W.i.P. Wednesday

I've seen many a post lately where folks are suffering from a loss of mojo. I can't say I'm there, but I do feel a lack of direction. I finished my Emerald Challenge project, which was great, and was treated to a bit of fun in the latest Lucky Star, but where next? I have commitments . . . even a couple of deadlines . . . and a still overflowing scrap bin. But what I really want to do is toss it all aside and make something fun and unnecessary with lines of fabric I've never sewed with before. It may happen yet.

Completed projects
Emerald placemats - We've been enjoying using these all week!

March's Lucky Star block - The Ninja Star was as fun as all the others!

Ongoing projects
x and + blocks {#xplusalong} - still cutting more blocks out.

Scrappy triangles - As I'm going through my scrap basket cutting x and + blocks, I'm also cutting any large pieces into triangles (6" finished). I've got an idea or two, but for now will just keep cutting.

Woodland cross-stitch sampler - I've worked on it like three evenings! A long ways from being caught up, but I am moving forward!

Pin Cushions - I've got a custom order from a friend - 30 assorted 4" patchwork pincushions. So I've been using leftover blocks and scraps to piece some tops - 7 down, 23 to go.

March bee blocks - I've got a few done. The assignment is pending on the last one.

February's FAITH circle quilt - The last of my blocks arrived this week and I have the top pieced! I still have a few extra blocks, so will be using them on the back.

Upcoming projects
* Always Bee Learning bee block for March
* table topper for mom
* Doodle Memory Game
* SMQG star challenge quilt
* flannel pillow for grandgirl
* Polaroid block projects

Linking up with W.i.P. Wednesday.

An Emerald Table

I'll come right out and say it. Before last year, I had no idea there was such a thing as 'color of the year.' But Tangerine Tango piqued my interest, and I created "Tangerisk". So when Emerald was chosen for this year, I really didn't think twice about joining in the Emerald Quilt Challenge. Daughter dear got us official Pantone swatches so we knew what we were looking for, and the search was on.

Rachel searched out and found a solid that was very very close - Pure Elements Emerald. Green prints I added in my grouping were Lizzy House jewels in dark green and the pearl bracelets in Swiss chard. But it was Art Gallery oval elements in emerald that helped me decide on the rest of my palette, the addition of black and white. So you'll see some of my favorite black and white prints, plus for something a little different, I used just a bit of white Essex Linen and green Dupioni silk, both of which added some nice texture.

Somewhere along the line I decided to multi-task, and rather than make a quilt, chose to make placemats, a project that's been on my list for a while.

I made three sizes of wonky cross blocks. Unfinished, they were 3 1/2", 6 1/2", and 9 1/2". I put the same size assortment in each mat, mixing up their placement, and of course, the colors and fabrics.

I used Aurifil 50wt to piece, but was on retreat when I picked up thread for the quilting, and chose a variegated Sulky cotton for the matchstick quilting on each of the large crosses {lesson learned, use a larger needle}. The best match I could make for the rest of the quilting was a green Amann. It quilted the organic straight-line well though, adding a nice sheen.

And I couldn't resist changing up the binding just a bit. So while the majority is a Sew Mama Sew zig zag, the largest row of small blocks in each placemat got bound with some white on black Remix ovals, which also happens to be the backing fabric on each of the 12" x 18" mats.

So now they are done and were put to use last night at dinner.

 I think they'll work just fine.

Linking up with the Emerald Quilt Challenge and Finish it up Friday.

W.i.P. Wednesday

This last week I have been focused on two projects only - my Scrappy Trip Along quilt and my entry for the Emerald Challenge. One is done now and one nearly - I hope to post about them each separately over the new few days.

Completed projects
Scrappy Trip Along - I'll tell more about it in the reveal post but I tried a new-to-me quilting pattern on this quilt, love the look, and hopefully will be perfecting it on future quilts.

This quilt is so cheerful, and I love the unique color theme that grew out of the scrap basket.

Ongoing projects
Emerald mini/placemats - This project is nearly done! Using pretty simple blocks, I've tried to add interest with bold colored prints, quilting and thread, and binding. Anxious to be using these on my dining table soon.

x and + blocks {#xplusalong} - This is next up on the scrappy quilt list! I counted 40 completed blocks (badskirt's original 8" unfinished blocks), and 8 more cut out ready to sew. Unfortunately I estimate I need 30 more than that to make a good-size lap. So this will take a bit.

Woodland cross-stitch sampler - no progress.

Upcoming projects
* pin cushion custom order
* flannel pillow for grandgirl
* table topper for mom
* March bee blocks
* March's Lucky Star block
* February's FAITH circle quilt
* Doodle Memory Game
* scrappy Metrolink - still debating
* Polaroid block projects

Linking up with W.i.P. Wednesday.

W.i.P. Wednesday

Not huge progress this last week, but still managed to get a few time-critical projects out of the way.

Completed projects
February bee blocks - whew! What a relief to have gotten these done this week! I posted them here.

