I've always wanted to make a tree skirt for my Christmas tree, but never had the nerve to attempt it until this year. I picked out a fabric, Snow Day, by Whistler Studios for Windham Fabrics that I purchased from Fat Quarter Shop. I really didn't like the black colors as they do not say Christmas to me, but I still ended up using them. I used a quilt as you go batting that made that process easy, but not sure I would use that again. I think it would be easier to sew the pieces together and then quilt as I wanted.  

I was not really satisfied with the way this one turned out and plan to make another one before 2022. This one seemed way too small for my tree as well. Below is what the finished product looked like.

How it looked under my tree!

I really don't know how to express my excitement about doing this project. I felt like a kid on Christmas when I got my fabric a few days ago. It is all so beautiful. I don't know how Lori creates such beautiful collections all the time. I wish I had just an 1/8 of her talent when it comes to designing. 

Starting today Lori will be sharing on her blog how to begin this sew along. You can check that out by clicking here as ALL credit goes to her for this sew along. I'm just trying to make mine have somewhat of a resemblance to hers as possible.

The first week is to make the tomato pincushions. I started mine on Sunday (the 12th) trying to get a head start. I had watched the video on YouTube that Lori released on Friday. It was very informative and give me the heads up as to what I think I'm supposed to do. 

I got the tomatoes cut out and sewn as well as the background pieces for each and started the embroidery for the "pins". I had to go back after the fact and change the background piece that I had put with my tomatoes in my pic below as I had put them with the same color background instead of an opposing color. This is not what Lori had chosen and once I realized that I decided to switch to what Lori used since she is the one who created the quilt and is much better at putting colors together than I am. My goal is to replicate as close as possible what she done although I know my finished quilt will never compare to hers.

Pieces for 4 separate tomato pincushions

4 different background pieces, each cut 8x8

My competed pin cushions on the original background piece I chose, but not appliqued yet! In this pic the "pins" are drawn in with a pen. Lori recommended using a mechanical pencil, but I couldn't see the marks, so I improvised. My final pics will show the corrected background.

Last month I started a new project, Playground Quilt. I purchased the pattern through Missouri Star Quilt Company. This pattern is made using 10" printed squares and a 2 1/2" jelly roll for the background as well as a yard of fabric for the border. I chose the fabric line Backyard Happenings. When I found this fabric I wanted a pattern that would show off the fabric design. The pattern includes snowballed blocks and flying geese.

Below is a picture of all my cut fabrics in 4 different stacks. Stack A - C is from the print and then stack D is from the background fabrics. Prepping to this point was pretty easy. The pattern is real easy to follow.

I started by creating the blocks from stack A. I have five designs that are my favorites showcased below the stack A completed block stack.

Below is completed blocks for stack B.

I am really enjoying this pattern and looking forward to completing this project in the near future. I am currently putting the flying geese together so hopefully I can wrap up the quilt top in the next week.

I received my fabrics today for the new project that I will be starting on the thirteen. My new project is called My Happy Place Sew Along with Lori Holt from Bee In My Bonnet. This will be my first Lori Holt quilt and I am looking forward to learning about applique and so much more from this wonderful woman. She will start posting on her website September 13th how to do the quilt. She will also have videos on YouTube that will walk you through all the steps. I am only wanting to showcase my efforts, but ask that you please go to her website (click here for link) and follow along with her as she is the expert.

The fabric collection that Lori created to do this quilt in is called Stitch and it is beautiful. She also included fabrics from her Bee Background Collection.

Check back starting on the 13th to see how my progress goes. This will go until the end of November with Lori. I'm hoping I can stay up to date and finish by then.

I am so excited today because I finally finished the Stitchery Sampler Quilt top that seems like I've been working on FOREVER! When I started this project I had no idea how difficult some of it would end up being, but in the end I am so proud to have a finished project. All the blood, sweat and tears were worth it. 

