I worked feverishly to get this done for the fair and I almost made it, but then life happened.  Oh well!  I can enter it next year.  I am so very excited it's done and I'm able to share it here.

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Well, as you all know, when it rains it pours.  We've been making lots of lemonade from the lemons we've been dealt this last month, but that's ok.  We're healthy, happy and filled with love.  The rest is just noise.  I've been quilting when I could spare a moment.

I've been working on this project for a while now.  The top was done a couple of years ago.  Now I've started quilting it.  I've gotten the in-the-ditch stitching done and now I'm ready to work on the rest of it.

It's a little wacky but I love it.  I designed it myself.  I used three fabrics - the stripes, the dots and black crackle.

The basting is what has annoyed the daylights out of me.  I basted it four times before I decided to just let it go.  I'd love a nice smooth back, but I don't think it's terrible and will work once quilted.

My next issue was finding a thread that would work for the top.  I wound up with Sulky Prism White Metallic thread and Sulky Black Metallic thread. They both have a nice sheen and an interesting play in the light.



They're 50/50 Poly/Nylon so I've had to adjust the tension on my machine so they work well together.  I think I've gotten it all straightened out.

Now, if only I could decide how to quilt the rest of it. Wish me luck!

Quilt. Create. Enjoy!

Anna

PS: We moved the new 1921 Singer Red Eye to a new spot so I'll be able to get some good pictures to put up!

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Wow, how do almost 4 weeks fly by without a post?  Between family stuff and work stuff it's a wonder anything else gets done.  But...

I'm back!  And I've been quilting!

Here's a look at a few of the things I've been working on.

FMQ Feather Heart

FMQ Heart Paisley

FMQ Loose Weave

These are practice pieces so I used a dark thread on light fabric so I could clearly see how I was doing and review how I did.  In a few spots, the variegated thread makes it look odd.  I can live with it.  I call them conversation starters.  Well, I'm going to go organize my space(s). Wish me luck!

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Ok, so I had a very busy weekend.  My beautiful niece made her First Communion on Saturday.  We made the hour & 45 min long drive out to PA for the mass.  It was lovely and we had a great luncheon afterwards.  My back was less than thrilled on Sunday after 3 1/2 hours in the car, so after initially heading back out to PA for Mother's Day with my mom, I turned around to give my back a well deserved rest.

After a nice, long nap, I got back to quilting.  Since I spent yesterday laying low, I was able to get some sketching done, I worked out some of the details of the Floating Sampler BOM I'm starting in June, and I worked on the quilting motifs for my block swap squares. Today you get a twofer: my favorite blog posts and motifs.

This Week's Favorite Blog Posts!

Here are blog posts from this past week you should definitely take a look at.

Happy Quilting
Melissa ran a really great Celebrate Mom event.  She had 6 guest posters write about being a mom and quilter.

Monkey Do
Katy is starting a quilt along June 1st.  I'm considering doing joining in.  She's using Rachel Griffiths Impromptu pattern.  You'll need a layer cake and 6.5 yards of fabric if you're interested.

Motif Monday

Last Monday I left you with this image of my block swap blocks.

MLK Block Swap

I want to thank all of you for your input.  I ended up with some straight lines, some curves and an undecided background.  I printed out the image and started drawing on it.  Here's what I've decided on.

MLK Block Swap Quilting Designs

Tree:  I wanted something geometric to go inside the tree.  I'll probably make those lines curved to flow better with the other blocks but you get the idea.
House:  The brick work will get a ribbon around the main elements, shingling on the roof and an attic window.
Basket:  An echo of the basket is going to be fancied up with my curly tulipy design.
Pinwheelish: The design is inspired by this motif, except rectangles instead of the triangles.
Heart:  I have a heart feather in there but I may change my mind.

Stay tuned for more information on the Floating Sampler BOM.  Subscribe by Memorial Day if you'd like a sneak peek.

Quilt. Create. Enjoy!

Anna

PS: I did get some FMQ done yesterday, but more on that tomorrow.

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I do believe I'm over thinking things.  I started the evening with a great plan.

1. Make dinner.
2. Get through a bit more of my Craftsy class(es).
3. Practice quilting on the new machine.

So I managed to get through 1 & 2 mostly without a hitch.  I do not like to watch too much of the class without some practice so it was time to move on to #3.  That's where the problem comes in.

What am I going to do?  What's my plan?  I don't want to just start quilting, do I? Ocean? Blocks? Vase? Feathers? FMQ sampler using some of Leah's designs?  So many choices!

I know!  I'll do a vase with flowers in it...NO...with feathers coming out of it.  Phew!  That wasn't too bad...let draw it up first.

Medusa

I like this, but it's not what I want to do tonight.  I'll save it for another day.  Hmmmm...I really want to do an ocean floor scene.  Pebbles, kelp, fish...I should sketch it out.

Kelp Forest

Ooooooh!  I like this!  The scribbles will be an ocean currents filler design.  I've got the little anemone in the corner.  Hmmmmm...this looks more like work than practice.  Let's see, how much time do I have left for a new plan.

What!  It's 11:30!  It can't possibly be that late. Humpf!  I should really go to bed.  I have to be up really early tomorrow.  Great, lots of design done, but no actual quilting.

New plan:

1. Cut 1 yard of fabric into 6 1/2 inch squares.
2. Make quilt sandwiches from the squares.
3. Keep sandwiches by sewing machines and use them as small practice pieces.

I hope to execute the new plan sometime this weekend.

Quilt. Create. Enjoy!

Anna

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