Kaleidoscope

May I present Kaleidoscope.

Usually when I finish a quilt, there's a sense of "well that was fun". Sometimes, "whew, I'm glad that's done". And occasionally, "wow, there's truly a part of me in this quilt". That third sentiment is how I feel about Kaleidoscope. Supernova was like that too. It had a story, and was wrapped in some honest, raw emotion. I feel like Kaleidoscope definitely has a little of my quilting journey pieced into it.


I was intrigued with Kaleidoscope the moment Elizabeth presented the quilt-along on don't call me betsy. It was different from anything I had done before!  The fabric I chose was mostly DS prints that I had purchased on a whim weeks before. The quilt-along instructions indicated I'd need a few more prints than I had, and it really stretched me a bit to put my final grouping together. When I presented my final selections on flickr in the quilt-along group, I wasn't really confident about what kind of reception they'd receive! Thankfully they were met with affirmation.

The idea for the back was from Crazy Mom Quilts. I knew I wanted to put at least one kaleidoscope block on the back, and Amandajean's quilt back was perfect. Honestly, the vision and execution of this backing was as smooth as any I've done. Being able to baste it out on the deck in the sunshine {again}, certainly didn't hurt.

I'd been reading a lot about 'special' threads lately - like Aurifil and Superior. So before I started quilting Kaleidoscope, I went to my LQS to see what they had. They happened to carry Superior, so I got some lovely gray 'King Tut' quilting thread. It is '100% Extra-Long Staple Egyptian Cotton' and felt really smooth as I was sewing. I'll definitely put in the effort to search out quality thread next time I want to machine quilt. Plus this was the first time I'd quilted in color, and I love what it added to the quilt.

I really thought I knew how I wanted to quilt Kaleidoscope early on, but changed my mind once I got started. {read more here} I'm glad I went with my instinct, even though, again, it felt like a bit of a stretch for me at the time. I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

Well, there's a bit about why Kaleidoscope is pretty special to me. The community built by this quilt-along was great fun, and with the new lessons and experiences bound up in beautiful fabric and pattern - well, I'm definitely glad I journeyed along.

So now it's time to link up with the Kaleidoscope Gallery of Finishes. Go look - there's some awesome quilting to enjoy!

W.i.P. Wednesday

Time for W.i.P. Wednesday again!

Completed projects

Quilt #6 of the Prairie Women Sewing Circle is done. Yay. See the complete series here.

Ongoing projects

Still making half-square triangle blocks for the Scrapbuster Swap. There's alot of trimming and sewing still to be done on this little project. And this baby actually has a deadline, so I need to keep moving. But I have gotten a sample block done!

Whew! I finished my Kaleidoscope quilt along blocks! They overflowed my design wall, but here's some of them.

I joined the Summer Sampler Series Quilt Along hosted by Swim, Bike, Quilt, Fresh Lemons Quilts, and Freshly Pieced. I'm really excited about the citrus fabrics I'm using! The first block was a quick and easy one.

I finally cut out the Afternoon Snack table runner that my mom picked out. We're adapting this pattern by G. E. Designs. It's a quilt-as-you-go pattern, which I've only done a couple of times, but I think it'll go pretty quick.

Dream Big is still at the quilters. Anxious to see her again soon.

Cappuccino Bali Pop "Light & Shadow" is still standing by.

AND a new W.i.P. - a Dots Swap hosted by Rachel of Snippets of Sweetness and myself! Stop by tomorrow for all the details!

Upcoming projects

* Stash quilt - Sew Katie Did's zig zag quilt. After taking Katie's class last week, zig zag may move farther down my list, as I started a new hst quilt in the class. We'll see.

* Shades of Grey.

* Quilts for our siblings.

On hold for a while

Block-a-palooza quilt along needs basted and quilted.

That's it for this week! Be sure and head over to Freshly Pieced to see more W.i.P.s!

Let the Cutting Begin!

I've been waiting {impatiently} for the cutting instructions for Don't Call Me Betsy's Kaleidoscope Quilt Along! They were posted today, so time to get templates made and start cutting! I'm really excited to cut into the stack of fabrics I've collected for this project:

For those interested in such details, most of the fabrics are
Denyse Schmidt Fairgrounds, with several other fabrics
added to coordinate ~ see the flickr page here to get fabric details.

Stay tuned!

W.i.P. Wednesday

Oh, it has been good to have my sewing maching back in the house and to be sewing again! Talk about withdrawl!

Finished

Just Swell sewing machine cover, pattern from Simplify

I also whipped up a new little project for my coworker's birthday tomorrow. She's planning a trip to Hawaii, so I hope she likes the tropical mug rug!

Current projects

Dream Big has been my main project in the last week, from planning layout on the design wall to starting to piece rows. I was kind of concerned about keeping all the rows straight, but it's going just fine.

first four rows done

Ongoing projects

* Kaleidoscope quilt along hosted by don't call me betsy - I couldn't resist joining this one! I'm planning on using my Denyse Schmidt Fairgrounds prints, but need to find a few more coordinates. Elizabeth suggested some DS Katie Jump Rope, but they aren't readily available in my chosen colorway, so I'm still pulling together my final stack of fabric for this project.
(Cutting instructions are released June 23, so there's plenty of time to join in!)

* Comic Strip Quilt is basted and waiting to be quilted.

* Cappuccino Bali Pop "Light & Shadow".

* Pioneer Women Sewing Circle mini quilt.

