Quilt of Valor in Progress

 Today is the day to tame this pile.  These have been waiting for a trim for almost 6 months now!

This blocked is based on Bonnie Hunter's String X free pattern.   A little modification by adding the gold around the string section.  Gold measures 1 1/2".  I did some cutting for the gold.  The gold is slightly longer with the ends cut on the diagonal flipping a 45 degree ruler back and forth across the length of the strip.

  

Check out how nicely these come together.

This is the second quilt of this style.....check this one out from a couple years back.  This was presented as a Quilt of Valor in 2019.

The colors are reversed and is missing the gold bars.  It is so fun to just sew scraps together, here red or above in blue....those sets get cut down to the 4 1/2” x 10 1/2” chunks as Bonnie’s pattern instructs.  Then......drum roll.......I use the Block Loc ruler to cut the points on ends.  No template to tape to a ruler.  

Fold the scrap section in half lengthwise, slide the Block Loc ruler to the end and trim,  slide it to the other end and trim.  Presto.....the unit needed, now to just add the corner triangles.

This is a great way to decrease those scrap bins!

Happy Quilting,

Just Another Quilter

A Charming Quilt

The tried and true charms came out last January.  These charms are from a swap with Black/White fabric about 6 or so years ago.  Check out the quilt made.  It is incredibly easy.

                                 

Make it look hard and not be hard....and let the fabric do some of the work.

How does the fabric do some of the work? The black/white fabrics were set into 2 piles, dark or light. The block is just a charm with a frame around 2 side

           

So lets back up, why 2 different color bolts through the quilt?  Not enough of either fabric to stick to a single choice.  As this was a retreat quilt, no additional stash available.  These 2 choices made a nice baby quilt for a unknown sex.  Designs choices on the run.  I have been working out of the stash instead of purchasing fabric.  After the piles were separated, the framing went on each.  The final blocks would finish about 6", so a 8 x 11 layout was planned. That means 88 squares.                    
To start, each pile of the light and dark charms had the 2 different frames attached.  I just sat down and sewed for awhile,  made about 15 of each category-dark charm & green border, dark charm & plaid border, light charm & green border, and light charm & plaid border.  That gave me about 60 to play with. 

                                        
It took some time to be happy.  In the end the quilt comes together with light green charm, light plaid charm, dark plaid charm, dark green charm, repeat.  The frames of like fabrics always touch and the like charms always touch.  Each row just steps to the side once.

     

Hope you enjoy.  It was a fast, easy and fun one to make.  Make those quilts have complexity visually....not necessarily in the construction.

For the quilting nothing more than a loop on the top side of a wavy line here and there as you go across the quilt.  This fast and easy pattern keeps light quilting, just what a baby needs.

Happy Stitching,
Just Another Quilter, Jane

Finish it Up Friday-April 21st

There has been lots of sewing going on here. The Snappy Pink Lemonade quilt is done.

The quilting included some ruler work. The addition of a larger ruler base bed purchased by DH helps tremendously. This is the first ruler work that I felt comfortable performing.

It was the easier part of the quilt.  The coin sections have different styles of "feathers".  You can see the fern ones here. Nothing special but just what that space needed.

These fronds are rather fun.

The back is this soft flannel that has lived in the stash a very long time. 

 MJJR graduates in a month. Her top is done but not quilted. The back fabric was washed today.  Time to get up and check off some of the daunting task.  Most of the invitations are out.  The food and cake still need to be ordered.

Another graduate has asked for help with her T-shirt quilt. It contains many memories and it was exciting to help pull it all together.   I think fleece on the back in college colors will work great. The top should be together next time.

Check out what else is going on in the quilty world.  Visit Crazy Mom Quilts, Can I Get a Whoop Whoop and Busy Hands Quilts

Happy Sewing,
Just Another Quilter

A Snowy Design Wall Monday-Monday, March 13

We have received a significant amount of snow in the last 18 hours.  The start of 2017 has been dry and February was down right warm.  We ended up with about 5" of snow since last night.  It doesn't look like it will last too long.

The lake is looking cold and frigid.  Momma goose has been working on her nest, but she isn't sitting yet, good thing.

The geese are just a little out of their element.  They were hanging out by the road and look funny walking through the snow.  One of them has ice hanging from the beak.

We will see what this weather does for DH's trip to DC.  He was scheduled to leave this morning....his flight was canceled.  He has another flight tomorrow morning.  I think he will drive to Chicago today and drive home tomorrow.  No one will cancel anything yet.

