Alisha - A Lovely Year of Finishes April Finish!

I started on my April goal with gusto, I laid out all the fabric I had from the fat quarter bundle I used to piece the front. I thought I might have enough for the back so I went about pressing and squaring all the random pieces. I didn't pay too much attention to sizing all the pieces the same - I wanted to carry the wonkiness to the back :) . After I squared all the pieces I started laying them out which took me a few hours. I pieced the rows and packed everything away, that was around the 5th. Fast forward to today and I realized I hadn't finished and I desperately wanted to keep my finish streak alive so back to sewing I went!

The back is interesting to look at and I'm still debating if I want to add a border - I didn't check the size of the back but I think I need a few more inches all the way around. I was thinking white to break up the busy prints and give your eyes a place to rest but yellow might work too. Thoughts?

Here are the top and back together (sorry I didn't press the top!) Pin It

Alisha - A Lovely Year of Finishes - March's finish and April's Goal

I'm a little late in blogging my finish but I was able to post my picture on flickr and get linked up. Whew! With that all done I can focus on taking lovely pictures and setting my April goal - time is flying!

Here is my beautiful March finish quilted, bound and washed!

 Here is the top and a close up of the quilting. Unfortunately I didn't have anyone to hold the quilt up for me but I think the picture are alright.







The back is kind of low key but carries some of the color from the front to the back, which I do love.

On to April! If you'll remember one of my previous goals was to finish my wonky stars quilt top (which was worked on by the lovely ladies of a bee I participated in).

Given that I had an entire fat quarter bundle of this line I had some left over... So I dug the scrap out to asses what I had and how I might be able to incorporate it into the back.

I have far more than I thought I did. I'm thinking I might sew some of the smaller pieces together to make larger blocks and see if I can stretch what's left to make the back. Since school is consuming more time than it usually does my goal is to just get the back pieced. I'll have to save quilting it for a another month's goal.

 

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Alisha - Tula Pink 10" Swap

I think I have an addiction to swaps as of late... I decided to join yet another but... It's Tula Pink so how could I resist! I have to admit that I was completely bummed to find out that I had already missed rounds 1-3 and all the great fabrics to go along with. However, I made it just in the nick of time for round 4 and 5 (which happen to be combined!).

Apparently the group has been searching for participants to finish the round (gasp!). I joined yesterday and was able to pick my fabrics with relative ease. The great thing about the swap is they are trying to not to duplicate any fabrics as they progress through all the different fabric lines. They do this by keeping detailed lists by line so it's fairly easy to identify what is and is not already taken.

I ended up selecting 1 fabric from Parisville and 1 from The Birds and The Bees. Here are my pretties:

If you want more information you can find it here, which is Mama Spark's blog (the host). I hope to see you over there!

 

 

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Alisha - Bee Blocks

I've been a busy girl carrying 12 credits this term, t-ball started for both kids, cub scout leading and sewing. Some days I wonder how exactly I'll get it all done but by the end of the week it all seems to come together. This week I've been finishing bee blocks like a mad woman and managed to complete 9 blocks.

This block I made from the book Modern Blocks, Piece of the Garden is featured on pages 134-135. The fabrics were provided by the bee hostess, Laural of the Modern Blocks Bee.

Then, as I announced earlier, I joined the Granny Block Bee which was already underway so I had to go about catching myself up!

Here are blocks for CTNHTX, she was co-hostess in February an requested blocks in fall colors:

 

Blocks for Kelli (The Stitch Fairy) our other hostess for February, she requested that the inner 5 piece be of the same color range and the outter ring of another.

Blocks for Tessophia, she was the co-hostess for March and she requested blocks in reds, pinks and aqua (a girl after my own heart!). She also asked that we include a couple extra 2.5" blocks in prints from the blocks so she could use them for sashing:

Last but not least blocks for Ledgett, she requested bright blocks with black included somewhere within the block:

This week was very trying for me with a trip to the dentist, a fight with the bank about a tax document and a letter that I was being verified by the college for my financial aid. Thankfully, I had a few unexpected packages show up which really changed the coarse of the whole week for me! I used to swap with the ladies in the ACALF swap but it has become dormant, lucky I found MFSG! We swap 4 fat quarters, chocolate if we choose and a notion item.

My partner was findingsweetland and she sent me this lovely package! We agreed to not send candy but an extra fat quarter instead. I gave her a list of my favorite and she tried so hard (and succeeded) in covering al the bases!

