The Quilted Giraffe

Paper: My New Fabric

2010-10-19T11:56:00.003-04:00

Pretty much my patchwork has taken a back seat to paper crafting. I am just smitten with minis. There is nothing better right now than the sound or feel of cardstock, patterned paper and chipboard! What a delight. My stacks of paper are now giving my fabric stacks competition! What was once a room dedicated to sewing has now been overtaken by paper, scrapping tools and embellishments! I love it!

I have finished another mini, this one for my young granddaughter. Mommy says she has really become such a girly girl. When the opportunity arose to make the train mini (another one of Laura Denison's designs), I decided to make the "bug train" version, filled with lots of paper flowers, rhinestones and cute bugs.

I'll be adding pictures of my little ladybug, Mia before sending it to her and wanted to share a few pics here on my blog before doing so. Enjoy!

Front Cover (Engine)

Inside Cover/First Page

Inside Pages and Tags

Last Page/Inside Back Cover (Caboose)

Outside Cover/Caboose

A Paper Crafting Finish to Share (Photo Heavy)

2010-08-30T18:57:00.006-04:00

I've been enjoying a few days off from work and had a chance to catch up on a paper crafting project I started after watching a Ustream video.

There's a woman whose blog I read and enjoy very much, Laura Denison of Following the Paper Trail and she is truly a talented lady when it comes to paper crafting. Actually, she first started out about 15 years ago designing quilt patterns and making quilt kits. It was only 2 years ago that Laura discovered paper crafting and she has now shifted her focus to mainly creating and writing patterns for scrapbook mini albums. There are video tutorials on both YouTube and Ustream that feature many of Laura's projects.

One such project, the Picnic Basket Mini Album, really appealed to me and so I purchased the pattern from her and followed her video tutorial. I am pleased to say that I have finally finished my basket and I can't wait to share it with you.

It is all made with chipboard, scrapbooking papers and cardstock, with the exception of the gingham fabric covers. Here's a peek!

The basket is made with chipboard and covered in kraft paper colored cardstock. The lid is removable and is actually the covers on the mini album.

This is the album. Can you see the lid of the basket now? lol

This is the first page. The small flower on the right side is the tab on a pull-out photo mat. Each page has one on either the right or left side. The grass is a "pocket" to hold a card in the form of a "picnic item". In this case, we have a grill. Open the card to reveal the hot dogs. These actually slide up and out to reveal another smaller photo mat.

Here are the condiment cards: mustard, ketchup and relish. Each opens and has room for a small photo and/or journaling.

A glass of lemonade is in the next pocket page. The lemon slice at the top is the tab of a photo mat that slides up and out for more pics or journal spots.

Can't have a picnic without watermelon. This card opens up for yet more pics or journaling.

Yummy! I love ice cream. Yes, the cones are in the grass but it's a pretty common occurrence when small children are around! Each cone flips up and provides still more space for pics.

Can't have a picnic without homemade cherry pie, either! Check out the crust. Almost good enough to eat...lol. The pie flips up to reveal pic or journaling real estate.

The back of my mini album.

This was so much fun to make. I'm not sure what I'll do with it since I don't have any pics of picnic outings. Summer isn't over yet, though. Maybe there's time for one last-days-of-summer picnic. In the meantime, it will sit in my sewing room/craft room to be admired every day.

Hope you enjoyed the peek!

Finally, an Update

2010-08-02T16:22:00.006-04:00

I'm finally popping in to update my poor neglected blog. I must admit that although I still visit my blog to stay current on what some of my favorite bloggers are doing, I haven't much wanted to update my own blog. Sad, I know.

Much has happened in the time I've been away. My DH retired from the Navy and is now officially a civilian (with a job, thank goodness!). That in itself has been an adjustment for us, in a positive way.

A vacation was next, taking the scenic route from Maryland to Los Angeles, CA (via car) to visit my family. My heart yearned to see my kids and my grandchildren, not to mention my parents and sisters. It did me good to see them all. While there, we took a day to visit Disneyland to celebrate my granddaughter's 3rd birthday. She was just thrilled and I got so much joy from watching her eyes light up when she met Mickey Mouse.

It was very, very difficult to say goodbye this time around. Even as I write this, I can feel tears welling up in my eyes. I didn't want to leave my kids. I didn't want to leave my grandkids, especially my little granddaughter. How does one explain to a child her age that one must go home? If only there were a way to bring all my loved ones to the East Coast then life would be complete. How selfish I must sound...like they are all suppose to quit their jobs/school, leave their friends, and homes just to come be with me. I can dream, can't I?

The ride back to Maryland was rough the first day or so. I cried most of that first morning, and by the end of the first day I was tired of crossing the desert. I knew driving through Texas the next day was not going to happen (it did, though)!

Four days after leaving California we arrived back home. My ears weren't humming and I didn't feel the steady vibration of the road anymore! Next time, we fly!! (maybe)

I've been slow trying to pick up sewing again, especially with the heat, but I have managed to finish 2 tops for class samples this fall. I made a new "One Block Wonder" and tried my hand at some off-centered log cabins.

I'm looking forward to fall...cooler temps, beautiful colors, chilly evenings, and Retreat! I'll be teaching again at Rose Hahn's Quilt Weekend at the Roxbury Holiness Center in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; a whole weekend of quilting comraderie.

Glad I dropped in to update. Hope I don't stay away so long this time...lol

Happy stitching!

A Project to Share

2010-03-25T21:53:00.008-04:00

I've been really enjoying working with paper these last several weeks. It's nice to be able to work on a smaller scale. I'm not sure what it is about paper, but I don't have the guilt about messing up a paper project and tossing the paper as I do when I work with fabric and I goof up.

I entered a contest at my local scrapbook store. The rules were that we had to work with a particular line of paper (We R Memory Keepers' Vintage Blue). We could create a page layout, a card, an altered project -- anything we wanted. I chose to work with a 7 Gypsies Photo Tray and a few pics of my two kids (1 as youngsters and 1 of ea as adults). I am really pleased with how it turned out. First prize will be a $25 gift cert., 2nd $15 and 3rd $10. Voting is going on for the next 5 days. If you like, you can drop in on their web site and take a peek at all the entries. Of course, yours truly would appreciate your vote (entry #7)...lol I know, I know...shameless...:)

Click here: Photo Scraps

And here are a couple of pics. I had to borrow them from the web site so I apologize in advance if the quality is poor.

Thanks for looking!

A Late Valentine Share

2010-02-21T11:18:00.005-05:00

I should be made to stand in the corner for a day (I'm dating myself again, lol) for taking so long to share the beautiful, one-of-a-kind gift my Hubby made and gave to me to celebrate our Anniversary/Cupid Day.

If he had given me dozens of long stem red roses it could not have compared to this special gift, which I will treasure always.

Knowing my hubby, he must have planned this mini book for a little while and, in fact, he started this all by writing a poem and then breaking it down into the "pages" you see. I thought that was very clever.

As we would shop at Michael's, Jo-Anns and the scrapbook shops, he would quietly disappear, make his own purchases, and proceed to come home and work on the mini while I was upstairs in my own "cave". In fact, he even made a trip to one of the scrapbook stores to consult with the ladies there. Can you imagine not taking me along? They couldn't believe I let him go by himself to one of MY favorite places!

I knew something was going on since I wasn't even allowed to come downstairs unannounced. At one point, when he was close to finishing, he covered the part of our staircase that opens into the living room (where he worked) with cardboard! It was "top secret" and as hard as it was for me not to "investigate", I gave him his "alone" time.

Thank you, hon, for my beautiful gift. I will always treasure it. It truly touched my heart.

Now, the big question is...............HOW IS HE GOING TO TOP THAT NEXT YEAR? lol

Have a great day!

Instant Gratification

2010-02-21T00:50:00.004-05:00

I was over at Kalico Kate, a blog belonging to a member of the same Yahoo group I belong to, and she shared some pics of cute little crocheted dress dishcloths she'd been working on. She found the freebie pattern online and, not to be left out of the fun, I pulled out my old crochet hook and made one too. It only took maybe 2 hours? As you can see, my dress is striped instead of variegated because I didn't read the label. And ya know what they say about horizontal stripes...lol. Maybe I'll run over to Jo-Anns this coming week and buy the variegated version. I think the cotton Sugar and Cream yarn will be on sale four for $5. And now, back to my regularly scheduled program. I get distracted so easily....lol.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

Lost and Found Mojos (Sewing/Paper)

2010-02-17T12:46:00.008-05:00

It has been a while since I've posted and at the "suggestion" of a co-worker (she knows who she is...lol), I am updating my poor, neglected blog.

I'm just not "feeling" the quilting/sewing mood these days (or months!) and so I've been spending more time paper crafting. I've been working on a mini envelope album, and I am really enjoying the process. Ideas aren't coming to me as quickly as I'd like but still I'm really liking working with paper again. My goal is to have this mini finished and in the mail to Calif. by this weekend.

I constructed the little envelope album with #10 envelopes as the pages, covering them with designer papers and embellishing with everything from a frame to adage tickets to a slider card. I've embossed, glittered, and created torn pages and completely "grunged" up the mini with distress ink around all the edges. Charms and final embellishments are pending and I've yet to finish making tags for the pockets created by the envelope pages. Oh, and I still need a cover title for my mini. So far, I like "Grandkids: Flowers from Life's Garden". Now if I can fit it all on that tiny page!...lol. Here are some photos:

I've also been trying my hand at making flowers from scrapbook designer paper. I love Graphics 45 papers and purchased a few sheets while we were at The Queen's Ink in Savage recently. Hubby was there for a class on making Patera charms and I had to tag along, of course. Patti (proprietor) was kind enough to allow me to use her die cutting machine to cut some flower shapes. While Hubby made charms, I made flowers. Here are a few:

I'm working on another album, which I'm not ready to share yet but when it's done I'll be sure and post AFTER the recipient has had a chance to see it.

