A few more DJ blocks

Even though these were completed back in June, they've not yet been revealed here and each one of these babies is a gem, so I don't want to leave any out!

This first one was a real bugger, but only because the pieces were sooo small! This cutie is M-4, called Stepping Stones, has 49 pieces (in a 4.5 inch block...really) and was mostly paper pieced. Now that it's done, I think it's pretty cute and I'm so glad I don't have to make it again! Even at a normal size like 10", this would still have a lot of little pieces! Can you imagine making a quilt out of this???

 This one is M-9, Fan Dance has 28 pieces and was paper pieced. I think it would be cuter with more contrast, but it's done!

 I really like this next one a lot! It is M-8, Enchanted Square, has 31 pieces and was paper pieced.

Here are a couple of peaks at The Quilt. This one is taken as I was machining the binding on. Let me tell you, nothing goes quickly with this quilt. You just have to take your time! You can see a little bit of what an absolutely wonderful job Sue did quilting her! I think this part of the process took 2-3 hours.

And here's a teaser of the back....Isn't it the most wonderful quilt? I can't believe it's mine. Even more, I can't believe I am actually about to finish it!

 

Boy, there were times when I really wasn't sure this was ever going to be finished. At least not by me. I remember when I was first diagnosed with cancer, going down to my sewing room and staring at this quilt and wondering a) would there be enough time for me to finish this quilt, b) if my time was that short, did I really want to spend it in my sewing room quilting anyway (certainly there were more important things to be doing and people to be with!), c) if I wasn't going to get it done, who should I be leaving it to that would be blessed, not burdened by it. Oh boy, thank God, thank.the.Dear. Lord. He spared me. And the least of reasons was for this quilt. But when you tackle a long term project like this, I hope you can see that it is a measure for (of?) your life to some degree. As you are plodding through the process, you are also marking times of your life. Okay, well, I'm glad I've made this quilt and I'm equally glad the process is almost over! If tacking down this binding continues at the current pace, it will be done in about 6 hours. Really.

Think there's only 2 or 3 more blocks I haven't yet shared, but will do that soon!

It's Autumn!

Oh how I love Fall! The colors and crispness in the air, sweaters, and is it me, or is there a smell that comes with Fall? I think there is! I mentioned something in my last post, but wanted to spend a bit more time on it.... My little friendship quilt group has just started a mystery quilt designed by one of our own. She is also posting it on her blog so that you, too, can join in on the fun! How cool is that? This quilt has a definite Autumn feel, so it's the perfect time to start! Here is my version of the first month's work...

The colors are completely wrong in this photo as those leaves are really green, but you get the idea anyway! Once you visit Rana's site, be sure to pick up a copy of her BOM button and add it to your blog! It will be so fun to have you along!

Now, here's a little picture of the front porch which is starting to transition into Fall itself!

 While we're at it, say goodbye to those taupy-tan walls, because they are about to start turning yellow! And with any luck, by next weekend the front door will be a dark blue! Perfect!

Until next time!
Melanie

Catching Up

I've been away from this blog so very much that I'm not sure it makes sense to keep going. However, I'm going to give it one more go and we'll see what happens. So, as you may know, this blog has been mostly dedicated to the making and sharing of my own Baby Jane along with other projects the come along the way. (DJ had quite a way of crowding out other projects!) The big news is that I finished my blocks and triangles for DJ around the middle or end of June and had the top together by the second week of July.

 I need to edit the trash can out of that photo! Couldn't bear to part with it for a while so it must have taken me a good 2 weeks to get the outer muslin border on and the scallops marked. Finally I was able to part with her and send her off to be quilted in Utah at Sue's. I mailed her on a Saturday and she was there by Monday....amazing! Sue is a very talented quilter and I would highly recommend her! She is organized, professional and caring along with being a great quilter! I will show some photos of her quilting next time. For now, I am trying to sew the binding on by machine, which is really quite a job!
At this point I need to stop and make sure I like the way it will look when finished. As usual, this is something I should have done long ago before I got 2/3 of it on! Hopefully, I will be lucky and it will look acceptable, but the way I sew, it wouldn't surprise me if things needed to be redone. Seems like I rip out half of what I sew!

At any rate, it feels so good to have this baby almost done. Since shipping her off to be quilted, I've managed to squeek out a couple of other UFOs. My UFOs would be a great future topic here especially because I blame several of them on my BFF!

I never did finish showing the last dozen or so of my blocks as I was so intent on getting them done. So here are a few of them and I will follow with more soon! This first one is L-12, Sally's Pride, has teeny tiny paper pieced pieces totalling 27 (includes a bit of applique, as usual).

This next one is L-13, Harvest Moon, has 12 pieces and was mostly appliqued.

Finally for tonight is  M-2, Duff's Buff, has 21 pieces and was paper pieced!

Before I close, let me just invite you to join a wonderful Fall BOM mystery quilt that my BFF has designed for our quilt group! You can find it over here

 It's getting late for me, so I will try to continue to get caught up in the near future!