2 More Quilts

Only time for a quick post... finished 2 quilts in the past few week putting me over my goal of 11 quilts in 2011. I guess that means I should aim for 12 in 2012, but that could be quite challenging with a full time job...

This quilt is my first flannel quilt and probably my last for awhile. I'm not a huge fan of the material- it seems to shrink unpredictably and I think I lost some of the color in the first wash. This my 1st finished (2nd started) Warm Wishes quilt and was made for Cayden's first birthday! He is the first person to have 2 of my quilts, if you count the other quilt that was made for his baby shower.

This next one is made for a stranger named Gracie as part of the Reddit Secret Santa swap. I couldn't find much about her on the internet, but I did come across some youtube videos of her singing and playing guitar for an audience, so I made her a music quilt. This quilt is actually my first made entirely of leftover fabric from other projects so it was inexpensive and "green." It's my 3rd started but 2nd finished Warm Wishes quilt. I will not allow the next quilt I start to be Warm Wishes!

In other news...

My wedding quilt is back from the long-arm quilter! Yay! While I'll admit that I am not thrilled with the quilting, I'm not sure I'd be happy with anything except my own. It was simply too big to do on my machine. Some day I'll have a longarm machine!

Anyway, I'm super excited for it to be done and only have to do the binding. I'm not too sure exactly what I'll do with it, but it's been 18 months in progress. Eventually I'd like to hang it above our bed or maybe on a living room wall, but with all the work that'd be, it might be better to save it for when we buy a home.

Pictures to come when it's bound. I'm not entirely sure I'll be able to hang it on the wall because of it's weight, so maybe I'll lay it out on the floor or something :)

My First Quilt Show!

I just got home from seeing my first quilts in a show! This was a show of the quilts and other handmade items to be donated to the Palo Alt Veteran's Administration Hospital. I hung out near my quilts for an hour and spoke with some of the people that came to see the show and some of the other crafters donating items. Most were knitters and crocheters so they had a lot of questions about my quilts!

Here is a pic of my quilts on display:

Here is a pic of my 2nd finished quilt for this show. My first one is a few posts back.

I've actually started TWO new quilts in the past week as well. Really, I'm embarrassed to admit that I started a rocketship quilt for a little boy's 1st birthday and then heard he really liked trains and started a train quilt. The party is this Saturday, so I'm planning to finish the train quilt by tomorrow night and wash it. It's my first flannel quilt and I did not prewash, so I'm a bit scared of what will be the result after the wash. If it's ungiftable, I'll finish the rocketship quilt and give that instead. If the train quilt comes out well, I'll donate the rocketship quilt to Project Linus.

These quilts will complete my 11 in '11 goal!!! YAY! Afterward, I'm starting to work on my Garden Party quilt. I'd still like to make a quilt for my In-Laws, but really I just want to quilt for myself for now :)

2011 Quilt Progress:


1. Gram's Quilt- DONE
2. Joe's Quilt- DONE
3. Wedding Quilt- DONE
4. Sophia's Quilt- DONE
5. Raj's Baby Quilt- DONE
6. Veteren Quilt (Ribbon Star)- DONE
7. Veteren Quilt (Log Cabin)- DONE
8. Project Linus Quilt- DONE
9. Abigails' Quilt- DONE
10. Caden's Train Quilt- In progress
11. Cayden's Rocketship Quilt- In progress
12. Garden Party- Planning
13. Hanna's Quilt- Planning
14. In-Law's Quilt- Someday...

Abigail's Quilt

Another quilt went from cut to wash in under 2 weeks for a surprise baby shower for my boss. I went back and forth about making a quilt for my boss that I had only worked with for about 6 weeks, but in the end I decided I couldn't resist. She seemed very impressed that it was hand made so maybe she doesn't have a lot of crafty family members and friends. I've actually decided that I am going to make another quilt for her older daughter Hanna before she returns in January. Hannah's favorite color is purple so I am thinking about doing a purple Warm Wishes quilt.