In the meantime, I'll take advantage of the paper mojo for as long as it hangs out with me. Maybe sometime soon, my sewing mojo will return, although it would have been nice if it had returned with all the snow we had recently!

Stay warm, stay safe!

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T23:47:00.003-05:00

Have a safe, healthy and Happy New Year from our house to yours.

A Very Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T15:41:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas to all!

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful.....

2009-12-19T09:26:00.005-05:00

...Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! I awoke this morning to a beautiful sight....SNOW! Lots and lots of the soft powdery white stuff. Even my little Pom, Boomer, was enjoying a romp in the fresh snow.

I know in a few days I'll be complaining about the yucky muddy mess but today it is just lovely. The best news is that I have the entire weekend off! It's the perfect weather for sewing, of which I have lots to do. Perhaps I'll even treat myself to a nice cup of hot chocolate, too. It sure is feeling like Christmas here in Maryland!

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. I am sure glad I won't have to spend it at the malls... I'm glad to say I did not step into one mall for any holiday shopping this year. Yippee!

When I Grow Up

2009-12-09T11:20:00.003-05:00

Believe It or Not! (long)

2009-12-08T21:35:00.011-05:00

...I'm home alone, in the shower, early October. My 2 Poms begin barking. That's usually a signal that someone/something is too close to the house. I quickly jump out of the shower, soaking wet and trailing water, to see what all the noise is about. Satisfied that all is okay, I walk back into the bathroom and before I know it, I'm slipping on the wet floor. I reach for the towel bar (oh, yeah...like that will hold me up! NOT!), it comes down with me and I end up doing the splits (OUCH!). Can you imagine--what I couldn't do even in high school I've managed to achieve with one fall in the bathroom. The diagnosis: right hamstring muscle fiber tear. After 17 long hours in the ER, it was home for me with advice to "walk on the leg; don't baby it." Right.

The following week, after several days of feeling feverish, lethargic, unable to eat or drink, and labored breathing, it was back to the ER. Diagnosis: Pneumonia! After a week of oxygen and lots of antibiotics, I was released. Hooray!

Three days later, I can't breathe and back to the ER I go! More antibiotics, more oxygen and a week later, it's home again WITH oxygen. After 2 months of convalescing at home, I can finally say I've recovered.

Someone was looking out for me and I thank Him every day. I'm also thankful for my husband, who was there by my side always and for the kind thoughts and prayers from my friends and co-workers.

So what did I do while recovering for 2 months? I had a chance to do some hand work since there was no machine sewing for me (still have a bum leg). I pulled out my Baltimore Album blocks from a class I took with Mimi Dietrich (I won't say how many years ago that was), and managed to finish 2 of 3 blocks that I had left in different stages of completion.

This block I made in honor of my Dad and my hubby. My dad served in the Navy during WWII and hubby is in the Navy and getting ready to retire next year. I still need to ink their names on the block. Inking is so permanent so I don't have the courage yet to attempt to do it. lol

The next block was definitely a challenge for me. I chose to "lift" an entire bird motif from my focus fabric and "broderie perse" him to my block. I think the bird's feet and tail were the most difficult for me. Can you see the 3 little eggs in the nest? Those are my children (and granddaughter). They will tell you I was "overprotective," just like this bird appears to be with her eggs.

The third block is still in progress. I really like the way the basket is turning out. Lots of skinny bias strips! Once I finish this block, I've already decided which block I will start next.

I also did a little scrapbooking. Hadn't done any in a long time. The week before returning to work, I attended a card class at Photo Scraps, a scrapbooking store. The card, a combination of gatefold and pop-up, was made using a Xmas line of paper with a retro feel to it. It's ready to add some small pics and journaling. This card I'll be keeping!

I have finally returned to work and I will say it sure was a rough couple of days. The muscles are sore, my leg still aches, but I'm not going to complain because it just means I'm alive and well!

Enjoy the holiday season!

Wonderful Free BOM and Giveaway!

2009-09-25T23:57:00.003-04:00

Dorothy Baker Designs is having a great giveaway and a new, FREE...yep, it's free, BOM called "Sweet Nostalgia"! Go check out Dorothy's blog and get in on a chance to win a great prize. Good luck!

Square Wars

2009-09-01T11:08:00.006-04:00

A long time ago, in a quilt galaxy far, far away.....

...there was a man, DH to be exact,(who we shall call Lee Quiltmaker), who was pretty much just another quilter's hubby. I think you know the type -- goes to all the quilt shows with the Mrs.; drives the Mrs. to quilt shops; carries bolts to the cutting tables; and even visits the quilt shops on his own for the occasional perfect gift -- yes, the gift card!

In August, Lee Quiltmaker heard the deep, dark voice saying: "Lee, come to the quilt side". Lee Quiltmaker, in fact, did just that. He signed up for a Photo Mosaic class at my LQS.

This past weekend, armed with MY cutting mat, ruler, rotary cutter, and fabrics, Lee Quiltmaker began his journey into the world of cutting teeny tiny squares. It was a square war he would win. I have the pic to prove it, too. A quilt photo mosaic pic!

Photo Mosaic is a class based on Tammy Bowser's software program, Quilted Photo Express. Scan a photo in, give it some parameters, and it generates a numbered grid that you use as a guide for placing your fabric squares. I compare it too putting together a jigsaw puzzle....sort of.

After working on this project all weekend, DH finally fused down the last square on Monday night. He is amazed at how well he is able to distinguish his photo subjects, our Pomeranians Boomer and Spunky. He is very proud of his work and so am I. I have the honor of doing the quilting and we have decided we will put down a layer of tulle to give it some extra depth and assure that the fused raw edges are not disturbed. Wish me luck on that one!

Drum roll please..................................................

Here is the original photograph used:

And the fabric mosaic:

Pretty cool, right?

As far as Lee Quiltmaker is concerned, this will probably be his only venture to the "quilt side"...lol He did enjoy this process very much and would even consider doing another one, but he'll leave the more traditional quiltmaking to me. Phew! Thank goodness for that. The thought of having to share my fabric stash...not even gonna go there!

Say Cheeeeeeez...

2009-08-27T22:44:00.004-04:00

...cheesecake, that is. A yummy chocolate cheesecake is what DH baked for my birthday today. Opted for 1 candle on the cake instead of the __?__ (fill in the blank) candles that should have been sitting on top. Didn't want the smoke detector to go off with what surely would have been a roomful of smoke! Yummy and decadent is the only way to describe it and, mind you, I called myself being "good" by not having DH finish the cake with whipped cream florets! I'll need to take some cheesecake to work tomorrow because it will surely send my sugars off the charts if it hangs around here too long. DH also gave me a gift card to the loveliest place on earth....my LQS! All in all, I had a great day. Now, if I could only figure out how to celebrate my birthday every year without adding a year to my age....

Show n' Tell

2009-08-25T13:47:00.005-04:00

There's nothing better than receiving a parcel full of goodies, and recently I received one from Ange (list mom) over at Hand-Dids, a group crafting forum on Yahoo.

Participants were to hand-make three needle cases, and swap for three made by other members. I made my needlecases from 30's bowtie fabric, fashioned it like a tri-fold, with several pockets and wool flaps for needles. I enclosed a package of needles for each one and sent them on their merry way.

Here is what I got in return: A beautiful pastel yellow, embroidered wool needlecase made by Sandy in Ohio. The other wool needlecase had a more "folksy" look with black buttonhole stitching around all the appliqued wool made by Imi in Holland. A few treats also came with it which were quite yummy. And last, but not least, the crocheted needlekeeper came from Ange, our fearless leader, from Indiana.

Creativity lives! Hope you make time for some creativity today.

Round Two

2009-08-23T20:52:00.003-04:00

I dyed more fabric this weekend. This week we learned to create "mottled" fabric. This has got to be my favorite dyeing technique (I've only learned two...lol). You don't have to hover over it like we did with the vat dyeing. You just mix your dye, dump your fabric in the little tubs and voila! Beautiful mottled fabrics. The green and orange were a breeze. No problems there. But the Blue/Purple....that's another story. We were forewarned that purple, after black and brown, is a difficult color to achieve. I ended up with a dark grayish blue, which I absolutely loved! During our experimenting (hubby did the mixing of dyes), there was confusion on which measuring spoon was used when we attempted to create our orange. After carefully studying the amount of powder in the container, we realized we had indeed used the Tbsp. instead of a tsp. So, what to do? No sense in throwing the powder away. So we added a little blue and we got.........POOPY greenish brown! I'm sure I am going to need this color one day.............it could happen.

So, here are my fabrics. I know you're all going to drool over that brown! Enjoy!

Dyed and Gone to Heaven!

2009-08-16T00:24:00.004-04:00

Today was a very warm day but it didn't stop me from enjoying a day full of color! I signed up to take an online class on dyeing cotton at Quilt University. This is my first experience with online classes and after today, I think I'm going to like it.

I've done some dyeing on my own and took a class at the LQS as well. So far, I'm still learning and experimenting but hope to gain enough knowledge to be able to dye any color under the sun! Our first lesson was creating solid colors using the vat dyeing technique.

I used the three primary colors and totally immersed a FQ in each color. Initially, the fabric appeared on the pale side but after adding the plain salt and the soda ash...WOW...the colors really began to appear. Once these steps were done, it was sit and wait. In one hour's time, however, I had to stir about 10 times. So much for sitting and waiting!

I'm not a real patient person and that hour of waiting seemed like forever! Finally it was time to rinse, wash, and dry the fabrics. I was very pleased with the first 3 bright FQs. Our next project was to take the leftover dyes, add another FQ to each color and watch some really pretty pastels emerge.

