Look at this beauty...

Mom's Winter Wonderland Top

It's not  mine.  Although I could wish it was.   My mom finished her Winter Wonderland top and brought it up to show me.  I think it's just gorgeous!

Mine is languishing away right now.  I've finished half the star blocks and the center of the quilt, but I'm having some gallbladder issues (I think) and so no sewing for me.  Actually, I'm not doing much of anything except lying around in bed or on the sofa.  Mr. Quilting Bug is being an angel and fetching me whatever I need, but I so want to get back to normal.  The pet hair around the place is driving me batty, but I figure God is using it's presence to build up my patience (not my strongest virtue).  He's also using the laundry for the same purpose right now.

In any case, I did manage to catch David at just the right moment today.  (Sorry the picture's so dark.)

David, mid-bath

I don't expect to be blogging much in the near future, but as soon as I feel up to snuff, I'll be back!

Until later...

I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. 

Psalm 40:1 (NLT )

Stash Report Week #32...

August 6 - 12, 2011

Please excuse my lack of blogging lately.  It's been crazy busy and I've been feeling under the weather to boot.  And although I'm working on a bunch of stuff, I'm finishing practically nothing (as evidenced by this stash report).

OK, so this report is my easiest one yet.  Nothing in and nothing out.  How's that for simple?  But rather than end on that note, I thought I'd share a little bit of what I'm working on...

1.  Quilting the last charity quilt Around the Block.  I've got to get this finished this week and off in the mail.

Around the Block

2.  Quilt Holly Jolly.  Another one I need to finish ASAP (or before the temporary adhesive that's holding the layers together dissolves!)

Holly Jolly

3.  Working on a small Stained Glass quilt for the group The Twelve of Us.  I'm supposed to mail this out by Wednesday, but haven't finished the leading yet.  I predict I'm going to be a day or two late on this one.  (No picture because it's supposed to be a surprise!)
4.  Finishing up a birthday gift for someone (so again no pictures on this one either).
5.  Appliqueing the final block for Baltimore Halloween.  One piece down, 164 left to go!

Baltimore Halloween

 6.  Designed a bed, lap and wall quilt using Jovial by Basic Grey.  Going to a couple of quilt stores on Wednesday and needed to know how much fabric to buy for these Christmas quilts.
7. Finally, I'm making absolutely no progress on my Winter Wonderland blocks right now.  But I'm eager to get back to them as soon as I can!

So that's my quilting life right now, what's happening in yours?

Until later...

This is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long, but they will produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the trouble we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. 

 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NLT)

More Winter Wonderland Blocks...

Are you getting bored seeing these blocks?  I hope not 'cause I've got more to share.  Today's blocks bring me to the halfway point on piecing these stars.  17 done - 17 more to go.  So without further ado, here's the latest sampling...

9" Blocks #15 & 21 - Star of Hope

6" Block # J - Martha Washington Star

6" Blocks # 2 & 11 - Star of Hope

If the last 2 appear to look like the first 2, it's because they are.  Just a different size.  There are only 6 different types of pieced blocks, but the sizes vary from 6" to 9" to 12".  Here are the last 5 all together...

Latest Winter Wonderland Blocks

I'm afraid I have to take a short break on making these now.  I have a few other projects with deadlines looming that I really must get to.  But you can bet I'll get back to them as soon as I can.  I can't wait to see the whole quilt together and it's really not that far away!

I took this picture of Sam the other day on top of Connections.  It never occurred to me that she has all the same colors until I saw it.

Sam on the quilt Connections

Until later...

“Whoever is faithful in small matters will be faithful in large ones; whoever is dishonest in small matters will be dishonest in large ones.” 

 Luke 16:10 (GNT)

And the Wonderland continues...

I've been working on more blocks for my Winter Wonderland quilt (and having so much fun!)  I've moved onto the second fabric combination and made 5 more blocks.

9" Block #10 - Martha Washington Star

6" Blocks #4, 22, H & F - Pinwheel

Here's all 5 of them together...

Most Recent Winter Wonderland Blocks

I've now finished a total of 12 of the blocks for this quilt.  Only another 22 or so to go!

My vacation comes to an end tomorrow and I'll be returning home.  I know one girl who will be happy to get back.  Although she loves visiting my family, she's had a rough trip this time.  She's had 4 baths and thrown up 7 times in the space of a week.  Doesn't she look pitiful?

An ailing Gabriel

Until later...

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  

John 16:33 (NIV)

More Winter Wonderland Blocks...

First off, why is it I have so much more time to blog when I'm on vacation?  You'd think I'd be off doing vacationy things.  However, my vacation is coming to an end soon so things will get back to normal.

I've been slowly working on more pieced blocks for Winter Wonderland.  I've finished 5 more since last time...

12" Block #13 - Star of Hope

12" Block #19 - Double X

6" Block G - Cut the Corners

6" Blocks B & I - Maple Star

The first 7 blocks were made using just 3 fabrics, but the other 27 will use different combinations.  Hopefully it will give me the controlled scrappy look I'm going for.

Latest Winter Wonderland Blocks

For the first time in about 9 years, Sam has joined me traveling.  (It's a long story.)  I was a little nervous about how she'd adapt, but I think she's having a blast!

Sam in vacation mode

Until later...

“I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love ….”  

Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)

24 Hours in the Life of A Quilt...

Moses - Friday, 11:13 PM

Sam - Saturday, 11:27 AM

Jack - Saturday, 6:53 PM

Moses - Saturday, 10:01 PM

If I believed in reincarnation, I'd want to come back as a quilt.

Until later...

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

Hebrews 13:8 (NLT)

Stash Report Week #31...

July 30 - August 5, 2011

It's that time again!  Time to come clean about the fabric that's somehow worked it's way into my stash this week.  Rossville Quilts had a great sale recently and is the reason for all of the incoming fabric in this report.  (This is a new to me quilt store that my friend Jan turned me onto.  Thanks Jan!)

Fortunately, I already have plans for each and every piece.  The only problem is finding time to finish everything!  So here's what I loaded up on...

3 Layer Cakes of Etchings by 3 Sisters

A Layer Cake of Jovial by Basic Grey

5 Yards of Countdown to Christmas by Sweetwater

4.5 Yards of Nature's Gift by Deb Strain

That's a total of 20.5 yards.  I'm planning to make a variety of table runners, wall hangings and lap quilts with them.

This week also saw the completion of not one, not two, but three quilts!  That's definitely a record for me.  I posted about them here, here and here so I won't bore you with the details again.

Baby Blocks, Connections and Dilly Dallying Around

I'm going to donate the ones on either end to Judi Madsen from Green Fairy Quilts  to take to an orphanage in Romania next month.  Each quilt used 1.75 yards, 5 yards and 4 yards respectively for the backing and binding.

So...
Purchased-this-week: 20.5 yards
Used-this-week: 10.75 yards
Purchased-to-date: 279.25 yards
Used-to-date: 126.75 yards
Net used: -152.5 yards

Until later...

God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  

Matthew 5:7 (NLT)

Vacation time...

I'm on vacation right now, visiting my family.  I spent a week with them earlier this summer and had such a great time, I wanted to do it again!  I know how blessed I am to be able to spend this time with them.

An added bonus is the sewing time my mom and I are spending together.  We've both been working on the Winter Wonderland quilt throughout the year.  She's almost finished making all of her pieced blocks while I just got started on mine today.  So far I've completed 2 of the larger blocks.

12" Block #1 - Maple Star

12" Block #7 - Martha Washington Star

The quilt calls for 24 pieced blocks interspersed with some solid pieces.  However, my mom and I have both decided to make an additional 10 to fill in some of the blank spaces.  I'm also considering making another 70 - 3" HSTs so the entire border is pieced.  In that case, I've got 2 done out of 104!  I think this might take me a while...

In between working on this quilt, I'm also working on a Christmas Dresden Plate table runner and wall hanging.  I'm using the fabric Nature's Gift by Deb Strain for both of them.  I assembled the first plate today.  It's 15" across...

Christmas Dresden Plate

I'm going to make 3 of the plates this size and applique them to a black background for the table runner.  This is the first time I've made a Dresden Plate and I'm enjoying the process.

However, today we're off to do some school shopping.  It's a tax free weekend here and my niece and nephew need some new school clothes!  I remember how much fun I had picking out clothes and school supplies when I was their age.  I was always anxious for school to start (and end).

Until later...

My experience shows that those who plant trouble and cultivate evil will harvest the same. 

Job 4:8 (NLT)

Dilly Dallying Around...

Dilly Dallying Around

Dilly Dallying Around is now done!  This was a fun little quilt to make and is one of a series using the fabric Dilly Dally by Me and My Sister Designs.  I've already finished a smaller version and have another one still to quilt.

Closeup of quilting

I used a Butterfly pantograph on this one from the book Quilting Dot to Dot by Cheryl Barnes.  (I love this book!)

Butterfly Pantograph

I also used a Butterfly motif from the same book to make a label for the back...

Appliqued Butterfly Label

This was a quick, simple and cheerful quilt to make.  I'm planning to donate it to an orphanage along with the others like it.

