Tuesday, November 22, 2011

FMQ Sampler Completed! (sort of)

First off I want to say "thanks" to Belinda of Brown Dirt Cottage blog, for this package of "coal" she sent me. She had a contest on her blog recently to see who could guess the number of QUIPS (quilts in progress) she has. I was the first to comment and I guessed 22. I was right! Belinda had said there may even be something for the winner and after telling me I won she told me it would be a lump or two of coal. We used to have a coal burning heating system and coal was a precious commodity. I told her I'd take it for the long winter ahead. It arrived on Saturday and I have already cut some of it up for a small project I am throwing together to use in practicing my FMQ. Hopefully I will like it as much as I think I will.  Anyway--thanks, Belinda, for the package of coal scraps. Nothing says you care like sharing your  hard earned scraps with other quilters. There is something in this package for most anything I might choose to make--from an "I SPY" quilt, to a 30s projects and everything in between--including lots of my favorite "dark and dirty" fabrics!

I was all excited about the fact that I had completed the sampler for my FMQ class, but as I was posting the photo I realized I had somehow missed a row in the cross-hatching. So it is finished, almost, but I am through sewing for the night! It isn't perfect--very far from it--but it is so much better than I ever imagined I could do when I first attempted FMQ last month. I have saved all of my practice sandwiches and this evening I placed my first one, found here, next to this completed sampler. What a difference. I have had two great teachers and have learned different things from each one. I think I can actually say I am enjoying it.
I dropped in on the newest of our LQSs today. The week of your birthday you get half your age in percentage off your purchase. One time it is nice to be old! I treated myself to another CW inspired pattern and the big pieces of fabric needed for borders and sashing. Who knows when I will make it, but I love it.
Hopefully now that the soap is all made and my FMQ class is over I can get back to actually piecing something and share the progress. I also have to bind the secret quilt, but I can't share that progress.
Until next time, from the little mountain valley where we may have a white Thanksgiving,
Janet O.

19 comments:

  1. Your white whole quilting looks great!

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  2. You've come a long way Baby! I love the heart with cross hatching and swirls at the bottom as the focal point. I can call you LUCKY #1 now. The first to comment isn't always the chosen winner. What a unique prize. Two days until Your Birthday! Whooo Hoo!

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  3. Your quilting looks wonderful!!! Also I caught that your having a birthday...enjoy!

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  4. Glad you are happy with your new FMQ skills. Always good to learn a new skill and this is a good one to have. Opens up a lot of options. Way to go!
    Looks like a fun pattern. I know we all have more patterns and fabric than we need but isn't it nice to be able to start something new in a moments notice!?!
    Hope you have a happy birthday and a fun and relaxing Thanksgiving!

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  5. Your Free Motion Quilting whitework is amazing with its intricate details. Beautiful work!

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  6. Absolutely lovely FMQ!!! I'm impressed - but then I'm always impressed with your work!!! What a stash of coal!!!! How fun. Love the quilt pattern. I've got a "strippy" quilt in my head for the future, too.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

    Blessings

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  7. Wow! Your quilting looks really great! You have come so far in such a short amount of time. Very impressive!

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  8. What fun winnings! Wow! Your sampler is lovely. Nice work. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

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  9. Yipee! I'm so glad your "coal" made it there all in one piece! I figured a variety would work well!

    I'm simply amazed at your FMQ and I LOVE your new CW pattern. That is going to be SOME quilt!!!

    Today I am going to try and get my Block Lotto blocks done so I can get my sewing room straightened up a little for company coming. My room is right off the kitchen soooo everyone can see in there!

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  10. Congratulations on your FMQ success.
    Congrats on the pretty assortment of scraps and your new pattern!
    Wish a new LQS would open near me! They seem to be closing instead ;-(
    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  11. I really like the layout and FMQ work on your sampler. What will you make it in to? Pillow? Wall hanging? If you check the right margin on my blog there is a link to a FMQ-of-the-month that I found for 2012...

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  12. Your FMQ is fabulous! I love the idea of a sampler. I'm considering the same FMQ-of-the-month too. This is a skill I want to master.
    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  13. What a wonderful win! And, what beautiful quilting on your project!

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  14. Happy Birthday Janet! It must have been My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe where you got the gret discount? Love that store! You're FMQ is looking GREAT!

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  15. Happy Birthday! Your quilting looks great! I love that pattern, it looks like a good one. Nice bunch of goodies that you received.
    Kristie

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  16. wow, mom! your fmq is beautiful (i hope you are adequately impressed by my use of quilting jargon)! i think that once i get a quilt top sewn together i will consider hiring you to quilt it. :)

    love you!

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  17. Happy Birthday Janet! I hope you spoiled yourself at the LQS. Great choice in the pattern and the little peek of fabric I can see. I have a hard time finding beautiful navy blues. I love watching the progression of your fmq, it's looking great. I hope you have a fun day!

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  18. Lovely FMQ work...

    What a nice gesture from your LQS to offer a discount based on one's age...they sure know how to make a customer happy!

    We are white here in the Wisconsin Northwoods...have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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  19. What a fun package! I hope you all do have a little of the cold, white stuff for Thanksgiving -- it's like frosting on a special day!! Hugs and Happy Thanksgiving, Janet! :)

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