Our final exercise was to combine the 3 colors in one bucket, drop a FQ in and watch the mystery color appear. Because I'd experimented before with the dyes, I knew it would be a brown shade. The result ended up being a lovely skin tone.

Next week is our session on low-immersion dyeing where we will be creating some lovely, mottled fabrics! Stay tuned for another dose of color next week.

...Back to Our Regularly Scheduled Program

2009-08-13T20:24:00.004-04:00

It's been much too long since I last posted and as Angela suggested, I am here to give my blog some much needed love. This one's for you, Ange!

If you like prim and hand-dids, drop in and visit Angela's online store, The Country Cellar. She is having a Grand Reopening and is offering 25% off your first order!. Woohoo!

"Vegging" out for the last couple of months is pretty much what I've been doing. Well, except for 3 needlecases I made for a swap over at Backporch Friends, Angela's Yahoo crafting forum. I'll be growing roots soon if I veg any longer! So, it's time to get my rear in gear!

I have signed up for an online class at Quilt University, which begins tomorrow, on Dyeing Cottons with Marjie McWilliams. As if I don't have enough fabric already...now I'm even going to dye my own. This is my first online class experience and I can't wait to begin. I'll be in the comfort of my own home, work at my own pace, and not have to worry about making a mess or spilling over into someone else's space (which I've been known to do).

In a week or so, I have a class to teach at our LQS. A week later, I'm taking a "Photo Mosaic" class at our LQS. I can't wait to cut up millions (okay, maybe thousands) of fabric bits and proceed to fuse them to fusible interfacing. I do like the results, though. DH is taking the same class with me and compares it to putting together a jigsaw puzzle. I think he just likes the attention he gets when he's the only student that is of the male persuasion!

In a month, I'm off to Chambersburg to teach at a retreat in September. No TV, no news, .... I'd say "no phones" but last time I was there we all had cell phones ringing off the hook! lol

But tomorrow? It's just my dyes and me. I'll be sure and post pics of my results!

Vickie's Giveaway

2009-06-08T18:34:00.003-04:00

As part of the giant giveaway at All Sewn Up, Vickie is having a very generous giveaway! She has some charm square packs, a fat eighth roll and pincushion for some lucky bloggers. Hop over and take a look!

Farewell, Dear Friend

2009-04-24T21:56:00.003-04:00

On Thursday, April 23, 2009, I lost a very special person. She was an angel in my life in the form of a dear friend. My heart is heavy but I know she is in a better place and that one day we will meet again. I will miss you, Nacha.

Emotional Rollercoaster

2009-04-20T19:17:00.005-04:00

Much time has gone by since I last posted and it has been quite the rollercoaster ride these last several weeks.

First of all, we, at the quilt shop, lost a dear friend and co-worker, Helen Q. She battled for several years against cancer, first breast cancer then ovarian, and lost her fight on April 8. She made the decision not to take anymore treatments and entered into hospice care at home only a couple of months ago. She was a courageous woman. To look at her, one would never know she was ill, always smiling and sharing her humor and wit. We'll miss you, Helen.

I also received word last week that a dear family friend is very ill and doctors have advised the family there is nothing else they can do for her. She is at home, resting comfortably, and is in hospice care at home. She has been like family to us and I am saddened to hear of her failing health. Now in her 80's, she is still an avid L.A. Dodger fan and you could always find her at a game or in front of the TV cheering them on. Many a night I spent at her home putting together jigsaw puzzles, sometimes until 2 or 3 in the a.m. I have many fond memories of time spent with her that I shall carry with me always.

Then there was the planning of my granddaughter's 2nd birthday. Per her mommy's request, I made the invitations using Photoshop Elements and had them printed as photo-style invites at Costco. It was suppose to be celebrated on April 25 but because of our friend's illness, I believe my son will be rescheduling the party. My son is very close to our friend and calls her "grandma." Of course, this puts our plans to fly out there in limbo as well.

I have managed to do some fun things, though. I have completed and mailed off my siggie blocks for the International Siggie Swap hosted by Connie over at Cootie Bug 2. Can't wait to receive my blocks in the mail!! Sorry, no pics, but you can see them on Connie's blog.

I also went on a quilting retreat last week. Hosted by the Chambersburg, PA Quilt Guild, we arrived on Wednesday morning and stayed until Sunday, early afternoon. I had a wonderful time, meeting new people, laughing, eating, sewing, eating, talking, eating.....I see a pattern here! Really...there was a ton of food (mostly snacks) and that didn't include the meals prepared for us. I worked on getting a top quilted, adding borders to another quilt, and sewed and completed a tote bag (Bow Tucks). Here is a picture of the bag:

Sleep was not in our vocabulary during our stay. We were lucky if we got 3 or 4 hours per day. I will admit that by Saturday, I was ready to come home. I think 3 days is my "comfortable" max for retreats. I missed my husband and our "boys", Boomer and Spunky.

So, I am home now and catching up on much needed sleep, putting all my supplies back and just trying to get back in the swing of things. Have read some blogs but need to catch up on the rest.

Hope everyone has a great, uneventful week! Sometimes uneventful is a good thing. Take care.

A Day of Fun-Filled Sewing

2009-03-13T00:00:00.003-04:00

Today was the day! Several of us that work at the shop got together to "test" a pattern for Mimi Dietrich and Norma Campbell, two of our own fantabulous teachers, who will be teaching up at Quilt Odyssey in Hershey, PA this summer. Anytime I can spend the day sewing is a GREAT day!

Of course, in my haste, I forgot my camera so I was not able to take pics of everyone's little quilts to share! Every single one was beautiful and the fabric choices were varied from batiks to Asians, brights, southwest, to a beautiful vintage large floral.

DH decided he would make dessert for us and I think it's safe to assume it was a hit. He made a triple chocolate cheesecake with chocolate crust, chocolate cheesecake, and topped with a chocolate ganache. Wow! Talk about a sugar rush! It was rich and decadent. One bite of that stuff and everyone was wired and ready to go again after lunch.

After several hours of sewing, here is what I was able to finish:

Now here is how I think I will end up setting it (once I get the fourth quadrant done.

Once completed, I will put some borders on it and I think I will make a bright baby quilt with it. If I keep it at four quadrants and add and inner and outer border, I believe it ends up at 40" square. However, I may end up adding some strips to make it more rectangular.

Thank you to Mimi and Norma for allowing us to test their pattern! I think it will be a hit at Quilt Odyssey. If anyone is heading to that show, be sure to take their class! They are a blast!

Re-Entering Civilization

2009-03-10T19:29:00.003-04:00

I am finally over this "stuff" I had recently with only an occasional cough remaining. You know it's pretty bad when you can't do anything but lie in bed. I did no sewing, no hand work....nothing -- I felt that bad. I hope that with this last bout I've had my share of the yuckies for several years to come!

I taught my last session of the One Block Wonder series at the shop last week. I truly enjoyed the teaching experience and will hopefully be teaching another series this spring. I will be doing just a little "tweaking" of my handouts and changing a few details but for the most part everything is ready to go, which will take some of the pressure off for this next session.

In the sewing department, I haven't done too much. However, tomorrow I'll be attending a class taught by Mimi Dietrich and Norma Campbell. They will be teaching this project at Quilt Odyssey in Hershey, PA this year and we are the "quilt testers". It should be lots of fun, especially since the shop is closed so there will be no interruptions.

I've been reading blogs and catching up and have come across several pics of "treats". They have no calories and are just too cute! I just had to try a couple for myself. I made my own little version of them and, of course, was a little generous with their size. I have since downsized them and have had lots of fun making them. Have one!

The last couple of days I've been playing with Adobe Photoshop Elements and trying out a technique I first saw over at Luanne's blog, Invisible Woman. She is truly a talented woman with a wonderful eye for color. She makes beautiful bags which feature a "collage" on the side pocket and has even had one of her bags featured in Quilting Arts Magazine. I have always admired the bags she makes and finally decided to try to create my own collaged bag. Luanne has been kind enough to offer advice on printing and I think I finally have something I can work with! It's not as beautiful as Luanne's, but I am very pleased I made it this far. As soon as I get my bag started, I will post pics. Here's my collage:

It is printed on Printed Treasures, although I would like to try the EQ Printables to see whether they make a difference. I used an Epson printer with Durabrite inks and I am very pleased with the results. Thank you, Luanne! I couldn't have gotten this far without your help.

And so off I go to prepare my fabrics for tomorrow. I can't wait to see what everyone creates.

Hasta luego!

Down for the Count

2009-02-23T13:08:00.002-05:00

I'm afraid I've got what DH had (and still has) and it's really got me feeling pretty yucky. My head and abdominal area hurt from all the coughing, my throat hurts, breathing is a challenge with my nose all stuffy, and I'm just MISERABLE! Called in sick yesterday, today and if I'm feeling better, I should be back at the shop on Thursday (yeah, I know, wishful thinking). Hope everyone is healthier than I am at this moment! Back to bed for me... Ugh

Mail Call!

2009-02-08T16:37:00.005-05:00

It's been a busy couple of weeks for me as I prepared to teach the first of three sessions of the One Block Wonder at the shop. The class was full and everyone was there early, with machines in tow, ready to create some beautiful hexagons. There were several interesting fabric choices and I can't wait to see the final results. In two weeks we begin making cubes and that should be fun!

Last week I came home to find a wonderful surprise in the mail, all the way from Australia. Catherine, over at Willow Valley Store was having a giveaway and to my surprise I won first prize! I received a wonderful piece of Sandcastle, a piece of twill measuring tape ribbon, a pretty little button, and two of her newest patterns for stitcheries! How cool is that?

Thank you so much, Catherine!

In the mail this weekend, I found another package! This one contained my purchase from Nicole over at Raggedy Old Annies. She makes and sells the cutest little raggedies I have ever seen. They have big heads and wear the sweetest little dresses! I so enjoy looking at her blog and drooling over her latest doll creations! I finally gave in and purchased a pattern for one of these sweet raggedies. I hope I do her pattern justice. Of course, she also had some fabrics on clearance and I picked up 3 yards of this wonderful little 30's bowtie fabric - it was a steal(sorry, Nicole...lol)!

Aren't bloggers wonderful? Thank you ladies! I will certainly put all my little treasures to good use!

Til next time, "pieceful" days!

...and It Finally Snows

2009-01-27T15:02:00.003-05:00

While it seemed like everywhere else across the country it was snowing, here in Central Maryland we were only being teased with winter advisories and warnings, only to amount to little more than a flurry here and there. Well, today, it has finally happened! We have snow....okay, we have a little snow...about 2 or 3 inches maybe? But it is still SNOW!! And that makes me happy...doing the happy dance! As luck would have it, I don't work today or tomorrow so bring it on! (wishful thinking).

Haven't done too much in the way of quilting but I did get my granddaughter's quilt basted (I dread this part always). My mind is mostly on prepping for the One Block Wonder class I will be teaching at the shop in a couple of weeks. Want to get my handout finalized and review the checklist--make sure I don't forget anything. I'm looking forward to teaching. I can't wait to see everyone's fabric choices and what wonderful designs they will create! I'll be sure to take pics (with their permission, of course).

A co-worker came in to work recently with a wonderful fabric purchase she'd made at the quilt shop in Annapolis. It was beautiful! As it turns out, it was the same fabric I'd been eyeing for a while after seeing it online. I cannot believe how much more beautiful it was in person. I drooled over it, touched it, and knew I had to have some. DH and I took a little trip down to Annapolis last weekend to run a few errands and guess what I bought? Yep...Charisma by Moda.

I also found some blue crab fabric. Now if you live in Maryland, you know that "blue crab" fabric is a hot find and you pick it up when you see it (most of the time the crabs in fabrics are red).

Our shop recently received a shipment of books/magazines. I gave in and purchased the newest Blackbird Designs book, "When the Cold Wind Blows". Although there are a few "non quilty" items included, most of the quilts include applique, which I really enjoy! I finally had a chance to look at the book from cover to cover this morning as I enjoyed a cup of coffee and watched the snow fall.

And while outside is covered in a blanket of snow, I think I will get comfy on the couch under my own blanket and watch a movie! Stay warm!

Bread Puddin' Kinda Day!

2009-01-11T18:26:00.010-05:00

Today was my Sunday to work at the shop. Business was average for a Sunday and it sure beat having NO customers. It sure helped the day go by faster. The best part, however, was when I came home and found DH had made a tasty treat for me! I walked in to the sweet aroma of bread pudding. DH enjoys baking and I always benefit from his tasty delights. He used a recipe from Martha Stewart. The bread pudding calls for both raisins and bananas....yummy.

As you can see, I've already had more than my share! Thank you, honey!

For those of you who are interested in a stitchery BOM, Gail Pan has a charming BOM going on called "A Christmas Wish", which looks to be very sweet. I have never been much for stitchery (because I don't do it well), but I'm going to give this one a go.

This week I hope to continue my work on the Lois Smith sampler as she has suggested that sashings should be ready to go by next month! Yikes and double yikes! I don't even have all my blocks yet! This should be an interesting month, come to think of it....a busy one, at least.

I hear the bread pudding calling me again. It's my duty. After all, I wouldn't want to offend DH, would I....lol.

Blogland is Buzzing!

2009-01-07T20:48:00.010-05:00

With the New Year, seems like blogland is buzzing! Red Geranium Cottage has started a Diet Challenge 2009 group. I just joined Anne Sutton over at Bunny Hill Designs for her new and free BOM, A Tisket, A Tasket. First block is way cute! Oh, and May Britt and Kris Meares have challenged quilters/stitchers to finish one WISP a month with prizes to be awarded at the end of each month. Now is that incentive, or what? Seems like everyone has started out of the gate running!

I'm starting off the New Year with my sewing machine humming! I have been chipping away at a "quilt as you go" machine sampler. Lois T. Smith is teaching her Machine Sampler class for the last time at our shop. Her book, "Machine Quiltmaking", went out of print a few years back and Lois herself has now run out of books from her stash. I decided to take her class as Lois is a very talented, nationally-known quilt teacher and quilt show judge, and I knew I would gain much knowledge from her.

Now, Lois likes a BIG palette. She recommends 12 to 15 fabrics for the 12" inch blocks. Because it is "quilt as you go", you also need your batting and backing almost right away. Hmmm...sounds like a lot of fabric. Time to shop in the ol' stash. I think I did quite well. Only needed to make a few fabric purchases to supplement what I had (DH's wallet really appreciated it, too!)

I had a tan background selected that would have worked well for my taste, BUT...let's just say a third party convinced me that I should "be different" and go with the unexpected. "What color?", I asked. "Dark espresso brown", she replied. BROWN?? So, here's the result, so far.

I've got a few more blocks (no pics yet) that are in different stages, one in particular, "Moon Over the Mountain", is waiting on my final decision for a "moon" fabric. At this point, it's looking like a "Bright Sunny Day Over the Mountain". More to come as I finish.

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-01T12:37:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year and wishing for a great year filled with hope and faith for the future and the future of our next generation, happiness, health and lots and lots of creative juices!! I know myself enough to know I'm not real good with resolutions for the new year but on the quilty side, I will make a concious effort this year to finish UFOs.

To those who drop in occasionally to read or comment, thank you so much. I appreciate all your comments. It's a good feeling to know someone out there hears me...:o)

Here's to a creative New Year!! Cheers!

Playing Sewing Catch Up...

2008-12-27T13:26:00.010-05:00

... these last few days. The shop was closed for a couple of days for the holidays allowing me some sewing time. I basted and I'm ready to machine quilt grandson Devon's Hungry Caterpillar Quilt. I used Sharon Schamber's quilt basting method based on her YouTube video. No pinning, no stooping over a table.

Prior to longarming (which she does now), Sharon basted her quilts by hand (using Herringbone stitch) for several reasons: you sit the whole time you're basting (easy on the back -- no stooping overno safety pins to contend with while machine quilting; elimination of wavy borders which she feels are caused by taping backing down too taut.

This technique is accomplished by wrapping separately the top and backing on two "boards" and then unrolling them, one on top of the either (with the batting in between). You only unroll a little at a time, hand baste, and then unroll some more until you are finished.

It was great on my back! No complaints there. However.............it took me way longer to do it this way than by pinning. I think I'll save this method for the small wallhangings. I can't wait to quilt it and see how it works overall.

If you'd like to see Sharon's hand basting technique, you can watch it on YouTube (in two parts). No affiliation, just sharing.

I've also been working on another One Block Wonder. I wanted to try a tone on tone. This was originally a fabric with groupings of flowers and small birds. It had a "toile" feel to it. I knew I would get something very soft and subtle, with color coming in with the placement of cubes. I thought brown and pink would be very appropriate for cubes. I'm about halfway through the kaleidoscope blocks. I couldn't wait so I made two cubes to see how they'd look. I put them up on the wall (no particular order yet) and here's what I have so far. I like it! I can't get too attached to it, however, since this is the owner's fabric. I volunteered to make it so I'd have another sample for class. Hope she likes it (since usually her colors are bright pinks and yellows).

Tomorrow is Inventory at the shop and we are all expected to be there bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. It's a long process but there's plenty of food all day to keep us going, so let's see how long I can hang in there. Usually DH goes along and helps (so I'm keeping my fingers crossed he still enjoys it enough to go tomorrow...lol!)

So, there goes my Saturday late night sewing.... oh well.

Happy Holidays

2008-12-24T17:51:00.004-05:00

I wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone Happy Holidays.
The New Year will soon be upon us and with it renewed hope. My wish? I wish for PEACE.

A very Merry from me to you!

Twenty -Two Years Ago.....

2008-12-21T11:18:00.005-05:00

I gave birth to my beautiful daughter, Allyson. She came into this world as quiet as a mouse. She is still a very quiet, gentle soul who sees the good in everyone. But give her a microphone and computer and she does an amazing job of voice-over anime videos! Many a night, DH and I heard the strangest sounds, funniest voices, and sometimes blood-curdling screams coming from her room. Then she would emerge calmly and quietly and ask us to "watch my vid"! That's my girl!

My Ally is back in California now, continuing her studies and I miss her sooooo much. And since I can't be with her to blow out candles or give her great big birthday hugs, I thought I would share her birthday with my friends in blogland and have you join me in sending her virtual "birthday hugs"!

Happy Birthday, Ally! I love you, mami!

TGIF!

2008-12-17T23:17:00.008-05:00

So glad the weekend is here (despite the fact that I have to work on Sunday). It was a cold, dreary and rainy day today; a day for staying home, relaxing, and staying warm. But instead I was at the quilt shop, waiting on a customer here and there and watching the rain come down (because most everyone had sense enough to stay home!!). Of course, the upside of it was that we were the recipients of lots of goodies today.

First, Sandy, a former co-worker, stopped by to drop off an "Elvis Presley Pound Cake" (talk about some serious cholesterol!) and some knish....yummy! Later, Beth (a good customer) came by to drop off her wonderful assortment of homemade cookies! It's something the staff looks forward to every year! So with a pot of freshly brewed coffee ready, Robbyn and I settled in for a pretty uneventful day. She worked on some hand quilting and I worked on prepping another One Block Wonder.

As mentioned in an earlier post, here's the pic of the ornaments I made for Kate as part of the one-on-one swap at Angela's Yahoo group, Hand-Dids. Angela gave me the go ahead to post the pic after I got confirmation from the post office that they had been received. Unfortunately, we haven't heard from Kate but I think it is safe to assume she has seen her ornaments.

