????

Where the heck did April go?  I thought I still had a lot to say and yet it's been two weeks since my last blog post.  Guess I don't have much to say after all.  Sigh!  :-) 

Take a look at the title of my post - LOL.  

Shaye's BIG announcement!

Our 2+ year old granddaughter, Shaye is here to tell you that she's going to be a BIG sister in November.  She and her BIG brothers, Seth & Eli are very excited.  :-)
We have a long wait however I have a feeling November will be here before we know it. 

I have been doing some sewing but nothing worth mentioning.  LOL 

The mailman brought two packages with two fabulous new books!  As you can see I've already precut some super old fabric (it was buried deep, deep, deep in the stash closet) to make a project from "Stash Basket Beauties" by Kim Brackett.  She's the queen of 2.5" strip projects.  :-)  I've flipped through the pages of Camille Roskelley's "Simply Retro" book but haven't settled on a project. 

Hopefully my next post will bring some news about me using a needle and thread.  :-) 

Thanks bunches for popping in to visit - wishing you a very pieceful day.

In Friendship!

A Finish & Another Precut Self Challenge Project

Did you give up on me?

 

I'm finally here to share my Simply Charming mini.

This is  Teresa's Treasures (18" x 22") made with an Avalon charm pack.  I wasn't sure about the navy blue prints but adding the blue binding adds a nice finish. 

 

Don't forget to visit my Kathy's blog to add your link for your Simply Charming mini finish.

 

 

On Friday after I quilted my Teresa's Treasures mini I decided it was time for my next Moda precut  self challenge project. 

 I had a new fat eighth bundle that was teasing and tempting me.  Sigh! 

It was Happy Go Lucky by Bonnie & Camille for Moda.  Bigger Sigh!

 

Let the cutting, sewing and trimming begin. 

:-) 

 

Here's the result...Dashing by The Pattern Basket. 

Yardage is not available yet however, as soon as it is I'll be running anxiously to purchase my border, binding & backing fabrics. 

 In the mean time I'm thrilled with the result - it's definitely a "Happy Go Lucky" quilt. 

 

It's time to empty my snippet bucket and rewind the empty bobbins.  Those are the six bobbins I wound last week and I managed to piece the Simply Charming mini, two twister quilts and the Dashing quilt.  That makes me :-)  I'm a happy girl. 

One of my dearest bloggy friends has been checking on me via e-mail to tell me that she's been missing my regular blog posts and my visits around bloggy world. 

I've told her that I haven't been blogging regularly because I haven't had anything to blog about. 

And, while I've popped in to visit each everyone of you I've been oohing and aahhhing  silently.  Today while I was sewing I asked myself if I've run out of things to say - HECK NO!  LOL 

Please don't give up on me I'm going to try harder to post on a more regular basis. 

 

I hope your days are pieceful.

 

In Friendship!

Challenging Myself w/Moda Precuts

A few weeks ago while 'hermitting' I was thinking about and planning future quilting projects.  I decided it would be fun to challenge myself to make a project featuring some Moda precuts (i.e. a charm pack, layer cake, jelly roll, honey bun, fat eighth bundle and fat quarter bundle).  I started looking through books, patterns, Pinterest, etc.  It's been a daunting task because there are so many fabulous patterns available for precuts.  Whew!!! 

 

Since I couldn't decide on patterns for every precut I decided to just get started. 

Doing often leads to inspiration. 

 

Friday morning I cleaned and oiled my sewing machine; wound a bunch of bobbins and selected a charm pack of Avalon that Carol had given me when we met with Cheryl for lunch in March.  It took me forever to decide on a project.  I chatted with one friend who had tons of suggestions but then I chatted with another friend, Carol and she suggested I use it to make one of the mini quilts from Simply Charming (duh - why didn't I think of that?  LOL)  We went through the book together and found a pattern that would work.  woohoo!!!

 

 

I'll show a picture of my mini Simply Charming quilt tomorrow after I quilt it - it'll look much better than it does now.  :-)

That mini quilt didn't take long so I decided to move on to a project using a layer cake. 

I cut 10" squares from my Hometown (by Sweetwater for Moda) fat quarter bundle.  So, is it a project using a layer cake or a project using a fat quarter bundle?  LOL

 

I made a Twister quilt using the large layer cake template. 

