Red, White & True quilts

I finally finished all three of my Red, White & True quilts, from the quilt along.  This started back in July, but, I got busy this fall, and didn't finish mine.  The centers have been finished, I just needed to put both borders on each top.

I did have to re-draft the pattern, just a bit, so that they would all fit the size requirements for Quilts of Valor.

re-drafted pattern

All I did was take the middle row out, and use the 'parts' from it to make the borders.  Now all the quilts measure 60"x70".

I finished this one at the Quilts of Valor sew-in on Tuesday.

Red, White & True #1

Today, my large quilt guild had a sew-in, and I finished the other 2 quilt tops.  It was windy outside, so, sorry for the pictures.

Red, White & True #2

Red, White & True #3

This was a fun and simple pattern.  I'll probably make this again.

I have the bindings made, and I just have to piece the backings. 

Thanks for the quilt along, Jean!

Busy! Busy! Busy!

Just because I haven't been blogging, doesn't mean I haven't been busy.  I've been doing things a bit slower since I injured my hand on the way home from the Michigan TOGA (bottom of post).  I finally went to the doctor earlier this week.  He sent me for x-rays (no fractures, thank goodness) and I now have an appointment with a hand specialist for next week.  I still think I damaged the ligaments, but, we'll see what the specialist says. 

Here are some of the things I've been working on recently.  I've worked on my Red, White and True quilt along tops.  I've changed mine up so that they fit the sizes needed for a Quilt of Valor.

I took a row out of the middle of the quilt to make them a bit shorter.  Yes, I'm making 3 of these, but, I only have 2 tops this far.  I took apart the blocks from the row that I didn't use, and, I figured out how to use them in the border instead.

my graph showing how I will finish these tops

I only have to cut some of the white to add to the block pieces that I took apart.  I also need the white for the little, inside border.  I don't think I have enough white left over for the quilt in the top picture.  Maybe I'll 'frame' it in red or blue instead of using the white for a frame, before I add the pieced border.  I like the white better, since it seems to make the top 'float'.  Hopefully I'll get more done on these at the next Quilts of Valor sew-in on Tuesday.

Remember this frog quilt top? 

Frog quilt top

Not only did I make a backing for it (not basted or quilted yet) but, I started on a 2nd Frog quilt, using different frog fabrics.  I have the blocks made.

blocks for 2nd Frog quilt

Here are the fabrics I'll be using for the sashing and cornerstones.

stripe for sashing, green frogs for cornerstones

The first Frog quilt is for a friends husband, but, the 2nd Frog quilt will be for charity.  Both need to be finished before Christmas.

Remember the baby quilt I made that turned pink?  Well, that baby quilt is due in 3 weeks.  I made a new top.  I pre-washed the Minkee (red) this time.  Guess what?!?!  The Red Minkee bled again.  I've treated it with Retayne, and washed it again with another color catcher.  This time the color catcher came out white (thank goodness).  This is a WARNING to all of you out there!  Pre-wash your RED Minkee, just in case!  Now I need to baste and quilt this.

NEW Churn Dash baby quilt top

And YES, I pre-washed and pre-treated ALL of the fabrics for this quilt BEFORE I cut anything out.  I'm not taking any chances. (all the quilt top fabrics for the last quilt had been pre-washed and treated, too, just not the Minkee).

I've also been working on some other projects, bit by bit.  I've started the blanket stitching on these RV placemats and pot holders (8 of each).

The blanket stitch on my Janome works great for a while, then the tension starts messing up.  Do you know how hard it is to remove bad blanket stitches?  Let me tell you, IT'S HARD!.  I've already changed the needle once on this project.  I'll change the needle again, when I go back to it.  A new needle seems to help a lot! 

I've also been working on my little guild's challenge block.  We are supposed to make a 12.5" unfinished block with either a witch or a scarecrow for our October meeting.  As usual, I'm making two blocks (one for the challenge, and one I will turn into a wall hanging for me).  This is as far as I've gotten so far.

