Dutch Sailboat, Friday Finishes, and a Winner

I've been a little worried about this sailboat block today.  There are a lot of pieces for an 8-inch block, and I had to cut one differently than listed on the measurements.

It is a cute block when finished, but I wouldn't make a whole quilt with nothing but this block.  This is block number 202 of 366.

The first finish today is the five year scarf.  Blocking it was worth it.  The edges are straight and even, the stitches look better, and it is ready to wear when those soccer games start in a few weeks and run into the cool evenings/Saturdays of October.

The You Are My Sunshine stitching is now a pillow.  I used the flange technique I learned in Darlene Zimmerman's class a couple of weeks ago.  I'm really happy with how it turned out, and I realized that I do not have to be afraid of some of these techniques.  Course it always helps to take a class or see a video to know exactly how to do them.

Last but not least is the miniature tumbler quilt.  I worked on quilting this until 2:30 this morning and then got up bright and early to finish it.  I figured out that if I counted the stitches from the top of the tumbler and then across it worked better than trying to eyeball it.  I used my walking foot and outlined each piece in the ditch.  It got the sign of approval from my son who informed me that he would like a bed sized quilt made of these blocks.  As this quilt is 15-1/2 by 15-3/4 inches, I think I had better get to work on his sooner than later. :)  

And now for the winner of the McCall's Quilting Magazine subscription.  I wish this was available to everyone, but not to worry, there will be more giveaways and soon.  The winner was Carly.  Congratulations Carly, I've sent you an email.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Ocean Waves and Summer 9-Patch Quilt Along

Boy the day got away from me.  It was a beautiful evening which meant I spent time on the swing stitching and dinner was late.  But that is okay, we have to enjoy these types of evenings because they are few and far between in Minnesota.  Seriously, soon we will be looking for the winter coats and longing for days like this.

This block is a five minute block.  It is eight inches and is number 201 of 366.  

I was thinking tonight, if I continue to make 10 blocks a week and work for six more weeks, I will have another 60 nine patch blocks.  There is still plenty of time to start, and of course we can always work past Labor Day. :)  Link up if you have some 9-patch blocks to show.  There has been a lot of progress on the Meadowbrook facebook page also.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Waves Of The Sea--Number 200!!!

I seem to remember a few days ago making a block like today's, although bigger, and then saying that I had found a miniature quilt made from this block and that I wanted to start it.  Thank goodness I didn't because I made it through today's and I've had enough.  I'm wondering if the miniature tumbler blocks did me in yesterday or if it was the 1-7/8" half-square triangles today.  I've put that magazine away and I'm moving on to tomorrow.

This is block number 200 of 366 and it is an 8-inch block.  There are more blocks finished then there are to do, and 200 was a major goal for me.

This is another bit of fun I had today.  I've never blocked anything this long before AND I realized I had some trouble while casting off, as in it was a bit tight.  I am thinking that blocking it will help with that tight edge, but it took a long time to get it straight, like I'm talking hours.  It isn't quite dry yet, and then as I was watching yet another video on blocking I realized I'm going to have to do this again the next time I wash it.  It may be a long time before the next washing.  I'm just sure it will all be worth it.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Sailboats And A Mini Tumbler Start

Today was one of those days that I love.  You know, you wake up really early because you have this great idea, you work on it for a while, go back to bed and then get up for the day and work on it until it is completely pieced.  It was too hot to be outside if you weren't in the pool anyway, so why not spend the day doing something really fun (obviously I had the day off of work today).

I finally got my design wall cleaned off enough to use.  I will admit that I was working with pieces that are about 1 inch which means that I didn't have to clean it all off, I just needed a spot to work.  It did, however, really help to use my design wall to get the pieces in the correct order while doing the rows.  This isn't all of it, I cut a total of 208 tumbler pieces, and I used my left over scraps from my 9-patches.  I knew I had saved those for a good reason.  I'm hoping to get this quilted tomorrow and be able to show it with my 9-patches on Thursday.

Today's block was easy and used little pieces also.  I love that the name of the block is sailboats (this doesn't look much like the other sailboat blocks I've made so far, but I'll go with it).  This is a 6-inch block and is number 199 of 366.  I'm linking with Fabric Tuesday and Quilting By the River.  Don't forget to enter the McCall's Quilting Magazine subscription giveaway.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Port and Starboard

First off, I apologize for all the "updates" today.  I was trying to figure out the collage at the top and it took me a bit.  I think I should be good for a while now. :)  Today's block is all half-square triangles which made the end of a really bad day good.  I have a feeling I will be dreaming about a quilt made of nothing but half-square triangles that are about an inch finished.

I was going to do this in red, white, and blue, but I'm so happy I changed my mind.  I love pink and green together...see why I think I will be dreaming about these?  This is an 8-inch block and is number 198 of 366.  That 200th block is so close...I'm linking with Design Wall Monday and Manic Monday.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Lost Ship

Today after finishing this block I was looking in the Quiltmaker's Small Quilts magazine from two years ago (so it takes me a while to get to them sometimes), and I found a small quilt made with this same block only they are 4 inches finished instead of 12.  I'm thinking I'm just going to have to try it.

I really like this one on point, and it is all half-square triangles which means it sews up quickly.  I really think tomorrow may have to be the day for that small quilt.  This is block number 197 of 366.

Stash Report....

Used this week:  0
Used year to date:  7.5 yards
Added to this week:  5 yards
Added to year to date: 105.00 yards
Net used for 2012:  -98.25 


Yes I added to my stash this week.  I finished the world's longest scarf today because I couldn't sleep last night and just kept knitting until I couldn't see the stitches any longer...maybe I should add my yarn to my stash report...then I'd have something to show for all my hard work this week.  :)  Course that would open up a whole other can of worms.  I'm sticking to just the fabric.  I will show my scarf after I have it blocked.


Don't forget to enter the giveaway for the year's subscription for McCall's magazine here.  If you are reading this far I will give you another chance to win, just let me know you are a follower on that same posting.  There are more 9-patches on the Meadowbrook facebook page too!!   I'm linking with Judy for my stash report.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Sailboat, FNSI Finish, and a Giveaway

Today's block is simple, but sweet.  I actually like this one and it would make a really cute, but small pillow.

This is an 8-inch block and number 196/366.  It just makes me wish we were at the lake, not in it, but at it. :)

Here is my FNSI finish.  I started this a week ago and it was nice to get the stitching completed, now to finish it (maybe tomorrow?).  The pattern is "You Are My Sunshine" by Country Cottage Needleworks.  I'm going to have to redo the mouth on the sun.  I changed it from the pattern and I need to rework it.  I used to sing this song endlessly to my son when he was little.

Now for the giveaway.  I received my new McCall's Quilting magazine today, and if I renew my subscription, I can give another one-year subscription to a friend.  So, I figured I would give it to one of you.  Leave me a comment about what is your favorite summer vacation, if you don't have one, give me your dream vacation.  I will draw for the subscription on Friday, July 20, and unfortunately this is only available to readers in the United States.  Make sure you check out the Meadowbrook facebook page as more 9-patch blocks are showing up!! :)  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen