Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Block Swap Sneak Peek

Our guild is looking forward to our Big Reveal of quilts made from our Block Swap.  It's not until September, so I can only share a glimpse.

Doll Quilt top

This little doll quilt top was made from the scraps of my Block Swap top.  Once it's quilted, it will be tucked inside a new doll cradle and given to a child for Christmas.

I have a lot of work ahead before our Reveal just to finish joining the rows before my quilt top will be ready for quilting.  It's due in early September, so I think there's still plenty of time. 

Next on my to do list is to design a quilt for my mom.  This is a challenge because I really want her to like it, but I'm not quite sure what that will entail.  I think she is drawn to art quilts, but would rather use it on a bed since she doesn't have much wall space.  Art quilts won't hold up to the wear and tear of being used.  Hmmmm.  I'll keep dreaming up ideas.

Enjoy your day!
- SeeingStars

Friday, July 26, 2013

Off the frame - a Quilt of Valor

I'm doing the happy dance again.  So glad to have this one quilted and ready for binding.

Since some friends are on their way over this morning, I'm posting mostly photos rather than my usual long-winded words. 







Enjoy your day!
- SeeingStars

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Summer Travels

We've been on the road ... a lot.  So I haven't posted since it's probably not wise to tell the world wide web that the house is unattended.  We've left many footprints in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina.  Our teens are going whitewater rafting on Friday, which is one more trip to Tennessee.  Whew!

For the NC beach trips, I brought along a sewing machine.  We like to avoid the most intense sun rays during prime tanning hours.  Also, it's really nice to have a backup plan on rainy days.  With a set of 12 flannel fat quarters plus a piece of tan solid flannel, I made three baby quilt tops.  The first two used Missouri Star Quilt Company's tutorial for Serendipity quilts.



Both of these are small, so I plan to add a border to them before quilting.

I've not sewn with flannel before, but it was good quality and didn't stretch or misbehave at all.  I like the soft texture and the piecing wasn't any different than using quilting fabrics, except for perhaps a few more pins than I'd normally use.

The green triangles went fast and I didn't have a source for more, so I used the other blocks to form one more top sans green.  It's larger and I'll quilt it without borders.



Our camera batteries need replacements, so these photos are from my phone.  I guess there's enough dirt on the lens to act as a softening filter. 

Now that we're home, I'm looking forward to a few finishes.  First and of the highest priority is to finish the quilting for the Quilts of Valor quilt.  It's much closer to being complete, but still needs more attention.  Two more eagles, a few more feathers and the outer border on one side.  Plus those little touch up places that I find as I turn the quilt.

Time to go to work now, so  ....

Enjoy your day,
- SeeingStars