October - 12 minis in 12 months 2018 - Flying geese

With the end of October I finish up my tenth #12minisin12months. Wow! They do add up. No big projects finished up since the beginning of the year, but all these small projects are worth smiling about. 

For a while now (read several years) I have been putting off trying my hand at the flying geese block. Not sure why. For some reason they appear more challenging than I'm ever in the mood to take on.  

Then just the other day while scrolling through Pinterest waiting for inspiration to strike, quite unexpectedly I found myself planning my October mini quilt around the flying geese block. I casually learned from daughter K that son J says that, "all birds fly south to Miami Beach in the fall". Really?!?! Where did he get this notion? The ideas and rumors that boy spreads (insert eye roll : ) For some reason this struck me as hilarious and I immediately responded with, "That's it! I'm going to make a mini quilt of geese flying south and I'm going call it 'Miami Beach'!" 

So here it is, Miami Beach - where birds go for the winter : ) I used scraps of fall fabric because it IS October and that's what we sew with around here this time of year. Made this up as I went, including scraps for the background pieced in a bit of improvised fashion. Squeezed just enough binding out of the scraps as well - only about half an inch to spare. Whew!

The flying geese blocks were easier than I thought they would be. Maybe beginner's luck? or maybe it was the Bloc_loc ruler I used to trim them up. (The Flying Geese ruler works as great for trimming flying geese blocks as their ruler for trimming HSTs.) Any who, they were a bit of fun and quick and we just might see more of them around here in the future.

Straight-line walking foot quilting zigzagging with the geese for quilting. It's a bit different quilt finish for me but I like  it! Kids like it. Son J wants to hang this on his bedroom wall. I'd say that is a win : )

Good day, folks : )

Quilt stats:

Fabric: Moda Weave, Rustic Weave, and Bella solids

Batting: Flannel

Piecing and quilting thread:  Aurifil #2309

Size: 15" x 15"

September - 12 minis in 12 months 2018 - Trim bits of Farmhouse

Over the weekend I gave into temptation and took a break from pattern testing to play with the corner pieces trimmed from my in-progress quilt pattern blocks.

After previewing several layouts, this was it. Layout options when working with HSTs (half-square triangles) truly are countless. All you have to do is a turn a couple, and voila! - a new layout!

Tried something a little different with quilting. Still used the walking foot but mixed up directions and tried to find shapes within shapes. Not sure how I feel about it yet, but at least I tried something new ; ) 

This little mini quilt will go up on my mini quilt wall or be used wherever needed as a little table topper or candle mat. It does feel good to use up some little scrap bits.

It also feels good to have finished September's mini quilt for #12minisin12months. Woohoo!!! Now I can focus on a custom quilt in the queue and finishing up my first quilt pattern.

Happy quilting, everyone! 

Quilt Stats:

Fabric:  Farmhouse by Fig Tree & Co for Moda and Moda Bella Off White

Batting: Flannel

Piecing and Quilting thread:  Aurifil

Size: 14.5" x 14.5"

August - 12 minis in 12 months 2018 - Somerset Figgy goodness

This pretty little Somerset quilt didn't get done in August but in early September - close enough ; ) Such a super fun, super quick finish (thank goodness because that is all it seems I have time for currently.)

These little mini charm packs are turning out to be the perfect thing to create with lately.  Grab a little bit of background and mini charm pack, and in no time you have a quick little quilt finished.

Mini and quick doesn't have to mean boring and/or no impact - I love the impact the center of this little mini quilt offers.

Simple straight line crosshatch quilting. Ah! the little X's in all the little squares - perfect!

Really do love these colors!

Quick little squares folded in half as hanging corners - now this little mini quilt can be used as a table topper or wallhanging.

 Beautiful little mini quilt just in time for fall knocking on the door : )

Happy quilting, Everyone!

Quilt Stats:

Fabric:  Somerset by Fig Tree & Co for Moda

Batting: Flannel

Piecing and Quilting thread:  Aurifil

Size: 18" x 18"

July - 12 minis in 12 months 2018 - Scrappy Fig Tree

Had such a difficult time settling on what to do this month for #12minisin12months by  Knot and Thread Design.  Played around with a BUNCH of ideas but just couldn't get started with one UNTIL I came across this little baggie of HSTs leftover from a previous project. Within an afternoon I had this little cutie finished. When inspiration strikes, it's a very good thing : )

Loving these little bits of Fig Tree goodness. This line is California Girl for Moda Fabrics. 

Once I got started, I wondered if I'd be able to finish - working with such little pieces was a bit more than I bargained for.  (Those little HST squares finish at 1". 1"!!!) But, I took a deep breath and decided to take my time. Turns out that sometimes slowing down helps to finish quicker. Who knew : )

Did a little straight line grid quilting. Went with 1/2" this time. Like how the corners mimic the center.

There is something very satisfying about using these little scrappy leftover bits. Even most of the background is leftover bits that were lying on my cutting table. Went with matching binding to use up even more leftovers. Loving the simplicity.

This is the quickest, most unplanned quilt I've ever made. So, so fun. I think I need more quilts like this : )

Quilt Stats:

Fabric:  California Girl by Fig Tree & Co for Moda

Batting: Flannel

Piecing and Quilting thread:  Aurifil

Size: 12" x 12"

A patriotic runner showcasing Victoria

Finally! We have a patriotic runner! 

(edit: pattern now available in my shop here)

     Every year in late June I get a hankering to sew with red, white and blue, but it never seems to happen for one reason or the other. This year I made up my mind it was going to happen. With a specific charm pack in mind I sat down one evening in June and started playing in EQ. In a couple days I had a design. So excited! Ready to start cutting and stitching. Then along comes my husband (I think I need to ban him from pinterest; I have enough inspiration : ) - "Hey, honey, look at this quilt. It's kinda cool. Could you make something like this?" Really?!?! Can I make something like that?!?! Is that a challenge? Of course, I can! Back to playing (aka designing) with the perfect fabric in mind.

Victoria by 3 Sisters for Moda

This fabric line is perfect for patriotic projects that you don't want to scream red, white and blue. The dainty prints are the cutest and perfect for so many different projects. This runner was out for the 4th and will be out for a few more weeks.

I am so glad that inspiration struck my husband this time. One of the reasons I love to make and quilt is to give to others and he is my favorite  person to gift. He really likes my version of his inspiration piece and that just makes me smile!

Straight-line quilting for the win, but for this runner I mixed up by quilting different directions alternating blocks. Still loving straight line quilting.

Usually I do solids for bindings to keep costs down, but I for my last few quilts I have branched out. Loving this red check...and that blue dot!!

If your looking for some of this pretty Victoria fabric, Starlit Quilts has

great selection and prices.

Quilt Stats:

Fabric:  Victoria by 3 Sisters for Moda

Batting: Flannel

Piecing & Quilting thread:  Aurifil

Size: 16" x 60"