Thimble: What a fun table cover. The gold pulls the various prints together really well.

Just starting my day, so will finish making some extra blocks before trying to lay them out. Have a great day of stitching everyone! & SouthPStitches.....fun name for your project.....

Happy Sunday! Finally here, quiche in the oven, sauce for lasagna simmering, another load of laundry done...time to quilt!! I have the rug pinned (don't tell me there are not enough pins! lol ) and am deciding how to quilt it. I have done very little FMQ on my domestic - only one mug rug SID. This should be interesting.

My machine is not cooperating with the quilting. Will try again tomorrow. Let it nap today

Ok, since I was working on a throw blanket all weekend (which I did finish) I was late starting the bath rug (bad host)

But I did manage to get to a spot where I have 2 blocks completed to show off. I have really enjoyed hosting this, and I dearly hope everyone enjoyed making their projects. I will be on the look out for another quick project for a weekend retreat again if you ladies are interested.

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Your blocks are beautiful! I've managed to piece my extra blocks but had 2 visitors today, 1 being my DD & we headed out in the rain for a walk with her little pug. Now it's almost dinner time but will try & get a row or two joined before I turn out the lights. Lucky I put ribs in the slow cooker this morning ;) I hope that the rest of the members who shared their fabric choices will share pictures of how far they've gotten on this project as well. Thank you so much for hosting this & yes, I would be interested in another project. (although it seems I get visitors every time I make a "commitment" to sew......)

I am baaadddd!!! I forgot the retreat was this weekend!!! I will make this mat another time. Might be a good thing I forgot as everything I have worked on in the last week I messed up in one way or another,LOL. I made a little oval sewing box with a needle case and a thimble holder. I manage to get every piece made only to relize after the box was complete that the zipper band is in the wrong spot ( cover opens on the side instead of the back) I will live with that. NO way am I taking it apart. Then I started a wall hanging and I get all the blocks made and put into the 2 rows, then I fused the pieces on to the background piece I go to put it in the middle of the 2 rows of blocks to see how it looks and I realize I cut it about 3 inches short so I had to add on to the side but couldn't just add the fabric to one side ( it would look lopsided) so I made the added extra piece look like books so it would be balanced. No way was I going to do the machine applique on this till I feel I won't mess up the stitches to badly. LOL Taking a rest till next week!!!!

Need some advice or suggestions, I don't have enough of the original green for the borders since I am trying to use stash. The two greens I have that might work one has a print but is the same weight as the rest of the fabrics. The other is a solid green just a shade darker but is a much lighter fabric? I also placed them all together and after I finished them they kind of grow on me with out the border, but it is still LOUD.

Which way to go???
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I did not get as much sewing done today due to making a Turkey today and watching the Daytona.

Husband is going on a trip on Tuesday and back on Saturday so I get to Sew Sew Sew.

Dedemac, your picture with the green sashing looks good.... but.... I'm kind of into the funky thingy on this project...so I might try it without the green sashings...the plaids crunching up against each other may not always be a bad thing.
And so I have all my extra blocks stitched so will share the layout now.... DD was here & said.... WOW... it sure is colourful! ..hehehe....It's for the picnic table...and no we don't usually have sushi & drink saki out there...but maybe we can change our ways....haha..... the cards & dice fabric was a little chunk in the freebie basket at a local shop .... so I had to incorporate it here. [ATTACH=CONFIG]397685[/ATTACH]

Another thought dedemac.... it may be easier to match up the seams without the extra green sashings.... just saying.

I finished my mat this afternoon, except for non-slip on the back. FMQ on my domestic machine was fun. Took me a couple tries to get started, but then got going. I have new found respect for you ladies that do full quilts on your domestic machines!! Whew, that would be a lot of work. I plan to use this for a rug under my sewing table.

Thank you Carolyn for hosting this fun weekend. I love this project and plan to make a few more of these, the size is perfect for dog bed snugglies and for car trips.

I'm thinking that I will go for the tartan hangover version, no sashing.

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The green makes a nice race track.

I have all the blocks sewn together and it is spray basted to the back. Will quilt and bind it in the next couple of days, (no new UFO's here) then post a picture. Fun watching everyone's project come into being!

Carolyn: Would love to join in on another retreat. This was really fun. I really enjoy the almost instant gratification of a small project. Thank you so much for doing this!

I've been watching this and have copied the instructions for a later date. Am really enjoying watching these come together.

CarolynMT - you did a great job and it is a terrific idea. I'll be watching for new retreats.
Hope the migraine is better. I had one last week that incapacitated me for two days. Am still fighting it. No fun at all. Am impressed you still managed to play along.

Dedemac, looking good!

Oh goodness, just saw this thread and wow, looked like it was fun. This is a great idea, would make my little Jasper, toy poodle, snuggly in his kennel. Although the sewing desk rug looks good as well. Could keep those scrap threads from running everywhere and be able to just shake it out. I want to make one and put in my half bath downstairs so it looks comfortable to be in. I have rug skid stuff on hand already, an old towel, and definitely some fabric that would work. You ladies did great!

Well I have sewn all the blocks together and sandwiched the piece so tomorrow when I am a little clearer headed. (I had a glass of port with NCIS) I will give the quilting a go. I have never done any on my home machine, wish me luck.
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The only old towel I had was blue, Hey its scrappy!!! I'm using up stuff and sending it to my DD for the Grand puppy.

