A Little of This and That

I think one of the absolute BEST things about living in the good ol’ USA is the Public Library.  I and my family have always been big patrons of libraries.  We haul out books by the dozens, treat them with respect, then go back and exchange them for more.

I recently went to a nearby library that has a Master Gardener volunteering to come in for a few hours once a week.  I was able to ask about the orchid that I posted about here.  It is continuing to thrive and is now getting a new leaf in addition to the flower stalk that is growing.  I wanted to ask whether it needed to be repotted and when would be a good time if it did.  All of my questions were answered by a knowledgeable person and for free …  What a deal~!!

And the library that I can walk up to just got in this new quilt book:

I have been trying to get out of the box without much success.  Maybe these designs (with explicit instructions) will help – ok, that’s counterintuitive but it’s a start!  Maybe I can see a Funky Chicken in my future …

I’ve just been dabbling in the sewing room this past week.  I finished quilting the Tam’s Patch quilt that I made with leftover novelty fabrics.  This was the one that I had so much trouble with the thread breaking and I had to rip out a few rows of quilting.  I would really have loved it with the variegated thread, but I guess *done* is better than perfectly undone.  This one will go to Wrap-a-Smile.

And I am joining in a block swap with Mailblocks that has us making 3 sizes of blocks (our choices for the designs) and I have been experimenting to make sure my choices work up properly.  These are the 12 and 6 inch blocks.

Two 12" Fair and Square Blocks

Cathy's Campfire - 6"

Fair and Square is from Quilt.com at this site:

 http://www.quilt.com/BlockOfTheMonth/1997/FairAndSquare.html

And Cathy’s Campfire is from Marcia Hohn’s Quilter’s Cache at this site:

http://www.quilterscache.com/C/CathysCampfireBlock.html

Now I need to get serious about finishing my orange and green cats quilt.

New Quilt Books!

What was I thinking?!!  … Allowing myself to go out and look at the big sale last month at C&T Publishing’s warehouse.  Well, it turned out that what I paid was 75% off (including shipping) and I got a great haul of quilt books that I never would have paid full price for.  So I feel vindicated (no matter what looks the dear hubby gave me – at least it wasn’t a bucket of golf balls – to each his own, I always say).  This is what I got:

I’m going upstairs now to play with elements from the 150 Baby Blocks book – it has a very clever presentation that shows a block, then at the bottom of the page it shows that block mixed and matched with one or more other blocks from the book like this:

"150 blocks for baby quilts" by Susan Briscoe

Very cool ideas that are getting my quilting brain out of the rut it’s gotten into … sometimes we just need a new spark of an idea to get us back on the bandwagon.

I did get one paper-pieced block made up for a swap group member that was asking for one signed block.  She has a friend whose cancer has recurred after 5 yrs remission.  That news is so demoralizing but I hope that wrapping up in a quilt while she receives treatment will let her friend know that she is surrounded by prayer.

I have another friend that is volunteering to walk in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Pinellas County, FL on Oct 22, 2011.  I applaud people like my friend who are taking action to raise funds for cancer research.  Bless your heart, GJ.

Research has and will make a difference.  Click on this link to donate to the American Cancer Society:

http://tinyurl.com/42b7mfq

Wrapping Up Loose Ends

Just wrapping up a few loose ends.  I had put the borders on the Trail to Treadleonia top and I think it contains the “wildness” nicely.

I then made up the lottery blocks that I had pledged for this month in the Mailblocks swap group.  There are actually five, but two are the same orange fabric.  I liked how this Maple Leaf block from the Quilter’s Cache turned out … I can’t remember making it before.  I wouldn’t mind winning the blocks this month (it’s winner take all)!

That’s it for another rainy day.  Our cable was knocked out all over the county last night – another huge electrical storm.  We had no internet and no cable TV channels for most of the day.  We sure are tired of it.  I think we’ve had more than our share this summer.  Oh well, time to think about dinner anyway!

Two Quilt Finishes

I was able to get a lot of sewing done this morning.  I finished quilting the Box Kites top that I made from my Mailblocks on-line swap lottery winnings.  I tried something different with the quilting on this and won’t try it again.

I thought I could free-motion some straight lines – only to find that you really must have a ruler to do this successfully.  And I didn’t plan ahead for what I was going to do when I got to the sashing (the sashing was necessary for the small differences in sizes since different people made the blocks).  I think I could do this again if I plan to make curvy lines instead!

Here's a detail (that I probably shouldn't show ...):

And I got the binding on both the Box Kites and the Rows of Posies quilts.  Oh, happy day!

These will go to WTIL after I finish one more to fill a box.  But now it’s back to that other project I had in mind … I've only cut a few blocks and I think I’m going to like them.  I’ll show the WIP soon.

I Won Some Quilt Blocks!

