A Lovely Year of Finishes: December 2014

I did it!

I finished something every month in 2014! This was a great motivator! Thanks to Fiber of All Sorts for letting me join in on the fun!

My December finish is the Christmas present tree skirt.









pattern info: Christmas packages by Missouri Star Quilt Company Tutorial. Tutorial found here but you need to scroll through her tutorials to find it.

panto info: Flirtatious

I was number 35 on the December Goal Setting Party.


I'm linking up with: Fiber of All Sorts December Goal Linky Party

Whoop! Whoop! 12.12.2014

I finished the tree skirt just in time for the guild challenge yesterday!

Yeah!  I wasn't voted into the top 3 for a prize but hey! It's done!


pattern info: present blocks from Missouri Star tutorial found here. (remember to scroll down to find it :))


I needed to make the back just a touch bigger so I added a little bit of black.

panto info: Flirtatious
















Today I am linking up with

Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict 

and

Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts

WIP Wednesday 12.10.2014

Today is binding day!

BIG FUN!  :)

I'm finding it just a tad on the challenging side.  :)

Design Wall Monday

I turned my pile of Christmas presents into a tree skirt!

Block pattern by Missouri Quilt Company - YouTube, found here. You will need to scroll through the list until you find The Present Quilt. Click on it to view the tutorial.

Christmas Presents!

Surprise!

I made Christmas presents. One present has the Challenge fabric as the main wrapping paper and one has it as the ribbon.  :)







Block pattern from Missouri Quilt Company You Tube - found here. You will need to scroll through the list to fine the Present Quilt video. Click on it and watch Jenny's tutorial…

Linking up with:

Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

December Goal Setting Party

Time to set a goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes over at Fiber of All Sorts. Hard to believe that it is the end of 2014!

This month is another must do! I need to make something out of this Challenge fabric. :)


I am #35 on the Goal Setting Party List.

Whoop! Whoop! 11.28.2014

Whoop! Whoop!

I finished the birthday quilt but haven't seen the Birthday Boy!  oh well, it will keep until I see him again…   right?!  :)

pattern info: Mock Trip Around the World by Quilting Assistant.  Milwaukee Admirals' shirt inset.

panto info:  Happy Times, one source here.











Linking up with:

Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

and

Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts

Hockey Thanksgiving!

WIP Wednesday 11.26.2014

Happy Wednesday!

Binding day!

Design Wall Monday 11.24.2014

Well, I needed a quick quilt so Mock Trip Around the World (by Quilting Assistant) to the rescue!

I went into my MTATW bin and pulled out 11 completed blue/gray/black blocks. I also had enough of the three fabrics to complete the quilt. Since this is for a Milwaukee Admirals' hockey friend, I decided to swap out the middle blocks with a t*shirt that I had on inventory. The friend is taller so I added a border with hockey motifs.  :)

Now all is left is odds and ends from previous quilts. Perhaps they will go into the orphan bins?!

Whoop! Whoop! 11.22.2014

Whoop! Whoop!

I finished up my November goal!

A blue and green scrap quilt. Blocks made with the Mile-a-Minute technique and my blue/green scrap boxes STILL DO NOT CLOSE! ...sigh….

I quilted it with the Bubbles panto, one source here.

I dyed the backing using bleached muslin and Tulip dyes.

It was an ice dye but there is a lot of white…I'm thinking it was too cold in my house to get full saturation of the dye.


I'm linking up with:

Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict,

Amanda Jean at Finish It Up Friday-Crazy Mom Quilts

and

Fiber of All Sorts--at the end of the month Linky Party. I was #69 on the November Goal Setting Party.

Wintery WIP 11.19.2014

Like many others in the continental US, winter has arrived here at Bell Creek Quilts. We are on the *wrong* side of the lake so our *lake effect* snow is limited this time around!

I finally got my thread out and am sewing the binding back for my ALYOF… here is my goal.

Veteran's Day 11.11.2014

I have been sewing up some loose ends for Veteran's Day this year.

