Just Grab and Go!!!

No planning, no color-coordination, just grab and sew.  

Bright Novelties.

My First String Quilt

Hello, this is Rana. How exciting to be posting my first finish, which is also the first string quilt I have ever made. But, it is most definitely not the last. These little blocks are so much fun, and come together so quickly. And then, there is the little memory parade that all of those scraps bring to mind. Little bits that have not been seen in years, and were used for all manner of lovely things back when they were still yardage. This time I focused on blue and red scraps, which are plentiful. And, they fulfilled the challenge of a patriotic theme for February. Next is going to be greens in a roundabout type of block in honor of St. Patrick's Day. So, until next time.....

This is Rita and I'm getting started on my second string quilt. These are a “bunch” of strings/strips that I’ve had for years … some of them are leftover from previous projects and some were cut from fat quarters. Most of them (if not all) are novelty prints with a patriotic theme. I'm sure there is enough here for more than one.  I am SO glad that I am finally going to put them into a quilt … clearing out the old to make room for the new!

Again, I’ll be using recycled dryer sheets for foundation, but I haven’t decided on a design. I may use a white string in the middle with red strings on one side and blue on the other. Or I may use sashing and cornerstones as Kaaren @ The Painted Quilt did in her quilt.  I guess I'll figure it out as I work along!

Get Ready, Set & Go

To the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival!

I wonder if the recent String Quilt craze will be on display at the quilt show.  

Hmmmm!!   I guess I'll let you know when I return.

Just last week, I got the privilege of shoveling snow and then pulling weeds...all in the same week!  

A wintery mix is in the forecast for Wednesday.  Oh no!!  Maybe I'll get stuck with all those wonderful venders and quilts for any extra day in Hampton Roads, VA.
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Here is what I saw that would qualify as string quilts to me at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt show.  

Pretty Neat. Huh?

Presidents' Day Challenge

This is Wendy.  Here's my string top for the Presidents' Day Challenge.  It was quite fun to put together and I have tons of scraps from it to put into a patriotic star quilt or something.  Tx for the challenge, I might not have gotten around to this one otherwise!

Wordless Wednesday

Is it Presidents Day or President's Day or Presidents' Day?

To me, it is a good day to remember all of the wonderful freedoms that I have in this country.   This summer I began reading as much as I could on the history of the United States and it founders.  It has sparked an incredible desire for me to make and donate as many quilts as I can.  I probably don't get out and get as active as I should in my community, but donating these quilts is the next best thing for me.

I won't go shopping for incredible deals at Macys.  I won't go and buy a car or mattress.  I think I'll shop stash instead.

This is a stack of quilts that all of the ladies in my quilting bee donated to Alycia last year.  We all brought in fabric and it was incredible how fast and efficient we were.  We made eight quilts.

Valentine Haiku

Get creative and post a sweet valentine Haiku!!

I will pick my favorite and send you this sweet non-fat, no calorie chocolate valentine embroidery.  It's the one in the middle.

Linda Wins!!!!

Confectionery Delight

My favorite candy... Skittles ! In all types.  Some folks like 'em sweet, some like 'em sour and some even like original and tropical.  No matter what flavor,  I eat 'em by the handful.  Okay! Well! not that often or I wouldn't be able to keep this body of mine in tune.  

 

Last night though, I ate a whole huge box at the movies.  Sherlock Holmes is a very long movie.  It's not often that my husband takes me out the movies.  I kinda wanted to see a sweet romantic comedy or something along those lines.   I bet it's been about 5 years since we went to see a movie together.  We just can't agree on a genre.  He likes guy stuff and I don't.

So I made him buy me the biggest box they had.  I finished the whole box by myself.   I didn't even share any of them with my him.  

What in the world does this have to do with String Quilts?

You might be asking. 

I made this bright and cheerful little quilt last weekend when it was brutally cold here.  While I was making it,  I was thinking of a clever quilt name for my post or even for a label.  So Skittles it is. 

Today is the first day of bright sunshine and no gale force winds bringing the wind-chill down to 24 degrees.  It is a toasty 44.  

