Finished SKOW - a little late

Thanks to Chookyblue and the encouragement of all the other bloggers, I have finished my SKOW quilt - its a little late, but only a month so it's not too bad.

I added a label - something I know we should all do but I often don't unless it is for a gift.  I I used the  "Sunshine on my Face" block for the label, since I had already stitched it before I decided not to include it in the quilt.

Don't ask me why I didn't pre plan the wording and spread it around a bit more -
obviously too much on my mind and not paying attention.

I have found the monthly deadlines so motivating - although I didn't get the work done every time and could have posted a lot more, I did end up pretty much on schedule.

And once more - a HUGE thank you to Chookyblue for all the work she does.

I am going to put photos of each block over on my blog - on a separate page "SKOW".  You may need to wait until after the weekend - it's going to be a busy one.

Ta Da - At Last

Finally, I have a completed Some Kind of Wonderful quilt to share.

 

 

I finished it at a quarter to twelve the night before our blog meet last Saturday. There was no way I was going to front up without it being finished.

 

I’ve really enjoyed making this quilt. There was one stage in the middle of the year where I wondered if I would actually get it done, but then I had some time and got a wriggle on.
 

My friend Val did the quilting. Lots of free hand feathers.
 



 

She outlined the appliqué beautifully.

 

Look at all those feathers.

 

I’m not sure which is my favourite block, but I am rather partial to the suitcase, which was the only block I tailored to suit me. I just have to make sure that I do visit New Zealand in the not too distant future.

 

 

Thanks Chooky for the inspiration and the occasional whipping. I would never have attempted, let alone completed this quilt otherwise.

 

 



It sure Is The Season

My Tis the Season.

It is all quilted and the binding is stitched down!!

Doing the Happy Dance.....

I finished my SKOW Quilt at 6 PM today, Tuesday, November 20....

I chose a pale gold (actually darker than the photo) for the backing 

and a darker tone on tone gold for the binding.

I machine quilted in the ditch between strips, blocks and patchwork.

Mama Bear

Quilting Finished....

Binding being sewn on.....
Mama Bear

Hooray Hooray I'm FINISHED!

Thanks to ChookyBlue and Jude 

I am finally finished my SKOW, it was a race to get here but I made it..

 Thanks for the super encouragement and the whippings.

 Sorry I took my time..LOL... but I made it, only 16 days late!

 I don't own a cat or dog due to some allergies,

 and a sewing machine is my buddy...

so it was a sewing time block instead!

 All quilted and bound and hanging in the sunshine.

 On my bed for now.

 

 I am so thrilled with the look of it, I just need to convince my hubby

our bed is the place it can live for a time!

 Thanks again for the encouragement and excitement.

 Hugs Dawn x x x

As Sweet as Cinnamon

~Progress on Backing for Gardeners Journal~

It's been a long time but now that Pirates of Penzance has finished I can start to get back to my GJ quilt...

I have started piecing the back Y I P E E 

I went to Finishing School last week and the advice was to square the fabric down to 38" and then make up pieces of 10 1/2" and now it is coming together beautifully

I can't be *H A P P I E R *

Thank you so much Chooky for the phone call....it was lovely to hear from you and as you said just put it together...

It's back to the cutting table for me now...Dzintra

A new cat on a new frame

Hi girls! Let me show you my new kitty! She loves my quilt! It's soooo sweet!

And I begun to quilt with my new frame, but I had to change my quilting tecnique and I've got some problems. Can you help me? How long are the needles you use? How many times you pick the quilt before pull the thread? I bend and damage all my needles... I bought some quilting needles but they seem too short and breackable!!! And I love to pick the fabric 4 or 5 times, but how can I do it with a so short needle?

Meanwhile.....

as I try to finish the quilt....

here for your enjoyment is the pin cushion from SKOW

project book...

What my hubs did for me

My hubs did for me... a King size frame! So for the forst time I can hand- quilt a king size quilt!!! And what quilt I'll quilt? SKoW, of course! :)

Backing.....

My quilt top has now been complete now for a few weeks and I am really struggling to find a fabric that I like to put on the back. My local fabric shop has nothing nice & I have been searching the net.

I have found one this morning that I think will be OK, but I am little worried about the colour and how it will go with my binding. So I was wondering if any of you have been disappointed with the colours of fabric that you have brought online?

My quilting fairy can't fit me in until the new year, but has said that she will call if a spot becomes available. So I would like to be prepared just in case.

Oh what to do..............................



Its Quilted

I've just been looking at all the fantastic SKOW quilts that Chookyblue has posted for us and realised I didn't post a picture of mine after it had the top and bottom borders on - and it is quilted now.

I still have the binding and some embellishing to do - slowly getting there. 

Links to SAL albums.........

Just to remind you what we have achieved in the Stitch-a-long blog................it is AMAZING..............

Check out the album links below to see all the quilts..........

every little quilt adds up to an amazing display..........

A Gardener's Journal

Gardener's Journals

Tis the Season

TTS Finished quilts

Some Kind of Wonderful - My Favourite Things

Some Kind Of Wonderful - Anni Downs finished quilts

Caramel & roses for SKoW's backing

Here I am! I bought fabrics for batting, backing and binding. I bought a Fig tree fabric for backing: caramel with rose. I love caramel... and love acid green!!! And roses are so romantic... My cat loves them, too... Then for binding the shop assistent suggested me to use coral red... what a great idea! It's perfect with backing and it light the top...

And for batting she suggested me "Bamboo"... so soft! Did any of you quilt it?

