Finish It Friday

I just realized that I have several finishes from Christmas that I did not share!  

I tried to make something handmade for my family. 

 I got most of them.  

I couldn't show them before they were gifted so I forgot about them!  

I will share now.

First up, I did some pattern testing for Unicornhearts of this snake block.  

I made this little wall hanging to mimic my daughter's snake named Clove that is brown and gold.  The border is my own idea and I love how it came out!  

I hand quilted using pearl cotton, around the snake and I have to say I love it.  

I put those little hanging triangles in the upper corners so they could hang it on a wall too.  

  

I think she liked it.  

Although I'm not so sure about my SIL.  

I don't think he likes snakes much.

VERY last minute I decided I wanted to make pillow covers (which I put over pillow inserts). 

I wanted to make one of my daughter's cat and her boyfriend's dog.  

Max is a Border Collie. 

 I like to look for coloring book pages and translate those into applique.  

Isn't this dog so cute?  

I added some fabric that says Made with love, and a couple of cat fabrics to Max's pillow. 

 I quilted the front in a cross hatch design.

Next up was Mitch, the cat. 

 I used the same Made with love fabric on one of the squares and used several fabrics that I had used in her sister's wedding quilt.  

I quilted this with wavy lines. 

 I used Essex Yarn Dyed Linen, steel I think, for the backgrounds.

This was when I gifted these at Christmas time.

Same daughter asked me if I would make golf club covers. 

 HUH??  

 I guess I can do that.  

Then the fun of trying to find a pattern began.

  I finally found something both her boyfriend liked and I thought I could manage, but it was written by a guy and his directions were awful!  

Then said boyfriend wanted very specific colored fabric, tweed to be exact. 

 I took many photos at JAF and we finally agreed on one.  

Here they are, and he was very pleased with them!

Front

Back

I used fleece as the lining.  

She had asked us for a splatter guard and he thought it was hilarious to use it with his golf club cover like a hot mitt.  

smh.

Next up was a fish quilt for my husband.  

I still need some better photos of this quilt, but I was so very pleased with how it came out.

I used a golden retriever flannel for the backing.

I had it quilted with fishing flies.

That just left my son. 

 He was feeling a little left out as there was no gift for him.  

Technically he was not the only one as I did not make anything for my SIL,

 but the snake wallhanging was for both of them. 

 Little did my son know that he would be receiving his quilt the day after Christmas, for his birthday.  He has been asking and asking for a Detroit Sports Quilt so that's what I made. 

 He LOVES it!

I put gray Minky on the back.

While I realize that I have shown some of these at Christmas 

I did not specifically list them as finishes. 

 I would like to link up with Crazy Mom Quilts Finish It Friday and share all these finishes.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

~XOP~

Fish Quilt Progress

I was determined that this past weekend I would make good progress (if not finish) the fish quilt top.  I only had a few of the blocks made but midway through Sunday I had all the blocks made

 and up on my design wall.

I still needed to put in the sashing at this point.  

My thoughts were, "well, you could do the in-between sashing."  

So I added that.

And how much more time would it take to put the long sashing strips in?  

Surely you could join the rows now.

Hey, as long as you are this far may as well finish it up and put the outer borders on.

Somewhere around 11pm I managed to have the top finished, the batting cut and the backing pieced and ready to bring to the quilter on Tuesday! 

 It was too dark to get a photo and I had a class last night that got me 

home around 10pm so this is the best I have right here. 

 The backing is a cream flannel with golden retrievers on it 

(they look a lot like Abbey, our dog).

I am dropping this off with Kathy at Thread Bear Quilting today!!

My plan is to her her quilt Fly lures all over it.

This is an Anne Bright pattern.

One more Christmas present almost finished!!

More about the amazing class I took tomorrow during WIPs With Friends.

~XOP~

WIPs With Friends

If its Wednesday, it must be time to share our WIPs!  I finished the fox top and am moving on.

 Now I have to decide how I want it quilted.  Here are the three I narrowed it down to.  

Help me choose.  they are all overall designs. 

 I will not have her quilt over the fox, just outline him.

I have begun the fish quilt for my husband also.  

I cut the sashing incorrectly (big surprise there) but did not have any more of that fabric, of course.  

I bought it at retreat and bought all they had.  

I had cut the selvedge off but discarded it recently thinking I didn't need it any longer.  

Oh, man, now I had to rely on my old memory to come up with it.  

Well, guess what??  

I actually remembered!!! AND, I actually was able to find some online and I ordered it!!!  

So I did get some of the blocks made and this is what I have so far.  

I wasn't very excited about putting this together but now that I am working on it the blocks are coming out kind of cool.

Additionally I finished up my 2 October bee blocks.  

They look like one giant block in the photo but they are really 2.

Gratuitous photo of Finn and what are you working on??  

Link up and share with us.  

~XOP~

An InLinkz Link-up

WIPs With Friends

As you know I have been on vacation and I will post all about the fabulous time we had while we were gone but down to quilty business first. 

 I worked on absolutely nothing while I was gone!  

Both good and bad right?  

