December Wrap Up

Early in the month, 

I stitched my Colorwash 360

class project quilt top together.

I also quilted and bound Marathon,

and even added a sleeve and label.

On a whim I pulled fabrics from my resource boxes

inspired by the colors chosen by Bonnie Hunter

for her 2018 mystery quilt named Good Fortune.

(let's all say it together -- SQUIRREL)

In the weeks since that fabric pull,

I've changed my mind about how I plan to use them

which should come as no surprise

to those of you who know me.

I am not going to die cut half rectangles.

Instead, this will be the fabric pull for 

my first quilt of Sujata Shah's 

Uncommon and Unconventional Quilt Along.

(nicknamed the U&UQA)

I'm looking forward to our January 7th start.

Feliz Navidad moved from fabric pull 

to pieced blocks ready to be webbed together.

As I pieced those sixteen patches,

I also stitched quite a few pairs of squares

for one of several leader-ender projects

prepped for next year - all designed to 

use my over-abundant stash of 2.5" strips

that have accumulated over the years.

And in the space of two weeks,

I conceived, designed, pieced, quilted, bound,

and gifted Busy Town to Little Man.

You can read that story here.

Now that I have a new plan for the BH fabric pull,

I've shifted the half-rectangles idea

 to THIS fabric pull featuring 

fabrics from Needle & Thread and my stash.  

AND I finally finished up the current 

AHIQ Maps and Mapping Challenge.

You can read my last few posts using the links below:

Years 11 and 12 (2014-2015)

Year 13 (2016)

Year 14 (2017)

Year 15 (2018)

I'm curious to see what the 

next AHIQ challenge will be.

* * *

I've also been thinking about

what I want to work on in 2019.

I'll be back to share those ideas on January 1st.

Quiltdivajulie

18 in 2018 - October Recap

On the PIECING list,

I completed my Shibori do-over 

which is now known as Shift Happens.

I've also started working on

Someday is Now -- the last project 

from my 18 in 2018 Piecing List.

On the QUILTING front --

I completed Tea Party,

my challenge quilt for our 

rapidly approaching local quilt show.

(I've also prepped six more of my quilts

to hang in the show Nov. 2-3-4)

AND I finished sCRUMBtious.

The squirrels in The Squirrel Club

 encouraged me to make thirteen autumn pillows 

and a new table runner.

I am participating in

 Wanda's Colorwash 360 class.

My own version is currently stalled 

on the design wall until after the local quilt show 

is set up, held, taken down, and the quilts returned.

I really want to work on this,

but there just aren't enough hours in each day.

I taught two two-session classes on

Sujata's Peppermint Pinwheels

at my local quilt shop.

You can read about that HERE.

I've washed, ironed, and cut into blocks

the many yards of donated white fabric

for the 70273 Project block drive

that will happen during our local quilt show.

I've also sliced and diced a lot of different reds,

and gathered a goodly assortment 

of red trims for the pairs of red XXs.

I even did my first-ever podcast 

with Jeanne Hewell-Chambers,

the woman behind the 70273 Project.

I wrote and shared three more posts

for the mapping of my own quilting journey

as part of the current AHIQ 

maps and mapping challenge.

Years 5 and 6 are HERE

Years 7 and 8 are HERE

Years 9 and 10 are HERE

And while you are visiting

the AHIQ group blog,

be sure to check out the other posts

to see how others are handling

this particular challenge.

* * *

And finally, since today is Halloween,

HAPPY and SAFE Trick or Treating 

to all those who will be out tonight.

Quiltdivajulie

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"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap 
but by the seeds that you plant."
Robert Louis Stevenson

Flummadiddle - The Quilt

Flummadiddle is finished!

Shown here hanging on the rim of Little Man's 'bas-kee-ball' goal -

the one that Dee-Dah rescued from a neighbor's trash

because their kids had all grown too tall.

This is the second of the two Scrap Vortex squirrel projects

and measures 47" wide x 60" long.

(the first squirrel-y scrap vortex,

sCRUMBtious, is next in line for quilting)

Quilted with my liberated wavy window blind shadows design

using Glide Teaberry on top and in the bobbin.

This quilt represents my first use of flanged binding

made using the Franklin Quilt Company's binding ruler.

Making the binding was easy.

But I can tell this was my first attempt to stitch it onto the quilt.

(back to front by machine - I'm used to the other way around)

I have 2 more quilts waiting in the wings 

that will also have flanged bindings.

That's good because practice makes things better.

Flummadiddle, which means utter and complete nonsense,

is going to be a great recliner quilt!

* * *

And for those who do not follow along

over at the AHIQ group blog,

I've added more posts to document my quilting journey

as part of the current Maps and Mapping challenge.

Years 3 and 4 (2006-2007) is HERE.

Year 2 (2005) is HERE.

Year 1 (2004) is HERE.

