Design Floor Friday - Challenged {Pieced!!}

Here is the progress made since the last Design Floor Friday post:

The only other thing that I did (after this photo was taken) was to pin the blocks in place on the pieced background.


Why so lazy, Joyful???


Not lazy, friends...


Busy.

I've been cleaning up for a house guest!!!  You try to quilt with a guest sharing your space and see just how much (or little) you're able to accomplish.  :P

Mail Call Monday - The Postman Cometh {Eventually!!!}

Unbeknownst to me, I set the wheels in motion the week before last.  It was late in the evening, while blog hopping, when I did something that I don't normally do.


What's that, Joyful?


I signed up for the accompanying giveaway for THIS:

Now, you might be thinking... umm, Joyful, that's NOT so unusual.  However, for me, (given that there were already more than 500 entries!) it really was out of the norm.

Anyway...

I had a busy day with friends on Friday.  I was out all day and then swung by to have dinner with DS1.  We didn't get home until 7 PM with food for the rest of the family, so it was nearly 8 PM before I booted up my computer for my nightly jaunt through BlogLand and beyond.  (You know the drill... Facebook, Ravelry - if you knit or crochet, emails, and blogs.)

When I finally got around to checking email, this is what I saw...

An email subject heading that read:

Winner of Irish Chain Quilts Blog Hop Grand Prize Giveaway!!!!

My immediate thought was, "Right!!  I've heard THAT before."  My second thought was, 
"I wonder why they are bothering with emailing about the winners?"  Well, let me tell you,  I could barely contain myself (after I was able to accept that it wasn't a hoax email... because, until I read the content TWICE, I was convinced that it was just junk mail.)


I couldn't believe my eyes!  Here's what I read when I opened the email:

On 2015-06-19 09:05, Melissa Corry wrote:

Good Morning and a huge Congrats to you!!!

You won one of the Grand Prize Giveaways as part of the Irish Chain Quilts Blog Hop!!!

I have got a big bundle consisting of a Lizzy House Butterflies Fat Quarter Bundle, and American Jane Lorraine Layer Cake, 2 Irish Green Fat Quarters from Denyse Schmidt's Moderns Solids collection, an Angela Walters Drawn Fat Quarter, a Bitty Bits Mini made by me, and  a signed copy of Irish Chain Quilts ready to ship your way.

Can you please send me your mailing address and I will get this out to you ;)

Congrats again!!!

Melissa Corry Happy Quilting | www.happyquiltingmelissa.com

I'm SO excited!!!  Thank you, Melissa!  Thank you, prize sponsors. And, thank YOU, Mr. Random Number Generator!!!

You have GOT to go check out Melissa's BLOG POST to see the adorable CHARITY QUILT that she made from the blocks made by her Blog Hop participants!!

And just LOOK at the LOOT that was given away:



Judging by the list of prizes that Melissa included in her email, my goodies are on the RIGHT side of the photo shown above.  (I can't WAIT to get my hands on MY copy of her book!  It includes blocks that give a fresh take on the traditional Irish Chain pattern.)

Don't worry...

I'll post another picture when my prize package arrives.

Until then...
Wait patiently!!!  Since I will have to...  :P

ScrapHappy Saturday - RSC15 - Week 25

Welcome to Week 25 of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!  It's hard to believe that we are already HALF way through June.  That's NEARLY half way through the year!!  Now that summer is here, my work schedule has changed.  I'm hoping that will mean MORE time for sewing!

Let's see how that worked for me this week...

On SUNDAY afternoon, I noticed that Angela posted the next RSC Sampler BLOCK TUTORIAL:

Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2015 Sampler - June - Ohio Crossroads

(Oops!  She actually posted it on Saturday, but I don't always notice these things right away.)  If you haven't made one of these blocks, you may want to go grab some scraps and give it a try!

