pretty patchwork projects

Welcome to finish it up Friday!

I'm still working toward my goal to make 11-14 throw pillow for gifts. This week has been a lot less productive than last week....and that's the way it goes!

This low volume patchwork pillow measures 20" finished. It's supposed to be a gift. I was wavering between sending it off and keeping it. I had finally made my mind up to send it out into the world. Then, I put the pillow form inside and took the photo. I may have lost my resolve! It's hard to make any progress if you keep half of what you make! I LOVE it so much. It's springy and bright and cheery. And, most importantly, scrappy! It is scrap project #137.

It has a bit of fussy cutting (that seems to be the theme this week!).....

and an envelope backing. I love this coral polka dot! Polka dots are always the theme around here. :)

I made this pincushion as birthday present for my aunt who recently started quilting. (I love those cherries!!!) I gathered a few of my favorite notions to send along with it. It's so nice to be able to enable the quilting obsession in others! This is scrap project # 138.

In the interest of keeping it real....some finishes you have to fight for more than others. I have this pillow top complete, but the quilting didn't work out so well. Apparently I am going to get reacquainted with my seam ripper....and so it goes!

One more big finish...my baby girl turns 10 today! No more single digits for this household. It's so bittersweet.... (This photo is a few months old, but it captures her personality so well. Not shown, my two boys rolling their eyes as she posed. Good times, good times!)

 

Now it's your turn! Please link up your finishes for the week. Thank you, as always, for joining me for finish it up Friday!

finish it up Friday, 4/29/16

1.	smilesfromkate A Finish	65.	Treadlestitches Chevron quilt
2.	Eva.Bambi,Johansson	66.	Izzy @ Dizzy Quilts
3.	Lunalovequilts - Mini tote bag	67.	Judy @ Sew Some Sunshine
4.	sylvia	68.	Daydreams of Quilts
5.	Changing the Width of Your Blog	69.	Wendy's Quilts and more
6.	Shark embroidery:: PorcupineStew	70.	KatyQuilts
7.	funfetti finish with tute	71.	Anja @ Anja Quilts
8.	Teagan @ Simple Satchels	72.	My Imperfect Life
9.	Abigail @ cut&alter	73.	Tarnia-QATA
10.	Kat @ Kat & Cat Quilts	74.	Amanda @ fabric engineer
11.	Teagan @ Hope Deferred	75.	Stacey @SLOstudio - Paper Cut Block No.2
12.	Rhubarb almond tart::PorcupineStew	76.	Jess @ Quilty Habit - Gifts
13.	Adaliza	77.	retirement quilts
14.	Exploring London - The Village Haberdashery	78.	tisha @ quiltytherapy
15.	Pixies To England	79.	Karisma @ littleopihicrafts
16.	2 Sewing Tips You Need To Know	80.	Sarah @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
17.	Swap	81.	Almost a quilt top of Little Medallions
18.	Liberty Love Aprons	82.	String quilts/Comfort quilts
19.	Table Runner Weekend	83.	Little Bit of Sweetness@quiltfabrication
20.	My Favourite Slouchy Pattern	84.	Gunilla
21.	Leanne @ Devoted Quilter	85.	Quilts & Such
22.	Quilted Cake Dome	86.	Mini Quilt for OMG April | Monthly Goal
23.	freemotion quilted baby girl quilt	87.	Allison @ new every morning
24.	Chaos	88.	kathy@KayakQuilting
25.	AngelaA @ betterndogbiscuits love	89.	cathy@blueberrypatch
26.	Tulip Love Table Runner	90.	Ruth @Stitching Impressions
27.	588 Steps | Paige @ Quilted Blooms	91.	Gretchen's Little Corner
28.	Jayne ~ Twiggy & Opal	92.	Rachel S.B. @ Stitch 2, Write 1
29.	Angie in SoCal	93.	Jen @Jennifer Under the Juniper Tree
30.	Julie Bagamary - Today's Bird	94.	Serpentine Stitch & a Give-a-Way
31.	Janeen @ Quilt Art Designs	95.	skyline @ knitnkwilt
32.	Julie Bagamary	96.	Little Black Cat Quilting
33.	Vickie	97.	Julie @ That's SewJulie
34.	Quilting is more fun than Housework	98.	SewMuchForFreeTime
35.	Geta	99.	Mary @ Fleur de Lis Quilts
36.	frankie	100.	Grey and red cross quilt all bordered
37.	lindasquiltmania	101.	Erica@dressesandspurs
38.	Meadow Quilt Top - Finished!	102.	Jayne's Quilting Room
39.	cath@wombat quilts	103.	Steffi
40.	Southwest Jewels	104.	PackRat With A Plan
41.	Brooke at Silly Mama Quilts	105.	Sandra @ mmm! quilts
42.	Jess@SewJess Handmade	106.	Treehouse Ladders | Factotum of Arts
43.	Ice Dyed Juke Box	107.	Carla @ Creatin' in the Sticks -Sparkle
44.	Sue @ Quilting The Green Star	108.	A sweet finish by Pauline
45.	tubakk, Norway	109.	Cosmopolitan Quilter
46.	Needle & Foot	110.	2 Precious Pieces
47.	Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts	111.	Janice@singreadsew
48.	Florence Kimono Take 1 - Amy	112.	Rosemary @ The Knitting Quilter
49.	Medieval Inspired LARP Dress - Amy	113.	Tote Bags @ Wonky Patchwork
50.	Elaine @ Beech Tree Lane Handmade	114.	Lyndsey
51.	The Inside Stori	115.	bee - Buzzing Around
52.	Cathy Tomm -Scrap Garden quilt	116.	Gemini Jen NZ cot quilt
53.	SaraF	117.	Stoffbreite
54.	Kitty Wilkin | Night Quilter	118.	May Is For Makers Campaign
55.	Esther @ ipatchandquilt	119.	Patch the Giraffe
56.	San	120.	Dhia @ Peach Patch Quilts
57.	svetlana@sotakhandmade	121.	Shelley Brooks
58.	Kelly Cline Quilting	122.	Mihaela
59.	Crystal	123.	Its Good To Be Green
60.	beth@lovelaughquilt	124.	Orange Marmalade or Citrus Circus
61.	Julie @ Pink Doxies	125.	Julia Graber
62.	Maartje Qui: quineafowls	126.	8 Pointed Star for One Armed Quilter
63.	quilted shams to match diamond mosaic	127.	Kathy Davis
64.	Spring Inspiration - Quilting Stories

