January giveaway

Isn't this just the cutest table topper for Valentines?

Jeanette at Inch Worm Fabrics is doing a couple giveaways for this... one a kit (pattern and fabric) and another of just the pattern.

Head on over to her site to enter to win!

New Year's Eve Mystery Quilt - Part 3

You have to love the blog-o-sphere!  Just a quick comment from someone has the ability to give you the motivation you need to do more (or schedule the time for it).

Thank you Barb :)

I wasn't able to finish what I had planned a couple days ago, work, housework, etc got in the way.

But a few minutes today and... voila!!  I can take the time to post some pictures and assemble a few of the finished blocks.

Clue 6 done

Clue 7 - nine patches
Can you see where this is going?

Clue 8 - Nine patches with a clue 5 on each side

... and... wait for it....

Clue 9!  - added Clue 6's to the top and bottom of Clue 8

Now....

Four blocks laid out on my ironing board to see how they look.  I love secondary patterns.

There are 35 blocks in total.  I have to finish putting them all together yet.  Then I have a really cool idea for the borders.  I want more red in this.  Without borders it's about 50" x 70" (lap/twin size).

This isn't perfect, I'm not perfect.  I can see where some of my points have been nicked a bit, not all my seam intersections are precisely lined up, but they are way better than they have been in the past.  It's getting easier to be more precise with each quilt I make.  We are our worst critic.

Am I worried that it's not perfect?  Hell no!  I have no goals to enter any quilt in a contest.  This is my creation.  Although the pattern was supplied by someone else, the fabrics are my choosing and that makes this quilt one of a kind and very unique.

Once I have it done, I know the perfect recipient for it.  A friend of mine in the states is going to love it.  Through all the hardships she and her husband have endured over the last year, this is the least I can do for her.  And best of all.. she's not expecting it which makes giving it to her even better!

New Year's Eve Mystery Quilt - Part 2

I'm not quite done, I'm getting there.  I figure by the end of today I'll have all the blocks done and hopefully pieced together as a top.

Here are a few of the steps so far...

Clue 1 all done

Chain piecing Clue 2

Clue 2 all done

These are the leftovers from Clue 2.  The little corner triangles were 1 1/2 inch in size, attaching to a 2 1/2 inch square.  So these tiny corner units, after I sewed a second line and cut between them, measure a whopping 1  to 1 1/4 inch when pressed.  What the heck am I going to do with them?  LOL  I know some people make doll quilts with tiny things like this... hmmmm  There are 140 of them.

Chain piecing Clue 3

Chain piecing the second stitching line on Clue 3, so I'll have leftover triangles (I know, I'm nuts!)

Clue 4 all done

Chain piecing Clue 5

Yes, another corner being added to Clue 3.  Therefore, another opportunity for extra triangles.  After I finished sewing the second line and cutting the corners, I have 280 extra triangles that measure 2 inches.  Now what am I going to do with them???  LOL

Clue 5 all done.

Stay tuned for Clues 6 - 9.  Clue 9 completes the block

As I mentioned before, this will be a lap/twin size quilt.  I have already picked a really nice border fabric from my stash which I think will set it off very nicely.