PAT'S PATTER

FLIMSY FRIDAY

2012-02-10T14:55:00.000-05:00

It's Flimsy Friday and I'm busy making and stitching down the label for the dino quilt. Each of the swappers made a label (bottom 6) and mine are on the top -- one saying Happy Birthday, and the other saying made by.................

How are you progressing on Flimsy Friday? Getting those flimsies turned into quilts?

DINOS!!!

2012-02-09T17:51:00.000-05:00

The Dinos are done! The quilt is quilted (mainly walking foot and then some free-motion) and bound, and displayed on a twin bed. They are roaring in my washer right now. Tomorrow, on Flimsy Friday, I'll add the label, force them into their box, and send them off to Ohio. This has been such a fun quilt!

Thanks you to all the row swap participants. I especially appreciate all the detail the swappers put into this. The spines wiggle, the eggs unsnap to reveal dinos inside, Brendan's name is on one row, just so much heart from everyone went into this. I do love my Friendship Swap Group! Hope they had as much fun working on dinos as I did on their gardens, chocolate, quilt rooms, etc.

Jinny Beyer Palette

2012-02-08T14:37:00.001-05:00

Look what was in my mailbox! Fabric Depot had a sale on Jinny Beyer Palette fabrics, and one of the gals in my Birthday FQ swap requested fabrics from that line. Well, of course at $1.71 a quarter yard cut, I ordered some for applique. There's a few half-yards in there (to make the FQ) too. What yummy fabrics! Guess which one you are getting, Debbie.

FLIMSY FRIDAYS

2012-02-06T17:24:00.003-05:00

Last Friday, some friends on the Applique Boutique Yahoo group and I decided we'd devote our Fridays to getting our quilt tops made into quilts (thanks for Debbie M.'s idea). This could be working on binding, labeling, quilting, or even putting a top together -- anything that would get those near-finished projects done. Gals who didn't have a near-finished project pulled out a BOB (bag of blocks or other UFO).

I'm getting positive response to this idea on my blog, so I decided to create a button for anyone who wants to participate. The picture is just three of my unquilted tops from my plethoric pile of them, LOL! You don't need to be part of a group or link back anywhere. Just add this button to your blog and link to this post (so gals will know what it's about). Work on one of your flimsies on Fridays, and post about it on your blog. Let's see how far this idea spreads! I hope you'll be joining us.

FLIMSY FRIDAY

2012-02-05T14:09:00.001-05:00

A group of online friends are starting an effort to get our flimsies (completed quilt tops) made into quilts. We decided to dedicate Fridays to this. It can be doing the binding, quilting, or putting the top together. Anything that gets these UFO's finished. This first week, I stitched together this quilt top. It's from a row by row swap last year. My theme was dinosaurs and I made the row with the blue, orange, and green dinos, to set the tone. The other rows were made by the other swappers.

Everyone put in such detail! Some of the eggs open to reveal dinos inside. One row has Brendan's name (my 5-year-old DGS, who the quilt is for). Another has wiggley spines. I love them all.

Now to get it basted and quilted and in the mail soonest!

SJSS GIFT

2012-02-04T16:00:00.002-05:00

My Jan. gift arrived today from my new Dear Jane Secret Sister for 2012. She sent two beautiful FQs, a sweet wall hanging, needles, a book mark, and a Mary Englebright notepad and nail file. Certainly cheered up my day! Thanks SS, who ever you are.

Spring Pillowcase

2012-01-31T16:16:00.001-05:00

I accomplished a lot this month. But as far as finishes? Done-dones? This cute bunny pillow-case is it. I've had the fabric for a while, and this is what I originally bought it for, so it's nice to get it done.

It will probably be a gift this spring.

SWEET SCRAPS

2012-01-29T15:31:00.001-05:00

My dear friend, Rosa, sent me these sweet scraps to start my first block of Harrington and Hannah. Oh, I see a snowman nose there, a hat, scarf, heart, etc. These are such soft fluffy wools. They do wool right in Canada! And look at the cool Canadian stamps. Neat-o.

Rosa, you are so kind and generous! Can I send you some Florida sunshine in return?

Promises and Borders

2012-01-27T23:57:00.000-05:00

Have you seen this gorgeous BOM for 2012. It is a free pattern in 10 months. Lovely. The promises are scripture promises of God's word.

You can access the blog, etc., here. New patterns are posted the 3rd of the month.

OPAM

2012-01-25T10:42:00.005-05:00

I've decided to join OPAM again this year, although I did cave at the end of 2011. OPAM stands for One Project A Month. That's completed. Done/done. Not a BOM or a flimsie. A done/done. It is encouraging to set this goal. You get lots of nice cheers from around the world when you finish something.

It doesn't have to be a huge quilt. It can be a bag, a pillowcase, a knit scarf......whatever you finished that month.

Some projects are meant to be WISPs (Works In Slow Progress). And when you finish one, it's a big cheer. But at OPAM we celebrate the small stuff too.

Peg and Kris run this challenge. You can read about it, and sign up if you want to, on their blogs. Kris and Peg are so chatty and so nice, it really makes it fun. And did I mention prizes?

Now off to resurrect those UFO's that are near completion. Hmmm.................

The Raspberry Rabbit

2012-01-22T11:27:00.000-05:00

I just discovered the Raspberry Rabbit blog (thank you Rosa), and their cute new free BOM, The Adventures of Harrington and Hannah. Shown is the January block. Each month the bunnies will be sharing something, this month sharing a carrot with the snowman. Sweet. Click on over here to read more about it. I always wanted to give wool applique a try............hmmm..................

ONE THREAD PER DAY

2012-01-21T11:08:00.004-05:00

Very little actual stitching has been getting done at my house lately. Well ok, I've been setting up the sewing studio, organizing the rest of the house, meeting the new neighbors, and unpacking the endless boxes, downloading and saving projects. But stitching, real stitching? Not so much.

So.........I've decided to go back to the Tilde ~~saying~~ goal of "One Thread A Day" (Tilde moderates the WIP yahoo group -- Work in Producers -- which is about getting things done). That can be one actual thread of hand sewing, or it can be 5 minutes of machine sewing. But it IS actual stitching. Not planning, dreaming, organizing. And if you make that One Thread be on the same project every day, that project will eventually be finished. Imagine???

Will you join me?

I WON!

2012-01-18T17:18:00.000-05:00

I won this cute wristlet bag on Wacky Woman's blog, Marilyn's Maze. Isn't it sweet! Just the January pick-me-up I needed this week! I always treasure hand-made gifts the most. Thanks, again Wacky, err, ah, Marilyn.

4 Patches 4 Hope

2012-01-13T17:33:00.000-05:00

I just heard about this project today. What an easy way to contribute to brightening a cancer patient's day. You can read all about it here. This would be a great leader/ender project, and a great way to use up scraps, too.

QUILTER'S BRAIN

2012-01-11T01:43:00.001-05:00

Oh my goodness! That 'quilter's brain' that's flying all over the net, is a kit available from The Cotton Patch.

