Sometimes You Just Have To Make A Whale

Well at least I do! I've been collecting whale patterns for a while and I found two blogs that were what I was looking for. The one blog actually got the idea from the other blog, so it's basically the same design. Here's the blog I got it from, she also links to the other blog... http://www.allmyfriendsareflowers.com/2013/12/denim-whale-tutorial-printable-pattern.html

I changed a few things and I think it made my whale a little lumpy. I also sewed on the line instead of cutting him out on the line so I'm sure that made him thicker. And I did change the tail so it was more like their tail. Did you know they photograph the tails to keep track of that individual! I may make more later, but at least I got it out of my system for now! But I have be collecting shark patterns soooo....

Now on to OMG, One Monthly Goal. I'm so happy to say that I DID finish my goal!!!

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal - May Finish Link-up

I'm calling it Starry Night because Van Gogh's Starry Night inspired the quilting of this one. I stitched circular stitches around the stars and swirls through the rest of the quilt. It quilted up fast and I love how it turned out. The batting I used is 50-50 blend of Bamboo and Cotton I purchased from Fat Quarter Shop. I can see me using this again and again! It's so soft and quilted up beautifully. On the back I put tabs along the top so when it's too warm out to use it can still be enjoyed as a wall hanging.

This is the back. I did an improve strip of the fabric I used on the front. I enjoyed the free style of this so much I may have to do a top of improved strips!

And  now for the Quilt A Longs...

I have a few blocks done from the quilt a longs I'm participating in. First Pat Sloan's A Flower Bouquet.

This is Block #5 When To Garden

 Block #15 Rose Garden

 Block #18 Secret Garden

Block #19 Master Gardener

Now for Pat Sloan's Out Of This World QAL

Block #5 Astronauts 

This is the Aurifil Designer of the Month quilt a long and this is the block for May. It was suppose to be all red for ruby's, but I decide to do a sapphire and emerald in mine.

I've been enjoying these quilt a longs and I'm now sewing the sashing and cornerstones on the Flower Bouquet. I'm so excited about finishing it!

I hope you've had a fun and productive sewing adventure! I'm thinking of more sea creatures to sew!

Sheila

Let's Get Busy!

I missed last months OMG (One Monthly Goal) and really need the motivation it gives me! I'm still trying to get my Oh My Stars finished. So for my OMG I want to have this quilted. Here's the top waiting for me to quilt it...

And here is the back with an improv strip and the top nicely folded and waiting patiently for me to complete it!

Check out Patty's Elm Street Quilts Blog for more details!

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal May Link-up.

I hope to see you there!

Sheila

Too Long...Part Two

I thought I would give you a little more details of why I was MIA. This past winter was hard on me. I didn't get sick, but I was so tired. Many days it was all I could do to get up and get my son off to school. I finally went to see my doctor and told her about my symptoms and about how tired I was. She had me have blood work done and tested my iron, vitamin D and vitamin B12. I thought for sure it was my iron again, but instead it was the D and B12! Makes sense, every winter since we moved here I've been getting more and more tired! She put me on a high dose of vitamin D2 and an over the counter B12. I've been on the vitamins for 2 weeks now and I'm feeling so much better! So if you're feeling overly tired and you're over 50 talk to your doctor!!!

First I want to show a project I've been wanting to do for quite some time. Now that I have my energy back I was able to get it done...

My bedroom! I love it so much, it makes me happy every time I walk into my room! I have been wanting to hang the quilt shelf for some time. After I put the shelf up I thought framed orphan blocks would be a great filler. I think I'll add a few smaller blocks to fill in some more. The quilt on the bed is Pat Sloan's Solstice quilt pattern that was from 2017 and on the one hanging from the shelf is also from Pat Sloan. It's a recent QAL called In The Summer Time. We just finished it up this past summer, but you can still get her patterns for free (including Solstice) from all her past quilt a longs at her website.

The framed orphan blocks are from Aurifil's Designer Of the Month QAL that Pat Sloan hosts. What can I say, I enjoy her QALs!  They have a new block a month going and though I wasn't going to start another QAL I couldn't help myself!!! I decided to not only do this years blocks, but some of the past blocks. I want to make a king size quilt using several years worth of DOM blocks. Here's what I have done so far...

This block is from 2017 and is called Bright Sun. It's also one of the blocks on my wall, but they are done in batiks. I'm doing these blocks in Boundless Collage from Bluprint. I've amassed quite a collection of the Collage fabric and I just love the colors! Here are this years Aurifil DOM blocks....

 This is January's block called Updated Wedding Ring.

 Here is March's block, Harvest. This is the block that pulled me in!

And here is April's block called Tradition With A Twist. I really like the way all these have turned out, but I really love this one because of the illusion of a circle and of course the blue and yellow! I haven't done February's yet it has a whole lot of tiny pieces!!!! As you can see this quilt is going to be very colorful! 

I'm also working on a baby quilt for my cousin. I'm using a Storm At Sea pattern from Electric Quilt. I upgraded to EQ8 and I am having a blast playing with designs!!!! I haven't taken photos of it yet, but I will and I'll get them posted!

Have you ever shopped at Bear Creek Quilting Co? It's an online quilt shop and let me just say I have been shopping with them for almost as long as I've been quilting! I love that they show you more of the fabric in their bundles and I'm in love with the Aurifil Gem packs! Every month they do the birth stone with 3 Aurifil spools of thread...the big spools! And the price is so reasonable! I've collected them from the start and only missed January. Mainly because I thought I bought it and was too tired to verify! Oh well I'll pick it up next shopping trip since the price is still pretty good for a three pack of thread. Also they are looking for Ambassadors! I'm not sure how much longer as it started the beginning of April. Check them out you'll love them too!

So what have you been working on? Is there another QAL I should be doing???? hahaha

Chat soon!

Sheila

Too Long Away From The Blog!

Wow has it really been over a month! I've been sewing every day, even if it was only a few minutes a day. So I have a lot to show you!

First I'll show Pat Sloan's Out Of This World monthly quilt a long. 

Block #3 Where To Learn

 This month's block we had to make 4 blocks! The first block took a little longer, but the other three came together a lot faster. 

The next months block was Block #4 Space Crazy

I absolutely love this block! I wish the constellations could be seen. But their are more blocks to make and I'm sure I'll be using this fabric again! Pat gave the layout for this quilt a long and I started putting the blocks together. I think it's going to be a fun quilt.

Next I'll show Pat Sloan's other Quilt A Long, A Flower Bouquet.

Here is Block #11 Green Grass

I think this would have been a lot better if I was using other colors, but this is going to be a red and white quilt so I had to make do.

Block #12 Marigolds

 This block made me think of my dad. He loved marigolds and always had them in the garden. I would tease him and called them stink weeds. I now make sure to have them in my garden. They are very beneficial keeping bad bugs away.

Block #13 Veggie Garden

This was an easy block to make. Pat used a few of her scraps for the light areas. I only did one spot and decided I would rather not do that. You can see the one square I did, but I have a plan to hid that when it's through. I'm excited to see it finished!

Block #14 Garden Center

This is one of my favorite blocks...but their is more!

I haven't made block #15 yet, but soon! Here is Block #16 First Blooms

This is another block I just love! Pat give a bonus layout using 4 of these blocks and I'm thinking they would make a great piece for the table.

Block #17 Perennials and Annuals

This has got to be my favorite block! I love how it came together. I'm starting to put these blocks together too. Pat gave two options for the layout. I'm doing the traditional method. I like the look of sashing and cornerstones and I'm using that red fabric in the half square triangles for the cornerstones. Their's only 3 blocks left so I better get busy!

I do have more to show, but this post is pretty long already! I hope you'll stop by again for a visit. Even better sign up and never miss a post! I'm working on some tips to show you!

Sheila

A Flower Bouquet Block 10!

Yes! Block 10! That means we are half way through the Quilt A Long! This is Pat Sloan's QAL called A Flower Bouquet. Check out her blog for other QALs and past ones. They are all still available and they are free. 

Block 10 Picking Flowers.

There are two different layouts and I finally decided to do the second layout. Otherwise I would only have to do one of each blocks. This means the other block similar to this one I need to make one more of each of those blocks and sew them together. I also need to start adding the sashing and cornerstones. I'm excited about how this is coming out and can't wait to see this quilt all put together! Maybe it's because this is my first red and white quilt and I'm lovin this fabric!!!

Now off to work on her other QAL Out Of This World! It's a monthly QAL and this month there is 4 large blocks to do! I'm so excited about this QAL too and can't wait to see how this will all come together!

So until later!

Sheila

Spinning My Wheels

That's what I feel like sometimes! The wheels are turning, but I'm not getting anywhere! Well another OMG was not finished... Last month I wanted to get my OH MY STARS quilted. I forgot I didn't have a backing ready for it! I did get the backing finished and so for this months OMG I want to get it quilted.

 Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal March Link-up

Here is the backing with the top folded on top, waiting to be basted. I did an improve strip along the back and it was so relaxing. No worry about having the right size, you just make it up as you go! I'm thinking a whole quilt would be fun to do! 

Here is my block #9 for Pat Sloan's QAL, A Flower Bouquet.

 I'm loving the fabric in this collection and can't wait to see this quilt all together! It was done in time to post a link to Pat's blog, but I was trying to get some other projects out of the way. If you are playing along with Pats QAL I strongly encourage you to link up every week. Last week I found out I won a box of Aurifil thread!!!! This is the third time I was lucky enough to win just by linking to someones post. I don't link to win, to me it's a way to get people to my blog and feel like part of the quilting community. But being a lover of Aurifil makes me do a happy dance when I do win! So I encourage y'all to link and show off your beautiful projects!

I hope you're having a wonderful March!

Sheila

Monthly Color Challenge 2019

I have a special block for you this month!!! I'm playing along with Jen at Patterns by Jen as one of the bloggers for the Monthly Color Challenge. Although I'm making and posting all the blocks, this month is my assigned month! And I'm so excited to share my block! Head to Jen's blog to pick up directions for this months block.

And now here's my block!

March's color is Navy blue and my tip is measure twice! I was going to use a darker blue, but I cut the large block smaller and didn't have enough to re-cut. Thankfully I had another blue I was able to use. 

If you haven't seen my previous blocks go here for February and here for January.

And for more inspiration for March's block head to see this month's wonderful bloggers/quilters:

Jen  Patterns By Jen

Joanne Everyone Deserves a Quilt

Mona  Kentucky Whittaker Creations

Nancy  Masterpiece Quilting 

Kathy  Kathy's Kwilts and more

Katie Sewing With Katie

I hope you're joining in on the fun! And if you want to keep track of what I'm into follow my blog! 

Hope to see you again!

Sheila

My Latest Finished Block

Hey it's Tuesday night and you know what that means! My latest block in Pat Sloan's A Flower Bouquet QAL! I'm enjoying this QAL, but then I usually enjoy Pat's blocks. 

This is block #8 called Geraniums. 

Pat is giving two layout options for this quilt. One is an asymmetric layout and the other is a 4x5 layout with sashing and cornerstones. Although I like asymmetric layouts I think I'm going with the basic layout with the sashing. Plus the corners are a little different and are drawing me to that layout! Check out the two layouts here.

I'm behind on my Temperature quilt, but I have my temps written down and most of my colors are cut out, I just need to put the highs and lows together and get sewing! 

I'm also behind on my Hand Pieced Sew A Long that Patty is hosting. I'm still stitching block #2, but I'm almost done with it. To be honest I haven't made a real effort to get it done, so much going on! But I am working and plan on getting it done. I already have a place I want it to hang!

Make sure you come back on the 1st of March! It's my month for the Monthly Color Challenge!

Sheila

Another Week Another Flower Bouquet Block

I hope every ones week has been wonderful and productive! Mine hasn't been as productive as I would like. It seems with this cold weather all I want to do is sleep! But I am staying up with both of Pat Sloan's QALs. Of course one is only once a month, but the other is every Wednesday and I'm happy to say I am keeping up with it.

This is Block 7 ~ Containers. 

I just love basket blocks! I'm thinking of doing a quilt with a different variety of basket blocks. Wouldn't that be a fun quilt a long!

Thank you for stopping by! I hope you have a fun and productive week!!! Come back soon!

Sheila

Another Flower Bouquet Block

I thought I would make a quick post to keep up and not have a long post once a month! So to keep it short and sweet...Here is Pat Sloan's block #6 Garden Inspirations.

What I learned from this block... Don't change the guide for your 1/4" seam allowance halfway through making a block! Yeah I know, common sense! 

I hope you'll stop by again! follow my blog, especially if you love QAL as much as I do!

Sheila

My February OMG and so much more!

