A Mystery and Now Some Checks

I've been doing some early morning sewing each day and loving it!  Today I started the This & That Monday Mystery.  It started a few weeks ago, and even though I had just been following along, it did not take long for me to catch up.  Besides, I can never say no to pumpkins!

I did switch it up a bit by using a dark background rather than a light.   I can't wait to see what is next for this little quilt.  It isn't too late to start!

I got one set of the strips cut and sewn back together again.  I won't be able to show you what exactly I'm going to do with this just yet, but I do like the way it looks so far! ;)  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Lots and Lots of Strips

I spent part of my day sewing some strips together.  The best part of that kind of sewing is that it is mindless and quick.

Tomorrow these will be cut into strips crosswise and then sewn together again.  Funny sometimes the things we sew together, cut again, and then once again sew together. :)  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Sewing Sunday

I love productive days and today has been one of them.  Now that I have this pieced I'm trying to decide if I should start quilting it, or since the piecing is going well do I continue to piece something else?  I thought I'd take a little break and show you my progress for today.

I was not so sure about my fabric choices once I started working on the rail fence blocks, but I'm very happy with them now (Simply Style from Moda).  I loved working on the stars, they went together easily with perfect points (I'm certain that is because of the pattern and cutting instructions).

I always love a pattern that doesn't have a ton of  fabric scraps left over and this Schnibbles called Lincoln by Carrie Nelson leaves only 12 charms unused, which in my book is perfect.  I'm thinking that basting will be in order in another couple of hours.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

I'm Seeing Stars

Last evening I finally had a few minutes to sit down and sew and what fun it was!  These five stars went together quickly and the rest should be easily pieced later today.

I have a list of movies a mile long I want to watch/list to while I work which should make for a lot of time in the sewing room.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Design Wall Monday

My design wall is actually my small cutting mat today.  I spent a little time yesterday cutting pieces for the Lincoln Schibble.  Truth be told, I actually spent more time choosing the fabrics than I did cutting, and I have a long way to go on the cutting.

I thought I'd try some cooler colors during all this summer heat we've been experiencing.  Hopefully there will be some more cutting progress soon.  Happy Stitching!!

Kristen

PIN IT!

There is a new blog hop sign up starting today for pin cushions.  You can get all the details here...and as always there are prizes!!!

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More exciting news is I get to cheer everyone on!!!  So hop on over to Madame Samm's and get all the info because we all know pincushions are SEW fun to make! :)

It Is Finally Finished!

I took some time to finally figure out how to use the Binding Tool and I am so glad I did.  I've messed up many a binding trying to use it, but this time I sat with my Kindle next to the cutting table and sewing machine and worked right along with the video.  The Binding Tool was a daily special one day at the Missouri Quilt Company which was the nudge I needed to try it.  It works perfectly once you figure it out and Jenny's YouTube video is great!

I am so happy with the way this turned out.  I kept trying to figure out different ways to quilt this one and with all the piecing I decided to just enhance it with quilting in the ditch.  One good thing about quilting your own quilts is you can see where you did everything right and also where there is room for improvement.  There are 228 pieces in this 16 by 21 inch quilt.  :)  Funny how a finish can inspire the desire to start another.  Happy Stitching!!

Kristen

If At First You Don't Succeed....Tear, Tear Again!

In my excitement for getting the first 188 pieces together I did not notice that the star points had a little problem.  Imagine my disappointment when I looked at it and noticed that there was an error on my part that required quite a lot of seam removal, replacement of pieces, and eventually some resewing.

All the triangles are now coming out from the middle to the edges in the right direction...and I could sleep last night after getting it all back together (I should say at 2:30 a.m. this morning).  Now to get the borders on and get to work quilting this.  Not all is lost, I always, always, always learn from my mistakes (whether I want to or not!)  :)  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Odd Fellows Chain

It all started Saturday when I found a quilt kit I had purchase a few years back.  It had no pattern with it, just a block name, Odd Fellows Chain, which meant I must have known I had the pattern at home.  The search began and after about a half hour of searching I decided to do a Google search.  Sure enough I found two versions of this, and don't you know it was the more detailed one that I needed to make.  I also realized that Lori Smith had a pattern for this block (Fat Quarter Quilting: Twenty Little Fat Quarters), and since there were so many fabrics in my kit that had to be the pattern to use.

