January was full!

   And I have a couple of finishes!  A small one first.....the watercolor banner or table runner.  I had intended to add some applique and then changed my mind.  Adrift is plain and simple.
  I began both of these last year.  November...here is the post  as they were completed as tops.

    Pineapple Profusion got bound.  I actually began the blocks in September and October.....here is that post.  So after a white it was just time to get it done.
   The finish size is 48'' by 62''....nice throw size.    I used 2'' floral strips for the construction and the pattern is from Quiltville.com.  It's  the Pineapple Blossom  pattern.





    The center section is quilted with swirls all over, and the plain outer border is done in endless feathers.

The Therapy Quilt was a finish early this month......here is that post.   I feel like this is cheating to call it a 2017 finish.....it was 90% done and just needed border quilting and binding.









   The second half of the Quilty 365 circles were joined into a top and now just need borders and quilting.  I have to admit, just looking at these 2--- quilt and top---just make me smile.  Each circle represents a day in my life.  Some are precious memories, and some represent loved ones.   The Therapy Quilt is loaded with pain and struggle, determination and stubbornness.   Each day here is a miracle, and that is why I smile.






  The rest of the month was filled with lots of bits and pieces of things I started.....the coffee cup wall hanging for the kitchen, string blocks, soul searching block in purple (for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge),  a bargello top,  batik squares in a block,  mug rugs, table runner, and more 9 patch blocks.


   Some days I made only one block, other days I went on over load and made dozens.  It all depended on my energy level.    Reviewing all of this makes me feel I really did accomplish things!   And I got to scratch a lot off my list.....which means I need to get a February plan in place.    Here's to keeping the list full......happy stitching.

Rainy weekend

    Much rain for the weekend equals lots of stitching time.    No time like the present to start machine quilting on the next in line.
  This is the back side of the pineapple blossom quilt.  Note the plain muslin backing.  While I love the beautiful wide backing fabrics we have available, I do not like the cost.  When I catch some on sale I buy, but not every quilt will get the pricey fabric.   This piece was the last of my bolt of 90'' wide bleached muslin and was just enough.  I switched to 90'' wide as a general rule for purchase---with the 50% off coupon--- because I found I was wasting so much fabric from the 108''-114'' wide fabrics.  I  make smaller quilts/throw size, and I don't need the extra width for  backing for a long arm machine either.  I will purchase wider fabric backings as needed, just not for the giveaway and donation quilts.





   Back to the quilt....here's from the front....swirls and curls all over.   This has always been my go to pattern.  It blends everything together and is not too dense, so it keeps the quilt soft.  And with all these floral prints, detail quilting would not be noticed.  I have the border in a neutral to do.......that can have a few feathers on it maybe.  This corner ---with a bad match---has the label on back.






    I made the label and stitched it directly to the backing before I pinned the quilt.    Then on with the quilting, right thru the label.    It is harder than ever for me to grip a needle, so I was seeking a simple solution for adding the label securely.  This  worked out well for this one.

Happy stitching.

Old things, new things

 Old Things:
 A pinning session to prepare the pineapple top for quilting.  As I pin I tend to contemplate the quilting design.  Usually I am inspired and figure out what to quilt, but not this time.  So I haven't made a start to this one.
  The water color banner was pinned too, so I will quilt it up first.







 The wild geese are just hanging in strips on the design wall.  I lost my drive to see them fly.  But they do need to get sewn at least into a top.


  The Therapy Quilt of circles is waiting on binding....I will cut that today.









New things:
  Sir Old Man was heading out  to the Big Box store and I hitched a ride so he could stop at the quilt shop.  My excuse was that I needed a  new pair of machingers---gloves for quilting.  My old pair has holes in two fingers and are bad!

  A few fat quarters became the second excuse......just because they were purple!  And all fabrics were on sale, I just had not shared that tidbit of information with him.

  Marietta always a stack of flat fold fabrics too.  This older fabric with coffee theme panels caught my eye.   A perfect size  for small wall hanging and a few snack mats.   Buy now, and make for gifts through the year😉.












   The new adventure is under cover.   I got pulled in by the thought of
the aroma of fresh baking sourdough bread.

  It is Catpatches fault.   Barbara has been sharing her adventures and breads she is working on.  Then she shared details of starting some sourdough starter for a virtual bake at the facebook group..

    My starter has died and could not be brought back to life.  So I figured it was a good time to try again.    The first few days were touchy and nothings seemed to be happening.  I decided to hang on and then got the bright idea to put the bowl onto a cutting board instead of sitting on the cool granite countertop.  That helped a lot.  This is now day 4  and I have bubbles and it has begun to increase in size.  Today I will discard half and feed it....mix and let sit.    Hoping to get the yeasty aroma soon.  Baking begins next week, and I want to have plenty to share with the neighbors that have been so good to us especially this year.    I also plan to save an freeze some of the starter via method that Judy at Patchwork Times shared.
 
   And the last new thing is one to share......The Solstice Sew Along with Pat Sloan.   She is offering a new pattern each week--12'' block-- and the goal is 25 blocks in 6 months.  Make all of them or make the ones you like, just be sure to download and save the patterns.  They are very good.   There is a linky too and it is good to see all the color combinations being used.





