A to Z

Yay, to my second summer finish ... or down to 18 WIPs! The quilt already has a lot of pizzaz so it got a simple solid for the binding (Kona Slate). It has been finished for a while, but I have been too lazy to take pictures. I guess that is downfall of summer vacation, there is always tomorrow. Speaking of summer vacation, nothing beats spending time on the lake :) How about this view!

Ok, now back to basting.  My friend probably wants her baby quilt soon!

Sew long for now, 

Patch & Chels 

Spell it!

This summer is all about getting my sewing projects under control, there was 20 projects at the start of summer! (ok, there are still 20 because this one is not finished, yet) The goal is to diminish that number down to 5, at max by the start of school. Wish me luck there! 

The Spell it with Moda quilt started as a blog hop back around February/March and the top got finished in April then sat around for a period of time. I knew I wanted a certain Ikea fabric for the back so I eventually made a trip down to scoop up some of their number fabric. It goes perfectly with the front. I also wanted to hand stitch this quilt, so this one was ambitious. This week I got caught up on my shows and did lots of hand-stitching. It was the perfect way to spend the first week of summer. Now I just need to get this quilt bound so it can be crossed off my WIP list.  

Yesterday, I also found time to hike Mount. Cardigan in New Hampshire, it was an easy summit with great views from the top.  Here are some views, the guide book says you can view Vermont and Canada. I have no sense of direction so I have no idea where I am looking.

These rock sculptures lined the whole trail from bottom to top. They were cool to look at, but I had an uncontrollable urge to nock them over, of course I controlled that urge.  It reminded me when my father and I would make huge lego towers. We would see how tall we could make them, then knock them over sending legos all over the living room.

Sew long for now, 

Patch & Chels

Happy Easter!

Finally spring has sprung around here!  Its been so crummy out that I have been unable to get these tops photographed for weeks now!  Yard work is getting done and the sun is shinning, totally enjoying this beautiful Easter day.  

Two of these quilts are to help cut back on my scraps.  They are the same pattern just different size blocks.  I used the Swell pattern from the book Simply Retro by Camille Roskelley.  The first time, I followed the pattern using 2.5 inch squares from my scrap bin. 

The quilt came together super easy, as the pattern is just a 9 patch of squares.  I had to modify the pattern as I wanted to use up a bunch of 2.5 inch squares that were already cut.  

The second time, I used some some 4 inch squares that I had cut up long ago to make a larger block.  For the background I used a large piece of white print.  I think I liked the scrappy variety of white in the smaller block, but it still came out nice.

My Spell it with Moda also came together.  This one has been laying around for some time waiting to be photographed.  I am happy with my choice to use a wider sashing, although I am still debating if I should put a border or two on the edge?

Spring is in bloom.  After this long winter, it's nice to see flowers and know summer is coming soon.  Just a week until spring vacation!  Now I need to survive so I can sit on the front porch, enjoy a book, and get some sewing done before the end of the year gets crazy.

Sew long for now, 

CHELS

It's Easy as ABC ...

Look what I finished!  Well, not all finished, but all blocks A - Z are done.  I also finished the four filler blocks.  Today I am feeling very productive :)

For this quilt I used low-volume fabrics in the background and solid fabrics for the letters.  Each block will get sashing using the same low-volume fabrics.  I am going to use a larger sashing than in the directions to break up some of the solid black.

Typically, I don't grow attached to my quilts.  It's something I do as a hobby, for entertainment.    Although with this one, I am attached.  This is the first quilt in a long time that I actually want to keep!  Now, I just have to decided, border or none, binding, and backing.   

The "X" is not my favorite, it's actually is bothering me!  The lines are thicker than any other letter.  I am still thinking about reworking this block.  On a happy note, all the other blocks came together very fast and were easy to piece.  I was worried with matching the crazy seams.  Even if they were a little off it would be obvious as the letters would be choppy.  Let's just say Moda did a great job designing the letters, I didn't even use a pin and it all worked out great.  

This quilt is impressive sitting here on the floor.  I think I am going to sit here and stare at if for a while longer.  Enjoy the moment until my next wave of energy.  

Sew long for now, 

CHELS

Spell It

Not sure if you have seen the blog hop by Moda for their Spell it with Moda Fabric?  Just what I don't  need right now is a new project, but, how could I resist?

I.have.fallen.in.LOVE!

I pulled some solid colors including a deep eggplant, black, and denim blue color to be the letters for my blocks, and a whole bunch of low volume prints for the background.  

Here are my attempts at blocks A - D.

** TIP:  Cut a bunch of 4.5 inch strips and 2.5 inch strips for the background color(s).  Most of the pieces fall in one of those dimensions.  After I had the various strips cut, it was easy to whip up these four blocks, and yes, they are addicting.  

I am already itching to keep going!  Have a good weekend everyone.

Sew long for now, 

CHELS

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