Progress over the weekend

Got the baby quilt that was to have been a commission fused onto the background (fabric was prepped when it was cancelled).
Satin-stitching around the appliques has not been done yet because with over 200 spools of blue thread, I don't have the right shade of blue for the whales........argh.......lol.....

This one will be listed for sale either on ebay or etsy as to be completed (quilted) after personalization (first name) has been added.  Hopefully it will sell quickly.   Name will be added in white once it sells.  Today though I need to stop and get thread to match the two blues in the whales because out of 200+ spools of blue thread at home I don't have a matching color.  =(







Next up was working on the military bears.   I completed the Navy bear, but am not completely happy with the way it looks, so I will be tweaking his face so that it looks better.   (His muzzle is too big in my view.)

Next up are the blocks for the Air Force and the Coast Guard.

And after all of that is done I might redo the army bear, because of the way he is saluting.   Technically saluting with the left hand is ok, but it is not the norm.  So I may reverse the pattern to where he is saluting with his right hand which is the proper way to do it.

Did get the four setting blocks completed.  And everything is pinned to my design wall.

The blocks were an exercise in frustration because my math was wonky......12" divided by 4 is not 4".....lol....First pass at them I ended up trying to make 16" finished blocks to match up with 12" blocks.   Trust me - that does not work out well!

Not only did I have to do a bit of frog-stitching and tweaking the design for the blocks so that I did not have to make more blocks, but I also  ended up with too many blocks/block sections because I did not count properly....ooops.  Oh well, at least I had enough fabric. 

The extra block sections are earmarked for a pieced border for the quilt that I'm pondering on.

Gratitudes:
1. Payday will eventually get here......maybe
2. For finding a pair of like-new jeans in a thrift store that are a perfect fit (except for the length) for only $3!

More Realistic setting samples

Decided to up the realism factor in my test layouts to decide what I might like the best by using pics of the blocks I have completed in the layout.

Second layout uses the same alternate block as #3, but has the direction it is turned rotated 180 degrees. 

After doing these, I'm leaning towards #2 for my finished sample quilt, followed by #1.   Now to make a decision.

Gratitudes:
1. For all of the blessings ..... and frustrations .... that I have in my life.

2. For the weather starting to cool off, finally.

More Setting Choices

More options for the alternating blocks to go with the military bears.

Both are simple blocks, thereby allowing the bears to take center stage.

I'm leaning towards one of these with a calmer palette of colors.  Probably with a darker blue than the background and maybe gold in addition.

I kind of like the bottom one the best, and might play with the blocks a bit before making a final decision.  The thing that is a wee bit nerve-wracking with it for me it that there is a lot of open space for quilting and that is not my strength.  Decisions, decisions, decisions.....

What do you think?

No matter which I pick for my blocks, I'll most likely give the possibility of several layouts in the pattern so that anyone who buys it can make their own choice in how to set it.



Gratitudes:
1. Making progress on last minute assignment at work today

2. Weather might be cooling down by the weekend

Tuesday Finishes

Finished putting the commissioned Teddy Bear quilt top.  I've got it laid out on top of my queen-sized bed.  It is 84" square. 

Next step is to pull backing fabric for it and get that sewn together.

I also finished sewing down the binding on this quilt.  Just need to get pics done of the back and then I can get it listed for sale.

Next up - cutting enough 2.5" squares in assorted grey fabrics for the next planned scrappy quilt.  Have enough black and WOW pulled for the quilt.  Also need to check the chart again and see if I need a background fabric or not.  Will be using a free cross-stitch chart for this quilt.



Gratitudes:
1. Latest bone graft seems to be healing ok....but won't get implant until about the middle of December...sigh

2. Ear isn't hurting today!

Layout Possibilities

I still have 3 more of the military bears to draw up and make, but have been thinking about layout possibilities for them. 

My current plan is to not only do individual block patterns for the 5 designs, but also to do at least one layout from them.  And have been "doodling" on the computer thinking through designs for the layout.  So far I've come up with two possibilities, I'm not sold on either one.   

The solid squares would be where the bear blocks are.   The light blue is similar in shade to the fabric I'm using for the background of the block samples.   I plan to also use it for the background of the setting blocks.

Of the two, I think I like the stars better, but am not sure of the colors......

What do you think?   Any ideas?

Gratitudes:
1. Dentist appt this afternoon getting stitches out and next appt scheduled = progress, hopefully

2. Bears commissioned quilt is almost together

Weekend doings

Progress this weekend included finishing up three new teddy bear blocks.   All of them will be new patterns, the two military ones though will not only have individual patterns but also one or more quilt patterns containing all of the blocks.

The first military block is Clark, and he is in the Army.













The second of five planned military blocks, is Jerry and he is in the Marines.   Still to come is the Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force.




















The final Teddy bear block for this weekend is Sherry.   She out walking one of her dogs, and is looking good in her tunic and leggings.   She's sporting a new purse and a stylish headband.

 The final thing I've made progress on this weekend was getting the top 3 rows sewn together for this commissioned quilt.   And I've already got a quilting plan in mind for the quilt.....woohoo.   that is where I usually struggle.

Gratitudes:
1.  Fall is here even if the temps are still saying summertime.

2. The bills are paid!