Mrs. Krabappel, voiced by Marcia Wallace, was Bart Simpsons teacher.  She usually wore green and put up with a lot of Bart’s mischief.  This quilt is named after her.  I made it from Bonnie Hunters pattern, “Crab Apples”, in her book, Adventures with Leaders and Enders .

It started out simply enough, I had a bunch of scraps left over from a layer cake I had used to make this quilt below. It’s from the pattern “Lombard Street” by Sassafras Lane Designs.  It was fun to make, paper pieced, and the Bonnie and Camille fabrics were cute with the turquoise.

I started cutting up the scraps into 1 ½ ” squares.  Then I added a few green fat quarters that were laying around.  Pretty soon the tree tops were done, and I was paper piecing the tree trunks.  I looked through my stash to find some kind of contrasting fabrics for the sashing and setting triangles, but couldn’t find any thing to match.  Luckily I was able to get more Bonnie and Camille fabric, it wasn’t from the same line, but they tend to use the same color ways and tints/hues.  My version is a bit smaller than Bonnies, I only had enough to make 18 blocks, hers is 25.  It used up most of the scraps, I probably have about 20 little squares left, and I had to supplement about a yard and a half of new fabric, so I didn’t make much of a dent in the stash.  It’s controlled scrappy :).

The second scrap project this past week was the baby quilt top on the right.  The one on the left is a Jolly Bar pattern from the Fat Quarter shop called “Egg Hunt”.  I cut the scraps into 3 ½” squares, sewed them into four patch blocks and then cut 1 5/6″ strips off the side and then bottom.  When I sewed them back together I got the cute square surrounded, sort of a disappearing nine patch approach.  Set on point with a bit of baby pink Moda Bella, surrounded with the rest of the scraps and a outer border of more pink.  The fabric line is Lollipop Garden by Lella Boutique Fabric.

I worked on part four of the Scrap Dance Minuet Quilt at From my Carolina Home  This has been a low key sort of project, I’m making the twin size version.  Clues are released on the second Friday of the month, I have about a month to complete the step, usually takes about an hour.  I’m using stash fabric that I got on sale a few years ago, so its also a controlled scrappy project.

On the frame today is the 1930’s scrappy top I made last year.   Wow, that was a shock, I didn’t realize it had been a year until I looked at the picture date.  This quilt was an attempt to use up the scraps from my 1930’s Farmers Wife quilt.  Still plenty of that stuff in a bin.  Going to be a rainy next couple of days, there will be quilting on my schedule, especially since I just stocked up on back fabric.

 

Linking up with Sarah for “Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?” Friday.  Hope you are inspired to create something too.

I posted about these quilts earlier this week, Quilting the quilts .  I wanted to add a little commentary to each one, for the May 5th link up.

These quilts went to Jacks basket.  The pink gingham one I originally made for a baby girl who was born recently.  I decided not to send it to the parents, as I felt, sadly, it wouldn’t be used or enjoyed by them.  I felt better about sending it to Jack’s basket, I know it will be appreciated and given to a child that will also.  The backing is Cuddle/minky and super soft.  I quilted this one with a fresh daisy panto.  The bright yellow quilt was made from the scraps of the larger one I made from a pattern “Triple Twenty”  by Doug Leko at Antler Quilt design.  I used 2 ½ inch strips instead of the 3 ½ as the pattern calls for and made pinwheels for the feature blocks.  The backing matches the fabric I used for the outer border of the larger yellow quilt.  The quilt came out smaller and a good crib size, I quilted it with a baptist fan motif.

 

These quilts went to Quilty Hugs.  The one on the left was a mystery quilt I made a few years ago.  I used a bunch of fabric from the “Catkin” line by Julie Paschkis.  Once I finished the top, I realized that the borders were wavy and put it in the closet to rest.  Last summer I pulled it out and fixed the borders and got it on the frame to quilt it.  I practiced using the software on my automated system.  I was able to place quilted motifs and did some free hand stuff in the sashing.  I then folded it up and put it back in the closet.  I came across it earlier this year, all it needed was a binding and off it went to Quilty Hugs.  The quilt on the right is one of Sarah’s of Confessions of a fabric addict Rockin’ Rectangle quilts called “Place your Bets”.  A quick and easy quilt to make, and I had two charm packs of a cute space themed fabric.  This one was quilted with a rocket and star pantograph.  I hope an aspiring young astronaut gets it.

 

These two quilts went to Merciful Quilts.  Both were made with the Triple Twenty pattern.  They were easy and pretty quick to make up, the blocks are large rectangles. The one on the left was made from stash fabrics and a 7 fat quarter pack of asian themed fabrics.  I did have to buy a yard of red kona cotton to finish it off.  The backing was a dark green print I had in stash too. I quilted it with a swirl and leaf panto, that was just enough to give it a little texture, the prints were busy enough.  The quilt on the right was also a pack of 20 Fat quarters, all bright oranges, reds and pinks.  The borders and white geese came from stash.  The backing on this one is a news print clipping print that has positive messages about love and life.  This one is also quilted with a baptist fan, but a larger size than the smaller matching quilt above.

 

 

Hope you were inspired to make a quilt or two for the Hands2Help challenge too.

Linking with Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict today, check out what everyone else is doing.

I’ve been experiencing computer problems, had a bit of vacation and some general busy-ness lately.  I have been working on finishing the quilts for the Hands2Help drive.  I have five finished, although two have been hanging around here for a while, and one is on the frame waiting for binding.  I couldn’t make up my mind as to which charity I wanted to make a quilt for.  All are worthy and touch my heart for different reasons, I ended up with two for Quilty Hugs, two for Jack’s Basket, and two for Merciful Quilts.  I had already sent two to Carolina Quilts a few months ago, when Carole at From My Carolina Home first started to collect them.

 

Making these quilts was gratifying for me because I felt that I could do something in a positive way for people and it wouldn’t be taxing on me.  I have plenty of extra fabric, lots of ideas to try and time in which to do it.  Now that these quilts are done, I find that I am looking for my next project.  Maybe a Bonnie hunter quilt, I didn’t do the Good Fortune quilt this year, but maybe one of her other ones.  I have been wanting to do the one called Emerald City, but I’m afraid I don’t have enough greens.  I think I could do it in blues though, and call it Atlantis.  My eldest son has a friend who is getting married in the summer, he was saying something about a blue and white quilt, but not scrappy, and possibly a kaleidoscope one made with batiks.

I did whip up this little quilt (below) last week, finally used up most of these scraps.  I used my Accuquilt Go, and the pieces were cut in no time. By hand I cut a whole bunch of 1 ½ inch squares from the scraps of a different quilt too.  I am thinking I want to do a similar quilt to Bonnie Hunters Crabapple one.  It’ll be baby/crib size though, as the real one has over 800 squares in it.

Yesterday I made the next installment of blocks for the Mrs Millers Apprentice BOM.  The little one (3×3) goes in the center section of the quilt.

Last, but not least, I finished an UFO.  This one was about 18 years old, it was started and languished for a while, and restarted and finally last summer I finished a row or two and called it a done quilt top.  I had just enough backing fabric on the frame after quilting the  Rockin rectangles quilt, called “Place Your Bet”.  A scrap of batting and it was quilted in a few hours.  Its a bit off kilter, it drifts to the left a little.  I think its due to the curving pieces and maybe it wasn’t square to begin with, done is done, and its kinda pretty.

Hope you are finishing projects too.

Linking with Confessions of a Fabric Addict for Can I get a Whoop Whoop? today.

I’ve been working on my donation quilts this past month, along with a bunch of other things.  I found these patterns from Doug Leko at Antler Quilt Design, you get three in this one called Triple Twenty . There are directions for the three variations as well as multiple sizes.  I made two of the throw size, and one I tweaked a bit to use up the scraps, turned into a good crib size quilt.  What I like about these patterns are that they are scrap friendly, and fat quarter friendly, plus they work up quickly with their large rectangular blocks.

For the crib sized top, I used 2 1/2″ wide strips and pinwheels instead of geese or snowballs like the two larger ones.  The pattern calls for 20 FQs, I had a pack of the yellow, orange and pink, and eight FQs of Asian themed ones.  The added scraps and solids played nicely together.  Here’s a photo of the block of the Asian block before putting them together.

A few months ago, Sarah (the coordinator of Hands2Help) posted a tutorial for this quilt called “Place Your Bet”.  It is a good way to use up those pretty charm packs and a bit of background.

Now on to the quilt frame with these four, and off to their donation sites.

I have been working on my Christmas Figs BOM.  This month was the last set of blocks, the school house and the little spools block.  Next month is setting blocks and sashing, then borders for the finish.  I think this will be done for Christmas 2019 🙂

I also made month two of Mrs. Millers Apprentice, such a difference from making the 16″ fig blocks to 6 inch ones.  I finished my Shell Cottage socks, the first installment of the Curious Handmade sock KAL.  These are prettier than the photo shows the color has more shades of blue-gray and white in them.  The next pattern comes out Thursday, the 11th.  I have a few different skins of yarn to choose from, so depending on the pattern, I’m ready to cast on.

 

Lastly, I got my Forest Floor quilt bound this morning.  As soon as it warms up a bit, it’s going on my bed.  I was thinking about the many hours I spent quilting this giant of 11,236 square inches.  If I was to charge myself for the quilting it would be .07 x 11236 = $786.52.  Wow, maybe I should insure it lol.  Nancy over at Wasatch Quilting really out did herself with this set of designs.  Forest Floor digitized quilting patterns The sewing pattern is by Wing and a Prayer and is currently starting as a BOM over at Homespun Hearth

 Thanks for stopping by today.

Be sure to check out what everyone over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict is doing for “Can I get a Whoop Whoop?” Friday.

Last Sunday night I was making dinner, happily slicing up some collard greens (yeah collards) with my newly sharpened knife.  It happened quickly and mostly painlessly, but now my left thumb has a nice bandage on it. Luckily, I had gotten most of the sewing room put back together Friday and Saturday. Here’s my new view of the rainy weather and the poor soggy daffodils.

Due to my accident, not much sewing went on this week, and no knitting.  I got my Mrs. Millers blocks for March done today.  I used the technique in the booklet to make the Cats Cradle blocks with the easy angle.  It’s an OK technique, it seems like there is a bit less bias to deal with but next time I’ll use scant 1/4″ seams.  Most of my points are showing 😉 These blocks are 6 ½” much smaller and more fiddly than the Christmas fig ones, those are 12 ½ .  That BOM comes next week, I think I’m on the tenth month with that quilt, be done by next Christmas.

I’m kinda bummed I can’t knit, I just started the Sea Shell socks, got the ribbing done and I was about to start the ‘fun’ part, the patterning of the leg.  I’m hoping that the bandaid with be off soon.  I’m doing these two at a time, I separate them to turn the heels and then finish them together.  The color reminds me of the beach sand where I grew up.

My goals for this week are to get the Plus quilt on the frame and figure out how I’m going to quilt it.  I also have another baby quilt (mothers/cousins/sons/baby) to do, but hoping I can use one of the tops I already have made.  I got some Minky on sale at Amazon/fabric.com last week, so that’ll be a quick turn around.

Now if it would only stop raining.

My new window is in, but the room still has to be painted.  This means that all my stuff is still stacked in my DS’s room.  Sadly, he isn’t coming home for his spring break, but that also means that I don’t have to hurry and clear all the stuff out of his room.

Having no sewing space has been helpful in some ways.  I finally finished the Forest Floor quilt.  I believe that it took me longer to quilt it than it did to make the top.  I think I started the top last April, maybe March, quilting started in January ’19.  Anyway, it is almost a finished quilt, I still have to bind it, once my room is put back together.

 

I am starting a new pair of socks today, they are a new pattern, the first of Curious Handmade’s Season 2.  They are called Shell Cottage Socks, the yarn I have is a gray, with the name Pearlescent Tonal, its a super wash Merino from Knit Picks.  I attended Stitches West last weekend, and tried to show some restraint as to stash enhancement.  I got yarn for three pairs of socks, a sweater, a shawl and a light linen shell.  There is just so much yarn to see and feel and imagine working with at this show.  I should go to my LYS more often, but since this show is at the beginning of the year, I usually end up buying enough yarn to last me a year or more.

Speaking of local shops, my local Quilt and Sewing Machine shop has been hinting about closing.  I’m saddened by this, as they have been in business for a really long time, the business was started by the family matriarch, and in the early nineties the next generation took it over. I have bought all my machines from them, and many yards of fabric.  I was there two weeks ago for their past-presidents day sale, stocks were low, no new lines of fabric seemed to be out on the floor.  They seemed to have stopped giving classes too.  I bought a laser pointer for my longarm, and a few yards of fabric.  The owner seemed a bit melancholy, but happy to get the sale.  I realize it’s getting harder and harder to own a small retail business these days.  I myself am guilty of internet shopping for most of my supplies, but it’s so much easier and in a way faster.  I have to make that extra effort to drive the 30 minutes to visit the store.  I hope others will too.

Linking up with Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict for Can I get a Whoop Whoop? today, as I am happy to have Forest floor (almost) done 😉

Yesterday I started moving some of my stash and shelving out of my sewing room in preparation for the new window installation.  I got a bit side tracked and sorted out a few drawers of miscellaneous fabric.  Cut offs from backings, extra blocks, strips of other fabrics and archival fabrics.  The last bunch was stuffed in the back of a drawer.  I remember buying this fabric, I liked the colors and I thought it was a nice scene, buying it because I liked it, and it was not for any project in particular.  I think this was the beginning of buying fabric just for the fun of it, to collect it, stash enhancement.  At the time, I had three small children, and not a lot of free time or money to splurge on fabric.  I think there may have been a certain amount of guilt attached to this piece of fabric.  Twenty years later, I still don’t have a clue what to do with it.  It’s large enough to make a backing, with some creative piecing, but that seems like the easy way out.  I could make individual blocks out of the different scenes and surround it with similarly colored pieced blocks.  I could cut it up really small and use it for a neutral.  I could leave it up on the design wall, but the window replacement…

This past weekend I worked on finishing the Forest Floor quilt.  I got the ‘top to bottom’ quilting done, and turned the quilt on the frame to complete the ‘left to right’ borders.  Here are some pictures, this is all computer guided, a set of designs from Wasatch Quilting .  I just got a laser pointer and installed it on my longarm, it points to where the needle will pierce the fabric.  It made placing the designs so much easier.

Also, earlier this week I bound these two quilts.  The Cat walk quilt and coincidentally an older UFO that was a mystery quilt in which I used a Julie Paschkis line called Catkin.

I haven’t heard form the contractor yet, so I think I have another day to empty the room. My DH is home today, for past presidents day, might be able to get some help there.

Linking up with Judy for Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.

This week I worked on this quilt top, “Place Your Bet” from a tutorial by Sarah at Confessions of a Quilt Addict.  She’s hosting a quilt-a-long called Rockin’ Rectangles for her upcoming Hands2Help Comfort Quilt Challenge.  It’s a quick to cut and easy to sew quilt, great for stash busting too.  I used two 5″ stackers, a yard of blue solid for the sashing and about 1 and 5/8s yard of white background.

I think it will be a good donation quilt for a young boy, space, planets, stars, and astronauts, but then again, I know a few young girls who are aspiring space explorers.  I’m sure the recipient will appreciate it 😉   This quilt is the first of the series, I really like the latest one, called Hip to be Square.  I need to find some more coordinating stash to make one.

