Something NEW on my list of OLD

The UFO chosen for this month is #10. Which I had just added to my list. At the end of January I had a new flimsy that I really want to finish. So I took a look at my UFO list and traded out the batik star quilt for my Rhapsody in Bloom flimsy.

When I inserted this quilt I actually thought I wouldn't be working on it for months, but here it is.

Well, you've seen this quilt before. But here it is again. By the end of the month, this flimsy will be a bonafide quilt!

Isn't that a word that isn't used often any more, Bonafide. It reminds me of that old George Clooney movie "Oh Brother Where Art Thou"

And here is the quilt, Rhapsody in Bloom.

Well, there you have it. #10 is only a week old.

Cheers,

Dionne

January was Quite Contrary!

January is over and I've made progress on my #6 - Flannel Crazy Quilt

When I started it looked like this:

I had many other commitments this month, so my flannel crazy quilt was still just a sew-between, but still after sitting in a box for 13 years, even a sew-between is progress!

I also hit a speedbump when I sewed all the wrong pieces together because I thought I would just get a little bit done at midnight, when my eyes were already bleary.

It's not quilted and bound, but I'm further along than I was! And that's my overall goal. To get further along in my projects and not to add to my UFO list.

Here is what it looks like now:

My daughter and her friend are holding up my flimsy. Should I put a border on it? Right now it's a small, but cozy throw.

But of course my son had to get in on the action!

Also, I've decided to update my UFO Challenge list slightly.

1. Road to California

2. Christmas Bauble Runner

3. Around the World Cottage Quilt

4. Old Tobacco Road

5. Kaleidescope Quilt

6. Flannel Crazy Quilt My January Project!

7. Cameron's Calender Quilt

8. Greenpiece **CHANGE**

This needs to be finished, quilted and bound.

9. Robot Quilt

10. Rhapsody in Bloom **CHANGE**

This needs to be quilted and bound.

11. Cinder's Best Day

12. Roll, Roll, Cotton Boll

Cheers,

Dionne

Guest Blogger on Quilty Pleasures

I'm a guest blogger on the Quiltmaker blog called Quilty Pleasures.

Please check out my interview with Rhapsody in Bloom designer Doug Leko.

Cheers,

Dionne

And.... a stash report.

I've watched so many others do their stash reports with great interest, but I've never really done one myself. Still, I really need to slim down my fabric habit. And what I learned during my years in the business realm is that what you measure gets acted upon. So if my goal is to use more fabric and to buy less, I'm more likely to act on that goal if I measure it and track it.

That being said, I'll just run a little experiament. This year I'm going to issue a monthly stash report.

These won't be the most riveting of posts. Feel free to skip them if you wish. Or you could cheer me on with lovely comments. Actually I like that idea best. Yes, please do. Leave me lots of lovely comments. And to make this post a little less boring I'll conclude it with a blast from the past photograph!

Used this Month: 12.75 yards
Used year to Date: 12.75 yards

Finished "Rhapsody in Bloom" by Antler Quilt Designs for Quiltmaker magazine

Finished two Valentines placemats
Added this Month: 6.75 yards
Added Year to Date: 6.75 yards
Net Used for 2011: -6 yards

Picture from the Vault:

Son, age 5 (in picture) at Sister's Quilt Show in Sisters, Oregon (2008)

Cheers,

Dionne

Rhapsody in Bloom (and a giveaway)

This creative pattern was designed for Quiltmaker magazine by a teenager, Doug Leko. I was quite fortunate to have had the opportunity to interview him. You can read that interview at the Quiltmaker Blog, Quilty Pleasures. I believe it will be published tomorrow, or the next day.

Many of the other members of the Scrap Squad finished their quilting completely and they look fabulous! I have the quilting still left to do.

We learned about our first pattern just after Christmas, when my spirits were high and my pocket book was low. Have you ever found your self in that position? More inspiration than financing! I dug deep into my stash and found enough scraps to make a twin size RIB. (that's Rhapsody in Bloom ~ love the acronyms)

I was initially worried I wouldn't have enough contrast, colors, fabrics... you name it, I fretted about it! When I completed my first block, it was SO SCRAPPY, it was hard to see the actual pattern.

But I had faith that with more than 20 blocks in the twin size, the repeat would show up. In the end I am incredibly happy with the final quilt! And my daughter is thrilled with a new quilt for her bed.

