A 'Star Struck' finish

Four -and-a- half years in the making!!!  One of my oldest UFOs... (ONE of a few!....)

Star Struck (71" x 87")

 I am officially a quilter.  One who starts projects with some fastfire inspiration...

July 2, 2009 -- scraps pulled

...only to be stalled with a layout dilemma roadblock (July 9, 2009 post).

In 2010 and 2012, the blocks were pulled out again, and the stack of blocks grew....

And, finally, in January 2014, with the help of some inspiration by Angela (Andee) and Angela (SoScrappy), a top was pieced!!!

A flannel backing and some light Thinsulate batting were used to finish off the quilt.  I'm surprised I had enough flannel to have the backing all the same fabric!  A new pantograph "Fascination" was tried out....

And a UFO is finallllly checked off the list.  

Sunday Quilting -- Star Struck

Star Struck was wrapped up this morning in order to free up the quilting frame for a King sized quilt that my SIL's sister (Kamryn) wants me to finish up for her. 

Deadlines certainly make for finishes :D  

I didn't want to take Star Struck off the frame only to have to reload it again once I was finished with Kamryn's quilt.  So, I made quick work of it first thing this morning by wrapping up the second half while Kamryn's backing and binding fabrics were in the washer.   

I truly only loaded Star Struck in order to try out a new pantograph "Fascination" since Kamryn requested it as one of her final choices.  At the same time, Star Struck finallllly could see a finish;  one of my long-awaited UFOs nearing completion :)

Binding simply will need to wait just a bit longer since all of my time is now being devoted to my deadline quilt.

Happy Sunday

Star Struck flimsy

Star Struck - 72" x 88"

The border treatments for Star Struck were finished up this morning; simple, yet effective, I dare say.  Backings were the next "B" word to tackle -- always a struggle for me!!!  I like the simplicity of having a constant backing, however RARELY do I have enough of any one fabric to manage this.  My next stand-by backing is to cut apart left over yardage into 10.5" squares for piecing;  I was figuring that would be the backing of choice for this quilt.

However, I spied a bolt of blue/neutral flannel on my shelf.   In the end, there were around 5 yards on the bolt -- I truly never measured.  I simply unrolled it and placed it on top of the quilt top spread out on the floor.  I have only backed one other quilt in all my years with flannel, but I had just enough yardage to piece a length-wise backing.  It simply will have to work.
Therefore, the batting I prepared was NOT warm-n-natural.  Instead, I used up the last of my Thinsulate batting as well.  This quilt really is using up every last bit of a few different things :)

The backing is pieced and loaded on the frame.
The batting has been cut, pieced and on the frame as well.
That's as far as I will take things today.  The temps downstairs are quite chilly, and my hands/fingers have finally warmed back up from getting everything loaded on the frame.

We will finally be back to a normal schedule tomorrow at school.  And I can guarantee at LEAST a few students who will insist on complaining that we didn't get more days off of school;  there are always those few.

Scrappy Happy Scrappy

With oodles of bonus HST triangles collecting, I figured I would utilize the ol' border standby -- PINWHEELS.  These bonus triangles really do multiply, specially if they don't get used in the quilt that they were created from.  I think many of these are from Oklahoma Backroads from YEARS ago, in addition to... well.... umm.... probably the Star Struck blocks.  

Barely a dent in the box later, I had a couple dozen pinwheels pieced with a few boo-boos to boot.

However, after a simple test run, I wasn't likely 'em much :\   They would finish at 3"; the Star Struck blocks were 8" finished (4" sub-units).  I dunno, but they simply didn't make me feel all warm-n-fuzzy.

Therefore, I walked away.  And went back to the drawing board (ie: Google search) for quilt border treatments.  So much inspiration can be overwhelming the brain waves in matters of minutes with typing a a simple "Quilt border treatments" phrase in the search bar.  Images upon images putting the sense of vision on overload.  Not to mention what it does to the whole ADHD many of us quilters have!

But then, something else was happening to my sense of sight and the brain waves....

and the eyes grew heavy...

