Bejeweledquilts by barb

HOW TO MAKE A 28” CIRCLE

2012-01-26T09:45:00.003-05:00

You will need tape (can’t find the regular tape so we are making do), marker, ruler, paper (or you can use the back of your fabric but just use a different marker.

Three sheets of paper with one cut in half. Tape them together.

Flip the paper over so the tape is on the under side. My ruler does not go to 28”, so I start from the middle and measure out to 14” on each side, this will give me 28” width wise.

Then I go length wise, measure 14” out on both sides of the middle.

Then I go diagonal on both sides of the middle line.

After that is done…I put ruler with the 1” or 14” in the middle and start placing dots, 14” from the middle all the way around.

as you see here.

Now it is time to connect the dots. I have never been known for a steady hand. Could never be a surgeon.

Now we have all of the dots connected with a complete circle.

Like I said, you can do this on the back of your fabric if you do not have the paper, just use invisible markers.

I did get my quilt sandwiched and pinned yesterday…..boy was that a feat!!

LOOKING FOR A BIT OF INSPIRATION!!! - THIMBLEBERRIES SEW DAY

2012-01-25T12:12:00.008-05:00

Leslie from "The Cuddle Quilter" emailed me last night about Thimbleberries Sew day....

Man!!! I had forgotten. To be honest I remembered at the beginning of the week and gave it some thought...but the thought left as quickly as it came.

Just like that!!

Oh...Thimbleberries Sew day coming this Wednesday...

GONE!!!...the thought left....like going in a room and forgetting why you are there...just gone...

So this morning I was looking for a bit of inspiration.

So I pulled out the only Thimbleberry Fabrics that I have....Oh....I just love them. I wish there was a Thimbleberry Club...kinda like the Mickey Mouse Club....I could be Annette (ha!! a lot of you don't even know who she is....)....am I dating myself???

Got my books out. I enjoyed seeing Leslie's on her blog today
As I was flipping through my books I came across some I have already done.

Here is one.... My first blue ribbon!!
This one....
Gave this one away....
Gave two of these away...sometimes I just can't do one.
OH...and you saw the toppers I did for Christmas...sorry..didn't include pictures of those.

Then there is this one HUGE quilt, it can't even fit in this room. I wish I was at my sister Beverly's home, she would have room.

So...among all of the inspiration I thought, why not sandwich this puppy today??? It is going to take me a while .... I am going to put it on my bed and get the layers together and then bring it downstairs and pin it on my counter.

I love the backing fabrics, it matches wonderfully...you may not think so but it does....really!!
So I have my work cut out for me this morning....best get busy. All you gals out there that are doing Thimbleberries, be sure to come by and comment so I can make a visit....in the mean time, do check out all of the blogs on my sidebar. Should be a fun day!!!

A smiling moment....I had asked David to take my sheets upstairs (I had just finished washing them)....so later on I go up there and the bed it made..... I thought I was having a senior moment because I didn't remember making the bed.....well....you all can guess who did....Kudos to you David!!!

FUN FINISHES!!!

2012-01-23T18:36:00.003-05:00

Yes, I know Christmas is over.....but look who has a jump on it this year!!! Whohoooooo!!!

I won these designs from Marjorie during Sew Cal's Quilt Show. I say....LUCKY ME!

I know a lot of you think you need to have the go cutter but truly you can do these designs without one, you just don't put the fabric on. You can go here for the designs. Marjorie does such a fantastic job and no she did not pay me to say that!

I finished up the last tree this morning. My husband saw me doing dishes and the machine running.....he just laughed and well....I call it multi tasking.

.I just felt my wall hanging was too big but not big enough for a small quilt....so I took it apart (we all know how fun that is....not smiling here).

This is what I came up with....smiling now!!
.

Friday I went to a friend's house and she showed about three of us how to make Curry Chicken....so I made it tonight.

I dumped so many spices in that chicken that I was worried. David who spent two years in the West Indies said it was not spicy enough. I say

"WHAT"....as I am breaking out in hives....oh yes...scratch city for about thirty minutes.

Was it worth it...yes

will I do it again, yes...

.will I make it spicer...you bet.

I want to see this boy sweat!!!! I have a sister that would love this.

Friday after the class, I came home to a sparkling clean house. My son David did a marvelous job. I was so impressed with him and very grateful because he gave me more play time....and we all know what play time is.....

2012-01-21T20:48:00.003-05:00

Marjorie over at "Marjorie Busby, quilter", so graciously let me try out one of her new Valentine embroidery patterns. I have to say that I love love love it!!! I was squealing like a pig with delight today. These are sooo cute.

I also, love love love... four times the love candy hearts, one of my favorite candies. Marjorie has some wonderful embroidery patterns that coincides with the Accuquilt Go Cutter in her online store. This one is the small heart from the heart die. I had such a blast doing this. If you have a few, go over and check out her website and store.

SAD DAY!!!! Happy Day for two winners!!

2012-01-19T11:40:00.003-05:00

First I want to say that this is a sad day for me. I put Mr. Pfaff on Craigslist today and already have 4 people asking about him. My husband says I should keep him but....my sewing machines and supplies are running me out of my house, a gal has to have a place she can move around in easily...don't ya think? I am not one for clutter, I can take it for a little while and then...it just has to go.

Since I purchased another pfaff that does the same thing and more...well....why keep Mr. Pfaff.

Here is he in all his glory..... I do not believe I have enjoyed a machine more. I am hoping my new pfaff will treat me as kindly.

Now to the winners....wow...my numbers left on my blog...what is up with blogger. I go to some of your blogs and try to post but only get a white page....sorry if you think I am snubbing you.

Denise from "Count it *all* joy" won the runner

Andra Gayle from "Simplify and Quilt" won the drunkard's path.

Thanks to all of you who were able to reply for coming by..... I am weeding out my room. I just sold a stash of 70's fabrics on craigslist as well. I mean business....I can't take it!!!

My one sister is having a birthday/Christmas gift (yes I am embarassed) and I made her a Be Attitudes Quilt...well...kinda, she is having to put the borders on it and quilt it...I did supply the backing. So...in her box went other things, one baby quilt half finished....and one surprise (was meant to be a surprise so I can't tell you) and a few other things. Whohoooooo two UFO's gone gone gone.....

I can't sell my Bernina, not unless someone wants to take a chance on it but I want it out. I am selling my surger....I just don't use it that much. I want to get rid of quilting books

...no...the accuquilt go cutter stays here.....

Trust me, I just went through my closet of clothes and Good Will got a bunch of things.

Kelly from "I have a Notion" gave a good post the other day about things taking up space, time and energy....I agree with her.....so out it is going....so if you are standing in front of my door when I toss it...here is my apology in advance for hitting you.

Oh NOOOOOO!!! NOT ANOTHER VALENTINES TOPPER!!!

2012-01-17T16:06:00.002-05:00

Measures 15 1/2 by 15 1/2

Using my Large heart die and the small one for the Accuquilt Go Cutter.

Here is the large heart

Used my 2 1/2 strip die to cut the heart, I did have to take my scissors and cut up the middle.

Here is the placement of the heart

This is how I placed it. Then I Blanket stitched around

the hearts.

As you can see from the squares, I have the purple and pink alternating.

I cut 8 one inch by 7 1/2 “ strips, four of each color. You can see in the picture

how I placed them. Did a four patch for the middle.

Quilted as desired, and bound.

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

2012-01-16T10:48:00.004-05:00

I have heard several people complaining that they can not comment on others blog. Today I got a comment saying that they were having trouble on my blog to comment....so I tried to take her comment and post it for her.....well....I could not even post on my own blog.

How do you like that???

So I will carry this giveaway over for a few more days, maybe blogger will pick on someone else besides me in the next few days. Not that I wish this on any of you....