The stats for this quilt are:

• Size: 48"x 60"
• Fabrics: Dilly Dally and Kona Cotton White for the top, Spring Fever for the backing and binding
• Batting: Warm &White
• Thread: Aurifil (piecing), Superior Threads White #401 for quilting
• Pattern: Spice Cakes by Pieces from My Heart
• Quilting: Butterflies from the book Quilting Dot to Dot (19 passes, 4 bobbins)
• Completed: August 5th, 2011
• Recipient: To be donated

Dilly Dallying Around

Until later...

Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.' 

 Matthew 16:24 (NLT)

Fly Stitch done...

After working on this step for about a month (in between sewing on bindings), I've finally finished adding all of the Fly Stitching to my Winter Wonderland quilt.  (I would have been done sooner but decided to re-do a portion of it to get more consistent stitches.)

Closeup of the Fly Stitch between blocks

Today, I'm hoping to start working on the pieced blocks for the outside.  The pattern calls for 24 of them in varying sizes from 6" to 12", but I'm considering changing it up a little bit and making more.  It all depends if I have enough fabric!

Winter Wonderland Completed Center

To end this post, here's a random picture of David in my sewing room...

Until later...

Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag.  

Luke 19:26 (MSG)

Connections...

This is the week of finishing quilts for me.  This is the second one that I've completed and another is just awaiting the binding.

Connections Quilt

Looking back through my old posts, I believe I began this quilt in June.  So this is another fairly quick turn around for me.  Earlier, I made this Twister quilt from fabrics I bought to coordinate with my newly redecorated sewing room...

Star Crossed - A Twister Quilt

I knew I wanted to make another geometric quilt with the same fabrics for the back of the sofa in there.  While pondering the design, I happened upon the pattern Over and Under in the book Scrap Basket Sensations by Kim Brackett.  Although my version looks very similar to the one in the book, I admit I made my blocks completely different - using lots of partial seaming.  These are the 2 blocks that make up my quilt...

Blocks that make up the quilt

If you have the book, you can see that her blocks are quite different and also easier to sew.  However, I wanted the large white square in the right block to be a solid piece because this was initially meant to be a signature quilt.  So I redesigned it a little bit to fit my needs.  (Of course once I made the blocks, I decided not to add signatures so go figure...)

Connections Quilt

I added an additional row of blocks across the back and used them as my label...

Back of Connections

Again I used the pantograph Climber by Meredith England to quilt this one.  It's a simple pattern but has a nice flow to it.

Climber by Meredith England

So, the numbers for this quilt are:

• Size: 69" Square
• Fabrics: Mary Jo's Cloth Store and Quilts Like Crazy
• Batting: Warm &White
• Thread: Aurifil (piecing), Superior Threads Variegated for quilting
• Pattern: Over and Under from Scrap Basket Sensations by Kim Brackett
• Quilting: Climber by Meredith England (15 passes, 4 bobbins)
• Started: June 2011
• Completed: August 2, 2011
• Recipient: Keeping this one to take naps under 

New home for Connections

It feels so nice to have this quilt finished.  It'll be great to snuggle up under when the weather turns cooler. 

Until later...

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NLT)

400 Miles!

So far I'm sticking with it.  Next stop 500...

Odometer on my stationary bike

Until later...

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.  

Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

Baby Blocks...

After a quick turn around quilting (less than a day), I've finished the first of the 3 Dilly Dally charity quilts.  I'm calling this one Baby Blocks as it's the smallest and will be perfect for a baby or small child.

Baby Blocks Quilt

I want to quilt each of these quilts with a different pattern and chose a Teddy Bear motif for this one.  The pattern is from Quilting Dot to Dot by Cheryl Barnes.  (Thank you Amy for letting me know about this book!)

Teddy Bear Pantograph from Quilting Dot to Dot

I think the bears turned out just adorable and I especially like the hearts on their bellies...

Close-up of the quilting

 Using another pattern from the same book, I made a matching label for the back...

Teddy Bear Label

So, the numbers for this quilt are:

• Size: 36" x 48"
• Fabrics: Dilly Dally and Kona Cotton White for the top, Clementine for the back, Spring Fever for the binding
• Batting: Warm &White
• Thread: Aurifil (piecing), Superior Threads White for quilting
• Pattern: Spice Cakes by Pieces from My Heart
• Quilting: Teddy Bears from the book Quilting Dot to Dot (12 passes, 2 bobbins)
• Completed: July 31st, 2011
• Recipient: To be donated

I do hope the child that ends up with this quilt finds both peace and comfort under it.

Until later...

There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. 

James 2:13 (NLT)