I've made a couple of Twister quilts using the smaller templates and while I had fun making those I never felt comfortable cutting around the templates.  I feared I would cut off the tips of my fingers with my rotary cutter. ACK!!!  Quite frankly, I've grown accustomed to having those finger tips.  LOL

I was instantly smitten with the larger template so I had tons of fun!

Needless to say I love, love, love the quilt top, too.  teehee!

This layer cake of Sunkissed (also by Sweetwater for Moda) like the Hometown fat quarter bundle had been in my closet for a long time.  

When I rolled out of bed this morning I knew exactly what I was going to do today. 

Can you guess? 

ROFLOL

 If you guessed another Twister quilt, you're absolutely right!

I'm becoming a pro at these cuties.  LOL

Now I want to dig in my closet and find layer cakes to make more Twister quilts. 

Please don't send the men in the white coats! 

 ROFLOL

 

A project with either a jelly roll, honeybun, fat eighth bundle or fat quarter bundle is up next - what to do, what to do? 

 

I'm glad I decided to do this self challenge with Moda precuts because it's forcing me to look for and use fabric I'd forgotten I had.  So often I get caught up in the latest and newest that I forget about the past latest and newest that I had to have. 

 

I hope your days have been as pieceful as mine.

 

In Friendship!

Hermitting (?)

Is March done? 

Goodness I hope so because it seems I spent the entire month hermitting (not a word but it works LOL)

During the period of hermitting there was nothing happening - absolutely nothing. 

'nuf said  :-)

 

On to bigger and better things. 

I've been working on my plans and goals for the month of April - we'll see how that goes.  LOL

When I finish it in a bit do you want to see it?  :-)

 

One of the primary things on my list is a quilt from Simply Charming.  Kathy and I hope you'll join us in April with another sweet small quilt from this 'simply charming' book.  :-)

Take time to visit Kathy's blog because she's finished hers and has the link up post ready to go.

I'll pick mine today and git 'r dun  LOL

 

Thank you so much for your sweet e-mails asking about if everything was OK.  I appreciate your care and concern - it was nice to be missed. 

 

Hopefully I'll be around more in the month of April. 

 

I hope your days have been pieceful with many more to come.

 

In Friendship!

March(ing) Along

 Did you know...

March is National Quilting Month! 

 

Thank you so much for sharing your project organization ideas - I really appreciate it.

Maybe I am a fly by the seat of my pants person or I could be a list maker but I've come to the conclusion that it really doesn't matter.  I sew, quilt, embroider, applique, etc for fun and in the grand scheme of things that's all that matters.  :-)

 

I had a strong desire to sew today and decided I wanted to play with 4 patches.  I didn't have a firm plan but that changed when I opened the closet in my sewing room and spotted a large zip lock bag with some completed four patches and other pieces parts.  As Paulette would say "SCORE".   All the four patches were finished and alternate blocks were cut so I was good to go.  Before I knew it I had the center of the quilt finished and within a couple of hours the borders attached.  Big WooHoo!!!!

 

 

"Mary's Four Patch" by Country Threads

It's National Quilting Month so Let's Quilt!  :-)

 

Wishing you pieceful days!

 

In Friendship!

A Veggie Tale

I've been spending way too much time sitting like eggplant and laying like broccoli.  LOL 

I'm sure this behavior would be acceptable in the produce aisle at my local grocery store but in this house it's definitely a complete waste of time. :-)

 

I usually 'fly by the seat of my pants' but it's obviously not working for me. 

I've been thinking long and hard about where I need to make changes and adjustments.  Would a daily list, weekly or monthly list work?  I already know that when I take time to pre cut projects I can be very productive.  Should I take time to prep a variety of projects?  I've found that when I finish a project I waste time trying to figure out what's next.  Sigh!  Some days I feel like a little dog chasing my tail.  LOL

 

There are many bloggers who are incredibly productive and organized.  The list is very long but Kathie at Inspired by Antique Quilts and Yvette at BOM Quilter are two who come to mind.  I chatted with Yvette earlier this week about her discipline and organizational methods. 

