Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Round One: Done.

Oops!  Been awhile, eh?  Well, I doubt you're surprised. After all, I did warn you that playoffs were starting...  (I even skipped a guild meeting to watch the Leafs-Bruins Game 7, which no one saw coming!  No, it didn't go my way but I'm really proud of how they played so I'm looking on the bright side. After all, they got two more games in the win column than the Habs and three more than the Nucks so that's bragging rights. It just hurt that it was the two teams I love most at each others throats. Oh, the agony!)

Anyway, sewing!  There have been a few days where the sewing machine has seen intense use....

I finished our last challenge for the Saskatoon Modern Quilt Guild.  We had to draw two crayons sight-unseen from a toque and use only those colours (plus neutrals if we felt like it).  I had yellow and white.  Seester has a yellow living room and a new pillow.
Things learned: 1) Sew and quilt the top BEFORE smocking.  I had wanted to be sure that the smocking would work first but then I had to deal with puckers from hell. 2) Sometimes, that 2" less than the size of your pillow form rule doesn't apply.  Super puffy forms mean that it would have been just fine with an same-sized cover.

I also managed to finish the challenge at the end of the month.  Patti @ retiredtoquilt generously donated a FQ bundle for our members to use making 2 - 12.5" blocks to go into quilts for local babes and kids who need a little extra cheer. Rules:  One block has to use a technique we've discussed at guild, the other is quilter's choice. We can only add coordinating solids or more of the same line.

I chose stacked improv curves in a rail fence-ish setting and surprised myself.  They went together really easily. And curves terrify me.  Hunh.  I also threw together an improv wonky log cabin.  I'm getting very comfortable with improv as I go on.  I think sewing with a toddler on your lap helps you to not overthink things. We had fun with the scraps from this challenge!

For the Simply Solids Bee, Principiessa sent us triangles to randomly create a larger triangle - so fun! - and challenging.  Points, points, points, points....

And the socks I wasn't going to finish during playoffs because they were too complicated? Perfect for clearing things off the PVR. :-)  Misty Alpaca.  Super comfy, but not in dress shoes.
Medallion Lace Socks - pattern found here

I've been working away at other things, too, but my schedule has been crazy so it's spend an hour sewing OR spend an hour reading/blogging. Yeah. When you're battling brain fatigue, sewing it is.

Well, I've got some things to get done and a over-stuffed RSS reader to deal with so I'll talk to you soon!

13 comments:

  1. Looks like you've been pretty busy despite the playoffs. I am loving it all but want to see more of the top photo, please.

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  2. Yes I'm with Susan, more of the top shot please and I love those solid triangles!

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  3. Everything looks beautiful but that pillow is amazing! x Teje

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  4. I spy some quarter inch lines! Beautiful work on that pillow and the blocks.

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  5. Love the solid triangles!!! and the orange thread in your quilting rocks!

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  6. I love the orange quilting thread! Looks awesome. I too chicken to use contrasting thread but I really should try it sometime.

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  7. Lucky me, I get to see your beautiful work in person! Well, maybe not the socks.....yet!

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  8. Você esteve ocupada! a almofada está muito bonita...as casa de abelha ficaram ótimas... Adorei a meia!
    Um a braço!

    Egléa

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  9. Loads of gorgeous stuff! Love that triangle block, your points are fab!

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  10. Great projects! Nice to have you back from playoffs.

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  11. Aaah! I seriously adore your smocked pillow! When spring and summer are here, I think gingham, chicken scratch and smocking. This makes my heart skip a beat! Love!

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  12. Ooh I love that triangle of triangles- great colors! Really pretty pillow too.

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  13. The pillow looks amazing and I love the socks. I am going to get up the nerve to try that pattern.

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