I have the backing and binding to complete the quilt, but I have to get better on my longarm before I can do the final quilting of this one. I have too much work in this to just go about quilting it on the machine and making a mess of it. I have even contemplated sending this one out to a longarmer with way more experience than myself so that it gets done in a way I might never be able to do.

Without further ado...the finished product!

I am FINALLY finished with all 12 blocks. Wow, this project has been exhausting. I am so glad to see the end is near. The blocks are all finished, now to do the sashing and borders which I hope do not take as long to complete as the blocks did. Not sure how I will end up quilting it once I have the top done, but I will figure that out once I get to that point. I'm just glad to be done with the blocks. This block wasn't that hard to put together even though I did have to use Jack a couple times. I think my color pieces are a little bigger than what is shown on the sample quilt, but as long as they all look mostly even that is all that matters.

Block 12  is called The Stitche. For this block I was supposed to choose (1) red, (1) blue, (1) grey, (1) yellow, and (1) green. For the most part I went with the color choices of the sample quilt on the box.

Block 12, The Stitch

I am getting closer to the finish line and looking so forward to this project being completed. Block 11 was easy in regards to creating unit 1 which was sewing two pieces together, but the hard part was lining up the two pieces to two additional pieces to make the 4 block. I know some of my pieces don't match up perfectly, but one thing I have discovered while learning to quilt is that it doesn't have to be perfect. Being finished is the most important part of quilting.

Block 11  is called The Windmill. For this block I was supposed to choose (2) reds (1) orange, (1) blue, (2) grey, (1) yellow, (1) cream with green  and (1) green. For the most part I went with the color choices of the sample quilt on the box.

Block 11, The Windmill

Block 10 was the most difficult block to date that I have attempted. I have pulled many stitches out on this one and redone it. At this point I am ready to throw in the towel on this project. I am really loosing interest and ready to start something new. I know this is not perfect, but it is perfect to me and that is all that matters. 

Block 10 is called The Zigzag. For this block I was supposed to choose (1) red (1) orange, (1) blue, (1) grey and (1) green. For the most part I went with the color choices of the sample quilt on the box.

Block 10, The Zigzag

Finally finished block 9. Getting closer to the finish line, but it feels like it is taking forever to get through with this quilt. I have so many more in the pipeline that I want to get started on, but I told myself I would only work on one at a time as to not get overwhelmed. I feel like the sashing and borders will overwhelm me much more than each of the blocks. This block wasn't that hard to put together but I did screw up and have to get Jack out a couple times. Me and Jack have become really close friends during the making of this quilt.

Block 9, Stitchery Sampler

I've been on a roll lately and have completed another block. This is only the second time I have done flying geese, but I think they turned out pretty good. There is always room for improvement in everything, but I am happy with the outcome. Only have 4 more to go before I can complete this quilt and move on to one of the many others I have in my stash.

Block 8 is called The Flying Geese. For this block I was supposed to choose (2) red (2) orange, (2) blue, (1) cream with green, (1) cream with blue, (2) yellow, (2) grey and (1) green. For the most part I went with the color choices of the sample quilt on the box.

Block 9, The Flying Geese

I thought I had done some hard blocks on my first project, but that was before I done this quilt. Block 7 just about kicked my ass. I know this block is far from perfect, but finished is better than perfect. Besides I'm not perfect either so what does it matter if there are mistakes. Most of the time I'm the only one that will see them and for those of you reading this who see the mistakes below, don't bother pointing them out as I already know what they are, but I refuse to do this block again. Me and Jack already spent too much time together on this one.

Block 7 is called The Cross Stitch. For this block I was supposed to choose (1) red (2) orange, (2) blue, (1) cream with green, (1) yellow, (2) grey and (1) green.  I picked the same prints as in the sampler for this block, but didn't realize until after I had finished it and started doing this post that I mixed up the two greys and the red on the bottom in regards to placement. Oh well, like I said mistakes happened and I'm sure I will have a few more flops before I am done.

For the last two days I have contemplated giving up all together on this one and just going on to something else and coming back at a later date, but I'm not a quitter, so I will finish this or die trying. 