Here you can see the package broken down:

She included prints from Tula Pink, Denyse Schmidt, Lotta Jansdotter and a true blue print (I'm short on blue in my stash for some reason). Not to mention the extra scraps, the thread and a really nice card! I can't thank you enough Jayme!


 And if that wasn't enough I got another package in he mail from the Modern Scrappy Bits Swap. If you remember I sent a really fun camping/critter inspired needlebook but I was unaware who my partner was. I waited (rather impatiently!) for my package to arrive and boy was a surprised it had to come all the way from New Zealand! I got this fun little fabric basket/bag from Seven Stitches with a load of fun polka dotty scraps and really fun flavored chocolate from a local shop (chili lime)!

Thank you so much ladies you truly made my day!

 

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Alisha - Granny Gone Wild Swap - Round 2

After a small hiatus and a couple posts geared toward gauging interest in another granny square block I decided to bring back the Granny Gone Wild swap! That's right folks, granny is at it again! This round we've had a great turn out and blocks are starting to show up in my mail box (my favorite part!).

I think, during the coarse of the last granny square swap, I made 16 blocks and this round I managed to churn out 20 blocks! What am I going to do with 36 granny square blocks you might ask. To which I would reply, good question!

Here are the blocks I have finished (I might squeeze a few more in before the due date). There are a few I'm in love with which might not make it out of the house for the swap (sorry!).

Do I have the granny block making disease? Probably but that'll be our little secret. Did I mention I recently joined an all Granny Square Bee?! I know, I just posted I was getting away from bees but it was granny squares, I had to do it! Besides what am I going to do with all of these if I don't join the bee?

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Alisha - Modern Scrappy Bits Swap

I had another goal this month but I've already completed it (go figure)! It seems recently I've been shying away from quilting bees and have started really taking advantage of swaps. It's hard for me to know what my homework load will be like from term to term so swaps have been a great outlet for my creativity.

With that said, I joined a group on flickr aptly named Modern Scrappy Bits Swap and was assigned a partner who wanted a needle book made for them. She also posted that she enjoyed camping with her family and little woodland creatures so I got to work on some ideas. My first stop was Pinterest (duh!) where I found some marvelous ideas for needle books but I finally decided on my favorite (and what I think is the most functional).

I started digging in my stash but already had an idea for fabrics. I don't usually buy a lot of fabric with animals on it but I fell in love with a line by Riley Blake and happen to have a fat quarter bundle in addition to several "extra" fat quarters.

Aren't these fun? Once I posted on flickr I received many comments and thankfully one of them was from my partner (did I mention this was a secret swap?) so I knew I was golden. Since I'd already done research on a needle book tutorial I was set. You can find the tutorial I used here, it was super straight forward. I was surprised it took me less than an hour to put this together  I figured this would be a multiday process (I have issues sewing anything that isn't a quilt.. lol).

Anyway, without further ado I present to you a camping and furry woodland creature inspired needle book!

This last picture shows the stack of scraps that are going along with the needle book. I included some of the scraps from the needle book incase my partner wanted to add them to another project. This will go off in the mail shortly and I can't wait for her to see it! Pin It

Alisha - A Lovely Year of Finishes - March Goal

So here we are in March, already! I'm in the throws of my "senior" year of college and the 400 level classes that go along with it. This doesn't weaken my resolve to keep trucking with my finishes, if anything it strengths it. It's a matter of time management and sanity, right? With that in mind I wasn't sure how much sewing I would actually be able to do since the term just started and I'm still getting acquainted with the work load so I chose something that was already half finished.

Remember this quilt top I finished awhile ago? (I know what you're thinking, which one? Bare with me) This was part of a AMH QAL and unfortunately I wasn't able to complete my quilting on time and thus didn't end up finishing.

 

I really love this quilt and have a ton of time invested in cutting all the pieces and piecing the top! It's only right that I finish it and let it bask in all of it's glory. Below is the picture of my progress to date, I still have about half the quilting to do and I'll need to make the binding and attach it by the end of the month.

I'm starting to remember why I put this quilt away - it is SO heavy! I'm sure my arms will be aching after shoving this under the throat of my little machine about a zillion times but it'll be so worth it. Here's to another great finish for me! Pin It

Alisha - A Lovely Year of Finishes February

If you'll recall I posted in January that I was participating in a group on Flickr that was all about finishing projects - not something usually up my alley. I'm so good at starting them and getting half way I figure why bother with finishing.... Until this year, I'm really trying to put fourth extra effort in completing projects and it's gone wonderfully thus far! If you'll remember my goal for February was to turn a quilt kit I bought about a year ago in to a completed quilt top and I did it - with time to spare even!!