BUILDING HOUSES FROM SCRAPS

2012-01-10T10:56:00.000-05:00

Oops! Here's the new corrected link. This will open the blog, and you can get the dowloads in various languages on the left. Sorry about that.

QUILTER'S BRAIN

2012-01-10T06:00:00.001-05:00

Now this explains a lot!!! Not sure who the creater of this diagram is, but he/she really knows his/her stuff!!!

Building Houses From Scraps 2012

2012-01-08T05:15:00.003-05:00

Have you noticed these tiny 3" houses made from scraps popping up all over the net? This mania is fast spreading around the world. It's the brain child of Jeanneke of the Netherlands. Make one a day in 2012 and you will end up with 366 little houses (it's leap year).

You know I save every itty bitty scrap. You know I love house blocks. They are intended to surround one big house block, and you have a great quilt to commemorate the year. Check it out here.

Nothing like a new project, and I'm already behind! Eight days to catch up. Geesh!

JUST TAKES 2

2012-01-07T10:56:00.001-05:00

And the winner is...........................drum roll..........................

red and white for Just Takes 2. I've selected a Timeless Treasures tone-on-tone in reds, white Kona for the background and Pearle cotton for the embroidery. So, after all my angst, I'm going traditional with a twist. The standard red and white, but my red isn't solid, like most of the older red/white quilts.

Just Takes 2 is the creation of Brenda Papadakis and Gay Bomers. You can find it here.

FINAL SNOWPEOPLE ARRIVE

2011-12-31T12:51:00.000-05:00

Here are the last of the snowpeople. Two of the gals in the swap already have their flimsies (quilt tops) put together! They are all so cute (IMHO). This has been a super swap. Thanks Rosa for coming up with the idea and hostessing.

IT JUST TAKES TWO

2011-12-28T05:50:00.009-05:00

Two-color quilts are all the rage after that terrific red and white quilt exhibit in NYC last summer. I think I really must make one in 2012. What better way, than to follow along with Brenda Papadakis (Dear Jane) and Gay Bomers (Sentimental Stitches) as they do a mystery quilt-along starting January 1?

They will share two installments per month, one from each of them. The block sizes vary between 3", 6", 9", 12", and 15". No boredom there! There will be about 2,600 pieces in this quilt! But who's counting?

Hop over here to check this out.

My only dilemma is which two colors. Red and white? Blue and white? Black and white? Tangerine and turquoise (not, but they are popular right now)? Blue and cream? Oh my head is spinning. And once I settle on color, is that two fabrics or many fabrics in just those two colors? Oh the choices. Can't wait to see these quilts popping up all over the net and see what all those creative minds are coming up with.

The fun begins January 1, the same day my LQS has their annual 40% everything sale. Coincidence? I think not, LOL!

WONKY HOUSES

2011-12-27T11:21:00.001-05:00

Jane is having a wonky houses swap. Oh, I'm a sucker for wonky houses! We made such fun ones on Block Lotto this year. My clicking fingers just wouldn't be still! I'm in! Yeah! Thanks for opening a new group, Jane. Off to stash. Oops, no, off to find sewing machine and get that room set up! Hope over to read this post about the swap, and be sure to follow the links to see some great examples.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2011-12-24T10:53:00.002-05:00

I've collected nativity sets for a while now. I have traditional, Jim Shore, olive-wood from Bethlehem, Fisher Price, etc. But when I came across this one on Erin Russek's blog, I really thought wow! Is this the sweetest nativity or what? It's aptly named water bottle nativity, because that's the foundation for all the characters. This project was made by Erin's pre-school Sunday-School class.

You may know Erin -- Floribunda or My Tweets? One Piece at a Time Blog? She's very talented and obviously knows how to share that talent with her little students. From the hands of babes!

Hop on over to Erin's post about this activity here.

Can't wait to see what baby Jesus will look like in His manger. Hope she posts about it again after he arrives tonight.

Have a blessed Christmas everyone.

IT' SNOWING!

2011-12-22T10:11:00.000-05:00

Three more snow people arrived yesterday. Doesn't this group look like a family? You can sure tell the mama, papa, and child! Love them all. Thanks, swappers.

IT ALL FITS!

2011-12-21T10:21:00.001-05:00

All the furniture that I really wanted in my studio fits! Yeah! This little corner is the only one that's not still cluttered. The treadle sewing machine was my great-grandmother's, on my father's side. There is another stack of drawers for the right side that need attaching. I haven't come across them yet. The lovely quilt rack actually belongs to my dear friend Carol. It was a homemade wedding gift to her son. He has a tiny house and it didn't fit, so Carol got it. But her studio, while huge, can't accommodate it either. Hence I'm ~~using it~~ storing it for her. Thank you, Carol.

My sewing machine cabinet (Koala) is fully opened out in another corner. It can become half-size to save space, and then open up when you are quilting something large, but I like to leave it open all the time.

One of my goals was hopefully to have my cutting table fully open and be able to walk around it. This is also a Koala cabinet and is very nice if you want to be able to close it up, like to make room for guests on an air bed or whatever. But I like to leave it opened out, and if I had a do-over, I'd put together my own from Ikea parts, with drawers and shelves on the bottom. On top my big cutting mat is spread out - trying to get it to flatten after a year and a half of being stored in a roll. The quilt on top is from my friendship group, and will probably go on a wall in the room.

This view shows the wall (on the right) where I plan to put Expedit shelves from Ikea, some open, some with those pull-out drawer/basket things. My goal for the closet is to have DH remove the doors and install shelves. His honey-do list is kind of long at the moment, so I'll be patient. This looks really tight in the picture. Actually, while not spacious, there's plenty of room to walk around the table and for the shelves to fit.

The relationship to the sewing table is shown here. At the bottom-left you can see my serger cabinet. It fits under the cutting table. I almost never use my serger because she doesn't like me, and the feeling is mutual. I hear they make friendlier versions now (mine is almost 20 years old - when they first came out and were popular), but we've had this mutual hate relationship going so long, I think I'll keep her. But she is NOT getting her own permanent, opened-out place in the studio. She may hide under the cutting table until called into action (which won't be very often), and be grateful that I haven't put her on Craig's List. I can just picture the ad. "Grumpy old serger, barely used............"

In the top-left there's the blank wall that will become my design wall, whenever I find it, packed away in boxes somewhere. My ironing board is behind the door to the room. I rarely use it because I keep a pressing mat (large enough for blocks and small projects) on my cutting table, or on the fold out part of my sewing cabinet.

It's going to be cozy but wonderful, I think. I'm pretty sure the trick is to only bring in the stuff that comfortably and neatly fits. How many projects do we really work on at once anyway? Well, if you're like me, quite a few, but more would get done with greater focus, LOL! I don't hand sew in my studio, so there's no need for a comfy chair. I hand stitch on the lanai or in the great-room while watching television in the evening sometimes.

