Vise Versa - Wheel of Fortune Label Block

I know I've been a bit MIA lately. First, I'm trying to clean, purge, and pack up my house to sell it (always an exhausting process.) Second, I went camping for with the young women in my church (always an exhausting experience--but loads of fun.) Third, I've thrown my back out (always an exhausting and painful experience.) 

With all that going on, I haven't had much time for sewing. But sewing is my sanity, so I try to find time. I have managed a few things.

Here is an updated picture of my Wheel of Fortune quilt.

Wheel of Fortune Quilt Top

I am absolutely LOVING my border. I just modified the wheel block to create this fun border. It really makes the secondary pattern pop.  

Wheel of Fortune Quilt

This will be my label--so fun, right? I left it with my mom who is embroidering my quilt label onto this block for me, which I will then piece into the back. She said she could even do it in a circular spiral! Can't wait to get it back from her.

Wheel of Fortune Quilt Block

It's just fun to see the inverse of the wheel block.  

Wheel of Fortune Vise Versa Blocks

I am determined to keep my June goal and get my backing all pieced for this quilt.

And just for because--here is a picture from my camping trip.

View from our campsite. 

Mountain View

Linked up with Show off Saturday here.

Honey Honey Finish

It's finished! I finally buckled down and quilted my Honey Honey quilt. I was in a hurry to finish this before my guild meeting last Saturday for our UFO Challenge.

Honey Honey Quilt

I've blogged about this quilt here, here and here

Honey Honey Quilt

I had planned on pebbling in the negative space, but once I did all the stitch in the ditch I just really liked it. I might go back and do pebbling later one day--but for now I'm considering it done.  Once I have my new sewing room, this is going up on my wall. I just love looking at it.

Again, a Big Thank You to Esther for letting me try out this pattern.

This paper piecing pattern is super easy to follow and gives lots of options. You can find the pattern here.

Linked up with Let's Bee Social here.
Linked up with Paper Piecing Party here.
Linked up with TGIFF here.

HMQS

Congratulations to my mom who won an Honorary Mention in Machine Embroidery category at HMQS.

MK and Mom in front of her quilt hanging at the HMQS show.

Mom's Quilt at HMQS

(notice MK's gloves. She loved looking at the backs of all the quilts.)

MK and I met up with my mom for a quilt-fun-filled day. We browsed all the vendors and looked at all the amazing quilts.  I got home and realized I didn't take as many pictures as I thought I had. We were a bit pressed for time--I couldn't get there early in the day, so I only had about 2-1/2 hours to take it all in. Not enough time!

I do want to share a few of my favorites (besides my mom's of course.)

I love the color on this quilt! 

HMQS

This tribute to Monty Python made me laugh.

While admiring it, I heard a woman behind me say "I'm not dead yet." 

I responded with "It's just a flesh wound."  We both started cracking up.

HMQS

This is a stunning art quilt by Sue Gilgen. 

HMQS

MK  hamming it up.

MK at HMQS

Even though it was a short visit this year, I had a great time. I loved to see all the quilts. I'm always amazed at how far these quilts travel. There were quilts from all over the United States as well as Canada and Europe! 

Linked up with Anything Goes Monday here.

The Messy Side of Paper Piecing

A few days ago I posted this picture of my Wheel of Fortune quilt. 

Wheel of Fortune Quilt Top

I have since sewn the rows all together and am on the messy task of removing all the paper. I print out my paper piecing patterns onto Crayola's Doodle Pad paper. It is thinner than standard paper and cheaper than vellum or other quilt shop papers. (The paper is larger than standard paper, but I take it to a local copy shop and ask them to cut it to size. Then, I can easily print from my printer at home.)

One of the downsides of paper piecing is removing all the paper. I was sitting on the floor doing just this when my boys returned home from school. C thought it looked like good fun and asked if he could help. Um, YEAH!

C pulling paper off the back of the quilt.

Messy Side of Paper Piecing

S came upon us and saw C working with me and immediately said, "Oh! Can I do some, too?" Sure, I could spare you a corner to work on. 

S concentrating on tearing only the paper off. 

Messy Side of  Paper Piecing

We sat and tore paper for about 45 minutes while we listened to the audiobook of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." We only made a small dent, but had other things to do that night like soccer games and a work meeting.

I might be here for a while pulling off paper. Good thing the book is long.

Linked up to Paper Piecing Party here.

WIP Wednesday #31 - Wheel of Fortune

I'm excited to show off where I am at on my Wheel of Fortune Quilt.

Wheel of Fortune Quilt

As you can see, I only have two more rows to sew and the top will be DONE. D-O-N-E. Done. 

I am most excited about the border I added. Instead of ending the quilt with a full wheel, I made modified blocks with just the outer wheel so the secondary design of the star really stands out. I love it!