I am a member of an on-line quilt swap group called Mailblocks.  This group has a monthly block lottery and at the end of April I won the blocks – yipee!  The packages with blocks from the various members are starting to come in the mail and finally, it’s worth going to the mailbox … very exciting, as a matter of fact!  I expect to receive 25 - 12″ blocks, so along with the ones I made, I should have enough for 2 child-size quilts.  This is just plain fun.

So the catch is that the winner for the month has to select the next month’s lottery block.  I selected the Easy Bow Ties from this site:

http://delawarequilts.com/BOMs/BowTies/index.html

This interesting website (Delaware Quilts) started as a *gathering spot* to display their popular quilt retreat information.  It has grown and now has a block of the month section (for skill building) and it also has a section for quilt patterns for sale.  Almost all of the proceeds from the pattern sales benefit the American Cancer Society.  The patterns can be purchased in downloadable PDF format or via snail mail.  Check out the circular log cabin design – very cool!

These are the blocks I made to send to the May winner of the Mailblocks lottery.  I took two pictures since you can lay out these bowtie blocks in so many ways.  They were fun to make and I’ve already started making some for myself since they work up so fast.  Expect another picture soon of a finished top!

What's in the Works Today

The number selected for April for the Patchwork Times' UFO Challenge was #4 and on my list that was my pink and green Antique Tile blocks that I got in a block swap with the Mailblocks group.  Since I primarily make child-size quilts for donation, I decided to make a simple top with that Spring feel.  I call this one Strolling Through the Garden Paths.  The small pink border has hexagons to represent lattice and the top and bottom green borders have stripes to represent fence posts.  I have to get some more dark green for the binding, put it on the frame and get 'er done for April.  Wahoo!

Rainbow Scrap Progress

I finished up the little pink and green quilt that used up some green scraps and also some green orphan blocks - this quilt was to meet the *green theme* for the March 2011 Rainbow Scrap Challenge.    I did purchase the backing material and it is a little bright for my taste, but I couldn't find much pink and green - and I thought that was odd since it is such a pretty combination.  This is the finished, child-sized quilt - it will go to Wrap-a-Smile when I get the box filled.

This color challenge has been fun (and helped me make good use of fabrics I already own).  I can't wait to see what color is picked for April!

Boxed Quilts Went Off Today

I did get to finish the binding on the last quilt for the box and sent three off to Washington State today, along with my donation, destined for Japan.  These went to WTIL, as explained in yesterday's post.  The last one is called "Busy Batiks" because that's what I think they look like altogether (these were swap blocks). 

Here's what was in the box to WTIL (a photo of each finished quilt and a detail that shows the backing):

I hope the box gets there soon and then on its way to Japan.  I sure hope these quilts bring someone there comfort and lets them know that we care.

More Green Blocks

I made up my green blocks for the Mailblocks lottery this month from a Quilter's Cache pattern called *Twist*.  This design works up into a 12 inch block very quickly and looks great as a donation quilt with 3 x 4 blocks and a 2 inch border (see Marcia Hohn's examples).  If I win the lottery blocks, that's exactly what I would do with them.

Since it turned out that I had lots of green when I pulled them out for the 2011 Rainbow Challenge, I just might make up some more and do that anyway!

Rainbow Challenge Greens #1

I put together this sweet little pink/green top for Wrap-a-Smile yesterday that meets the *no rules* rules for the 2011 Rainbow Challenge (meaning you don't have to have it all green!).  I especially wanted to use up the pink/green fabric that had apples in it - it was printed crooked and drove me crazy - glad it's almost gone!  I also was glad to find a nice use for the five green blocks in the center that were leftover from a green block swap.  I thought this was a good use for those poor orphaned blocks (they have green fabric backgrounds although the picture makes them look black).

Detail of center fabrics

I found out I had lots and lots of green fabrics so I think this is only #1 for the Rainbow Challenge.  My swap group has a lottery and we are making green and white blocks this month, so I'll post a picture of those soon.

A Finish, WIP Greens and New Challenge

I finally put the borders on the batik squares top and now it is the proper size to quilt up and donate to Wrap-a-Smile.  I’m now working on a green top for that same group that will also complete my green effort for the 2011 Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  I don’t have a photo of that one yet, but might finish it this afternoon.

I call this one Busy Batiks!

New Challenge Project:

It was so easy and quick to whip up a single star block for the Challenge project that Moda is sponsoring with the Quilts of Valor organization.  This project is called *Just One Star* and their goal is to piece, quilt and bind 100 quilts in 100 days using the Flag of Valor pattern by Minick and Simpson by June 14, 2011 (Flag Day in the USA).  Participants are encouraged to make just one star and the staff and designers at Moda will trim the blocks and assemble the quilts.  The star blocks are due by May 1^st. 

If you’d like to join in, check out this tutorial from United Notions and send in your star block to:

United Notions/Moda Fabrics
Attn: Just One Star Project
13800 Hutton
Dallas, TX 75234

My *Just One Star* Block (maybe I should iron it!)

