Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Challenges

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU HAVE THREE CHALLENGES AT ONE TIME?


The color challenge for Patchwork Times.


The Free Motion Quilting challenge for SewCalGal with Leah Day as May's mentor.


And the Zig Zag Challenge for Marcia.

YOU PUT THEM ALL TOGETHER INTO ONE PROJECT


I started with Marcia's steps for making the Zig Zag blocks - pulled a lot of fun bright scraps for the colors in the Color Challene and I happened to have a couple of left over white strips from the Christmas Quilt Along project.


Putting the 1.5" strips on first - they already look like yummy candy.


After adding the 2" strips to the opposite sides, I cut my blocks into quarters per Marcia's directions.


Although Marcia shows how to cut 'wonky' at 3.25" squares - I hate odd sizes, and found my 3.5" ruler plopped right into action - made the cutting easier for me.


Oh, happy dance! Look at all those yummy candy pieces that I get to play with now.


Once I put my strips together I changed gears. Instead of one piece, I would make 3 projects from these. A table runner with 2 place mats.


Adding my white borders and I am so loving this. Do you think it looks like those candy pieces?


The runner and place mats ready to sandwich up and take on the next challenge - FMQ.


I used the wide meander with the secondary meander on the runner. I found that I slipped into my 'ribbon meander' that Marcia shows on her blog - I just like it and just kind of went to it auto pilot.


Hard to show a close up as the white fabric wants to glare.


HA - surprised you! Yeah, went bold with my backing. Hopefully you can see the FMQ. And my fun dotty binding.


The placemats I used the large meander with the boxy secondary. I had to concentrate on not slipping into that curvy mode.


A close up of the FMQ Challenge.


And this fun set together. I hope I met all my challenges - Color, FMQ, and Zig Zag. I had fun with this project and enjoyed sharing it with you. What challenge will you take on?

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

38 comments:

Sue Daurio said...

3 in 1, you just can't beat that! LOVE the colors, so bright and cheery. And the free motion is perfect for those project, just love them.

Carrie P. said...

Brilliant idea and what fabulous quilts you made. Great job. I am only doing one of the those challenges, the quilting one, and I better get busy.

Sarah Craig said...

Very cute! I wanted to take on the zig-zag challenge, but the seven quilts waiting to be loaded on the frame may keep me from it.....

Michele said...

Like, like and really like.

Marcia - Crafty Sewing and Quilting said...

So Cool! I love how you combined three challenges into one! Absolutely perfect! Love your color choices and great free motion quilting (love the ribbon quilting) and of course I love the zig zag quilt pattern. I have another zig zag quilt cut and ready to sew for this weekend. Doing red white and blue for Memorial Day!
Thanks for taking the challenge! Link up your post on June 12th to the 18th for the challenge!
Enjoy your day!

Lesley said...

I love your enthusiasm for these three challenges, and adore your finished projects! What a great idea...and yes, the colors sure look like the candy...good enough to eat! Well done and perfection in all three challenges!

Pauline G said...

What a great idea and so well planned - this is lovely

Anonymous said...

you are so clever Sharon,that was smart thinking,well done they look fantastic and i love the colours you have used,xx

Quiet Quilter said...

3 in 1! And it turned out so well! Of course it would, it was Vroomanized....

Eat Sleep Quilt said...

Oh Sharon those are just gorgeous - how clever to make one project do triple-duty to meet the challenges. You are one fantastic lady!!

Quilter Kathy said...

What a great idea to combine the challenges - kind of like a SUPER challenge!! Looks fabulous...great job!

KatieQ said...

Aren't you the clever one to figure out how to put the 3 challenges into 1. I haven't finished my H2H quilts yet, but once they are safely on their way, I will work on Marcia's challenge. It looks like fun. I like the way you used the white sashing.

Cyn said...

Super duper... 3 for 1. Love it, you clever girl!
Yummo, I can almost taste the candy! Darling successful project. Congrats.

Belinda said...

That turned out amazing!! You are so good at everything!

Linda said...

How smart you are! Those are really nice!

Snoodles said...

Wow! In basketball I hear them say he hit a trifecta! I think you just did! Love this set!

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

What a great idea combining all of them Sharon! Love the set! Thanks for sharing!
Quilting at the River Linky Party Tuesday

sandra said...

Sharon you just amaze me all the time. What a great idea your brain must never shut down. Congratulations on your neat three in one project it is so cute.

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

I can see others are amazed at you as well.

I take it you haven't been sleeping again.....grin.

The Slow Quilter said...

Great job and idea, 3 quilts in one. You go girl.

Miss Hillbilly said...

Wow, they turned out really cute!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

You really met the challenges. Fun & bright!

QuiltSue said...

Absolutely brilliant. I love the results. The placemats are gorgeous.

Jan Maree said...

Well done for encompassing all three challenges in one! So cool and the results are wonderful.

Amanda said...

That is a great zig-zag!

sherry said...

smart girl...like what u did here...

Gwen said...

Juicy Fruit!!! :-) That was always my favorite flavor of gum when I was a child, and that is what your beautiful placemats bring to mind! LOVE it!! I am definitely going to have to give this pattern a try!! :-)

grapes and hearts said...

Whoop whoop! Love your 3-in-1 challenge project. And I truely love every challenge, too! Thanks for sharing, perhaps I should try the zig zag blocks as well. They remind my of the caterpillars I blogged about today :o))) And you completely mastered Leah's quilting design!

Great work!
Happy Sewing
Christine

JanetK said...

Those are awesome! You definitely met all 3 challenges. My big challenge right now is to get through the rest of the year with my sanity and health intact! (involves crafting whenever I can sneak in a little time)

SewCalGal said...

I'm impressed you are keeping up with 3 challenges. Great job on all.

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Linda Kittmer said...

I like the whimsical, wonky zigzags and the colours are great for this time of year. A fun set for sure.

Mina said...

I love the way that your piece has so much movement.

You have really inspired me to try this block :)

Dar said...

I see a theme here - the 3 for 1 challenge. I've seen several others do this same thing. What a great idea. Your place mats and table runner are just the cutest and look like the candy pieces for sure. Good job.

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

I think this was a great answer to all those challenges!

Vicki W said...

Brilliant way to meet all 3 challenges. I love them!

Vicki @ DottyJane said...

I love how this turned out! 3 in 1!!

Marcia - Crafty Sewing and Quilting said...

Thanks for linking up your Zig Zag Quilt Top! Good luck in the drawing for the Free Quilting, Free Thread and Free Batting! Enjoy your day!

Marcia - Crafty Sewing and Quilting said...

Congrats! You won! All three of you won! Here is the link:
http://marciascraftysewing.blogspot.com/2012/06/winners-of-zig-zag-quilt-challenge.html