MO, Broker, My Creative Side

Ben wants Pirate Bedroom- guess who gets to make the quilt!

2012-01-23T21:22:00.000-06:00

Ben, age 4, decided he wants a Pirate theme for his bedroom. And, he wants the skull and bones in Pink! Because he really likes pink, it is his 'favorite' color. I am sewing strictly from stash. Lucky I had a piece of pink that wasn't being used-lol I have yardage of a red and tan stripe that will fit the back and have enough left over to make a couple of pillow cases. I am guessing that now that he is four, his 'beautiful pony' phase is over and I can look forward to making eye patches and head bands and hats. Gotta love the Grandkids!!

What TO DO with Wooden Spools

2012-01-21T21:41:00.001-06:00

I have been using wooden spools for making thread holders. You would need One Large and One Small spool (with or without thread attached) and a scrap board or other surface to glue them too. I have used metal burner covers and made cute thread holders to give away. A metal coat hanger wire can be cut with snips and makes a great extension to keep the thread from twisting. The Larger spool holds the coat hanger wire. The smaller spool gets glued down to keep the cone of thread from walking around. You can glue any type of embellishments you want to the base.

I use a tacky glue to glue the two spools down.

I made several with fabric butterflies in different sizes for a ladies get together. I think I still have a few. If I remember right I also did mini-Sun Bonnet Sues and some with paper cut outs from mags.(funny saying, cartoons, quilt pictures, etc...) When I make them for friends I like to add a coat of varnish so you can wipe the dust off easier (Not that you would have dust but just in case it gets left sitting around like this one on the shelf!)

While I am thinking about it, Look at the cute thread holder I found awhile back. It fits perfect on the wall to the left of my machine. AND... it is just the right size for holding three bobbins per spike.

I love to chain sew and having extra bobbins wound before I start is a great help. Hanging them on the thread holder keeps them from getting all tangled up. It also helps me keep up with the empties.

What a beautiful quilt, wish it were mine..

2012-01-19T17:49:00.000-06:00

Quilted a large rose and flowers, border to border.

This back is so pretty, it photographs on the dark side.

Again, I call Dibs on the scraps. I don't quilt for the public so Pam reminds me that we are 'friends'.. This is the type of friends I like, ones that make beautiful tops for me to quilt- lol

Drum Roll please....... 1st top for QoV is in, hope to pin in and quilt tonight

2012-01-19T17:32:00.000-06:00

This one is from Lilly in KC, she is working to collect 400 quilts for the returning soldiers at Fort Riley KS. I signed up to quilt 12 quilts in 2012 for Quilt of Valor. Quilts from my stash and friends will go to Alycia in CO. If you find you have a top or two and need a good service project, send them my way, I would be thrilled to get to fire up the machine for such a worthy cause. I suggest you all invest in Ibprofen stock, I am going to need a couple of bottles before I am done- lol

One of bonus's of quilting for others is I get to see beautiful pieces. I love these fabrics! And of course this is a pattern I have not made yet (I see another TO DO in my future!) Send good thoughts my way that I can mark this as a 'finish'. Here's to ONE down Eleven to go.- cw

Sarah's first time driving the big machine!

2012-01-13T16:06:00.000-06:00


Youngest daughter, Sarah sewed this quilt for her hubby Nick. She picked out the pattern and fabrics a few years ago and actually got the top done in pretty good time. It finally got its turn on the quilting machine and she helped by winding bobbins and sewing a row on the top.


She did tell me it was harder then I make it look. I told her I usually let people 'sew' a couple of times with out the needle and thread to get use to the speed and motion- lol I think she did a fine job. This continuous line is called Bubbles.	I

Things I learned doing my Dear Jane

2012-01-05T21:00:00.005-06:00

I looked through the book and made a list of 35 of the easier pieced blocks, I will work on them first. I also picked out 15 applique blocks that looked doable. I also decided that I am not going to print each pattern to make templates. Instead will feel free to interpret the block as I like. Many of these use similar pieces so I have drawn out for a 4-patch, 9-patch, etc.. and can use those to re-size units.

The first thing I figured out is that I would need a way to keep the blocks in order. I also figured out after making A1 and A2 that I was not going to want to do each in order. SO... I have made 13 baggies numbered 1-thru-13 and AS I make a block A-thru-M, I will add to the bag and mark the letter so I can see progress.

Yes I am aware that the right white strip has a 'bend' at the top. I don't care and you shouldn't either- lol

Even though I say I am thinking of doing needle turn applique, we all know I am going to raw edge it!

A funny thing happened on the way to my pineapple....I skipped a row and ended up with a diamond in the center. Instead of starting over, I kept going and will use this as an alternate block. I will re-do this block in the traditional setting, just wanted to show off my lemonade.

14 Blocks completed so far: A(1,2,3,6,7) B(1,12) C(6,9,11) D(8,13) ,E(1,9), G(3,4) H(13), K(2), M(5,10,12)
I am seeing that I haven't picked anything from F,I or L, I will have to work on those this weekend.

Dear Jane A1

2012-01-03T21:50:00.002-06:00

We all have to start somewhere. A1 is as good a block as any.

As a disclaimer: I rarely 'follow' directions. I doubt I follow too close doing this quilt.

I have struggled with the concept of 'what' I want to get out of doing this project. Am I looking for a challenge, meaning stick as close to the patterns as possible, including needle turn applique? OR, am I looking for a finish, interpreting the blocks however my mood strikes, doing my favorite raw edge applique, making up the pattern or making it work.
Do I start with the easy blocks to get a few under my belt? Do I go in order so I can make rows to show progress? Do I just pick my favorites and do repeats to show off my fabrics? So many decisions.

Last night I cut the print triangles for the outer borders-it was fun to see the different materials laid out next to each other. Tonight I sewed up A1, I did it crumb style, meaning I didn't measure other then by 'eye', I liked the result. Then I 'eyed' A2- I missed by an inch. Guess the lesson learned is to take the time to make templates.-lol

I have tracing paper and will re-do A1 (and A2) Maybe what I am going to get out of this experience is a little patience and stick- to- it -ness.

I think I will get myself little stars to mark off the blocks I finish!

I think I got pretty close, but I will draw off the pattern and do one up right.

I am more then happy with my side triangles. Can't wait to get to use them.

Now what about you, are you doing a DJ quilt this year?
After I got all the fabrics pulled for this version I started to think about doing one in solids w/black background are we going to take bets as to whether I get a second one done?

Trinity Celtic Knot pattern is released! Way to go Deborah C

2012-01-03T09:55:00.000-06:00

A couple of years ago several of us joined Deborah in a "mystery". I have to admit mine took longer to finish then I would have liked. The quilt turned out beautiful and is now gifted to my favorite younger sister.

We sewed the sqs into 'chunks' of 25 patches, it was kinda fun but time consuming. When I got the chance to pattern test using strips, I jumped at the chance. The pattern is great for scraps and/or eights or fats. My test top was sewn using 1 1/2" strips and I completed it in less then a week of evening sewing. (8-10 hours total)

I hope to add applique borders. This is on my TO DO for 2012

I plan to teach this pattern as a class several times this year.
You can order the pattern here: Trinity Celtic Knot

Starting in March, I will host a Sew-In with tutorials and hints/helps for completing this beautiful quilt. If you have a wedding quilt in mind for this coming year, this is the pattern you need.

I will do a give-a-way of 2 1/2" scrappy strips to get you started.

Be a follower (you probably are if you are reading this-lol)

Comment - Who would you gift this quilt too

Order the Pattern so you can play along in March.

Disclaimer: The tutorial will NOT give you fabric amounts or number of strips (you will need the pattern for that) The Tutorials will give you hints/helps that will speed you along and encouragement to finish. The pattern is very doable for confident beginner and/or advanced sewers. If you like to hand piece you can skip the strip steps and sew sqs.
Add Trinity Celtic Knot to your list of TO DO's in 2012!

Orca Bay Reveled- mine will have to wait awhile- Dear Jane is calling

2012-01-02T15:21:00.000-06:00

For not participating, I think I have done pretty well keeping up. Everything is cut, I need to trim up the triangle/squares and add 'wings' . Looks like this one may get done this year!

Two rows of stars done, I think I will leave this hanging up for awhile to motivate me to finish!

12 for 2012

2011-12-31T12:15:00.000-06:00

Last year I wrote a list of 11 quilting things I wanted TO DO in 2011. Some were finished, some were started and some were ignored. This year my goal is to continue to enjoy my creative side.
My 12 for 2012 in no particular order are:

1- 12 quilts for QoV- Alycia in CO will hold me accountable for this one!

2- Dear Jane- All fabrics are in stages of prep and I will start on Jan 1, 2012- no plans yet as to how I will do the applique, my default is raw edge, I may surprise myself and do needle turn- only time will tell.

3- Test Blocks for QuiltMakers 100 blocks Vol5

4- Finish and Submit Quilt from Amy Butler fabrics and blocks from Vol5

5- Quilt at least 12 tops from my flimsy stash.

6- Move all my upstairs sewing to the downstairs studio by the end of Jan. (and stay there- probably not going to happen but it is a goal)

7- DeClutter the Quilting room by doing weekly Flings (thanks StashBusters for the idea and encouragement) One hour a week- Sunday afternoon marked on the calender- it's a date.

8- Use my GO and dies and kit, kit, kit,

9- Participate in at least One on-line Mystery or On Going Project (not counting Orca Bay which is almost finished!) considering the 365 scrappy house blocks- we will see.

10- Organize my UFO-s by year of poss completion- (I see a couple of crazy (tie materials) quilts in 2013!)

11- Document the commissioned quilt for IDF- due June 2012- chicken theme

12- Host a lock-in sew-in

I will eventually do a post on each of these twelve TO DO's and link back to this page. What are your sewing/quilts goals for this coming year?

Blue and Yellow for Chicago Sara, what do I do for a border?

2011-12-27T20:17:00.000-06:00

the top is 80 x 80 so far, I am wondering what to do for a border.

This is cut using my GO and the Isoc. Tri die. A controlled scrappy using blues and yellows.

I have yardage in blue and yellow that I could do a 6 1/2 print border. I am wondering if I want to applique words or flowers or butterflies, etc... or just call it done. I will leave it hanging for a couple of days until I decide if it is ready to get quilted.

Dear Jane 2012

2011-12-26T21:42:00.000-06:00

I picked up my copy a few years ago, figured it would be a good read, NO WAY I am interested in making one!

Found and purchased the 'ruler' set during a shop hop with friends this past year- wonder what I will use it for?

Ruler set includes the square to resize one's blocks.

I have a tun on tracing paper, think I am seeing a future TO DO.

This tote is mostly repos from a moving sale. Lots of strips and fats. I have several ideas on how I hope to use them.

First I sorted out 250 different prints to use IF I ever do a Dear Jane. (I think I see where this is leading!)

Then, I picked out enough larger pieces to do the side triangle with a few to spare.

Looks Like I have officially jumped in to do my own Dear Jane. Starting in 2012, my challenge to self is to complete the top by the end of the year (I might leave the year blank, knowing my love of putting things on the UFO list)

My reward for sorting through the tote was a chance to die cut the rest of the fabrics. I now have a couple of more kits to use, gift or sell. This 'pile' is cut using the chisel die. They may be used for braids, stars or other blocks. I also cut a similar amount of triangles and a flat of 2" squares. Two good side flats of strips and strings are now ready to be worked in to a scrappy projects.

OrcaBaySpoiler group

2011-12-23T14:47:00.000-06:00

I saw that someone had tried to post a photo to the mystery group album and was deleted. I am sorry I missed it b/c I am having ideas too. SO..... I am going to start an unofficial group for anyone who want to banter ideas of where this mystery may or may not go.

I set it up as invitation only so bear with me. (my first group) I will keep it up just till after the reveal.

No prizes, no deadlines, just fun "What IF's"

Your OrcaBaySpoilers group at Yahoo! Groups is good to go.

Here are the details on OrcaBaySpoilers:
Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrcaBaySpoilers
Group email address: OrcaBaySpoilers@yahoogroups.com

Of course I am traveling today so don't worry if it takes me a bit to get you in, I am still learning how to be a group moderator.

Merry Christmas to all the spoilers and non-spoilers out there! cw

Step 6- Ohio Stars- My GO is getting a work out!

2011-12-23T00:30:00.001-06:00

My 2 1/2' strip die is getting used a lot on this Mystery! Because I can cut multiple of layers I think for this quilt I am going to use fabrics in sets of 4.
I really like the scrappy scrappy that I am seeing by other quilters but for me this will just have to be a little on the controlled side. I was a little low on red and blue scraps but managed to get a fairly good variety for the string blocks in previous steps. My blacks are really lacking and I am having to duplicate in several steps.
I am confident that I will love the final top and am not worried about only having a dozen different lights/darks.
I found a piece of red that had been on the shelf way to long. It was die cut and will be the centers of all my stars.

Step 5 (I'm hanging in there)

2011-12-17T17:43:00.001-06:00

Most of my 'blacks' have floral on them

I even found some cameo to cut up

I was able to cut my 'wings' out using my 2 1/2" tri/sq die for my GO. I am not sure but I think I will use matching wings to make this weeks units. I am still sewing on the red strings but should be able to call it good this weekend.

After the units were sewn I 'trimmed' them using the triangle die #55009 3" finished 1/2 sq/tri

First broken arm --

2011-12-15T18:50:00.000-06:00


Karlee first broken arm. This is the temp cast from the emergency room.

Waiting to 'see' the specialist

Looks like this arm needs a Pink cast!

Mike called me Tuesday night to see if I want to go the the emergency room to check out Karlee's arm. As a grandma I can't stand to see any of my little ones hurt.

Karlee (age 4 1/2) tripped over her brother while playing outside before bedtime. She dislocated her elbow and has a hairline crack in the upper arm bone. We were at the hospital till 2:30am. Karlee didn't cry once.
When asked it it hurt, she would nod and say "A little". What a tough kid! (Grandma about passed out after just looking at the swelling- lol)
Today was the visit with the specialist to see if it needed pinned. He thinks because of swelling to do the cast and re- x-ray in a week. Prayers are that the growth plate is not damaged.

Karlee said that her arm feels a lot better now that it is 'bent' and in the cast, she likes her sling. I can see grandma making a few more in novelty prints (a Christmas one or two too?) I also want to make her a cloak, there is no way she can get her arm in a coat.

Now I know what to get her for Christmas- a pack of perm.markers- lol

I need help w/a saying--

2011-12-13T12:41:00.001-06:00

can't show you what I am working on (yet). I want/need to add an outer border.

I need a saying that will go with my personality and the fabrics I am using.

1- "when I give to you, what I make with my hands, I share my Heart'

2-Do what you can, with what you have, where you are"

3-Beauty is in the way you live,let your surroundings inspire you"

4-"want to see my fabric collection?

5- something else?? all ideas welcomed.

I will throw in a bundle of fats to the person who helps me pick a saying......

Orca Bay step 4 Red strings

2011-12-11T22:46:00.002-06:00

I might not sub-cut until I know how we are using these- so far I like how they are turning out.

These should be called kitchen sink reds, everything is in here!

Pulled strings from my string bins and from the scrap bins. Many of these are left overs from a 2 1/2" piano key border. They will get sub-cut to 1" and 1 1/2" . It will be fun re-visiting fabrics as I sew blocks for this mystery. Lane and Karlee took turns using the GO dies to cut down the strips.

Gotta love having help at this stage. Now to cut out the foundation papers and get started sewing!

Note to Self: use the die for 5 1/2" sq to cut the foundation paper. Use the Triangle Die #55002 4 7/8 triangles to sub-cut the units. Just need to fold the striped squares in half and the die cuts out both perfect~

Orca Bay step 3

2011-12-05T12:28:00.000-06:00

I would love to say that I am done but in reality all I did was cut into my fabrics! The tri/sqs above are the ones still left on step #1 that need sewn together- my bad

In my defense, I had NOT planned to do this Mystery, so technically I am WAY ahead of schedule- lol

Here is "my step 3" I am doing a light and dark sq. sewing down both sides of the middle and cutting them apart to product the desired unit. "Zero down- 350 TO DO"

S&W finally getting sewn up

2011-11-29T02:10:00.003-06:00

I don't seem to do very well working with fabrics that match. For some reason, I was all excited to start a Stack & Whack style quilt, but lost interest right after purchasing the material.
This wild stash has been sitting around for long enough.

It didn't take very long to cut out the triangles using my GO and dies. The blocks sew up pretty fast too.

I hate to admit that I had these blocks done a couple of weeks ago. I just couldn't decided how I wanted to set them together.

Lucky for me I had enough of the focus fabric to cut 10 1/2 inch blocks to alternate with the spinning blocks.

I rolled the back sheet to the front for the binding.

Doing the happy dance just knowing that I am using up the majority of this print. Funny thing is, this is starting to grow on me now that I am close to done. Do you ever have projects that you have to force yourself to work on, then discover it wasn't as bad as you were making it out to be?

I had an old hospital blanket and used it as the batt.

I like the way this is turning out!

When I asked Jess what he thought I should use on the back, his answer was; "anything with contrast'

I totally LOVE how this new snuggle under has turned out. The weight and drape from the blanket make this a heavy quilt. The Winnie the Pooh sheet on the back just makes me smile. Merry Christmas, Derrick!

Orca Bay Blue Strings

2011-11-27T16:38:00.000-06:00

I strip cut a handful of 1 1/2" blues to use on the corners. The rest of the strips came from my 1" pile (left over from my mini pineapple days)

I love using my GO 3 1/2" Sq Die to cut my strings after I have taken the paper off.

Lots of Ideas on how to use these cute blocks!

Another MUST DO from the QuiltMaker 100 Blocks Vol 4

2011-11-21T20:32:00.000-06:00

QuiltMaker 100 Blocks Vol 4

Page 31 Block by Jan Krentz Designs- : Star-ring Buttons

I chose to make my Test Block with a Black background and the ring and star points in scraps. I love this block even though it is best done w/paper piecing.

Happy to say I have 36 block sets cut out and ready to get sewn up.

To keep the quilt really scrappy, I am adding a setting border between blocks.

This is what I did yesterday.... Took a photo that is- lol

2011-11-21T17:00:00.000-06:00

A friend bought this from an antique shop as a Christmas Gift for her mom.

What a beautiful Trip Around the World setting~

I had to get a couple of photos and add on to my TO DO list. The quilter used 1 inch pieces and hand quilted this beautiful keepsake.

My version will most likely be from 1 1/2" stripes. Now I have a goal to use up my solids! I can always use another scrap quilt for our bed!

2012 is looking to be a year of busting stash- wish me well- cw

Santas and Keepsake Heirlooms

2011-11-21T16:46:00.000-06:00

Just had to share these adorable Santa's.

A peer in our office had these commissioned for her adult children's Christmas presents this year. All three are custom made and incorporate a wool quilt, furs, jewelry, music boxes, etc.... from the grandmother's collections.

Each has a plaque on the base that has the year and who it is from. The Santa's are all holding something each child will remember from their Nana. What a great way to have a one of a kind keepsake for the Holidays. Makes me think I need to start a display of my own.

On my way with Orca Bay- clue one is almost done!

2011-11-21T11:40:00.001-06:00

Funny thing (to me) is that I was NOT going to do this new mystery from Bonnie Hunter. I enjoyed watching the quilters over on quiltville get all excited about pulling fabrics and waiting for the reveal of instructions. I was fine with just watching the fun.

Wouldn't you know after reading Fridays post, I (without thinking) went to the stash and pulled enough lights and blacks for the first round directions.

What's a few hourglass blocks here and there anyway?

My rational is I am busting stash and stripping down for a couple of TO DO's I have been wanting to do with my GO 1 1/2" die. This is a 'round-about-way' of getting more scraps for next yrs mini's. (Yep, that's my story!)

So to show off the future TO DO's here is what I am working on-

I am busing into the 1 in strips and combining them with 1 1/2 to make a scrappy mini Bento Box.

So far I have been playing with a 3 1/2 block which if set in a 16 patch yields a 12 1/2 block. This one may take awhile but will be so much fun in the making

I will do a tutorial after I get a bit further along on the technique I am using for this scrappy blocks. -- cw

Cheddar Bow Ties

2011-11-16T23:18:00.002-06:00

I started the cheddar bow ties after hearing the shout out from Bonnie Hunter to do a Leader and Ender.

I am still working from stash so any/all projects are what ever size the fabrics allow for. In this case I had a couple of yards of a cheddar on cheddar print that I thought would be an interesting background material.

I used my GO dies and cut sets of 2" and 3 1/2" sqs to do the 5 sq method of the Bow Tie.

I don't have a 'design wall' but my living room floor will serve well in a pinch. Normally I wouldn't even bother laying the blocks out, I would just start sewing sets together and let the colors fall where they may. I knew I had 48 of the larger bows and 192 of the smaller. (My thought was to match 4 sets in either the "O" or "X". The first photo shows some possible layouts.

After getting all the larger blocks sewn, I just wasn't in the mood to tackle the smaller ones. (Here is where I should have just put it all away for another day!)

I know better then to sew late at night- lol

Anyway I sewed all the 6 1/2" bows into 4 patch "0's" and then set them 3 x 4. In my head I was going to do a small border and then do an outer border of the 3 1/2" bows.

I don't know if looking at all this Cheddar was just getting to me or what but I took a break and looked for a fabric to separate the two sizes of Bow Ties.

Look at what I found on the shelf- No Idea where/when it came from or why I have it.

I swear it looks like I pulled from this focus fabric for my controlled scrappy Bows.

After adding a 6 1/2" border of the GOLF material, I was once again in the mood to start sewing on the smaller bow ties. 120 more to go and I can add them to my center. I think this is the crazy-ist top so far this year- it just makes me smile every time I see it. Now I need to find a golfer that needs a quilt so I can have an excuse for this one of a kind creation!

These fabrics are from the last century (1980+) I can't wait to have another late night of mindless sewing so I can get Cheddar Bow Ties to the flimsy stage.

What is the crazy-ist quilt you have made? Don't you just love when they have a mind of their own?- cw

Here is a link to the last post I did on Bow Ties

Crumb is a Flimsy- w/ a back!!

2011-11-15T15:09:00.000-06:00

I took my pictures late last night and the lighting was not the best. When I tried to clean them up a bit I got to messing around with hues and brightness etc...

This is just for fun, I will post 'real' photos after I get this quilted.

I had finally decided to add a border and chose a dark blue w/roses. My plan was to make this entirely from stash and the blue was the largest piece I had that matched. 2003 was a good year for blues. lol

I had enough yardage that a back pieced with orphan/test blocks moves me one step closer to a finish.

