List? What list?

OK, yes, I am familiar with my list of projects I plan to finish next.  I just don't stick to it very well!  This, for example, was not on it:

It really couldn't be avoided (really!).  I had to start something new to prove to my daughter that I do, in fact, love the ruler she gave me for Christmas.

I saw the Quick Curve ruler at a quilt show a few years ago when it was brand new.  I almost bought it, but then worried that it was a "one quilt ruler", the kind that looks really neat until you figure out that every quilt you make with it looks the same.  The samples in the booth were all pretty similar, so I passed.  However, there are now oodles of pretty patterns that prove the ruler can be used in many different ways. Check out Sew Kind of Wonderful for eye candy.

This block is one of their free patterns. Except for the trimming on my first unit (which eventually resulted in that seam that doesn't even come close to matching), I didn't have any trouble with the directions and everything came together smoothly.  I did press my seams differently in a few spots and will continue experimenting with that to get as many seams to nest as possible.  I really, really like it when seams nest!

Now, returning to the list, I will go enjoy some quiet hand quilting.  Only two sides of the outermost border left to finish.  If I can avoid more distractions like tonight's, I might have the kaleidoscope quilt quilted and bound in the next couple of weeks.

Linking up, a day late, with Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts

Running start

See these?

These rolls of binding were my New Year's Eve day sewing, products of my determination to move a few projects closer to finished state before the calendar rolled over to 2016.  After Christmas I looked back at my 2015 sewing and realized I had only two "large" quilt finished for the year.  By large I mean at least a throw size.

I know I used the sewing machine regularly most of the year, I used plenty of fabric, I created scraps and I emptied thread spools, yet I had only two finished quilts to show. There were a few smaller projects, most of which I made in December:

So what did I have to show for the rest of my efforts?  There are four runners that took up most of my May and June sewing time but that I can't share yet (though hopefully soon?).  The rest are partially pieced projects, flimsies and partially quilted pieces that I couldn't decide how to finish.

These three are still in the unquilted pile.

The first two measure about 30" x 40" and will get done at some point but I'm not feeling any urgency about them.  The third was basted on New Year's Day and will get quilted up in the next two or three weeks.  The purple binding is waiting for that one.  And by the way, I think I'm done with Sparkling Trail for a while!

Between Christmas and this morning I quilted and quilted and quilted and moved 4 more projects to the "just need the binding" stage, and may I refer to the picture at the top of this post for a peek at the bindings waiting for them?  I'll share full pictures when they have their bindings attached.

So what's left?

The fall quilt still needs upper and lower black borders, then quilting, of course.  It's a twin size and I know more or less how I want to quilt it, but I'm not sure I want to tackle it at home with the setup I have.  Still thinking on that.  Then I have plans for a variation in a totally different colorway.  The fabric is waiting in a labelled bin...





This queen size one has been coming along in fits and starts since last February, and I think I'm almost ready to pull the top together.  This one is definitely being sent out for quilting!








Last but not least, my son's quilt is in the last stages of hand quilting.  I'm down to the outer border, and I'm making fairly rapid progress.  Of course the progress would be faster if was upstairs quilting right now...








So for the next month or so, I am going to concentrate on these three quilts, and possibly that variation.  I also need to finish writing patterns for the snowflake quilt, the treeskirts, the fall quilt... Let's just say that Canuck Quiter Designs is off to a running start in 2016!

Happy New Year!  Enjoy your quilting journey in 2016!

Linking up with
 Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River
Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story

Free block pattern at Stitchin at Home

I'm behind on my New Year's post, as I'm still trying to figure out how I felt so busy and yet have so few finishes for 2015.

In the meantime, head over to Stitchin at Home for a free block pattern.  Cindy designed Double Cross last summer for her guild BOM and ended up using a different block instead.  She has decided to offer this one as a blog freebie to usher in the new year.

Cindy's Double Cross block

I tested the block pattern for her last summer. 

My version of Double Cross

 I have to say I like the block much better in her fabric!  When you check out her blog. you'll see that these blocks look great set together.  Enjoy!