Quilter Raised in the South

Tallulah dress

2012-01-22T07:46:00.000-08:00

this pattern is supposed to be easy and simple, few facings and seams, but the effect is beautiful and sophisticated for such a little dress. I have had a nerve wracking time getting it just right the first time. I hate do overs, so I have read and re-read the pattern and instructions many tmes prior to cutting out and sewing each seam. The preparation has paid off now I'm nervous about the hems.

I'm in a different world

2012-01-20T20:43:00.000-08:00

A girl's world, actually, with pinkness and rufflings and flowers, you would think it was springtime around here. Just when I think the cold weather is settling in, was getting used to it, now we have a tornado warning. Oh well.

Have you heard of A Girl's World by Jennifer Paganelli? I received this wonderful book for Christmas, and am all fired up about sewing for the little 2yr old girls in my life. My sis picked out Hydrangea fabric for her little one, mine is getting a pink sundress. More pics to follow.

Christmas present

2011-12-30T03:35:00.000-08:00

I finished Emma's sparkly shirt in time for Christmas! Her cousin got one too.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas past

2011-12-15T13:50:00.000-08:00

I made this table runner the year Mom went into the nursing home, 2007, completed in 2008, the year she passed away. It's draped over my chair at work now. Some of the fabric came from old projects, some picked up on a shopping trip with my BFF, and some picked up while on vacation and quilt shop hopping. Lots of memories there!

Happy thanksgiving

2011-11-23T15:49:00.000-08:00

No sewing today, just cooking and cleaning and getting ready for tomorrow. Roasted veggies for pre-Thanksgiving dinner, best way to eat veggies in my opinion!

First mini quilt quilted by me! Finished it on Monday.

Free Motion Quilting

2011-11-20T18:05:00.000-08:00

I took a class yesterday, look what I did! I can "free motion" quilt my projects now! I couldn't get my machine to do this on my own. I have an old machine with no manual, luckily one of the instructors of the class has the same type of machine and knew just what to do. I am so excited! Just like getting a new toy..

Quilts matter

2011-11-08T18:51:00.000-08:00

one of my fellow online quilters shared this link about a documentary that will air soon on PBS:

http://www.whyquiltsmatter.org/welcome/

I shared it with my guild, now I'm sharing with you:)

what we do, matters!

BIG things come in small packages guild retreat in 2012

2011-11-07T18:47:00.000-08:00

PUPs Quilt Guild is having a Retreat in 2012

The theme is BIG Things in small Packages

to be held at St. Columba, Memphis, TN

October 5-6-7, 2012

Feature Teacher is: Gail Garber http://gailgarber.com/

talk about amazing, go check out her quilts, even if I don't get to stay for the whole retreat, it would be awesome to attend one of her classes

Davies Manor Plantation this weekend

2011-11-05T15:03:00.000-07:00

My guild is having an event at Davies Manor Plantation outside of Memphis, TN, a quilt show at the beautiful historic manor plantation. If you are in the area stop by and look at some gorgeous quilts and tour the house and grounds. The weather is cooperating, very pleasant and sunny.

I have been working on the cornerstones for Town Square, may have to add another border after this one, DH says it needs to be just a little bit longer.

Not much sewing going on around here

2011-11-03T04:47:00.001-07:00

one seam on Town Square yesterday, one the day before that. I try to at least sit at the machine once a day after work, dinner and playing with the kids. Town Square now has two borders, hope to get another one on today and one tomorrow, then the wider border around that, and sandwiched by the weekend. Wish me luck!

are you ready for Halloween?

2011-10-30T15:59:00.000-07:00

my front stoop is decorated, candy is purchased, kids' costumes are ready and chicken salad is made for work party tomorrow.

we cut out this this mask together

I love this time of year!

blocks from my partner

2011-10-08T07:47:00.000-07:00

these are just beautiful, from Tiffany at Pinks Sweet Treats. Thank you Tiffany! All the colors I asked for are here, blue and brown, pink and green.

Mill Girls block is done

2011-10-01T16:58:00.000-07:00

one block, too much yellow and too small, but it is done and I love it. Back to Town Square!

Layton's quilt

2011-09-27T16:13:00.000-07:00

ok this is what its all about. All that work, it's worth it, they love it, they sent me a picture of Layton with the quilt I made for him!

Charlene, if you are reading this, I picked up this fabric the day we met at Klassy Katz, do you remember? that was fun

love my swap blocks

2011-09-23T03:42:00.000-07:00

The lovely and talented Quanita sent me these! aren't they beautiful! I just love them, she did a geat job, I knew she would. They are proudly displayed now in my sewing room. Thanks Q!

One Flower Wednesday

2011-09-21T03:28:00.000-07:00

This one looks like fall to me. Seems appropriate with the weather changing. To see other lovely flowers, visit Karen's blog at http://journeyofaquilter.blogspot.com/

first Mill Girls quilt block

2011-09-16T04:04:00.000-07:00

my first block is taking shape. I really like making these squares!

