Stash Busting

We are having crazy weather here in Ohio ... spring one day, winter the next. So, having just finished a couple quilts, not ready to really start working on another quilt pattern at this time. But, I have found a pattern that could be a good stash buster down the road.

It consists of many, many, and many 2 1/1 inch squares. First, I was going to cut up my 30's fat quarters to do this pattern. But, it is hard to cut up those fat quarters I have been collecting over the last few years. And I haven't found the perfect pattern for them at this minute. Having another thought on this, I decided to go into my crazy pile of fabrics that I haven't found a use for yet. lol

This is the first of a few boxes I need to go thru. I am pressing and then cutting these into 2 1/2" wide strips, and then also cutting some 1 1/2" strips from the fabrics that are left. These l 1/2" strips will go into (hopefully) strings quilts. My goal is to work on a box at least a couple times a week. We'll see how this turns out.

This is the first quilt of 2019 that was started and finished.  I still had my Christmas quilt hanging here. The bunnies kind of looked out of place with the Christmas quilt hanging above them. I thought maybe this one would be my spring/summer quilt. Then my daughter suggested that it still looked like Christmas ...........soooo off to find a pattern for the elusive spring/summer quilt.

Somewhere in my travels over the internet, Pinterest and quilt magazines, I knew I had seen a tulip quilt pattern, but couldn't find the right one.  Then on a Facebook page I am following, there it was. Pat Sloan was showing pictures of a new quilt book she had just finished. There on the front cover were these darling tulips. Knew I had to have them .... and within a week I had my copy of her book.

In less than 2 weeks I had my tulip quilt completed.  I took it into the quilt shop that I had  bought my fabric from, to show them my completed top. I have always hand quilted all of my quilts. But my last quilt, which was over 3300 pieces, was long armed by them.. They just so happened to have finished a quilt design perfect for this quilt, large swirls with hummingbirds ... of course this quilt is going to be long armed by them now.

Well that is all I have for the moment .... I don't have any hand quilting to do in the evening, but I am working on some embroidery to keep me out of trouble.  Like anything could keep me out of trouble.

Bye for now,

Sharon

NATIONAL QUILT DAY .....................

National Quilt Day, and so far all I have had time for is to peruse some quilt books and try to find some fabric in my stash for the tulip quilt below.  I ventured out to my local quilt shop, and their winter hours were in effect, so no fabric. I made up for the disappointment by stopping by Arby's and getting myself a mint-chocolate shake. You gotta do what you gotta do to make yourself feel better.

 I have needed a new spring/summer quilt for my kitchen for a while. I actually remember in an old quilt magazine seeing a tulip quilt, but was unable to find it. Then Pat Sloan started advertising her new quilt book .. and of all things .. there were the tulips I wanted. Immediately ordered her book, which arrived this week.

I am only going to make 4 tulips as my wall space is limited. Still, the quilt should measure somewhere around 20 - 22" ish x 38" ish, depending on sashings and borders.

This past week our quilt guild met for a craft session at our monthly get together. We were fortunate to have as our guest speaker, Dee Hart, to show us a method of coloring on fabric. This pattern is from Crabapple Hill Studio, by Meg Hawkey. 

 First we had to outline our pattern.  Then following instructions on what colors to start with, and using a 3 color process for tinting and shading.  This is only the first part of the process. The final process is embellishing with embroidery. That is when the coloring will just "pop". 

So my first part is done (Kelly!) ... now to find time to start the embroidery. That is why a Halloween themed project may be the perfect project at this time. Even though my son stated ..."probably will not be done until Halloween 2020". Now you know I have to finish it forsure this year.

I  plan on continuing National Quilt Day this evening, working on my  hand quilting  project meant for my living room for a summer wall hanging. And when that is done, then finish up some cross stitch summer patterns when I am not trying to finish the embroidery on the above picture. I love being retired ..........

Hoping you all had a chance to celebrate National Quilt Day by playing with some fabric.

Until next time,

Sharon