Witch blocks

I still need to draw on the words so that I can embroider them.  This is the pattern.

Hopefully I'll get the words traced onto the blocks this weekend.

I did get a fun package in the mail yesterday.  I was involved in another pin cushion exchange with my Treadle On group.  I forgot to take a picture of the finished pin cushion that I made.  Here are pictures of the unfinished pin cushions I made.

I sent the pin cushion on the RIGHT (I kept the one on the left for me)

back of pin cushion, signed

Well, I got my exchange pin cushion in the mail yesterday.  I even got a bonus pin cushion from the hostess (how sweet).

pin cushion from exchange, isn't he CUTE!

pin cushion from the hostess of the exchange

Usually people send a gift to the hostess.  I've never heard of the hostess sending gifts.  Thanks Stephanie!

Oh yea, I did get a FINISH in the past few weeks.  I finished the binding on the twin size Churn Dash quilt.

twin size Churn Dash quilt (DONE!)

Now to go FINISH some of my projects!

Red, White and True Step #4

I am participating in Jean's Red, White and True quilt along.  This is a fun and simple quilt along.  It is also quick.  I'd be quicker, if I wasn't making 3 different sets at the same time. 

I finished step #4 last night on all three kits.  I'll show the blocks from last week, along with this week's blocks, so that you will get a good picture of everything together.

Set #1, last week's blocks

Set #1, this weeks blocks

Set #2, last week's blocks

Set #2, this weeks blocks

Set #3, last week's blocks

Set #3, this weeks blocks

Jean has 2 different sizes that you can make this quilt, lap size and twin size.  It would be easily adapted to other sizes, too.  I'm making the twin size for all of mine. 

I'm ready for next Monday's directions.

This Weeks Stitchin' & Triming

I've been working on all three Red, White & True blocks.  I'm enjoying this quilt along, so far.  I must be, since I'm working on three different sets at the same time. 

I am behind on trimming my strips on one set, but, all of my quarter square triangles are done, and trimmed.  Not bad, since I started cutting out two sets just this week.

first set

second set

third set (strips need to be trimmed to 4.5" squares)

 Sorry about the pictures.  The colors are much prettier than the camera shows.

This quilt along goes pretty fast, so, you still have time to join in.

I got up early this morning and made 2 pincushions for an exchange with my Treadle On group.  These still need to be stuffed, then I'll sew a button in the center.  I'm only exchanging one of these. 

one to keep and one to exchange

signed on the back

As usual, all my stitching this week has been done on my hand crank.  It even went with me to the Quilts of Valor sew-in on Tuesday, where I worked on sewing the strips for 2 sets of Red, White & True.

More projects, etc.

I just keep stitching, and cutting.  I don't like cutting, but, I went ahead and cut out 2 more Red, White and True quilts.  Here is the one I already started, for the quilt along...

1st Red, White and True quilt

first step for the Red, White and True quilt along

I need something to work on at the Quilts of Valor sew-in on Tuesday, but, I don't want to cut out the borders for one top (all it needs is the borders) (Oops! no pictures of the top, sorry), and I don't want to work on the other quilt top that I've started (I'll get back to it).

Well, now I have 2 more Red, White and True tops to start stitching on Tuesday.

2 new Red, White and True quilts

All the strips are cut out, but, I still need to finish cutting the 4.5" & 5.25" squares.  Since I don't need them yet, I figured I could finish those after I get these strips all stitched. 

At my guilds sew-in, a week ago, I didn't get to one project.  My other guild is making walker bags for the veteran's homes.  I had 2 cut out, so, I stitched them this afternoon.  Both are the same fabric.

1 of 2 walker bags

I added pockets, and made them bigger

a pocket for a magazine, and pockets for bottles, etc.

I REALLY need to finish thread basting this.

twin sized Churn Dash

quilting lines marked

This one is half basted, but, all the quilting lines are marked.  I don't know how people can baste on the floor.  My knees just wouldn't take it.  I use my dining room table. 

