Tuned Into Texture--Project Quilting Challenge 3

This past week sewists were challenged to think about texture and include it in a project.

I was stumped. I was busy. But I wanted to take part.

I looked at my pile of scraps from trimming my Baby Lattice Quilt and thought I could use them to make a matching baby bib and throw in some texture.

I got out the seam ripper and removed all of the white to use up the patterned fabric pieces.

I sewed the scraps wanky-panky together. (cool word, eh?)

I didn't want it to look like perfect patchwork.

Using my bib template that I've used a billion-jillion times to check for size,

I traced and trimmed the fabric.

I wanted to add a flower applique with some "poof",

so I cut a matching piece of batting to sew under each layer of the flower.

I used the blanket stitch around each flower. Very organic stitching!

Now it was time for the fun part! Thinking about the ripples in water when a stone is thrown in, I went for the "ripple" look around the flower. I sewed it onto a piece of batting that was in the scrap pile. I just zig-zagged them together to make a piece large enough. Perfect!

The ripple/echo quilting was the most fun! It really does give this sweet bib a lot of texture.

It was cut free from the batting and stitched with a gray polka-dot backing,

then top stitched for stability.

With my label, all it needs is a snap!

The bib measures 9.5" x 14". It has 3 layers and is a scrappy patchwork design.
Completed in my sewing room in Dubuque, Iowa.

I  hope the new mama will love this for her first baby!

Linking up with:

Persimon Dreams Project Quilting Season 8 Week 3

Lily Pad Quilting Cabin Fever Party

Oh Scrap! Quilting is More Fun Than Housework!

The Baby Lattice Quilt...finished!

Yeah! The project I've been working on all of this month is finally finished!

Just 3 days ago, this quilt was looking like this:

All it needed was the binding.

Lots of work this month was preventing me from getting into the sewing room.

It's been the winter testing period for the school district.

In the past 2 weeks, I've tested almost 300 kindergarteners and 1st graders.

Once each school day was over, I was too pooped to do much of anything!

Choosing a fabric for the binding always seems to be a tough one.

I lined up the fabric choices beneath the edges to see what would jump at me.

They all did!

So, I had to ask my husband for help.

Yeah, the one who has trouble matching his socks to his slacks.

The one who has a great eye for matching binding to quilt tops!

Using the process of elimination, we ended up choosing the coral floral fabric from Kate Spain.

It turned out to be a perfect choice!

We had a few rays of sunshine this morning and we ran outside for photos.

Has January been gray and gloomy for everyone?

Sigh.

This quilt will be given to the daughter of a good friend who is having the first

grandbaby on both sides of the family.

The expectant mother grew up with my kids and it will be such a joy

to give this to her as she and her husband welcome their new blessing into the world!

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal January Linkup

and

AmyScrapSpot

Eight is Great! Project Quilting 8.1

Above is my project for the first week of the

Persimon Dream's Project Quilting Season 8!

This first challenge was named "Eight is Great".

I was stumped for two days on what to do.

Eight? Eight what?

Well, as I thought, I realized that there are 8 steps to every quilting project!! Who knew, right?

1. The Need/Desire

My need AND desire was to partake in this challenge.

I enjoy a good challenge and love getting involved in a blog challenge!

2. Inspiration

Since I was literally dumbfounded for an idea,

I spent some time

searching through my books and magazines and pinterest.

With the theme Eight is Great, I was inspired to create a post  and project to describe the 8 steps of creating a quilt. 

3. Creating/Choosing a Pattern

I found several blocks and projects that

included an 8 pointed star.

Could I make an 8 pointed star?

I had a diamond template.

But it wasn't the right angle to make 8 in a circular pattern.

My math genius husband came to my rescue.

He made me a template that worked! Yeah!

4. Pulling Fabrics

Now that I had my idea and template,

I needed to find the perfect fabrics!

Selvages!!! Selvages to the rescue!

5. The Making Process

I began with a thin white fabric scrap and

started sewing my selvages onto it in rows.

Sewing these together gave me so many other ideas...

I loved the look!

 

I used my template to cut out 8 diamonds,

tracing the shape on the back.

I began sewing them together and the

magic started to appear!

I made a purple patchwork background

to show off the light colored star.

**These fabrics were all used in my classrooms as bulletin board backgrounds. I was happy to give them a purpose!

I quilted with a simple cross-hatch.

The star was treated with Lara's Crafted Applique technique, then stitched to the patchwork background

using a zig-zag stitch.

6. The Finish

Now that the major part of the work was done,

it was time to add the binding.

I also added pockets and bands to the back for hanging.

To the very center, I added 3 sweet buttons

shaped like spools of thread!

7. Sharing

What fun is it to make something and not share it?

If it's not going to be gifted to someone,

it must be shared on social media, right?

This pretty star is being shared here on my blog,

Project Quilting 8.1 and Instagram.

8. Enjoyment/Admiration

It will forever hang on my sewing room wall to remind me of the joy every sewing and quilting project brings me.

My 8 Points of Quilting Star measures 19" x 19".

It was made in my Dubuque, Iowa home.

It contains patchwork, applique and 3 layers.