Block 7, The Cross Stitch

This quilt is taking much longer than I expected, but I guess that happens when you loose interest in something before you get finished. I have learned from doing different projects that I prefer using pre-cut fabrics as to avoid having to cut out so many pieces for 1 block.

Block 6 is called The Stem and appeared like it would be easy to complete, but I found out real quick like that it was much more difficult than expected. After ripping it apart three times I give up and said enough is enough. I might redo it before I quilt it, but for now I am leaving it as is. The petals are supposed to match up on the stem on each side of the block, but as you can see mine do not.

For this block I was supposed to choose (3) red (1) orange, (2) blue, (1) cream with green, (2) yellow, (2) grey and (1) green. Plus another green for the stems. I pretty much stuck with the prints in the sampler quilt on the cover of the pattern.

Maybe the next block will a little easier.

Block 6, The Stem

 I am so excited to be completed with my quilt for the 2021 Riley Blake Design Block Challenge. It has definitely been a challenge, but one that I have enjoyed very much. Although I have been sewing for over 40 years, this is the first quilt top that I have completed and the skills that I have learned will go a long way in helping me with additional quilts in the future.

After finishing up the 16 blocks in the challenge I then had to make the sashing and cornerstones. The cornerstones were made using the Le Creme, Curry and Chive Confetti Cotton and then the sashing was made using the Le Creme and Curry. Being that this is my first quilt I, after seeing the picture of how this was to look I was afraid I had to sew a bunch of little things together in order to complete this, but I was very happy to learn that I had to cut strips of each color in a certain size and then sew the strips together that were then cut to the size I needed to finish off the quilt.

The sashing and cornerstones

Close up of one of the cornerstones. Look at that matchup!

The sashings were cut to 10 1/2 inch length to match the unfinished blocks and were added to each side. The cornerstones were alternated with a sashing to make up a row that was then sewed in between each row of the blocks.

Now I have to decide who I will use to quilt it together once my backing fabric comes in. I chose a navy solid to put on the back and the binding will be the Curry color using in the sashing and some of the blocks.

MY FINISHED QUILT TOP!!!!

A few close up pics!!!

It’s Week 16 of the RBD Block Challenge and I can FINALLY say I am finished with all the blocks! This has definitely been a challenge for me, but one that I have truly enjoyed every minute of. After seeing what the final quilt is supposed to look like once you have the sashing and borders on, I decided I am having this one quilted. Plus it will always be a reminder of where I started and through the years I can see my progress from that very first completed quilt. 

This week’s block is called the Checkerboard Star block and is brought to us by Lori Holt of Bee in my Bonnet. Lori made her block with fabric from her upcoming Stitch collection. It was absolutely adorable and is making me want to use the Stitch fabric to make an entire quilt out of this block. You can view the block Lori made on the Riley Blake Blog or follow her on Instagram @beelori1 and see not only her completed block for this project, but all the wonderful things that she is into.

The colors I used this week were Marsala, Oceanside, Stargazer, and Le Creme Confetti Cottons.

Block 16, The Checkerboard Star

Another completed block for the Stitchery Sampler quilt. Only 7 more to go. This has definitely been going a lot slower than I expected, but most days I really don't feel like working on the blocks. I suffer from depression and migraines so some days I am lucky to be able to get through an eight hour work shift, much less, have me time in front of the sewing machine.

This block is called The Ninepatch. I was supposed to choose (2) red (2) orange, (1) blue, (1) cream with blue, (1) yellow, (1) grey and (1) green. Plus another red for the four post in the middle. I pretty much stuck with the prints in the sampler quilt on the cover of the pattern.

I know all of my blocks are not completely square, but the overall block is 11 1/2 inches, which is the size of the unfinished block for this quilt. I learn new skills with each block I complete and will continue to keep going until I have all 12 completed.