What's in Process Today

We are making some kitchen renovations and we are currently on hold.  When they were cutting electrical holes in the backsplash on Tues, the piece broke.  So they had to go back to the shop and cut a whole new rectangle.  They are expected to return Saturday.  Fortunately, we were able to go ahead and get the plumbing for the sink and electical for my cooktop hooked up yesterday.  I could have lived without the cooktop since we have a microwave and oven, but it was getting really old to wash dishes in the bathroom sink!

So I had a partially free day today to get some sewing done.  I am putting together some batik blocks that I got in a block swap from Mailblocks.  I do a lot of swaps with that group that are easy to do and easy to put together and I end up with a lovely variety of fabrics.  I will put a border around these and make an easy-peasy top for Wrap-a-Smile.  I think a child somewhere in the world will be happy with these bright colors.

Auditioning Borders

I am still working on the blocks that were on the *design floor* in yesterday's post.  I didn't like that dark block standing out all by itself so I made a few more darker blocks to spread around.  Then, since I added another column, I thought I'd just put on a simple 2 inch border around it all.  That way I won't have to piece the back (yes, there usually is a method to my madness!).   I think I might have liked a few more darks, so I reserve the right to add another row tomorrow - we'll see what develops.  This is how it stands tonight (I think I'll use the fabric on the right for the border):

Quilting Done & Design Wall

I have a new project that I've started laying out on the *design floor* ... these H-blocks came from a block swap way back in July 2009.  Since they were very easy to make, and the swap specified pastels and white-on-white that I had a bunch of, I made a bunch to swap.  I then ended up with enough blocks to make two children's quilts - and it's about time that I got around to making them.  It will be fun to make a more *girly*  quilt since I've made so many *boy* quilts recently.  I will try to be creative with the borders, but I make no promises (sometimes I poop out and just go with what's easiest)!

Some of the swap blocks

I also finished quilting and binding #2 of the fraternal triplets that I showed in this post (one of those has already gone out in the mail).  This one will become #1 of my goal of 11 in 11 for Wrap Them in Love.  It was also on my list as #6 for Judy Laquidera's 2011 UFO Challenge, so I've completed one UFO for that!

Finished quilt with back showing

Detail of meandering quilting and backing

Mailblocks Lottery

I am in an on-line quilting-related swap group called Mailblocks.  This month's lottery (where you win the whole kit and caboodle - it's not a swap) is a very easy block and is to be done in black and black-on-white.  You just cut two rectangles, each is 3 1/2 x 6 1/2, and sew them together.  You can make up to 16 blocks and you get an *entry* into the lottery for every block you make.  These 16 blocks will be my lottery entries:

You can lay out these blocks to make a number of different designs.  Good thing I wasn't sewing these together because I laid down some wrong!  These all will get mailed off to the winner of the lottery (maybe I will get to keep them if I win ...fingers crossed) at the first of February.  Good luck, Mailblocks members!



Friday Night Sew-In Results

I was so glad that I decided to participate in the Friday Night Sew-In that I've added the button to link there on my sidebar.  Knowing that I was going to post my results really lit a fire of productivity!  I have been participating in quite a few block swaps, but never finishing anything, so I've decided to tackle one project every Friday.  Here's the process as I went along without a plan last night:

First I sewed the swap-blocks together

Then I remembered I had some dark blue in my stash, so I added a small border.

I liked the first border so much that I pulled a yellow fabric from my stash and added that - I'm going to miss this fabric when it's gone - it has cute tone-on-tone puppy tracks all over it.

And then I added some blue and yellow polka dot to bring the top up to the size I wanted (40 x 60).  I was thrilled that I was able to finish this top using up fabric from my stash.  This one will go to Wrap Them in Love.

I had a great time joining in with the other Friday Night participants.  I plan to do this again.  My thanks go to Handmade by HEIDI !!

Block Swaps

I have been a member of an on-line quilt block swap called MailBlocks for about a year and have now accumulated quite a few UFOs from those swaps.  The group normally has at least one swap per month, the theme for which is chosen by the members, and a monthly block lotto. In addition, they periodically have round robins and fabric exchanges.    If you are interested, the MailBlocks Yahoo Group is located at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mailblocks/

I’m sure the UFOs will be the subject of another post, but today I want to show you a few pictures of some quilts from those swaps that I have actually finished.  The first three of these quilts were donated through the Sunshine organization that I mention in my profile and the last picture, the pinwheel quilt, was donated to an orphanage in Kazakhstan.   Enjoy the pictures!

The last picture shows a quilt made from the leftover triangles resulting from the squares-in-squares from the quilt above it.  The *squares* blocks were 12", so the triangles that were cut off were large and I couldn't bear to throw them away - voila!  a different quilt resulted!  What fun ...