One of the really fun perks of being a member of the Modern Quilt Guild is the fabric challenges.  I was always so jealous of the members participating in these challenges, so as soon as the MQG offered individual memberships I jumped on the chance and thankfully we were given the opportunity to play along too.  In February of this year the Micheal Miller Fabric Challenge was announced and we got a sneak peak of the fabric, Petal Pinwheels.  All participants were sent 6 fat eighths of this fabric line and were given the freedom to create whatever we wanted, just so long as it was quilted.

I wasn't really sure what I would create, but I knew that I have enjoyed working with triangles lately, so I decided to create my own thing and see where it ended up.  I started the four triangles in the quilt with the same size center and then cut strips of varying widths and created a "wonky" effect.  I kept sewing rounds until I was at a size I was happy with (all four are different sizes) and on the last round I added in the extra little triangle for a special little touch.  I decided on a simple white background, and in the end I think it made a perfect sized baby quilt.

I pin basted this quilt (I used a 100% cotton Pellon batting) and then chose to quilt it in straight lines, using my walking foot.  I picked one of the lines in each of the triangles and just quilted straight along that line continuing to the edge of the quilt.  I just continued this method until the majority of the quilt was quilted and there weren't too many big spaces that were un-quilted.  Once the majority of the quilt was finished, I then decided to add in some tight lines of quilting that measure roughly 1/4" apart, you can see examples of this above and below.  It really created a neat texture to the quilt.  It was quilted with a 40 weight white Aurifil thread on my Juki TL-2010.

I bound the quilt in a Micheal Miller Dumb Dot print and for a little extra touch, I added in four specially made prairie points to the two sides of the quilt.  These are sewn into the binding, but are totally free and since it is a baby quilt, it adds a little something for baby to play with, chew on, you know the normal baby stuff.

The backing of the quilt is a Heather Ross, Briar Rose print that I felt was a perfect match for this baby quilt.  So bright and sunny, a happy print.  The finished quilt measures 41" x 42" and I washed and machine dried the quilt, so the photos here today are of a washed and ready to gift baby quilt.

During the quilting process, I decided upon the name of this quilt, The Bermuda Triangle Quilt, for two main reasons.  First, the colors are exactly what I think of when I think of Bermuda.  And second, the triangles are all wonky just like the Bermuda Triangle!  I thought I was clever at the time, not so sure now! HA!

Thank you Michael Miller for supplying the fabric, and thank you to the Modern Quilt Guild for hosting these really fun challenges.  I feel like I learned a lot during this process, and it was really fun designing my own quilt.

Finally, I have my triangle quilt photographed and ready to show off!  I finished this one over a month ago, but couldn't bribe anyone to help me take the pictures and finally my husband agreed.  You would think I was asking for a kidney.  Good grief.  This quilt was started as part of The Triangle Quilt along hosted by The Sassy Quilter.  i joined in around mid-March, and followed along pretty well, except when it came time for the final link up.  I didn't have my binding finished, I missed the deadline by one day.  Thankfully, Paula held a special late-finishers link up, and that is what I will be linking up to today.

This quilt was made with the fabric line, Indian Summer by Sarah Watson for Art Gallery fabrics.  I love this line, it is just "so me!"  I added in various solids and the peach that I used for the "background" was one of the cross-hatching prints from Carolyn Friedlander's Architextures line of fabrics.  I designed a very distinct pattern for my triangles, the smaller measuring around 5" and the large triangles measuring around 10".  You can read more about the process HERE.  The finished quilt measures 40" x 48" a wall hanging that I will hang in my living room.

I decided early on that I wanted to straight line quilt this one, but I wasn't sure exactly how I wanted the lines to go.  In the end I decided on a "large arrow" quilt pattern and then radiating the lines from there.  I used my Juki TL-2010 with the walking foot and a 40 weight white Aurifil (and a 100% cotton Pellon batting.)  The lines are quilted in a pattern, 2 at 3/4" apart, then a 1/2" space.  The 1/2" space falls in the center of the "arrow" triangles.  I am happy with the simple quilting, it highlights the triangles but doesn't distract.

I decided to do a matched angled binding per the tutorial found at A Quilter's Table, HERE.  Even though this technique really isn't hard (and creates a fantastic look) I struggled so much with this technique.  I swear I worked on the binding longer than I did the whole quilt process.  In the end I had messed up so much, I only had enough fabric to match the top and bottoms, and just bound the sides with the Architextures print.  I did carry around the matched binding on the bottom corners, which you can see above, and I am really happy that I did, I love that little detail.

Once again, I used my trusty Heather Ross Crafty Chloe from Hancock Fabrics print as the backing.  I love that print and wished I had bought more, as now I'm running low.  I also am thrilled with quilts that can use a single cut of fabric for the backing, so simple and makes the whole process so much easier.

