Charm Square 4 Patches

Several have asked about my charm square four patches. Here's a quick tutorial.

Sew two different 5" squares (right sides together) a 1/4" on opposite sides.

Cut them apart - in the middle - you now have two 2 1/2" units.




Press them open and sew two units together; again right sides together a 1/4" seam allowance on opposite sides.






Now cut those units apart in the middle and you have two four patches per pair of 5" charm squares.


4" finished

I know this is not a new technique but it's a refresher; as so many of us are trying to figure what to do with those 5" charm packs. :-)

If my explanations are not clear please let me know and I'll be happy to answer your questions.

5” Charm squares = 16 Patches

Allow me to introduce you to my quilting project that caused me so much frustration! I made four patches and attempted to lay them out in a pattern on one of the design walls and it was ICKY. So, I set it aside and decided that I would think about it later! Late Saturday night as I was preparing for bed I had a "light bulb moment" – make 16 patches. So, I used two packs of 5” charm squares and now have 25 sixteen patches. Setting? Oh, I’m working on some ideas and hoping for another “light bulb moment”. But, aren’t they cute – it’s Moda’s Picket Fences line!

Drumroll Please!

28 left comments on my 101st posting – thank you! LeahS, baynesK, LisaD, Computerpeach Kim, Sweet Pea, Carolyn, Melzie, Sabine, Nadine, Carol, DoodlebugGail, Vicky, Carole, Paula, Beth, Mary, Swoozie/Suzette, Joyce, May Britt, Anne, Lappemore, The Calico Cat, TJ, Cynthia, McIrish Annie, Nicole Libby and Meredith. It’s been lots of fun to read all the comments to my silly game – thanks for playing!

I put all the names into a bowl and decided to draw two names.

The winners are:

Doodlebug Gail and Cynthia

Please send an e-mail to me with your full name and address and a surprise will make its way to you very soon!

Again, thanks for playing!

101

Yesterday’s posting was my 100th. I had a good laugh because later I was leaving a comment on someone’s blog and the verification letters were “iblab” – well obviously not because I’ve been blogging since June and I’ve just gotten to 100. LOL

I’ve seen numerous blogs where something special is done to celebrate the 100th post. So, after a little thought I decided it would be fun to do the same thing! I’ve had so much fun with my blog; lots of inspiration, lots of cyberfriends, etc. I appreciate that so many stop by to read about my "doings". So, if you leave a comment, for this posting, before I decide to post my 102nd post I’ll put your name in a drawing for a special little surprise! Are you game????

Friends, Fun and Frustration!

Three of us loaded up sewing machines, suitcases, project overflowing totebags, birthday gifts and “stuff” and headed to a week end of sewing and fun! We arrived late Thursday afternoon and met four more friends! We selected bedrooms and set up our sewing spots. WooHoo – let the sewing begin! One picture shows the right side of the room with four sewing spots!

Thursday evening sewing was very frustrating for me – why? My project looked terrific in my mind’s eye but when I started laying it out on the design wall it was TERRIBLE! OK, scrap one project (for now) and pulled out my snowball blocks and made the needed nine patched and worked on my pink and brown project – finished it on Friday afternoon! (one person told me it was “boring” but I love it!) Now what???? I pulled out what I believed would be a very quick and simple project -Flora- this one took me till Saturday afternoon (grrrr). Not my normal style but I really like it. And then I pulled out my Spring Fling fat quarter bundle – no plan – what to do, what to do??? I decided to make 25 patches and managed to get 12 blocks made Saturday before I headed to bed (had to be in bed by midnight since I was driving on Sunday). I am super happy with these blocks and plan to make 13 more blocks. Up early Sunday morning (needed to make the most of the remaining hours) as I had a new plan in mind for my Thursday evening frustrating project. So I wanted to pull that project out and “played” a little. Oh, my new plan is going to work wonderfully but I had to stop and pack up to head back down the mountains. Sigh!

Lots of fun, laughter, sewing, chocolate brownies and 2 birthday celebrations and now we’re home; back to “life”!

Struggled with blogger and the lay out of the pictures - sorry!

Retreat to the Mountains!

It’s that time again! Time to retreat to the mountains with my quilting bee. Naturally, here it is the night before we’re to leave and I still have not settled on a project or two. I have a tendency to pack too many projects but this time I’ve resolved to just pack two. But, but, what if I finish those two – then what? Well, maybe one more – those cute four patches must go with me! LOL ;-)

The stuff is piled everywhere as I attempt to decide which project to take. I don’t have projects ready however my cutting tools are or will be “labeled”.

I’ll be back Sunday afternoon – miss me!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope that you all enjoy flowers, chocolates, and special gifts!

Thank you!

Thank you for all the wonderful anniversary wishes. We still can't believe that it's been 30 years. Whoa!

Thank you for leaving so many terrific comments on my blog. I try so hard to respond to all your comments but lately it's been overwhelming. I'm not ignoring "you" but I can't seem to keep up. I hope I don't hurt any feelings when I don't respond. I'm at a loss because I believe it would be polite to respond and maybe rude if I don't but I simply can't keep up. I do visit all your blogs and read about everything you do and while I don't always leave a comment please know that I do visit.

I love the inspiration that blogging has provided. I've forged a ton of friends and learned alot along the way!

So, my blogging friends consider yourself hugged!