And then they closed....for a BRIEF time.  Truly.  Short-n-sweet 15 minute power nap.  

Once alert again with a focus in mind, a simple, 2.5" square scrappy border was started before needing to break for dinner.

As if almost on cue, my cell phone jingled to announce yet another school closing for tomorrow.  When I read that Bonnie was Quilt-Cammin' tonight-----I.  Was.  Like.  Totally. There!

And Paul here was being a goof, reacting with an...."OMGoodness....is that THEEEE Bonnie??  Oh boy... I can't contain my excitement!  I'm, like, totally Star Struck!"

LOL.

He actually ventured into my sewing room to ask if my QuiltCam stream would be affected if he were to do some research for some fishing-thing-er-another.  Awww.....how considerate of him to ask!  He knew I was looking forward to my Bonnie-time! ;)

Since I have another day off tomorrow to work on Star Struck,  I decided to leave the border laying as it was...

and grabbed some more scraps.  Yup, Alycia!  Total SQUIRREL move tonight!

When I started out with this block of Judy's (January Big-T Scrappy Challenge block), I had plans only of using up some of my blue scraps.  However, not only do I have lots of blue scraps, I also have lots of reds due to my QOVs over the years.  So.... I'll try to wade through some of my RWB scraps throughout the year with Judy's Scrappy Challenge.   

Four Big-T 9" blocks done tonight.

And, although many would call this a scrappy block... I feel like I cheated by using a WHOLE 3.5" square in the center!  I have so few 3.5" scraps in the bins anymore!  But lots of 2" strips!  I had the Companion Ruler all set with some 2" blue strips to make some hour-glass center units, but I was starting to fade by 9:00, so I used the 3.5" squares and called them done.

Goal tomorrow:  

Piece Star Struck into a flimsy.  

Piece a backing for Star Struck.  

Load Star Struck on the frame.

Happy Monday everyone!

Star Struck center

This online community of quilters is truly amazing, filled with brilliant suggestions.  I'm thankful we aren't afraid to suggest ideas, tips and the like to each other!

Angela's afterthought comment from my last post was extremely helpful.  With a little rearranging, a little ripping, and a sewing/scrap frenzy of piecing another 12 blocks... the scattering of the gold stars became an intentional design layout.

The center is now a 7x9 layout, rather than a 7x8 as I mentioned yesterday.  7x8 wasn't enough of the 'golden ratio' for me :D

Celtic Solstice has taken over my leader-ender project as I've been working on Berquist Beauty and now Star Struck.  Another 20 blocks in the making here.... all L/E.

And the 20 blocks on the stool here were all L/E'd when working solely on Berquist Beauty.  Bonnie hit the jackpot with the L/E idea!  No doubt!

Oh...yes...

BTW.  We received the call from the school district last night at 8:30 announcing the closing of school for the day due to extreme cold weather.  After watching news this AM, I can't see how the school CAN'T make the same call for tomorrow since tomorrow is expected to be even colder.  Crazy cold weather this year for much of the nation, that's for sure.

It's hard to believe it's THAT cold out when the house is a ROASTING 85 degrees!!!!!!  Between the wood furnace AND the extremely deceiving sunshine, the girls and I have elected to change into some shorts! LOL.  

#2 and #3 are playing the Wii;  #1 is wasting time "researching" on YouTube.  LOL.

I just came upstairs from piecing the center of Star Struck.  I'll throw together a light lunch since Paul made a yummiful brunch for all of us at 10:00, and enjoy some down-time looking through Bonnie's patterns to find a border treatment.

The school's band is having a Cabaret Concert at the end of February and the director is asking around to local businesses for raffle items (I just caught up on school email where he was filling the band parents in the latest happenings.)  So.....  ...... I haven't said anything yet, but I'm thinking I COULD get this quilt done by then and donate it to the band if he is interested.

Just thinking aloud right now.

Happy Monday.

More forgotten blue scraps...

Seriously....

I can't believe I had forgotten about this box, prepped years ago when I wanted to start working on Bonnie's Star Struck.  

