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

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Caught Up?

Well, at least with reading posts on my Bloglines. Phew! I didn't want to miss anything, but it sure took some time to read them all.

Here's the Disappearing Nine Patch top from my previous post. I want to have it quilted by next Wednesday for a challenge from my Comforts Quilts group.
Disappearing Nine Patch quilt made with sports themed fabrics

Link for Logo


Most of the quilts I have made are miniatures or wall quilts and are no longer mine. This wall hanging is one of my favorites, though, made for a challenge in Shipshewana, Indiana at the Dear Jane Retreat in 2000. Jane blocks were made 50% of their original size and placed inside houses to make a 4 1/2" block. In the book "Dear Jane" by Brenda Papadakis, she gives each block a name, letter and number. At the last minute I decided to add those as the house numbers on each block. My quilt won the challenge! The name of my quilt is Every Home Should Have a Jane.

Added: I should have mentioned it was an ugly fat quarter challenge. We each chose a
paper bag that someone else had brought. My little blocks are all made with one UGLY piece of fabric.




Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Wednesday


Today I mailed my block to Laurie for Terry's quilt. (click on link on my sidebar) It was good to play in my fabric. Earlier this week, I pieced another DNP top. The prints are sports items with centers of bright orange. I also cut out squares for two more DNP quilts.

A few weeks ago, Jim was asked if he wanted to pick raspberries at a friend's house. YES! He came home with this and I made some jam and a pie.







The last photo shows what I woke up with this morning. I was wedged between the two cats and had to carefully extract myself. Wouldn't want to wake the cuties.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

STASH REPORT - WEEKS 39, 40 & 41

STASH REPORT - WEEKS 39, 40 & 41

Fabric added during these weeks: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 161.75 yards

Fabric used during these weeks: .5 yard
Fabric used year to date: 134 yards

Net fabric busted 2009: (+27.75 yards) Still need to break even.

Making almost no progress lately...

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Catching Up (Again) & Stash Report

Chasing my own tail, it seems. One of these days I will catch up on the 2000+ blog entries I want to read and get back to regular posting on mine.



We spent the week-end up north where my youngest brother, Paul was married to Molly. The ceremony was very nice and the weather was perfect. The event took place at Garland Golf Resort with the happy couple dressed in golfing attire.

Bluebird Quilts is having a great giveaway. Click here to check it out.

I received a lovely package in the mail from Lurline as the winner of her recent giveaway. It contained several pieces of gorgeous fabric. Thank you.♥



STASH REPORT - WEEKS 37 & 38


Fabric added during these weeks: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 161.75 yards

Fabric used during these weeks: 1 yard
Fabric used year to date: 135.5 yards

Net fabric busted 2009: (+26.25 yards) Still need to break even.

Friday, September 11, 2009

September finish

The Understudy Pattern Card

Halloween picture in center with pieced blocks around it makes this tabletopper

My LQS had several Halloween samples and I couldn't resist making this one. The center is an 8 1/2" square cut from a panel and then you use the instructions from The Understudy card by Pieced Tree. It was fun to make, but you do have to make sure that you get those half-square triangle units going the correct way. Ask me how I know that. This pattern would work nicely for any holiday.

My hibiscus is blooming in the back yard. The flowers are huge and remind me of Georgia O'Keefe paintings. Our weather has been beautiful!

Hibiscus bloom

Monday, September 7, 2009

STASH REPORT - WEEK 36

STASH REPORT - WEEK 36

Fabric added during ths week: 2 yards
Fabric added year to date: 161.75 yards

Fabric used during this week: 0
Fabric used year to date: 134.5 yards

Net fabric busted 2009: (+27.25 yards) Still need to break even.

Friday, September 4, 2009

STASH REPORT - WEEKS 34 & 35

STASH REPORT - WEEKS 34 & 35

Fabric added during these two weeks: 17.25 (Big sale at Moda U)
Fabric added year to date: 159.75 yards

Fabric used during these two weeks: 27.75 yards (5 used, 22.75 donated)
Fabric used year to date: 134.5 yards

Net fabric busted 2009: (+25.25 yards) Still need to break even.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Sleep At Home Retreat





What a great retreat! My LQS, The Quilted Cottage, is located in a strip. The business next door moved so they have been able to rent the space for retreats. We sewed from 10-9 Wednesday and Thursday, 10-11 on Friday and 10-5 on Saturday. Each day there is a winner for a bucket filled with goodies from the shop. We are fed a terrific meal each day and have access to the quilt shop all during the retreat. At night, we sleep in our own beds at home. Isn't this the perfect set-up? We had forty attendees who stitched and laughed together. Oh, we also get a charm. The one on the left side is from this retreat.

I finished The Diva Essential Designer Bag, made 1 1/2 Halloween table toppers, almost finished a DNP and worked on a strip quilt from Hanne's challenge LAST summer. The Diva bag can also be used as a backpack and has lots of pockets inside and out. It took almost two days to finish, but I love it.

Every time someone finished a project, Clara would ring a bell so everyone could admire it. I have pictures of several to share later.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Stash Report 33 & Giveaway

STASH REPORT - WEEK 33 (no change this week)

Fabric added during this week: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 142.5 yards

Fabric used during these weeks: 0 yards
Fabric used year to date: 106.7 yards

Net fabric busted 2009: (+35.75)

If you are a fan of civil war fabrics, click on over to Faithful Quilter:Elaine's Journey.

One more small finish: pillowcase made with John Deere fabric.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

A Finish

orangish bag with velcro closing

It may be small, but it's a finish! This little bag with a velcro closure is for a friend who shared some scraps with me a few weeks ago. It's pretty quick to make and can be used for a variety of things. It's photographed open to show the inside.

The grape tomatoes are starting to ripen in larger quantities and it's a banner year for my Black-eyed Susans. The rest of the flowers are in desparate need of attention before the weeds and bugs take over.

The LQS is closed today to rearrange the whole store. The Janome machines are moving to the front of the shop and they now carry Floriani Threads. When it reopens on Tuesday, I bet it will be packed with curious shoppers. Moda U is Tuesday, so I'll be there.

Monday, August 10, 2009

STASH REPORT - WEEK 32

STASH REPORT - WEEK 32 (no change this week)

Fabric added during this week: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 142.5 yards

Fabric used during these weeks: 0 yards
Fabric used year to date: 106.7 yards

Net fabric busted 2009: (+35.75)

Friday, August 7, 2009

Blueberries

pails of blueberries in our trunk

Wednesday was the perfect day to go blueberry picking. We picked up Nick and Connie and
headed west. After about two hours of picking (they were hanging like grapes on the vine) we had almost 60 pounds of berries between the four of us. They are sooooo good.

Yesterday was my birthday (not a zero) and it was another great day. My folks treated Jim and I to a perch lunch which was delicious. The Tigers beat the Orioles in an afternoon game, I got a birthday charm and discount at my LQS and I bought a little Janome. It's the AQS2009 and I will take it to classes and retreats giving my Featherweight a break from traveling. I love the push a button and watch it sew feature!

While there, I took a picture of the shop sample I just finished sewing. It's called Spinning Flowers by Amy Davidson of Humble Bee Quilt Works.

Spinning Flowers quilt same for shop

Added: Terry has a terrific giveaway of patterns and books here.