Roy Quilt Guild Challenge…

I belong to 3 quilt guilds.  Two local and one state.  Roy Quilt Guild had a challenge to incorporate fabrics and embellishments into a quilted “item”.

We also had to incorporate something new we used on our items.  I have done a whole bunch of experimenting so I struggled to come up with something new.   Then

I thought, “I’ve never marked a quilt prior to quilting it…”  That was my new technique!

It didn’t have to specifically be a quilt.  This is the wall hanging that I designed.  I used a block technique that I had seen on facebook, and arranged them on-point.The center four star blocks are part of a 9 patch, while the outer 4 star blocks had setting triangles on either side which make up the center square.  Then I added larger triangles to all 4 sides to get that square overlay look…  (Plus a nice big open space to feature the quilting!)

Then I had to add embellishments.I took 2 different silk flowers and cut them in half to make up each flower unit.  Used the gold netting that was a challenge fabric and made it into a center

“poof”, then finishing up with beads.  In the center, I used shells and a button.  This was a fun challenge!  Results of the challenge coming up later…

Thanks for stopping by!

Swap received from Sewgentle!!!

Swap received from Sewgentle!!!, a photo by ruthiequilts on Flickr.

Wow! Wow! Wow! Can you see all the embroidery on this little masterpiece?! Karen (Sewgentle) outdid herself with the little quilt she sent to me in the Mini QT Swap… Thank you Karen! I’ll try to post a better picture tomorrow!

This little quilt is just beautiful! The French knots and wording for il neige are a special touch! I am so excited to have this!!! The little appliques on the branches represent the seasons. It is just lovely! Can’t you see why I can’t help but swap?! Hi, my name is Ruthie, and I’m a swap-a-holic…

Quilting for a friend…

This is my friend Susie’s quilt!  She made it for the challenge in Layton Quilt Guild…  I did the quilting for her.  This is the first time I’ve quilted scallops…  It was a great adventure!   Susie won first place in the challenge!

I did feathers in the borders with some circle motifs full of pebbles.  In addition, I did pebbles in the light spaces around the center piece.  I used a metallic thread which gave me fits about 1/4 of the way through even though I used a metallic needle…  I was too far into it to start over!  LOL!  So it had a million breaks.  I won’t use that thread again unless it’s as a highlight!

LOL! Everyone makes mistakes…

This is the block I made for the Bryce Winter Retreat.  I was focusing so hard on making the arm and hand match up that I didn’t notice I grabbed a mismatched tree decoration.  I’ve been doing several color ways just to mix it up a bit!  LOL!  Note to self: Make sure they match up before you stitch them together.  😉

A couple of quick stockings…

A couple of quick stockings…, a photo by ruthiequilts on Flickr.

I saw a couple of stockings on Facebook a few days ago… Theirs were done with Harley patches and black belts through the loops. I made mine a little different! My boys stockings were falling apart. These should last them awhile! I may make nicer ones next year…

Here’s the front… Placemat made in FLiRTS!

Placemat made in FLiRTS!, a photo by ruthiequilts on Flickr.

This was made for Jeepgirl in the FLiRTS Christmas swap. I made 2 of them for her, exactly the same! I played with a new quilting pattern on the corners that I learned from Treadlemusic’s tutorial… Love it! Thanks again D!!!

I designed the center block using EQ5.  I made it up as a paper piecing pattern just as that is my “cup o’ tea”!  I then added triangles to the 4 corners and ‘ta da!  Thanks for stopping by!

I can’t show the front yet…

And the back…, a photo by ruthiequilts on Flickr.

But here’s the back! I made this for my partner in the FLiRTS Christmas swap… My partner should receive it this weekend and I’ll be able to show the front!

I re-posted a blog post by my friend, Treadlemusic… She did a tute on how whe does this stitch and I had to try it!  Here’s the link if you want to give it a try…  http://treadlemusic.wordpress.com/2013/11/13/funky-feathered-flowers/  Thanks D!!! It looks like I almost know what I’m doing!

I’ll get a picture of the quilt that I did this morning using a variation (feather stitch) with similar quilting! You are awesome Treadlemusic! Thanks for the lesson!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Commissioned Christmas Stocking…

Commissioned Christmas Stocking…, a photo by ruthiequilts on Flickr.

One of the gals in my guild asked me to make this for her… It’s for one of her grand kids! I get to do the part I enjoy, and then she will finish it! LOL! These patterns are beautiful, but parts of them can be quite tricky! I am relieved to be done with it! LOL! Thanks Karen!!!

Christmas Bitty…

Christmas Bitty Group 1, a photo by ruthiequilts on Flickr.

I made this mock-up for the BBC, Bitty Block Committee over on flickr. I almost have the 12 done. (Okay, I made 18 for some extra side swaps and guild pinnies.) The picture is meh due to crappy nighttime lighting. Do you recognize any of the fabrics I bought on my little spree the other day? I loved using all these fun wee little prints! I had to design a fun house to go with them. I love me some houses!  These little blocks are 3 inches finished…

Workin’ on the chain gang…

Group 1- Still Sewing…, a photo by ruthiequilts on Flickr.

I have been slaving away on my bitty blocks for November… The theme is Christmas/Winter.  Here they are so far! I have been chain piecing them, and I’m finally down to about 5 pieces per block… (I’ve stitched several pieces together so far.) I think I counted (in my sleep, so numbers may be skewed) 40 pieces in each 3 inch finished block! I love my swappers…