Friday Night Sew-in OR "Oh, No, Not Another One!"

Husband was gone; daughter was absorbed in her own project. What's a mother to do? Enjoy a Friday Night Sew-in! Yes, I started another quilt.

So I was looking at this X-block ruler and the pattern that was with it (it was in the estate sale box...), reading how it works. I realized that I had some coordinated fabric with the exact amount of yardage that the Topsy Twosy pattern required.
These fabrics are from Heidi Grace's Only Time line of fabrics. There were bolts in the red dot clearance section at JoAnn's during a half off sale. I paid $1.50 a yard! I knew I would use them eventually...
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So I followed the cutting instructions exactly:
...then started sewing the strips together.

The strips get cut into pieces and sewn into blocks (left side of pic). Position the X-Block template according to the lines and cut. (See the extra right triangles at the top? They will make a second quilt, included in the instructions! No waste, hip hip.) The smaller block on the right is one-fourth of the finished block.

Here are four units put together to make one large 12.5" X 12.5" block.

As one who does not purchase specialty rulers, I must admit that this is a rather fun project! The x-block pattern has very simple-to-follow instructions, all measurements are correct, and it is fun to put together! I can't wait to finish all the blocks and see the secondary pinwheel show up!

Little Green Quilter Update

I have no progress to report this week. I did not do any sewing this week. Just look at my sewing space and you'll see why I did not get to work on anything!
Even the ironing board is buried!

But I did do some digging through my closet, and look what I found!

Last summer I spent a few days buying fabric at an estate sale. (http://imkeepingbusy.blogspot.com/2010/07/estate-sale-fabric.html) and (http://imkeepingbusy.blogspot.com/2010/07/more-estate-sale-fabric.html)

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I purchased a big box full of fabrics and half finished projects for $20. There were also rulers and templates in the box, but I set those aside in my excitement over the fabrics. Last night I dug into the tools and I got excited all over again!

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The very best thing is that little odd shaped ruler in the right hand corner. It has many angles, and at the quarter inch spot on each angle is a tiny hole...so that I can mark that pivot point! I've been doing that with a ruler, drawing lines to find the intersection point, but this is a very handy dandy tool that I did not know existed! Hip Hip!
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So what have I been doing? While the rest of the country is battling snow and floods, I am pulling weeds in my front yard. We've had mild temps and little rain, and I could not resist being outside!
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Check out other little green quilter updates at Susans!
http://blackberrycreek.typepad.com/blackberry_creek/2011/01/ufo-bust-week-4-progress.html

Little Green Quilters Finish No. 1

I have my first WIP of 2011 finished! Hip Hip!

Here it is! The Snow Table Runner for my mom. I fussy cut the snowmen so that each one faces people sitting at the table. I think its kinda cute.
I machine appliqued the snowflakes down with a straight stitch. I see lots of quilters doing it this way and I like the look.

I tried out a new batting for this runner. I wanted a super thin batting, and Joanns is now carrying a 50-50 mix of cotton and....SOY! I've not seen soy batting, but this was the thinnest and softest....oh, so soft!...batting ever. I did not even have to use my walking foot for the machine quilting. I will be using it again. The only downside is that it was only in a natural color; I did not see it in white.

Here is my "just playing' mini quilt. I finished it as a top. It measures 14" X 17". Those little tiny squares that border the quilt were a bit challenging; my old machine would have sucked them right down into the feed dogs, but the Juki, well, let's just say it runs smoooooooth!

Daughter has claimed the mini quilt for her American Girl Doll collection. She even had Kirsten try it out, and it is the perfect size! Now I need to get it quilted.

I also made more mini nine patch squares this week, but I have no picture of those. I think I have 190 finished now. I am trying to decide on the setting, so stay tuned!

For more Little Green Quilter Finishes, go visit Susan at http://blackberrycreek.typepad.com !