11-11-11 Corduroy Blog HOP

2011-11-11T09:16:00.000-06:00

You Can't tell from this Photo but this big beautiful Red Corduroy piece is being used as a quilt back! I love the weight and texture of this fabric and I am sure the recipient of this piece will too.

And.....Here's the front! Who doesn't love a T-Shirt Quilt. This will be a nice heavy keepsake to take to games and snuggle under. I wager it will be out on a few picnics in the park too!

Besides in quilts, my favorite use of corduroy is on the back of floor rugs. Again I light the weight and texture. This rug is made by sewing strips of double knit directly on the corduroy.

My favorite use of corduroy and/or double knit is to make "Low Art".
This rug was originally made to be part of a set of curtains for the puppet stage.
It took on a new life as a rug for the grand kids play room. Again the Corduroy plays well with double knit and combines to make a long lasting keepsake piece.

Blog HOP- Guest Post- Cheryl from MO- 4patch background for applique

2011-11-08T06:00:00.006-06:00

This is the first time I have been a guest blogger on StashManicure. Thank you Madame Samm for the invitation and special thanks for not having high expectations. My theory is if we all have lower expectations we may end up pleasantly surprised!

I started a my personal blog a few years ago to have a spot to document bits of my creative side. If you have been a visitor you can see that I don't post very often. When I have started a post on a favorite project I like to edit updates to the same page. I know this is not the normal way people read blogs but for me I like to have the whole process in one spot even if it take me awhile to finish.

Last year I started block testing for QuiltMakers 100 Block Issues.

I have started a couple of fun TO DO's from blocks I got to 'test'

Today I would like to show off one of my favorite blocks found in Vol. 4

Block #343 (on page 39) " Fresh Cut" by Sara Tuttle Khammash

Now it wouldn't be fair to just give you her pattern so I am going to share how my 'test block' grew into an 84 x84 (ish) keepsake.

The QuiltMaker blocks in this issue are all 12 1/2" blocks. For my little Doll Quilt I have scaled it back to 6 1/2" blocks. The post is to show the process not necessarily the step by step for making the same project. (It is not fun to do the same ole same old, so put your own spin on it)

I used my GO and several dies along with Sara's applique patterns to make my RW and B quilt. I used my GO and dies to make the Red and Black/White top. My grand daughter will be a year and a half for Christmas so I decided to make her a little 'doll' quilt for one of her babies. I can just picture Breely teaching her dolly how to say "Kitty Cat" and "Doggie"

If you don't have access to an Accucut GO cutter, feel free to use the method of your choice for cutting the squares needed for background blocks. In my case I used 3 1/2" sqs to make 6 1/2" 4-Patch. I then raw edge machine appliqued the cutouts to the squares. I prefer not to use an Iron-On product when I applique. I am a fan of glue sticks and will use them to tack (rain drops not puddles) my pieces together. There are many stitches that work well for raw-edge, I prefer a chicken track stitch or an overcast stitch, you may like something else better.

My good friend Pam has a home business in Cassville MO, P Dubs Quilt Stuff. If you are ever in the area and want to see a demo of the GO or BABY GO check her place out. She hosts an amazing fabric sale on Saturdays.

My scrappy interpretation of Fresh Cut

Here we go: Start with picking out the fabrics you want to work with. In the case of my scrappy RWB, I grabbed light, med, and darks in Reds and Blues. I also cut 6 1/2" sqs from my 'whites' and a few red and/or blues. Sew your background squares into 4-patch blocks. You can do these blocks in any size you like. One of the fun things about piecing is you don't ever really have to follow the pattern exact if you chose not too.

Next cut out your applique shapes, if you have dies feel free to use them to embellish your blocks. This pattern would look great with hearts, pumpkins, snowmen or anything else you can think of.

After you decide on the size and number of blocks think about the setting strips.

In my first quilt I set the blocks side by side. Then I added an narrow inner border and added 6 1/2" piano keys for the outer border. For my Doll quilt I used a 1 1/2" strip and setting squares, I am pleased with the finished size.

Baby Doll Quilt top

You may be wondering WHY I added a photo of my foot pedal to the collage. The answer is BECAUSE I wanted to show off my mini rug

(I am weaving from loops-potholder style!)

If you have any other questions feel free to ask in the comment section.

Hopefully I have met your expectations, thank you for the opportunity to show off a new favorite block. 4-Patch w/Applique.

be good Cheryl

Thank you to everyone who commented over on Stash Manicure I have emailed Madame Samm to add the following to my post, I will honor the same for my Readers here:

I really don't mind sending a set of 6 or 12, cats ,birds or dogs, or mix per Self Addressed Stamped Envelope (that way I don't have to $$ postage) the appliques will be in Brights, and from scraps. IF a person were to send a fat quarter, I would be willing to die cut shapes from it and return, I get the scraps for my crumb pile. Readers will have to mark the front of the return envelope with a 6 or 12 and write dog, bird, cat, or MIX

It is up to you if you think you would like to take advantage of this offer (I seriously have so many scraps it is scary. Let's limit it to post received by the end of next week.(Nov 18th)

cheryl willis

23598 lawrence 1100

monett mo 635708

I am guest Blogger at SewWeQuilt@Stash manicure, join me on Nov 8th

2011-11-05T12:33:00.001-05:00

I am still working on putting together a fun tutorial and a fun give-a-way, I hope you all join me next week.- be good cheryl

Madame Samm

Message flagged

Friday, November 4, 2011 1:04 PM

Message body

First none of you are SQUARES
but you are asked to do blocks

for our NOV, theme Block Month..

I am sew excited to see what you will come up with ..

www.sewwequilt.com

Here are your dates...

Mrs Katherine Monday-Nov 7th

Mrs Cheryl Tues-Nov 8th

Mrs Alice Wed Nov 9th

Mrs Connie Wed Nov 9th

Mrs Elaine Thurs Nov 10th

Mrs Kathleen Friday Nov 11th

Mrs Marcia Nov 11th

Thank you for participating I am sew excited for you ...

QuiltMaker 100 Blocks Vol 4-

2011-10-27T23:00:00.000-05:00

I have been waiting for the OK to show this one off! The mag should be available soon. I got mine in today's mail.

This is my interpretation of Sara Tuttle Khammash's "Fresh Cut"

Block #343 on pg 39

I was working on cutting scrappy RW&B kits for future TO DO's the day I decided to 'test' this block. I loved it so much in scraps that I raided my stash and started this future keepsake quilt.

I sewed the 4 patches for the backgrounds up before a weekend at the lake. I took my petals/blade with me and randomly laid sets out to applique. The piano key border was cut using my GO and the 2 1/2 die.

I love this top so much and I hope you get a chance to make your own. If this is not a pattern and excites you, I am sure the other 99 will.

be good cw

Flying Geese using the Triangle Die

2011-10-19T22:14:00.001-05:00

Large Triangle die make great flying geese!

Flying Geese make easy Borders!

Crumb Along is coming along-

2011-10-18T15:38:00.001-05:00

I set the blocks 8 X 8 and added a 1 1/2" inner border of navy blue Swiss (mini polka dots) Now to flip a coin to see if I do a piano key border or more crumbs. I can't decided on 'words' so this one may not get any.

Good news is my 'crumb' pile is growing and I am adding to it almost daily.

One of my goals this years was to sort the stash and get my crumbs and strings under control- yeah right!!

MC blocks are now a TOP!

2011-10-06T00:32:00.004-05:00

now on to the borders!

I love Crumb blocks!

2011-09-24T14:25:00.002-05:00

the assignment was to work on Heart blocks, my first heart looked too much like a "V". Nice thing about a Crumb Block is that there is NO wrong way to make one.

I have 38 blocks made and several started.

Hopefully today I can get a few that actually like like a Heart- lol

Sagar Creek Quilts, Siloam Springs AR 479-524-5244

2011-09-24T13:02:00.000-05:00

This was our first stop on the Shop Hop. Great place, very helpful Owners and amazing selections of fabrics and kits.

Def. on our list of places to visit in the area. The demo on Hunters Star really makes me want to add another to my TO DO list. I haven't purchased the rulers (yet) but can see the value in adding them to my collection (hopefully soon)

www.sagercreekquilts.com

The Rabbits Lair, Rogers AR

2011-09-24T12:49:00.000-05:00

Deb, Dawn and I had a blast on our Shop Hop last weekend. Getting to spend the day with favorite friends and fabric is a good one! One of our favorite shops is the Rabbit's Lair in Rogers AR.

I first met the gals from this shop when they were in the middle of moving locations. My friend Pam purchased a lot of items that weren't making the move to the new store. I was able to get a ton of scraps that I am still working with.

I shop here just about every trip back to the lake. The collection of wool is just amazing. I have purchased a lot of my quilt books here too.

The Rabbit's Lair

www.therabbitslair.com/Cached - Similar

The Rabbit's Lair is your creative fabric and fiber shop located in historic downtown Rogers, Arkansas. We specialize in reproduction and bright fabrics, wool, ...

Products

www.therabbitslair.com/products/

The Rabbits Lair logo. Home ...

About Us

www.therabbitslair.com/aboutUs/

About The Rabbit's Lair ...

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The Rabbits Lair logo. Home ...

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Oooops! I put the wrong date ...

Last Chance Sale Fabrics

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Category - Last Chance Sales ...

Trick or Treat Bus Hop

www.therabbitslair.com/.../593/

The Rabbits Lair, Rogers, AR ...

116 West Walnut
Rogers, AR 72756
(479) 636-3385

Open Mon-Wed,Fri 9:30am-5:30pm; Thu 9:30am-8pm; Sat 9:30am-4pm

Sew N Sew-479-451-1685

2011-09-24T12:30:00.000-05:00

I have a new favorite quilt shop to visit when headed to the lake. Sew & Sew is located in Pea Ridge AR.

Harold Roberts runs the shop and was a great guy to visit with. I espcially got a kick out of seeing his quilting machines. Harold does beautiful work for his customers. His prices are very reasonable too! If you are in the area and are in need of a personal long arm quilter, give him a call to see if your needs can be met. He has the shop I would love to live in!

This is the fabric I chose to use do the commissioned quilt for the IDF donation to raise money for company contributions for student education funds. I found it a Harold's shop and he is holding it for me till Monday. I can't wait to run down and pick it up.- cw

December MC- wait there wasn't a 'color' let's do B&W

2011-09-24T11:39:00.001-05:00

Good thing I don't have to work on this one till Dec b/c I really don't have many ideas. I decided to use a scrappy block that I made eariler this year. After all: "Scrappy" is my Favorite color.

My goal is to have the blocks all done and quilted by the end of the year. Kinda my Holiday present to myself.

I will update with quilting ideas and/or progress.

November MC B&W and accent color

2011-09-24T11:34:00.001-05:00

I have been wanting to do something in Black and White. I have a ton of scraps. I am considering either pink or red for my accent color. I have a few ideas down on paper so should have progress on this block soon.- cw

Since November is known for THANKSGIVING I have my list of things I am thankful for: Faith, Family, Friends, Fellowship, Food, Fun, Fabric (my "F" words)

I am wanting to make some mini crumb blocks, not sure if I want to wonky the words or embroidery on the pieces.

