Hopscotch!

This morning, I pulled out my Hopscotch quilt top to begin the basting process! Woot woot!


I pressed and pieced my backing. I pulled out my "basting table" and got the quilt top basted! So exciting!



Now, I'm going to make a quick run to JoAnn's and pick up some more quilting thread. I use mostly off white/cream colored thread and I haven't bought hand quilting thread in so long, I'm afraid I'll run out of what is on the last spool I have. So, I'm going to restock, so that I'm SURE I have enough to finish this top.

As usual, it will take me a bit to finish this one. I made it from my leftover reproduction strips. And, I'm using Quilter's Dream Request batting. SO nice for hand quilting. The quilt will fit my double bed. I'll measure it again in a bit when I get it out to start the quilting, I've already forgotten the measurement. :)

I suppose it's time to start thinking of the next top to work on....I have lots of them in process, and I'd like to finish one up and get it made into a top.

Happy Quilting!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Easy Spider Web bits and bobs:

1. Paper piecing the blocks was NOT the problem. That's the fun part.

2. Maneuvering the stiff quilt to sew the top together was frustrating, but not really hard!

3. I do not like removing the papers either, but I love the ease of paper piecing. Sometimes it's worth the trouble. But I don't think so right now. LOL Give me some time. :)

4. It does use up lots of scraps....but those scraps multiply and now I have another bucket full. *sigh*

5. If you've never paper pieced....do try it. And, yes, start small. LOL

6. The name of the block is Easy Spider Web block. It's not necessarily easy, but nothing to be afraid of.

7. And, yes, we ALL have too many irons in the fire! :)

Thanks so much for the comments......

Easy Spider Web Top DONE!!!

I haven't said much, but I've been working away on the Easy Spider Web Top, from Quilter's Cache. It's a free paper pieced pattern, so check it out!



I'll be honest. The blocks were easy, even FUN to make! And, putting together the rows weren't horrid.....but when it came to assembling the top. Oh my! This one almost got my goat.




Because there are biased edges once the blocks are trimmed, you really can't remove the paper until those biased seams have been sewn.


I removed a lot of paper as I went along, because it's impossible to get a large quilt with paper backing under your sewing machine foot without it pulling. It was like a tug of war. And, a couple of times I caved and walked away.

I would wait a couple of hours, over night and finally went two days before going back into the sewing room to finish it up.

Once I was done with the top, I knew I would have to leave the rest of the paper on the quilt edges unless I finished the top with a border. I really don't have room to store a quilt that has all that extra thickness from the paper. I thought about it and thought about it and then looked at the pattern page again. Marica Hohn had already thought this one out for me. I chose to use the border she shows on the pattern page.

It's scrappy and pieced and frames the quilt well. And, it wasn't hard, well, not really....but since I made my border really scrappy it took a few hours to cut and sew. I had to do the math myself since directions weren't posted for the border. Those corners had me thinking for about 20 minutes.

Now the top is done.


And, I can now begin the process of removing the last of the papers from the back around the edge of the quilt. It turned out well, but it almost ate my lunch. I think it might be a while before I make another paper pieced bed sized quilt....well, maybe.

Happy Quilting!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crumbs and bits.....

EDITED: Someone has claimed the bag of crumbs and bits.... thanks everyone!


Is anyone interested in my crumbs and bits?? They are big enough to do something with, but I know I won't. I hate to throw them out if someone else will use them.

Here is the pic of the basket. I added some to it, especially more darks and mediums.

There are pieces in here that are NOT pedigreed. Not all of these fabrics are quilt shop quality. Some were given to me YEARS ago and may have been purchased at JoAnns (pre-quilt shop quality days) or who knows where else.

I have a gallon sized Ziploc bag full of lights and darks (some mediums). I'll pay for shipping.....

So, if you would like them, let me know. First come, first serve.....just comment on this post and then I can get your address by e-mail.

Happy Easter!

He is risen!!!!

Earth Day Freebies....

Whether you celebrate Earth Day or not, who can resist a freebie???

Friday the 22nd:

Starbucks is giving away a free coffee or tea, as long as you bring in a reusable cup.

And, Lowe's Home Improvement is giving away free trees. Not sure what kind, etc. but visit your local Lowe's on Friday to get one.

Happy Quilting!!!!!

More sewing and online shopping

Last night I finished sewing all the pieces of the Easy Spider Web blocks. And, this morning I started trimming them. Next, I will be assembling them into the 7 inch blocks and then into "four patches". I had to pull from one of my strip drawers to finish these blocks up. But it didn't take much. My real "scrap basket" is empty!!



I'm still cutting new strips from that bucket found out in the garage, but it's such a tedious task, I'm taking my sweet time. I can't cut strips for more than an hour or I get bored. :)

I found this book on Amazon and LOVE the fabrics Kim uses in this book. It's easy to get
inspired when you see quilts made in your favorite colors.

I'm a lover of saturated colors, reproductions and scraps....and this book has it all. The quilt on the cover caught my eye. And, there are several more in there that I LOVE. I haven't bought a new book in a while, so that was special treat.

And, I found some reproduction fabrics on clearance. YUM! They were just over $5 a yard. COULD NOT pass them up. I chose to get one yard cuts instead of five yards of one fabric. I'm collecting fabrics for a yummy reproduction scrap quilt.



And, Dear Younger Son hung my Comfort of Psalms in our living room. I've hated the picture that was hanging there. It was old and out of date, and I hadn't found anything to replace it. SO glad now that I never did. I love the quilt hanging here and it matches my living room perfectly.


HAPPY QUILTING!!!!!!!!!!