I added the labels to the two QOV's I have here and I also made the two pillowcases/ presentation cases that need to accompany the quilts.  I need to write the letters to the Vets receiving the quilts than I can send them off to Alycia. I heard she needs like 65 quilts for presentations this November - which will deplete her supply of QOV's.

So now is the time for mine to head over to her 'holding station' before they find their forever homes!

Whoop! Whoop! 11.7.2014

Well, it's been awhile!  :)

I finished a few things over the last two weeks but I waited to post…not a whole lot of sewing happening at Bell Creek Quilts.  I feel like I should call myself  'Bell Creek Shuttle Service' for all the driving of DD I have been doing lately.  But, I digress…

I finished a few 'things' for me. I know, whoop! whoop!

First I made the Tag-a-long Tote from Terry Atkinson, found here.  I made a few mistakes along the way but nothing too serious. All in all - I really like it a lot! Maybe even love!  I made the strap longer to accommodate my wider-ness (is that a polite way to phrase it?!) and so I could still sling it across my body even with the winter coat on.  I also added velcro to the inside to hold it closed and I omitted the front pocket.  Didn't have enough of the pink…yes! for reals.  :)

I also made a matching wonder wallet, found here. I was over due for one as my original was wearing thin on the corners and at the velcro.  This time I added the elastic like my FAB friend, Pam originated. :)

I also made a keychain lanyard out of matching material.  I know…nerd city! but hey, it's ME!

I also wrapped clothesline in a brown fabric while I had the brown thread in the machine. Technique is the same as the coiled bowls but only keep the growing piece flat, as described in this book.  I've been wanting brown for the kitchen table for November.  I use them as hot pads for the dishes on the table.

Nice, right? Just a little bit of sewing here and there.  :)

Linking up with:

Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

and

Amanda at Crazy Mom Quilts

November 2014 Goal Setting Party

Almost past time to set a goal for this month over at Fiber of All Sorts.

DD's been keeping me very busy! She had her Driver's Ed classes in the month of October…15 days. I would pick her up from school at 2:40 pm, drop her at Driver's Ed then circle back for pick up at 4:50 pm.  Seemed like I was either comin' or goin'…with not a lot of time to do much of anything. Add in that now, she is hosting her youth group every Wednesday and, you guessed it! Wednesday is now cleaning day.  :)  Did I mention? She started hockey pre-season! whew!

This month I am going to KeepItSimple…

I want to quilt and bind this little jewel.  :)

I am #69 in the Linky Party at Fiber of All Sorts.

My October Finish

My goal for October at Fiber of All Sorts was to finish this Snowboarder quilt. I worked on the blocks at retreat in the beginning of October than finished it up here at home. I posted a picture before but it was all fuzzy. Thankfully, my camera is back in focus…and all on its own!

Thanks to DD for holding. :)

pattern info: 6.5 inch cut blocks, 2.5 inch cut frames, set---rainbow.

:)

The quilting is Hot Rod---a new to me panto, found here. I wanted to practice it before I quilt it on my cousin's quilt.

Housekeeping:  I was #60 on the October Goal Setting Linky Party

Linking up with:

Fiber of All Sorts October Finishing Party

Whoop! Whoop! 10.17.2014

I finished up quite a few of my projects from retreat!

Whoop! Whoop!

First up: I finally made a cover for Baby…my workhouse Brother sewing machine! I did a batch of ice dyeing and this tshirt I spiraled and place it under the main piece rack or in the *muck* as the dye-ers call it.

Second: I had brought this 3 yard kit from Fabric Cafe at the Madison Quilt Show in September. When you buy a 3 yard kit…then you are able to choose a pattern and this one intrigued me.

This is the back. I ice dyed this. My DD had mixed together my Tulip dyes of olive green, brown and black so I simply crinkled the backing, place it on a little rack, sprinkled the dye on the fabric and placed ice over it all.  Then I waited…til the ice melted then cured for 24 additional hours. I really like the coloring on this piece of muslin. I want to dye more but as we head into winter…the dye process needs to be indoors. Not sure that is happening. (needs temperature of 70 to dye with good results or so I've read!)

