Garden Party - finally finished!

Boy that pesky binding took FOREVER but I'm happy to say this sucker is finished and ready to go!
It is my first finish for Q4 of the Finish Along.

The back - hanging sort of upside down

The back

I somehow successfully centered the star on the back and the quilting grid lines actually match up on the back just like the front!

Stats:
Pattern - Hourglass Star from Moda Bake Shop
Size: 64" x 64"
Fabric: Garden Party by Dear Stella fat quarter bundle, Kona slate, coal and white

linking up to : Finish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

A little quilting in the Alps

A couple of weeks ago I had an opportunity to attend my 3rd Patchwork in the Peaks in Morzine, France. The theme this year was Scraps!

As always it was a relaxing time and we had amazing weather with bright sunshiny days. This time, my girlfriend attended with me and it was nice to have company as we discovered a freakin' FIVE hour delay to our flight!!

This did afford me the opportunity to get a glimpse into my girl's suitcase when she kindly offered me a banana. She had a smorgasbord of green beans and other foody loot. I started thinking I hadn't adequately described the fantastical feasts we would be in for all weekend, but I quickly snapped a friendly pic of her suitcase and posted it to Facebook. With friends like me.. yadda yadda.

L's gorgeous jacket lining

  Anyway, with all the delays, happy Richard was there to greet and escort us to the weekend already in session. We arrived just in time for dinner and show & tell!

Supernova friendship block show off

Wonky Pinwheel show off

hello hugs

I had time in the week before Peaks to work on installing zippers AND learn a little about how to use my serger and came up with these gifts for all the ladies. I used the Pencil Case Tutorial from Hamels Thread.

Filled with little goodies & my favorite Reese cups

I used canvas for most of them 

This shiny, crazy fabric was really wiggly to sew 

Preparing for lunch on the patio

 Our first class was a lesson in y-seams from Ms. E. We cussed and complained our way through making this block (and some of the smarter cookies figured out a way around the dumb &^% y seams), but in the end we all came up with something. (Some of the overachievers came up entire quilt tops lol.) Yes Paula, I'm talking about you!

everyone's blocks

The class I had been looking most forward to was Karen's paper piecing lesson. I have tried learning this on my own, but haven't had any luck. "Karen the Blogger" was a great instructor and super patient when asked for the 50th time - flip WHAT? She designed a pattern for us called Autumn Leaves and it was fun seeing everyone's creations.

Karen the Blogger 

a couple of cool finishes

my autumn leaves & spinning card trick

Quilt Fairy Gina's Stash Attack project was sewing machine mats. This was a fun chance to practice FMQ and was a quick finish. Here's mine on the left & Ms. L's on the right.

heated game of  fq dice swap

all my projects

Farewell lunch 

Till next time, friends!

Linking up to:
Let's Bee Social
Show & Tell Tuesday
Linky Tuesday

Around the World Blog Hop

Hello friends! A couple of weeks ago, I was tagged by Paula from Mud, Pies and Pins in the Around the world blog hop, so welcome to Dusseldorf and to my blog!

April 2014

HST Auction Mini 

Spring themed DQM quilt

I met Paula last April at Patchwork in the Peaks and was so impressed by her talent! She makes incredible paper pieced designs and is a very creative and accomplished quilter!

1. What quilting/sewing thing am I working on? 

I've been part of a few bees this year, including Stash Bee for the first time, 5 months in the do.Good.Stitches Charity bee, and 2 rounds of the 4 x 5 Modern Quilting Bee. I've also done a whole bunch of swaps including the recurring Doll Quilters Monthly Swap and the upcoming IGMini Swap.

I am currently working on a whole list of things! I've participated in all 4 quarters of the Finish Along with Katy this year and it's helped me at least to know what I'd like to do next.

I had my first finish for Quarter 4 this weekend and I'm just waiting on some good daylight to get a great picture. I believe it's been on my list all year so it'll be nice to mark this one off!

I have finally started my Noodlehead divided basket. It's all cut out and ready to sew! 

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre? 

Dec 2011 Wonky 9 patch

I'm not sure my work "differs" from others. In these wonderful days of Pinterest, it is nice to take inspiration from everyone and then see where creativity leads!

"Scrapplique" baby quilt 2012

3. How does my writing/creating process work?
Besides constant blog reading and Pinterest surfing for inspiration, I have a boatload of quilting books to consult. I then bust out the graph paper, colored pencils and ruler and draw my design. Even when I'm following a pattern, I like to draw out the design to get a feel for what's involved, any changes I'd like to make and color placement. It's fun going back through my notebook for inspiration too!

Idea for IGMini Swap Quilt

Graduation gift quilt 2012

Thank you for visiting! I'll hope you'll stop by again soon.

I'm passing the baton to two lovely ladies met at Patchwork in the Peaks last October. Elita from Busy Needle Quilting is the sunshiney host of Peaks and in addition, this busy lady has an online quilting supply shop and is a long arm quilter. She's one active chick!

LynnePusscat from Confessions of a Quilting Junkie is an amazing quilter with a real eye for color and design. I always covet her fabric selections and she's so dang sweet! You'll enjoy her blog.

a little sneak of  an upcoming share

Linking up to Anything Goes Mondays @ Stitch by Stitch 

Friday Night Sew-In

Have you heard of FNSI? Every 3rd Friday, Sugarlane Quilts hosts a linky party for people to sign up and then everyone posts on Saturday what they worked on Friday.  I thought it would be a fun and no-pressure motivation to work on binding my Garden Party.

With the company of Walter White, I got some binding done on Friday and then spent a gorgeous Saturday afternoon in the park with the kids plugging away. I really hate hand binding!! It takes me FOREVER!! I know I need to practice, but I don't have a rhythm so I have to check every single stitch to make sure the needle hasn't gone through to the front. What a pain!

half done but getting close!!
FMT

Q4 - the 2014 Final List!

Hello again!

I'm pushing up against the deadline for posting my 4th quarter list! I've been so inspired by everyone's accomplishments this year and it's definitely fueled my motivation to  work on my own projects.

1. Finish Garden Party quilt

This one just needs the quilting finished and binding - finally!

2. Downstairs family room cushions

Given the amount of time they will spend on the floor, this will be a simple pattern for extra large cushions.

3. Supernova Friendship Quilt

My partner and I have completed our blocks and I'm anxious to see this one come together.

4. Wonky Pinwheel Quilt

This Stash Bee quilt is just waiting to be quilted and snuggled with on the couch.

5. I'm participating in the IG Mini Quilt Swap hosted by Curly Boy and the deadline is looming!

I figured out my palette and pattern and have been experimenting with my block idea. Just need to shrink it down and get it done.

6. Field of Iris quilt

I have been toying with patterns for this bundle for a very long time! I'd love to get this one finished this quarter. I'm thinking of this by Quilt Dad or a big plus pattern. I also love this one.

7. Catvent Knitting Bag

This will be a scrappy Christmas gift for a special friend.

8. Noodlehead Divided basket

I'm tired of listing this one, but I won't be defeated! Also, must stop using the interfacing for other projects and get it done!

wish me luck?
FMT