Super Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

A long time ago one of my quilts won a ribbon at the Marin Needlearts Guild show. That is probably the best prize I have ever gotten. I feel like that prize came from a real quilt show and the quilt did deserve to win.

Still winning at the San Mateo County Fair is pretty great, too. I did win at the Fair. I entered 3 items: two quilts and a pillow. I did not expect the quilts to win, because the ‘made by one/pro quilted’ category is really impacted. I did expect to win with the pillow based on SIL2’s analysis of the best categories to enter to get a prize.

Aqua-Red Sampler with prize
Aqua-Red Sampler with prize

First, the Aqua-Red Sampler Quilt got First place. As you know, I made these blocks in one of my sampler quilt classes. I am pretty pleased that this won. The two color scheme has an impact. Also, Colleen did spectacular quilting and the quilting shows. Definitely click on the image so you can see the detail of the quilting. I am really happy that the judges were able to appreciate this quilt. I think it looks a little modern, but I didn’t dare enter it in that category.

Under the Sea Embellished pillow
Under the Sea Embellished pillow

Second, despite reports to the contrary Under the Sea did win a prize. It won Third Place, which is fine. I am pleased that it won at all, because it was so much work and took so many years to finish. I could have gone on stitching, but this category gave me a deadline and finishing this piece got one more hand project off my list.

Metroscape with ribbon
Metroscape with ribbon

Finally, Metroscape won. WOW! This was a huge surprise. I did enter it into the Modern category in hopes of giving it a better chance, but I really didn’t expect anything. There it was hanging with a Second Place ribbon on it.

I enter quilts because I make them and want people to see them. I didn’t, as I said, expect to win. I don’t know what prizes I will get, but I know I will get a prize for each winner.

3 entries -> 3 prizes. Pretty amazing.

 

Finished: Metroscape

Metroscape - finished
Metroscape – finished

I finished Metroscape a few weeks ago. I didn’t post it sooner because I just had the chance to snap a photo before I took it to guild last week.

I am still pleased with it and was encouraged to enter it into the fair, which means adding a rod pocket. I don’t have much else to add so I just might. It will, at least, impress a few people because of the curves. The machine quilted category is a tough one, but with the curves and the bold fabrics, this one might have a chance to win.

Metroscape back - finished
Metroscape back – finished

What this quilt makes me think about now is what to do next with the Quick Curve Rulers.

Metroscape Returns

As I mentioned yesterday, I dropped a quilt off to be quilted. I don’t normally just go to Colleen’s to drop off a quilt. I try to take two or more at a time. As it happens, two were ready for me to pick up and Metroscape was one of them.

Metroscape quilted, reading for binding
Metroscape quilted, reading for binding

I am pleased that it is nearly finished. Colleen machine stitched the binding on for me as usual, but I will hand stitch the rest.

Metroscape back- quilted and ready for binding
Metroscape back- quilted and ready for binding

The back is kind of fun. I know I didn’t think much of it when I made it, but it has grown on me.

Progress!

MetroScape Back

MetroScape Back
MetroScape Back

Sewing the back is my least favorite part of the quiltmaking process. Quilting doesn’t count since I usually don’t do it. This particular back took longer than expected, because I prepared all the fabric twice.

I decided to use the stripes for the back because I hadn’t used much of them on the front.  I proceeded to cut up the dot fabrics for the back.

Huh?

Nope, not a typo. I did the exact opposite of what I intended. I don’t know what I was thinking.

It didn’t really matter, so I took down all the dots and started again. I had made the binding in advance so I could use all of the stripes I wanted as long as I could deal with the diagonal cut out of the yardage for the binding.

As you can see from the photo, I was able to make a back. It seems a little darker than I intended, but it could just be the contrast of the white from the front.

MetroScape Back

MetroScape back in process
MetroScape back in process

I stole a few minutes from a very busy weekend to sew. I need to finish the MetroScape back and binding before Thursday. I am taking quilts to Colleen to be quilted. She is finally feeling better and able to quilt a bit again, so I can pick up the Stepping Stones #2 as well.

I decided, after I cut up all the dot prints, that I hadn’t used many of the stripes on the front, so I would use them on the back. I spent a lot of Saturday evening recovering the stripes from making the binding. They all of have a big diagonal strip cut off the length.

The binding is finished, which is always a relief. I have enough fabric for the back. I just have to make it work. Right now my issue is what to put in between the three horizontal lines of fabric.

