Folded Corner Clipper

I know I've posted many times about how much I HATE making the chevrons for Celtic Solstice, but now I've found the key to chevron bliss for me.

Let me introduce you to my new little friend, the Folded Corner Clipper:

I bought mine at Fat Quarter Shop but they are available online other places.  It's a breeze to use and it eliminates the part of making these that I hate most: drawing those stupid diagonal lines.  Before finding this wonder tool I had to draw the line, sew on it, and then cut off the corner and press.  Now you just trim and sew!  Easy Peasy!!

With this wonder tool I beleve I may have all of my chevrons completed this weekend!

Feline Friday

QA/QC

As you may or may not know, I'm an engineer and QA/QC is part of my daily language.  QA/QC is Quality Assurance and Quality Control.  This is an important part of any project ... including making a quilt.

Luckily, I have four of the MOST highly qualified QA/QC quilt engineers living in my house:

This is Khaleesi testing one of baby Madalynn's quilt.  She passed it with flying colors! Later it even passed the critical sleep test.  Khaleesi says this blanket will be perfect for many warm snugly naps for baby Madalynn!

And here, as you can see, Nala is passing this quilt for the ever so critical sleep test.  Nala is one of my senior QA/QC Engineers.  Later, as can be seen below, she had Khaleesi try it out just to make sure she knew what she was doing.  Training the younger generation is very important.  Neela (at the top) is observing.  She prefers to do her work on fleece blankets as you can see.

I can't leave out Keira, I have no photographic evidence of her inspection because it's Keira's job to inspect the backside.  She tasks herself with crawling under each one and inspecting each stitch.  Often times it interferes with the sleep testing that may be occurring on the top. Eventually though, all aspects of each quilt are tested and checked.

How could I ever manage to get a quilt bound without all of this assistance?!!

Happy Feline Friday, Y'all!!

Mini Quilts from 2013

I'm finally getting a chance to get caught up posting some of the small things I finished last year.  My definition of finished is being bound and ready to go ... not just quilted. I actually got several other quilts "done" last year ... as a matter of fact, my rack that holds them is full so this year may look like I've been extra productive as I get them bound.

Anyway these are mostly all wall hangings from Tara Lynn Darr's book Simply Charming. I love these little miniature quilts in her book.  I've still got a few more to make.  I love, love, love the little pieces. 

First up is "Juliana's Jewels":

Next is "Worn Old Clothes":

Then "Columbia's Vintage Charm":

Next "South for the Winter":

And ... "Hopscotch":

 The last little quilt was from the Temecula Quilt Shop. It's called "Blessing Baskets":

I'm excited to see what all I can get done this year.  I've decide not to make a list of goals for this year.  Last year I only completed one on my list of twelve.  This year I'm just going to keep going and see how many I can complete.  If I finish 12 or so that would be awesome ... and if not then there's always next year of course!

Happy Groundhog Day!

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today so it looks like it's 6 more weeks of winter.

But so did Mrs. Bobbins:

 I think it'll actually be more than 6 weeks for me though!

Baby Blanket Mania

Today was my friend Susan's baby shower for baby Madalynn.  I completed 3 baby quilts and one crocheted blanket for her.  I've got one more baby blanket off being quilted then I'll be done.   

First I made Pinwheel Parade, a free pattern from Jo's Country Junction:

Next up was Vintage Days by Sew Emma:

 

Then there was Primrose & Poppies by Sew Emma:

 And lastly the blanket I crocheted:

I made this before we knew Madalynn was a girl so it's a nice neutral color.

In between all of this, I managed to also finish my Icicle Kisses quilt top and it's off to Quilts by Phyllis to be quilted:

Now it'll be time to get back to Celtic Solstice.  I'm making more chevrons .... I hate making chevrons!  I think I've got three rows done now.  Four to go!