Catch Up

I haven't been here for awhile...too busy with work, family, and Instagram (my new obsession). I have been quilting a little, though.

My latest finish is my #scrappytripalong quilt. I have found it impossible not to include the hashtag...thanks to IG ;-)

A big thanks to Bonnie Hunter, who has a great tutorial for this quilt on her blog.

I jumped on this wagon a little late, but boy did I have fun making it. I used a bunch of civil war era fat eights my sister had gifted me a couple of years ago. 

For the first time, I was working on multiple projects (don't you just love my Kaffe shoofly block?...haha). And, as usual, most of my pictures are taken with my phone while working. 

Although the quilt can quickly be put together, it took me forever!!! With lots going on with work and family, most days I was only able to look at my blocks waiting patiently for me to finish ;-)

I have learned that I work better without lots of starting and stopping. So, with this quilt, I worked in stages. I set aside time for cutting all the strips, then piecing them into strip sets, then subcutting, etc. It took forever before I finally completed my first block.

The many, many seams were a challenge for me, but a great reminder of the importance of pinning!!

While I was playing around with the layout, my oldest son asked who would be getting this quilt. He was quite surprised when I said that I was just making it to make it...no one in particular in mind. Well, he was quick to claim it as his! I love that my boys love my quilts ;-)

I returned to my old habit of quilting at the dining room table, which my Frustration LOVED!!! I quilted it using a meandering stitch throughout. Unfortunately, my best pictures would not upload without major distortions (not sure what the malfunction is), so I leave you with a few pictures my son took of the completed quilt.

I hope to work out some kinks with uploading my pictures. Maybe it's time to start using a real camera and not my phone!!!

In the meantime, I hope to share more quilting now that my summer vacation has finally arrived.

I have switched over to Bloglovin, so if you wish, you can follow me there.

Thanks, as always, for stopping by!!

~ Michelle ~

The 350 Blocks Project - February Report

I am happy to report that I met February's goal of 28 blocks in the 350 Blocks Project, although I'm not quite caught up for the year. Quite frankly, I doubt I will be caught up until mid summer when I'll have much more time to quilt. In the meantime, thank goodness for quick and easy blocks!!

I am continuing to work on my ScrappyTripAlong and Shoofly quilts.

What a contrast in design and fabrics! I'm loving both of my projects.

As usual, all of my pictures stink, as I use the camera on my phone. I just don't have time for awesome photo shoots ;-)  *sigh* Maybe one day...

I have enjoyed working in shifts with my projects. Kind of like an assembly line. With my scrappy quilt, I spent a day sewing sets of six strips together and pressing them. Then, as I found time, I would subcut and piece together the blocks.

I did the same with the shoofly blocks. One afternoon drawing the line across the squares and pinning them, then chain piecing the HSTs, then pressing another day, finishing with trimming the dog ears. Too bad it's not a true assembly line with lots of people taking care of each step. Of course, then it wouldn't be mine, so what would be the point, right?

I do love the way my shoofly blocks are coming together...I have been so scared of HSTs...so silly of me!!

So...my report for the month...

February's  block - 32...Goal met

Year to date - 36...9 blocks short.

Thanks, Shelly, for helping me set and work towards a quilty goal!!!

The 350 Blocks Project - January Report

I have a hard time juggling family, work, quilting, and blogging. When I do find time to quilt, I find I don't have time to take pictures of my projects and blog about them. With that in mind, I decided to join Shelly's 350 Blocks Project. I am hoping this will help me "record" what I am working on and share it with others.  So, here is my pitiful block report for January ;-)

I made a little mini quilt just for fun.

I have three blocks for my #scrappytripalong. Unfortunately, the poor lighting doesn't do justice to the beautiful prints.

And one big block which is actually a flimsy (I resisted trying to count this as more than one block...haha).

I am hoping I will have more to show for February's report!!

Thanks, as always, for visiting my blog.
~ Michelle ~

Birthdays, Super Bowl, and a Winner

Today is a big day in our house...my youngest son's 19th birthday!! Kyle shares his birthday with many special people...two great grandfathers from both sides of the family, his girl friend, and my friend Mary.

Kyle's not much for having his picture taken, but I was able to snap this picture of him last year while visiting the grandparents.

Kyle is a big supporter of my quilting, and all things "Momma." He insists that the quilt I made him a couple of years ago (while still learning) is the best.

He did say, though, with some concern in his voice, that my Peace quilt may actually outdo his ;-)

Today is also Super Bowl Sunday. Ehhh...blah blah blah...go Falcons!!!

I guess we'll be rooting for the commercials this year.

I'm excited to announce the give away winner of Rene's Peace Pattern, Ting, who wrote, "Looks great to have a Peace quilt for Christmas. I love the tangerine one too. Thanks for the chance." Ting, I have forwarded your email address to Rene', who will be contacting you shortly. Congratulations on winning this great pattern. I'm sure you will have lots of fun with it!!

Thanks, as always, for visiting my blog!!

~ Michelle ~

Peace Quilt Bloggy Party and a Giveaway

I am so excited to participate in the Peace Quilt Bloggy Party and be able to share my Peace Quilt and Peace top. I have been a follower of Rene' for over 40 years ;-) For those who may not be familiar with us, Rene' is my sister, best friend, motivator, source of inspiration...yes, I think she is awesome. And her Peace Quilt Pattern is just as awesome.

I totally fell in love with her first Peace Quilt, Feeling Groovy. If you haven't seen it, it is SO worth following the link!!

After some begging and pleading gentle persuading (thanks KT), Rene' developed the pattern, which is now available for purchase.

