I finally was able to get some pictures of my recent finished quilt – it’s 3rd quilt in Practical Guide to Patchwork project that I started in 2010 (damn knocking out 12 quilts is taking long).   The quilt pattern is called Small Plates:

(Front)

(Back)

This quilt was meant for a family-friend.  When I started picking out the fabric from it – she said she loved greens and purples.  So when Price Charming by Tula Pink (spring 2011) and Heirloom by Joel Dewberry (spring 2011) hit the market, I knew it would be a good fit together.  Well til’ I started putting the blocks together. . . I thought, “God this looks like a hot mess!”

After finishing the top, and then sending it to a wonderful local quilter to finish it, I thought: “Well this isn’t that bad!”  I just used a Moda Bella Solid light blue for the binding.
It’s funny how things work out. . .

So when my dad saw the finished quilt – he wanted it for himself.  It made me laugh.  This hot purple, pink, and green quilt for my 71yr old dad.  Gotta love it.  So last week when I popped the quilt in the washer before work. .I thought I can’t wait to see it wrinkled up from the dryer.  I told my pops that it was in the washer and I still need to put it in the dryer.  Mainly because up to this point, he’s been asking me every week when he could have his quilt.  Eager beaver style.  I came home and the quilt was gone from the washer. . . and it wasn’t in the dryer.  Dad was so eager that he put the quilt in the dryer, folded it, and went on his marry way with it.

This morning, my dad told me, “Mom stole the quilt so you’re going to have to make me another one.”  Funny right?

(Close up of the quilting)

Oh yes, I’ve actually been able to get some sewing time in.  I figure since I’m been working my ass off I should be able to sew it up for a weekend without feeling guilty.

Remember my Valentine quilt?  Well I was able to finish all the blocks and lay them out Friday night, and seriously loved how it turned out (yeah I’m tooting my horn, it’s tootable) :

The whole day light savings time really messed me up and I didn’t get much sleep on Sunday.  I’ve got all the blocks sewn together and now I just need to sew the rows together.  I’ve got ideas for quilting it too.

It’s seems like forever since I was able to chug out a sewing project.  After this one, I’m spending some serious time organizing and destashing my fabric.  I’m way too embarrassed to show you my fabric piles right now.    Maybe to make me feel better about my fabric mess you can show me your fabric mess and I’ll give away my swag bag from Quiltcon as shown below:

Ways you can enter (open til 3.16.13):

• If you’re on Instagram show me a picture of your fabric stash – use #sukieswag
• Leave a comment here with a link to your picture of your awesome fabric stash be it on the blog/flickr/tweet

Well if you can believe it, I actually finished another quilt in my Practical Guide to Patchwork Project! The Planetarium quilt:

Most of the fabrics I used was Indie by Art Gallery. I paired it with solids that I had in my stash. . .yes, I have tons of solids in my stash. For the sashing I used Champagne from Kona solids by Robert Kaufman.

I don’t know what crawled up my butt – but I’m trying to use less and less white for sashing . . . .

The back I used the rest of the Champagne and the Geisha Bliss print from the Indie line.

The quilting was done my the wonderful Mrs. Kayli of Quilt Finishing.

Now if you go to our local Salt Lake Modern Quilt Guild – you’ll already know who this quilt was for. I made this quilt for my close friend, Sarah. She loves fall and she always, always, always is making quilts for other people. So back in August my plans were to make her a fall quilt to give it to her in October. . well push that deadline back a month and I surprised her at our meeting with it. If you asked, what her reaction was on her face. . priceless! Oh wait! I had Marci record it too so you can see for yourself!!!

I’m almost out of sewing commitments which is nice and unnerving at the same time.  I’m trying to be commitment free by the end of the month . .  I’ll let you know how that goes.  (don’t worry I’m gearing up for another season of 4×5 modern quilt bee).

So taking a little break and starting a project that has no deadlines is kind of nice.  Working at my own pace. . . (which is slow and steady)

If you remember, back in 2010 I started this crzy project of working through the Practical Guide to Patchwork project and I’m sad to say, I’m not done with making all the quilts in the book by Mrs. Fransson’s next book. Oh well. The next quilt I decided to work on is the Planetarium quilt.

The concept of this quilt is to play with warm and cool colors. But I decided to just do random colors with Pat Bravo‘s new line – Indie

Sewing the blocks together isn’t that bad. . .

(this is what 144 look like in my hand)

Pressing them and trimming them took a bit of time. . .

I was excited to put a block together. . . but then I thought, “Is this going to look okay being all random?”

But after making 5 out of 16 blocks, I think it will end up pretty dang well.

I’m waiting for some sashing fabric. . . and my machine is in the shop. I really can’t wait to see it all together.

Ah it’s time for the next quilt in the Practical to Patchwork project!  (wait, if you’re just tuning in, I’m making all the quilts in the book.  Yeah it’s kind of a personal quest)

What’s my fabric choices?  Well I’ve decided to do a little of Joel Dewberry and Prince Charming – what do think?  Their celebrity name shall be Prince Joel Small Plates.

I’m going with a dark grey for the neutral color. . bring in some Kona Coal.

A couple weeks ago (actually almost a month), I was sitting there talking to Kati and telling her that last year was a pathetic year for finished projects.  But this year will knock last year on it’s ass!  Because all my started projects from the year before will get done. . then my next year will be a downer because I’ll be starting projects and taking a year to finish. . . and so on and so forth.

With that said, remember this beauty?

(Top was done 6.26.2011)

The poll results leaned towards Penny Lane Starburst Green manufactured by:Riley Blake.  And you guys have a great taste!  I should poll my binding more often.

I spend most of the weekend binding and can I just tell you, sitting and hand stitching is kind of relaxing.  Especially seeing the row of hand stitching:

It’s a super bright quilt!  The hubby says that even though there’s a flower explosion – he claims this quilt to be his.  (ha!)

(Front)

(Back)

(Close up of the quilting – love it, Kayli!)

Quilt stats:

Fabric: Pick a Bunch by Nancy Nims (manufacturer: Robert Kaufman)

Finished size: 76×76

Binding: Penny Lane by Marcia Cornell (manufacturer: Riley Blake)

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