BUTTER DISH BASKETS

The Celebrate Spring fat quarter challenge is now finished! Here’s the result of my use of the fat quarter challenge using Celebrate Spring by Sandy Gervais and Moda. After much deliberation and searching I selected a pattern by Fig Tree Quilts called Butter Dish Baskets. This pattern had been in my pile of "someday projects" and I'm very happy with the results.

I've had a ton of fun doing this challenge with Nicole of Sister's Choice and Dawn of Quilts and Pieces. Hopefully, we will do this again in the near future and have lots more quilters involved!

Thanks so much for following along as we progressed through the month of May!

I’M SO EXCITED
I’M ABOUT TO LOSE CONTROL
AND I JUST CAN’T HIDE IT!!! ;-)

Late last week my Sweetie and I stopped by my nearest quilt store to exchange some batting. While we were there the shop owner told me that she had one fat quarter bundle of Allspice Tapestry by Fig Tree Designs/Moda and had it set aside just for me (does she know me, or what????) I got super excited and told her to please hold it till later this week as I needed to put aside some “play money” – she said “no problem, see you next week”. My Sweetie immediately offered to buy it for me but I said, “no, that’s OK, I’ll come back next week”. Needless to say I skipped out of the store with excitement. WooHoo! Believe me when I tell you I thought about that bundle of fat quarters all week end. They are truly gorgeous.

Then today I was going to go run a couple of errands – the bank, the grocery store, etc. As I was leaving my Sweetie handed me his VISA and told me to please stop by the quilt store and buy that bundle for myself. I still said, “No, that’s OK” – the man was insistent so I obliged and stopped by to purchase it.

Since I brought it home I have carried it from room to room so I could fondle it. Did I mention that I really do love it? That same Sweetie was teasing me and said that he needed to get a picture of me holding it (carrying it around) to post on my blog. Yes, he’s a regular reader and a "keeper"!

Now, the BIG search is on for a pattern.

MISS LOUISE AND MISS CYNTHIA

I know you’ve met Miss Louise (on the left) and now here’s her friend, Miss Cynthia! Two adorable ladies from the designs of Red Brolly, Bronwyn Hayes. Years ago, and I do mean YEARS ago I did a lot of embroidery and have found myself being drawn to it again. I used a back stitch with these, as I need to practice my stem stitch. I’m not completely happy with the results and finally figured out why – I was working on linen rather than muslin so it was difficult to keep my stitches even (one thread over makes such a difference). So, please don't be too critical of my stitches! ;-)

I don’t know what I’m going to do with these cuties. I’m considering ordering one or two more but we’ll see. I just need to think about it a bit.

Please forgive the tacky blue tape!

CELEBRATE SPRING FAT QUARTER CHALLENGE

Final sneak peek of the Celebrate Spring Fat Quarter Challenge that Nicole, Dawn and I started on May 1.

The BIG Reveal is Thursday, May 31.

SEEDS OF TIME

I don’t know why this was in a “flimsy” stage for so long because it’s always been a favorite. I used a fat quarter bundle called Seeds of Time by Kansas Troubles/Moda and the pattern was a freebie offered by Moda. I think I made this quilt top in 2004 (?) but I really can’t remember.

I hope that you like it as much as I do.

By the way, either you didn’t notice it or were too kind to notice it. Go back and look in the lower right corner of my Rhubarb and Ginger quilt – see it now – the sashing strip is different from the rest. Why? Well, when I was making this I ran out of the correct sashing fabric but needed to finish it quickly so I decided it would be best to just use one of the others. I did get more the correct sashing fabric but my husband suggested that I leave it alone – someday it will be a good conversation starter.

Again, thank you for stopping by my blog – I do appreciate you!

Come back tomorrow (Monday) for the final sneak peek of the Celebrate Spring Fat Quarter Challenge that Nicole, Dawn and I are doing. Thursday, May 31 will be the BIG Reveal.

RHUBARB & GINGER

No longer a flimsy! This was a Moda University quilt kit that I made sometime in late 2005 and yesterday I had the opportunity to quilt it. I’m so addicted to those dang Moda fabrics; I swear I could be their poster girl.