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On another subject.  Is anyone up for a new challenge?  How about if we make a patriotic-themed string quilt to commemorate President's Day.  Let's make our Founding Fathers proud.  I will pick a winner at random.   

Ooohhhh !!

A neat 2 1/2 inch AccuQuilt Cut sweet treat of americana charm squares.

Just leave a comment.  

Please leave me a way to notify you if you are my winner.  Some of you are following anonymously or have your blog set to private.  I don't want you to miss out on such goodness!! 

Katie Wins!!

Me too! Yellow and Blue!

Linda and I were both thinking the same!!

25 x 25 with 5-inch finished blocks

Remember when Blue and Yellow quilts were all the rage?  I do and I have lots more blue and yellow in my stash.  That's when I made my first Yellow Brick Road quilt.  Hummm... That pattern came out in 2000.  It is the all time top selling pattern.  

Kaleidoscope

Hi, I'm Wendy.  I just found your lovely group and I HAD to join!  I've made my own personal pledge to make a string quilt every time I clean out my scrap bin (which is after every quilt is finished).  I figure that will come to one string quilt a month, with all the WIPs I have. 

This is my first string quilt from that rule and I'm adding it to this challenge.  It's my very first EVER string quilt.  I've made a few strip quilts, and I expected it to be the same.  But it's not!  This was so fun to make.  Just zip, zip, zip and it's done!  It's 4' x 4'.

Blue and Yellow Strings

Here are my blue and yellow string blocks that I sewed this past week. I still have to sew them together. I think I will add a border also. I still have lots of blue and yellow scraps leftover. There are 24 - 12 1/2" blocks sewn on a white tone-on-tone foundation. Such fun!

Spring Has Sprung ~ Not!!!

From some blog here in NC.  I don't believe it.  It's cold! Baby it's cold!!

"Sir Walter Wally did not see his shadow, so there will be an early Spring. This is good news since there is still snow and ice on the ground from last weekend's storm and another storm may be on the way this coming weekend. So at least in North Carolina we can look forward to an early Spring."

Another Give-Away!!

Win this machine embroidered daffodil quilt square on Kona Cotton.  Wouldn't this be terrific for a quilt label or somehow incorporate it in a string block?

Leave a comment and I will pick the winner as soon as I can see some yellow on my daffodil plants.  


Be sure to leave me some method to get in touch with you if you are my winner!

Judy wins!!

**participants still welcome!**

come on.  It's fun!!

No rules just lots of creative fun and sharing.  

Oh Where, Oh Where have my Daffodils Gone?

Somewhere under our 6 inches of snow are the sweet tips of my daffodils.  


Here is my sweet show and tell of what I got accomplished this weekend with my "Snow Day"!!  Hip Hip Hurrah!!
I have enjoyed every minute of my personal retreat. 

Did I see a snowflake in the forecast for next week.  I think so :)

Each block is finished at 5 inches and the quilt top is 30 x 30.

These Ice Blue strings are cut wonky and crooked.  I still used phonebook pages as my foundation.  They too are finished at 5 inches and the quilt top is 25 x 30 inches.  I can't wait to get these quilted tomorrow.  With the temperature going to be just 10 degrees, you won't see me out on the road. 

I really didn't know what I would get done with the mess of strings that I posted about on Friday.  It seems like I didn't even make a dent in the pile.

Here is a peek at my street!!

Next week I am going to try and use my precious Amy Butler, Heather Bailey, Tina Givens and Kaffe Fassett strings.  Ohhh it's gonna be hard.  I just love them so!!  

My Mess of Strings and Scraps

* everything AND the kitchen sink *

The snow has started falling here and I am about to tackle this mess of strings and scraps.  I am having my own little retreat all by myself.  HooT  Hoot!!!  

Anyone want to join me?  

No kids or hubby around for the entire weekend.  They are all in Florida.  They said they are lucky to be out of the snow and in the nice 75 degree weather.
 I disagree.  I'd rather be with my sewing machine cranking out a few sweet quilts.    

We can't go into to work tomorrow because North Carolina shuts down with any amount of snow on the ground.  

