NTT- Still Plugging Away

Welcome to Needle and Thread Thursday, friends!  I'm still over here plugging away at my manuscript edits- checking math, grammar, formatting, and all that jazz.  So, no sewing this week, BUT I am going to present a trunk show and improv piecing class this weekend, so I'm super excited about that!  So, enjoy these highlights of all of the beautiful things that others are getting to sew instead.

This fun little pillow is by Anja Quilts.  What a cool design!

This photo is actually the back side of a cute quilt by Kat at Diary of a madkapquilter, made for a friend battling cancer.  Each of the envelopes contains an encouraging message for the recipient, and I think it's so unique!

Michelle at From Bolt to Beauty shared this oh so adorable patchwork firetruck quilt-

Quilting Gail showed off this lovely finish-

And finally, this scrap happy finish is by Linda at kokaquilts-

When I haven't had lots of sewing time, I always have an especially difficult time choosing highlights.  And y'alll don't make it any easier with the awesome things you're sewing.  Until I get back to my machine, I am looking forward to sewing vicariously through you.  So, let's party!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

Buckling Down and NTT

Hey friends!  I've been buckling down on editing and revising my manuscript, so no sewing has happened this week at all.  Great progress is being made though!

Instead, you can just feast your eyes on a few extra amazing projects from last week's party!  Check out this awesome quilt by Kris at Sew Sunshine-

This cute quilt is by Jan at The Colorful Fabriholic-

This simple, but striking mini is by Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl-

This lovely quilt is from Leanne at Devoted Quilter-

And goodness gracious, this quilt by Sew Preeti Quilts is a beauty!

Alrighty!  Let's get our party going!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

Pop Bouquet and NTT

It's finished!  It's finished!  After all these weeks, I am so excited that my Star of Bethlehem quilt is finally done.  I had visions of a gorgeous spring day for the photo shoot for this quilt, but of course the weather  had other plans.  So, a wet and dreary photo shoot it is.

I opted to quilt with doodle spiral daisies which fits the floral motif, and a crisp navy binding makes a great frame for this quilt.

Even though the quilting isn't too dense, it still took me several quilting sessions.  Though free-motion quilting is like riding a bike, my arms and shoulder muscles got fatigued pretty quickly from not doing it for awhile, and since this is a twin size quilt.  I do really love the texture the flowers add though.

Since I worked on this quilt one block at a time, my cutting left lots of odd-shaped pieces, and I had some larger cuts of several fabrics.  I decided to sew my scraps in a giant improv log cabin for the backing, and I am so pleased with the way it turned out.  The quilting shows up so well against the back!

Other than two yards of supplemental background fabric, this quilt was made entirely from stash, and that always feels like a little victory.  The finished quilt measures 64" x 80", and I've named it Pop Bouquet since the blocks look like blossoms popping wide open.  

Now that this quilt is all finished, I have to dig back into the editing and revisions on my manuscript, so I'm unsure of what I'll make next.  Stay tuned...

Last week's party was filled with awesomeness, like this gorgeous top by Gretchen's Little Corner-

Marga's Crafts shared this beauty, AND it's on the cover of Quilting Arts magazine!

And finally, LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color linked up this fun little quilt-

Okay y'all, it's time to link up!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

Ready to Quilt and NTT

Welcome to Needle and Thread Thursday, friends!  I enjoyed a truly lovely visit with my parents this weekend and since then, I've gotten the back all put together and everything basted on my Star of Bethlehem quilt.  I can't wait to get started on the quilting!

Last week's party had so many amazing projects linked up!  Take a look at this fun quilt by Jocelyn at Canadian Needle Nana-

This pretty medallion quilt is by Quiltpiecer-

And finally, I love this beauty by Gretchen's Little Corner-

Okay y'all!  Let's get our party on!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

A Top At Long Last and NTT

Welcome to Needle and Thread Thursday, y'all!  After all of these weeks of diligently plugging away at these Star of Bethlehem blocks, I pushed to get the last six blocks sewn this week, and I finally have a finished quilt top to show for it!  She's a real beauty, if I do say so myself.  Spring is in the air around here, and the fresh, cheerful colors and florals in this quilt capture that mood perfectly.

I posted my very first blocks waaay back on January 12th, so at seven weeks (and counting), this quilt has officially taken me longer than any other quilt I've ever made.  Of course, I drafted an entire book in those weeks too, so I'm okay with the longer timeline.  My parents are coming tomorrow to visit for the weekend, so there won't be sewing or writing happening for the next few days.

So, let's jump right into the highlights from last week, shall we?  Sharon at Dragon's Heart Quilting shared this lovely quilt top-

This fun row-by-row quilt is by Quilting Gail-

Just look at this happy quilt by Nancy at Grace and Peace Quilting-

And finally, I love the bold colors in this quilt shared by Institches With Bonnie-

Okay, my friends!  It's time to link up!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)