This quilt is so soft and has such a nice hand to it, thanks to the Art Gallery prints.  Honestly my kids have been playing with it for the last month, so it might be time to wash it before I hang it up, which I am really eager to do, being that the "Indian Summer" is almost upon us!  Thanks to Paula for hosting such a fun quilt along!

I auditioned for Sew-vivor Season 2 last year, and sadly wasn't chosen, but it worked out well because something else came up and I wouldn't have been a very good competitor.  Well this year, Rachel of Family Ever After announced that Season 3 would be dedicated to Quilting!  How perfect is that, I am really into quilting, in case you didn't know.  It is kinda what I live and breathe these days.  I had to give some thought to my audition piece, and after considering it for a while, I decided to enter my Cosmic Burst quilt.  If you are a blog follower, then you saw this finished quilt a few months ago, and if you want to read all the details, you can find that blog post HERE.

This is one of my favorite quilts to date and it currently hangs proudly in my living room, actually the first thing you see when you walk in my house.  My favorite precious fabrics, a wonderful pattern, I just love every single thing about it, and I hope you do too!

I would really love to be chosen as a finalist for this Season of Sew-vivor!  I just think it will be so fun to compete in a friendly atmosphere that I know the online quilt community to be.  Make sure to head over to the Family Ever After blog to see the other auditions, there are just so many fabulous entries, I'm so glad I'm not a judge!  Thank you Rachel for hosting another Season and for all the hard work you put into these competitions.

A few months ago, I (finally) got a new phone (it had been like 5 years) and with a new phone came the ability to actively participate on Instagram!  One of the first things I discovered on Instagram was the fabric shop Quilt Sandwich Fabrics, and they just so happened to be holding a fabric challenge.  I was lucky enough to grab a spot and participate!  They sent me two fat eighths of Heather Ross's Briar Rose Fabric and I could create anything I wanted just so long as it used both fabrics.  I received the two prints that you can plainly see above, so pretty!  I just love the grasshoppers hidden amongst the clover!

I knew all along that I wanted to make a pouch, but I stalled on the type of pouch for a while, and then in the end I decided to make one of my own designs.  It is a gusset bottomed pouch with a curved top that measures 8" wide x 7" tall x 2.5" wide.  It has a pretty little front detail, and is the perfect size to hold a little sewing project or throw in your purse to keep things nice and organized.  For the exterior I used only the two prints of Briar Rose that I was sent and decided to add the pretty little lace details to the sides of the front panel detail.  After I was finished I decided to add the three buttons, as just a final little fun detail, which also worked really well for holding down the lining on the inside of the pouch.  For the interior I used some larger scraps from a Denyse Schmidt print from JoAnn Fabrics.

I have a TON of zippers in my collection, so it wasn't hard to find the perfect fit, a great matching green.  I tried a different technique for installing the zipper, and was really pleased with the results.  On the right side or end of the zipper I sewed on a tab to cover the end, but on the left side, I chose to sharply fold the zipper into the seam, and I really was pleased with the clean finish of it, no bunching and really smooth, which worked well with my curved top.  You can see both ends, above and below.

Below is the back of the pouch, you can see I carried the front details over to the back, but just omitted the buttons.  I used Pellon 50, which is a stiffer sew in interfacing for the pouch, which gives it just enough stiffness to totally stand on its own, but keeps it thin and not puffy at all.  I love that!

Now comes the part where I need your help.  The Briar Rose Challenge features two winners, one will be chosen by the staff at Quilt Sandwich Fabrics, and the other is a people's choice award.  So if you have a minute, hop over HERE to vote for your favorite project, it doesn't have to be mine, because honestly there are so many fabulous projects, it is hard to choose which one is the best!  But if you want to vote for me, I won't mind!  All you have to do is leave a comment on the blog post for your favorite.  Hurry though, because voting ends tomorrow!

Thank you Quilt Sandwich Fabrics for the fabric and the challenge it was really fun and I forgot just how much I like making my own designs!

Hard to believe that the year is already half way over and we are starting the Third Quarter of the Finish Along hosted by Katy over at The Littlest Thistle.  This is the week that we blog about and make our goals, so here is my list!

1.  The Autumn Sampler - I (think) I have all the stitching done, I need to double check and make sure.  Then I have to figure out how I am framing this one.  I want to get it done soon because I will be able to hang it on the wall before we know it.  Yikes!

2.  The City Sampler Quilt - This one is still sitting basted and ready to quilt.  I was so stuck on how to quilt it, but recently I think I figured it out.  I have the thread, I just have to do it, I guess I am hesitant because this one is a monster (108" x 108".)

