Sew Saturday ~ Paint Chip Swap ~ Mini Quilt ~ Envelope Quilt

Last week I shared the mini quilt I made for our guild's paint chip swap that almost cost my marriage.  (just kidding... sort of...) When my husband saw the 12th flag quilt on my design wall he turned it upside down in protest.  LOL  Clicky if you missed that post.

The good news is that in exchange for that quilt, I got my own mini quilt.  The paint chip colors I chose were lilac and aqua.  Tina Davis received my paint chips and went to work studying me to come up with a quilt I would love.  She did an amazing job.  When I opened up my quilt I actually cried.

On the front were envelopes blocks in my colors and on the back she used envelope fabric with a label made of lined paper fabric and an envelope flap on top.  How sweet is that?!!!  

This  beauty will be hanging on the wall in my sewing room for years to come.  I cannot tell you how much I love it and how much it means to me.  Thank you once again, Tina, from the bottom of my heart for this special gift!!!

Sew Saturday ~ Mini Quilt Exchange ~ Paint Chip Swap

Our guild does some really fun swaps.  I think we have them once a quarter, but it might even be every other month.  Recently we did a paint chip swap that blew me away.  Those who wanted to participate were asked to bring in paint chips in the 2 colors they wanted for a mini quilt.  We then secretly exchanged the paint chips and made a mini quilt for the person whose colors we received.  

I was born and raised in a small town in Northern California.  My family are big San Francisco 49er fans.  One of my second cousins was a player for the 49ers when I was a little girl.  I married a man who is a die hard fan of the 49ers, even when he wants to throw something at the TV because they are playing so bad.   We moved to another small town about 90 miles south of Seattle, WA.  Almost everyone here is a Seahawks fan, but some are more so than others.  My husband said, "just because we moved here doesn't mean we become one of them".  LOL  Personally, I like the Seahawks colors better than the 49ers, but I just can't give up my "home team".  

All that to say, I drew the paint chips of the biggest Seahawks fan in our guild and she chose, Seahawks green and navy blue.  I could have done anything with those colors and considered choosing a generic pattern, but instead I decided to "go big or go home".  To honor this fan I made my own pattern using our guild logo as inspiration.

I had to work in super secret hiding.  My dear husband would not understand.  I snuck fabric into my sewing room and worked while he was away at work.  ;)

In the picture below you can see her paint chips as well as all remaining Seahawks fabric. I knew I couldn't leave that laying around the house.  LOL

As I stood up at our meeting to give this quilt away it occured to me that Terri might not be a Seahawks fan.  Perhaps it was just a coincidence that she chose these colors.  I broke out into a cold sweat knowing I had put my marriage on the line for this mini quilt...

At first she said she wasn't and then she confessed that she had on Seahawks underwear.  Thankfully she is as big a fan as I was told she was and she loved it.  For the quilting on this one I followed the outline of the 12.  It turned out pretty cute and I would make more for my other Seahawks fan friends, but I think I better stick to neutral territory for awhile.  ;) 

 Next week I'll share the over-the-top amazing quilt I received.  I still get choked up thinking about it.  Can you guess which 2 colors I chose? 

Sew Saturday ~ SSMQG Field Trip

This past summer our guild took a field trip to the lawn of the state capitol in Olympia, WA to enjoy the outdoors and learn how to take better pictures of our quilts.  I'm pretty sure this will become an annual tradition.  It was fun to meet in a new location, and the ground of the capitol turned out to be a beautiful place to capture our quilts in a unique light.

Cecile, our president, revealed our new guild banner to be displayed at meetings, the county fair, sew-ins, arts walk and more.

Some of us really got into the art of photography.  Using props like trees and hedges, benches and steps. Meagan even got on the ground to get a better angle of her quilt.

Grandma's quilt was almost done.  I had just finished the quilting and needed to attach the binding.  I was leaving the next day to fly down and see her because she had taken a turn for the worse.  My plan was to take the quilt with me and finish the binding on the flight and while I was down there.

I loved this park bench as a prop.  I'll definitely be going back here to take more pictures of my finished quilts.

This was one of my favorite pictures.  Kara on the steps of the capital building, sitting on her quilt with the setting sun shining on her.

This picture of grandma's quilt with the capitol in the background is pretty special too.  :) 

Sew Saturday ~ Melissa's Quilt ~

For months I had to keep a secret. If you have watched any of my planner videos on making my own bullet journal planner you saw post-its covering up info I didn't want the world to see.  One of those things I made sure to cover up was anything to do with Melissa's quilt, on the off chance she might see the video or I might accidentally post it on Instagram.  I started writing M's quilt in my planner, because I did not want to be the one that blew the surprise.  Anyone glancing at my planner would assume M was for my son Michael, my mom or even my mother-in-law.  Now the secret is out and the surprise has been revealed so I can share it with you!

