Another Scrappier Triple Irish Chain

I had some leftover strips from my first Triple Irish Chain quilt and, being a quilter, didn't want them to go to waste.  I cut more strips from DS quilts fabric and other 30s prints I had to combine them all for another Triple Irish Chain quilt.  Here's a look-see at the result.  My conclusion: I don't dig it.  There's not enough color for me and too many polka dots (never thought I'd say that!).  I'm going to finish it of course, so hopefully it will grow on me as it gets bigger.  What do you think?

I've also decided to make a pillow to match the first Triple Irish Chain.  It's coming along nicely :)

My current list of projects:

Being Quilted:

Cowboy quilt for Lincoln

Bliss Sampler

Completed tops needing backings & quilting:

Verna Friendship Braid
Simply Squares Vintage sheets 

DS Quilts Zig Zag

Central Park Charming Stars

Hunky Dory Bubblegum

Vintage Sheets Mod Sampler

Tops in pieces:

Sew Cherry Snapdragon Quilt

Cherish Nature Circle in Squares
Hunky Dory Pandora's Box 

Vintage Sheets New Wave 

New projects this week: 0

Finished projects this week: 0  

Squirrely Mug Rug

Here's my finished project: the ultimate squirrel mug rug!  I think it turned out so fabulously, I'll have to make another (or 2).  I didn't get to personally swap it at the DMQG meeting, but I'm excited to hear about the fall themed mug rug swap and receive my partner's mug rug for me.  

Back from an Extended Break!

Whew it's been a rough couple of weeks for me.  First my sewing machine broke, then I got it back, then it broke again.  And I haven't had time to fix it since I've been away at a meeting in Boston (I love lobstah!).  


I just started this cowboy quilt for my favorite little guy, Lincoln.  He's my friend's 2 year old and he loves cowboys.  I saw the cowboy and cow fabric at a quilt show I stumbled upon and thought it was so adorable!  I finally chose a pattern from the Robert Kaufmann website.  This quilt is going together so quickly!  I'm going to have to get my sewing machine fixed so I can quilt it before Christmas.  

My current list of projects:

Completed tops needing backings & quilting:

Verna Friendship Braid
Simply Squares Vintage sheets 

DS Quilts Zig Zag

Central Park Charming Stars

Hunky Dory Bubblegum

Vintage Sheets Mod Sampler

Tops in pieces:
Cowboy Quilt

Sew Cherry Snapdragon Quilt

Cherish Nature Circle in Squares
Hunky Dory Pandora's Box 

Vintage Sheets New Wave 

New projects this week: 1

Finished projects this week: 0  

Fall Mug Rug - Getting Squirrely

After some thought, I broke down and bought some orange fabric for my fall/autumn themed mug rug swap.  I think it looks much better and also more modern.  This is going to take awhile since I have to do it by hand, but it'll be worth it!

I'm also working on a pillow with the leftover bits of honey bun from my Triple Irish Chain quilt.  I'm going to give this to my grandma along with the quilt for Christmas.  

Ugh...

Remember when I said I had to finish my Bliss quilt before I could work on anything else?  Francine, my persnickety Bernina, decided to foil my plans!  I was happily free motion quilting along and it was past my bedtime, so I put things away and turned off the machine.  The next morning, I go back to work, and it starts skipping 5 or 6 stitches in a row!  I hadn't fiddled with anything!  So I tried everything I could think of to make her work again with absolutely no luck.  So Francine is at the Bernina store 4. hours. away!!  I've been without her for over a week now :(  I really wish sewing machine repair shops were like car dealerships - when you take yours in for work they give you a loaner.  

I've cut a few projects out and now I'm trying to work on a fall/autumn themed mug rug for a swap with my new Modern Quilt Guild.  I love squirrels and wanted to applique one holding an acorn onto my mug rug.  My problem is, I'm not sure it's as adorable as I was hoping, nor do I think it looks very modern.  This is my current layout.  Would anyone in a modern quilt guild want this in a swap?  What suggestions do you have to make this better?  To me, fall/autumn reminds me of traditional harvest images, etc and I have a hard time incorporating modern elements.  Oh, and yes, it looks like I'm hand sewing this puppy.


Thanks for any suggestions!

I made myself a deal...

I have to finish quilting 1 quilt in the stack of finished tops before I can make any. more. quilt. tops. period!    I'm not sure if this is because I'm becoming burned out, unsatisfied that no one seems to want to pay for a quilt, or that I just have too many.  Anyway,  I've undertaken quilting my Bliss sampler quilt and won't start anything else until I complete that sucker!  So far I've finished the outer border.  I know this isn't the proper way to quilt, but I'm lacking inspiration for the center and sashing.  I want to try something besides stippling but am not quite sure what just yet.  Any suggestions?

Last night I finished my roller coaster quilt top.  I think it's so fun!  Looking back at the pattern's suggested way of organizing the blocks, I totally messed it up, but I don't think anyone will notice :)

Roller Coaster Quilt

In the spirit of 100 Quilts for Kids, I've been working on another pink/grey/black quilt top this week.  This is such a fun one!  Finished quilt will be 37" x 48" and is from Two From One Jelly Roll Quilts by Pam & Nicky Lintott.  I just love that book!  The quilts are all perfect sizes for charity quilts too.  


Here's a sneak peak at something I'm working on to possibly sell in the future.  What do you think of my Nintendo characters?  I'm such a geek/nerd :D  It's ok, I do what I want because it's my birthday today!  My grandma gave me a JoAnn gift card.  Perfect!