Challenge Quilt--Red & White Quilt

The UVQG challenge this year is to make a Red & White Quilt. There are no size requirements, nor design restrictions. It just has to be red and white ONLY. We can work all the different shades and hues of Red, but no other color is allowed.

I've been hemming and hawing over what to make. There are so many possibilities! This is the same problem I had last year with the "I looked out the Window" Challenge. It took me so long to settle on an idea that I ended up starting only a month before the deadline. I can't complain too much because I did end up with a quilt I absolutely love and hung in the AQS Quilt Show in Grand Rapids, MI. and it won 1st Place, Art Innovative at the Utah State Quilt Fest.

(And this year, I'm starting 1-1/2 months before the deadline instead of 1 month like last year.  Giving myself so much extra time!)

Babco Unlimited - Red & White Quilt in Progress

After months of searching for the "right" pattern, I finally drew up my own pattern based on a classic Carpenter's Square. I'm sure there are patterns out there, but why bother when I can just draw it up myself? And I can make sure it's how *I* want it to be.

I even took the time to figure out exactly how much fabric I needed so I knew how much to purchase. Nothing worse than running out of fabric mid-project. And as much as I love having a fabric stash, I didn't want to end up with TOO much leftover fabric.

Babco Unlimited - Red & White Quilt in Progress

I settled on this beautiful Kona Cotton in Chinese Red and Snow.  I am really starting to get excited about this project.

My goal for the month of October is to have all my strip sets sewn for this quilt. Yikes! I've got lots and lots of cutting and sewing ahead of me.

Linked up with Lovely Year of Finishes here.

Mystery Quilt - Day 4

Mystery Solved!

Babco Unlimited - Mystery Quilt Completed Top

And I have a completed top--YAY!

I've never worked exclusively with solids before. I know I'm late to this trend, but I think I really like it. In fact, I just did a large fabric order of solid fabrics for my next project.

And just like that, I completed my September Goal.

Linked up with Lovely Year of Finishes here.

First Place Finish

My "Painting the Roses Red" quilt won 1st place, Art Innovative at the Utah Quilt Fest Show last week. The Utah Quilt Guild covers all of Utah, parts of Nevada, and parts of Idaho. Plus, many quilters from other states come with family who are part of this state guild. 

First Place Ribbon, Art Innovative, Utah Quilt Festival Quilt Show

I was so surprised when my name was announced as a winner, but so so happy.

My quilt came back from the AQS Show just in time for me to send it off to this show.  At the AQS Show, my quilt was part of a group showing. We made it to the semifinals, but didn't place. That is okay--I'm was just so excited my quilt was going to a national show.

Disclaimer: My quilt was competing in the beginner category as I had never won a blue ribbon before. From now on, I'll have to compete at the champion level. So, this might be my first and last blue ribbon. Gotta enjoy it while I can.

Off to Quilt Fest 2015

It's that time of year again--I'm off to QuiltFest 2015.

My machine and bags are packed. I've got my name badge. I've kissed my husband and kids and promised I would indeed return on Saturday.

I've got my name badge--I'm off to Quilt Fest 2015

I tired to pair down my class schedule this year. In years past I cram every hour with classes and wear myself out. Then I don't have time or energy to do any shopping, or volunteering at the hand quilting booth, or socialize.

This year I'm taking the following classes:

• Colorado National Monument--a class on landscape quilts using freezer paper patterns
• Pieced Borders
• Designing & Organizing Your Quilting Space
• Quilted Journal or Sketchbook

I'm looking forward to time with my mom, my aunt, and my quilting friends I've made, and to creative time. 

Mystery Quilt - Day 3

I made a lot of 8-pointed Stars for Day 3 of my Mystery Quilt.

Babco Unlimited - Mystery Quilt in Progress

I've always called these stars "Martha Washington Stars," but when I googled the name I found out the Martha Washington Star usually has a pinwheel center instead of a solid one. So maybe I'm wrong.

Image found at Quilt Around the World

I'm only doing a table topper sized project, so I am almost done. I have all my major blocks done, just have to wait for day 4 to see the layout.

Overall, I'm happy with the color choices. I was a little nervous at the start that the 2 lighter blues were too similar without enough contrast. Still true--not a lot of contrast--but I'm ok with it and rather like it.

Mystery Quilt - Day 2

Lots and lots of flying geese make up the majority of my sewing for Day 2 of the Mystery Quilt. 

Babco Unlimited - Mystery Quilt in Progress

Have you ever tried the Quilt in a Day Flying Geese Ruler? It is awesome! I've never been a fan of flying geese because they are so tiring to make. However, this ruler makes sewing flying geese so easy and simple. They come out perfect every time.

Flying Geese Ruler

This ruler comes in several sizes with clear and easy instructions to follow. I used this ruler to make a ton of 1-1/2" x 3" flying geese and a few 3" x 6" flying geese for this Mystery Quilt. Now, I'm even thinking of making a flying geese quilt after this--that's a huge step toward loving flying geese for me.

Mystery Quilt - Day 1

As I mentioned before, I'm testing out a pattern for my aunt. She's doing a Mystery Quilt at this year's Utah Quilt Fest and wanted a guinea pig to help catch any errors and make sure instructions are clear.

The Mystery Quilt is set up to be revealed over 4 days. Here is my Mystery Quilt Day 1 sewing.

Babco Unlimited - Mystery Quilt in Progress

I'm a little concerned about my 2 lighter fabrics not having enough contrast between them. Oh well. This is just a tester.

I'm really glad she's had me test this pattern out. First, I found several typos--one of them a little profane (which made me giggle.) Second, I found missing steps. When she transposed everything from her word document to her publisher document with pictures, a few steps got left out. Oops!

My Goal this month is to finish the top of this project.

Linked up with A Lovely Year of Finishes here.

Seeing the World in Color

Do you dream in Black and White? Or in Color?

I realized I see the world in fabric. I look out around me and think about which fabrics I would choose to represent that color. Or what a great fabric palette that view would make.

I came to this realization as my husband and I spent 10 fun filled days in Maui to celebrate our 15th Anniversary. Wa-Hoo!  

Lahaina Beach

The colors there are so vibrant. Brilliant. Stunning. I was constantly looking around me at all the beautiful colors. Look at this blue, blue water I was lucky enough to snuba in!

Molokini, Photo Credit Russ Babcock

And this stunning bamboo forest I hiked!

Bamboo Forrest in Haleakala National Park, Maui, Photo Credit Russ Babcock

Everywhere were stunning views with saturated colors.

North Maui, Photo Credit Russ Babcock

And as I looked around at all the beauty around me I thought "This would make a beautiful quilt."

Iao Valley, Maui, Photo Credit Russ Babcock

And my husband just laughed at me.