Tuesday Tip - Free patterns

I had several tips in mind for this morning.  Since I have been working on organizing and cleaning my sewing studio this tip seemed to be on the top of the list.  As you work around your stash you realize you have many scraps and need scrappy patterns to use some of this fabric up.  Of course, using it up is a reason to shop for more. Right!!!

I have listed 6 (six) links to scrap quilts for 2014.  Enjoy!

Many women from my local guild have asked me how I find all these patterns on the internet?  Part of it started with following Bonnie Hunter on www.quiltville.com and her blog.  Then blogs have "Linky Parties" and you start viewing other links to other blogs.  You can spend the whole day going from blog to blog.  So this is where my information is coming from, other blogs.  I have really enjoyed getting to know some of the bloggers by following them and linking up with their parties.

Today I have linked up with Connie at Freemotion by the River.  She is working on the Quilt Doodle Design (listed below.)

On Bonnie Hunter's website there is a whole section of free patterns.  Plus, every year Bonnie offers a Mystery Quilt on her blog beginning the Friday after Thanksgiving until approximately January 1.  This year's mystery scrap quilt was called Celtic Solstice.  Bonnie introduced the colors and yardage amounts in October and started the clues on Friday, November 29th.  Each Friday she released a new clue building units until we were ready to make blocks.  The big reveal was released at midnight eastern time on New Years Eve.  Below is a link to the free pattern.  This will only be free until June 1, then she will pull it off the internet for her next book.

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/10/2013-mystery-time-introducing-celtic.html
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The next free quilt has started with the new year with Cindy at Quilt Doodle Designs.  This is a block of the month for 2014.  I don't have much to hang up after Christmas and this looks great with the first block section.

http://quiltdoodledesigns.blogspot.com/2013/12/bom-2014.html

 

There's a flicker group!  Please join...Every month post photos of your Quilt Doodle BOM finishes in the BOM flicker group for a chance to win that month's prize! Woot woot!    

Don't forget to grab the button too and post on your blog! The more the merrier!
   The give-away for the January block will be announced on January 15th and a winner will be picked on the 31st....

 

http://quiltdoodledesigns.blogspot.com/2013/12/januarys-block-of-month-2014.html

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Last year Country Threads from Garner, IA, had a BOM scrappy quilt where you made two blocks a month, one 6 1/2" and one 12 1/2".  I thoroughly enjoyed the scrappy design and kept up all year long.  The only catch for me was completing the half square triangle units as connecting blocks to finish the quilt.  While cleaning I found a box of  2 1/2" HST and it felt like hitting a pot of gold!!  I don't know if there is enough to finish the quilt but it puts me much closer to a finish.

Anyway, the response was so popular they have started another one for 2014.  They have not shown a picture of what it will look like because they are saying "trust me as we go" with the layout.  I do trust them and will be making blocks out of scraps.  The blocks will be several different sizes.

Country Threads 2014 BOM (trust me as we go layout)

http://country-threads-chicken-scratch.com/?p=3073

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Aurifil Block a Month by a different designer each month.

http://auribuzz.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/pat-sloan-2014-aurifil-challenge-fabric.jpg

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Pat Sloan free BOM called Globetrotting
This has a large, almost medallion block in the center with blocks around the outside.  Love the color choices and fabrics she is showing.  Check it out!

http://blog.patsloan.com/2014/01/pat-sloan-im-happy-to-announce-globetrotting-my-free-block-of-the-month.html

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Patchwork Times by Judy Laquidara

Love the first block.  Check out her color choices and how it changes the appearance of the block.

http://www.patchworktimes.com/2014/01/02/scrappy-challenge-main-post/

 

I hope you have as much fun checking out and participating in these BOM quilts as I do.

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

 

Design Wall - Frigid Temps

Its not fit for man nor beast today.  I am thankful for a warm home, running water, and electricity.
I am praying my husband will have a safe day at work and traveling home.  He works in Rock Island, IL, about 65 miles from our home.  Interstate 80 was clear on his trip to work but the car thermometer read -20 without the wind chill.  We also have about a foot of snow on the ground.  I don't remember these frigid temps since about 1983, when I had frozen water pipes and lost the walls in our bathroom due to water damage.

Yesterday's view of snow.

