Piecing Life Together One Stitch At A Time

Table Runner in Blue

September 18, 2021Sharon8 Comments

Back in January of this year I had decided to participate in the Scap Dance Pachanga Mystery Quilt Along that was hosted by Carole of From My Carolina Home.

I had never participated in this type of project before but it sounded fun. The idea was that this was a mystery and I would have no idea what pattern I would be making. Twice a month, on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month, Carole posted a new direction for the construction of the quilt or in my case I decided on a table runner. There was no deviating or changing the directions.

I was going strong at the beginning. But it wasn’t to long into the project that I realized I was in over my head and lost. In fact what I learned about myself is that I am a total visual learner. I don’t do well with written directions. I have to see it being done. I also need to see what I am making to see what I am doing. Anyone else craft the same way? It’s like a jig saw puzzle. You prop up the lid to see the puzzle while you work on it.

But I soldiered on and continued with each clue in the construction as best I could. I was working this project all by hand and not machine so a lot of work had already gone into it. When it came time for the assembly, I quickly discovered I had to many pieces, and piecing it together was not working. I had no idea what it should look like but I knew it wasn’t suppose to look like what I was doing.

So as the saying goes when life gives you a lemon make lemonade. I decided to continue with making the table runner and using the extra pieces to make coasters to go with it.

I’m happy with the way it turned out. But if you really take a look at it you can see lots of ‘interesting’ oddities to the 2 larger end blocks. I should have had enough pieces to have the same blocks.

With more of the extra pieces I made the coasters to go with this.

It was a fun project, I learned a lot about my crafting style and turning lemons into something sweet and wonderful. I have an idea what I will be doing with this project. I have some deep blue glassware, goblets, pitcher, water glasses that would look wonderful on a table setting with the table runner. Thinking this will make a nice birthday gift paired with glassware for someone I have in mind 🙂

HQAL: Log Cabin Update

September 12, 2021Sharon10 Comments

I am happy to report at this 3 week update I have completed quilting the Log Cabin.

Hoping to add a bit more interest, I went back and stitched a X in each of the center squares. With the very first one I could see it would be lost and didn’t pop as I had hoped but what the hec – it stitched up fast so I went ahead and did all 16.

I really like the back fabric’s. The fabric was from my stash and there wasn’t enough of one to cover the whole thing so … use two and make one and I added some contrast to an other wise pretty flat backing. I should have doubled up or even tripled up on the batting but I am happy with a light throw. It will be perfect on the couch for fall.

Hoping I’ll get her done by our next check in. Fall has definitely arrived. The mum’s are here in the stores and I purchased some for the garden in front. Pumpkins are showing up too. My mini tomatoes – finally – are ripening, I can’t believe how long it took them this year but they sure are welcome for a fall treat and I love the pop of color they provide. I just want to add my zinnias are prolific this year with reds, oranges, yellows and deep pinks smiling up at me.

Now it’s off to check in with the other hand quilters. And if you are a hand quilter I hope you will consider joining us.

Hand Quilt Along Links

This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another. If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.

Kathy, Margaret, Deb, Nanette, Sharon, Karrin, and Daisy

SAL: Christmas Greetings

September 5, 2021Sharon18 Comments

A new month and our three week-check in is here again. I am working on a Joy Sunday cross stitch actually called The Skating Santa Clause. For some reason I renamed this Christmas Greetings. Either way its cute and fun. After a rough start and an all new floss change, my last posting looked like this.

I have been trying to work on this pretty faithfully as I have a few other holiday projects in the works. I don’t know about you, but once we get to September I feel the crunch to get things done before it’s to late. Here is where I am now

I am off now to visit the pages of my fellow SAL stitchers. I am always excited to see their progress and fabulous projects.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, AJ, Cathie, Linda, Helen

About the SAL

Please note this SAL is not accepting any more new members until further notice but this is what it’s all about anyway. This SAL (Stitch Along) is slightly different to other SALs in that we don’t all stitch the same design at the same rate. We choose ONE unfinished project, or ONE new one, and show progress of its completion over a series of three weekly updates. There are no deadlines and no set amount to stitch. The result is that the space in our drawers full of WIPs (works in progress) is gradually being freed up to store lots of new crafty goodness. It’s surprising how much motivation I’ve gained from being in this SAL.

HQAL: Log Cabin Update

August 22, 2021Sharon10 Comments

I have been working steadily on this project. A little each day and progress has been made. At our last posting I had reported I had completed 11 1/2 blocks out of 16 and shared this picture. There’s not to much to see with all the blocks the same.

I am happy to report that I have basically completed quilting all blocks with the exception of the sashing which has been spottily done. I am still considering going back into the middle square and X ing in the middle for a bit of interest. I will not bore you with another picture at this time.

Can you believe we are coming to the end of August? Do I dare set a goal to finish this by our next posting? I would love to have her done with fall silently preparing itself to appear. I’d love to have this one on my couch this fall. I think I’ll set a goal for 2 more postings and then finished 🙂

Now it’s off to check in with the other hand quilters in our group. Please join me by clicking on the links below.

Hand Quilt Along Links

This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another. If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below

Kathy, Margaret, Deb, Nanette, Sharon, Karrin, and Daisy

SAL: Christmas Greetings

August 15, 2021Sharon22 Comments

At my last posting I introduced the new project that I am calling Christmas Greetings. That was three weeks ago, three weeks that feels like it was just yesterday.

