Quilt Show success!

here is the first of 6 videos of the quilt show. My comedian husband did the narration.  He thinks he's a quilt expert! LOL

We had a BEAUTIFUL day, sunny, not too hot, not very much wind and had a great turnout!  Thank you to all the quilters who shared their quilt that day and to all who came to enjoy.  

#10 in 10 in 10 done!! 16 patch and Pinwheels

# 16 patch and pinwheels

16 Patch and Pinwheels

I made a mistake earlier in calling another quilt by this name. This was made from scraps and it is one of my favorite quilts.  It's going to go on one of my guest room beds. I used Mary's pattern for this one.

close up...

and the backing......not overly exciting...

and that, my friends, concludes my self imposed challenge of finishing 10 quilts in 10 days!  The quilt tops were all completed and 4 out of 10 backings were done and several of the bindings were cut. But I still had to create backings for 6 quilts and about 4 binding sets.  They were all quilted on my long arm...Khloe.  I used a pantograph for two and free hand quilted all the rest. 

I'll post pictures of my Quilt Show this weekend.  And after all my worrying that I wouldn't have enough (which prompted me to do this little challenge)...I'll have about 117 quilts in the show.  My goal every year is to have at least 100.  I would have hit that without these quilts. But NO problem, they are NOW done and some of them were WAAAYY overdue!

Thanks for following along in my little challenge.  Maybe I should do more challenges...sure gets things done!  wanna join me?

#9 in 10 in 10 done! Scrappy Trip Around the World

#9- Scrappy Trip Around the World

Scrappy Trip Around the World

Woohoo! Final countdown...I see the end in sight!  And I should actually call this Scrappy Trip Around Las Vegas as I bought this fabric in LV a few years ago.  I just loved these fabrics and it's bright..right up my alley!  I followed Bonnie of Quiltville's basic instructions.  I controlled my scraps though. Easy peasy. 

I had two extra blocks left so rather than come up with another project for them or have extra blocks sitting around, I put them on the back.  It's hard to see the lower fabric, but it has all the colors of the quilt in it and is just perfect for the backing. 

ignore the propane tank in the background, okay? :)  I cropped it and then the program wouldn't load it, so you get to see it. Lucky day for you. 

Sitting in this chair...looking so perfect near the garden...and fits right in with that pink flamingo! LOL It's so cheesy, I love it! My hubby just rolls his eyes. Ah...living with a crazy quilter!

Quilt Show preparations are coming along.  We won't hang any quilts until tomorrow morning, but the good news is that it's going to be a gorgeous day!  Hopefully not very much wind. My last show in 2009 it was so windy, I could hardly take any photos and most of them were hanging horizontally--flapping in the wind!

If you live in Central Ohio, you are welcome to come visit all these and 115+ more!  I love seeing all these quilts hanging outside...in the woods.  Quilters just sharing their work with others. 

 I get several people stopping by thinking that I'm having a yard sale and am selling all of them! Yeah right.  I had a guy stop one year and wanted to buy a particular quilt. I told him, no, they are not for sale. In fact, the one he wanted was a class sample.  I told him I could teach him how to make it, but it wasn't for sale. He got very persistent, telling me that everything is for sale for a price. So I told him the price I would sell it for to recoup my materials and time and he got mad! Said I was asking way too much. I told him he was right--everything is for sale--for the right price for ME--not him.  :)   I'd rather give my quilts to those that love them, than sell them for next to nothing.  So..therefore I teach people to make their own. Much more satisfaction in that anyway. right?  

#8 in 10 in 10 done! Hexagons

#8- Hexagons

Hexagons

Whew--I'm wearing down...can I make it to the end?  I sure hope so.  I had to throw in putting up corn today, making cake balls for the Open House and clean my sewing room.  Stopping to take time to those dropping quilts off for the Quilt Show and the day is buzzing by fast.  

This was made with one of the FQ packs that my hubby gets me every year from Fat Quarter Shop. I love all the prints..they are so rich in color. 

One thing I decided to do was cut off the points on the sides.  I decided I didn't want to deal with the binding on all those points. I didn't think it added that much to the quilt.  But then I had some scraps and heaven only knows I hate to waste fabric!  So I took the cut off points and appliqued them to the backing, in the seams.  I kind of like it. 

and for close up...

You know, it's the backings that is taking up some of my time!  Creating something interesting takes time! :)  But it's so worth it. 

Two more days......I wonder what they would think if I took a quilt to bind during my meeting?  Hmmm,  I'm the Secretary..kind of hard to take notes and sew at the same time!  

Note to Demanding Doll.....if I EVER find that evasive cleaning fairy--I'll be more than happy to share! :)

#7 done in 10 in 10! Picture Perfect

#7 Picture Perfect

Picture Perfect

I'm getting there...sorry for the poor picture quality, it was storming early this AM and I had to quick grab my hubby to hold the quilt and the lighting was poor.

if I'm not mistaken, I think it's another Terry Atkinson design. My internet is crawling at a snail's pace today for some reason or I'd look it up. I'm too lazy to walk back over to the studio and look for the book! hey, I'm honest. 