Quilting guild websites

2011-09-16T03:54:00.000-07:00

I will be researching quilt guild websites, so if you know of any great ones I should look at, please send me a link. Why, you ask? My guild has asked me to be webmaster! I am so pleased and honored to do this for them. In addition to just updating the website, they may be interested in changing the layout. Useful features that we don't have now will be taken into consideration. Thanks in advance for the help!

Mill Girls Quilt block

2011-09-15T03:58:00.000-07:00

for some reason, the button from the Mill Girls yahoo group won't display on my blog. No matter, I will make a sample block and display that. Might take a couple of days, but will be fun to try out some colors.

Mill Girls Quilt Along

2011-09-09T04:04:00.000-07:00

I have wanted to make a Mll Girls' quilt forever. I grew up in a mill town, and though I didn't work in the mill, I had family who did, so I am a Mill Girl. I feel a connection to this pattern. With lots of scraps and different colors to use up, it should be a beautiful quilt when finished. If you want to quilt along, sign up here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SBS-and-OtherElmCreekQuilts. You will need Jennifer Chiaverini book More Elm Creek Quilts, and scheduled start date is mid-October.

Happy Monday

2011-09-05T16:57:00.000-07:00

made time for some hexagons today

I also finished a ghost story this weekend, "Her Fearful Symmetry," played with the kids, cleaned out a closet, it's been a great weekend. Now back to Town Square.

4 patches and September BOM

2011-09-03T13:50:00.000-07:00

what I'm working on today

One Flower Wednesday

2011-08-31T18:04:00.000-07:00

I made another red and white one, my son picked out this yellow center

here's the front

here's the back

I opened up one of the flaps so you can see how it is folded, no templates. I started out with a

five and a half inch square for each hexie. I drew around a cereal bowl with a sharpie and cut out my six circles from the red and white fabric, starched and ironed each circle. I iron up a batch, then I'm ready to take a stack and sew them together while I'm relaxing in front of the TV. Happy Wednesday everyone. To see more hexie flowers go to http://www.journeyofaquilter.blogspot.com/

DH's Town Square

2011-08-27T21:15:00.000-07:00

Here is what I will be working on for a while, until it is finished. My long-neglected Town Square. I decided to maike it bigger so DH will have his own blankie. I will keep adding to it until he says it is big enough. It needs at least eight more blocks, four in each row. Maybe eight more blocks then it might be long enough once borders are added. I completed two blocks tonight. Let's see how far I get by next Saturday.

Swap blocks finished

2011-08-25T18:25:00.000-07:00

Just finished blocks for my August partner, will be off to mail them tomorrow. I can't post pictures yet, but there is a sneak peek on Block Swap Advernture's site. See sidebar for link. It's so much fun getting a glimpse, and then seeing the actual block arrive in the mail. I've really enjoyed this swap and hope my partners have too.

three blocks done

2011-08-20T07:44:00.000-07:00

two BOMs for my guild

one for me, practice for a swap partner, when they don't turn out as perfect as I'd like, I keep and make another, its more fun than doing over

have a great day

Friday night sew in is tonight!

2011-08-19T03:56:00.000-07:00

On my list:

block for my advernture partner
BOM for my guild

come back tomorrow to see my finishes!

One flower wednesday

2011-08-17T03:56:00.000-07:00

Hi there, I'm up to 16 flowers, I did have 18, but am using one as a coaster/mousepad and another I gave a way to a friend. Karen has more lovely flowers to show you at http://www.journeyofaquilter.com/

Hexagon quilt a long

2011-08-13T19:53:00.000-07:00

I found another group of quilters making hexagons! so glad to find others with same addictions as I have. Hop over to Lily's Quilts, she and Gayle are hosting the HAL together, for more info and great pics.

http://lilysquilts.blogspot.com/2011/07/hexalong-starts-here.html

http://gaylebrindley.wordpress.com/

Both blogs are beautiful and fresh with colorful ideas, I just love reading their posts. Have a great day.

Hexagons

2011-08-02T07:37:00.000-07:00

not much sewing going on here, getting ready for school to start, and learning new things for my guild. I volunteered to help update our website, and was accepted! I am so happy I can contribute in that way. I have been making a few hexagons as well.

What I've been up to

2011-07-22T18:20:00.000-07:00

This week I finished two Blocks of the Month for my guild

Just in time for my MIL's birthday, I made her an asymmetrical charm quilt with embroidered tracings of my children's (her grandchildren's) hands

Here's one set of hands (my son's)

If I get any time tonight, I will work on sewing the binding down on Triple Rail Fence.

Happy Sewing!

Triple Rail Fence is tied now

2011-07-10T13:39:00.000-07:00

I love the look of this quilt. My sis came over with her young uns and helped me tie it. Friday night we worked on it and again on Saturday, while the kids played and competed for our attention.

after the tying was done, I tried the tutorial I found at Flourishing Palms blog (see post right before this one). I even used the school glue for basting, and let me tell you it worked great. My DH gave me a hobby table cover for Christmas, one that you can iron on, and it was a great help with the heat setting of the glue. There's not enough space on the ironing board to stretch out a whole quilt, I really needed table space but didn't want to use our dining room table for ironing.. With the heat proof padded table cover, I could use a utility table I usually use for cutting for ironing surface. After glue basting, I sewed on two strips of binding so I could try the folding and marking, and here's how that looks:

I sewed on the markings, turned it right side out, and there you go, perfect mitered corner. I can't tell you how happy I was to find this! I have struggled and struggled with bindings, it is heartbreaking to take all the time to do a qult and then have a binding that is not up to standard. I finally feel proud of a binding I've done.

Isn't that beautiful!

when the whole thing is done, I will proudly post a finished picture. Wouldn't you know I have run short on the pink fabric I'm using for the binding. A green was chosen originally, but it just didn't look right after I had it all cut out. Back to the LQS!

Binding tutorial by Flourishing palms

2011-07-09T06:19:00.000-07:00

I ran across this binding tutorial at http://flourishingpalms.blogspot.com/, a wonderful blog called Flourishing Palms. I am going to try this today and will post pics later! Yesterday I started tying a quilt with the help of my sister, our daughters played around us, we had "say yes to the dress" on the TV, hubby and our sons were doing various things, life is so good.

One flower wednesday

2011-07-06T19:16:00.000-07:00

the center of this one looks kind of like an egg yolk, doesn't it, except egg yolks aren't green at all. I decided to make all my centers yellow, and my connector hexes green, but I don't know which green yet.

View more beautiful flowers at Karen's blog http://www.journeyofaquilter.blogspot.com/

one flower wednesday

2011-06-22T20:31:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it is Wednesday already! where does the time go

Two more lovelies for my garden. View more beautiful flowers at Karen's blog http://www.journeyofaquilter.blogspot.com/

Results of Friday night sew in

2011-06-20T16:41:00.000-07:00

My confidence level is growing, I've come a long way in two years, this star was made without a pattern!

this one was paperpieced, you better believe I had a pattern for this one!

this one is for my guild, needed a pattern for that also

I love Friday night Sew In!

Time for the Friday night sew in!

2011-06-17T17:21:00.000-07:00

I have a swap block to finish, a star block to whip up and maybe time to cut some more pieces for a quilt gift. So glad it is Friday!

One Flower Wednesday

2011-06-16T04:09:00.000-07:00

I know it's not Wednesday, I hope it's ok to post today! I made this flower out of fabric I know I bought over 9 years ago. It was intended for curtains for my little boy's room. Before I could get started on the curtains, my mother in law found some in a magazine that almost perfectly matched the couch we had for that room, and it was a perfect match for the plaid crib set. That never happens! I kept the fabric, and have made good use of it, but still have some left.

The hexie in the two pictures are the same, one taken inside and one outside. To see more beautiful hexies, visit Karen at http://www.journeyofaquilter.com/.

my favorite brownie recipe

2011-06-10T16:17:00.000-07:00

I have found some wonderful recipes out in blogland, time to share one of mine.

I have a brownie recipe I love, I make it a lot because it is great, easy and

my son asks for it. He is 9 years old, and picky and doesn't eat a great

variety of things, so for him to ask for it is a big deal. I put a

piece in his school lunch one day, and he said "everyone he shared it

with" loved it. He must have passed out crumbs because I

didn't pack a very big piece!

Here are the ingredients

1 stick butter

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoonful vanilla extract

6 tablespoons cocoa

1/3 cup self rising flour

The original recipe I adapted called for two eggs and 1/2 cup flour, but

that made the brownies too cakey, and we like fudgy. I don't use

imitation vanilla, it is not as good. You have to use the kind that has

the alcohol in it. Don't drink it, save it for your brownies. Use the

real butter, the salted kind. These ingredients make a big difference.

Soften the butter with the sugar 20 seconds in microwave, makes it

easier to blend with the sugar. While that is happening, take the

butter wrapper and grease your 9x9 cake pan with it, I got that tip from

Martha Stewart a long time ago. I bake these in a 350 toaster oven, no

need to preheat. Mix the softened butter and sugar well with a big

spoon, add egg, mix well, add vanilla, mix some more, then the cocoa,

mix that in well, then the flour, mix in but don't over beat after you

put the self rising flour in. Spread the batter in the 9x9 pan that you

buttered, bake until it passes the fork-in-the-middle test. Bake at

least 10 mins and no more than 20, keep an eye on the brownies so they

don't burn. My husband can't stand to see me eat raw egg so I don't let

him know I scrape and eat every bit of that batter out of the bowl and

off the spoon, it is so good.

thank you

2011-06-09T03:53:00.000-07:00

thanks for all the nice comments about my hexies. I really appreciate the encouragement! To make the size qult I want will take 90 to 110 hexies, if I want some to hang over the bed on each side. So I have made 11 altogether, only 99 to go. Seems like a lot, but they are so much fun to make, so not a chore at all.

two flower wednesday

2011-06-08T03:52:00.000-07:00

I'm playing catchup today, so here are two hexies. This pink fabric I have had for a long time and had no plan for it. Now it will have a home in my flower garden!

This fabric has been in my stash only a couple of years and is relatively new. Does anyone know what it is called or who the designer is? I've seen it on other blogs in other hexies. It's cool to recognize a fabric, there are so many out there. Check out more beautiful flowers on Karen's blog. Happy Wednesday!

perfect circles

2011-06-05T06:12:00.001-07:00

ok, this is one of those finds that change your whole life

http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com/2007/02/super-circles.html

I haven't tried it yet, no circles in my immediate future. When I do make some, this is the method I will use.

relaxing with my baby

2011-06-04T17:42:00.000-07:00

not much sewing going on this week, I did get the chance to relax on the sofa with Emma while she took a nap Wednesday evening. I held her little feet in my hands, they are so precious.

Skillbuilders sampler

2011-05-28T05:56:00.000-07:00

I didn't really want to start another sampler, but I am interested in skill building, so I joined up with Sewn. She is starting soon, so jump over to her blog and get signed up.

http://sewnbyleila.blogspot.com/2011/05/we-can-do-it-skill-builder-sampler.html?showComment=1306587241047#c7360683303811021081

sneak peek for Jorie

2011-05-27T20:46:00.000-07:00

Jorie might have it by now, I mailed it on Monday

Happy Wednesday!

2011-05-25T03:52:00.000-07:00

I call this one "jungle stripe"

This print has been in my stash for some time, I remember purchasing it at a local chain store for a guild project for tornado victims in a nearby city at least 3 or 4 years ago

My best good friend from work was with me and helped me choose 8 different bright cheerful fabrics

I still love it

go see other pretty hexies at

http://www.journeyofaquilter.blogspot.com/

Happy Wednesday!

FNSI was somewhat productive

2011-05-21T05:38:00.000-07:00

I made a wonky star and finished shortstop! sorry the pics are so small. All of a sudden I can't open any pictures I send to myself from my phone, and the ones from my phone's website are very small.

go check out Heidi's blog and see what other works of art were created last night!

http://www.handmadebyheidi.blogspot.com/

Friday night sew in!

2011-05-20T04:04:00.000-07:00

Today I will be looking forward to some "me" time. I have a baby quilt to finish, a swap block, and a new project to start. Happy sewing!

A pillow for Nate

2011-05-17T19:05:00.000-07:00

I finished this pillow just in time for my nephew's birthday on Saturday. He is nine years old, for six months he and my son will be the same age. I was hoping he'd like it, and he did. After I finished it, my little 2 year old took it away from from me, threw it on the floor and laid down with her little head on it. I had to get it away from her to wrap it. When N unwrapped it, one of his friends said, dude, your aunt and uncle must really love you a lot. We do. His mom got this pic and sent it to me.

One flower wednesday

2011-05-10T17:56:00.000-07:00

I know it is not Wednesday yet, but tomorrow may be too busy to post, and I'm ready now! I had planned on making all my flowers with yellow centers, but the stripe fabric was crying out for another color. So it has to be in a totally different quilt, right? Also, the fabric is a different weight, so I have definitely started two quilts, not one. That works out well, my son and daughter will each get one this way. I have not perfected my hexie folding technique, they are slightly different sizes no matter how hard I try. I will keep trying! it is too much fun to quit. View other beautiful hexies and tips on how to make them at Karen's blog http://www.journeyofaquilter.blogspot.com/

orange and yellow hexie

stripe hexie with pink center

I love the way the striped hexie looks, I have another colorful fabric selected for next week.

Read about a crafter's adventures with hexagons at http://sometimescrafter.blogspot.com/2009/10/adventures-in-hexagons.html

Happy Wednesday!

My interlocking circles baby quilt

2011-05-06T03:50:00.000-07:00

Shortstop is almost finished. Up close, this quilt looks like a mess to me, too many fabrics and that stripe, just too much. From above, it looks pretty good. I like it now. I can see the circles, pretty cool. I may make it again someday without the stripes. Now take a look at the back, I like that ever so much better.

one flower wednesday

2011-04-27T18:37:00.000-07:00

my garden is growing! this is so fun. I took my flowers to show and tell at my guild last night, and my guild ladies asked if I would teach a workshop on them. I said sure!

Shortstop

2011-04-22T04:16:00.000-07:00

I'm calling this quilt "Shortstop." When I asked my nephew if he was expecting a boy or a girl, he said shortstop. I believe he means boy, because he also specified no pink should be in the quilt. It is really coming together, though now that the pattern is emerging I can see a do over in the upper left hand corner. I did lay it out first before sewing together, and still made a mistake, very first seam, oh well. At least it is fixable.

