Phew, that was a lot in 3 months for the 2015 Finish Along!!!

What a huge list of things to do for the 2015 Finish Along entry.  Was I crazy or what?  The list includes at least 4 queen size quilts and I do all my own quilting, sooooooo????!!!  But you don't succeed unless you try, and really I did try and did make many of my goals and a number of extra.  The extra I'll mention at the end of this entry, because it doesn't count for entries to this lovely contest.

Personal things have happened to me in November that has made it hard to complete many of the quilts, but when I came back home, it seemed the only thing that made me relax was quilting so in the end I went crazy and completed many of the quilts from the list, and more as well.  Here's what it looks like...

The pixulated sunflower quilt.  It needed to be quilted and binded. The quilting on the dark brown was 1/2 inch circles, very small, making the illusion of the sunflower seeds.  It's been on this list three times and although I got all of the dark brown completed, it's still not done, but it's coming along fabulous!!!  So I'm happy.

My Craftsy quilting class by Leah Day was also on my list.  It's been three times on this list.  Now I'm proud to say that now it has  another 3 squares completed, but still not done!!!

One of my other quilts that is queen size and I want to quilt (not send it out).  This one is over 3 years old, easy to quilt (straight line) so I'm hopng to get it done as well for November.

Picture of the finished pattern.  Mine is more green than anything else.

Here is another quilt that was partially finished and now it is - my Aurifill quilt - put together.  I added two more blocks, sewed all the strips together and put in a center piece to make the quilt a queen.  I added some borders and now I have to strip quilt it.  I don't want to show you until it's done but below is a sneak peek of the quilt, showing two blocks...  Stay tuned... It's on next month's list.

So what did I finish???

I wanted an autumn quilt for my bed for October.  This quilt had been sitting for over 3 years waiting for me.  And truthfully, I was worried about quilting a queen quilt on my singer, so when I got the Janome, I was a little braver.  So below is a picture of the backing and the front, and a piece that needs to be added to the front.  I'm proud to say that this one is completed!!!

From the above to the below!!!

This pillow is an extra piece from another project, and I wanted to play around quilting to practice.  The results is from the below 

to this pillow quilted free style!

I started to learn wool applique in 2008 with this quilt.   I think 7 years is old enough and it should be completed.  I don't even remember who was trying to teach us.  But that wasn't the only thing I forgot.  I couldn't find all the pattern, the instruction sheet was missing, so I couldn't do all the blocks, and I didn't know how to finish it.  But in the end I found two more blocks, completed them, and I had enough blocks to completed a wall quilt and that's what I did.  I added 2 1/2 inch squares of flower material around each square, one to two squares per section, in some areas and complete squares in others to make it a rectangle.  

Well I can honestly say it's done!!!!  That's me hiding!!  Notice all the two inch sqaures?  It was bigger than I thought but still great to hang on the wall so I'm happy with the results, and another UFO completed.

And to make my life a little more busy I signed up for a block of the month in August  This is  Block #2 but I need this done for Christmas for a friend (who's only job in the quilt shop  row by row field trip was to say NO to me every time I wanted to buy something, but instead talked me into this quilt.   I'm enjoying this quilt from the Quilt Company (see completed quilt pattern here) that I bought at Fabric Etc in Bellingham.  It's called the Quilted kettle and its a quilt of tea pots, tea cups and even tea bags.   So adorable.  it is made up with piecing and raw applique with button stitching. There is even some stitching on the top of some of the kettles to keep you busy.  I get each section on the 15th of the month, and there are six of them.  So far I've completed 4 of them (all the kettles), and I have the mugs to do, but I can honestly say there is no way I'll complete all this by December 25th (yep, you guessed it, I promised it to a friend for Christmas - don't have enough pressure, had to add to it  :). I have a all the center squares done but not the next level which are tea cups, so this one goes on into the new year!!!