MORE RHUBARB & GINGER

Some of you may recall my Grandmother Flower Garden hexagon flowers that I was English paper piecing last year. I was having so much fun and couldn’t wait to get another flower finished. Then it all came to a screeching halt because after I found perfect fabric for the “path” (the area between the hexagon flowers) I couldn’t figure out how to put it all together. AAARRRGGGHHH – I felt like such a BIG dummy so I put it all away! Libby was kind enough to attempt to help me – she sent me diagrams and instructions and yet I’m still a BIG dummy. I bought books, yes more than one, and all they told me was how to make the flower - I already know how to do that, thank you very much. I can't find basic instructions to put the entire quilt top together. I'm really bummed about it, too. However, I’ve been thinking about making more flowers and maybe someday it will all click and I’ll put the quilt top together (don’t hold your breath!) LOL

Tomorrow I’ll show you what I quilted today! An oldie but a goodie! teehee

Perfect Segue!

Have you seen the BEAUTIFUL bags that Wendy makes? You must pop over to her blog and check ‘em out. As I was reading her blog this morning, it occurred to me that the topic on her blog today would be a perfect segue to my “bag making phobia”. Yes, ladies (and gentlemen) I have a huge bag making phobia. When I think about making a bag the butterflies in my stomach start fluttering and then if I start reading directions, etc then I break out in a cold sweat. It’s not a pretty sight. LOL I didn’t enjoy sewing garments and I think that making a bag reminds me of sewing garments. BIG YUCK!!!!! You should see me shamelessly begging my bag making friends to please, please, please make a bag for me.

As I was attempting to pack light for my retreat I decided that I wanted to make a travel case for my P3 applique tools so I called one of my bag making friends and asked if she’d help me when I got stuck. “Absolutely”, she said. I needed three fat quarters (so I packed 10), batting and Velcro. I was good to go. WooHoo!

Drum roll please!!!!! Saturday evening after I finished my Night and Noon quilt top I made the travel case you see in the picture. I didn’t need much assistance and when I was finished my friends decided that I was now a bag making apprentice. LOL Wait, wait, I actually made two travel pouches but I failed to get a picture of the second one before I gave it to the owner of the retreat location. She was super excited, too. (it's the little things!)

Speaking of bags, totes, etc you must visit Sharon’s blog and take a look at her bags, as well. And, if you look through Doe's blog you'll see some super bags there, too.

It’s so nice to be surrounded by such talented women, isn’t it?

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Travel Case is by Pearl P. Pereira of www.P3designs.com

Need to FOCUS (verb: direct one's attention on something)

Remember the “Great Quilting Slump of ’06? Nothing, absolutely nothing appealed to me. I didn’t want to piece, appliqué, and/or embroider. What was up with that? The only thing I was doing well was spending money on more projects. LOL

Fast forward to May ’07 – I’ve been piecing like a maniac; I’ve been doing a little embroidery; I’ve played with punchneedle (thank you, Wendy) however I haven’t touched any hand appliqué or my Grandmother’s Flower Garden hexagon flowers. Soon, very soon!!!!!

I haven’t done any sewing this week however I’ve been doing quite a bit of cutting. I have two projects all cut and ready to sew and I’m going to search for a two or three more. I’m not crazy about “prep” so while I’m in the mood to “prep” I figured I’d take advantage of my mood and get some projects ready to sew. I've been digging through bins, drawers, cupboards looking for "the" projects that I want to prep and I keep hearing "pick me, pick me". It's been very difficult to decide! LOL

Here are pictures of my “prepped” projects – notice anything? Two very different color schemes. One is very cute 30’s prints (cheery) and the other is Rites of Spring by Moda (dark) and I love them both! Is there something wrong with me, that I seem to like it ALL (well, except batiks – LOL) and I want to do it ALL??????

Then there's all of you, my dear blogging friends, you keep posting pictures of your wonderful projects. Tempting and taunting me! :-) No, no, no don't stop posting those pictures - talk about inspiration. WOWZER!!!!

So, what should I do? Continue doing as I've been doing (in my own little world) or do I truly need to focus?

EDIT: I was writing this post when I read Kim's post on her blog and almost didn't post this about needing to focus and then decided that I would cuz we are obviously in sync. So, I'm not sure if it's the quilting hormones or if I'm multi-tasking as Kim says.

Good Intentions!

Yes, yes I know "the road is paved with good intentions". But, but, but I've really had the best of intentions! Most of you know that I like to respond to all of your comments ("no reply" makes that difficult) however I've been remiss about doing that. Please, please accept my apologies and know that I appreciate your comments and I promise to do better! I love reading all your comments!

RETREAT MARATHON SEWING

I’ve told you about my completed project now let me tell you about the marathon sewing we did LATE Saturday night.