In a different container, I found my Star Struck blocks.

And now I remember why I had stashed them away -- the splashes of yellow weren't making me happy, and I needed a break from them to think about what to do.

Well.... four years later (!!!!), I think it's time to just "know what to do."

Plan:  make up a few more blue blocks to bring the top to a 7x8 layout;  add a border or two.  And be done!  I think I'll donate it over to a school group that has silent auctions;  we are the Blue-n-Gold Lakers, after all.

But now... I'm truly pooped.  I DID sew for a few hours and I have Jen's Berquist Beauty ALMOST sewn into a quilt top.  Four more seams to go, and the quilt center will be ready (minus a simple border).  I simply don't have the energy left to finish up the last few seams.

I'm HOPING against hope that our school district makes a call for school tomorrow.  I know, I know... it seems that teachers beg for snow days more than students, but.... 

I'm pooped.  

It's been snowing all day.  However, that won't be the potential reason for another school canceling.  Windchills are predicted < -35 degrees F.  Schools around the area are already starting to make some calls;  one has made a call for tomorrow AND Tuesday already; although they are about 120 miles south of us.

*sigh*

Time for some down-time crochet.

Ambitious?

One nice by-product of Paul starting so early on their new job is that it also gets me out of bed nice-n-early.  His alarm tolls at 5:10AM, and I have been rolling out around 5:30AM to make coffee and send him off to his work.  This morning, I was downstairs shortly after 6:00AM to finish piecing the additional prepped Starstruck blocks.  My total stands at 52 right now..... that's not really a nice multiple for a quilter.

So....my options:  make 4 more blocks to allow for a 7x8 layout (approx. 56x64 with no borders or sashing) OR make 11 more for a 7x9 layout (approx. 56x72).  

Those options will be mulled over during my 5-hour drive to my sister's house.  For now, the Bernina was carefully packed up, and three projects neatly organized in some totes/shoe boxes.  Three doesn't seem too ambitious for a 4-day stay, does it?  

• Starstruck 2.5" strips packed for more blocks - in BLUE (and neutral)
• Pineapple Blossoms prepped units were packed for piecing - totally SCRAPPY
• Jamestown Landing units were packed at my L/E project - in BLUE (my broken dish blocks are almost completed--ALL leader-ender created)

 Happy Tuesday everyone!

I'm so blue......

ONLY because this day is coming to an end WAY TOO FAST!!!

Between the trip to the Quilt Shop mid-morning and having to close up shop by 5:00 tonight to make it to Cassie's softball game in time and needing to feed the kids in the middle somewhere and a little bit of laundry and keeping the animals hydrated during this heat.......... I reallly was getting into a rhythm!

I LOVE that this month is BLUE for Angela's Rainbow Scrap Challenge!  I have so much blue!  And I have TIME on my hands this month to DO something with all that blue!  Whooo-hoooo :)  {{Did you catch that rhyme??}} :-)

Two of my ongoing Jack-in-the-Box blocks were pieced.... in blue :D

... and the matching blue "bonus" diamond squares.

I actually have a PLAN this year for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, and I'm LOVING the monthly suspense-----what color will be next?!!?!?  Hmmm....August..... I wonder if Angela will be following "time-of-year" colors..... maybe Orange??    

Anyway....back to blue!  

PSHT!  Not even a teeny dent in all my blue scraps/strips...

And didn't even look at my stack of blues on the shelf...

BUT!  I DID spy my Starstruck blocks on the shelf!  OUT THEY CAME :)

And those 2.5" strips of blues and neutrals were organized - cut - pieced - and prepped into enough units to create another 18 blocks.  And of COURSE, when working with 2.5" bricks utilizing the stitch-n-flip method, BONUS TRIANGLES will be made (upper right of photo).

As I was zooming the units back through the machine for the second stitching, Cassie was looking over my shoulder, asking what I was doing.  Educational moment!  I explained what I was doing, WHY I was doing it, and showed her the bonus triangles that get created. 

