BOM quilt done - "Freedom"

"Freedom" (58" x 84")

Once I finally just said......."Let go and get it done!" I was able to finish up the quilting on this long awaited BOM from 2010.

It took much of the afternoon, because everytime I came to a new block, I stopped and thought (way too long) about how I wanted it quilted.  I will let the pictures do the talking...

(This one is my favorite.  Those filler spirals are simple and could get quite addicting.)

So that's it.  It's done.  

And as many of us say from time to time:  

Done is better than perfect!

I figured I'd show all of you one of my FAVORITE tools when it comes to trimming quilt edges once quilting is complete;  it's my electric scissors that my mother-in-law gifted me sometime in the last couple of years.  SLICK-n-quick!!!!

FMQing - show-n-tell

This is something I never do;  practice Free Motion Quilting.

This morning, I prepped a few 6.5" scraps, oogled over Leah Day's free-motion-quilting project website, plugged in my Bernina stitch regulator (haven't used that in ages!!!!), and quilted away.

Something easy!  I can handle this okay.

Half-way through this design, I was getting annoyed with the stitch regulator.  I seemed "choppy-n-clunky," so I elected to turn it off for the final half (right side).   I actually like the freedom of no regulator, or at least not this one.  It almost felt like it was having difficulty "reading" the fabric; almost as if it didn't realize the fabric was moving.

This one seemed a bit more detailed, so the regulator came back on.  Kinda regretting that though.....

Looking ahead a few hundred designs, this one stood out.  Easy-peasy!  And so cute!

and then.........

I should have stopped while I was feeling good.  Gahhhhhhh!  I really loathe feathers!!!!!   It's a good thing I ran out of thread mid-quilting.  Blah.

My Sunday plans

I'm not sure if this is how I'm going to spend my Sunday....

or if I'm going to play around with some FMQ samples via Leah Day's blog...

I'm inspired to try some different FMQ designs because the quilt installed in the frame has been sitting and sitting because of my fear of FMQ.  I can't see this one completed with a pantograph;  it just doesn't seem to be pantograph-made.  SO, I'd like to venture out with some FMQ.

Kathy made a very "me" statement, hitting home to my fear of FMQ:  "No marking to do, but you must park any OCD tendencies at the door...!"
That's it right there!!!!  I have OCD tendencies when it comes to seeing perfection (or nearly perfection! :0) )

So, yah....that sounds like some fun today.

However, I see that Angela JUST posted the July color for Rainbow Scrap Challenge:  BLUE
..... so much fun stuff...

A UFO is finished; new projects too :0)

Today started to be a "putz" day for me, tidying up the sewing area after creating all the Christmas projects and NOT having cleaned up between any of them. And, while tidying, I came across a huge bag of pinned fabric that my MIL had given me months ago for me to quilt up for her. They are "make-shift" table runners that she made up using some fabrics she got on clearance somewhere. I have no idea how that bag could have gone "forgotten," but it did, and I feel bad that I haven't gotten them back to her.

So-----for a couple hours this morning, I practiced some FMQ; standard stipple, star meanders, heart meanders, and then I call this one the "star-ripple." I like this "ripple" look and haven't done it before, but sure will start using it more often! I still have a stack of "practice runners" to go yet, but lunch break took me away from my machine.


After lunch, I was still motivated to be in "quilt-mode," but not for the table runners anymore. So, I saw Andrea's Garden hanging over the back of a spare bed downstairs and figured....sure! It was time to finish up a UFO! After about an hour of prep, it was under the machine, "RIPPLE" quilt pattern, of course. I was able to quilt mostly uninterrupted since Candace had fallen asleep and the other two kept themselves "busy" with a movie and their Littlest Pet Shop collection.

A few hours later, with binding sewn on, a UFO sees a finish! (Almost---label yet to be added, but that will come later when I have some more waiting for labels).




Last Saturday, I visited the LQS for show-n-tell of the Christmas projects. Deb (owner) loves it when customers bring in finished projects----she was quite amazed (as many) how I get so much accomplished being a mom and teacher, but......well......I'm no different than anyone else. Quilting is a priority to me; almost like "mental exercise" that is so important; so I use whatever time I have available to keep that one of the top priorities of my life (right up there with family)!

Anyway---as always, I only had intentions of buying maybe a few FQ's, but she had this wallhanging up in a corner, and I LOVED IT! AND----it was only $38.99 for a 54"x54" project, and I couldn't resist--I bought it! Here-n-there throughout the week, I've been piecing it together; most of it being pieced on Tuesday when I was home "sick." I put the final borders on this morning before I decided to tidy up, and it now awaits quilting. Hmmm....maybe tomorrow. This wallhanging will find a final home on the wall above the piano, which right now hold a SMALL 12"x15" family picture, OUTDATED!