Here is the design wall this morning. The center applique needs to be trimmed down yet.  I think some peachy leaf "things"might still be added to the center area.  The rest is together.  The body of the quilt has an inner border of white and you can see the dark burgundy going for the outer border.  The outer green is actually the quilt hanging in the sewing room acting as a design wall at the moment.  That is not part of the quilt.  The fabric below is the outer border.  All of the fabric above was found in the sew room....the print below was a visit to the LQS on Saturday.  It has been washed and cut.  The binding is done......hopefully it will make it to the machine Tuesday or Wednesday.

MJJR has an indoor track meet about 1hour away.  Lola and I are heading off to watch.  This is the first year MJJR has gone out for track.  She caught her spikes on her first race....tore all the skin off her hip and forearm.  Needed to spot treat the jersey.  Hopefully tonight will be less eventful.  She didn't wear her spikes after her spill last week and she has yet to practice in them due to weather conditions.  Maybe she can work on it before her races today.

Linking up the Judy L. and Oh Scrap!

Happy Quilting,

Just Another Quilter

Finish IT UP Friday

Life has been busy here in the Midwest.  Lots of sewing.  DH has done much traveling for work. Our life really needs to be flexible.  Not to say it is bad....Life is GOOD, but the big things in life right now seem up in the air. 

What is UP in the air....DH job (has settled since December), where is Lola living in 2 months (not where she currently does, graduates college), MJJR will not be living here in August (off to college) just to name a couple of the big ones.  DH has done some major traveling in 2017-Atlanta, Chicago, DC, and Capetown, South Africa.  I am holding down the fort.  Here in a couple weeks DH begins the busy season.

The "girls" are both graduating, college and high school, one week apart!  Family is driving 4 hours for Lola's graduation, then back home, just to drive 5 1/2 hours to watch MJJR graduate the following weekend.  Lola's move is in there.  Baccalaureate ceremony is just 1 day after Lola's ceremony. 

So with some graduations, come some quilts for the graduates. 

Here is the latest graduate finish.  It is going to a basketball player that is so kind and precious!

This is a Charm square friendly quilt by Tamarack Shack,  Four Patch Charm.  This link has a little tutorial.  Kathy also shows where her inspiration came from.  I really enjoy this blog.  Tamarack Shack is located on the shores of Schist Lake, in Northern Manitoba.  Kathy is a longarm quilter.  You get to see many great quilts along with beautiful scenery.  Most days I am happy to look at her frozen lake vs. mine.  You can see the water behind this quilt.  The sugar maple on the right is just starting to bud out.  If your eyes cannot see it, my allergies will confirm it.

The next project is started....a repeat of an earlier quilt.  The Caribbean Blue Sea now lives in the Chicago area with our great niece (not a 2013 grad as planned, the recipient decided not to come to the graduation party-her loss).  A replica is now going to show off the applique for a presentation in July.  This time pink/rose/peaches.  Do you think it might get a "Design Wall Monday"???

Check out others work at Crazy Mom Quilts.

Happy Quilting

Just Another Quilter

Last Minute Finishes

The year is quickly coming to an end.  The quilting that was done isn't always seen here.  We have neighbors with new babies.   So far all new babies in the neighborhood receive a quilt close to birth.  These are no exception.

The newest one, coming any day, is a girl.  This Fat Quarter Shop quilt is cute and quick.  Charm Box is demonstrated on YouTube by Kimberly.

This is slightly bigger and probably should have added an inner border-yellow or black.  The sides of the outside border were already on and cut to size before the thought crossed my mind.

The second quilt is for another neighbor.  This one you guys checked out in progress earlier.  This quilt is the Cozy Quilt Design Strip Club-Blurred Lines.  Here is the YouTube video.  No measurements given except 2 1/2" strips.  The accent pieces are probably larger in this quilt than the original.  The baby boy's dad is a veteran and the fabric is leftover from my stepdad's QOV.

Thanks for stopping by in 2016.  Next year will have some monumental moments.  MJJR graduates from high school.  Lola will graduate from college.  DH will hopefully retire.  That leaves us free as a  bird as our nest will be empty.  Some of the long time blogging buddies, I may be in your part of the country/world.......

Happy New Year

Just Another Quilter

Finish It Up Friday

This is the last of the Friday for 2016.  I have a few finishes for this year that have not been shared.  Here is one.


Here is the beginnings of the quilt a couple years ago.  It is based on the Moda Bake Shop pattern Anasazi Medallion quilt by Shannon Mower.

Now for the finished product.  My step dad is a Vietnam Veteran.  He served our country in the Navy on the USS Myles C. Fox.  He ship was stationed in the Tonkin Gulf.   