FNSI pic

2011-04-19T16:23:00.000-07:00

Here's Emma's pillow. She doesn't like it right now. She was unhappy because she could not pull the letters off. She will appreciate it someday maybe:)

Friday night sew in

2011-04-17T05:09:00.000-07:00

for some reason, I can't do anything with pictures right now, so no pics to post at the moment. I worked on a baby quilt, Emma's pillow and more hexies. Not just on Friday night, but over the whole weekend. My husband went to a Bible studay Friday night, that continued on Sat morning, we also had a houseguest, so have been busy nonstop, son has a birthday party to attend today, will be ready to go back to work to get some rest!. I finally had access to email and blogs today, so will go check out what else has been going on this weekend.

Future hexagons

2011-04-15T03:29:00.000-07:00

aren't these fat quarters beautiful? thanks everyone for all the nice comments, I am so happy to be part of this group. I hope to do a tutorial soon on making the hexagons without templates.

A hexie flower for One Flower Wednesday

2011-04-13T03:26:00.000-07:00

I've been bitten by the hexie bug! Last Friday night, I noticed a button on another blog, One Flower Wednesday. Curious, I clicked on it, and discovered a whole new shape. Oh, how pretty those hexie flowers are! Right away I wanted to print and start cutting templates, but my computer wouldn't play, printer wouldn't print. I had to wait until the next day for my LQS to open. I went in the next day and asked for templates or ruler, just any hexagon making supplies that they had. The owner asked me, would you like to know a quicker way to make them? I said, sure! She pulled out a bag full of hexies, a project she is working on, and showed me how to take a circle of fabric, any size, and make a hexagon out of it. I was so excited, I had to buy some new fabric, couldn't walk out of there without buying something, after she had showed me such a wonderful time-saving technique. Her name is Rita, and her store is called Quiltsmith's, I just have to give her credit for showing me this. I went home and made a hexie flower.

Interlocking circles

2011-04-09T09:19:00.000-07:00

More prep work for Friday night sew in. This quilt is complicated, and I can't put my mind on autopilot and just do it, takes a lot of thought. Here is the sample from Harriet's book.

It's small, which is a good thing, will be fairly quick, and perfect size for a baby quilt. I am blaming the manufacturer of the line of fabric I'm using for making it even more complicated, as there is a stripe. Harriet and CArrie's book said to make the 9 patches first, but I started with cutting out the plain blocks first, then placing the the other strips and around them, and then cutting out the 9 patches last to prevent any do-overs, I hate do-overs. Takes all the fun out of quilting for me. The 9 patch is not a typical one, it uses 3 different strip sets instead of two. When it all comes together, it makes the interlocking circle effect. It's a great quilt, one I will probably make again

here's the layout of the blocks without the 9 patches.

here are two of the strip sets that go into making the 9 patches, That's enough quilting and blogging for now, time to go jogging with my son, I hear DH and DD waking up.

Spring is here

2011-04-07T03:33:00.000-07:00

the weather has been crazy, cold one day, hot and wonderful the next, then severe storms, power still out for some around here from the storm on Monday. I changed my back drop to the highway view because that is what I see most days on the way to work and back, blue skies and green trees, just beautiful. Great way to start the day.

What I'll be working on and a giveaway

2011-04-05T17:54:00.000-07:00

I couldn't wait for the Friday night sew in, so here is a little head start on my Interlocking Circles baby quilt

AND Stray Stitches has a 200th post giveaway, located here http://straystitches1.blogspot.com/ actually lots of giveaways, but be sure and check out her Monday April 4 post--good luck!!!

Next Friday night sew in is April 15!

2011-04-04T18:19:00.001-07:00

Interlocking circles

2011-03-29T03:59:00.000-07:00

My next project, a blue and brown baby quilt will come from a Quilters Academy lesson, a small quilt called interlocking circles. It is really beautiful and intricate looking, but only uses squares and nine patches. I had the great pleasure of meeting one of my swap partners, Charlene, as she passed through my town over the weekend. She helped me pick out the blue and brown fabric, and I visited a new to me quilt store near where I live with her. Thanks Charlene for taking the time to meet me!

New fabric

2011-03-28T16:07:00.000-07:00

this is what I'll be working on next, a boy baby quilt. It's hard to switch from pink and brown to blue and blue and brown, but I'm making the effort.

Block Swap for March

2011-03-27T18:58:00.000-07:00

This is the block I made for Karen, my swap partner. It was so challenging and fun to do. I like this version of the star block just as much as the green one.

Friday night sew in results

2011-03-20T06:21:00.000-07:00

My sewing machine is definitely squeaking now, it must need some oil. It has really been used a lot the last two days.

I finished the block for my Block Swap partner, it will go in the mail tomorrow. I love the fabrics, they made a crazy busy block that make my eyes go wonky, was really fun to put together.

I also made this pillow for my little niece Isabel. I got really creative on this one, with ribbon and applique. Can't wait to give it to her!

do you have time to make just one star?

