I am always on the look out for quick and easy patterns that are perfect for a quick gifts or donation quilts. Here are two that are great for using those fat quarters.

The first one is a free pattern by Quilt Taffy called Speedy Baby.  I chose to make two that are similar but not identical to donate to the NICU where my granddaughter Millie is being cared for. A mom with twin boys will love them, I think. =)

Quilt Taffy has another free pattern called Speedy Baby 2 that is a great way to use up charm packs that are hanging around. I have made both of these patterns many times and are great for beginners! 

Perfect Ten by Swirly Girls is a new favorite pattern of mine. I stumbled upon this pattern at work and my mind started swirling with ideas. First, it's a great way to use up fat quarters, but this pattern is also a great way to showcase panels. I don't know about you, but I never know how to use those panels. I have some in my stash that I am looking at with new interest! The following two quilts I made for shop samples. 

I didn't get a picture of this one after I added the borders. After the borders, it measures 60" x 72". Perfect lap quilt size and my favorite size to make.

This sample without the borders measures 48" x 60". Another nice lap size or a very generous baby quilt. 

I have two more Perfect Ten quilts made for the girls for Christmas. I altered the pattern a bit for them and I will share them when they are finished. 

Do you have a go-to pattern you like to use for quick quilts? Please share! 

I am always on the look out for quick and easy patterns that are perfect for a quick gifts or donation quilts. Here are two that are great for using those fat quarters.

The first one is a free pattern by Quilt Taffy called Speedy Baby.  I chose to make two that are similar but not identical to donate to the NICU where my granddaughter Millie is being cared for. A mom with twin boys will love them, I think. =)

Quilt Taffy has another free pattern called Speedy Baby 2 that is a great way to use up charm packs that are hanging around. I have made both of these patterns many times and are great for beginners! 

Perfect Ten by Swirly Girls is a new favorite pattern of mine. I stumbled upon this pattern at work and my mind started swirling with ideas. First, it's a great way to use up fat quarters, but this pattern is also a great way to showcase panels. I don't know about you, but I never know how to use those panels. I have some in my stash that I am looking at with new interest! The following two quilts I made for shop samples. 

I didn't get a picture of this one after I added the borders. After the borders, it measures 60" x 72". Perfect lap quilt size and my favorite size to make.

This sample without the borders measures 48" x 60". Another nice lap size or a very generous baby quilt. 

I have two more Perfect Ten quilts made for the girls for Christmas. I altered the pattern a bit for them and I will share them when they are finished. 

Do you have a go-to pattern you like to use for quick quilts? Please share! 

I grabbed up every second I could get to sit at my machine and make up these sweet spool blocks. It didn't take long before the top was all put together! No two spools are alike. I used 72 different fabrics from my expansive Bonnie and Camille stash. I added some yellow from other lines to give me more variety. The ribbon border fabrics are repeats of what are in the spool blocks. I was too lazy to look for 24 more fabrics for that part. =) 

As soon as I got that done, I grabbed up a Little Ruby jelly roll and began on the Patchwork Swoon quilt. As you can see, the blocks are pretty big, so the left over half square triangles were huge!

They were big enough to make a bonus baby quilt. =)

This quilt pattern works up really fast and I think it's a great use for a jelly roll. It would be pretty made up in many different fabric lines. 

My quilt tops are beginning to stack up. I need to get busy making some backs and get the quilting started on them. =) 

Have a happy Tuesday and fall, everyone!

I grabbed up every second I could get to sit at my machine and make up these sweet spool blocks. It didn't take long before the top was all put together! No two spools are alike. I used 72 different fabrics from my expansive Bonnie and Camille stash. I added some yellow from other lines to give me more variety. The ribbon border fabrics are repeats of what are in the spool blocks. I was too lazy to look for 24 more fabrics for that part. =) 

As soon as I got that done, I grabbed up a Little Ruby jelly roll and began on the Patchwork Swoon quilt. As you can see, the blocks are pretty big, so the left over half square triangles were huge!

They were big enough to make a bonus baby quilt. =)

This quilt pattern works up really fast and I think it's a great use for a jelly roll. It would be pretty made up in many different fabric lines. 

My quilt tops are beginning to stack up. I need to get busy making some backs and get the quilting started on them. =) 

Have a happy Tuesday and fall, everyone!

I made this quilt in October 2014 and I finally got brave enough to quilt it, which is why it sat around for so long. I normally don't allow myself to let a flimsy sit unfinished for this length of time. For now, it's on display at Cotton Creek Mill and then it will ago to live with my friend Terri. She has been very patient with me. =) The pattern is Pineapple and Fig by Fig Tree and Company. I added prairie points to dress it up a bit more (and to use up more of the fabric scraps). 

No other major projects in the sewing room are on the horizon. Why? Because we have decided to do a complete remodel of our kitchen!! If you recall, last December we redid the kitchen floor. We had decided at that time to not remodel the whole kitchen and make do. After months of going back and forth and trying to decide on what new countertop to put in, we decided putting a new counter on cupboards that really have not worked for us....ever...it was a wise decision to update the whole thing.   One thing that means for me is I will finally have a dishwasher! I have never had one. 

The first step in the remodel is to finish the floor. When we replaced the floor, we stopped where the linoleum stopped and left the hardwood floor intact. Since were will be adding a few more cabinets, the floor really needs to extend the whole way to look right. The new cabinets will go where the IKEA island is. That needs a new home! It's a bit painful to cover the hardwood floor, but it is the right thing to do.

We had to remove a few of the shorter pieces on one side, the rest of them will be covered with the new cabinetry and then we can level the floor and begin to tile. 

I will post updates as we go, but now, I need to get to work to help pay for my new kitchen! =D

Have a happy Thursday!! 

I made this quilt in October 2014 and I finally got brave enough to quilt it, which is why it sat around for so long. I normally don't allow myself to let a flimsy sit unfinished for this length of time. For now, it's on display at Cotton Creek Mill and then it will ago to live with my friend Terri. She has been very patient with me. =) The pattern is Pineapple and Fig by Fig Tree and Company. I added prairie points to dress it up a bit more (and to use up more of the fabric scraps). 

No other major projects in the sewing room are on the horizon. Why? Because we have decided to do a complete remodel of our kitchen!! If you recall, last December we redid the kitchen floor. We had decided at that time to not remodel the whole kitchen and make do. After months of going back and forth and trying to decide on what new countertop to put in, we decided putting a new counter on cupboards that really have not worked for us....ever...it was a wise decision to update the whole thing.   One thing that means for me is I will finally have a dishwasher! I have never had one. 

The first step in the remodel is to finish the floor. When we replaced the floor, we stopped where the linoleum stopped and left the hardwood floor intact. Since were will be adding a few more cabinets, the floor really needs to extend the whole way to look right. The new cabinets will go where the IKEA island is. That needs a new home! It's a bit painful to cover the hardwood floor, but it is the right thing to do.

We had to remove a few of the shorter pieces on one side, the rest of them will be covered with the new cabinetry and then we can level the floor and begin to tile. 

I will post updates as we go, but now, I need to get to work to help pay for my new kitchen! =D

Have a happy Thursday!! 

Now that the graduate has received her gift, I can share the quilt I made for her. She requested a black, white, gray and lime green quilt. The pattern I used is called Paradigm Shift. I had a total blast making this one! 

Now that the graduate has received her gift, I can share the quilt I made for her. She requested a black, white, gray and lime green quilt. The pattern I used is called Paradigm Shift. I had a total blast making this one! 

A few baby quilts that I finally finished! 

The pattern for this one is Jelly Filled by Thimble Blossoms.

These two are string quilts I made with scraps from my stash of 3 Sisters fabrics. I have a tub full of these fabrics! 

Have a happy Memorial Day weekend! 

A few baby quilts that I finally finished! 

The pattern for this one is Jelly Filled by Thimble Blossoms.

These two are string quilts I made with scraps from my stash of 3 Sisters fabrics. I have a tub full of these fabrics! 

Have a happy Memorial Day weekend! 

How about I make this a non wordy post and share some quick highlights on what I have been up to in the last month. =)

This one I pieced only. Someone else did the coloring and the embroidery. Isn't it fabulous!

These are the gifts I made for Capi's February birthday...

The free pattern for the Butterfly mini quilt can be found at Fort Worth Fabric Studio. 

Scissors cozy tutorial can be found here.

I didn't use a pattern for the quilt, but it's easy enough to figure out. It's all half square triangles and I added corner stones to the sashing. =) Simple and sweet. 

The Sew Sweet Bee queen bee for March is Cathy @ A Quilting Chick. She asked for a Star Surround block designed by Melissa @ Happy Quilting.  

Have a happy weekend! =D

How about I make this a non wordy post and share some quick highlights on what I have been up to in the last month. =)

This one I pieced only. Someone else did the coloring and the embroidery. Isn't it fabulous!

These are the gifts I made for Capi's February birthday...

The free pattern for the Butterfly mini quilt can be found at Fort Worth Fabric Studio. 

Scissors cozy tutorial can be found here.

I didn't use a pattern for the quilt, but it's easy enough to figure out. It's all half square triangles and I added corner stones to the sashing. =) Simple and sweet. 

The Sew Sweet Bee queen bee for March is Cathy @ A Quilting Chick. She asked for a Star Surround block designed by Melissa @ Happy Quilting.  

Have a happy weekend! =D

After several false starts, and time spent with my seam ripper, I settled on some simple double crosshatch quilting. I used wool batting which makes it light and warm. Perfect for cuddling on the couch. =)

You can read more about my process for the Postcard From Sweden quilt here and here. 

Have a happy Tuesday! 

After several false starts, and time spent with my seam ripper, I settled on some simple double crosshatch quilting. I used wool batting which makes it light and warm. Perfect for cuddling on the couch. =)

You can read more about my process for the Postcard From Sweden quilt here and here. 

Have a happy Tuesday! 

Snowy day here in Iowa today, so no work for me. I thought I would share how I kept organized as I made my Postcard From Sweden quilt top by Jeli Quilts. 

{Note to Craftygramma: I didn't have an email to respond to your comment. =) I was already too far in my process to make this into a quilt along. I hope this post is helpful for you. =) }

After I cut my squares, I immediately cut them into the triangles, then used my Wonder Clips to keep them together with their color name and number. In my picture, the ones with only the number are the ones I had that were the exact color she had in her list. As you can see, a vast majority of my colors were replacements. 

I followed Kelly's suggestion of having stickers with a row and number to help keep track of where it belonged. When I matched the triangles that went together, I put the sticker on the upper right section before sewing, that way I would know which way the triangle was to lay. I then chained pieced the triangles for each row. After each row was made, I marked it off. It helped me keep my eyes looking at the right spot. 

Here is one of the piles of triangles sewn together waiting to be trimmed and them put together in a row. The number/row sticker is still on each HST. I did not remove them until the row was all put together. For my quilt, I chose to press all my HST's open to eliminate bulk in the seams. 

The rows go together quickly. These have the little stickers removed and now each row is marked with their letter to keep them in order.

Here they are all done and waiting to be put together. =) 

And here it is! All sewn together! I made the larger version. It finishes at 60" x 75". It's such a bright and happy quilt. =) 

I am going to use this text 108" fabric by Windham for the back. 

Before I let you go for the day, I have been getting many no-reply comments, which means I am unable to respond to your comment. If you doubt whether or not your setting are set as no-reply, please consider leaving your email in your comment so I can reach you. =)  

Have a happy day!! 

Snowy day here in Iowa today, so no work for me. I thought I would share how I kept organized as I made my Postcard From Sweden quilt top by Jeli Quilts. 

{Note to Craftygramma: I didn't have an email to respond to your comment. =) I was already too far in my process to make this into a quilt along. I hope this post is helpful for you. =) }

After I cut my squares, I immediately cut them into the triangles, then used my Wonder Clips to keep them together with their color name and number. In my picture, the ones with only the number are the ones I had that were the exact color she had in her list. As you can see, a vast majority of my colors were replacements. 

I followed Kelly's suggestion of having stickers with a row and number to help keep track of where it belonged. When I matched the triangles that went together, I put the sticker on the upper right section before sewing, that way I would know which way the triangle was to lay. I then chained pieced the triangles for each row. After each row was made, I marked it off. It helped me keep my eyes looking at the right spot. 

Here is one of the piles of triangles sewn together waiting to be trimmed and them put together in a row. The number/row sticker is still on each HST. I did not remove them until the row was all put together. For my quilt, I chose to press all my HST's open to eliminate bulk in the seams. 

The rows go together quickly. These have the little stickers removed and now each row is marked with their letter to keep them in order.

Here they are all done and waiting to be put together. =) 

And here it is! All sewn together! I made the larger version. It finishes at 60" x 75". It's such a bright and happy quilt. =) 

I am going to use this text 108" fabric by Windham for the back. 

Before I let you go for the day, I have been getting many no-reply comments, which means I am unable to respond to your comment. If you doubt whether or not your setting are set as no-reply, please consider leaving your email in your comment so I can reach you. =)  

Have a happy day!! 

I have been so paralyzed as to what to make with my Cotton and Steel fabrics I have been collecting. I did some self talk and told myself that making something was better than letting the fabric sit on the shelf and if I didn't like what I made, there is more fabric out in the world and it can be replaced. I have to have these type of conversations with myself often. I took a deep breath and cut into the Cotton and Steel to make myself a triangle quilt....And I love it!! I love triangle quilts. I have made several over the years, but never kept one for myself. =)

The stats, in case you all would like to make one, too. =)

150 - 8.5" 60 degree triangles makes an approximately 65" x 80" quilt.  