There probably won't be more progress to report until next year. That's not far off, and I have a whole house to unpack. But do look for more updates later.

MOVERS HAVE GONE

2011-12-20T10:42:00.001-05:00

This is how my studio looks today. That large cabinet actually will go in my den, not sewing room. It's full of pictures and scrapbooking stuff. We couldn't figure out how to fit it in the den while the hefty movers were here, but as soon as they left, we had a eureka moment of course.

The closet is full but that will have to all come out to put in shelves. The majority of my 'stuff' is in the garage. Bins, tubs, UFO's, etc. And there it will stay until it can nicely be accommodated in the room. We have a 3-car garage and only one car here, so even with lots stored there we still had room to park inside last night. The goal is to have it all gone thru and sorted by summer.

My favorite room, the lanai, is pretty much set up. Still need to put accents on the walls and bring in a plant stand/rack, but this is how it looks this morning. This will be the most used room in the entire house, for sure.

Today is DD's 37th B'day. Off to celebrate with her. Not sure how it's possible our little girl is that age, but.................

MY NEW STUDIO IN FLORIDA

2011-12-19T10:14:00.000-05:00

Most of you know that DH and I have recently moved into our new down-sized Florida residence. Well, I say moved in loosely. We've been living kind of early-college style - the way we did when we were first married 42 years ago. That means boxes for end tables, no kitchen table, two chairs, and a bed.

It's was by necessity then. Now it's by choice as we painted almost all the walls, before getting the rest of our stuff out of storage. Today is the big move-in day, when all the furniture and boxes are due to arrive any time now.

While waiting I decided to take pictures of my new sewing studio. It's intended purpose is a bedroom. The builder's flat paint in a tan just didn't do it for me, so DH painted it Jersey Cream in a semi-gloss. I love the walls - neutral but warm - a color that won't interfere with quilt colors. That's about all there is to love so far, but my Koala cabinets arrive today. Follow my progress as I set it up over the next couple months. I know just how it looks in my mind. We'll see if that happens!

MELTED SNOWPEOPLE COOKIES

2011-12-16T11:56:00.003-05:00

Just in case my last post made you hungry for melted snowperson cookies (?), there's lots of them flying around the net. There are many ways to make them. Here's a link to these, and here's a link to an easier version.

Looks like a fun project to do with the grands this winter.

SNOW PEOPLE IN FLORIDA

2011-12-12T10:54:00.000-05:00

The first 5 snow people from Rosa's swap on DJ Alternate have made their way to Florida.

This very self-confident one knows it's a star!

But this one looks a bit concerned about the Florida sunshine!

And this poor melty one didn't have a chance. He was made in Florida and sent to Florida.

Here's a cheery one, all happy in its machine-embroidery.

Canadians know how to do snowpeople. This one came all bundled up in a jacket!

There's still quite a few more that should be coming. I think this will be a fun quilt to put together this winter.

Tamarack, West Virginia

2011-12-09T09:33:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite places to stop during our travels between MI and FL, is Tamarack, West Virginia. Tamarack is filled with wonderful things made by the artisans of West Virginia. Of course I first head to see what quilts are on display.

I'm not usually into art quilts, but this folk art one called to me.

Here are some of the details up close. Super creative work!

I was also attracted to this house quilt. So simple, so effective.

I have the pattern for this neat swirl table runner. This beautiful interpretation was selling for well over $100. Wow! It's nice to see that they can get just reward for their creations.

Here's the studio where you can watch the textile artists work. None were there when I was. But there were potters and wood-workers in their areas.

These pictures show more displays.

Did you know Fiestaware is made in West Virginia? This display featured my favorite Fiesta colors, scarlet and ivory. They really complement the Christmas pieces.

No visit to Tamarack would be complete without a yummy meal, featuring regional fare, made by the chefs from the Greenbrier. Didn't get any pictures of that though. Too busy drooling, I guess.

If you can't get to Tamarack, West Virginia, you can visit on-line here. Enjoy!

MODA DESIGNER BLOG HOP

2011-12-05T10:00:00.000-05:00

The Moda Designer Blog Hop starts today. Hop on over here to check out several blog each day. There are free patterns, recipes, prizes, etc. Enjoy!

WOW = Working On Wednesday

2011-11-30T08:09:00.000-05:00

Today, and every day lately, I'm working on moving into our new home in Florida. While lining my kitchen cupboards and drawers, the only measuring instrument I had resurrected from packages (beside my DH's pull out tape measure) was my large quilt ruler. It worked great to measure the shelf liner. But then I thought, why not get out the roller cutter too. I was already using the mat to protect the counter top, and it was taking forever to draw a line and scissors cut it. Wow! It made quick work of it, and my measures and cuts were much more accurate too! Just like cutting fabric, which I'm sooo familiar with doing. The blade was getting dull anyway.

If you'd like to see what gals all over the world are working on today, link to Esther's WOW link here.

TAST

2011-11-26T11:45:00.003-05:00

Pin Tangle is offering her Take A Stitch Tuesday again. I just heard about it. If you like hand embroidery, like I do, and you'd like to take it up a notch, like I would, this just might be for you. All levels of experience are welcome, beginners to advanced. Get the details here. TAST starts Jan. 3rd. Will you be joining in?

Clarity here: The work shown is NOT mine. It is from the post Pin Tangle made about TAST. She asked that we share the news about TAST.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2011-11-22T21:22:00.000-05:00

Safe travels to those traveling, and to all, have a wonderful weekend with family and friends.

ORCA BAY

2011-11-19T22:41:00.000-05:00

Did you know that Bonnie Hunter is starting a new Quiltville Mystery this week? Part one of Orca Bay is now up. You can link to it here. This quilt will only be free on-line for a few months, as it will be published in Bonnie's next book. She is posting the next steps every Friday. You'll also find a link on my sidebar.

SCRAPPY DAY WORKING ON WEDNESDAY (WOW)

2011-11-16T00:01:00.002-05:00

I'm cleaning up my sewing room today, and thinking about scraps. It's amazing how that word means different things to different quilters. I once took a class with a gal who was throwing out strips 4 and 5 inches wide by WOF. I was shocked, and quickly grabbed them. To me a throwaway is something pretty tiny!

This is what my trash looks like generally. These are small waste baskets and the throwaways are very itty-bitty.

Anything too small to bother refolding goes into my scrap basket which lives right next to my sewing machine. These pieces are maybe 1" by 2" at the smallest -- anything I might make a crumb block with, or use to try out a stitch, etc. -- anything that might be just perfect for an applique piece. You never know.

I also keep my selvages. I usually cut them 1.5". Here's my basket of those.

And then there's my shoe box full of left over strips -- you know, those narrow strips left over from squaring up fabrics. I use them as ribbons on gifts. Or to tie FQs together for a gift. They come in very handy.

I'm just curious, what to you consider too big to throw out -- too precious, because, after all, you paid the same price per square inch for the scraps as you did for the big fabric cuts?

