marking the beast & plugging away

Just a quick update.  It was a nice, relaxing, productive Sunday.  Wrangling this monster sized quilt through the machine isn't as bad as I thought it would be.  I got into a nice groove and went to town with the straight line quilting.

Lots of tape.

I used 1 inch wide tape, placed 2 inches apart. I've been quilting 1/4 inch away from the tape on both sides, which leaves me with lines 1 1/2 inches apart. I plan on doing a crosshatch pattern. Tedious work but I think it will be worth it.

I still have a long ways to go...

Short sessions

I have been able to get some sewing done.  Swoon is sashed, and I have a plan for the back.  I have just taken a break from working on it.

I treated myself and bought some fat quarter bundles from Pink Castle Fabrics. 

After staring and petting these stacks for too long I finally cut into them and made this.

I love it so much!  Especially the newsprint backing.  I used the circle of geese tutorial at Chasing Cottons.  After getting through the paper piecing on that I was hooked.  I found these gorgeous compass blocks and had to make one of my own.

I was able to do it in a day in short sessions.  The pattern is from equiltpatterns.com and it's only .99.  I have already downloaded another star compass block that I look forward to working on.  Not sure what I will do with the blocks but I enjoy the paper piecing.  I have to get back to Swoon though.  I think I'm stalling because I'm scared at the though of quilting it.

Almost done

Last week the grandparents came to visit from WV.  I let grandma have all the time she wanted with the boys while I got to sew.  It was so nice and much needed.  According to the definitions I have found on the web, I have a colicky baby.  It has been a bit rough to say the least.  I was thankful to get some time to myself while someone else tended to the little ones.  Another bonus of getting to sew was working on this!

I had bought a refurbished project Runway Brother off of ebay.  Never again!  It lasted a few months and then crapped out on me.  It could not be fixed so I had a great excuse to get this lovely.  I love it!  It comes with an extension table and lots of accessories.  It's nice and heavy too, not light and cheapo feeling.  I'm very happy with it so far.

So here are my last blocks finished up.

I was going to do 12 blocks but this thing is big enough!  Next up is sashing, and I just ordered batting, backing, and binding fabric today.  I am going to attempt to quilt it myself but I am not sure of the design yet.  I would really like to try the baptist fan design from this tutorial at Don't Call Me Betsy, but we'll see.

Here is the layout I have settled on.

It would have been nice to have more fussy cut centers, but working with a FQ bundle left no room for picky cutting.

Man, do I love this collection!

Progress and a bonus

I managed to get a block done and a little extra.  It was a nice relaxing weekend here at home.  It was our first weekend alone as a family since the baby arrived.  Dad kept an eye on the boys while I got some much enjoyed sewing time.  It felt good to get another Swoon block completed.
 

This is what I have so far.  Only 6 more to go!

I also finished a granny square block.  I love the quilt over at Blue Elephant Stitches.  I have wanted to make a granny square quilt ever since I found this one at my man's home in West Virginia.  It is really old and heavy, and you can tell it was hand pieced.  I love the simplicity of it and the scrappiness was done out of necessity not for fun.

Finding the tutorial and seeing all the great blocks on Flickr, I couldn't resist making at least one.

and baby says I'm done at the computer ;^)

Thanks for the very sweet comments!

Sewing delayed

Baby boy arrived last Sunday so I haven't gotten any sewing done lately.  Aside from recovering from an emergency c-section, I am just trying to get in a routine with a toddler and a newborn now.  I really want to get back to my Swoon blocks soon, but not sure when that will happen.  I am also dying to start on some granny square blocks but fat chance that will happen any time soon.  I have so many WIP's right now, I have to stay focused and finish something before I cut up any new fabric.  I miss my sewing room but am loving being a mommy to my two boys.  Life is pretty sweet right now and I am enjoying my lil peanut and my big boy.  Hope everyone is doing good too.

Peacock Lane Swoon Block #5 and a cool pincushion

I knew I was on the burnout end of sewing for a bit so I took a break.  I also thought I was going into labor Saturday, Sunday, and Monday but all the activity has calmed down and nothing has happened.  I'm thinking it will be any day now, has to be because I don't know how much longer I can make it. 
Monday night I got warmed up again and made this simple pin cushion found here.  Like I said when I pinned it on Pinterest, so simple it's genius!

I finished this block up today.  Probably my worst seams yet, but who is really looking that closely.

Only 7 more to go.

Peacock Swoon Block #4

Peacock Swoon Block #4, a photo by sewaddictedtoblogs on Flickr.

Another one down, just can't stop :^) Time for sleep now...