Look what I made!  EIGHT (8) more Crumb Blocks (with bits of LIGHT BLUE):

AND...  ONE Slab Block using the lightest aqua fabrics in the scrap basket:

MONDAY was my day off, so after an early-morning chiropractic appointment (my 3rd), I worked on my Crumb Blocks.  Genius!  They will fit in with EVERY Color of the Month since they will contain every color of the rainbow... and then some.  :o))

I completed TEN Crumb Blocks:

I also made ONE Tiny Nine in LIGHT BLUE:

Before Quilt Guild, I sewed the background for my Paint Chip Challenge:

Sorry! Stellar photography skills at work, once again. I didn't realize that the lighting was so poor.

Followed by ONE Maverick Star:

And, because I had a few minutes remaining, ONE String Block in LIGHT BLUE:

On TUESDAY, I worked a half-day and then went to the grocery store.  While the boys brought in the groceries, I made (Fast) Pepperoni Bread (meaning I used prepared dough instead of making my own.)

It was a HOT day!  So... after some relaxing computer time, I went up to sew...

TWO Slab Blocks in LIGHT BLUE:

And... THIRTY new "Crumb Starters" for my fast-growing collection of blocks:

WEDNESDAY was ANOTHER day off from work.   (I'm REALLY liking this new schedule!!)  I went up to the sewing room with the intention of starting a craft project, but once I sat down in from of the sewing machine...

The rest is history.

Those FABRIC SCRAPS pulled me in and "forced" me to sew them (and sew them, and sew some more.)  When I finally said ENOUGH, I had created another, WAIT FOR IT...

THIRTY "Crumb Starters" in a RAINBOW of colors:

On THURSDAY morning, I went to Quilt Group, taking the equipment needed for Saturday's Dye Frenzy.  I also took my Crumb Quilt to sew down the label (which has been hanging off the back of the quilt since it was finished!)

Between Quilt Group and work, I went shopping for a few last minute items for the printing portion of Saturday morning's event.  Then... I was off to work the evening shift so... no RSC sewing was done today.

FRIDAY morning meant Knit Group (and ANOTHER trip to the mall).  :o))

This particular Friday also included a workout... of my interior design skills, a dinner date, and a special surprise when I (finally) got home and checked my email.  You can read about that on Monday.  Alas, ANOTHER day without RSC Sewing.  :o((

On SATURDAY, after breakfast, I went off to Quilt Bee for our Annual Dye Frenzy.

Here's PART of what I did at the quilting event:

Gelli Printing is FUN!!!  It was my first time with this technique and there is definitely a bit of a learning curve (which provides opportunity for further experimentation.)  Look closely... I even managed to use some LIGHT BLUE the RSC Color of the Month, too.  :o))

Quilting was followed by a trip to our LYS (That's shorthand for Local Yarn Shop for the non-knitters out there!) for my first Knit Class in a number of years.  I took a Finishing Class in order to get a handle on what will be involved in completing my Sideways Lace Vest.  It's a project that has been on the needles for WAY.  TOO.  LONG!!!

Now that the end of the day is approaching, it's time to LINK UP with Angela and the rest of the RSC Quilters for our weekly look at what everyone has been up to.  Go see all the wonderful projects.  It's well worth your time!  (P.S. You will find me at link number 21 this week.)

Until next time...
Get Scrappy!!!

ScrapHappy Saturday - RSC15 - Week 24

Welcome to Week 24 of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!  This week was a little different from the norm.  I actually had a "regular" DAY OFF (and I liked it.)  It came with one regular day and a double, but it brought my sewing opportunities to an all-time high.

Shall I walk you through my week?

SUNDAY - No RSC sewing... unless you count the TWENTY-NINE (29) Crumb Blocks that I completed.  It began yesterday with digging in a scrap bin, so I think it SHOULD count...

Here are the growing blocks coming off the machine:

Blocks (ready for trimming):

See??  LOOK!!  Crumbs (some of the smallest scraps):

And MANY incorporate the LIGHT BLUE Rainbow Scrap Challenge Color of the Month!!

All of this prompted  a MAJOR sorting project while talking on the phone with a friend.  I realize that it looks like a BIG mess right now, but I am making my SCRAP STASH more user friendly.

I'm sorting all of my scraps by color (which makes a LOT more sense for the RSC):

Also on Sunday... Angela posted the first Sampler block for LIGHT BLUE month:

Rainbow Scrap Challenge Sampler - Woven Four Patches

MONDAY - I took at little trip with a friend.  Neither of us had been to the mall in ages, but each of us needed to shop in stores located there.  She, for a particular brand of shoe, and I, for a popular brand of intimate apparel.