The anchors were machine appliquéd down after edges were starched and pressed under.  The patches were found on www.MedalsofAmerica.com except the patch from his ship was found on eBay.  The large center motif is a transfer of a window cling. 

He is a retired railroad yard master.  That means he gets to tell the trains where to go when.  This train fabric is just what the back needed.

I am linking up the Crazy Mom Quilts-Amanda Jean.  Stop over and check out what others have done for 2016.

Keep sewing.  Check back in for a couple more 2016 quilts. 

Just Another Quilter

Design Wall Monday November 14th

Yesterday the finishes to the top was put on the Quilt of Valor quilt I have been working on.  It will go on the long arm tomorrow.  I will show a picture soon.  It is for my step-dad.  Currently it is a surprise.  He is no way will read this.  If mom has it up on her computer, I don't want him to see a picture....he might ask whose quilt.

So, today...picked up the parts and pieces left behind from the Quilt of Valor and started a baby quilt for a neighbor.   The leftovers fit together well.  Her husband is a veteran. They are having a boy.  She has been on bed rest for the last couple months. It might be a quick pattern, but I hope it is just what they need.

YouTube videos have become much of my daily entertainment.  Most of us know of the Missouri Star Quilt Company.  The videos have great instruction and loads of ideas for pre-cuts.  (My  pre-cuts often come from just cutting up scraps.)  Lessons on machine quilting, knitting, applique, and even how to clean the carburetor on your tractor.  DH husband loves to watch all the different things too. 

My newest find is the Strip (2 1/2" inch fabric) Club from Cozy Quilt Designs outside of San Diego.  Many of these patterns can be found in your LQS.  Daniela Stout and her mother work together to bring a new pattern each month based on a jelly roll.  Daniela is a hoot to watch.  Just Love Her Humor.   There is usually 2 quilts in different colors to compare.  Sometimes the audience brings in the quilts that were made from last months pattern.  These patterns make it look hard but not be hard.  Right up my alley. 

This is the start of the Cozy Quilt Designs pattern Blurred Lines.  I estimated on the sizes of the yellow strips.  These sizes aren't given on the videos, however, most of the smaller yellow strips were left from the QOV.  That is how the smaller size was chosen--mine was 1 1/8"--yep really.  The larger yellow strip was cut at 1 3/4".  The sashing and inner border will be white.  The outer border.....Blue or Red.  Will have to see what jumps out of the stash.   Which would you go with? 

Check out other Design Walls at Patchwork Times and Making Monday and Cooking Up Quilts

Just Another Quilter

Finish It Up Friday

Early this summer I finished up a quilt. Thought it was time to share.

This quilt is Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt from 2014-Grand Illusion. It is based on the décor at the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island in Michigan. Mackinaw Island holds a dear place in my heart as I passed near it many times through my college career.

Grand Illusion was completed while Bonnie was in our area back in June.

I decided to go with a slightly smaller version than the original design. My leftover corner parts from the main block were put together and then framed with black prints (5" charms) to make this second piece.  The outer border was found on clearance at Michael's.  This is a top at this point.

 

I am linking up with CrazyMomQuilter.  Stop over and check out some of the great things Amanda Jean is working on.

Keep sewing.
Just Another Quilter

WIP. A Christmas Tradition Quilt

Every year our church has a fabulous open house. One of the rooms is the Silent Auction Room.  This room is pure profit because the church members do a little fall cleaning and bring the items to the church.  Some of the members get together to make a quilt every year. We have been doing this for almost 10 years now. The quilt tends to one of the biggest money makers in the the room.

Here it the progress for this years quilt.  The sashing is borrowed from Canuck Quilter's sashing found in the Quilter's Scrapbook. 

The blocks are done and a couple borders are all that is left before it makes it to the longarm.

These squares started as bonus square leftover from last years quilt that included snow ball blocks.

Visit www.sillymamasewing.com at the  Fall Sewing Link UP! 

Keep sewing!  Just Another Quilter

Finish it Up Friday-Scrappy

Tuesday was my presentation at one of the local guilds. My goal was to finish up a scrappy quilt I was working on as "Using Your Scraps and Stash" was the topic.
Here you can get a little idea of the direction of the quilt.

Here is the pile still waiting for some attention. 

Here is the finished product. The last binding stitches were put in at 4pm. Not much before the 7pm presentation. It feels good to set a goal and achieve it. 

