Finish-A-Long – Shark's Dinner

Log Cabins: A Finish-A-Long

These last few days have been a race to the finish line as I really, really wanted a second finish for Q3 of the Finish-A-Long.

My first finish was the Siblings Together quilt which I handed over at the Fat Quarterly Retreat.

This is only a picture of the top as I haven’t got any pictures of the finished quilt! You can find a picture of the finished quilt here.

The list had a few smaller projects on it but I was determined to finally finish Little Miss Bossy-Boots- log cabin quilt. To be honest, I found it a little difficult to muster the enthusiasm for finishing it as I don’t like it. Or rather, I didn’t like it. I found the log cabins too busy and bright. However, toning them down with some white squares helped tremendously. As I didn’t have enough white for more than four squares so added some polka dots which I had bought for the backing.

The quilt has grown on me and I rather like its cheerfulness. I decided to have fun with the quilting. First, I quilted some square spirals on the log cabins simply following the lines with my walking foot. Then I decided to quilt a big flower in the white squares, again with my walking foot. This was a lot of fun and I enjoyed the process, although turning the quilt so many times was a bit of a pain.

Far from perfect but I don’t think my five year old is going to notice.

Next I thought about the polka dots and decided to practice my fmq with some stippled hearts.

Again, this is far from perfect but I’m proud I did it and had fun in the process. When I told Little Miss Bossy-Boots I was going to add her name as well she asked if I could also add Charlie’s name as he likes her quilts too. So I did.

And then I was asked to quilt some cats too. Cats? That’s pushing me to the limit. In the end I managed to hide a few cats amongst the hearts.

The quilt finishes at 45″ x 45″, just the right size to snuggle under while watching a movie, and is entirely pieced and quilted with Aurifil in white (2024, 50wt). I’m so pleased with how it came out in the end and can’t wait to stick this quilt in the washing machine and tumble dryer. I think it should crinkle up beautifully.

Little Miss Bossy-Boots loves her new quilt and I love that I’ve been able to make my bestest girl happy.

Categories: Quilting2 Comments

The List: FAL Q3

eli 9th July 2013 #FAL Q3 #Finish-A-Long

I’m joining in with the Finish-A-Long, hosted by Leanne of She Can Quilt, again. What can I say? I didn’t finish a single thing on my FAL Q2 list. No, not one; although I have made some progress on Master’s bag and Little Miss Bossy-Boots’ quilt. My FAL Q3 will therefore look much like Q2.

1. Master’s Bag

This just needs the flap and handle attached. I’ve promised Master to finish it this week so I really need to find an hour or so to sit down at the machine.

2. Little Miss Bossy-Boots log cabin quilt.

I’ve got the quilt top finished but am debating adding a border to make it a little bit bigger. As I’m sure you’ve gathered by now, decisions aren’t my forte. Missy likes it the way it is, so I might just go with it and keep it at 48″ x 48″.

3. Athea Spring Version and Bloom

Still not sure what to turn them into, so I’m going to think about it a little longer.

4. In the Woods

I’ve taken the papers out and given it a good press. So now I need to decide what to turn it into.

5. Spring Carnival

No progress at all. However, I’m going to bring it to FQR as I need help with deciding how to continue. I really want to make it bigger but have now run out of the stripy fabric fabric I used for the centre. Hopefully I will be able to finish it after FQR.

6. The Siblings Together Quilt

I need to baste, quilt and bind it before next Friday so I can hand it over at the Fat Quarterly Retreat.

This list is ridiculously long and very ambitious, especially considering that I’m moving to Switzerland in August. Never mind, I’ll try my best to at least finish a couple of things.

Categories: Finish-A-Long3 Comments

FAL – 2nd Quarter

eli 10th April 2013 #Athea #English Paper Piecing #EPP #FAL #Finish-A-Long #In The Woods #Spring Carnival

It’s that time again, the time to fess up and bring out all the WIP’s to link to Leanne of She Can Quilt‘s Finish-A-Long list. My list for the first quarter was filled with small things like a sewing kit and some cushions which I managed to finish and one quilt which I didn’t even get out of the drawer it’s been banished to. So, as you can imagine it’s going on this quarter’s list. Right, here’s my list for this quarter:

1. Little Miss Bossy-Boots’ log cabin quilt.

I’ve got four log cabins so far and will have to make at least another sixteen, I think. I’m not sure I have enough fabric so I might have to be a little creative and add some sashing to make the quilt big enough.

2. The Spring Carnival quilt. This is quite ambitious but I really want to bring it to the Fat Quarterly Retreat in July.

My biggest problem here is that I’m fast running out of the stripy fabric I’m using for the ‘background’. I believe I have enough for two more columns, then I have to decide whether to keep it that size or choose a different fabric and add a frame around the stripes.

3. Master’s Bag

I promised to make this bag last year (hangs her head in shame) and only started a very short while ago. I know it won’t take too long to make, I just need some uninterrupted sewing time which isn’t easy with Little Miss Bossy-Boots on holiday.

4. The Spring Version and Blossom panels.

I’m not sure what to make with those two. I was wondering if I should turn one of them into a small quilt for the couch by adding a few borders and maybe making a bag with the other. Or maybe another cushion? Watch this space as I’m not sure yet what to do.