I made them based on a pattern I saw last year in a "Create and Decorate" magazine. They are papier-mache using Celluclay. The process was so therapeutic (except the painting, which defeated the purpose of the therapeutic benefit...lol). It reminded me of elementary school when the teacher would pull out this block of clay and we'd all dig in. The clay was cold and felt good to the touch. Of course, we looked a mess once the clay dried on our hands, faces, aprons. Ahhhhh, the good ol' days.

The ornies found their new home on Tuesday. They now live in the state of Washington. I think it is so cool that some of my crafties are scattered across the country, even in Europe and Australia!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree....

2008-12-15T22:40:00.014-05:00

...how lovely are your branches.

Well, DH and I pulled out the ol' standby Christmas tree and a few decorations to get into the spirit. I actually felt better afterward. Who knew the little tree could have such an effect?

Some of the ornaments I've made over the years when I was really into "decorative painting" on wood. I own a scroll saw (which mostly accumulates dust these days) and used to cut out my own wooden ornaments. I'd paint them up and give them as gifties to friends, and even sold them at craft shows. I did manage to keep a few for myself though and they've hung in there over the years. It's a good thing, too, because I could never paint the way I used to. I can barely trace straight lines these days!

Our "boys", as we affectionately call them were pretty much oblivious to the decorating that was going on. I think their faces say it all....lol. Come to think of it, they're pretty much oblivious to everything (except treats, that is).

Tis the Season to be Jolly?

2008-12-13T18:40:00.006-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted since Thanksgiving. Time is going by way too quickly.

And again, this year, it has been difficult for me to get into the spirit. It has been, I think, since my DD left and went back home to Los Angeles to finish her studies. So now both my children, my baby granddaughter, my parents and my sisters are back there in So. Calif. I'm the only one here in Maryland (with DH, of course). I miss them all very much, but even more so around the holidays....just so depressing. Ugh!

Poor DH asked if he could get the Christmas decorations down from the attic and my response was, "What for?" But I've spruced up my little blog and decked it out for the Holidays. Maybe it will help cheer me up. And when I'm done here, I think I will see if DH would like to help me get a few decorations up after all.

I did, however, go out today to mail my granddaughter's The Very Hungry Caterpillar Hallmark Ornament. So, glad that's done. I'm hoping to get a couple of small quilts done by Christmas, too. Nothing like a little pressure to get me in gear.

While I was out and about, we stopped in at Wal-Mart. I found this great little set of bowls (so cute!). I had seen the set on another blog (the name escapes me right now) and admired them. It is actually a cookie mix set but I just wanted the bowls because they were red and white. Gee, for $10, I think it was a bargain! (Sorry for the pic...poor lighting or bad photographer...lol).

And in the mail, I found a package waiting for me from Kate. She and I participated in a one-on-one ornie exchange hosted by Angela through her Yahoo group.
Here's her ornie to me! Aren't they too cute? I couldn't believe it when I found that the miniature clothespins really work! I love the aprons! I think I'll use them in my kitchen somehow. Thank you Kate. I will post a pic of what I made for her but I must wait until I know she has received her ornie. I wouldn't want to spoil it for her!

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T09:47:00.002-05:00

Thanksgiving is here and with it begins the wonderful holiday season. May your day be filled with family and friends and LOTS of turkey! Personally, my favorite is the dressing. Yummy!!! Be safe and enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Playing Catch Up

2008-10-14T19:21:00.006-04:00

My One Block Wonder Encore quilt kinda got pushed to the back burner ...strike that! The back burner would be bad...lol! Let's just say it got pushed aside so I could work on the Panda which, by the way, has yet to be named. I am stumped, but that's another story.

I can't believe how much my One Block shrank! I was warned it would become smaller but sheesh!! I think it's dimensions have gone from twin to throw size. Certainly, it was all the seams that changed the dimensions drastically. Oh well. It probably looks better up on a wall anyway.

It's ready for borders; three mitered borders to be exact. Of course, I am a little nervous about cutting the top and bottom edges straight. It's so final. It's not like I can put the edges back together if I make a mistake. But the sooner I cut, the sooner I'll be done!! Oh, and as requested, here is what the fabric looked like before the mass whacking (Alexander Henry).

By the way, Michelle is having a birthday giveaway. It's her birthday but she's giving the gift! I think that's pretty generous of her. Drop in and wish her a Happy Day!

Playing with Pandas

2008-10-11T22:17:00.006-04:00

The last few weeks have been spent designing a wallhanging featuring a panda. I enjoy pandas, especially their markings which give the appearance of a short black bolero and short pants. They are so cute!

Inspired by the "Shanghai" fabric line by Hoffman, which I used as a small side border, I am finally satisfied with the final pattern. I thought I would try my hand at "satin stitching" (which is how I finished the raw edges) and I must say I have a new appreciation for those who like to satin stitch. Let's just say I won't be doing that again! Live and learn...

I truly enjoyed the designing process and was amazed at how it all evolved. Never in my dreams did I think it would look like it does now because it sure didn't start out like that in my mind!

I will be "lending" my pattern to our quilt shop which! will be making fabric kits for the pattern. If the pattern is well received?.....who knows. For now, I am happy it is finally done, and even more pleased with how it turned out!

Here is my panda (yet to be named). Enjoy

Boxed Up...

2008-09-02T00:38:00.004-04:00

...and ready to go (to Colorado, that is). For the last week, I have been working on some special party favors for my niece (by marriage), who will be celebrating her Quinceanera. A Quinceanera is a young Latina's celebration of her fifteenth birthday. I would have to say that it is the equivalent of a "Sweet Sixteen" celebration. In our culture, it is considered to be the most important birthday because it celebrates the transition from childhood to womanhood. This celebration usually consists of a mass for the young lady to give thanks for her blessings. She is usually presented to the Church accompanied by her parents, godparents and may include escorts and maids.

Once the mass is over, there is usually a reception/dinner/party. Special party favors or "recuerdos" (that's where I come in) are distributed to the guests to remember this special event. So I chose to make some little bags filledwith...purple and orange Jelly Bellys! Hopefully she will like them. I found the tutorial for these bags over at Angie Kennedy Juda's website, Stampin' Academy.

I am just glad to have them done and officially on their way tomorrow morning!

Enjoy your Quinceanera, Marci!

Call of the Wild!

2008-08-22T20:58:00.006-04:00

Recently, while browsing through the new quilt books at the shop, I came across the book, "One-Block Wonders, Encore". I found myself quite intriqued by it. The technique used is very similar to stack and whack. You sew what seems like a million half hexagons (to be connected later), and then the fun begins...it's like a jigsaw puzzle, trying to group all the same colors. The challenge is transitioning the hexagons from one color to the next. The problem spots are easily remedied by cubes that you sew and strategically place in a pleasing manner.

Although this technique is definitely not my style (I like traditional/reproduction), the little hexagons kept calling me "try me, try me, try me"! So I went out and bought some Alexander Henry fabric and began the tedious process of cutting layers of triangles.

After a couple of evenings of sewing, here is what I have up on my wall:

Definitely not finished yet (I need to sew the hexagons together in rows to avoid sewing Y seams), and then I'm leaning towards 3 borders - brown, teal, brown.
I think perhaps I should name it "Call of the Wild"!

Tomorrow, I am off to Lancaster, PA where we will hit the local quilt shops (The Old Country Store, Zooks and Sauders). If there is time, we hope to get up to Burkholder's, where they claim to have 10,000 bolts of fabric! Can you imagine?!

So off to get the camera ready, fresh batteries and some shut-eye for tomorrow's trip north! Will share pics (if I can manage to put down all the bolts!).

Show and Tell Time!

2008-08-06T11:35:00.008-04:00

Working at a quilt shop has always been an interesting experience for me. It's a great place to get some inspiration and a chance to sometimes work outside my "comfort zone". I personally enjoy the convenience of the more traditional-style patterns from books or patterns on the rack. Yardage is worked out for me, instructions are there for me to follow, and voila! I have a quilt top. Easy!

When Jason Yenter's Floragraphix fabric line arrived at our shop, it challenged us to find a pattern where it might effectively be used, especially since a couple of bolts were "border stripe" type fabrics and, of course, the whole "working outside my comfort zone" thing.

It was soon pretty obvious that Floragraphix was going to take just the "right" pattern and we just weren't finding it in the store. So, Linda (owner) and I collaborated and designed this wallhanging using the Floragraphix fabric. I pieced the quilt top and Linda quilted it and put the binding on it.

My favorite design aspect is the butterfly in the largest circle. It's constructed using Ultrasuede. I simply traced my drawing on Steam-A-Seam 2 (fuse), peeled off the paper on one side of the fusing temporarily adhering it to the Ultrasuede, cut out the pattern, and fused it to the background. The beauty of using the Ultrasuede is that I didn't have to turn under the raw edges! I finished the butterfly with a blind-hem applique stitch using smoke-colored Mono-Poly thread. I am really pleased with how it turned out.

I think that this pattern will lend itself nicely to all the large Asian-style panels and prints out there right now. Linda decided we should make a few kits and is finishing up the last edits on the pattern. It has been decided that we should appropriately name it "Butterfly Circles" (yeah, I know, not very original...lol). I am excited to see how it will be received by our customers!

Pieceful days to all!

Getting in Some Sewing!

2008-07-31T18:59:00.005-04:00

It's been so hot and humid here in Maryland, I almost can't stand it (were it not for good ol' air conditioning)! Good reason to stay in and get some sewing done.

I'm not ready to take on any serious piecing right now, so I picked a tote pattern I first saw over at Lazy Girl Designs . It's called the "Bucket Tote"and Joan Hawley actually adapted it for fabric from the "Bold Bags" book by Lazy Girl Designs, which features several bags constructed using the "Exclusively You" product line (croc sheets). It was fast and easy, with most of my time having been spent quilting my "panels". It didn't really put much of a dent in the "stash" either! Now, I probably wouldn't use this as a purse since there is no zipper or secure closure, but it will work great for toting knitting, stichery or most small hand work.

I love Lazy Girl patterns, and I think I will be moving on to the Miranda Bag next! One can never have too many bags/totes! They're great for gift giving, as well.

And speaking of giving, May Britt over at Abyquilt is celebrating her 2nd blogiversary! To celebrate, she is having a giveaway!! Perhaps you'd like to drop in on her and wish her a "Happy 2nd Blogday"?

Keep stitching!

Hershey Quilt Show Continued (photo intense)

2008-07-30T05:35:00.004-04:00

Thought I'd post some pics of the larger quilts from Quilt Odyssey quilt show in Hershey, PA. Unfortunately, if I posted all the quilt pics, I'd use up all my allowed pic space, so I have narrowed the pics down to some of my favs. Just looking at them again has inpsired me to move on with my own projects.

Enjoy!

Chocolate and a Quilt Show...

2008-07-26T20:41:00.012-04:00

all wrapped up in one! Hubby and I went to Hershey, Pennsylvania to see the "Quilt Odyssey Quilt Show". This is the same show that was, up until a couple of years ago, held in Gettysburg, PA. Held at the Hershey Lodge now (where everywhere you turn there are bowls filled with Hershey kisses), the show always comes through with beautiful displays of quilts from all over. Oh, and the many, many vendors that bring the latest in fabrics and patterns for any style of quilting you can imagine.This year there were two special displays: "Antique Red and Green Quilts" and Karen Kay Buckley Cover Quilts (her quilts on covers of various magazines). My favorite, of course, were the red and green antique quilts. It's not everyday I get a chance to see quilts from circa 1850s. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to photograph them (understandable).

I'll start with the "Mini" quilts:

This quilt is called Carnivale and measures approximately 14x14. What amazed me was the number of pieces in this quilt: over 4,000! The colors were hot!

The mini mariner's compass measures 23 x 23 and the quilter was inspired to make it after seeing a large quilt with that design.

George Siciliano of Lebanon, PA machine pieced and quilted this 10.25x10.25 mini called Illusions. There are 140 log cabins, with a total of 4,129 pieces! Too many for me!

Celestial Garden measures 16x16 and is an original white work quilt by Jane Holihan of NY. It has cherubs, birds and flowers and is beautifully hand quilted. Wow!

Spring Pastorale by Jan Hutchison of Sedgwick, KS is done on....can you believe it...dupioni silk? It's 22x23 and was long-armed. It was spectacular! If you look at it closely, you can see where she created washes of color by quilting with different color threads.

Alice Tignor, of Severna Park, MD, machine pieced (not PAPER pieced) this tiny gem! Done in Civil War reproductions, Strawberry Baskets measures only a minute 12x12!

Back to Square One is the tiniest of the quilts I saw, measuring only 9-7/8x9-7/8! The feathered circles are the size of a nickel! And if that's not enough, the smallest patches in the 9-patches?.........they are 1/8"....unbelievable! In total, there are 985 pieces in this quilt. Kudos to all the quilters who had entries and especially those daring enough to work in miniature!

I will post more pics tomorrow of some of the larger quilt entries. Hope you enjoyed as much as I did!

Pieceful days to all!

Nothing like a little shopping...

2008-07-20T23:59:00.004-04:00

to help wash away the blues. And boy, did it feel great! We went to "look" at new printers and came out of the store new owners of an all-in-one HP Photosmart printer. And they even matched the lowest price we found online (which was $30 below their advertised price)!

I've wanted a new printer for several reasons, but primarily because I'd like to finish a project I started in a class I took to create a "memory" wallhanging on a trip my DH took to Russia last year.

It was really quite cool in that all the pictures, memorabilia, ticket stubs, money, etc. were collaged on a piece of scrapbook paper, copied, then printed on Printed Treasures photo fabric. Once I printed the sheets, it was just a matter of sewing the sheets together to create a "scrapbook" type wallhanging.

Now initially, the instructor provided the printer/scanner for us to use in class. The color was rich and vivid. But when I printed a fabric sheet on my home printer, it was all washed out and no matter how I changed the settings, it just didn't have the same clear, vivid appearance as the sheets printed on the instructor's printer. So, finally I am in business again!

Here's my project so far: Looking at it now, I see where it really does need a lot more embellishing, which is why I'd like to print another sheet or two of smaller pics, maps, etc. to overlay on the existing piece. When I am satisfied, my final embellishing will consist of some Russian coins hubby brought back from his trip. I will drill a small hole in each and attach to the wallhanging. I will finish off with a border of a copper color fabric. At least, that's the plan so far. But if you're a quilter, you know nothing is set in stone...lol.

It's seems like forever...

2008-07-18T16:40:00.007-04:00

since I last blogged. Hard to do when the mind is elsewhere. Right now, the biggest worry is the health of my parents. They are both up in age. My father suffered a severe stroke in February and has been left with very limited use of his left extremities. After several months' stay at the hospital and rehab center, he is home with my Mom, who is determined to provide him with the 24-hour care Dad needs. Mom has her own health problems, including the heart. She has suffered from mild heart failure for several years now, with her last episode only a week ago. She had been feeling poorly for a couple of days and finally said something when she woke up experiencing shortness of breath and a slight gurgly sound in her chest (fluid in her lungs). They can't go on like this. Not good for my Dad (needs 24-hour care) and certainly not good for Mom. Yet they are both determined to stay in their own home.

It saddens me that I am 3000 miles away and that in addition, my two sisters are left with trying to coordinate doctor visits, errands, prescription refills, etc. and still hold down full-time jobs.

My husband and I just got back from a 3-week visit. Our goal was to go give my sisters and Mom a break and help with Dad's daily care in addition to getting Dad to and from doctor visits, refilling prescriptions, scheduling appts, etc. We got back yesterday exhausted. If we're exhausted, I can only imagine how exhausted Mom and my sisters are as they continue the daily routine of caring for Dad.

Yet, it was still good to see everyone. I was especially thrilled at visiting with our granddaughter, Mia. She is 15 months old and cute as a button! I hadn't seen or held her since she was 2 months old! She's my little ray of sunshine!

I've done very little quilting/sewing. BUT.... my diary quilt, which I worked on last year and which was a project for consideration in Mimi Dietrich's new book "A Quilter's Diary...Written in Stitches", made it into her book!! I was elated (to say the least) that it was selected as part of the "Gallery" section (page 109!). Mimi's book is a great source for blocks as it contains at least 150 block patterns, both applique and pieced, and is a great way to tell your own story in the form of a quilt. I chose to set my blocks in a carpenter's wheel setting and used colors representative of my Mexican heritage. The main fabric is from a line by Sheryl Kahn and has rich reds, oranges, yellows, blues and hints of green. It has small gold images/symbols that have an ethnic feel to them throughout the fabric, which is why it sort of "called" to me! Here is a front, back and label pic:

Mimi Dietrich also happens to be my teacher for the year-long class I took on Baltimore Album Quilts. I continue to applique blocks in hopes of having them finished by the end of this year. I would like to begin the quilting process (by hand) in 2009 and hopefully have my quilt completed by 2010.

I will try to post pics as soon as I finish the 2 blocks I have in progress. I will spend the next few days trying to play catch-up on blogs, emails and maybe even some quilting! Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

Happy New Year

2008-01-01T23:55:00.000-05:00

Well, I sort of dropped off the planet for a while and feel like I missed so much. Pretty much I shut down. Christmas has come and gone. I didn't put up a tree, no lights; nothing; and now the New Year is here. Feel like I lost a few months somewhere and, consequently, I have nothing to show for those lost months, with the exception of a small store sample and my SSCS gift to Fiona Y.

Here is the store sample baby quilt made with 1 package of charm squares from the Silly Safari line of fabric. I quilted it with an all-over meander and I designed a monkey pattern for the border. If you look real close you can see him peaking over the edge of the border. Lesson learned? Absolutely! On this quilt I should have used a more "solid looking" border fabric or a different color thread. The monkeys don't show up very well.

I did receive my SSCS gift from Gail Pan . It was a very sweet stuffed giraffe (Melly & Me pattern?) and a cute envelope-style pouch with a stitchery-embellished flap (my camera is with DD in Calif. so Donna has graciously forwarded me her pic). Thank you Gail! And thank you, Donna, for hosting!

I have been reading several blogs, trying to catch up on everyone's latest projects, SSCS gifts, and what everyone has planned for 2008. Already, several bloggers have posted quilty/sewing goals for 2008! I don't think I'll be making any such list. I'd be afraid of using up all my blog space on it!

Here's hoping 2008 is a better year!

The Individualist Revealed

2007-11-07T23:08:00.000-05:00

Found this little test and thought I'd give it a try just for fun. Based on my answers, it was determined that I am.............

THE INDIVIDUALIST

Here's what the test determined......lol

You Are 4: The Individualist

You are sensitive and intuitive, with others and yourself.
You are creative and dreamy... plus dramatic and unpredictable.

You're emotionally honest, real, and easily hurt.
Totally expressive, others always know exactly how you feel.

At Your Best: You are inspired, artistic, and introspective. You know what you're thinking, and you can communicate it well.

At Your Worst: You are melancholy, alienated, and withdrawn.

Your Fixation: Envy

Your Primary Fear: To have no identity

Your Primary Desire: To find yourself

Other Number 4's: Alanis Morisette, Johnny Depp, J.D. Salinger, Jim Morrison, and Anne Rice.

What Number Are You?

Happy Halloween

2007-10-31T23:25:00.000-04:00

Hope everyone has a safe and treat-filled Halloween! Here are the pumpkins we carved today......spooky but cool! Enjoy..

Purple People Eater, Oh My!

