Quilt Festival

I am entering my Bust Yo Scraps quilt in The Bloggers' Quilt Festival. Thank you Amy for hosting another festival! This quilt represents the hand quilting that I finished at skateparks over the summer. The scraps include charm packs, scraps from other quilts, some old clothes and some thrifted sheets! I did all of the hand quilting sitting under a nice shady tree or at a picnic table while my youngest son skateboarded everyday. (His passion)

The piecing of those blocks took me several months on and off. Since I couldn't decide between yellow and turquoise for the solid color, I used both in alternating blocks.

I backed it with this fabulous thrifted sheet. Since most of my fabrics were smaller pieces, I decided to bind it with the sheet as well.

I used a new binding method, ironing it like this, then sewing it one time by machine catching both the front and the back at the same time. It worked well!

Here it is on the picnic table at the skate park! I hand quilted inside the snowball and square shapes using my big quilt loom that was given to me by my MIL.

Skater dude Jack, loving life!

I think it is the perfect size for a toddler bed for a little girl!

The quilt measures 50" square
It was pieced and machine and hand quilted by me.
Best category: scrap quilt, hand quilted quilt, baby quilt

Now I'm off to decorate a big brownie like a police box for Jack's Doctor Who themed Birthday Party! I'll post Tardis pictures next time.

Kris

Quilt Completed with Pictures to Prove It!

Just realized I haven't posted pictures of a finished quilt.  Hard to believe I would forget since my "finishes" are so rare!  (I'm working on that.) The is my Bust Yo Scraps quilt from a QAL I started last winter with justabitfrayed.

 

I love QALs for many reasons, one of which is they are great skill builders.  I'd never made flying geese before and I made TONS of them for this quilt!  Another plus to a QAL is all of the new blog friends I have made through the posting of progress pictures on Flickr.   Check out all of the other versions of this quilt here on flickr!  One of my favorites is the one by lifeontheselvageedge. 

I tried a new method for attaching the binding on this quilt that I learned from
sarcasticquilter.blogspot.com! She is a new friend of  mine on InstaGram (where I spent my summer!)  While my blog was a bit neglected this summer I was full steam ahead on IG where I have posted TONS of pictures.  I know, surprise, surprise....she posted lots of pictures?!  Anyway what I loved about this binding method was I could sew one time and catch the front and the back evenly.  Thanks Becky for the instructions!

For the quilting, I hand stitched inside of each center snowball and square.  This was mostly accomplished at skate parks this summer!

The turquoise fabric is flannel and it is backed by a fun thrifted sheet that I love!

Speaking of love, I sent Mitch his first "box" at college!  It's his roommate's (and friend from high school) birthday on Monday so I filled it with fun party stuff like hats, horns, a banner and candy that they can share with the others on their dorm floor.  (Silly stuff )  Then had to add a serious gift for Phil (a sweatshirt from our skateboard shop) and finally, some fun stuff for Mitch.  Here's what I came up with:  office supplies (he asked for these), ping pong balls (replenishing his supply), his favorite potato chips (Maui Laui in the purple bag), and a gift card to Outback Steakhouse.  He tells me the on campus cafeteria has gotten progressively worse since the parents left.  Those sneaky campus cooks!  Oh, and I also put a picture of Jon and I in a zip lock bag with a note that says, "Don't forget us!" because doesn't every college freshman need a picture of his/her parents on their desk? HAHAHA!

Mitch and I when he was in 8th grade

  

Welcome to Alessandra from Italy! 

Duke and I finished up those kindle cases! I'll post some pictures next time.

 

Kris



Decision time - so hard for a Libra!

I've been playing with my scraps today - laying them out on different colored backgrounds, trying to decide what I like the best, white, yellow or purple.  Gearing up for this-quilt-along.

This isn't the real block layout, but close.  What do you think? 

Oldest son said:  I like the white or the purple.

Youngest son said:  I like the purple.

Well first youngest son said, "You're making another quilt?  Did you finish the back for that gray quilt? [chasing chevrons is the one he means]  Me:  "Well, no.  But I will!" 

I was thinking: I like the yellow and the purple.

So then I said, "Oh, maybe I'll use two and alternate between yellow and purple for the backgrounds. 

Oldest son said, "That would be too busy." 

So I need more votes, obviously!  What do you think?  Remember I am a Libra and must evaluate every possible option, weighing colorful against one color, and busy against simple.

Edited to add another color option:  Turquoise!

I kind of like it with the yellow? 

I saw this chair at TJ Max and fell in LOVE with it!  I see a quilt here - don't you?!  I will have to use this color scheme in an upcoming quilt.

"Lady are you pointing that camera at me again?"

Duke is up to the same ol' same ol'.  This was him yesterday.

And here he is today!

Your color input is appreciated! 

Kris

Harbor Hound Duke

Somebody wanted a walk today.

We started off taking a detour down a side street to let some big dogs go by.  Duke, being social, would have wanted to walk "with" them and I didn't like that plan.

Never tire of looking at the harbor.  It's a beautiful place for a walk.

Duke wore his Hugh Hefner scarf and received a compliment on it from another Dog Mom.

This little tree was on a picnic table in a new park that a kind gentleman has cleaned up as a dedication to his wife who has passed away. There is a sign on the table that encourages hugs.  I always feel overcome with peace at this park. 

While Duke is overcome with the need to get wet.

It was only 43 degrees today.

You might be asking who took who on the walk.

Almost home. 

On the quilting front, I did cut 180 of the 448 squares last night.  I love Sophie by Chez Moi for Moda! 

Darn rotary cutter.

I am inspired to FINISH something tonight since tomorrow is Finish it Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.  I will share it tomorrow!

Kris

Bust Yo Scraps!

Bust Yo Scraps Quilt-Along is starting this month and I love the pattern! 

I have a big basket of scraps, too. And there are give aways! 

Now check out the pattern:

I just might "go big" this time - - as in NOT a lap quilt.  Yep, living on the wild side!  ;-)

We are having some rain-free days so Duke and I went to the park where he quickly made a new friend!  He's such a social guy.  He's taken on the role of official park greeter.  I think the other dogs may be coming to him to see his fancy Hugh Hefner red velvet scarf.  It doesn't take long for Duke to start foaming at the mouth with excitement over the chasing and sniffing.  When WILL I remember to bring a rag?

We strolled down some beautiful trails.  It's nice to be able to let him roam off-leash.  I still remember the days of opening the front door and having him bolt down the street.  I'd hop in the car and get ahead of him, and he would chase the car around the block.  I clocked him at 25 mph. It was the only way to wear out the crazy pup!  Now he does not like to be anywhere where he can't see me.  Much better!

We tried for a nice pose here but he couldn't help but keep looking for friends.  "Anyone new arriving?  I have to keep an eye on the parking lot," he was saying.

"What about from that way?" I begged him to please look at  me for a nice photo, then he could go play.

He agreed saying, "Make this fast!"

Here he is off exploring, but looking back to make sure I'm still close.

We are off -  he is saying bye to his new friends.  Yes, Duke is a front seat rider. 

Would you expect anything else?  ;-)

He is King of the couch, too. 

Kris