I didn't realize there were 188 pieces for this block, I just liked it so I started cutting, and cutting, and cutting.  I had to use my design wall because there were just too many little pieces..and if I didn't keep them all in the right spot, there would be a portion that wouldn't be turned right (it happened anyway, but I'm just sure I avoided a major catastrophe).

This is 16-1/2 inches so far, I have another two borders to add to the top and bottom.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Still Sewing Everyday In July

I have actually been sewing everyday so far in July.  I am surprised that I have kept up with it, but I am also realizing that it is something that I love to do, and when I make time for it, I am a much happier person.

The two firecracker guys were finished yesterday.  I found the pattern at Creative Breathing and had a lot of input from my son and husband.  They decided these firecrackers should have a top hat  and a fuse to light.  Since they actually showed some interest, I figured I should oblige them.  They were so fun to make I'm thinking about another felt project...

This little quilt was a kit from Country Threads called Star Spangled Itty Bitty Quilt.  It is small, being only 10 by 12 inches and it uses the little flag, but you know, I had such a fun time with it.  Being that it is so small I felt like I could do some experimenting with stitches (I used a triple blanket stitch around the star, and I free motion quilted some waves in the red stripes).

I also got up the nerve to free motion quilt little stars in the corner blocks (I used my walking foot for these so I could keep my lines straight).

I added some diagonal stitching in the stars.  The best part of making sure I sew something each day...

I am making myself try something that I may not be comfortable trying on a larger quilt.  With a small one I can move it around easily, and if it turns out really terrible I can take it out quickly or just leave it and not worry about it (I did take out two of the corner stars and redo them).

I now have three finished projects to help celebrate the fourth in years to come and I see quilts in my future that are not all stippled or quilted in the ditch!  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Stamp It Up And I'm So Sorry

It is time for another blog hop with Madame Samm and Thearica leading the way.  Unfortunately, I somehow got the dates messed up and missed my posting time last night.  I'm so sorry if you are coming back here today because of my mistake.  Please accept my apology and know that I am truly sorry for the mix up.

Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes and 10 million snowflakes.  If you go anywhere in Minnesota you are probably going to find at least one lake, and I'm not kidding!  The lakes are beautiful and they have a lot of wildlife with them.  It is definitely a beautiful state to live in.  I am realizing now the "stamp" edges are kind of hard to see on this photo, and I spent so much time trying to get them all lined up and spaced correctly.

I used the Accuquilt GO! for the snowflakes, the Cricut to cut the letters, and a LOT of Heat n Bond.

Again, I apologize for missing my day, but please check out the other participant's stamp creations.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

July 3

More Stars in Comanche

Dachsies With Moxie

NotionNanny

 13 Woodhouse Road

Heikesquilt’

Traveling Quilter

Jackie’s Art Quilts

What About Rheema?

From This to That

Sew We Quilt

I'm Back And I'm Going To Be Ready for Christmas!!!

There is no way I am ready for Christmas, but if I start now, I may just be prepared this year.  Besides, there is always a "Christmas in July" somewhere.  I'm hoping to finish up a few projects I've started so they are ready to go when it is time to start decorating.  I'm also going to try to sew every single day in July, maybe finishing something, maybe not, but with that goal I should see at least some progress on a few projects that have been sitting for a while.

My son has begged me to make these felt sports ornaments for a while now, and the soccer ball is finished.  I'm actually amazed at how my real tree outside kind of looks fake, but it is definitely alive and overgrown.  :)

My family has driven over 3800 miles in the month of June.  We have traveled to basketball camps and cabins and I think we are ready to stay home.  I normally fill my car with gas once to twice a month so to say this was a huge stretch for us is an understatement.  The good thing is I got to spend a lot of time talking to my son, enjoying his company, and dreaming about the future.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen