Temple Bags 3 and 4 (aka Huge Messenger Bag)

My Quilt Diet had a quilt along for these, and since my friends from Idaho are visiting next week, I've been doing the prep for the lady of the pair and I to make them while they're here.  There's still plenty left to do, bottom to top:   inside flaps, exterior, straps, zipper pockets, other 5 pockets, and interior lining.

Sets 1-5 Santa

Set 4

Set 5

Mix of sets 1-5 to .see if it works adding purple and black to the original green, blue, red, gold, and cream.  I'm not swapping, so I'm trying to make it scrappier

Santa - Group No. 3

Disappearing 9 Patch Blocks

I should be doing a lot of other things this morning, mainly housework and grocery shopping, but instead, I spent this morning making these Disappearing 9 Patch blocks.  Our friends are coming to visit the end of next month, and if there is time we may make Temple bags (also called Huge Messenger Bags) together.  I think these might do for blocks for the fronts and backs.  The instructions for the bags are here.  It's from Marion of My Quilt Diet, lots of good things on her blog.

Mail Surprise and more Springtime Sky

We received a very nice gift in the mail today, from our grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Germany.  We are in for some yummy treats.

I got my Springtime Sky (Grand Illusion) washed and on the bed.  I think it is just the size we like, some have been too big, or too small, and my husband says it doesn't make his eyes go crazy, so I think I'm good.  We have yellow drapes in the room, and I had to play with Photoshop, which I'm not too good at, so I have a variety of hues.  The two above are closest to original, but I think I like this one best.

Santa Blocks

I did my math, and to do a queen sized, I need 90 blocks.  Since I'm not swapping I decided to do a set 1 and set 2 each month with different colors.  Amy, the girl who's running the swap (which I'm not doing) said no she'd give me the list of blocks so I didn't have to do duplicates.  I'll still keep this months duplicates, and then switch to Amy's list.

Amy, has put lots of time into this swap-sew along, and she is the mother of twin baby girl toddlers.  I wanted to say thank you, so I made a set of blocks for her.  These are from her master plan, 3 from month 10 and 3 from month 11.   I've made 18 blocks in the past week, but now will take a break from quilting, as I have my brother coming this weekend, and friends coming the latter part of February.  I think it's time to do some housework. 

Santa's Quilt Sew Along

Oops, I guess I shouldn't text while sewing.

Supposed to do 6 blocks a month.  This is before I got the arch's sewn on.

My 6 blocks are finished. 

And Santa is working on his version of our sew-along quilt.  The sew-along is with Facebook group Friendship Quilting Group.

Second 2015 Finish

I saw a hint somewhere about using a tissue box and a toilet paper roll to help with application of binding.  I've been using the toilet paper roll for years, and thought I'd try the tissue box, problem is, I couldn't find an empty one.  This is a little toy box that I got at Ikea, just because I liked it, haven't been able to share it with the kids yet, have been using it to hold cell phone cords, etc.  I think I've found a new use though, still don't think I'll share.  Maybe, I'll go to Ikea and get another, so I don't feel so selfish.  I have a weakness for wood, and it is even dove-tailed, maybe I'll get two.

And, my second finish, a simple quilt for a friend.  About 64 by 80.

I think I like 16 patches.  They are good for leader enders, and are versatile for a quick quilt.  The little cutie is my great-granddaughter, she's 5 now, so she was probably 2 then.

Springtime Sky (Grand Illusion) is Done Done

It took all day, but it's done, done. I'll take a better picture, on the bed probably, after it's washed, today this was about the best I could do with the energy I had left, lol.

 

And the flannel back.  I need to find my Fray Check though, I had left a safety pin in the center of the back, and only found it at the end.  I had to cut a couple threads.

Grand Illusion (Springtime Sky) and Organizing

Ok, time to baste.  I usually use Sharon Schamber's board method, but this one is much too big for that.  Going by Bonnie's finish at 88 x 88 inches, this one should finish at 94 1/2 x 94 1/2. 

It took a few hours, but it's heavy and basted.  I also have a smaller quilt top, that I made this week, to baste and quilt. 

You see these around the web, and I've been wanting one.  I hope to use it in my sewing room, and without too much trouble, also be able to empty it out quickly, and use it for serving when we have company.  As you see, I haven't really loaded it up yet. It's an Ikea Raskog, rolling cart with an Aptitlig Butcher block on top.  The Aptitlig is not a perfect fit, but it's pretty good.

This is a small Origami bookcase, from HSN.   It's sitting on the table behind my Juki, and I'll find out soon if I can leave it there and still quilt large quilts. 

And here is the other quilt top that I have to baste.  It's smaller, about 64 x 80 and for a lap quilt for a friend.  Hope she likes it.  Haven't been around her much for years, so not sure about her colors.  One thing about scrappy, mostly they have lots of colors, and can go many places.

Back to organizing, wouldn't it be nice, if I could find my scissors when I need them.  It will also be seen, if this is going to help.  I was hoping to hang my rotary cutters on it too, but the holes were too small.   My sewing room looks extra messy today, I have stuff moved around to allow the delivery men to bring in my new washer and dryer.  With the ones I have now, it's an all day thing to wash and dry 2 loads.  They are old and very inefficient, kind of like me.