Quilt Retreat Weekend

I went away for a quilt retreat this past weekend with my SIL and a good friend.  

It was about 2 hours away from home.  

We go every February and July. 

 It started out in July to celebrate my friends and my birthdays.  

Then we decided once a year was not enough so we planned a February one.  

I packed a lot of things but ended up workin on only one project.  

I make and trimmed SO MANY HST blocks!  

I spent all Thursday night and Friday sewing and trimming HST.  

I need to make 15 more blocks to have what I need for my Ocean Waves quilt.  

I brought one block so I would be able to lay them all out correctly before I sewed them.  

I got all 15 blocks worth of HST cut and trimmed to the correct size 

(Thank God for Block Lock rulers!)

Friday we took a break and went to Seven Sisters quilt shop.  

Always a fun trip!  

(I always look bald when I pull my hair back!)

I didn't take a lot of pictures as I was too busy sewing. 

I made some mistakes on Saturday so put the project down and went to bed.  

I got up on Sunday and fixed them, but that took me over 3 hours of ripping and resewing 

and ripping and resewing some more.  

I finally finished 7 of the 15 I need for this quilt.  

I guess they will go with me to the next retreat! 

 It is going to be pretty when it is finished.  

I am cutting into my hoarded, beloved, Neptune for some of the blocks too.  

I didn't have enough of the navy to make the whole thing out of that but 

I did cut up some of the navy and all the colors.

Cori finished 2 quilt tops for the veterans.

My SIL, Mary, finished this quilt top for her grandson, using the Double Slice pattern

She got all the applique fused to this llama quilt top but still needs to stitch around it all.

She cut all the flowers and letters on her Cricut.  

I love how they turned out.

That llama face is adorable!

She got much of the applique fused on this under the sea quilt for her grand daughter too.  

She still needs her fin and everyone needs their faces finished.

So I finished 7/15 OW blocks and they got much bigger projects finished.  

'm still happy about getting as much done as I did.  

It is so boring to sew the same thing over and over but I know the quilt will be amazing and 

it is going to go on my bed!

~XOP~

WIPs With Friends

I hope you all had a good weekend. 

 It was amazingly HOT here in Michigan.  

We almost never get 96 degrees in the SPRING!  

CrAzY. 

 I wanted to do some yard work but that just did not happen.  

I tried for a bit on Monday.  

I dug out some grass from a small part of my garden, planted some tomato and pepper plants 

and a couple of planters and called it a day. 

 PHEW!

Instead I concentrated on sewing. 

 I should have concentrated on cleaning, HA!  

Maybe this weekend.  

I have a lot of commitments coming up so wanted to get a jump on those things.  

I finished hand embroidering a quilt label for an upcoming wedding quilt. 

 I can't show that though = (

I finished a block for another Halloween quilt but have one more to go.

On my google sheet that I keep with monthly goals is always "Make one Ocean Waves block".  

 I can happily check this off my list now.  I have 21/36 blocks made.

Cole was "helping" while I was working.  

He matched the color scheme perfectly. 

(or should I say purrfectly?)

I had no intention of making the progress I did on this wedding quilt 

(Let's call this wedding quilt-A, WQ-A).  

I got the entire center of the quilt cut out.

I made all the HSTs.  Next I got those all trimmed up to 4.5".  They are all untrimmed in this photo.

Next I got the first rows sewn on.

Lastly I sewed the white rows on.

All that's left to do it assemble it into the quilt center.

I am using the pattern called Newport Fantasy by Pleasant Valley Creations which you can find here.

This is what it looks like, but obviously not in the colors I am using.

What I need to determine is what color to use where the green is in the border.  

I have 2 prints I am considering, 

but I may just use the same solids I used for the center for the outer border too. 

 I wanted to get the center done and then decide what to do. 

 Anyone have any strong opinions?  

The two prints are mostly gray and white.  

The colors in their house are grays and whites.  

I am using some gray blues in the quilt but thought about

 just using the different gray solids in the border.  

Maybe just one of the grays? 

Or maybe mix the grays and blues? 

Or stick with one of the prints I got for the border?

Time will tell.

I still have an intricate FPP pattern that needs to be tested and done by the 16th.

I best get myself working on that next.

Then I can work on WQ-A.

Sharing over at Sew Fresh Quilts.

YOUR turn.  Share with us what you are working on by clicking on the link.

~XOP~

An InLinkz Link-up

WIPs With Friends the Thursday Edition

Sorry guys, for not posting yesterday.  

I was at the hospital with my son.  

He had his IVC filter removed yesterday through his Juggler Vein! 

 It went well but it was a bit scary for him (and us).

I have been working on a few things so that I would have time to work on 

my center for my traveling quilt.

I sent my flying geese blocks and the woman that received all our bee blocks put this together.  

Looks pretty sweet so far!

I'm in a Tula Granny Square group and this is my first block in the series.  

We are going to be doing one per month. 

 The leader challenged us to use non-white backgrounds and supplied the center squares for all of us.

