Can't nobody hold me down

Yes. That's right. 2 squares in one day. Can you tell the holidays are over? I must say: the tired mama in me didn't like how long this square took but the perfectionist in me absolutely loves the precision and how perfect the back looks. I'll definitely be trying this again as well. Thanks for the fun, peeps. Next year is the year of rotating quilting and knitting for me. Thanks again. It's been fabulous!

With 2 days to spare...

I finished! Love this square, teriney. I am definitely saving this idea for future use. Hope you like it. Now to tackle Shari's...

up until 3am (and worth it)

Several months ago, I saw a quilted calendar pocket at Pinwheel Fabrics and I loved the idea because I spend a lot of time each year finding a new calendar that I don't mind looking at EVERY DAY and then fork out a good chunk of change for it!  So I gathered up my leftover selvages from Kristin's square and pulled out an old Martha Stewart article on the lone star design.

Of course, I didn't save the actual lone star template all those years ago, so I had to make my own pattern.  You could use ANY quilt design you like, though.  The background piece is 12.5"x25".  I foundation pieced each lone star piece with selvages to make a 12" square.  I backed it with Warm & White and then sewed it right side down on the backing and flipped it up to the top.  The pocket has some stabilizer (plus the cardboard that came with the calendar) to hold the weight of the calendar.  Then I just bound it with 1" scrap strips (1/4" seam then turned to the back and stitched in the ditch).  Oh, and the calendar is from the Dollar Tree.  I love it!

Happy New Year!
(and Merry Christmas, we haven't even opened presents yet - waiting for all the kids to get back)

In the nick of time..

I just barely got Kristin's block done - just in time for her to leave. We will miss you - but what an awesome adventure you are going to have. And what fun fabric you will find over there! I am so excited for your family.

So here is Oct, Nov, and Dec - it's been fun ladies and I will keep checking back to see what your up to. Maybe after this next year I will beg to join your group again. But I have decided that I need to take this coming year and finish up all of my many incomplete projects..like the cool quilt I made for Caden when he was 6 and all I need to do is bind it. It is too childish for him now - but I guess he can keep it for his 1st boy. It is definitely time to get caught up.

Just a tip on the Nov block of mine - when you have completed all of the A & B sections and it is time to join the sections - take the paper off. It is much easier to line up the center of the sun that way. Thanks - can't wait to see the rest. Happy Holidays Ladies!

Nov & Dec

I tried to make Shari's square "scrappy", but it turned out schizophrenic.  I should have thrown in some solids!  I do like the precision of paper piecing.

and here is Teriney's square... such a cute pattern!  I hope it's "light" enough!

Merry Christmas, ladies.

Simple Square

 Ticking things off the to-do list feels so good!  

This was super fast and I love the way it turned out.  Hope you like it, Teriney!

Funky Sun- Kristin

Paper piecing is not my thing, for now. I don't have the patience for all of the steps, but it was really neat to see it come together. I'm glad to have practiced a new technique.



Hope you like it, Shari

Rain and Tokyo Sunshine

Here you go, Shari!  Kind of reminds me of an Eric Carle illustration. Hope you like it.
xo
Becca

DECEMBER: Teriney's Square

Okay. I have had a ton of fun working on each of your squares and enjoyed learning a few new things this year. With it being December and my month and me feeling a little overwhelmed with my sewing 'to do' list, I decided to keep it simple. Plus I really do like simple (Like this!). I am sending each of you:
1 15x15 piece of white fabric with a 12'' circle drawn in pencil on the fabric
1 petal applique pattern

Here is what you do:

Admire circle ;)


Cut out 6 petals in fabric of your choice...mostly...I really want the finished quilt to be 'light' & Fun! Please make sure each print includes white, cream or another 'light' color in addition to other colors (see petals in this post). Please use small to medium sized prints. And lastly, please no solid colored fabric.

(template) Iron each petal flat.
(Example of Fabric)
Place petals around inside of circle, tip to tip.

Glue down each petal.

Applique each petal. Please use a zig zag stitch & white thread.

Done in no time flat leaving you time to enjoy: pinterest, hulu (here is one of my favorites) or facebook!

Here are some finished ones.

xoxo Teriney

Thanks again lady friends!

Tokyo Sun...Rainbow Style

I'm glad we got to learn a new technique. Once I studied it out a bit, it was very easy. My camera needs some adjustments, the pink in the picture is actually a red.

Kristin's Square

I woke up at 4:30 this morning to make this square.