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Everyone needs a christmas quilt on their quilt :)  This is an old BOM from the Fat Quarter Shop. Material all there, all cut up.  9 blocks to make.  It's from It's Sew Emma, a brilliant person.  My wall hanging for Christmas  :)

And this is it all completed and hanging on my wall just in time for Christmas. I finished it on November 28th, a Sunday, just in time to start Christmas season in December.  Love the look and the quilting on it!

I did two more rows on my row by row quilt, (the Pacific West quilts) so that's coming along but I didn't get the 10 I had bargained for. :(

There were others on my list that never got finished, but I was quite pleased with what I did.  And being impulsive, I did a few that were not on the list.  See below.

EXTRAS

OK, when you're mopping around and are a little depressed, one can stroke one's material (yes I do pull out my material and look at it to make myself feel happy), or on impulse, sew something that's not on one's list  (not everyone has a list like I make myself).  So in November I got impulsive, wanted to make a quilt to get over my funk, and did two of them.  

I'm trying to clean up my material but a good friend of mine keeps on giving me fat quarters to cheer me up.  The results:  a halloween quilt that turned out simple but cute.

I added black pumpkin shadows for interest and to draw the eye upwards.  The material (fat quarters) were random but cute, and I had a lot of orange from before, so I used up my stash, and got some simple work done.  The applique is all machine button stitched.

I also did a few others that were not on my list but I think that you might be interested (or maybe not)....

For Christmas I made over 20 bowl holders (if you have soup and it's hot, this bowl protects your hands.  If it's cold, it keeps the food cold).

the look of them.

Very fall colours

Then there was a quilt that I created from a class on Crafty.  The results, a spool quilt that I made my own.  It was my own design on the top to make the quilt larger.  I made the words on Word, then I enlarged them until there was one letter per page.  I traced the letters on another paper so they were backward, and that worked with the duo side interfacing to put them on the quilt.  Then I button stitched them.

I also made a Christmas gift that my mom got and since it's after Christmas I can show you.  This table topper is one of my best quilts yet, with the quilting being very intrinsic, and quite detailed.  In the end I sewed patters on the wings and body of the butterfly in blue silk thread.

With my Christmas quilt from last year, and the pillow I made this quarter.
Very proud of myself.

2015 finish along for September

Well this is my 2015 Finish Along entry.  Thus the buttons :)

I had a very good month this August, although with all the traveling I only quilted in August (being a teacher I did two months).  But boy, did I do a lot.  To read about it see this link.  The list is outstanding because the results are all there.  Now don't be scared!!!  I know there is a lot, and the items that are completed are small, but that list was huge, and I did get some stuff done!!!  Woo hoo for me!!

So what's the list this time?  Last time I only put three items down, and I only completed one.  But I did a number of other projects that won't on the list, and so they don't count.  But that's OK.  This time we're (and that's the royal we by the way) going to list it all.  So here it is....

The pixulated sunflower quilt.  Needs to be quilted and binding on it.  Quilting will be 1/2 circles, very small, making the illusion of the sunflower seeds.  Second time on the list.

My Crafty block.  Need to quilt each block.  Have 2 done so far.  Need to do all.  I have watched the first 3 quilting sections on the Crafty show.  3rd time on the list.  I'm getting mad at this quilt!!

An autumn quilt that I want on my bed for October.  This quilt has been sitting for over 3 years.  ENOUGH!!  I need some queen size quilts for my bed and I read somewhere online (sorry I forgot where) that a woman promised herself to make a queen size quilt a month for her bed.  I envied her, but I knew I had no time for that.  I do have 2 quilts that are queen size.  One I bought for summer (very light) but it's so worn out now that I want to throw it away.  And the other is a T-shirt quilt I made a couple of years ago.  With flannel backing so it's very, very hot.  So I want something in between, and I need to make it queen size for my bed.  That's the plan, below is the quilt.

One of my other quilts that is queen size and I want to quilt (not send it out).  This one is over 3 years old, easy to quilt (straight line) so I'm hopng to get it done as well for November.

Picture of the finished pattern.  Mine is more green than anything else.