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

tell me a story blocks

I have no shortage of cute novelty prints. In fact, that was one of the primary things that I realized when I did my 6 month fabric fast. I hardly touch my novelty prints. It is apparent, though, that I like to buy them! This is (most of) my current collection. Ahem!

Well, I have finally found a good use for these cuties! The pattern is the Tell Me A Story Quilt, from Amy Friend's new book Intentional Piecing. I'm not prone to fussy cutting, because I hate to waste fabric, so I'm fussy cutting responsibly. Hahaha! I am carefully planning my cuts so that I don't make Swiss cheese out of my fabric. Rather, I am producing square or rectangular scraps that can be easily used later. (Messy scraps drive me crazy!)

I love that Amy recommends in the book to make your fabric selections one block at a time. I probably would have done that anyway, but it's good to have formal permission. Ha! I don't have a ton of this background fabric on hand, but it was a strategic choice. I selected this aqua Moda Bella solid because I should have enough to make a pillow cover, but not a whole quilt. This way, I can't change my mind later on. I do not need another quilt WIP!

I'm not a huge paper piecer, but I do like to do it occasionally. I love the accurate results it produces! Plus, it's kind of fun to sew through paper. :) One thing I dislike about paper piecing is the 1/4'' flaps that remain unsewn on the edges of the block. (See photo above.)

It occurred to me yesterday, that if I sew through the seam allowance area (the gray shaded area) when I am sewing the very last seams in the block, that fixes the problem. No more flappy seams. Hurray! I would caution you, though, to make sure that you do this only on the outer-most seams. If you do so prematurely, you will have to do some stitch ripping. I also learned that yesterday. :) Now I'm wondering why I haven't tried it before! (Who knows, maybe this is paper piecing common knowledge?) Either way, it's kind of a game changer for me. I love learning new and useful things!

I've been having a lot of fun with these! Each block will finish at 6", so I only need 9 for a pillow. Sweet! (Har, har.)

dot your i's update

My dot your i's quilt has been sitting untouched for quite some time, until recently. That's ok, because this quilt is more about the process than the final result. That being said, I think I will like the final quilt quite a lot!

My boys both run track, so this has been one of the portable projects that I pack up when we head to their meets.

Each of the squircles (square circles) are appliqued onto a 4" background square. I am using Carolyn's method of needle turn applique and I enjoy it quite a lot. I like working on one small square at a time and adding it to the "done" pile. It's satisfying to see the project come along over time.

This isn't the best photo because it's a rainy, dreary day, but you can get a feel for the quilt so far. I think it needs a lot more aqua....and pinkish red! I'm aiming for a total of 396 blocks. I have 176 done, so only 220 to go! Not. too. bad.

Happy Monday to you!

a pretty pile of pillows

Welcome to finish it up Friday!