My goal for this month is to quilt my Oh My Stars quilt. I'm looking forward in playing with some new stitches on this fun quilt. Go to Elm Street Quilts to see all the wonderful projects in the link up!

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal February Link-up.

Here's this months block for the Color Challenge being held by Patterns by Jen  

This months color is PINK! I don't use pink much, but I do love the color!!! Head on over to Jen's blog to get the pattern for this fun block! Here are the bloggers for this month... Check out their blogs for even more inspiration! 

Joanne - Quilts By Joanne

Melody - Two Maker Chicks

Sarah - The Quilted Diary

Catherine - Ali and CC 

 

Kathy - Kathys Kwilts and More

 

 I'm so excited because next month is my month!!! So be sure to check it out!!!

I'm also doing the Farmer's Wife QAL with Gnome Angel. Of course I'm waaaay behind, but that's okay I'm enjoying the process. Funny thing I just noticed...one of the blocks I did is the same as Jen's challenge block!!! 

Here it is it's called Big Dipper. 

 I'm doing these blocks using foundation paper piecing. I figure by the time I get done with this quilt I'll be an expert!!! Hahahaa

 

Here's the other block I did. It's called Basket Weave. 

 I had a couple other blocks done, but I used the wrong colors in the wrong area so I need to redo them. And sometimes they come out reversed like Big Dipper, but it's not as noticeable so I'm going to use it.

I'm also making progress on my Temperature quilt. It's been interesting following the temperatures this winter! Today for example it went up to 71!!! I thought I was back in Florida! But tonight it's going down to 22! That's just crazy! 

Here's my January's temperatures... 

It was interesting trying to get a photograph of this! It's hard to see the colors because of the lighting. I'll take a photo of my colors when I get them all. I'm using Kona Cotton for the temps and for the borders. I purchased a light grey called Quicksilver for the half squares to get an interesting offset of the blocks and to use as a header or title block for each month. I also ordered a darker grey called Overcast. I just thought it was very appropriate! I'm thinking of adding Kona's Color Of The Year either as a border, as a temp, for the backing or a combination of those.

Pat Sloan's Out Of This World QAL comes out once a month and I'm loving this month's block! 

 This one is called 'Space Shows'.

I'm loving the different constellation materials I've found!

Pat's other QAL, A Flower Bouquet, happens every Wednesday. This was actually from last Wednesday and was a double block at 6.5" unfinished each. They are then sewn together, but I'm waiting to see how they are orientated in the quilt before I do that.

These blocks are called 'When to Garden'. Now to print out this weeks block and get busy with it.

And lastly, my last post I put up had the Moda Love block I made on it. After I posted it on Facebook I realized I had one part in wrong! Isn't that always they way it goes, you don't noticed the mistake until you upload it for the world to see! Well I fixed it and now I feel so much better! 

I really like the way
Quilt Jane did hers and I'm happy I did it that way too! I hope I can get it quilted and hung up in time for Valentines day!

I hope your February is going great! Keep stitching and I hope you come by again!

Sheila

 

 

 

OMG Fail

My One Monthly Goal fail and the shiny things that grabbed my attention!

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal - January Finish Link-up

Roxi's Quilt

I did work on the quilt, see I got some more done, but sadly I didn't finish it. There has been so many things that caught my attention! 

Like Moda's Love quilt... I saw it first at Quilt Jane. She did it a little different and I love they way it turned out! So of course I had to make one too!

 

After I quilt it I'm going to bind it with the blue and use the pink as the flange. Then it will be a wall hanging for Valentine's day. I think it will also be good for Memorial day, 4th of July and Veteran's day.

There was also Pat Sloan's Oh My Stars that I posted the other day. So with these two I have 3 that need to be quilted after Roxi's Quilt.

And just yesterday I got this in the mail...

I had read on instagram where someone received the Bullet Journal for Christmas and it intrigued me. After looking into it it sparked my interest! I've always like to journal and I keep a yoga/meditation journal. I knew I needed to find a way to keep me focused and this seems like the ticket. I wish I got it sooner, maybe I wouldn't have 3 tops in the backlog waiting to  be quilted! But it's all good, two of them shouldn't take long and now they are all in my journal under February's log to be done. 

I hope y'all had a month that was more on task than mine! 

Sheila

So Much To Show You!

