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12-30-2013

Millstone Mondays – Week 4

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~Week 4~

Just a few more days till the New Year begins and I just want to thank everyone who has visited The Sassy Quilter and made my year the best one yet!

I am enjoying some time off between the holidays to wrap up some projects before 2014. Here is whats on my design wall right now…

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These were leftover HST’s from a chevron quilt(below) that I made earlier this year. You can see in the pic above I have several quilt tops hanging around my sewing room that seriously need to be quilted…2014 for those. I will be happy if I can at least finish up these quilt tops for now!

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Here is another I finished up….my Virtual Quilting Bee quilt top! Finally got those borders on there.

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To wrap up the year and the Millstone Mondays giveaway series we have a 50wt., 10 piece set from Aurifil and a charm pack from Millstone Quilts.

Congratualtions to QuiltinGram, last weeks winner!

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Lario by 3 Sisters charm pack and Aurifil thread collection Autumn by Sheena Norquay.

How to enter:

Just leave a comment…..tell me something quilty you would like to accomplish in the New Year!

Mine….a serious fabric diet!!! I want to really use up some of this fabric before buying new(yeah, yeah…I know we have all said this one, but I mean it!, for real:) )

Feel free to share this post on Facebook or if you have your own blog using the Millstone Mondays button on the right sidebar. Spread the quilty love!

Contest ends Sunday@12pm and is open internationally.

Keep it Sassy

You can find and follow TheSassyQuilter here on Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, or by email(form on right sidebar)!

 

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10-13-2013

Bee Blocks and a Winner!

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Virtual Quilting Bee Blocks

I am finally done with all 16 blocks for The Virtual Quilting Bee over at Diary of a Quilter!

Here are the last four I wrapped up this weekend:

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Block 13- Designed by Brooke Johnson@PitterPutterStitch. Lots of pieces, but mainly flying geese and HST’s.

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Block 14- Designed by Emily Herrick@CrazyOldLadies. Super easy and love the simple design.

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Block 15- Designed by Lynne Goldsworthy@Lily’sQuilts. Paper pieced and tricky! Pretty block, but the geometry of it all was killing me.

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Block 16-Designed by Cindy Weins@LiveAColorfulLife. Not hard, but took most of my time picking the fabrics. Really liked this one!

All that’s left is to get the top together with the sashing and setting blocks, which I am doing in the aqua dots of this line. I still have tons of Happy Go Lucky fabric left over from the FQ bundle, so I hope to make another quilt from these. I was really surprised how far the bundle went.

Now for what you really want to know…

And the Winner is…

Jessica @juceyj03@gmail.com!

Thanks so much you guys for participating and sharing your quilt and fabric love with our sponsor Cotton Bliss!

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Keep it Sassy

Links:

stitch by stitch

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08-24-2013

Block 12

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Block 12 – Charleston Square

This block is from over at the Virtual Quilting Bee(hosted by AmySmart@Diary of a Quilter) and is created by Katie Blakesley@Swim,Bike,Quilt. I was glad to have one on the easier side this week. Really simple cutting instructions and easy to piece.

We are pretty much caught up with Amy at this point! She just posted Block 13 if you want to get started. Only 3 more to go:) I just can’t wait to get this top together.

I am also right on track with my Star Surround QAL with Melissa@Happy Quilting. This week we built the parts of the surround, excited to put these blocks together this week.

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Check out some other awesome quilts in progress with the same QAL. Just give them a click to see what they are up to on their own blogs.

 

Star Surround Pieced Oops

Melissa@MyFabricRelish, I just love this grey!

Star Surround Quilt-a-long

I am also loving this blue with the light centers over at Kristel@WIPgirl.

And…I think Sarah@SarahQuilts is sharing her good luck with me! Here is another fabric bundle that I won from Cynthia@CynthiaBrunzDesigns! Thanks for these lovely fabrics:)

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Keep it Sassy

Links:

stitch by stitch   Better Off Thread  Fresh Poppy DesignIMG_6373

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08-06-2013

Block 11

 

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Block 11- Virtual Quilting Bee

This post is a little late because I was out of town this past week, my brother graduated from Navy Boot Camp! We made the long trip to Great Lakes, Illinois and also did a little sight seeing in Chicago. Did the signature hot dog and pizza…of course:) I really wanted to check out some local quilt shops, but figured I wouldn’t torture him on his one day of leave before heading to school in SC. Here is me and my little bro:

