Two Wonderful Things

I just want to share two things that brought me joy this week.  First, I was able to get the top of my Just Takes 2 quilt top put together.  I had to shuffle blocks around from the given layout to balance out the colors, but I am very pleased with the final result.

Now to figure out how to quilt it!

Secondly, I now have a logo for my business! My wonderful friend Dawn Piasta is not only an amazing quilter, but she is pretty handy with graphics software as well! I dropped of a little doodle of what I had in mind and she transformed it into what you see here.  I couldn't be happier.  Thanks Dawn, you are a woman of many talents!!!

100 Blocks Complete

I am thrilled to report that I have completed the last five blocks in the Just Takes 2 Block of the month that I have been working on over the course of 2012.  That brings the grand total to 100!

These were two blocks I decided to redo.  I had printed off the the foundations for the bear paw at the wrong size so my original block was 9" instead of 9 1/2".  I wasn't happy with the applique on the turquoise one, so it got a second try.

Here are the four sections of the quilt top in the layout as directed. This quilt was designed to be a two color quilt. Since I have such a variety of colors, I think it will need a little rearranging - there seems to be a purple/blue section towards the bottom,  but that is a project for the new year. I will likely Tackle that at a guild day, where I can push a few tables together and get some extra input as to what looks best.

I have also finished the 4th block in the Curve It Up Quilt Along.  It's not too late to jump on this bandwagon.   Instructions are available at Sew Kind of Wonderful or HGMR Deco Quilting. These are 16" blocks.  It is proving to be a lot of fun.

Now off to sew so Christmas presents and play costumes.  No quilting for me for awhile!

95 Blocks Completed!!!

I found a little time today to complete the latest seven blocks in the Just Takes 2 series. There is only one more set of instructions due out December 1st and I am happy to be up to date. The pink block is meant to be a signature block, but I need to decide how I want to handle that.

I also completed the third block in the "Curve It Up" Quilt Along- the rail fence. I have seen Kathy's rail fence, but I haven't seen any Just Takes 2 blocks for awhile ....... ;) (Nudge nudge!)

87 1/2 Blocks Completed

A little update on my Just Takes 2 blocks.  I completed 4 1/2 blocks of the November 1st installment.  I am need to figure out how I am going to proceed with the yellow Wedding Ring block.  Those arcs are meant to be hand appliqued to the background.  The small yellow arcs were supposed to appliqued as well, but I was able to machine piece those in successfully.  I do not have the skill, patience or desire to do a decent job of those large arcs at the moment so I am trying to figure out an alternative.  There was no template provided for the white center, so I may have to draw one myself if I a want to try to machine or hand piece it.  I will let it sit for a while, and hopefully lightning will strike.


It is once again time for the Quilt Maker Magazine 100 Blocks Blog Tour.  If you click the button below it will take you to the Quilty Pleasures Blog that will lead you to all of the fun.  There are 100 blogs to visit over the course of the week, and chances to win copies of the magazine as well as some other great prizes.  I have been very lucky on this tour in the past, and I hope it continues this year.  Make yourself a cup of tea and check it out.

Hopefully we get a break in the cloud cover here in the "City of Sunshine" so I can get some quilt pictures taken to share with you too!

Just takes 2 again!

Surprised?     The last installment of the Just Takes 2 project contained these eight blocks.

We also received layout instructions for Section C. I am glad that I decided to wait until the end to sew all the blocks together as I seem to have a large pocket of purple.  I know I will be able to readjust things later. I am really looking forward to seeing how Kathy's layout looks in comparison ;)!

Have you ever wanted to join in a Quilt-A-Long?  Jenny (Sew Kind of Wonderful) & Helen (HGMR Deco Quilting) are starting a new QAL called "Curve it Up".  You need the Quick Curve Ruler (which I highly suggest you add to you quilting arsenal anyway), 2 yards of background fabric and about 12 fat quarters.  Instructions will be out every two weeks for 6 months.  You will make twelve 16 1/2" traditional blocks that have been tweaked using the QC Ruler.  You can learn all about it here.  I have been rummaging around through my fabric stash and came across another pile of my Northcott Fat Quarter winnings.  I happened to find a background fabric the last time I was out shopping.  They have been waiting for just the right project and this might be it.

Now back to my frame.  I think I finally decided what to do in the large open white spaces...

Just Takes 2

I really had let myself get behind on my Just Takes 2 blocks. I hadn't sewn any since the beginning of August!   I was able to use our guild's UFO day on Saturday to make my way through 8 blocks and finished the rest up today.  Good thing as the next set of instructions comes out tomorrow!  Caught up for about 12 hours - Yay me!    I am pretty happy as to date that is 75 blocks completed!

Set 16 - August 15

I really like how the purple one looks.  The orange one had a shockingly large number of pieces!

Set 17 - September 1

The "crumbs" from the large purple block were the perfect size to use for the row of flying geese.  That was cool.

Set 18 - September 15

Set 19 - October 1

I really like the pink "pretzel" block.  When I was appliqueing the keys down all I could think of was unlocking the Caramilk secret!

Soon!!

My good friend Kathy and I have been working on this Just Takes 2 Mystery (see here for the details) as a way to use up some of our hand dyed samples.  I had fallen a little bit behind, but only have one more block to finish to be back up to date.  Hopefully I will have it finished before my INNOVA is delivered this afternoon.  Talked to the trucking company and it should be here shortly after lunch!!!  So excited!!!