A rainbow of slabs

My One Monthly Goal (OMG) for December is complete, the top of this slab quilt is pieced. 

The blocks, are a mix between Cheryl Arkison’s slab style and my Mile a Minute style, which some people like to refer to as crumb.

I did loosely follow Cheryl’s pattern for The Missing U in the book Sunday Morning Quilts by Amanda Jean Nyberg and Cheryl Arkison.

Perhaps my goal for January will be to quilt this beauty, or maybe I’ll find something else in my unfinished stash, I’ll decide in the next couple of days.

 Every task, goal, race and year comes to an end…therefore, make it a habit to FINISH STRONG. ~ Gary Ryan Blair

Slabs

My One Monthly Goal (OMG) for December is smaller than usual.  I want to complete the top of my Slab quilt.  Here are some of my slabs. 

My inspiration is The Missing U quilt pattern by Cheryl Arkison, found in the book Sunday Morning Quilts. My slabs were completed while taking part in Soscrappy’s Rainbow ScrapChallenge over the last few years.  I think this is currently the oldest project in my stash.

These blocks measure 15 inches unfinished, and I have 25 of them.  I considered making more and wondered what size of quilt would be best, and then decided to just get it done.

Check back with me at the end of the month and we’ll see how I have arranged these rainbow slabs.

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. ~ Mark Twain

Finishing up

A few little projects, finished just in time to take part in Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal (OMG).

My three fabric storage boxes 

You can find the pattern in the book Sunday Morning Quilts by Amanda Jean Nyberg and Cheryl Arkison.  I decided not to add cardboard this time and just relied on the stiff interfacing, it was the cardboard step that was stalling me from finishing these, and someone commented on past blog post that they did not use the cardboard.  What a great idea, I’m happy with the results.

Finished a couple of leaf potholders in pink and purple. 

These scrappy potholders are from a pattern by Patchwork Pottery.  I enjoy using up my little scraps, making them in all the colours of the rainbow.

My last little project to finish is this quilted skull bag 

 

Using up scraps from my husband’s skull quilt, and trying out a tutorial from AjileJack I made this quilted bag.  I’m happy with the results, and will likely make a few more.  Sewing through the thickness of the handle was a bit tricky, my friend Carolyn suggested using my Featherweight and it worked like a charm.

Happy to have these projects done, and now considering what to finish for December. 

It always seems impossible until it’s done. ~ Nelson Mandela 

November goal

Participating in Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal, I have a couple of little things I’d like to finish in November.

These three quilted storage boxes. 

From the book Sunday Morning Quilts by Amanda Jean Nyberg and Cheryl Arkison.

These two sets of leaf potholders. 

A pattern by Patchwork Pottery.

And this skull frankenbag. 

A tutorial from Agilejack.

These were some projects that I started at a Fall quilting retreat in Fairmont B.C. with my three quilting friends. 

I did work on a few other items as well, however these will be set aside to complete another month.

A bunch of blocks for a High Five quilt. (these are actually little piles of blocks)

Also from the book Sunday Morning Quilts.

The start of some mini log cabin blocks in blues and purples for more bookmarks. 

And I did actually complete a pillow case, for my grandson who likes my pillowcases and loves to fish. 

Here’s hoping I can complete these little project by the end of November.

Wish it, Plan it, Do it. ~ Jaipal Singh

By the sea

My October goal and ticket to participate in One Monthly Goal (OMG) with Elm Street Quilts was to quilt and bind this little sea themed quilt. 

This quilt was started while participating in an online class on curved piecing with Cindy Grisdela through the Vermont Quilt Festival, I pulled these sea themed fabrics from my stash.

I found the fishy backing fabric while at a quilting retreat to Fairmont B.C. in addition to hours of sewing we decided to take a little trip down to Sugar Town Quilt Company in Cranbrook B.C.  I love anything fish, sea, ocean or water, so I couldn’t resist this piece.  It was in my stash before this little quilt was even a thought. 

I used Kathie James’ pantograph called Seaside, the shells and starfish just disappear into the busy quilt, just like they might in the ocean. 

So happy to have another quilt complete, these colours and fabric make me happy.

QUILT DETAILS

By the sea quilt 2022

The finished quilt measures 33.5 inches by 39.5 inches

Started: May 2021

Finished: October 2022

 

The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach - waiting for a gift from the sea. ~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Sea baby quilt

Joining with Elm Street Quilt’s (One Monthly Goal) OMG, for October I plan to quilt and bind this Sea themed baby quilt. 

During COVID I took an online class on curved piecing with Cindy Grisdela through the Vermont Quilt Festival, and pulled these sea themed fabrics from my stash. 

I had the backing piece in my stash, a previous impulse purchase, and decided to make the little sea quilt to fit. 

I have loved everything about this quilt.  Drop by at the end of the month to see how I've quilted it.

Smell the sea and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly. ~ Van Morrison

Skull quilt complete

Happy to say I’ve achieved my One Monthly Goal (OMG) which was to quilt and bind Richard’s Day of the dead, Sugar Skull (or just Skull) quilt. 

My original thought was to piece all the leftover bits of the skull fabric together for a backing, then my husband got the idea that I should make a skull mosaic, I liked his idea. 