Here she is: (yes my quilt top is a she!)

Isn't she beautiful!?! I went out of my comfort zone and placed all the pieces in a brown paper sack and just drew them out at random and sewed (another first for my OCD self). Some places don't have as much stagger as I wanted but I truly am happy with the way it turned out! Now I need to find my self a backing - any suggestions?

She might take up residence on my bed.. Not sure yet, my daughter might try to steal her though too!

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Alisha - 10 Inch Kaffe Fassett Shot Cotton Swap

Alisha here! Who doesn't love a great solid? I know I do but I've been a little lax in trying all the varieties available to me. If Kona has been all you've used as well (I promise I won't tell!) this is the swap for you. I made a post on flickr which you can find here, to try and judge interest for a solids swap. The overwhelming response was Kaffe Fassett Shot Cotton in layer cakes size (10 inch squares). I promised I would get the swap up and running (and honestly, who isn't chomping at the bit for this one?) and here it is!

I borrowed this picture from Rita @ Red Pepper Quilts

Welcome to the 10 inch Kaffe Fassett Shot Cotton Swap.

This will be a centralized swap, meaning, all blocks will be sent to me. I will sort them and send them back.

Please use only Kaffe Fassett Shot Cotton, from a non-smoking home. Do not pre-wash. Iron for accurate cutting of squares.

Shot Cotton colors can be viewed here...

http://www.westminsterfabrics.com/pub/singlepattern.jsp?designer=Kaffe%20Fassett&image=&pattern=Shot+Cottons&img=SC34&collection=Wovens&category=0&catname=&newitem=0

Shot Cotton can be found at many on-line shops including: (I’m not affiliated with any of these shops just trying to make it easier for everyone to find.)

http://www.stitchinpost.com/shotcottons.html

http://www.hartsfabric.com/kaffe-fassett-shot-cottons.html

http://portsmouthfabric.com/Products.cfm?CategoryID=12

I will not be assigning colors you are free to select the color of your choosing. As soon as you pick your color, I ask that you post the picture and the color name. This will avoid duplications.

International members are welcome. I will Paypal you an invoice when I return your squares.

Here is the fine print:

*purchase 2.5 yards of a Kaffe Fassett Shot Cotton

*you will cut 32~~ 10 inch squares

          ***You will need to have one continuous length of the 2.5 Kaffe Fassett Shot Cotton
                Iron well, Fold selvedge to selvedge (trim selvages off, please).
                You will cut 8 ---10 inch strips the width of the fabric.
                Then you will be able to sub-cut each strip into 4--10 inch blocks
                4X8=32!

*post a picture of the shot cotton you choose with its name for all to see on the flickr site to avoid duplication

*mail to me and include a self-addressed stamped envelope inside your package, please use stamps. The PO does not care for the self-printed label. I use the flat rate envelopes for my swaps and have never had a problem.

* please place in a zip lock bag; include your name and flickr name.

* I will send you back one of each of the colors for a total of 32 different shot cotton colors.

There will be 32 spots available - once full I'll remove the sign up sheet from the blog.

Please mail your cut squares by March 25^th, 2013. I’ll sort and send fabrics shortly after they are all received.

The official swap page can be found on flickr here. Once you've signed up please head back to flickr and post your color selections!



UPDATE 3/18/13: We are full. Thank you so much for visiting and keep your eyes open for more swaps! Pin It

Alisha - February Goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes

So, as I discussed in my post yesterday I decided to join the group A Lovely Year of Finishes via flickr (you can find us here). In keeping with my renewed sense of quilting and getting things done I've already picked out my next project and here she is: (yes, the quilt is a she.. lol)



Isn't she a beauty?! I purchased this quilt kit from another flickr member back in March 2012 and tucked it away in my stash for later. Well the later is now and I plan to have this little baby transformed into a completed quilt top by the end of February. Is it too early to start thinking ahead to borders and a backing? What do you think? Pin It

Alisha - Back with a vengence

I'm back......

Where have I been you ask... Well, busy. :) Carrying my full time school schedule on top of the kids and volunteering at the school and bowling alley and it makes for a very busy Alisha. However, I've recommitted myself to quilting and to the blog! (Aren't we all so lucky?!)

To help me along on my new and improved me I found a support group on flickr. I loved the concept of this group of ladies and knew I wanted to join in the minute I read the description. A Lovely Year of Finishes is a large group of quilters that are looking to finish at least 1 project a month for the entire year and the best part is there are prizes! So to join the group all you had to do was pick a sewing project, a goal and post a before and after to the linky party (how easy is that?).

