Harry Potter!

Happy 20th Anniversary, Harry Potter!  20 years ago, today, Harry Potter was released.  Wow, has it really been that long????

We read all 7 books with our kids.  We went to several of the Harry Potter book release parties, held in downtown Naperville, IL (Anderson Books hosted these).  All of downtown Naperville became a magical village, with Harry Potter themed stores. 

On Monday, I found 2 new Harry Potter fabrics at Walmart.  I bought all 8 yards of both fabrics (great for backings, too).  One of these days, I'll finish the 4 different Harry Potter quilts that I've started.

the 2 fabrics, with Hedwig, in her cage

I used to teach how to miter borders, and used these Harry Potter blocks as examples.

36 1/2" x 37" block

alternate block, same size

I haven't taught miter borders in several years now, so, I guess I need to finish the last few blocks, and get these quilts made.  I don't have quite enough blocks to make 2 quilts, so, I'll have to figure out what I want to add, to finish these quilts. 

Back in 2013, I started the Harry Potter Project of Doom quilt blocks.  I've made 2 of each of the first 12 blocks for this quilt.   Yes, I made 2 of each block, to make sure that I got one of the quilts.  I should have made 3 of each block, since both my sons will want this quilt when it is finally finished.  If you want to see the blocks I've made, they are shown on this blog post.

So, to celebrate 20 years of Harry Potter, settle down with one of the books (or audio books or movies)......

illustrated edition

Grab a mug of tea.....

Gryffindor or Ministry of Magic mugs

and enjoy!

Busy Stitching

I've been busy since I got back from Texas, 2 weeks ago.  I took a class, with my large quilt guild, on Friday, June 9th.  It was a Watermelon table topper.  

book for class

showing all the projects in the book

You can make 12 different table toppers with this book.  The July topper even has an alternate version, for Canadians, using a maple leaf instead of a flag.  We made June's topper, the Watermelon.

First, I want you to know that I did NOT take a vintage machine to this class.  I didn't even take a machine at all, I borrowed one of the shop's Bernina's.  They wanted us to have a machine that did zig zag, for the embroidery.  I could have brought my Janome, but, it was fun to try one of their machines instead.  

We didn't have time in class to get to the embroidery part, so, I didn't get to try out that part on the Bernina.  I didn't mind, since I'd prefer to do it by hand, anyways.

watermelon table topper

 The pattern calls for rusching for the watermelon rind, and the teacher showed us how to do that part, but, I stopped by JoAnn's on the way home, and found this great, pre-ruffled ribbon on the clearance table.  It matched perfectly, and, it didn't leave any unfinished edges, like the rusching would have left. 

with watermelon 'rind' added

one of the ants

The ants took a long time to embroider, but, they were fun to do.  Now I need to layer it, and quilt it.  They included the backing and binding fabrics in the kit.  I don't usually buy kits, but, this time, it was easier, since I'd been out of town for 2 weeks, and really didn't have time to pull fabrics.  I also didn't get the book until class day.

I can see myself making several more of these table toppers.

That isn't all I've been working on.  I have several 'secret' projects that are due in Sept and Oct, that I've started on.  I'm in 2 more mug rug exchanges, with 2 of my vintage sewing machine groups.  I also have a bag exchange, and a pin cushion exchange due around the same time, too. 

paper piecing 'secret' project

Sorry I can't show you more, but, I know that at least one of the people in one of the exchanges, reads my blog, so, this is all I can show you (sorry Sally).  You'll get to see all of the finished projects after they are recieved.

Hubby asked for some glasses cases for his safety glasses.  Hubby has been busy making me more sewing machine bases, so, I figured I'd better get these made for him.  I had some cute nuts and bolts fabric, and also a fabric with screws.  Yes, after using the fancy Bernina, I used one of my hand cranks for these glasses cases.  I have a walking foot for my low shank, vintage machines.  I liked it better after I just used the regular foot to quilt with.

machine quilting with a hand crank

2 glasses cases

When I was at JoAnn's, after the class, I saw some Star War's fabrics on sale.  Well, I was asked to make a Star Wars pillowcase for a 5 year old's Christmas present.  I made the other one for my son, who loves Star Wars.  I was very disappointed in the bottom fabric.  No matter what I did, it wouldn't line up straight.  I even tried ripping the fabric, instead of cutting it, but, it didn't help.  I'm hoping the 5 year old doesn't notice.

2 Star Wars pillowcases

I'm participating in the 12 Days of Christmas in July blog hop, over at Sarah's Confessions of a Fabric Addict blog, next month.  I've been busy working on that, too.  Lets just say that I've gone a bit 'overboard' for this blog hop.  My day is July 20th.

If I don't post a lot before then, then you'll know that I'm working on some of my 'secret' projects.  

Prairie Fest Quilt Show & Ugly Fabric Quilt Challenge

I love to go to the Prairie Fest Quilt Show in Oswego, IL.  It is every Father's Day weekend.  I've had quilts shown in this show in the past, and, I know several of the ladies (The Quilter's Dozen) who run the show for the Little White School Museum.  

this was made by one of the members, but, they didn't have anything on the quilt to show who made it

 Since space is small at this show, they display several quilts on chairs

detail of goose

The Quilter's Dozen is a hand quilting group.  Here is a picture of the quilt that they are currently working on.

After I left this quilt show, I headed over to Oswego Presbyterian Church, to see the Ugly Fabric Quilt Challenge.  This is the first year for the Ugly Fabric Quilt Challenge.  Below are pictures of the rules.

Again, I know at least 4 of the ladies who participated in this challenge.  Not all of the participants are quilters.  Each quilt is followed by a picture of the UGLY fabric that was given to them.  Some of the fabrics are uglier than other fabrics.  

HUGE quilt!

up close of the Ugly fabric (the boat and some of the reds above it)

It was a fun, quilt morning!  I hope your weekend is starting off quilty, too!