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?)