49 4"crumb blocks

As this MC has progress over the year I am finding that I enjoy encluding things that remind me of the year. I am thinking that this quilt will be the one that I take to the rest home with me- lol

October MC- Two Color and background

2011-09-24T11:27:00.003-05:00

I have choosen Purple and Yellow (Monett HS colors)

I am starting to put together ideas for this block. stay tuned for updates........cw

Monochromatic Top is starting to come together

2011-09-20T20:55:00.001-05:00

I am not sure what colors the bottom three blocks will be. Judy had said for Oct to use two colors and the background. For Nov to use Black & White and an accent color. I may or may not choose to follow those suggestions. I am considering doing a 12th block for Dec and then using my scrappy block on the back. Now that I know how I want to set the blocks I am seeing more possibilities on how to embellish them. This will definitely be a One of a Kind Quilt!

I'm having a Crumby Day- join me?

2011-09-16T16:51:00.000-05:00

I am making 6 1/2" blocks

46 pcs

paper pieced heart from a couple of yrs ago

I am using any old mini orphan blocks that will fit

mini churn dash w/borders

tradition crumb from L&E

Wonky Flying Geese w/borders

mini stars need borders about 3"

check out my last post for links to the original Crumb Along

Crumb Along- Join ME?

2011-09-14T13:47:00.001-05:00

As a disclaimer: I did not start this, she did- lol Did you see the new button on my side bar? I think I am getting addicted to adding buttons!

Run over to JO's Country Junction and check out the instructions and then join us in making a crumbie quilt!

To help out the non-scrapers and cross a Give Away off my list, I will offer a good size hand full of scraps to get you started.

To Enter, leave a comment here and I will have an impartial third party do the drawing.

I am working on my flying geese, need to decide how I want to turn them into blocks.

MC- Sept- GREEN!

2011-09-10T11:55:00.002-05:00

The Monochromatic Challege color for Sept is GREEN.

Thanks to everyone who threw out ideas. I love that Oscar is in a Recycle can! There are a few items to add- something for Tyler's b-day being next on the list! (Happy 9th b-day grandson!)

Sept has everything from back to school to grandparents day. I have a bit more to do to this block but wanted to share what I have so far: School House, mary's lamb and apple (back to school) Tools for Labor Day. Sewing machine for sewing day,week, month whatever. Tata and Amma for grandparents Day. Green Eggs and Ham. (Hubby reminded me it is NOT green eggs AND 'green' ham- lol) Kermit the Frog (It isn't easy being green!)

Link to the other MC blocks

Oreo didn't want to pose. He said something about call his agent and work out a contract before he does another photo shoot.

Rob Peter/Pay Paul Scrappy Die

2011-08-29T22:30:00.000-05:00

I still love my Dies!

I am not real sure I am sewing this block 'correctly' but it really doesn't matter- the sqs are sewing together just fine. I am about 1/2 done and then I can start on the butterflies for the outer border. This one got its start this past weekend. I was able to cut out center and edges on the same cut. This scrappy center top will have a cream center/scrappy rings as a mate in this series.

Set 6 x 8 blocks is just perfect for my scrappy applique butterflies. I hope to have a nice size quilt to give to a friend sometime in my future.

While I was busy sewing the first half of this new beauty at the lake, take a look at what was outside my window!!

A half dozen young Bucks had come up to eat. Normally I just see the Does and babies during the mornings. This was a surprise.

Winding Ways from the GO Die

2011-08-23T14:00:00.001-05:00

I have had people ask what I do with the scraps from cutting the 'odd' shape dies. I have found that for me, the scraps are not a problem. I tend to cut from scraps to start with so using these dies are just another tool that I can't live without.

The stringy stuff gets trimmed and thrown out. (sorry, even I don't want to mess with it) The other pieces get subcut and added to my on going scrap system. I consider things either 'strings', 'crumbs' or 'applique' and sort accordingly, these little mini totes get added to the larger on going collection of scraps.

This Winding Ways pattern sews up fast and easy (I am not perfect on the points- but am sure I will get better over time or if I start pinning- lol)

This is the start of a top that will be 100 blocks set 10 x 10

It may or may not get sewn in my life time but for now it is a kit and I even added the directions. This took about 2 1/5 hours to die cut out. It is all from stash that was in my scraps section. I know I will pull fabrics and do this again in a controlled version, oh and a RW&B one too!!

For me the GO and dies reduce my cutting time to almost nothing and the 'kits' are just a growing. My plan for this year was to cut at least one "Kit" a week to have on hand. Most weeks I am cutting several from each series of fabrics I play with.

When I did the Christmas Prints, I cut several kits in apple core and then did a second time through for tumblers and then cut those scraps into triangles. Now I just plan to cut the sets of fabric until I am down to scraps, nothing is getting put back on the shelf!- cw

Flowers- please vote

2011-08-18T12:41:00.001-05:00

http://quiltinggallery.com/2011/08/15/quilts-with-flowers/

The Quilting Gallery is hosting another weekly contest. This weeks theme is FLOWERS- voting starts Friday through Sunday.

If you have time please vote for my submission. I chose to go with a utility quilt, mainly b/c I really love it and use it a lot. And second b/c it is so original.

Many of my 'flower' projects are still in the flimsy stage waiting for the right occasion to quilt and gift.

You can see the thought (or lack of) process on this piece in a past post-

http://ozarkcastle.blogspot.com/2009/09/2-cents-part-ii-flower-quilt-top.html

Thanks for taking time to vote for me- cw

August MC is PINK!

2011-08-03T22:46:00.006-05:00

I am not quite finished with this block. I added a pink broom and dust pan b/c Aug is Joke Month- Did you sweep under the rug? yes mom I swept everything under the rug-

I need to add a pink bottle of nail polish- my sister painted my nails last weekend and I told her I would add the bottle to remind me of how fun she is!

I wasn't thrilled with my attempt to machine sew in the face features so I took that out and did a photo transfer. Not real sure I like it any better. Lane was over here today and he said it looks 'creepy' I think this new face is not to the same scale as what I was trying for eariler. I will let Sarah decided if we keep this one or try again.- 8-16-11

I have a self-imposed NO SEWING after MIDNIGHT!- another rule I had to break.- added the flower (Sarah's anniv is Aug. I made the flowers for her wedding from her Grandmothers Dress fabric.)

Hubby asked 'where's the Pink Elephant'- done

Finally used my embroidery machine- PINK Floyd is another Brick in the Wall!

Dawn wanted a Flamingo, Regina suggested "Pink Floyd's Brick in the Wall", The steak is actually a clock for Floyd's song TIME. The Micky Mouse feather is for Tickle me Pink- suggested by Susan. I have a few more things to add. I snuck in the pink panther -think pink- on the wall. The girl is my daughters school picture, Sarah's b-day is Aug 6th, her anniv is tomorrow, Aug 13th., the dress is a fabric from her grandmothers dress. the hair is a bandana print. I am not sure I like the 'face' will have to live with it and see if it grows on me.

Saving this post for my PINK project.

Disclaimer: I have a ton of Pink so that is not the concern. I started back in Jan making just one 20" block in the MC color intending to have 12 blocks total for a keepsake quilt.

over the months the blocks have evolved into a cross between color and month. Last month was blue and I still don't have the pieces appliqued down.

This month is Aug/Pink and I am drawing a blank as to what I want to do.

The only 'holiday' I found for Aug that I find interesting is national Tell a Joke Day.

I have been 'hiding' personal (to me) Items in the blocks, including Kids b-days, Anniv, twists on words

here is where you can help me- I need PINK words, Pink ideas and or August ideas.

so far I am thinking of doing a large black background with the Word- "PRETTY" done in pinks crazy patch style (Pretty in Pink)

do I add "FLOYD" too (Pink Floyd)

I have some Pink Panther cartoon fabric

My youngest daughter has a birthday on the 6th so I was considering do a scrappy silhouette in pinks of one of her school pictures.

IF you have a must do idea, tell me now! I will reward you with a fat 1/4 of pink for the best ideas- cheryl

here is the link to my page with all the months http://ozarkcastle.blogspot.com/2011/01/yellow.html

Here's Oreo now 7 months old. What a good dog.

Sarh-NO-H B-day Quilt

2011-07-19T22:40:00.002-05:00

Youngest son hinted that his girlfriend Sara (NO- H!) likes blues, greens and yellows. He also let me know last week that her B-day is next weekend.

First thought is take a picture of fabrics and e-mail Sara and invite her to come over and pick out a pattern and learn to cut out a top. (Not a real good idea, she lives in Chicago and it is a 12 hr drive)

Second thought is cut out the fabrics (Now that I have a GO cutter, I love to cut kits), snail mail them to Sara with instructions and encourage her to sew up the top! (I kinda like that idea)

Third idea is quit trying to make the Birthday girl do all the work, sew up the quilt top and invite her down to help quilt it (I am leaning towards this one- a win/win)- I would get to do a be-lated birthday hug and see her and our son.

Going to be Scrappy, Now to decide on a setting!

Now to figure out a setting, I think the best way to do that is send this post to Sara and let her pick! If I am lucky she will ask for the kit and choose to surprise me with her choice. I get dibs on the machine quilting!!

If you were my favorite youngest son's girlfriend which setting would you like?

I sewed up four sets of triangles and laid them out with yellow and/or white triangle corners. Looks like I left out the choice of white triangles w/white corners meeting in the middle.

July 20th, 2011

Sara-NO-H decided she likes the yellow corners added to the blue triangles. She has spoken--so be it! I will need to cut more yellow which is great b/c I can use the cream triangles on the other quilt! I just love it when a plan comes together!

Sara also is game to me sending her units to sew. I think I have just the perfect starter kit to send her. I knew there was a reason I have been cutting out so many kits!

July 23rd

Finally have a few more blocks sewn together, I am liking how this is turning out!

Purple quilt cut out

2011-07-19T18:39:00.003-05:00

Quilted and Binding done in plenty of time. Quilt group hand sewed the binding down on Tuesday. Shower is on Sunday.

Aug 4th, top is done, wedding shower is next weekend. Would it be rude to just gift the bride the top and a roll of batting- lol

We will get it quilted and the binding done before the wedding in Sept.

Here goes: Purple Wedding Quilt for Rebecca had its start at the Lake. Good Friends, Debbie H and Dawn D and I got to run down to Rogers Ar to drop kids off for church camp. After we completed our intended task we had a girls day that included stopping by the Rabbits Lair in downtown Rogers. We also headed out to our place on Beaver lake and enjoyed a cookout of Salmon steaks and salad.

I brought my GO and the dies to cut a scrappy Purples and cream triangles and sqs quilt kit. We made 10 kits of 8 blocks for the other gals from church to sew up. Those will be passed out on Wednesday Night and gather back at the next quilt group meeting when we will hopefully piece the top together.

we cut 80 but may do 100 blocks. each block is two 4-patch and two tri/sqs.

I am off to sew my set together- cw

Vacation 2011

2011-07-09T21:15:00.000-05:00

Some of my "favorite things" at the cabin

Butterfly don't just 'Fly'- They also seem to love to Sew!

Oreo drinking out of the deer's water bucket

MC for July is BLUE!

2011-06-30T15:58:00.004-05:00

edit: 7/26/11 Finally got started, this month just totally got away from me. We have VBS this weekend and after that I can try sew this block down. July is national Ice Cream Month!

I can't wait to get started! I will have to wait a bit though b/c hubby and I are running away for a week. Something about an Anniversary- what's that all about? After 30 yrs I thought we could stop counting- lol

I haven't drawn out my block for July although I do have a few ideas- anniv being one of them, I love blue and shouldn't have any problem coming up with some scraps. share your ideas for the month, color or both. Here is the link to the page I am linking all my colors.