 And that wraps up my year of 2016.
  My word was Enjoy.....and it should have been persevere. Next year I will move forward, being stronger and the best me I can.

Wishing all a Happy New Year and health for each one.
Happy stitching.  

Favorites from Let's Book It!

  Saying good bye to major motivating force in my last couple of years of quilting is not easy.  Let's Book It has been fun and liberating to participate in each month.....many thanks to the  scrappiest quilter who devised and lead us each month,  Sharon at Vroomans Quilts.

  So here are my favorites from the monthly event.  It was so difficult to settle on these few projects!

• The Charming mini and the larger Charming Bricks version just propelled me to look for a project to work on each month.  
• A bargello I called Catching the Light  came together when I found the border fabric.
• A table runner, scrappy and lots of plumes used in the border.  This is a  small version of the  full size quilt below.
• A welcome banner of a scrappy Pineapple....fun to make, and I love the topknot Dresden plate pieced for the leaves.  
• Where My Feet May Fall took several months to make, but the border of blended floral fabrics turned out exactly as I wanted.
• Plume Crazy was gifted to a friend in much need of comfort.  My favorite quilt of 2015.
• Trippin' Thru the Flowers......I use this as my blog banner.  The pattern is Many Scrappy Trips from Bonnie Hunter.

    The Finale is the Pineapple Blossom top.  I began this in September as my Let's Book It project....here is the post.  I began with a test block, then a set of four, and finally a top with borders.  Thanks to Let's Book It I was motivated to get this together by month's end.   The quilting will wait until the new year until the arm strength returns after the carpel tunnel surgery.  

    Things go on, time marching forward to new motivations.  There are several sew alongs, and monthly challenges around......one of them will probably fit me and become a new motivator.
    I just wanted to give special tribute to this idea that kept me moving  and stitching.  It has been great.  Thanks, Sharon!✂
Happy stitching.

Pineapple Blossom top

   We finally had a day of less smoky conditions and I grabbed a couple of shots of the completed top.   It's my version of pineapple blossom pattern from Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville.   The colors are a bit more vibrant than the photo, but for now you get the idea.   It will rest until I am able to quilt again.


  Today was my final day at PT...bittersweet.  Glad to have conquered the balance box, and have confidence and skills to resume most daily activities, and sad to not see my wonderful therapists twice a week:)   But they are there if I need to return for advance skills---like driving again one day.   Each one is special and have been my constant cheering squad for each skill I conquered.


  So in 10 days, it will be the carpel tunnel surgery and back to FMQ and Hot Legs!  I have had enough doctor's visits and check ups this week.  I need a rest:)
 
  And  I got the watercolor banner sewn together.  Actually, I think it would look better turned 180 degrees....I will just take another photo to check.  And I am planning a bit of applique for the accent to this.  And to border or not..... still undecided.   Maybe this weekend I will get to it.

   Happy stitching.  

Hazy Monday

    I intended to take photos outside this morning before the day got away from me.  But the smoke and haze from the wild fires north of us in NC put a damper on that idea.  We are at a lower elevation, and the mountains have a down slope effect that carries the haze from the fires to us.   The burning wood smell is blanketing everything.   Counties and towns are being evacuated, and arson is suspected.  We are all desperate for rain....a good soaking rain would be so welcome.

  So I snapped a photo inside......
 Pineapple Blossoms got sewn into rows over the weekend.  I added 2 plain borders to bring the size up to 45'' by 64''.   I am feeling the borders are too plain, but not sure if applique will distract from the center.    I will hang it up on a hanger for now----that will give me time to think about it and search out some ideas.

   A few string blocks, some applique and this table topper came together too.  The applique will get stitched down, and maybe some easy stipple quilting.










   For my finale......some flying geese units were sewn together just to see how wild they could be.  These are cut with the Go! Accuquilt and are 3 1/2'' by 6 1/2''.  Big fat geese will make a good donation quilt...lol.  I love the accurate cutting that makes for easy sewing.
   This afternoon I hope to start stitching on that water color banner.  Once the rows are sewn, I will decide on applique accents.

Happy stitching.
   

Pineapple Blossoms growing

Earlier this month I did a post about these blocks.  I thought the light/dark contrast was too great on some of the blocks.  Miss Pat commented I needed to make a few more before I tossed them out.

  So I kept on, adding a couple of blocks every few days......and not going as light--more medium values thrown in.  So I have a light blossom in the center  with darker ones around it.

  I need to cut more strips to length before I make any more blocks.  My gaggle of geese blocks is growing as leader and enders  while working on the blossom blocks.

    I find my mind wandering as I stitch......do you do that?  I am pondering a basket quilt.  A blossom quilt, a flying geese quilt, and a basket quilt.....am I crazy, or making up for lost time?   Naturally I started a new Pinterest board for basket quilts :)  At least I can accumulate some ideas before I begin.

    I also have a colorwash of batiks that I am getting organized to begin playing with.  I snagged a batik kit from Wanda at Exuberant Color last week, and I hope to be able to mix in batiks from my stash.    All this sounds like plans for the rest of the year....I think I will hold off on the baskets until January!
Enjoy your weekend stitching.