Round #6 - Mary at See Mary Quilt {Round Trip Quilts}

Well hi.  I didn't mean to take the month of August off.  It just sort of happened on accident.  Work has been incredibly busy the last few months and thought I've had time for sewing I haven't had time for blogging.  I have a lot of exciting things to show you to get caught up. I'll start with a LONG over due post about the latest round of our round robin bee.

It's been awhile since I posted about our Round Trip Quilts adventure.  We're nearing the end of the bee and some dates were delayed because of the craziness that surrounds end-of-school and early summer activities.

Today I'm excited to show you what I added to Mary's rainbow quilt.  She blogs over at See Mary Quilt and is a fellow granite stater!

Remember this terror?

I was so frustrated while I worked on this top.  Honestly, anything that could have gone wrong, went wrong when it came to this quilt.  In the end I'm so glad I pushed through it though.  I love how it looks and can't wait to see what Leanne adds and how Mary decides to finish it!

I get Leann's star quilt next for our very last round of the Bee and am over the moon excited to see what mine finally looks like after that!

200 Followers Winner {a giveaway!}

Well it's about time I pick a winner for the giveaway celebrating my 200th Instagram follower. 

 

Congratulations Anne!!

Now you can expand your modern fabric collection!  I'll be emailing you shortly.

Thank you so much to everyone who entered the giveaway.  I appreciate your support so much.

I'll be back later this week with some updates from Round Trip Quilts and some more finishes!

Cotton + Steel Strip Swap

I'm hosting a swap!  

I saw on Instagram awhile back that someone had made scrappy trip quilt entirely out of Cotton + Steel fabrics, though I can't find the picture now, and fell in love.  I really wanted to make my own version!  I love how the C+S fabrics all blend together but couldn't see myself making anything using all those prints until I saw that quilt.  My wallet didn't like the idea of how much fabric I'd have to buy to make this vision come true so I decided to host a swap to get some more variety in my Cotton + Steel stash!  All of the details are below if you want to join in on the fun!

RULES & DETAILS:

• This swap will consist entirely of Cotton + Steel fabrics

• You will send a specified number of Cotton + Steel fabrics, ranging in size from Fat Quarter (no 1/4 yards please) to half-yard

• These will be cut into 2.5" by 16" strips

• You will receive a variety of Cotton + Steel 2.5" strips back equal to the number of strips which were cut from the fabric you sent in

• Fabric and $5 for shipping should be mailed by August 12th.  Fabric will be postmarked back to you by August 31st

• Once your entry is received I will email you my mailing address for shipping.

• Please post and image of the fabrics you intend to send with the hashtag #cottonandsteelstripswap so that others can see which fabrics you chose and we can try and avoid duplicates

Sign up here or use the form below!

Choosing Fabrics {Midnight Mystery QAL}

I did it.  I finally chose fabrics for the Midnight Mystery Quilt-a-Long with Meadow Mist Design.  This is a fun mystery quilt along which will be running from June 2015 through March 2016.  Except I hate surprises.  They literally cause me anxiety.  So in an effort to keep my sanity I actually took advantage of Cheryl's "peak option" to see what the finished quilt will look like (hint: it's fantastic!).

For some reason I had a REALLY hard time choosing fabrics for this quilt but a day spent shopping with some real life quilt friends sealed the deal and I was in.  I was inspired by my Clashy Classy Brights entry into Stiched in Color's last color mosaic contest.  (In other news this palette matches my running shoes almost perfectly. At least I know what I like...)

I didn't end up winning the contest, though I still really love the colors I picked.  So when it came time to decide for this QAL I knew I had a winner.  My mosaic is below:

Nuanced Neon #2 - Clashy Classy Brights

Fabrics are as follows, left to right, top to bottom: 1. Speckled in Periwinkle, 2. Pressed Leaves,  3. Butterflies in  Red, 4. Gingham in Silver,  5. Leaves in Ultramarine,  6. Chasing Butterflies in Fruit Punch,  7. Word Find in Pink,  8. TinyScript in Red,  9.  Leaves in Plum

And with the help of Sarah at Smiles too Loudly while we were at Keepsake (more on that later), and Karin at Leigh Laurel Studios on Instagram, I was able to pull together the fabrics below, A-D, left to right.  My main color group inspirations were Kona Watermelon, Radiant Orchard, scrappy Low Volume, and Blue-Violet.  I have to admit, I'm still not super satisfied with the pinks and may have to revisit that one again....

Now I just need to cut and I"ll be caught up for July!

You can join in on the fun in the Midnight Mystery Facebook Group and find all of the instructions to date on Cheryl's blog.

Also, don't forget to enter my 200th Instagram Follower Giveaway, open until Friday 7/24!