I have also gotten a bit more stitched on the Frog Churn Dash, but, I don't have any pictures of what I did.  I'm liking it better and better, as I stitch on it. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back in April, I told you that we got a new dog, Ratchet.  I also told you that he has heartworm.  He's been going thru treatments for the heartworm.  It includes 3 injections, in his back.  They had to shave his back for the injections (and to be able to see if there is any inflammation, etc).  His first injection was the end of May.  They shaved one side of his back then.  The next 2 injections were earlier this week, one on each side of his back.  You can see the darker area, where he had his first injection.  We think it is darker due to sunlight (a dog with a tan). 

Ratchet's shaved back

Ratchet

The hardest part is keeping Ratchet restricted for months in a row.  He either has to be crated, or, locked in one room, with one of us.  He can't come upstairs, or, even go for walks, other than to potty.  Activity can cause the dead or dying heartworms to act like a blood clot, and kill him. 

The vet's office just loves Ratchet.  They spoil him rotten when he is there, and fawn all over him.  One of the vets came in on his day off, just to be there when Ratchet got his injection. 

We are hoping that his next test (end of July) will be clear.  If it is, then, hopefully we will be able to start taking Ratchet for walks, and getting him back in shape.  Ratchet had been in pretty good shape, since he is a retired weight pulling champion.  We got him AFTER he retired. 



Well, I guess it's time for me to go get more stitching done.  I think I'll work on some hand quilting.  I need to finish my guild challenge mini quilt.

guild challenge

Keeping Busy

I've been keeping busy, in the sewing room.  I've cut out 2 quilts, and started piecing both of them, in the last week.

I'm joining Jean's quilt along, Red, White and True.

Red, White & True Quilt Along

Here is what I cut out.

my Red, White and True quilt, cut out

And I stitched up the first part, and trimmed the blocks.

first part done

I don't like cutting quilts, but, this one went quickly.  There is plenty of time to join us for this project.  You don't have to do it in Red/White/Blues.  Jean shows other colors, too.  She also has 2 different sizes in the directions (throw size and twin size).  Mine will be a Quilts of Valor quilt, but, I may make another one, too. 

I also cut out a Frog quilt.  This is my design.  It will also be twin size.

Frog quilt

I started stitching this at my guilds sew-in, on Saturday.

strips for sashing and part of the Churn Dash blocks

I told you in the last post that I'm in a 'Churn Dash' mood.  Here are the finished Churn Dash blocks.

Frog blocks

Frog blocks

Now to trim the sashing strips.  The cornerstones are already cut.

I woke up early on Saturday, so, I decided to cut out some fabric baskets before sew-in.

http://kelbysews.blogspot.com/2015/03/1-hour-basket-tutorial.html

I didn't make mine quite like hers.  I found several yards of pre-quilted fabric, a while back, and, I've been waiting for a project for it.  This only used a tiny bit, and some fabric from my stash for the lining and handles.  These went together quickly.  I didn't use any fusible, like she does.  I cut the fabric at home, but, stitched both baskets together at the sew-in, in about an hour (both baskets).

my completed baskets

baskets, already in use

 I'll make more of these.  They are handy dandy.  I may use them to store fat quarters.  If so, I'll need several more.  They are also great for putting projects in (as you can see in the last picture).

As for other quilty things, I have the twin size Churn Dash quilt on the dining room table, layered, and ready to baste.

Churn Dash quilt

 Sorry about the bad color, it really is a nice red fabric (when you don't use the flash).

backing for Churn Dash quilt

I need to get this basted, so that I can quilt it for Quilts of Compassion. 

I also wanted to show a great thrift store find I got last week. 

flying geese strips

I found these flying geese, already sewn together.  Each set has 3 separate strips of flying geese (total of 6 strips).  Can you see the price in the picture?  Each set of 3 strips cost $0.75.  I don't have a clue what I'll do with these, but, I just couldn't pass them up.  Maybe I'll take them apart, and make blocks with them.  Maybe I'll just put sashing between the strips, and make a quilt top.  I'm waiting for inspiration to hit.