I had a Productive Week!

     I was able to add another quilt to the finish column this week!   This was number 2 on my UFO challenge list, and has been patiently waiting to have it's quilting done for 8 years!   

Close up under my needle of fabric and butterfly.  

 More Quilting Details -  I did an all-over double loopy meander because the background fabric is so busy, I wanted something loopy and with great texture 

Quilted and Bound! 

Corner Detail 

Back texture detail 

 I also finished putting the borders on this group project for Quilts of Valor.  Our guild did a Quilt of Valor Sew day on Veteran's Day.   I was supposed to be a "table mom", and had this one all cut.  I also pre-did the applique stars.   Turned out I was whisked away to Reno for the week, and someone else stepped in to keep our table group on task.   The had finished all the sewing components, but the borders needed to be attached... so I brought it home to do that.  

Pattern is from a 2013 Fons and Porter Patriotic Quilts magazine.  
"Waving Old Glory".    

All borders done,  Ready for someone's Long Arm

Close up detail.   - every gold star is different. 

       I also made some hand work progress on my Monarch Butterfly project...  the colors in these photos are much better than the last group I took.  You can even see the text on the background here. 

Making progress on the Milkweed... 

 I'm not sure if I'll get  the third UFO project on my list finished this month...  but I'm hoping to decide what my next steps are and to get a start.. 

Off to a Great Start in 2020!

     I started out the year on a positive note! 

A Couple of Finishes...

 I finished a UFO that I  had on my list for awhile.   "Spring" is the last of 4 seasonal projects with embroidery by Crab-Apple Hill.   

  

Spring -  Finished!  

I also finished one of my #2's from my APQ UFO challenge.  This one is a lap quilt for our guild's Comforting Quilts Program.  I'm hoping to finish at least one a month.  These were stars from a Block Lotto when I hosted a Color Wheel Tour Block of the Month for our guild back in 2014.    I'm hoping it can cheer someone up while keeping them warm. 

Quilting close-up detail

Stars on Black - 43" x 43"

A new challenge start!  

 My small hand stitching group decided to do a challenge for our quilt show in March.   Hand stitched,  something with the color orange, which was chosen out of a hat..... and smaller than a Fat Quarter.  

I chose to do a Monarch Butterfly on milkweed.  

this is my inspiration photo.... found in google images, so I'm sorry but there was no credit given to the photographer. 

Inspiration photo 

I had a fat quarter of a text fabric, which I dyed green.    Then I used some orange marbled cotton, and using fusible web I fused two layers together...  Reverse applique with black wool over it and then embroidery to finish the butterfly.   It will sit on top of the milkweed as a dimensional item when done. I plan on adding more body details over the wings when I attach it to the flower. 

Butterfly - approx 9" across wing span. 

I'm using a variety of variegated threads to embroider the milkweed flower. 

Here is my progress on the embroidery so far...  trying to use my threads that are not as  expensive under the butterfly... so that is where i started.   

                                     Embroidery progress to date

With the butterfly in place...  I am tickled with the way it's coming along!   Since I'm our show chair,  i need to get this finished in the next few weeks, because things get really crazy as the show approaches. 

                               A general idea of how the butterfly will sit when done.