Maybe you can see it better in this shot.
This quilt is almost square, measuring 9 1/4" x 9 3/4". I didn't plan the size. I just sliced up a bunch of mini charm squares and stitched them together until I had used them up. It was my usual "fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants" design method.
Since Bonnie Hunter posted her new leader/ender challenge for the coming year several people have asked me if I am joining in. That would be a "no". I love leader/enders and use them constantly, but I have enough UFOs waiting in line for their turn under the needle, that I always use one of them as my leader/ender project rather than creating a new UFO.
These windmill blocks have been my leader/ender for about 2 1/2 years now. Occasionally I let the smaller units in a project be its own leader/ender, but when that is not the case, the windmills are my "go to". I have about 150 4" blocks so far and there are many more strips cut in this color scheme, waiting to be sliced into the windmill shape.
I must admit that I have had a bit of a distraction from sewing this week. Little Maggie, and her mother (DD#1), are here from Oregon and are spending the week with us. Who wants to sew when they can spend time with family?
Until next time,
Janet O.
I have been distracted by Baseball. We hosted an early 4th and that included a sleepover. Grandma's ready to go crazy with not much stitching. Glad you get to have DD #1 home with the cutie. Yea for small finishes.
ReplyDeleteGosh Janet, your work is always so beautiful & what stunning colours you use & seem to have such a knack of putting together. And who would want to work when there is a distraction as gorgeous as that curly headed wee cutie there!!!! Happy weekend to you xx
ReplyDeleteSew very cute! Hurray for finishes.
ReplyDeleteAdorable finishes--love the hand quilting and those windmill blocks will be so cute...hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteWhat a cutie she is!!!! Enjoy them both.
ReplyDeleteLove your designing technique and the results as usual are great! And the pinwheels are cute too.
Your DD and GD are so cute - what a wonderful distraction to have.
ReplyDeleteYour little quilt and pin cushion are wonderful and have wonderful fabrics! love those reds and blues. Great quilting design.
I'm always impressed with quilters who can do leader/ender projects. I just can't stay focused that way. Your windmill blocks are very nice.
Gorgeous baby! Gorgeous daughter, too!
ReplyDeleteOh how that little Maggie has grown! Such a sweetie pie! I love this little quilt and cannot even fathom that it is only 9 3/4"! It is amazing! Happy summer!
ReplyDeleteAs always, your little quilts are darling and this newest one is no exception! The pincushion is so pretty, too! Best of all enjoy your time with your pretty grand baby and her Mom. Love those windmills!
ReplyDeleteOk, your quilts are always super cute, but they definitely can't compare to your very cute granddaughter! Enjoy every moment together.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely finishes! I too have many quilts in the line up...but I think I am going to do a rail fence quilt anyway, because it will be an excellent patient quilt...Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI love your little quilt and pin cushion. Can't wait to see what you make with those adorable Windmill blocks. Little Maggie is so sweet. Hugs
ReplyDeleteLove your little finishes and those sweet windmill blocks are darling! I'm thinking that I will do the rail fence leaders and enders since I have tons of strips to use up. Absolutely--family trumps sewing!
ReplyDeleteSurely you can mix hand and machine quilting ! There is no rules about that and your doll quilt is gorgeous as usual.... little Maggie is very pretty so enjoy your time with her !
ReplyDeleteMaggie is a darling! Those little windmills are going to make up into something beautiful. 150 4" so far? How many more are you planning to complete before you cross the finish? Enjoy the weekend. Sandi =^.^=
ReplyDeleteThe little quilt is just darling. I love the border fabric and the meandering hand stitching adds just the right touch. I've never been successful doing leaders and enders. It seems like I end up spending more time at the machine when I just want to work on a specific project. Maybe my brain can only handle one thing at a time - ha! But, your windmills are really adding up so it definitely works for you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful finishes. Love the border of the coins. You have a cute family - better to spend time with them. Quilting will wait.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your daughter and granddaughter! They both have beautiful hair! Does she sew too? Your little finished are great. I especially love the pin cushion. I never really understood the concept of leaders and Enders sewing. But it looks like you have a great collection of pinwheels because of it!!