Let's start with Pat Sloan! Here's the fourth block in A Flower Bouquet Quilt a Long... I was able to get a couple of the little birds in the taupe colored material to make an appearance in the block. The block isn't as bold as my other three, but I think it's just as sweet and once I use the fabrics in other blocks it will pull together. Below is the four blocks together. I'm loving this fabric! Look at that rich red! It's called Ruby Rue and it's now on clearance, only 5 and 10 inch bundles left, but you can still get it in yardage for $6.05 a yard. I'm not affiliated with Blueprint and don't receive any compensation if you purchase, I just wanted to let you know where I got mine from.

A Flower Bouquet Blocks 1-4

Also from Pat Sloan is Oh My Stars. It's not a QAL just a free pattern she offers on her site.

She used two charm packs and a bit more to make hers. I used fat quarters and scraps in blues, greys and blacks in batiks and Kona Cotton in Citrus for the stars. I also had a large black and grey batik piece leftover from little T's quilt and used that for some of the squares. I'll also use it for the binding with Citrus for the flange. I'm thinking I'll do the quilting with stars and swirls. I'm very excited to get started on it! I do still have the Let's Go Camping to quilt and need backing for both, but I plan on getting them going (hopefully done) next month.

 

Next on the list is the 2019 Monthly Color Challenge by Jen. This is the January block in green. Mine is a little darker, but it's batiks so I'm happy! She has gathered a group of quilters to work on the blocks. I'm part of the quilters and my first official block will be March's block, but I'm going to do them every month and I plan on having the quilt done in time to share with the others. Head to her site for the pattern and some tips along with links to the quilters of the month.

 I'm so excited about this>>>

It's from Fat Quarter Shop. I've been dragging my feet about starting one of these subscription boxes, but when the clues suggested the Ruby Rotary cutter how could I resist!!! I've been buying the barn patterns and hope to be making that soon. There was another pattern in the box and they give you enough material to finish the top except for the background. Can you see the pattern...it's spools!!! Speaking of spools the little charm is from the upcoming  Threadology Quilt Along hosted by Fat Quarter shop. Find out more about it here. There's a note pad and a cute needle threader and cutter! It looks like a little hummingbird! I'm glad I purchased the box, I feel like I got my moneys worth and look forward to next month!

Finally, the latest QAL I'm in. It's through Elm Street Quilts and Simple Handmade Everyday and is called Hand Pieced QAL, because it's all hand pieced! I'm not good at hand sewing. Needles apparently get my hands confused with a pin cushion and I get blood on everything! I'm hoping I can get better and not lose so much blood! 

<<<Here is my first block, the 4-patch block. I finished at my son's Academic Tournament yesterday. His school came in first their district and one the Governor's Cup!

This is a weekly quilt along and though it's great for beginners it's open to everyone! They give two different layouts and they have wonderful prizes. Check it out, I have to say I'm very happy with my first block and very little blood was spilled!

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you come back again! Better yet sign up to my blog and you won't miss anything I'm into!

Sheila

p.s. I'm not affiliated with any of the links. They are there for your information and I receive nothing when you visit or purchase from these sites. So enjoy!!!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! Plus Block #3!

Actually this is better than a chicken dinner! I won a box of Aurifil thread just by participating in Patty Dudek's OMG every month! Check it out here!!! Setting goals and getting a project done every month is wonderful, but to win a prize... well that's icing on the cake!!!! 

I love Aurifil and it's the only thread I use. I do have other thread and in a pinch I'll use them, but I would rather use Aurifil. It's thinner, but still strong and when you do a stitch and fold you get a very accurate seam. At least that's what I find. And all those beautiful colors! I'm  in love!

Also happening at Elm Street Quilts the Hand Pieced QAL has started! If you have never be one to do hand stitching then you may want to try this one! I like learning new skills so I'm doing this one too! The finished quilt is already posted so you know what to expect. There are two different layouts for the quilt to choose from, I think I'll be putting mine on point.

This week I also finished block #3 of Pat Sloan's A Flower Bouquet. I'm enjoying the way these blocks are coming together and I'm really loving the material I'm using.

Here's #3 Planting Guide

Tomorrow she'll be posting Block #4 so you still have plenty of time to start! You can still get past QALs free! So if you are nervous about not knowing the end results you can always do an older QAL. Personally I like the thrill and anticipation of waiting every week for the new blocks release!

I have another flimsy finished, but I'll post that later! Until then, just keep stitchin'!
Sheila