Pic!!! This was a Disappearing 9-Patch made with the same fabrics I used for Sophia's quilt!

In other news, I think I might be gathering the courage to start on another large quilting project. My last was Gram's quilt, and before that it was Hannah's Tetris Quilt. I am going to be making a twin size quilt with the Garden Party Pattern. I have the pattern, just need to start purchasing fabric for it. I will not cut it until I am completely done with the vet quilts and they are due to the group next week!

Sample Garden Party Quilt:

And that will complete my 11 in '11 goal... if I can finish it!


1. Gram's Quilt- DONE
2. Joe's Quilt- DONE
3. Wedding Quilt- DONE
4. Sophia's Quilt- DONE
5. Raj's Baby Quilt- DONE
6. Veteren Quilt (Ribbon Star)- DONE
7. Veteren Quilt (Log Cabin)- In progress
8. Project Linus Quilt- DONE
9. Abigails' Quilt- DONE
10. Hanna's Quilt- Planning (Warm Wishes)
11. Garden Party- Planning


In other sewing news, I am taking a 3-week class in garment making. I'm making Jason a button-down shirt called an Aloha shirt. I have never really felt comfortable making clothing, so this is an attempt to improve my skills in that area. He picked out the fabric- it's brown and boring, but will hide any mistakes well. There is also no nap or pattern to match :)

I Haz a Job!!!

On August 2nd, I was offered a job and started on the 8th. This means I have a lot less time to quilt. For the first 4 weeks of my job, I didn't quilt at all. The sewing machine never came out. However, the guilt has gotten to me for a certain project and I started up again this week.

In May, I agreed to make 2 lap quilts for a new Ravelry-based crafting group that donates their projects to the VA Hospital in Palo Alto. The first quilt I finished quickly, having to only buy some off-white fabric and the batting. This 2nd quilt, however, is proving to be quite the challenge. I've never done a Log Cabin Quilt so I thought this would be a good excuse to give it a shot. Well, not only does it take much more work than I had thought, but I didn't have enough red, white, and blue scraps to give it a very scrappy feel. I turned to Ravelry and about a dozen people sent me scraps. Then I cut up most of them into strips and started piecing.


Then I got a job.

So I'm working on finishing the top- I just took my machine out for the first time in over a month- and TODAY I find out about a surprise baby shower for my boss in 2 weeks. Que the crazy quilt design wheels to turn in my head. So I think I'm going to make her a Disappearing 9 Patch (my all-time favorite baby quilt design) and I think I might be able to do it out of the fabric I originally bought for Mike's Baby (see Irish Chain quilt below.)

So, without further adieu, I present my progress with 11 in '11:

Just to update you on my 11 Quilts in '11 goal:
1. Gram's Quilt- DONE
2. Joe's Quilt- DONE
3. Wedding Quilt- DONE
4. Sophia's Quilt- DONE
5. Raj's Baby Quilt- DONE6. Veteren Quilt (Ribbon Star)- DONE
7. Veteren Quilt (Log Cabin)- In progress
8. Project Linus Quilt- DONE
9. Abigails' Quilt- Planning
10. Jason's Parent's Quilt- No idea
11. ???


And pics of my 2 most recent finished quilts-



A Project Linus Quilt (http://www.sjlinus.org/) in a 4-patch pattern:

And this is Veteren's Quilt #1. The pattern is called Ribbon Star: 

Another quilt finished!

We just got home from vacation and I just now have time to post some pics of the last quilt I finished before we left. The couple that owns the scuba dive shop Jason and I use are having a baby later this summer. Seeing as they own 3 boats and a dive shop, I felt an "under the sea" quilt was most appropriate. While they are having a girl, I snuck a peek at their Babies R Us registry and saw they are doing an blue/ocean theme baby quilt so I didn't feel bad making a blue quilt. I did add the purple for the borders to make it more gender neutral :)

The pattern is called Arcadia and the fabric is from the Bernatex like called Go Fishing.

I have enough fabric left over for a quick charity quilt for Project Linus  ... if you want to get involved let me know... quilters, knitters, crocheters and people who want to learn are welcome! 