AM, Melissa and Patti

At our guild meeting last month we presented Melissa Dunworth with a quilt made by our South Sound Modern Quilt Guild members especially for her.  We were able to honor her and thank her in the best way possible, a quilt to commemorate her time as our founder and first president.  Melissa started the local chapter of the Modern Quilt Guild after moving up here from CA.  She wanted to connect with local quilters and help spread the modern quilting movement.  Ruby Street Quiltworks offered their classroom for our meeting space and helped spread the word about the possibility of a new guild starting.    The first meeting was held and I think the response blew Melissa and her friends away. She met a need many of never even knew we had.

Months later we officially became a member of the Modern Quilt Guild and when it came time to choose our first president, Melissa was the natural choice.  When it came time to choose our second president a year later, nobody else felt they could do the job Melissa had been doing, so we nominated her again.  :)  At that time she and the board started setting up committees to take over some of the burden from the president, and she paved the way for a new president to come in.  Thankfully Cecile Baggenstos stepped up and accepted the challenge of becoming our new guild president to give Melissa a well deserved and much earned break!   Of course, she isn't taking a break from our guild (we won't let her) and she isn't taking a break from sewing (did you hear she was recently published in Generation Q magazine?), but a break from the responsibilities of leading our guild.

It took a few months to get this quilt together and nobody told Melissa a thing about it.  The rules were simple. Make a 12.5" block or a 6.5" block using the colors of our blog header.   Then it was a matter of bringing them to March meeting and getting them to Patti without Melissa noticing.  Next it was time for a committee to design and piece the quilt top.  After that it went to another guild member to quilt it. Then it came to me.  I had the privilege of sewing the binding on by hand and as I did so I spoke blessings over Melissa.  I hoped and prayed that she would know how much the guild means to us each time she looks at it.  I want her to know how very deeply grateful I am to her for the connection she has given me to the quilting world and especially to the other members of our guild.  I know many of the other ladies feel the same way.  I thought about how special she is to have stepped out and stepped up.  I'm blessed by her friendship and so very grateful to know her.

Most of all I hope that as Melissa looks at the quilt she will see that she did something incredible, that she is valued beyond her roles as a military wife and mom (not that those aren't extremely valuable, they are, but moms can often feel they've lost their individual identity), that she will know she made a difference in the lives of the members she served and all that received quilts because of the charity work our guild has done and WILL DO!  That is a lot to be grateful for.   <3
 

I feel so priveledged to have been a part of this special project.  The SSMQG is the very first guild I've belonged to.  I remember telling my husband I wanted to go to the first meeting to find out about the Modern Quilt Guild.  He asked me why, and I told him, "it is so rare to be a part of a guild from it's beginning.  We moved here from another state and I don't really belong here yet.  I'm not a part of anything from it's beginning here in WA.  This might be something that I could belong to and feel connected to."  It is not easy for me to walk into a room full of people I don't know, so it took a leap a faith to go to that first meeting.  I've rarely missed a meeting since. 

For my block, I chose to use a flying geese pattern (her favorite) in a design that I've been wanting to try since I first saw it.   It was a little difficult to give away after I finished it because I like it so much.   ;)  Thank goodness I know how to make another one.  :) 

It took a few months to get this quilt together and nobody told Melissa a thing about it.  The rules were simple. Make a 12.5" block or a 6.5" block using the colors of our blog header.   Then it was a matter of bringing them to March meeting and getting them to Patti secretly.  Next it was time for a committee to design and piece the quilt top.  After that it went to another guild member to quilt it. Then it came to me.

AM checking out her the cute critter block on her mama's new quilt.  <3 

I had the priveledge of sewing the binding on by hand and as I did so I spoke blessings over Melissa.  I hoped and prayed that she would know how much the guild means to us each time she looks at it.  I want her to know how very deeply grateful I am to her for the connection she has given me to the quilting world and especially to the other members of our guild.  I know many of the other ladies feel the same way.  I thought about how special she is to have stepped out and stepped up.  I'm blessed by her friendship and so very grateful to know her.  Most of all I hope that as looks at the quilt she will see that she did something incredible, that she is valued beyond her roles as wife and mom (not that those aren't extremely valuable, they are, but moms can often feel they've lost their individual identity), that she will know she made a difference in the lives of the members she served and all that received quilts because of the charity work our guild has done and WILL DO!  That is a lot to be grateful for.   <3

The last step was putting on the label.  I think the quilt came out as a perfect reflection of our guild.  I'm so proud of our ladies for their hard work.  (we don't have any male members, yet.)