This week I worked on un-selfish sewing, which seems to leave a lot of room for self-doubt. :) My goal is to make about 11-14 throw pillow covers for gifts. Nice and easy, right? Ha!

As of last evening, this is what the first 5 throw pillows looked like. There has been a lot of power sewing going on over here this morning! (And a little bit late last night, too.)

I'm very happy to have the first 5 complete! Each pillow has an envelope backing (tutorial here)
and is stuffed with pillow forms that I have made (tutorial here).

First up is a contact print pillow that uses a mini charm pack of Road 15 fabric (by Sweetwater for Moda) plus Kona snow. This is one of my favorite ways to use mini charm packs! I love the simplicity of this design and how it allows the fabric to shine.

The rest of the pillows are all from scraps! I used trimmings from my In the Middle Quilt, which uses the Tri-Recs ruler. (If you want to make half-rectangles, the ruler may be helpful to you!)
I was planning to make a quilt out of the leftovers, but I love that I was able to use the blocks to make pillow covers instead. Each of the half-rectangle blocks finish at 2" x 4".

This is scrap project #133

 #134

 #135 (look at all that purple! And I'm happy to say that I even like this one!)

and this is #136. This might be my favorite, but I'm pleased with each and every one! I hope that they are happy in their new homes.

I do love a stack of happy pillows!!!! And I'm not an over-achiever at all, right? :)

Now it's your turn! Please link up your finishes for the week. Thanks for joining me for finish it up Friday!

finish it up Friday, 4/22/16

1.	Carie @ Space for the Butterflies	55.	Whip It Up Kitchen Style
2.	Katy @ KatyQuilts	56.	DonnaleeQ-Trial Run
3.	The little prince	57.	The Charleston Bag - a new design
4.	Eva.Bambi,Johansson	58.	dieStoeckeline-a wild life
5.	Lizzie Lenard Vintage Sewing	59.	Last of the medallions
6.	Kat & Cat Quilts	60.	Gorgeous New Ice Dye
7.	Jill @ Pie Lady Quilts	61.	Peekamoose Mountain Quilts
8.	Adaliza	62.	Sarah @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
9.	Judy@Quilt Paradigm	63.	Kelly Cline Quilting
10.	Needle and Foot	64.	String Quilts
11.	Mari @ The Academic Quilter	65.	Julie Bagamary Art - Art Daily
12.	Smilesfromkate warts and all	66.	Doll making @ The Flashing Scissors
13.	Judy@Quilt Paradigm	67.	Julie Bagamary Art -Daily Bird
14.	Julie @ That's Sew Julie	68.	Quilts & Such
15.	Christine @ Stitch ALL The Things	69.	tubakk, Norway
16.	Basket Case or a Nut Bag	70.	Wendy's quilts and more
17.	smilesfromkate adding a button	71.	Marla @ The Quilted Puzzle
18.	Julie@Pink Doxies	72.	Quilting is more fun than Housework
19.	Lindasquiltmania	73.	Ruth @Stitching Impressions
20.	Brooke at Silly Mama Quilts	74.	Charm About You - dear deer
21.	Crystal	75.	Fabric Panic | unsophisticated + jejune
22.	Kitty Wilkin | Night Quilter	76.	Little Eye: A Finished Quilt
23.	My Imperfect Life	77.	Spring Flowers Patchwork@WonkyPatchwork
24.	Rosemary @ The Knitting Quilter	78.	Kathy@KayakQuilting
25.	The Matrix	79.	naughts and crosses quilt top - Karen
26.	Tea Bag Lady	80.	How to make freezer paper templates
27.	Izzy @ Dizzy Quilts	81.	Rachel Addison
28.	Rachel S.B. @ Stitch 2, Write 1	82.	kris@sewsunshine
29.	Mini Quilt	83.	Baby Quilt @ Sapphire
30.	Joanie's Trendy Quilts	84.	Jennifer @ Glinda Quilts
31.	Ali @ Stitch Away	85.	Teagan @ Simple Satchels
32.	Pamela @Mama Spark's Quilts	86.	Dona @grateful4quilting
33.	Jenn @ A Quarter Inch from the Edge	87.	Gypsy Quilter Designs
34.	Leanne @ Devoted Quilter	88.	Finished a row
35.	Debbie @ A Quilter's Table	89.	SewMuchForFreeTime
36.	Spring Inspiration - Quilting Stories	90.	Quilts in the 'hood. . .
37.	Mihaela	91.	Mary @ Fleur de Lis Quilts Memory Quilt
38.	Heart Mini Quilt	92.	Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts
39.	Commerative Pins	93.	Heart Quilt at Crazy Mom Quilts
40.	Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty	94.	Crossroads Quilt Along
41.	Emily Bailey	95.	Jayne's Quilting Room
42.	Julia Graber	96.	The Inside Stori
43.	Stacey @SLOstudio - Hanging sleeve	97.	nicky
44.	Jen @ Stitchified	98.	@nickyeglinton
45.	Karen	99.	Nicky@nickyeglinton
46.	Lynn Carson Harris	100.	Elaine from Emily's Cupboard
47.	Terri Faust Quilts	101.	Granny Maud's Girl
48.	tisha @ quiltytherapy	102.	Pauline @ QuiltnQueen
49.	Making a Russian Kokoshnik - Amy	103.	Treadlestitches
50.	Sandra @ mmm! quilts	104.	Judy @ Sew Some Sunshine
51.	Mother's Day Gift Ideas - Amy	105.	Karolina @ retstickan
52.	Candy Coated Quilts	106.	Road trip case @ patch + dot
53.	Anja @ Anja Quilts	107.	PackRat With A Plan
54.	Candy Bag