I got a small start last time, nothing to write home about. If you remember, I was having trouble with the floss and wasn’t happy with it. I really wasn’t sure what was wrong, was it me or the floss 🙂

Thanks to all the input, It was unanimous last posting that I replace all the floss (bad floss with the kit) and I did, almost immediately. I wasn’t able to match the colors exactIy but close enough. I’ve run into a few counting mistakes that I decided to let go. I think in the long run they won’t make to much of a difference and the overall affect will be fine.

Despite some company for a few days, all the preparation before their arrival, I was able to get a nice start on this.

Here is where I am now

Now I am off to check in with you all. Have a wonderful, safe next three weeks.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy,

Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Renee, Carmela, Sharon,

Daisy, Anne, AJ, Laura, Cathie, Linda, Helen

HQAL: Log Cabin Update

August 1, 2021Sharon10 Comments

Hot summer weather is not conducive to hand quilting on your lap but still I got some done.

Here we are with another 3 week update. Something told me go back and check last updates post, you have a mistake. I had/ have written that the quilt is made up of 12 blocks. Not so, actually there are 4 rows of 4 10″ blocks making 16 blocks all together. The sashing is 3″.

At our last posting I had completed 8 blocks and for this update I have now completed 11 1/2 blocks. Despite the warmer temps I feel like I am moving right along. It would be so easy to just put her aside but knowing I will be updating on my progress keeps me motivated to forge on. Thank you everyone in the group for the encouragement

I must admit, I am bit envious of machine quilters, those long arm ladies who can piece a top & quilt it in a week or so. I have 2 quilt tops waiting for my attention. (pics below) I wrote about the tulip quilt top back in 2018 and here we are 3 years later and she is still waiting. You can read about her here

https://wordpress.com/post/piecinglifetogetheronestitchatatime.wordpress.com/123

I am still looking at a few years from now at the rate I am going before I get to her. But despite my envy of our machine quilting sister/brother’s, there is just something magical about hand quilting ~ it’s just so intimate and personal. So many thoughts, prayers and dreams for family and friends are woven into its fabric while working on it.

Below are the links to those participating in this HQAL. Please join me in checking in with the others and seeing how they’re doing with their projects.

Hand Quilt Along Links

Kathy, Margaret, Deb, Nanette, Sharon, Karrin, and Daisy

SAL: Christmas Greetings

July 25, 2021Sharon26 Comments

Time again for the SAL 3 week update. At our last posting I had finished ‘Wild Flower Jar’ but did not post what I would be working on next. Scanning ebay and amazon I settled on my next project, a Christmas in July pick.

It’s a kit by Joy Sunday from amazon. Titled The Skating Santa Claus, I will be calling it ‘Christmas Greetings’

It’s an interesting kit. I have never worked a kit with the pre-colored stitching directions. I admit I was a bit shaken when it arrived and I opened it. Was it because it was something new, was it too challenging, or was it that it’s actually pretty darn simple to follow? Notice it says ‘Ecology cotton floss’ on the above photo.

The 14 ct aida cloth came with the edging bound – that was nice. Once I began the kit, I discovered the cotton ecology floss seems cheap and low quality. With my small start to this project I can already tell it will be a challenge to work with. The floss splits and tangles easily. I toyed with the idea of changing out the floss but decided to keep going. I really loved the design but I am sitting in the fence with this.

I also bought a second kit. I am not the best online shopper – This kit was also by Joy Sunday and is exactly the same. It arrived just a few days ago. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. I am sure I was drawn to the whimsie ness of these kits. We’ll see how this first one proceeds before deciding if I will be working the owls or these become Goodwill items.

This SAL is organized by Avis. Below is the list of fellow SAL members. Everyone is working on different projects and live in many different time zones and around the world. So check back often. Our next posting will be August 15th.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan,

Deborah, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, AJ, Laura, Cathie, Linda, Helen

About the SAL

Another Dahlia Panel Quilt

July 21, 2021Sharon20 Comments

Back in mid December, 2020, I completed a Dahlia panel quilt. Almost immediately I had heard from a cousin, Eric, asking if I would considering making one for him.

How could I say no. (he is one of those very precious dear ones)

Here is his quilt

The panel is from the Fat Quarter Shop (online) and is from the Hoffman Dream Big collection

We had fun picking out (all via texting) his favorite color panel and then the backing – all his choosing

It’s relatively easy to use a sewing machine to piece a basic quilt pattern and then quilt it – one most certainly can be done in a few days. I let him know this would be no next week process. I was able to complete her in 7 months.

Now I am off to send her in the mail.

From Washington to Florida with love

HQAL: Log Cabin Update

July 11, 2021Sharon9 Comments

I am always amazed at how quickly the three weeks pass but this time around I am amazed at the amount of hand quilting I got done. I wanted to remind you that this was a Quilt Block of the Month kit I had picked up at our local Goodwill. The design and instructions seemed way to complicated and time consuming for me so using most of the material included and adding a few choices of my own, I tweaked the design and went with a basic log cabin pattern.

At our last posting I had completed 5 out of 12 blocks. At this posting I have completed 3 more. On most of my updates I’ve simply shown the same 1 block since the process is just repetitive quilting. Today a peak at 4 blocks together.

The back is taking shape with some puckering showing too.

I have a number of other hand quilting projects in the works that I am dividing my time between. I am so thankful for the accountability of this quilt along to keep me on track and moving forward with this one. I should have her done for a fall roll out: and so appropriate with her fall colors.

Until our next posting ~