Third: A Batman quilt for a friend of DD's that recently moved away. Another 3 yard kit from Fabric Cafe but I added a border to make it bigger.

Fourth: A Snowboarder quilt. I simply framed out 6.5 inch blocks with 2.5 inch strips, rainbow style.

Fifth: I completed this crumb quilt to a flimsy this week. I had gotten most of the green blocks done on the Sunday of retreat and found blue blocks in my blue box…score! So it went together pretty fast.

Sixth: I finished up the group project table runner.












Whew! Thanks for hanging in with this long post!

Linking up with:

Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict 

and

Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts

Design Wall Tuesday 10.14.2014

Or, where have I been?

About two weeks ago, I went on a 4 day quilt retreat with the Oconomowoc Quilt Guild. Our meeting  is coming up this Thursday and all who attended the retreat are the speakers!

eek!

I've been working on finishing projects started on retreat! I happy to report that I am zero-ing in on those finishes.  :)

The last thing I worked on were these green crumb blocks. A fellow retreat-er hadn't heard about crumb blocks so I dragged in my banker's box of green and started to show Heather. Next thing I know, it's time to close up shop and head home. I had finished all but three of the green blocks on the design wall and only had to add a round or two to bring them up to 6.5 inch square.

Fast forward to today and when I pulled out the banker's box of blues, I was one happy girl! I had already pieced half the blue blocks on the wall! This top is really sewing up fast!  :)

My goal for this is to have it to the flimsy stage by Thursday's meeting.

Design Wall Monday

Over the weekend, I started to frame out my 6.5 inch Snowboarders with 2.5 inch strips.

My October goal for a Lovely Year of Finishes at Fiber of All Sorts is to finish this quilt.  :) I am #60 on the October list.

pattern info: 6.5 inch squares, 2.5 inch frames

One More...

…I quilted and finished this one over the weekend. This little one has already flown the coop and is on it's way to *It's Forever Home* via Margaret's Hope Chest.

*#USA* pattern is, what I believe to be public domain: rail fence. Rails cut at 3.5 in, blocks at 6.5 in. The ideas for the hashtag border from this post from Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework.

panto info: Starry Dreams

The backing is this red tie-dye that I have been hoarding. #USA was made so that I could use this backing and quilt with red thread.





Anyone else do that?! Decide on a project from the back?! LOL.

Another exercise in *trying to use what I have*.  *grin*

I'm also counting #USA as an entry for the *100 Quilts for Kids* Challenge that Heather at Quilts in the Queue is hosting this year.  I do believe today is the final link up day.  See all the quilts here at this link. I think there are at least 3 pages of donated quilts!

Design Wall Monday

My design wall is empty.

My allergies have been getting the better of me this season so not a whole lot of quilting is getting done.

I was able to quilt this little one. It's another Mock Trip Around the World using my last Eagle pillow panel inset.

pattern info: Mock Trip Around the World by Quilting Assistant.

panto info: Starry Dreams













This was my September goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes at Fiber of All Sorts.  I was number 33 on the September Goal Setting Linky, found here.  I'm linking up with the September Finish Linky party, found here.

This little one will be sent to Margaret's Hope Chest so I am also linking up with: Heather at Quilts in the Queue for the 100 Quilts for Kids Challenge, found here.

WIP Wednesday 9.17.2014

First, I fixed *Hashtag USA*. I had a block turned in the bottom row. Luckily, I only had to frog three seams to get the block to the right rotation.

pattern info: rail fence -- public domain. strips cut at 3.5 inches, blocks cut at 6.5 inches. Idea for *hashtag* border from Cynthia's Quilting is More Fun than Housework post here.



Second, I really, really like the Turning Leaves pattern from McCall's Quilting like from 2002.

I decided to make my own oak leaf template and give a few blocks  *a go*.