Stay tuned for voting starting on Sunday, January 8!!

Where'd She Go?

After 31 consecutive days of blogging,

I used my "Get Out of Blog Free" card!

Blogging daily was not an easy challenge,

but it did get easier as time went by.

I've still got ideas rolling around in my head to post about. There's still time for those.

But since Dec. 31st, I've been crazy busy with working, de-Christmassing the house, and starting a new sewing project. The Lattice Quilt is temporarily put to the side.

This is my second year partaking in the

Project Quilting Challenges.

Project Quilting Season 8 by Persimon Dreams started on January 1st and will run through March 19.

Every 2 weeks, a new theme is announced and projects must be completed and linked up in one week.

The following week, viewers get to vote!

Of course, prizes are involved. Sweet, huh?

This week's challenge is: Eight is Great

Submissions are due on January 8th

Since my project isn't finished yet,

I thought I'd offer some teasers...

It involves selvages. I've kept them for years and look for ways to use them up!

This turned out so cool that I hated to....

Diamond templates are used.

My talented husband used his math skills

to make what I needed.

My favorite color is used too!

Each of these fabrics were used as bulletin board

backgrounds from my teaching days.

I hope to have this project finished tomorrow.

Then I'll get it linked up to Persimon Dreams.

In the meantime, Miss Sophie has been

keeping herself comfortable.

50 More Facts About Me

Oh, friends, I know you've been waiting for the next installment to the Facts About Me.

Here they are!

1. Most of my adult life, I was 5'9". I am now 5'8.5". I guess I'm over the hill.
2. My first car was a red 1972 Nova. It was a gas guzzler.
3. I have had 2 speeding tickets. The first one was more than my paycheck.
4. I have been in only one car accident. Someone rear-ended me in a snowstorm.
5. I have lived in 5 different houses in my lifetime...all in the same city.
6. My daughter and I each have a mole in the very same place...not telling where!
7. My eyes are hazel...the same as my mom's name.
8. My father was an abusive alcoholic, but not going there anymore.
9. I love Diet Pepsi, but will not drink more than one per day, if at all.
10. I prefer a bath over a shower any day.
11.  My favorite band is the Rolling Stones. I have seen them in concert 3 times!
12. Cruising is a favorite vacation. We've gone on 4...so far!
13. We also like to travel by Amtrak. We've gone on 4 train trips too...so far!
14. I love coffee, but limit myself to no more than 2 per day. Hot and black.
15. I lack a sense of direction and can easily get lost anywhere. A Garmin is always in my glove box.
16. I've been a Christian all of my life and always will be. God has blessed me in many ways.
17. I have an uncanny way of telling people what's on their minds.
18. I also tend to be very empathic. Not always a good thing.
19. To fall asleep, I must have my ears covered.
20. I was engaged to another man when I met my husband.
21. I have a scar near my right eye when I was thrown from the back seat in my sister's car at the age of 4.
22. I became an aunt at the age of 6.
23. I won 1st place at a local Pillsbury contest and won $500.
24. I tend to be very lucky. Once in a while I'll  play the lottery.
25. My blood type is O positive. I donate blood every 56 days.
26. I get along with most people, but am easily intimidated.
27. I prefer the toilet paper to roll off from the top. I've been known to change the position of the roll in other people's houses.
28. I've always been a great speller.
29. I rarely buy anything at full price. Groceries are excluded. I love a good sale!
30. There is always a pile of books at my bedside.
31. I am NOT photogenic! Hence, there is no photo of me on the home page of this blog. Yet.
32. French Fries. I love them! This has to change!
33. Scary movies are not my thing. Neither are roller coasters.
34. I recycle everything I can. Keeping the world the best we can for others is important to me.
35. I broke both bones in my left wrist in 2007. I wore an external fixator for 5 weeks and had 5 months of PT following. I now have a 2% disability in that wrist.
36. I wore glasses at the age of 4 til 2nd grade. I was cross-eyed.
37. Now I have prescription glasses for work to help me read. At home, I wear cheaters. +1.5
38. Rainy days always get me down.
39. I am always on the lookout to help someone. It makes me happy to help.
40. I always wear a watch. It goes on my left wrist.
41. I cannot learn anything new beyond 8:00 PM. My brain is not receptive and nothing sticks.
42. I have to look at my hands to tell left from right...remember I am directionally-challenged!
43. I have never worn high heels. Nothing over 2" heels for me. I am too tall.
44. I gave birth to both of my children with NO pain killers. Totally natural. TMI?
45. I've always wanted to be a woman who loves to host dinner parties, but it's not me.
46. I collect pennies in a 5 gallon glass jug. When it's full, I take it to the bank and buy something frivolous.
47. I really don't like talking on the phone. I like person-to-person conversations.
48. I am a homebody. I can stay at home happily for days and days.
49. People who are rude, biased, close-minded, and disrespectful really bother me. I have been known to support the innocent by-stander.
50. I like making lists and usually have 3 or 4 going at once.

There you have it!

Do you see anything here that we have in common?

*Day 31 of 31 Days of Blogging Challenge (I MADE IT!!!!)