In January I chose a wonky star quilt that I had bee mates working on in Gone Quiltin' Bee. Here was my before picture:



I had 24 completed blocks and the remnants of the fat quarter bundle I started with. Instead of making a very vanilla quilt top with all the plain grey background I struck out to make mirror image blocks! By mirror image I mean I used the colored squares as the background and the grey as the wonky stars. I didn't want to overshadow the grey background blocks so I only made 6 mirror image blocks and pieced the top just in time for the end of the month.

Here is the finished product:





I love how it turned out - I'm still not 100% on the placement of the mirror blocks but it's together so no going back now! Since I still have a ton of fabric left over from the fat quarters I'm thinking the back will be a hodge-podge of all the left over fat quarters and I'm still contemplating a border (I'm thinking the bream background with purple flowers print).


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Alisha - Progress on the patchwork prism quilt

Hi there, it's Alisha! Where has the time gone recently? I finished up my spring term and managed a 4.0! Woohoo!!! I'm headed into my final year of college and I can actually see the light at the end of the tunnel.

With that, I've been plugging away on my patchwork prism and I have to say I like the way it's turning out! I wouldn't have been able to do it without all the ladies on flickr who swapped fabric with me so I had a wider range of colors to use.

I can't say that the way it turned out was what I actually had in my head but it's still beautiful. Some of my darker range hexagons get lost in the business of the quilt but you can see the light at least. I'm in the process of quilting it now and look forward to cuddling under it when it's finished!

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Ashley - Rocket Baby Quilt

Hey there everyone! It's been too long I know, my friend invited my daughter and I to go with her back to her home in Massachusetts for the week since our husbands were in the field and so we loaded up the kiddos and went :) Very beautiful up there, it reminds me of my home Oregon. Anyhow you know how I was talking of another friend who was having a baby well I'm a bum and didn't get it done in time but I'm glad that I didn't rush this project because it was a bunch of work and my first time doing applique BUT all that aside I think it turned out beautiful, take a look and tell me what you think.

The back fabric is stars :)

This little boy wasn't a part of my original design. When I was cutting away the stabilizer on the back I accidentally cut the fabric and made a hole. At first I was DEVESTATED but with a little creative thinking I was able to cover it up, and I really like the little boy standing there.

Like I said a very big project but I love how it came out. Keep crafting and check back soon! Pin It

Alisha - Granny Gone Wild Swap!

Introducing the:

Granny Gone Wild Swap!

I don’t know about everyone else but I’ve been in love with the granny square block since I first saw it. Now that I’ve made a few for bee mates I’m hooked! I have to have a quilt of my own and I thought it would be fun to host a swap and let everyone else enjoy too!

Who else has been in a bunch of the charm swaps? I know I’ve been in more than I can count and I have left over charms that I would love to use for this project. Since we’ll be using 2.5” squares it would be perfect for those stray charms! Are you ready to join in??!

Here’s the low down:

• We will be swapping blocks 1:1 in a rainbow of colors.
• Please use Kona White (not snow but white) for uniformity.
• Please use one color value for the inner ring and one color value for the center and outer ring. For example: aqua for the center and outer ring and red for the inner ring.
• Please only use designer label/modern (within the last 5 years) cotton quilting fabric found at your LQS (no Joanns, Handcock, or vintage/granny stash (sorry Granny!).
• Please use the tutorial found here: blueelephantstitches.blogspot.com/2012/01/granny-square-q...
• The tutorial calls for a finished block of 9 1/8” square so that’s what we will shoot for. Pressing seams in the direction called for in the tutorial is very important so please try to follow it the best you can.
• Before mailing place your finished blocks in a Ziploc bag with an index card with your information on it (Name, flickr name, address and block count).
• Please include a self addressed stamped envelope for me to return your blocks. If you’re using priority flat rate I have the bubble envelopes ($5.30 to ship) so you won’t need to send one (more room for blocks that way!) only return postage would be necessary (placing it in the bag with the blocks is fine).
• I’m going to be a stickler for square blocks with modern fabrics – unfortunately I’ve found that in past swaps some blocks are far smaller than the given size or with vintage fabric and I wasn’t able to use them in my quilt tops. In the event this happens (I know you ladies probably won’t have this issue) I’ll send your blocks back to you with any I was able to swap. I want everyone to get blocks back they are happy with and can use.


International swapper are welcome and are ship by date is June 30th!



Please come join us on flickr - we'd love to have more participants! Grab our swap button in the side bar and let's get sewing!

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