small star blocks

I always find it difficult to resist the Temecula Quilt Co sew alongs.  I did not plan to sew along with their Countdown to Christmas but after resisting for weeks these cute little stars got me.  

 

I knew they finished at 2 inches but I didn't really grasp how small they would be.

It was when Sheryl posted the center block that I caved.  Her block looked so pretty posed on her wooden tray.   She takes such great pictures and uses props so creatively.



So I made the center block.  I don't think I will commit to making the whole quilt but I am looking forward to sewing a few more of these cute little stars.  I was wanting another little quilt to use for Christmas decorating anyway...  :0)

Happy Quilting!

panel #8

I am always very excited to add another completed panel to my growing Susan McCord vine quilt. I finished panel #8 of 13 yesterday and today I added it to the others.  

My son walked by and said "Oh, you finished it!"  I had to correct him but I'm encouraged that it is far enough along to look finished to someone :0)

 I couldn't think of any creative new ways to photograph it.  I will have to work on that because it will soon be too big for any of my available floor spaces.

I will be prepping and starting panel #9 right away so I have lots of portable sewing for Christmas time.  I do think about embroidering on my Bird of Paradise blocks but so far no floss has made contact with fabric...

Happy Quilting!

next comes quilting

I finished the applique for this little table mat.  I had trouble putting it down once I got started.  I really should make small projects more often.  

 

The pattern is in the current AP&Q magazine - a Kim Diehl pattern.   I plan to machine quilt the pieced border and outline the applique by hand.  I think I can still finish this as a early Dec gift :0)

Happy Quilting!

quilting progress

I thought I would share with you the progress on my handquilting project.  I have 5 blocks quilted and 5 sashing sections as well.  There are 25 blocks in the quilt as well as a wide border so I'll be at this for awhile yet :0)  

 

 Then there's this new project I started yesterday.  This one I can blame entirely on a friend!  We were browsing the LQS a few weeks ago and she picked up this pattern and suggested we should make it together. 

 I've been wanting to make a quilt with round blocks for a long time but felt unsure of whether my sewing skills were up to it.  My friend is unafraid of the challenge these blocks present so together we will work on them.

 As much as I liked the quilt on the pattern - I would need an entirely new stash to make anything like  it so I dug out all my Minick and Simpson fabrics and will use those instead. 

 You can see how different her quilt will be.  We made these together last night.  I picked the easiest block to start :0)

DH and I had a weekend trip to LA planned for this past weekend.  As it turned out Friday was not a good day to fly into LAX.  With a detour to San Diego and a bus ride up to LA we made it just in time for the basketball game that evening for which the trip was planned.  I could not believe the weather.  It was like a beautiful summer day. We saw these beautiful roses as we cycled by the beach.  At home it snowed- nearly a foot.

It was good to enjoy the warmth before heading home to boots and winter coats.

Happy Quilting!!