My Aurifill quilt.  Put together.  I added two more blocks to make it work as a queen, added some borders and now I have to strip quilt it.  Don't want to show you until it's done.

Extra material I had, so then I made this small mat.  Need to quilt it as well.

There is a BOM starting from Sew Fresh Quilts (I love them).  You need to follow.  It starts in September and I purchased the pattern.  So sweet!!!  Puppies.  You need to see this.  Follow this button and follow the fun.  You can make a small quilt or a very large one.  Click on the button to see your choices and see what you can do.  Notice that all the dogs are different colours?  Even the white patches are different!!!  Excited to complete this one!

I have been eyeing this quilt pattern for over two months now, and with the goal of getting my stash down it would be perfect.   I haven't even started cutting this one.  Pattern is from Quilter's World April 2012 (bought it in June from our guild show).  The pattern are from Carolyn S. Vagts.

When the pattern is completed the extra corners one make this matching table runner.  So it's two for the price of one.

I started to learn wool applique with this quilt.  Started the class in 2008.  I think 7 years is old enough and it should be completed.  I don't even remember who was trying to teach us.  I couldn't find all the pattern, the pieces sheet is missing, so I can't do all the squares, but I have enough to completed a wall quilt and that's what I'm doing.  I'm going to put 2 1/2 inch squares of flower material around each square, one to two squares per section will work fine.  Last month I completed the last two sections.  See below for a closeup picture of one of the blocks I completed last month.

Been sitting in a container for over a year.  All the material is there, some of it is cut, just need to get going.  Love the blues.  When it's completed I'm going to put an appliqué of a cattail on it, giving the illusion of it in a ditch of water.  The pattern is called Parisian Patches by Gerri Robinson from MxCall's Quick Quilts April/May 2013 issue.  So it's part a pattern and part appliqué.  Hmmmm, there seems to be a lot of appliqué for this quarter?  Am I biting off more than I can chew?

 Someone gave me this pattern to me.  It's a paper piecing design by MH designs.  Love it as it reminds me of LaConnor's Tulip Festival in Washington.  It's only 11 x 18 inches and I have all the material so I'll be OK to make it one rainy day (and there's plenty of those in Vancouver, British Columbia.

I have the material for making a snowball table runner and here's the material.

I bought an e-book  from Martindal books called Sew One and You're Done - Making a Quilt from a Single Block by Evelyn Sloppy.  Going to try it.  It's amazing how many books and magazines you buy and don't use.  That's my peeve for this month and that's why all these quilts on the list.

I love Jacquelynne Steves at http://JacquelynneSteves.com.  She's so talented.  I purchased her fabric kit to join the "Cozy Afternoon" free BOM, and didn't start.  This month is the final month.  Want to get going on it and catch up (part of getting my stash down).  So this one is it.

And to make it a little more difficult I signed up for a block of the month and it looks almost identical.  This is  Block #2 but I need this done for Christmas for a friend (who's only job in the quilt shop was to say NO to me every time I wanted to buy something, but instead talked me into this quilt.  Naturally, I'm making it for her because I have the quilt above!!!  But I'm enjoying this quilt from the Quilt Company (see completed quilt pattern here) that I bought at Fabric Etc in Bellingham.  It's called the Quilted kettle and its a quilt of tea pots, tea cups and even tea bags.   So adorable.  it's make with piecing and raw applique with button stitching.  

Everyone needs a christmas quilt on their quilt :)  This is an old BOM from the Fat Quarter Shop.  Material all there, all cut up.  9 blocks to make.  It's from It's Sew Emma, a brilliant person.  My wall hanging for Christmas  :)

And last but not least.  See those bags below - over 50 row by rows from Canada, Arizona, and mostly Washington.  I'm making a queen size quilt of Washington and Arizona rows, and then another one from BC and Manitoba.  Two queens.  I have 9 already done (4 from Canada and 5 from the US), but I'll need 24 for each quilt.    My goal is to complete at least 10 rows in the 3 months (in between everything else).  At least get this stuff all organized and down a bit.  one bag Canada, one bag the US, and the last bag (a cute zippered bag by the Row by Row people) is full of material to finish it off.  I'm loving every minute of it.  Go the the left hand size, down a bit to click on the label Row by Row to see which ones have already been done.