Earlier today, I had pulled these bonus triangles off the shelf to press and prep for a potential border for my Frost-25 quilt.  She saw them, pointed to them during this explanation and asked if those were bonus triangles.  To which I confirmed yes.  

and she said.....

"WOW!  That's a lot of fabric people waste if they don't double-sew them!"

:0)

Startin' 'em young 

So, off to bed in a bit.  The girls and I are heading out to my sister's house tomorrow; a 5-hour drive.  I plan to pack the Starstruck blocks and some Pineapple Blossom prepped units I've had sitting on my shelf for a couple of years.  In fact, the Pineapple Blossom units were cut and prepped when I was at my sister's house two summers ago.  I'll have to include this fact into the name of that quilt somehow.

Happy Monday night!

Design wall; Blue Ridge Beauty action

My design wall hasn't seen much of a change over the past week (yeah....NO change at all!) Since I spent the weekend catching up on some quilting for my MIL, I decided tonight would actually see some more "blue" work.

I spent a couple of hours trimming up some more blue and light scraps. Naturally, I wasn't JUST working on cutting 2" scraps for the Blue Ridge Beauty but also some 2.5" scraps for my Blue Star Struck. Twenty more blocks are needed (MINIMUM) for the BRB before I'll start piecing the blocks together into a (most likely) lap-sized quilt.

I finally broke down and dished out a few dollars to purchase a small portable heater for my sewing room. It's COLD down there!!!!! In fact, yesterday morning I gave up on the 60 degree basement after finishing up a MIL quilt and spent the rest of the day upstairs in the wood-heated area!

Cailtyn enjoyed some Yoga time on the Wii yesterday. She was also enjoying the 80 degree temperature in the house from the wood heat. Even *I* ended up with shorts on by the afternoon!

More downfalls about the winter months........STATIC! I've given so many kissy-shocks over the past few evenings when tucking the girls into bed! Tonight I remember to touch their arm to discharge us before giving the goodnight kisses. Otherwise, those are some powerful 'zappy' kisses!


Anyway---it felt good to get some weekday sewing in. This is one of my more enjoyable times of the school year; Prep in the morning, Math 7 advanced section 2nd block, Math 7 regular section 3rd block, then Study hall supervision during 4th block where I assist students with math and science work or anything else they may have to do. Makes for a stress free schedule and a stress free Amy :0)

Happy Monday!

Design Wall and Jen's quilt quilted

Wanna see my design wall?

;0) Kinda bare, huh? That's because the rows have been sitting idle behind my machine for a good week now.

Maybe tomorrow they'll see some action once canning is done. More beans and cucumbers are calling my name....

Last night, I received a call from my lil' friend Jen {{remember her a couple of weeks ago?}} She was finished with her top, so we worked out a schedule for her to get her lil' tushy to my place this AM to get it loaded and quilted up. After an hour of pressin' and loadin', we were rockin' and rollin'; I had her jump on the frame (not literally) to quilt the 2nd pass---however, I think she was happy when I asked her if she minded if I finished it up when she needed to head out at 9:45 to get to work.

I can't remember the measurements, but roughtly 79"x85". She will be gifting it away this weekend to a friend for a wedding.

The pantograph used was Curly Q by Lisa Calle. I think this panto has risen to the top of "Amy's Favorite" list!

I ended the evening with a softball game at 7:00, and a 2 mile run at 8:30. All in all, a good day #1 of my final 2 weeks of summer vaca :0)

Happy Monday!

Today made up for yesterday!

Recap: Goal #1: Finish Jared Takes a Wife top: Completed (see post)

Goal #2 of the day: work on the final August block. Completed! Now I just have to type up the instructions, and I'll be set for y'all :0)

Then, it was the "look-around-for-the-next-project" time......

For those of you who have been around since the beginning of Amy's Passions, you may remember these blocks????

UFO: Rolling Star - Prior to today, I had 6 blocks pieced; today, all 13 blocks are now pieced.

And appliqued on the red centers. It feels REAL GOOD to have these pieced and ready for the next step!!! Now, I need to see how much white I have in my stash to see if I can move to appliqueing these stars onto a background square to get these closer to a top...