 

Update from Mama Bear

I hadn't posted anything for a while so thought I would report in on my SKOW. I have begun the quilting by machine stitching around the borders. Life is getting in the way of that. First our club had its State Conference. Then, Honey Bear and I went on vacation. I did a little cross stitching while we were gone but didn't have the quilt to the place I could start the hand quilting yet so didn't take it with me.  I was home Friday but had to take my grandson to the Doctor. I'm looking for a day at home alone with nothing to do but quilt. Hopefully Tuesday as I have commitments today and Monday. I will finish it before the end of the year, Chooky, I promise. I feel bad because I met the deadline on the last two SAL projects but not this one. I hope you'll let me stay in, if you decide to do something else.I will post photos as soon as things have progressed some.
Mama Bear/Sammie 

I got more done last night ...

... but it was really only prep-work, lol!

I decided to use last night's Friday Night with Friends to get a modicum of prep done for my SKoW quilt, if only to get the ball rolling.  Lol!  I got a lot more done than I expected, though it still looks like not very much, lol!  

I started by laying out my current finished blocks on the mat, and cut out the remaining bases for my blocks.  I am pretty happy with the layout I have here, though my perfectionist streak tells me that the value percentages are all haywire, lol!!

I have pinned a label onto each block so I know exactly what they are for ... and then pinned each row together from top to bottom as I did the pellon earlier in the week.

I was also able to push through and get six blocks prepped for their needle turn, adding in the stitchery details with my micron pen so I don't have to go back and draw that up once the appliqué is done ... it's all ready to go.

Clockwise from top left : "A good book to read", "Birdsong in the morning", "Family",
"Butterflies fluttering", "Sunshine on my face", "Presents to share"

So, six blocks ready to get stuck into ... the rest of the blocks cut, ready to be prepped once these are done.  I am hoping to get as much of these six done as soon as I can since I was asked by a close friend if I would redo the (pathetic!!!) hand quilting on the quilts she purchased online for her girls - that's three single bed quilts, requested in two weeks!! LOL!  At least she's said she's prepared to pay me well for it!!  It'll be a big job, just from looking at the photos she sent me!! (I'll get more of a close up tomorrow when we catch up at church).

So, that's where I'm up to ... Seven blocks prepped for their needle turn (I had the hot chocolate block prepped earlier in the week).

Now, to go get some lunch, before getting stuck into some needle turn appliqué ... Oh, and I have floors to clean today too!!!  Better get a move on!!!

SKoW progress from Bears' Mum :)

Slowly but surely I am working my way through the SKoW blocks...I have completed the following three- and need to stitch on my pins and stitch down the hexagons and tape measure on the sewing block. Husband and son have gone to Sydney for the weekend, so I plan on setting up on the dining room table today!! Ironing board, cutting mat, machine and fabrics...I can't wait!

Changed words to " our garden "

Bear the labrador and Hazel cat :)

Kate and I...

Changed words to "quilting" and made hexies...just need to stitch them down, the tape and add my pins!

I have five more blocks to go. I am keeping the travel bag, but changing the other four. Last night I traced three blocks onto vlisofix, so will be getting them ready to stitch today. Have a happy weekend guys!!!

Cheers, Suze.

PS- Thankyou to Chooky for running this stitch a long. It is my first time and I have enjoyed it immensely. While I am dissapointed in myself for not meeting the deadline, I will not stop stitching!! I am not renound for finishing...cough cough...shutup Kate....but am on a mission as I am booked in to have it quilted. I have enjoyed reading everyones posts, commenting and receiving comments from other quilters. It feels really nice to be part of such a warm, friendly group of like-minded people. I hope that one day I will get to meet some of you, but until then will keep in touch via posts. Perhaps another stitch a long next year if it happens....please let it happen...  I have enjoyed stitching and sewing again, for probably the first time in 2-3 years, so for that "Thankyou." Love to all xo

Meg's quilt..........

 Part of my email from Meg

"A quick dinner at 8pm, off to bed and then my time.  I sat at my machine and worked until midnight on my SKOW, how much I love this quilt and it coming together.  I was so excited watching the quilt come together, wow it looks amazing.

Thank you Chooky for helping kick me along.  I so love being involved in this group.  Everyone inspires each other.  Everyones has an individual touch. 

My quilt is again being worked on tonight.  How I wish I could work the weekend and have the whole week off.  Would suit me fine, Id quilt all day long.

Hugs Meg" 

Meg your quilt looks great......so glad you made the deadline............always happy to kick you along...........

thanks for being part of the SAL...........

Chookyblue

Way behind!!!!!….Gorgeous Friend……

I have been totally blown away to see all the completed SKOW quilts….

well done and congratulations to everyone,

I am way behind, but, I will get there….I am now so motivated….

There is one thing that I would like to say and I am sure you will all agree with me….

How amazing is our Chooky……all her hard work, follow ups, chasing up, words of encouragement (cracking of the whip)….emails….

this women, my gorgeous friend, is totally amazing….

so to you Chooky…..

Peg…xx

Finished my top!!!!!

Hi Girls,

I finished my top last night before midnight, but my
son had my pc and I couldn't post my pictures.
So now I've got my pc, so I can show the pictures!!!

 I very happy to have finished my top, but now I've got to put 
it a side for a while. When I've got a little bit more time, I'm
going to quilt it by machine, wich will be the first that I'll be
quilting by machine. When it's quilted I'll post a picture.

I want to thank Chooky for organising the SAL, it was great
being a part of it!!! 

                                     Take care,
                                         Martine