I have no idea how I am going to color-control this mess.  Be sure to come on back on Sunday night to see what I unveil.  

Getting Ready for Mother Nature

"As storm warnings go into affect for this area, many Triangle residents are getting ready to deal with what Mother Nature may bring".


Hummmm,   I am planning a weekend full of sewing.  No one home and tons of cool strings ready to go.  We better not have a nasty ice storm here.  Well, if we did I would just stay inside anyway,  But Pleaseeee don't let the power go out.  I need my sewing machine.  


Ladies, I love seeing all of your quilts.  Keep 'em coming and sharing your pictures and progress.  I have teamed up with a group called Moms For Marines to give some of my quilts to.


Happy Quilting
Stacey

Novelty String Quilt ... Finished!

My Turquoise

I have just started making turquoise string blocks..

No Sewing ~ Just Sweet Treats

While gathering up my new strings for next month's string quilt, I got so very side-tracked.  I never even touched my sewing machine this whole weekend.

Instead I used my Happy Embroidery Machine and stitched out lots of these cuties.

This is another quilt for the challenge. It is 51" by 74". The blocks were made using shirting fabric as foundation. The centre string is yellow and the other strings are various blues. Joanne

MiniString

What fun this was! I made 24 x 2 1/2" finished string blocks on phone book pages. I am a beginner free-motion quilter so dont look too closely!!

Bari's black and white and colored strings

I have wanted to make a string quilt for ages and just hadn't gotten around to it. I like things planned out, and the general "throw-it-up-there" scrappiness just isn't my thing. Kind of out of my comfort zone if you know what I mean. Stacey started showing her color-controlled versions and I thought, "I LIKE those! I could do one of those!"

Then along came the StringThing Challenge and, I need something else to do like I need a hole in the head, but I just had to jump on the chance to start making string quilts. I sorted through my scraps and decided I would use my black and white scraps, but use the ones with all the wild colors in them for a child's quilt.

I finished this top in about 15 days making a few blocks a day. It was made on phone book foundations that were about 8.5 by 8.5, cut down to 8" for a 7.5" finished block. I had actually cut the foundations a couple of years ago when I first had the impulse to make string quilts, and just never jumped into it.

I still have to quilt and bind it, and figure it will take me the rest of the month to get that done. This quilt will either go to Quilts for Kids or to my guild's pile of charity quilts for local hospitals.

I definitely will be making more and am inspired by all the beautiful quilts everyone is making. Keep it up!

Bari

http://crossroadsquilts.wordpress.com/

Shirley's Terrific Donation Quilt

Shirley says:
"Here is my little string quilt for January. It measures 36" X 45" and I chose to do the center string in the bright yellow to brighten up these dark winter days. This will be donated to Project Linus in the Pittsburgh, PA area".

Bobbi's Bright String Quilt

Here is Bobbi's Bright String Quilt.  She says:

"This is my bright strings quilt.  The entire quilt which measures 45" by 45" was made of scraps from previous projects.  I tried to keep the strings in two color families.  My string bin in still bulging so I can start another one for next month in a new color combo".

We've Made Some Great Progress

Wow!  Ladies you all have made some great progress.  Thanks for such a great Show and Tell. 

As for me, I got no sewing done this entire weekend. 

Check back often, you'll notice a different blog background most of the time.  I love to choose them at random.  Either to coordinate with our challenge, the season, my mood, or if I find one that is just too CuTe!!

This one is from My Style Backgrounds!!

Karen's Goal for 2010

Karen asked me to post this for her. She made a great string quilt with lots of scraps.  I love her star fabric as her common center string.  Here is what she says:
 
"My goal for 2010 is to use up my all stash.  And what a better way than to make string quilts, so I joined the string quilt challenge.  I loved using Stacey's method of telephone books pages it was much easier than other ways I have tried to make string quilts.  This one I made is not color control but I love the way the different colors compliment each other.  This quilt will be giving to a children's charity".

First Strings

This is my first attempt at making a string quilt. I really enjoyed making it and using up all the scraps I had accumulated. Now I want to make a color controlled one like everyone else has been making. They are so pretty. This one is going to Journey of Hope a charity for children my guild Cotton Boll quilters supports.

