Monkey Mania

Just pulled the second monkey off the frame.  I was thinking of making Monkey Wrench blocks to go with the name, but ended up making something very similar to the first because it was easier.  I did frame the center out a bit more which decreased the size of the top and bottom portions that I needed to make.  I haven't got anything that will work for binding, so I'll need to pop out this evening and find something suitable.  We have a nice long car trip coming up that will be perfect for binding sewing. 

Monkey Business

 I wanted to get a better photo of Monkey Business. Just one more to go.  My sister wanted two identical quilts for Zac's bunkbeds, but I'm not sure I have it in my to go into mass production.  Maybe I can make the next one with the same fabrics, but a slightly different arrangement?  Something in me is just calling out for a Monkey Wrench block, though I'm sure I would be the only one to get it. 

I'm really liking the quilting on this one.  They are fairly close maze like channels, and with the polyester batting that I used, they ended up quite firm and puffy.  I usually use a cotton blend batting, but tried something different this time.  Looks like a busy week around here, but I'll try to stay in touch if I can. 

Three It Is!!!!!!!

OK, so it is way too dark to get a good photo, but I couldn't resist finishing off quilt number three for today.  I'll trim this one out and hang it up for a better photo as soon as I'm home in daylight again.  Not tomorrow, there is a coaches meeting for Academic team, not Tuesday, I've been signed up for another evening training session.  Wednesday?  That may be the day.  The quilting on this was SO fun to do.  The only problem was that I kept outrunning the stitch regulator.  I think a nice chocolate brown binding will finish this one off and I can start working on its twin.  I think this one will be Monkey Business and the next one will be Monkey in the Middle. 

Can't Quite Make it Three

I'm trying something a little different for the first monkey quilt.  It isn't exactly put together very well.  My sister and I were working at Mom's house with a machine that had very little tension, a tiny mat with no ruler and a dull rotary cutter.  Considering all of that, I'm amazed that it came together at all.  I'm thinking that lots of quilting is the only thing that is going to hold all the pieces together.  I'm using these wavy lines that undulate back and forth in a maze like fashion somewhere between a quarter and a half inch apart.  I'm sure it won't take me long once I get going, but I really need to get some lesson plans set for the week.  So, just two quilts done today, but the third is soon to come. 

Priorities

I wasn't in a piecing mood this morning after finishing the Loggies.  Instead I pulled out Baby Nines and got it loaded onto the frame.  In the process of digging, I unearthed Monkey Business which is for my nephew Zach.  It is supposed to be two quilts, my sister and I finished the first while I was staying with Mom after her surgery this summer.

I'll be seeing her again soon, so finishing off those quilts percolated to the top of the list.  I didn't have anything for backing or batting of course, so me and my Joann's coupon needed to make a trip out.  Foundation piecing paper was on the list as well and the girls want "grass" to put under their doll houses. 

While I was running out these little cuties were finishing up in the wash. I haven't got a large stash of 1930s fabric and have been trying to get a little collection going for the midget quilt.  Mom called me from a quilt shop near where she lives and was telling me about all the great fabrics they had.  She isn't a quilter, but was there with my Aunt Marilyn who was visiting from out of town.  Marylin is a big hand quilter and is always working on something for her church.  I told Mom to ask them if they carried any depression era reproductions, and she picked out a stack of fat quarters to send to me.  Aren't they cute?  I especially love the floral on the left end, I know just the block that it will go into.  So now that I am stocked up on new fabrics and foundation paper, I am inspired to work on a midget block, but I guess I'd better work on the other quilts first.