 

Last night most of the factories closed in town and the schools are closed.  Several roads were closed due to drifting.  Today the County closed their offices and the State offices are closed throughout the state.  That never happened the 34 years I worked for the state. 

 

This morning I actually slept in until 9 am, now that never happens.  I hopped out of bed and got going quickly as the dogs were barking with their legs crossed.  After getting them let out and then warmed up, I tackled the dirty dishes in the sink.

 

Finally, headed down to the sewing studio.  I had set out my two blocks for Quilter's Garden 2013 Block of the Month.

This is block 15 called Luther's Landing designed by Carol Hopkins Designs.

Block 16 is called Emancipation Proclamation by Evonne Cook of Clothesline Quilts.

By completing our blocks each month, we get our names put in a drawing for a $10 gift certificate.  That has been a great motivator and I have been blessed with winning a couple of times throughout the year.  My friend, Kathy O., encourage each other by texting back and forth.  She is also trying to finish her blocks today.  It will be interesting to see if we have our Garden Club meeting as the weather may interfere with travel.

 

I have also worked a little on my Celtic Solstice, chain piecing HSTs.

Slowly I go, step by step!  I know I will love it when its done and love the reveal of the pattern completion.  I have thrown last year's mystery, Easy Street, on the bed and love seeing its bright, cheery colors keeping us warm each night.

 

Today I have linked up with Judy at Patchwork Times and Bonnie at Quiltville Snips & Quips.

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

Design Wall - Celtic Solstice Progress

Its Monday!  We have all been so busy with preparing for Christmas and now for New Year's Eve.  Our neighbors are having a the annual New Year's Eve gathering so I only have to make a salad.  My husband loves 24 Hour Salad and that's what I will take.  The reason it is called 24 Hour Salad is it takes 24 hours for the flavors to meld.  I will share the recipe in a future post.

I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas!  Ours was a quiet day at home and you can view it here.
In as much as we are all talented in quilting, creating, and crafting, the best thing I ever made is my son.  I am so thankful he is healed and living a productive life since his car accident two years ago on Christmas Eve.

Since we didn't have a house full of company.  I have been able work on quilting memory quilts and cutting out Celtic Solstice clues.

Here's the Chevron clue cut out and laying in a Sterilite tub.

 

Even  had to use the calculator to total it up.

 

Have a few parts sewn.

 

I may not have all the clues done.  But I have a great amount of PROGRESS!!!

The cutting takes forever, but the sewing seems to be going more quickly.  Sure could use a person to do all the ironing then I know I could go faster.  I am thrilled that I am making better progress in keeping up.  Over the next couple of days should be able to make further progress as it will be quiet around here.

 

Today I am linking up with Patchwork Times and Quiltville.

 

Are you working on New Year's Goals?  I am!

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

 

 

 

 

Design Wall Overloaded with WIPs

How many of you are on overload!!  Nine days till Christmas and my Design Wall is on overload. 

I have five of these memory quilts that need to be quilted, three are a must for Christmas.  One got finished last night and at 10pm I ran it across the street to the quiltmaker for the binding.

Above are my December blocks for the Country Thread BOM.  The finishing directions have been posted but there are a lot of filler blocks.  I had hoped after the December blocks it would go together quickly and be an easy finish.  I have the backing ready and pattern picked out for quilting. It will take sometime to complete the HSTs and add the border.  This will probably have to hibernate awhile on the Design Wall.

I mentioned in an earlier blog, looking for an eleven year old (wedding) project.  Found it.  Got one block done.  Many more to complete and they would like to receive it for Christmas.  (I am not going to make that deadline.)

Smith Mountain Morning is in hibernation already. (Got a sweet deal on the backing for this quilt.)

 

This blue log cabin beauty needs to be finished and quilted with wool batting.

 

Also, have Celtic Solstice as a work-in-progress laying on the cutting board.

 

S.O.S., help......I don't need to start anymore quilts for 2014 (New Year's Resolution).  So my mantra is now going to be "I think I can, I think I can" and keep chugging along until these quilts get completed.

 

I have linked up with Judy at Patchwork Times.

Yours in quilting,

Terry

 

 

Design Wall

Baby, its cold outside.  Its official, its beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  In Illinois, it has been bitterly cold and yesterday it started out with flurries.  This morning the yard is carpeted with a blanket of fluffy snow.  The neighbor broke out the snow blower and the City is plowing the streets.  We might have 2".