MetroScape Top Complete

I came home from my trip on Sunday evening. It was actually the second trip in a week, but I was only home for about 12 hours between trips and much of that was spent sleeping, so I hadn’t done any sewing for over 10 days except some EPP in the car.

MetroScape Top - complete
MetroScape Top – complete

Monday was a holiday and DH was home. I had to do some work, but I pretended for most of the day that it was Sunday. I chatted with my mom on the phone while I ironed a ton of fabric. I also worked on some donation blocks and put the MetroScape top together.

Yep. All those blocks are now a top! I am really pleased with the way it looks. I am just trying to decide about a border. I like I like it as is, but we will see.

Metroscape Block n.12

MetroScape block n.12
MetroScape block n.12

I am back from 4 trips in 4 weeks. I am hoping I can can get to know my husband again, get back on schedule and get life back to normal. I have finished the last Metroscape block and am ready to start making a quilt top.

Actually, I am ready to do a whole bunch of sewing.

This block is my least favorite. The blue and red, especially the blue don’t see to go with the other blocks. I had 12 different dots and I didn’t want to repeat any, so I used it. We will see how I like it when I put all the blocks on the design wall together.

MetroScape Block n.11

MetroScape block n.11
MetroScape block n.11

I finished another MetroScape block. This is the second to last one and I should be able to get a start on putting the quilt together soon.

I didn’t cut my regular Hunting and Gathering pieces, because I was afraid I wouldn’t have enough fabric for the blocks.  I am pleased that I have plenty and will be cutting the pieces I need for various other projects soon.

Metro Scape Block n.8

MetroScape Block n.8
MetroScape Block n.8

I finished another block over the weekend. I like the foreground fabric. That light green (sage or light aqua??) is really nice and unusual.

I have 8 of these now and cut the rest of the foregrounds, so I could spread out the colors. I have enough of the dots so that each foreground will be unique unless I decide to make extra blocks. We’ll see how large I want this quilt to be.

MetroScape Block n.5

MetroScape Block n.5
MetroScape Block n.5

As mentioned, I spent a lot of time Saturday afternoon and evening working on the Ends n.6 donation top and back. Before I got to work on that project. I finished the MetroScape block n.5.

I had done most of the work last week, but hadn’t quite has the time to finish.

I am pleased with the way it came out and am liking the look of the Quick Curve Ruler pieces more and more.

While at PIQF, we talked to the Elkhorn Quilt Company lady about the mini Quick Curve Ruler. Apparently, Sew Kind of Wonderful has come out with a new book using the the mini Quick Curve Ruler with a lot of new designs. Julie was attracted to a pumpkin wall quilt pattern, so she bought the pattern and the ruler. FYI, Sew Kind of Wonderful has a free pattern for a pumpkin tablerunner, if those kind of decorations interest you.

MetroScape Block n.4

MetroScape Block 4
MetroScape Block 4

It might seem unbelievably boring to see each of these blocks as I put them together. However, they make me so happy that I can’t help sharing.

I am particularly happy with this block. I started out with a cool center, which I love. Adding the dot fabric, which I thought would be warm, fits perfectly. It takes on a warm cast, I think.

I also counted up the dots I have and found 11. That is one short of those needed for the number of blocks in the pattern. I don’t mind repeating one, but I may make more blocks, which means I will have to repeat others. Stay tuned.

MetroScape Block n.2

MetroScape Block n.2
MetroScape Block n.2

I should have started a new project sooner then I wouldn’t have felt so bad. I started on the next block and I really like it.

I’m still sticking to dots in the outer section of the block. I haven’t decided if I will try the stripes. The thought of matching stripes makes me a bit crazy.

MetroScape block 2 in process
MetroScape block 2 in process

I worked on this block at the retreat, too, and made good progress. Having a nice piecing project to work on is awesome.

MetroScape Block n.2
MetroScape Block n.2

I did finish the block yesterday and am pleased with the way it came out.

MetroScape Block 1

MetroScape Block 1
MetroScape Block 1

I finished the block and it was very satisfying. I really needed a piecing project.

I also like how cheerful this block is. Those giant dots are great.

I used some Philip Jacobs fabric in the centers of the corners because why not?

One excellent thing about this pattern is that the directions say to trim certain parts. This means that the sections go together really well!

I already started working on the next block!