Times have REALLY changed!!!

LOOK what I found on the way to the ladies room:

It's a combination phone-charging station/semi-private conversation area (as opposed to wandering around the mall with your phone to your ear.)  Interesting addition to mall-offered services!!!

After our excursion, but before work, I did some more scrap sorting.

It's a BIG job because I have a LOT of scraps.  (Just not a lot in LIGHT BLUE!!!)  The piles are growing and here's the "picture proof":

TUESDAY - What started with me looking for a "usable" scrap of RED fabric for a Crumb Block has turned into a multi-session sort out.  It started on Sunday and continues still, but the "important" thing to know is that I completed FIFTEEN (15) more Crumb Blocks (11 of which include LIGHT BLUE!!)  Not bad for an hour or so:

WEDNESDAY morning included MORE sorting... I told you that I have a LOT of scraps!!  Subtle changes, but the piles are growing:

I also managed to do a bit more sewing (of the RSC variety) after work and made ONE String Block:

Then, before dinner I made ONE String Block and ONE Slab Block in LIGHT BLUE:

After dinner, I sewed a few more Crumb blocks, but didn't have time to trim them up.  Oh, well! Tomorrow is another day...


THURSDAY brought my weekly quilt bee meeting.  Lots of fun and inspiration.  (And a yummy lunch, afterwards!

In between returning home and leaving to take DS2 to play at Graduation, (band) I trimmed up the TWELVE (12) Crumb Blocks that I made after I did my RSC sewing yesterday.

FRIDAY is for knitting buddies.  We hang out and drink coffee at Reed's Art and Coffee in Mebane, NC.  After all the yarn we can stand for one morning (or until one of us starts whining for lunch), we take a poll of where we should eat.  That may or may not be followed by some shopping...  Today? We were off to do our own thing once lunch was over.

The afternoon included come computer time, a load of laundry, and another trip up to the studio to sew.  Here is a photo of the SIX (6) additional Crumb Blocks that I completed before dinner:

SATURDAY, before lunch, I finished up this post and joined in on Angela's LINK party.  Be sure to follow the link to see what all of the other RSC Quilters have been up to this week.  You'll find me at link number 19.  Go, go!!  There are TONS of fabulous projects to see!

Until next time...
Get Scrappy!!!

Design Floor Friday - Challenged {Again!}

Welcome to another installment of Design Floor Friday!!  This week, we find my "Challenged" Quilt in a different form.  The plan has solidified and now decisions must be made regarding color disbursement.


Would YOU like to take a look at the choices?


Sure, Joyful.  Bring them on!


Option One (which DS1 said resembled a box of fancy chocolates) seems to call for an addition "layer" of color, be it purple or brown:

Option Two brought the purples together, but placed the gold/brown sections in a repeating arrangement at either end on the quilt:

Option Three placed both browns by the purple (leaving the golds on the ends):

Option Four changes the color placement once again (with the browns on either end):

What do YOU think?!  Do you have a favorite?  PLEASE share it by posting a comment!!

I'm looking for suggestions of which layout appears to work best for a modern aesthetic.  (Not necessarily block placement, but background color flow.)  I have an idea, but I'm not willing to commit to it at the moment.  I will say this much, when DH walked by he said that it looked like a Modern Quilt.  (He also threw in, "and not like one of your quilts AT ALL.")


My response???


"PERFECT!!  That's JUST what I was going for!!"


SEW...


I feel like I'm on the right track.  The goal of the Paint Chip Challenge portion of this project (besides using the colors of the color cards drawn from the bag) was to use a technique that you haven't used before.

That particular requirement took some serious thought because I've been quilting for a LONG time and I have tried a GREAT NUMBER of techniques along the way!


MODERN.


That opens a whole can of worms, but I'll leave it at this...  In all of my years of quilting, I have NEVER before set out to make a Modern style quilt.




Until next time...
Step outside your comfort zone!!!