I know applique enthusiasts save tinier pieces than most gals. You just never know when what will be the perfect piece!

Maybe I should start a TV show on fabric scrap hoarders! I bet I could find lots of sewing rooms to film my episodes! In fact I know quite a few already, LOL!

Click on over to Esther's blog to see what gals all over the world are working on.

MORE SNOW PEOPLE

2011-11-12T13:35:00.000-05:00

My last seven snow people are in the mail. They remind me of Casper the Ghost dressed up as a snowman for some reason. They just look so young and innocent. It's funny how snow people can take on a life of their own. They all are made using basically the same fabrics and pattern, but the free-form shapes, the embroidered noses with no pattern, the differences in their eyes (snaps and buttons), all work to make each unique. These blocks are 12", so I should be able to put together a nice sized throw to snuggle under in the winter. There are 13 of us in the swap total, an odd number to work with, but I'll come up with something fun, I'm sure.

BASKET QUILT

2011-11-08T08:40:00.002-05:00

I've finished my baskets quilt top. It will have to wait until winter to get quilted, but I'm very happy with how the top turned out. Thanks to everyone who participated in this swap, I have such a lovely variety of baskets.

BLOCK LOTTO BLOCKS

2011-11-05T10:25:00.000-04:00

November Block Lotto block is Scrappy Trips from Bonnie Hunter. This is a super block for using up left over strips. The end result when you put them together is wonderful. These are my nine blocks for the month.

Completely on its own, this little koala came out fussy cut! What a surprise. That block is a keeper for sure!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2011-10-31T09:44:00.000-04:00

Have fun with Halloween today! This is my 'Every Witch Way' quilt, that I made a couple years ago. The pattern was in Quiltmaker, Sept./Oct. 09. I love the 'real' eye lashes.

WOW = Working On Wednesday

2011-10-26T08:10:00.004-04:00

I've been busy selecting and executing a setting for six-inch basket swap blocks that arrived on Monday. I received 6 straight baskets and 11 on point, so the first challenge was to find a setting to use them together and have everything facing the correct way.

First I put the straight-ons into the center of square-in-a-square blocks. Then to bring the on-points up to size, I bordered them. I also made an extra basket to fill in the setting. I now have 9" finished size blocks.

The setting triangles include the inner border. Here's a close up.

The blocks are laid out on a twin sized bed in these pics. Hopefully they will be assembled into a flimsy by the end of the day. Then to select an outer border, from stash if possible.

You can find out what gals around the world are WOW by hopping over to Esther's blog, here.

BLOOMS FOR DD

2011-10-21T12:10:00.001-04:00

This week I finished the machine buttonhole stitch applique on this quilt for my daughter, as well as getting it all pieced. I think due to the primitive look, I'll try my hand at big stitch quilting with pearle cotton. I've used that once before on a smaller project and really liked it. Watch for progress, as the goal is to have this quilt ready to hang when we leave for FL next month.

She has the perfect sized quilt hanger (made by her brother) waiting for it.

IT' SNOWING!

2011-10-17T12:22:00.002-04:00

Well not literally, although it is cold and rainy today. These are the first 5 snowpeople out of 12 total, for a Snowperson swap on DJ Alternate. First I thought maybe I should enlarge their noses, but decided no, they are little pug noses, made from those baby carrots. I think it adds to their personality and uniqueness.

AUTHOR'S ALBUM SWAP

2011-10-16T11:18:00.000-04:00

Blocks have arrived from the Author's Album Swap. These signed blocks will make a pretty quilt, but I don't think I'll get to them until next spring.

MILL GIRLS QUILT ALONG

2011-10-15T13:59:00.002-04:00

The Mill Girls Quilt-along starts this week. Our first assignment is to select fabrics. Here they are.

Next, we are to do all the cutting. My table is cleared of other projects, and I'm ready to roll (roller cutter, that is).

Here's a link to this project. Click on the button below (it's also on my left sidebar) to join the SBS And Other Elm Creek Quilts group, and quilt along with us. The button is one Mill Girls block.

2011-10-14T19:43:00.000-04:00

Do you love the Fat Quarter Shop? I do! They have the absolute best service on the web. Melissa, of the Happy quilting blog, is having a Fat Quarter Shop sponsored give-away. Hop on over to her blog to see how you can win.

WOW = Working On Wednesday

2011-10-12T00:10:00.000-04:00

What am I doing this week?

Enjoying the unusually warm temperatures and the spectacular autumn color. Here's the view down the road from our driveway.

Up the road from our driveway.....................

Along our wire line...............

And pulling into our driveway.

Nature at its most awesome! It's my favorite season for sure!

And to make this quilt related, I'm using autumn fabrics in my Mill Girls Quilt. That Quilt Along (scroll down on the left sidebar for link) starts Friday.

FLIMSY COMPLETE!

2011-10-10T07:48:00.001-04:00

Yeah! My quilt top is complete! I've been working steadily on this quilt for several weeks now, as you know if you've been following along on my blog. Now to get it quilted soon, "Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise."

The pattern was in McCall's Quilting, Jan/Feb 2011 issue. It was all set up for a swap among seven.

We each gathered 46 unique Civil War fat quarters. 23 were cut into seven five-inch squares, one for each of us. 23 others were made into seven criss-cross blocks, one for each of us.

There were very few duplicates. As far as I know, there are only two repeated fabrics in this entire quilt.

MAGIC FOR MOANA

2011-10-09T14:05:00.003-04:00

As you know, I do not have a monetized blog. I want my blog to be about sharing quilting, not advertising. But I am sharing this one fundraising effort with you.

This is a blurred photo of Moana (whose name means 'ocean' in Hawaiian). She went to school with my son, Eric, both in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, and at boarding school in 10th grade at Berkshire. Eric went on to become an attorney, get married, have two little boys. Moana's life took a different turn. As she was riding her bicycle to work, she was hit from behind by a speeding driver, and her life was forever changed. Her family is struggling to provide her with the best care, and to keep her at home with them.

I am asking family members who normally give me a Christmas present to please donate to this cause instead.

I can vouch that this is a good family and an upstanding cause. I've placed a link on my side-bar if you would care to read about Moana. If you are generous you may want to contribute. I know even the smallest donations are appreciated. This is in no way a scam. Those of you who know me know that. Thanks.

WE CAN DO IT!

2011-10-09T08:00:00.003-04:00

This week we made foundation pieced string blocks for the Skill Builder Sampler. I used my black/red/white selvages for my block. You will find button with a link to this project on my left sidebar.

GIVE-AWAY

2011-10-08T12:17:00.001-04:00

Look at the wonderful stuff Hilachas Blog is giving away for her blogiversary! Hop on over for a chance to win.

PROGRESS

2011-10-07T11:17:00.003-04:00

My Across the Spectrum Quilt is progressing nicely. All the rows are together. Borders are cut, and hopefully will go on later today. It is spread out on my queen-sized guest bed in the photo. I really prefer the scrappy/random placement of the blocks over the rainbow layout shown in the pattern for this quilt.