I used approximately 32 different fabrics. The largest cut of fabric was a fat quarter and my smallest cut was a 2 1/2 inch square. I didn't use a unifying fabric to tie the project together and give your eye a place to rest ~ with my fabrics, it's all go, go, go!

One of my favorite elements of quilting is seeing how many incredibly unique ways one pattern can look fabulous. As a part of the Scrap Squad I get to be a part of seeing that process first hand. I am so fortunate to work with such a talented group of women that all look at the same pattern I do and see something radically different. I am inspired and amazed when I see the many interpretations of the same pattern! You can browse all the photos at the Scrap Squad Photo Gallery. I think you'll be just as inspired as I am!

I hope you'll take the time to check out everyone's blogs:

• Ruth at Threads of Mine


• Jane at Forest Jane


• Kim at Pokeytown Kim


• Donna at Donna's Quilts


• Pat at Crazy Quilter Mama


• Linda at Linda's Quilting Blog


• Carol at her Connecting Threads Blog

Oh, and I almost forgot. The designer of the quilt, Doug Leko, is having a little giveaway on his blog ~ but it ends today, by the end of the day! So head over to his blog: Antler Quilt Designs Please tell him Dionne sent you!

Cheers,

Dionne

Last Sneek Peek before the reveal...

On the 28th I'll be able to show off my quilt for Quiltmaker magazine. It's a delicious pattern designed by a teenage boy. Yes, you heard me right!

I have two teenage girls and I know how unique it is for a teenager, not only to be interested in quilting, but to then take the step further and design unique and wonderful patterns AND THEN take that talent and turn it into a fabulous little business.

I had the great opportunity to chat with this young man, and I'll be sharing that interview with you on the 29th. Come back soon!

Meanwhile, here is a little peek at the loveliness to come!

Cheers,

Dionne

Crazy Patch Snafu!

My Flannel crazy patch quilt has been my sew-between this month. I know that putting it on my UFO challenge meant that I should actually make it a primary project and not a secondary one, but my other commitments come first.

So there I had all my cut pieces laying nicely next to my Pfaff, ready to pick up and sew between my the pieces in my other quilt. But I get moving and grooving on my machine and my hands start grabbing fabric before my brain starts thinking and soon the pedal is to the metal, or in my case, the wood floor and I think to myself, it's not midnight yet. Let's burn through that crazy pile and finish up some more of good old #6.

Next morning I come down to see my progress only to discover I had grabbed the wrong pieces and sewn them together. 28 flannel pieces all sewn wrong!

So much for "blowing through the pile". I'm not looking forward to un-stitching that pile. Two steps forward, one step back.

Cheers,

Dionne

Quiltmaker Sneak Peek

So I mentioned earlier that I'm working with Quiltmaker magazine on their Scrap Squad. Well they've given us our first assignment and it's a FUN one!

This first quilt assignment is for a pattern called Rhapsody in Bloom. I can't wait for you to see it! It's a quilt designed by a teenage boy. It’s a clever block that seems to form sashing when joined to other blocks.

I can't show you much of the pattern yet, but I'll show you the colors I worked with. I used all scraps from many, many other projects. When you see my quilt, you'll hear Calypso music playing in the background.

Next week I'll be able to share a bigger sneak peek and then on the 28th I'll post the entire quilt top, with links to the other Scrap Squad members, a link to Quilty Pleasures, and I'm hoping to share an interview with the pattern designer on the 29th.

Cheers,

Dionne

It wasn't in the Small Print...

Before I get a bee in my bonnet, let me just ask you a question. Have you ever bought a pattern, only to find you had to pay extra to get the border pattern?

I thought I would like to learn more about machine embroidery; something I have done very little of. I happily signed up for a 'Block of the Month' embroidery class at my local quilt shop.

It's called "Goose Tracks" by HoopSisters. The pattern and class was $150. The paperwork that you get before the class starts shows a few colorways and a line drawing of the pattern both with and without borders. The one with borders looked much better to me. It's a simple border that finishes off the wall hanging quite nicely. I figured I would put the extra effort in and finish the optional border.

The first day of class, I found out that if I want to do the border, I have to pay an additional $45! I don't mind telling you, I felt rather cheated. I mean really, I've participated in many BOMs over the years and I've NEVER had to pay more for an 'optional' border, especially after I already paid $150 for the pattern!