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

the winner and a pattern sale

The winner of the handful of PDF patterns is Go-Go Kim! Thank you all for your comments on procrastination. I loved (!!!) reading through each and every one. I wish I could host a retreat where we could all get together and tackle our procrastination projects together. Wouldn't that be fun? It also made me want to work on ALL of my WIPs at once. Hahaha! What a mess that would be!

Since it's TAX day here in the US, I've decided to do a pattern sale! I've marked all my PDF patterns down in my Craftsy shop...each one is 50% off! The sale price is already shown, so no need for a coupon code. This sale will run for about 24 hours only and is valid only on my patterns in my Craftsy shop (not through my big cartel site). All patterns are PDFs, no hard copies will be sent. Just to clarify. :)

I started sewing things together for my orphan block quilt. So far, so good! Thanks for all the encouragement to jump in. I'm so glad I did!

Happy Monday to you!

maine morning mitts and procrastination

Welcome to finish it up Friday!

This week has been super busy, which hasn't left much time for sewing. I'm trying to go with the flow, but sometimes that is easier than others! Last evening, desperate for a finish, I pulled out my mostly completed fingerless gloves and knit the thumbs. Knitting thumbs isn't my favorite (at all), thus the procrastination.

Even though the weather turned warm this week, (we had our first 70 degree day! hurray!) I'm a Minnesota girl, so I wouldn't be surprised if I still need these a time or two this season. It's just the way it is!

The pattern is called Maine Morning Mitts and it's available for free here. These were a stretch for me....because 1. I had to follow a pattern and 2. I had to make two objects that were close to the same size. They aren't perfect, by any means, but I am reasonably happy with the results. The mitts are so cozy! I'd definitely recommend the pattern and I will be trying them again.

 

I'd like to do a giveaway today! If you would like to win a handful of my PDF patterns, please leave me a comment in this post. In your comment, I'd love to hear about a project that you are procrastinating on and why, if you care to give the reason! It would be fun to hear all about it. :) I'll pick a winner on Monday.

Here's another one of my procrastination projects. I've decided it's time to clean up all the odds and ends around my craft room, so I'm going to make a orphan block quilt. I've been nervous to sew it up because there is no rhyme or reason, so fitting everything together might get a little dicey. I'm excited and nervous all at once. I just hope it doesn't end up looking like a hot mess. Haha! I guess we will see! :)

 

Now, it's your turn. Please link up your finishes for the week! Thank you, as always, for joining me for finish it up Friday!

