A Modern Gift

I thoroughly enjoyed making this modern quilt for the Free Motion Quilt Along.  I loved the random piecing on front and back, and I really enjoyed randomly quilting the design lines that determined the quilting sections.  It was rather liberating not to have to make anything exact.

It's time again for 100 Quilts for Kids, and I had originally pulled different fabric for this project, but since I didn't have anyone particular in mind for this quilt I've decided to donate it to the cause.  My husband is a Pediatric Resident, so he will be finding a child at his hospital this week to give the quilt to that he thinks is a good match for the quilt. 

The Treble clef background makes it perfect for someone who loves music.  I am giving this quilt as part of 100 Quilts for Kids to one of his patients in hopes that it brightens their day and makes their stay at the hospital a little more cozy.

 Here's the back of the quilt:

This was part of my 3rd quarter goals for the Finish Along - original goals found here.

Postage Stamps

The July block for do.Good Stitches is the Postage Stamp.  We needed to make 8 blocks using bright scraps from our stashes.

We used this tutorial.  I have to say I have new found respect for people that make entire quilts of these.  It would take forever to get all of the patches done.  It would be a little too tedious for me, but I think those quilts look fabulous.  I'll be excited to see how our group's quilt comes together.

Friday Night Quilting

Last night's Sew-In was most productive - I love when that happens!  I needed to catch up on my Modern quilt.  I got the back completed (also made haphazardly like the front using my left over fabric for the front).  I didn't even square since it was plenty big.

I spent the night quilting it.  I divided it into sections - using completely organic lines.  I decided not to plan it out beforehand since all of the rest of it has been random so far.  Each section was filled with one of the 5 stitches we've been doing with the Free Motion Quilting Project so far: Stippling, Sharp Stippling, Zig Zag, Circuit Board, and Loopy Lines.

 You can see four of the designs on the picture above.  I am really happy because I liked zig zag a lot more this time around, and even though I'm not a huge sharp stipling fan, I thought it was a lot more doable as well.

I got the entire thing quilted last night, so I'm thrilled to be almost completely caught up. (These last 2 pictures are from the back of the quilt).

Some Progress to Report

It's been several weeks since I have participated in WIP Wednesday and The Free Motion Quilting Project, but I have a little to show this week. 

1- Modern Quilt:  I'm a couple of weeks behind on this project, because of vacation, but I quickly got the quilt top finished yesterday and I really like it.  This is my first time doing this type of quilt and I found it quite enjoyable.  It's liberating to actually try to not line things up.

2- The rest of the week was spent making blocks.  I'm thrilled that all of my Skill Builder blocks are now done.  I haven't decided how I'm going to put them the last of them together yet.  I'm still thinking about it.

Other projects
Christmas blocks - no progress
Halloween Wall Hanging- no progress

Blogger BOM - Up to date

Do.Good Stitches - Need to make 8 postage stamp blocks

Stats for the Week:
New projects - 1
Completed projects - 0
WIP- 6

3rd Quarter Goals

Well, it's already that time again.  It's time to state my goals for the 2012 Finish Along.  I have gotten 3 of 4 done both quarters so far, so I'm wondering if I just say 3 quilts I'll actually complete them all this time around.

1- First on the list is my Modern Quilt.  I am seriously behind on the quilt along- As you can see, it is currently on my ironing board still in chain form.  It's my top priority for finishing.

2- It's time to finish up the 3rd and last quilt from the Skill Builder Sampler.  Here are the 12 blocks that need to be put together.

3- And last but not least - my poor Christmas quilt.  It's been on my list every quarter so far and has yet to even be touched.  In fact, this picture is from the 1st quarter goal list. Tee hee.  I'm feeling a bit sheepish about this one.  I WILL have some progress done on this by next quarter (hopefully finished) or I'm really going to have to do penance - no ice cream for a month or something of that sort.

Plugging Away

My goal for One Thing, One Week Challenge was to get partially caught up by finishing the 3 blocks from June that I still needed to do.  2 of the blocks were pretty involved, so I'm thrilled to have accomplished this goal with a couple days to spare.

Skill Builder #36 (and final block)- Butterfly:

I asked my husband what he thought and he said, "Oh cute" (pause) "It's a butterfly, isn't it?"  Uh ya.  He said to me, "Oh good.  I was afraid you were going to say it was supposed to be a Stealth Bomber or something."  Tee hee.  Maybe I can make a hexie Battle Cruiser to match.  Gotta love it.

Here are the other 2 blocks (full post here):

June Bloggers BOM

SBS #35- Feathered Star

I'm also linking up to BOMs Away.  Check out the other fun blocks people are making.

Last Day of the Stuetz Ladies Adventure

Our last stop on our way home was Portland, ME.  It's a beautiful city.  I really loved it.  I told Joel I'd be perfectly happy if he got a job in Portland, but the Children's Hospital is pretty small since it's so close to Boston.  Aw well - it was just a thought.

We went down to the wharf, and I had dinner to-go from the Portland Lobster Company.  It was voted the best seafood in Portland, and I can totally see why.  My lobster roll was quite tasty.  The picture above is the view from the restaurant.  It's right on the docks.

We went on a boat tour of the lighthouses at dusk.  After being around the water all week long it was about high time we were actually on it. 

We got a tour of all the islands around Portland.  I couldn't believe how many people actually live on them throughout the year and transit by boat.  There's an island for sale if anyone's in the market.  It's going for a cool 4.5-4.8 million dollars.  Alas, that's quite a bit out of my price range. :)

Christina was slightly cranky - too much time with the same people for too many days. :) By this point we were all ready to be home, but the boat tour was very beautiful and relaxing. 

Portland Head Light House

The building to the right of the church below is the tallest building in Portland - a whopping 17 stories.  Love it.  The sunset was gorgeous.

On our way home we made a detour, so my sister could set foot in Rhode Island.  She's now been to 47 of 50 states.  For fun I counted how many I've been to and I'm at an even 40 of 50.  I'm missing a bunch of states in the deep South and a couple other random ones. 

It was a good trip full of all kinds of really cool places, but I was more than ready to be home.  I missed my babies (hubby included) pretty badly by the end.  I was really excited to see them.

Traveling further East

After our stint in PEI we headed back South and further East to Nova Scotia.  Our first journey was to Peggy's Cove.  It is the most visited Fisherman's village in all of Canada.  The village in of itself is cute and quaint, but the stunning part of Peggy's cove is the rock formations all around the lighthouse.

Lobster cages

 This was Christina's heaven because all week she's wanted to climb rocks.  You can see my mom and sister in the distance.  I just enjoyed sitting on a rock and watching everyone around me.  It was relaxing.

After Peggy's Cove we headed to Halifax.  I really liked this city.  We visited the Citadel.

Most of the Citadel is geared toward reenacting the War of 1812.  The most fascinating thing to me was listening to the Canadian army propaganda.   I've grown up listening to American propaganda, so it was fun hearing a different country's view point.  Technically speaking, we were on opposite sides of the war back then.  I will say - they definitely had better uniforms than us.

 The view outside of the citadel is a little more modern now, but still beautiful.



Mom's signing up for the British army. :)









They had a school room in the Citadel for the soldiers.  It was one of the benefits of enlisting - an education-  literacy in one of the most unexpected places.

We also visited the LDS Temple in Halifax.  I love finding the temple wherever we're visiting.  While there a guy working on the temple grounds told us about some good local eats - Donairs.  They're a popular sandwich from Halifax.  Here's a recipe for them.  It was one of my favorite things that I ate the entire trip.  Yum.  I think I'm going to have to try to make them.