 

Enough said - Friday evening I made a short list of things I wanted to accomplish on Saturday.  I'm happy say that I accomplished every thing on my list and a few more.  WooHoo

 

 

Simply Charming mini - quilted and bound

 

 

Topsy Turvy by Cotton Way Quilts made with Noteworthy by Sweetwater for Moda

 

I've been working on Topsy Turvy by Cotton Way Quilts with Noteworthy by Sweetwater for Moda for a couple of weeks.  Yesterday I added the yellow outer borders.  Ready for quilting!  This particular pattern called for a much wider inner border and narrower outer border.  I used the same pink for the inner border that I used for the corner stones and decided it was way too bright to be super wide - think Pepto Bismol - LOL  I really enjoyed making this quilt and am looking forward to quilting it.

 

Backings & Bindings for Topsy Turvy & Rockin' Bobbins

I pieced the backings and bindings for Topsy Turvy and Rockin' Bobbins - woohoo!  I'm hoping they will be quilted very, very soon.  :-)

 

Will you please leave a comment telling me how you organize yourself to get your projects done?  I'd really appreciate it. 

Thank you!

 

I hope your days have been more 'pieceful' than mine.  :-)

 

I appreciate your visit; come again soon.

 

In Friendship!

A Little Brag :-)



This morning my daughter, Kristie and I were chatting about a cute tidbit we both pinned on Pinterest.  She said that she had a 16 x 20 canvas and was thinking about making something similar for Shaye's room. 

She didn't let any grass grow under her feet - here it is!

 

Made by my daughter, Kristie, for Shaye's room
 

She explained how she did it but this Mom doesn't do paint so her entire explanation went over my head.  LOL 

BTW, she sews and quilts, too.  :-)

 

I HAD to blog about it because I'm super proud of her. 

 

Thank you for letting me brag a little.  :-)

 

In Friendship!

Rockin' Bobbins

Several months ago when I was doing some prepping and precutting I showed a cute red block on this post.  I referred to it as a lifesaver and thought it would be cute skipping across a quilt. 
My friend, Carol, and I often plan many projects together and we discussed making a quilt using that 'lifesaver' block with Mama Said, Sew by Sweetwater for Moda.  Months went by and I kept dragging my feet coming up with a pattern. 

Finally a couple of weeks ago I got busy!  Rather than lifesavers I decided they looked more like bobbins and immediately came up with a name for the quilt....
"Rockin' Bobbins". 

Rockin' Bobbins
Mama Said, Sew (pattern is my design)
approx 60" x 68"

I think a red or black binding will add a nice frame to the entire quilt. 

I hope my design makes you smile :-)

One final note - today, February 12, my sweet hubby, Ron, and I are celebrating our 36th wedding anniversary.
Happy Anniversary Sweetheart - I love you more & more every day!

Enjoy a pieceful day.  Once again I do appreciate your visits.

In Friendship!

Back to Blogging :-)

I think I'm finally back in business.  :-)  My hubby set up a 'new to me' computer and I'm super thrilled.  Thank you, Sweetie!  You ROCK!  :-)

 

If you're playing along with Kathy and I on our Simply Charming mini quilt along please don't forget to visit Kathy's blog to link up your finished quilt at the end of February. 

Our challenge is easy peasy - make a mini quilt from the book every other month - February is our first month.  By the end of the year you'll have six mini quilts finished. 

 

This is a stress free fun challenge - you pick the quilt you want to make from the 20 quilts featured in the book.  Easy peasy! 

 

Take a few minutes to visit Tara Lynn Darr's website for a few corrections to some of the patterns in the book. 

http://www.sewuniquecreations.com/content.php?content_id=1007

 

I'll be back later to show what I've been up to in the past week. 

I've started a new embroidery project - needed a break from all the snowmen (aka Snowmen A to Zzzz)  LOL  And, I've finished a quilt with Mama Said, Sew by Sweetwater for Moda.

 

I hope you've missed me.  I appreciate your visits - thank you!

Enjoy a very pieceful day.

 

In Friendship!

Another Year of Schnibbles

Here it is the end of January and it's time to post my favorite Schnibble.  Although, I do love every Miss Rosie's Quilt Co Schnibble, Little Bite and/or large quilt pattern I think my most recent favorite is Bounce.  I had lots of fun making it in October 2012 using Hello Luscious by Moda. 