Yes, therein lies the difference. No where in all the paperwork does it actually SAY that I have to PAY MORE for the border. What it does reference is the "Optional Border".

I feel like I don't ever want to buy anything from the HoopSisters again. I think they were misleading, and they should have made it very clear from the onset that the border pattern is $45 extra -- even if not all of the pictures included the border. Am I over reacting here? What do you think?

Anyhow, I have learned a bit and have finished two blocks:

Cheers,

Dionne

January Greenpiece

This month the centers uses the pieces we saved from last month. The rest is just a duplicate of what we did before.

Assemble on point.

For two more blocks!

And the alternate colorway:

Cheers,

Dionne

#6 has a ways to go!

The first number of the 2011 UFO Challenge has been issued. The first project we will attempt is #6. In my list, #6 is a Crazy Flannel Quilt. I pulled out my project box to take a look at what state this project is in.

I started this project before I had children. My oldest is now thirteen. It's old. I took a look at the directions to figure out my next move.

These directions are quite funny. It was a class I had taken at a quilt shop called Country Sewing Center in Elk Grove, California. I live several states away now, and I don't know if that shop is still open. But if it is, and you live around there, check it out. It was a nice little shop. Just in case you didn't get a good look at the directions, take another quick look.

Do you see what is missing? No where in any of those sheets does it tell me what size the finished quilt is meant to be. It doesn't say what size the block should finish to, nor how many blocks are required. I figure since it's a crazy quilt, and there is only one block to make it all depends on what I decide. But still the directions are very vague, with statements like - "...and will be demonstrated if you don't understand."

I also found, and this is so amusing to me, I found mylar templates! I haven't used mylar templates in... well, I guess in about thirteen years! Thank goodness I have finished up all the cutting because I don't think I would want to deal with cutting from a template!

There were also twelve finished blocks that measure approximately 10 inches and haven't yet been squared up. My son asked me to include his robot dog in my picture of the blocks.

There are also enough pieces cut to make an additional 28 blocks. So I think I thats where I'll start, piecing 28 more blocks.

Cheers,

Dionne

Snowy Night is Finished

You know how snow falling can look like fluffy little balls? Well, that's what I pictured the border would look like when I bought this fabric. Sometimes things don't look in reality like they do in your head. The border fabric background is too dark and the fluffy balls of snow just look like polka dots (nothing wrong with that... usually) Yeah, the border still bothers me, but it's done.

Here is some detail of the quilting I did. I used a metallic silver to machine quilt snowflakes. I've never used metallic thread before so there was a learning curve!

I used my Accuquilt cutting system to cut all the pieces and the applique snowflakes and machine appliqued them on the quilt.

This picture shows some closer detail on the appliqued snowflakes.

I think I'll add more quilting, and perhaps outline the snowflakes in the metallic thread and then I'll be done. I'm pleased with the results, but I think it looked a lot better in my head. Seems to be a running theme with me!

Cheers,

Dionne

2009 Challenge Review

I thought I would look back to my last UFO challenge. Two years ago I thought I would list ALL of my UFOs and tackle them one at a time. I didn't just list projects that were unfinished. I also listed projects that weren't yet started.

On that list I had 24 items! (You can see the post HERE) Of those items listed, I finished 5 quilts:

1. Christmas Trees first quilt top,


2. Tree of Life,
   
   


3. Botanical Shop Hop Quilt,
   
4. Disappearing 9-patch,


5. Lap Quilt Swap IV

And I "De-commissioned" 2 more projects on the list: Woodsy Center - This became the back of another quilt, Lost Blues - this one I took apart and used the fabrics elsewhere

Another 5 of these previously listed projects I just plain never started. So I'll take them off my list until they become either projects in process or get used elsewhere.

That leaves me with only half of the original 24. But of course I've added more unfinished projects to the pile so not all of these original 12 made it too my new UFO challenge list. But that's ok, I've come to realize I will always have projects in process. Its the thrill of starting something new!

There will always be quilters who are more productive than me, with better skills and bigger fabric budgets. But I will always love my projects best, because they are mine.

Cheers,

Dionne

Quiltmaker Finishes

I recently challenged myself to take two Quiltmaker patterns and finish them in a scrappy style. Two quilts tops in two weeks. It wouldn't have been that bad if I would have been able to take a break from all my other responsibilities.

