A Cautionary Tale and NTT

Hey there quilty peeps!  Welcome to Needle and Thread Thursday.  Sooo...no matter how practiced you think you might be, apparently quilt math is best done when one is not distracted in any way.  And with that advice in mind, let me tell you my cautionary tale.

That's a whole stack of gorgeous blocks; enough for a queen size quilt, in fact.  And yet, I still have many, many more blocks to piece.  How is that possible?  Well, when I was planning this quilt, somehow I figured out the block layout for 8" blocks (which would be a really weird size for a Greek Cross block anyway, but again, distractions).  A 10x12 layout  of 8" blocks would yield 120 blocks for a nice 80" x 96" quilt.  Awesome.  I remember thinking while I was pulling and cutting fabric that this queen size quilt seemed to be taking a ton of fabric, but since I was determined to get back into my groove, I just kept plowing through.

And again yesterday, as I had been piecing for two days, I kept thinking it was taking longer than usual.  And then it dawned on me.  These were not 8" blocks at all, but instead were 12" ones! (facepalm)  Y'all, a 10 x 12 layout of 12 inch blocks would make a 120" x 144" quilt, which is just comically enormous, and way too big to fold at the end of the queen size bed in my guest room.  just to put it all in perspective, that's enough blocks for a larger queen size quilt measuring 96" x 108" (72 blocks), which is what I'm doing, PLUS ANOTHER 72" x 96" twin size quilt (48 blocks).  No wonder this quilt is taking forever.  I'm actually making two large quilts in tandem.

Lesson learned.  Even if I can cut and sew easy blocks on autopilot, during the actual planning stage, my mind needs to be 100% focused on the task at hand.  Needless to say, I still have more of these blocks left to piece (about 40), and then I'll be putting together TWO quilt tops from them.

So, let's get to the highlights from last week's party, shall we?  Linda at Flourishing Palms shared her finished 2019 temperature quilt.  I just love these.  I am mesmerized by the color gradient through the year, and I always think about making one, but just haven't yet.

I love this cute mini from Jayne at Twiggy and Opal-

This pretty floral quilt by Sew Preeti Quilts is just a perfect pick-me-up for all of the rainy weather we've had lately-

Sophie at Luna Lovequilts shared this super cool, modern quilt-

And Michelle at From Bolt to Beauty linked up this gorgeous, graphic heart quilt-

I just have one more thing to mention before we party.  It's not related to quilting, but it's been a pretty big thing around here.  Y'all know I'm a Louisiana girl, Baton Rouge born and raised, and an LSU grad, and I just have to give a shout out to my team.  It was a magical season for us, and we're all pretty excited in the Young household.  Geaux Tigers!  :)

Okay, friends!  It's time to party.  Y'all keep bringing the awesomeness, and I'll be over here ogling your work (and piecing, and piecing...)   ;)

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.  

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 Fresh Start

Happy New Year to all!  You know, with everything happening over the past few months (new puppy, moving to a new home/contractors working, holidays), it occurred to me that I haven't sewn anything since...wait for it...September.  Yikes.  Even before September, there were a few pretty significant family happenings over the summer that curtailed my creativity, the biggest being the passing of my mother-in-law.  All of those are legitimate reasons to put my quilting on hold, but even when I had a little time to sew here and there, I found myself feeling too overwhelmed to start anything new.  I just had too many things going on to allocate brain cells to thinking about one more thing.  I even forgot to enter my Gossip Queen quilt into QuiltCon, which was always my plan for it, and I was so disappointed in myself when I realized I had missed the deadline.

Over time though, what I discovered won't come as a shock to many of you, I'm sure.  I really missed being creative, even if I still didn't really know what I wanted to make.  I finally decided on a simple Greek Cross quilt for our guest bedroom and started cutting and sorting my blocks.  I loved the fabric pull, but even as I began, it was more out of obligation than inspiration.

But you know what?  After a little while, it felt so good to get back into things. That my friends, is three stacks of progress.  I've been missing a sense of normalcy for literally months, and beginning a new quilt is a step in the right direction on restoring order to my life.  Don't get me wrong, I was pretty rusty on the planning part of things.  I made a miscalculation and had to go back into my stash for more fabric, and it took me three days to get everything pressed, cut, and sorted but still, normal.  Now that everything is ready to sew, these blocks should go together pretty quickly.

Thanks to all of you who have stuck by and continued reading/commenting while life was complicated and I couldn't share quite as much.  I am truly looking forward to 2020 being a wonderful year with lots of pretties to show off. (would uneventful be too much to ask?).

Our last party feels like forever ago, but there were some amazing projects linked up, as usual.  Linda at Flourishing Palms showed off this beauty.  I love the optical illusion it creates-

Nancy at Grace and Peace Quilting shared her (third!) Meadowland quilt.  So pretty!

And JanineMarie at Quilts From the Little House linked up this fantastic Chicago skyline quilt.  It's amazing!

Okay, y'all!  It's the first NTT of 2020, so let's make it a good one.  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.  

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!  :)

Spinning Plates

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, friends!  Right now I have several things happening in my house- painting, electrical work, new doors going in... and I am not too proud to admit that I might have bitten off a little more than I can chew.  My goal was to get certain things finished in the house before family comes to visit for Christmas and it looks like it is going to actually happen, but it just might make me crazy first.  And, though I have a plan, I haven't purchased or wrapped a single gift yet, and I'm usually finished with everything before December 1st.  I did manage to get my Christmas tree put up so at least there's that, and I've (mostly) kept the puppy from eating it, so...winning there too. (just ignore the fact that I took the photo before the tree skirt was on, ha!)