...but I wasn't done yet.....

My Star Struck swap blocks arrived yesterday; I swapped 12 sets. I had been piecing additional blocks together as a leader-ender project, and I had some inspiritation to finish up the stack I had pre-cut to see how many total blocks I had. Thirty-two blocks in total once I pieced everything. 32, eh? Hmm....4x8; that sure isn't a great layout. 5x6....then 2 go on the orphan-block pile.... :0(

15 minutes and 3 additional blocks later....a 5x7 layout with 35 blocks; AND sashing fabs being auditioned.

BOY---I should lay out more blocks on my living room floor! I tried some whites and other lights, but nothing worked better than the "tan" of the hardwood floor, so.....
This was the closest color I had in my stash, and NOT a lot of it (only 26 inches), so....... the sashing ended up being smaller than originally thought: only 1" finished. BUT....no biggy. I like the color! It'll be worth it.

I still am going strong, but there IS only so much time in a day before it gets too late, sooo.......it's time for me to turn OFF the machine ;0)

So.......{{drumroll please}}

---

Stash report: July 5 - 11 (I forgot to post last week)
Used/week: 4.181 yards
Purchased/week: 0 yards
Used/year: 169.873 yards
Purchased/year: 173 yards
Net used: -3.127 yards

---

Stash report: July 12-18
Used/week: 4.625 yards
Purchased/week: 0 yards
Used/year: 174.498 yards
Purchased/year: 173 yards
Net used: 1.498 yards

DO YOU SEE THAT!?!?!!!!!!????? I'm in the B-L-A-C-K!!!!!
doing a lil' happy dance

Back to Monday tomorrow! :0(

Time for something new....

LOL...Just for Angela, I'd thought I veer off into a new direction. I joked with her that maybe the DOC was right about having the extra energy during these first few days of the medicine dosage! (BTW--the poison ivy is getting better; not so itchy, but a good portion of my face is still quite discolored. I have been keeping some triple-antibiotic salve on to keep the scarring and discoloration to a minimum during the healing stage)

Okay---back to my veer----Oh golly! Not that I need yet anything NEW in my WIP list...but when I opened up by drawer of 2" strips....


...these BEAUTIFUL greens were screaming at me to do something with.


And then, I remembered that Bonnie's Jared Takes a Wife uses 2" strips to make 4-patches.....
...well.......what's a girl to do!?!?!??...
...it simply was meant to be!!!! After chain-piecing, pressing, and counting, I had EXACTLY 140 4-patches; just what the pattern calls for! It's a sign!!!!!
Update: I just reread Bonnie's pattern. It only calls for 120 4-patches (I was confusing the 40 with the 240 2-patch units). Yeah---that means I have 20 spare blocks to play with somewhere else!!!


During the mindless strip-piecing phase, Caitlyn came down with a surprise for me :0)
I'm so glad the girls are reaching a more independent phase and can find their own little tasks to do when I hit my quilting-obsessive-mode.


For the past two hours, I've been tidying up my OVERSTUFFED box of bonus triangle clippings....
....yeah, okay....there are still some left in the box, but stick a fork in me, cuz I'm done!!!!!! THAT's enough of that!!!!! Two hours of pressing! Ugh! I am really thinking of SKIPPING the trimming part until after I piece them together into either pinwheels or broken-dish units. The stack on the left are bonus tris from my Blue Star Struck blocks (yeah, still on the UFO pile!), and the stack on the right is from my Star Struck blockswap sets (I must not have taken any pics of them!!!).


It's just before 5:00. This day has kinda just shuffled by with one little quilting task after another. Time to start preparing something for dinner, and contemplate what to work on for tonight's Friday Night Sew In. It's not too late to sign up over at Crafty Vegas Mom!

UPDATE-UPDATE!Dee pointed out the obvious!!!! The Friday Night Sew In date is NEXT FRIDAY---the 18th. I guess I must be on summer-mode already and losing track of the days already! Oh well----I still plan to be sewing-----how 'bout you???