Friday Finish: Scrappy Strings

At last - the first Friday Finish of the year! The Scrappy Strings quilt has been completed for a week or two now, but I haven't been able to photograph it - it seems like it's been cloudy and overcast here for awhile, but we finally had a sunny day over the weekend which I took advantage of.

Backing

So, as I've written about previously, this is made up entirely out of scraps without much thought to color or placement - it's just a catch-all quilt. The straight line quilting gives it a nice texture, and the backing is a pretty orchid colored print of unknown origin. I bound it using a purple batik print, and I like that darker frame it gives.

This ended up being a lap or crib sized quilt, and will go in the To Be Gifted pile.

Union Jack Blocks

A Union Jack quilt was on my to-do list this year, and since I was sorting through some scraps over the weekend, it seemed like a good time to set aside some red and blue ones for this project.

I made my first block on Sunday afternoon, and phew! Those things are kind of tricky. The pattern I'm using involves paper piecing, and I don't know what it is about me and paper piecing - my brain just has a hard time wrapping itself around the whole concept, even though I've done it before. It seems like each time I sort of have to re-learn how to do it and there is always lots of seam ripping, and staring at things in puzzlement, and taking long breaks to watch a movie.

But here's the thing: aren't these blocks just the cutest thing ever? I want to make more of them, even though they're so fiddly! I think this project will be more of the type where I make a block here and there and then put it aside. There won't be a Friday Finish with this one anytime soon!

More Quilting

After finishing up the quilting on the Scrappy Strings and Moroccan Tiles quilts, I decided to start in on the Moxie top. This is taking a bit longer because I decided to do something a little more complex than my normal all-over simple designs.

Ribbon Candy

I based what I'm doing on the original Tula Pink quilt that Free-Motion Celebrity Angela Walters quilted, and I'm liking the results. I'm switching between two different designs every other wedge - one of them I'm calling Ribbon Candy, and the other I don't know what to call it...it kind of looks like seaweed to me, or something vaguely aquatic. In the middle I'm doing pebbling, and I'm also adding pebbling in other random bits, because it's fun to do.

Seaweed?

I've been toiling on this for about 10 hours so far, and I probably have another 4 or 5 to go. It's fun to do something a little more involved like this every now and then, but I'll be happy to go back to simple loops or swirls after this!

The Fresh 20...or why I started cooking again

So, I like cooking, but I don't like grocery shopping or planning. The result of that is I either order a lot of pizza, or I go to the store and buy a bunch of random stuff...and then order pizza. When I do try to plan ahead, it takes forever to figure out what I want to make and the list of what I need to buy. Often the meals I pick aren't very cohesive, so I might buy an expensive ingredient for one meal, not use it all, and then the rest of it goes to waste.

At the start of this year, I decided not to make grandiose resolutions about losing weight or exercising religiously (see this excellent post if you want to know how I'm feeling about that), but I know that nourishing myself with nutritious meals is a win/win both in the budget and pants-fitting department, and I decided I would focus on that.

Chicken Madeira with Roasted Butternut Squash, Goat cheese, and Brussel Sprouts - 1.4.16

I decided to give The Fresh 20 a try, and so far it's been the answer to all my cooking issues. Every friday, I get my menu for the next week including recipes, and a shopping list. Each list is no more than 20 ingredients plus a few pantry staples, (hence the name), and everything is seasonal.

Provencal Cod with Kale and Orzo pilaf - 1.6.15

So far a meal takes me about 20-30 minutes to make, and everything has been delicious. No more wasted food, no more "what's for dinner" quandary at 5:30 on the way home from work, no more pizza. Well, except for Saturday night pizza. Because you have to have SOME pizza in life.

Quinoa saute with bacon and brussel sprouts - 1.12.16

If cooking for you usually involves things like reheating corn dogs or a can of soup, than The Fresh 20 will be a bit of stretch. If you're a picky eater or have to cook for a bunch of picky eaters, than this might not be the greatest fit. If you're someone like me however, that likes cooking and just needs a little help with the planning of it all, and enjoys eating a wide variety of vegetables and cuisines, than this might be a good fit. The Fresh 20 will send you a free menu plan, and I think you should give it a try!