Peaceful Weekend!!!

I had a terrific week end. Went to sew with friends on Friday evening – haven’t seen them since before Christmas so it was great to visit and laugh. I didn’t do any machine piecing, instead I chose to work on binding. Makes it easier to chat. LOL I had to work on Saturday, then I went to dinner with my Sweetie and then spent the evening watching TV and working on binding on a quilt for a friend. And, today I was invited to sew with a different group of ladies and had a wonderful time. This time I did do some piecing – made more four patches but I’m not sure what I’m going to do with them, so I’ll post pictures when I’ve made some decisions.

February 12, 1977 – 30 years ago!!!

That was the day my sweetie, Ron and I got married. I can’t believe that we’ve been married for 30 years – wow where did all the years go???? I have to share that many did not think our marriage would last – one family member even stood up and announced that “the wedding was a complete waste of time because this marriage will never last”. I believe we fooled her. LOL

Happy Anniversary, Ron, I love you!!!! XXXXX

The Need to Piece!

I was reading blogs and e-mail very early this morning (4:30am). I love the quiet of the early morning hours. So peaceful; very little noise and then POOF the day begins and the quiet is gone! (and my solitude is gone, too)

Patti posted a picture of Hot Apple Pie by Kim of Water Pail Designs and I thought “HMMMMM”. I had one charm pack of Four Seasons by Moda – made quick four patches (you know, sew the sides, etc, etc). Sewed 8 blocks by 8 rows, an inner border and outer border. I might have to quilt this one soon as I think it would be a darling table cover in my kitchen. I got caught up in the Charm Pack frenzy so I have a drawer full – this project was quick and easy so I might have to make something much larger with other charm packs.

Now, I’m going to get back to my pink and brown project that sits waiting for me!

Bunnies!!!

Saturday afternoon, the Hallmark Channel (great chick flicks), my needle and thread and my favorite spot in the living room = Finished chocolate bunnies.

I have completed the appliqué; need to finish some tiny finishing touches and then I can start assembling the blocks. Yahoo! Soon I will start the appliquéd scallop border so hopefully this project will be done by the end of February! By the way, this project is “Rabbits Prefer Chocolate” by Anne Sutton of www.bunnyhilldesigns.com.

Thank you all so much for wonderful comments regarding my stack of flimsies. That stack does provide a lot to think about. Several suggested that I buy a cabinet to put my finished quilts in – well, I do have a very tall red cabinet with glass doors that currently houses 50 finished quilts. There’s a picture in my June ‘06 archives (sorry I don’t know how to link it). My daughter and I discussed that I need two more cabinets like the red one; one cabinet full of quilts for her, one for her oldest son, Seth and one for her youngest son, Eli. This way they will all inherit my quilts. LOL (actually, it’s not a bad idea)

Another Bunny

One more chocolate bunny done!

Ponderings

I’ve been thinking a lot about my piles of “flimsies”. Yesterday Patti and I had a discussion, via e-mail, about whether or not I should quilt all of those “flimsies”. We pondered whether or not I still like them all; should I consider weeding through them and donating some? This discussion has caused me to do some thinking about this dilemma. I believe that I do like all of my quilts and quilt tops – I only make something if I truly love the pattern or fabric. I have a tendency to bond with my quilts when I’m sewing. All of my quilts and quilt tops have some sort of memory – maybe it was a trip I took and bought the little bundle of fabrics; maybe it was sewing with friends; maybe it was a special pattern; maybe it was a purchase I made at a quilt store that I may or may not get to visit again; maybe it was that I saw a sample in a quilt store, on the web, in a book, in a magazine, etc; maybe it was a class; lots and lots of maybes. I know that all of my quilts are not superstars but like the fabrics they all can’t be superstars – I do need a few to be supporting cast members. Some don’t look pretty when they are spread out however they will look wonderful folded in a cabinet or piled on a table or draped on the back of a chair.

So, will I quilt and keep them all? I truly don’t know at this point as there are still a lot to be quilted – I’ll make that decision as I go through them but I don’t believe I can part with any them.

Final thought!!! I don't believe I've ever met a quilt I didn't like! :-)

Flimsies, Quilting and Bindings, OH MY!

I’m sharing the pictures of my “flimsies” that need to be quilted – one picture is those with backings and the other is those without backings. Sigh! When I took the pictures there was a total of 94 to be quilted and then I added three more – grand total 97. Bigger Sigh! LOL (yes, I’m a processor). Now, one of my goals for 2007 is to get busy quilting most of those and hopefully others that I make through the year.

I quilted one before I left on my trip to Texas and this week I’ve quilted two more. One is Lucky Stars by Atkinson Designs with Kaffe Fasset fabrics (not my usual taste but had to make at least one quilt with his fabrics) and the other is a very simple Yellow Brick Road, also, by Atkinson Designs. Once again I don’t remember when I made these but it has to be at least three years ago.

When I finish a “flimsy”, I will make my binding and piece my backing fabric. Sometimes I don’t have the backing but might have the binding, etc. So, the last picture is one box of bindings ready to go on all those “flimsies” when they grow up and become actual quilts.

By the way, “flimsy” is a word that Norma uses for quilt tops and I’ve adopted it, too. I like it better than UFO. Norma, I hope you don’t mind!?!?!?!?!?

I’m almost finished with another chocolate bunny – will post that picture tomorrow!

One More Bunny & Piecing

Another bunny block has been completed – three to go! I’ve really enjoyed this project.

I’ve been wanting to make a pink and brown quilt for ages. I have a fat quarter bundle called In The Pink by The Buggy Barn and today I got inspired to start piecing a new project. I knew I was going to need a background fabric for my snowball blocks and thought I’d have to run to the quilt store. And, then I had a light bulb moment – I remembered that I had a great Marsha McCloskey background print from her “Staples” line. It’s over three yards of an off-white with a tan/mocha star (actually it’s a tiny asterisk) that will be great for my pink and brown project. I made a small stack of snowball blocks this evening as a start. I’m loving the way the “staples” print is working in that snowball block. I'm especially glad to know that it'll be out of the drawer! It's been living there for a few years!

Bear in mind that I have a huge tote full of assorted pink and brown prints so there’s another pink and brown quilt in my future.

Bunny Update, Piecing and Stuff

Here are 7 of the blocks from my Rabbits Prefer Chocolate hand appliqué project. Obviously there are still some finishing touches I need to do to most of the blocks i.e. laces, ribbons, buttons, etc. I have 4 more blocks to do – I managed to prep all the appliqué pieces while at my mom’s but now I need to sew the background blocks together and then glue the pieces down for hand sewing. By the way, Rabbits Prefer Chocolate is by Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs - I'm a HUGE fan of her things.

I haven’t done any real piecing on my sewing machine since I made the quilt for Nadine (it's a terrible picture, I threw it on the floor long enough to get a picture before I boxed it up to ship. I'm sorry) You might recall the slump I experienced for a few months. Well, I have the urge to do some machine piecing. (whispered woohoo so I don’t want to break the spell – LOL). I don’t know what I want to work on but I have been thinking about it. HMMMM what to do, what to do??????

I didn't get to do much sewing while at my Mom's as it was more important for her to sew and relieve some stress. She was having a great time pulling out planned projects, patterns, fabric for show and tell, etc. LOL I had fun just watching her share with me!


Whew - this morning I spent time visiting and leaving a "Hi" comment on every blog in the Stash Quilts Ring; sadly I've never done that before. What an incredible and talented group of women - I'm in awe!

I’m Home! WooHoo

I was able to fly out of San Antonio in the wee hours of the morning yesterday (Thursday) and then spent the afternoon taking a very needed long nap in my own bed with my own pillow and blankee. :-) Again, I sincerely appreciate everyone’s supportive and kind comments. I needed to be there to help my mom with a very stressful situation and hopefully I achieved that goal.

I’ll be back later today with a quilting related post as I’m very ready to get back to my regularly scheduled projects and such!

STILL IN TEXAS! (sigh) As the saying goes - "you can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family". I was suppose to go home today but my mom asked me stay a few more days so I'm scheduled to leave on Thursday, January 25th. I can hardly wait to get home to my wonderfully supportive DH, my pillow, my bed, my blanket, my computer, my sewing room - well you get the picture! :-) Last week I arrived just in time to experience a major ice storm - what a mess! Stuck in the house for four days - rain, sleet, rain, sleet, ice on EVERYTHING - snow would have been nice but that's truly rare in south Texas. LOL Thank you so much for all the kind, sweet and wonderful comments so many of you left after I left home! "See" you soon!

Texas Bound (please don’t forget me!)

I have an urgent family matter in Texas, so I’m having to hop on a jet plane tomorrow. I anticipate that I’ll be home Sunday, January 21 but that depends on how everything is at that time.

It’s been a stressful week as I’ve had to get some work done before I could make my plans however before I got the call I did manage to get one of my quilt tops quilted (1 down 96 to go). I made this quilt so long ago I can’t tell you much about it – it was a pattern in a magazine, probably American Patchwork & Quilting and I used a Kansas Troubles (Moda) fat quarter bundle). Needless, to say I do love it.

Now, I’m packing and preparing some handwork to take with me. Decisions, decisions!
My mom is a quilter, too, so maybe we can spend a little time sewing together. I wonder if she’d enjoy that?

I’m hoping that I’ll get on my sister’s computer while I’m there but I’m not sure!

MOST of Celebrate January and More Chocolate Bunnies

I’ve been busy sewing my chubby little fingers to the bone. My current hand applique projects and I are getting along really, really well.

I need to prep the tree that’s missing in Celebrate January (by Lori Smith) and a few other little tidbits. It really has a squillion pieces – whew!

Two more Rabbits Prefer Chocolate (by Anne Sutton, Bunny Hill Designs) blocks either done or almost done.

I still have not started my Applique Delights challenge project that I’m suppose to be doing with Nadine, May Britt, Angie and Hanne. Why? Well, I prepped one block and didn’t like my selection of fabric so it’s back to the “drawing board”. I don’t know why this has caused me so much indecision. grrrrrrrr
And, I have another appliqué project that my friend, Jo has asked me do with her. Need to prep the first block and I’ll post a picture – very soon!

Just Fun

A person should not be allowed to have so much fun! Teehee! On New Year’s Eve in past years I’ve started a new project (new year, new project) in whatever I was doing then i.e. quilting or x-stitch, as I was usually alone. My DH used to work in the medical field and was usually working on New Year’s Eve. (for the first time in over 20 years my DH and I were able to go out to celebrate on New Year’s Eve.) Anyway, this year I spent New Year’s Eve day prepping three “Rabbits Prefer Chocolate” blocks and then last night I started sewing them down. These blocks are so much fun to work on – I find myself smiling while I’m working. I absolutely adore bunnies!