Bounce - Miss Rosie's Quilt Co
fabric - Hello Luscious by Moda

This the same picture I used in October because sadly it's still not quilted.  What is up with that????  LOL

 

It's also time to post my January finish for Christmas Through The Year but unfortunately I can't.  :-(

At the end of February I'll post my January and February finishes.  :-) 

 

My main computer met an untimely demise last night (may we have a moment of silence, please) and I'm posting on my little Netbook.  I have to learn how to upload my pictures, edit them, etc.  I know it'll be a small learning curve I'm not at that point yet. 

Thank you so much for stopping by to visit - please come again.
I hope your days have been pieceful.

In Friendship!

Spools A'Plenty - check

The order with the background fabric I needed to complete my Spools A'Plenty quilt arrived yesterday!  WooHoo!!!!  Today I spent most of the day getting it to the flimsy stage. 

 

I hope you don't mind if I take a few minutes to pat myself on the back.  I've been all over the place with projects and such so I'm quite proud that I finished it.  :-)

I know exactly which fabric I'd like to use for the backing and binding. 

Spools A'Plenty with Tapestry
both by Fig Tree Quilts

It obviously needs a very good pressing so please ignore the wrinkles and such. 

 However, if the wrinkles bother you then by all mean avert your eyes.  LOL

 

I hope your days have been pieceful.  I've been peeking in over your shoulders and you've all been busy, busy, busy.  I do believe your days have been very pieceful. 

 

I so appreciate your visits - come again very soon.

 

In Friendship!

Spools A'Plenty Progress

I spent the evening working on my Spools A'Plenty project and I'm truly lovin' it. 

There was a near panic but fortunately it was averted.  LOL

The pattern calls for almost 4 yards of the background fabric; my local quilt store only had 1.25 yards on the bolt and 4 fat quarters.  I bought that thinking I'd find the rest on line.  The joke was on me - no one seemed to have it stock.  After a little more searching I found it at Thrifty Needle - whew!  LOL

Spools A'Plenty with Tapestry by Fig Tree

Two rows down/two to go - woohoo!!! 

I haven't worked with Fig Tree fabrics in a quite awhile so this is a nice change.

I'm meeting a friend first thing in the morning and when I get home I'm planning to sew the day away.  Won't finish this baby but I'll get as far as I can. 

I hope your days have been pieceful.

In Friendship!

The Quilt Police

Why is it that we all worry so much about what others think?
We fret and wring our hands about how many quilts and/or quilt tops we have, our large or small fabric stash, the points we cut off when we piece blocks (oh by the way why do we feel the need to point that out), whether or not we ever finish the project du jour....OK, I know you get the idea.  LOL 
We fear the judgement from others.
 I've been giving this a lot of thought because I have HUGE fear of judgement.
I've decided that when we judge ourselves (fairly or unfairly) we invite others to judge us. 
How do we break that vicious cycle?
 I don't have the answer but it's a cycle I need and want to break.
I just want to have fun without the fear of judgement!

This is who we fear ..."The Quilt Police"
Those two silly women, aka the Quilt Police, are laughing and giggling at us because we have allowed them to judge us.
We've taken everything 'they' say to heart. 
Surely you've met them!
Oh they look sweet but they wield a mean tongue - they judge us and we allow it. 
This must stop NOW.
Don't allow The Quilt Police to get you down!

My first step in banishing the Quilt Police from my life is to start yet another project. 
I hesitated at first; what would they think, what would they say, another project, I already have several started. 
Here I am judging myself, therefore inviting and allowing others to judge me. 
I am done explaining myself to the "Quilt Police".
Yes, I have started another project, yes I have several others I'm working on now....who cares????
If you care and you're keeping score, please stop!
 In the grand scheme of things does it really matter? 
No, it doesn't!!!!

Here's my first block...

The quilt is Spools a'Plenty and fabric is Tapestry both by Fig Tree Quilts.

Stay tuned....I may finish it before I start yet another project; then again, maybe not.  LOL

It's time to rebel against the Quilt Police!

LOL

In Friendship!

(this post is very tongue in cheek - I hope I made you laugh)

On a Whim!