finish it up Friday, 4/15/16

1.	Carie @ Space for the Butterflies	61.	Laura
2.	Melissa Corry	62.	Anja @ Anja Quilts
3.	smiles from Kate I failed	63.	Christina @ Christina's Handicrafts
4.	alidiza	64.	Mermaid embroidery
5.	Sandra @ mmm! quilts	65.	Pamela @ Mama Spark's World
6.	Soft Pretzels::PorcupineStew	66.	Charm About You - bee basket
7.	Kat & Cat Quilts	67.	jana
8.	Gunilla	68.	Daydreams of Quilts free pattern
9.	Eva-Bambi-Johansson	69.	Log Cabin Love
10.	Johnna @ Yellow Bird Stitches	70.	Little hipster pack for boys
11.	Customieze - Mini-Küchenquilt	71.	Sue @ Lappteknik
12.	Quilting is more fun than Housework	72.	Go-Go Kim
13.	Sylvia	73.	Jean Burke
14.	Hour Basket & Swag | Quilted Blooms	74.	Quilts & Such
15.	Busy Hands Quilts - Custom Starboard	75.	Erica @ Kitchen Table Quilting
16.	Teagan @ Simple Satchels	76.	Татьяна
17.	Crystal	77.	The Betty Quilt Finish!
18.	Karen	78.	Karolina @ retstickan
19.	Leanne @ Devoted Quilter	79.	Dunham Girl
20.	Karen@OnceSewn	80.	PrettyinthePort
21.	Adaliza	81.	Bernie @ Needle and Foot
22.	Busy Hands Quilts 9 Patch Plaid Tutorial	82.	Maartje Quilt
23.	Huntspatch Quilts - Honeymoon quilt	83.	Wendy's quilts and more
24.	My Imperfect Life	84.	Jess @ Quilty Habit
25.	Pink Doxies: Taste the Colors!	85.	Rachel S.B. @ Stitch 2, Write 1
26.	Spring Gathering - Quilting Stories	86.	Treadlestitches
27.	Gail	87.	Nickel Bricks @ QuiltFabrication
28.	JanineMarie: Big Quilt Photo Finish	88.	Country Charm Table Runner
29.	My Daughter Quilts Too!	89.	Bunbear
30.	Mari @ The Academic Quilter	90.	Laurie @ Dresden Lane
31.	tubakk, Norway	91.	A very bright quilt, all finished- Karen
32.	beth@lovelaughquilt	92.	Sunshine Kwilts
33.	Vicki-Island Batik Showers	93.	AeroPlus: A Finished Quilt
34.	Em @ Em's Scrapbag	94.	Cheri D'Amour | Factotum-of-Arts
35.	Katy @ KatyQuilts	95.	viridian
36.	Wildly Purple Quilt	96.	Donna Hobbs
37.	Jan O	97.	Kitty Wilkin | Night Quilter
38.	Susan	98.	Colleen @ Piecemakerquilts
39.	Topsy Turvy	99.	Terri Faust Quilts
40.	Brooke at Silly Mama Quilts	100.	Q-Bits Stash Busting
41.	Jess @ Sew Jess Handmade	101.	Gemini Jen Raspberry Delight
42.	Park Bench	102.	Mary @ Fleur de Lis Quilts
43.	Angel Scraps Quilting	103.	Dresden Quilter
44.	Sarah @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict	104.	Julie @ That's Sew Julie
45.	Orphans No More!	105.	Jennifer @ Glinda Quilts - charity quilt
46.	Erica@dressesandspurs	106.	butterfly outtakes-knitnkwilt
47.	Fabric Covered Bead Necklace Tutorial	107.	deana @dreamworthyquilts
48.	Yanicka	108.	JulieBagamaryAr April Art Daily Day 13
49.	Geta	109.	Day 12 - April Art Daily 2016
50.	Margaret @ life as posted two	110.	Granny Square Cushion Cover @ LoGoQuilts
51.	Lindasquiltmania	111.	Julia H Graber
52.	Celtic Thistle Stitches	112.	Esther@squeezequilts
53.	dieStoeckeline-a thread catcher	113.	Tessa @ Quilting with Eevee
54.	Vintage Picnic Throw @ goldshoegirl	114.	Steffi: Hasenbach Rose
55.	Izzy @ Dizzy Quilts	115.	Stoffbreite
56.	Nancy@PugMomQuilts	116.	Sue @ Quilting The Green Star
57.	cath@wombat quilts	117.	Mihaela
58.	The Inside Stori	118.	KludeMarie
59.	Kris@SewSunshine	119.	Peekamoose Mountain Quilts
60.	Vickie

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

mini rail fence quilt

Welcome to finish it up Friday!

I've finished my Mini Rail Fence quilt, which is the 4th in my frugal gal mini quilt series. I'm having so much fun with these! I love working on a smaller scale because it means I can actually execute more of my (crazy) ideas within my lifetime. Ha!

For this mini, I started with strip pieced 2 1/2" squares. They are teeny tiny and squeal-worthy!

I even snuck in a super scrappy string....but don't worry, there is only one in the mix. :) I couldn't resist! To quilt it, I stitched in the ditch because I was afraid that any other kind of quilting would detract from the overall aesthetic.

It would make a super cute placemat, but there is no way I'm risking food spills on this baby. It was way too time consuming for that! The mini measures 12 1/2" x 16 1/2" and it's scrap project #132!