2011-03-19T07:48:00.000-07:00

of course you do! and they are so fun to make, why not one for a good cause

quilts for the military! they do so much for us, and we like making blocks anyway what is one more

moda's challenge is to piece, quilt & bind 100 quilts in 100 days for soliders.

and they need 1800 star blocks to reach this goal.

fabric and pattern here: http://www.unitednotions.com/LA_just_one_star.pdf.

the semper fi fund will help coordinate the donations of the 100 quilts.

Mine will be blue and white

don't forget to sign it before you send to moda

Friday night sew in is tonight!

2011-03-18T04:04:00.000-07:00

On my list tonight:

swap block
birthday pillow for my neice

can't wait to see what everyone else is doing

Happy Friday

Blogger question

2011-03-18T04:00:00.000-07:00

I have noticed in my last two posts, after I save, I come back in and some link has gotten in that I didn't put there. If I delete the word it goes away. How do I stop this? It's really embarrassing!

thinking about Japan today

2011-03-16T17:21:00.000-07:00

blopraying that they keep the meltdown under control. I remember how hard Katrina was on New Orleans, and how far some were dispersed. There are people who resettled in my town who are still here, never going back.

posting a sneak peak for my March swap partner

so grateful for my family and my sewing time, and all you bloggers out there.

Star Block

2011-03-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

I would love a whole quilt full of these blocks, wouldn't you? This one is for February, it's the BOM for my guild. Now I can work on my March BOM and swap block.

A star block for my guild

2011-03-13T14:27:00.000-07:00

Februay's BOM was green and white, I'm playing catch up. I choose to go scrappy for this green and white one. It is a work in progress. March's BOM is blue and white, it will be scrappy also. I don't have that one cut out, but will in another day or so. I'd like to finish Febrary first! Is it just me or was February a short month?

Block Swap Adventure February blocks

2011-03-01T04:06:00.000-08:00

What I love about the block swap adventure is the challenge of doing blocks I have been afraid to tackle until now, and the fun of putting colors together that I haven't before. I couldn't decide what to do for my February partner Charlene, so I did both of these. The basket one has two greens and two blues, and I really like the shaded effect of those four fabrics together. The Pine Tree block was hard to line up all those triangles, that took some stopping and taking apart and doing over, but was well worth it.

Tutorials

2011-02-20T18:55:00.000-08:00

I have to share this link, it has some great tutorials, I even ran across one on Cathedral Window. I have one that my grandmother made years ago, and want to make one myself one day, maybe will start soon, it is so pretty and will make me feel like Grandma is with me while I make it. She passed away in 1993. Here's the link: http://www.quiltingboard.com/.

FNSI results

2011-02-19T15:23:00.000-08:00

As usually happens with me, my Friday night sewing continued on Saturday. I sewed as long as I could, got really sleepy and watched Mulberry on public TV with the fam. I love Mulberry, watched it in the early 90's with my mom, who had watched it with her mom before that.

I am so happy with my Town Square. It was really hard, except for a few little places that don't quite match up, it looks great. I have so much fabric left I could make another couple of rows for the top and bottom and have a really nice couch quilt.

Friday night sew in is tonight

2011-02-18T14:03:00.001-08:00

I forgot about it! I just signed up. The baby is asleep now, so I will be sewing earlier and not later. Working my my Town Square, will post whatever progress I manage to make in the a.m. Happy Sewing!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T07:45:00.000-08:00

The weather has warmed up, and snow has melted away, just in time for a sunny happy Valentine's Day. I hope it is a great one for you too:) Can you tell we have children in the house?

I was snowed in today

2011-02-10T16:55:00.000-08:00

Look at the lovely snow we got yesterday and last night! this is part of the backyard between our house and the house next door.

This is the view from the kitchen, see the bird feeder, we love to watch the birds and squirrels eat there. We don't usually get this much snow. It was too powdery to build a snowman, we did try.

I made cinnamon rolls, read a book, napped with the baby, and got my Triple Rail Fence ready for borders. I really love this quilt.

Sneak peek for my Block Swap Adventure partner

2011-02-07T18:02:00.000-08:00

I think I managed to get all the colors Charlene likes, most of them anyway, blue, green and cream. I hope she likes it!

My machine is working again!

2011-02-02T04:06:00.000-08:00

I remembered my poor little neglected Triple Rail Fence and started working on that again. My machine tension still wasn't quite right, so I played with that and added some more rails. I'm so happy I figured out what was wrong with the machine and got it nice and clean also! A clean machine means a happy sewer for sure.

Still no sewing going on around here

2011-01-30T16:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I tried to do a little, and my machine started doing that locking up thing. I had just settled down with a new spool of thread and a Sean Connery movie on the TV, and every 3rd stitch the machine locks up. It was time for a servicing, so I took out the bobbin, took off the throat plate, dropped the feed dogs and went to work. As much thread and dust as was in that machine, it's a wonder the thing was working at all. I took a tweezers and extracted all the thread I could see, blew out the fluff, put everything back in place, still locking up. I began to wonder if I would have to be like all those other people who don't sew at all. What in the world would I do? I went to bed and started back to work on the machine this morning when I got up, re-threaded six or eight times, played with the tension and it is working fine now. Whew!

