OK - you can LOOK now!

I finally took the time to pull some of the stuff out of the closet in my sewing room and I can actually “walk-in” now. LOL No, I didn’t do the “BIG SORT” – that project will have to wait for now cuz I don’t feel like doing it right now. I feel better that I can at least walk into the closet and pull those drawers open. How is it that a person can have a sewing room with 21 drawers (yes, 21) and still not have enough room to store it all??? Sigh!

It’s a proven fact that “Quilting puts a smile on my face; and a song in my heart” – it just makes me feel so good. I just want to sew!!!!! :-)

Stitchery! Redwork! Embroidery!

I love handwork and have been wanting to get more involved in "stitchery, redwork, embroidery". I've searched and searched for THE project and nothing speaks to me except Leanne's House designs. I love, love, love her designs - have you seen them? If you like embroidery you must take a peek at her patterns. Oh my goodness they are wonderful. I am a bit sad because I can't seem to find a place to purchase them here in the US. If the ladies in Australia can order goodies from the US then certainly I order from Australia. Soon; very soon! :-)

It’s a Spring Thing

I seem to be stuck in a “Spring” mode. These days I’m very drawn to those luscious brighter colors – almost like Easter eggs. Definitely a “Spring Thing” I found this pile of assorted fabric in a drawer and now I need to find “the” project.

Last week I joined the Moda University class at one of the local quilt stores and Spring Fling was this month’s project – it’s now finished and will hopefully be quilted one day soon. Fabric and pattern are designed by Me and My Sister Designs for Moda.

Wow, I see I’m in good company when it comes to “blog stalking” – LOL. Thank you for leaving a comment and admitting that you, too are a blog stalker. Teehee! And, if my blog is one that you stalk – thank you so much.

A huge thank you for taking the time to "stalk" my blog and to leave a comment now and then. I’ve “met” so many wonderful people via my blog – almost like my own private guild.

Happy Monday!

I was reading a few of my favorite blogs early this morning and I had a funny thought! I do believe I'm a "Blog Stalker". There are certain Blogs that I truly do "stalk" - I love to see what the owner of the blog is working on, what she or he has been up to, what's happening in their corner of the world, etc.

So, here's my question for you:

Are you a "Blog Stalker", as well?

I can't list the blogs I stalk - need to protect the innocent - ME! :-)

My Table Toppers
sorry I'm just getting here - I've been sewing!

Spring Table Topper: approx 31 ½ x 31 ½

13 5” charms
½ yard background fabric (yellow pin dot)
3/8 yard for inner border and binding (yellow)
½ yard for outer border
1 yard for backing

Cut 2 5” strips from background fabric
Subcut into 13 5” squares

Cut 2 1 ¾ “ strips for inner border

Cut 3 5” strips for outer border

Cut 4 2” strips for binding (I prefer 2” binding strips)

Pair a 5” charm with a 5” background square and make four patches in the manner I described on here. This will yield 26 four patches (you’ll only need 25)

Sew the four patches 5 across and 5 rows down
Add the inner border
Add the outer border

Democracy Table Topper: approx 33 1/2" x 33 1/2"

18 5” charms
½ yard for inner border and binding
½ yard for outer border
1 yard for backing

Cut 3 1 ¾” strips for inner border
Cut 3 4” strips for outer border

Pair 2 5” charms and make four patches in the manner I described on here. This will yield 36 four patches.

Sew the four patches 6 across and 6 rows down
Add the inner border
Add the outer border

Enjoy! If you have any questions please, please do not hesitate to ask and I'll try to answer. :-)

I'm really pleased that you like my simple table toppers. Stay tuned I have lots more planned.

Spring Table Toppers

(you’ll need sunglasses – LOL)

Here they are – two ‘almost’ Spring table toppers. I’ll finish them later this week after the border fabric arrives (it’s been shipped).

I made these two with one charm pack of Peas and Carrots by American Jane/Moda and yardage of an off white with yellow pin dots. That yellow inner border is definitely bright put I’m hoping the outer border fabric will tone it down. If not then I’ll employ my trusty seam ripper and look for something different.

I’ve had several people ask me about the patterns for these table toppers – there is no actual pattern. It’s just my idea(s) with charm packs. I’ll be happy to write up the instructions if you’d like.

The patriotic "Democracy" table topper for my daughter is quilted. WooHoo - just need to sew down the binding and it's all hers. She'll be one happy girl. :-)

Quick Finish!!!!

My daughter, Kristie and her family were visiting on Sunday and she saw my “Seasons” tablecloth and she fell in love with it. She immediately expressed an interest in having one for her table, too. I had one charm pack of “Democracy” and she loved it. So, I told her she could have “Seasons” or I’d make “Democracy” for her. She said she wanted one that I’d made especially for her and asked for “Democracy”. So, yesterday afternoon,while I was killing time, I whipped up the four patches, sewed some of the rows and then while I was at a Moda University class at the quilt store I picked up border, binding and backing fabric. Then this morning I sewed the borders on and hopefully later this week I’ll quilt it, bind it and she can enjoy it on her table.

I’m hooked on these little tablecloths so I have big plans – yeah right! I’d love to make a different one for every month of the year – yes one for my daughter, as well. Now, will I really do it? That remains to be seen! LOL

HMMM - today is the first day of Spring so I must search for fabric to make two with a Spring theme.

BIG, HUGE, REALLY BIG, REALLY HUGE SURPRISE :-)

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness!!!! I just had the biggest and nicest surprise! I am sooooooo excited! I answered my phone and Nadine, all the way from Belgium, was on the other end. I couldn't believe it when I answered the phone - I can't express how excited and pleased I was. WooHoo!

Nadine, my friend, it was so much fun to chat with you! You have become such a delight in my life - thank you, thank you for the wonderful surprise! ((HUGS))

I have HUGE smile in my heart!!!!!! :-)

Spring Snowballs (teehee)

(they're suppose to be plates)

Where’s Spring? I pulled this flimsy out from "the pile" yesterday and decided it needed to be quilted NOW. I need something that says Spring – actually I need lots of somethings that say Spring. Like so many of my flimsies I made this quilt a couple of years ago and it’s a pattern by Terry Christopherson and her book "Days to Remember". Please note that I found the binding and it’s ready to be sewed down. Still have not found the binding for Leap Frog (could it be that I didn’t make the binding when I finished the “top”???) HMMMM

It appears that I've been in a swirly mood lately - just noticed that I quilted this one with swirls as I did Leap Frog. :-)

We’ve been having temps in the high 80’s to low 90’s and this week end we’ll experience high 90’s. We turned on the central a/c yesterday – just couldn’t take it anymore. In the evenings it does cool off nicely but during the day it’s HOT. It's just way too soon. Please send "cool thoughts" my way.

DON'T LOOK!!!! (ok, don't say I didn't warn you!)

You're looking at a picture of my "walk-in" closet in my sewing room. OK, so I can't walk-in - LOL - but I can reach. LOL ;-)

The time has come for me to "gut" my sewing room, including the walk in closet. Yes, it's time to take a long serious look at everything and make some reality based decisions. i.e. am I ever going to use "that". I've made arrangements to borrow a couple of 6 foot folding banquet tables to set up in my living room and I'm going to start the big sort. Of course, it'll be very interesting to see if I can really get rid of some of the stuff but I must do it. I have boxes and boxes of fabric in a storage unit away from my home. I'm planning to bring one box home at a time and sort through all of those, as well.

So, stay tuned for updates of the BIG SORT. teehee

Cherries Jubilee Update!

Thank you so much for all your help - the links, etc to help me find Cherries Jubilee. I knew I could count on you! I have three charm packs coming from Over The Rainbow (they will be shipped today - woohoo) and late yesterday afternoon I found this tin box with one charm pack enclosed. I should be able to do something really, really cute with four charm packs (each has 45 charms). I'm still coveting some yardage but we'll see! :-)

Apple Pie, Cherries Jubilee & Peas and Carrots!

I was out and about on Friday running errands - the stop and go kind! In and out of the car; dash in and out, etc. I made a quick dash into one of our local quilt stores and purchased one charm pack of Peas and Carrots - it would make an adorable Spring tablecloth for my kitchen table. While I was there I caught a glimpse of a bolt or two of Cherries Jubilee - very, very pretty - how did I miss that???? Wait, wait, I thought to myself - I have made a quilt top with Cherries Jubilee - AH, I felt better. So, I pulled out said quilt top and OH NO!!! it's not Cherries Jubilee, it's Apple Pie. Mind you, I love my Grandma's Album and should press it and quilt it very, very soon as it would look lovely in my entry way. It would made a HUGE Spring statement!!!!! So, now I'm beating myself up for missing Cherries Jubilee - how did that happen - where was I? Sadly, I can't find a fat quarter bundle anywhere :-(

My friends in blogger land if you know where I can find a fat quarter bundle of Cherries Jubilee by Moda please, please let me know.

Baltimore Album Meets Country Cousins

It's definitely a small world. Suze and her friends are working on this together and Carole is working on it as a BOM from The Quilted Crow, just as I am. I set this aside last fall during my "slump" and need to get back to it. I'm hoping that Suze and Carole's progress will prod me along. LOL

Leap Frog (it says SPRING)

Another “flimsy” quilted! WooHoo!!!! I need to find the binding for this one – where is it?????

I made this quilt almost three years ago. It’s a pattern from Me and My Sister Designs and made with a line of fabric from Moda – the name escapes me now but it has a 30’s feel to it.

I must think about making a list of my “flimsies” (aka quilt tops waiting to be quilted). Lately I’ve been taking two steps forward and many back – piecing more than quilting.

PS: I have not been able to leave comments on “Typepad blogs” this morning but I have been reading! I’ll try again later.

Sweet Romance

I made two of these and sadly they are both still flimsies. My daughter fell in love with this line of fabric, Sweet Romance from Moda, so I made two quilts. Well, they are actually still flimsies but soon they will both be real quilts.

I’ve been doing a lot of piecing recently however I need to start thinking about doing some actual quilting. That flimsy pile is growing again – two steps forward and four back. ACK!!! LOL

EDIT: This quilt has been a flimsy for a couple of years. I didn't just finish this one!

"UNCLE"

That’s what my sewing machine has said this evening! LOL I’ve been working my little buddy really hard today. I managed to finish my project with the mini nine patches. I had to run to the quilt store late this afternoon to get the brown border fabric. I had blue in mind but I believe the brown worked much better!

I can’t take credit for this one; it’s called “Garden Patch” from Simple Traditions by Kim Diehl (That Patchwork Place). In the book the outer border has a beautiful appliqué design but I decided a plain border would do just fine!

Decision, decisions – what’s next. Pondering if I should continue with my quest to use up my 5” charm packs or dig deeper for a project. In the meantime my sewing machine is taking a much needed break. LOL

Tomorrow I'm off to sew with a friend at one of the local quilt stores. Need a new project - LOL!!!!!

Just a Quilty Ditty!

"Another one bites the dust; another one bites the dust"...

This is my completed Picket Fence 16 patch. By the way, this is my own design! :-)

A Snicker & A Giggle

My Sweetie saw this in my sewing room today and asked if it was on "overstuffed jelly roll". LOL (yes, he reads my blog!)

Back to my regularly scheduled sewing! Can you tell I'm having fun?

Feast or Famine

If you’re a regular reader of my blog then you might recall the “Great Quilting Slump of 2006”. LOL That slump is now completely gone (wasted so much time!!!!) and now I’m in full stitching mode and can’t sew fast enough. You all know that old cliché “so many projects, so little time” . Sigh!

We’ve had stressful days in our household since the first of the year but especially this past week and the only thing that’s keeping my heart happy is to sew. And, whoa have I been sewing!

The picture shows the beginning of my project with the 3” nine patches that I’ve been working on with Chocolat charm squares (prints and plaids). Oh, I’m loving this one! And, yesterday the little package arrived with my needed Picket Fence charm pack so I can finish my sixteen patch project – another one that I’m crazy about.

Now, I’m hanging my head in shame as well – BIG Sigh!

I have not made string blocks for Nancy as I promised – I will do it, Nancy, I’m sorry!

I signed up for the Siggie Swap with Cynthia and have not worked on those blocks and, of course, they are due this Saturday (obviously, I’m way too late to get them made and sent) I’m so ashamed as I’m usually very dependable but I’ve been self absorbed! How can I correct this HUGE faux pas!

I have two packages for winners of my 101st posting and those are still waiting to hit the post office. Gail and Cynthia you’ll have your surprise goodies very soon!

I have a package for Nadine that I need to finish assembling and there it sits!

I have not taken time to leave comments on so many blogs I visit on a regular basis, nor have I responded to the comments left on mine. You know I like to respond!

Needless to say my selfishness has caught up with me! It’s definitely “Feast or Famine” – I feel good cuz I’m sewing and I feel really, really bad cuz I’ve let some “friends” down.

So, while I’m hanging my head in shame!

On a happier note, I must wish a Happy Birthday to my wonderful daughter – Kristie! (can she really be 32???? Oh my!) I’m so proud of her – she’s an incredible woman – a good wife and a wonderful mother to two super terrific boys, Seth and Eli. Happy Birthday, Sweetness!!!!