"Ocean Frolics" Wall Quilt

"Ocean Frolics" Under the Sea Themed Crazy Quilted Wall Quilt

This was such a fun project to finish up! Using 3 of 6 blocks from a Crazy Quilting International Under the Sea Round Robin I participated from August of 2015 through March of 2016, I created this wall quilt. "Ocean Frolics" sounded like a fitting title!

Confession time... If I had not signed up for the UFO Challenge 2017 through allpeoplequilt.com, these blocks would still be safely tucked away. #12 was drawn as the project to work on in March, so I needed to embellish the bare block below and create a wall quilt.

When piecing my blocks, I made a mistake that could have caused some serious issues. On the back of the block Annette embellished, I marked the 6 x 6-inch square about a quarter-inch too high for the water/skyline to match with the other blocks. 

Luckily, Annette left space between the seam allowance and the beads and charms she added. I was able to place that block lower and cut the blocks slightly larger than 6-inches in height. 

With the change in the way I cut the blocks, I had a raw edge of fabric exposed along the bottom of the block, so I added the small shell bead in the lower-left corner to Mary's block to hide it.

This piece provided me with my first opportunity to whip stitch the blocks together. I feared the beads and charms would interfere with the foot on my sewing machine. It was a fun challenge and turned out surprisingly well.

I stitched over the seams between the blocks by adding more sea vegetation.

My first attempt at printing a label on my computer by ironing the wrong side of the fabric to the waxy side of freezer paper and cutting it to 8.5" x 11" had a bit of a hiccup. The top of the fabric pulled from the paper as it printed. Because it made the print wavy on an ocean themed place and because my husband declared we were keeping this wall quilt to hang in our home, I decided to use the label anyway. I included the name and dates of the round robin and the names and locations of each of the ladies that embellished blocks within the quilt.

I cannot thank Annette and Mary enough for their beautiful work.

For April, #11 was drawn as the project to work on, so I will be assembling a wall quilt with the other 3 blocks from this round robin. I can barely wait! I am not too happy with my machine binding attempts, so I plan to hand bind the next one.

Thank you all so much for stopping by! 
Renee

Related posts:
Bare blocks sent out - here
My work on Annette's block - here
My work on Mary's block - here
Blocks returned home - here
Block I embellished - here
UFO Challenge 2017 List - here

Sun, Sand & Sea BOM Block 2

Last night, I shared this sneak peek on Instagram.

Last year some of my blogging friends participated in the Sew Incredibly Crazy & Friends In Our Garden Block of the Month. The blocks were so cute, I frequently wished I had made the time to participate. (You may see one of the completed quilts here.) 

In late February, I learned there was a Sun, Sand and Sea Block of the Month and decided I would try to make the time this year.

If I understand correctly, each block pattern is free the month it is introduced and there is a linky party at the end of the month with a drawing for those that participate. 

Block 1 is Hello Sunshine designed by Amy at Sew Incredibly Crazy. I have picked out my fabrics, but have yet to attempt my first dresden plate pattern.

You may find the information here and find the pattern here.

Block 2 is Time to Surf designed by Carol of Just Let Me Quilt.

You may find the information about the block here and find the pattern here. It is free in March.

I was able to use fabrics from my stash to create this block. There was even a roll of Therm O Web Heat N Bond Lite Iron-on Adhesive in my stash that came in handy. 

I did not have any silver or gray fabrics for the fender or the dolphins, so I colored fabric with Crayola crayons and ironed the wax out, as shared in this post for Valentines I made. (Speaking of Crayola... I did not even know there were Crayola Fabrics by Riley Blake until I read about this block at Just Let Me Quilt, here. How fun!)

This quilt will be a Christmas gift (possibly in 2018?) for an Oregon State University fan in my life. I made them a quilt years ago that is now threadbare and I have been told several times they need a new one. 

I have not filled in the license plate yet, as I might personalize it. 

This was my first time using a buttonhole stitch to secure applique. I tried my sewing machine for the first cloud I completed and then opted to just hand stitch around the remaining pieces. (Embroidery is in my comfort zone. When it comes to my sewing machine, I still feel like a novice!)

Block 3 will be designed by Carla of Creatin' in the Sticks. I saw a sneak peek of it on the Sew Incredibly Crazy and Friends Block of the Month Facebook Group. It looks like another fun block! You may find the group here.

As this will be a Christmas gift, I will also be sharing my blocks on the 1 X-mas Item a Month Blog.

Thank you for stopping by!
Renee

Note: I am not affiliated with any of the products shared within this post.

TAST 78

This week's Take A Stitch Tuesday (TAST) stitch was added to the Under the Sea wall quilt I am working on for the UFO Challenge 2017. 

TAST 78: Up and Down Feathered Buttonhole Stitch

You may find the instructions here on Pintangle. I encourage you to visit just to see the beautiful examples Sharon shared. 

I worked the stitch with size 5 DMC #4250 perle cotton floss.

I dressed the seam up with Mill Hill Magnifica Glass Beads #10026.

Next, I added detached chain stitches with size 8 DMC #605 perle cotton floss.

It was a fun stitch and I look forward to using it again in the future!

You may learn more about TAST here.

In celebration of 10 years of TAST, Sharon B. is sharing a series of interviews. The most recent interview was with Queeniepatch of Queenie's Needlework. You may read the interview here and check out Queenie's blog here. She was working on her Kafferepet quilt when I first discovered her blog. I encourage you to check it out here.

Thank you for stopping by!
Renee

February Wall Quilt

In January, I finally fully finished this crazy quilt block I embellished back in June of 2012 into a small wall quilt. It was the 2nd block I ever embellished.

Most of the seams and a few of the motifs on this block were inspired by the book An Encyclopedia of Crazy Quilt Stitches and Motifs by Linda Causee. (I checked the book out a the library and loved the ideas.) You may see more photos of the completed block here.

I would have shared this finish sooner, but I submitted a photo to the Spring 2017 Edition of Our Quilting Journey Magazine, which is available through Magcloud. The theme was flowers and baskets. (I am not affiliated with the magazine. You may find it here, if you are interested.) The theme of the next edition will be stars abound. Sane and crazy quilting submissions may be submitted by May 1, 2017. You may find more details about submissions here.

I am linking with Stitchery Link Party #103 at Super Mom - No Cape! I encourage you to stop by to see the free embroidery pattern and check out details on the anniversary giveaway.

Life here has been very busy! I hope to catch up on replying to comments on Tuesday. Wishing you all a fantastic week!
-Renee

CQI UTS RR #2 - My Block Completed!

This weekend, I finished embellishing the final block from the set of blocks I created for my second Crazy Quilting International Under the Sea Round Robin (CQI UTS RR.) 

This was the set of bare blocks I created in August of 2015. My plans were to create 2 wall quilts with the embellished blocks.

My blocks returned home in March of 2016. (You may see that post here.)

When I put my list together for the UFO Challenge 2017 offered by allpeoplequilt.com, the top set of blocks in the photo above was #12 on the list. 

In March, #12 was announced as the project of the month. 

This is how the set looked at the beginning of this month.

I think my first attempt at an island was successful. 

The land was outlined with a split stitch and filled with a satin stitch. Stem stitches created the trees.

This is something I have wanted to try since Sandra Todd added an island to this block that she embellished in my previous CQI UTS RR. Isn't it fabulous?!

To match the other 2 blocks in this set, I had to step out of my comfort zone. Adding trims and clusters of beads/buttons is a real challenge for me.

Here, I added several beads, embroidery, trims and a fun lobster button. I believe the trims were a gift from Mary at Crazy Quilting in Texas with Mary K. Beard. The lobster was a gift from Gina at Quilts and Cakes.

More embroidery, trims and beads were added here.

The lace was a gift from Barbara Nicki Lee Seavey of Raviolee Dreams. (I am not affiliated with her shop.)

This is how the blocks look side-by-side. 

The first block was embellished by Annette of Welcome to Annette's World. (I am not affiliated, but she sells cotton and silk fabric prints of her artwork in her Etsy shop.)

The second block was embellished by Mary. (I shared a link to her blog earlier in this post.)

Now, I need to sew the wall quilt together by the end of the month. The beads and charms are much closer to the seamline than I am accustomed to, so I may practicing a whipped stitch to sew this one together. (Challenging myself allows me to learn more - I love it!)

Thank you so much for stopping by!
Renee

NOTES:
1. Crazy Quilting International is a group that meets on Facebook.
2. This block was shared on Instagram this weekend, as seen here.
3. I sometimes share sneak peeks on my Facebook page, here.
4. This block may be found on this Pinterest board.

It is Monday, so I am joining Stitchery Link Party #102 at Super Mom - No Cape. The free embroidery pattern this week is a basket of Wild Roses. There is also a giveaway celebrating 100 weeks of Stitchery Link Parties and the blog's 9 year anniversary. You may join the party and/or learn more here.