One last thank you to Melissa Dunworth for fulfilling something in me I didn't even know I was missing.  You have done an incredible thing and I will forever be grateful to you.

Melissa Dunworth http://blog.sewbittersweetdesigns.com/
South Sound Modern Quilt Guild http://southsoundmqg.blogspot.com/
Modern Quilt Guild https://www.themodernquiltguild.com/
Cecile Baggenstos http://quiltshappen.blogspot.com/

Sew Sunday | Arts Walk | OMG Challenge

The South Sound Modern Quilt Guild once again represented during the Arts Walk this weekend in Olympia, WA.   The challenge was to create an improv quilt that was at least 20" x  20" using the fat quarter of fabric in one of 3 colorways.  

Our quilts hung with pride at Canvas Works for all to see.   Those who visited the display were encouraged to chose their favorite quilt.  The winner will get a prize, but I can't remember what the prize is.  I don't even know if we were told what it is.  Winning obviously isn't my goal, and if you saw the "competition" you would know why.  We have some seriously talented and professional quilters.   I just like the challenge.

Here is my quilt.  I wish I would have called it wonky hashtag, because that is what I thought of when I saw it hanging at canvas works and the clerk asked me which quilt was mine.   Instead I named it wonky tic-tac-toe.   My plan is to donate it a foster child or other child in need.  

This quilt was my One Monthly Goal for April, and I am happy to say I finished!  When I get the quilt back I may add some more quilting to the yellow areas of my quilt. Then again, I may call it good.  

Check out the South Sound Modern Quilt Guild blog tomorrow to see more of the quilts on display at the show.

Sew Sunday ~ Sew Expo ~ OMG Link-up

It has been such a fun sewing weekend for me, starting on Thursday with a trip to Sew Expo in Puyallup, WA and continuing on to the In Stitches quilt show in Centralia, WA on Friday and ending with an inspired weekend of sewing at home.  Yesterday I even had 4 hours alone at home to sew.  I should have cleaned house or worked on taxes, but it was good for the soul to spend quality time with my sewing machine watching videos on Bible Art Journaling. 

I have loads of pictures to share with you over the coming weeks, but for today I have just a quick post so I can get back in the sewing room before a sniper (kids, dogs, hubby, chores) gets me.  ;) 

Today is the last day of Sew Expo at the Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup, WA.  If you are local, it is definitely worth the trip, especially today.  Many vendors offer deep discounts on the last day so that they won't have to pack and ship their merchandise home.  Especially for furniture, sewing machines and bolts of fabric.  

  

Time to link up my February finish for the One Monthly Goal challenge and I am happy to say that yesterday I finally finished sewing together the blocks that have been on my design wall since last summer!  Nice to finally have that goal complete.

It was only 10 blocks, but it was just taking the time to work on them.  Now I can put them away until I am ready to do a little more work on Michael's quilt.

I also completed the 2 February blocks for the SSMQG Patchwork City QAL.  If you remember getting caught up with that QAL was my January goal, and my personal sewing goal is to stay caught up.

I'm heading back to my sewing room to see what else I can accomplish this weekend.  I finished a super secret block project yesterday and started on the binding for a guild quilt.  I like to sew the binding on onto the front and hand tack it down in back.  It's a relaxing thing for me to do in the evening while watching TV with the hubs.  I'm seriously considering starting something new today after I finish the binding.  We shall see what happens.

Sew Saturday ~ September Guild Haul

Did you catch the title of this post?  Yes, I am THAT far behind in my Sew Saturday posts.  Last month was a fruitful one for me.  First off we had our pillow swap.  A couple of months ago I filled out a form with questions like:

• What is your favorite fabric line
• Who is your favorite fabric designer
• What are your favorite colors
• Which are your least favorite colors

We then exchanged passed them in and they handed us somebody else's questionaire so we could make them a pillow.   First up is the pillow I made for fellow guildee, Kara.  At  one of our guild meetings I asked her to point out some of her favorite fabrics, so I could get a better sense of what she would like.  I had a pattern in head that I wanted to try, and I needed a little more inspiration on fabric choices.  My phone came in very handy here!