Finished blocks

Well I did some power sewing this past week and completed 80 - 6 1/2" blocks for my pink string quilt. I thought I only had enough for 64 blocks but found some more scraps and was able to make my quilt larger. I love it. Just have to sew the blocks together and get it ready for quilting. I may try to machine quilt this one. I have not done a larger piece yet on my machine so I guess this one would be a good one to start with. Its so much better to have all my awesome scraps together now in a quilt top rather than squished into a plastic tub out of sight.

Here's a Sweet Valentine Needle Case You can Win!

Hi Ladies,  remember I said there would be lots of freebies and fun?

Well, here is my first freebie and contest.  To add a little fun to our challenge, here is a quick Valentine-themed String quilt.  I whipped up this little quilt in the last few days.  I just used red and white strings.  My blocks are a bit smaller then I usually make.  They are finished at 4 inches.

I am calling it "My Love Letters Quilt"

Now comes the fun part!!  The first person to complete a red and white themed string quilt will get this valentine bouquet needle case.  Machine embroidered by me!!  Your quilt needs to be entirely finished.  That means quilted and bound.

You've got 30 days to get it done.  The first person to finish, gets the prize!!  Please post your pictures if you are a participate and of course email me with any questions.  If you don't have a blog, I can post your pictures for you provided that I don't get bombarded with new participants.  (I wish)  Please tell your quilting friends about our challenge.  New participants are always welcome.  I would love to reach 100 participants!!

Happy Quilting!

Quite a while ago, I saw a table runner on the Heartstrings Yahoo Group that was made of yellow and red strings.  I just loved the color combo.  It was so simple and so very stunning to me.  Well, naturally I had to make one for myself too!!  I dug and dug deep into my stash to get to all my reds.  That is one color that I don't have very much of.

I started this little quilt a few weeks ago and finished it up this weekend along with the Let's Celebrate quilt show below.

A 1/4 yard will do it for me

Some of my friends might consider me frugal (aka cheap). I used to work in a quilt shop and when a new fabric collection would come out, I wanted it all. Don't we all have that same thing in common? Well, I didn't need to get a yard of each fabric in that collection. That would have been over-the-top for me. Just a 1/4 yard would do the trick. Leaving the store with my sweet little bundle of goodies all tied up in a nice neat bow, I felt like I had won the lottery.

Now with a nice big stash these 1/4 yard cuts (which made me so happy back then) these collections make the prettiest string quilts. I just finished this one from a collection called Let's Celebrate.

36 Pink Strings and counting.....

I have been having so much fun since last Friday when I took up Stacey's challenge to make string blocks. I have now completed 36 blocks for the pink quilt. Not sure how far I will go and what I will do for border or if I will just continue to make blocks. What a great Stash/Scrapbusting block this is.

Pink Strings

I started sewing my blocks last night. I am working on 18 blocks right now. I have finished them and am now squaring up. Love them. I decided to do the pink strings on both sides because this wont be my only string quilt and I have always wanted to do a romantic/girlie quilt with pinks and this is IT! I will start the two colour blocks when I get to the blues, purples, greens. (Can't wait for that but I must!!)

Joanne's Beautiful Jewel Tone Diamond String Quilt

Isn't this lovely? Joanne asked me to post this for her. She made a diamond string quilt with lots of jewel tones. Here is what she says:

"Here is a little flash of colour to brighten your afternoon. The starter block was 7" x 10". Centre strip was 2 1/2" and then strips were every bright thing I could find. Doll quilt using the left overs is pinned but not quilted."

Jo

Worked on Two String Quilts Today!