Friday night sew in results

2011-01-22T08:16:00.000-08:00

My Friday night sew in is continuing to this morning, I had to stop last night and to go a play, On Golden Pond. It was fun! I just love plays. Nothing like live entertainment. This Town Square quilt is really starting to come together.

Bird of Paradise

2011-01-20T05:47:00.000-08:00

Since Rochelle has her block now, I can share a pic of it on my blog. This is the one I sent to Rochelle in Australia. It is called Bird of Paradise, and I found it on Quilter's Cache. I did two examples, my DH and I agreed the brighter colors looked like somethng Rochelle would like better. The darker one will be kept for me. Part of the block was paper pieced, which helps me with accracy, and the rest was four-patches, which I have been working hard to perfect lately. I'm so glad she likes it!

My first block arrived from Rochelle!

2011-01-13T07:19:00.000-08:00

I was so happy to see this in the mail yesterday! I had to open it right away and take pictures. It is beautifully done. The little gold lines look like embroidery stitches, and the fabric has an almost brocade look to it. I just love it. The colors are so vivid and pretty. The block is the perfect one to showcase the prints. I love the way the leaf pattern moves around it. I've been carrying it around the house looking at different views of it, how the light hits it affects the color so much.

PUPS January BOMs

2011-01-10T18:32:00.000-08:00

finished these over the weekend

First block mailed and a fabulous giveaway

2011-01-08T15:34:00.001-08:00

I sent the first completed block of the 2011 Block Swap Adventure off to Rochelle yesterday! It's going all the way to Australia. I kept the receipt with the destination on it, it's in my journal now along with my record of what happened today. My kids will read it sometime in the future and know what Mommy did on Jan 7 and Jan 8, 2011. In one year's time, I will have 12 lovely blocks I can put together in a quilt just for me and my family to snuggle under. All the ladies in the swap will have 12 blocks of their own, as well. That's pretty awesome when you stop to think about it.

This is also pretty awesome--a giveaway by Stray Stitches! http://straystitches1.blogspot.com/2010/12/lets-celebrate-2011-with-giveaway.html. Check it out!

Block Swap Adventure

2011-01-06T15:40:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad I signed up for this swap. From looking for new colors, to getting a new friend it has been fun fun fun. Rochelle, my first swap partner, has really exciting tastes in colors. I think she likes purple a little bit. I do too! I have lots of purple fat quarters I bought for a mystery quilt that I decided not to do, so those came in handy. She also likes aqua and green, I did not have any aqua in my stash, but I do now. And it looks great with purple! Who knew. I've been really hesitant about putting colors together, and she has really helped me gain confidence with that. Thanks Rochelle!

Exploring her blog gave me an idea of what I wanted to create for her, and it's something I would like for myself also, it is finished and ready to mail tomorrow. After I finished her block, she posted a list on her blog of blocks she would like to have. I looked through the list to see if what I had chosen was listed, it wasn't but the one I selected is very similar to one of them. I hope she is pleasantly surprised.

If you have not visited her blog, you should. She is a very gifted artist, and does the most amazing embroidery.

Machine sewing vs hand sewing

2011-01-04T18:51:00.000-08:00

Rochelle mentioned the other day that she only hand sews and doesn't use a machine. I started out learning how to sew by hand, then progressed to using an ancient singer that once belonged to one of my sisters. I bought my own machine years ago. I purchased a Pfaff from The Fabric Source in Jackson, Tennessee, back around 1992, I'm not sure of the year. I was in college at the time and needed a machine to do piece work and make extra money. It was the best investment I've ever made. The store is still there, and I still go back occasionally for muslin and batting, and to see what is on sale. The store started out with just upholstery and some twill remnants, over the years adding sewing machines and sergers, French hand sewing supplies and classes. I learned how to smock, make French seams, quilt and insert lace there. It's a pretty neat place that I love to go back to when I pass through Jackson.

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T23:46:00.000-08:00

Christmas is officially over and the New Year has begun, we've celebrated with my sisters. A new thing we shared this year: fabric fortune cookies. The children wrote the fortunes, DH got the one "don't eat broccoli." One of my sisters' lucky fortune was "no one will hurt you FOREVER."

My PHD list

2010-12-30T20:32:00.000-08:00

wouldn't you know, I ran out of fabric for this one, the green print was perfect for one of the mug rugs I made for a Christmas gift, so now have to go back for more!

I have started lots of stuff. I have made commitments to

make two BOM's for my guild each month because we never get enough blocks to make a quilt

I joined Block Swap adventure, so that's another block each month I'm really excited about

I am still working my way through the quilter's academy books and need to complete my Town Square and Triple Rail Fence

a baby quilt for my nephew's baby due in June (not started yet)

a quilted block to go with the baby quilt, I have fussy cut the blocks for that one, so it is officially started.

I think that makes 6!