3.  Radiant Orchid Quilt - The top and back are finished.  I have the thread and batting.  I know how this one will be quilted.  I will be quilting this on my (new to me) Grace Gracie Quilting Frame.  I am excited to finish this one!

4.  Bloom Bloom Pow Quilt - I have the top and back done, I have the thread and batting.  Once again I will be quilting this one on the Grace Gracie frame.  I (think) this will be the next one I tackle, I have a loose idea of how to quilt it, maybe?

5.  Kaleidoscope Quilt - I have the top and back finished, I have the thread and batting.  Once again I will be quilting this one on my Grace Gracie frame.  I don't have a quilting plan...yet.

6.  Postage Stamp Quilt - I don't have an updated photo, but if you check my Instagram feed, there are some there.  This top has been put together and it has been quilted.  I finished burying the threads last night.  All I have left is to trim it up and bind it.  Almost done, but not quite.

7.  Northern Lights Quilt - I have the top and backing done, I have the thread and batting.  I know how this one will be quilted, I just need to do it!

8.  One Block Wonder Quilt - I plan to add two borders to this quilt, I have the fabric.  I also have the backing fabric thread and batting.  I have no idea how to quilt this one, I'm tempted to keep it simple and something flowing, like a basic stipple.  I guess you guys will have to wait and see.

Well there it is, eight large projects.  Almost all quilts that just need to be quilted.  I know it is a large undertaking, but I really want to finish these up, as some are intended as gifts.  I also want to get some good practice with my new frame, and I think all of these quilts will allow for a lot of learning opportunities.

Thanks Katy for hosting this Finish Along and keeping me motivated to finish my long list of WIP's!

I am really trying to keep up with my Finish Along progress this year and wanted to do a second quarter wrap up to finish up this quarter and get motivated about the third, because my third quarter list is SUPER long, I'm going to be overly ambitious!  Anyways, here are the six projects that I had on my second quarter list, and exactly what I got done.

The four projects above are the projects that I did not finish, The Autumn Sampler, The City Sampler Quilt, Radiant Orchid Quilt and Bloom Bloom Pow Quilt.  All four of these projects will be carried over to my Third Quarter list.  I'm not going to talk about them here, as I hope to blog my Third Quarter list tomorrow.  Once I do, I'll share the progress that has taken place with these four and you will be able to see what I am adding as well.

Though this quarter wasn't as successful for me, I always had in the back of my head and really did work towards meeting these goals, but as usual I started new projects and endeavors and this stuff kinda fell on the back burner.  I really hope to change that with the third quarter of this year!

I am here today to share one of my second quarter finishes, as part of the Finish Along hosted by The Littlest Thistle.  I finished these two bags about a month ago, but haven't had a chance to share them, so I figured now or never because the second quarter wraps up tomorrow!  These two bags were number two on my original list that I blogged about HERE.  They were started around 2.5 years ago for a friend who requested them, because she had seen a custom order that I had sewn for someone else.  I started out strong, cut them out, got all the supplies together, and then got pregnant.  Then they just sat there through the pregnancy, birth, and the first years of my second child's life!  I am so happy to have them done and delivered to my friend, who was thrilled to finally receive them!

The pattern for these two bags is byI Think Sew.  I believe it was called the No. 50 Bag, but upon searching their website I haven't been able to find this pattern available, so I'm sorry I'm not much help there.  These are large bags that "kinda" stand on their own.  I used a duck cloth as interfacing for these, which gives it just enough structure not to be totally floppy, and they kinda stand on their own, without being too thick and bulky.  I followed the directions on all but one thing, which was that I added a zippered pocket to each of the outsides of these bags, a good place for keys or a phone, keeping it safe and secure.

The first bag is made entirely of Joel Dewberry's Modern Meadow fabric, which is just one of my favorite fabric lines ever, so pretty without being to feminine.  These bags come together really quickly and have such a nice finished look, and hold a TON of stuff, this could double as a beach bag, diaper bag, or just a large purse.

The second bag was made with the fabric line Portobello by Alice Kennedy. I used duck cloth, and added that extra zippered pocket, exactly the same as the first.  I followed the directions and added the small pocket on the interior of both, and have a magnetic snap on the inside of each for the ability to have the bag closed if you prefer.  I top-stitched around the top of both bags for a nice clean finished edge.

I am really glad to have both of them finished and checked off my to do list!  There was no excuse other than just putting it off to get these finished, I don't want to ever do that again.  So this is the first thing on my finish along list that I have blogged about, and am happy to have at least this one project finished and blogged about!  Maybe if I get a little help today I can photograph my other finish and blog about it tomorrow.  Wish me luck!