I’ve been quilting on the Forest Floor quilt, I’m about 65% done.  All the ‘fun’ blocks are done, now just the multiple borders and corner stones.  Sorry no pictures yet.  The weather has been rain for the whole week.  The light just isn’t good enough for a decent picture of the quilt.

The rain also postponed the installation of the new window in my sewing room.  I need to empty out most of my stuff/stash before that project can happen.  A project in itself, but I guess I’ll do it this weekend.  I just need to put it all in the room across the hallway, which is my youngest sons room.  He’s at school, so he won’t mind.  It is very tempting to stage a take over though.  His room is larger, with a skylight and a bigger closet.  I’ll try to show restraint.

Linking up with Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict for  Can I get a Whoop Whoop?

 

The top is done. I think I have about a thousand more loose threads to clip off the back.  I used the two rolls of 1 ½ inch wide Kona cotton, about two yards of Kona white and 1/4 yard of Kona black.  The white I had to purchase, but everything else was in my closet.  The jack part of the title is due to the ripping that was involved, mostly with the borders. Forget measure twice cut once, it should be measure twice sew once.  I didn’t measure the first inner black borders, which was fine for the first three sides.  Every thing was going swimmingly, until that last square that should have been black, but was white.  That side had ‘grown’ an 1 ½”, so there was un-sewing and much pinning and sewing.  It all worked out in the end :). I need to figure out a quilting plan for this one.

I received the first installment of the Mrs. Millers Apprentice block of the month.  These blocks are small, 6 inches finished, and the 2 inch square four patches are to go around the center piece later in the making. I like the lay out of this quilt, its on point with sort of a medallion in the center.

The pattern has an interesting way to make the cats cradle blocks, using the Easy Angle.  Strangely, it doesn’t use the EA for any of the other triangles in the quilt.  As you can see in the above quilt there are many, I will be using it for all of them.

This past weekend I made some progress on the Forest floor quilt, I’m about ½ way done.  The quilting motifs are pretty intense, but I am getting better at placing them with the software and stitching them out where they should be.  I took that quilt off the frame to do a quick pantograph on a baby quilt.  Finished that quilt up during the big game (no interest from me) and now I need to put the Forest back on the frame.  It’s quite large, 108 square I think.  Here is a photo, but it doest really show the quilting much, my next post will.

Linking up with Judy at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts for Design Wall Monday today, a day late.

I made some progress on the pluses this week.  Made an additional 14 blocks and I think I need about six more.  They are fairly mindless to make, especially when using the 1 ½” strips.

The fabric that I ordered came in.  The Batik will do nicely, it’s the Snow color way, has just a hint of blue in it.  I also got the first installment of the “Mrs Miller’s Apprentice” BOM.  The pattern and the first blocks fabrics came along with a shiny new Easy Angle cutting ruler.  My current one is probably over 15 years old, so many triangles made with it through those years.  I also use it to join binding strips and borders, I have the other two bigger sizes but the 4 1/2″ one is my go to.  It has definitely seen better days though, the top flat side is a bit bumpy and the lower corner is nicked, the lines and markings have held up very well.

Speaking of useful tools, I should mention my Olfa cutter.  I got this one when I first started quilting as a hobby in 1991.  I had to buy a cutter, mat and ruler for a class I was taking in a local quilting shop near my home at the time.  I made a small Amish style/color-way double Irish chain quilt.  I remember being amazed at the ease of cutting strips and blocks.  In my previous quilting experiences we used cardboard templates and scissors.  I guess I should also mention that I was hand sewing pieces at that time, this class taught me how to use my machine too.  It was very exciting.  I think my Mom might still have that quilt, somewhere.  I have been looking at the new red Olfa cutter, and may just order one for a replacement.  Supposedly, it is designed like the first ones they made, like mine.  I have four or five other cutters, different sizes, brands, even an ergonomic one.  I always go back to my trusty old friend.

Linking up with Judy at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts for design Wall Monday today.