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!

More charity quilt tops :)

Here's the latest of my charity quilt tops.  The blue & orange one is the culprit of the sheared finger :)  No blood spatters there!  The pink/grey one is some fabric that was donated to my quilt group lately.  I'm not sure it's the most kid-friendly, but I think it'll work.  I have another one cut out and ready to put together real fast later this week.  The pattern is Road Trip Quilt by Cluck Cluck Sew.

100 Quilts for Kids Challenge

Kate at Swim, Bike, Quilt! is spreading the word about 100 Quilts for Kids, a charity event hosted by the DC Modern Quilt Guild.   The challenge is to make and donate quilts to children in need in your community.  It officially takes place Sept 15 - Oct 15.  For more info, go here.  It sounds like there are great prizes in store for participants! 

Central Park Quilt Finish

I've been a slacker lately.  And not just since I sliced part of my finger off.  I'm doing much better, thanks!  It started before that incident.  Here is my lately finished Central Park Ritzy Cracker quilt, finished and fabulous!  


Moda Bake Shop Ritzy Cracker pattern
Moda Central Park by Kate Spain fabric


I decided to try some shadow quilting in the background spaces and absolutely love how it turned out.  To stabilize the printed area, I quilted a square in the middle.  The back is pieced.  It's really my favorite at the moment.