Still, it was a lot of fun. Here is what I came up with:

First is a controlled scrap quilt. I used all warm, fall colors to make the pattern "Confetti" found in Quiltmaker on page 22 of the March/April '10 issue No. 132.

This second quilt is entirely scrappy. I didn't control the colors in this crib-sized version of the "Sweet Morsels" pattern found in Quiltmaker on page 60 of the November/December '10 issue No. 136.

The really fun thing is that Quiltmaker magazine invited me to work with them on their 2011 patterns. I'll keep you updated as I can!

Cheers,

Dionne

2011 UFO Challenge

I am going to participate in a UFO challenge for the year 2011. If you want to participate as well, go to Patchwork Times. Participants number their unfinished projects 1-12 then each month Judy will pick a number and that’s the project you have to finish. I'm taking the challenge.

Here is a list of the UFOs I plan to complete in 2011:

1. Orange Road to California - blocks completed, just needs sashing and sewing, quilting and binding.




2. Christmas Bauble Runner


3. Around the World Cottage Quilt


4. Old Tobacco Road (a Bonnie Hunter Mystery) - a lot of little quilty pieces, lots of work left to do... this is a big one.



5. Kaleidoscope Quilt - Not sure what the status on this is, I took this picture more than a year ago and haven't looked at it since! I blogged about it HERE:
   
   
   
6. Flannel Crazy Quilt - This is another quilt whose status is unknown. I haven't looked at this quilt since I took this picture more than a year ago. I blogged about this HERE:



7. Cameron's Calender Quilt - This quilt I made with my 5yr old son. We never put the blocks together, my son is now just 7 and has forgotten about it almost. Think it's time to finish this one. Here is a picture of my son at the age of five:




8. Starstruck Quilt - These fabrics were chosen by my daughter, whom this was originally intended for. It's a series of blocks that need to be put together. I had intended to do the quilt as you go method on it, but are now trying to do the just-get-it-done method. I blogged about the day I started this quilt HERE.




9. Robot quilt - Almost done!


10. Batik Triangle Quilt - Not much further I'm afraid from this picture.



11. Cinders Best Day quilt - I started this quilt, but I didn't have the skills to finish it. Now I can finish it.


12. Roll, Roll, Cotton Boll - I'm not sure how old a project has to be to get onto the UFO list since I started this project this month, but I'm already behind and it already got shoved aside for some other projects. But I sincerely want to finish it.

I do plan to complete several more quilts as well. All my normal goings on. So here we are. I needed to choose some of my UFOs to finish up and I guess I could have spent more time choosing the projects, but these are the ones I've chosen.

My biggest goal is to complete more than I start.

Cheers,

Dionne

Some Finishes from the year.

Here are a few finishes I don't think I posted this year. It's hard to remember what I blogged about. It was a roller coaster year, and the end of last year as well. My father had so many illnesses, he was like the energizer bunny really. The end was hard for me though.

Yowza!! I didn't mean to go there! Here are a few of my finishes from the year:

This is one that was published this year, but most of the photos I took I sold the rights to in conjunction with an article I wrote this year. The picture is of my daughter with the quilt in my front yard:

This is a quilt I finished sometime this year. I can't remember when... I call it Garden Path. We use this blanket for warmth, so it sits on a random bed at our home, but not on top where it will be seen. Currently it's on my bed underneath the quilt we have on top - the one on top of my bed is one I made last year called Botanical Shop Hop Quilt. (if you follow the link to see it, you will need to scroll about half way down the post) but the one I finished this year is here:


These two pictures are of the Batik Spice Market quilt I made for a friend of mine, I did the piecing and binding, but sent out the quilting to the longarm quilter:

This quilt I finished for the daughter of a friend of mine, come to think of it, I finished a quilt for all three of her children, but it seems I only snapped a picture of this one:

This is my picnic quilt, that we've used several times, but it's never seen the out of doors! I know you've seen this before HERE:

This is the second quilt I made identical to this. I made it, then realized I sent it's twin to the same cousin's last baby. I can't have two siblings with identical baby quilts, so now it sits on my shelf without a baby to belong too:

This is the replacement quilt I made for my above mistake. This one went to baby Gavin:

This quilt went to my good friend, whom lives so far away now.

Well, that's all for now!

Cheers,

Dionne