Sunday, March 2, 2014

Little bits of this and that

 Happy Sunday!  The above quilt from Terry's Treasures quilt along is completely complete. Quilted, binding done, labeled, the whole shebang.  I really enjoyed the push to get this done...thank you so much, Terry!!
 Here is a closeup of the binding.  I did it by machine...it was so much faster!  And since it will be a quilt that gets used a lot, I thought it would be OK to use a machine applied binding.  I used the little flange method so that there is a little more interest, and I could put it on by machine.  I have done this with two quilts so far, and I am getting better at it, although far from perfect!!  I learned something this week from Jo's Country Junction...she says to use the darkest fabric in the quilt and use it as the binding.  I like that idea!!
 I had a leftover block from the quilt, so I made a little candle mat and hand quilted it.  No marking, just going for it!
 A baby quilt that has been languishing for years in the quilt cupboard is at last together and quilted!!  I will wait to bind it until the next baby comes along...girl (pink binding); boy (blue binding).
 This quilt went to a patient this last week, after it was bound and finished.  He liked it a lot...poor little old fella, a patient at the hospital, needed some quilting hugs...he has a long recovery ahead of him!  I am never sure what kind of a quilt to give a guy...much harder than for girls, LOL!
 I started a string X quilt too...I do love my strings!!  48 of these to do...
 I tried to stick with all pastels, for spring!!  Tried, that is...some dark strings just insist on sneaking in there...
 The cut off corners from the string X quilt blocks became a couple little quiltlets.  The blue is entirely by machine, and the pink one is all by hand.  A fun experiment...it took about 4 times longer by hand, but I like the look better...it is somehow softer to the hand.
 Little four inch sampler blocks...
using this tool to make them.  I like this too, it gives the measurements for several different sizes of lots of blocks...easy...no brain work involved for me, LOL!!



And that is about all, folks!!  Believe it or not, it was 82 degrees yesterday, and now it is snowing and 21 degrees.  A strange winter!!  All the trees are confused...do I bud out or not, they whisper to me as I walk?!!!  Surely your trees talk to you too?



Have a great day, all!!

Julie

31 comments:

dq said...

Wow, you are getting a lot done lately. I can't wait to see your x strings quilt. I am keeping my eyes peeled for a quilt pattern I can make with 2 1/2" strips I won. That one would work.

dq said...

Wow, you are getting a lot done lately. I can't wait to see your x strings quilt. I am keeping my eyes peeled for a quilt pattern I can make with 2 1/2" strips I won. That one would work.

Leeanne said...

Your are a machine! Love em all! Are you still using a foundation fabric that you leave in for your string blocks/piecing?

Megan said...

I love your scrappy quilt along quilt Julie. Congratulations on a bunch of fabulous finishes.

Megan
Sydney, Australia

Kim said...

Oh boy you have been busy,,,,I need to get moving.
Where do you live that you got that huge weather swing?

Happy Sewing

Terry said...

Everything looks great! I really love your Irene quilt! Congratulations on getting it finished! :0)

Sharon said...

Love the strings rings, going to be great. Please send me your snail mail again, I have a box ready to ship to you!

Vicki W said...

Wish I had accomplished a tenth of what you have!

hetty said...

Wow! Lots of sewing! Love your Irene quilt. How big did you make it? I want to make mine bigger too, but I don't know if I have enough of the cross fabric.

Pattypiecer said...

Just wanted to tell you that I love visiting your blog. You are always so inspiring, don't know how you get so many quilts done.
Keep inspiring us.

Nancy said...

So many projects, Julie! You must work really fast. The first one just sparkles. It's beautiful. And I love the one you made for your male patient.

Loris said...

Fun projects! Can't wait to see the X strings quilt blocks :-)
Yes, a weird winter... but we just got rain here in California and we are Happy!

Helen in the UK said...

All your projects look great - you've been so productive! Love how you bordered/finished the quilt-a-long quilt. Hope your patient was delighted with his quilt, it was the perfect 'guy' quilt :)

ria vogelzang said...

Lovely quilts and such beautiful colors!
Enjoy them all!
Love from the Netherlands, Ria.

Lori said...

You are sure UFO busting! Lovely work, as usual Julie.

Jan said...

I love all your quilts! You have been a busy bee! You do great work.

Janet O. said...

Each project makes me smile--and I can't believe how many of them there are!
BTW, I think you made a perfect "guy" quilt!

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

What wonderful finishes! You have really gotten a lot done. I love the hand stitching on your candle mat. Very cute. And the string blocks are on my to-do list! I have a few done somewhere, but would like to do a whole bunch more. Hope the cold weather doesn't last long.

Quilter Kathy said...

Definitely my trees talk to me... and my quilts :)
Love all your projects, but those little HST minis are just too darling... YUM!

regan said...

Oh my gosh....so many great projects! I love the quilt you made for the gentleman patient....it's perfect for a man. And yeah.... those are the hardest ones to make! You have been so busy....awesome!

Nancy said...

Fantastic projects and finishes!

Your patients are fortunate to have such a caring nurse. I know they feel your love, but to receive a quilt hug must make them feel extra special.

Michelle said...

Wow, you've been busy! Great projects...good job finishing up the Goodnight Irene quilt. So cute! And so nice of you to give a quilt to a patient...I'm sure he'll get good use out of it!

Chantal said...

Wow! So many beautiful things on your post (as always). Awesome! Love that scrappy quilt along and the little candle mat is a great idea. The man/patient quilt is wonderful. Just perfect for a man and gorgeous too. I would have never thought of using the cut off from a string quilt to make HSTS. Neat idea and cute projects. I don't know about the trees but I think your fabric talks to you ... a lot LOL!
Thanks for sharing ;^)
Chantal

Browndirtcottage said...

What a busy busy girl!! Loved all the project eye candy!

Kyle said...

All of your finishes are beautiful. All those little squares just sparkle together and I especially like the pastel baby quilt. It will be nice to have it done except for the gender identifying binding! You're so sweet to share that quilt with your patient.

Cathy said...

You have been a busy girl. I love all your projects...so much eye candy. Hugs

Carol said...

You are so thoughtful to give a quilt to a patient. They must really feel an extra measure of your care and concern when you do that. So generous of you. And I love those strings....tell us more --as in what size are you doing and how they will be set. Love this. Those mats from the HST's are perfect! Great idea for gifts, too. I'm in north Texas, too, and the swing from Sunday to Monday was just crazy--and I'm used to Texas weather! We have had one very unusual winter.

CATHY DANIEL said...

Loving it all but the little sampler blocks are so sweet. Must be so satisfying to have finished so many beautiful pieces! xCathy (p.s. giveaway at mine if you like).

Ruth said...

Lots of accomplishments! I like the string blocks and will be interested to see what you do with them. I love scrappy strings! We should be almost done with the cold weather. I wonder what it will mean for the bluebonnets this year. I always look forward to seeing them bloom.

Linda O said...

Wow, Julie, what a fabulous bunch of finishes! Way to go! Love your binding on the QAL with the little flange!

JulieF1962 said...

I really like the quilt you made for the man/patient. I'd like to make something like that for my husband. Did you follow a pattern to make it, and if so, would you mind sharing the name for it? Thank you!

Puffins and purples!!

I was tempted by Puffins...a squirrelly breed!!  LOL!  This fabric was shared with me, and I have been loved these bright, candy corn colors...