MK holding up pieces of my quilt. I think she thinks because this is pink it will be for her. 

Wheel of Fortune Quilt Top

Linking up with WIP Wednesday here.

Linking up with Let's Bee Social here.

Revisiting a Binding Skirmish

In my quilt blog meandering, I found a fun blog hosting a linky party challenging us to look through our blog archives. This week's theme is Bindings & Birds. Instantly, my mind went back to the massive battle I waged on the binding for a mini quilt.

You can read my original post here.

A Binding Skirmish

I can laugh now. Not so much at at time.

Have you had moments like that? Moments where, at the time, all you wanted to do was cry or scream, but looking back you can see just how funny it truly was?

Visit the linky party here.

Where Have I been?

I feel like I've been a bit MIA this past month. I have been busy with so many different things lately that I've neglected my little blog.

These past weeks, I have only been able to do a little quilting. I spent some time prepping a quilt for quilting. This stage always scares me--I'm always afraid I'm going to ruin a quilt by quilting it. So silly, I know. But, I'm determined to overcome my fear and just go for it. 

Honey Honey all basted and waiting.

Honey Honey Quilt

Before I take the plunge, I took time to do some practice squares to test my design, thread, and everything. I'm so glad I did! I found I need a different thread. 

Right: I like the thread, but not the color

Honey Honey Quilt

Left: I like the color, but not the thread

A quilt guild buddy is letting me use her wholesale account to order the thread I want.  Now, I wait.


Linked up with Freshly Pieced here.
Linked up with Sew Fresh Quilts here.

FMQ Friday #5 - Hidden Mickeys

Inspiration really is all around us.

While at Disneyland last week, the kids and I searched for hidden Mickeys. We found quite a lot, and we were always so proud of ourselves. It added an element of surprise and fun to the normal and mundane. 

For example: This was the carpet in our hotel room.

It is a pretty swirly design. Then, suddenly, you are seeing a hidden Mickey.

While waiting in line for Gadget Go ride in Toon Town, my boys spotted this hidden Mickey.

This one I found online here.

Hidden Mickey

These little hidden treasures are easily found when you look for them, but are also easily overlooked. 

What does this have to do with quilting? So glad you asked. 

Why can't we do something similar in our quilting? Add hidden designs or messages?

Who says we can't? I still haven't met with this supposed "Quilt Police" anywhere.

I pulled out a quilting practice block and started quilting. I thought a loopy stippling would be perfect for this type of thing. So, as I looped and swirled I stitched in the word "Love." Can you see it?

Hidden Words

I like how it is hidden. It's easy to see when you know to look for it, but easily overlooked because it blends in with the overall design.  The possibilities are endless. I could have even done an actual hidden Mickey in the quilting.

Have you ever done a hidden message or design?

Linked up to Free Motion Quilting here.

Quilty Things I Love

In honor of Valentine's Day, I thought I'd highlight a few quilty things I love. Valentine's Day isn't just about flowers, chocolate, and conversation hearts.

• I LOVE PINK FABRIC

This might not seem like a big deal, but to me it is. I think I was the only little girl who hated pink. HATED! As in a burning hate of a million fiery suns. Might sound extreme, but it's true--just ask my mother. You would never catch me wearing pink. 

I think this stemmed from being the third daughter. I had two older sisters who would use me as their living doll to dress up. I got sick of it. Then, my loving grandmother would send me homemade outfits all pink with ruffles and lace. Think of Ralph in "A Christmas Story." I didn't get the whole pink bunny outfit, but to my little girl self it was just as bad. 

My daughter, MK, came out of the womb loving pink (trust me--I didn't encourage this) and has helped me get over my prejudice. Most days, she is wearing head to toe pink she picks out herself.

MK LOVES Pink

Now my stash is full of pink. And I'm so glad it is, or I wouldn't be making this lovely in pink:

Wheel of Fortune Quilt

(The weather has been too gloomy to get a new updated pic)

I have these lovely fabrics waiting to make a beautiful pink, red, and aqua heart quilt. Love it!

Valentine Quilt Fabric

(Quilt found in the Jan/Feb 2012 Quiltmaker Magazine)

Valentine Quilt

• I LOVE WATERBLOCKER BY THE HONEY GUY

Have dry hands, but don't want to put on lotion because it gets all over the fabric or you can't hold your needle anymore? Not with this stuff.

(photo from his website)

The Honey Guy

My mom, aka The Quilting Guru, was raving about this lotion. Me? I was skeptical. Isn't honey sticky? Plus, I work for a personal care company and am very particular about all lotions.

Then I went to HMQS where The Honey Guy had a booth. I tried it at the booth and bought a sampler kit to take home. Oh, how I wished I had bought a big jug! I ordered a big jar online because this stuff is amazing! 