And since I'm on the topic of charity quilting, I'm also going to be quilting for the Palo Alto Veteren's Hospital this year. If you'd like to get involved with that project, let me know! 

PICTURES!

As promised, here are some pictures of the last 2 quilts I've finished.

Sophia's quilt, my first Double Irish Chain. It's done, it only needs to be washed before I send it out:

My wedding quilt top. I am going to have this professionally quilted because it's really too big to quilt it well on my home machine, so for the time being, it's done, but not a full quilt just yet:

Here is a picture of our close friends making their squares!

I'm currently working on a quilted ABC book. It's been a huge help to my applique skills. I've also committed to at least one lap quilt for a veteran at the Palo Alto VA hospital and want to do some Project Linus Quilts as well.

Quick update on my 11 in 2011:

Just to update you on my 11 Quilts in '11 goal:
1. Gram's Quilt- DONE
2. Joe's Quilt- DONE
3. Wedding Quilt- DONE
4. Sophia's Quilt- DONE
5. Raj's Baby Quilt- Ready to start!
6. Mystery Quilt- Asleep
7. Connor's Quilt ABC Book- In Progress
8. Quilt for Jason's Parents- Pattern chosen!
9. Veteren Quilt
10. Project Linus Quilt
11. ???

2 New Quilt Projects !!!

Well my wedding quilt top is done. I just need to figure out where I'm getting it professionally quilted. The quilter I was hoping for is not taking new projects :(

Last week I started on Sophia's quilt. It's coming along great. I'm planning to have a picture of it in my next post.

Today I ordered the quilt for Raj's Baby quilt. I wanted to a beach or boat theme because they own 2 boats and a scuba shop, but I wasn't sure if a gender-neutral-leaning-toward-boy quilt would be appropriate as they are having a girl. Well, I did a little snooping and found their Baby's R Us baby registry and what do you know- they are doing a blue and green sea theme! So I went out and bought fabric from the Bernartex Gone Fishing line and am going to do a new pattern with it! So excited!

Just to update you on my 11 Quilts in '11 goal:
1. Gram's Quilt- DONE
2. Joe's Quilt- DONE
3. Wedding Quilt- DONE
4. Sophia's Quilt- In Progress
5. Raj's Baby Quilt- Fabric Ordered
6. Mystery Quilt- Asleep
7. Connor's Quilt ABC Book- Planned
8. Quilt for Jason's Parents- ???
9. ???
10. ???
11. ???

Wedding Quilt - Top Almost Done!

I'm so happy to have pretty much finished the Wedding Quilt top. It only needs borders and I'm planning to do those tomorrow. My favorite thing about the quilt has been that as I've been working on it, I get to read the amazing messages people wrote to us on the squares. I'm planning to put a sleeve in it so we can hang it up, but we'll also be able to use it if we want :)

I just bought the fabric for Sophia's quilt. Sophia was born in January to my husband's best man and good friend of mine, Mike. He's been friends with Jason since sometime in the 1990's and I met him early in our relationship. He let us borrow one of his cars for weeks when Jason's was in the shop after I banged it up a bit. Mike and his wife have requested pink and purple, so I'm going to a double Irish chain in those colors with a yellow background and a great purple flower border I found. It's my first Irish chain quilt, so I'm excited to try something new :)

Grams Quilt

Finished! I actually slept with it last night :)

Progress...

Wow, I can't believe it's been over 2 months since I've updated. I wish I had a lot of quilts to show for it, but really life has just gotten away from me. I've been working, fighting my evil ex-employer over unemployment benefits, traveling, going out more with my dog, and seeing a lot of Sharks games! Jason and I have even decided to up our half-season tickets to full season tickets next year! 43 games! How crazy is that?!

I just finished Gram's quilt. Well, it still needs to be unpinned and needs a label, but all of the constuction is done. It looks great. There were some issues with wavy borders due to all the bias edges on the blocks, but I think I got them ironed out (pun intended!)

