Random Bits

Without anything terribly interesting to share today, it seems as good a time as any to throw some random stuff out there that I've collected in recent weeks.

This expresses my opinion about house work rather perfectly. I found it on either Pinterest or Facebook.

And I really like this sentiment from Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Years ago, I read a book (or two?) by her. I ought to read her again.

A week ago, DH and I spent a day doing family stuff. Part of that meant we had the twins for the day. They are getting to be such big girls now - 8 years old (9 in October!) and going into 3rd grade. Here they are loving on their Aunt Jayne. *love*

I believe you have met Rocky, the sweet kitty belonging to my DD Erin and her hubby Jeff. Well look what arrived in a message several weeks ago.

He apparently likes hanging out in the quilt basket in their apartment. Isn't he  handsome? That quilt rolled up is Broken Dishes, a Kaffe Fassett quilt, which I gave her for a wedding shower gift back in 2014.

And speaking of Erin, a couple of text messages just last night indicate that she is starting a project, which must be some sort of mystery because she was not giving up any details.

This was a Christmas gift from her dad and me which she'd just opened up. Wow. What a nice gift. She sure is a lucky girl to have such thoughtful parents. *grin*

It looks like the beginnings of something wonderful! I will keep you informed as she shares additional details.

I'm a bit late getting a post up today, Peeps. I hope you'll forgive. DH and I went out for our somewhat-regularly-scheduled morning walk  (he actually runs a part of his routine) and I did 5 miles! I am still recovering. Whew! Felt good, though, and I'd like to do it a few more times while the weather is so nice.

Thanks for indulging me with my random bits. While I was out on that walk this morning, I got a few pictures from Sharon P. of a recent finish of hers. You will love it - and if you'll stop back by tomorrow, you will get a look-see.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Gift Fairies Have Been Busy!

Sharon was here to sew yesterday. Our project for the day was to begin a wedding quilt for the newlywed daughter of our friend and former co-worker Dee. The bride is Liz, whose wedding colors were peach, mint and gray. Our quilt will pick up those colors and will hopefully provide impact with large yet simple HST blocks.

We are using solid colors - Kona cotton ordered from Hancock's of Paducah. Here are the wonderful colors.

Our inspiration is a quilt we found on Pinterest. The simple, large and graphic blocks make quite a statement; they do all the work and no prints are necessary.

Depending on how the blocks are laid out, the look is either a pinwheel block or a square in a square. Above are some shots of our early blocks.

We did all the cutting, drawing of diagonal lines, stitching, cutting apart, and pressing today. We began sewing some of the HST units together, but not many. When we get together next week, we hope to be able to have a finished quilt top.

Our sewing days will be switching to Mondays starting next week. Starting next Tuesday, I will be heading back to teaching Freshman Comp at OU-C, and my classes are T-Th this semester. 

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Amazing Find

Thursday night I went digging around for a project to take with me to quilting on Friday morning with the Frankfort Girls. I didn't have anything immediately ready, unfortunately. I rooted around for awhile and came across a tub containing a UFO that I haven't touched since 2006.

I remember putting Meadow Lily away because I'd made a mistake. Stops me every time. But after 10 years, I don't even have a clue as to what the mistake was. So I took it with me Friday morning to see if I could sort it all out.

This is the quilt from the picture in the book - At Home With Thimbleberries Quilts. Are you surprised that I'm doing a Thimbleberries? I have done so, so many of them over the years, and I continue to go back to these patterns because of the great instructions and fast construction.

Take a look at the progress I made so many years ago. It amazes me that I had so much done. I wish I didn't let mistakes affect me so.

So many flower units are made! Why did I give it all up because of a mistake? All the setting blocks are made, too. I shake my head at my lengthy denial.

The photo below is likely where I will find my error. In the bottom of the tub are all the little yet-to-be-assembled pieces. It looks like what I would have been last working on.

I have not yet totally figured it out, but my guess is that I sewed a whole batch of HSTs on the wrong way to the little brown and background unit. I could spend a few Friday mornings unsewing these, if that is the case. I find that I am rather eager to get back to this quilt. I still like the fabrics and the pattern. With so much of it started, it seems ridiculous not to "get 'er done."

But Meadow Lily will have to wait. I need to spend today working on Elisa's quilt. Yes, I am still plugging away on it. I am so bad at procrastinating. Or maybe I should say I'm good at procrastinating and bad at diligence! *hah!* I would love to have it finished before the end of the month, and with some diligence, I could.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Remember That Resolution?