2007-10-13T21:34:00.000-04:00

Today was a wonderful day. It was a day filled with fun, laughter and vivid imaginations! If anyone knows me, they know I like the traditional when it comes to quilting and patterns. It's not often I will stray unless it is to help with someone else's quilt/project. However, today was certainly the exception to the rule.

I signed up for a class with Jane Clark, a local quilt teacher who has quite an imagination. She is a fabulous machine quilter. She also designed a quilt featuring "creatures". Yep....funny, colorful, whimsical creatures. I have only heard descriptions of this wonderful quilt and one day I hope I will be able to see it in person. She finally taught one of her creatures at our shop today: "One Eye, One Horn, Purple People Eater"! He is quite the character and it was just amazing to see everyone's choice of colors. There was a red one, a black and white one, three purple ones (staying with his name) and one who was purple and green. There were polka dots, scales, checks, stripes, spotted fabric, holographic fabric......you name it, someone used it.

I wish I had taken pictures of everyone's creatures but I didn't want to get behind. The creatures were done with machine applique, first building and stitching his body. When this is all done, it will then be appliqued to a background block.

Here is a pic of my creature, "Fang", as I have affectionately named him (sorry the lighting is not the best). Fang has yet to be all appliqued so he is not attached to the background.

And he has arrived just in time for Halloween! I can't wait until Jane makes the other nine creatures available for purchase!

Hope everyone had as wonderful a Saturday as I did!

Coming Up for Air!

2007-10-10T09:13:00.000-04:00

It seems like forever since I posted but today is Wednesday, and I actually have nothing planned for today (except the usual taxi service). The last couple of weeks were spent feverishly trying to get our quilt shop's BOM up and running by Oct 1 which, I am happy to say, we were able to do! Phew! Working on the BOM was strictly on a voluntary basis so it seems only a few of us (two!) went the distance to finish it. The quilt was designed by a local artist and named "mermaid's realm." It definitely is not for the beginner! It is appliqued, both by hand and machine (depending on what we were most comfortable with) and all the elements had to be done first before we could put it down on the background. The background, including rocks and borders, had to be constructed prior to our sewing down the elements. Seams were left open in places to tuck in some of the appliqued pieces. Faces were hand painted (by moi!) using DecoArt So-Soft paints. In fact, I will be teaching the face-painting classes in the Winter. Wish me luck!

Working at a quilt shop certainly has its benefits but it also puts a strain on one's ability to work on personal projects. Let me just say that if I never see a mermaid, kelp or seaweed again it will be too soon.....lol. Here's a pic of the behemoth! Supposedly it's queen size.......hmmm

Here's a couple of pics.....

Definitely different.........lol

And speaking of personal projects, recently I visited Wendy's blog, Snippets of a Quilter, and drooled over her pumpkin stitcheries, wall quilts, etc! I love fall! Halloween! Pumpkins!! I especially admired her pumpkin stitchery of which she posted a picture. Well, she inspired me so much, I had to try my hand at stitching. What's the worse that could happen? If I didn't like it, I could make it dissappear......lol. I emailed Wendy and picked her brain.......you know... all the usual beginner questions. She was so kind and helpful. I found the pattern in one of my quilt books, "Stars All Around Us" by Cherie Ralston (Kansas City Star Books) and was originally a punchneedle project, "Harvest Moon". I enlarged the pattern and, well, here it is..........my first stitching piece...

I am very proud of it despite the fact that my stitches are not consistent yet. Like everything else, it takes practice. I had so much fun stitching it and watching it come to life. I couldn't wait to finish it and now that I have, what do I do with it? lol I think I want to make it into a small table topper or table runner. I will probably put some borders around it, maybe wonky flying geese, or tiny log cabins; oh.....maybe a scrappy piano key border!...not sure yet. But I like it!!

Now I will have to go read and catch up on everyone's blogs before I begin some much needed sewing!

Everyone have a "pieceful" week!!

Lunch by the River (photo intense)

2007-09-22T22:09:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I had a whole weekend to myself. I forgot what it's like to enjoy a Saturday and not have to worry about going in to work on Sunday. I had nothing planned except dropping off DD at the college for a Saturday class. After dropping her off, DH and I headed to the local Subway, picked up a sandwich and headed for Annapolis. We pulled into a small park right on the Severn River where we watched the boats go by. It felt good to just sit and do nothing. I took my camera along this time, and was able to take a few shots of sail boats. Now, mind you, I'm not a photographer, but here goes....
This is a shot of one of many boats on the water this afternoon with the Naval Academy in the background.

Sailboats as far as the eye can see. I don't actually know what is beyond the horizon....lol.

Docks and, of all things, I think its a blue and red bulldozer. The structure in the background is enormous and I don't know whether it is a private residence or a business.
One lonely sailboat sailing down (or is it up?) the river. I bet they didn't care!...lol

The next picture made a real impression on me. I saw this little boy on the edge of the river. He was fishing with his dad (or perhaps he had tired of fishing). I took a couple of pics of him and then I saw this through my viewfinder....

I had to snap this pic. It was perfect (in my mind). Looking at the picture now, I wonder what he was thinking about. I was able to catch only his silhouette but I know now that it is the reason I had to snap the shot. I think I want to quilt this pic as a wallhanging. I only wish I had gotten some information on the little guy.

The next two shots are some of the flowers/foliage I came upon as I walked the path along the river's edge.Doesn't Mother Nature have a wonderful sense of color? I wonder if she was a quilter.....lol
The last three shots I took to remind me that yes, indeed, fall is finally here! My favorite time of the year. We were waiting for DD to get out of class and so I took the opportunity to shoot pics of some of the tree leaves already beginning to change colors.

What a relaxing way to spend my Saturday, and I deserved it! Best of all, I spent it with DH. What did you do for yourself today?

Til next time, "pieceful" days to everyone!

And the Winner Is.........

2007-09-21T08:10:00.001-04:00

Thank you to all who participated in my first giveaway! After counting and recounting the buttons in my tin, I can tell you that there were 86 buttons inside. Based on that number, the lucky winner of the paint can and 8 FQ batiks is..........

drum roll please...............

The winner, with a guess of 73 buttons is Jeanne at Luv 2 Stitch!!! Jeanne, email me with your snail mail address and I will get your prize off to you quickly! Enjoy!

Well, off to work I go. We're trying to finish preparing our Block of the Month quilt and have it up on display by Oct 1 and I still have kelp to finish.

What a Week & Giveaway!

2007-09-17T00:27:00.000-04:00

This drawing has closed and the winner has been posted.

This past week has been the pits. First I spent 10 hours in the Emergency Room Sunday/Monday. I went in with neck pain that reminded me of when I had the mumps as a child. The sides of my neck hurt, radiating to my ears, especially the right side. After waiting until 4:00 a.m. to see a dr., it was determined it was probably a swollen lymph node which was caused by a molar needing dental work. Don't I feel stupid..... Okay, well it wasn't bad after all. I would live. The rest of the week I begin to feel pain across my back, neck and shoulder. Here I go again. Only this time I think I know why I'm in such discomfort. The weekend before, I gave my bathtub a serious scrubbing, washed my bathroom floors on my hands and knees and used muscles I didn't know I had......oh boy, but I know I have them now! Today, I finally got some relief and I think the worst is over. When it rains it pours......

I'm hoping this week is a better one. And to start off the week, I am giving away a cute little acrylic paint can filled with batik fat quarters (8 to be exact). Wouldn't the container make a great way to store rotary cutters, narrow rulers, or even buttons? The first person to guess how many buttons are in my little Wizard of Oz tin from my previous post of 9/9/07, without going over, will win the little container and fat quarters. Deadline for posting your comment with your guess is Thursday, Sept. 20, midnight EST.

Good luck everyone! Hope your week is a good one!

We Shall Never Forget

2007-09-11T18:08:00.000-04:00

Today, September 11, marks a day in history that I shall never forget. Thoughts and prayers go out to all who lost loved ones on that tragic day and to those in the military fighting against terrorism.

Buried in Four-Patches Plus!

2007-09-09T09:53:00.000-04:00

I pulled out a UFO this weekend (one of many!). Without thinking how dangerous that could be, I opened the bin and admired all the pretty little HSTs and four patches. I vaguely remembered what I was doing but after referring to the book (which I luckily kept with my project), it all came back to me. I had taken a class with Norma Campbell, one of our local quilt teachers, called Jewel Box. She taught from Eleanor Burns' book of the same name. I had to laugh because now I knew why I had put it down......I had probably tired of ALL the four patches!

But do you know how hard it is to put down a UFO once you reopen the bin? I just had to run a few squares through the machine and make a few more patches. A few more led to more and more and guess what? Soon I finished sewing all the four patches!

I'm one step closer to completing the top! Of course, now I need to press all the squares and sew them to a HST. And so the process continues. But I have to admit it still gave me a sense of accomplishment.

Here is what I have so far (not including the four patches and HSTs I am still working on...lol

Once I have all my blocks up, I will sew a 2" inner border of the light background to "float" the blocks, and then sew a "piano key" border using strips of the leftover fabrics. When the top is completed, it should be queen-size.

On a smaller scale, I also finished a bag I started early on Monday, Labor Day, as a gift for a friend. The pattern is "Camille's Bag" designed by Penny Sturges. I saw this bag made up at a very nice quilt shop, "The Cozy Cottage", when I went to see my grandbaby in Los Angeles. I gave it to Jackie on Thursday evening at the shop. She was delighted! I used Moda's new line of fabric, "Native Sun", which she also happens to be using to construct a jacket. Here's a pic to share!

It's my turn to work at the quilt shop today which pretty much puts a halt to everything else I wanted to do this weekend. I do have one last thing to share with you....a small tin filled with tiny, small, and not so small buttons. I've never actually counted how many are in there but SOMETHING tells me I probably need to know...and soon. Could it be this is related to my post for Sunday, September 16? Time will tell!!