 

Now, it's your turn! Please link up your finishes for the week. Thanks for joining me for finish it up Friday!

finish it up Friday, 4/8/16

1.	Carie @ Space for the Butterflies	59.	Bento Box Quilt
2.	Eva.Bambi,Johansson	60.	Smilesfromkate
3.	Alison @ Little Bunny Quilts	61.	Allison - quick quilt tutorial
4.	alidiza	62.	Jennifer @ Glinda Quilts
5.	Apple pie::porcupinestew	63.	Christine - Spring Gathering
6.	The Inside Stori	64.	Ana Mo Shoshin
7.	How To Repair Broken Quilt Stitches	65.	Debbie @ A Quilter's Table
8.	Karen@OnceSewn	66.	Busy Hands Quilts-Granny's Square Patch
9.	Beginner's Guide to Y-Seams	67.	That Amish-ish Quilt | Finished!
10.	Needle & Foot	68.	Erica @ Kitchen Table Quilting
11.	Kat & Cat Quilts	69.	triangles & squares
12.	Mari @ The Academic Quilter	70.	Skinned
13.	Zipper pouches	71.	Sarah @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
14.	Katy @ KatyQuilts	72.	Kaleidoscope Quilt @ Quilting Mod
15.	DonnaleeQ	73.	Татьяна
16.	Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl	74.	Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts
17.	Handmade Wedding Garters - Amy	75.	Preemie quilt
18.	Creature Feature Etc.	76.	Sue @ Quilting The Green Star
19.	Ruth @Stitching Impressions	77.	Quilts & Such
20.	beth@lovelaughquilt	78.	CarrieBee - spectra scarf
21.	Baby:: porcupinestew	79.	Sunshine Kwilts
22.	Pixel Heart Done	80.	Lindasquiltmania
23.	My Imperfect Life	81.	Elena - Cosiendo Sueñoss
24.	Johnna @ Yelllow Bird Stitches	82.	tubakk, Norway
25.	Treadlestitches	83.	Little Island Quilting
26.	Brooke at Silly Mama Quilts	84.	A little bit of my life::Mini Quilt
27.	Paper quilts	85.	The Lorax
28.	Yanicka	86.	Wendy's Quilts and More
29.	Karen	87.	Peekamoose Mountain Quilts
30.	Adaliza	88.	Other finishes this year
31.	Izzy @ Dizzy Quilts	89.	Rachel S.B. @ Stitch 2, Write 1
32.	Vicki in MN-wonky runner	90.	PackRat With A Plan
33.	Kitty Wilkin @Night Quilter	91.	Alison@thechainpiecer
34.	Sam @ Diary of a Madfabriholic	92.	double finish week!
35.	Elaine @Beech Tree Lane Handmade	93.	Julie Bagamary
36.	Maartje Quilts a helicopter	94.	STRENGTH - April Art Daily 2016
37.	Tami @ Thrift Shop Commando	95.	Log Cabin Pouch
38.	Ali @ Stitch Away	96.	Mary @ Fleur de Lis Quilts
39.	Migration Quilt	97.	Jess @ Quilty Habit
40.	Julie@ pink doxies	98.	Stacey @ SLOstudio - Testing a pattern!
41.	Abigail @ cut&alter	99.	Christina @ Christina's Handicrafts
42.	Moby Dick Quilt @ Sewgiving	100.	April Mini Quilt - Quilting Help Needed!
43.	Kim @ Leland Ave Studios	101.	quilts for charity - two finished tops
44.	Shelley @The Carpenters Daughter who Quilts	102.	Stars and Strips
45.	Carla @ Creatin' in the Sticks	103.	Verti-Gal Positive Community
46.	Kate - kitchen art	104.	Anja @ Anja Quilts
47.	Quilting is more fun than Housework	105.	Liz @ LizzyClips Design | HST Quilt
48.	Nicole @ Mama Love Quilts	106.	Little Grey Owl Hat Finish @ LogoQuilts
49.	Quilt Retreat	107.	Vickie
50.	Donut block tutorial	108.	Terri Faust Quilts
51.	April Stash Bee Fun	109.	Tessa @ Quilting with Eevee
52.	Lots of Finishes!	110.	fern
53.	Teagan @ Simple Satchels	111.	Jana
54.	Teagan @ Hope Deferred	112.	Stefanie Schneider
55.	Erica@dressesandspurs	113.	Stoffbreite
56.	Stitchy Pie - Charm About You	114.	Susan
57.	Piggy Quilt	115.	Monkey Needle
58.	Em's Citrus Spin

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

"all I need is an hour...."

My friend Tara and I often chat about things we want to make (or finish) and I can't tell you how many times we use the phrase: "all I need is an hour..." It's become a running joke. Last Friday, as I was cleaning up my creative chaos corner (hahaha!)...I made a list of projects that I came across that fit the one hour time frame. On Saturday, I sewed. It felt great to cross so many things off the list in one day! It's amazing what a little focus will do.

The first project was simple pillow cases for my kiddos. Each one takes a yard of fabric, and I used French seams, so there are no raw edges inside. They are fairly quick and a great way to use novelty fabric. The penguins were too cute to pass up at the fabric store, but I was happy to have a project in mind when I bought them....because who knows how long they would "cure" in the stash without a plan. My boys love them! My daughter loved her ballerina pillow case as well. Hurray!