I made 4 7 1/2" squares today that will eventually be a 14 1/2" block. The small squares have a diagonal section that is made up of 8 or 9 scrappy strips on a muslin foundation. The other two corners are solid. There are many ways to assemble this block, so I'll wait until they're all done to decide on a pattern. But I'm leaning towards a Hugs and Kisses design. The second quilt is one I started quite a while ago, but have a long way to go. It's the Quilt of Valor pattern made up of rectangles with a black center string, using light weight non-woven innerfacing as a foundation. I made one more block for it today. Stacey, I love your Organized Color Strings! After I finish with these 2 scrappy string quilts, I'd love to do one with a color theme. I love the fact that you're using phone book pages as your foundation, but I'm not sure if I'm ready for the mess. ;-) Happy Stringin' everyone! Eileen S Spokane Valley, WA

Getting ready

I just finished my Quilt for Kids and am ready to start finding "strings" for my string quilt project. I will be making rectangle shaped blocks and I'm going to use black in the middle of each one. I haven't tried this yet, but in pictures I've seen it really changes the look of the finished quilt. Wish me luck because my center strip may not be in the center once the block is squared up. Also wish me luck in keeping up because my mind is always thinking up new things to start instead of urging me to finish what is already started. Anyone else share this affliction?

I hadn't thought of making a blue and white quilt to commemerate this cold and snowy winter-but it sure is a good idea!

I'll be watching the Orange Bowl tonight and maybe sorting scraps at the same time. University of Iowa is playing. New Years Eve Iowa State University (my Alma Mater) played in the Insight Bowl. Two Iowa teams in Bowl games in year! Life is good!

Happy stringing! Judy K in Iowa

It's a String ThingChallenge: Getting Ready to start my first String Quilt.

http://bumbleknit.blogspot.com/

Getting Ready to start my first String Quilt.

As a scrappy quilter, I am, of course, attracted to string quilts. Since seeing Stacey's method of using two colour combos of scraps I am even more attracted. So...I spent the last few days sorting all my scraps into colour piles. And I was also able to sort out all the teeny-tiny pieces for crumb quilt blocks. My 2010 personal quilting resolution is to use up all my scraps and I have tons of scraps. I inherited my quilting buddy's scraps when she passed away so lots of memories will go into these scrap quilts I am going to make this year. I will post a block or two when I get a few completed.

Ice Blue Strings!!!

What a weekend so many of you had!!

After reading your blogs and seeing the amount of snow that so many of you got, I had to make a quilt that reminded me of these ice cold winter temperatures. I just couldn't believe it. How do you get around in all of that white stuff? Or do you stay in and make quilts?

I especially enjoyed seeing Judy's photos from Iowa. Judy, do you actually get mail delivered in all that snow?

We reached 32 degrees here as our high here yesterday. That is considered brutal for me. I stayed in all weekend and finished this quilt.

If you got an invitation to participate in this blog, please feel free to post your pictures and share your string quilt progress with us.

Getting Ready

Spent the last two days just sorting all my scraps....tons of scraps. I am trying to keep with Stacey's colour-controlled method of doing string quilts, so I sorted all my scraps into colour piles to make it easier to grab strips. I am using "scraps". - less than fat quarters but nothing less than 2 in squares. I am saving these for crumb quilts. I have two bins of these. My plan for 2010 is to use up all these scraps and make string quilts or crumb quilts. Let's see how this turns out!! I havent made a block yet. I cant decide what colour combo I want to use. I wont dwell on this too long. I am leaning towards blues, greens and purples.

Yummy Spray Starch Recipe Cranberry and Frost Scent

Here is a yummy smelling starch solution that I created one day after looking for some spray starch at the grocery store. I didn't want an aerosol can of the usual stuff and it was after hours for a local quilt shop and of course, I needed it "now".

You only need two ingredients. I got everything I needed from Walmart.

It's so inexpensive and easy.

Walmart had this neat seasonal Febreze ~ Cranberry Frost ~ spray bottle

***Ohhh Limited Edition***

1 bottle of Sta Flo liquid starch (I get 64 oz. for I think $2.99)

1 spray container of Febreze Limited Edition Cranberries and Frost scent spray

Water

I just put equal parts of each (about 1 cup each) in a separate spray bottle

and OH My! I love how it smells. You can adjust the quantities if you like

more or less starch.

I like to use spray starch on my blocks before I square them up. This works great and your sewing room will smell terrific too. I wonder what the next seasonal scent will be?