Design Wall Monday 11/30/15

Well I did finish in time!  I got this quilt machine quilted in the ditch and the binding on before we traveled for Thanksgiving on Thursday.  I wasn't 100% happy with the binding.  I did the entire binding by machine, and it wasn't the prettiest binding I've made.  I've only done that  type of binding on small projects and they turned out fine, but this was a little tougher to wrangle through the machine.  But it's done now and I never would have had time to stitch it on by hand.  The last stitches were stitched on Wednesday night while the Thanksgiving deserts were baking.  So late that I didn't have time to take a picture. However, I do have one of the top after I had put the last borders on earlier this year. This was a free pattern on Craftsy when I found it a while back, but it appears that it is now for sale. You can find it here.  This quilt is being donated to a convalescent home and will make someone very happy this Christmas. 

Be sure to check out Judy L's blog to see what is on everyone's design walls today.  Also linking up with Let's Bee Social on Wednesday and Quilt Story on Tuesday.

Design Wall Monday 11/23/15

I'm determined to get my Farm Girl Vintage quilt top finished by the end of the year!  It is really nice having the blocks cut out - I was able to sit down and sew these three blocks in no time at all on Saturday.  I had even marked the backs of the triangle squares already.  I still haven't made the Strawberry block, but I have most of it cut out.  I decided to make it in reds rather than pinks.

I did make a change the the block below on the fly.  I had cut out the yellow out of a gold print, but it was too much the same value as the pink in the center. So I opted for a lighter yellow.

Sunday was all about finishing a quilt before Thanksgiving.  I  just did some ditch quilting and then put a binding on fully by machine.  I am not great at these two things and I'm a little disappointed with how it turned out.  But I know I am being too hard on myself - I don't think anyone will notice the flaws that I see.  It's just frustrating to spend so many hours on something and not be happy with the result.  This is a quilt I was making for my husband's grandmother, but she passed away while I was still making it.  I decided to finish the quilt and donate it to the home where she was staying.  I felt that the machine binding would hold up better to washing, but it is not as pretty.  I'm sure it will be loved just the same.

If I am not able to post again before Thanksgiving, I hope everyone has a happy and safe day!

Be sure to check out Judy L's blog to see what everyone is working on today.

Also linking up later this week with Let's Be Social and Quilt Story!

Design Wall Monday 11/16/15

Just one more Farm Girl Friday block finished this week.  Life's been busy, but I'm trying to get at least one block done a week.  I do have another one all cut out and ready to sew.  I think I only have 8 blocks left to make and then I can start assembling the top.  I have other projects in line waiting for this one to be finished, but I think I'll be sad when it's done.  It's been really fun making this one.  Never a dull moment because all of the blocks are different, and I've really tried to push the envelope with the colors.  Not that they are necessarily unusual, but they are out of the norm for me.  And I love it!!

I spent Saturday having a sewing day with my Mom and sister.  We do this every year to celebrate our birthdays.  It's always a good time.  We all worked on the same project in different colors, and they are all going to be so different! Can't wait to see how they all turn out.

Be sure to check out Judy L's blog to see what is on everyone's design walls today.

Also check out Let's Be Social over on Sew Fresh Quilts blog.  She has a link up on Wednesdays.  I found this blog recently and I'm hooked.  

Linking up with Quilt Story as well!

Veterans Day 2015

Thank you to all who have served!

Design Wall Monday 11/09/15

I didn't get any Farm Girl Vintage blocks finished this week, but I did put together a quick Christmas table runner using some charm pack squares. Nothing fancy.  I'm not sure if I'll have time to get it quilted before the holiday, but I'll give it a shot.  After working on the 6" FGV blocks, these blocks seemed monstrous in size.  The three blocks each measured 14" unfinished.  You can see some of the small blocks above it on my Design Wall.

Be sure to check out Judy L's blog to see what is on everyone's Design Walls today.  I'll also link up to Let's Bee Social later this week.

Handmade Holidays 2015

Handmade Holidays is back!  I can't believe it has been 9 years since the website Sew Mama Sew has been doing Handmade Holidays.  Every day in November, they post links to tutorials for projects that can be made for holiday gifts.  Also on the posts are links to recipes and printables.  If you comment, you are also eligible for prizes.  Over the years I have gotten lots of ideas for gifts - and even have made a few!  I like that it is held in November, when there is still time to make things.  It's fun to pop in every day to see what is new. Here's the link:  Sew Mama Sew Handmade Holidays

Design Wall Monday 11/02/15

I got a lot of work done on my Farm Girl Vintage blocks this weekend.  I've been cutting out blocks during the week, and then they are all ready to sew on the weekend.  This has been working out well for me right now.

I had this postage stamp block cut out for a few weeks, and it was nice to have time to sew it together.  The squares finish at 1", and for me the key is to sew them together very slowly.  It gives me a lot of control as they go through the sewing machine, and there is no shifting.  It works like a dream and I didn't have to take anything out.

 Below is the view of my design wall with all the blocks I have made so far.  I'm bummed out that I couldn't keep up with the sew along, but I don't have too far to go.  My goal is to finish the top by the end of the year.

Be sure to check out Judy L's blog to see what everyone is working on today!