WORD VERIFICATION

After 4 tries and giving up to verify that I'm not a robot on someone else's blog, I once again took word verification off.  Of course spam started. 

But now instead of word verification, I'm just using moderator approval, so it may take a few hours more for your comment to show up, but they'll be easier to leave.  You won't have to prove you're not a robot!

VALENTINE MUG RUG

After finishing my coasters, I still had some valentine charms left so I decided to play with my Twist n' Stitch ruler.  This is similar to the Twister, but I can cut multiple sizes with this one ruler from June Tailor.

You do get quite a bit of waste (scraps) with this method, but some gals use the tiny pieces for smaller projects.  I just put mine in my scrap basket for applique.  You get a great looking product this way, and it's much easier and less complicated that the finish looks.

I also decided to get some practice with big-stitch quilting on this project.  I used a #8 perle cotton in pink.

This mug rug is on the large size, about 9 x 12, so there's plenty of room for a mug of coffee and a piece of cherry pie.  Yum!

Or a bowl of fresh grages and a cup of tea, to keep it on the healthy side.

I'll probably use it as a mat for some valentine/heart things I display in February.  Mug rugs are versatile!

AROUND THE WORLD SWAP

Today I received my first block back, made with my fabric.  This is "Carol's Star" from Carol.  Love the way she featured my fabric, and the ones she put with it.  Great job on the star too.  You are a star, Carol.

Here's a collage of the ones I've made for others so far, featuring their fabric in my Patience Corners block.

MUG RUG SWAP

The Quilting Gallery is again hosting an international swap.  Remember my mini-quilt from last year "Friends are the Flowers in the Garden of Life"?  Well now we are swapping mug rugs, and sign ups are open until Jan. 28.

You'll receive the patterns for both these mug rugs when you sign up for $5.  You can find all the information over at The Quilting Gallery, or by clicking on the link on my side bar.  Hope you join the fun. 

Last time my mini quilt went to Australia, and the one I received came from S. Africa.  Quilters making international friends, one swap at a time:)

VALENTINE CRISS-CROSS COASTERS

Here's my first finish of 2013, a set of 6 criss-cross coasters for Valentine's Day.  I like working on valentine things in January, to get me over the winter blahs.  These coasters are easy to make with charms, or you can cut your own squares.  Check out my tutorials for how to make them. 

My Criss-Cross Coasters tutorial, as well as Criss-Cross Coasters Another Way (with the triangles like this), tutorials are the most viewed pages on my blog.  Sometimes simple is best.  And for sure, less is more.

AROUND THE WORLD SWAP

 

 

One of my yahoo groups does an annual Friendship Swap with signed blocks.  This year we voted to do something different, loosely based on a swap in one of Jennifer Chiaverini's books, The Cross-Country Quilters.

 

We each selected a fabric that represents us.  Mine is above.  I love the soft flower colors, and that's how my green thumb is -- in fabric, not plants!  We mail a FQ of the same fabric to every participant.

 

The receiver has chosen a block to represent her.  I'm making Patience Corners blocks, from quilters cache.  Any idea why I'd be needing patience, and how it might represent me???

 

Anyhow, I received Debbies FQ, a lovely floral with large roses.  I fussy cut them to make my first Patience Corner block, which will be sent back to Debbie.  I had the perfect (IMHO) fabric to go with it, green leaves, in my stash.

 



In the end, I'll be receiving back twenty 12" blocks, each containiing my fabric and whatever the others put with it, in blocks representing them.  It's a nice tie for us -- a fabric representing us, made up in blocks representing the whole group.

Our group is worldwide, hence the name, Around the World Swap.

It's already the 6th, and this is my stitching of the year!  But I have done some straightening in the studio, and that is much harder.  That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

13 IN 13

Happy New Years quilting friends.  Do you make quilting resolutions for the new year?  No new projects until old ones are complete; no new swaps until BOBs from old ones are put together; less fabric buying, more stash using;  keeping up with BOMs and BOWs; etc., etc.

There are yahoo groups to help you -- Stashbusters and Work in Producers to name two.  Last year there was a group doing BOM Rehab.

This year I'm trying something new, 13 in 13.  That's 13 finishes in 2013.  Doesn't matter how many a month, old or new, large or small, knit, quilt, whatever.  Just FINISH 13 projects in 2013.

I have at least 10 quilt tops that just need quilting and binding.  I've put them off hoping for a new machine with a larger harp area.  But doesn't look like that is happening anytime soon, so...............  I've done twin size on my little 6" area.  But many of my tops are queen sized.  Maybe I should concentrate on smaller projects, given the limitations of my equipment.  Or getting good at quilt as you go.  Hmm...............