Here is a link to my Scrappy Blue quilt that I will purpose to quilt this month in honor of Blue MC.

I needed to take a new picture of the pup, now almost 6 months old. He got his hair cut a couple of weeks ago and looks a lot more like a dog then a skunk. He seems to enjoy his shorter look. Still working on sitting up, he needs a bit of support so he holds on to my hand or the table.

Ready for first Big Boy haircut

I can SEE clearly now.....

Mini, this is small even for me- indigo trip around the world

2011-06-15T22:20:00.000-05:00

Pam's Strip Twist for a Wedding gift-

2011-06-13T22:47:00.001-05:00

My friend Pam did a great job on her version of the Strip Twist. This quilt was made for the daughter of her co-worker. Pam let me add a couple of borders to bring this beauty up to 100 x 100. I hope the new couple enjoys this for many years!

I am always hollering "Dibs" for Pam's scraps, these are beautiful materials, I can't wait till some trickle down to me!

I quilted the top with an old wedding bells and hearts pattern that I got from my friend and mentor Helen. I am sure she would have been pleased to see one of her favorite patterns get used for such a special occasion. Helen has been gone for several years and I miss getting to show her what I am working on.

spinning stars for Tyler and Sarah

2011-06-09T22:25:00.002-05:00

Another young couple from Church has set a date! Our quilt group is busy making yet another future keepsake.

Congrats to the new couple who plan to exchange vows the end of July.

Spinning Stars was cut from Fat Quarters (thanks Quilt Makers Mag for such beautiful fabrics- being on the scrap squad has its perks)

Triangles and Sqs were die cut using the GO. Sets were passed out to gals that wished to participate.

This top should be a bit larger but I misplaced a few blocks. If found soon they will be worked into the back.

In the mean time, this center will get a couple of borders. The bride to be likes yellow.

It has been fun working yellow into the top with out having it over rule the other materials. I think we did a good job!

MC- JUNE- INDIGO

2011-05-31T21:29:00.003-05:00

6-21-2011 progress so far: sun for first day of summer, mower,

added: wiener roast(gingham dog is cut from the DOG die, then sub cut in half and a long body added)

yo-yo tricks: sleeper, trip around the world and walk the dog.

#1 dad in hammock for Father's Day

6-15, I got the TATW block sewn up. I had to use the back side of several fabrics to get a mix of lights and darks- 9 rows x 11 rows and all under 5"- how cool is that? I hope to 'hang' it from a clothes line-- I love late night sewing (don't quote me on that, b/c as soon as I mess up I am going to swear I'll never sew after dark again!)

6-14-11 Can't believe I haven't started on this block (yet) did scribble some ideas- here goes, it will be fun to see if I follow through with any- lol

1- father's day- bow ties, apron "Kiss the Cook"

2- Yo Yo month- applique DOG (walk the dog) Trip around the World, zzzzz's for Sleeper (all yo yo tricks)

3- two grand kids b-days, they will get yo yo with name and DOB

4- first day of summer- SUN

5- calico cat to go with the gingham dog

If you have any ideas that you want to throw out there for me to consider, have at it. Once again I will hold this page for the Monochromatic challenge color for June, Indigo.

Sad to report that Jack didn't look both ways before crossing the street and is no longer with us. Oreo, however stays away from the road and close to home. He is a sweet dog (although he looks a lot like a skunk!) Tricks to date include: sit, stay, roll over and wait. He jumps into the bath tub and loves water. 5 months old.

Large Tumbler - Andrew's b-day

2011-05-25T22:35:00.003-05:00

6-1 Andrew got to see the top today and has given me approval to quilt it. He also approved the back. yeah, I might just have time to get this one done by his B-day on the 7th!

This what Andrew picked out for the back. The characters are raw-edge appliqued to the pieced material. I had an Aladdin sheet picked out b/c I liked the colors and he said, No Thank you, I would prefer if you did something different. (I can use the kid sheet some other time I guess) We looked through all the panel pieces I have and this is what he wanted.-

update: Andrew called me and said go ahead with the snake border, he also likes the idea of spiders and a frog. He wants his middle name to be "Danger" so add that to the front too.

Then I asked if he 'wanted' anything else- he answered, yes, a T-Rex and a Bear and a Goose and a Fish (can the goose look like it is eating the fish?)- sure

Oh and can the Bear be a Polar Bear and can he have a Monkey on his back?

(I seriously don't know if his mom is putting him up to this or what- I took notes and will do the best I can to meet his expectations. I think several of these critters can be appliqued on the back using kid prints)

Andrew giggled and said- bet you will be up all night working on my quilt- I answered that I would love every minute of it, just like I love him every minute!

I am working on a quilt for grandson, Andrew's 6th B-day in June. He picked out the fabrics, I cut them with my large Tumbler Die on my GO. I think some of these prints are left over from when I made skater shorts for Andrew's uncles, many years ago.

He decided he wanted his name on a RED border and he wants a RED back.

I wanted to try my chisel die out to make a border. The more I played the more I think this looks like a snake! Karlee said to keep the snake and add some spiders. She is sure Andrew will like spiders and snakes.

I asked her if she would like a snake on her next quilt- and she said NO!

I will check with Andrew and/or his mom before I get too far along with this border idea.

I am cutting everything from scraps/stash so I don't have enough to border the whole quilt the same.

I do have enough of the RED to do the border just in RED if that is what he wants.

GO triangles 55027

2011-05-22T16:01:00.001-05:00

I got several new dies in the other day. Spent a little time cutting up a few kits for future use.

I wanted to try out my new triangles in sq 3" finished die.

I also have the 3 1/2" sq I hope to use in a scrappier version.

Karlee likes the colors in this piece so if I finish it, it will be for her. I had just enough of the floral to cut for a total of 16 blocks. I should be able to use the scraps to make her name. I asked her if she wants me to put "Karlee" or "Karlee Faith" on her quilt.
She said, let me think........can you do Jesus loves Me?

This blocks sews up fairly fast. For my scrappy version I hope to add 4-patches in the corners in blue and tans. The star blades will be solid reds and the center a 4-patch red scrappy. I may decided to crumb the centers.

I will have to pull fabrics and see what I already have in my 2 1/2 strip bin to start with.

Now I just need to decided on the 'background' fabric. Do I do it all the same or go scrappy creams and tans?

Willis Wheel 2011

2011-05-17T19:44:00.000-05:00

we have had this mini ferris wheel for over 20 years. When our kids out grew it, I loaned it to my sister for her girls. The wheel was returned to us now that our grandkids are getting big enough to enjoy it.

I expect to hear a lot of giggles and groans over the next few years. So far no broken bones- I would like to keep it that way. For now they have to have an adult with them to ride. It stays under lock and key unless supervised.

Breeley eating applesause photobucket slide show tutorial

2011-05-11T22:11:00.000-05:00

One of my cyber friends was having trouble adding a photobucket slide show to her quilting blog as a post. I know in the past I have also struggled to figure it out. At one time I think I added a slide show and the directions on how to do it (Of course I forget where I did that at- lol)
Anyway- here we go again so I don't forget.

1- add photos to their own albumn on photobucket.
2-view as a slideshow
3-click on HTML embeded link to copy the text
4- in another window open blogger
5-new post
6- at the top right select the edit HTML
7-now click the curser on the body of the post
8-then control V (or paste) the slideshow copy text
9- now back at the top right select Compose
10- add your comments.

In my case the pictures speak for themselves. Breeley age 11 mo likes applesause! Photo shoot was at the lake by grandma Cheryl. My mom, grandma Faith controlled the spoon! A good time was had by all and no babies were harmed in the making of this slideshow.

Favorite Wedding Quilt- revisited

2011-05-05T08:28:00.001-05:00

Favorite Wedding Quilt, raw edge applique, set with flying geese blocks.

MC for MAY= RED

2011-04-30T16:19:00.006-05:00

May 31- as you can see I didn't get this block finished. I will work on it as time permits but now I am on to ideas for JUNE-INDIGO- are you planning to join us in the Monochromatic Challenge?

5-04 update: I played around a bit today with themes and layouts. I really planned to do pieced flower baskets for this one. They didn't get done.- oh well, maybe next time.

Looks like this is going to be a raw-edge applique block. Now I just need to decided if I want to use Red or Black thread.

Did you catch the S O S- (mayday) in Morris code in the upper left corner? Luke 22:19 Do this in Remembrance of Me (Memorial Day)

5-02: Karen asked me what I am planning, so here goes so far- I've sketched a few ideas -
I want to do pieced baskets,(May Day)

a heart w/MOM (mothers day)

haven't figured out memorial day(want to get that in there)
our oldest son, Michael's, bday is may 6- I have a footprint of his that I might try applique, turns out Son-in-Law, Nick's bday is may 27- two footprints!
so far all I've committed to is Red and White.
I probably should write this down on my TO DO list- lol

Yeah I can do RED!

first I need to get the puppies to pose for a photo, not only is this an on going Challenge, I am watching the pups grow up this year. They are both now house broke, can sit and we are working on stay. Neither has learned to say 'cheese'. Jack and Oreo are now about 4 months old.

Again I am only doing one post for this color, I will update as I progress.
To see the other months/colors check out this link: MC Challenge 2011

Raw Edge Wedding Ring Arches

2011-04-28T15:52:00.000-05:00

I love to cut scrappy pieces when we travel. These quilts were made several years ago. I cut wedding ring pieces and sewed arches. The arches are then raw-edge appliqued to a background sq.

Barbara Brackman is taking a look at 'snakes' over on her blog. These are tech not snakes but could be adapted pretty easy.

This one was set on a light green background. I made a few on tans and creams. On my TO DO list I really want to do one on RED!

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks #3

2011-04-23T21:29:00.004-05:00

The mail was just full of surprises today. Special THANKS to Quiltmaker for the coffee cup! (I am going to have to do a whole post on my cup collection someday)

I just love it! and I just loved getting to test blocks for this volume. I got a late start but had a lot of fun actually reading directions. (I am known for jumping ahead and making my own mistakes)

My goal was to be of service and hopefully learn a new thing or two. One thing I learned is don't judge a block until you personally have made it. I had a couple of blocks that I might not have sewn if it weren't for this assignment. Now I have some lovely pieces that can be worked into future projects.

My copy of the mag arrived Thursday. Karlee (age 4) and I read through it admiring the lovely patterns and materials. Karlee was quick to point out the ones I made. I was a little surprised that she remembered. I asked her if she wanted to help me do the next set and her answer was YES! I can't wait to get started.... vol 4- let's do some more!

I love anything I can raw-edge applique!

Rubber band block- I just love scrappy!

I have a few others that will end up in a orphan block donation quilt someday.- cw

Jelly Roll and Fats ready to GO for summer wedding Quilts

2011-04-02T21:29:00.008-05:00

Working on thinking on what pattern to quilt this with- hollar if you have a suggestion- cw

May 6th, got the top laid out and sewn up yesterday. Originally laid out in 6 x 8 blocks, then took off top row and added to the side for a 7 x 7 setting. Friday night sew-in got the borders on. Breeley (11mo 2 days) has wore herself out 'walking'. She laid herself down for a nap!.

A nice set of Fats in greens and blues and a Jelly roll in similar colors soon to be a beautiful Wedding Quilt for a young couple from church. I used my GO and the tri-die and 2 " sqs die to cut a practice block. I hope to cut the blues and greens up into kits for the gals at church to sew.