This lotion keeps your hands moisturized (and I live in the dry Utah desert) without residue. I can touch fabric to my hearts content and not transfer any chemicals. Within minutes of application, I can hand sew and not lose my grip on my needle. Plus, you only need to use it once and it lasts all day long. AMAZING I tell you.

You can buy it here. 

• I LOVE MY TABLE HANGING SEWING BASKET

The Quilting Guru, aka my mom, made this for me. It is a hanging pocket for all my sewing goodies I need like my little scissors, my seam ripper (wish I didn't need it so much), my stiletto, etc. The top part is a pin cushion weighted with sand.

Hanging Sewing Bag

When I sew, it hangs to my right to keep all my little goodies at hand. The sand in the pincushion keeps it weighted to the table so it doesn't fall off.

(This is my small sewing space I commandeered)

Sewing Area

There is a lot to love about quilting and all our fabric, gadgets, and tools. What are some of your quilty loves?

Linked up with Sew Can She here.

WIP Wednesday #30 - LEGO Captain America

Isn't this awesome?

Lego Captain America Quilt Block

Kristy over at Quiet Play was asking for testers of her new LEGO Marvel Superheros patterns, and I quickly raised my hand. Pick me! Pick me! She sent me her pattern for Captain America, and I got right to work.  Her pattern was so easy to follow. This looks like it would be difficult, but it was really super easy. 

Once I finished this, C told me I should think about doing Iron Man next. So, I showed him Kristy's patterns for other Marvel Superheros here. His exact words were, "You have to make these." And "Can I have it?"   

She has a huge selection of LEGO Star Wars characters available in her Craftsy store. I made the mistake of showing those to hubby. He has strongly hinted he would really love a quilt like that. 

Now, I need to test my skills at embellishing this with eyes and a mouth. Yikes! 

Wish me luck because I have no idea what I'm doing.

Linked up with Freshly Pieced here.

Linked up with Quiet Play here.

WIP Wednesday #29 - Butterflies

I'm still gung ho about about my guild's UFO Challenge. 

I need need things like this to keep me focused and on task.

One of my goals is to complete my Butterfly quilt.

Red Butterfly Quilt Block

 I want to finish it in time for the Quilt Show at the Springville Museum of Art in July. I had only 2 blocks completed, so I have a lot of work ahead of me. 

But look what I've been doing!

Oh, I just love them! I really, really do. I know I should be all modest and all, but I just love showing them off.  Each time I finish a block, I have to interrupt my husband to show it to him. And now I'm showing them off to you all. 

I really have to take my time on each block: I can't just whip them together. These blocks require y-seams, which I had never done before this project. Even still, I am having fun.

MK is keeping a close eye on this project as she knows this is for her.

She has asked for more pink butterflies. I'll see what I can do.

MK and the Butterfly Quilt Blocks

Linked up to Sew Fresh Quilts here.

Linked up to Freshly Pieced here.

WIP Wednesday #28 - Pinwheels

One of the things I've been working on is my Pocket Full of Pinwheels project. This started as a class I took at QuiltFest. I wanted MORE pinwheels than what the teacher taught. So, I spent some time on quilt blogs and pinterest to find ideas of other pinwheels.

First, I did these simple pinwheels. And yes, I meant to do them going different directions. Because I can. 

These have to be my new favorite pinwheel blocks I've made.

I got the idea off of Gen X Quilter's Quilt Library. It is entry 317 called "Dutchman's Puzzle."

I didn't like the directions used for the block, so I developed my own.

When I make Flying Geese, I don't like doing the flippy corners because of the waste and because of sewing on the bias. I like the "no waste" method...which I had to adapt to make sure I got different colors for my "sky" to make the hidden pinwheel in the middle.

Have you tried the flying geese "no waste" method? It's so easy peasy. You can find a tutorial here.

I've got lots and lots of pinwheel blocks. So, now I'm laying them out to see how I want to arrange my quilt. While I was playing with my blocks, S came along and wanted to try to get them to all fit. 

Organizing the Quilt Blocks

S arranged and rearranged fabric for at least half an hour. It was so fun to see him crawling all over the floor playing with the layout. We still haven't committed to a specific layout, but we are getting ideas. 

Seeing it all laid out, I still think I want more blocks. So, I'm back to searching for more ideas.

Linked to Freshly Pieced here.

Linked to Sew Fresh Quilts here.

UFO Challenge Accepted

Yes, I realize that most people do their New Year's Resolutions on January 1st. And--Yes, I realize we are a week and half into the new year. But it's never too late to make goals, right?

In guild meeting on Saturday, we were issued a UFO Challenge. 

Rules:  1. List four projects we wanted to complete this year. 

