Scrappy Crossed quilt blocks almost complete.  You may notice that these blocks look like the scrappy crosses posted a little while ago, but not quite the same.  That's because I forgot I was swapping them.  I cant just sit and sew blocks together without getting all sorts of ideas of how to finish off the quilt.  So my blocks definitely had an orange and blue feel, however these that I swapped Maggie for, had an undeniable pink black vibe for me.  

I still have some hand stitching I'd like to do in the white areas with pink thread, as you can see there are a few safety pins hanging off there.  I'm just not finding any thread to stand out enough for my liking.  Perhaps floss will work better, I may try that this evening.  And you might notice the prairie points, a first time for me.  They do add some flair and interest to the quilt, no they weren't difficult, but I just don't know that I got the bang for my buck.  Lot's of pressing and burning my fingers when i could have done some quick flying geese and achieved almost the same effect. 

 Back used up some asterisks swap blocks from long ago.  I must also point out the toile is the same that I used for my prairie points and was leftover from my kitchen curtains, how's that for a win-win?

Looking Glass View

A little finish for this weekend, pattern called Looking Glass View that uses fusible and machine applique. I have been sorting through UFOs trying to see what I can manage to complete without the big machine since its in for repair for up to six weeks.  I spent so much time and energy swapping blocks, and as I went through the totes and piles and boxes, my thoughts went to my prolific swapping friend Sandra,  I  think we must have swapped well over a thousand blocks over the years. She sent me this pattern as a little gift after I saw her beautiful completion.  We lost Sandra to cancer in October and I miss my friend.

Scrapper user upper

What a scrap eater of a quilt pattern! Its called Crossed Quilt Block  and isn't adorable?

There are sites all over talking about scraps, how to cut and organize them and patterns to use them  up.  My problem with those systems is that for me, I am just not that organized.  As I finish a top I'm sick of looking at those fabrics, I do not want to press and stress over what size to cut them to, I want them out of my face.  I also decided long ago that unless a piece is at least 5x5" or a strip that's 2.5" for me, its just not worth saving.  Nevertheless I still have numerous totes and boxes of scraps.  So this pattern was right up my alley, long strips that could be cut from my leftovers.  Any color corner blocks could work and I know this is not the last time I will use this pattern!

Wooly work

A penny rug I have been working on.  Thought the square shapes were interesting to work with and  the stars just really made it folksy.  Now to decide how to finish it off, since its wool appliqued onto cotton its pretty flimsy feeling, maybe I need to find some nice stiff wool for a backing and add some buttons in the middle of the pennies.

What can I say? when I'm in love, I'm in love

I told you I'm in love with that Magic Binding technique.  A table runner from September's retreat finally finished.

I think I see a trend happening here....

As from my posts a few weeks ago, I made an ironing table for Jamie and then for myself.  Well Jamie's kids thought they would make great homework, snacks in front of the TV  etc. tables.  So tonight they each got to personalize their own.  Here they are with their own works of art!  Aren't they cool?

Baby quilt finished

Maleah's baby quilt is finally finished, taking a tumble in the washer and dryer as I type this. So I find that I learn a little something with every quilt I make.  First of all, I am not sure I will do "traditional" binding ever again since finding this method on pinterest.  Magic Binding  I love how easy it was, I love that its completely machine sewn and I love the added little design element it adds.  I realize I may be calling down the wrath of the quilt gods by saying I have no intention of hand sewing binding again, but I like to walk on the wild side.

 Second lesson learned on this quilt, you cannot be stingy with spray basting.  If you are, then there's a good chance that you're going to wind up with gnarly puckers like I have when quilting on a table top machine.

All in all I am pretty pleased and I'm sure it will be warm and snuggly.