It might be fun to have the only 'rule' that the solid sq goes in the middle and the tri/sqs and 4-patch are up to the participant. Might make for an interesting project.
From the practice pieces you can see that the 'star' can spin right or left and the corner patches can go in several layouts. You can also make the star light or dark.

The Jacobs ladder can also be light or dark.

We decided to go with the jacobs ladder block for this project. -cw

Alright, this last one is just being goofy!

MC for April = ORANGE!

2011-03-31T20:33:00.006-05:00

4-30-11 This is what I have so far:

4-8-11 A few changes, candles are added for Jesse (4-04) and Kelly (4-09) and Dustin (4-09) The bunny grew up! I printed a pattern and sewed all lines paper piece style(on the back side of the fabric)- then cut and removed paper and did raw edge applique. Since this is now my B-day month block, I am going to either add 50 pieces of confetti or 50 words about me. additional poss TO DO- spider for April Fools, Mayflower ship for saying April Showers bring may flower's 4/5/11 So far progress has been slow. I sketched out some ideas and have decided on the following; A cake to celebrate my B-day! Eggs and a Bunny for Easter, A Spider on the Cake (very bad April fools joke from when I was a kid- "Look there's a spider on your back- April Fool's"- told you it was bad!) I haven't made up my mind yet but I think I want 50 different orange things like confetti. I may cut circles b/c I am also trying to use my GO in my MC projects.

Again I am going to reserve this spot for my "Orange" project. I will edit in progress. As of this minute I am just 'blank' I will have to find my notes and see if I can come up with something interesting in orange and April (or spring). I am looking forward to having another block for my challenge quilt!

I asked the pups for suggestions and they just laughed! (I think it was laughing) Do you know how hard it is to get puppies to sit still for a photo?

Jack and Oreo are now 3 months old. Jack 'knows' his name and Oreo comes when I holler for Jack. Their trick for today is tipping over the trash can. Their reward is getting to spend less time in the kitchen!

After picking up the trash a couple of times I figured out to remove the container out of their reach. (again I know I heard them laugh!)

Up Coming Wedding....and a Quilt label

2011-03-28T21:36:00.003-05:00

Kelly came over today and quilted the top for her friends Dawn & Kevin. She let me make the label!

Kevin's last name is Outhouse- I am sure the couple will get a kick out of my one of a kind marker!

Early Best Wishes to the new couple, Kevin and Dawn.

I wasn't invited to the private ceremony but I am hoping someone remembers to bring me home some cake! Hint Hint- be good cheryl

New Blogger in the house

2011-03-24T12:00:00.002-05:00

check out Dustin's Blog

it's not quilting but he is pretty funny.

FYI his 'wife' is my 'daughter' -

quilt group and a little late night sewing

2011-03-23T01:08:00.003-05:00

I have always been a fan of RW&B!
This top was cut from scraps and was set 5 x 5 blocks.

It may or may not get borders. As Is would be a nice donation piece for a lap quilt or baby gift.

I will def. be making many more scrappy tops with variations of this block. A new favorite to cut using my GO dies!

Kelly's top is ready to get in line for the machine. She is coming over this week to get me caught up on a couple of quilts for a friend.
Once the machine is free, she plans to do a little personal quilting. (I am hoping she will sneak in a few tops from my collection- I think several have aged enough to get quilted!)

Good Friend, Debbie H brought this beautiful brick top to show off. I am so proud of her for busting stash, and for doing such a great job. Seeing this makes me want to start cutting bricks!

Deb also brought a WIP to share. The center medallion is her own design. The butterflies are ones she has had for awhile.

Again I am thrilled to see this Work in Progress. It is a graduation gift for a niece and will have framed photos on the sides.

It was fun to see a new setting for the scrappy butterflies.

Deb says this is pretty much all from stash too.

I also got to show off the quilt blocks I tested for QuiltMaker mag. There were two that I can see making more of. Both had applique- go figure! I will share them as soon as I get permission. From what I understand the 3rd book of 100 blocks is about ready to print.

Isoceles tri die GO Cutter

2011-03-21T17:34:00.007-05:00

This one is growing on me!

I haven't set the blocks together (yet) I am not sure which way I prefer. The first set has alt blocks (one w/red corners, the other white) The second set all has red corners. I like both and am sure I will end up making a top or two out of each layout.

Kelly likes the first setting. Since this is just for fun I will try do it her way.

I may try some wonky letters as a border.

I am loving my new GO cutter. These were cut from scraps but I am sure it would go even quicker if I was cutting fats!

Another Butterfly border-

2011-03-16T21:46:00.004-05:00

Favorite DIL, Kelly asked if I had a quilt she could use for a wedding gift. I let her pick through a few tops that were made with her in mind.
Of course she wants to keep those for her personal collection (I don't blame her, she might have a fight getting them from me when she is ready to quilt 'em!- lol)

I have several Works in Progress that just haven't decided what they want to grow up to be.
Today the "Green and Blue Squares" got a chance to move up from a child's top to a future gift to celebrate friend's vows. There is just something about scrappy butterflies that make plain tops come to life. The blueberry print border fabric will be used on the back and as binding material too.

Funny thing is I started this top over 5 yrs ago. I did strip piecing and sub - cutting and after a few blocks was just 'sick' of the blue and green. It sat for a couple of years until it got sewn into a small top and added to my "Gift It" pile.
About a year later I needed a baby quilt for a shower and added the blue border. I changed my mind on the gift for that child and this top went back to the waiting list.

Kelly will do the quilting sometime this week and I will bind it for her. I am so thrilled to get to use more scrappy butterflies. I swear these can go anywhere. I have gotten to where I just have little baggies with sets in them waiting for projects to liven up. Lucky for me, this set was already tacked to the background blocks so they were easy to raw edge applique.

Earlier this year I purposed to do at least 11 Give A Ways on my Blog. I know this is not the 11th of the month but I would be happy to send out up to 11 sets to readers who do not already have a set.

Leave a comment, I will figure out a fun way to pick the winners. Do you have a small top that could use a beautiful scrappy butterfly border to help it grow up?- be good cw

Favorite Things Quilt- revisited

2011-03-11T07:32:00.002-06:00

This quilt was made years ago. Our quilt group exchanged the 25-patch scrappy blocks and the 4-in the corner blocks.

Many beautiful Irish Chain quilts were made that year. This is one of my favorites.

I was in an applique mood and each trade I added my embellishments.

Some were free hand. Some from color books, others from mag. patterns of the time.

I bet you can see a few that will bring back memories!

The tulips and daises have been favorite blocks to applique and I have made several quilts from each.

The car applique was from a mag. and I made a birthday quilt for our daughters 16th using the pattern. (She is 26 now!- still uses the quilt)

This quilt lives with my mom and will be passed down to our oldest daughter someday. Favorite Things brings back a lot of memories of the gals I sewed/quilted with over the years. It also holds a sample of the fabrics we liked and the applique techniques I was experimenting with.

Do you have a favorite quilt that brings special memories for you?

Monochromatic Challenge March=Brown

2011-02-28T21:55:00.011-06:00

Great FNSI- worked on my "Brown" block for the MC. Mark this one off my list as - completed! To see other Brown -MC click here Here are my first Three blocks- I will have to come up with something fun for setting strips! Pieces for the Bear Claw block were all cut and modified using my GO. (I will do a separate Tutorial later) Finished block is 6 1/2" I will set them with spacers in a 9-patch arrangement to yield a 20 (ish)" block for my MC quilt. The Book: "Brown Bear, Brown, What Do You See" was my original inspiration, thus the brown Bear paws. After doing a holiday search for ideas on March, I discovered that March hosts National Anthem Day on the 3rd. I decided to change my wording to "Oh Say Can you See" as a Patriotic reminder. My new puppies, Jack & Oreo , 9 wks old Hard to believe these are brothers! . The MC for March is BROWN- I have ideas and will update this post as I come up with something. My theme is going to be "What do you See?" - a line from the story Brown Bear, Brown Bear My goal is a 20" block to add to my on going collection for a MC top. I have decided for each month to just keep one post going start to finish. At the end of the month I will link to Judy's post that shares the other participants projects. Can't wait to see what our 'color' is for April! Just found out April=Orange

Monochromatic Challenge 2011

2011-02-18T22:41:00.005-06:00

Saturday Night was a bit more productive- !

Friday Night Sew in didn't yield a lot of sewing.

I did manage to get some letters cut out for my border on my scrappy block.

Don't know why it cracks me up that the word Monochromatic is in scrappy fabrics!

The challenge is an Eleven Month project hosted by Judy L.

I hoping to make a total of 12 blocks to sew into a keepsake quilt.

I will raw-edge applique these little letters in place the next time I get a couple of minutes to sew.

My daughter's favorite color is "Plaid", mine is "Scrappy". What is your favorite color?

Like a Butterfly......

2011-02-15T22:32:00.003-06:00

I too shall awaken in my own time.

I don't know which was more fun, sewing the strips for the tumbler borders, or cutting the left overs for the scrappy words.

Hopefully this top will be one of the ones I quilt this year. I have a new to me butterfly pattern I want to try out.

Fed Ex Driver Delivers GO in the Snow

2011-02-10T17:45:00.005-06:00

Fed Ex called me to confirm the delivery of my new GO (and additional dies!).

Due to the snow, I asked him to park up at the road and I would meet him.

He did and then carried my 30+ pound box down to the house for me. What a nice man.

There was no school again today and a couple of the grandsons were over to help me.

Tyler opened the box and started taking out the dies.

When he saw this large Drunkard's path he held it up and asked: "Are you going to make some underwear?"

I said, NO- this is for my quilting.

He responded: "But you could make underwear if you wanted too right?"

That kids cracks me up! I might just take a couple of the outer shapes and make him a pair of underwear out of them- or maybe NOT.

I was able to get the applique on one side of my scrappy butterfly top.

The phrase is suppose to be: Just like the Butterfly, I too shall awaken in my own time.

After cutting letters and playing around with the spacing. The first line now reads: Like a Butterfly (saved myself from sewing 6 letters)

now I need to decide if I will edit the rest too. Any one have any good ideas for the rest of verbiage?

strings and tumblers make a nice scrappy border

2011-02-09T22:27:00.002-06:00

I did not get to sew as much as I had hoped to this evening.
We are getting another snow storm, which for me is an excuse to stay home from work (yeah) but I ended up doing computer stuff all day (darn reports) and missed out on getting to sew more strings together.

Maybe tomorrow night I can get back to this border-

I an sewing sets of strips and then sub-cutting them into the small tumbler die shape.

They take on a scrappy crumb block look.

This die works on my BABY GO. I have ordered the larger die and it should get here tomorrow!

I have a whole new found love of strips and strings knowing that I can now get more use out of them with the new cutting system I ordered.

These blocks take 5 strips each and I am cutting both horizontal and vertical tumblers.

I have one side done and a bunch ready to sew up for the border on the other side.

I finally figured out what saying I want to put on the last border.

I have been cutting out scrappy letter to raw edge applique.

Salmon pink is not my 'color' but I am learning to like it.

This top is growing on me and hopefully will be a bed size quilt sometime in my life time!

The outer border will be wonky letters and say:

Like the Butterfly, I too will awaken in my own time.

For some reason I love that saying. Kinda makes me sound profound and sarcastic both at the same time! Wont this be fun to sleep under.- cw

Piano Key, Strings or Crumbs? That is the question...

