Finished: Pear Quilt

I used the "Fenced In" pattern from The Practical Guide to Patchwork by Elizabeth Hartman of Oh Fransson! to create this quilt.  The instructions were easy and the quilt top came together quickly.  Quilt measures 44" x 44" square.  Another WIP done!

I added a row of pears to the back!

Longarm quilting credit: The Cutting Edge, medium meander pattern.

Linking up to Richard and Tanya Quilt's Link a Finish Friday :)

WIP ADD

I took a few days to reflect on my WIP ADD (works in progress, attention deficit disorder) and determined the following list:

Then I forgot about the following two projects:

- Triple Zip Pouch Angel Assignment

Here's a small peak at the progress.  My secret partner wanted red, white and blue. Do you think she'll like this piecing?


- A Crafty Fox's Star Flower Quilt Along
Come join me!  We're working on quilt that involves hexagons and diamonds.  This both scares and excites me at the same time.  I've spent a few evening hours cutting into the stack below.  It's going to be fabulous.

So my assignment this week is to establish WIP priorities and to NOT add any additional new projects. Heaven help me.

Linking up to Freshly Pieced's WIP Wednesday

Cute Little Hourglasses

Scrap triangles leftover from my Vintage Modern quilt are creating these adorable 2" square hourglass blocks!

So tiny and adorable!  Just had to share :)

Lonestars, Pluses and Hexies, Oh My!

First off, who knew "awkward moment" would generate so many page views?  If you are in dire need of page views just write about an awkward moment.  If you write it, people will read. (Say it in a whisper like in Field of Dreams).

Thank you all for your feedback.  It's great to hear that I am not only one who deals with these socially awkward moments.

Yesterday my husband asked: "Kate are you anxious or nervous?"
I peak up from behind my sewing machine and respond "A little, why?"
"Because you're doing a lot of sewing."

Yes, when I get anxious, or nervous, or nervously anxious, I sew to cope.  So lots of sewing this week and pictures to prove it.  Here are some (yes only some) of my progress this week.

Nursing cover gift for upcoming shower (can you tell I am still a little gun shy to give a quilt at one of these things?)  Diary of Quilter's tutorial is pretty awesome and easy (took me 1/2 an hour to pull this together, if that).

First attempts at paper-piecing - lonestar block from Six White Horses.  More on that later...

Arithmetic quilt layout and progress (Jeni Baker with In Color Order's Tutorial).  Border or no border?

Binding vintage modern quilt.

And still stitching away at those lovely hexagons!

I'll be traveling for work this week, but will try to link up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

Awkward Moment & A Finish!

So, a big question for everyone to answer please.  When you make a baby quilt for a friend when do you give it to them?  At a shower, in private, or ding-dong ditch style?

I think I'm learning the hard way, and by hard, I mean the awkward way...

Recently I was ecstatic to find out my best friend was coming into town for her baby shower.  We have similar personalities and I knew the perfect fabric and pattern I wanted to use.  I put all of my WIPs aside and focused on putting my love and time into the project.

On the day of the shower, I wrapped up the quilt in tissue paper, using a few of the leftover fabric strips to tie it up.  The party was wonderful and she was surrounded by lots of friends and loved-ones.  The best part of the shower was to catch up (in person!) with such an amazing friend.

Her wonderful Sister-in-Law came in late and brought some un-wrapped, cute receiving blankets she handmade using two pieces of flannel sewn together.  Adorable flannel and a job well done.  I panicked (on the inside) as I witnessed my friend open the gift from this Sister-in-Law first.  Then I cringed as my gift was handed to her to open next!  (insert imaginary face-palm).  All of the guests praised the quilt as I avoided eye-contact with the sister-in-law I just upstaged.  I felt awful and awkward. 

While, I know I did not intend do this, I still feel guilty over the situation.  Luckily my friend was a gracious receiver and openly praised both gifts.  However, I think in the future I'll give quilts in a less public setting.  What do you think?  Honesty is appreciated.

So if you're still reading, here are pictures of the finished Happy Go Lucky quilt!  (Thought I would end on a happy note)  It's off to its new home where it will be loved and well-used.  I chose to use white "bold" quilting thread to hand quilt in between all of the hourglasses.  Don't you just love the effect?

The backing fabric is Hop in Navy from the Happy Go Lucky collection. I just enjoy the effect of the multi colored hops along the edge.

Thank you all for reading my little blog.  Any advice and feedback is always, ALWAYS, appreciated.

 

Linking up to Sew Cute Tuesday at Better Off Thread!

Happy Go Lucky - Finished Top

Presenting my HappyGoLucky quilt top!

Squares and hour-glass blocks created this beaded design.  The piano key/squares border was a late addition after seeing Pixels to Patchwork's project here.  She did a fabulous job!  Again, my wonderful husband helped pick out the border (which required an additional trip to the LQS - no complaining here) and he was right!

 

After some discussion with myself (do you do that, too?), I've decided to hand-quilt this one.  It will take some time, but I think it will be right thing for the "character" of the quilt.  Ok, now back to the needle and thread!