2. Projects must be something we already have.

3. We are allowed one swap-out.

4. We must complete three out of the four listed.

5. We have three completion dates: May, Aug, Nov.

6. Finished is subjective: it could mean finished all the blocks, finished the top, or quilted and bound.

I'm signed up, and it is ON!

My UFO Challenge projects:

• FRACTURED FLOWERS

Fractured Flower Quilt

This is just crazy--I'm so close, but I'm so angry at this quilt. 

• WHEEL OF FORTUNE

Wheel of Fortune Quilt

I'm having so much fun with this project, it's hard to stop.

I like the simplicity of this project.

• BUTTERFLIES

Butterflies

I want to have this finished for the Quilt Show a the Springvill Museum of Art in July and Quilt Fest in Sept. I've already dusted this project off and started to work on it again. I kept putting it off because of the templates. I needed to reexamine the templates I had made to make sure they were accurate. And I had two blocks I had to unpick and redo. Blargh. Never fun.

But now that I have the template issue sorted out, I'm loving this project again. 

• POCKET FULL OF PINWHEELS

Pinwheels

Another fun one that is so close to finish.

I'm having fun with all the different pinwheels.

So there you have it. I'm really excited about this challenge. There will be prizes and drawings for those who participate. But also, I'll get some finished projects. I need things like this to keep me focused and on target.

Do you have quilting goals this year?
What helps you keep your Quilty New Year's Resolutions?

Linked up to Stitch by Stitch here.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

What I did:

Wheel of Fortune Quilt in Progress

(I just keep plugging away at my Wheel of Fortune quilt.)

What my kids did:

(C, MK, and neighbors built a snowman)

WIP Wednesday #27 - Wheel of Fortune

I took a digital time-out over the Holidays. I was able to spend a lot of time with my family, enjoy the Holidays, and sew. Of course it seemed like the perfect time to start a new project...despite my ever growing list of WIP. What's one more project? Right?  I did work on some of my existing projects, but just needed something different to break up the "monotony" of working on the same thing.

I have been admiring this pattern for a while now. 

I found a free paper piecing pattern at quilter's cache here.

Wheel of Fortune Quilt in Progress

I've raided my scraps for any pinks. Then, I cut off about a 5" strip off all my pink fabric in my stash. I still have a LOT of pink to use up, which is a good thing since I want to make more blocks. I really should decide on how big I want to make this thing. For now, I'm just going to keep making blocks. 

I love the precision of paper piecing. 

And, I really like the secondary design that shows up--can you see the star that shows up in the negative space? 

As I'm piecing this, I'm starting to wonder how I will eventually quilt it. 

It's never too early to think about the quilting stage. 

The only thing I can think of at this time is doing a spiral out from the center of the wheel. But then what in the "star" area? Hmmm.

Wheel of Fortune Quilt in Progress

Any ideas out there? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Have you seen the Wheel of Fortune quilted? What did you like about it? What didn't you like?

All the examples I've been able to find are just the finished top, not quilted.

Linked up with Modern Traditional Quilts here.

Linked up with Freshly Pieced here. 

Linked up with Quiet Play here.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

WIP Wednesday #26

I feel like I haven't done a WIP post in forever, but it's only been three weeks since my last one. Between Thanksgiving and working I haven't gotten a whole lot done.

I have been steadily working on my Old Italian project. It is very time consuming. My mom and I took the class together, and she has decided to not do it. She didn't like the process. I've already invested a lot of time and money into this project--so I'm pushing forward with it. I've got a pile of about 20 blocks halfway done plus all these:

Old Italian Quilt in Progress

Isn't it fun to lay out what you've accomplished? I can visualize what the final project will look like. Plus, it gives me a sense of accomplishment.

The day after Thanksgiving, I didn't go shopping. Instead, I sat at my sewing machine and did all these for my Pocket Full of Pinwheels:

Pinwheels

I don't like the layout in the picture above, although it was fun to see all the different pinwheels I've made. This picture does give me an idea of what I've got and what I still need to make to fill holes. It's also helping me think of different layouts I want to try.

One of the pinwheels I made was this 3D pinwheel. It was surprisingly easy to make as well as fun, so I made quite a few. It was crazy how many layers of fabric I had to sew through...I was afraid I would break my needle. There are 12 layers of fabric at the center of the pinwheel. 

3D Pinwheel

My favorite pinwheel block is this one:

Pinwheels

This has been an interesting project. This is basically an Orphan Block type quilt--Taking a bunch of different blocks and throwing them together to make a quilt. 

I've always done quilts from a set pattern. Yes, I've made my own little adjustments here and there. But this is the first one I've done where so much is left to me and my own devices. It is a lot of fun to create so much.

Linked up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced here.

Linked up to Show Off  Saturday here.

Linked up with Quilt Story here.