Quilting the Scrappy Strings & Moroccan Tiles quilts

It's time to start making a dent on my pile of finished quilt tops, and I decided to start with something easy and low-key. It also helped that these two tops were the last ones I finished before I moved, so they was at the top of the pile!

I quilted the Scrappy Strings top with my walking foot in diagonal rows about an inch apart. I didn't mark anything, I just eyeballed it, so things are a little wonky and non-precise. Juki machines are known to have walking feet that are loud and clunky, but mine was being good and didn't give me any trouble. There was something nice and brainless about just doing straight(ish) rows, just running my quilt through the machine over and over again.

For the Moroccan Tiles quilt, I decided to do an all-over spiral pattern, one of my old stand byes. I really love quilting in spirals. I think it's because I've always had a thing for labyrinths, and quilting them seems just as meditative as actually walking in one. The thread was a quandary - doing a navy shade to blend in with the background would then stand out in the actual blocks too much, and I didn't want to switch between different thread colors. I decided on using a variegated purple thread, which seems to be a nice mix of standing out and blending in. I'm about 2/3 of the way through.

I think these two will be my first finishes of the year, and they'll hopefully be ready for next Friday Finish!

Award Ceremony Top Finish

I finished the final row of award ribbons, and now the top is finished!

The quilting on this will be a little tricky, but so far I'm really liking how this turned out.

Award Ceremony Progress

This quilt is constructed differently. Because the dresden ribbons overlap on the background blocks, you have to sew the background together first, and then applique the ribbons on top. It's kind of fun in some ways, because it feels like things are progressing fast...but on the other hand it's a pain to finagle the quilt top through the machine to do the applique.

I considered doing hand applique for about 2 minutes before scratching that idea. So then I attempted it just using my normal presser foot, but each dresden took almost 15 minutes to sew with all the stopping and starting and repositioning things at each new angle. So then I put on my free motion foot and started free-motioning them. The results are a little shaky, since it's hard to free motion straight lines...but it's fast.

And you know me...do I choose perfect, or fast?

Yes, that would be FAST. Fast is the correct answer.

Award Ceremony Ribbon Tails

I'm finished with the Dresden Plates and circles for the Award Ceremony quilt, so now I'm working on the ribbon tails.

Each of these are a little finicky, since I need to sew a seam, flip it inside out to create a nice point, press them, and then applique them to the block background material.

I'm making progress though - there 20 blocks and I just have 5 more to go!

Award Ceremony Quilt

I decided to start the new year out right by awarding myself permission to start a brand new project - yeah right, like I need permission!

I've had my eye on this pattern by Anna Maria Horner for awhile now. She made it using her "Honor Roll" fabric collection, but I decided to make it using a fat quarter bundle of Joel Dewberry's "Bungalow" fabric, inspired by the 20's era Arts and Crafts movement.

This is a fun quilt to make. I'm starting out by making all the Dresden Plates and center circles, and then I'll move on to the ribbon tails.

Radiant Jewel Quilt, Round 2

So, about three years back, when I was first starting to get into quilting again, I took a big leap and signed up for a Kimberly Einmo class where she was teaching this pattern. I got all my supplies, poured over the pattern, and delved in. Completing the quilt was a real stretch for me at the time, as this pattern is all about accuracy and technical prowess with multiple 1/2 Square Triangles, Flying Geese Units, two block patterns, and pieced borders.

Thank goodness, Kimberly was the best teacher and I was able to finish with pretty good results all thing considered. I gifted this quilt to an aunt, and since the first one was so much fun, I decided to make another! I immediately bought more material, cut it all up...and then stuffed it all in a bag and moved onto something else. Like I said, that was three years ago.

When I was packing up to move I discovered the bag of pieces and decided it was time to finish this baby up. I've completed the blocks, and now am working on sewing the rows together.

It's weird making the same quilt twice. First of all, my tastes have changed quite a bit in that gold adorned paisley prints are no longer my thing - actually, I don't know that they were ever my thing, but I know for sure I wouldn't buy them now. But mostly, it's fun to know that I've improved. Half square triangles and flying geese are not so tricky now, and that makes me feel good.

Pantone Color of the Year

Every year the Pantone Color Institute declares which color they have decided is the Color of the Year or "A color snapshot of what we see taking place in our culture that serves as an expression of a mood and an attitude."

