Thursday, January 28, 2010

Angel in the House & Swap Blocks

pink cross stitched angel

Judith recently had a giveaway of this gorgeous cross stitched angel and I was the lucky recipient. The picture (from Judith's blog) doesn't do it justice. Her workmanship is superb - the piece is gorgeous. Thank you so much.

12 different 4

Monday was Bee day at Mary's house. It was the first of our bi-monthly swaps of 4" blocks. We decided to trade three different 4" blocks made with Jo Morton fabrics (mostly) every other month. At the end of the year, we'll have 72 cuties to put together. We all like little and were pleased with the first batch of blocks.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Patchwork Friends

While cleaning in my sewing room, I noticed I had acquired a few patchwork friends over the years. I brought most of them out for a group photo. Two of the teddies are on a high shelf in my room, and I didn't want to disturb the dust. All but the two little bears were purchased at garage sales. Do you have patchwork animals to share?



Thursday, January 21, 2010

Bargain Hunter?

You be the judge. My quilt guild held its annual garage sale last night. Members bring their books, patterns, fabrics and projects that they no longer need or want and the guild gets a bolster to the treasury. Keep in mind that we were able to shop before the meeting began and after it was over. Look what I brought home.



Yes, you are seeing two copies of "Joy To The World" for which I paid $5.00 and $.25. I shouldn't be let out alone after dark.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Absent In The New Year

Well, my good intentions for being a more consistent blogger are off to a rough beginning in 2010. This was supposed to be the year of the 'new me', but the 2009 model keeps showing up.

Connie and I attended a five day quilting retreat January 7th - 11th. Our LQS organizes these retreats three times a year in addition to the 'sleep at home' retreats in between.There were about 50 gals who kept their machines humming every day. Connie worked on her Jo Morton stars quilt at a previous retreat. We bought kits for these at Lolly's in Shipshewana last year. Quilted Cottage also made up kits last year and several more tops will soon be done. Theresa and I joined Connie in the photo with our finished tops. Connie sewed on another Jo Morton quilt-Fairfax County, (you can never have too many) and made lots of progress.

Jeanne, Theresa and Connie holding our Jo Morton toile quilt tops
patriotic star blocks

Garage sale at the guild meeting tomorrow night and the results of the Paint Chip Challenge issued in September. I didn't take part in this one, but am anxious to see what everyone did.

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Let The New Year Begin!

clock with 2010 on it

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Monday, December 28, 2009

December finish

purse made with thread spool fabric
showing inside of purse
Here's another little purse I finished this month. The pattern is called The Potato Chip Bag and you can find the pattern here. The bag has two outside pockets and two inside pockets. The spool fabric was bought at Yoder's in Shipshewana last month.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Passacaglia Giveaway

If you click on the top button on my sidebar, you'll be taken to the Inklingo Projects Blog where Linda and Tilde have a giveaway in honor of Tilde's new table runner. You can download the free pattern here.
Check out all of the wonderful projects and read about Inklingo.

The neighbors down the road put on a wonderful musical light show each Christmas season. This is one of the displays they have.



And here are our two furry presents under our tree.


STASH REPORT - WEEK 52

STASH REPORT - WEEK 52

Fabric added during this week: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 215.50 yards

Fabric used during this week: 0 yard
Fabric used year to date: 162.25 yards

Net fabric busted 2009: (+53.25 yards)

This is last stash report for 2009. Although the numbers are going in the wrong direction, keeping track of my fabric purchases and usage each week was a good exercise. Next year I will try to improve on the final numbers and may even end up in the negative. No snickering out there....

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

STASH REPORT - WEEKS 50 & 51

STASH REPORT - WEEKS 50 & 51

Fabric added during these weeks: 21 yards
Fabric added year to date: 215.50 yards

Fabric used during this week: .0 yard
Fabric used year to date: 162.25 yards

Net fabric busted 2009: (+53.25 yards)

As bad as it looks, I am not totally disappointed. With one week left and no more sales until after the last Sunday, I may still break even. Backs and donations......



We celebrated Christmas with our extended families last Sunday at Connie and Nick's house. Mom and Dad were very surprised to receive a bed quilt as their gift. They will celebrate 60 years of marriage in February.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Giveaway


Judi over at Green Fairy Quilts is giving away a layer cake, jellyroll and pattern. Click on over to check it out.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

STASH REPORT - WEEK 49

STASH REPORT - WEEK 49

Fabric added during this week: 1 yard
Fabric added year to date: 194.50 yards

Fabric used during this week: .5 yard
Fabric used year to date: 162.25 yards

Net fabric busted 2009: (+31.75 yards) (Time to piece some quilt backs?)


Fun mail received this week from Inch Worm Fabrics. I don't have to add it to my totals until next week. Isn't it gorgeous? It just makes me smile when I look at it. The fabric is "Swanky" from Chez Moi.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Sister's Choice Quilt

The LAQ did wonderful work quilting our Sisters' Choice top for Mom and Dad's Christmas quilt. Just needs the binding and label now.


Monday, November 30, 2009

One more November finish & Another giveaway



The pattern for this Sweet Treat Bag from the Moda Bake Shop has been on my 'to do' list ever since I saw it. There are so many great patterns on that site alone to keep me busy for months. Sorry the picture is so dark.

Go visit Vickie over at Spun Sugar Quilts. She's celebrating over 400 posts by giving away FIVE different fabric prizes. Deadline is December 5th..

A Year Of Round Robin Quilts

During the past year, I've worked on six different round robin quilts of varied styles, colors and fabrics in addition to sending my center square off. It was a challenge to keep them secret for so long, but I did. Last week was the Dear Jane Fall Retreat in Shipshewana where the quilts were returned to their owners. Here are the finished tops from our group of seven that included three MI, one WI and three IN quilters.



This is the first quilt I received. When I saw all of those colors, I had to put on my sun glasses. These are not my usual fabrics to work with, so doing the RR gave me the opportunity to stretch my comfort zone and try new things. I added the pieced hearts for my round.



My second box revealed another bright beginning with some beautiful applique. I chose to applique flowers, stems and leaves and piece four baskets in the corners.



My third challenge was made from all solid colors that were pulled from her inspiration fabric. The third round of colored arrows is my work.



This is my sister, Connie's RR. I had fun paper piecing the four corner snowmen and adding the colored squares for my addition. This one was really tough to keep secret.



Strips and nine patches were added here. I love the colors in this quilt.



The last quilt had me stumped for some time. Finally I decided to add the stripped border from all of the colors used in the squares. This was a lot of fun, and I'm glad I did it. But next year will bring new challenges, so no RR for me.



My quilt top! I sent an appliqued apple pie block and love what I got back. The last round is embroidered with my great Aunt Emma's pie crust recipe and an apple pie recipe. I bought a backing while at the retreat; hopefully, this will be in the done pile soon.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

STASH REPORT - WEEK 47 & 48

Fabric added during these weeks: 22.75 yards (DJ Retreat in Shipshewana)
Fabric added year to date: 193.50 yards

Fabric used during these weeks 1 yard
Fabric used year to date: 162.25 yards

Net fabric busted 2009: (+31.25 yards) Serious setback with only a month left.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Giveaways

A quick post to let you know about these great giveaways.

Follow the instructions here and the fantastic cross stitch done by Judith could be on its way to your house.


Helen has a wonderful quilt pattern done with reds and stitcheries. Click here to comment.


Click here to see beautiful paper German Stars being given away to celebrate one year of blogging.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Stash Report Week 46 & Giveaway

STASH REPORT - WEEK 46

Fabric added during this week: 5.5 yards
Fabric added year to date: 170.75 yards

Fabric used during this weeks 9.5 yard
Fabric used year to date: 161.25 yards

Net fabric busted 2009: (+9.50 yards)Getting close to breaking even

Click on over to Inch Worm Fabrics for a great giveaway!

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Retreating Again

I am so spoiled to have so many opportunities for retreats. The latest was a four day "Sleep At Home" Retreat put on by The Quilted Cottage. They bend over backwards to make our time there enjoyable and productive.

Here are pictures of a few of the projects worked on during the retreat.








Monday, November 9, 2009

STASH REPORT - WEEK 45

STASH REPORT - WEEK 45

Fabric added during this week: 1.5 yards
Fabric added year to date: 165.25 yards

Fabric used during this weeks 5.5 yard
Fabric used year to date: 151.75 yards

Net fabric busted 2009: (+13.50 yards)

penguin potholders
I made this pair of potholders from a Michael Miller fabric that had cute animals in black, red and white. The handwork for the stack of gingerbread potholders is almost done, too.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

STASH REPORT - WEEK 44

STASH REPORT - WEEK 44

Fabric added during this week: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 163.75 yards

Fabric used during this weeks .5 yard
Fabric used year to date: 146.25 yards

Net fabric busted 2009: (+17.50 yards)

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Tote for Simone

black tote bag with cat fabric pockets and trim
inside of bag showing pocket and bottom insert

I finished a screen tote bag for my daughter-in-law, Simone. She loves the Laurel Burch cat fabrics which form three lined pockets on the outside. For this tote I attached a little zipper bag inside and made a fabric covered bottom insert to help it keep its shape. I think she'll like it.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Report on Retreating

Lucky me! I was fortunate to attend another quilting retreat at The Springs in Gladwin. This time we had a new record attendance of 75 ladies who sewed, shopped, ate and laughed a week-end away. On Sunday, we took a hayride around the property and some brave souls rode the zip line over the river. (not me)
The Quilted Cottage always sets up a little shop in one corner of the downstairs sewing room. They aren't usually dressed this way, but are always cute. They are Jackie and Stacy (owners) and Julie (store manager). I was pretty controlled this time in what I bought. On the left is pillowcase fabric from the breast cancer awareness line. Remember the Snap Happy Bags? Now there are Snap Happy Totes! The other pattern is a cute table topper that can be made for any occasion.

pillowcase fabric and two patterns bought at the retreat
Connie and I worked on more gingerbread potholders which will become shower and Christmas gifts. Connie got a great start on her little stars wallhanging and I turned my nine patches into Sister's Choice blocks.
12 Gingerbread potholders
Connie working on her little star blocks using Jo Morton fabrics
18 Sister's Choice quilt blocks for Grandma and Grandpa's Christmas quilt
The last picture shows one of the dorm rooms. The Quilted Cottage adopted the room and seven groups of ladies made seven quilts for the beds. The bed at the top left has the quilt made by Connie, Helen and me.
Quilts made by us for the dorm room beds at The Springs

Monday, October 26, 2009

STASH REPORT - WEEK 43

STASH REPORT - WEEK 43

Fabric added during this week: 2 yards
Fabric added year to date: 163.75 yards

Fabric used during this weeks 2.5 yard
Fabric used year to date: 145.75 yards

Net fabric busted 2009: (+18.00 yards)

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Pumpkin Patch Primitive Quilt Shoppe Giveaway


Brenda over at Pumpkin Patch Primitive Quilt Shoppe is having a fabulous giveaway of fabric. Click on over to get the details. You don't want to miss out on this giveaway. The more comments she receives, the more fabric she'll give away. Tell her you saw it here!

STASH REPORT - WEEK 42 Plus

STASH REPORT - WEEK 42

Fabric added during thls week: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 161.75 yards

Fabric used during this weeks 9.25 yard
Fabric used year to date: 143.25 yards

Net fabric busted 2009: (+18.50 yards)

Still need to break even, but I'm getting closer!

I sewed a few nine patches today for a Christmas quilt group gift. We're using the directions from Bonnie on Quiltville for the Sister's Choice quilt. I love making nine patches (my favorite block) so this is fun sewing for me.
nine patches by my sewing machines

Connie and I took a class a short time ago at The Quilted Cottage to make "The Wallie". Once in awhile, it's great to take a class where you come home with a finished project. The Wallie will hold my credit cards, driver's license, cell phone and change. The next one I make will have a little strap to clip on a belt loop or to go around my wrist.
The Wallie is a litle fabric wallet
Wallie pattern and my sample