Here is the Grand Puppy, his name is Mojo he is a Maltese / Bichon Frise mix, he weights about 14 lbs, at his last check up.
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I think it turned out fabulous!!! I like the busyness of it! The Grandpuppy is a cutie!

Thank you Auntpiggylpn, Mojo is cute but could use a little more house training. I'm tempted to try to quilt tonight but better to wait until clear headed. If I can't sleep maybe I will get up and sew, no husband to irritate tonight. This has been fun and a great learning experience for a person new to quilting. I appreciate all the great comments.

I would like your fabric....soo beautiful:)

Just saw this thread elsewhere, hope you don't mind if I pop the link in here too, it's a great bathrug too! http://www.quiltingboard.com/general...r-t214881.html

Thimblebug: Thanks for linking, might have missed it otherwise.

Got started on mine and decided to just do it scrappy, a different fabric for each square, only the fabric C staying the same. Have three done so far. I'm loving it! Thinking about going on and making it throw size.

These are all lovely. Such a good idea 'virtual quilting retreat'

Jmillie

I'm a little behind, life keeps getting in the way of sewing. But I finished the Mat!!!

This is my first time doing FMQ on my machine. I kind of did a stitch in the ditch following just some of the lines, and forgetting about others. Since this is for Mojo to lay on I did put the binding on with my machine. A quick wash to get all the threads off it and then in the mail.

Thank you Carolyn for a fun retreat, for helping me learn and getting rid of extra fabric.

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Here is the back,

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More scraps gone and a towel!:)

:) I am so happy everyone enjoyed the retreat. I Love piecing and making beautiful bed quilts, but I have to say sometimes the near instant gratification (comparatively) of starting and finishing a project in a weekend or so really is a nice change.

I love what everyone has done, it is so very cool to see different takes on the same design.

I urge everyone to branch out and just give things a shot, NEVER EVER let instructions get in the way of creativity!

I am going to be putting a strip of the left over fabrics (I bought extra when designing) on the bottom of a bath towel set (body, hand, face) and giving a set to each niece and nephew this year for christmas. Fast, easy and fun project, not to mention personable for each child. :) Of course there is the added benefit of doing some totally obnoxious mixes like the one in the tutorial to really bug my sister :p yes, after 30+ yrs of being grown up, it is still fun to irritate each other in a good way :p

Since everyone had fun and look forward to another, I will be searching out some new weekend retreat projects and have another virtual retreat, so be on the look out! It was a pleasure leading you ladies and helping :)

Great job to all! *ps pls dont stop posting pictures of finished projects, :) I still wanna see

I'm still doing the quilting on mine, but am "goofing off" today!

I still only have the 2 blocks done, :p I am a serious slacker, will work on it in the morning tomorrow though

Carolyn, Thanks so much for doing this. I had a change of plans with my mat. My machine would not cooperate trying to quilt through a towel. I gave up fighting with it. Decided to turn mine into a future baby quilt. Will either add another block to each of the three rows or perhaps add multiple boarders. It won't go to waste and I do like the way it turned out.

Carolyn you have an excuse, isn't this is your second? Thank you for the fun retreat. Sent a picture to my daughter and she can't wait to have it for the puppy.

Yeah it is my second, but I put it aside cause I wanted to get a throw pieced :) so I really was slacking.

I have a ton of ideas for more rugs, and one day may actually get a few done up. You can use any block you want to make a rug, any size you want. The options are nearly as endless as quilt tops!

For the "March" virtual quilt retreat, am thinking of doing a fabric bowl, it is not quilted but uses material, need to do up a sample. One of our board members did some last weekend, using up a bunch of her 2in scrap strips. This might be a good project. And just in time for easter ;) I am just a little nervous about trying ;) but gonna just let go and try it. So definitely keep tuned.

Also, if anyone comes across a quick and easy project that they think would make a great retreat project, please feel free to send me a picture or link, :) I am always happy to give something a try

Carolyn: Just had an idea. What about quilt room assessories? For instance, pin cushions both regular and wrist, notion holders etc. I know, I am dangerous when I have a thought. Don't worry, won't happen again for another couple of months.

To be honest emma, I have been batting around an idea for a pin cushion (no pun intended there) I need something to hold my safety pins OPEN, and was thinking of a "couch" like shape where the "seat" is where you put the pins in. Havent drawn anything up for that yet, but it would be a nice accessory ;) rather than opening/closing pins all the time while quilting.

Ok finally finished :) only a week late

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Beautiful!!

Love it! I can just see it at the beach, I think it would make a great sand rug also.

I am actually sending it, the towels and the quilted throw I was working on last weekend to a friend I play video games with online. She lives in the netherlands and suffers from fibromalysia (sp) , apparently it isnt as accepted as a serious issue over there like it has been recently over here. She always struggles to keep happy and not get too depressed. I thought she could use a good hug all the time :) and the rug/towels are an extra present, she doesnt know she is getting them.

Yours turned out very pretty! I have just finished the binding on mine tonight.... remember I turned mine into a picnic table rug complete with hole in the middle for the umbrella. Here's the front & back pictures. [ATTACH=CONFIG]399346[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]399347[/ATTACH]

Absolutely stunning! Love the rounded corners too!

Thimblebug: Truly a great finish! Love the fact it is totally reversable for a change of mood.