I got 3 more Ocean Waves block components sewn and trimmed.  

I also made one more OW block so now I am up to 20!

I got 2 sets of Scrappy Triangle blocks finished.

I got my April bee blocks finished, just need to mail them.

I joined in the scrappy vortex 100 days project on IG.  

I'm pretty sure I can sew pairs together for awhile.  

If you need to see the scrappy vortex you can see what it is on Crazy Mom Quilts blog.

Next up is pulling scraps and trimming them so I can sew some more together.  

I am finding them in layers, as projects finished.  

This means I have to mix them up or my quilt will be pretty strange looking with chunks of colors rather than all over scrappy goodness!

I am going to post the link up here and you should link whatever you are working on at the moment.

~XOP~

Please link up here:

An InLinkz Link-up

Ocean Waves

I know you all may think I have forgotten about my Ocean Waves Quilt Along but I have NOT. 

 I have been steadily working towards getting all my blocks finished. 

It takes forever just to prep all the HSTs that go into each and every block!

I sewed up three blocks worth of HSTs over the weekend.  

I got one block's worth pressed. 

 Last night I pressed one more set of HSTs and then trimmed 2 blocks worth.  

The pressing and trimming took me an hour. 

 I still have one more set to press and trim!  That's just to be ready to sew. 

 I have had a goal of sewing one OW block per month and so far I have kept to that.  

I have 19/36 completed.

Here is what one blocks worth of HSTs looks like after trimming.

And this is the second block.

All I have to say is THANK GOODNESS for my Bloc Loc ruler!!!  

I would be completely insane without it!!!  

These HSTs are all trimmed to 2.5". 

 If you need a Bloc Loc ruler to make your life easier please go here and buy one!  

Another MUST have is the Clearly Perfect.  

You no longer need to draw lines on your squares.  

Just follow the line and sew!  

Do you have any idea what a time saver this is??? 

 Imagine that I have 24 HST in each quarter of my block.  

That's 96 HST per block and there are 36 blocks, so 3456 HST!!!  

If I had to draw lines on all of those I would be driving further down the road to crazy.  

If you need your own Clearly Perfect, 

go visit my friend, Cori's shop (Crazy Quilt Girl Fabric Shop) and pick one up.  

You can get the Bloc Loc and the Clearly Perfect at the same time and save on shipping too.  

I will have a finish to share with you all tomorrow too.

What are some of your favorite "must have" notions?

~XOP~

Quilty Goals For The Year and Month

I work with some wonderful women that I also sew with. 

 There are 3 of them.  

Usually, once a year we actually gather at one of the houses and sew together.  

Mostly we just talk about sewing and fabric throughout each day. 

 It's a nice perk of my work.  

We seem to often be talking about how we have so much we *want* to do and never seem to *actually* get all of those things done. 

 So THIS year I decided to make a google doc and have each of us put our yearly goals in it.  

Then I got to thinking that it would be even better to break it down by month.  

Plus the added bonus of getting to achieve smaller, more attainable things.  

So I put in February.  

We all had to list the things we want to try to do this month.  

We change the color on the font when we finish something on the list. 

 I will be linking this post up with the One Monthly Goal post over at Elm Street Quilts too.

Here is my list:

Put top together for one of these

JR QAL, strip quilt or Chubby Chicks

Bind and label Mermaid, Unicorn and T baby quilts

Sew 2 scrappy Triangle blocks

Bee Blocks for February

Sew 1 OW block

As you can see, I was able to finish my bee blocks for February and 

sew one more Ocean Waves block.  

We had to make flowers for our bee blocks.

This is block 19/36 of my Ocean Waves blocks.

So as you can also see I have put these in blue to denote that they are finished.

For my One Monthly Goal I am going to use the put the 

Jelly Roll/Strip/Chubby Chick quilt top together.  

Not all three, just one of the three.  

It kind of depends on which one I can put my hands on first, LOL. 

I am thinking that Chubby Chicks would be fun, since 

there seem to be so many babies around as of late.

I think the chicks are all finished.  I need to find the box and check.

So on to getting stuff done!

I am pretty competitive so this should be fun.

I did tell them there would be prizes, so one of them needs to win this month!

How do you handle being productive?

~XOP~

WIPs With Friends

Wow, crazy Michigan weather over here.  

It was almost 50 on the weekend and on Monday we got 3" of snow!  

What the heck, Michigan?

I had a super busy weekend (well really what weekend isn't when you work?)

I *finally* had time to take all the Christmas decorations down and put them away.  

I think that must be some kind of record for me, letting it go on so long.  

The health issues of my son took over the 2 free weekends I did have until now.  

Did laundry, grocery shopping, cooking (the usual).  

Took laundry over to my son's house and ended up spending the evening with him.  

Then made him some dinner so went back on Sunday to deliver that.  

Anyway, I did manage to sneak in a bit of sewing too.  

Not much mind you, just enough to keep me sane, LOL.  

