Star Surround

This was such an awesome quilt-a-long.  Melissa broke this down into very workable assignments with lots of size options, tutorials, and charts to make this very user friendly.

First assignment was cutting all your fabrics so they would be ready for the sub-unit stitching.  I chose something a little different - a Connecting Threads fall line "Sun Kissed Harvest" with un-bleached Muslin.

Second assignment was making all the HSTs.  Now that may have scared some, but I just LOVE making these units.

Third assignment was all the Geese units.  Now I freaked some people, even Melissa - as I did my geese and parts of the units a little differently from  Melissa's lovely tutorials.  I went with my methods and wanted to add to some bonus pieces for a future project with the left overs.

 

Of course Bella just loves anything that goes with her complexion - oranges and browns and reds and creams - she was always next to this project if not on it.

The fourth assignment was building the star centers.

Fifth assignment was completing the 'surrounds' in sections so they would be ready for the '9-patch' stitching next.

Lastly - those units all stitched and the completing into a flimsy state for posting up for the grand prize.  Visit HERE at Happy Quilting to see all the wonderful quilt tops that were done.

Yes, it is quilted!  I used a simple stitch in the ditch on the stars and an echo on the sashings and piano key border with a Superior grey thread top and bottom.

I used a StoneHenge slate grey and left over 'faux burlap' layer cakes from the Harvest line for a pieced backing.

I just love this quilt.  We've had a lot of requests for 'male' quilts in the shop lately.  I can see this on a quest bed in a cabin with rustic decor.  Yes, I sashed which I think makes the stars just stand out and pop! And the piano key border just carries those rich Fall colors all around and thru the quilt.

This was going to be a wedding gift quilt - but another was chosen, so this will go into the shop looking for a new home.  Bella will be very upset over that, she thinks it's hers.

Please visit Happy Quilting today as Melissa will be posting a parade of the completed (quilted and bound) quilts and the Grand Prize winner (random draw) will be announced from those who linked their flimsy. 

Sewingly Yours

Sharon

September Christmas QAL Update

I had a lovely time yesterday at my nephew's wedding, but was way to tired when I came home to sew.  Relaxed with my furries and a nice long sleep!!!
So today I tackled the crayon roll ups.  I made extras - they go fast.  I plan to save these for the church's Community Kids X-mas boxes donations.  Just need to top stitch them and fill with crayons.

Now I have moved on to the Challenge piece.  I should be able to get this into the final flimsy stage today, but the Monster cases may be put off for tomorrow - I am still a bit tired from yesterday's adventure and may need a nap.

UPDATE

The Challenge piece is an official flimsie!!
  Please visit Hazel's linky party spot to see what everyone is up to.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon 

September Christmas QAL/Challenge

This weekend we are being hosted by Hazel and I think she has a few surprises for us.  You know that time is creeping up on us, so pull a project and join in.

I plan on getting the rest of my Challenge Project chopped and re-sewn so it will be at the stage of sandwiching up for quilting and embellishing.

And I have these whimsical Monsters to finish up  They will be part of the pressies for the grandkids.  You can find the pattern HERE.  I also have all the pieces prepped for a matching crayon roll-up using this Tutorial.

I have everything laid out and waiting, but I will be leaving early in the morning for a wedding (my nephew) and depending on when I get back and how pooped I am - I will work on these late Saturday or they may wait for Sunday.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon 

I Love Mail

This is how I feel when squishies come in the mail - a kid with a Christmas present you can't wait to tear open.  Alas, a few of my special gifts I have been a little slow to acknowledge and say a public thank you for.

This is my oldest gifted surprise that I haven't shared.  A dear member of the Monthly Doll Swap Group (my first swap mate with the group, too) had the most adorable little quilt with these flip flops on it - and when I commented on them, well, she sent me a set of them to play with. You can see Patti's Doll Quilt Here.  Thank you so much for these fun flip flops - they are in a tote where I am slowly collecting other bits for my first 2014 Summer Fun quilt.

The very pretty Batiks are from Cindy over at Quilt Doodle Designs as one of the random block draw winners for her 2013 QAL.  Now I don't play a lot with Batiks and I am going to have to really think on this one, collect more fabrics, find the perfect pattern........  Well you understand.  Thank you Cindy for the fabrics and for the wonderful QAL.

I was so excited when Christine of MacDonaldsPatch notified me that I was the winner of her Christmas in July (August) Blog Hop give away.  I love these ornaments and they will be treasured for many years.  And she popped in this sweet bit of fabric with all those lovely Aussie birds.  Yes, this got tucked in that tote with the cute flip flops.  Thank you Christine.

And I was a random draw winner for one of the assignment weeks for Melissa's Star Surround QAL.  I am going to wait on using this certificate because some exciting new fabrics will be coming next month and I have my eye on one of them.  Thank you Melissa and Southern Fabric.

And what can I say about the lovely Shell of The Raspberry Rabbits!  She has random give aways - well, just because.  And she has had lots to celebrate with her new book and so many patterns and freebie patterns and those adorable helpers.  I just think those little bunny scissors are the bomb and would have been happy with just them.  But I chose two of her little stitchery patterns - wish I wasn't alergic to wool - and she tucked some thread in with them.  And a ME card - oh treasure - I collect ME (Mary Englebreit for you folks).  Thank you all in Bunnyville!

And this little quilt has a story.  When I first found blogging and quilting bloggers, Kris at Lavender Quilts was someone I found and followed and remained cyber-friends with.  Kris was in the Monthly Doll Swap group, but had to leave due to committments.  She expressed the sorrow of never having the opportunity to get to swap with me.  HEY - never say never!!  So we agreed to a private friendship swap with our quilts representing where we live.  So this is the quilt I sent her.  Now if  you want to see the quilt she sent me with it's story - Well I could show it here but, please go visit Kris - and yes, she did a lovely post on the quilt I sent her.  Thank you sweetie for a very special swap!

**and she reminded me I have a blogaversary coming up-next month**

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon