WIP Wednesday

It's been 3 weeks since I've posted...life has been busy!!!  First off, my daughter started Kindergarten.

Ignore the self-imposed haircut she gave herself.  We are hoping for her hair to grow quickly before school pictures!

My first born is off to school and I'm still wondering where the time went.  We've had lots of meetings/events already with this new school year.  Our daily routine has also changed quite a bit to adjust to my daughter starting school.  I'm now at the gym at 5am to workout since I don't really have time in the evenings anymore.  My late night sewing has disappeared...I'm so tired!  I'm hoping I adjust soon and find time to sew more consistently again.  If not, well...I don't want to imagine that.

I have also finished the back (sort of) for my HST baby quilt.

Unfortunately, the back is not quite wide enough to comfortably baste and quilt it, so I'm going to be adding a strip of navy vertically.  The fabric is just placed on top of the back on my design wall.  I wanted to get a feel for what it may look like and I really like it.  I'll be adding this strip tonight...I hope.

I also started cutting the fabric for another baby quilt using the Tennessee Traveler pattern.  I've lost a bit of motivation when it comes to the 2 1/2" white squares, but I'm determined to get them cut before this weekend so I can start sewing them on.

I also got a wonderful package in the mail yesterday...my business cards!

Here's the back of the card.  I won't show the front since it has more personal information, but I'm really pleased with how they turned out.  It will be nice to be able to hand these out to potential clients/friends.

WIP Wednesday

I have finally finished my HSTs...all 324 of them!

I've decided that I'm not going to be putting this on the back of my X-Plus quilt.  Instead, I'm going to be turning this into a baby quilt to donate to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital.  Our local MQG is going to collect some quilts to take over and present to some special little patients.

I attached a border to frame out the HSTs.  This muted aqua color from my fabric stash seems to blend in well with all the blues/aquas/greens in the quilt.  I think this will be a perfect quilt for a little boy, don't you?

I've also come along on my EPP.  I'll be attaching the last three columns this week and then I'll start quilting it to some batting to create the front panel of a new sewing machine cover.  I'll be assembling this cover just like my other sewing machine cover.

The back panel is still being formulated in my mind.  I'll keep you posted on it.

Other things on my list for this week are piecing the back for the Quilt of Valor our local MQG is putting together and cutting the fabric for a baby quilt I'm making for a friend.  For the Quilt of Valor, each guild member made a few blocks for the quilt.  Katelyn over at Sing While Crafting assembled the quilt top.  I'm creating the back and will be basting it.  Kelly at My Quilt Infatuation will be quilting and binding it.  It's a wonderful group effort.

Lava Lamp Quilt

This quilt has been fun to put together.  I've had a layered cake of Simply Color in my fabric cabinet for what seems like ages and I'm really glad I finally put it to good use.

The city of Memphis recently finished this bicycle archway for the bicycle trails throughout the city, and I new this would be the perfect location to take pictures with this fabric collection.  I didn't take into consideration just how tall it was, or how close an extremely busy road was to it.  It was difficult getting a good picture and this was the best one.

I liked being able to create the columns by color.  I was a bit disappointed there wasn't enough pink to create it's own, but then the splash of pink throughout adds a bit of a modern flare.   

This is also the first time I did free-motion quilting on a quilt.  It's nothing fancy, but it was a big leap for me.  I'm looking forward to growing in this area.

I found this print at Joann's for the back.  It's a fun design and it brings in most of the colors from the front.  My son was also playing peek-a-boo with me from behind the quilt trying to make me laugh while I was taking pictures.  He's such a goofy kid.

I finished off the quilt with an aqua binding which tied in both sides of the quilt.

Works in Progress

I have a finish that I've been dying to share with you, but I haven't been able to set time aside to take pictures of the quilt yet.  Hopefully, that will happen today...keep your fingers crossed.  In the mean time, here are the current projects I'm working on.

