July Fresh Sewing Day

I really love the idea of a monthly recap of what has been done; it makes me feel good.  How brilliant of Lily's Quilts to come up with such a wonderful linky party.

So here is July's Fresh Sewing day goodies:

1) My block for the Red White and Blue Blog Hop
2) Completed quilt top for the medallion quilt from the Handstitched Class at Stitched in Color
3) My applique T-shirt from the Handstitched Class
4) Front of my July Free Motion Challenge
5) A sample of the blocks I have completed for the Beginner's Quilt Along at Quilting Gallery
6) The blocks I made for the 3 x 6 Bee
7) My reverse applique needlebook from the Handstitched class
8) Another look at the embroidery that took so long on the medallion quilt
9) The back of my July Free Motion Challenge

It might be a little too much to expect that I will be able to show you another picture of that medallion quilt next month as a finished piece, but there are a bunch of other projects from the class that I want to return to and give a try.

Also, drum roll please.......I did buy a new sewing machine last weekend and it sews like butter.  No really, like butter!  I can't wait to finally get some of my quilting done on the numerous projects I listed in yesterday's WIP Wednesday post!!!!  Fingers crossed I can find some time even with the kiddos around.  School doesn't start until the 27th of August, and I don't think I can wait that long to say I finished some things.

I know, I know, it's not a race.  I just can't help myself.  My pile of sandwiched quilts has been growing these last few months and I like things to be finished!  Plus, there is nothing like hand sewing some binding on while there is actually something decent to watch on TV (the Olympics, of course).

Until next month's Fresh Sewing Day....keep quilting.

Jen

Linking up with Fresh Sewing Day at Lily's Quilts

Top that! - WIP Wednesday

Wow, Wednesday really sneaked up on me!

I am still working on my Medallion quilt for the Handstitched class.  I know what you are probably thinking - "Will she just finish it already, I am tired of hearing about it!"

Well, the top is done.  Sort of.  I had trouble with the last border.  After I added the solid gray section, I went to put on that last strip pieced border and they didn't fit.  Of course, I made those border as I stitched along, and I made them to the size specified.  My quilt at the storm at sea stage was to size, so I guess somewhere between the on point border and solid border, it got big.  I was worried that if I trimmed anything, the quilting motif that Rachel had in store for us, wouldn't look right.  At first I tried easing in the excess, but it was a lot of excess and didn't look nice.  So, I added a bit more strips and tried to miter those corner to "cover up" the additions.  Unfortunately I am not that good at mitering borders and it doesn't look great.  I have to decide today if I am going to just leave them or rip the whole thing apart and try something else.

This Wednesday......

Completed Projects:

• Handstitched Medallion quilt top
• Beginner's Quilt Along Block 8
• July Free Motion Challenge  I blogged about it last Friday here.

On-going Projects:

• Handstitched goodies, including the class quilt.  These are my top priority as I am still behind in the class, and there are so many neat projects to choose from.
• Design something for the Let's Get Acquainted Blog Hop - my stop is in September, but at my pace, I better get started soon.
• Vintage Holiday Quilt Along - actually starts August 6th.  I have fabrics picked out, and the blocks look REALLY easy.  Two blocks a week shouldn't be too hard.
• Totally Groovy Quilt Along - I bought fabric for this one, so I might as well attempt to do it!  It also starts in August, with the sewing beginning mid-August.
• I joined the Star of Africa Bee last week and need to do 2 blocks for my Bee-mates
• "Tree" themed quilt for the guild - the guild is having a quilt show in October and each member is asked to make a small quilt with a "tree" theme.

Back Burner:

I am determined not to forget these projects!  Keeping them in this category reminds me of them on a weekly basis.

• Batik Stripe Quilt - still sandwiched and ready to be quilted!

• Thank you quilt for Ashley's teacher - awaiting quilting

• Red, White, Blue New York Beauty - piecing in progress
• Urban Nine Patch Tablerunner - sandwiched and awaiting quilting
• June UFO - "A Christmas Something for myself" - English paper piecing in progress.  It will be a table runner of hexagons.  This is the hand project I keep in the car, so I will do a little at a time, but progress is slow.
• July UFO - tile batik quilt - piecing in progress
• Charity quilt for the guild - I'm going to miss the next meeting, but need to bring it to September's

This week's stats:
Completed projects - 3
New projects - 2
Currently in Progress - 6-ish

Linking up with Freshly Pieced WIP Wednesday's and Handmade Parade at There and Back on Friday
 

Block 8 of Beginner's Quilt Along - Trial and Error Tuesday

Oops!  Looks like I forgot to hit "publish" yesterday!  LOL!  Here it is!

Here is block 8 for Quilting Gallery's Beginner's Quilt-Along, a variation of a "spool" block. This quilt along has been a lot of fun for me.  I know I have mentioned before, but it is refreshing to do these "easier" blocks with nice big pieces.  You can whip them up incredibly fast!  I am also enjoying seeing some of my pink stash getting used up.  It makes room for more, don't you know!

If I haven't convinced you yet to join this quilt along, check out what the other participants blocks look like at the flickr group site.  It is never too late to join, and catching up wouldn't take too long!

I may have to change the "title" of these Tuesday posts for a while.  A few of my other quilt alongs are starting this week and I would like to showcase the blocks on Tuesdays. I hope to have more blocks to show you next week.

Stay tuned!

Jen