Jubilee Quilts - A Timely Finish......or Not!

The year I turned 50.....the year I decided to make a Jubilee Quilt. Well, not just one Jubilee quilt, but two actually. I started working on these a couple of weeks after turning 50 Last March, and worked on the blocks following the Barrister Block Sew Along each month. I know I have mentioned this fact about my quilting before, but I so love the actual construction of quilt blocks, one by one. However, it is in the actual construction of all the blocks into a finished top where I lose focus.

I posted about completing this top back in February. To date, it is still not off to the long-arm quilter. I fully intended to have it quilted and bound by today, but alas, it just did not happen.

I really do love the Farmers Wife blocks and this is a favorite to date of mine. So once this one was finished, I started working on the layout of the second set of blocks, which were all Christmas fabrics.

This is what I ended up with on the setting of the blocks. Using Kona Snow, these are set a bit differently that the other quilt. The blocks finished up at 9 inches. It is hard to imagine that the same blocks, using different fabrics and a different setting can make such a drastic difference.

In all actuality, I was on course to finish my goal of completing these two quilt tops by today, my 51st birthday, but life seemed to have different plans. My husband was hospitalized the first weekend in March and was in ICU. He is better now, and doing much better, but things certainly came to a screeching halt around here. And all that really is not as important as you think they are  has been sorta put on hold.  

I told myself this morning, that in truth, I did not start this process until about two weeks after my 50th birthday so if I want to look at it that way, I still have about two weeks to get the top put together. That is, if I can stay focused, remember I said I have a problem with that step of the quilting process.

I have had some bricks cut in the same Christmas fabrics with the intention of using them in another quilt. I think those are going to be turned into the outer border followed by a 2.5 inch border of Kona Snow to finish this top up. I really love how this one turned out as well and so glad I kept up with the process that took a whole year to complete...ahem....almost complete.


Side-note: I know I have been a bad hostess the past month and never got any links up for Vintage Thingie Thursday. I will try and have that back starting next week. I have just not been up to blogging at all....and that is really not like me to just leave ya with no explanation.

Barrister Sow Along - JUBILEE Quilt one of two finished

Last year, I joined Randy over at Barristers Blog for her Sow along of these Farmer's Wife blocks. When I decided in April to participate, I decided that this would serve as my Jubilee quilt for the year I turned fifty. I also decided one was not enough, and set out to make two of them.

I finished the first top today, after much deliberation on what I would do with making borders. I have always said when I talk about my quilting that my favorite part of the process is making the individual blocks and deciding on the finished lay out. I lose interest when it is actually time to SEW all the blocks together to make the top. I first had to decided on the sashings. I liked the layout I chose, as I have done it before on this quilt. However, I was not crazy about the using the same cornerstones for this particular quilt. I finally decided on small square in a square blocks and I like how that turned out. Once, that was decided and it was time to construct the top, I struggled for a couple of weeks trying to get the top put together and that was with limited amount of time for sewing.

Once the sew a long blocks were together, once again it was deciding on a border design. I tried several things, but finally just went with the scrappy border and large square in a square blocks in the corner. I like it and think it really frames the quilt well.

I did have to reorder the Riley Blake Divinity pink floral fabric as I ran out, and it seemed that overnight, that fabric was sold out all across the internet. I finally found it and ordered several yards to have on hand. The fabric is pale pink with tone on tone pink flowers in the print.

Of course, when we were trying to photograph this 90 X 98 quilt, it was windy as could be and well, my quilt holders were rather impatient......did not really want to stand on step ladders with hands raised in the air for more than a few seconds....hence all the fingers in the photos.

It feels so GOOD to have this one finished. I need to decide on a back and get this one off to be quilted.  I have the other set of blocks on my design wall, and these are the same blocks but they are in Christmas fabrics. Totally different lay out for these, and I can not wait to get a little farther along in getting this one finished. I have until my Birthday which is next month to finish the top for this one as well. If I stay focused, I should be able to make that goal.

Once I have both of these quilted, I will take better photos and try and photograph them side by side. I am so glad I joined in with Randy and the others last year for the Barrister Sow Along.....I think I have a great quilt from a year long worth of work.....Thanks again Randy!!

I found by working on a couple of blocks at a time that I could get them done and look forward to the new ones. I did not get so stressed out and feel so far behind. I am thinking about doing another one of these that started the last of December and just catch up and keep up the rest of the year. The Scrappy Appleyard is hosting this for 2013.  I can tell by the photos that some of the blocks may be the same, but I see some of them are different. I think by the fabric selections and color choice, it would not really matter if it was similar, once complete they will look like different quilts anyway.  I guess I should decide before I am so behind, it will be hard to catch up. 

What about you?? Do you participate in online sew a longs? This was my first, and I was pleased I kept up and finished. 

Linking in with Judy at Design Wall Monday.

Sewing In January....and a lot of cutting too!!!

I have been so busy sewing and trying to get things done that is on my to do list for 2013. First, and foremost is to not start any new projects until the ones I have sitting get completed.....or at least near completed. I did however sneak in a couple of projects in December that would carry over onto the "to-do" list for 2013.  One of those projects was to sign up for the Winter White Friendship Block exchange, I talked about it HERE.

I cut into that fabric and constructed a block to see if it was going to work in regards to size and pattern. I have to admit, I worried, fussed, ripped and worked on this one block more than I do believe I have ever worked on a block before. I told ya' I was worried about joining a swap like this, so I stressed over this one!

But I did manage to get all the fabric cut, and the middle section sewed together on the other eleven blocks and this will most likely be ready to send off to Lala towards the end of the week.

I do hope it fits well with the other blocks and hope it reads winter to others besides myself. The unfinished block measures 9.5 inches. The block itself blends with the design wall fabric...but I think you can see that cute swirl white on white in the photo.

I did save the bonus triangles from cutting the blocks....I may have to sew these tiny things together into squares and maybe use them in the quilt...believe me, they are small.

Here is my sewing table....some of the winter blocks are still sitting waiting to be sewn together, those strips are going to be the sashing for one of my Jubilee quilts. I did two of the jubilee quilts, one in Christmas fabrics and one in fabrics I loved from my stash.

I had both of the quilts on my design wall, but had to remove the Christmas blocks and work on one at a time. I am ready to sew the sashings together and cut the corner stones and assemble this one. I also need to finish the other one, and have them done by my birthday in March. Both of these will be my Jubilee Quilts, both made the 50th year of my life. I love how they are looking finally all together on the design wall, and want to thank Randy over at Barristers Block for the great sew along this past year.

Lastly, here is my Easy Street quilt which is the new Mystery by Bonnie Hunter. I have everything cut and ready to sew. Part one is on the right, all done and now just need to get started on the rest. I did not use Bonnie's colors, as you can see, so I am excited to get a little further along on this and see how it all comes together. It is rather difficult to see all the progress on this quilt by others and realizing I just could not keep up the pace during the holidays this year. But I will work on it a little by little and get this one done this year.

I have a few other blog post I need to get done this week, and try and get back on a schedule. I have lacked time and motivation for several weeks.....need to get over that slump and get back to what I enjoy doing....just wish I had a little more time in each day and wish I felt a little younger with a lot more energy!!

Have a great week everyone!!!

Design Wall Monday: Jubilee Quilt Blocks To Date

On my design wall today is my last six blocks in the Barrister Sow-a-long. I seem to be always running behind, but am all caught up until Wednesday...when the new blocks are released! Oh. Well. It feels good for a couple of days anyway to be all ready for the new ones! I am making the same quilt in two different versions for my Jubilee quilt.....the year I turned 50.....ahem...anyway!

My two Jubilee quilts are growing with each new block.

Here are the six blocks in everyday fabrics.

And here are the blocks in the Christmas fabrics! I love the block in the top right corner. But after making TWO of those blocks, I can safely say, I don't want to have to tackle that block again!! The smaller  pieces sure set for pretty blocks, but they are a headache to sew!

Here are all the Christmas  blocks to date before adding the last six!!

I am sure I will sash both of these quilts and use corner stones! At least that is what I am thinking at this point. I am not sure how many total blocks we will be making, but that idea could change as it progresses!!

Visit more great design wall links over at Judy's Blog!! Have a great day!! Sew something fantastic!!!

Progress on My Jubilee Quilts

I'm afraid I stay behind and can not seem to keep up with the Barrister's Sow-a-long over at Randy's blog. But.....I am trying!! I most likely, would have not had such a hard time of it had I not decided to make an extra quilt in all Christmas fabrics.

Both of these quilts are my Jubilee quilts, made in the year I turned fifty. I can honestly say, I would never have believed I would have completed all of these blocks and continue to stay sewing to complete these quilts. I guess my motivation is "turning 50" and needing something(s) to commemorate that event!

To get a better look at fabrics...click photos to enlarge

I decided to lay all of the blocks out and take a look at how they were coming together.  So far, I have completed 39 blocks for each quilt.

Here are the Christmas fabric blocks. At this point I am not sure which set of blocks I love the best!!

And speaking of behind.....I am six blocks behind before the new blocks are released on Randy's blog.

But if you do that math....that translates to TWELVE blocks behind.....six blocks for each quilt!!

I have all the blocks cut out....and if this looks like a gillion pieces...well believe me it feels like a gillion times ten to me!!! I need to get these sewn together today if possible, or at least make a good dent in these blocks....there are tiny pieces in here.....so wish me luck!! I think the new blocks come out this week....so I need to get busy!!!

Have a great day!!! Sew something fantastic!!

Finished For Friday - Quilt Blocks for Jubilee Quilt

This week, I was able to finish the new blocks for the Barrister's Sow Along and in doing so, that keeps me all caught up and up to speed for the next blocks to be released.