Happy New Year

2007 a new chapter, a new beginning, etc. In 2005, my DH and I decided it was time to “downsize and simplify” (those were my buzz words for that year) – we eliminated a lot of physical and mental clutter. In 2006 my DH decided to retire and start enjoying life on a daily basis without physical and mental stress. The decisions we made in 2005 and 2006 were huge and were THE right decisions for us. I’m looking forward to this new year – how much better can it get? It’s all about attitude, isn’t it?

My life is in a good place, so now I need to focus on myself. I spent most of December 31 contemplating and thinking about the things that I enjoy doing and why. It’s very obvious to me that I’ve been spending too much time just doing and failing to enjoy the process. It simply wasn’t fun anymore. What???? Oh, I could go on and on but I won’t bore you with my brattle. With a happy heart I am looking forward to new goals and plans for projects in 2007. I have a long list of projects and such but I’m going to work on making it a more realistic list – I don’t want to set myself up to fail.

And, on a final note, deciding to enter Blogland was such a significant decision in 2006 – I’ve made so many wonderful friends and found a ton of inspiration. It was a good decision – thank you so much for accepting me and providing me with hours of enjoyment.

According to my friend, Nadine in Belgium they say "A Happy Ending, A Wonderful Beginning" (need I say more?)

Whew! Finally :-)
I’ve practically been stalking my postman! Why? Well, Nadine – Friendship Threads sent a package on December 11 and it had not arrived. Needless to say, we were starting to worry. Poor Nadine was beside herself and my DH was chatting with the postman on a daily basis. Where’s the box? Well, the box finally has arrived and my goodness it was worth the wait. What a delightful package with so many wonderful goodies! A beautiful needle book, a small zippered bag for my handwork necessities, a beautiful red scarf (oh no I forgot to include it in the picture) and Nadine’s adorable first stitchery project. Wait, I almost forgot the wonderful box of chocolates for my DH and I - YUMMY!!!!! I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying Nadine’s friendship and I hope that we will be long distance friends for many, many years!

Sluggish Days

I'm finally starting to feel a bit human - this nasty cold has just hung on a bit too long. Haven't felt like doing much - sleeping, watching TV and a bit of handapplique. I've been visiting blogs but sadly have not left many comments. I have a long list of e-mails to respond to and will get to those today. If I owe you a response please bear with me :-) I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that your days have been full of comfort and joy. We had a very nice Christmas Eve with my daughter and her family - it's so much fun to watch the faces of my grandsons, Seth and Eli, as they tear into their packages. Of course, I had fun tearing into mine, too. My wonderful daughter gave us a four Fiestaware placesettings, and a set of adorable salt and pepper shakers to match; my SIL gave me a "touch can-opener" (he and I have a thing about can openers LOL) and my wonderful DH gave me a Tutto bag to use to take my sewing machine when I go sewing with my friends. We had a wonderful prime rib dinner with friends on Christmas Day. All in all great days! And, since then I've truly been a SLUG! I had prepped quite a bit of "Celebrate January" by Lori Smith and you see the results of my hand applique in the picture! And, I've been contemplating my quilty plans for 2007 - trying to settle on realistic goals and projects.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
I hope that you and yours have a wonderful holiday season.

I've been laying low for the past three days while fighting a nasty cold - coughing and blowing my nose is not my idea of a fun Christmas! Ugh! We're planning to spend Christmas Eve with my daughter and her family and then a quiet Christmas Day at home.

Moved to "Beta" Blogger. Looks like everything has moved OK. I'll be back later to attempt to add pictures and a much longer post!

FRUSTRATION!!!!!!

I'm so frustrated this morning! Sigh! If you've left a comment on my blog and I haven't responded, it's because it's coming to me as "anonymous"- I'm sorry! And, now this morning I've found that if you've switched to the BETA (aka TEST) version of blogger then I can't leave a comment on your blog. I'm a bit concerned about switching to that version cuz I keep reading pros and cons. So, please know that I do read most and all blogs on both rings I belong to however I can't always leave a comment!

Projects, Projects, Projects!

I'm making a list and checking it twice. Gonna find out who's naughty....wait, wait, wait...wrong list!

Actually I'm working on my list(s) of projects for 2007. Last night I went to sew with my friends, like we do a couple of times a month, and came away feeling very, very uninspired. And, we were sewing at one of the local quilt stores. Sigh!!!! As you well know I have not done much sewing in a couple of months - just don't have the urge. This is incredibly strange for me but rather than fight it I'm just hoping it'll pass soon. I did decide a couple of weeks ago that in 2007 I'd like to work on hand projects i.e. hand applique, stitchery, etc.

Nadine and I have been commiserating about future projects. She has been inspired by May Britt to work on "Applique Delights" by Faye Anderson; so she has challenged me to work on it with them. The challenge is to make one block a week in 2007 and by this time next year we will hopefully have all the blocks completed. I believe that May Britt has 11 blocks done and Nadine already has one done. I got my book last week and have been thinking about my color scheme and I believe I have finally decided. So, I need to start getting prepared so I can meet this challenge. LOL Actually I'm very excited about working on this project with Nadine and May Britt - should be lot of fun!