My friend Carol and her daughter-in-law Donna came up with the idea of encouraging each other in finishes this year.  Anyone want to join us? 

Feel free to snag the photo for the theme for your blog.

2013

Picture from Timeline photos

By Susan Spangler Pictures + Words

FUSED-GLASS JEWELRY

Early this month, I took a fused-glass jewelry class.  I have never done anything like this.  We selected glass, cut it, stacked it, etc.  We had the option of making pendants, earrings, bracelets, etc.  I made 5 pendents.  This is was relaxing and fun!  Four of them are dimensional - stacked.  The largest one is smooth.  You do this by laying a piece of glass over the whole thing, once it's put together.  They are then fired in a kiln.

Both my daughter and my daughter-in-law received these for Christmas this year.  I love to give something one of a kind and made with love.

Next time, I might try making quilt block shapes.   Hmmm............. might be hard to get the symmetry thing going on tiny pieces of cut glass.

MERRY CHIRSTMAS!

This is our lawn nativity.  Merry Christmas, everyone.  And may you keep the true meaning of the season in your hearts.

OUR CHARLIE BROWN CHIRSTMAS TREE

We drastically down-sized our digs a year ago.  We moved just before Christmas, and didn't decorate at all for the holidays last year. 

In our 'big' house I went nuts and decorated everywhere.  We had a 12' tree in the living room, all in gold.  We donated that one to a youth ranch when we moved.  We knew it wouldn't fit.  The family room tree we kept, but it's too big too.  Maybe next year we can put it up on the lanai.  The master bedroom tree has potential.  It's small and short.  The teacher tree is smaller yet, and might fit somewhere.  Maybe my office.

Now that we are more settled we can see where a tree might fit in our great room, but it will have to be slim at the bottom.  I thought those slim but 6' or 7' tall ones would be just right.  They were sold out locally, but I've ordered one that should be here before Christmas. 

Our stack of gifts for the grands looked sad not being under a tree.  Then, ureka, I found this Charlie Brown Christmas tree at Aldi's.  I've always told DH that all we really need is just a Charlie Brown tree.  Not a fancy one.  Well, now we have one.  It even came with the one ornament and Linus's blanket for the tree skirt!  It's about 12" tall, and all it needs is a little love.

So here's to Charlie Brown, and to the less-is-more philosophy we've embarked on.  Simplify, simplify.

STILL MORE SNOW

Joy arrived all the way from Germany.  Love the way Brigitte placed those outreached hands and made Joy look to the heavens.

Donna's Flakey is just a little infant snow person!

Kathy's Gleam is just a gleam in snow daddy's eye.

Twigs from Cyn in CA has some super arms.  Love her expression too.

Thanks all snow swappers.  There's more to come, so stay tuned.....................

SECRET SANTA

My secret santa gift arrived yesterday.  I received two fabric origami stars, a sweet crazy quilt stocking, and this adorable "Love One Another" pillow.  I love them all.  Thanks so much Debbie M.

Here are photos of both sides of the Cathedral Window ornament I sent to Cindy D.

THANK YOU VETERANS!

Show your appreciation for the sacrifices our veterans have made throughout history and continue to make today.

28 NIGHTCAPS

 

 

There hasn't been much sewing from me this week, with 3 doctor appointments on the docket, and one requiring an overnight.  However my daughter, Melissa, did pop in to sew 28 nightcaps for her daughter's preschool.  

 



The kiddos will be wearing them with pajamas on a float in the Christmas parade tomorrow. We finished them in a couple hours, working together. Many hands make light work! Plus I LOVE sewing with my DD.

EASY STREET BEGINS

Do you love a good mystery quilt?  Bonnie Hunter is famous for them.  Generally her mysteries are tons and tons of tiny pieces.  However, this time she promises this one will be Easy Street.


I have plenty of projects going already, and lots to finish before Christmas.  But (famous last word) I do love a good mystery, and the colors she's using really called to me.  Hmmm..................  Well, I was organizing my stash shelves today anyway, and some fabrics just fell into a pile,, just for this project.

Aquas/teals, limes/aqua greens, purples.  Check,  Plenty of them and good variety.

Black on whites?  Check.  At least 3 yards and lots of variety.  2 yards of a gray?  No, but a mostly black with a gray line, Check. 

These are all from my shelves.  No need to dig in bins.  Did it make a dent?  Ha!  No!  Had trouble fitting the rest back after pulling these.