Here are the four blocks all done.

And here are the same blocks in the Christmas colorways. I am loving how this is coming along. Lots of fun here...

I received my package for the In The Bag Ugly Fabric Quilt Challenge. These came from BJ in Arizona. Click here to see the post on the Challenge blog. I am so excited about what I am going to do with these fabrics.

Lastly, I thought I'd leave you with this thought for the weekend....maybe something to remember next time you happen to be in a fabric store with your husband........

......these are SO going to by my words when he asks about how much fabric I am buying!!

Have a great weekend!!!! Sew something fantastic!!

Jubilee Quilt Blocks To Date

I mentioned wanting to do a jubilee quilt this year and found this sew along at Randy's blog a little late. It started in February, but I decided I could do this and worked like crazy to catch up! I finally did it! All 25 blocks to date are completed....just in time for the release of the new blocks on Wed. I feel so good getting all caught up on such a short amount of time.

Here are all twenty five of the blocks.....I am liking it more and more! One thing I have discovered is the fact I really love how Randy demonstrated making the flying geese. It sure makes things a lot simpler for me!

This is one of my favorite blocks of the twenty five so far for this set of blocks. LOTS of little pieces....and just for the record, the blocks with lots of little pieces, well.....lets just say I have gotten rather friendly with the seam ripper!!

And because one quilt marking turning fifty is not enough, I decided to use up some Christmas fabric I am saving...ummm hoarding and making a Christmas quilt too! And yes, all twenty five of those blocks are finished too!! I am proud of getting this all done!!

This is one of my favorite Christmas blocks...but I really love them all!

Now that I can breathe a sigh of relief at getting caught up, I am off to finish up a quilt top and back that is way over due to being finished and off to be quilted. Have a great Saturday!!

Piecing Blocks - Jubilee Quilt

This is a milestone year for me, as you may recall in March I turned the big 5-0. While it passed without  parades marching and bands playing there are some really stand out moments for me. I think mentally it has been a time for stopping and reevaluating many aspects of my life and shedding things that really don't have a front and center place anymore in my life. I guess it is in passing milestones that spark an interest in trying to figure out how we got to this point and where we'd like to go in the future....especially when you have felt for months that the future is really rather short compared to where you have already been in the past....just sayin'

At the beginning of this year, I read online where several quilters were marking this same milestone in making a Jubilee quilt to commemorate turning 50 in 2012. My friend Lane is taking part in that very quilt along. I knew that these blocks were way over my abilities and have watched it progress and wished I had at least tried the beautiful pieced blocks. But I know my abilities and I really felt this was way out of my skill level.

A couple of weeks ago, I read on Bonnie Hunter's blog where she is making a Jubilee quilt as well, however this one is different from the others I have seen. This quilt along started in February and she was talking about the April addition to the blocks. I decided this was surely doable for me and knew this was what I'd do for my Jubilee 2012 Turning 50 commemorative quilt. The "sow-along" is hosted by Randy at Barrister's Block blog, stop by and have a look. She post new blocks twice a month, the first and third Wednesday of the month, so I knew I was not too terribly far behind.

I went back and printed up all the instructions for the blocks to date and started cutting and sewing. The finished quilt will be a Farmer's wife quilt and I have always admired them but felt like the blocks might be too difficult. Somehow in doing a sew-along, I feel less intimidating, as I am only looking at a small part at one time, and not the whole thing.....it works for me!

Now like this was not enough to take on in between other sewing I am doing, I got a wild idea yesterday as I was out thrifting around town. There is a really nice local resale shop not too far from my home and I love to go look for vintage sheets there once in a while. Yesterday, I was looking in the area where they have all the sheets and there was a huge basket of fat quarters in Christmas fabrics. These were what I would consider vintage as they were from Cloth World and I don't know about where you live, but around here, Cloth World has been gone for a long time!! The fat quarters were 50 cents, and I bought about 10 of them, took them home and washed them, and decided as I was folding them to put away that I just might as well use them. So....guess what I decided to do???

Yep, I am making two of these quilts this year to mark my turning the big 5-0. One out of Christmas fabrics and the other for every day. Crazy I know...but I have made the first six blocks for each and am ready to push forward and get caught up before the first of May. Ambitious? Well certainly it is, but then again....turning the big 5-0 was a rather "ta-da" moment for me and this will be a good project to work on this year!

I am finishing up another special quilt project and hopefully will have it off to the quilter on Monday.....that is a story of itself....one that will be following after the recipient gets the quilt. Stay tuned......

Also, the final weeks of signing up for the "In the bag - Ugly fabric quilt challenge" is winding down. If you have not checked that out, click HERE to sign up and participate! It should be a lot of fun and hope every one enjoys it! I have a new post up on that blog so hop on over and look around!! That will start on May 1st.

Have a great weekend everyone!!! I am thinking next week I will have big news to share here with all of you....it may have something to do with a dachshund.....stay tuned!

Linking up with finished for Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.