Easy Street steps 2 & 3

Easy Street progress

After falling a bit behind schedule I am juggling both step 2 & 3.  Only finger pressing in a rush to get the pieces together before step 4 creates more pieces.  It looks more disorganized than it is.  step 2 is completely chain pieced (a pretty purple garland) ready to press.  Step 3 is close to 1/2 way done.  I think I can catch up.

getting ready for Easy Street step 2

using scraps

Easy Street step 2
The background fabric I used in step 1 contains some yardage and bits and pieces from the scrap drawer.  Now I realize that the background fabric for the rest of the quilt may not be as varied.  I still have the yardage fabric (some in abundance) but I've gone scrounging for variety.  Some of the pieces from the scrap drawer were the instruction parts of novelty panels (don't ask how old they are). I can't believe I used to toss them in the trash (silly, I know).  I found a few more buried in the stash so I wacked them off and into the quilt they go. I was never quite sure what I was saving them for, but now I know.

Step 1 (354 twosies- I'm getting there)

Fabric selections for Easy Street Mystery

 EASY STREET
(A Quilt Mystery)
I love mysteries and I love quilting sooooooo, I've decided to do my first mystery quilt.  Easy Street with Bonnie Hunter.  Because it's my first attempt at this, I'm sticking pretty close to the recommended/suggested colors, but because I'm frugal I'm only using fabrics I already have.  I've substituted a piece of black with white dots for the gray 'constant' because I don't have a big piece of gray fabric to use. 

Spooky (little door quilt)

 This little quilt will decorate the front door for Halloween.  Named after our own black cat.  Here she is in one of her favorite spots, but look quick because, as usual, there she goes.  She's an elusive but charming little friend.  We can always get her to come out of hiding for roasted chicken, tacos, spaghetti, and vanilla ice cream, but otherwise, she comes out only as SHE pleases. 

Memory Quilt for Sister Mary

Sister Mary will be missed in Southwest Virginia, but never forgotten.  To be certain she will remember us, we presented her with a Memory Quilt signed and decorated by those who love her.

RED (scrap quilt)

All of my red scraps sewn together to 'make' fabric.  This has been an interesting study in color and value (and a great scrap buster, because you know I can't throw anything away).  I hope to make one in each color to hang on the wall in the studio.  They will be a fun reminder of the projects I've done, somewhat like a journal quilt.

Reversible Table Runner

I made 3 table runners.  They are dual purposed.  Easter on one side and Happy Birthday on the other.  I'm thinking of other combinations. 

Where are the Trolls?

Auditioning border fabrics.  Inner border is good but which outer border?  The pink is a sorta tie dyed looking batik that I thought would be perfect, but then the green daisies caught my eye and I think they provide a calming effect on the chaos within.  other opinions? I could use either as a backing (I think there is enough).

Name the Trolls

What's my name?

What's my name?

.
 This fabric is destined for another One Block Wonder. I had tons of fun with Troll Dolls as a child, and now some quilty fun. This is a bright wacky fabric and I bought all that I could when I saw it. Sadly, that was not very much. It was a bit tricky on the layout because of this. Thank goodness for a design wall. Tomorrow I will show you a picture

What's my name?

What's my name?

Troll Land - cut cut cut

making it up as I go

I think this is called Ohio Star,
but I started it so long ago, I don't remember

Another ditty for the NICU.  I started these stars a long time ago, uncovered them while cleaning.  I have lost interest in this project, but still feel the need to "do something" with the 5 blocks I finished. 

I added 4 plain blocks of flannel and started quilting without much of a plan.  I've been wanting to try feathers so I started there.  I like to try new things on projects that I can afford to scrap if need be.  I'm not totally happy with the feathers, but happy enough to continue.  I echoed the feathers next and then decided the stars should have a softer feel so I stitched curved edges on the triangles (found it much faster than SITD) the swirl in the center was the last idea that popped into my head, but I love how all the soft curves play together. 

Talk about a quick finish---- I skipped the binding and opted to serge the edges with wooly nylon and it is on its way to cheer up the NICU in WV.  I do hope it brightens someone's day. 

wrinkley/crinkley back

Raggedy Reverse Applique

finding UFOs (Unfinished objects) and PIGs (projects in Grocery bags) and Orphans as I tidy up the studio after a frantic holiday season.  This is one of 4 squares featuring the Raggedy Reverse Applique from an HGTV program http://www.hgtv.com/crafting/raggedy-reverse-applique/index.html . I serged the edges with wooly nylon and off it goes to the NICU along with a few other projects that just needed some finishing up.  feels GOOOOOOD! 

Bloom Time Completed

It has been a JOY to design and stitch this quilt from beginning to end.  I loved the process and the finished quilt.  Hmmmmm, where to hang it? 

Bloom Time part 3

borders added, quilting done, getting ready for binding!

Bloom Time part 2

choosing fabrics for the flowers

Lots of elements starting to take shape.  Stems and leaves finished, bird is taking shape, flowers are beginning to bloom... stay tuned.

Taggie Block

Orphan squares from the Irish Monkeys quilt sewn into a taggie block. 

Inspiration piece for Bloom Time



This quilt top was made by Lynn Taylor, one of my facebook friends.  she used it as her profile picture for a while.  I told her it was my inspiration for a quilt challenge quilt and promised to share.  She says her inspiration came from Kelly at Dont look now blog.  http://dontlooknow.typepad.com/dont_look_now/2009/01/flower-garden-pillow-tutorial-.html so I went there.  and that's when I knew I would be adding a little bird to my design. 

IRISH MONKEYS

Another Monkey quilt for a new little monkey. Her anticipated arrival in IL is Feb. 13th.

sorry these are all really bad photos

International Quilt Festival of Ireland

For the CEAD MILE FAILTE exhibit.Quilters are invited to create a block in green and white for the welcome exhibit. This will be a permenant exhibit each year at our festival and now my hand block will be part of this exciting "welcome" for years to come.
If you want to participate or for more information please visit this link: http://iqfoi.com/exhibits.html and click on CEAD MILE FAILTE.

For the exhibit titled MY QUILTED GARDEN, I made a pink carnation. They will be creating an actual garden, professionally landscaped, using quilted flowers, plants, rocks, trees, bushes, etc. It will be made entirely out of fabric.