When it comes to stitching, sewing and/or quilting I seem to be flying by the seat of my pants. 

 Some would think it's a bad thing but for me it's all good! 

Flying by the seat of one's pants can be lots of fun. 

When I stop to think about classic quilts ... 9 patch and log cabin quilts come to mind. 

 Would you agree?

So today, on a whim, I decided it would be fun to start making a bunch of nine patches.

They had to have dark corners and the same background print.

 I have an idea for a setting but I need to make lots more blocks!

25 - 6" nine patches
CW Reproductions

Sweet pile of 9 patches
:-)

Have your days been pieceful? 

I appreciate your visit .... come again soon.

In Friendship!

Join Us!

Recently, Kathy at Kindred Quilts made one of the quilts from this book and I commented that I, too, owned the book, loved her quilt and she should consider making every quilt in the book.  :-)

She said, "I will if you will"  LOL

I thought about it for as long as it took me to snap my fingers and said, "yes, let's do it". 

We exchanged a few e-mails about the details and decided that every other month would be a perfect. There are 20 quilts in the book so this could take awhile - LOL. 

I thought it would be fun to invite ALL of you to join us in the fun and Kathy agreed!

"Granny's Scrap Box" 18" x 21"
Simply Charming by Tara Lynn Darr

I couldn't post about our endeavor without making one of the quilts. 

I cut and pieced my first mini today - I haven't played with reproduction fabrics in ages.  I'd forgotten how well they 'play together'.  I was smiling all day. 

I felt like I was channeling Kathie at Inspired by Antique Quilts - she makes the best quilts using reproduction fabrics. 

All the quilts in the book are fabulous and Tara's directions are terrific. 

I couldn't post about our endeavor without making my first quilt.  I kept flipping the pages trying to decide which mini to make first.  Sigh - talk about a tough decision. 

I finally decided I'd start with the first quilt in the book, "Granny's Scrap Box". 

Kathy and I would love it if you'd join us in February with your first "Simply Charming" mini quilt. 

Kathy plans to add a link so you can link up your blog and share your mini.

We want this to be all about fun....no stress, no competition, no real commitment (if you want to play that's fine and if you don't that's fine, too) 

A mini quilt every other month in 2013 means 6 mini quilts by the end of the year. 

Doesn't get any better than that!  :-)

I wish you pieceful days.

In Friendship!

Now What????

I see you scratching your heads!  LOL 

You're asking yourselves "now what is she doing?"

My 'blob' days are over and I'm in quilting bliss.  teehee

Come back later for a fun announcement.  :-)

Are you having a pieceful day?

In Friendship!

A Scattered Blob :-)

I have not been pretending to be a blob - I have been a blob!  My friend, Cheryl, says she's been a blob, too, but she posted some serious eye candy on her blog this week.  Besides being a blob isn't really that bad, is it? 

Thank you for signing up for my birthday list last week. Thank you for allowing me to celebrate your birthday with you.  

I've been incredibly scattered with my sewing plans.  This, that and the other thing - that's what I want to be working on.  LOL 

It's time to get busy!

Last week I told you that I'm super crazy about all of Camille Roskelley's (Thimble Blossoms) new patterns.  I've made plans with Round & Round and now I'm moving on to Juggle.  It's an adorable pattern featuring a new Moda precut, Honeycomb that won't be available until late Spring.  Fortunately for us Camille has included templates in her pattern so we can cut our own Honeycomb pieces.  woohoo!!!

I had a Moda Layer Cake of Sew Stitchy that would be perfect for Juggle but I could only get one Honeycomb (hexagon) template from each - way too much waste.  I asked my computer guru (aka Mr Daze, Ron, Sweetie, etc) if he could resize both templates required.  Well, of course he could; that's why he's my computer guru!  Thank you bunches, Sweetie, I love you!

New templates made using several layers of card stock - perfect!

Drawn template on several charm squares

Pieces/parts of Sew Stitchy after I cut all the hexagon pieces!

Honeycomb (hexagons) ready to sew  :-) 

I'm a happy girl. 

Tomorrow I'll cut the white strips required to cut the triangles. 

And, then I'll be ready to sew.  woohoo!

While cutting this project the wheels started turning and I have a few more projects I'm going to cut soon.  I do so much better if I take the time to precut as many projects as possible. 

Wishing you pieceful days....In Friendship!

Time to Create!

I'm excited about celebrating birthdays with many friends! 

My birthday list is now FULL!

 

 I'd love to tell you that I've been busy doing this and that but alas that's not the case.

I've been doing a pretty good job of pretending to be a blob.  LOL

Earlier this week I decided enough was enough it was time to get creative.  woohoo!!!

Have you seen Camille Roskelley's new patterns (Juggle, Round & Round, Fireworks, Turn About, & Zipper ).  Happy Go Lucky for Moda is the new line of fabric to be released in May.

You won't be surprised to learn that I am totally smitten with ALL of 'em.

I've decided that "Round & Round" should be called "In Friendship" - seriously it's made using friendship stars.  I rest my case.  LOL (I hope Camille forgives me) 

The pattern features a large quilt and a mini quilt; I've hit on an exciting idea. 

 I'm so excited, I can hardly stand it.  (doesn't take much - hee)

Are you on my birthday list?  If you aren't, you might wish you were.  LOL  If you are, then chances are you'll receive a mini "Round & Round" quilt from me. 

May be ruining the element of surprise but I can't help it - I'm super excited.  :-)

I've already made two and I'm anxious to make more.  :-)

I'm excited about these because I can embroider 'in friendship' (or any other word) in an open space.  These would be adorable as table toppers - with the addition of 'in friendship' or whatever word it would  provide an element of surprise.  Wouldn't it?

Round & Round made with Cherry Baby by Lakehouse Fabrics
embroidered with "in friendship"

Round & Round made with Ruby
embroidery to be added

The one on the left is the first one I made using Cherry Baby by Lakehouse Fabrics; can you see 'in friendship' in the lower right hand space?  Yes, it's a little crooked but would you care?  ;-)

The one on the right is made with Ruby but is lacking the embroidery; although I'll add that later today. 

So, tell me what you think about my 'lightbulb moment' idea? 

Would you be excited to find one of these in your mailbox? 

 Could be for your birthday, Christmas, just because, etc. 

So, if you give me your birthday there might be one in your mailbox?  Just sayin'   teehee

Enjoy a pieceful day.....In Friendship!

My e-mail address will remain wabbit4412 at aol.com - I'm finally back in business.  whew!

A Wish & A Word for 2013

Wishing you and yours a blessed, healthy, prosperous and joyous new year. 

Me and mine hope that 2013 holds everything you and yours desires. 

I've been thinking long and hard about my 'word' and goals for 2013.  I can't seem to settle on one particular word or a list of goals.  Quite frankly, I really don't want to.  :-) 

During National Sewing Month in September I had the best time - do you remember?  I suddenly realized it was National Sewing Month and I jumped in with both feet vowing to sew every day with no particular plan in mind.  Guess you could say I was being very spontaneous. 

Maybe my word for 2013 could be Spontaneous or Spontaneity. 

However, if that were the case then I guess I wouldn't be very spontaneous - would I?

:-)

I don't want to dwell on the stress and heartache I suffered during the first half of 2012 but I did learn a very important lesson.  I've tried to live my life for TODAY.  Yesterday is gone; tomorrow is a simple surprise but TODAY is now.  So, while I don't always succeed, I do try to live for TODAY.

In 2013 I simply need to continue to meander my way through every day and try very hard to enjoy the journey. 

(guess I do have a little goal - teehee)

I remain.....

In Friendship!

p.s. I've received many e-mails and comments regarding my hacked e-mail.  Please know that I'm not ignoring you.  I'm being regarded as a 'spammer' so I'm having difficulty sending e-mails.  I've been wabbit4412 since 1994 when we were advised not to use our real names; I hate to give it up but I think that may be my only option - this mess has become a HUGE challenge.  Bear with me and if there's a change I'll let you know.  Thank you!

E-Mail has been Hacked!!!!!

Hello, my friends,

If you've received an e-mail from me regarding an on-line electronics shop please delete, delete, delete.  Apparently someone decided it would be fun to HACK my e-mail account. 

Some people don't seem to have enough to do!!!!  Darn it!!!!!

I'm terribly sorry!

In Friendship!