I've started working on the back to my X-Plus quilt using the scraps left over from the top.  I'm currently sewing together all the corner trimmings creating HSTs. 

They measure 2 1/2" after being trimmed.  I'm allowing randomness to prevail in my assembly of these HSTs and I'm really liking the results.  Once I finish sewing these together, the rest of the back should come together quickly.

I've also been working on some EPP to created the front panel of my new sewing machine cover.  I finished one cover already, but my second machine is getting a bit jealous.

This project is a bit slow going, but it's an excellent project when I'm away from my machine.

I also had the privilege to attend a wedding last weekend for the lovely couple who received the wedding quilt I finished a few weeks back.  It was a beautiful ceremony and reception.  I even got my husband of 9 years to dance with me for more than one song...a first in our marriage.  :)

I've also gotten to snuggle with the beautiful daughter my best friend just adopted.  Here is a sweet picture of her new baby.

 She's already snuggling with her new quilt, which makes me smile.

2014 New Quilt Blogger Blog Hop: Week 4

Week 4 of the 2014 Blog Hop for New Modern Quilt Bloggers hosted by Beth over at Plum and June is upon us.  Please go and check out all the wonderful new bloggers this year.  The featured bloggers for this week are:

• Serena @ Sew Giving
• Deborah @ Sunshine Through The Rain
• Jane @ Where Jane Creates
• Jennifer @ A Quarter Inch From The Edge
• Carla @ Granny Maud's Girl
• Jenny @ Jack's Room
• Sharon @ Color Girl Quilts
• Carmit @ Quilting Rainbows
• Jehn @ Jehnny And The Boys
• Elli @ Lovelli Quilts
• Sharon @ Motherdragon's Musings
• Cynthia @ Cynthia's Creating Ark
• Sally @ Wonky Patchwork
• Bee @ Pink Almond Quilt
• Debbie @ Quilting Makes My Heart Sing
• Leanne @ Devoted Quilter
• Karen @  Capitola Quilter
• Marcie @ Marcie's Quilt Therapy
• Jane @ Jersey Jane Quilts

Let's Get Aquainted - Blog Hop

Today is my day on Plum & June’s New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop!

My name is Janet and I live in Memphis, TN.  I'm originally from Texas (Hook'em Horns!) and will always be a Texan at heart, but I've come to love my new home in Tennessee.  My husband and I have 2 beautiful children.  My daughter is getting ready to start kindergarten in just a few weeks and my son is hopefully moving past the trying 3's.  We can only hope!

Picture taken by BluOrchid Photography

I work full-time as a database administrator and I quilt whenever I have a spare moment.   I started quilting in 2011 and you can see the story behind my meager beginnings on my very first post, "The Journey Begins."  Quilting is a part of my heritage and I'm carrying on the tradition with a more modern twist. I started this blog in May of 2013 as a way to document my quilts and share with others.  This blog has become a wonderful gateway into the wonderful world of modern quilting and I just can't get enough of it.

I converted my dining room into my sewing space and it is such a huge blessing.  I sew on an inherited Bernina 1030 given to me by my grandmother and a Juki TL2010Q.  These two machines make creating so much fun.

Enough about me; here are some of my favorite quilts that I've made.

Favorite Quilts from 2014:

(1) Wonky Stars  (2) Starburst  (3) Spiral Swoon  (4) Twisted Path

I also have a tutorial for the Twisted Path quilt available on my Tutorial Page.

Favorite Quilts from Past Years:

(1) Arkansas Traveler   (2) Modern Lone Star   (3) Plus One   (4)  Modern Herringbone

Favorite Quilts with Hand-Applique:

(1) Simply Giraffe  (2) Batman  (3) Texas Threads  (4) Petals

I have a love for hand-applique.  I feel like I have a bit more freedom in my design this way, and it's a great way to personalize a quilt.

You can check out more of my finished quilts here.

Simply Pieced Quick Facts:

1. Name: Janet
2. Sign: Capricorn
3. Education:  University of Texas - B.S. in Kinesiology
4. Myers-Briggs:  ISTJ - The Inspector
5. Began Quilting: 2011
6. Blogging Tip:  Join in Link Parties!  It's a great way to meet new people and see great works.
7. Quilting/Sewing Tip:  Take care of your sewing machine.  It will help eliminate lots of problems in your sewing in the long run.
8. Favorite Vacation Spot:  Anywhere with a beach, a lounge chair, a fruity drink, and a good book - preferably with sunblock and no children.
9. Favorite Books:  Pride and Prejudice; Harry Potter series
10. Favorite Movie:  Refer to books
11. Favorite TV Show:  Brothers and Sisters - I miss them...
12. Favorite Bands:  Coldplay, Civil Wars, Guster, Barenaked Ladies
13. Favorite Flower: Tulip
14. Favorite Candy: Chocolate and Caramel - preferably together
15. Favorite Companion While Quilting:  Netflix - I couldn't survive without it.
16. Favorite Thing About Quilts:  Snuggling under a freshly washed quilt with someone I love.

Now that you've gotten to know me a bit better, what are some quick facts about you?  

2014 New Quilt Blogger Blog Hop - Week 3:

Thanks so much for stopping by! Please be sure to check out all the other bloggers in this week’s blog hop:

• Shauna @ Shauna's World
• Pam @ Sewing Wilde
• Wendy @ Wendy's Quilts and More
• Jan @ The Colorful Fabriholic
• Carole @ From My Carolina Home
• Lin @ Lin's Quilts
• Helga @ Green Mill Vintage
• Kate @ Thread Everywhere
• Cheryl @ Texas Quilting Gal 
• Jenn @ Sew Crafty Jenn
• Heather @ Bobbins and Bullets 
• Cornelia @ Pieced With Love XOXO 

Quarter 3 Preview

Folks, I have a busy quarter ahead of me!  Here's a quick preview of what's in store.

Lava Lamp Quilt:

This one is almost finished and I'll be sharing it soon!

Vintage Restoration:

I've been given the privilege of taking this antique quilt top and turning it into a functional quilt.  The back will be a solid navy and I'll be hand-quilting this quilt.  It's ready to baste and I should get the quilting underway in a couple days.  I'll be sharing progress photos as I go, but I expect this to take me a while.

Tennessee Traveler Baby Quilt:

I'm using Riley Blake's Kensington collection plus some coordinating fabrics from my stash to create a Tennessee Traveler Baby Quilt for a friend of mine.  The baby is due in August, so I need to get started on this one.

Son's Birthday Quilt:

I'll be creating a plus-block quilt using Velocity by Jessica Hogarth for my son.  He's been eagerly anticipating his quilt ever since is sister received one for her birthday. 

In-Law's Christmas Quilt:

The fabric for this quilt has been on my shelf for a long time.  We are heading to the In-Laws for the holidays, so it's time to start getting this one underway.  I'll be Using the Prism pattern from Fresh Lemons to create this quilt.  My goal is to have the top completed by the end of the quarter.

Celtic Cross Quilt:

I'll be using my Celtic Cross Tutorial to create a large lap quilt using Anna Maria Horner's Dowry's Collection.  My goal is to have the quilt top completed by the end of the quarter.

X-Plus Quilt:

I made this quilt top on a whim last quarter between projects.  I need to piece the back using the scraps from the front before I can start quilting.  This one doesn't have a deadline, so I'll be working on this one if I have some spare time. (Hahahaha...spare time...)

Sewing Machine Cover:

I finished my first of two sewing machine covers last quarter and now it's time to complete the second one.  For this cover, I'm diving into the world of English Paper Piecing.  I've enjoyed making my hexies so far, but I'm not done yet.  This will be a great project to take with me when I'm on the go.

I have so many projects to look forward to this quarter.  I'm going to be pretty busy so wish me luck!