FMQ Challenge Year in Review!

I did it!  I actually finished 12 challenges this year for SewCalGal's FMQ Challenge!

January started it all with a challenge from Frances Moore using a leave design.


February was next with a feather tutorial from Diane Gaudynski.  Diane does absolutely stunning work!
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Then March came along with flowers, swirls, loops and stars from Ann Fahl.  I used a busy print so the quilting is hard to see but if you click on the photo it will be easier.








April arrived with a new marking technique from Don Linn.


May showed up escorted by Leah Day where we learned about railroad tracks.


Then there was June with Cindy Needham.  This may have been my favorite challenge.


July was lead in by Angela Walters and her tiles.


Jester's Hats and Wendy Sheppard led our way into August.


Paula Reid and her stencils brought us into September.


The awesome style of Teri Lucas started us off in October.


Then November was ushered in by the one and only Sarah Vedeler.




And last but certainly not least there was December.  A Teri Lucas bonus tutorial using the Kaleidoscope Kreator and printing on fabric.








So that is my year in review!  I really enjoyed the challenge and glad I completed all 12!

Rhonda


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December FMQ Challenge

This is the last month for the FMQ Challenge hosted by the wonderful SewCalGal.  I didn't do the actual December challenge but rather the December Bonus challenge.  The December Bonus challenge was from Teri Lucas and used the Kaleidoscope Kreator software.  The Kaleidoscope Kreator software is an easily downloaded software that is just full of possibilities.  The challenge was to print your own fabric using the Kaleidoscope Kreator and your inkjet printer.  Then free motion quilt the design.   So that is exactly what I did.

I started with this photo.

I opened it in the Kaleidoscope Kreator and using the feathers template pack I came up with this.

I free motion quilted around the feathers using a natural colored thread.

This is photos of the back where you can see more of the stitching.

I really like the way this came out and hope to maybe frame it one day soon.

Rhonda

November FMQ Challenge

Can you believe it is November already?  Actually almost December.
I have been working on some great little Christmas gifts and hope to have a big part of them done this next week.  But today I wanted to share my November FMQ Challenge.  If you haven't checked out the challenge yet make sure you go over to SewCalGal's blog.  Even if you aren't interested in doing the challenge, go check out her blog anyway.  SewCalGal's blog is the happening place!  Kind of like the A&W was when I was going up!  lol
The November Challenge was given to us by Sarah Vedeler.  I love her machine embroidery designs.  I am still working up the courage to try one.  Anyway, here is my November FMQ Challenge.  I know I definitely need more work on my swirls.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!
Rhonda

Buck A Block, Layer Cake and 5 Yards

Did that title make you wonder what was going on here?  Wonder no more!  Three, yes three, quilts finished.    I actually have another one quilted but the binding isn't attached yet.  No binding, no posting!  lol

This is a 5 Yard quilt kit that I purchased at L & L Yard Goods in Madison, Indiana.  Nice little shop that I frequent often.  More often than my husband would like I am sure.

5 Yard Quilt Kit

Close up of quilting on front.

Close up of quilting on the back.

 Again, I can thank L & L Yard Goods for this.  It was the Buck A Block this year.  I think it turned out nicely.

Buck A Block Quilt

Quilting on front of Buck A Block quilt.

Buck A Block quilting on back.

 This next one is a design that I seen on Moda Bake Shop.  I motified it somewhat.  It starts with a Layer Cake which you cut into fourths.  I personally don't like the pinked edges on the precuts, so I cut 4 4 1/2" squares from each piece of the layer cake.  I also used a layer cake that 42 pieces so I added another row.  The original on Moda Bake Shop didn't include a border either.  So a Layer Cake and some yardage from the stash, I now have a pretty nice quilt.

Layer Cake Quilt

Close up of quilting on Layer Cake Quilt

Well, that is about all for now.  I need to get started on my November FMQ Challenge.  See you soon!

Rhonda

Customer Quilt-Jacquie

Finished this quilt for Jacquie, a customer, last weekend.  This is a quilt for her new grandbaby.  Jacquie did a great job piecing all those Y seams!

Thanks for the opportunity to quilt for you Jacquie!

