Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Checking In

Mother's Day was wonderful. Mike, Simone and JJ gifted me with a lovely bonsai tree and then took us out to dinner. A special delivery brought a beautiful bouquet in shades of yellow from Kari, Craig, Abby and Ian. We, also, spent some time visiting with my mom and got in a card game at home later that evening. I was a happy mom.


















We had Bee at my house on Monday and swapped our third set of four inch blocks. Aren't they the cutest! You can click the links to see the first and second sets again if you missed them. Half-way through the year already and the count is at 36 blocks.














Monday was also the day the staff of The Quilted Cottage treated us with a day of sewing and lunch for helping at the Shop Hop. We each received a lovely wine glass filled with Starburst candies and a star charm. (The Shop Hop theme was 'Reach For The Stars') I left shortly after lunch to get home before the Bee ladies arrived.


Then there was a Priority Package from Little Quilts in the mail. It contained the cute fabric I had recently won on their blog giveaway. The week has been good so far.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Middle of the Mitten Shop Hop




Eight quilt shops participated in the shop hop this year. Our adventure began at 7:15 a.m. on our way to The Ice House in Grayling. Darlene, Connie, Helen and I all fell in love with the calendar quilts in this pattern. Each shop gave out free block patterns for different stars and a kit to make the block was available for purchase. The blocks were sewn together in assorted settings in each shop. I should mention the theme of the hop was stars. The shops all had unique interpretations. The Quilted Cottage had beds (sleeping under the stars) set up (including a cot in a tent) and all of the workers wore pajama pants. Connie and I were asked to volunteer and dressed in a modest shade of pink. At lunch, one woman exclaimed, "Oh, there's two of you!"

The watermelon quilt kit that is peeking out in the pajama picture also came home with me. That will be a fun quilt to sew at the next retreat. The last picture is a sample I sewed for the shop. It's a Country Threads pattern called The Farm House.

Although we didn't get to see each other, Kathy also shopped the hop with her mom and sister. Check her post for more details.



Monday, April 19, 2010

April Update

How do people say they are bored or have nothing to do? There are never enough hours in the day or energy in me to do all that I want to do. I've been retreating and shop hopping and sewing every chance I get. The one thing I haven't been keeping up with is my blog. Sometimes I write posts in my mind, but they never see the computer screen. I'll try to do better.



These are the second set of blocks for our Bee's swap. They are 4" finished and are made mainly with Jo Morton fabrics. They're going to make a terrific quilt someday.



The last picture is a bag I made to carry my iron to classes and retreats. It's lined on the sides and bottom with Insulbrite so the iron doesn't have to cool down completely before packing it away.

I enjoyed a wonderful Dear Jane Retreat in Shipshewana, Indiana last week. Connie, Helen and I shopped our way down to Shipshe and were welcomed with temps in the 80s.
How wonderful to see so many talented friends again including Hanne from Norway and Valerie from France. More on the retreat later....

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Edyta Sitar Classes

You know the song - "Heaven, I'm in heaven..." That's how it felt the past three days as I was fortunate to take three different quilting classes from Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts. She was such a delight! Edyta is an extremely talented quilter, as well as being patient, thorough, organized, funny, energetic, generous and motivating. On Thursday, we each came home with 350 scrappy half square triangles to make her tree quilt. Friday we foundation pieced on paper and created a beautiful table runner using logs and flying geese corners. Yesterday was a workshop to learn her technique for making Dresden and 8 Point Stars. Every morning when we got to class, we were greeted with an array of her gorgeous quilts that pertained to the lesson of the day. She said next week she hopes to have her teaching schedule on her website. If you are able to attend one of her lectures or take a class or workshop, you'll be smiling from ear to ear.

pink bunny quilt

I was able to get a photo of the bunny top I made for the shop sample. The patterns is designed by Vicki Bellino of Bloom Creek and Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs. It is featured in the April issue of American Patchwork & Quilting.

Civil War Tribute blocks

The last picture shows blocks from the first two months of the Civil War Tribute Quilt. I'm making the odd numbered ones and Connie is making the even numbers. It's going to be huge!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Valentine's Day

I hope you all enjoyed Valentine's Day in whichever way pleased you. We shared a wonderful, delicious BBQ chicken dinner with Mike, Simone and JJ that is put on annually by the Athletic Club of our church. They do a super job.



These are the Valentine pillowcases I made for our bed. I love this fabric line by Sandy Gervais.

I finished a shop sample, but forgot to take a picture before I delivered it. The pattern is in the April issue of American Patchwork & Quilting and is called Bunny Patch. More on that this week.

Connie and I are also sewing the shop sample of the Civil War Tribute Quilt. Next meeting is month 3 already. We're taking turns with the months and have over 35 gals who joined the club which meets the first Saturday of each month.

Yesterday my nephew, Eric married his love, Christina. It was a wonderful day, wedding and reception. They are so happy together.

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

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)