I am tossing it on the pile to be quilted while I decide on what to use for a quilt back. 

I have a fabric pull for my next project. I am on a roll!! lol!

Have a happy weekend!

I have been so paralyzed as to what to make with my Cotton and Steel fabrics I have been collecting. I did some self talk and told myself that making something was better than letting the fabric sit on the shelf and if I didn't like what I made, there is more fabric out in the world and it can be replaced. I have to have these type of conversations with myself often. I took a deep breath and cut into the Cotton and Steel to make myself a triangle quilt....And I love it!! I love triangle quilts. I have made several over the years, but never kept one for myself. =)

The stats, in case you all would like to make one, too. =)

150 - 8.5" 60 degree triangles makes an approximately 65" x 80" quilt.  

I am tossing it on the pile to be quilted while I decide on what to use for a quilt back. 

I have a fabric pull for my next project. I am on a roll!! lol!

Have a happy weekend!

I had quite a long dry spell of not touching my machine and not feeling motivated to do anything. I would lay out fabric, pet it, search on Pinterest for hours days, look at patterns and then put the fabric all away again. This went on for weeks. Even with new pretty fabrics joining my stash, I felt paralyzed to make any decision. It's an awful feeling. 

Last summer, when Russ and I went to Missouri Star Quilt Company, Russ picked out fabric and a pattern for a quilt for himself, by himself. The plan was to work on it together this winter, but when he surprised me with a new kitchen floor, and he is refinishing a table for me. I will share more on that some other time. Last week, with his blessing, I pulled the fabric out and made the top. I won't say that I loved the process of cutting, pressing and sewing, but I think that was mostly because I don't love the fabric and the colors are so not me. The thing is, what helped me break out of the paralyzing dry spell was doing something loving for my husband, who is so very good to me. And he loves it, so that is what matters... 

Yay for me! My first quilt top of 2016!

He over bought (I taught him well. *wink*), so I had plenty to piece together a fairly interesting back for it, too. 

Since that went so well, I pulled myself together and decided to put an idea I've had in my head into action. I pulled out the red and green Bonnie and Camille fabrics in my stash, bit the bullet and created a giant Christmas Swoon. And, this math challenged quilter, did the math all by myself! As I laid it out, I realized I was missing a few blocks! 

Here she is all finished. The quilt top measures 65" x 65". I am not sure if it's done yet. I made myself open a new fat quarter bundle to pull out fabrics for this quilt to use along with the scraps. And, it felt good!! Bonus! I am ahead of the game for Christmas this year. Ha!

Now I want to cut up the Cotton and Steel stash I have to make a triangle quilt. If I am not careful, I will have a stack of UFO's, and, you know what? It will be just fine with me!!

Yay for feeling excited about creating again! 

Have a happy rest of the week! 

I had quite a long dry spell of not touching my machine and not feeling motivated to do anything. I would lay out fabric, pet it, search on Pinterest for hours days, look at patterns and then put the fabric all away again. This went on for weeks. Even with new pretty fabrics joining my stash, I felt paralyzed to make any decision. It's an awful feeling. 

Last summer, when Russ and I went to Missouri Star Quilt Company, Russ picked out fabric and a pattern for a quilt for himself, by himself. The plan was to work on it together this winter, but when he surprised me with a new kitchen floor, and he is refinishing a table for me. I will share more on that some other time. Last week, with his blessing, I pulled the fabric out and made the top. I won't say that I loved the process of cutting, pressing and sewing, but I think that was mostly because I don't love the fabric and the colors are so not me. The thing is, what helped me break out of the paralyzing dry spell was doing something loving for my husband, who is so very good to me. And he loves it, so that is what matters... 

Yay for me! My first quilt top of 2016!

He over bought (I taught him well. *wink*), so I had plenty to piece together a fairly interesting back for it, too. 

Since that went so well, I pulled myself together and decided to put an idea I've had in my head into action. I pulled out the red and green Bonnie and Camille fabrics in my stash, bit the bullet and created a giant Christmas Swoon. And, this math challenged quilter, did the math all by myself! As I laid it out, I realized I was missing a few blocks! 

Here she is all finished. The quilt top measures 65" x 65". I am not sure if it's done yet. I made myself open a new fat quarter bundle to pull out fabrics for this quilt to use along with the scraps. And, it felt good!! Bonus! I am ahead of the game for Christmas this year. Ha!

Now I want to cut up the Cotton and Steel stash I have to make a triangle quilt. If I am not careful, I will have a stack of UFO's, and, you know what? It will be just fine with me!!

Yay for feeling excited about creating again! 

Have a happy rest of the week!