I saw this big goofball when I was visiting my son too.  

She is starting to get a little bit gray around her muzzle.  

I had some Bee blocks that I needed to get made so I got right on that.  

The free pattern is a modern heart by Threaded Quilting Studio.  

It is paper pieced. 

If you have never done paper piecing this would be a great one to start with.  

It was super easy and she even tells you what size to cut everything 

(although I cut the strips slightly longer and that worked better for me).

We were supposed to make 2 that were dark gray background and the heart was to be low volume. 

 I made my 2 then made a "reverse" one.  

I did this in a previous bee and she used it in the quilt and it really made the quilt.  

We will see if our lead person decides to use it or not.  

If not, maybe as a label?

Then I had to decide what I wanted to work on next.  

I have a LOT of WIPs and thought I might work on the ones that are the closest to being finished, 

but I really just wanted some mindless sewing.  

I chose to work on some Ocean Waves blocks. 

 I managed to sew up 3 more and sewed and trimmed enough HST to make 2 more!

I am officially half way now!  I have 18 of these blocks made. 

 I am anxious to make some more. 

 Sewing HST really is quite mindless sewing and so is trimming

 (using my trusty Bloc-Loc ruler).

So, I will link up with Sew Fresh Quilts and I ask you to link up on this blog with your WIPs.

~XOP~

An InLinkz Link-up

Ocean Waves QAL Check In

I know you think I have not had time to work on this but I have!  

Last night I made one more block. 

 I have a total of 10 blocks finished.  

Only 26 more to go!  

Here is my latest block.

I am finding that each block (after the HST are sewn and trimmed) takes me about 2 hours to make.

I have one more set of HST all sewn and trimmed and ready to put together.

I have to take a break after that to work on the fishy baby quilt.  

I also have another chenille baby blanket to make for a baby shower.

THEN I can get back to the Ocean Waves blocks.

I am finding that I am really enjoying the process and working on my precision.

Hallie has become my new sewing buddy.  She is overweight and uses my chair as a step to get up to the table.  She does not like to lay down so I have to coax her, but once there she is fine.

I bought a new mouse to use with my lap top.  I thought it was funny to see her with her head on it.

How are you progressing on your OW blocks?  

I would love for you to link up here and show everyone your progress.  

Use the blue Inlinkz button to link up

If you are using IG then use the #oceanwavesQAL

Happy Sewing!

~XOP~

An InLinkz Link-up

WIPs With Friends

I can't say I have much new that I am working on as I was on vacation all week last week.  

We got home on Saturday and I did some sewing on Sunday though. 

 I am working my way through the Ocean Waves quilt but have to stop to work on a baby quilt. 

 Here is my latest OW block.

 The pattern I am using for the baby quilt is called Folksy Fish, by No Hats  

I love Sarah's pattern but this fish was VERY time consuming!  

The paper piecing was what paper piecing is and even though it takes time it is not really difficult.  The curved piecing on top of the paper piecing though was KILLER! 

 I don't have a lot of curved piecing experience so hopefully it gets easier!  

I love how this fish turned out though.  

The 8 x 10 block took me just over 5 hours to complete.

My plan is to make more of the fish in various shades of blues and greens.  

I plan to use lots of low volume prints to make the "water".  

I will be making some pieced water blocks and have a little more negative space in the quilt.  

  If I find out the baby's name (ahem, hint, hint) 

I have an adorable paper pieced alphabet that I could put his name on the quilt.  

I think I would really love that.  

I'm not sure how many fish I will end up making.  

There are 8 different fish with each one facing left and right (so 16 total).  

I'm a sucker so will most likely end up making them all and then adding the water and name.  

I am linking up with Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts too.

Your turn.  What are you working on?  Take a minute and link up using the blue Inlinkz button.  If you blog about the link up please link back to this post.

~XOP~

An InLinkz Link-up

Ocean Waves QAL Check In

How are you coming along on your Ocean Waves quilt??  

I managed to get 9 blocks completed so far!  

That means I am 1/4 of the way done!  

Are you enjoying the process?  

I sure am. 

 I am trying to sew three blocks worth of HST at one time when I get a chance to work on them.  

Then I press and trim.  

I like to assemble four quarters of each block next.

Finally I put the quarters together into one block.  It feels so good to be making progress on this quilt.

I am re-watching the series 24 while I am stitching.

Falling in love with Jack Bauer all over again!

What do you watch when you are sewing?

I'm always looking for new series.

I'm afraid my progress will be coming to a halt as I have yet one more baby quilt to work on.

The pattern is one that I have wanted to make for some time.

It is called Folksy Fish. 

More on that later, but for now please share your progress.

We can all use some encouragement on our Ocean Waves project.

For me it is 9 down, 27 to go!

If you want to join in, please go to the Ocean Waves QAL tutorial page under my header.

If you are playing along, please link back so others can join us!

Please link up using the blue inlinkz button.

If sharing on social media please use #OceanWavesQAL

~XOP~

An InLinkz Link-up