Sea Star Quilt Top Finished!!

After making a few new stars, I finally was able to sew up my "Sea Stars" quilt top.  All but 2 of the paper pieced stars were made using "Don't Call Me Betsy"'s Lucky Star BOM pattern.  I learned a lot doing these over the last year, and even topped it off by finally figuring out how to create a paper pieced star of my own in EQ7

I'm pretty thrilled about this, and if I can figure out how to share the PDF on my blog, I'll try to do that!

I also found another "Mariner's Compass" Star pattern that was originally on Quilting on the Square's website.  I think I found a link for it on Pinterest.  It was by far the most challenging block, but I love the way it turned out!

Almost all of the fabric is from Tula Pink's Saltwater collection.

Here's one last picture of the top with the 2 blocks I decided to take out.  I turned the quilt blocks on point, adding alternating blocks of the background fabric, and setting triangles.  It's all finished up with a boarder around the panel. The 2 extra blocks will either go onto the back of the quilt, or I may make some throw pillows out of them.  I'm happy with my decision to remove them.  One thing I learned from this quilt process is that I really don't like "mystery" quilts.  I really prefer to see the whole picture before I even start a quilt.  I'm glad I did it though, as I really got a great handle on how paper piecing works and I got lots of practice!!

What about you?  Do you like mystery quilts / BOM clubs?

A Few More Sea Stars

It's hard for me to go very long without doing something quilt-related.

I took some time last week to get caught up on my Lucky Star BOM quilt.  I call them Sea Stars, since I'm making them mostly from Tula Pink's Salt Water fabric line.

I now have 11 of these finished, and plan on stopping at 12.  There is a new Lucky Star BOM round next year, but this will be it for me. I'm looking forward to getting this quilt finished, and to getting back to the City Sampler Quilt Blocks, which have been put on the back burner for a while...

What have you been up to? Have you ever done any paper piecing?

A Few Finishes: Minecraft Pillow, Give the Dog a Bone Pillow, and Another Sea Star

I realized today, that I haven't posted a few recent smaller "finishes" that I have sewn together.  The first is a Minecraft Creeper Pillow for my boys.

I also finished August's Lucky Star BOM block, or what I have been calling, Sea Stars.  This has been a fun club, but I'm looking forward to finishing a quilt top once December is here, and being done with it. I decided that I work best all at once.  This month by month block thing is just not for me.  That may be another reason my last WIP stayed that way for years.

Finally, yes, I made the dog a pillow, using a bunch of scraps.  I've finally forgiven him for tearing up the last one LOL!

Postcards, Forest QAL and Sea Star Blocks

I thought I'd share a few postcards that I made for friends we visited on our Seattle trip!  Since we were right at the ocean, Tula Pink's Saltwater was perfect.  I also realized that these are the first postcards that I've made with my new sewing machine.  Of course, it sewed them up beautifully!

One of my friends works at Microsoft, so I used their logo as a design inspiration.

I also spent much of the last week or so sewing up these 2 "Forest Quilt Along" blocks!  I am certainly challenged by these!  I think my seam ripper may have to be replaced very soon, as it's getting a whole lot of use!  They are so worth the effort though!

Finally, I made up my April Lucky Star BOM, or "Sea Star", as I've been calling them.  After the Forest blocks, it was an easy, fast block to make LOL!  I love fussy cutting this Saltwater fabric!  It's hard to see, but I put a different item in each of the blue center blocks.

Paper Piecing Passion

Last year, I admired from afar the "Sew Out Loud" quilt along, and finally attempted a block or 2.  I was hooked, but have been too intimidated to do a whole lot more, outside of the geometric stars that I've been doing.

When I saw the Forest Quilt Along starting up, I was undecided on whether or not to join in.  As soon as I saw the first wood pecker block from Juliana at Sewing Under the Rainbow, I fell hard..... really hard!  It pretty much took over my last 2 days.  To say it was challenging is an understatement, but now that it's done, I'm higher than a kite!

Having worked in the forest, and being married to a husband who also works in the woods, I have a feeling that I may not be able to resist any of the future blocks!! We also used to get Pileated Woodpeckers frequently in our Michigan home.

Over the week-end I also finished March's Lucky Star block of the month that "Don't Call Me Betsy" is hosting.  I can't seem to let more than a day or 2 go by after I get these in my mailbox before I have to make them!

I'm getting quite a nice collection of them now!

Finally, I wanted to thank you all for the quilting suggestions for my organic chemistry quilt.  I hope to get it pin basted before long.  After looking online for Red work quilts, I was impressed at the simple quilting on most of these, and am now leaning towards something similar.

February Goals and Sea Star

I couldn't wait at all to start my Lucky Star BOM for February, once my Triple Zipper pouches were all finished!  Again, I am using Tula Pink's Saltwater. 

I even "fussy cut" the coral spokes to highlight the little seahorses, which are just about my favorite element of this line! They are so adorable!

I'm also linking up with Shanna of Fiber of All Sorts' February Goal party for her Lovely Year of Finishes.

My goal this month is to finish up my quilt that I made from my Mark Lipinski Califon stash.  I bought the fabric more than a few years ago, made the top this summer, pin basted it, and even started quilting it this fall.  It got "stuck" once Christmas came around, so I hope to get it all finished up!

A personal somewhat quilt related goal is to finally free up our entry way in our house from my sewing cutting space.  Yes, my family is very patient with me.  This arrangement drives even me crazy, as it has to get moved any time anyone wants extra shoes, coats or winter gear.  There's even some hunting gear in that coat closet.  I'm not sure where I'm going to cut out fabric now, but this just HAS to end!!  Any space saving tips would be more than appreciated!  Our house only has 3 bedrooms, and a large open great room that includes the kitchen, living room, dining room, and entryway.  No extra bedroom, office, den, study, basement, loft, or anything like that. The rest of my sewing space is in our master bedroom, so I'm hoping I can find space there for a cutting area. Wish me luck!!