I got a bit side tracked with some little munchkins!  I had them for a few days while their Mom and Dad and 2 older siblings went to an amusement park for a long day.  Their family vacation was cancelled due to one of the kids getting sick and they never found the time to go. So, this was their vacation.  Did you know one year olds are VERY busy?  When you are cleaning up one mess, there is usually another one going on somewhere else! Salt ALL over the floor was the worst, it went everywhere and stuck to your feet. After sweeping several times, you could still feel it.

at the park....swinging....

and since one certain little 3 year old found some 'coins' at the park and when asked what she'd like to buy, she wanted ice cream from McDonald's.  They aren't allowed to eat meals there, but she was sure Momma wouldn't mind her getting ice cream! :)  How could I say no?

and back to the sewing room...I wish I had a little sewing fairy to help me.  No, I take that back, I'll sew....I wish I had a 'cleaning' fairy...yes, that's what I need!  I think some late nights are calling my name as  my Quilt show is nearing!

#6 done in 10 in 10--Wonky Fall Cabin

#6--Wonky Fall Cabin

Wonky Fall Cabin

I loved doing this quilt....and just what was my reason for not finishing it? Geez, it was only 36" square!  I'm embarrassed that I've had so many quilts waiting patiently to be finished.  And it's not like I'm spending 100's of hours quilting them.  I tend to be a procrastinator anyway. Deadlines are always good.  I guess that's why I get a lot more done during my Quilt Show years! :) Bad girl.

I enjoyed doing the blocks. They were scrappy, log cabins, then cut wonky.  I did alternating blocks out of a pretty fall print and the blocks just kind of 'meld' together.  I decided not to do any fancy quilting, it just wouldn't show on the front.  

And see the light colored strip that has blue flowers and little burgundy berries?  That is from 1979!! I made my dress to wear my BIL's wedding!  And give me a break...it was in the 70's. :)  And I still had remnants of that fabric.  I look at that and just smile. AND THAT is why I save my scraps.  I can usually tell you what project they came from!

Backing...a pretty fall colored homespun that was JUST the perfect size for the backing and binding. JUST.

See that little bit of green homespun?  I had to throw that into the binding because I was just a teeny bit short. 

this is ALL the trimmings, from the backing and binding.  I love it when it works out like that. 

I think it will make a mighty fine Fall Table topper. 

Wow--6 quilts in 6 days...I wasn't sure I'd make it this far...only 4 days left!

#5 done in 10 in 10---Granny's Bloomer's

#5 done--Granny's Bloomers. 

Granny's Bloomers

I used a line by Lakehouse from a few years ago. I had FQ's and just cut them into strips. Jelly rolls worked well with this pattern. 

We couldn't figure out why it was named that, other than it was supposed to be flowers?  The original design by Terry Atkinson featured 30's reproductions. (Thanks to Bev--she found the link for me! Granny's Bloomers)  Of course, I had to haul out my brights!  I used this as a retreat quilt last year.  A bit ambitious for my beginning students. But some did get it done. 

This is another Lakehouse print and I think was part of the line. If it wasn't, it worked. :)  

I quilted it with swirls all over.  I love doing those.  I like the look better than meandering but is just about as quick. 

I used the rest of my strips to be part of the backing.  I had to dig to come up with coordinating fabrics and I am bound and determined not to buy fabric.  Forces a gal to be creative, ya know?

Another biggie done.  And actually, it's not taking all that long. I admit, it has been taking me longer to come up with and sew the backings than it does to actually quilt the thing!  But i just didn't want to shortcut the backs.  I think I would regret it later. 

Back to the design board.  I try to figure out at least how I am going to do the backs and try to get the top loaded of the next quilt so I can hit the ground sewing first thing the next morning. Seems like when I have it partially started it somehow makes it easier. 

#4 done in 10 in 10--Figgy Tree

#4--Figgy Tree is done! 

It's a twin size, but might hang on my wall during the holidays. 

Figgy Tree

I swear that's what the pattern was called, but I can't find it anywhere to link to it!  It was made from Figgy Tree fabric from Moda and there was a free pattern with it. It's not on their website either? It was a couple of years ago.  Wow...time flies!   Anyway, I loved the look of the non-traditional Christmas colors, which means it could hang up longer than Christmas! :)

I couldn't decide how to quilt it because it had 3D trees on in and I didn't want to quilt them down and take away the whole look.  So I just did a 'ribbon' look up through the center of the 3D trees. 

The big square blocks were huge!  And so I wouldn't get bored, I did something slightly different in each block. Sometimes I mimicked the block with asymmetrical lines,  others I did a spiral, this one I did a flower in the center and swirly lines and squiggles??

 and others I did swirly flowers radiating from the center. I just made them up as I went. 

My friend found the backing for me at a big discount so I had her buy me enough to do the whole backing. But, ho hum. Plain backings (even it is a print--but all one piece) tend to bore me anymore. I get excited to look at the back of the quilts to see if there is a surprise backing, don't you?  But I had the fabric, so I just added a strip of brown with aqua flowers. Totally unrelated to the line, in fact it was from a quilt my granddaughter made with fabric from JoAnn's.  But it matched, so it went in to break up the big ol' honkin' piece.  Not over the top exciting, but it will work. 

