Watermelon Slice Table Topper

Watermelon Slice and Hello Sunshine Challenge

I was eating a sweet slice of watermelon the other day, and I was reminded of a pattern for a watermelon slice that I saw in the latest issue of  Paper Piecing 1/4 "  digital magazine.  ( issue 6 )


Here's the paper pieced block that I made:

Watermelon Slice     pattern by Janeen at Quilt Art Designs  -  
               in  Paper Piecing 1/4" digital magazine   Issue 6   July- August 2015

Watermelon Slice    Design by Janeen  Paper Piecing 1/4 "  issue 6 { here }

It's a pattern for a 12 inch block, but I chose not to add the bottom section.

As I was deciding how to finish my Watermelon Slice block, I remembered that  there is a summer challenge going on at Quilts My Way blog.   Gosia has a linky party with everyone's challenge projects there to see and admire!  { here }

Hello Sunshine
Summer Challenge at Quilts My Way

The challenge is to make a quilted project, incorporating at least one of the colors from this palette:

Color palette / color palette of 

 shades of pink / shades of orange / shades of blue / shades of yellow
shades of pink / orange / blue / yellow

I found some stash fabrics that reminded me of summertime,  and cut out  some sash strips to surround my watermelon slice block.

I guess these colors and flowers reminded my husband of the 70's and Flower Power times .   He suggested that I quilt the word " Summer" in a balloon font  (aka Hippy Font !)  I like it when he adds to a project.  ( Smiles)

 I got out my special Free Motion Quilting helpers, and went to work figuring out what to quilt.

I think these handy tools helped me "jump in" to try Free Motion Quilting:

Frixion Pen  -       I marked  the word "Summer"  and a few swirls to get me in motion

( it erases when ironed)

Queen Size Supreme Slider-  a piece of flexible  teflon to put over the sewing table to help the fabric slide easier  (it is rolled up in the tube in the picture) 

Fabulous Fabric Glider  by The Gypsy Quilter       helps me grip the fabric and slide it around

I quilted  "SUMMER"  in above the slice of watermelon

I added a flower at  each the corners.  

Heat N Bond lite was ironed on to the back of the flower shape, and ironed on "at" or "near" the corner areas.  (Raw edge applique )

I wanted the table topper  look to be  casual, so they are not placed at "equal" spots.

A flower was fused on , lining up with a  flower that was cut off
 in the inner border fabric   -  see *

I'm pretty happy with the free motion quilting.  It's not perfect, but it does add to the table topper.  I enjoyed making the loops and swirls, and learned to loosen up a little. 

Now I have a bright and happy table topper for the summer!

Linking up at:    Hello Sunshine Challenge @  Quilts My Way       and  

                       TGIFF  @ Quokka Quilts       and

                       Paper Piecing Party @  Quilt Art Designs   and

                      Pet Project Show  @  Pink Doxies  and

                     And Sew We Craft Together @ And Sew We Craft  and

                       Let's Bee Social  @ Sew Fresh Quilts  and

                           Sew Cute Tuesday @  Blossom Heart Quilts

I'm off to my sewing room!

Pattern provided by QAD Publishing

Spinning in the Rain Quilt

A Spinning in the Rain Quilt Finish

This summer, I made a resolution to  sew together the finished blocks for a few of my  quilts, and not leave these pretty blocks just  sitting around  in a sad pile. 

The first thing I did was to enlist  the help of my trusty  " Head Quilty Helper" , Whiskers!
(She might have some  engagements  booked .... such as   napping or  quality testing the quiltiness of a quilt.)

Whiskers loves Aurifil Thread!!  Especially the 50 weight!

\  

Zzzzzzzz    "Pins??  Where?? "   Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

         

Sometimes, she even sleeps on her OWN little mini quilt!

Since she is such a willing helper, she gets first choice on which quilting tools she gets to use......

"I want this one, Mom.  It's just my size."

Well, Whiskers, go ahead and give everyone the quilt information:

Quilt :     Spinning in the Rain      
Design by:  Sew Lux Fabric Shop        2014 Spinning in the Rain BoM  { here }
Size:    approx  60 "  x 74 "
Block size:   12 " finished   * Patterns also included the 6"  block patterns,  too! *
Fabrics used:   Color Me Happy   by V and Co.  Moda
Thread:  Aurifil 50 wt.   white
Machine Quilting stich:  Lazy S on my Viking Topaz,  largest stitch size

"Of course I am allowed to be standing on this hanging quilt!"

Trimming up the sides , before adding the binding

"I love my job! "

"I'm getting a bit sleepy now.  Can you take over now, Mom?"

Spinning in the Rain BoM Quilt      by Susie's Sunroom and Whiskers

I loved using this stretched out "S" stitch , on my sewing machine, with the walking foot.

"Lazy S" quilting, with Aurifil Thread  

I am not a "heavy" quilter....  but I am trying new things.
Thanks for the quilting advice of  adding  a "  9 inch square within a square"  in the center of every block, Amy!  ( My sister, who blogs at Amy Made That!"  )  Aren't I lucky?!

This is the back side of my quilt.
Did you see in the quilt stats,  that the smaller 6 inch block pattern was included in the instructions?
I decided to pick out a favorite pinwheel, and make a row of 6 inch pinwheels, to insert in between the two larger pieces of fabric for the backing.

The back side of my Spinning in the Rain BoM Quilt   by Susie's Sunroom

This is one of my favorites color combinations....gray and turquoise !

Last March,  I made a coordinating pillow  (using my Simply Striped Pillow tutorial pattern  that is  available on Craftsy { here })   ( see my blog post here )

Quilt and matching  Simply Striped Pillow     made by Susie's Sunroom

I really love the green floral fabric on the border!!

"Hint,  Hint,  Hint........"

I guess Whiskers is ready for her cat nap now....

"Put me in the CATS ON QUILTS  category, Jacque !" 

Whiskers wanted me to tell you that she has had so much fun being in the
Pets on Quilt 2015  Linky Party ,   at Lily Pad Quilting ! 

Go To  

She is definitely in the  Cat On Quilts category! !

     You will want to go on over to "Lily Pad Quilting" to see the participants in this cute cute cute Linky Party!!               You can go to the Linky Party  HERE


Thanks for stopping by to see my latest quilt finish!

I'm off to my sewing room!

Linking up at:      Pets on Quilts Show 2015 @ Lily Pad Quilting  and
                         Can I Get a Whoop Whoop @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict  and
                         Let's Bee Social  @ Sew Fresh Quilts    and
                          Fabric Frenzy Friday @ Fort Worth Fabric Studio   and
                          Sew Cute Tuesday @  Blossom Heart Quilts   and
                         Fabric Tuesday @ Quilt Story  and
                        And Sew We Craft Together @  And Sew We Craft
                           

Duck, Duck, Goose!

My Finished Duck , Duck, Goose! Quilt!

Duck, Duck, Goose! Quilt   by Summercrafter
available { here }

One of my favorite things to do,  in the wonderful world of sewing,  is to test out patterns !  Recently, I had the pleasure of finishing  up a fun and delightful child's quilt, designed by Elaine ,  the Summercrafter.

This quilt is called, " Duck,Duck, Goose!"    

Duck, Duck, Goose!  quilt   design by Summercrafter      Made by Susie's Sunroom

It's a pattern that made me literally smile and giggle as I finished  sewing each block! These little white geese are so " geeky " with their skinny necks and jaunty double feather tails!!

Quilt Details:

Pattern:  Duck, Duck , Goose!        Design by Elaine at Summercrafter  { pattern  here }

Size:   58 "  x 58 "

Front:  various stash fabrics

Backing:   A Riley Blake fabric from my stash  (can't remember the name as it is from an older line)

Batting:   Pellon 970 Thermolam Plus Sew In

Thread:    Aurifil Thread 50 wt. #2024 for piecing  and 
                                                # 4655 for quilting  (Variegated blue from a Color Me Happy Aurifil  Collection )     

Quilting :   My "Random Wavy Lines"-  keeping within a 3 inch width horizontally across the quilt


I love the yellow fabric on the back.

 The white designs reminded me of  feathers !

This little fellow  must have gotten lost !  " Hey, they are all on the other side! "

I ended up making an extra Goose block, and decided to use it on the back side! I needed some added width to the yellow fabric for the backing , and accomplished this by  piecing a long section together , 12 1/2 inches wide by 58 inches.  

For the quilting,  I sewed the  wavy lines, keeping each line  contained within a "lane " of 3 inches wide, horizontally across the quilt.  I tried to achieve the feeling of gentle waves for the duckies to float upon.  The Aurifil #4655  cotton thread is variegated, and gives the quilting some more interest with the  different lights and darks showing through.  (Aurifil is my favorite thread!)

Aurifil Thread:  #2024 white and #4655 variegated blues

The ducks were very cooperative for the photo shoot, so here are some more pictures !

Obviously, a few old pins don't bother this little Quilty Helper, Whiskers!!

Elaine has designed another brilliant baby /child's quilt pattern! 
Be sure to go on over to the Summercrafter blog and pattern store, to see all of Elaine's patterns!  They are available in PDF format, and many have the paper pattern option as well!

  *** You can check out the quilts that I have made using Summercrafter patterns:

High Seas  { here }
Water Color Sea Horses  { here }
Peppermints  { here }

 I am keeping this little Duck, Duck, Goose!  gem for any "future" grandchildren that may come " down the road. "  I love looking at it!
Wouldn't this quilt and  pillows of a duck and a goose be so cute for a baby shower gift?!!

I'm off to my sewing room!

Linking up at:    And Sew We Craft Together @ And Sew We Craft  and 
                         Fabric Tuesday @ Quilt Story  and
                        Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts  and
                      Fabric  Frenzy Friday  @ Fort Worth Fabrics Studio  and
                             Sew Cute Tuesday @ Blossom Heart Quilts 

Quack!!