It was back in January that I made the resolution to get a quilt quilted every month for the year of 2016. I am woefully behind in my goal, but the few that are quilted are some of my favorites and are no longer just hanging out in the closet never to be enjoyed.

Several weeks ago, I got two quilts back from Terry and even though I still need to get the binding on them, I thought I would take the time to let you see what is waiting in the wings for my attention. I am chomping at the bit to have them finished.

This scrappy 16-patch block with stars in the sashing is a pattern of my own invention. With no particular plan in mind, I hand stitched the blocks with random 2.5" squares over the course of several months. Most were done while sewing with the Frankfort Girls at our Friday morning get-togethers. When it became time to decide how to use the blocks, I thought of using navy sashing strips with off-white cornerstones. Then I came up with the idea of adding those triangles to each end of the sashing strips to make star points. Voila! I love how it all came together.

Eventide has a long history. The longest part of its past is the Roman Holiday fabric, which I'd had in the stash since the fabric came out - possibly more than 10 years ago. In the spring of 2014, I believe, I made the decision to use the Roman Holiday in the Eventide pattern by Miss Rosie's Quilt/Carrie Nelson. What a joy to make. The gorgeous fabric and the great pattern seemed like a perfect marriage. I am thrilled with this quilt.

Let's see them on the bed. Those pictures above were taken when Terry returned them to me from being quilted, and were unfolded in Sheryll's kitchen.

Do you notice the quilt or the cat first? I just didn't have the heart to disturb Gracie when I went upstairs to take the picture. My activity in the room did awaken her, though, and her look tells me she was none too thrilled about it.

Because Eventide is just so darn gorgeous, I will give you lots of different angles and closeups on it. No cat in sight, either.

To recap my resolution: January-Breath of Avignon; February-Scrappy 16-Patch; March-Eventide; April-Abby's Wedding Quilt; May, June, July, August - no quilts. Now the 'glass half empty' folks would find fault with 50% completion of a goal. I, however, am a 'glass half full' kind of gal, and I see 4 quilts done that otherwise would still be hanging in the closet. A goal was all I needed to get some quilts moved out of that closet and onto a bed.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Crumbs Quilt

Claudia's biggest accomplishment of late (in the quilting realm, that is) is the completion of her Crumbs Quilt. If you recall she began it with me here last spring - take a look here for a visual reminder.

So a few days ago, she sent this picture in a very happy email announcing her finish. What a great job! Claudia's speedy progress from novice to this level of advancement is really something.

Short and sweet today, Peeps. The old computer is giving me fits, so I'm giving up. For now.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Checking In With Claudia

Over the past couple of weeks or so, Claudia has sent me several pictures of a variety of projects she has been working on. I tell you, it does make me proud that she is progressing so well. It certainly helps that she WANTS to do it, and she has a new machine, and she is willing to practice, practice, practice.

The hot pads, above are an example of the practicing Claudia is willing to do. She sent the first picture several days before the second. Her second email referenced all the time she'd been trying different techniques and perfecting others. Having a string of hot, hot days certainly helps - staying indoors with the A/C blasting and the sewing machine humming.

Awhile later, she sent these two pictures of a table topper she was working on. To me, this is rather advanced work. Any stitching with diamond shapes means that bias edges are involved and that can spell trouble with some seamstresses. The lower picture shows the backing fabric under the top. I just yesterday received an email from Claudia indicating that she is stumped as to how to finish or bind this topper. Those open angles and closed angles are complicating her finishing process.

I will get back to you, Claudia! I have a couple of suggestions! *wink*

I also have an update on Claudia's Crumb Quilt; I will bring you that soon.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Sharon Preps for Christmas

Our Tuesday sewing dates have been super-productive for Sharon lately. Case in point: a week ago she made two entire projects in one day - an entire quilt top that will eventually be given as a Christmas gift and a little table topper.

She had a flannel layer cake of this Holly Taylor fabric from a couple years ago called Through the Winter Woods. It went together so fast, and the colors are just so darned appealing. The recipient is going to love this gift.

With that first project finished, she dived right in to a little pack of 2.5" squares - also by Holly Taylor, but I did not get the name - and made this little quilt. I can imagine this will go on a table top when Sharon is decorating for Christmas.

These two projects just go to show that we don't always have to have the most intricate designs to  make beautiful quilts; the fabric can carry the show, too, when the design is simple.

Happy Quilting, Friends!