So far, so good in my own self imposed challenge. Think I can keep it up? AND get everything else done for my quilt show PLUS other obligations?  Time will tell.........

........tick...........

.............tock............

#3 done in 10 in 10--4 patch and friends

#3- 4 patch and friends

4 patch and friends

A twin size quilt that I really wanted to do something special on and couldn't decide.     So I put it off again! So, went back to eating my frog for the day. 

I can't remember where I saw this pattern, it has several names.  A fun, easy way to use up scraps. I was on a floral spree a few years ago, so had to come up with a lot of ways to use them. This is one. 

I'm so glad it's finally off the hanger, and is quilted. It needs the binding hand stitched down to the back and it's ready to put on a bed! 

I had the blue floral fabric hanging on the hanger with the quilt top, so I assumed it had the backing ready. No..it was just a piece of fabric.  That would only do 1/2 of the back. Drats! Instead of loading up a backing, I had to find more fabric and piece a back. Talk about slowing you down!  I ended up with a mish mash of floral fabrics. I thought it looked better when laying pieces on the floor to audition them. But oh well, it's done!

This particular fabric was from an old curtain in the early 80's! And I think I m made them out of sheets! I was going through my girls boxes of old clothes (I thought I'd make them a quilt out of their old clothes...but most were polyester!).  So a vintage sheet..coming back in vogue. 

#2 done in 10 in 10--Triple Irish Chain

#2--Triple Irish Chain

Triple Irish Chain 

(oops, upside down! I JUST noticed that!)

So, I ate the frog.  

An old saying is that "If the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that that is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day long!" Your "FROG" is the one you are most likely to procrastinate on if you don't do something about it now! It is also the one task that can have the greatest positive impact on your life and results at the moment.  ---Brian Tracy

So, I ate my frog.  The Triple Irish Chain.  The one I really wanted to practice doing diagonal lines on the long arm, Khloe. And three lines in a row.  Straight. Did I mention that I wanted them straight?  

So, I put it off and put if off and now it's been like 3 years since the top was done.  I did it. I got out my special thick ruler for long arms and just did it.  AND did free form feathers in the border. And loops in the inner border.  It won't win any prizes, but I DID it!  It took about 4 hours. But, I waited 3 years to do a 4 hour project?  Isn't that the way it always is?  We procrastinate on the hard things and when we finally do them, they weren't so bad or take as long as we thought! Whew!

and you know what, that frog wasn't so bad after all!

#1 done in 10 in 10-Scrappy Baby Diamonds

#1 Scrappy Baby Diamonds....DONE!

Scrappy Baby Diamonds in a Zig Zag setting

Okay, so I took it easy on myself and chose an easy quilt to do! It was a class sample and is a baby quilt. Although I love Warm and Natural batting, I don't like it in baby quilts, I think it makes them too heavy.  So a lot of times I just use flannel on the back and skip the batting altogether.  And that's what I did on this one.  I just enveloped it, i.e., put the backing on, right sides together and sewed all the way around.  I opened up a seam in the backing (this only works if you have a pieced back) and turned it inside out.  Saved me from having to do binding, especially on those points!  This was the easiest quilt in the bunch, so got it out of the way. I'm like that, get the easy stuff out of the way! LOL

I had this piece of flannel and it's a nice heavy piece that's so soft.  It wasn't enough to do the whole backing, but since I had to do a pieced backing of some sort, it worked.

10 in 10

(photo is missing 2 of the quilts)

Can I do it?  My Bi-annual Quilt Show is in 10 days, well 9 now and I really wanted to get my quilt count up a little higher.  I have several flimsies (quilt tops waiting to be quilted) and I thought I would use the Quilt Show as an incentive to get a few more done. A few of them have been languishing for a couple of years for me to decide what to quilt or get the nerve to quilt them.  One in particular was a Triple Irish Chain that I wanted to do diagonal lines on them. It's hard to do diagonal lines on a long arm! So, the quilt sat. Well, now is the time and the challenge is on (to myself)...   If only this were the only thing I had to do...sigh....so, Khloe (my long arm)....rev up your engine because here I come.............

see her back by the window?

a grandkid break

And now for our favorite part of summer....the week with the grandkids at the beach...

Nana and kids..on our 12 hour trip down. Poor Papa had a business trip that week and had to fly down and meet us there. Hmmmm. Smart man.  

Actually, I can't complain, they were good. 

Feeding the turtles...every morning

picnic lunches

getting the barrel of water dumped on you! (it came down so hard, it knocked the 5 yo over!)

making tie dyed shirts...eating lots of fudgesicles and popsicles..

Building bears--actually there wasn't ONE bear made! they made Tanzanian wolves, bunnies and kitties. 

watching the Smurf movie and eating LOTS of popcorn

learning to surf on the boogie board

building sand castles

Having diving contests

learning to ride your bike and then taking long bike rides every day

and SO much more! Whew, what a wonderful week.  We are truly blessed. 

And now back to our regularly scheduled program....