Upcoming projects

* Afternoon Snack table runner adapted from this pattern by G. E. Designs.

* Hoopla charm pack received in May's A Little Fabric, A Little Chocolate {Swap!}.

* Shades of Grey. Kind of thinking a wonky log cabin, including my variety of KONA grays, and then adding that splash of {as yet undetermined} color. . .

* Stash quilt - Sew Katie Did's zig zag quilt.

* Quilts for our siblings.

On hold for a while
Block-a-palooza quilt along needs basted and quilted.

That's it for this week! Now it's time to head on over to Freshly Pieced to see the other great W.i.P.s!

Kaleidoscope Quilt Along

I just got home from a lovely vacation to see notice of a new quilt along hosted by Elizabeth of don't call me betsy! Fabric requirements and the quilt along schedule will be posted on Friday, June 3. I enjoy following Elizabeth's blog - she does beautiful work! And I'm looking forward to joining in her new quilt along!

W.i.P. Wednesday

Checking in again on W.i.P. Wednesday!

Finished Projects 
coming home using Origins by BasicGrey - I had some issues with finishing up this one, but it looks great now that's it's done. Washed it up immediately, just to enjoy that quilty goodness. This is a nice little quilt from Camille Roskelley's book, simplify. I'll definitely be doing one of her patterns again.

Ongoing projects

My quilt top for the Supernova Quilt Along with Lee of Freshly Pieced is complete!

I also got the backing pieced, so next up is basting!

Block-a-palooza quilt along - need to get those setting pieces cut and pieced to finish the top - the next sewing I hope to do.

Need to do
* Cappuccino Bali Pop quilt.
* Stash quilt - Sew Katie Did's zig zag quilt.
* Aneela Hoey's Comic Strip Quilt using sherbet pips 
* A birthday quilt for my daughter
* Black and red table topper/runner for my Mom's friend.
* Quilts for our siblings.
* The last project from the Pioneer Women Sewing Circle.

That's all for now! Head on over to Freshly Pieced to see more great works in progress! So many great projects and people to inspire you!

W.i.P. Wednesday

Finished Projects
Sadly, nothing. Close, but not quite.

Ongoing projects
Block-a-palooza quilt along
Finished this week’s first block, so now there are nine!

Socken quilt along
Plan to start quilting this any time. . .

Blue table runner
This runner is almost done! I adapted the Hungarian Blue pattern by Clothworks, making five ‘flower’ blocks and two ‘plain.’ The fabric is beautiful. I straight-line quilted it and the binding is nearly done. It’s turned out to be longer than a typical runner (60”), but I think my cousin will like it.

Central Park
Yay! I have cut into my Central Park Layer Cake, using the Geese in the Park pattern by Freckled Whimsy. Basically it is all large flying geese blocks, so should come together fairly quickly. Loving the fabric colors and patterns as I cut into it!

Had my second machine quilting class on Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed it. Will post more on my progress soon.

Need to do
The last project from the Prairie Women Sewing Circle is still on the list.

Am thinking about what 'stash quilt' I would like to do next . . .

Now head on over to Freshly Pieced to see more great works in progress!

W.i.P. Wednesday

So here’s Wednesday's update on my “Works-in-Progress”.

Just finished
New Wave
A pattern from Oh, Fransson.

Next on the agenda
Blue table runner
I’m thinking of using this pattern: Hungarian Blue by Clothworks.

Ongoing projects
Block-a-palooza quilt along
Finished this week’s first block, so now there are seven!

Socken quilt along
This week we put the top together!

Still practicing for my machine quilting class on Saturday.

Anxious to start

Central Park

Still hope to be starting on this SOON!

Need to do
The last project from the Prairie Women Sewing Circle is still on the list.

Now head on over to Freshly Pieced to see more great works in progress!

Socken

I've joined a second quilt along, Socken (German for "sock"), sponsored by Cherry House Quilts. Cherri of Cherry House LOVES solids, and pretty much uses only them in her quilts. Solid quilts are very trendy right now, and this project looked easy and fun.

The schedule:

2/1/11 CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS

2/8/11 PIECED COLUMNS

2/15/11 ASSEMBLE QUILT TOP

2/22/11 QUILT THE TOP

3/1/11 FINISH THE QUILT

We were encouraged to use Kona Cotton Solids, of which there are over 200! I had enough 'Ash' for the background, so just needed to choose colors for the squares (Black, Coal, Purple, Marine Blue).  

Block-a-palooza

One of the reasons I wanted to start a blog now was that I recently joined my first quilting community “quilt-along.” Basically, this is where a bunch of quilters are making the same quilt pattern, connected only by their internet relationship. In this particular quilt-along, two block patterns are given each week, presented by a different blogger. I thought this would be a fun way to get to know more of the community while working on a “group” project. The bloggers will be showcasing the "Sunkissed" line by Sweetwater for Moda, which is really lovely, though I happen to be using fabric from my stash. I’m not totally thrilled with my fabric choice, but we’ll see where it goes.

The quilt-along, Block-a-palooza, was begun by John Adams of Quilt Dad. Block 2 came from Oh, Fransson!, and today, block 3 is coming from sasikirana handmade, a new blog to me. You can see all of the presenters  by clicking on Quilt Dad’s link above. And if you’d like to see photos of blocks from all the participants, click here. I’ll post pictures of my first two blocks here, and will be starting on block 3 shortly.

Block 1 ~ Flying over Fields 

Block 2 ~ Word Search