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general impressions
1 choppy
2 out of balance
3 open and airy
4 seems to leave the quilt feeling a bit boxed in
interesting... the art bee unnanimously voted for option three

ScrapHappy Saturday - RSC15 - Week 23

Welcome to Week 23 of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!  It's been another busy week.  I'm REALLY beginning to wonder if there is any other kind!!

SUNDAY was spent in the car.  Hour after hour (after HOUR)!!!  It's a LONG way from Florida back to North Carolina.  We didn't get home until midnight.  :o((

Back to work on MONDAY... an extra long split shift.  (With my FIRST chiropractic appointment in between.)  I found myself feeling a little out of sorts and looking forward to 5:30.  I made sure to make it an EARLY night!!

By TUESDAY afternoon, I was ready to spend a little time in the studio.  I started by cleaning up the rest of the GREEN and pulling out the bag of LIGHT BLUE that I collected as we were sewing DARK BLUE back in January.

I will, once again, be using a variety of BLUE fabric this month:

WEDNESDAY, before dinner, I actually SEWED... until I was too hungry to sew anymore!  I got a good start on the beginnings of one Maverick Star Block:

And... you know it's time to stop for the night when...


... the 2.5 LIGHT BLUE String Blocks that you made look like THIS:

Can YOU spot the problem with that center block???  Looks like I lined up the WRONG line on the ruler when trimming this block down to size...  Oops!!!

That's OK. I've already cut it into 4 to make the centers of some Maverick Stars. :o))

On THURSDAY, I worked a LONG day at one job and followed it up with working my evening job, too.  Can you say TIRED???  That's what I was at day's end.

FRIDAY was a half day for work, followed by my 2nd ever chiropractic appointment.  Today's visit was less traumatic than Monday's.  Apparently, doing my "prescribed" stretches cuts down on the number of visits needed to correct "diagnosed" problems. :o))

When I got home, I spent a few minutes of quality time with my sewing machine.  Here's what we accomplished...  ONE Slab Block and ONE Tiny Nine:

And... Before dinner, I went back up to assemble ONE Maverick Star Block that I prepped earlier:

SATURDAY began WAY earlier that I would have liked, but after getting DS2 off to take his SAT Subject Tests, I finished up this post and joined the LINK Party over at So Scrappy blog.  Be sure to click over to see what all of the other RSC Quilters have been working on during this first week of LIGHT BLUE.  (Since I was up with the chicken this morning...)  Look for me at link number FIVE (5) while you're there!

I'm heading up to the studio to start on a NEW project today, so my RSC sewing will be put on hold for the day.  Don't worry!  I'll get back to my Rainbow projects tomorrow.

Until next time...
Get Scrappy!!!

Design Floor Friday - Challenged

Welcome to another edition of Design Floor Friday!!  I've got an Art Bee meeting coming up tomorrow and it was requested that we bring any progress on our Strip Insertion Challenge quilts.

This is a problem because...

 I haven't really made any progress!!

Until now...

Therefore, that project is the one that occupies the design floor today:

You can see my color cards for the Guild's Paint Chip Challenge in the lower right.  I'm combining the two challenges into ONE quilt.  While that is a challenge in itself, I'm also trying to make it MODERN... a technique that I have very little (read NO) experience in designing.

Here's a reminder of where my entry seemed to be going originally, a scattered "waterfall" effect over the surface of the quilt:

It appears to want to be BIGGER and BOLDER than I originally thought.  I've sketched out some ideas and THIS will be my submission at tomorrow's meeting:

The first design is (loosely) based on my friend Candy's recent Convergence Quilt (which was inspired by Ricky Tims' book on that technique):





The second design was inspired by Angela at SoScrappy blog.  Her blog is filled with MANY wonderful quilts and she used this background technique on her 2014 Rainbow Scrap Challenge Quilt.  Click to see the quilt.  It gives a TOTALLY modern feel to a sampler quilt!

I have another idea, but didn't draw it out for you (or me!)  As you well know, the completed quilt may end up looking COMPLETELY different, anyway!!  Such is the nature of designing a quilt of one's own, as opposed to using a commercial pattern for a quilt.  At least, that's how it works for me!!

:o))

Until next time...
Be creative!!!