She tends to like the more earthy colors while I tend to gravitate towards brights and regals.  I'm so glad I asked her to show me which fabrics she really loved, because I would have chosen different colors than I did.  She loves Navy, so I had to include that, but our store didn't have any navy cotton & steel fabrics left, so I went searching through the store and found the perfect match.  At least, I hope she thinks so.  Here is my finished pillow for Kara.

It didn't quite turn out the way I envisioned it in my head, but it still turned out pretty darn cute.  Inspiration struck when I decided to add wooden Stampin' Up! buttons to the back of the pillow for decoration.  I think the back side is actually my favorite side.  See below.

Since it was a swap, I also got a pillow.  Mine however is purple!  <3  Check out the totally modern pillow Patti made for me.  She did such a fabulous job!  It's so soft and squishy.  :)  It has a place of honor in my sewing chair. The picture below shows Melissa holding it up for me at our guild meeting so I could take a picture.  If you would like to see more of our swaps, clicky to check out the South Sound Modern Quilt Guild blog.

We have door prizes at just about every guild meeting.  Last month was no exception.  Some of our members attended the Pacific North West meet-up and brought back a bag overflowing with goodies to give away.  Can you believe it?  I WON!  It is my first time winning anything at our meetings in 2 years.  Woot-Woot!  I didn't even buy extra tickets for this giveaway.  

Did I mention this is a haul post?  I walked away with one more set of goodies from sweet Jyll.  She custom made me some embroidered labels for me to put on the back of my quilts.  Isn't she the sweetest?  I almost just want to frame them and hang them on the wall in my quilt room, but I will use them on my quilts instead. 

Sew Sunday ~ Riley Black Quilt Update

It's been unusually HOT here in the Pacific Northwest, so I've been spending the weekend in my air conditioned sewing room.  As a result I've made some good progress on my Modern Quilt Guild Riley Black Designs Cottage Garden by the Quilted Fish Fabric Challenge. That is a mouthful!

Part of the challenge is to try something you've never done before.  I've been wanting to do a modern dresden plate since I saw fellow South Sound Modern Quilt Guild member, Kathy Buchli's, quilt.  (Clicky)  That was over a year ago.  The techniques and tools used are new to me, but I find them fun, and perhaps a little addictive.  The center circles are machine sewn with a blanket stitch while the out edges of the plate are sewn by hand.  It's such a relaxing way to spend the evenings.  While doing some "research" online, aka watching youtube videos & looking at sewing blogs, I came across a great tip for getting your project to lay flat.

It's all in the pressing. While my piece is still warm from the iron I lay a " flat weight" on top of it so that it stays flat as it cools.  You could use a book or a magazine, but I grabbed my 12.5" template.  So far this has been working VERY well for me.  I might try it for all my future piecing.  Sorry that I can't remember the original source of this tip, but it wasn't from a quilter.  It was actually a tip for garment sewing I believe.

As I mentioned, this was my first time sewing Dresdens.  I had no idea how large they would be.  This created a bit of a problem.  I knew going into this that I didn't want all my Dresdens to line up in a row.  My thought was to sew each of the dresdens to a center of 16" block and then add 4.5" strips to 2 sides of the blocks in the four corners.  The middle block would be completely centered inside a 20" block.  I got to work on sewing all 4 corner blocks.  Then I went to cut  my fabric for the remaining blocks, including the center block and realized I only had a yard of fabric left.  NOOOOOOOOooooooooooooo!!!!

This is what happens when I create patterns on my own and don't pay attention to math.  It's also what happens when you buy fabric from 3 or more shops and can't remember which one you got this particular shade of grey.  It all worked out in the end, but I spent a few hours yesterday hitting the "local" fabric stores trying to figure out who made this perfect light shade of grey.   I was sure it was from Sisters in Chehalis, WA, but I was wrong.

Next I went to Quilter's Junction in Centralia, WA to see if they carried it.  I have an embarrassing story to share about that, but it will have to wait until Tuesday's post.  For now I will give a shout out to Rita Whalen and tell her thank you for your help.

Finally I went up to Ruby Street Quiltworks in Tumwater, WA.  I really should have gone there first because they do have the biggest selection of solids, but I honestly thought I had bought it at Sisters when I went in for their row-by-row license plate.  btw- the color is Vapor, but I still can' remember the name of the manufacturer.  It's on my receipt though, so I can easily find it.   I love that Ruby Street prints out the names of the fabric and keeps a record in their store so you can easily find additional fabric.  As long as it hasn't sold out.

How are you doing on your A Lovely Year of Finishes Goal?  I'm hopeful mine will be completed on time.  As long as the AC holds out.