Mid-Century Modern bee project - March is MY month, and I managed to post the plan. The block I've chosen is a Hugs & Kisses block using a tutorial by Little Miss Shabby. More details are in the flickr group, of course, but here's the tutorial I used - four 5" blocks are put together to make one 9 1/2" unfinished block.

Here is my sample block:

So this is a "completed for now" project, until early April, when I get blocks from my bee mates.

Ongoing projects
Emerald mini/placemats - I got all the blocks done and the 'tops' put together!

Scrappy Trip Along - I had to set this aside but hope to be back at it soon.

x and + blocks {#xplusalong} and Woodland cross-stitch sampler - no progress.

Upcoming projects
* pin cushion custom order
* flannel pillow for grandgirl
* table topper for mom
* scrappy Metrolink - still debating
* Polaroid block projects

Linking up with W.i.P. Wednesday.

Tuesday at the Table

Surprise, surprise. No recipes today. Really no food talk at all. But I do have one of my current projects to show, table-related and all . . . the first in a set of wonky cross placemats.

I'm expecting each to be just a tad different in their block arrangement, though all with the same number of 3 1/2", 6 1/2", and 9 1/2" blocks. I'm using my favorite emerald, black, and white geometric prints, along with a variety of solids, which I'll describe better farther down the line.

Quilting design is still TBD, so feel free to share your thoughts. And as I continue piecing, if you have something to link up, you can do it here!

W.i.P. Wednesday

Thanks to a fun-filled, sew-till-you-fall-asleep quilting retreat last weekend, I have plenty to show for myself, which actually feels very very good. Mostly littles, but still . . .

Completed projects
Merry - Hubby's Christmas stocking may be late in coming, but worth the wait. I posted it here.

Sweet Heart purses - This project was timely and fun, a quick tutorial by Simple Things. So fun in fact, I made a second.

Open Wide Zippered Pouch - Again, after making my first . . .

I couldn't resist making another. Very fun indeed.

Mod Angles cushion - If this looks kind of familiar, it's because I made it with my Chicopee practice blocks from the tutorial I wrote back in October. The hst blocks were inspired by don't call me betsy's Double Flip HSTs tutorial.

Ongoing projects

Scrappy Trip Along - I'm SO excited I got my blocks all pieced into a top. The backing should arrive any day, so I hope to get quilting on this shortly.

Emerald mini/placemats - These two projects may have merged and become one. TBD. Meanwhile, I'm piecing blocks - 3 1/2", 6 1/2" and 9 1/2".

x and + blocks {#xplusalong} - I managed to get 12 blocks done and have 12 more ready to stitch up.

Woodland cross-stitch sampler and Modern Crosses quilt - no progress.

Upcoming projects
* flannel pillow for grandgirl
* table topper for mom
* scrappy Metrolink
* Polaroid block projects

Linking up with W.i.P. Wednesday.

This and That

Quilting blogland seems a tad subdued, which isn't too surprising really, but still. Honestly, since the big rush of finishing presents and wrapping on Christmas Eve, I haven't been in the sewing room except to clean up the mess I'd made! Event-wise though, there's plenty going on - some wrapping up (no pun intended), and some gearing up for the new year.

The Ruby Star Wrapping Contest comes to a close Sunday night. Each entrant is allowed three entries, so I entered my Simple Drawsting Bag, the Melody-Didn't-Mean-to-Make-It Tote, and my lifesaver as far as wrapping went this Christmas - the Pillowcase Pouch. I was happy to see some of you bloggy friends had entered too.

And while on the topic of sustainable gift-wrap, look at these clever {and darling} gift-tags by amyinuk. Check out the tutorial on her blog, [Amy's] Crafty Shenanigans.

Now on to new challenges for the new year! Saw this today . . .

If you remember, last year's color was Tangerine Tango, and I had great fun creating Tangerisk.

When last year's challenge was announced, I had never even heard of Pantone's Color of the Year. And I definitely was not an 'orange' person. But I must say that after this last year, I love it, and have used it quite a bit. So we'll see if Emerald has the same affect on me. Not sure yet if I'll participate in the challenge or not, but I do want to at least try and incorporate some Emerald in my sewing . . . just because.

Meanwhile, there are a couple of personal challenges I'm looking forward to. One of those is venturing more into foundation paper piecing with Elizabeth of don't call me betsy and her block of the month club.

To start us off, Elizabeth gave us a practice block - and yikes, it's pretty impressive! I'll try to work on mine soon so you can see . . .There's an option of making either 12.5" blocks or 6.5" blocks, and I think I'll go with the 6.5". So there may or may not be a Lucky Stars quilt down the road - maybe some smaller star projects. We'll see.

AND I've been itching for a 'tv project', and I don't always have a quilt laying around to bind. So I up and joined hey porkchop's Woodland Sampler series. Are any of you joining in?

I'm sure there's plenty more goings on. I'd love to hear what you're planning on getting involved in or trying new in the next weeks and months . . .