Quiltdivajulie

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“If you never did you should. These things are fun, and fun is good.”
Dr. Seuss 

Re-Entry

Okay, so it is NOT snowing outside . . . 

but the sentiment is all too true.

It has been a good blogging break.

The project boxes have been

sufficiently shuffled and edited.

The studios are reasonably tidy.

Today is the second week

of my pair of LQS freeform rail fence classes.

(7 in the day group and 7 in the evening group)

I've shared a post on the Cultural Fusion Quilts group blog

showing three alternate layout sample quilts

made from my week one class step out blocks.

I've also shared a post on the Ad Hoc Improv Quilters group blog

as part of the current "Maps and Mapping" challenge.

(I chose to map my own fourteen-year quilting journey

instead of designing/making a new quilt . . . )

AND 

I've successfully (I hope) navigated the myriad steps involved 

in the changes that come with my milestone birthday next month,

namely signing up for Medicare and supplemental insurances.

(EGADS what a lot of time and paperwork!)

* * *

I have quilts to piece and quilts to quilt 

which means things are on the right track.

Now if I can just shake off the last of the cold

that took me down last week . . . 

Quiltdivajulie

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"People who look down on other people 
don't end up being looked up to."
Robert Half

Introducing Epicenter

A couple of posts back,

I mentioned this project.

This is the fifth freeform rail fence quilt 

that I've made using the design in

Sujata's Cultural Fusion Quilts book

and I wanted to do something different

this time around.

SO I decided to go with an off center

bullseye layout.

Right facing blocks

Left facing blocks

Mirror image right facing blocks

Mirror image left facing blocks.

EEK!

Originally known as Franklin Square

(because I bought the focal prints 

in Franklin, TN last January) 

the project was re-named EPICENTER

the moment I saw the first blocks on the design wall.

If you look closely,

you'll see that several of the blocks

were moved around . . . 

but only certain ones

could be reversed and used in alternate locations.

Very tricky process.

I saved all the trimmings 

from the ends of the strip pairs

and sewed them together 

to use as an insert in the back.

I added 1" borders of a rich red violet solid

and inserted the colorful strip into the

back's horizontal seam.

I was so excited by the progress

that I didn't take any flimsy photos -

I just pressed the top and back

and started pin basting.

Thursday afternoon Max and I spent 

several hours of quality time with Epicenter.

I chose Glide's Nickel thread - it worked perfectly.

The quilt is now ready to be trimmed.

I'm hoping to get this finished ASAP

so Epicenter can go to my LQS (Fabric for the Flock)

to help promote my August classes.

Again, as soon as I saw the blocks on the design wall,

I knew that this quilt needed one giant spiral for the quilting  . . .

but I opted for an unevenly spaced wiggly line

instead of one that was smooth and supposedly perfect.

I've always loved the ideas of ripples spreading outward

and how we never really know just how and where

they end up affecting others.

This almost-finished quilt shares that sentiment

without ever saying a word.

Quiltdivajulie

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“Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.” Dalai Lama

18 in 2018 -- Six Month Review

Today is the final day of June

which means we are now six months into 

our 18 in 2018 year.

So instead of a monthly recap,

I'm sharing a six-month recap for the record.

I created three lists -

one for piecing projects,

one for quilting/finishing projects,

and one for comfort quilt projects.

Here we go . . . 

First up is the Piecing List.

I've managed to complete TEN

of the projects on my initial list.

PARTLY SUNNY - TOP COMPLETE

Fabric pull June 2017

TOP COMPLETED - Jan. 5, 2018

Waiting to be quilted by year end

PARTLY CLOUDY - TOP COMPLETE

Flimsy Reveal Post – November 23, 2017

Waiting to be quilted by year end

SCRAPPY TRIPS - TOP COMPLETE

Fabric purchased Cyber Monday 2017

TOP COMPLETED January 8, 2018 - click here

Waiting to be quilted by year end

RETIRED TOO - TOP COMPLETE

HSTs cut out October 2017

TOP COMPLETED January 19, 2018 - click here

Waiting to be quilted by year end

TREEHOUSE FOUR PATCH - COMPLETE

PROJECT STARTED – summer 2017

REVEAL POST - January 26, 2018

This has now been quilted by Chris Ballard

Finished Reveal Post Pending

GERRY’S PUMPKINS WALLHANGING - COMPLETE

Adopted November 2017

Top completed 1/23/2018

Quilted by Chris Ballard

Finished Reveal Post HERE

GROUNDHOG DAY - COMPLETE

Project Begun - Sept. 2016 in Chattanooga

Finished Quilt Reveal Post - April 13, 2018

SEEKING BALANCE 

Project abandoned 1/13/2018

REPLACED BY TWO NEW PROJECTS:

RAINBOW CHARMS - COMPLETE

Flimsy Reveal Post  - February 28, 2018

AND

PAINTED DAISIES - COMPLETE

Reveal Post for Quilt Top  - February 21, 2018

Reveal Post for Quilted Quilt - April 4, 2018

THE SPOTTED WINKEL - COMPLETE

Inspiration Late 2017

2018 AHIQ Playing with Scale challenge

FLIMSY Reveal Post - June 15, 2018

Finished Quilt Reveal Post - June 27, 2018

Plus I pieced and quilted 

the sample quilt for my recent LQS class

(and taught the 3-part class)

and 

I pieced another future baby quilt top

from a huge stack of mystery quilt leftovers.

