Quilting Tiles

Not much new to report from Fluffy Sheep HQ.  I am spending a lot of time quilting Tiles.  I loaded her onto the frame several days ago, then pondered my quilting pattern.  It's the easiest way to keep her from wrinkling while I think.

I finally decided on a pantograph that combines waves and loops.  Together they remind me of snowdrop flowers.  I guess I am itching for spring.  I like how the softness of the pattern will set off the angular piecing, too.

I wound 5 bobbins (which may not be enough!) and dove in.

Several days into quilting and I am feeling more confident.  I have a LOT to learn yet, but I am enjoying the process so long as I take my time and do not put myself under any pressure.

I hope there is a finished quilt to show you in no time!  I have my binding fabric picked out and ready to go!

Modern Stitching Bee: Quilted

It is with great excitement that I show you my new gorgeously quilted Modern Stitching Bee quilt!  It was recently quilted by Emily on her wonderful frame and I am absolutely thrilled with the results!  Look!  Look!

Photo by Emily

As Emily's frame is new to her, she is offering a basting service to anyone who doesn't fancy loosing their dignity and crawling all over the floor to baste a quilt.  Although she is not taking quilts from the general public for quilting quite yet, she's happy to take quilts from folks who are willing to let her learn/grow in her quilting skills.  Now I know Emily is phenomenal, so I was more than happy to give her my quilty baby.

Photo by Emily

The Modern Stitching Bee was incredibly important to me as I had such great bloggy friends included in the hive.  I loved each and every month we had together for the laughs and the quilty inspiration.  I was Miss November and chose a Depression  Block for the ladies to make.  I was a bit slow contributing my own blocks...still making them in January after the hive blocks arrived!  I needed to add a few extra to bring it up to size.  Since winter, it's been a finished top hanging over the shop door waiting to be layered and quilted.

Photo by Emily

But when making my Q2 and Q3 FAL goal lists, including the goal to finish this quilt (!!!), I realized both Emily and I would be the Fat Quarterly retreat in London.  I thought it would be a great opportunity for us to do a quilty hand off.  I happily gave her the finished top, batting and back (with signature blocks) and we chatted with Leanne to decide how it should be quilted.  We eventually decided on an infinity loop.  I wanted something bubbly to counterbalance the edges of the HSTs, but I didn't want it to be over quilted so that it would remain soft.  The infinity loop is perfect.  Before handing it off to Emily, we took a hive photo at the retreat.  How fun to get nearly half of the hive together!  The folks below are from the UK, Canada, Ireland and the US.  Amazing.

Photo by Leanne and Laura Jane
Susan, me, Leanne, Emily, Nicky and Di

Anyway, Emily has just finished it off and sent it over to Galway in the post.  Today it arrived and I am bubbling with excitement at the real deal in front of me.  I just need to get a binding on this old friend and we'll call it finished.  I am so excited to put it to use watching movies this winter.  Emily, it's gorgeous.  Thank you!!!

 I have just realized I need a name for this quilt.  Any suggestions?  

Squeezing in one last finish

Leanne said we could, so I'm going to take advantage of this one last week to get a Q1 finish out there.

Frame purses.  Yippee for frame purses!  A friend asked for these MONTHS ago, but I couldn't get myself motivated enough to make them.  What was wrong with me?  They're so easy!  Armed with a fab tutorial and two frames, it was time to get stitching.

I had total freedom to choose the fabrics, but I wanted to be sure my friend will use them.  She wears lots of floral prints, usually in blues.  However nearly every floral shirt she has includes a splash of orange or yellow. I though the brights in the Echino leaves/flowers and the bright red/aqua combo might suit her well.

They're lined with a little pink floral print and Kona lime.  I love a Kona lime liner...a little splash of surprise color when you open it up.  Awesome.

In all honest these frame purses were finished last weekend.  I just didn't get myself organize enough to take a photo in time.  Leanne, thank you for our one last week of grace!  I'm off to link up my finishes!