Quilted with a Sugar Scull pantograph called Fiesta by Sandrah Burrier. 

A close up of some of the fabrics. 

Glad to have it finished to decorate our bed for the month of October, I think he also wants to display it on Halloween. 

I enjoy participating Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal, it helps me to stay on track and complete projects, now to decide on what to finish for October. 

QUILT DETAILS

Day of the Dead quilt 2022

The finished quilt measures 78 inches by 88 inches

Started: April 2021

Finished: September 2022

To live in hearts we leave behind, Is not to die. ~Thomas Campbell

Time to finish the skull quilt

I’ve chosen my husband’s Day of the Dead (skull) quilt for my September One Monthly Goal (OMG), it is my intention to get it quilted and bound. This way it will be done for the Halloween month, he likes to decorate for Halloween and he’s already thinking of ways to display this quilt.

If you’ve been following my blog, or Facebook, you might already have seen these pictures of the shadow box style front  – 

 And the mosaic back – 

Check back at the end of the month to see the pantograph that I will be using to quilt it.  Participating in Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal.

The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living ~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

A New Jumper

So happy to have completed this jumper, my One Monthly Goal (OMG) for August. 

I’ve had the fabric and pattern for a while, and thought it would be a nice addition to my Fall wardrobe.  It can be work with a top for the cooler times and just sleeveless on warm days. 

The pattern by The Sewing Workshop is called Fillmore Duster, a very well written and easy to follow pattern, 

I like the asymmetry of the back and the bubble shape. 

I haven’t sewn clothing for a long while and was pleasantly surprised by how well it came together.  I do like that there was not a lot of fitting to do.

Thanks to my grandson Owen for taking pictures under the arbour. 

Check out Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal post to see what others have completed.

A good use for me is to let me go away with my sewing machine and come back with some really new stuff - Betsey Johnson

A Jumper

And now for something completely different, I’m going to try clothing.  I used to sew clothing, however it’s been years.  Recently I saw this cute jumper made up in a fabric store and loved the design, so I bought some fabric, black linen with a stripe, and I’m going to attempt clothing again. 

My one monthly goal (OMG) for the month of August is to complete this jumper, it’s been so long since I’ve sewn clothing that I have no idea if this is doable.  How long will it take, what issues might I run in to?  I’m going to give it a try as I think this might be a nice addition to my Fall wardrobe.

Taking part in Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal, with a few others.

Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.

A Splash of Lime

Completed in time to take part in Elm Street Quilt’s onemonthly goal (OMG). 

I wanted a little contrast for all the dark blue and settled on lime, and then the name A Splash of Lime came to me, and with it the thought to use the Drip pantograph by Beany Girl Quilts. 

The blocks are a cross between a mile a minute block, check out my tutorial, and a slab (quilt block) conceived by Cheryl Arkison.  I started making them last July for a dark blue Rainbow Scrap Challenge month.

Lime and blue back. 

I remembered to make a label for this quilt. 

I’m glad to be back to completing quilts, it seems I’ve taken a few months off.  I hope to complete another quilt for August, so I will have a look at what’s waiting in the ‘to be quilted’ pile. 

QUILT DETAILS

A Splash of Lime quilt 2022

The finished quilt measures 49 inches by 72 inches

Started: July 2021

Finished: July 2022

 

If life gives you limes, make margaritas. ~ Jimmy Buffett

Time to finish

I’m going to try and finish a quilt this month (it’s been a while) and participate in Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal (OMG).

This quilt has been on my mind for a few weeks and I recently picked up some backing fabric when Out of Hand (a local quilt shop) was having a sale.

I’m calling this A Splash of Lime.  The blocks are a cross between a mile a minute block, check out my tutorial, and a slab (quilt block) conceived by Cheryl Arkison.

I was looking for something royal/lime for the back and found these two fabrics.  There wasn’t enough of the royal, so I bought lime to bring it up to the yardage I needed. 

Next step, prewash and sew the backing together, then quilt and bind by the end of the month, wish me luck and drop by at the end of the month to see how I quilted it – I have an idea.

Oh, by the way, today is my birthday, just thought I’d sneak that in here.

You don’t need to take all of the steps, only the next one.

Purple High Five Blocks

The colour of the month for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge is purple, so I began playing with my purple scraps.  First project was to make some High Five blocks. 

I have nearly enough blocks for a twin quilt top, I did another tally and readjustment on the finish size that I want my High Five quilt to be and counted my blocks.  Looks like I need another 58, I’m getting close.  I also know which colours I could use more of.

I’ve got a couple of other purple project plans for July, hopefully there will be a couple more posts before the end of the month, I feel I’m off to a good start.

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. ~ Arthur Ashe

Mini log cabin bookmarks

Finished up a bunch of mini log cabin bookmarks in royal blue and lime green today, so that I can participate in Soscrappy’s RainbowScrap Challenge. 

I was working on these last week (and wanted to post) however I ran out of the metallic thread, and had to wait until today to get more thread. 

I sell these little bookmarks at a craft fair in the Christmas season and it seems that this combination is a big hit, as they always sell out. 

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. ~ Joseph Addison