Quilt As You Go Baby Blues

Close Up of Quilting

I made a baby quilt for a friend of mine who is having a boy. I just used my blues and boy themed fabric. I love making a quilt with this method. I bought three yards for the back so it was all the same and used the same for the front sashing and binding. The pillowcases are for the grandkids in North Dakota for Valentines Day. As always, click on the photos to enlarge them.

Crumb Table Runner & Words on Quilts

What's a crumb runner you ask? I made this using leftovers from the tree skirt I made last year. You had to sew strip sets and then use a template (arch) and cut around that. Lots of fabric not used. So I squared them up, added a strip here and there and made this runner. I quilted it all in leaves, something I would have not done, had I not been following SewCal free motion designs. The design this month was leaves. I am usually a "stipple" quilter. Really happy how it turned out. This not for "anyone" so I was a little more relaxed about quilting it. 

My next project is making words out of fabric. I have attached what I have so far. The saying "Today I Will Choose Joy" I got off of http://lilblueboo.com/. You should check out her site, very inspiring! I need a lot of practice - my letters are huge, about 5.5 inches.

Black and White Chevron Disaster

This started out as a 24" pillow cover. I marked the lines in the black with a light blue quilters pencil, no problems. Then for the white, I used one of those chalk-o things with yellow chalk so I could see the lines.  Well the yellow did not come out. I sprayed water and then resorted to soaking it, still didn't come out. So the quilter in me just sewed new lines with yellow thread.  Still looked bad, so I added yellow to the back and pinned it to the front. It is my disaster piece for 2012. It is going to hide under my TV in the sewing room on the new table I painted.  This is the first time I have ever had a difficult time getting out my quilting lines. I was out of the blue water erase pen, but going to get one soon - those have never failed me.

Free Motion Quilting

I took the free motion challenge sponsored by SewCal, on FaceBook. The first month is a leaf. This is my second attempt, the prior one was a disaster.  I used a variegated blue and yellow King Tut thread, starting in the middle this time and working outwards. Once I relaxed, they actually look like leaves not droopy butts or sad hearts as the first one did.

Desk Paint Job & Dresden Plate

I acquired this desk from my brother-in-law.  He had it for many years.  It used to be a roll-top desk but the wood just fell apart.  I rescued it about six to seven years ago.  It came to me in the dried up condition you see it.  I used a half quart of Kilz on it and then rolled on the orange sherbet color.  I think it still needs something.  So today at WalMart I found a Min Wax stain in a tube.  How great is that?  I added a fancy knob in the front and then added two hooks on the side to hang bags, my tape measure I can never find, and other fun stuff.  The bottom is now useful with the shelf - the basket holds my out of control selvage strips. 

My first finish for 2012, a Dresden plate table topper/mat.  It measures 18" across.  These are very easy and a little holiday scrap buster. 

Ringing in 2012

My plan in 2012 is to use my stash and not buy ANY fabric.  I can buy sewing machine needles, buttons, thread, etc.  I do have my Etsy shop and possibly might need to buy something for this or that, but hopefully use what I have.  Any one else, going on a fabric diet? 

Using The Stash

I must, must use from my stash. So I signed up for Judy L's blog (patchwork times.com) I have a little notebook ready to write down my progress. The fabric ins and outs as I cal it. Hopefully there is way more outs than ins! I have a BOM project that needs to be quilted and I plan on using the quilt as you go method. So I am on a fabric diet and I need to stick to it. Anyone else doing this?

Quilt As You Go Pinks & Pillow

The quilt is from the book Crazy Shortcut Quilts by Marguerita McManus and Sarah Raffuse.  I have had the book for awhile, just kept looking it over and over.  Finally I decided to dig in the fat quarter box (well large see through container) to find some similar fabric.  I pulled out 18, nine for the front and back each.  The quilt measures 48x48 when you are finished. The pillow was made with the leftover strips you cut off each end of the fat quarters.  I didn't use fancy stitches on the crazy quilt - just straight lines and some points, whatever came to mind.  I am so loving this method of quilting. I encourage you to give it a try.  Email me if you have any questions.  The pillow is going on my Etsy site, don't know about the quilt yet.

Winner of Casserole Carrier & Oven Mitt

Random Number:

Desi said... (No Blog)

I have had a carrier on my to-make list and it keeps getting bumped to make things for my daughter :) new follower, I love black and white together. My favorite decoration is the ornament my husband and I bought on our honeymoon to Disney.

Congrats Desi - I will get an email out to you next.  Thanks all for playing.  I had a great time. 

I'm Having a Giveaway!

As part of the Quilting Gallery Blog Hop I am giving away a casserole carrier for a 9 x 9 pan plus an oven mitt.  The pan will not be included in the gift.  Carry your food in style to the next party you go to. 

Linking to http://quiltinggallery.com/quilters-fun/quilters-blog-hop-party/

To enter my giveaway, become a follower to my blog and tell me what your favorite color and holiday decorations are.  Simple right?

 I will pick a random winner on December 17th.  Thanks for playing.