Tuesday, January 29, 2013

A Trip to Madrona Road

I finished my quilt as part of the Modern Quilt Guild Madrona Road Challenge.  The South Florida Modern Quilt Guild was sent a selection of beautiful fabrics from the Michael Miller Madrona Road collection by Violet Craft.  The challenge was to create something using fabrics from the Madrona Road collection.  We could add solids only.  My guild added the extra rule that the perimeter of the quilt could not exceed 96".  I tried numerous ideas in scrap fabric before settling on a variation of the Trip Around the World scrap block that is popular right now on the quilt blogs.  Thus "A Trip to Madrona Road" was born.  Each little square measures 3/4" finished.  The quilt is 21.5" square.  Except for the blue solid, the quilt is made entirely from the Madrona Road collection (including the backing, hanging sleeve and label).




I love the placement of the yellow and black fabrics.



I echo quilted the star and the Trip Around the World blocks.


Sunday, January 27, 2013

Quilting on a deadline

It's been a bit crazy around here.  I'm trying to get a quilt finished by Jan. 31st for the MQG Madrona Road Challenge.  I'll post pictures as soon as it's done.

Last post I mentioned a secret knitting/crochet project.  My knit group made an afghan for a long time group member who moved away in August.  Members of the knit group knitted or crocheted 1-2 blocks for the afghan.  We worked as a team to seam all the blocks together and I added a crocheted edging.  I made the cream crocheted block (row #2, 2nd block) and the green crocheted block (row #3, 4th block).  We miss you Jan!!!


 This week I added a new addition to the sewing room.  


A Little Gracie II quilting frame!!!!  A wonderful lady was giving it to a good home and that home turned out to be mine.  My husband was a great sport trying to get it loaded into our Suburban (it just barely fit!!)  The frame will be set up in our back Florida room.  I'm looking forward to spending a weekend setting it up and figuring out how to load the quilt.

I'd like to say "Hello!!" to Jennifer H. from Cleveland, OH who was visiting the area last week.  She sent me a lovely email asking for quilt shop recommendations in the area.  I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed your trip to StitchCraft in Boca Raton, FL - that's my favorite LQS!!!


Sunday, January 13, 2013

Bee Blocks and secret crocheting

Last week I was working on finishing up a super secret group knit/crochet project.  I spent the weekend seaming and crocheting.  I should be able to post a picture soon, as the recipient does read my blog and I don't want to spoil the surprise.

I've also been participating in the Simply Modern Bee on Flickr and have enjoyed making the blocks in all the different color combinations.  I decided to spend today and finish up the last four blocks.  The two blocks for March were requested in raspberry and lime and blue and green (like sea glass).  I really like both of them.  The two blocks for April were requested in navy and orange and eclectic Americana.  I've had fun participating in the bee and can't wait to receive my remaining blocks.  I've decided I'm going donate my bee quilt to one of my guilds to be given to a child in need.

Simply Modern Bee Blocks
I did manage to finish sewing the binding on my Carpenter Star quilt this week.  I've been wanting to make this pattern and used a charm pack I had laying around to test out the pattern.  I can't wait to make another one.  This quilt will be donated to Project Linus at my Saturday guild meeting.

Carpenter Star Quilt



I've been trying to stay focused and work on the Spin Cycle quilt.  I have eleven blocks left to make.  I'm trying not to start new projects until its finished but it's been hard.  There are so many quilts to make and so little time.  I'm going to try and spend the first part of the year finishing some projects.  I have a few quilt tops that I need to send to the long arm quilter and a few I need to quilt myself.  I also need to finish my plume quilt.  But first things first, I have to finish piecing the Spin Cycle quilt as my niece has been sworn into the Air Force and will be leaving sometime this Fall.

Plume Quilt