We were discussing what time we were going to leave on Sunday – one of the girls riding with me was very anxious to finish the project she was working on. It was midnight, I’d already shut off my machine and cleaned up my work table. One of the other girls, her sister, said “are we up for some marathon sewing”? So, I turned my machine on, pulled out my threads snippers and we got busy. We worked on the blocks as a “tag team” – sewing, pressing, sewing, pressing (two of us sewing and one pressing). By 2:00am we had completed all 35 blocks – WHEW! The owner of the blocks and I decided to lay out the blocks on the design wall while her sister shut off irons, machines, etc. We continued to layout the blocks and she went to bed. Once the blocks were on the design wall, we stood back admiring our hard work, looked at each other and said “let’s sew it together”. LOL She took a row and I took a row; once both rows were done – I told her to grab another row and I would start sewing rows together. At 3:30am we were done – the “guts” of the quilt were completed. WOOHOO!!!! Now, it was time to go to bed!

So, if you need someone to help you with “marathon sewing” I’m your girl. LOL

Celebrate Spring Fat Quarter Challenge

Here I am a day late with my Celebrate Spring Challenge teaser! Nicole of Sister's Choice and Dawn of Quilts and Pieces updated their blogs yesterday.

I haven't worked on my challenge project so nothing has changed since last week. I'm sharing a picture of two more basket blocks and other fabric that will be in my project when it's completed.

Next Monday will be our final teaser and the big reveal will be on May 31.

About Me
(had to add an 8th little tidbit)

I’ve been tagged by Nadine to list 7 Things You Don’t Know About Me:

1. I spent my childhood on a ranch in South Texas. (you can take the girl out of Texas but you can't take Texas out of the girl)

2. I’ve been married twice. First marriage was a rebound situation but thankfully my daughter Kristie came from it.

3. I graduated from Kubasaki High School in Okinawa (no reunions for me)

4. I’m married to a man who is 13 years older than I am.

5. My only sibling, a sister, is 16 years younger (I’m basically an only child).

6. I’ve lived in the Far East (Okinawa) and Europe (Germany). I visited East Germany (Berlin) while "The Wall" (aka Iron Curtain) was still up.

7. I've only been quilting for 7 years.

8. I speak Spanish fluently. (I used to read and write it, too, but I've lost it)

I’ve been tagged by Mary Anne and Linda to list 7 Weird Things About Me:

1. I can remember numbers (old phone numbers, social security numbers, old addresses, etc)

2. I have an affinity for dates – when something happened in my world.

3. I can and will pinch you with my toes. LOL

4. I can’t stand to have long nails – need to be able to feel with the tips of my fingers.

5. I won’t eat raisins – they remind of bugs (yuck)

6. I don’t like crowds; I’m claustrophobic

7. I have friends and acquaintances but I’m basically a “loner”

I'm not going to "tag" anyone, as I believe most have been tagged. And, if not then consider yourself "tagged".



I'll post my Celebrate Spring Fat Quarter Challenge teaser tomorrow - I haven't progressed much since last Monday. :-( Nicole, Sister's Choice Quilts and Dawn, Quilts and Pieces posted their teasers today - be sure to visit their blogs to see their progress.

RETREAT FUN!

I’m baaaaaccccckkkkk! ;-)

Three of my friends and I traveled to the mountains to meet four other friends for a week end of sewing and fun. My poor little Rodeo was loaded to the bulging point. Failed to get a picture of all the “stuff”. (it was a good thing I traveled very light)

As usual the week end consisted of sewing, eating, laughing and very little sleeping. All the sewing machines were whirring and many projects were completed. I managed to complete one (yes, just ONE) intense project and two very, very small projects. However, I was very happy with the results of my sewing because I needed a design wall and my project required that I do a little “sewing by committee” – LOL – needed a little input from friends.

I’ll share pictures of other completed projects as the week progresses.

Thanks for missing me! ;-)

Reality!

I spent yesterday evening trying to decide what to take on the retreat and decided to be realistic and pack light! Two large projects, one very small project, my Rowenta travel iron, case with sewing tools and my favorite ruler are packed in my tote bag. My tabletop pressing board with the tacky scorch mark is going along, too.

Need to jump in the shower, throw things in the car and go pick up my sewing buds (four of us in my SUV).

Don't forget me and keep sewing!

Braindead! :-)

Can you say braindead? That's how I felt last night at 9:00 PM when my "play day" had come to an end. LOL

The class during the day was called "Night and Noon" and required that I think! :-) It's a simple log cabin block but it's the way it all goes together that requires that I think. I've posted a picture of a few blocks but you'll get a better idea when it's completely finished. This is a quilt that I'd seen advertised as a class over a year ago but couldn't find the time to take the class and then I saw it advertised at the quilt store near my home and jumped at the chance and glad that I did.

My class in the evening was Part II of last month's Moda University class and I didn't accomplish much so I don't have anything to show. :-(

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What time is it? It's RETREAT TIME!!!!

Yes, it's that time again - retreat time! Tomorrow we're heading to the mountains for a week end of sewing, laughing, sewing, eating, sewing, laughing, sewing, eating and some sleeping. teehee Would you like to go - we have room for three more! We'd love to have you! AW, come on - we won't bite! ;-p

Now, I have to make some plans - what to take, what to take? I've been thinking that I would take just one "heavy duty" project and work on it the entire week end and then I had a thought - what if I get bored and need something simple. So, I've got my thinking cap on and making some plans!

Three Treats just for ME!



In the mail:

May Britt mailed this little surprise/treat several weeks ago and it finally arrived. Someone tossed it on a boat because it took forever to arrive. Isn't it cute - it's for my scissors. I remember when she had a picture of one or two on her blog and I thought they were adorable. MayBritt, thank you!


In person:

On Saturday I saw my friend Barb of Me and My Sister Designs & Moda and she had surprises/treats for me from Spring Market. (I was suppose to go with them and sadly I had to cancel at the last minute). They ALWAYS bring surprises/treats for me. It's the new fat quarter bundle from Susan Branch and RJR and THE Utah tote bag. I'm in love with this new line of fabric.



A Play Day:

Today I'm taking a day off to spend most of the day at the nearest quilt store enjoying a very rare treat - a class from 10:00 till 3:00 and then another one in the evening from 6:30 till 8:30.


Treats make me a very Happy Girl. :-)

Edit: the date says Monday, 5/14 but it's really Tuesday, 5/15 (that's what I get for composing this last night! grrrrrr :-)

A TISKET, A TASKET, I'M MAKING MORE BASKETS!


Celebrate Spring Fat Quarter Challenge - half way point! :-)

Another sneak peek at my Celebrate Spring fat quarter challenge quilt. It took me a long time to settle on a pattern but I've truly enjoyed working on this one. Look at my cute blocks! I'll have you know that I hand appliqued all the handles! :-) How many handles? No, no, no can't tell you - it might spoil the surprise. teehee!!! :-)

Now, don't forget to take a look at Nicole and Dawn's blogs for their sneak peeks.

Happy Mother's Day

Wishing you a day of joy, laughter, hugs, kisses and relaxation, you deserve it!

Comfort and Joy

The cute man in the cute brown shorts, who drives THE BIG BROWN TRUCK brought this beautiful book to me this week.

I am in love with this book "Comfort and Joy" by Brenda Riddle of Acorn Quilt and Gift Co. Since "the man" brought this book to my door on Thursday I've carried it from room to room, flipping the pages and dreaming of every quilt in this book. Yes, I want to make them ALL.

I have no affiliation with Brenda Riddle, I'm just a fan! (sorry about the flash - I'll try to take a better pic later)

BOOM, BOOM, BOOM

Another one bites the dust... :-)

I have finished my Sanctuary strippy quilt to the flimsy stage. It's not a very good picture but I couldn't lay it on the floor so it's draped on two counter stools! You get the idea?!?!?!?!?!?

OK, now I can start a new project? Yes? NO, NO, NO, NO! I must remain focused and disciplined. (maybe I should write that on the board 100 times) LOL

Thanks for visiting my blog, leaving comments and putting up with my antics!

Pattern credit: It's a variation of a similar quilt in "Super Simple Strips" by Possibilities. I used a Jelly Roll and their pattern calls for 3" strips. I did a little improvising. It's definitely their idea!

Heart to Hands

Aren't these adorable! I spent late afternoon and evening making these four cuties. I missed a friend's birthday in February, so one of these is going to her very soon. I wonder which color she'd prefer?

Next week is retreat time with my quilting buddies and I'd love to make one for each of them. We'll see! :-)

This is a free pattern from The Pattern Basket. I've been wanting to make some for awhile and today was the day. I used Walnut Litter (finely ground walnut shells) from Pet's Mart to fill them.

They really make me smile! :-)

What to do, what to do?????

I don't like to have more than one project in the works - it makes me crazy. I much prefer to work on one project at a time, clean up my mess and move on to the next project. So, why do I have not one, not two, not three but FOUR projects in various stages? Ugh! I was working this morning and all of these projects were dancing around in my head. And, to top it off I want to start yet another project - I'm out of my mind! (hey, I heard that!)

1. 16 Patches with 4 Patches in straight setting with Apron Strings by Moda.

2. Half Square Triangles for border on Sanctuary strippy quilt.

3. Cherries Jubilee charm squares project

4. Celebrate Spring Fat Quarter Challenge (sorry, no pics)

I spent yesterday afternoon cleaning my sewing room - what a mess!!!!!! So, I need to pull just one of these projects and work on it till it's completed. Bet you'd agree with that decision but which project????

What to do, what to do????? :-)

EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT

Our own Happy Zombie aka Monica is the cover story! You must run, not walk, to your nearest bookstore, quilt store, grocery store, etc to purchase your own Summer '07 Quilts and More magazine. Why? Well, Monica's cute, cute quilt pattern is not only in the magazine but it's featured on the COVER!

You can see the cover here Quilts and More and while you're there you might as well order it. teehee :-)

1st Celebrate Spring Fat Quarter Challenge Sneak Peek

After Nicole and I announced our challenge last week, Dawn decided that she wanted to join us. WooHoo - the more the merrier! We're using the fat quarter bundle and Dawn is using charm squares. So be sure to check out her blog, also.

I must admit that when Nicole and I posted about our challenge last Monday I had not decided what pattern I was going to use. LOL It was now time to get busy! :-) Once I made my final decision I was raring to go and very, very excited. Now, I'm not sure if I'm excited about the Challenge, the cute fabric, my pattern or all of the above. I do think it's all of the above.

Next Monday we'll have sneak peek #2 :-)

No Longer A Flimsy!

My friend, Lucy and I were busy this morning working on this cutie. It's just quilted with a dense all-over design. The binding is waiting in the wings to be applied. WooHoo! Can you guess what I'll be working on tonight while we watch the baseball game? :-)

I believe I made this last fall and it's been in the pile of flimsies. Last week end I scored backing fabric at 30% off so I knew it would have to be quilted very, very soon. It's a Moda University pattern and I used a fat quarter bundle called Buttercream and Figs (the pattern featured the Sonnet collection)

FUN MAIL :-)

There's a standing joke in our home - when my hubby goes to get the mail, I always say, "don't come back, unless you have some 'Fun Mail' for me". (aka magazines, catalogs, etc). Yesterday he came home with "Fun Mail" - a package of treasures and treats from Carole. Her note that said that she thought of me when she saw the Little Charmers II pattern (hmmm, I wonder why?) and those wonderful prints. Those two blue wrappers were heavenly Dove milk chocolate treats (how did she know that I love milk chocolate?).

Carole, thank you so much for your thoughtfulness. I can't tell you how much you've touched my heart, I appreciate it so much! Friends, imaginary or otherwise are wonderful to have! You, Carole, are such a delight, thank you for being my friend.

By the way, the Promises Message on the inside of the Dove candy treats:

"Smile before bed. You'll feel better"

"Follow your instincts"

Cherries Jubilee Charms

Yes, more charms - are you sick of hearing about my charms? LOL You might remember when I "had" to have Moda's Cherries Jubilee fabric. I searched high and low and was so excited when I found four charm packs and approx 30 fat quarters. I thought I knew exactly what I was going to do with those fabrics but then hesitated. I kept it all in plain view in my sewing room so I could think. (surely, you're hearing the Jeopardy tune right about now???) LOL I've been thinking and thinking - look at my nine patch variation block that I'm making with the charm packs (each block takes two charms). I have a setting in mind but I need to make a bunch of blocks first. I hope you can enlarge the picture and see my white tone-on-tone - it's CHERRIES. Guess what???? I found almost five yards of it in my stash! Color me Happy! teehee.

"CELEBRATE SPRING" CHALLENGE

After I "met" Nicole via blogging I noticed that she and I have a very, very similar style in quilting. I had a silly thought that I eventually shared with her. Wouldn't it be fun to use the same fat quarter bundle and make a quilt - giving each other sneak peeks during the process. She was crazy about my silly idea and we settled on a fat quarter bundle - Celebrate Spring by Sandy Gervais for Moda. Here's a peek at the fabric we're using; check back every Monday for a sneak peek at our project. Our plan is to unveil our "flimsies" on May 31.

Note: I'm a bit behind in responding to e-mails and such - my computer has been down since yesterday afternoon. Bear with me and I'll get back to you later today. Must work now.