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Don’t worry, I did find some quilt inspiration at Millennium Park in Chicago. Some cool art work that had me thinking of quilts…

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Oh yeah, back to the quilt block! This weeks block is by AmyEllis@Amy’sCreativeSide. To get all the details on the previous blocks in Amy Smart’s Virtual Quilting Bee, visit Amy@Diary of a Quilter. This block was okay, a little confusing during construction,but that was my fabric choices I believe. I think I would have rather used white in place of the blue check print….and I promise this block is square! Do you notice sometimes printed fabric is printed a little wonky and in smaller straight cuts I think it makes it look crooked. No ripping here though:) It’ll do! I used my previous method of pressing open at four patch center and locking or nesting my abutting seams to make things flatter.

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Here is where we are at so far: (please ignore the unstained deck, WIP)

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Whew! We finally caught up with Amy and the others. Now back to a new block every other week until done. 16 blocks in total.

Keep it Sassy

Links:

Stitch by Stitch WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced   My Quilt Infatuation

 

 

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07-19-2013

Block 9

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Block 9- Virtual Quilting Bee

This block is by Colleen Molen@TheBusyBean for the Virtual Quilting Bee hosted by AmySmart@Diary of a Quilter. It is a fun block…I just love a pinwheel! Lots of little pieces in this one, but nothing too hard. A few HST’s and some little corners to add, but otherwise fun. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t want to be making a whole quilt of these, but the add a lot of pizazz for just one block.  I chose the yellow to add to the fun, happy feeling of this block. Click on the button below to catch up on all the blocks so far. I can’t wait to see what is next!

I finally got my Winter’s Lane fabric:) Can’t wait to get in to sewing some things up with this tonight!

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Check out the cool shot of butterflies I got! They are on a butterfly bush that I have.  I can’t believe they let me get so close.

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Don’t forget to check to check out these other awesome bloggers! Lots of cool posts here:

 

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Karen @ Little Birdie Quilting Studio

Kathy @ Kwilty Pleasures

Katie @ Snuggle Up With A Dish From Karma

Alison @ Making Happyness

Ella and Nesta @ Ella & Nesta’s Little Room

Adrienne @ Chezzetcook Modern Quilts

Nicole @ Modern Handcraft

Aylin @ AyliN-Nilya

Kelsy and Amanda @ everydayfray.com

Happy Quilting and try to stay Sassy in all this heat

Links:

 

Stitch by Stitch  plum and june 

 

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07-05-2013

Block 7

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4-Way Stop

by Jennifer Mathis@EllisonLaneQuilts for the Virtual Quilting Bee

Virtual Quilting Bee

If you are just joining in this is Block 7 of a Virtual Quilting Bee hosted by Amy Smart@Diary of a Quilter. It is part of a 16 block quilt along. To get all the info please check out one of the links above and join in the fun or just follow along:)

Block 7….ahhh. Much easier and one of my favorite fabric combos so far. I just love the green and blue:) Nothing too tricky here, just mind your numbers as to what is 1″ and what is 1.5″. I made my green strips 1.5″, but no biggie because I just wacked them down a little and…perfect. As we know, not all miscalculations work out so well:) I tried to fussy cut the center, but was off just a little. No problema! These flowers are free, they do what they wanna, and mine wanna lean to the right a little. I notice when you make only one block you obsess just a little on these odd points that no one else will ever notice…

Having some fun also with the Palette Builder at PlayCrafts. Very easy to use! Upload my pic and Voila! You will see several circle on the pic where they found the colors. If you don’t care for one of the colors just move the circle around to you find one that fits what you are looking for. I tried on some lovely flowers in my garden. All this massive rain had made them very happy:)

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Click on Palette Builder to give it a try:

Upload your photo to create an amazing palette! Thanks Play-Crafts.

Upload your photo to create an amazing palette! Thanks Play-Crafts.

Don’t forget to check out these awesome blogs this week. They have a special post just for you!

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Christa @ Christa Quilts!

Alyce @ Wonderland By Alyce

Anna @ The Crooked Banana

Rachel @ Sew Happily Ever After

Stephanie @ Quarter Incher

Kristy & Shayla @ Sassafras Lane Designs

Caroline @ Carolines Craftiness

Lisa @ Hilltop House Creative Works

Links:

Stitch by Stitch  plum and june 

    Happy Go Lucky

 

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06-25-2013

Block 6

Block 6

Block 6-Virtual Quilting Bee

I am mixing it up on you guys today;) This is a finished block and a WIP. I have a special post for the end of the week so I just wanted to get this block out here so we didn’t get behind… being behind!  This block is by AmandaWoodruff@ACraftyFox as a part of the Virtual Quilting Bee hosted by AmySmart@Diary of a Quilter. Click here for the step by step tutorial for Block 6 and here for Amy’s different method of construction. They are a little ahead of us so we are doing a block a week until we catch up. Click on the link below to get all the details if you want to join on or just see what’s up!

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Let me just start by saying…..Check Amy’s edit for this block!!! The center square should be 3.25″ and not 3.5″. Very important and nice to know before you rip the block out 4 times :|  I seriously thought I was losing my mind. I was checking and double checking, but I just couldn’t get this to add up! Frankly, I still am not sure about the numbers and it didn’t come out perfectly, but it was good enough at that point. I had to fudge a few points and get in where I fit in:)

This block uses a smaller unit referred to as Flying Geese. This is a very traditional quilt pattern. You can make an entire quilt of these or combine them with other blocks or units to make some pretty cool things. I think they look just fabulous as a border myself! That is on my quilting to do list. There are several ways to make a flying geese unit. This is the way the tutorial shows you. MSQC has a great video showing you how to make four at a time using one of Eleanor Burns specialty rulers.

Also, the technique used to construct this block is one that some beginners may never have heard of…partial or inset seams. Don’t panic! It only means that you partially sew part of your seam so that you can fit it into the rest of the block. You then finish sewing it from a different angle to close up the stitches. Amy’s method is a whole lot simpler so check it out here, but look at both because maybe you will like the other method and it is good to know all ways to get things finished.

  • First, you will mark a diagonal line on your smaller squares(on the wrong side of the fabric). Sew this on to the larger rectangle. It works best if you sew just along the outside of your marked line! (toward the outer corner). You lose a little fabric when you press this open, so this helps make things a little toward the extra rather than short. We can always square up our block, but if you find a way to square it larger…let me know:)

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  • Trim your 1/4″ seam.

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  • Then, press open. Notice that I am doing some chain piecing her to speed things up.

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  • Now, do the exact same thing on the other side and square up your final unit to 3.25″ x 6″.

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Lastly, I will tell you again to read over the tutorial closely! And I would follow Amy’s tutorial on sewing partial seams, especially if you are a little nervous about it.

 

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I have the privilege of being a featured blogger in Plum and June’s 2013, New Blogger Blog Hop!

Check back later this week, I have a special post for old and new followers alike:)

See ya soon

Links:

Better Off Thread  Fresh Poppy DesignIMG_6373WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced  

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06-07-2013

Block 3

Block 3- Virtual Quilting Bee

Block 3- The Virtual Quilting Bee

For a detailed tutorial check out April Rosenthal of Prarie Grass Patterns…..this is her block for the Virtual Quilting Bee. For more info on the Virtual Quilting Bee(and links to each block tutorial) visit Amy@Diary of a Quilter, she is hosting this quilt along. I hope some of you guys will join in with us. I promise its easy!

I really liked this block. It was pretty easy and I loved the color combo.

If you look close  you can see it is just 4- HST’s(half square triangles). One half of the HST is pieced.

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I love patterns for blocks where you just cut the squares on a diagonal to get the triangles! Makes it even easier. The green and white ones are cut that way.

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So cut your triangles and add to the sides of the orange square, the put your HST together!

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Carefully press open toward the solid half of your HST.

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The goal with this part(if you are trying to be picky!) is to have the point of your orange square precisely touch the seam. Try not to cut it off or have a gap between the two. If you are off just a little…no big deal:) Square up your finished blocks to 4.5″ and then put ’em together.

 

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Don’t forget today starts the New Blogger Blog Hop! Here is a list of all the blogs featured today:

Nancy @ Owen’s Olivia

Amy @ 13 Spools

Ashley @ Wasn’t Quilt In A Day

Casey @ The Studiolo

Nanette @ Yeah, I Made That

Ange @ Heart Of Charnwood

Kim @ Robot Mom Sews

Erica @ Kitchen Table Quilting

These bloggers have made extra special posts just for you today, so

be sure to leave a comment and share some quilty love!