ON THE MOVE

2011-10-06T12:00:00.002-04:00

I've moved my sewing downstairs to our dining table for the duration of this project. It gives me a much larger work space, plus the guest bed with rows all spread out in order is closer too.

I miss my loft, but I still have a great view with windows surrounding three sides of this area.

WOW = Working On Wednesday

2011-10-05T00:01:00.011-04:00

It's another Wednesday and I'm working on my Across the Spectrum quilt. This is the third Wed. in a row that I've posted about this quilt. Amazing focus for me! All the blocks are here now and I have all the rows sewn and am working on sewing them together. Here are all the rows. The ones in the background are stacked a bit so I could fit this on my queen-sized guest bed. It's the largest design surface I have, other than the floor, and with two dogs there's not chance of it staying the way I have it laid out on the floor.

Today I'm washing my backing and border fabrics. The goal is to stick with this one quilt, start to finish. I don't think I have ever done that. Focus, focus. I'm hoping I can get the quilt rolled tight enough to machine stitch it on my DSM with my walking foot.

If not I'll either big stitch hand quilt it with perle cotton or tie it. Be still purists! I love tied quilts. They have such a primitive look. And I don't send my quilts out to a longarmer. Their work is lovely, but I want the quilts I make to be completely made by me. And my friends. Now if I owned a longarm, I'd use it for sure. I just don't want someone else to do it. Just my little quirk.

If you'd like to visit lots of WOW posts pop on over to Esther's blog where she hostesses this weekly event.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

2011-10-04T09:43:00.002-04:00

As Sweet as Cinnamon has been wondering about how our blogs got their names.

Mine is pretty simple. I like alliteration, where successive words start with the same letter (like Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers). My name is Pat, so Pat's what? Patter means chatter. My blog is where I chatter about my quilting and occasionally other things pop in too. So the name of my blog is Pat's Patter.

But the link is PatsPattering.blogspot. Why? PatsPatter was already taken and pattering is just another form of the same word.

If you'd like to join in this fun, post about your blog's name, and link it with Dawn at As Sweet as Cinnamon for a chance to win a drawing.

I DID IT! UPDATE!

2011-10-03T13:11:00.007-04:00

I do think it's working now. I hope so. Please let me know again if you are able to copy my link for my blog button, paste it in as a gadget on your blog as a gadget HTML/Java Script, and have it work. It should show as my button and when you or any of your guests click on it, it should take them to my blog. Fingers crossed!

Again, many thanks to Blogging With Amy for her precise directions, and to Photo Bucket for free hosting my blog button picture. Whew! What a long day! I did get three rows of my Across the Spectrum quilt sewn together today also.

PS: Don't ask me how to add a blog button. Go to the link to Amy! I can't help you!

Must be wine time!

BLOCK LOTTO BLOCKS

2011-10-02T10:28:00.000-04:00

For Block Lotto this month you can make any 8" fs blocks in blue/cream/tan. I love this color combination, so I'm entering the maximum this month. There's a link to Block Lotto on my left side bar.

ENCOURAGEMENT QUILT

2011-09-30T09:31:00.001-04:00

A member of one of my on-line quilt groups, recently had the opportunity to go on a 4-week life-changing adventure. We wanted her to know how proud of her we all are. Carol, coordinated this 'under the radar' project where we sent her blocks which she then made into a quilt for Cindy.

Here's a close up of the block I sent. The pattern was from Block Lotto a couple months ago. The words say "Here's to the new Cindy blooming".

And here's the entire quilt.

I think we managed to really surprise her! Our generally chatty Cindy, said she was just speechless!

Skill Builder Sampler

2011-09-29T23:11:00.001-04:00

I was expecting one more quarter square triangle block this week. But no, Sewn challenged us with this improv house and tree block. Well, if it's improv, it might as well be on a hill. And for the tree? Why not a Sponge Bob Square Pants tree? DH and I often walk EPCOT in the winter. They have trees trimmed square in the entryway. I often hear kids yell to their parents, "Look! Sponge Bob trees!:" Hey, whose house and neighborhood are red/white/black anyway?

WOW = Working On Wednesday

2011-09-28T00:01:00.002-04:00

I should have said assembling packages yesterday. I gave a few gals a start! Today I'm assembling rows, 8 of 19 so far. I don't have all my blocks yet, as 2/7 of this quilt is in the mail on the way to me. I won't attach the rows to each other until I have them all made, in case I want to switch things up.

I love, love, love this quilt! Can't wait to get it all together. By the way, the pattern is called Across the Spectrum, and the original in McCall's Quilting, Jan/Feb 2011, was put together in rainbow or color spectrum style. I love it scrappy. To ensure it is really random, the only thing I'm doing is making sure no two blocks identical are next to each other. There are very few identical fabrics in this quilt so far. I'm just taking a solid and a criss-cross and sewing them together, however they come. What fun!

ACROSS THE SPECTRUM BLOCKS ASSEMBLED

2011-09-27T11:05:00.001-04:00

Here we are. Everything has been put into seven stacks, one for each of us.

Oops! I almost forgot to make 7 signature squares. We could do them with ink, embroidery, stamps, etc. so I chose to use my stamp.

Six packages, ready to stuff into their mailing envelopes.

These blocks were so fun, but I feel like "check" "done" too!

ACROSS THE SPECTRUM BLOCKS FINISHED!

2011-09-26T15:33:00.002-04:00

Yippie! I finished on time. These are all my Spectrum blocks. For each of seven in the swap we cut one FQ into seven 5" squares, x 23 FQs, and likewise, with each of 23 FQs we made seven criss-cross blocks. All 46 fabrics had to be unique. This shows all my piles of seven, spread out on my cutting table. More on this swap soon.

WE CAN DO IT!

2011-09-23T12:21:00.000-04:00

This week's Skill Builder Sampler block is Beacon Light, made from 'made' fabric. I always save even the smallest of scraps, sometimes to make 'crumb' blocks, sometimes for applique. I think the made fabric was perfect for this block, as it looks like the facets on a beacon light.

WOW = Working On Wednesday

2011-09-21T00:01:00.003-04:00

Esther Aliu. one of my favorite designers, posts a WOW every Wednesday. Gals link to it with their WIP (Work in progress) On Wednesday. So, here I go.

This week I'm working on criss-cross blocks for a swap (yes, another one!). This is a rather labor-intensive swap, involving 40 some FQs. Half are cut into 5" squares to swap, and half are made into these 4.5" finished size Criss-Cross blocks (those little squares are .75"). It's great fun, and we will have all the squares necessary to make the quilt top when finished. Seven of us are making 7 blocks from each FQ. Hopefully there will be very few, if any, duplicates. We are using CW fabrics and Kona Cream. Love it! Seven of us will end up with awesome quilts. This idea was in the Jan./Feb. 2011 issue of McCall's Quilting. It was all set up for 7 quilters to do the swap. Who could resist?

