up this year.  I made it a slow process, but I find I enjoy going slow more than rushing and trying to get a finished product.  I really enjoy watching the project grow and staring at it for days in different stages.  The is the best part of quilting for me right now.


Now on the the next one!





Happy Sewing!


=^..^=



Monday, October 31, 2022

It's in the Bag with By Annie and Island Batik

 




The Island Batik Ambassador Bag Challenge is one of my favorite challenges.  It features patterns from ByAnnie.  The patterns are always easy to read and come with extra add on videos.  Together you can't go wrong making any of these patterns!


This month I am showing off "A Place for Everything 2.0". 
Sewn together with Schmetz Needles 


and 50 wt Aurifl Thread in matching colors.







For this project we got to pick out the fabrics. 





 I chose the main fabric and the coordinating pink from the Sunset Plains line by Kathy Engle.  The yellow comes from the Island Batik Foundations lines.  I wanted something bright and fun every time I opened the bag.  And pink and yellow make a great color combo.






This bag is loaded with pockets!





For this bag, I particularly like how you can take the two pocket pages out.








Annie's videos help you make everything. If you are a visual learner they are a must to watch!
She has free ones to help with binding and zippers as well as the detailed add on video specific to the pattern.





There are so many different options for this bag and you can design the pockets to fit your needs.  
The introduction video for this bag has some great idea.  You can check it out on the details page for the pattern:  A Place for Everything 2.0





There were some bulky seams in some places, but the Schmetz needles went through everything with out any problems.  The video suggests using a 90/14 size needle, but I already had an 80/12 in the machine and that just worked fine.




The next step in this project it to fill it up with all my quilting goodies!

And then figure out what By Annie pattern I want to make next!





Happy Sewing!


=^..^=



Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Gremlins, Goblins, and Ghouls Oh My! Blog Hop



Welcome to day two of Ghoulish Halloween inspiration.
I love Halloween, mostly the cutesy fun part. 
 Nothing too gore-ish or gruesome for me.  And I can't do scary movies! 
 Mr. Boodegy is my limit. lol



 But I do love treats and cute ways to pass them along.

This year I made some festive triangle pouches for some special little Gremlins and Goblins.


I used up some of my fun Halloween Prints for these.


These are super quick to sew up, and hold lots of sweet goodies.




There are many different tutorials on the web on how to make these, just search for Triangle Pouch and you are bound to find one that fits your style.




I tried two different types, both with an inside lining: A zipper on the edge and a zipper in the middle.

Can't wait to fill these up and pass them along!



I have also been working on another spooky project. 





The pattern is Bats by Cluck Cluck Sew.





 I cut out all the pieces for it last year and started making the blocks this year.




These are big blocks and are going together pretty quick.




 I am hoping to have it finished in time for the Family Halloween party on the 31st.




I have been asked to do some party games.
A spooky bat quilt would make a nice grand prize...


Be sure to hop on over to the other sites below to see more spookiness!





Happy Sewing!


=^..^=




 

Thursday, September 22, 2022

Queen of Gadgets Blog Hop

 



Welcome to day four of the Queen of Gadgets Blog Hop hosted by Carol of Just Let Me Quilt.
The challenge for this hop was to use our favorite sewing tool to create a project and tell why we love it. I went big for my project so it isn't quite finished yet, but it's close enough to give you an idea of why I love the tool below!






Right now my favorite sewing tool is the Blade Saver Thread Cutter by Purple Hobbies.





 I am a chain piecer and assembly line sewer.  I cut everything at once, then sew it, then press it, then sew another batch and press, etc.   A lot of times that leaves me with a chain of 100 or more pieces to cut apart before going to the iron.


This little tool helps me separate the sections lickety split.  I have tried other brands, but I like this one the best.  Sometimes my rotary blades are still super sharp except for one spot, like when I tried to cut a pin or something,  so it is nice to be able to use the best part of the blade for something else.   Plus the blade fits inside the stand if you ever need to take it with you.  Small and compact and easy to carry.




What better way to show off how to use this tool then by creating a quilt that has lots and lots of pieces.  The Greenhouse pattern by Elizabeth Hartman has been on my "want to make" list and I figured this was the time to make it.  I really wanted to go big on this one so I needed 56 different ten inch squares.

I pulled squares from three different Island Batik 10 inch stackers.

Drizzle - an older pack I had been saving for a while
Farm Fresh and 
Garden Gems.

The background is my favorite Island Batik neutral called Sprinkles.



Cactus plants...




Flower plants...




The Blade Saver Thread Cutter in action!




Prickly plants...




Jade plants...





 and Aloe plants.




So many pieces to separate!  I am glad I have this little tool!

Oh, does tape count as a tool?  If so I am loving the Diagonal Seam Tape by Cluck Cluck Sew as well.  You can see it on the sewing machine in the picture above.  No more drawing diagonal lines on fabric for sewing guidelines, just use the tape.  A definite need for this pattern too!