2011-02-07T22:30:00.003-06:00

I started this top awhile back. I learned that I am not really a fan of spider web blocks (that's not entirely true, I am a fan just not a fan of doing them myself)

So this center sat for quite a bit.

Last week Mary asked to borrow one of my tops to photograph for a class she is getting ready to teach. This one was in the pile.

I had always intended for it to be a bed size quilt some day. (evidenced by the box of scraps labeled: TO DO)

A border of scrappy butterflies brings the top up to 54 x 63 (ish)

What do you think should be the next borders? 6 inch scrappy Piano Keys, String blocks or Crumbs?

I really thought I wanted to do some wonky letters on the final border but can't decided what I want to piece.

Phrases to consider: Just like the Butterfly, I too will awaken in my own time.

or: The butterfly counts not months but moments and has time enough.

Ordered the GO- sale this weekend

2011-02-06T16:19:00.003-06:00

http://www.shoppersrule.com/ is having a sale on the GO and dies. I have been tracking the prices and this is the least I have seen. (More than I want to spend but a sale is a sale is a sale)

I ordered the GO (it comes with dies and a mat) and you had to get four additional dies to get the sales price. (the additional $25 saved paid for taxes and shipping was free!)

I purchased the Large Drunkards Path, Large Triangle (I want to do borders and pyramid quilts) The Large Tumbler, and the smaller Drunkards Path.

I hope to bust a lot of stash for donation quilts. I pulled a tub of fabrics to 'practice' cutting on as soon as the machine arrives. Some pieces are yardage, others fats or smaller.

I purposed to cut at least 11 Kits on my BABY Go in 2011. I will commit to doing at least 11 with my new GO too.

From the Practice fabrics I am guessing I can make a pretty good dent on the Kit Tally.

50 state flowers- Do I Want or Need Borders?

2011-02-05T16:30:00.003-06:00

With out Borders this top is 80 x 92 (ish)

The setting strips are a white background with purple flowers and green leaves.

The setting sqs are a green Tone on Tone leaves and match the green in the strips.

The butterflies are raw-edge applique and still need their antennas added. The large wing is a darker purple print and the smaller wing is a light purple Tone on Tone

Question is: If I choose to do a border, what would look good?

I don't want to go to fancy b/c this is a pretty simple setting.

Normally I would do a small inner border, then another small and then a bit larger (if using 3 fabrics) What colors? What order? What sizes? I also have plenty of the light material used for setting strips. Materials available: Dark Purple print, Lt. Purple, Green, Light setting strips

Hard to believe this top started out looking so different! Here's the before photo- cw

50 state flowers WIP (I don't do UFO's)

2011-02-03T13:05:00.010-06:00

Jill had asked the question:

What are the main reason(s) you put PIGS and UFOs to the side.

I interpreted it to be:
Why do you have UFO's?

Not that I would admit to having any but if I did it would be b/c I think faster then I sew.

Case in point- I pulled 11 projects to work on in 2011. All are in some stage of progress.

I can pick them up and put them down at any time. (I really don't have a problem, it's the other sewers that have UFO's)

I have never been bothered by an Unfinished project. In fact I love them. I love to take blocks from others and re-create them into something that says :'Cheryl has been here'.

I love taking pieces I have worked on and re-evaluate them at later dates to upgrade to what ever I am interested in that moment.

In my mind I really don't have UFO's b/c I can start back on anything that interests me any time I want too.

I never put a date on a TO DO item. I don't sew for profit so I am not constrained by time.

I do journal (through my blog) my progress or at least my thought process. On individual quilts I have been known to print out the 'story' behind the piece when it is gifted to the recipient.

Some quilts take years to get to their final destination, it doesn't make them UFO's, they are just Late Bloomers!

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

In reality I have as many UFO's as the next gal, I am just in denial and it is fun to annoy Jill b/c I know she has WAY more then me (I don't care what her number is, it is more then mine- if I had one)

50 state flowers is not sewing its self together but I am making progress. My distraction is I want to start playing with border ideas.

Probably another reason, things get piled up is I get too many ideas and have to wait till the brain settles on one to move forward with.

Now it is your turn, if you have UFO's- Why and..... When are you sending them to me?

50 States quilt- UFO- work in progress!

2011-02-02T21:12:00.003-06:00

I decided to work on one of my 11 in 2011.

A flip of the coin pulled up the 50 flowers quilt. This was an auction purchase.

I did a bit of work with the seam ripper and promptly lost interest.

Think it had something to do with ironing 50 blocks!

My firsts thoughts were to iron, re-size and re-set.

After spending the time to take this apart, I had a close up and personal experience. My revelation is: I just don't like this blue fabric.

In fact if anyone wants it I will send it to you.

Because the original person used a lot of purples in the embroidery work, I wanted to find similar fabrics to work into the setting strips and borders.

I was not a fan of the On Point Setting.

I counted twice and all 50 state blocks are here! I don't know of any straight set for 50. I either needed to set 7 x 7 and use one as a label on the back. Or go with a 7 x 8 setting and add six blocks.

I was able to find enough of a couple of fabrics to do setting strips and sqs. I should get a few borders out of it too.

Question was, What do I do with the additional 6 blocks?

I am not in the mood to embroidery.

Answer is as usual- Raw Edge Applique some Butterflies. They seem to be my GO-TO block of choice.

The Win-Win is the butterflies can be made from the fabrics I am using for sashings.

Blocks are laid out in ABC order. All need re-sized. The Butterflies look a little dark, but I think will blend in after the sashings are on.

Here are the first 4 blocks I worked on. The rest will have to wait till later.

Every thing is cut and ready to go. About time for me to loose interest again- NOT!

So what are you doing on your snow day?- cw

Snow and Sew- that's how I roll!

2011-02-02T15:50:00.003-06:00

Blizzard of 2011-

Lucky we didn't get as much ice as predicted. Schools are all closed, my office is too...

What is a gal to do?

I did as much as I could, I pulled out my 11 for 2011 and flipped a coin to see which one to work on.

drum roll.......... the winner is T-shirt Quilt for co-worker Brian!

Brian traded his camera to me for two t-shirt quilts. The first one has long been finished and delivered. Brian has bragged that all his soft ball friends want one too. (Too bad, I don't quilt for others!)

This one has sat around for way too long. I told him last fall I would try get around to it by the Holidays. Wrong! We just needed a good snow day to put me in the mood to sew.

This top is 88 x 88 and hopefully it won't take all year to get it quilted.

Now to find the right piece of flannel for the back. I think I can commit to having this done by Christmas!

(I am not going to commit to which year)- cw

Feb= Violet

2011-01-31T21:17:00.009-06:00

Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, Some Poems Rhyme and Some Poems Don't!

For now the block is finished and ready to take it's place in MC quilt.

Applique is raw edge (I like the primitive look)
Can you see the Washington cut out?- pres. day
And the gopher- proves I don't freehand.
I also added a heart w/Be Mine.

Now on to the borders...... small tumblers brings this block up to 20"

Several of us are following the MC (Monochromatic Challenge) hosted by Judy Laquidara.

Link to other Violet projects March is Brown

You can see the links to January's Blocks and play along if you wish.

For February the randomly drawn color is VIOLET! yeah, I can do purples.

I am planning to make large blocks each month of the challenge. At the end of the year I should have enough to make a keepsake quilt top.

I have jotted down ideas to use for colors and months. I even have ideas for borders (I can't wait to get that far!!)

Last month was YELLOW and I made a yellow Flower. When I googled 'yellow' the first image I saw was a flower- simple enough.

For Violet I had a couple of ideas. Violet is the birth flower for February so it made sense to make more flowers. I planed to do raw edge applique and use black thread to make the petals more heart shape. (gotta get in a V-day reference- maybe I will hide a groundhog in the flowers just for giggles).

We are gearing up for a snow storm and I am hoping to use my time snowed- in wisely!

What are you planning for February?

Scotts quilt top and more...

2011-01-30T16:55:00.007-06:00

One of our friends from church has been hinting that we need to make him a quilt. Actually he has threatened to just take one when we aren't looking.

Challenge is he is a tall guy (we tend to make smaller quilts) and he is color blind.

My first thought was to see what I had in my personal collection that I thought he might like. Both quilts I pulled to let him consider ended up being ones that I am just not ready to part with.
(see how I am!)

Instead I sewed up Pam's 4 patch blocks into a good size scrappy top. (mark one off my UFO list) I hope to get it quilted this week and the group can hand sew the binding at one of our next meetings.

This large Bow-Tie quilt was made with favorite fabrics many years ago. It was one of the first I quilted on my machine.
On closer look I identified several pieces of material that I no longer have in my stash.

One of which my mom gave me, so at least for now it is going back home with me.

The second quilt I thought I might be ready to part with is going back with me too.
76 x 88 (ish)
My quilting has improved a lot since I did this one and I am going to pin it in and do a different design in the borders.

After having it out on display several gals have asked to participate in a class to make their own. I will hang on to it until at least the end of class.

Kids, Pinita and Cake!

2011-01-30T15:38:00.003-06:00

Photos are not in order.

At church we like to do a 5th Sunday Potluck Style Dinner.

This Sunday just happens to be Karlee's 4th B-day so we added a little surprise for all the kids.

This is the mug shot of others celebrating B-days this month.

Karlee love anything princess so we decided to surprise her and the other children with a princess pinata! Hubby rigged up pulleys so he could raise and lower it.

The mask I brought didn't fit so the kids were on their honor to keep theirs eyes shut when it was their turn at bat. No one cheated. It was so cute watching the really little ones try hit. Carl would lower the pinata down till it touched their head and even the 3 yr old got a couple of good whacks in.

Karlee the B-day Girl taking the first cut into the cake.

Cousin Andrew was on hand to help if she needed him.

This beautiful Princess Castle cake was made by Aunt Sarah and Uncle Nick.

The kids were so excited to see her carry it into the party.

Cousin Ben age 3 taking a swing.

Family and Friends are what make a day fun.

Today we got to spend time with both and added food, fellowship and fabric.......to be continued....

FNSI worked on Pink Sues

2011-01-29T10:28:00.004-06:00

I didn't get a lot done last night but was able to play with my Black/White and Pink Sue's.

This will be for my daughter's niece.

I am going to consider borders and adding her name.

This was cut using my BABY GO and scraps from cutting out an Apple Core Kit. This 'series' of Hand-Me-Down fabrics is going to show up in several projects this year.

Mid week report- brag??

2011-01-26T17:04:00.006-06:00

Favorite youngest grand daughter, Breely is now sitting up by herself! It is amazing how quick they grow up!

I started playing with the sunbonnet sue blocks for Abra's quilt. I have decided to make 4 Sue's and the rest of the blocks tri/sqs.

This should be a wild busy quilt when I get it done.

I had a few misc blocks left over from my RRCB mystery quilt. I pieced them into a section to add to the back of this thrift shop sheet.

The sheet was a $1.00 purchase. It was about 6" too narrow (I did my top square 5 x 5 blocks)

I am please with how well the colors go together.

Almost looks like I knew what I was doing- lol

I piece backs all the time and prefer to use sheets when possible. This is the first time I actually pieced part of the front blocks onto the back.

I am thinking I like it. The busy flower sheet hides the seams and floats the scrappy patch.

I had posted a photo of Dawns sailboat quilt top and promised I would find out where she got her pattern.

She was nice enough to bring the book and a photo of her quilt to church so I could snap a shot.

Dawn chose not to add the background strip at the top of each sailboat and made up for that by changing her border just a bit.