My June Taylor shape cuts are really getting a work out this week with these blocks! Notice, I've marked where I need to cut with tape, so I don't have to keep adding by 1.25"!

We gave it 9 months considering you have to come up with the 40 something FQs and then make the tons of blocks. Due to my machine being in the shop most of the spring, and my eye having issues ever since, I'm running close to the deadline, but I'll make it!

KICKS

2011-09-17T11:30:00.000-04:00

Finally put the last stitches in this Downy quilt yesterday. Now 'Kicks', as I named it, is all packed up ready to go to the post on Monday. I shared photos of this kit from Quilts for Kids, back in July. Here's the finished quilt. Quilts for Kids is a very worthwhile organization. They send you all the fabric, pattern, etc., and you make the quilt. It comes complete with a label for the first name of the maker and a space for you to name the quilt. There were moments of angst making this quilt, like when I accidentally cut into the back fabric while trimming the batting, etc., but it's all fixed and ready to go. I doubt the seriously ill child who will receive it, or the parents will notice the minor oopses which are now fixed (unless the mom is a member of the quilt police).

If you are interested in sewing for Downy Quilts for Kids, or just want to read more about this organization, click here.

WE CAN DO IT!

2011-09-13T12:17:00.000-04:00

We've moved on to quarter-square-triangles (QSTs) on the skill builder sampler. I love the Ohio Star block, and couldn't resist fussy cutting that center block so the name would be there!

Look for the "We Can Do It" button on my left side bar to link to this project.

SWEET BUTTON FROM ANGELA

2011-09-11T21:41:00.000-04:00

Angela, at Country Scrap Quilts, designed this sweet angel, shortly after 9/11/01. I love the sentiment.

9-11-2011

2011-09-11T00:01:00.002-04:00

Along with all Americans, quilters pay tribute to the victims, their families, and friends. Read more here.

Paradise!

2011-09-10T11:25:00.001-04:00

Just another day in Paradise! Pictures taken this morning. 73 degrees.

PS: Go Spartans!

MILL GIRLS QUILT ALONG

2011-09-08T15:12:00.001-04:00

The SBS and Other Elm Creek Quilts group is hostessing a quilt along for the Mill Girls quilt. The picture above shows one block from the pattern book. We each will be making our own quilts, but helping and encouraging each other along the way. This quilt is from author and pattern designer, Jennifer Chiaverini, and the quilt is from one of her books. The scheduled start date is mid-Oct.

THE LAST OF THESE CHAINS

2011-09-07T11:59:00.001-04:00

I had so much fun playing with these long chains, that I had to do one more post about me making the last 10 or so album blocks. They're all done, and in the mail now! My next post won't be about 'the chain gang'. Promise.

MODA COUNTRY FAIR BLOG HOP

2011-09-05T12:19:00.000-04:00

Moda Country Fair Blog Hop starts tomorrow. Get all the info here.

WORKING ON THE CHAIN GANG

2011-09-01T10:41:00.001-04:00

I'm back at it this morning.

Sitting at my machine, my cutting table is over my left shoulder.

Here's the view from my pressing station. It's a beautiful day in Upper Michigan, (yooper land) - supposed to reach 80 degrees this afternoon. But it's really windy, so I'm not tempted to play outside too long today. The waves are really whipping up on Whitefish Bay in the background.

I used to think I should have set my sewing machine up under the window. But it makes me get up and move around more this way, which is much better for you, LOL!

What are you Working on, Wednesday?

2011-08-31T22:20:00.003-04:00

In quilt blog land it's common to post a WWW (What are you Working on, on Wednesday). Here's mine from today.

I'm working on Album blocks, for a swap (another one????), on the SBS and Other Elm Creek Quilts group. These blocks aren't easy, and given my eye the past few months, I've put this off until the end. They are due the middle of Sept. and it's time to do it!

Pictured is my first block finished, and the others there are centers only, ironed to freezer paper for stability, getting signed. It's easier for me to center the words if the strip is sewn to other parts of the block. But I don't want to do them after the blocks are all sewn, in case I mess up the signature part. Yikes!!!

Hopefully, I'll get these done this week. Or at least on time...................

WE CAN DO IT!

2011-08-28T15:42:00.001-04:00

Today I made Block 9 of the Skillbuilder Sampler, Double Star. This is the last of our Flying Geese blocks. Not sure where we are headed next, but after doing so many, I no longer have to refresh in my mind how to make them, LOL!

This is the first block I've done with no red -- just white, black, and gray -- but I do think they all go together quite nicely.

WILD BLUEBERRY SEASON

2011-08-24T12:09:00.001-04:00

Look what I woke up to the other day! DH had been out 'blueberrying'. These are wild blueberries that grow all over this area. These are from our property.

Here they are, all cleaned and dried, ready to eat. Yum!

Wild blueberries are smaller than cultivated ones, so you get lots more nutrients per cup with the wild ones -- more flavor too.

We live in Michigan's Wild Blueberry Capital. This past weekend was the annual Wild Blueberry Festival, featuring arts and crafts, entertainers, kids games, and of course many yummy wild blueberry treats. A good time was had by all!

WE CAN DO IT!

2011-08-22T14:33:00.001-04:00

Block 8, is an original block by Leila, aka Sewn, and is called Breaking Out. This week she taught my favorite way to make flying geese -- the 4 and 1. In fact, I use this method so much that I have the Lazy Girl Ruler to make them -- the ruler does the math for any finished size.

PILLOWCASES FOR VISITORS

2011-08-18T17:58:00.004-04:00

Today I finished 6 pillowcases. Our oldest son and his family are coming next week, and these will be gifts to use here and then take home with them. From the left, two versions of Thomas the Train for our 3 and 4 year old grandsons (no explanation needed, LOL), girly dogs for our daughter-in-law (their two dogs will be coming along), barbecue for our son (he'll take over all week, I'm sure), coffee for me (I'll need it to keep up), and for my husband, take time for lake time - relax theme (he does love it on the water).

Some years we've given everyone matching t-shirts, sometimes pajamas, etc. I think they'll all appreciate the homemade pillowcases this year.

PILLOWCASE TUTORIAL

2011-08-17T20:32:00.001-04:00

There's nothing like a homemade gift, and personalized pillowcases make quick and easy ones. On-line you can find many tutorials for making them, and even ways to bring them up a notch with prairie points, pieced quilt block cuffs, etc.

What I'm sharing here is how I make them. I didn't invent it. It's a compilation of skills and techniques from many sources. Mine are made with three seams, and no raw edges anywhere. All seams are encased, no raw edges, not serged. These pillowcases are very professional, and much nicer than what you can buy.

First, select three fabrics. If you are making pillowcases for gifts, think about the personality and interests of the receiver. Would your guy like a golf theme? How about a food theme for someone who loves to cook? Or a music theme for someone who plays in the high school band? Your creativity is the limit.