5. In The Woods

Tote pocket or doll blanket? The jury’s still out.

I think I’m going to stop here as I’d really like to finish everything on the list and there’s more than enough on there to keep me busy. Also, I know myself well enough that I’m sure I will start many new projects.

Categories: Finish-A-Long, Work in Progress3 Comments

Finish-A-Long: My Finishes

eli 2nd April 2013 #English Paper Piecing #FAL #Finish-A-Long #Flying Geese #Foundation Paper Piecing #Hexagons #sewing kit

This Finish-A-Long, hosted by the lovely Leanne of She Can Quilt, has really helped me finish some WIPs that had been lying around for quite a while. My list contained five projects and I finished four; not bad going for me. Of course, the one project I didn’t finish was the biggest one, Little Miss Bossy-Boots’ log cabin quilt. I’m going to put it on the list for the next quarter and make sure I start with it.

I was really happy to finish my Hexagon Heart which I started in April and was destined to raise funds for my local cancer treatment centre.

The second finish was my Double Circle of Flying Geese, or Skein of Geese as I called it which I started at the Fat Quarterly Retreat in July. Once I got home I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t be able to remember how to foundation paper piece so I put all the bits and pieces in a drawer. Once I got everything out and got started I realised that not only did I remember how to do it, I also thoroughly enjoyed the process. It’s now sitting on my sofa being used every day.

Two of my finishes ended up in my sister’s house: the sewing kit I made for her and the ‘Spin Me Around’ cushion.

I realise that I only finished a few small things but I’m so grateful to FAL because without it I probably only would have finished the sewing kit and started a lot more new projects.

Categories: Finish-A-Long2 Comments

A Skein of Geese

eli 4th February 2013 #Double Circle of Flying Geese Pillow #Finish-A-Long #Good Fortune by Kate Spain

Did you know a large group of flying geese is called a skein? Well, I didn’t I but now I can say I’ve learned something new today. The information, by the way, came from here.

Anyway, my double circle of geese cushion has been on my to-do list since last June and I’m so happy to finally be able to put a tick next to it.

After I stopped worrying and got on with sewing the cushion came together really quickly. The fabric I used for the geese is “Good Fortune” by Kate Spain, the green solid is one I got from a friend.

I wasn’t sure how to quilt it but decided to simply follow the geese, which meant 24 stops and starts where I had to break thread. I think it took longer to knot the threads and bury the ends than to piece the whole block.

This cushion was made with someone in mind. However, I now don’t think it is right for this person so it looks like this one is up for grabs. Or it might just stay there on the sofa if I can’t find a good home for it; it goes really well with our sage green feature wall.

I didn’t have a pillow form big enough for the cover (it finishes at 20″) so I pinched the insert of Charlie’s bed so I could take pictures. He wasn’t very happy and decided to check out my photo shoot.

The look on his face says it all…

Another finish for my FAL list. Not quite on a roll but getting there.

Categories: Finish-A-Long, Home Projects, Quilting6 Comments

Lets Finish This

eli 9th January 2013 #Double Circle of Flying Geese #EPP #Finish-A-Long #Hexagons #Log Cabins

I have numerous WIPs (works in progress) I would like to finish before I start on something new. So what better way to get me to actually deal with them than the Finish-A-Long organised by Leanne from “She Can Quilt“? Most of them were on my list of UFOs and WIPs last year and although I finished a couple the others are still there in bits and pieces.

So what am I going to put in this first Quarter’s Finish-A-Long?

1. My Flying Geese Cushion. This was started at the Fat Quarterly Retreat 2012. I finished one quarter of it but the rest is still in pieces. I enjoyed the paper piecing although I at times felt like my head was going to explode from all the concentrating. I love the colours, the geese are all from Kate Spain’s line Good Fortune, the green is a solid I got from a friend.

2. Little Miss Bossy-Boots’ Log Cabin Quilt. She loves the flannel quilt I gave her for Christmas and it’s in use every day but she really wants a pink one and the log cabins have quite a bit of pink in them. They are quite fun to make although I do feel at times that they were a bit too busy. I might combine them with some big solid squares to calm the whole quilt down.

3. The Heart Hexagon Cushion. This was started as a fundraiser for our local cancer treatment centre and I feel really bad that I haven’t finished it. They don’t know I’m making it so it’s not like I have any pressure from them but I still would like to get it done so that I can start selling raffle tickets. Due to my guilty conscience I think I might make something else in addition but that won’t be on this list as I haven’t started it yet!

You might have noticed that I started quilting around the heart. Sadly, I didn’t like it and unpicked it again. I’m still wondering how to quilt it which is a real shame as I know that I could finish this cushion very quickly if only I got a move on.

4. A Sewing Kit for my sister. I can’t show you any pictures as she reads this blog and I want it to be a surprise. It’s been sitting on my sewing table for a while now. I’ve cut out the pieces but just need some uninterrupted sewing time to finish it. Now that school has started again I’m hoping to get exactly that.

5. Turn this trial block into something. Another cushion? How many cushions do I need? Any suggestions? Or even any takers?

There we go. That’s quite a lot to get on with and I’m not sure if I can do it but I’ll try my hardest to get all of the above projects finished before the end of Q1.

Categories: Finish-A-Long5 Comments

Shark's Dinner

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