I'm linking up with Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story today.

Thank you! Thank you! {a giveaway!}

I am seriously blow away by all of you.  First of all thank you.  After my post on June 19th my instagram followers jumped by nearly 80 people! Wow!  Thank you!  And thanks to Jayne for being the 200th person!  

When I started this blogging adventure I didn't know that there would be so many people who would appreciate what I am doing here.  I figured, at best, my grandparents, cousins, and some random people from high school would follow along with feigned interest.  

left to right, top to bottom: 1. paper piecing, 2. Triangle Quilt Along,
3. at MQX, 4.  priorities, 5.  welcome home kitty, 6. aurifil BOM 

I had no idea how much support I would get from all of you.  You help me make design decisions and tough calls when I'm not sure how to proceed with a project.  You help keep me from being overly critical of my work when I've fallen out of love.  And you help me fall back in love.

left to right, top to bottom: 1. sugar block club, 2. Mom Date, 3. Round Trip Quilts Journal, 

4.  Round Trip Quilts Center, 5.  Beautiful NH Day, 6. Quilt rulers building stairs 

You let me be open and honest with my work, even when it's not that great.  You aren't afraid to tell me that something isn't working and I always appreciate that extra set of critical eyes.  You've followed along on house projects and family trips and you've put up with ALL of the cat pictures.

left to right, top to bottom: 1. Irish Chain, 2. One Year, 3. Beautiful Fabric, 

4.  Windows Mini Quilt, 5.  WIP Churn Dashs, 6. Round Trip Quilts

You have helped me find new patterns and learn new skills.  You've directed me to resources when I have been totally and completely stuck.  And you asked what's wrong when I've disappeared.

left to right, top to bottom: 1. New Foundation, 2. Fields and Furrows, 3. Slouchy Eco Hat, 

4.  So much pressing, 5.  Another Knit, 6. MartinCat helping 

Thank you.  Thank you so much for all that you do for me.  Your kindness and openness has helped me grow so much.  Because of everything that you do for me, I want to do something for you.  

left to right, top to bottom: 1. Two Birds, One Stone, 2. organized, 3. Solids, 

4.  I fail at selfies, 5.  VT Shop Hop - the Kaffe room, 6. Modern Hexis Mini 

Fat Quarter Shop has graciously agreed to sponsor a giveaway here on the blog.  

The winner will receive a fat quarter bundle of their choosing.

I'm currently crushing on:

These beautiful Christmas Fabrics

Gramercy by Leah Duncan

Honeymoon by Sarah Watts for Cotton + Steel Fabrics

Yummy solids to beef up my stash

Maureen Cracknell's Wild & Free 

Blue Zephyr by Rashida Coleman-Hale for Cotton + Steel Fabrics

Here's how to enter:  

1. Simply leave a comment here under this post! We'd love to know which bundle you'd choose? (one entry)
2. Follow Fat Quarter Shop on Facebook, their blog, or Instagram. Just let me know that you did by leaving a separate comment below. (optional entry)
3. Like Never Just Jennifer on Facebook, follow on Instagram, or stay up to date with your favorite blog reader.  (optional entry)
4. Tell everyone you know about the giveaway!  Share on Instagram using #NeverJustJenniferFQSgiveaway!  (optional entry)

With four possible entries your odds are pretty good!  The giveaway will remain open from now until Friday, July 24th at which point the winner will be picked at random.  This giveaway is open to everyone!  Thank you for your support!

left to right, top to bottom: 1. finished raffle quilt, 2. NLQG Quilt Show, 3. high tech design tools, 

4.  a rainbow nightmare, 5.  love the trimmings, 6. Kitty Cuddle Puddles 

Quilt Love

This picture says what I could never say in a thousand words.  This is why I love to quilt.  This is why I give away my quilts.  These two goof balls enjoying a sandwich and a movie with my finished Aurifil BOM quilt

Quilted Living Summer Blog Tour {Chelsea at Patch the Giraffe}

Just popping in today to remind you to visit Chelsea over at Patch the Giraffe.  She made an absolutely stunning version of the X-ceptional quilt using solids and low-volume prints! 

Chelsea is another local New Hampshire quilter and a fellow member of the Round Trip Quilts bee.  Go visit her and tell her I said "hi!"

See you soon!

Quilted Living Summer Blog Tour

Welcome back!  I am so excited to welcome you to the start of the Quilted Living Summer Blog Tour with the Fat Quarter Shop.

Gerri Robinson’s Quilted Living book was first launched about a year ago though the quilts feel so relevant for the season right now.  It is all about beautiful, simple quilts for a comfortable home, perfect for summer cuddling.  Simple patterns and repeating shapes mean that the tops come together fast, making them ideal for working on during those summer afternoon rain storms.

Seeing as it was just the Fourth of July I was really drawn to the red, white, and blue quilts in Gerri's book.  There are several designs, each one unique but still nicely coordinated.  I love how they are patriotic without feeling too cliche or overdone.  In other words, I won't feel ashamed to have one of these quilts on my couch year round.

I decided to make the Freedom quilt, top right in the picture above.  I pulled a big stack of bright reds, leaning towards orange in some cases, royal blues and navy, and a mismatched pile of low volume grays, creams, whites, and off-whites (and now need to refresh my low volume stash!).  I was able to piece all of my star blocks in less than an evening, even taking care to make sure that the directional fabrics were all lined up appropriately.

The next night I was ready to cut and piece my blue chevrons.  As a quick recommendation when making these blocks, sew an extra line to the outside of your marked line.  Then when you cut your blocks, you'll have a half-square triangle ready to press and trim for another project!  I have a big stack of nearly 100 blue and white half-square triangles ready to go!

When it came time to piece the top I had a moment of revelation, realizing that these blocks would make a great baby quilt.  One of my coworkers is having twins later this year and I asked her if she'd be interested in a matched set of baby quilts.  Her resounding yes sealed the deal and I was off piecing the tops!

I love how these came out.  They are bold, graphic, and modern but still have that touch tradition that really speaks to my style.  I also like that they are clearly the same quilt pattern and layout but the different fabric set them apart.

I took them to a nearby commons to snap some pictures.  I love the location and think it really highlights these quilts nicely.  I'm waiting on backing fabric right now and then I'll be off and basting to get these finished up in time for babies!

Be sure to visit the Fat Quarter Shop and the rest of the blog hoppers taking part in this Quilted Living Summer Blog Hop.  And don't forget, the Fat Quarter Shop is running a giveaway!

Monday 07/13/15

Fat Quarter Shop

Jennifer of Never Just Jennifer

Wednesday 07/15/15

Chelsea of Patch the Giraffe

Thursday 07/16/15

Melissa of Happy Quilting

Friday 07/17/15

Gerri Robinson

Jane of Quilt Jane

Paula of The Sassy Quilter

Thanks for visiting!  Come back soon to see how these lovely matched baby quilts finish up!

2015 Finish-Along {Q3 Goals}

I did pretty good on following through with my goals from Q2.  Read about my goals and what I finished here and here.

Now to set some goals for Q3.  I'm taking the approach of listing all potential finishes with the hope that I'll finish 4-5 of them.

1. Finish Commission Quilt 2 of 2.  Read about the first one here.

2. Photograph and blog my Modern Hexi's Mini Quilt.

3. Finish hand sewing the binding on this commissioned baby quilt for a family member.

4. Finish my Rocky Mountain Puzzle bee block quilt.  I need to make a few more blocks then put the whole thing together.

5. Finish making additional blocks for my Low Volume Scrappy Trip Around the World quilt then put the whole thing together.  I think I want to back this one in Voile or Lawn for a nice, light, summer quilt.  (This is part of my LQG 2015 challenge.)

6.  Make fabric baskets for Mom and I to use in our locker at the gym.using the One Hour Basket pattern.  I'm going to use some of the Cotton + Steel prints I got during the VT Shop Hop.

7. Finish my Modern Double-Cross Quilt.  It's a graduation gift for a cousin who graduated high school LAST YEAR.  No pictures yet, since it's a surprise.  (This is part of my LQG 2015 challenge.)

8.  Bind the wedding quilt made for my Uncle and Wife who got married in October 2013.  Also very late.

9.  Complete my Delectable Mountains quilt.  I need to finish making the blocks and sew the whole thing together.

10.  Finish the signature quilt from our wedding.  This one will also depend on USPS and how fast they can mail some additional blocks to and from people who weren't able to sign blocks already.  (This is part of my LQG 2015 challenge.)

11.  Sew together this massive pink, grey, and yellow bee block quilt.  (This is part of my LQG 2015 challenge.)

12.  I have fabric washed and pulled and patterns picked out to make some new shirts to add to my wardrobe rotation.

13.  I joined the #SimplyMiniSwap on Instagram and will be making a simply awesome mini quilt for my secret partner.

14.  Finish ripping stitches and then re-quilt my Triangle Quilt Along quilt top.  I wasn't happy with the quality of the straight line quilting I started with.

15.  Finish up some secret sewing for a blog hop coming up very soon!

16.  Sew the final hem on my Colette Dress.  I took the sides in to make it more fitted and just need to hem it!

17. Make a matched pair of quilts using bee blocks I received about two years ago.  I know who they are intended for but I can't say on here.

Linking up with Adrianne at One the Windy Side.