It's a flimsy!!

I began the day finishing up a bed runner for a customer before loading the quilt project I knew would take the rest of the day to do. I had a brief interruption to see the Opthomologist, but managed to get the quilt done, as well as finally get my shabby chic flimsy put together!! Oh my, did I make boo-boos! I finally had to pin the blocks in each diagonal row in order to not turn them the wrong way when sewing. I did it four times before I decided I was too dumb to get them going the right direction without them being connected  together!

Here are the pictures, and then, I am off to bed!!

This quilt was actually finished yesterday, but I didn't get a picture.

A very effective, but simple, use of half square triangles. I love the black!

Panto: Take Five

The back was a combination of black dot fabrics 

I also did this Very Hungry Caterpillar quilt yesterday

Panto: Butterflies

I left the shabby chic top right here...about half done

The other half was arranged on the design wall

The bed runner is a Christmas project, and is really quite nice.

Panto: Snowfall

The design shows well on the back

I quilted this large Christmas quilt while sewing the rows for the shabby chic quilt

I struggled with what design to use, and finally realized it needed a simple pattern that didn't distract from the theme of the fabrics.

I chose  Rounded Squares

It turned out very pretty

Ta-Da!! It was ten after six when I pressed the last row. It grew to a larger size, so I don't know what, if anything, I will do for borders.

I am so happy to have this much done. It may be a while before I work on it again. I need to think about it.

Fun interruption

Yesterday I had a bit of an interruption to my quilting day with a trip to my quilty friend Leslie's studio. She has a Handi Quilter computerized machine, and I am interested in seeing it in action as well as how the computer part works. Mr Wazoo went along because he is always interested in what would go into the maintenance part of a new machine. Happily, the HQ doesn't require oiling, timing, or even much cleaning!! Wow! I'm a bit skeptical of a machine that is totally sealed in the shell, with no way for the owner to work on it, but perhaps that is what the HQ people think is a plus. The computer part is different from my Quilt Path, and would take some heavy duty learning to master. On the plus side, there are numerous You Tube instructional videos and affordable classes close by. The items on the screen are much smaller than mine, too, which could be hard for these nearsighted eyes. Anyhoo, we had a good visit and I will go back to see the thing working.

On a side track, Leslie's husband, Joe, is a musician with an awesome collection of instruments. Guitars, banjos, violins and a mandolin. Be still my heart! I have two guitars and a banjo, but I traded my violin while in high school to buy the first guitar. Stupid me...but then, I was 17 and wanted to be the next Joni Mitchell. We had a fun chat and I am looking into acquiring a violin with new energy.

Back in the studio, I finished the Quilt of Valor as well as a customer quilt. Not bad for someone who played hooky for a couple of hours!

This is a different look for a QOV. The maker used up her scraps from other QOVs to make this lively project.

Panto: Meandering Stars

Starry backing

This quilt was a kit the maker got years ago. She is digging out the UFOs in her sewing space and sewing them up during the Covid quarantine.

I used shiny gold thread, and mimicked one of the fabric patterns with the panto Twinkling Swirls

This is the fabric that inspired the pattern. All the fabrics had gold in them, so that led me to use the Glide thread.

Swirls on the backing, too!

Meanwhile, I determined I needed more blocks for the shabby chic project, so I grudgingly made them. I have a teensy bit of the background fabric left, so I am hoping these will be the last blocks needed. Here is the progress being made on the quilt.

More HSTs for the new blocks. All trimmed and sewn into the missing blocks.

The new blocks are at the bottom of this picture. My math is abysmal, and I miscalculated the number of these blocks I'd need. I also sewed the 32 setting triangles so overall construction could start.

I can't fit another thing on the design wall. It's time to start sewing things together!!

One corner assembled and off the wall!!

I am so excited to get this thing sewn together! Here is where I will start today.

I also managed to squeeze in this flimsy I made last month. I quilted it and have the binding on and sewn down! Finished!!

I'm probably. nuts, but I think the pattern looks like giant spiders, so I quilted them with spiderwebs!!

I used a dark blue-gray thread so it would show up on the black. The fabrics are Australian and very busy patterns. The quilting doesn't show well on them.

I had this piece of Grunge from a mini shop hop, so I used it here on the back.

The binding is one of the fabrics used in the quilt. I used the last bit of it...always a sad moment to a fabric hoarding quilter.

My label.

Now, it's time to get to work!! Hopefully, I will get the shabby chic flimsy sewn and then argue with myself about the borders...

Slow, restful weekend

I am still wrestling with which size font to use in the new blogger format. Why is large so much bigger than normal? I think they need a size in between the two choices. Which do you like better? I like large, because it is easier to read. Here we go...

I took some time to unwind over the weekend. Mr Wazoo and I took a long car ride through the mountain countryside, ending at the grocery store where we replenished our freezer and pantry. Being away from the house and work for a couple of hours was just what I needed. So, I didn't quilt my brains out or sew more blocks. I did finish two cute charity quilts and one Grandchild quilt.

As you can see from the page of my own quilts here on Newsbits, I make a lot of this pattern. It is a free pattern from Quiltmaker called Warm Wishes. Usually, it is made with 2, 3 and 6 inch strips. My friend Gail worked out how to increase the size of the quilt from crib size (38 x 48") to this very useable lap robe size ( 50 x 60). She increased the strip sizes to 2 1/2, 3 1/2 and 7 1/2. How simple...and yet, I didn't think of it! I plan to make some this size, since the assembly is second nature to me, and I can make a flimsy in just an hour, from cutting to finish!

The focus fabric is this darling farm print.

The animals and the colors are bright and fun

I used the simple panto, Modern Twist, to keep the quilt soft and cuddly.

Same quilt pattern, totally different look. Changing the fabrics to a more sophisticated palette makes the difference.

The focus fabric is a lush combination of colors in a beautiful paisley pattern. I chose a swirly feather panto in the thread in the  red-purple family for the quilting.

You can see the quilting better on the back.

Next, I quickly knocked out this little panel. It is a baby quilt for a new grandchild.

The panto is called Forest Floor, and echos the leaves in the areas around the pictures.

Looking at the back, you can see why I chose the quilting pattern.

I'll be back to work in earnest today, and hope to have the 140 half square triangles trimmed and the blocks finished for the shabby chic project. You must be getting sick of hearing about that particular project, but I can't help it. It has become a slog to keep going, as I am not very enthusiastic about it anymore. I am anxious to get to something colorful and exciting. I learned a good lesson: stick to what makes you happy. This will be the second to last ( I still have a load of the fabric) shabby chic quilt I make! Bear with me, I will get it done!

Now, enjoy this rare photograph of a nearly clear cutting table. Ooooooo!! Nice!