This set will be a table runner in the family room.

This set will be the wall hanging in the kitchen by the table.










This set will be the wall hanging on the far wall in the family  room.

And this set will be made into hot pads.


I didn't think that I had so many batiks in my stash! and I have more leftover!




Looks like there will be a scrappy batik quilt in my future sometime!

WIP Wednesday 9.10.2014

I decided on *hashtag USA*

pattern info: rail fence…public domain. rails at 3.5 inch cut, blocks at 6.5 inch cut, and hashtag at 3 inch cut.

idea for hashtag from this post by Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Around the World Blog Hop 9.8.2014

I was invited to join in the Around The World Blog Hop! What a fun idea! You will learn a little about me and will be able to travel back in time to visit with the blogger who invited me to participate.  At the end of this post - I'll introduce the two bloggers who accepted my invitation to participate in the Around The World Blog Hop.

I was invited by: Alycia of Alycia Quilts fame!  I met Alycia online - but not in person (yet!) - through her amazing work with Quilts of Valor. I hope one day to be able to meet up with Alycia as I feel she is a kindred quilting spirit!

:)

1. What am I working on?

Right now, I am concentrating on quilting for the 100 Quilts for Kids Challenge hosted by Heather at Quilts in the Queue. The quilts I am making will be going to Margaret's Hope Chest for their Prison Ministry Outreach.  They are in need of boyish quilts to take into the Michigan Prison system. This Ministry is very personal to me as we currently have a family member incarcerated. Through her years in and out of the system, she has lost custody of her three children. Fortunately, her mom (DH's Auntie)  has custody of the kids and is raising them.

I am sewing up some of my rwb quilts, in hopes that the children will like them. My patterns are a little small for the new Quilt of Valor requirements so I am going to have to re-visit patterns that make up to the new QOV size of 60 x 80.

Here is a quilt with a Eagle panel inset. This is the Mock Trip Around the World pattern.

Here is a rail fence in red/blue. My rails are cut at 3.5 inches, blocks at 6.5 inches.

I might add this flag border to jazz it up. I'm thinking of naming it *#USA*…get it? or maybe not…

I saw this on this post of Cynthia's at Quilting is More Fun than Housework.








2. How does my work differ from others?

Hummmmm….tough question. I tend to use lots of squares and rectangles in the patterns I make. It's TRUE! When I appliqué - raggy edge all the way. I do piece stars but I either float the points or make them wonky.

God Bless the Quilter that developed the Wonky Style!

3. Why do I create what I do?

The creation of quilts is an outlet from my more organized life. I think this is one reason why I like the wonky style - it gives me a sense of freedom in my structured life. Plus, quilts are a great gift! I've always explored some sort of craft. I've been known to dabble in painting, calligraphy, basket making, card making and scrap booking to name a few. Notice cooking and baking are NOT on the list!

4. How does my creative process work?

I like to think of patterns as guidelines, free to be interpreted by the individual quilt maker.

5. Who am I?

I'm Pat.

A daughter, sister, wife, in-law, mother, friend, quilter and hockey fan.

I've been sewing for about 13 years.













Who did I invite? Please meet:

Holly at Fabric Mom.

     Holly and I met through blogging. Holly was one of the first to reach out to me when I was a new blogger in 2008. Starting a blog was a giant leap of faith for me and Holly help to reassure me that all was well (and fun!) in blogland! Holly has turned her talents to embroidery and pattern writing to just name a few of her talents! She is indeed a kindred quilting spirit!

Pam at Mamaspark's World

     Pam and I also met through blogging. She asked for greens and I responded to her request. We have been great friends since then!  We were also fortunate to meet up *in person* a few times! Blogger friends are great online and even greater in person! Pam's talents have taken her in many directions, too! She has been published on the Moda Bakeshop for Pete's sake - she's a Rock Star! and another kindred quilting spirit!

Be sure to check out both of the ladies' blogs.  You won't be disappointed!

Have FUN!