Yesterday I went to church but came home and snuggled in for the rest of the day.  First, I worked on cutting out Clue #2 for Celtic Solstice. It only take 488 of each piece, i.e. 488 yellows/golds, 488 greens, and 488 neutrals.  I also worked on Clue #1 (its all cut out).

Then I realized that Tuesday night will be Garden Club at Quilter's Garden.  I hadn't quite finished my BOM.  The incentive to finish my block each month is a drawing for a $10 gift certificate if you finish you block. So stopped working on Celtic Solstice and finished the final block for this BOM.  I have the finishing kit for this quilt but haven't gotten to it with all the cutting for Bonnie's quilt.

 

Next I moved on to the Country Threads BOM for 2013.  I had printed off the directions on the first of the month, but they found a mistake and I was waiting for the correction.  They gave the same cutting directions for both blocks.  Below is the 6.5" block.  I have really enjoyed this quilt because it is totally scrappy.  I have used stuff out of my stash (which it has only taken 20 years to have that kind of stash).  LOL

 

Today I have linked up with Patchwork Times and Quiltville's Snips and Quips.

 

Have a motivational Monday!

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

Design Wall & Celtic Solistice Status Report #1

Whoop, Whoop, I survived the Thanksgiving weekend and Black Friday.  How did you do this weekend.  Got leftovers yet and all your shopping done?  I didn't think so...but if you were busy working on Celtic Solstice you have a good excuse.

We went over to the neighbors for a yummy Thanksgiving Dinner.  I took a Grape Salad (see the recipe tab for the recipe).  Then we got our exercise by playing games on the Xbox.

The design wall is a little light today.  I have been quilting on a small quilt sent to me by Donna J. from Hayward, WI.  The quilt will be donated to the Washington Tornado relief.  This beautiful quilt is white, pink, pale green and yellow.  It was hard to photograph.

 Above is the pretty back.

 

The thread is Confetti Pastel by YLI and the pattern is Flutterbys by Handi Quilter. 

Slowly making progress.

I need just 110 more blue pieces.

I am looking forward to linking up with Bonnie and see what everyone else has accomplished and the color choices.  I am planning on meeting Cathy K., my sewing budding, to buy the backing for CS today. 

 

I have also linked up with Patchwork Times and check out the quick gift tutorial at A Quilt Story.

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

Celtic Solstic is Off and Running!

Have you entered the fabric giveaway #3.   You can still sign up HERE!  Be sure to read the instructions and complete the steps:  leave a comment and become a follower.  Thanks and good luck!  I will draw a random winner tomorrow.

Have you started your Celtic Solstice?  I have started the cutting process.  240 units with neutral background and 140 with orange background.  My goal:  to cut all the pieces before beginning to sew.  Secondly, to chain piece all the units.

I am labeling the amount in each stack so I can keep track of how much I have cut.  The neutrals are all cut and I am working on the oranges.  Then onto the blue fabrics.  So far I am really thrilled with the colors.  The neutrals have really taken down my stash in those colors, which means there is room to shop for more.  I also have been cutting up the leftovers for Bonnie's method of storing my stash.  I am ending up with an assortment of 1.5" strips.

Can I get all my units made in time for the post tomorrow?  That's the mystery question right now.  It depends on how many interruptions I have.  I am trying to load a quilt for Washington Tornado victims also.  I have the pattern picked out called flutterbys along with a pastel variegated thread.
I am using a computerized longarm so it can quilt while I cut for Celtic Solstice.

Peddler's Way Quilt Shop in Washington, IL is having their Anniversary Sale over the next three days with 25% off almost everything.  I would like to deliver this quilt I am quilting and buy the backing for Celtic Solstice.  Can it be done?  Stay tuned.

I hope everyone enjoyed the Thanksgiving weekend.   Safe travels to those who are on the move.
Blessings to all. 

