Friday Night Sew In

Thank goodness FNSI is here!  This past weekend was jam-packed with family fun, so no sewing happened at all!  I have been able to fit in a lot of sewing during naptimes and after the boys went to bed this week, so  I have managed to finish all the blocks for my Nicey Jane quilt.  I need to finish the quilt by Tuesday for my aunt's birthday, so that will be my focus for tonight.  Wish me luck!  Needless to say, tonight's going to be a late night!

Is anyone else staying out of the heat and sewing tonight?  If so, what are you working on?

WIP Wednesday

Hello everyone!  This has been a very exciting week here in the Burnett household!

Our little Graham is six months old today.  I just don't understand where the time has gone!!  Didn't I just give birth?!?  To celebrate, last night was the first night the little stinker slept through the night!!  BEST present ever!!

Can you believe this chunk was a premie?


Okay, thanks for indulging me, onto the sewing!

Nicey Jane Quilt:

I now have 21 out of 49 blocks.  Only six blocks this week, not good if I'm going to finish this in the next couple of weeks.  I'm hoping to really put some work into it this weekend!

Super Nova:

Nada, unfortunately.  I hate leaving this one hanging because it's gorgeous!  (If I do say so myself)  Since this one is mine, I keep pushing it aside to work on other things.  I plan to finish it up after I finish Nicey Jane.  No more new projects until I finish the Super Nova!

Kaleidoscope QAL:

I have all of the quarters sew together, so I just need to make them blocks.  If the boys cooperate and nap at the same time, I will work on these this afternoon.  I want to actually finish one QAL on time!

Farmer's Wife QAL:

I have cut out the next two blocks, but no sewing yet.  The cutting seems to be the most time consuming part for me, so hopefully they will come together quickly.  My goal is to finish them by Friday.

Hope everyone else has achieved or surpassed their goals for the week!  To see what others are up to, head on over to Lee's.

Sunday Stash Report

I can't believe that another week has flown by!  Before I know it, I'll be stressing out about Christmas! 

While I don't have any finishes to report, thanks to the extremely hot weather, lots of sewing has been going on.  It's way too hot and humid to be outside!  I have made good progress on the Kaleidoscope QAL, the Farmer's Wife QAL, and the Nicey Jane quilt I'm making for my aunt for her birthday.  Hopefully next week, I'll have at least one finish!

I added more to my Prince Charming fabric collection this week.  Three yards to be exact.  I just love this fabric line.  I'm still trying to find the perfect project to use it.  It would need to be design that really showcases large prints.  Any suggestions?

I'm not sure I will get a lot of sewing accomplished today.  I have all my usual Sunday household chores, the grocery store, and my cousin is coming to visit us today, so we are going to be busy.  I might have to wait until the boys are in bed tonight.  Oh well.  :(



My numbers this week:

Used this week: 0 yards
Used YTD: 18.5 yards
Added this week: 3 yards
Added YTD: 94 yards
Net used/Added YTD: -75.5 yards.

To see how everyone else is doing, head over to Judy's.  Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the weekend!

The Farmer's Wife QAL

Like so many others, I was pulled in by the Farmer's Wife Quilt Along.  I just couldn't resist!  I just imagine that Laurie Aaron Hird feels like one of the authors Oprah picked for her bookclub!  It must be exciting have so many people interested in her book!  It is lovely, by the way, even if you don't make the quilt, it has been so nice to read the letters by the farmer's wives.

I thought I would use this quilt as a chance to try to use up my scraps and stash, and so far it's working.  It has been fun to embrace the Farmer's wife's philosophy of using what you have on hand instead of buying new.

I have to admit I haven't enjoyed every step of this process.  The templates drive me crazy and I haven't used them unless absolutely necessary.  As I have been doing these, I'm realizing that my piecing skills probably aren't as good as I thought, but I think this quilt will help me improve.  I'm also loving that I'm using up my extra little pieces I have been saving for years (some of the scraps I have used, I've had since I first started sewing).

So, here they are, the first ten blocks:

**WARNING**

If you are someone who is bothered by scrappiness, don't look at these pictures!  These blocks look like a bowl of jelly beans!  I love that look, but I know it drives some people crazy!

Block #1  Attic Windows

I used some Art Gallery prints that I have had forever, and the center square is Gypsy Road by Moda.

Block #2  Autumn Tints

For this one I used AMH Innocent Crush and more Art Gallery.

Block # 92  Streak of Lightning

The #3 block is a basket ,which requires applique, and I don't applique.  I will have to come back to it later.  I need and want to learn, but I don't think this tiny little block is the place to start.  That's why I did #92 instead.

I used AMH Innocent Crush.

# 4  Basket Weave

I'm very pleased to say I used some of my oldest sewing scraps for this block.  I don't even remember what the blue and red fabrics were for, but I've had them for a long time.  The white is a polka dot from Bliss by Moda.

#5  Bat Wing

I love this one!  I thought it screamed for some black fabric, so I used (I think) a Michael Miller print, and a burgundy quilter's linen.  This one is a little smaller than the others so I might have to add a little border all around when I'm piecing this together...I have decided that no matter what I'm not re-doing any of these blocks!!

#6  Big Dipper

This one is kind of blah, but when paired with the other 100 blocks I'm sure I won't care.  I used some of Tula Pink's Hushabye and more Art Gallery.

#7  Birds in the Air

Thought I'd be clever and use bird fabric in this block.  I think it actually works! 
Fabric:  Erin McMorris and Michael Miller

#8  Bouquet

This block almost did me in!  While trying to piece this one, I came so close to throwing in the towel.  I'm glad I stuck with it because it actually turned out okay...