Rhonda

October FMQ Challenge

I managed to get my October FMQ Challenge done early this month.  If you aren't familiar with the challenge you need to run on over to Sewcalgal's blog and check it out.  This month's challenge was provided by Teri Lucas.
I used a silk fabric I purchased from Joann's several months ago and Isafil thread.

When I first read the challenge, I was sure this would be so difficult.  But I think it turned out rather nicely!

Hope you have a great day!

Rhonda

Good Morning!

I have gotten several quilts machine quilted in the last few weeks but I haven't been able to get the bindings on them.  I did get this one finished so I thought I would share it with you.
This is a pattern from the Moda Bake Shop.  You can find so many great free patterns on their site.

I have gotten a new laptop and editing photos has become a struggle.  Going to have to try and find an easier way to get what I want.
Thanks for stopping by today!

Rhonda

September FMQ Challenge and Dinner Out

I had planned to post this earlier today but decided we needed a night out with Mom and Dad to eat.  There is this little restaurant not far from here that has some really good food that doesn’t cost a fortune.  They also have the best Fried Dill Pickles.  Had a good time!

I completed this month’s free motion quilting challenge.  You can read more about it if you are interested at !Insights From Sewcalgal.  This month’s challenge was given to us by Paula Reid.  If you want to see some amazing quilting, you really need to check out her blog.

So here is my September challenge piece.  I used the technique of printing the design on newsprint and then stitching on the lines.  So easy to do!

I am looking forward to next month’s challenge. 

Thanks for stopping by!  See you again really soon!

Rhonda

August FMQ Challenge

I managed to get my August FMQ Challenge finished last week but wasn’t able to get it posted until today.  This was a hard one from Wendy Sheppard called Jesters Hats.

I found that the design got easier as I went.  I guess that means the saying, “practice, practice, practice”, is really true! 

I was sad though that this was my last piece of Fossil Fern Blueberry.  I guess I will have to try to find more.

If you are interested in joining the FMQ Challenge it is never too late.  Just head over to Insights from Sewcalgal’s blog.

Rhonda

July Free Motion Quilting Challenge

This months challenge was given to us by Angela Walters.  You can find the tutorial here.  This is my challenge piece.

I love this Blueberry Fossil Fern fabric but unfortunately this is my last piece of it. 

It is never too late to get in on the challenge at Insights From Sewcalgal.

Rhonda

What I have been up to!

Along with the FMQ Challenge I have been participating in, I have managed to get some other things finished.

The latest item was my Blueberry Crumb Cake.  I purchased this as a kit at my local quilt shop back right after Christmas.  Had to spend my Christmas gift.  I loved the fabric in this quilt. 

I used a nice scroll and feather edge to edge design in the quilting. 

I also completed this Trapunto wall quilt.  I wasn’t really happy with this one.  I won’t go into what is wrong with it but will let you know that this is a photo of the back and not the front.  If you wonder why it looks kind of wonky, part of the reason is the way the clothesline hangs and part of the reason is that it has been wadded up waiting for a photo to be taken.  Yes, wadded!  Not happy at all with this one.  Especially after all the time it took to complete.

This is a closeup of the outside edge of this one.

This is the center.  I don’t know if you can tell much about the trapunto.

Well, that is it for now.  I am going to be really busy the next few weeks.  I am changing jobs on Monday.  I will be going from a part time position to a full time position.  I think this will probably cut into my quilting time but will supplement my fabric stash!

Hope you had a great holiday!!

Rhonda

June FMQ Challenge

I finally managed to get my June FMQ Challenge finished.  I used muslin this time for my practice sandwich and regret it.  You can see every mistake there is.  I will definitely use a print the next time. 

This month’s challenge was from Cindy Needham.

Have a great day!

Rhonda

May FMQ Challenge

I finally had time to get this posted.  This is the May Free Motion Quilting challenge.  This month’s challenge was given by Leah Day at the Free Motion Quilting Project.  If you haven’t checked out her blog, it is definitely a must see.  You can find the FMQ Challenge over at Insights from SewCalGal.

I thought I would also throw in a sneak peek of a project I have been working on for myself.  It isn’t done yet so you only get to see a small section.  I think it is going to turn out really well.

Hope you are enjoying your Memorial Day weekend!  Please remember all those that have served our country!

Rhonda