You will need a focus fabric, a cuff, and trim. The lengths of these are flexible. For a standard size pillowcase, 3/4 yard is plenty. For larger pillowcases, get more. For the cuff, I buy 1/3 yard. The trim will be folded in half and you need 1/2" extra for seam allowance. 1 1/2" is plenty for a thin trim. Sometimes the print makes me decide to make the trim or cuff larger or smaller by a bit.

For this tutorial I'm working with a coffee theme, which will be nice to wake up to. My fabric is directional, which complicates, but that's ok.

First, lay your cuff fabric right side up, cut edge on the top, selvages at the sides. Then, lay your focus fabric (the body of the case) right side up, matching the cut edge, selvages at the sides. Don't worry if your sides don't meet up exactly. You can trim them later.

Now fold in half and press your trim strip wrong sides together. Lay it out on top of the focus fabric, and pin all 4 layers in place. If your selvage sides aren't lining up, trim them to match the shortest piece. At least get rid of the selvage of the fabric if you didn't do that when you started. I always trim those first, because I save them for other projects.

Now roll up your focus fabric, so that your cuff fabric is showing. Strange, isn't it?

Next, bring that cuff fabric bottom edge up to match your pinned edge. Pin it in place. Notice my first pins are top to bottom, but after I make my roll I put the pins bottom to top so the won't be in the way when I stitch. Here's my roll, ready to stitch.

Sew through all layers with a 1/4" seam -- SEAM 1. This is going to be a pillowcase??? Yes. No, it's not a jelly-roll or sausage!

Now the fun part. Reach your hand into the roll and pull, popping the case right sides out.

Look, no raw edges where the case, cuff, and trim are sewn together! Give that seam a nice press.

Next fold your pillowcase in half, wrong sides together, right sides out.

Be sure you have the sides and bottoms lined up. Stitch with a 1/4" seam starting at the cuff.

Stop 1/4" before the bottom edge.

Lift your pressure foot, and pivot your fabric, so that you continue along and stitch the bottom, all in one seam with the side -- SEAM 2 complete.

Clip the bottom corners to reduce bulk.

Now turn the pillowcase wrong side out. I like to give it a press here, making sure that last seam is opened out.

Now stitch the same seam with a 3/8" seam allowance. Notice I have removed my quarter inch foot and replaced it with one easy to get a 3/8" seam with.

Pivot at the bottom, just like before, and stitch the bottom edge. This is SEAM 3, and you've just made a French Seam!

Here's the beauty of the French Seam -- no raw edges. Bet it's called something different in France, but when I learned to make this seam, from Mrs. Ott in Home-Ec class, that's what it was and still is called here. See the beauty of the inside of this pillowcase?

Ta-Da! Here's my pillowcase, all finished. It took about 15 minutes to make, :)

All folded, and ready to wrap for a coffee lover.

Here are two cases I've made recently. Notice that the dog fabric was directional too, but in the opposite direction. I really wanted that paw print to show, so I made the trim larger on that one. It's all up to you.

Have fun making pillowcases. Think how quickly you can go through your gift list!

WE CAN DO IT!

2011-08-16T12:24:00.000-04:00

Here's my next block for the We Can Do It, Skill-builder Sampler. It's called Virginia Star (among other names). It was a nice chance to show off some of my large print fabric in this colorway. You can find a link to this project on my sidebar on the left, or on Sewn's blog, in blogs I follow on the right.

PEACEFUL PATHWAYS

2011-08-15T14:37:00.000-04:00

Esther Aliu has launched her new Block of the Month, Peace Pathways. Here's a line drawing of the quilt.

This will take 6 months, and she'll post on the 15th. I love the theme of this quilt, and the fact that the words can be done so many different ways -- applique, embroider by hand, by machine, etc.

One of the items on my bucket list is to make a red and white quilt. This just might be the one. Esther's patterns are always stunning, and she so generously offers them free the first go around.

You can follow along by joining her yahoo group here.

Or by following her blog here.

QUILTS FOR KIDS

2011-08-11T12:46:00.000-04:00

Have you heard of Quilts for Kids, sometimes called Downy Quilts, as Downy fabric softener is a major sponsor? I've made them in the past and decided to do another this summer. They send you the fabric, pattern, label, etc. You add the piecing, batting, and postage to mail the completed quilt back. The quilt then goes to a seriously ill child.

This is what they sent to me this time.

Everything comes neatly packaged in a baggie that you return and they reuse, to keep costs down.

You get the pattern, directions, fabric and label. You return the pattern and directions too, so that they can be sent on to another quilter later.

This time I'm working with soccer ball fabric. Everything is precut and ready to piece together.

It's easy to sew this up in one session. Or spread it out if you want. I have my top done, and will share it with you when I've finished the quilting and binding.

If you have a little time and talent to share, plus a tiny bit of treasure (just the thread, batting, and postage to mail it back) this is a super project. I think it would be a wonderful idea for grandparents to do with their grandchildren, or for scout troups, etc. It's a very easy pattern and good for beginners.

Click on Quilts for Kids to learn more.

F-R-I-E-N-D-S SWAP

2011-08-07T04:04:00.000-04:00

Sew Prim Khris is once again hostessing a F-R-I-E-N-D-S Swap. You send your partner items starting with the letters in the word friends. For example, maybe a fat quarter for F, etc. Items can be made or purchased. I'm looking forward to joining the fun. Check it out here.

LOOK WHO LUMBERED HOME YESTERDAY!!!

2011-08-05T01:00:00.003-04:00

My rows have completed their rounds and are home to me. Remember when I sent out the first row -- three dinosaurs -- the tall middle row here -- last spring? Well they've been busy traveling the country, getting a new row at each of six stops.

In this Row-Robin, seven of us each made our starter row in our own theme. We included a few fabrics, and sent it on. Each gal in turn could add fabrics, or use the ones we included as they chose, to design a 6" x 36" row to add to the quilt.

It's all been a secret until the 'owner' gets all her rows back. As they come home I'll share the rows I made for the others. We had six weeks for each row, taking this swap into January. But everyone has been so enthusiastic and busy, that three of us already have our completed swaps.

This dinosaur quilt will be for my DGS, Brendan, for his 5th birthday next year. He'll enjoy wiggling the teeth (they aren't sewn down, only at the gum line, as they are prairie points) and snapping open the eggs to see what dino is growing inside. What a fun project! What great friends! What a super quilt it will be!

WE CAN DO IT!

2011-08-04T11:59:00.000-04:00

I'm all caught up on the We Can Do It Skill Builder Sampler! Yeah!

This is one of my favs so far, Block 6, Bow Tie. At first I wasn't even sure I liked this block, but then I thought about using just 2 solid fabrics. Voila! I love it.

And here's Block 5, Arizona. I love a chance to show off that center fabric.

I think Sewn will be posting a new block tomorrow. I'm glad to be on top of this!

WE CAN DO IT!

2011-08-03T15:07:00.002-04:00

With a couple weeks off from sewing (due to eye), it's amazing how far behind you can get in your goals. I'm doing the Skill Builder Sampler, and so I checked in with them, only to find I'm 4 blocks behind! I did block 3 and 4 today. Still need to get to the next two to be caught up!