We are leaving for a little Thanksgiving vacation, and I could not have it hanging over my head.

 I LOVE that there little secret phrases hidden.

 Dave was very concerned that I was sewing instead of packing.

He knows that I would rather be sewing than packing any day.

Plus, it was beyond satisfying to drop it in the mail.

I hope enjoy it, Kristin.

A first...

This is the first time I have finished a square this early! I had fun! The tutorials really helped...mostly to instill confidence! Have fun Ladies!

Sneek Peek: Shari's Square

TOKYO SUN
I was so excited to get Shari's square that I thought I would give you a preview until you get yours...


This is the ending pattern...Shari included yellow for the center and we basically get to choose the other fabrics. I am excited, however I may need to do another group stich'n night...it is paper piecing, which is new to me...but I am really excited about it! Thank you Shari!

Found this video on YouTube:

http://www.fonsandporter.com/articles/paper_foundation_piecing

I like this one best:)
http://craftygemini.blogspot.com/2010/09/paper-piecing-tutorial.html

Love the windmill

This square was so fun and I love how they all look. Great pattern choice, kristin. Hope you like it!

In the Nick of Time

 Nothing like a little procrastination to get the creative juices flowing!  

I really, really love how this turned out and I'm super excited to see all the squares together.  

I was surprised at how well all the different selvages go together.

This may be my favorite square to date.

Wordy Windmill

love, Love, LOVE this one! I was nervous at first just because I don't keep a huge fabric stash, so I didn't have many selvages...reason to go shopping...and raid a friends stash.

It will be in the mail this afternoon.

here are my efforts kristin.

i really, really, really loved making this square.

i cannot wait to see it all together!

scrappy windmill

This was a lot of fun to make! It made me want one of my own!
My favorite part is the turtles.
And I reconfirmed that I have quite a Sandi Henderson fetish.
...and a thing for cherries!
Hope you enjoy it, Kristin!

Mardie's Quilt Sampler

My Mom's goal has been to make two squares each month...at least! :) One to give away, and one to keep for a sampler.  She has been having fun making a bunch of our squares! Go see!

don quixote

here's my square for Kristin...

that was fun!

stacking up

 Can you find YOUR square?

Kristin's Selvage Windmill

I was pretty sure that I wanted to do a block from my Modern Log Cabin book, but then I made it and changed my mind. After a morning's worth of surfing I came across THIS one, and instantly fell in love.

It reminds me of Jen's Spiderwebs because it uses the same foundation piecing, which I really enjoy.

You can check out the link for her tutorial, but it isn't very specific, so here is my version.

P.S.- I stink at tutorials, so forgive me.

Without further ado, here it is!

It will look absolutely perfect on my couch....

Everyone will be getting a 14.5" square of Kona White.

 You will need to cut it into 4 smaller squares, which should measure 7.25" each.

 Pick a corner. Now measure 1.5" on each side of the corner and make a small dot with a pencil. (two small dots total)

 On the corner diagonal to where you made the marks, you will make two more marks- this time 3" out from the corner, on each side.

 Then, connect the dots, one 1.5" mark to one 3" mark. Do that on both sides.

It should look like this.

 Once you have two lines, you will connect the 3" marks with a line.

Now it should look like this.

 Take your first selvage, right sides together stitch the unfinished or print edge to one of the longer lines.

 Press it open.

 Next, get another selvage strip. Right sides together, line up the unfinished edge of selvage two with finished edge of selvage one and stitch.

Press open. Make sure you are including the white "foundation" when stitching the selvages.

Now, keep adding until the corners are covered.

Once one side is complete, do the other long side.

 The back should look like this.

Do the corner last, the same as the longer sides.

Here is what it'll look like...

Now, turn it over and square it up.

Oh so gratifying!!!

Now do it three more times. Join the four squares to complete the windmill shape like my first picture using a 1/4" seam allowance.

 A few specifics:

*I left a 1/2 of print above my selvages when I cut them, just to add a little flavor.

*When I attached each selvage I used 1/8" seam allowance instead of 1/4" to allow for more visibility with the wording, etc.

*If you don't have enough selvages to complete the square, I don't mind if you do a few strips of just fabric, but not too many of those. I want it to look wordy...

*I also want it to look colorful, so try to use a variety of prints

*If you need selvages I have some extras and would be happy to round some up for you, just let me know

*please don't trim the edges once you've completed the square:)

Hugs and kisses to you all, I can't wait to see your fabulous work!