I know it's a lot, but I get a lot done almost always.  Wish me luck.  I plan on getting MOST of this done.

Results of my Third Quarter Finish Along

I'm the first to admit it, I'm not doing so well when it comes to my goals although I have finished some quilts along the way (but not the ones I said I would complete).

So here were my goals from this quarter and the link:

• Online Craftsy Class - Quilting my BOM from Craftsy -  have only 3 blocks completed, need to complete 9 more by the end of August.
• Quilt the sun flower quilt. -  
• Elephant parade - what I had to do
• Complete flower block (need to cut new ones out and then make them)
• Complete one bird block
• Put it all together
• quilt it.

I swore that I would make at least one of these dates and so I have the following:

I have completed the elephant parade and I am so happy with it, I could cry!!!  You can get this pattern from Sew Fresh Quilts.  The pattern called for 1 inch borders and 2 1/2 inches around the edge borders.  I did 2 1/2 between blocks, and then 3 and a half around the end. The pattern is suppose to be a baby quilt but it's now a large lap quilt.  I used all scraps and two different fat quarters that I found.  The white background I had as well, but then I ran out.  I used three different off whites in the quilt, and it doesn't show. 

I quilted it in waves, with heart outlines on the top and the bottom.

The back is flannel with small elephants on it.  Cuddly.

the quilting - notice the bottom, of hearts.  I embroidered the legs of the bird to make it interesting.

All scraps, and the bird I added.  I made an extra large elephant by mistake, ran out of grey material, so I used the large elephant instead and did some editing of the pattern.

Hearts on the top. My favourite - the frog with it's big eyes.  :)

The sun flower quilt has been finished (top layer only).  I have sandwiched the quilt, and started to quilt the top.  I am doing tiny circles at a angle, to look like the sun flower seeds in the centre of the flower (in black thread).  But is it completely finished?  No.

The third quilt (the lesson on quilting from Craftsy) is not completed at all.  Darn, one out of three isn't bad at all.  So I'm happy.

Been Ages but Look what's happening

What a rough month.  Anything that can go wrong did go wrong!!!

Troubles at work, and troubles finishing my quilts for my first quilt guild entry.  I didn't do just one entry, I did 4!!!  But there was another one that I wanted to finish and that was the Norma quilt which is also called the star quilt.  There were a number of people who completed the quilt and every one of them looked different.  So I'm wondering what mine would look like if I finished it?  Hummm.....

But there were others to do and others to completed.  So here are two of them.....  (this is for you mom  ;)

The first one you've seen already, it's the first block of the month that I finished last year.  It's by Material Girls and I'm sure it's still on their web site.  It's a quilt that's made with two layer cakes and the only thing that I did different was to put a 3 inch border around every block and I used the same material instead of one of the layer cakes.  The results you've seen below:

All pebbled quilted (circular) the size of your nail on your pinky....

Then there was Gro's quilt....  Loving the colors as usual...

But this one is the killer......  This has left a permanent callus on my finger and you'll see why....  Here is one of the things I promised to complete (See my list on this link).

Done......  Well not quite.  But at this point I'm not doing anything because after a while (and it was two weeks solid every night to put all the pieces together then applique two more corners and do the vines all around, and then.....  Jee whiz, it was nuts!!!!  But Done!!!

From this...

To the completion....  Thank goodness!!! Another UFO of a year and a half done!!

But as for the other one, didn't even touch it!!  To learn to do different styles of quilting is crazy!!!  But I'll complete that one and another that I started at Sew Fresh Quilts - Elephant Parade!!! Finally I want to complete my SunFlower Pixelated quilt.  That would be three unfinished quilts in one seciton of time..  TRYING AGAIN!!

Learning to Quilt from Craftsy.

Complete the Sunflower Quilt

Elephant Parade - lots to do.