The first step went up today.  There will be one a week for however long it takes (6 or 8 weeks).  You can click to Easy Street here,, or on my side bar.

Tempted????

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

We all have much to be thankful for.  I'm including my on-line friends in my list.

APPLIQUE 'PILLOW'

Do you use a pillow in your lap when you do handwork?  Many quilters have a pillow they use.  It holds the work up so your arms don't get tired.

I use a Quilter's Cut 'n Press for mine.  I got this tip from Linda Franz of Inklingo.  I put the cutting side down, and use the pressing side.  I can stick my pins and needles into it.  On a larger pin I put the loop of the handle of my applique scissors.  My needle threader rests nicely too.  Thread spools and thimbles can rest on larger pins too.

This is a Dutch Treat bock I'm working on.  But if hand-piecing, the fabric pieces can be laid out on the surface in order and won't move around.

When I get up it's easy to just move the whole thing and set it on a flat surface.  Everything stays in place, ready to pick up when I'm ready.

Hope all you blog-hoppers find some time to stitch today.

MORE SNOW

This little cuttie arrived yesterday from Frummie.  He's machine embroidered and appliqued.  Looks like a playful little guy, ready for a snowball fight.  He joins my Melty on my design wall.  Two here, ten to arrive.

HEARTWARMING GIFT!

My dear friend, Ginny, who is always looking out for others, was at a sale yesterday, where an elderly woman was selling off her quilting book collection.  Ginny selected two of those reusable grocery bags full for me!  Ginny doesn't quilt, but she knows I do.  Her specialty is warming the hearts of all those she comes in contact with.  What a blessing she is.

I tried to get a creative picture to show how many books and some of the titles.  All these books are copyrighted 1985 through 1995, so there's some real classics in the lot, including three of Georgia Bonesteel's originals, and an early Judy Martin book.  All of these books are in excellent, hardly ever used, condition.  No writing, no tears, etc.

Perhaps you can see some of the titles better here.

Or not, LOL!  But you get the idea!  I'm a kid in the candy store, scanning through old pictures of Fons and Porter and Debbie Mum.  Treasures!

Here's a quilt I'm adding to the ever growing to-do list of WHIMMs -- Works Hidden In My Mind.  This little Baltimore Album quilt is only 20" x 25" total.  The blocks are 4".  Why as my eyes and fingers get older, does my mind want to take on greater and greater challenge???

Of course Ginny wouldn't tell me how much she paid, just saying the lady was happy to get rid of them as she moves on to an assisted living, or something like that.

I think I have a way to pay her back for the kindness.  But mums the word for now.  However, thank you Ginny!

Hope you are having as wonderful a day as I am.

FLYING SNOWPEOPLE

My snowpeople are in the mail.  Here's the whole gang, minus one.  That one was already sealed in it's envelope when I decided to take the picture. 

While they are pretty much the same, they each have thier own personality too.

WHITTLES FABRICS

Just a little plug today, for one of my favorite online fabric stores.  I sent them an email on Friday asking about a certain fabric (how large is the print, how much do you have, etc.).  I heard back right away and placed my order the same day.  On Monday my ordered arrived.

10 yards of a lovely print at $4.00 per yard, all stuffed in a flat rate $5 envelope!  Amazing!  Fabric at the best price, shipped at the best rate, and the fastest service ever!

I have no affiliation whatever.  Just sharing what I know.

VOTE TODAY, IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY!

Don't forget to vote today, my American friends.  It may be 'inconvenient' in your busy day, but stop and think about what our foremothers went through to win this right for us.  I took advantage of early voting here in Florida.

I think I'll spend the afternoon working on quilt blocks for my Women's Suffrage quilt.  You can link to the project on my sidebar.  There's a block a week, as well as historical information on the movement.

HURRICANE SANDY DONATION BLOCKS

Here are my six Disappearing 4-Patch blocks that will go in the mail tomorrow on their way to Erin of My Patchwork Life.  She's collecting blocks to be made into quilts for the victims.  As Carol, over at Brown Quilts, said, it's nice to be able to actually DO something to provide a little comfort, and to let people know we care. 

Click on over to Erin's blog for details on how you can get invovled, and a tutorial for the block pattern.

A CHANCE TO HELP OUT

Do you have time and fabric to whip up a couple Disappearing 4-Patch blocks for those in need, after Sandy?  Erin, over at My Patchwork Life blog ia collecting these 12" blocks to assemble quilts for the disaster victims.  Check out her blog for info and a tutorial to make the blocks.  Quilters always care, and are so generous.