Link a Finish Friday #47

Yea Christmas is over (did I really say that) I am burnt out tried to do too much this year so going to take it easy by working on a slower project you can read more about it here.

I made 2 more now and they are a little better then the first one.  I have a long ways to go to get them perfect though.  One thing I don't like is I am wasting lots of fabric and I hate that.

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It is now time for Link A Finish Friday.  Today I would like to start with a big thank you to Fat Quarter Shop who has offered to Sponsor our Link A Finish Friday with Prizes.  This month's winner (December) will win a $15 gift certificate to spend on Fat Quarter Shop.

Please remember to thank our sponsor by visiting their store at http://www.fatquartershop.com/ their blog http://www.fatquartershop.blogspot.com/ and Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/FatQuarterShop

Mod Pop from Playcrafts

Last Minute Christmas Pillow from Mountain Quilt Works

Play Quilt from Stitches to Sprinkles

Are 3 of the popular ones from last week.

So for the rules.

1) Who likes rules. Toss them out.

2) Add a link to your finish blog or where ever you show off your finishes (Not limited to quilts but I like them the most).
3) Visit a few of the finishes and comment or encourage them on.
4) Monthly random winner picked from all of the months linkups to $15 gift card from Fat Quarter Shop.

Not required but fun to do

1) Follow my blog.
2) Follow the blog of all those that link.
3) Link back to my blog.
4) No finish, go quilt and stop reading the web.

1 Sword Paper Pieced

I have finished my first paper pieced block and I messed it up, but I still thought it turned out cute.  I did a number of things wrong.  I cut out material for 2 different swords. I grabbed the first 2 pieces to sew together (the larger part of the sword I on accident grabbed 2 of the same color rather then 1 light and 1 dark as my son's desire was.  So to continue the mistake I just did the same alternating gray for the other part.  I also made one other big mistake on the left half of the sword I cut down the block edge instead of the  1/4 inch seam edge on accident so my block is smaller then what it should have been.  I did this Christmas afternoon and only had time to do one because the family was rushing me to go visit others in the family.  Anyway 1 sword down.  A million to go.  Though I have to admit this is going to be a time consuming, but fun quilt to make. (Sword Pattern Here, Shield Pattern Here)

I am looking for help making a charity quilt with these paper pieced swords and shields please look at this post for more details.

Merry Christmas to All!

Is it really Christmas already?  Tanya and I have been overwhelmed and worn out over the last month, burning the candle at both ends.  Tanya's mother had surgery, in which her foot was amputated and she lives a 4 hour drive from where the hospital is, but we live only 30 minute drive and as such we were the only family near her.  We spent more time then we had anticipated visiting and comforting her.  The plan originally was for 3 days at the hospital and 2-3 weeks in rehab and then back to her home.

Well after just a few days at rehab, she decided she was not getting waited on enough and she talked us into staying at our house for a week.  Oh boy did that put a monkey wrench into our family Christmas plans.  Well my mother in law is now back home and doing well. Both Tanya and I are exhausted.  Don't take this wrong, I love my mother in law, but I am so glad she is back home. I am tired, but it was great to let Grandma spend some quality time with our kids, which she is not able to see as often as she would like.

So your wondering what I am making with my cool Architectures bundle from Carolyn Friedlander.  I did not get the full bundle above, but I did get 17 of the 21 prints (its all I could find and I just had to have them).  You might wonder what would I do with such a pile of wonderfulness and well I am glad you asked.

This is the pattern I would use, but not exact order.  Last week I was pointed to a neat program called FabLib that helps to import fabric swatches into my EQ7 app.  You might be saying at this point not fair Richard got all the fun stuff.  I did good this year getting Tanya presents.

I bought Tanya Pieces of Hope a Riley Blake Design.  We have 2 Autistic Children so this one hit home for us I look forward to seeing what Tanya makes with this.  I did not stop there though I also got her another surprise.  She likes Me and My Sister Designs and I bought her a Fat 1/8 bundle of Ticklish.

Me and my family will now just take the rest of the day easy.  I do plan though to try to make a sword from  James pattern as I also got the material for it this last week.  Have a fun and safe day.

As for Julia today she got a walker/baby stroller and is cruising the house.

Link A Finish Friday #46

These are the first 2 of many 12 day wall hanging that our family is making for gifts for Christmas.  We wanted to make 40+ of them but we are running out of time we have these 2 completed and about 10 basted and another 5-6 tops completed.

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It is now time for Link A Finish Friday.  Today I would like to start with a big thank you to Fat Quarter Shop who has offered to Sponsor our Link A Finish Friday with Prizes.  This month's winner (December) will win a $15 gift certificate to spend on Fat Quarter Shop.

Please remember to thank our sponsor by visiting their store at http://www.fatquartershop.com/ their blog http://www.fatquartershop.blogspot.com/ and Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/FatQuarterShop

Baby Quilt from A Flower Blooms in the City

Scrappy Tea Towels from The Crafting Fiend

Hexagon Shell Pouch from Handmade by Farah Lin

Quick Quilt from thREDhead

Are 4 of the the items linked up last week.  Link up yours and lets see what you have been making.

So for the rules.

1) Who likes rules. Toss them out.

2) Add a link to your finish blog or where ever you show off your finishes (Not limited to quilts but I like them the most).
3) Visit a few of the finishes and comment or encourage them on.
4) Monthly random winner picked from all of the months linkups to $15 gift card from Fat Quarter Shop.

Not required but fun to do

1) Follow my blog.
2) Follow the blog of all those that link.
3) Link back to my blog.
4) No finish, go quilt and stop reading the web.

Sword and Shield Paper Pieced I need help!

My son would like me to make the following sword and shield quilt and has created 2 paper pieced patterns.  I tried to make the shield but it was too hard for me.  Since neither James or I have experience with paper pieced things we need to know if the pattern is too complicated.  The material we ordered for the sword showed up today so I have not yet tried that but it seems much less complicated so should be easy I think to make.

Sword Pattern 

Shield Pattern 

(Tanya laughed at me Shield is spelled wrong on our pattern, So no laughing.  No I mean it No Laughing.)

Here is a mock up of the quilt.  We have bought material just nee help advice so we can make the quilt.  If any of you have experience in paper piecing we could use your help.

If any one is interested in trying to make either of the swords or shields I was thinking I could collect donation blocks and make a quilt (assuming I get enough blocks) for the Autism School that Jared goes too (and James went too) for their auction in March.  If your interested in making one or more blocks to donate  let me know.  If you just want to make one and send us a picture that would be great too (with any suggestions to improve pattern if you have any)

So any way this is my Quilting Challenge if any one wants to take me up on it?

Here is a list of all those that have contacted me with completed blocks.
Fun Threads Designs Sword and Shield Completed