Courthouse Steps Table Runner

I've always love the courthouse steps block. I had a huge number of strips leftover from Costa Maya, so I used Electric Quilt software to print out a paper pieced block. The block itself finished at 6 inches...so I think the strips are less than 1" finished...

I quilted this one myself. I used a squiggly pattern on my machine and made it as big as possible, both length and width. I think sewed down the middle of each "log" in both directions. I love the way it turned out. Here's a close up of the top:

For the back, I took extra fabric I had from all of my "Doug" projects, cut some bigger squares- I think 5" - and pieced them together. I like the way it turned out...he could potentially even use it this way too!

This runner measures 12 1/2 by 48 1/2. I hope he likes it!

That's all of the finished projects I'm posting for today. time to get some dinner and start on the next projects!

Horses, Lap Size Quilt

While in northern MN a couple of years ago for a family reunion, we took a little trip to the quilt shop. My DH actually found a line of fabric with horses that we all loved...so I bought yardage. Some yardage was all they had of a certain pattern. One of the patterns had large "blocks" so I used that as a jumping off point and designed this quilt top myself. Here's the top:

and a close up of the top...

For the back, I had some left over blocks from the first king size quilt I made him. The color palette for that was blue and brown. I added to the blocks to get a backing:

The quilting done is called "water" or something like that. I think the thread is a gray with hints of blue in tone.

The quilt measures 62 x 80. My cousin converted his garage into a bar and the intent of this quilt is to go into the bar. We'll see what he does with it!

Costa Maya, King Size Quilt

This quilt is made from a pattern called Costa Maya, Snow Day Designs, published by QuiltWoman.com. My cousin Doug picked out the pattern and the color palette nearly 2 years ago. Good thing he's patient! It took me the first year to find fabrics that reflected the palette he wanted and worked with the pattern. Here's the top of Costa Maya.

The quilting is a loop and swirl type of pattern. I forget the thread color... I love the quilting on this one!

The back was made with leftovers - some blocks, some fabrics, some tiny scraps. I tried a couple of different techniques for the "trees". Then, I just mashed it all together in big sections until I had a back that fit. I think the back took way longer to piece than the front!

(it's really upside down in my opinion...I didn't want to tell my helpers tho!)

The pattern finishes at 72 x 72. The quilt measures 95 x 106 (a  little bit bigger as I fold things in 1/2 to measure). It's an inch wider than the previous quilt I made him and hopefully will fit his huge kind size bed.

This quilt was finished in May 2015.

Catching up

It's been a few months...almost 3... since I last posted. I've been very productive during that time...except when it came to taking photos and posting my finishes. So, starting today, I'm going to try and get all of my 2015 finishes to date documented. I'm not going to do them all today... but maybe by the end of the month I'll be back up to "current" projects in work.

Between March and May, I've completed 1 king size quilt, 2 lap size quilts, 3 small quilts, and 6 table runners. Plus, I took a garment making class and made a shirt for my DH. Next weekend, I'm taking a 2nd garment making class and making a peasant blouse for myself - well, as soon as I buy some fabric and the rest of my supplies! Sometime this summer, I'll be making 4 additional shirts for my DH. I have that fabric all bought...and we've been looking for two other designs and once we find those...I'll be up to 6 shirts for him.

I'm going to try and get these documented in the order of finish - not necessarily order of start! We'll see how long it takes me to get the entire list done...and see how many of the other WIPs I get done during that time!