Sunday, December 30, 2012

Quilt tops finished in December - #3, 4 and 5

  
After I finished the PSOAL and Blogger's BOM quilt tops, I pulled out some more 'postage stamp' blocks I worked on in the beginning of the year... If my counting was right (months back!), there should be 439 of those small rectangle 4-patches. Who has said the blocks for a 'postage stamp' quilt have to be square?! :)) Since I have used rectangles cut from a panel to fit into the quilt, I had to make the four-patches the same size. Since I had so many 4-patches, first out is a baby quilt... (#3)

 
#4 can either be used as a baby play mat or a table topper...
 
 
Aren't they cute?!
 
 
#5 is a double bed size - 80 x 88 inches
 
 
All the fabrics are from my stash and they are all Nancy Halvorsen fabrics, most of them from the 'Love Is' line. Others are from 'Cidermill Road'.
 
 
I can't remember how many of the 4-patches are left, let me see if I can find that bag.... No, can't find it when I'm looking for it... but there were only a few blocks left... Not bad! :)
All those finished quilt tops won't make me out of work next year! :)
 


Friday, December 28, 2012

Quilt tops finished in December - #2

The second quilt top I finished, is the Blogger's BOM 2011/2012, hosted by Jackie over at Canton Village Quilt Works. When the BOM started in September 2011, I decided to make two blocks of each to end up with a bigger quilt. I think 13 blocks of 8 inch square is a bit too small to my liking...
It took some time before I decided on the setting. I wanted to set the blocks diagonally, but couldn't decide on blocks in between. The only thing I knew is that I wanted it to be a bigger quilt.
 
 
The most difficult was to decide on the design of the 'in-between' blocks and sashing. I tend to buy half or one yard fabrics, and I didn't have anything suitable measuring 1.5 yards. In the end I decided on two different greens on the sashing and using the white tone-on-tone fabric for the extra blocks, the cornerstones for sashing and triangles. I had just enough left of one of the greens I used for the sashing, for a narrow first border and then I've used a yellow floral fabric for the outer border.
 
 
I've noticed after the top was finished that I've made a mistake; I'll have to turn one of the blue-ish blocks in the center... If I don't do it, I know it will haunt me forever - LOL!
You can see Jackie's finished quilt top here.
 
 
 


Thursday, December 27, 2012

Quilt tops finished in December - #1

I know that some of you have noticed I haven't been much online this month, which is true. I have been busy, busy sewing! :) I have finished some quilt tops, which feels very good! :) The first one I finished some weeks ago is a Postage Stamp Quilt - a QAL we do in this wonderful group. To avoid punishment (swords etc!), I finished the quilt top in time before deadline December 31st! Don't know what will happen to those who have not finished theirs?! LOL
 
 
Closeup of the fabrics I have used...
 
 
The full size quilt...
 
 
Some of us are making the quilt using jelly rolls, while others are cutting and piecing squares together.
I had a jelly roll - 'Evening Mist' from Moda sitting on the shelf for months, which I had no plans for. I added one solid jelly roll - Bella Solids Natural. I love the fabrics, even if they are a bit outside my comfort zone.
I have yet to decide if I'm going to add a narrow border - or not.... I think I won't - it looks good as it is and I'm not sure I want it bigger....  
 
 
 

Secret Christmas gift revealed

It's time to show the secret Christmas gift I sent to very nice young lady.
She is studying to become a nurse, so I thought a nurse themed drawstring bag was an idea...
 
 
On the other side I have appliqued her initials...
 
 
Hope you like it, TL, and that it can be useful for something... :)
 


Saturday, December 22, 2012

Small projects before Christmas

After I finished all those big quilt tops (yet to blog), it always feel wonderful doing some smaller projects.
I love making drawstring bags and mug rugs and here they are. It's also a great way using up bits and pieces.
 
I have some Loralie mini panels (nurses) and I thought it might look nice on a drawstring bag...
 
 
...the other side...
 
 
Chocolate themed drawstring bag, perhaps for Valentine's Day...
 
 
...the other side...
 
 
Chocolate themed mug rugs...
 
 
... another one...
 
 
... and why not having a cuppa with this nifty nurse?! :)
 
 
An 'Arctic Holiday' mug rug, which I'm going to use during the Holidays...
Love those ol' Santas and the cute polar bears... :)
 
 
Fun projects to finish before Christmas, as I doubt there will be more sewing over the Holidays.
I have removed all my sewing stuff from the dining table - I didn't know the table is that big - LOL! I have other things I want to do over the Holidays, but I won't be surprised if I find a space for my sewing machine in another room... :) I shall see...  
 
 


Thursday, December 13, 2012

Father Christmas Pot Holders

YIKES! Closer and closer to Christmas!
I have been so busy piecing quilt tops that I hardly have had time for anything else! 
In between piecing all those quilt tops, I needed a small break to make smaller items...
Here's a pair of pot holders... featuring Father Christmas riding on a polar bear instead of the usual sledge and reindeer's.... Oh my! The reindeer's  surely are mad now! :)
Here I have used Debbie Mumm fabrics; 'Arctic Holiday' and '12 days of Christmas'. 

 
I couldn't just leave the center pieces as they are... I have outlined all the details using navy quilting thread. Tedious job, but I love the result.
 
 
Back to my dear 'Nina'... I hope to have photos of the finished quilt tops one of the first days... :)
Have a nice day!