A Zelda Project Update

Just because I haven't blogged doesn't mean I haven't been getting things done.  In September I made four more blocks for Josh's Zelda quilt.  

The Heart...

the Bow...

the Stopwatch...

and the Sword.

Then, I had other projects to work on so it sat and waited.  Again.  For a long time.  This week was RETREAT, though, so it was time to get some serious sewing done!


I made the Map Piece...

the Key...

the Fairy...

...and the Triforce.  Oops!  I forgot to take a picture of that one.  

Laid out on the floor it was really looking good, and I was getting excited about finishing.

Since each block was a different size, putting them together was a challenge.  I divided the blocks into columns then added borders until all the blocks in each column were the same width.  Next, I added sashing to make each column the same length. Finally, I added sashing between the columns and added the borders.  

Now on to making the backing and quilting it.  I may just finish it this year!

(I'm kind of looking forward to making something with a pattern after this so there isn't so much of that Dreaded Math involved!)

A Zelda Project

I started a really fun project today - a wall-hanging for my nephew Josh's game room.   He had seen some quilts done by Eric the Quilter and wondered if I could do something similar.    I know a lot about quilting, but I don't know much about The Legend of Zelda, so I needed a little help from Google.  I found my inspiration.

I sketched out some blocks and decided on a layout.

Then I started sewing.  I have 4 of the blocks finished - the Sword.....

.....the Bomb.....

.....the Rupee.....

.....and the Mana Potion.

(I did have to ask Josh what these things were, except for the bomb.  I was pretty sure I recognized that.)

So far, so good, on this new project.  I'm thinking it will go pretty fast. 

It's been way too long since I made a quilt for him.  That was his "Going Away to College" quilt in 2004.  

That one was a little more traditional, for sure!

I think this new quilt will get just as good a smile from Josh, though.  

Noah's Quilt - A Late Finish

I had set finishing Noah's quilt as my July goal.  It was a lot to accomplish in one month even if we would have been home the entire 31 days!  We were gone for a week, but I still managed to get the borders on it, baste it, quilt it, and bind it.  I finished it about 20 hours after the deadline. 

I machine quilted this one.  Using two different threads and two different patterns.  It was worth having to tie off all those threads because I think it turned out great.

I like the pattern......

......and I love the pieced back.  The lacrosse fabric is pretty cool, plus I used up the leftover navy from the front and some blue from my stash.

I slept under it (tradition!), washed and dried it, photographed it, and then forgot about getting it to my grandson for a couple of weeks.  Ooops!

The main thing is that Noah is happy with it.  

I'm pretty sure he'll enjoy it for a long time.

July Goal for "A Lovely Year of Finishes"

Setting a goal at all for July is kind of scary since I will be out of town for about half of the month.  I've been really motivated lately so I'm going for it!

My grandson, Noah, is ready for a new quilt.  I asked him what kind of quilt he wants (Never do that!  Just ask what color they like!) and he said he wants a lacrosse quilt.  I thought, "Oh no, where will I find lacrosse fabric?"  Then he added the fact that he also likes the University of North Carolina.  Yikes!

Well, Quiltshops.com to the rescue once again!  First, I found these cool prints from the "Sew Sporty" collection by Dan Morris for RJR Rabrics. 

Then I ordered some of this Officially Licensed Collegiate Print.

Figuring out how to use these prints together was the next bridge to cross, so I just started doodling.  I have no idea if I saw this idea somewhere or if it's out of my own head, but I decided it would work.  I thought that adding this black-on-navy print would work well.  It's "Nature's Basket" from Moda.  The other fabric will be used for the backing.

I got one block made and everything else cut out to take to retreat with me.

I wasn't really loving the fabrics together in the block, but the more blocks I made and laid out on the floor, the more I liked it.  Once they were all stitched together I decided it actually looks pretty cool.  I love the way the blocks seem to float on the quilt top.  Now it needs a dark border and it will be ready to baste.   

So, as far as goals for July go ........ I would really like to get the final border on, baste it, quilt it, and put on the binding.  In other words -- finish Noah's quilt. 

Wish me luck!! 

I am linking up to A Lovely Year of Finishes Goal Setting Party for July at Fiber of All Sorts.  

June Goal Accomplished, and Then Some!

I decided to make it easy on myself when I set my June goal (Goal #18 at Fiber of All Sorts) since I haven't accomplished much so far this year.  Not only did I accomplish my goal of getting a baby quilt top put together, but I put two tops together AND finished both quilts!  Two things helped motivate me -- going to a retreat, and the fact that both babies had already been born. 

I wish I could remember where online I first saw this idea.  It's the easiest baby quilt ever!  Starting with 5" squares I made the star......

......then surrounded it with more squares.

I had bought some great backing fabric at Hancock's of Paducah with help from my friend Shirley.  I just love this Michael Miller fabric, "Monster Mash".  Can you see the little baby monster?  Too cute!

I basted both quilts at retreat and started hand-quilting one of them.   I had some great colors of quilting thread from which to choose, and with Angela's help decided on purple.  (Yes, I do have a problem with decisiveness!)

I got both quilts hand-quilted in 10 days, so I am now suffering from a flare-up of tendonitis, but it was well worth it.  I just love these quilts.

The quilts are on their way to their new owners, baby Grant and baby Seth.   

Now I am wondering if I can get the next baby quilts (for twins due in the fall) actually finished before the babies are born.  What a concept, huh?

Since I completed my goal I am linking up with A Lovely Year of Finishes.

June Goal for "A Lovely Year of Finishes"

It's difficult to believe that it's already June and time to set another goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes.  I'm glad there's plenty of year left to get something done, because so far I'm not doing well with goals at all this year.  I did complete my January goal and my February goal, but life interrupted.

While working on my February goal, my sewing room was torn up so new flooring could be installed.  When that was finished I decided to have the room painted.  Then for about six weeks I was faced with deep cleaning and getting things put back in order - not just the sewing room, but the entire house.  Looking back I realize that I never shared photos of my completed and improved sewing room.   So I'll do that first.

It's pretty awesome.  Yesterday, I spent some time in my sewing room for the first time in a long while.  It was so nice.  Just me and Michael Buble, and James Taylor, The Mamas and The Papas, and Jackson Browne.  Sigh........

I did a lot of cutting. 

I had fun with the fabrics, and got two baby quilts cut out.  

My goal for June is to get a baby quilt top put together for a new great-nephew. It's a pretty simple pattern.  So it should be doable.  Especially since I am going to retreat this month.

So, here we go again.  I am linking up to Fiber of All Sorts for their June Goal Setting Party (I am #18 on the list), and then I'm going to look at some of the other goals there.