Closing out 2010

One of the last projects of 2010 were to complete 3 quilt blocks which were part of a group project.  I finished these up yesterday.


There is another quilt that I am making for a friend that I am now able to continue on. 

It surely has been a difficult year to keep on task with many things.  With the diagnosis of breast cancer, tests, surgery, more tests, decision to not to have chemo, and waiting to have radiation, it seems like I have not accomplished much the second half of this year.

As I start off 2011 with 7 weeks of radiation treatments, I am not sure how much sewing I'll get done until spring, but we shall see.

Happy New Year!

It's Been A Busy Month!

This week I am finishing up a quilt for a fundraiser for our Dundee, MI Chapter of Quilts For Kids.  I have some solid pink sashing and pieced borders to finish it off.

This was so fun and easy to put together with a jelly roll.  :-) 

I had some donated fabric pieces so I made up a quick kids Christmas quilt.  Hopefully by this weekend, I'll have both quilts completed in addition to the 2 Christmas table runners.

Playing Catch Up

It has been many months since my last post.  I really have been working on some projects but have fallen behind on my posts. 

My largest finished project was my Mom's quilt which I gave to her on Mother's Day this year.  I also made matching pillows and pillowcases. 

A wall hanging for my Aunt Ellen....

A lap quilt in May, which just needs the binding and we'll be good to go! 







I have a number of projects on the verge of completion.  Hopefully I can finish those and take photo's of my finished projects soon and keep up on my posts.  :-)

Happy Sewing Everyone!

~Karen

King Size Quilt Top - DONE!

I had to look back at my first posting on this quilt, that I started it on Oct. 3, 2009 (Starting A King Sized Project).  Last year I actually had finished 90% of the top and needed to put on the borders.  So many other projects got pushed to the top of the priority list so it sat in the sidelines for quite awhile.

Finally, yesterday, I cut out my borders and sewed them to the quilt top.  Once I pick up the backing fabric this week, I will send off to be machine quilted.  In the meantime, I have extra fabric that I plan to pillowcases / or shams with.

I am so happy to have finally finished this quilt top! 

Table Runner - Made For A Special Aunt

I wanted to make something special for my Aunt Ellen and I decided on a table runner for her coffee table.  Ellen's favorite color is green and she likes earth tones.  This will be a surprise for her the next time I go to visit (the 4th Saturday of every month so my next visit is in April) so SHHHHH, don't tell!   I hope she likes it.

My Mom and I picked out the fabrics on Saturday and selected the block and size (10" x 10").  I used the Electric Quilt -- Quilt Wizard program I purchased to select block style, layout, size, and colors.  It is a very easy program to use, and I liked the fact that I was able to play with the fabric color placement in the design before I cut my fabrics. 

Twirling Kaleidoscope Wall Hanging

This morning I started on the Twirling Kaleidoscope Wall Hanging and finished piecing it this afternoon.  It measures 26" x 26".

It was a little awkward tracing a 'template' rather than just measuring and cutting, since the long large triangles needed to be cut.  It would have gone quicker with a triangle template ruler, but I have never needed one before so it's not in my collection yet.

To machine quilt this one I am going to use the invisible monofilament thread and the a special programmed stitch in my sewing machine that mimics a hand quilting stitch. Since there are so many angles and light/dark contrasts, I think it would be best to use an invisible thread. Wish me luck!


I've picked out the backing and binding from my stash and 'sandwiched' it together using basting spray (first time I've used the basting spray & I love it!  Much easier than pinning!!)  I need to pick up some invisible thread tomorrow so I can begin to quilt it.  :-)  Once it's completed I have special wall space reserved in my family room for it!  :-)

Mom's Quilt Top - DONE!!

I finished my Mom's queen size quilt top today, hurray!  There are enough fabrics leftover to make a wall hanging too!  The quilt will be sent off to be machine quilted once I pick up the backing fabric.  It will be back in plenty of time for Mother's Day.

The guys had to stand on chairs to hold it up off the ground and touched the ceiling with it just to get it in the picture.  They're both over 6 foot to begin with, great job, guys!

Now to figure out the matching wall hanging....  I have 102 (if I remember correctly) half square triangle blocks left over, they're approximately 2-1/2" square, one large 14" star block, as well as a good amount of all fabrics I used in the quilt left over.  I'd also like to make a couple of pillow cases or shams.  :-)