Finally a Finish!

I finished a quilt!  It only took me 10 months to get around to hand sewing the binding to the back side of the quilt.  I originally posted about this quilt on my old blog here.  I now call it "Sheri's quilt" because I decided to give it to my childhood friend, Sheri.  We met in first grade and we are now in our 40s!  That's a long friendship.  I am so excited to ship it off to her!  She lives in Idaho and it is cold there so this heavy quilt will be a nice one to snuggle under.

I looked at a brick pattern by Amy Butler and then went with my own sizes.  Since I love pillow quilts and had made one before, I wanted to stuff this one, too.  I made up my own method of stuffing though.  Then I tied each brick in the center.

It's late so I can't take outdoor pictures - maybe tomorrow.  Here's Sheri's quilt all bunched up in a chair. 

I sure do love the colors of these fabrics.  I think the black scattered throughout gives it a nice touch.

The back is a fun fabric I found at JoAnns. 

I thought this quilt needed a soft, soothing back. 

It's such a great feeling to finish a quilt!

Edited to add outdoor pictures

 

I'm linking up to AmandaJean at Finish it Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts,  Sew Darn Crafty Linky Party over at Sew Many Ways, and Megan at Canoe Ridge Creations sew-modern-monday and

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

Work In Progress (WIP) Wednesday

WIP Wednesday is here!  Decided to do a photo recap of all things pending!

1.  The Circle Quilt - I'm not sure where this is heading yet but I know it should be big and fluffy with ties when all is said and done.  I have other background colors I will be using and lots more of those circles cut and ready to go.

2.  The 36 patch from a QAL with Amanda Jean at crazymomquilts.  I was going to go bigger, but I've lost the momentum so this will be a quilt top soon - time to sew rows.  I love the bright colors and as some of these fabrics were scraps, they hold special memories.  The baseball fabricin the primarily blue block was a shower curtain that my Mom made my oldest son, back when he was in kindergarten.  He's 18 now!  Yay for me for keeping the fabric that long.  Those yellow buses in the black and yellow block were a jumper that my same son wore as a baby.  Mom recently sent me that fabric.

3.  My String Quilt - how I love her!  Those colors - so pink!  And look at this sheet I found at Goodwill - think I'll use it for the back.  This quilt is at the stage of "time to press and sew the rows together".

4. Half Square - Diamonds quilt.  See the first row sewn together with the tips of the diamonds?  That's as far as I got when company came this summer and I had to clean off the dining room table. 

5. Bust Yo Scraps QAL.  It is hosted by http://www.justabitfrayed.wordpress.com/.  I'm excited for a fresh start with a new quilt!  I've pulled these scraps from the basket and added in a couple of charm packs my MIL gave me.  You can find the details here. It will look like this: 

So now to choose the solid color:

white?

yellow?

purple?

pink?

I could really use some help choosing!  What do you think?

Back to my list of WIPS...

6. A EPP Block Party with  http://www.summerfete.blogspot.com/.  Looks like a great take along project and I did love making hexagons last year.  She made the most beautiful table top/quilt for my new blog friend, Mary.  I can't resist making one, too!

7. The Chevron quilt - ready for a backing

I'm considering the curves class with Rachel at Stitched in Color.  Details here.

I'd also like to get involved in a charity bee but not sure where/which one.

That is all for now!

Linking up to Freshly Pieced WIP Wednesday. 

Kris

Happy and Sad

It's raining here today - - a great day to finish a quilt top!  The kids are back in school and so I am back sewing.  I am SO HAPPY to report I finished a quilt TOP today!  This is from the "Chasing Chevrons Quilt Along" and the pattern is by Jennifer from thatgirlthatquilt. 

I am happy with it!

This is my first time using grey and I really like it.  I think Duke likes it, too!

I'm going to add a border so that it is just a little bigger.  My guys are asking for a quilt that covers them from head to toe when they lay on the couch.  Plus you have to add some inches for Duke crawling on top of you and snuggling in on top of the quilt, next to you. 

I thought Duke might enjoy modeling the quilt top in use - at first he wasn't sure.

But then he started to get toasty under it and said, "Well ok, but only if you let me close my eyes."

Doggie dreamin' on a rainy Tuesday afternoon..

I'm hoping to see my #1 son soon, he is due home before long.  He had a rough day yesterday and was feeling blue.  I made a nice dinner and a brownie dessert last night to sort of pull the family together around the dinner table, in support of his troubles.  (teenage love)  I was going to put a smiley face on the brownie in an attempt to say, "cheer up lad, look on the bright side, you have so much going for you, you are loved by many, you just got accepted to the college of your dreams, you are smart, cute.......but a smile didn't feel right so instead I did this:

and told him I was sad for him.  Then I teared up and left the room to get my emotions under control!  If my kids are hurting....I hurt, too.  Back to a more cheerful post tomorrow, I promise!

I am linking up to Fabric Tuesday over at Quilt Story.

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