I'm entirely pleased with this progress!

Next up is my Quilting List.

I am elated to share that I have completed

FOURTEEN large quilts from my Waiting Closet

and quite a few comfort quilts

since the beginning of the year.

RISE AND ROOST - COMPLETE

Old MacDonald Mystery Sampler QAL 

Date Started – January 2016 

Flimsy Reveal Post November 26, 2016

Quilting Reveal Post January 21, 2018 

Finished Quilt Reveal Post - March 10, 2018

SUNFLOWER SUMMER - COMPLETE

Date Started – January 2016

formerly the back for Rise and Roost - see above

Top Completed as shown above – August 26, 2017

Plan for top and back revisited - late January 2018

Finished Reveal Post -  March 3, 2018

SIXTEEN BY SIXTEEN - COMPLETE

Date Started - RSC 2016 project

Top Completed - April 2017

Finished Reveal Post - March 5, 2018

PLAID-MANIA - COMPLETE

Date Started – October 5, 2016 (first post)

Top Completed – November 2016

Flimsy Reveal Post – November 10, 2016

Finished Quilt Reveal Post - March 21, 2018

DUMPSTER DIVING 3.0 – WATERFALL - COMPLETE

Date Started – May 2017 (AHIQ project)

Top Completed – May 2017

Flimsy Reveal Post – June 1, 2017 

Finished Reveal Post - March 14, 2018

THE SCRAPBOOK QUILT

Date Started – May 2017

Top Completed – November 2017

Flimsy Reveal Post – November 16, 2017

STACKED SQUARES

Date Started – RSC 2016 project

Top Completed – August 2016

Flimsy Reveal Post – August 2, 2016 

Quilting completed - Reveal post pending April 27, 2018

PEACH CYLINDERS - COMPLETE

Date Started – August 2017 – Improv Stripes QAL

Top Completed – August 2017

Flimsy Reveal Post - August 16, 2017

Project re-imagined March 2018 - 2 comfort quilts

Finished Reveal Post - March 12, 2018

Groundhog Day - Complete

 Carried over from 18 in 2018 Piecing List

Finished Reveal Post - April 13, 2018

MOON AND STARS - COMPLETE

 Unfinished project adopted November 2017

 Carried over from 18 in 2018 Piecing List

2 comfort quilts

Both Tops Completed - February 2018

Quilting on both completed - March 27, 2018

Finished Reveal Post - April 2, 2018 

COLORFUL CRUMBS - COMPLETE

Date Started - RSC 2016 project

Flimsy Reveal Post – January 11, 2017

Finished Reveal Post - May 26, 2018

LIBERATED WEDDING RING - COMPLETE

Date Started – RSC 2016 project

Flimsy Reveal Post - October 8, 2016

Finished Reveal Post - June 3, 2018

RAINBOW CHARMS - COMPLETE

 Carried over from 18 in 2018 Piecing List

Flimsy Reveal Post - February 28, 2018

Reveal Post - June 18, 2018

PAINTED DAISIES - COMPLETE
 Carried over from 18 in 2018 Piecing List
Finished Reveal Post - April 4, 2018

DUMPSTER DIVING 2.0 – 
GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE  
COMPLETE

Date Started – April 2017 - AHIQ project

Top Completed – May 2017

Flimsy Reveal Post – May 30, 2017

Finished Reveal Post - June 21, 2018

THE SPOTTED WINKEL - 

Jan-June 2018 AHIQ PROJECT - Playing With Scale

Finished Reveal Post HERE

HAPPY DANCING UNDERWAY!

The third list is for my Comfort Quilt efforts.

I pieced, quilted, and finished 

eight quilts for Jack's Basket.

I also pieced, quilted, and finished 

five quilts for A Doll Like Me.

And I pieced, quilted, and finished

a lap size comfort quilt named Geese for Misty.

All of these have now been boxed and shipped.

You can see photos with links to the reveal posts

by visiting my tabbed page HERE.

* * *

I am BEYOND thrilled with these results!

Next up - I'll share my goals

for the second half of the year.

Quiltdivajulie

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"You have to keep your bottom on the chair and stick it out. Otherwise, if you start getting in the habit of walking away when you're stuck you'll never get it done."
Roald Dahl in The Author's Eye Notebook