The pattern can be found in Sugar Sack Quilts by Glenna Hailey.

Our quilt group met last night and agreed that we are going to each work on a version of Debrah Cohen's Celtic Knot. I can't wait to show off our progress.

Have a great week- cheryl

FNSI- report and hopefully repeat

2011-01-22T17:48:00.004-06:00

While the rest of the world was busy sewing up beautiful future heirloom projects....

I got side tracked working on my List of 11 Quilting Things TO -DO in 2011.

I can already cross #1 off my list! The book is done. (I get extra points for adding the list to my side bar!)

I can mark off #5 also, I have made a UFO list and posted it along with photos.

I get one check mark for #11 (sew-in), # 10 (worked on a new utility quilt) also counts as a check for #7 (a New To-DO)

A couple of weeks ago Dawn gave me a yard sale find. Several rows of the 9-patch blocks were set with a purple sqs of fabric. The setting fabric was in very bad shape.

All total there were 48 Nine-Patches of which I ended up saving 36.

The blocks were all hand sewn and a bit wonky. (just the way I like it- uh huh, uh huh)

I re-sized to 6 1/2". I then sewed into Four larger 9-patch units.

My choices now are to set them together and add a border- applique butterflies perhaps?

Or, cut them up into a D-9, then add borders- applique????????????

Or...my favorite.....let them sit around until I get other ideas.

With the hand stitching I really need to commit to getting some sort of border on so the blocks don't pull apart.

Some day this will be a scrappy take to the park, drag through the dirt quilt.

What did you do on your FNSI?

cheryl

11 UFO's

2011-01-21T19:18:00.004-06:00

Drum Roll, another year in the number 1 spot- the winner is: scrappy Pine-Apple, paper pieced, all cut and sorted and it even has it's own drawer. Last year I purposed to work on it or give it away. Proud to say I am still the owner, one more block completed!

#2 4-patches from Pam. I can either make one really large quilt, or two med. size ones or 4 small or 8 puppy size. All the 4-patches are sewn together, these have been waiting to get put on the TO DO list.

#3 Sort and cut Kit from the RW&B scraps. Great use for the BABY GO.

#4 Dresden to set on point from Stack & Whack style class in 2010. Just b/c I can teach it doesn't mean I can do it- lol-finish that is.

#5 I still need to make a T-Shirt quilt for Brian from my office.

#6- Auction find, 50 state flower blocks have been un-sewn, need to re-size and re-set. Dare I plan to quilt it too?

#7 What is this?

cont.... yard sale Dresden plates. I planned to sew onto split blocks and doing something funky with them.

#8 not a cat....

- my fabric for the traditional Stack and Whack. The class all finished theirs last year. Mine is still in the bag.

#9 These are the scraps of the scraps.

I need to finish cutting the triangles with my BABY GO and sew them into sets. I would really like this to be on the list to quilt this year.

#10-It's a tie-- Here comes the collection of black, white and pinks. Sunbonnet Sue OR the Pink Apple Core, I want to make a quilt for our daughter's niece. Which ever one gets done first goes to Abra.

And.......#11- the one most likely to get done...... PB&W scrappy Butterflies. I love butterflies. I have 63 cut and ready to applique. The week I get this top finished I will do a give-a -way of the left over scraps!

So there is my list of 11, is anyone taking bets as to how many I work on? (Notice I didn't say complete) be good cheryl

FNSI- don't forget to sign up

2011-01-21T15:17:00.005-06:00

I don't always get to sew on a Friday Night so I rarely officially sign up but..... due to all the snow I am going to be home- yeah!

Join me and the hundreds of other quilters as we take advantage of the night.

Hubby is headed to bed, he has to leave out on a trip so I will have a quiet house! Along with sewing I hope to pull TO-DO's and UFO's and start some sort of a list on how to work/finish them.

Judy L is doing a 12 month color theory challenge and I hope to stay caught up with that project. January was YELLOW and I am pretty pleased with my progress.

I have been wanting to do more of Tanya's Wonky letters and hope to piece a yellow JAN to add to the border of my completed challenge piece.

I don't normally get excited about New Year's Resolutions but this year I think I will take it slow and commit to 11 things I hope to accomplish this year, (I originally thought 2,000 and 11 things but that is just nuts!)

#1--Compile a list of the 11 things!

#2-Host 11 Give-Aways on my Blog. Starting in Feb on the Eleventh of each month till then end of the year.

#3-Make at least 11 donations to on-line quilter/friend's favorite projects.

#4-Follow Judy Laquardia's Color Challenge, ...AND..organize at least 11 colors of fabric along with the color each month. Jan/Yellow- done!

#5-Identify at least 11 UFO's (I'm not committing to working on them just find then and add them to a list- lol)

#6-Machine quilt for my personal collection at least 11 quilt tops sewn prior to 2011

#7-Start at least 11 new TO-DO's (Everyone spends so much time vowing to finish stuff, I am going to purpose to start some)

#8- Teach &/or Learn at least 11 New quilting techniques

#9-Cut out and Kit at least 11 projects using my new BABY GO

#10-Sew at least 11 favorite go-to projects to have on hand for gifts.

#11-Participate in at least 11 Sew-Ins on-line &/or Live Body.

Part of my sew-in time is going to be taking inventory of my New 11

Any and All suggestions will be considered (who is going to teach me to make a side bar?)

The photo is of a top that my good friend Dawn is working on. I was thrilled to let her pull from my stash. Can you see what fabrics were mine? Just kidding- even I don't remember. I will share her finished masterpiece along with info on where she got her inspiration. That might have to be one of my 11 things TO DO this year!- be good cheryl

Yellow Flower

2011-01-20T17:12:00.003-06:00

The yellow is all scraps from Alycia. I added the black for background and my own scraps for the letters.

I think I did a good job using up all her small pieces.

The saw tooth border was cut using the smallest triangle die with my BABY GO.

I didn't iron or re-size and most were cut on the bias so there is some distortion. (I like it)

The letters are cut free hand and I will raw-edge applique them.

Judy is doing a color a month challenge and I am considering ideas for making large blocks to add to a quilt.

I had started this scrappy flower block from material and blocks that Dawn gave me.

I have several ideas to make it larger. All involve me pulling more fabric and using my cutter!

Maybe I can work on it tonight and start my FNSI a little early.- be good cw

Monocromatic Challenge Home Page

2011-01-19T23:02:00.015-06:00

I am going to HI-JACK this page to link my MC progress
Jan/Yellow Alycia had posted on her blog about following Judy's challenge to do a yellow project.

Jan/Yellow

Feb/Violet

Mar/Brown

April/Orange

May/Red

June/Indigo

July/Blue

Aug/ PINK

Sept/ Green

Oct/ 2 color

Nov/ Black and White and accent color

Dec/ work on setting strips and sqs etc....

Final top/

I had added it to my TO DO list (you know the one in my head that sometimes actually gets done)

There were a couple of times I almost pulled yellows from my stash to cut into.

(What is it about challenges that seem to put me in the yes, no, yes, not now, maybe, ok, mode of thinking?)

I swear I have at least 3 idea on projects to do in yellow! Have I started any of them?- NO

Did I write the best ones down yet? NO

Well what did I do?

I mentioned to Alycia that I like her scraps!- that is kinda like writing something down.

She sent me an envelope full of her yellows that were left over from her project.

Since the yellows were already pulled for me the new challenge is to make something entirely from her 'gift'.

I stayed up a little late this evening and think I have a start on a cute piece that kills a lot of birds with one stone (not literal birds)

used BABY GO

used Alycia's scraps

Judy L challenge

Tonya wonky letters- maybe

Mug Rug- very possible

can't wait for FNSI to finish this project!

RRCB ready to quilt

2011-01-19T22:51:00.002-06:00

A picture is worth a thousand words. What a fun mystery project. I have enjoyed seeing the progress of all my cyber quilting friends. I have the perfect fabric for the back and as soon as I get a day to stay home this top is getting pinned into the frame for quilting!

How far along are you on your future heirloom quilt? cw

BABY GO Tumbler and Flower

2011-01-13T18:52:00.002-06:00

I have several mini bins of 1" strings that I was looking to put into a project.

Last night I sewed a set of strips and sub-cut with the Tumbler die. At the time I was auditioning for a scrappy tumbler design.

The horizontal strips reminded me of flower pots.

Then I remembered that Dawn had gifted me a box of yard sale fabric. (When I say 'gifted' I really mean I just took it)

I think there is enough variety of scrappy between her pieces and mine that I can get a fun scrappy quilt.

This flower was cut using my BABY GO and the flower die. The flower pot is a tumbler that was pieced and then cut.

I enjoy doing raw edge applique. Look at the cute primitive thread drawing I get on the back of the block!

Bah HumBug....."!"

2011-01-12T08:54:00.005-06:00

Tonya is at it again, check out the blocks that are being made for her Bah HumBug project.

UnRuly Quilting

A group blog for working on UnRuly Quilting projects and most especially UnRuly Letters. What is UnRuly? Liberated, wonky, improvisational, mis-matched, points cut off
http://unrulyquilting.blogspot.com/

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I was to participate.
The ideas were just a spinning in my head.
I made sketches
I pulled fabric....
I cut with scissors (I didn't run with them just cut)
I trashed the floor with threads and scraps of fabric......
and....... finally as the clock struck Midnight.....
I ironed and re-size my contribution to the Bah HumBug project.
Tonya, I present my Humble attempt at an "!" Exclamation point "!"
I can't wait to see what you get to create with all the blocks.
be good cheryl

FNSI on Sat Nite RRCB cont....

2011-01-08T22:20:00.003-06:00

Almost time for borders.
I still need to make 10 more string blocks and set the top together.
The grand kids are over tonight and I thought I would do a little sewing while they play.
Goal for this weekend is to finish the strings, set the top and make some progress on the borders.
I wasn't sure if I would like the brown print I picked for the border but it is growing on me.

What did you get done this week? cw

This one is for Dawn.....

2011-01-05T22:53:00.002-06:00

Before we get all excited, I mean the post is for Dawn, the quilt will most likely be for me! (sorry I am just not that good of a friend- lol)

The tiny sqs were gifted to me from a friend of a friend. My challenge was to use them ALL up.

The scraps were cut down using my new BABY GO. I just love these little butterflies. They are made using the flower die. The top wing is actually the leaf shape. The bottom wing is a flower cut into thirds.

The applique pieces are just temporary attached with a glue stick. Once I decided on the layout I will machine sew them down.

The little circles are dime size, the larger circles are quarter size. Both are cut from mini 4 patch scraps.

I think I will raid my stash and make a piano key border. I should be able to use up a lot of 1" strips! - thanks Dawn for new TO DO project. I will think of you every time I work on it.- cw

Roll Roll Cotton Boll- a Bonnie Hunter Mystery reveled

2011-01-03T10:18:00.005-06:00

I hope to set this 5 x 5. I need to make more string blocks and finish up putting the pickel dish blocks together.

Pinks and Browns and scrappy Greens!

600 hundred- 2 inch tri/sqs and 60 string blocks

What a fun Mystery- Thanks Bonnie

A picture is worth a thousand words!

Karlee is one of my favorite layout artists.

Her and Lane strike a pose!

One more week till we see the design for the border. I like square quilts so this is one being revised to be 25 blocks instead of the original 30 (that is unless of course I decided to go with a 6 x 6 setting)

http://www.quiltville.com/ for more details on the original mystery by Bonnie Hunter.