I think the baby has poop, gotta go

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-29T16:51:00.000-08:00

I just love blogland! I have learned so much. This year I learned how to make a fast quick cookie recipe from Heidi at http://www.handmadebyheidi.blogspot.com/. Oreos plus white choc equals YUM! That's my hand holding the cookies I made, my DH decorated our mantel, he did a lovely job as always!

My work Christmas tree

2010-12-21T16:32:00.000-08:00

I have to share our little Christmas tree that my co - worker brought to sit between our desks at work. We were displaced from our usual 1st floor area when it flooded last year. We now sit at temporary stations, just the two of us out of 37 or so, on the 3rd floor. The rest of our dept is dispersed on this floor and others. We are working on the same project so it made sense for us to be together. We hope to be back in our old spaces early next year. Merry Christmas!

Friday night sew in results

2010-12-17T21:13:00.000-08:00

I have actually sewn tonight! I was interrupted once when the baby woke up throwing up. She has a bad cold and is coughing from the drainage in the back of her throat. A warm bath, some honey, and nose spray and she is feeling better. DH, our 9 yr old son and the baby are all in the living room watching Elf now. So, I was able to sew a few four patches, finish a mug rug and put some two-patches (that are going to be four patches) together. It has been a long day, but a good one, I got a lot done. Put in a full day at work, came home, put some frozen meatballs and tomato sauce with spaghetti for dinner. The kids and I made a batch of tea cake cookies while DH went out and shopped (we were out of milk and diapers). DH did something else wonderful today. You know those mobile medical testing units that come around? He made an appt with one and had everything scanned: head, carotid arteries, abdomen, and everything was fine, they found nothing that required medical attention, I am so proud of him. Some men never go to a doctor and won't look after themselves like they should, but he does and I am so grateful.

Two finishes

2010-12-12T13:54:00.000-08:00

This mug rug I call Patchwork, front and back.

This one I call Modern Mug Rug.

There were too many kids playing online games in my house and two few computers for me to post these pics yesterday. I finished the binding on two mug rugs and have one more to finish.

Friday night sew in did not happen

2010-12-11T08:29:00.000-08:00

Was it December 10 yesterday? I had also signed up for church last night, I was frosting cookies with 100 or so little kids at our annual Alpine Village. One at a time of course. They say 400 kids were registered to attend, I was one of 5 volunteers in the Gingerbread House. I only ate one cookie! I'm so proud of that! My son was an elf checking tickets at the door. The sewing got delayed until today. So I will be posting later! I have 3 mug rugs to finish. Then back to church for another night of volunteering, the candy cane shop this time. It is so much fun! Happy Holidays everybody!

Lazy day

2010-12-07T18:24:00.000-08:00

I have not felt good at all today, got up with a headache, could not face going in to work as I had suffered through a cold day at my desk with a headache the day before. I lay on the couch under the baby most of the afternoon. I feel much better now. I have to, lots to do this weekend, gingerbread and cookies to make by Friday. I found a wonderfully easy and yummy cookie recipe on someone's blog, can't remember which one. She dipped oreo cookies in almond bark and then sprinkled them with something. I made some last weekend for a potluck with a few changes, same cookies, but used white choc chips instead of the almond bark. I don't like almond bark!!! The white chocolate chips melted very well in the microwave, I melt them 30 seconds at a time, beating after each 30 seconds, then when the choc was melty smooth I dipped half of each cookie in the melted chocolate, then put them on waxed paper to cool. I sprinkled the white chocolate part with red and green sugar. They were unbelievably good. Will post a picture when after next batch is made, Thursday night. I have to wait until the last minute or DH and kids and I will eat too many of them.

Works in Progress

2010-12-05T15:44:00.000-08:00

I put these together with the help of other blogs, search "mug rug tutorial." I am so grateful for the resources we have online! I made them all from scraps.

Friday Night Sew In!

2010-12-02T19:16:00.000-08:00

Dec 10th and 17th! I know what I will be doing--Town Square and gifts, I can't say what yet, as I don't know who might be reading this! Whenever I get the chance, I'm making four patches for my Town Square project, 62 total, 36 finished so far.

I am thankful for so much

2010-11-24T19:27:00.000-08:00

I am so lucky to be so blessed. I baked a pie tonight for my family with the help of my sweet little ones, safe in our own little kitchen with beautiful autumn leaves swirling outside our windows. Blueberry, yum!

Here are two blocks from my next sewing project from the Quilters Academy book, Town Square. Have a happy day tomorrow, everyone.

Friday night sew in results

2010-11-20T07:42:00.000-08:00

I didn't get much sewing done--we had our annual missions banquet at church. The sewing had to wait until after that. I completed a block from Sylvia's Bridal Sampler (check out the website http://www.elmcreek.net/ if you haven't already). This one is called contrary wife, and the pattern can be found in Jennifer Chiaverini's book Sylvia's Bridal Sampler from Elm Creek Quilts.

my favortie block

2010-11-18T17:42:00.000-08:00

this is one of my favorites, I can just see it in shades of purple on a gold background