Little Surprises

Here's a little table runner that I finished up prior to my knee replacement surgery way back in March. I didn't get around to posting it, so here it is today!

As I was making this runner, I didn't really like the fabrics in the batik charm pack. But now that it's together and quilted, I'm thoroughly enjoying it. Each time I walk by, I smile at the quilting, and the border, and the little pops of color that spring out from the array of dark fabrics. It a nice little gem of a surprise!

And hence, a lesson learned for me:  get out of your comfort zone with colors and palettes and try something new. I might just like it!

Barb
Quilting with a smile!

Linking up with:
Linky Tuesday
Midweek Makers 
Needle and Thread Thursday 
Pre-Cut Linky Party 
Show Off Saturday

Snowman Table Runner, Hopefully Finished by Christmas

This is going to be the quickest blog post ever.  While I was cleaning out my closet, I found this great snowman table runner that I started about 5 years ago. I got to the point of putting on all the little, teeny, tiny eyes - and abruptly stopped. I couldn't find small enough buttons, so I got some blacks beads. I'll give that a try.

 

So my goal for December is to get all the snowmen's faces sewn on, and put on their happy little carrot noses.  I know that's not a finish, but realistically, I don't think I can get it quilted and bound by Dec. 31.  Why? My kids are coming home for Christmas (big smiles over here!!!), and my in-laws will be here (more big smiles), and mass confusion will abound (LOTS of big smiles). So that gives me only a week to do this.

Happy holidays, everyone!
Barb
ALYOF

August ALYOF Goal - It's About Time!

It's about time is right.  I put this great table runner together last fall and had every intention of getting the leaves machine appliqued so I could get it quilted and bound.  But did that happen? Nope.

But I'd really like to use it this year so I know if I make it my August goal, I'm more likely to get it done.  I toyed with the idea of stitching the leaves down with my long arm.  Has anyone tried that? Maybe the points of the leaves are too small.  The largest leaves are just 5 inches across. Hmmm.  Decisions, decisions. What would you do?

Quilting with a smile,
Barb

ALYOF

Goals Met for June's ALYOF!

My goodness! June has been about the busiest month yet this year, and I am so pleased that amidst all the drama and long hours with my Day Job, I was able to etch out a little time to finish up my goals for A Lovely Year of Finishes!  I know this looks like two finishes, but I'm only counting it as one. I basically quilted them at the same time to make good use of the backing fabric and save time.

I must admit, this was a fairly simple goal - I already had the table runners pieced and so I had to get them quilted and then bound. I've been enjoying them as they grace my coffee table and buffet . Very definitely a summery addition to the house.

And I am excited now because I have cleaned up my sewing studio and am now thinking about which project I shall finish for my July Goal. Hmmm....several possibilities come to mind. Doesn't it feel good to get a project wrapped up and put to good use?  Very satisfying.

Click on the button below to see what projects others have been finishing up this month.

Quilting with a smile,
Barb

Linking up with Pink Doxies Pet Projects

I'm Not Missing June's ALYOF!

Boy, I sure spaced April and May for my ALYOF projects. Well, I didn't actually complete anything of my own in those months, so I guess I'm good on that account.  But this month I did want to be accountable for something of my own, so here it is.

I've made two spring/summer table runners out of a charm pack of Moda's Somerset.  I was piecing it in March when we were waiting for spring to get here. Good therapy! Putting different colored borders on them certainly makes a difference in the look, doesn't it?

This is a happy project to quilt this afternoon during this rain/lightening/thunder/hail storm.  I'll just unplug my longarm if I hear it thundering again - I've got it on a surge protector, but I'm just not the risk-taking type.

What are you up to this month?  Be sure to link up your projects with A Lovely Year of Finishes with either Melissa or Shanna.  I don't know about you, but having a goal is the Golden Ticket for me getting things done!


Quilting with a smile,
Barb

Back To Nature

I've been very busy with my Day Job and longarm quilting for others this fall.  Truth be known, I'd quit my Day Job in a heartbeat so I could more fully enjoy quilting for others. My clients have such wonderful quilt tops - it's a joy to be able to embellish them with thread!

But even with my calendar filled to the brim, sometimes I think it's good to take a moment to just do something for me.  A month ago I pieced together a background and borders for a fun, fall table runner.  It sat in my sewing room for 30 days and 30 nights until I decided this week to just get 'er done!

The batiks for this runner came from a little kit put together by a nearby quilt shop that has recently gone out of business when the owner retired. The batiks are wonderful! But I didn't care for the leaf pattern that was included. I am not a pen or pencil artist, i.e., I can't draw anything worthy to save my soul! How I can longarm is quite beyond my comprehension.

So therein was my problem: how was I going to find a pattern for a leaf I liked? And then it hit me. Duh. I have four maple trees in my yard - why not just trace a couple of leaves from them?