Yours in quilting,
Terry

Celtic Soltice Giveway #2 - Bonnie Hunter Challenge

I am having giveaway #2 on my blog.  With Bonnie Hunter releasing her first information about Celtic Solstice Mystery and Jo's Country Junction Bonnie Challenge, I thought this would be a good time to give away some fabric.  So after picking up my paint chips at Lowe's and stopping at Susan's Calico Creations, I have some cool fat quarters that I want to giveaway to help someone make Celtic Solstice.  I will choose two fat quarters from the fabric shown to give aw

To be considered for the random drawing, you must meet both item #1 and #2 below.

1. Please leave me a comment about your plan on how to complete Celtic Solstice and if this is your first Bonnie mystery.  I love to learn quilter's organizational techniques.
2. Sign up to follow my blog by email or subscription at the bottom of this post. (Signing up on Bloglovin' or another blog digest will not count.)
3. A random drawing will be held Monday and results posted.  I will try to mail out the fabric right away on Monday, if I can contact you and get your snail mail address.

I will be giving away two fat quarters each Saturday:  Nov. 16th, Nov. 23rd and Nov. 30.  Check back for the rules each Saturday.

 

I only completed three blocks since last Saturday.  :(

 

I have linked up with the Jo's Country Junction for the Bonnie Challenge.

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

Giveaway #2 in Preparation of Bonnie Hunter's Celtic Solstice

Tune in tomorrow for Giveway #2.  I will be giving away two fat quarters that will help some lucky winner add to their stash for the scrappy mystery, Celtic Solstice.

Chat with you tomorrow.

Yours in quilting,
Terry

Bonnie Challenge & Giveaway 1

I have been waiting to try a giveaway on my blog.  With Bonnie Hunter releasing her first information about Celtic Solstice Mystery and Jo's Country Junction Bonnie Challenge, I thought this would be a good time to give away some fabric.  So after picking up my paint chips at Lowe's and stopping at Susan's Calico Creations, I have some cool fat quarters that I want to giveaway to help someone make Celtic Solstice.  I will choose two fat quarters from the fabric shown to give aw

Today I am at my local guild's Stash Buster Autumn Quiltaway.   

So while I'm gone:

1. Please leave me a comment about your dream of completing Celtic Solstice and if this is your first Bonnie mystery. 
2. Sign up to follow my blog by email or subscription at the bottom of this post. (Signing up on Bloglovin' or another blog digest will not count.)
3. A random drawing will be held Monday and results posted.  I will try to mail out the fabric right away on Monday, if I can contact you and get your snail mail address.

I will be giving away two fat quarters each Saturday:  Nov. 16th, Nov. 23rd and Nov. 30.  Check back for the rules each Saturday.

 

I have linked up with the Jo's Country Junction for the Bonnie Challenge.

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

Bonnie Challenge with Jo's Country Junction

Calling all Bonnie Hunter fan's!!!  Jo over at Jo's Country Junction and her friend, Nell, are challenging us to choose a Bonnie quilt that is a WIP (work in progress) or PIG (project in grocery sack), and try to get it finished before starting the new mystery quilt Bonnie will be starting the Friday after Thanksgiving.  Bonnie has released the fabric color choices for Celtic Solstice.
You now have about 5 weeks to choose fabrics and/or shop for your fabrics.  There are two sizes for this quilt 75 x 75 or 111 x 111.  For me there is no choice on size, I am a "go big or go home" type quilter.  I want bed size quilts.  My bucket list says I want to have one king size quilt for each of the 12 months before I die :).

So my list of started Bonnie Hunter quilts goes as follows:

1.  Spider String Quilt
2.  Roll Roll Cotton Bowl
3.  Texas Braid
4.  Smith Mountain Morning ( one row pictured below.)

 

My list of finished Bonnie Hunter quilts.

1.  Easy Street

 

I have decided that I will continue working on my Smith Mountain Morning quilt while waiting for mystery, Celtic Solstice to start.  I love the fabric selections made by a reader, Margaret, and shared with us by Bonnie.

My concern is I don't really have these colors left in my stash, at least in large amounts.  I would have to purchase substantial amounts.  I have used many of these colors in my Smith Mountain Morning quilt and that doesn't leave much for Celtic Solstice.  Mmmmm..... to shop or not, that is the question!?!  This question does help me visualize the quilt better.  I like this combo of colors.

 

Leave me a comment and let me know if you are joining Jo and Nell's challenge and/or planning on doing Bonnie's Mystery.

 

Have a stash happy Saturday!

Yours in quilting, 

Terry