I am linking up with Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts 

Happy Quilting,
Just Another Quilter

Monday's Design Wall Scraps

Next Month I am the featured speaker at a local guild.  I have done some speaking and teaching over the years....but it still makes me a little nervous.  The topic is "Using Your Scraps and Stash".  I love to take the leftovers and make something beautiful.  Inspiration usually comes from on-line photos. 

Scrap quilts usually begin with choosing a unit and a size.  This scrap design began by having leftovers from 2" nine patches.  Many of the strips had a useable chunk of fabric left at the end.  By connecting the chunks together and picking a size.....1 1/4" x 2" the light and dark sides developed into these units.  You can see the brown was added to have them flip flop back and forth.

TheUpsandDownsofQuilting.blogspot.com

These rows will be added to a brown stash fabric.  Applique will be added to the brown sections.  The blue is the bias.  Some flowers and leaves will be added.

TheUpsandDownsofQuilting.blogspot.com

 Always the challenge....is there enough brown.  A border fabric to surround the whole thing to round out the quilt.  Check and see how long this takes.  Deadline...30 days.

I am linking up with Judy L's Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times
and with Cynthia for Oh Scrap!

Heading to the Machine Now!!
Just Another Quilter

Finished it Up on Friday-Quilter's Scrapbook

Finished Up the quilting and binding. Here's the quilt.

After some car rides last weekend, the binding is done just in time for Bonnie Hunter to see it for Show and Share.

The Quilter's Scrapbook pattern is designed by Canuck Quilter.  I just love looking at all the pieces. It brings back all the quilts given to loved ones over the years. This quilt top is a from 2012. I just might have to make a new one with all the current leftovers.
This quilt gave some practice on the long arm.  The spiral designs turned out great. a different design in each block.

 These spirals are so forgiving.

 There is some straight line ruler work in the quilt.  The lines aren't straight. No pictures. No proof.

 Always something different to try.  Those corner loops were just added to bring the design into the corner better.

This is my youngest in the house.  She arrived in January 2015.  She left a house a full house where she couldn't get along with her brother and sisters.  Here she is the Queen.  She loves to sleep while I sew.  She took a quick nap in the sun while I took the few pictures.  She found the spot and was all cozy while the block pictures were taken.

Linking Up with Amanda Jean and Finish It Up Friday

and with Shannon at Modern Traditions Quilts-Keep It Simple & Make It Fun

Happy Quilting,

Just Another Quilter 

Scraptastic Tuesday

Yesterday the last stitch was put in the binding. The sleeve was put on and hung up in the sew room. Late last night. It looks great in there. Enjoyed a little Netflix while it was hanging last night.

I didn't take a picture in natural light before it was hung.....so this morning down it came. The sun was beautiful this morning. 

It was quilted on the long arm, which I still am growing accustomed to. Since the quilt was going in my sew room I decided that it was an opportunity to practice some new designs. The quilt was sectioned off with double lines and loops. Each section has a different pattern. It gives some practice without a huge commitment. 

The quilt is made with blocks cut with the Accuquilt drunkards path block and 5" batik squares. The 5" squares are from the guild fabric exchange in February 2015. 

Check out the other projects at Connie's Linky Tuesday and with Mrs Sew & Sow Scraptastic Tuesday.

Happy Quilting,
Just Another Quilter

A Spring Green Finish

Recently I was asked to donate a quilt for a fundraiser for an organization at my husbands work.  Currently there are no quilts that are set aside for this purpose.  Frequently there is something laying about that is made from scraps that has no meaning or no scheduled home.
The deadline for the drawing was close and I decided that it wasn't in the cards this year.  After some consideration, I asked 3 others who have a tie to the facility if they were interested in helping....all said yes.
What looks hard but isn't?  That many can work on?  Can use any pre-cuts that we already have?  Will appeal to men (generally male work population)?

The neighbor with her sister had recently made a quilt for her grandson who is getting married.  It was beautiful and made with jelly rolls.  And the neighbor stated how easy it went together.  Off to do some research.  The pattern is a 3 Dudes Quilting in Mesa, Arizona.  After saving some pictures of the variety available in the pattern, this was the inspiration.

So a YouTube video is available from Missouri Star quilt company for this Quilt.  

Ron Appell 3 Dudes Quilt

This version has a slightly different strip set.  But the strip set is available on-line, is made with jelly rolls and 1 1/2" black strips.  And best part....looks hard without being hard.

Spring Green with 3Dudes

Here is some pictures of us working on it along with the final top.  The quilting is done-interlocking squares.  The fundraiser is going great and we are proud of the finished product.  Thanks to those that made it possible in the 3 week process.

Keep Quilting,
Just Another Quilter