Finish-A-Long Third Quarter Finishes

The Finish-A-Long sponsored by Rhonda at Quilter in the Gap is never far from my mind. Which is good, as it keeps me going on wips in the midst of frequently finding new projects to start! 

This third round, I had 4 projects on my list. A year in the making was the 4x5 modern Quilt Bee quilt. I had blocks from 3 rounds of the bee, and just needed to pull them all together.

After much debate, I ended up framing all the blocks in Kona Tangerine, then finished with a border in Kona Charcoal. In the end, it was a pretty traditional finish for these modern blocks, now known as G.O. Modern. 

There's a pretty photo-heavy post here if you want to read more about this project, and a run-down of my adventure in quilting it here. Major accomplishment for me, this one.

Marmalade "Storytime Squares" baby quilt was up next. I had the piecing of this baby quilt well under way.

So A Taste of Marmalade was a pretty sweet finish.

A QWERTY variation kind of loomed in the background for a while. This "re-do" of the original QWERTY was for my bookkeeper friend, who had given me a focus fabric to work with.

Once I actually faced this stack on my sewing table, Digits came together without much fuss.

What I haven't gotten done is my Christmas lap quilt to coordinate with the non-traditional tree skirt I made last December.

I do have some blocks pieced, and this one is definitely going right back on the list for the fourth quarter!

Stay tuned - those greens and browns in the tree skirt photo will still be making an appearance!

I'll be linking my finished projects up to the Finish-A-Long Third Quarter Linky Party! Also linking up with Let's Get Acquainted Monday Link Up.

A Taste of Marmalade

A Taste of Marmalade is a baby quilt, quite simple in construction, yet a delightful little finish. The pattern is Storytime Squares, designed by Rae Hoekstra of made by RAE. I first used this pattern when I made a version for 100 Quilts for kids last fall.

For this new quilt, I was thrilled to find some marmalade charm packs out in blogland, as baby's mama had indicated she loved the fabric when I pinned it on Pinterest. 

Source: cottonway.blogspot.com via Debbie on Pinterest

The quilt finished at 42" square, a tad smaller than the original, as I used 5" charm squares, rather than the 5 1/2" blocks the pattern suggests. For quilting, I used my machine's wavy stitch, stretched out as wide and long as it would go.

Backing is an overall floral that coordinates nicely, and the binding a tiny blue and white dot, both courtesy of Ruby.

So cross off project #2 from my Third-Quarter Finish-A-Long list!

Linking up with TNT Thursday.

W.i.P. Wednesday

I don't have any completed projects this week, but do have alot in progress! So welcome W.i.P. Wednesday!

Ongoing projects
Zakka Style Sew-Along project #15 - I'm doing my own thing this week, but I have my bookmark ready to sew up.

4x5 Quilt - Boy, this modern sampler really needs a name before all is said and done. Meanwhile, I got that pieced back done - nothing too exciting, except the main fabric, of course - one of my current favs, Dear Stella's Gridlock.

Source: hawthornethreads.com via Debbie on Pinterest

The blocks' framing is all quilted up quite simply, and now I'm slow but sure, quilting the blocks - some straight-line, some free-motion, something a little different in each block. I've gotten 5 of 20 blocks done so far. It'll be a while.

Storytime Squares baby quilt - The top is done. I didn't find a good backing in my stash, so am waiting for one to arrive - a Vintage Modern floral.

*Picture-Perfect* Polaroid Block Swap NEW - Not sure what I was thinking when I impulsively started a swap last weekend!

the blocks that started it all - 1 untrimmed & 1 trimmed

But things are hopping, and I've got lots of 2 1/2" squares cut out to make my own polaroid blocks to swap and keep.

Upcoming projects
* more Zakka
* QWERTY variation
* a quilt to coordinate with my Christmas tree skirt - Christmas in July??
* scrappy Metrolink
* Plus quilt for my sister-in-law
* Always Bee Learning July block
* EZ Dresden Challenge project - maybe??
* FAITH Circle July blocks
* 100 Quilts quilt to donate

Linking up with W.i.P. Wednesday where Kati from the blue chair is hosting today.

To the Finish Part Trois

Talk about pressure! It's time to make a list for the third quarter of Quilter in the Gap's Finish-A-Long. I'm sure you're like me - the 'to do' list continues to grow in the midst of trying to finish up what's already on the docket! There's much I'd like to accomplish in the next three months, but definitely these projects . . .

4x5 modern Quilt Bee quilt - It was on last quarter's list and I didn't quite make it. I'm nearing the finish line on this one.

Marmalade "Storytime Squares" baby quilt - Hope to have this done in July actually. It's always fun to use a new line of fabric, and this one should be a fairly quick finish.

Christmas lap quilt - I'd like to make a quilt to coordinate with the unconventional tree skirt I made last year.

 

I have a start on the fabric pull, and am thinking about "On a Whim." Maybe yes, maybe no, but would like to do this as part of Christmas in July, though that's putting alot on July's plate!

QWERTY variation - A friend picked out fabric and has asked me to make her a QWERTY quilt of her own. This is way over-due, and I'm hoping to finish this up sooner rather than later.

There's a part of me that's ready to just start on something fresh and new and out of the blue, and I just may. But meanwhile, also hope to get these projects done in good time . . .

Linking up with the Finish-A-Long's Pre-Third Quarter Linky Party.

100 Quilts for Kids Postscript

It was fun to be included in Kate's 100 Quilts for Kids flickr mosaic (see here). My sherbet pips quilt is all washed up and ready to go.

I just finished up a Storytime Squares quilt too. What a fun and quick little pattern by Rae Hoekstra of made by RAE! {find tutorial here} Most of the print fabrics I used are from Denyse Schmidt's new "Sugar Creek" line, but you'll see some "Fairgrounds" and other miscellaneous goodies in there too.

And, since Project Linus welcomes finished quilt tops, I am taking my finished Block-a-palooza quilt top, along with the backing I have pieced, and binding that's ready to adhere. Though this top is from my very first quilt-along (what fun!), it's just too big for me to quilt on my machine, and I think someone else might appreciate it more.

Revised to add this last-minute picture of Block-a-palooza

Lastly, I gathered up the charms I'd gotten in a recent Spoonflower swap, made a fun pouch for them, and have offered them to Kate as a prize for the 100 Quilts effort. Hope someone really enjoys them.

I've appreciated being able to support this good cause, while helping children in my own community. The quilt drive goes through October 15, so there's still plenty of time if you want to join in.