Next on the long list! I've been collecting "A Quilt of the Month Series" by Lori Smith - there's a project for every month (Celebrate January is pictured). These monthly projects are 28" by 36" and are really calling my name. It's time to prep Celebrate January and get busy - can I keep this monthly project going throughout 2007?? We'll see. LOL

I've been collecting applique patterns and projects for a couple of years and if you read my blog you know that I started doing hand applique with a vengence last June and then came to a "dead stop". It's time to pull out all those projects and start the prepping.

I've got to get back to Country Cousins Meets Baltimore Album and I have the following on the list, too:

Snowman Country by Bunny Hill Designs(Anne Sutton); Rabbits Prefer Chocolate by Bunny Hill Designs (Anne Sutton); Vintage Valentine by The Vintage Spool (Verna Mosquera). And, others that I need to go revisit and think about pulling out to work on. Sigh!

It's time to get busy and stop fretting about no desire to piece on my sewing machine and enjoy a ton of handwork!!! Wouldn't you agree??????? :-)

"The Civil War Diary Quilt"

One of the girls I sew with gave me a gift certificate for my birthday in July and I used it to buy this cute book. I love the small blocks but I have been especially enjoying the stories. It's just a sweet book to have in my library of quilt books and such. Someday I might be inspired to work on the blocks.

Now it's time to get busy. I hope to have something to show at the end of this day. Wish me luck!

Edit: Susan says that I say I'm uninspired and yet I've listed a plethora of projects. My first love in quilting is to sit and piece for hours at my machine - my friends refer to me as a "power piecer" - however in recent months I've had very little inspiration for machine piecing. I have always enjoyed hand work so, even though I have not felt like doing that either I've decided to push myself to at least work on hand projects rather than push myself to work on my machine. I hope this makes better sense!

Quilting and Such

It's been ten days since I've been on my own blog! Shame on me! Just haven't had anything to blog about. The quilting slump continues however I finally have some plans. And, I have to say that I'm really excited about these plans. I have decided that in 2007 I will concentrate on the following:

1. Quilt the pile of 97 quilt tops
2. Work on handapplique (I have a long list of projects & more to buy LOL)
3. Work on stitchery
4. Hopefully learn how to handquilt.
5. Piece only when the mood strikes and not fret if I don't sit at my machine

So, over the course of the next few days and weeks I'm going to organize and make a list of all the applique projects that I have. Find some stitchery projects that speak to me and then let the chips fall where they may. I'm really excited about my plans and believe that I will be content, as I love handwork.

The quilt in the picture was a birthday gift from two of my friends year before last. I believe it's Matchstick Marimba by Terry Atkinson Designs (just a little something quilty to share)

So stay tuned for updates on my future projects. LOL

Again, I want to say thank you for all the kind and encouraging words so many of you have left via a comment here on my blog or e-mail. I appreciate it very much!

Guardian (Guarding) Angel from an Angel

Do you enjoy surprises? I love them, so you can imagine my surprise when I received this absolutely adorable Guardian (Guarding) Angel from an Angel in Belgium (Nadine). The adorable angel was accompanied by a beautiful card and cute piece of fabric. Nadine and I have been exchanging e-mails on a fairly regularly basis establishing a warm and wonderful friendship. Just goes to show that distance does not matter when it comes to good friends! Last week Nadine asked me for my address, saying she had a little surprise for me. I couldn't refuse because she provided hers when I asked for it awhile back. And, by the way I haven't been feeling very well the past couple of days (dealing with a mild cold) so this came at the right time.

Nadine, thank you, thank you so much for the wonderful surprise gift. I will find a special spot in my sewing room to hang my Angel and cherish her for many, many years.

More 9 Patches

I was playing the other night and came up with an idea for another "fly by the seat of my pants" 9 patch quilt. I've only done these two blocks so bear with me and I'll share more soon!

The sweet 30's 9 patch quilt is done to the flimsy stage. WooHoo! I ran by a nearby quilt store yesterday afternoon and found some adorable backing fabric. Soon it'll be quilted and, hopefully, enjoyed by my friend. I'm especially hoping that my friend will be surprised. Bear in mind that she's admired my quilts but never asked me for a quilt. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. LOL

The quilting slump is not completely gone but I'm trying really hard to push through it. Obviously I'm not spending much time at my sewing machine but a little is better than none. :-) Thank you all for your wonderful comments and encouragement.

Borders and More

I've been stumped for the past few days with border decisions on the nine patch quilt I've been working on for my friend. Last night I went to sew with some friends at a local quilt store and it was the perfect opportunity to look for "the" border fabric(s). I love what I found and will hopefully finish it later today. My friend has no idea that this quilt is for her - she's never asked me to make a quilt for her so I'm really excited about finishing it and giving it to her. I hope that she loves it as much as I do :-)

While my quilting slump is not completely gone, this sweet quilt has helped me at least get my quilting motor revved up again. It's just sputtering for now but at least it's started. LOL I've been contemplating my next project because I'm afraid if I don't have a "plan" the slump will return. Ugh! Should I prep applique? Should I cut a new project? Should I quilt one of the tops in the pile? Those are all questions bouncing around in my head. LOL

Veteran's Day

On this Veteran's Day 2006, please take a few minutes to say a prayer for our soldiers away fighting a war and a prayer for those that have served our country so proudly. I'm proud to say that my hubby served our country for 25 years.

On Point

Those 9 patches have been sitting in my sewing room calling my name! After contemplating a setting - "on point" or "straight" - "on-point" won! I need to say thank you to those that helped me make that decision :-) So....here's the upper left hand corner of the quilt. As I'm assembling my rows, etc I'm also contemplating the borders. Not sure what I'm going to do but I do have a few ideas rolling around in my head. I'm really hoping that my friend loves this quilt as much as I do.

76 Nine Patches - DONE!

I did a little more sewing during the week end and got all 76 nine patches finished. I've been contemplating a setting and I think I finally have a plan. I can't say much because the recipient reads my blog. (don't want to ruin the surprise) So, as the week progresses I'm planning to assemble these cuties into, hopefully, a sweet quilt. I'm not sewing ALOT but at least I'm doing a bit - babysteps - LOL

Thought for today: Worry can be paralyzing (why do we allow ourselves to let worry consume us?)

Sewing a Bit :-)

Last night I was digging for something not quilting related and I came across a ziplock bag with 19 different 2" 30's strips. Goodness only knows what they were going to be and at this point it doesn't matter! LOL I had a BIG lightbulb moment - these would make really cute 9 patches. All I had to do was find some white yardage - cut a handful of strips and get busy. I can get four 9 patches from each strip so when I finish I'll have 76 9 patches. I don't have a plan but this was something I didn't have to think about - I could just sew. I managed to sew for a bit last night and it sure felt good - AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Now, I'm hoping that I'll be in the mood again later today. I'm wanting to made a surprise quilt for a friend so this might fit the bill. Something to think about.

Thought for today: "I get by with a little help from my friends" The Beatles

Something Quilty

This is my Country Cousins block #3 that I finished while on my retreat in early October. I'm hoping that if I blog about it that I might be motivated to work on another block. Or at least motivated to work on something that involves fiber! ;-)

Thought for today: "Friends are the sunshine of life"

"A joyful spirit is evidence of a grateful heart" - Maya Angelou

My spirit is full of joy and my heart is definitely grateful because I have received so many wonderful comments, compliments, suggestions, etc to my quilting slump and "insult". I appreciate your encouraging and kind words - thank you my friends! I hope to return to my regular scheduled quilting soon but for now I truly have no interest or desire. I have to admit that Judy's Hour A Day project has me very intrigued. When I saw Jeanne's quilt I fell in love with it so it might be "the" project that jump starts my desire to quilt. We'll see!

In the meantime I will be visiting blogs and living vicariously through all of you. :-)

A Quilting "Have You Ever"? (just for fun)
I loved this idea from Shelina's blog and want to play along... The things in bold are what I've done. Play along if you dare!

Have You Ever?

1. Taken a quilting class
2. Paper pieced
3. Hand quilted
4. Hand pieced
5. Created your own pattern
6. Published a pattern in a magazine or book
7. Gone on a quilting retreat
8. Gone to a quilting convention
9. Met someone who wrote a quilting book
10 combined your quilting with some other craft
11. Done any three dimensional quilting - like fabric origami
12. Made something using Thimbleberries fabric
13. Made something using batiks
14. Dyed your own fabric
15. Made a landscape hanging
16. Made a New York Beauty quilt
17. Made a baby quilt
18. Made a wall hanging
19. Made a journal quilt
20. Submitted your journal quilt for viewing
21. Made a fabric postcard
22. Made a artistic trading card (ATC)
23. Exchanged artistic trading cards
24. Mailed your own postcard
25. Made a lap quilt
26. Made a twin size quilt
27. Made a full size quilt
28. Made a queen size quilt
29. Made a king size quilt
30. Donated a quilt to charity
31. Sent a quilt out to a quilter
32. Thrown away a UFO
33. Given away a UFO
34. Cut up a UFO and made something else with it
35. Ripped fabric instead of cutting it
36. Made a quilt exactly like the pattern, with no changes whatsoever
37. Done any Sashiko
38. Quilted your own quilt
39. Did free motion quilting
40. Put any embroidery or beads on your quilt
41. Given away your quilt to a stranger
42. Swapped fabric
43. swapped blocks
44. participated in a round robin
45. Participated in an ostrich round robin
46. kept a journal about your quilting
47. Written a letter to someone who made an antique quilt
48. kept a blog about your quilting
49. participated in a gift exchange
51 sent a quilting random act of kindness
52 joined a newsgroup about quilting
53 made a quilt using a pattern from quilterscache
54 joined an online block of the month
55 made a block of the month quilt
56 subscribed to a fabric of the month club
57 bought fabric at an online store
58 bought fabric from ebay
59 own more than one sewing machine
60 have a room dedicated solely to sewing
61 hide a fabric purchase
62 finished making a holiday gift before July
63 spent more than $200 in one quilt shopping trip
64 made a quilt using a book from the library
65 worked with someone else to make a quilt
66. Joined a quilt guild
67 become president of a quilt guild
68 taught a quilting class
69 helped someone else get the quilting bug
70 taught a child to sew
71 made a Dear Jane block
72 Made a miniature quilt
73 watch QNN - quilters news network
73 subscribe to a quilting magazine from your own country
74 subscribe to a quilting magazine from another country
75 buy fabric from another country
76 swapped completed quilts with someone else
77 asked for quilting help online
78 gone to a quilt shop to ask for quilting help
79 bought fabric at a local quilt shop
80 traveled more than 100 miles to go to a quilt shop
81 used nontraditional fabric for a quilt - something other than cotton or flannel
82 made a quilt using instructions given to you on a blog
83 make comments on someone's quilting blog
84 meet a quilter in person after only having talked online
85 had a quilting retreat in your home
86 own quilting software
87 made a quilt you designed on your quilting software
88 done any quilt research - history, interviewing quilters, etc.
89 had any quilt related subject published anywhere
90 donated a quilt to a museum
91 bought a quilt from a thrift store
92 made a quilt using fabric from a thrift store
93 made a quilt using photos
94 made a pastel quilt
95 made a quilt using brights
96 made a quilt using ethnic fabric from another country - African, Asian, etc.
97 made a quilt using leftover blocks from other quilts
98 had your quilt in a magazine, newspaper, newsletter, TV, etc.
99. Submitted your quilt to a quilt show
100. Won any ribbons with your quilts
101 had more finished quilts than UFOs
102 made a quilt using reproduction fabrics
103 took a break from quilting that was longer than a year
104 made money with your quilting
105 had a job in the fabric / quilting industry

RAMBLINGS

Since I'm not doing anything quilty I thought I'd share picture Miss Froggy. Isn't she (of course it could be a he) cute! My friends, Barb and Mary, of Me and My Sister Designs made this little cutie for me. The fabric is their new Moda line they're introducing at the Houston Market right now called Spring Fling. I had to take a picture of his belly cuz I love the way they used a button in the center of one of large flowers and buttons on his toes. :-)

The quilting slump continues and now it's getting serious! I have not done anything since I went on my retreat earlier this month. I don't know what's wrong with me but I'm just not interested - believe me that's not like me. It started before I left on my retreat and then I forced myself to do some power sewing at the retreat and now NOTHING! Sitting at my machine does not sound like fun right now! What is wrong with me???? Sigh!!! My DH commented about my lack of sewing the other day and I told him that I need a new hobby! Oh, you should have seen the look on his face - LOL - he knows how compulsive I am. LOL I've considered trying scrap booking - nah - tried that and I'm not good at it. Maybe knitting - strong possibility but still on the fence. Anyway, while I've been thinking about this slump I've also been thinking about my quilting style. I've always loved my style and yet sometimes I feel that I have to apologize for it. Why? Well, I happen to enjoy making quilts using those fat quarter bundles/towers that Moda and other fabric companies put together. I've done some adorable and beautiful quilts with those - a controlled scrappy style. :-) I also enjoy the charm squares that are popular right now and just sewing them together to do a simple throw style quilt. I've been told that I lack imagination; that my quilts can be boring because I like the controlled scrappy style. (maybe this is the reason for my slump - I was insulted!) I've only been quilting since late 1999 but I've been very prolific since then. I took classes at the local shop from a very talented teacher however the style of the shop was using those fat quarter bundles, etc. I'm not good at going into a shop and buying a variety of fabric to make a quilt - just don't have that vision. Maybe the fabric companies have done some of us a serious injustice by introducing those coordinated fabric lines that I seem to enjoy so much. Makes me wonder! So, can I cast aside the comments about my style and just continue to enjoy?

I read so many inspirational blogs where “you” have taken your scraps and made some adorable quilts. I can’t seem to do that! Let me tell you about my Rubbermaid bins that are full of my “scraps”. When I have finished a quilt I take the leftovers i.e. scraps and put them into a ziplock bag then toss the bag into a Rubbermaid bin – when the bin is full I buy another bin and continue this process. You should see the stack of bins that are full of scraps – great scraps, too. LOL I’ve had friends and acquaintances beg me for my bins (well, NO, they might make a really cute quilt – LOL) They have even promised to make a cute scrappy quilt for me if I’ll just surrender these bins. UMMMMM – NO! So, there they sit and I know I could probably make some wonderful quilts – just not sure of myself to do that. Many, many months ago I sent an e-mail to Bonnie and asked her for suggestions for my scrap bins – she was stumped! LOL I chatted via e-mail with Patti and she had some great suggestions but that was a few months ago and we were suppose to get back to it and didn’t. SIGH!!!!

So, here I sit STUMPED about my quilting style. In an e-mail from Bernina and Alex Anderson she said the following: (this is just an excerpt from the e-mail) “One day, while sharing my work with Diana Mc Clunn, she asked if I would be willing to allow my quilt to be published in her and Laura Nownes first book Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! I couldn't believe it! The quilt was a classic saw tooth star out of solid fabrics. How could any quilt so traditional and simple in nature be worthy of publication? It was a lightening bolt moment (we have all had them), and I realized it was not only OK but important to pursue the style of quilt making that feeds your soul.
Webster defines quilting as : 1. The process of quilting. 2. material that is quilted or used for making quilts. Sounds like all's fair with that definition.
I define a quilts as: Three layers of fiber, typically, but not necessarily, cotton on both sides filled with batting, held in place with stitches.
All quilts are created for their own purpose and reasons, each unique to itself. The quilt might be for a child to snuggle under or purely for decorative reasons. Perhaps the quilt has no specific intent or purpose other than to celebrate your latest fabric acquisition. The quilt might be created as the result or to endure an experience. Quilts are made to give in love and receive with honor. Quilts delight and feed our spirits. Quilts bond and bind us as a community that has no gender or age limitations. Through quilting we help define who we are.”
I’ve saved this e-mail and find myself reading it over and over trying to help myself with my dilemma and slump and yet there I sit.
Now that I’ve rambled and rambled I’m going to attempt to spend the rest of the day in my sewing room and “play”. We’ll see if it works!