I had the pleasure of testing the pattern and am so happy to share a little #peace.

I made the baby peace quilt using Christmas scraps for a wall hanging.

I loved how quickly the top came together (I am all about instant gratification).  I loved how all my squares lined up so perfectly...a first for me ;-) The cutting instructions were spot on! I was able to lay out the strips on my dining room table and easily pieced the top in one afternoon.

The quilt was a perfect size for my Frustration and I to practice our FMQ.

The wall hanging goes perfectly in our kitchen, and we were able to enjoy this beauty during Christmas.

I have to say, however, that my second Peace quilt (the lap size) is my favorite. The squares are primarily Kaffe Fassett, with a few random squares thrown in. I waffled on the background fabric, finally choosing Kona Tangerine. As Rene' said, "Go bold or go home!" A perfect choice!!

As with the baby quilt, the instructions were perfect, and everything lined up nicely. Rene's pattern sure makes my quilting look good ;-)

Rene' included great graphics/diagrams for each size quilt. This really helped while laying out the strips and during piecing.

I am looking forward to finishing my Peace quilt, although I have no clue yet how I'm going to quilt it! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated ;-)

Be sure and leave a comment for your chance to win the giveaway of this pattern. I will leave the giveaway open through February 1st.  And be sure to check out the other blogs for some beautiful eye candy and more chances to win.

Bloggy Party Schedule:

Monday, January 21 -  Katie at KT Quilts
Tuesday, January 22 - Michele at  Nostalgic Cafe
Wednesday, January 23 - Cindy at  Live a Colorful Life
Friday, January 25 - Stephanie at Peas in a Pod 

Monday, January 28 - Terri at Terri's Notebook 

Tuesday, January 29 - Doris at Made by a Brunnette 

Wednesday, January 30 - Mary at Mary on Lake Pulaski 

Thursday, January 31 - Shelly at Prairie Moon Quilts 

Friday, February 1 - back to Rene' Creates  for a give away

Thanks, as always, for visiting my blog!

~ Michelle ~

~ Family Secrets ~

Who would have known that while my sister and I were scheming a surprise birthday quilt for our mom that she had a little secret of her own?!? Christmas quilts for us both...

Although we knew our mom had taken a quilting class in October, we never imagined that she would be working on TWO quilts for Christmas.

I am totally blown away by this "beginner!" And I use that word lightly.

My quilt is absolutely gorgeous!! And perfect for nap taking ;-)

Somewhere under that bundle is me ;-)))

Mom named the quilt "Memories." We have such wonderful memories of past Christmases, and we are always looking forward to making more memories.

We have had so much fun the past few months sharing our quilting journey. We laughingly ask what we talked about before we quilted, as the three of us spend hours on the phone with quilty talk.

Be sure to drop by my sister's blog to see the beautiful quilt our mom made for her!!!

Thanks, as always, for visiting my blog!!

~ Michelle ~

~ A Most Special Gift ~

Today is a most special day for a most special lady...my mother. Happy Birthday, Mom! My sister, Rene', believes strongly in celebrating all milestone birthdays (any birthday ending in a five or zero) in a BIG way. So to honor our mom's milestone birthday, we decided to make her a quilt...together. And I am so excited to finally be able to share it!!

 We started our planning this past summer during our Gruber's retreat. Even though I blamed gave credit to Rene' for coming up with the idea of a Great Granny Square quilt, it was our good friend Doris's idea (God bless her). It was a perfect choice!! After all, our mother recently became a Great Grandmother, but has also been a great grandmother and a great mother!!

We spent much time talking, planning, choosing the perfect fabric, stressing...

...for me, mainly stressing. So much, in fact, I was very careful to follow the directions

TO . A . T!!!

 In fact, the tutorial never left my side.

My Frustration was also nearby to ensure I did not miss a step.



As I completed each block, I would send a pic to Rene' through Instagram. Here are a couple of my blocks...

I must say, our IG friends were awesome in cheering us on during the making of this quilt...thank you!!

I played around with the layout of my blocks.



Not a great picture...my "design wall" is now located behind my bedroom door :(



I even labeled each block with a piece of painters tape so I wouldn't lose my place. As I have mentioned frequently, I am directionally challenged.

After sewing my two columns together, I shipped it to Rene' to finish piecing the top with her blocks. She then pieced the back, basted the quilt, and sent it back to me to be quilted. Yikes!!

My Frustration must have realized that I was a nervous wreck, seriously stressing, panic ridden really focused on the quilting, because he stayed as far away from me as he could that day (yes, I cranked this baby out in one day...not recommended).

We were able to get a couple of pictures of the two of us with the unfinished quilt when Rene' and her family made a quick stop over after an FSU game.

Rene' took care of the binding and a most wonderful photo shoot of the finished quilt.

Quilt Stats:

 finished size 58"x72

 pattern used: great granny square blocks

pieced by me and Rene', quilted by me

 fabric used Top: Kate Spain Serenade and Kona White, Backing: Rock n Romance by Pat Bravo (Rebel Cheri Whispers) , Binding: Kate Spain Fandango.

What a great time we had making this quilt!! I can't think of a better gift to give our mother, who has been such a big supporter of our quilting journey.

I can't wait to see the finished quilt in a few days...and to get a picture of the birthday girl with her birthday quilt!!

Be sure to check out Rene's blog and her post about our special quilty gift!

I'm linking up with AmandaJean and Sarah.

Happy Birthday, Mom!! We love you (most)!!!

~ Michelle ~

(whew)