Fabrics:  Gypsy Road by Moda and more Art Gallery.

#9  Box

Fabrics: Innocent Crush by AMH

#10 Bowtie

I wasn't sure about this one while I was making it, but I think it turned out pretty good!  I'm starting to get a little adventurous with my fabric choices!

Fabric used: Dolce, Innocent Crush and more Art Gallery.

If you stuck with this whole post, thanks!  I appreciate it!  From now on I will post whenever I make two of them, I promise!

The blocks do seem a little busy when all put together, but I'm hoping when paired with some Kona Snow sashing, they will somehow come together.

New Projects

I don't know about everyone else, but my favorite part of quilting is the anticipation of a new project.  Especially pulling the fabric for new quilts!

Whenever I buy fabrics for a specific project I almost always overbuy.  I'm always afraid that I'll be in the middle of the process and run out of fabric which of course is never fun!

That's how I ended up with all this extra fabric from my nephew Max's baby quilt.  I just love this line!  Robots, rockets, planets...so perfect for little boys!

I have pulled out these fabrics because I think this pile will become a quilt to donate for 100 Quilts for Kids.  I had such a nice time working on this project with the DC Modern Quilt Guild last year.  I have to admit though, it was difficult because the event took place during the holidays.  Fortunately, this year it's happening from September 15-October 15 which will make it much easier to participate!

Once I have finished the birthday gift I'm currently working on I think I'm going to get started.  I know I have until October, but if you've been following along with my blog, you know I'm slow!  Right now, I'm just going to commit to making one quilt, but if I have time I'll make more!

If you have extra fabric or WIPs in your possession please consider joining in this great event!  It's a win-win situation, cleaning out your sewing space and giving a warm, quilty hug to children in your hometown who need it.  Oh, and don't forget about the prizes...there are going to be amazing prizes!  As the lucky winner of one of the prizes from last year, I can assure you if you win, you won't be disappointed!

For more details, go to Kate's blog.

W.I.P Wednesday

Hi Everyone!

I'm so excited to have something to share for WIP Wednesday!  While I haven't been blogging much lately a whole lot of sewing has been taking place.  All of them new projects of course, nothing previously started has been finished, but that's okay.  I do love to start new projects!

Nicey Jane:

This is going to be a very special birthday present for my Aunt.  It needs to be finished by the end of the month.  Fortunately for me this is the easiest quilt pattern ever!  Just simple squares and rectangles, but still so pretty!  Here it is spread out on the design floor.  Fifteen blocks out of 49 made.  I need to get moving!

Can't wait until it's finished!  I know she is going to love it!

Kaleidoscope QAL:

See earlier post for details.  I am actually up to date on a QAL.  I'm just waiting for furthur instructions. 

Super Nova QAL:

What can I say?  I have been way too distracted by other projects, and I'm pretty much in the same place...oh well!  I'm keeping this one for myself, so there's no rush...

Farmer's Wife QAL:

I will do a post for these soon.  So far I have made 8 out of 111.  Not too bad!

Believe it or not, I have more projects started, but I have decided to focus on just these for now.  If I don't, I'll never finish anything!

To see what everyone else is up to this week, check out Lee's blog.

Happy 4th of July! (and I'm finally back!)

After a short hiatus I'm finally back at it!  We had some computer and camera issues a couple of weeks ago, so needless to say the blog suffered.  I did, however, get a good amount of sewing accomplished!

Needless to say, it's so nice to be blogging again!  I don't get to spend nearly enough time here!

To celebrate the holiday I thought I would do a little patriotic sewing:

Here are my pieces for the Kaleidscope QAL spread out on the "design floor".  Oh, I dream of one day having a room for all my sewing, equipped with my own design wall!

Then it was off to the sewing machine:



I followed Elizabeth's advice and did some chain-piecing.  I had these sewn together in no time!  Next, the pressing! 



What a mess, but so worth it!  I think this quilt is going to be darling!

Now, I'm just waiting patiently for the next set of instructions!  I think I will take the next couple days to marvel at the fact that I'm up-to-date with a Quilt Along!  Wonders never cease!  (Please don't ask me about the status of my other two quilt-alongs, I don't want to talk about it)

I am trying to make a real effort to stay on top of this project because I'm donating this to the wonderful Army Baby Quilts organization. 

Between the sewing, cook-outing, and playing outside this has been a really great holiday!  Now, back to the grind.  My husband goes back to work tomorrow, and I have a ton of laundry to do.  Hope everyone had a really fun and safe 4th!

Quick Stash Update

I have a very boring stash report this week.  Zero in, Zero out.  I'm still plugging away and getting lots of sewing done, but nothing finished yet.  I have way, way too many projects going right now, so in order to stay somewhat organized I'm setting some of them aside until later.

Right now I'm going to concentrate on two upcoming birthday quilts, The Farmer's Wife QAL, and the Kaleidoscope QAL.  This should keep me occupied for quite a while!

Used this week: 0 yards
Used YTD: 18.5 yards
Added this week: 0 yards
Added YTD: 91 yards
Net used/Added YTD: -72.5 yards.

Now I'm off to take advantage of some much appreciated "Mommy time" to get some sewing done.  My beloved took the two boys to visit with their grandmother so I could have some time to myself...isn't he the best?

Happy 4th of July to those of you in the states...hope your long weekend is filled with lots of sewing!

To see how everyone else did this week head over to Judy's!