Another Year Older

2007-08-27T23:23:00.000-04:00

August 27 and it's my birthday AGAIN. I just had one (I thought). Where does the time go? When I was 20, it felt like the years couldn't go by fast enough. Now they just fly right by. Only yesterday (or so it seems) I was celebrating the New Year 2007! Now I'm already trying to figure what I will give family and friends for Christmas which, by the way, is only 4 months away!

And speaking of gifts, I received a couple of great gifts from my family. I received a BIG Olfa cutting mat to replace my poor warped smaller mat. I've had that mat for several years and evidently I must have left it out exposed to the sun somehow because it was warped on one edge, which made it difficult to accurately cut longer lengths of fabric.

I'd been eyeing this wonderful Jim Shore Halloween resin piece we got in at the shop: a jack-o-lantern with a witch and cat sitting atop. Halloween is a favorite of mine. I'd make costumes for the kids every year and we'd go out and trick-or-treat and the kids looked forward to it every year! Of course, it also falls during my favorite season: Autumn. Just thinking about it makes me yearn for fall, its colors, the cool breezes and crispness in the air. Well, to my surprise, the jack-a-lantern was a gift for me too! Here's a pic of my jack-o-lantern:

Thank you, Honey!

I truly loved the gifts I received and appreciate them very much. But the best gift of all was hearing from my folks and sisters back home.

Happy Birthday to me!

The Flying Grammie

2007-08-24T01:14:00.000-04:00

I absolutely dislike and fear flying! I avoid it like the plague. So much so, that everytime we've traveled back home we have done so by car.....yep, across the country...3000 miles from Maryland to California (and back...lol); through black ice, pouring rains and even across bridges (another fear).

Well, my first grandbaby, Mia, arrived this year in April. Unfortunately, she lives back in Los Angeles so I couldn't just pop over there. Hmmm.....I would have to fly. No other alternative. So, fly I did! I was one flying grammie! I white knuckled it and thank goodness for better living through chemistry. I love being a grammie but I always saw myself being there to watch my grandbabies grow up and be a part of all their "firsts" (sigh).

The stress of flying there was so worth it. The moment I held her in my arms it was love at first sight. I could have held her forever. With her big brown eyes she reached out and found a place in my heart that will forever be hers. To me, she is the most beautiful baby in the world! I can't wait to see her and hold her again. Til then, pictures will have to do. My son periodically updates me on her progress with pictures. I am grateful for modern technology, Internet, digitals, etc. Almost instantly he can snap her pic and send it to me. Cool!

Of course, shopping for fabrics will never be the same now that I have my granddaughter. I found the sweetest FQs recently and have the perfect jacket pattern to try out with these new fabrics. The pattern is called "Cute As A Button Baby Jacket" by Jackie Clark and I just had to share the fabrics and pattern...

And, of course, here is the love of my life.....I present my baby granddaughter, Mia--

I love you, Mia!!!

I'm a Secret Santa!

2007-08-21T19:31:00.000-04:00

Not long ago, I signed up to participate in a Secret Santa Swap over at Chookyblue . I received an email from Donna notifying me who I will be sending to! How exciting and Dec isn't even here yet! I have already begun to give some thought to what I will make for her but who knows? My mind changes like the wind...lol. The trick here will be how to find out about her without giving the secret away. I already visited her blog and I was able to get a few hints as to what she likes. Thank goodness for blogs. Sometimes I forget how much one can learn from reading blogs.....lol. And if I read her blog, will my Secret Santa read mine? Hmmmm...maybe it's time to update my blog....drop some hints...... Now, let's see.......

I dropped in on Carol's blog Giraffe Dreams recently and she was offering Barbie FQs to anyone who might be interested provided they paid for postage. How cool is that? Well, of course I've sent her the postage and am looking forward to making a quilt one day for our little granddaughter, Mia. Since Carol loves giraffes (like I do!), I thought I could reciprocate and make something "giraffe-y" for her just to thank her for her generosity. You meet some wonderful people in blogland....

Missed It By That Much

2007-08-14T11:20:00.000-04:00

Well, despite my efforts, I didn't quite finish my block for class. I have one tiny area to finish on the bottom left side of the fleur de lis, and then still applique the cut outs within the fleur de lis points. As it turns out, there was only one person who had hers completely finished. I know it's not a race, however, I had just hoped to have it finished so that I might move on to my next block without having to go back to my first. Wishful thinking!

I worked 6 days straight at the quilt shop and my body is screamin' at me. I am just exhausted. Today is the first day off at home before I return to work tomorrow. I like working there, though, among all the wonderful fabrics!!!!! So much eye candy! However, as they say, "Too much of a good thing is not good for you." Even fabrics...lol.

I am itching to start another sewing tin after making the one for the exchange over at The Country Cellar. In fact, I have an idea I think you will all like........but that's all I can say for now. In the meantime, I have pulled out some papers that might make the "cut" (wink, wink). What do you think? Do I go retro '50s or keep it more vintage and floral-y?

I Think I Can!

2007-08-10T08:32:00.000-04:00

The heat has been horrible, and the humidity is even worse! We have been running the AC nonstop for about a week now and I'm afraid to look at our next lighting bill, especially since our rates have gone up drastically! I can't wait for fall. I can almost feel those cool, crisps days and evenings. Some of the trees appear to have leaves that are now yellow.....of course, my hubby doesn't think they're changing color as much as they are dying from the heat. Oh, well, I can hope, can't I?

My Baltimore Album block is coming along. I'm still thinking Baltimore! I decided to make another fleur-de-lis block as a companion to the first one. It's all about balance in the quilt I've been told. The technique we're using is basically needleturn, however, we have traced our pattern with a chalk pencil on the top fabric instead of the more common method of tracing the pattern on the background pattern. I didn't do it this way the first year I took the class because I felt I had nothing to support the top fabric. Instead, I used freezer paper on top. I decided to give the technique a chance this time and I have to admit it is not bad. I did, however, baste my top fabric to the background instead of using the brass safety pins in each corner to keep the fabric in place. I tend to shift my top fabric. I have picked up the pace just a bit and I think I'll have my block completed by Monday night! Whoopee! Our next block will be a wreath, I believe, with the freezer paper on top technique. I didn't do the wreath suggested the first time around and I don't think I will do it this time, either. Instead, I will substitute another block using the same technique, if possible.

I've shared a pic here of my block so far.....think Baltimore!

Think Baltimore!

2007-07-31T12:49:00.000-04:00

I took a year-long class on Baltimore applique quilts with Mimi Dietrich last year and the goal was to make a Baltimore Album block every month. I say to myself, "I can do that! No problem. A whole month to applique a block. Where do I sign up?" Well, a year later, I managed to complete 4 blocks......yes, you read it right---4 blocks. Life got in the way, and so did other projects.

Well, guess what class I'm taking this year? Baltimore Album class....lol. Yep...I have signed up again. Maybe I'll get 4 more blocks done this year! At the rate I'm going, it will take me 4 years to finish this quilt (including the quilting maybe). Now, I have 2.5 weeks before our next block is due (we do show and tell at our class). Do you think I've started? Of course not! Too busy working on a tote I need for a class I'm teaching at the quilt shop.

So, my motivating phrase for the next 2.5 weeks shall be "Think Baltimore, think Baltimore, think Baltimore!"

Here are a few pics of the blocks I have completed to date...

Gee, after photographing the blocks, I realized the blue wheel block isn't complete yet! Go figure. And the berry wreath is missing 1 berry. Think Baltimore!

A Quilty Week

2007-07-24T14:03:00.000-04:00

I've spent the last few days busily quilting away trying to finish a wallhanging (45"x45") project for consideration in a new book by a well-known quilter! My quilt, along with others, could possibly be used as sample quilts in the book to demonstrate her blocks/techniques. I have set my blocks within a larger Carpenter's Wheel block. The blocks are either hand appliqued or machine pieced, some set on point. I used, as my main fabric, a Sheryl (sp?) Khan fabric that I fell in love with and that evoked both an ethnic and primitive feel, with rich fiery reds/yellows/oranges and blues. Deadline was yesterday. It will be a few months before I know whether it will be included in the book. Unfortunately, I cannot post pics at this time but as soon as I know one way or the other, I will post. Til then, I'm waiting on pins and needles (wink, wink)!

I also participated in an online pincushion exchange at the The Country Cellar website. My partner was May Britt Dammen from Norway. She made me a wonderful little pincushion with matching bag! What a deal!

I, in turn, made her a pincushion with a pattern designed by Heather Bailey (published in "Quilts & More" summer edition). I also made decorative straight pins!

Wow, was that cool. I used Shrinky Dinks plastic and the possibilities are endless!

Of course, I had to make her a sewing tin to put all her notions in. I covered it in scrapbook papers, added ribbons, buttons, charms, and tags! Hard time giving it up but in the end I mailed it to Norway knowing it would have a good home! Enjoy May Britt!

And here are a few shots of the Needlekeeper I made for a swap on Backporch Friends. I wanted to make something other than a pincushion so I chose to recycle an Altoid mint tin and cover it in scrapbook papers and added some embellishments. I really like how it turned out and the best part was I actually recycled items for this project that otherwise would have been tossed out in the trash! My contribution to helping clean up Mother Earth.

Green with Envy No More

2007-07-20T02:02:00.000-04:00

I just couldn't take it any longer. EVERYONE I know has a blog. Just never saw the need for one (besides, who has time to set it up?). Well, 2 a.m. and guess what I did? I set one up! Yep -- this is my very first entry. I'm looking forward to posting my quilt projects, crafts, and just sharing!

I suppose I should get some shut eye; after all, it is 2:00 a.m. Now I can finally get some sleep. Blogging is hard work! Good night!