Temperature Quilt: The Details

 Since the New Year will quickly be upon us, I thought I'd better get this post up for anyone who wants to go ahead and do this with me.

First up: Fabric.  I decided to extend my range.  I've got 28 fabrics.  That's one for every 5 degrees from -30 through 110 degrees Fahrenheit.  This might depend a bit on where you live and how many days a year you are in a certain range of temperatures.  I'm working with fat quarters here, and if you go with strips that are 2.5" x 5.5" you should be able to (carefully) cut 28 pieces from each fat quarter.  If you are in a temperate climate where everyday is in the 70's, maybe you want a fat quarter for each degree in that range.  This is totally up to you and how you want to make your quilt look.  If purple is your thing, you could assign each temperature range a purple color. 

  So I finally sat down and made up some patterns.  First up is my original plan.  Patches are cut 2.5" x 5.5".  This will get a quilt center of 60" x 62"

Next up is a smaller version, finishing at 48" x 45" center.  To get this size you would cut your patches into 4.5" x 2" pieces.

Now, if you're thinking larger; like 96" x 96" the patches will need to be cut 3.5" x 8.5".  At this size patch, you'll only get 10 patches per fat quarter, so more fabric will certainly be necessary for those temperatures that your area sees the most.

Lastly, the mini version: A finished center of 32" x 36" means patches would be cut at 1.5" x 3.5". 

Some other things to mention.  Each month (obviously) has a different  number of days.  I figure there are a couple ways of addressing this.  If you look at my two examples above you'll see I added the extra grey patches on the right, starting each month on the same place on the left.  If you wanted to center things you could add half patches on each end of the shorter months, or you could stagger your months, as well.   I guess this might be less of a quilt-a-long and more of a suggestion/guide to get you going.

Temperature guide.  I would suggest deciding before you begin to find a consistent place to base your daily temperatures on.  If you want to use your own thermometer, great.  I am going to use a website that tracks daily temperatures, and one that I can go back to find 'historical' data for when I'm out of town, or behind on my quilt (not like that would happen).  In my case the closest weather station is an airport about 8 miles from my home.  Around here, this matters.  Since I am in SE Wisconsin, Lake Michigan can greatly effect the weather (called Lake Effect).  But sometimes it depends just how close you are to the lake.  Sometimes a half mile can make a difference in temperature and clouds and snow, too.

Right now, my plan is to share each week's progress on Fridays. Which means next Friday, 1/3/14 will have my first 3 patches cut and sewn. 

Lastly, I am happy to answer any questions.  I reply to comments if I can, but if you don't hear from me you are probably a 'no-reply' blogger.  Then feel free to either leave me your email in the comment, or email me directly.

Really Random Thursday 12.19.13

 The last bit of randomness for the year, as Cindy will be taking a break until Jan 9, as I suspect many of us will.

1. Best mail package this week.  I won a box of Sulky Thread from the Quilters Newsletter Magazine Blog!  I suppose they are considered 'old school' as far as the modern quilt movement is concerned, but I've been a fan of their magazine ever since I started quilting.

2. I'm really glad I decided to throw this one in the wash.  Loving the crinkly texture that it came out with.  Original post is *here* for this quilt.

 3.  Woke up to a horizontal Christmas tree this morning. Grrrr.

 4. I don't think it matters what the chocolate looks like, as long as it tastes OK....

 5. Prepping teacher and classmate gifts for the Christmas parties at school tomorrow.

Check out more randomness *here*

WIP Wednesday 12.18.13

 The last WIP Wednesday before Christmas!  I've got all my 'have to's' done!

 M's stocking is done and waiting to be filled...

 Reindeer Games is quilted and hung.

 I would love to get this quilted and hung for Christmas, but I'm OK if that doesn't happen.  It's not even basted yet.  I've got some more decorating around the house, and then its cleaning time, plus dedicating a day to cookie baking before Christmas celebrations begin.

Now, looking to the next year.  Any one want to Quilt A Long with me?  I was first inspired last year when a friend of mine joined a knit/crochet-a-long scarf that recorded the weather, well the daily temperatures, that is.  I even went so far as to mock up a quilt in EQ7. 

 But reality set in and with being pregnant and knowing I'd have a baby in July, I knew I wouldn't be able to keep up.  BUT, this year, starting Jan 1, I am determined to do it.  I've chosen my fabrics.

 14 colors of Fossil Fern fat quarters by Bernatex. (I bought a box of them last year)  This gets me a color for each 10 degrees from -29 degrees up to 110 degrees Farenheit.  There is a chance I'll have to add a color at the low end of the spectrum, but we'll wait to see if that happens.

My plan is very simply a 2.5" x 5.5" piece in the corresponding high temperature for the day.  I think there could be a myriad of variations on that.  For instance is we have record lows, a strip of a contrast could be added to the day's piece.  If we have a blizzard, a snowflake could be appliqued, or snow fabric could be used.  So many more possibilities.  Plus, everyone's quilt would be unique, based on where you live and your weather there, and your fabric choices.  If any southern hemisphere residents participated their colors might be opposite!

So is anyone interested in doing this with me?  If I get enough interest, I'll put together a proper plan and instructions and maybe even set up some linky parties and monthly goals.  Just leave me a comment if you think you'd be interested in something like this.  I'll be doing it anyway, so you can always just follow along.

Reindeer Games Wallhanging

 Yay!  I finished up my Reindeer wall hanging during the Packer game Sunday (Go Pack!).  I got this Sandy Gervais panel in an after Christmas sale last January.  I was originally thinking the center for a quilt, but when I pulled it our this year, I just decided to quilt it up and hang it.

 All the quilting was done with Superior Clear on the top, and Bottom Line in the bobbin.  That combination is a match made in heaven.  It is all FMQ on my domestic machine.

 The backing fabric has a story all its own:  Many moons ago I worked at a big box fabric store that starts with a J.  When E was born, one of my former co-workers gave me a crib sheet made out of the Coca~Cola Polar Bear fabric.  I never used it as a sheet.  It always seemed too much for a crib sheet.  So the fabric has been hanging out in my Christmas Fabric Box (for 10 years) and seemed the perfect backing for this.

 As I write this, the quilt is in the wash.  I don't generally wash wall hangings, but this one turned out pretty ripply on the edges, so it needs some wash and blocking, I think.  I'll probably share a post washing picture, as well.  The texture always changes in the wash.

Finished size: 22" x 39"
Fabric: Front: Sandy Gervais Panel,  Back: Coca~Cola bears (from Joann's), Binding: Old World Comforts by Thimbleberries
Thread: Superior Clear and Bottom Line
Batting: Pellon Cotton

SMS Giveaway Winner

 The Prize

 The Winning Number

 The Winning Comment

Congratulations DogLover22.  I've already emailed you.

 *in case you are confused, my comments top out at 200 per page, so the third page of comments start at 400, 400+ 61= 461.  I'll have to figure out how to fix that, but I've never had so many comments before!*

Really Random Thursday 12.12.13

 Half way there.  This is really the only 'have to' project left that needs to be done by Christmas.  I can let the rest go, if I need to.

And I might need to.  I'm pretty sure someone is going to come hang this sign at our house soon.  The most amazing thing to me is that Mr. Riley and Eldest Daughter have not shared in the misery.  Yet. 

 It's been cold.  The dog stretches himself out along the baseboard heater.

 Really cold.  The igloo in Current Conditions cracked me up.
Check out Cindy's blog Live a Colorful Life for more Randomness.


 

WIP Wednesday 12.11.13

12.11.13, hah! it's like when my kids were learning to count.

Anyway.  Seriously not much happening around here.  Most of the household is sick.  5 out of 7, its only a matter of time before they catch it as well....

 M's name really needs to get put on this stocking.  Good thing it's not really needed until the 25th!

 Before everyone got sick and this got put away, I got a fair amount quilted on it.  I still need to do the cream background and the borders.

 I will probably end up doing some of the balls, as well.  I just hate sagging areas in a wall quilt.  I should really get on this, since the pumpkin quilt is still hanging up.

 I have gotten quite a few pairs stitched into quads.  My kids allow me to hand stitch while we snuggle on the couch. 

 And my step-sis made my day by driving down this morning, before work (she lives 35 minutes away!) to bring me Season 3 and a present!  I think I'll be watching Downton Abbey and stitching a stocking tonight.

 And the present?  A scone pan. She told me I needed it before Christmas Eve.  I always make scones for our Christmas Eve Brunch.  This will give me a chance to try it out before then.

 And don't forget, you have until Friday evening to win this basket of goodies.  Click *here* for the giveaway.  It's been great fun to wake up to 58 comments in the morning and reading all your holiday food favorites.  Quite a few things I've never heard of.  And lots of you are looking forward to the turkey!  Snickerdoodles is also mentioned often.

 Linking up with Lee

Giveaway Day 12.9.13

Welcome to the Life of Riley blog for the Sew Mama Sew giveaway day!

 *THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED*


 If you're new here, I do a lot of quilting, some other crafty sewing and occasionally talk about my family and some food.  You'll find tabs at the top where you can find my recipes, tutorials and completed quilts.
Here's a collage of some of this past year's completions.  You can see there is a bit of every kind of quilting around these parts.

 The reason you're here:  Today's prize package includes a Fabric basket, a Schnibbles Pattern called Honeycomb and FOUR charm packs of Riley Blake's Prairie Rose. (great name)

 You can find a tutorial to make your very own fabric basket *here*.

 Why four charm packs?  So you can make a decent size quilt.  Each pack has 24 squares, for a total of 96 5" squares for you!

How do you win?

1. First Chance to win: Leave me a comment telling me your favorite holiday food.  Doesn't have to be Christmas, maybe you have a hankering for Cadbury Eggs all year, or Candy Corn, whatever it is, tell me about it.

2. Second chance: Be a follower, new or old.  Leave me a comment telling me that you are and how. e.g. feedly, bloglovin, email, etc...

3. I am happy to ship internationally!

4. Giveaway ends December 13 at 5 p.m. PST.

5. I  will choose a winner via Mr. Random.org from all the eligible comments by December 15.  I will email the winner and also write a blog post announcing the winner.

6. I must have a way to contact you.  Either leave an email address in your comment, or make sure yours is embedded in your blogger profile.

7. Mean Moment: If I cannot contact you, or if you do not answer my question, I will choose another winner.  I know there are lots of blogs out there doing giveaways, but I don't appreciate the generic "thanks for the giveaway" comment.  I'm being generous with giving stuff away, you can give me a one word answer about food.

Good Luck!

*I try my very best to reply to comments on a daily basis, however, due to the volume of comments on giveaway day, it isn't feasible.  I do appreciate and read each and everyone, though.  Thank You*

Sewing for the (older) girl

 I've done a bit of sewing for E over the past month.  Nothing major, as you will see, which is why I've jammed them all together in one post.

First up, the skirts.  The blue one was re-purposed from one of Mr. Riley's old polo shirts, size XXL.  A nice soft knit.

 I snapped a quick picture of E in the black one this morning.  It is a stretch, crushed panne velvet.  Also comfy with an elastic waist.  I made this one for the school Fall Program where the children dressed as pilgrims.  (puritans for the rest of the world)

 I also cobbled together a small case for E to keep her Ipod touch in.  If I could start over, I would do a million things differently, but she likes it and it is at least functional, so we'll go with it.

 And lastly, if I don't get around to regular postings, no worries.  'Tis the season for busy-ness. 

HOWEVER, make sure to stop by on Monday for the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!