Montana state mini - a finish Friday

Another state mini finished!  This one is for the lovely state of Montana (where I very much desire to visit one day) and is supposed to depict Lake McDonald, known for its colorful rocks and pebbles.  I barely did it justice.  Just Google "Lake McDonald, Montana" and see what I mean.

I used tulle for the first time in the making of this mini.  I used it in layers to get the effect of depth of water while preserving a bit of reflection of the mountain.  I admit that tulle does make quilting over fused (or glued in the case of the rocks) bits much easier; however, unpicking any quilting on tulle is very difficult.  It is almost impossible to pick your stitches without getting a few of the tulle fibers cut too.

Only Louisiana and New York left to go.  I will have to tackle them after my Mom-cation.


Thanks for reading today,

Jen


Linking up with:

Massachusetts mini - a finish Friday

I hope it is not to late to post a finish for Finish Friday!

I finished up quilting this mini for a guild challenge really late last night, but I didn't get the binding on until today.  The guild I belong to up in the mountains is having their annual outdoor quilt walk coming up on September 27th in Blue Jay, CA.  The theme this year is "Across America" and each member was asked to pick a state and make a mini to represent it.  I actually have several more states to complete, but Massachusetts was the first one I tackled.  It was inspired by a travel poster I saw for Martha's Vineyard.

It as the first time I tried that McTavish-like design in the sky.  I don't think I have it down quite yet.  Luckily, I have 4 more minis to complete, so I might get some more practice.

Thanks for reading today,

Jen


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Guild blocks - Building Blocks Tuesday

I haven't had much time in front of the sewing machine this week, but I did finish a few of these blocks for the guild's monthly BOM.  The guild collects them and turns them into auction quilts for charity.  I made 6!

After all, chain piecing 6 goes about the same rate as chain piecing 2.  I must say, these are not my usual colors, and working with flannel was a bit "interesting" since my machine really wanted to stretch it.  But, this color scheme will do well up in the mountains where the guild is located.

What blocks have you been working on?  I would love to see.  Link up your fabulous blocks.  You put a lot of hard work into them - show them off!  This free linky will stay open until the first Monday of next month, but I will repost it every Tuesday until a new month starts.

Rules:

1) Please link up only to the page in your blog showing your wonderful blocks, not just the blog homepage.  Flickr pictures are also OK.
2) Make sure to put your blog name as the description so people know where they are going or the name of your block!
3) Please grab my button and post it in your blog post or sidebar.
4) Visit other linky participants!

Thanks for reading!

Jen

An InLinkz Link-up

The trees that defeated me - WIP Wednesday

Today, I am actually showing actual WIPs instead of items I have finished (mostly because there are so few in this category!), and because I am on vacation this week.

A small start on my Totally Groovy top:

I know, it's not much, but it did give me a taste for how much fun it is to put this one together.  I also finished most of the cutting, so hopefully the rest of the top will fly together!  Then it is onto the quilting which promises to be even more fun!  My 5th color for the quilt is a navy blue, in case anyone was wondering.

Also, I am admitting defeat on this one.  My tree quilt for the guild's quilt show this coming weekend.  The deadline is October 1st, but since I am on my trip right now I can't finish it.  Plus, it really wasn't coming together like I pictured.

I wanted it to look as if you were looking up into the trees towards the sky, but I don't like the different leaves.  WHY did I decide to make each tree different??  I also realized about the time I was machine appliqueing the first tree trunk that it was going to be rather difficult for me to quilt it the way I wanted.   In fact, I think to really make it work, I actually need to construct the quilt backwards.  This one needs a complete redesign and I don't have the time to do it right now.  It might not quite be "trash", but I definitely need to walk away from this one for now.

This Wednesday......

Completed Projects:

• Gram's Place mats (I actually have no pics because I was literally hand sewing on the binding on the plane to visit her!)
• Free Motion Challenge for September, click here for post

On-going Projects:

I've decided these are actually the projects I hope to touch within a week of returning from my trip.

• Vintage Holiday Quilt Along - top needs to be put together, sashing is partially cut
• Totally Groovy Quilt Along - piecing in progress
• 12 Bee Blocks - piecing in progress.
• Leaf's Me Happy block(s) - My date is October 10th.  Designs chosen.  
• Sashiko coasters - as part of my 100 Day Hustle list

Back Burner:

These projects are part of my 100 Day Hustle List also, but will likely be touched in a couple of weeks.

• Batik Stripe Quilt - still sandwiched and ready to be quilted!  I moved this one up because it is part of  my 100 Day Hustle list.
• Star of Africa Bee - September's block
• Preschool Pillowcases
• How Far Will You Go? QAL - Putting this one aside until my blocks for the bees are done.  But I would like to at least catch up with the blocks here and there as not to get too far behind.  This one is scheduled to be completed after the 100 Day Hustle, but I'll never finish it then if I don't keep up somewhat.

The Back, Back Burner:

Lightning would have to strike twice.

• Handstitched goodies - several projects in limbo.  
• Beginner Quilt Along at Quilting Gallery - top needs to be put together 
• Red, White, Blue New York Beauty - piecing in progress, but put well out of the way.  I need to be in a paper-piecing mood to resume.
• June UFO - "A Christmas Something for myself" -EPP in progress. 
• Charity quilt for the guild - not started

This week's stats:
Completed projects - 3 place mats - I know, look out!
New projects - 0
Currently in Progress - 5-ish

Don't forget to link up any blocks you have been working on to yesterday's post!  The linky stays open for a whole week, so feel free to add them as you complete or wait for next Tuesday (or both)!



Linking up with Freshly Pieced WIP Wednesday's and .