You will see me on this list June 28th!!!

Keep it Sassy

(Links:AnythingGoes@StitchbyStitch, TGIFF, LAFF@RichardandTanyaQuilts, ShineOnFridays)

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05-31-2013

Block 2

Block 2- Virtual Quilting Bee

Yesterday was Thursday, Thursday
Today i-is Friday, Friday
We-we-we so excited, We so excited
We gonna have a ball today!

(you know you wanna sing it? Friday song by Rebecca Black, lol)

Moving on to Block 2, Origami Star by Amy Newbold@Sukie Don’t Ya Know.

Just joining in? This is the 2nd block of The Virtual Quilting Bee by Amy Smart@Diary of a Quilter.

 

And….No, you are not too late to join in the quilty fun! Just click on the link above to get the info.

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Here is my fabrics all cut and ready to go, you might notice I veered off the chosen prints, anything goes.

If you are like me, you might be slightly terrified concerned when you look at this block!  I swear it’s easier than it looks;)

Tips for this block:

Chain piecing speeds up the process. Just keep feeding in the next pieces and don’t stop to cut the threads. This forms a chain of pieced parts. You can snip apart later and then chain piece the next pieces.

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Square up your four mini-blocks before assembling the final block. If not 4.5″, make it so! or rip apart and re-sew if too small:( Square it up again after adding the corner pieces(still should be 4.5″).

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Press open the seams on the back of the smaller strip blocks. Instead of pressing to one side, this reduces bulk when there are more seams involved. Notice these are still chain pieced together. I cut after I pressed, but can whenever want.

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Pay attention to which corners you sew your smaller(white) squares onto!!! It really, really, really matters:) I had to rip out a few myself.

**After you sew on the corner squares, you will trim the inside seam. This leaves you with little sets of paired triangles. Go ahead and sew them together and you get these 1.5″ little cuties!!! Save them for another project or a miniature quilt.**

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So, how are you liking it? Not too bad, right? Have you finished block 1? Huh, huh, I wanna know:)

Share your finished blocks with me on my Facebook page , post a link to yours or join our Flickr group! I would love to see how everyone is doing.

Happy Quilting

Links: TGIFF, LAFF@RichardandTanyaQuilts, ShineOnFridays

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05-24-2013

Block 1

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Okay guys…it’s go time! This is Block 1 of The Virtual Quilting Bee. This is a Sawtooth Star block with accents in the corners. I don’t know about you, but I love these blocks, they are just so darn adorable:)

This block was hosted by Sherri@A Quilting Life. Go and check out her tutorial for this block and all the details here.

If you are just checking in, we are joining  Amy@Diary of a Quilter  with her Virtual Quilting Bee. She is posting a new block every other week; 16 blocks (that finish 8″) total. We are a little behind, so I am posting a block every week until we catch up or you can go to her blog and wizz on through as fast as you like.

I am using the fabric line, Happy-Go-Lucky by Bonnie and Camille, to construct my blocks. Use whatever fabrics you like and join in anytime!

This block was pretty straight forward, only solid squares and half-square triangles(HST).

HST’s can be tricky, but the method used is one of the easiest.

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With your two squares face to face, draw a line from corner to corner. Then sew 1/4″ away from line on both sides. I used a little tool called “Quilter’s Magic Wand”, it has a line down the middle and is 1/4″ to the edge on both sides. It is great for marking 1/4″ lines. With this I will sew directly on my marked line.

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Once you have sewn your lines, cut directly between them. You can use a rotary cutter or your scissors. Then press open your HST!

 

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If you can make these….you got it made!

Square up and trim those little dog ears(yeah, that’s what they are called) off the corners.  Squaring up means using your ruler to make sure the block, or pieced part of a block, is the correct size. You may have to trim some excess(good thing) or rip and re-sew if too small(bad thing).

If all your HST’s are totally uncool and square,  you are ready to piece your block!

TIP: HST’s can be a little stretchy because of the bias edges, I like to use a little spray starch to keep things in shape. One of my faves is  Mary Ellen’s Best Press, it is clear and non-flaking.

Now get to making your Sassy Sawtooth

 

(Linking in with LinkAFinishFriday@RichardandTanyaQuilts , ThankGoodnesIt’sFinishedFriday , Quilt Story and ShineOnFriday)

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