I put the Mystery Quilt to sleep. It's ugly. I don't think I'll ever do a mystery quilt again. I don't want to keep it or give it to someone. I don't even want to donate it to charity. It's not worth the batting and backing it would take to assemble it. I'll try to post a (hideous) picture at some point.

With Gram's quilt being done tomorrow, and my last wedding quilt squares having arrived, I can work on that. I also have 2 baby quilts that need to get done sometime soon- one for Mike (Jason's best man at our wedding) and one for the couple that runs the scuba dive shop we use. We are pretty close to them as customers so it's my pleasure to welcome their first baby with a quilt!

Other than that, I'm just trying to stay sane. Still looking for a new job and have submitted a countless number of resumes. The Sharks start their playoff run in 2 weeks. I'm going to Hawaii for 2 weeks in May, the Chanel Islands for 4 days in June, and the Jersey Shore for a week in July. Of course if I get a new job, the plans might change, but for now it's good to know that I'll either be traveling or better employed in the future- either is good :)

Gram's Quilt Top Finished

It still needs borders, of course. I think I'm going with the dark purple as a 6" border (if I have enough) and I will use the matching print to back it. I'll use whatever I use for a border also as binding. Unless I used dark purple as a border and have to use light purple as a binding :)

Gram's Quilt

Been working hard on this quilt. As with most major projects, I've picked up a new technique in the process. It's called Partial Seaming. You actually leave 1" at the end of one piece unsewn so you can wait to complete the seam when the block is finished.

It would be sweet to have this top pieced by the end of the week. I'm thinking about stippling it but this time having the same color in both the top thread and bobbin so my small tension mishaps won't be as obvious :)

I wish my Gram lived closed enough for me to give it to her in person. Sadly, I have no plans to go out to NJ anytime soon and if I go back and work at iD all summer, It wouldn't happen until the fall at the earliest and possibly much later than that. I'm secretly hoping that my husbands new venture (chqit.com) takes off and we get to go to restaurant trade shows on the East Coast so we can visit my family :)

3 Quilts in Progress !!!

I can't believe that I have 3 quilts going at once. It's not like me at all!

1. The wedding quilt- It's really not my fault that this is still a WIP. My MIL forgot to make a square at the actual wedding so I sent her all the supplies and I'm stuck waiting for her to return her square. I've emailed her once about it and I might call her tomorrow.

2. The mystery quilt- I can only work on this as quickly as they release the clues. Plus, I'm not a huge fan about how the blocks currently look so I'm not as excited about it as I could be. I'm hoping as it comes together it looks better. I also made a huge mistake and bought some poly blend fabric (I'm so embarrassed- I will never make that mistake again!) so I have no idea what it will look like after washing. I keep telling myself that this is a good quilt to try fusible batting on because even if that doesn't go as expected, it won't be a huge loss.

3. My grandma's quilt. An all-purple and coordinated version of this quilt. I could post a pic in progress, but I think I'll wait. It's turning out really nice!

If I can get these done, I'll be well on my way to 11 quilts in 2011. The next quilt I have to tackle is Mike's baby's quilt. She was born last night! Mom and baby (Sophia) are doing well :)

11 Quilts in 2011?

So I just started a quilting challenge- 11 quilts finished in 2011. For some people it will be easier as they have many UFOs. I have none! But for some people, it will be harder, as they might be making queen and king size quilts and I don't plan on making any larger than twin size.

Right now I'm working on, planning, or just kind of thinking about:

1. Mystery quilt. Not sure how long this will take to finish.
2. Gram's quilt, will start to cut this when I finish my first mystery quilt clue.
3. Quilt for Mike's new baby. I'm hoping to use my applique skills for this after I finish my applique class on Jan 14.
4. Possibly a quilt for Amy? She was diagnosed with breast cancer last month and is doing chemo.
5. A quilt for Sadie's birthday? Too bad it's at the end of Jan so I'd have to get on this one quickly. I made a quilt for her big brother last year for his birthday.
6. A quilt for Jason's parents. Southwest theme maybe.