Longarm Quilting "Moda Modern in Print"

Loaded Lengthwise: The Starting Block

"Moda Modern in Print"

Long on my list to quilt, Moda Modern Building Blocks is finally in the frame. You can see above that I was all "anti-solid" fabrics, and substituted my beloved prints. 90% were from my stash, but a few odd ones were picked because they matched the shade in the pattern. You can read about individual block construction (and errata) below. This was a fun quilt, but shockingly begun nearly 2 years ago to the day!

Quilted Zombies: Heating Pad Cover & Body Pillow

Heat Seeking Zombies 

Years ago I made one of our sons a zombie quilt. One of our daughters fell in love with the fabric. Would I make her one, too, please? Sure, if I had enough fabric, but sadly there was not. So, I promised a smaller project, and we all know how those promises go. The shoemaker's children go barefoot! This week I kept my promise.

Stunning Circle for MQG Pt II Finish

Stunning Circle Quilt

Finish

I had a finish to this project early this week, but time and computer issues prevented me showing it. Part I will take you from the creation of the circle through the applique process, and at that point I kept telling myself to not overthink the quilting. 

Stunning Circle Quilt for MQG Challenge Pt 1

"Finding Center"

The Pittsburgh Modern Quilt Guild issued a challenge to all members for minis to display in the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza in September 2017. (PNQE) For months I wracked my brain for a fun project, and then settled on a project from a Craftsy class I'd recently watched. It's based on a 25" 9 Degree Circle Ruler designed by Marilyn Doheny, though Andi Perejda presents the class. 

Bigfoot Sighting In a Beer Mug Rug

Bigfoot Is Real!

One thing I would never have put to my name is a Bigfoot quilt, I thought, but I had a passionate request from someone close to me for a king size quilt with Bigfoot on it. This was a good time for me to practice how to talk someone/something down to size, and we continued until I knew it was manageable during this terribly busy season. 

A Vintage Singer Bender

1952 Singer BZ 9-8
Long Bobbin, Bullet Bobbin, 
or Shuttle Machine

Before anyone comments, I fully admit this post proves why I need to be concerned with balance. I tend to be an all or nothing kind of gal, and sewing tangents are my specialty! I don't believe I'd have confessed to the extent of my obsession or this bender with these gorgeous, vintage gals if it wasn't for Sandra at mmm! Quilts hinting in her latest, crazy must-read post WWJD, about our escapades through text messaging (outing me to the world), but now I shall do so without as much guilt. 

Seeking Balance: Quilting with Friends & Y Seams Simplified

Irene's Flying Geese

Note: The last two posts have been more thought provoking so I wanted to give you something lighter before I continued the second half. Here is some eye candy, a group tutorial on Y Seams without the aggravation, and the benefit of sewing with friends. I like to sew alone when I'm working creatively, but it's a treat to sew with friends. This particular group is amazing! Creating more of those moments, and sharing my studio space is helping me with balance. 

May: Positivity In Loss

The Many Sides of Loss

I feel myself struggling to explain the sentiments of loss in all its wide definitions, but also how it affects our lives as quilters. No one's life is immune from loss, but some people manage better than others. It makes me wonder how the same experience is processed differently by people. Losses in our quilting life are much lighter in comparison to everyday life, but I think the psychology of things that trip us up is the same. We save certain fabrics and tiny scraps, form deep attachments to things we've created, and question if we really have to give that quilt away! But the process of making, completing, and gifting a quilt is full of decisions based on these concepts. Can we make some of them easier by changing our attitude about them?

May: Checking for Balance

Checking for Balance

Before you say this is not a quilting related post, ask yourself: "What stops me from doing the thing I love most?" Often it involves something you have control over at one time or another. Chances are it could have been done earlier, but the choice was made to do something else instead. Life is full of trade offs. Right? But if you're looking for more time in your life to do the things you want--quilting or sewing, for example, then stay tuned this month, and read on. We'll talk about why we collect some of the so-called baggage in our lives, and how to become free from it.  When problem areas take on a life of their own, it's our right to take control. We can give ourselves permission.

I am especially reaching out to those of you who feel the Merry-Go-Round hasn't slowed down since 2017 began, and like me you want to get off.  Early this year I made a plan to focus on the future, and create a long range schedule. I've spent 4 months making quilts for charity, and while several are still not done, it is time for change. May is my target month for winding down, and regaining equilibrium. It seems most timely while the seasons change to one of renewed growth. You may call it tuning in to Self or listening to an inner voice, but it's simply time to decide what is working well in life, and what could benefit from change. You might even question some things in your own life along the way. Change requires work on our parts now to make it easier later, but quilters are known for their long vision and perseverance. Join me!

Freefall Quilt Along Progress

Progression of the Fall

I feel like I might have some demerits for being neglectful in my posts this past week, but it's spring, and we are busy, busy, busy! I kept telling myself I would jump in here 'tomorrow', but everyday has been packed full. You won't even be surprised to hear I lost my camera along the way, and the best I could muster were pictures from my phone. I'm sure that's happened to you, too.