Next up was a pair of PJ bottoms for my daughter. I don't sew many clothing items....but PJ's are some of my favorites, simply because they are low pressure. A friend gave me the fabric about a year ago or more, so it was nice to use it up. I had JUST enough to make the shorts...which makes it feel like it was meant to be. I love that!

I made a quick infinity scarf for me. I wish the fabric was a little bit more flow-y, but I think I will still wear it. I LOVE the color! It's a nice weight for spring, so my timing is spot on for once. Noteworthy, for sure! (ha!)

I made catch all tray (video tutorial here) for some scrappy coasters I made a few months back. I love these trays! They are so handy and I could see making them in all sizes...and in all colors!

I cut the pieces 9" square for this version and it worked perfectly with the size of the coasters. My husband is going to take these to work. It will be fun to have some of my good neighbors fabric hanging out in his office. :)

Now, I'm ready to move on to something else that will surely take more than an hour.

I'm curious...what would be on your "one-hour list"?

Happy Tuesday! xo

scrapalicious quilt top

Welcome to finish it up Friday! Thanks for all the wonderful comments on my epic quilt top! I appreciate each and every one!

Once again, I'm thankful for the deadline that each Friday brings. Without that push, this quilt top would not be complete! At least not this soon.

This is my second scrap vortex quilt. (You can see the first one here. If you would like to make one of your own, the links to the scrap vortex QAL are on my quilt along page.) I was thinking about my quilting habits this week...and my compulsion to make multiples of each quilt. I think I could have a scrap vortex quilt going at all times! Seriously, I'm resisting the urge to start a third one. I really don't know why I feel compelled to make multiples of the same quilt, but I'm doing some serious thinking about it. I want to make another pineapple quilt, and yet another (it would be my third!) bright birch trees quilt. I think I need to force myself out of my comfort zone and branch out! Who knows what good things would happen! :)

Last night, as I was working on the last corner of this quilt, my younger son came into my sewing room and said, "wow, that looks easy....all you have to do is sew a bunch of scraps together, right?" I kind of chuckled. I think the answer is: yes and no! I think these types of quilts are easy in some ways. There are no points to match, there really is no rhyme or reason, so in that respect, pretty easy! But, there are a million and one design decisions along the way. That gets tiresome. And, I learned once again, even in all the randomness, editing can not be ignored. I had some severely ugly spots in the quilt, so I chopped things up (which was not easy to do!) and sewed them back together in a different order. That really helped!

There were times when I was so irritated by this quilt that I seriously thought about putting the parts up for adoption. (Isn't that terrible?) If quilting has taught me one thing, it is that perseverance is key. I'm happy I stuck with it and saw it through. I love looking at just one section of the quilt and seeing all the details. Looking at the variety of fabric never gets old!

After I finished the quilt, I sewed a quick stay stitch around the perimeter of the quilt to prevent the patchwork pieces from separating during handling. I know that the quilt top will be secure while I'm taking photos and while I am basting it, etc. It's especially important on a quilt like this that has about ten thousand seams! (Don't worry, that's only a guess. I didn't count the seams. ha!)

The quilt top measures about 68" x 88". It will definitely be counted toward my 101 scrap projects, but not until it's complete. For now, I'm just so happy that the top is done!!!

 

It's your turn! Please link up your finishes for the week. Thank you for joining me for finish it up Friday! Happy April!

 