Just for Fun!!!!!!


While visiting Bonnie's blog I came across this and thought it would be fun. Consider yourself tagged.

1. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
2. Swam with dolphins
3. Climbed a mountain
4. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
5. Been inside the Great Pyramid
6. Held a tarantula
7. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
8. Said "I love you" and meant it
9. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was shit faced
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an expert
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Eaten fugu (pufferfish)
89. Had a one-night stand
90. Gone to Thailand
91. Bought a house
92. Been in a combat zone
93. Buried one/both of your parents
94. Been on a cruise ship
95. Spoken more than one language fluently
96. Performed in Rocky Horror Picture Show
97. Raised children
98. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone's heart
111. Ridden a bike
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad and The Odyssey
135. Selected one important author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone's life

Just Stuff

See my new toy! Yep, it's my new bike - very similar to one I had when I was a young girl. One speed - ME. LOL I live in a gated retirement community with very little traffic and I'd been thinking that it would be fun to have a bike to "just ride". So, yesterday afternoon my sweetie took me to lunch and then to Wal-Mart to look at bikes. We came home with this pretty and I can't begin to tell you how much fun I had yesterday afternoon riding it. Oh, my goodness I felt like a little girl with the breeze in my face and my hair blowing. I'm so excited to have this new beauty. I'm a little sore today however I'm ready to get back on it later today! :-)

Quilting Update

There has been no sewing happening in this house! Serious slump however I feel that it might be lifting as I've have felt the urge to sew today. So, after I finish playing here, I might take a look around my sewing room and see what kind of trouble I can get into. Wish me luck!

Internet Woes

It appears that our internet woes may be a thing of the past - finally! Whew! I've been able to stay on-line longer than 10 minutes. I've been able to peek in some of favorite blogs but been leery of leaving a comment for fear that I'd get kicked out in the middle of my comment. I think I can get back to normal now. LOL The dreaded red X is still around but in some cases I can click on the X and see the picture. I hope that goes away soon, too. Not sure what's causing that problem. Ugh!

Gratitudes:

Quiet Sundays; a sweet hubby that spoils me; my new bike; and fabric that waits for me.

Internet Woes and More!

We've been experiencing woes with our local internet provider - something about new modems and then an overheating power supply. Oh, please just fix it already. I've been in the middle of doing something and then suddenly "I'm outta here" - grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr My DH has been on-line for quite awhile this morning so I've decided that I would try to get some e-mail answered and post an update here.

I've been visiting quite a few blogs when I can and have been met with the dreaded RED X in so many pictures that have been posted. I don't know why but it's frustrating. Somewhere I've lost a "cookie or two" so I can't see what you've all been up to. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR So, if I don't leave a comment know that it's because I can't see what you've done. I'm sorry!

On the quilting front I have nothing new to show. I did finally finish block #3 of my Country Cousins BOM but I've gotten so far behind now - received blocks 7 & 8 yesterday and I have 4, 5 & 6 in the wings. I told myself that I would keep up with this project and I've been incredibly remiss. SIGH! I haven't even touched my sewing machine since I returned from my retreat over a week ago. Another BIG SIGH!!!! So, I guess it's back to my regularly scheduled sewing/quilting slump. :-(

Thought for today: Seize the day!

I'm Back!

I got back Sunday evening from my sewing retreat in the mountains. Very tired (it's a long drive) but with three completed projects. WooHoo!

I put borders on the quilt I made recently with 6 1/2" Chelsea Lane squares - don't have a picture but trust me when I say it's super cute. :-) Apparently I left some of the blocks from my Vintage Patches quilt top when we were there in August. I'd forgotten about that project but realized my faux pas when I was confirming our reservations etc. So, I found the other blocks, still packed and finished it, too. And, last but not least I completed the "guts" of the quilt top with my mystery half square triangles. It's the Pretty Maids pattern by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co and I've decided to do the outer border in one of the matching florals rather than what she suggests in the pattern. So, I need to shop for the border, backing and binding fabrics and finish it soon for my daughter, Kristie. It's perfect for her home and she fell in love with it when she saw the pieces parts in my sewing room. Additionally, I managed to prep one of my Country Cousins blocks so I'm ready to get back to my applique projects.

All in all it was a great week end - perfect sewing weather for me - we had rain all night Thursday and all day Friday - I crave rain. LOL

I haven't had much time to spend on the computer since I got home however I'm hoping to get to all the blogs and catch up on everyone's doings.

Off to the Mountains!

It's been a super busy week and I won't bore you with the details. Thankfully everything on my "to do" list has been done. I'm leaving later today for my sewing in the mountains week end and I can do it with a happy heart. I'll be back on Sunday afternoon and hopefully early next week I'll have some show and tell pictures to share. Especially pictures of my half square triangle teaser project :-)

See you next week!