ReplyDeleteAnother dresden plate? LOVE IT! Of course the others aren't bad either!
ReplyDeleteYou continue to impress me, Janet. Waiting patiently for the windmill project to come together!!
Aren't those blocks kind of large for you, though?? They look about 4"!! VBG
Oh, yes, forget quilting and most everything else when the little grands come to visit. Your granddaughter is adorable! Love her curly hair.
ReplyDeleteYour quilts are often even smaller than I imagine them, Janet. That's a really tiny -- and wonderful! -- quilt.
Adorable mini. Love the cables and the little bit of hand quilting. Another tiny pincushion to treasure! Such cute little windmills. How many are you going to make? I too will be using already planned/cut quilt pieces for leader-enders, though I am tempted to use up all my precut 1.5" strips in some rail-fence placemats.
ReplyDeleteAnd what a darling granddaughter! They bring such joy.
ReplyDeleteTwo sweet wee projects Janet, a fun idea to combine the machine quilting with the handquilting on the mini quilt :-) Yes I have enough projects on the go too to use mine as Leader enders without starting something new!! Lovely pic of your daughter and grand-daughter - a busy cute age but I bet you enjoyed every moment.
ReplyDeleteLovely little quilt.......
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your family time........
I tried doing a leader/ender project once, and found it totally confusing! Maybe I should give it another try - or maybe it just won't work for me! LOL Sweet little quilt you made - I like those kind of projects that just evolve. Maggie is getting so BIG - and she's so CUTE! Enjoy your visitors!
ReplyDeleteSweet pin cushion! I love the little windmills they are a great leader and ender project. But I am jumping on the rail fence project as I am due for a new L&E! Nice to see your family, enjoy the visit.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilts--beautiful family! Maggie looks like she is ready to learn to quilt!
ReplyDeletelove your finishes, and glad you can spend time with family too! keep up the good work
ReplyDeletegreat finishes and the combo of hand and machine quilting work well. I am working on foundation pieced project (my running zebra) so i don't use the leader ender method that I 'normally' would. It's nice to have time with the grandkids, my granddaughter is coming next week..it will be awesome! Kiwi Hugsxx
ReplyDeleteI call that strip type little quilt a coin design. Very well done. I finished a wall hanging a few days ago with a combo of hand and machine quilting. Just seemed to say it wanted to be that way.
ReplyDeleteYour daughter and granddaughter are both darling!! Love your little finish and of course the pincushion. Although mine is cuter cuz it's boxed!! :-)) Miss ya, dear friend!! Glad your kidlets are visiting from Oregon. What a great state to live in - where is their home?
ReplyDeleteAs always your mini quilts are darling. I never think to do machine and hand quilting together on a quilt. Beautiful beautiful little girl, of course you must spend time with family when you can....so precious.
ReplyDeleteLove all your quilty projects... but, that little Maggie is a cutie patootie and simply steals the show!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe little Dresden is so sweet, but I adore the little quilt with it. You always use such beautiful fabrics, rich and bold, and even though the pattern may be quite simple, the project always turns out perfect. Your quilting always is appropriate and beautiful too. I learn so much from your blog posts! Now I just need to get busy and try to put what I've learned into practice! ---"Love"
ReplyDeleteOh Janet, she is just adorable! Love that hair! Also love your finishes. That little dresden is too cute!
ReplyDeleteBlessings...
Kristie
Maggie is growing up fast, her hair is out of this world, a lot of ladies would love to have those curls. Love the Dresden pin cushion. Enjoy your daughter and little Maggie
ReplyDeleteOh I just love the windmill block collection!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy family time!
I love your little projects! Aren't scraps just more fun than anything? "using up" is so satisfying.
ReplyDeleteYou are so lucky to see your DD and Granddaughter..have fun.
Love your "flying by the seat of your pants method"! You turn out wonderful quilts! I've been mixing machine and hand quilting too.......need to have some "Finishes"! Maggie has grown into a darling little girl since that day you brought baby Maggie to the shop!!
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