#57 MQG Fabric Challenge Complete!!

I had just joined the Modern Quilt Guild when this challenge was introduced. I've only been quilting for the last 3 years and blogging for a little less than that, but thought it sounded like something fun to do to challenge myself. So I jumped right in, signed up, and decided to design my own wall hanging!! I've been posting pictures to Instagram as I've completed certain stages and the last post I said I still had some add-ons left. Well for all of you who were wondering what that could be....... here it is!!
I embroidered on the stems and found the cutest buttons to add, lady bugs and bubble bees! Why not, it is a garden after all, and they just add some texture and whimsy to the project!! The quilt was completed with the  Michael Miller Fabrics along with some Kona Solids, and  I used all the scraps to make the binding. The wall hanging finished at approximately 63" long by 25" high. The drop heart quilt pattern just seemed like the perfect pattern to choose for the quilting.

#54 Great Opportunity.........I'm so flattered

So I have been taking it easy and not much has been happening in the UpstairHobbyRoom, as I have been fighting some kind of stomach bug.... :(  But fingers crossed I am on the mend!!

Before the flu hit I had started to work on my MQG fabric challenge by Michael Miller!! Love the fabric line and the fabrics are so soft. My daughter was over and checking out the latest goings on, and made the same comment, adding they would be great in a baby quilt!! So true, just for the texture, but I think this line would make a great modern baby quilt.
I've designed a wall hanging that will go on the blank wall behind my long arm.

Sorry for the quality of the pictures, its the full width of my design wall and I was having problems capturing a picture well. I am designing this as I sew, probably not the best plan, but I am new at this and it's a fairly simple design!! And surprise of all to me my quilt math went very well. I changed the border of the last picture, wasn't really loving the yellow down the sides. The sides are now white and I can't wait to get this quilted and hanging on my wall.!! 

I did manage to get in some online shopping, first  for the Modern InstaBee I am in! Our July block is with Carnaby!! I was having the hardest time finding it and then Sew Sister's email came and there it was and on sale, whoop whoop!! So after the July block pieces have been cut, these fabrics are going to be used for linings, for the bags I have yet to make, for the Bag of the Month I joined over at SewSweetness.  That was my second shopping adventure. I placed my first order with Emmaline can't make bags without hardware!!

My big news.....

I received a very wonderful offer to work with the Jinny Beyer Batiks and Cotton Supreme Solids!!!!

 I received these beautiful fabric sample cards in the mail from RJR Fabrics and then gorgeous fabrics arrived...my mission to sew something special with them!! I am so lucky!!!

 The fabrics are fantastic, I know it seems that there is a "love it" or "hate it" relationship with batiks, but I think they are special and so versatile. They have such great colours and the patterning is amazing. By themselves paired with solids or as blenders, I love this fabric....... all fabric  ;) (hoarder)

So while I am waiting for the rest of the fabric to arrive for my sewing project, I decided to do another project with the batiks.

My husband came home from a trip to Stratford a week and a half ago. Those who follow on Instagram will have seen the yummy Chocolate Minties he brought me, from Barr's !! Yum!!
While he was at the Vet's he was chatting with one of the ladies there (Anne) and showing my blog (love him!! :)  ) and found out about a Jog for Cancer that was looking for sewn flags, The Flags of Hope for Wellsprings. So he came home with the sheet with all the info on it and asked if I would be interested in submitting a flag. Yes! of course...I love to sew, love to give back, and who hasn't been touched by this horrible disease, family, friend, neighbor, co worker.....
So this is what I came up with, again simple design, but I'm having so much fun designing projects (really need to learn how to use my EQ7, still using graph paper)!! This time though my math was right, but my processing of the pattern was wrong....lol. So need to tweek this pattern a bit, but I love how it turned out and the fabrics look amazing!!

I still love adding my labels!! So cool to know I designed, and made this start to finish!! (Don't forget if you are looking for labels to check out Ikaprint, use "upstairshobbyroom" to save 5% on your order)

That's it for my week!! Next week hopefully all my BOM blocks will be done and ready to show!!
Late Entry: Yes I chose option B, lol, but in my defense I am still fighting the flu and I did have to match up my dresden seams!! Plus I have sewn 2 versions of a Dresden Plate before, when I made the Craftsy BOM 2012!! So I was going for a 3rd version!! (big smile on my face, you believe me, right!!) Truthfully I am glad I chose this version, I really like how it turned out!!

#25 WIPs

So I've tidied up my hobbyroom...

and I'm happy to say it looks pretty much like the pictures still!! Other than the blocks laying next to my sewing machine waiting to be sewn into another quilt top!!

 I finished the quilt as you go String Block quilt! I realized when I was starting to line up the blocks to lay them out, that there was no way to layout the front and know what was going to happen with the back of this quilt. So I literally tossed the blocks in the air and picked them up randomly from the floor into a pile and than began sewing the blocks together! Turned out fantastic!!!

I put the borders on the Craftsy BOM 2012 quilt! I ended up adding the brown (basic gray, grunge) border in and like it!! At first I was adding it because I had run out of the white background and couldn't find anymore, and was going to have to change whites, but by a fluke I came across some in a quilt shop. I decided to add it anyway because I didn't think there would be quite enough white, and it all worked out!!

 I made another wallet. This time I used upholstery fabric for the outer shell, and added the inset piece of fabric.

And completed block 15 in the Virtual Quilting Bee

and I know I keep saying next week, but this time I mean it!!! Next week this one( should ) will  be done and ready for its Post!!

 and Day #22 in the photo a day challenge is nature.....last of the flowers as fall hits us...

I think there is a life lesson in this picture...even in hard conditions when you think nothing could grow or be beautiful... there is strength and beauty!!!

Happy Sewing!!!

Late Entry!!!

Blocks 52-54 City Sampler