Block 5, The Ninepatch

It’s Week 15 of the RBD Block Challenge and I am looking forward to this block challenge ending soon. I don't know that I will do a block challenge not knowing what the final outcome will be as I like to know what I'm getting myself into before I get too deep.

I was very pleased with how all my squares ended up coming together on this block. I only had to use "Jack" one time and that was because I sewed a row in the wrong order. 

This week’s block is called the Summer Picnic block and is brought to us by Christopher Thompson, aka The Tattooed Quilter. You can view the blocks Christopher made on the Riley Blake Blog where you will find 3 different block that he created for this week. He made a Christmas block, which I think is my favorite, using fabric from his own collection, Holly Holiday. The second block was red, white and blue and the final block was from the Riley Blake Confetti Cottons collection, which is the collection that I have been using for this entire quilt.

The colors I used this week were Frosting, Moss, Canyon Rose, and Le Creme Confetti Cottons.

There is only 1 final block left and then it will be time for sashing, quilting, backing and border. Still not sure if I will have someone else quilt it or do it myself. I'm waiting to see the final version and then I will decide how I want to finish this up. I don't regret starting this as it has given me the confidence to keep quilting and as such I have many more projects waiting in the wings to get started on. I just don't want more than two or three projects going at one time as to avoid becoming overwhelmed.

Block 15, Summer Picnic

I never thought I would get this one finished as I have been working on these hexi's for weeks now. I actually enjoyed putting the hexi's together and look forward to making a hexi quilt, but with bigger hexi's next time. This 5/8" was too small.

Once I had all the individual hexis made, which I done by gluing to the precut paper pieces, I then hand sewed seven of them together to make each flower. Once all the flowers were complete, I then glued them to my background piece and sewed around the outside edge of each flower to adhere to the background. 

With each block I complete, I get more satisfaction and look forward to the next one.

Completed Block 4: The Hexagon Flower

Up close showing how I attached to the background block.

Another view of the entire block!

Block 3 of the Stitchery Sampler is complete. This block is called The Stairway and was harder to put together than I anticipated. There are 5 different colors involved in addition to the white background. I stuck with the sampler quilt in picking out my fabric choices on this block.

The hard part about assembling the blocks is to get the colors lined up. Some of them turned out great and others could have used some more "JACK". Not Jack Daniels, JACK the ripper, seam ripper, but after doing that a couple times I just give up and said, "hey I'm not perfect and this quilt doesn't have to be either."

I am really getting into my quilts now and look forward to completing each block. This one will definitely be quilted when I'm done if for no other reason but to use all the supplies I bought. No really I hope this one looks good enough when I'm finished to have it quilted and displayed in my house.

Completed Block 3: The Stairway of The Stitchery Sampler Quilt

Back in April,  I attempted to hop on the bandwagon for the Little Box of Figs from Fig Tree & Co., but unfortunately I missed out as the membership was closed. I emailed the wonderful owner, Joanna and asked about being placed on the wait list. Fast forward to June when the boxes were actually going to be mailed out and much to my surprise on the 10th I received an email stating there was an opening and if I wanted to commit to a full year of quarterly surprises I could pay for my first quarter subscription and get my box.

Being the adventurous person that I am I quickly paid for my membership and my bill soon followed and on the 15th I received my first surprise. By the time I received my box, several people had already started posting on Facebook as to what was in there and posts were being made to the blog for Fig Tree & Co as well so I knew some of what would be there.

Now remember I'm new to quilting and as much as I have fallen in love with it and have bought lots of fabric and patterns to make numerous quilts, I'm not sure that these little boxes are worth the money and excitement that people have shown. Maybe by the time I get box #2 I will have a different attitude.

It definitely comes in a "little" box and the whole thing more than fit in a medium size USPS pre-paid box.

The box my "little" surprises came in!

Below are close up pics of all the items included. My favorite is probably the little strawberry charm. The main project in this is for a table runner; however, I don't own a dining room table, so I would never use it, therefore, I don't plan on making it; however, I will be making the little catch all basket as it will look cute on my cutting table.