Monday, October 18, 2010

Books and Projects

In Saturday's mail I received this book from Linda. She had a blog giveaway, and I was a lucky winner! Thank you, Linda!

I've enjoyed looking through this book, though it's put me in a bit of a pickle. This is a book of patterns that use a jelly roll and a layer cake to make a quilt, and I've never bought any fabric "baked goods!" Guess I'll have to see what I can do about winning a jelly roll and layer cake giveaway. Yes, I could buy a jelly roll and layer cake, but I have a stash that wants using up.

That's why I recently bought this book: "String Quilts." It's a little out of the ordinary for me to buy any quilting book since I haven't for several years.
But after seeing Maylene's beautiful rendition of the "Picket Fence" quilt, I had to have it to make one for myself.
It's made with light, medium and dark 1" to 2-1/2" strips. I can't think of a better way to use up my strips that have been accumulating in a bin. Some of my older, I-don't-like-them-anymore fabrics will probably join the stripping bin too.

While at daughter Jill's house last week, the sum of my accomplishments was to piece sixteen 8" sawtooth star blocks for grandson #3's quilt.  

I referred to one of my favorite books to select the block that best-suited the bright jungle print, fussy cut for the center of each sawtooth star. I've had this book for many years. So long that I even had it spiral bound back in the days when you could have that done for about $3.
I pieced the sawtooth sections using my favorite no-waste method. Not only are there no bits of leftover fabrics, but I find that my triangles are much more accurate. If you haven't tried this method, I highly recommend it. My tutorial for it is here. Or, go here to print the instructional PDF that I use.

Below is one of two quilt tops I've recently pieced for Stitchin' Mission. I'm not fond of the colors, but I was limited in my choices to what Jo-Ann Fabrics had available for a boy's quilt. All the fabrics for this quilt came from there so I could enter Jo-Ann's Craft for a Cause.
I'm making and entering a quilt on behalf of Stitchin' Mission, my favorite charity, though I know it's impossible for Stitchin' Mission to win the $50,000 prize Jo-Ann's is giving away. The winner is determined by the number of items made and donated to that charity, and as far as I know, I'm the only one entering for Stitchin' Mission.  
The quilt top looks a little better up close.

The next few days will find me keeping busy at the machines. I hope you will get to do the same.

Today I'll leave you with this cute comment, made by the four year-old son of Kelly, the "Happy Homemaker and Momma" in Pennsylvania.
"Mommy, can I watch some TV? It is just some, not too much, because I don't want my brain to rot and my teeth to fall out."

4 comments:

  1. Hahhahaha-thanks for telling me of your share-he is so funny isn't he?!
    Love my Boy!!!!

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  2. I'm just starting to enjoy the "baked goods' that have come out, but I like your idea - use up stash first. Love those blocks for your grandson. They're too cute.

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  3. It's good idea to get your sewing out of the way because when the little one arrives you will be too distracted to sew for a while. Hope all is well.

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  4. You are very welcome. I have never used a layer cake or jelly roll either. Some of the quilts looked as though you could use your stash to create them. Always remember--regifting is permissible!!

    I love your jungle blocks.

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