And it worked! I've ironed them on and now, when I have a few more minutes, I'll machine applique around them, get it sandwiched and quilted, bound, and I'll have a great decoration for this fall and Thanksgiving. It might take me another 30 days and 30 nights to get that much done, but that's just about how long we have 'til Thanksgiving - yikes!

And to leave you on a bright note, we had our first frost two nights ago - that's unheard of for our area in the mountains. Typically we cross our fingers that our gardens will make it through Labor Day! My roses are still blooming, and I have new poppies unfolding and daisies and the lavendar is still fresh. So I clipped these roses so I could enjoy them inside. I'm not quite ready for Old Man Winter this year.

Quilting with a smile,
Barb

Linking up with Thursday's Favorite Things Blog Hop,  Needle and Thread Thursday,

September Lovely Year of Finishes Goal Completed!

I am very happy to report that I was able to complete my goal this month for A Lovely Year of Finishes! Granted, it wasn't a huge goal - I just had to get the binding on these two fun table runners. But considering all that I have on my plate this month, this was about as good as I could get.

I really loved the fabric I used for the backing and binding. I debated long and hard if I wanted to use it for backing. But then decided it was so pretty, I could easily flip it over and have two table runners in one!

This was a fun project! I used a charm pack of squares that had a variety of Amy Butler fabrics. It was fun to see how the placement of the prints altered the design.

Which one do you like better?

I have a little breathing room in October, and I'm very much looking forward to it. My daughter will be coming home to help me celebrate my birthday. And our son is moving back to Idaho as his job search wasn't very fruitful in Oregon. It will be good to have him closer.

Oh! And another great thing about October - we have our guild's Quilting Retreat scheduled for a lovely lodge by a mountain lake north of here. I'll have a couple more things to add to my ALYOF for October, and maybe I can make some headway on them there. One can only hope.

Stay calm and quilt!

Barb

Linking up with Fabric Tuesday, A Lovely Year of Finishes, Linky Tuesday,  and Finish Along 2014, Needle and Thread Thursday, and Show and Tell Tuesday.

Goal for September's A Lovely Year of Finishes

I'm traveling two weeks out of this month, so I'm trying to be realistic and keep my goals workable. With that in mind, I'd really like to finish this set of table runners.

I made these from one charm pack of Amy Butler prints.  All I need is binding, and I've got a finish!

I can't decide which is my favorite of these two?  I quilted a real fun pattern in the center prints, but it doesn't show up well at all. It's from  Angela Walters' new book "Shape by Shape - Free Motion Quilting With Angela Walters"  and is called Swirl Chain. It works in well with the outer swirls.

 Once I get the binding on, I'll try to get a better photo from the backside.

The second runner had me stumped as to the quilting, so I just did some stippling. Don't think I was feeling all that well that day, so I scribbled. Fun, fun!

So, with my Day Job taking most of my time this month, getting the bindings on these two darlings will please me greatly!  Thanks again to Melissa and Shanna for hosting A Lovely Year of Finishes. I see that it is inspiring many of us to just "Get 'er Done!" especially when time is scarce.

Be sure to join the fun and link up your September Goal for ALYOF. See you on the flip side!

Quilting with a smile,
Barb
Linking up to Needle & Thread Thursday,  ALYOF

Pretty in Pink

When I do pink, I do pink!  I wanted to start fresh after Christmas with some fabrics that were not red and green. Or blue and green. Or Christmasy at all. So what better thing to buy than pink and red for Valentine's Day!

What I came up with is this chevron shaped table runner.  It is bright and cheerful and adds a smile to the dreariness of winter. Whoever came up with Valentine's Day knew what she was doing - definitely adds a little spark to the long days of winter.

 

The fabric in the center and for the backing are actually Christmas prints, but they worked out well for this.  Usually when I make one of these runners, I look for a strong focal print for the center. This was rather busy, so I cut and appliqued a heart in the center. Helps to break up the busyness and draws your eye right there.

All in all, a fun project!  Since we aren't receiving any snow to speak of here at the ski resort community I live in, I am going to attack Spring with a vengeance.  Only bright, sparkling colors will be in my next projects.  I'm thinking my Layer Cake of Kate Spain's Terrain series will be on the cutting table next.

It's snowing. It's Christmas Quilting Time. It's All Good!

When I lock myself in my sewing room, great things are bound to happen! Given enough time, space, money and energy, who knows what can happen!

Here are a couple of the Christmas table runners I completed this week. The first one is quite elegant and traditional.  The second one is made from Moda's Basic Gray Jovial collection. I didn't like the fabrics when I first saw them in my LQS, but thought I'd take a change - they grew on me!
tab

Now I'm working on some Mug Rugs and watching the snow come down. It's not even Thanksgiving yet - what' with all that white stuff? Our ski mountain is certain to be open next week for it's Thanksgiving Day Opening!

Enjoy!
Barb