Binary Code quilt progress...

I started this quilt in August (see this post for details) and I've been working on it (slowly) ever since...making little 3.5" zeros and ones.  Today, after pressing some blocks I made yesterday, I realized I had more than enough to make the quilt!! Yeah...  Here it is on the floor...

It will only measure 24" x 30" when it is complete.  The squares finish at 3" each and are made entirely from my thrifted plaid shirt collection!!  This is quite the "upcycled" project. ;-)

What does it say??  Well, it's a popular phrase used to describe the point when you just have to give up caring so much about what everyone else thinks and just do what works for you...  Caution:  There is a bad word involved--so if you are sensitive to cursing, don't look to closely or zoom in on the pic below.  I'm only showing the pic so you can see how I planned out the layout of the mini-quilt.

I'm going to get the rows pinned and start assembling this little gem of a quilt!!  Happy Quilting!

EPP Progress... I love it!

I'm still doing some EPP in the evenings.  My jewel flower project is coming along.... I arranged all the pieces on the floor on October 1st and took a pic so that I would know how I wanted all the hexagon blocked placed.

Almost half of the hexagons are pieced together...the project is moving along quickly now so I have to plan on how to deal with the borders.  My plan is to EPP in some half 4" diamonds on the top and bottom in colors similar to the blocks on the borders.  I also intend to make some "half hexagons" to fit in on the sides.  

I really do love the process of EPP.  Everyone who EPPs knows what I'm talking about...and if you haven't given it a try, watch a few videos and get a few tips from the experts--you won't regret it!

Happy Quilting!

Gypsy love...and Soul Blossoms!!

When Amy Butler's Soul Blossoms fabric line originally came out, I didn't realize how awesome it was.  Several years later I saw a few quilts online made from Soul Blossoms fabric and managed to find a yard of each of the prints in the collection.  I've been hoarding them for years, only making an occasional quilt or bag from them.  I knew that my new Gypsy pattern would be perfect for this beautiful fabric....

Here is an up-close, sexy shot of the quilting...The panto is called Jessie's Swirls and I love the texture it gave this quilt.  The background fabric is Kona Stone, if I recall....

Rebecca will be binding it this week and (hopefully) some cover pictures can be taken at my Mom's house.  She has a gate on the front of the house that might just look fantastic with this quilt hanging on it...If not, she has a park right up from her house--maybe there is a nice spot there to take a pic.

Anyhow, that about sums up what I did this week.  I really would have had this quilted during August, but I didn't like the background fabric and had to re-order some new fabric (and unload the quilt from the longarm frame, etc) because I was just going to "go with it" even though the first fabric wasn't right.  I'm very glad that I waited because this turned out so much better with the new backing.

Did I ever show a pic of the bag I made with some of my coveted Soul Blossoms? It is called the Tessa Bag and I love it...wait, I haven't ever used it because I love it so much, but someday I will!!

I'm down to about 8 more months before retirement...I can't wait!  Happy Quilting!

EPP update...

One thing I have been continuously working on is my EPP project.  I'm short about 6 more hexagon blocks and the 8 half blocks for the sides, but I'm getting there... Most of the fabric was from the Summerfest line of fabric (with a few of my own added in for variety).  I still love precuts!!

And an up-close, sexy shot.  These are 2" diamonds, 2" jewels, and 1" hexagons.  I really love this EPP and could happily do it for life!

I need to quilt a top for a pattern I wrote up this summer...maybe that is my weekend job??  I'll take a pic as I'm moving through it...School is off to a start and I only have about 270 days until retirement.  I'm just getting through each day and waiting for my new life to begin!!  ;-)

Happy quilting!

Another Binary Code Mini Quilt....

I just love binary code quilts.  Remember when I did this one, for my son Ryan??  It spells Ryan ###### (our last name) in binary code vertically.  We think it is kind of cool that it just looks like a random pattern of blocks to most people, but it really means something to us.

In light of that successful quilt, I figured I'd make another mini one for myself.  Each zero or one block will finish at 3" x 3".  There are eight zeros and ones in each letter (horizontally) so it will measure 24" across and 30" down (there are 9 letters and one space in the words).  Here is a link to a binary code converter if you are interested in doing this yourself....  These are some zero blocks and some one blocks that I'm making from my huge stash of vintage shirts.

The left side shows a zero block.  Two 1.5" x 3.5" strips on the sides, and three 1.5" x 1.5" squares up the middle.  The right side shows a one block--all three strips are 1.5" x 3.5".   Unfinished they will square up to 3.5" x 3.5".  Easy peasy!

This will show how it is starting out...you are looking at a "z" and "e".  ;-)

Well, I guess we'll see how it all turns out in the end.  It is my daily project while I binge watch Breaking Bad for the third time!!  Ryan is at band camp during the day, and Rebecca is back to work, so I'm a housewife (sort of).  I should wrap this up by next week when I have to return to school.

I'll keep you up to date...Happy Quilting!

Still working...on a new pattern!

A big HELLO to anyone who made the switch from the old blog!  Thanks for following me...

One of my last posts showed a new quilt pattern I was working on called Gypsy.  Here it is done in pastels...

But I really wanted a different cover pic so I remade the quilt in Amy Butler Soul Blossoms.  Yes, I've been hoarding a bunch of this fabric and I thought it would make the perfect cover quilt.

It still needs to be quilted, but this what I've been doing this summer.  Not that it took me that long, lol, but I was working slowly.  The pattern is written and just needs the cover pic to be completed.  More to come on that soon, hopefully!

I'm back to school next week...the final year!!  Good luck to all you parents out there--school shopping awaits you!!  Happy Quilting!

Sweet Home Alabama

I'm excited to show you my latest quilt pattern...

The quilt uses jelly roll strips, though instructions are given for cutting from leftover scrap pieces.  Here is the back of the quilt pattern....

The alternate sizes vary from baby to twin size.  This quilt is perfect for beginners as it has no tricky piecing....just straight lines all the way!!  I definitely advise using a strongly contrasting color for the cornerstones.  

I quilted it using a new panto called Shasta.  I love the swirling daisies and whimsical leaves.  It is a lovely quilt and was quite easy to make.  The pattern is available for PDF download on Etsy here, or Craftsy here.

I've got another quilt in the works so keep checking back in with me...

Happy Quilting!