Last week's party was so great.  I just love browsing through all of your amazingness, especially when I'm missing my own sewing machine so much.  This awesome quilt is by Jayne at Twiggy and Opal-

This modern masterpiece is by Sophie at Luna Lovequilts-

This fantastic quilt is by Sew Preeti Quilts-

And I love this one by heARTS Creations-

Okay friends!  Let's link up!

*Next week, December 18th is my wedding anniversary, and then the following two weeks are Christmas Day, and New Years Day, so NTT will be taking a break.  I'll see you all in 2020!

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.  

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!  :)

Happy NTT!

Welcome to Needle and Thread Thursday, friends!  I hope that all of you in the US had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday last week, and I hope you snagged some great deals on Black Friday (if that's your thing).  I do have my new sewing and cutting table, but it still needs to be put together, so still no sewing from me (and I haven't even put up my Christmas tree, which is unheard of on December 4th around here). By the looks of things though, y'all have definitely been busy creating!  One day soon I'll make it back to my machine...

This stunning Arboretum quilt is by Anne at Springleaf Studios-

I love this fun, modern quilt by Liz at Savor Every Stitch-

This soft, pretty quilt is by Nancy at Grace and Peace Quilting-

And I sure do appreciate a scrappy quilt, especially when it's a riot of color, like this one from Sew Preeti Quilts-

Okay friends!  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.  

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!  :)

Almost Back in Business!

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, friends.  Whew!  These last couple of weeks have been so very hectic, but we are finally all moved into our new home.  Of course, that means that we are currently swimming in packing paper, bubble wrap, and boxes, but progress is progress.  And, I have my sewing studio all put together...well, almost anyway.

You might remember that my dining room table was being used as my sewing extension and cutting table, and since my dining room is once again a dining room in my new home, I need a new table for my studio.  I'll be heading to Ikea this weekend and then I'll be all set!

My new studio is a little smaller than my old one, but it has great light, a nice sized closet, and a dreamy aqua color (that I didn't have to paint myself), so I call it an even trade.  Since the windows in this room are huge, there wasn't one wall that really worked for my giant color wheel, so instead, my minis are hung in a whimsical line around the room.

My Oh Happy Day! banner that used to hang in the middle of the wheel is still on display, but now hangs above the windows, just across from my machine.  The other main wall houses my project drawers, design wall, ironing board, and some quilts on display.

I can't wait to get everything else all together in my house so I can get in here and really start creating!

Our last NTT was a couple of weeks ago, but it had so many great projects linked up.  This scrappy bird house quilt from Frederique at Quilting Patchwork Applique is so amazing!

This scrappy string quilt was shared by Gretchen's Little Corner, along with LOTS of other scrappy goodness, so be sure to check out all of the others shared in her post.

And I just love all of the great texture in this quilt by Liz at Savor Every Stitch.

Okay friends!  I can't wait to see what you've been working on all this time.  Let's party!  By the way, since next week is Thanksgiving, NTT will be taking a break (just odd timing with the move being so close to the holiday).  BUT be on the lookout for my big Black Friday post with some amazing sales from my favorite shops.

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.  

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!  :)

All Packing...No Sewing

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, friends!  Well, we are supposed to close on our new home in two short weeks, which means that fast and furious packing is happening day and night.  Since I knew that sewing would be impossible, my studio was the first room I finished.  It makes me a little sad to see it in this state, but pretty soon it will be in my new house!

Before we get to last week's party highlights, I owe you four different giveaway winners!  Chris, comment number 13 is the winner of the gift certificate from Lady Belle Fabric, and Darlene, Lori, and Nancy, comments 13, 7, and 11 are the winners of the cute Halloween napkin sets from Fort Worth Fabric Studio.  Congrats, ladies!  I have emailed you so that you can get your prizes!  :)

                                 

                                  

 

Last week's party was amazing!  Take a look at this stunning X+ quilt by Anne at Springleaf Studios-

This textured twist finish is by Jayne at Twiggy and Opal-

This scrappy beauty is by Sew Preeti Quilts-

This festive jelly roll quilt is by Nancy at Grace and Peace Quilting-

Check out this pretty sawtooth star quilt by Linda at kokaquilts-

And finally, I am loving this Metro Rings quilt by Gretchen's Little Corner-

Okay friends, it's time to help a girl out.  It's time to link up your latest quilty projects.  Oh, and if you wouldn't mind, while you're sewing this week, send some good vibes my way for efficient packing, because it is a monumental job.  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.  

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!  :)

*NTT will be taking a two week break while I pack and move to our new home.  I'll see you on 11/20!

Adding To the Madness

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, friends!  As if things weren't busy enough with our new puppy, we have thrown another huge change into the mix.  We are moving in a few weeks!  I'm not usually a glutton for punishment, but when the perfect house comes along, you just have to jump on it.

So, needless to say, the roller coaster that is my life right now isn't slowing down anytime soon.  And until everything settles down a little bit, my days will be filled with packing and puppy-minding instead of sewing.  While I won't be sewing for a little while, I still LOVE keeping my inspiration fueled by browsing all of the awesome projects you link up.  In fact, it's my favorite way to wind down my day before going to sleep at night.  Take a look at some of my favorites from last week's party.

Yvonne at Sew Yummy linked up this bit of vibrant, scrappy awesomeness.

Jen's Crafts and Quilts Scrapbook shared this sweet baby quilt.

And this amazing quilt is by Soma at Whims and Fancies.

Alrighty friends!  I'm looking to YOU to help me keep my creativity going, and I'm going to live vicariously through your quilty victories, so bring them 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.  

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!  :)