This always creates quite a stir, especially in the design and craft communities. You might not think this impacts culture in any way, but you'd be wrong - last year they decided the Color of the Year was a shade called Marsala, and everyone scoffed and scorned and said there'd be no way such a hideous color ever would catch on. But then actually, Marsala started popping up all over the place. 

In the quilting world, fabric design darling Heather Ross released a collection called Tiger Lily that had liberal doses of Marsala. Amy Butler, Tula Pink, and Joel Dewberry also featured Marsala in their collections. 

All this to say, the Pantone color of the year matters. It affects the clothes we buy, the furniture available, the fabric that is made. 

So what did they pick this year? Not one, but TWO colors! Meet Rose Quartz and Serenity. Or as I call them Dusty Blue and Mauve...or HELLO 1990!

Pantone says this is all about mindfulness and wellbeing as an antidote to stress. And something about blurring genders and not being defined or typecast, which all sounds well and good and inspiring. But I just see maternity wards and "country" decorating...next thing you know Laura Ashley will be making a comeback!

Here's the thing - right now everyone is scoffing and scorning and talking about how hideous these colors are...but mark my words, next year around this time I'll be recapping how we used and loved these colors in clothes, in design, and you can be sure in quite a few quilts.

Decorating With Quilts

Finally, a few pictures of my house! One of the things I'm enjoying the most is finally having enough wall space to hang and display some quilts on. I've given most of my creations away, but have held unto a few.

I think it's ironic that the Miss Kate's Turnover quilt, which I hated so much while making it is now hanging in my living room!

The bright solid colors of the Hopscotch quilt add a nice modern spin to the dining room.

And over the piano are the Spinning Geese.

There is plenty more wall space in the bedroom, bathrooms, and other nooks and crannies, so I think a revolving exhibit will be what ends up happening. No need to change your curtains or throw pillows - you can just change your quilts!

2016 Quilting Plans

Here's my to-do list for 2016. I know I won't come anywhere close to finishing all of these, but I'm just putting it out there:

2015 Craftsy Block of the Month - I have the fabric purchased and ready to go

My Small World - the pattern is now available!

Aviatrix Medallion - I still love this and want to make it

http://ohfransson.bigcartel.com/product/aviatrix-medallion-pdf-quilt-pattern

Paper Pieced Feathers - These are rumored to be very labor-intensive to make, but I think they're so cool

http://oliviajanehandcrafted.com/blog/?p=3021

Cathedral Windows - these are supposed to be beasts to make, but I don't care. I'm fascinated by them and I want one!

http://thehappyzombie.com/blog/?p=465

Union Jack quilt - I think a scrappy one of these would be very fetching

http://mollisparkles.com/2014/07/tgiff-union-jack-surprised/

Pickle Dish Quilt - another scrappy one that I think will be fun

http://www.redpepperquilts.com/2015/06/pickle-dish-variation-quilt-part-2-tutorial.html

Preppy the Whale - because...whales!

http://ohfransson.bigcartel.com/product/preppy-the-whale-pdf-quilt-pattern

Supernova - I've had my eye on this one for awhile

https://wipsandtuts.wordpress.com/wips/

 I also have an extensive list of quilt tops that are done or nearly done that need to be finished up:

• Scrappy Strings
• Snapshots Quilt-Along
• Postcards from Sweden
• Moroccan Tiles
• Moxie
• Pointy
• Dreaming
• Dancing Quill
• Mini Spider Web
• Tula Pink Fox Field
• Nancy Drew Disaster

2015 Review

So, looking through my 2015 Goals post that I wrote at the beginning of last year, it looks like I didn't get much accomplished on that list. Instead I got sidetracked with lots of other different projects...here's a recap of what I DID manage to accomplish:

Nouveau Wedding Ring Quilt

Fast Four Patch

Hapi Scraps

Glow Happy

Postage Stamp

Trifledish

Miss Kate's Turnover

Modern Buzzsaw

Sugar Block 2014

Candy Squares

Sweet Sixteen

Cathedral Stars

Flying Geese Circles

Hopscotch

Scrappy Rail Fence

Rise and Shine

So, sixteen quilts - not too bad! Overall, I'm happy with what I accomplished and feel ready to tackle some new challenges. My next post will be my list of goals...