A Bit of Frivolity

A bit of frivolity here - I couldn't resist putting those strips and leftover pieces together. 

This is what we got out of it. I told you it would be blinding.I also, for some inexplicable reason, already sandwiched and started quilting it. Even though I have at least a few projects that I would love to get done and gift.

I am just going to use a different filler pattern for each strip or square. I'll be using the patterns from www.freemotionquilting.com by Leah Day. So far, I've managed to determine that I need LOTSA-LOTSA practice. 

New Loot and My November NewFO

Earlier this month I won a giveaway on QuiltStory (Thanks Heather and Megan!)

and it was a $25 gift certificate for Southern Fabric.

I was pretty excited to get a chance to try out a new online fabric shop so I hurried over to their online shop. Let me tell you, they have a lot of beautiful fabric. It is worth noting that the yardage is sold in half-yard increments instead of full yard, so if you pop over there for a look and find something you want, make sure you order the correct amount. Their prices I would say are about average for a quilt shop and they have a very nice discounted/clearance section (I'm a bargain shopper, so that is always the first place I look for fabric).

Here is what I ordered: The Pumpkin Party Layer Cake by Moda. I haven't had an opportunity to play with a lot of precuts and since I've wanted to make a Halloween quilt, I picked up this item. It arrived today. (YAY!) Check out my new loot!

My brand new layer cake

The fabrics in this line, courtesy of Moda

I think the only fabric not included in the layer cake was the large pumpkin one in the center and that was okay, 'cause I don't really like that one anyway. This one will be made into a twister quilt - the other twister quilt I was putting together from scraps I ended up tossing out because I hated it, I mean really hated the color combination. I didn't even finish putting the top together. And no, I don't feel guilty about not wasting my time on something I hated.

This has got to be the ugliest quilt I've ever seen. I made it disappear.

Now onto my November NewFO (Linky on the right)

I have one half of it done and the other half must be done by Christmas since it is a present.

Here is the top half. Now since I'm chronically indecisive and I couldn't actually choose between two panels for this quilt, I decided to make one half the kittens and the backing will be the cheetahs below. This will be a two sided quilt, and I pray that I can get everything lined up when I go to sandwich it.

The border I'm adding to the cheetah side will be a string of brown pinwheels.

There were a lot of extra pieces left over from the rainbow side so I cut all the fabric that was left into 3.5 inch strips and I'll be eventually making a small strip quilt from the mini ninepatches and the fabric strips. All these were from my stash and there really wasn't enough of any one fabric to put back.

I guarantee this quilt will blind the viewer. :)

Well according to my calculations, I've still got two days of my four day weekend to go so hopefully lots more crazy crafty nonsense going on tomorrow.  All my friends are coming over tomorrow to work on Dagorhir projects, so I'll either be working on my Confessor's Dress or a Akron Dragon Tunic. Pics or it didn't happen!

Fabric Tuesday/WIP Wednesday

I got my sewing machine back, just before the weekend! There was cheering and shouting and look at how shiny it is now.

Shiny!

 It looks almost brand new and sews like a dream. I was told I was well over due for a tune up (I knew that) and that I should bring it in every two years or so.

So this weekend I got myself busy and make a whole bunch of these little 3.5 inch square nine patch blocks

And chained them together

For the border of the kitten panel quilt

I had planned to have it done by now but you know how life goes. I'm hosting Turkey Day this year and so will probably not get a chance to finish it until Friday.

Wasting Time on EQ7

I couldn't take my sewing machine to the fixer yesterday because when I arrived, they were closed due to power outage.

I took my sewing machine in today and was told I couldn't have it back for "about three days."

Hopefully that means that I will have it back in time to use it this weekend. Jack has a Dagorhir event he is planning on attending, leaving me at loose ends to do as I please.

Although this lack of a sewing machine should mean that I'm spending more time writing, I'm actually doing some cleaning and organizing, and of course, playing around with EQ7.

I believe I may have FINALLY after a YEAR of goofing around with it, determined a design for my Penrose square quit. Nope, you can't see it until it is done.

I also made one of these

Which looks amazing in blue also

And playing around with the Baline cross

I think the one with the longer arms looks better.

My Sewing Machine is Broke

I have to take it to the Sewing Machine Doctor tomorrow. The fabric wasn't feeding straight (its been a chronic problem but seems to be getting worse) so the lovely people over at quiltingboard.com suggested I check the tension on the foot and make sure the feed dogs are working. So I took it apart and cleaned it again, and dropped the feed dogs and discovered that they no longer raise back up. Sadness. I have no idea currently how long my machine will be in the hospital so...I guess the good news is that I no longer have any excuses to keep me from writing (except video games).

In the meantime, here is the border I've been working on for the kitten panel quilt. It looks black but is actually navy blue to match the panel.