I managed to get just a few squares cut out for the fish quilt on Sunday.  Honestly I was exhausted.  We drove for over 5 hours on Sunday after driving for over 10 hours on Saturday.  

We dropped the camper off at the farm and headed home around 5pm and then there was still unpacking and laundry to work on. 

I did all the unpacking and started the laundry then I wanted some time in my sewing room.

As you can see even Cole was exhausted!  

The kittens NEVER come in my sewing room and lay right down, but he was pooped!

This is a photo of the fish fabric mess I am working on taming into blocks 

for another Ob-La-Di quilt.  

On Monday my daughter asked me to come over and help her tube feed her male peacock Des.  Apparently this silly bird has eaten too many rocks and got dehydrated.  

I had to hold him and stretch his neck up while 

she put the tube with the food and liquid down into his crop.  

Ahhh fun times at the farm!

So except for my trip, that's all I have to report.  

Work is crazy busy upon my return, keeping me away from my computer and posting before today.

Your turn!  What are you working on?  I need some inspiration!!!

~XOP~

An InLinkz Link-up

Fold and Sew Square in a Square Block Tutorial

A friend of mine showed me how to make this neat little block using

 a layer cake square (10" square) and a charm square (5" square).  

Apparently there is a whole host of "fold and sew" quilt blocks out there.  

 Who knew?  

I am thinking that Handicrafts by Peg may be the originator of this technique?

If not she certainly had a LOT of cool fold and sew blocks!

Go and check her site out!!

I don't know about you but I am always looking for quick and easy donation quilts to make up. 

 When my friend showed me this block, BINGO, quick and easy donation quilt! 

 Then I started thinking about it and it is also an excellent way to make a quick lap quilt. 

 I have this fish fabric hanging around that both my husband and my daughter would like. 

 I need a new lap quilt for him and she is always wanting whatever quilts I make. 

 I have not had much time to work on it but I did get a block or two made. 

Once these wedding/grad quilts are finished I hope to have time for some selfish sewing

Let's get started.  For each block you will need one 10" square and one 5" square.  

Place your 10" square face up and your 5" square also face up on top of your 10" square. 

 I like to vary the placement of each charm as then I don't have to match up seams 

when I sew the blocks together. 

 Just don't place it too close to the edge.

Next you will fold in the two sides.  

They will NOT meet in the center.  

I used a Hera marker and my ruler to make a crease to fold on.  

I placed my ruler on top of the charm and lined up the right edge of my ruler with the right edge of the charm making sure the charm was straight 

by checking the ruler markings on the top and bottom edges of the 10" square.  

(I forgot to take a photo, but if you need one tell me and 

I will take one on another square and edit this).  

I ran the Hera marker along the edge of the ruler from the bottom of the 10" square to the top.  

This makes a great creased line to fold on!

I used the marker as the fold line needs to be butted up to the 5" square.  

Using the marker to make a crease made sure it was exact.  

Once you have creased and folded both sides, press the folds.

Take your folded piece to your sewing machine and sew 1/4" from your folded edge. 

Press the sewn edges open. 

Turn your square and fold in the other two sides the same way you did the first two and 

stitch along the folded edge.  

Just like you did for the first 2 folds.

You can see all the edges are sewn in this photo.

 This is what it will look like on the back of your block when it is all pressed open.

As you can see all your seams are enclosed!  

Trim your block to 8.5"

Ta-Da, here is your finished block!  How easy was that?

I hope you enjoyed learning this technique.  I know that I sure did. 

Thanks Pauline for showing me how to do this!!  

I can't wait to make some more fishy blocks for my quilts!!

Please let me know if you make some of these blocks and if you have any questions.

Have a wonderful day!

~XOP~

Looking For Water

I have decided to make a quilt for my daughter's boyfriend.  

He is working on his PhD in fisheries. 

 He LOVES to fish!  

If that guy could make a living fishing I think he would do it!  

So I actually unearthed some fish fabrics that I had collected a LONG time ago and decided I would make one for him and one for my husband (who is actually just as crazy about fishing).  

Next was to think about a pattern or patterns to use to display said fish fabrics. 

 I found a pattern that I really like and think that is what I will use for the one for Carson.  

My issue is that there is a lot of negative space (which I love and will fill with water quilting). 

 I need to find just the right fabric for "water".  

At first I was thinking solid, but I don't want that, too flat I think.  

So I did a LOT of looking around and decided that I want to use fabric from the Moda Grunge line. 

 I have used different Grunges in past quilts and have always been happy with the outcome.  

It is a great neutral fabric without overpowering your design while adding some depth and character.  My issue is which color? 

 I can't see them all in one place and I'n not sure if I can judge them from the photos online. 

 I don't want it too dark or the dark fish fabrics won't show up. 

Daughter tends to the blue/blue-gray pallette.  

Here are the 4 I have it narrowed down to.  

Go here to see Avalanche

Go here to see Blue

Go here to see Ocean

Go here to see Charmed

I am leaning toward Avalanche or Blue but would like some other opinions.

I know it is difficult to decide without seeing the fish fabric, but suffice it to say mostly, greens and browns in all this fishy goodness.  

I will try to get a photo tonight before we have not sun.

I appreciate any and all opinions!

~XOP~