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

Playing Around

I was playing around with my Mom's embroidery machine today.  Thought I would share what I made.  This is a Hoopsisters block from a Block of the Month that my Mom has been doing.

This is the back and I just love how it turned out!

Here is the front.  The purple in the middle is actually a silk fabric.

Thanks for stopping by!  Please leave a comment so I know someone is still reading!  LOL
Rhonda

First Saturday Sampler Block 2

I have been participating in the First Saturday Sampler at a local quilt shop.  L & L Yard Goods is located in Madison, Indiana, if you ever get there.  Thought I would share a picture of the April block.

Hope you are having a great day!!!

Rhonda

Another quilt finished!

Here is another quilt I finished recently.  This was a mystery quilt done through L & L Yard Goods, a local quilt shop.

I think it turned out really well.  It has already gone to a new home!

Rhonda

Erin's Quilt

First off, today is my little brother's birthday!  I doubt he reads my blog but just in case he does---Happy Birthday John!!!!!!!!!

I posted yesterday that I had some quilts finished.  I have only gotten one photographed.  The handy dandy quilt holders were not here yesterday.  Kids!!!

Here is one that I made for a little girl that I met about a month ago.

This is a Turning Twenty.  This is from Book 5 called Simply Sashed.  I used a FQ Bundle from Connecting Threads.  The quilt shown in the book has used black fabric for the sashing.  I think the white works quite well.

Hope you are having a good weekend.  Going to have lunch with a friend today.  It will be good to see her and see what trouble we can get into (or start)!  LOL

Rhonda

Christmas 2011 LOL

I was looking at the photos I had on my camera and found photos from Christmas 2011.  That is sad!!!  lol
I had this idea to take some unfinished cabinets my brother left behind before he moved to California and make a Christmas gift for my Mom.  He had started making these cabinets for a house he was building and they weren't in the best condition.  I did get the project done and I had taken a few photos along the way.

This photo is of the cabinet in its rough stage.  I had patched a few screw holes but that was it.  I think this cabinet was originally for the sink but I am not sure.

 Gave it a couple of coats of white paint.  I think it ended up taking 3 coats.  It seemed like 20 but I digress!  lol

Here it is with the top on it.  Used a 2' x 4' piece of plywood that I picked up at Menards already cut to size.  Covered it with fabric and 2 layers of scrap quilt batting.  We also added some casters to the bottom for easy moving.

My stepdad as added some bling to the cabinet since then.  He added a piece to the left side and some slots to hold her embroidery hoops and rulers.  He also added a couple of strips of wood to the back so her large cutting mat slides right onto the back for flat easy storage.

She wasn't the only one to get one for Christmas!  I couldn't make just one!  I had to make one for myself too!  Love it!!!!

Cabinet = Free
Paint = left over from painting my ceilings in the house
Plywood = $12
Batting = scrap from the quilts I have made
Fabric for top = gifted to me from a friend
Casters = $6
_________________________________
Total cost = $18 and time

That is it for today!  2 posts could be a record for me.  I have gotten a couple of quilts finished the last couple of weeks.  So check back tomorrow to see those!

Rhonda

April FMQ Challenge

As you know from previous posts, I have been participating in
SewCalGal's FMQ project. 
This is my April project. 

Hope you have a great weekend!

Rhonda

Free Motion Quilting Challenge-March

I have been participating in the Free Motion Challenge over at Sewcalgal’s blog.  This month the challenge was from Ann Fahl.  My photos this month are horrible but what is new.  I used a lavender thread on a very busy purple print.  Hopefully you can see them better when you click on them.

I am ready for April now!

Rhonda

First Saturday Sampler

A local quilt shop, L & L Yard Goods in Madison, does a First Saturday Sampler each year.  The first meeting was on Saturday where we received our first block and finishing kits.  I couldn’t wait to get home and do my block.  The fabrics are gorgeous!

I am ready for next month!

Rhonda

Great Gift!

WOW!  Two posts in one day!  No I am not ill!

I received a great gift today.  You might not think so but I sure love it!

This was my grandmother’s sewing machine.  A family member passed it on to me today.  Did a little research and found that it was manufactured in 1948.  The cabinet is in great shape too as well as the bench that goes with it!

Rhonda P.