Here's Block 3, Churndash.

And this is Block 4, Pinwheels.

You can find a link to this group on my left sidebar -- We Can Do It!

AFRICAN VIOLET

2011-08-02T11:06:00.000-04:00

Block Lotto blog is doing African Violets for August. I love this pattern! This is my first block.

A GOOD DAY AT THE LIBRARY

2011-07-30T18:28:00.000-04:00

What a treat I found at my local library today. I had stopped in to check out a couple books on cd to listen to while quilting, which I did get. But, bonus, at the entry, in the bin with freebies, throw aways, and swap magazines, was a treasure trove of American Quilter magazines from 1991 to 1993, as well as a few other magazines and a couple pattern books, and the cute cabin quilt pattern in the front. These weren't library cast offs; someone had placed them there, as often people do with magazines instead of recycling them. Usually it's a hodgepodge of issues about travel, dogs and cats, etc. One person's trash is an other's treasure! I have lots of treasure to page though now. Yippie!

LIBERATED CHECKER BOARDS

2011-07-24T11:56:00.000-04:00

I haven't sewn in a couple weeks due to eye issues, so I decided to ease back into it, with blocks that are intentional wonky. These Liberated Checker Board blocks are for the July Block Lotto. It feels so good to be up in my loft working on patchwork again!

HEALING HEART

2011-07-22T12:28:00.001-04:00

This is a healing heart block that I made for Pamela. We both are experiencing eye problems, and sewing is one of the things we hope to continue to do for a long time. So, after making the heart block, I added the needle, thread and spool.

PRIZE FROM MALAYSIA

2011-07-18T02:05:00.001-04:00

Barbara Jack, over at The Sanguine Stitcher, had a blog give-away, and I won! This lovely bag and pin cushion are truly even more lovely in person. The cross-stitch on the cushion is just tiny, really tiny! And perfect! Amazing work.
Front:

Back:

She also included this post card from Kuala Lampur, in Malaysia, where she lives. On it she wrote a lovely note, and I feel like I have a new friend!

Quilters are so very generous. My DH said, "So you don't know this person, yet she sent this to you?" Well, yes, I know her in blog land, and there are some wonderful quilters out there!

Thanks again Barbara.

BLACK/WHITE/TOUCH OF RED BLOCKS

2011-07-13T15:15:00.000-04:00

Here are the lovely blocks I received in the Black/White/Touch of Red swap. Aren't they fun? These are all 6" Sylvia's Bridal Sampler blocks. I have fabric selected for sashing, but they are not up next on my list.

DJSS QUILT FINISHED

2011-07-08T16:53:00.001-04:00

I finished up my little quilt that I made using the little Dear Jane blocks that Marianne, my 2010 DJSS, sent me each month.

This was my first experience using big stitch quilting with perle cotton. I only quilted on the center of the sashing (1/2" wide strips) and around the outside of the quilt. It was easy to do and I love how it turned out. I used a thicker batting than I normally do, and I'm very happy with how each DJ block puffs up a bit.

Here's a close up of the quilt stitching.

Thanks again, Marianne, for being such a super secret sister.

IT'S THE BIG 6-0!!!

2011-07-07T00:01:00.004-04:00

Happy Birthday to me, and yes, it's the big 6-0 today!!!

For several years I've been in a BD FQ swap, but this year, I'm in a birthday cupcake swap. I should be getting 49 in all. They are all ready to fuse onto the recipient's background, and sew into something yummy. How fun!

BIRTHDAY GIFT FROM A QUILTY FRIEND.

2011-07-06T00:01:00.002-04:00

My dear friend, Carol, sent me this fun pillow case for my birthday. She made it from some of my very favorite quilting fabric from LoraLea. I'm not sure if I'm the one wearing the blue spools, or the one with the tomato pin cushion ta-tas, but either way, it's all good! She said it's to use for our quilting retreats. Can't wait!

She also included a basket block. We are both in a basket swap, and will need a couple extra's to fill in our quilts. I do love her broderie-perse idea!

OPAM WINNER? ME????

2011-07-05T13:08:00.001-04:00

Indeed, in years of doing OPAM, I have never won. But now I have! Yeah!

What is OPAM you ask? Well it's on the side of my blog, where we keep track of finished projects, truly finished, not flimsies, etc., with the goal of finishing at least one a month. Just that encouragement is enough, as well as the kind words when we actually finish something. But each finish does go into a drawing for the month.

My terrific gift prize arrived from Australia today. Yes, the organizers, Kris from Tag Along Teddies, and Peg from Happy In Quilting, are from down under, but the challenge is blogland wide.

My prize came beautifully wrapped in the fabric you see in the background, and tied with the bow. I received a lovely pattern, Candy Girl, three skeins of floss, and a cotton picker. How nice! Thanks Kris and Peg, both for the gifties, and for the challenge

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!

2011-07-04T00:01:00.007-04:00

Proud to be an American; Land of the Free; Because of the Brave.

FAIRY QUILT GODMOTHER

2011-07-03T08:33:00.005-04:00

Does this look like fun or insanity? It's my paper piecing pattern for my Fairy Quilt Godmother. Yes, many of those piecies are soooo tiny!

If you choose to make one, yours will be different. You take a quiz to generate your very own Fairy Quilt Godmother. Hop here to get yours.

My Friendship Swap group challenged us to make them and see how unique we all are. Carol has already posted hers. She's so speedy!

Well, I have my fabrics pulled, and my paper piecing ready.

DEAR JANE SECRET SISTER GIFT ARRIVES

2011-07-01T10:28:00.000-04:00

This wonderful gift arrived yesterday from my DJSS. She sent a kit with all these wonderful fall fabrics, a bookmark, a really sweet "Pin Your Hopes on God" plaque -- not sure if you can read it, but the little item hanging from the pin says 'hopes' -- and a really nice handmade card.

It was surely a real day brightener!

SKILL BUILDER SAMPLER, BLOCK 2

2011-06-29T13:39:00.000-04:00

The second Skillbuilder block involves a lot of skills. Sewn, aka, Leila, showed a really detailed, excellent, tutorial about lining up your seams for accurate piecing, etc. I am pretty competent with those skills, but she also included a lesson on value.

It's hard for me to not just go with gut instinct. I place colors how I like them. But in this block the goal was to use only darks and lights, no medium.

As you can see, this block is actually four 9-patches sewn together. When I sew 9-patches, I usually highlight the X formed or the cross, depending on how you use value. But Sewn challenged us to have the block in the middle of the 9-patch look like it is surrounded by a square. This was soooo against my natural bent.

Using only three colors (my choice) and two values (the goal), the hard part for me was to not have those outer rings look muddy -- blurred together -- especially when the outer square is light.

But I did succeed, in the end, I think. I knew there'd be lots to learn here, for newbies or experienced quilters. But it can be hard to break old habits, and see things differently!