finish it up Friday, 4/1/16

1.	Eva.Bambi,Johansson	74.	Julie @ That's Sew Julie 2
2.	Carie @ Space for the Butterflies	75.	Happy Baby Quilt - Crafty Ashley B
3.	Star Quilt	76.	Purple Comfort Quilt
4.	Becca Bags	77.	Stacey @ SLOstudio - FAL finishes
5.	Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty	78.	selina
6.	Maria@RaspberryJam	79.	Quilts & Such
7.	Sylvia	80.	Sarah @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
8.	Needle and Foot - Pixie Baskets	81.	Sue@ Quilting the Green Star
9.	Machine quilting	82.	Christine @ Stitch ALL The Things
10.	Michelle's Romantic Tangle	83.	Colleen @ Piecemakerquilts
11.	Jo's Country Junction	84.	Drawstring Shoe Bag
12.	Kat & Cat Quilts	85.	Spoonflower Sampler|Factotum of Arts
13.	Sandra @ mmm! quilts	86.	bee @ Buzzing Around
14.	Johnna @ Yellow Bird Stitches	87.	Row by Row
15.	Smiles from Kate Finish No 3	88.	Fabadashery
16.	Katy @ KatyQuilts	89.	Alphabet Quilt @ The Crafty Quilter
17.	Karen	90.	String Thing :))
18.	Brooke @ Silly Mama Quilts	91.	Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts
19.	Geta	92.	Customieze
20.	Gretchen Weaver	93.	Bohemian Shawl - Quilting Stories
21.	Stash Bee Block | Cowboys!	94.	Jess @ SewJess Handmade
22.	Karen@OnceSewn	95.	NJ QuiltFest 2016
23.	Mari @ The Academic Quilter	96.	kate @ katiemaequilts
24.	alidiza	97.	Loominous Baby Quilt
25.	Gail	98.	Alison@thechainpiecer
26.	yanicka	99.	tubakk, Norway
27.	First Quilt of 2016 The Tension Quilt	100.	Karen @ runsewfun
28.	AngelaA @ betterndogbiscuits Momo quilt	101.	Alycia Flying geese
29.	Izzy @ Dizzy Quilts	102.	Majas Paradis
30.	Harry Potter Retreat Bag - Amy	103.	It's a Finish!
31.	Peek-A-Boo Swim Pattern Review - Amy	104.	Debbie @Life In The Dog House
32.	Julie @ Pink Doxies	105.	rosa
33.	Debbie @ A Quilter's Table	106.	Kate
34.	Ali @ Stitch Away: Scrappy Patchwork	107.	pink pigs & posies@snugharbor quilts
35.	More baby shoes::porcupinestew	108.	Judy @ Sew Some Sunshine
36.	Erica@dressesandspurs	109.	Nancy
37.	Anja @ Anja Quilts	110.	Bethany Whipps
38.	beth@lovelaughquilt	111.	Cathedral Windows Tote @ WonkyPatchwork
39.	Watermelon Stitchy Pie -Charm About You	112.	Carla @Creatin' - backgammon board
40.	Emily Bailey	113.	Sally's Angelworks - whisper words
41.	DonnaleeQ-Cross Quilt	114.	SewPsyched! Free Pattern and Giveaway
42.	Sue @ Lappteknik	115.	Julia Graber
43.	Elaine @ Beech Tree Lane Handmade	116.	Emilee-bag
44.	Katie @ whatktmade	117.	Gayle
45.	Kate and binding tools	118.	Kelly Cline Quilting
46.	Join Me - April Art Daily 2016	119.	Erica @ Kitchen Table Quilting
47.	kris@SewSunshine	120.	Shelley aka Brookquilt
48.	Quilting Practice	121.	Miss Alissa Creates
49.	My Imperfect Life	122.	Handwrought Quilts - backing DONE!
50.	Abigail @ cut&alter - Polaroid Quilt	123.	Wendy Welsh
51.	Barbara	124.	Lily-Bug's Quilt!
52.	Plus Blocks and Funtastic Friday	125.	Elaine from Emily's Cupboard
53.	Mermaids Quilt	126.	Татьяна
54.	Cristina @ The Quilted Mitten	127.	Jennifer @ Glinda Quilts
55.	maiden hair fern- varsity plus	128.	Mihaela
56.	Busy Hands Quilts - Triangle Gift Quilts	129.	Maartje Quilt
57.	Judy@Quilt Paradigm	130.	OMG it's April - Quilt Goal Time!
58.	lawn quilt	131.	charlotte@GrammieQ's
59.	Julie @ That's Sew Julie	132.	Margaret Sherwood
60.	Lindasquiltmania Kaleido-Design	133.	SewMuchForFreeTime
61.	dieStoeckeline-optical illusion	134.	deana @dreamworthyquilts
62.	Nana's Insulated Totes pattern SALE +	135.	Shelley @The Carpenters Daughter who Quilts
63.	lap quilts @ Augustsnow	136.	Jenice@Quilted Joys
64.	bed scarf@ Augustsnow	137.	Cargo duffle bag @Lisa in Port Hope
65.	Go-Go Kim	138.	Jenn @ A Quarter Inch from the Edge
66.	Whole Cloth Quilt@ Augustsnow	139.	B O M Blocks
67.	Red & White Patchwork @ goldshoegirl	140.	Janice@singreadsew
68.	Galgothan Butterfly@ Augustsnow	141.	Stoffbreite
69.	Cathy in Ontario	142.	Alida @ tweloquilting.blogspot.com
70.	Skipping Stones	143.	Monkey wrench quilt
71.	Quilting is more fun than Housework	144.	Peekamoose Mountain Quilts
72.	The Inside Stori	145.	Bev Remillard
73.	Mary @ Fleur de Lis Quilts--scrap quilt

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)