---------------------

Okay, I was able to make the comment for her...so my suggestion is if you want to comment on a blog, just try again later....good LUCK!!

GIVEAWAY!!!

2012-01-14T18:01:00.004-05:00

Remember this was my draft for the Valentines Topper, so please if you win this, take it for what it is worth....

So....if you would like this topper, there is only one stipulation,

You need to be a follower to win, so just leave a comment.

Every time I go in this certain draw I see these Drunkard's Path cut out from my Accuquilt Go cutter. They are up for grabs as well.....to a second lucky winner.

I will chose winners on Tuesday.

I JUST CAN'T KEEP MY MIND OUT OF THE TOILET!!! TOILET PAPER COVERS

2012-01-13T19:42:00.006-05:00

A while back I saw that Cottonelle was giving away free tins for your toilet paper. I wanted one so I ran upstairs to see if I had some Cottonelle to get the symbol off of it. No Cottonelle....pooey!!!

Since then I have been thinking of doing a cover for my toilet paper. My mind was always in the toilet. I finally came up with a cover and here it is and how I did it. This is for the bigger roll.

First I auditioned several items in my kitchen.....as you can see I am very professional about this.

This bowl won hands down.

I flipped the bowl upside down and traced around it. For those wanting to make one, you will need a circle that is 6 1/2 inches in diameter.

This cover I used some heavy pellon, so I ironed it on.
You need two circles (both have pellon on the back), you will place these wrong sides together and quilt.

Then I needed a piece of fabric ten inches wide and 20 1/2 inches long

Fold in half, the fold will be the bottom (no hemming needed), I quilted both top and bottom.

Then I trimmed down the long strip to 4 1/2 inches, so the end results is 4 1/2 " by 20 1/2".
For me, it was easiest to put the circle on top and just ease it around the strip. I also found that you do not need to use heavy pellon, regular batting will do just fine and is so much easier to work with.

So....I leave a little extra on the end before I start sewing the circle on...I go around the top about 1/4 " from the edge. When I get pretty close to the end, I stop. As you see below, I match up both ends and sew down the side seam. After that seam is sewn, I just put my fabric back in the machine and close up the hole.
I did use an over lock stitch for this cover on the inside. I used the Accuquilt Go Heart die for this. When I downloaded this cover on Accuquilt's facebook site someone asked if I was doing the "Cover your roll challenge".....I hadn't heard of it, I have now and have entered. I have provided the link for you if you are interested in joining the challenge.

What good is a toilet paper cover is you don't have a tank topper to go with it.... Talk about having fun....OHHHHHH BOY!!!
You think I need to make a lid topper?
So I thought the green was kinda boring, so I put this ruffle on it. My suggestion is, if you want to do a ruffle, do it before you have the cover completed (I am just saying).
Oh yes....it needs a tank topper too.... Got out the trusty embroidery machine, looked on the net for a toilet to put on it and well....the rest is history. I got the embroidery design at Embroidery Designs.com, they have a lot of free designs as well.
These look dull but trust me, it is vibrant and well....I am tickled green....maybe I can get my mind out of the toilet now...well..maybe lid covers are in order. If you are interested in the tank topper and lid covers, you will find the pattern at Inchworm FAbrics.
I did finish this...(colors look pathetic).

Finished the binding.....whohoooooo

VALENTINES QUILT AND BLOGGER COMMENT.

2012-01-13T00:30:00.005-05:00

I received a comment from a blogger the other day. I can’t tell you exactly what was said, I can’t tell

you if it was a comment or emailed to me directly

I can almost tell you who said it but at the risk of being wrong, (by the way....thanks for the comment)

I won’t. I don’t get paid to remember, maybe if I did, I would???

So the comment was, Barb, when will you finish the Valentines Quilt? Something of that nature…..now….wasn’t this the right kind of push

to get me going in the right direction. To get focused…………………… BECAUSE

Since that message….I just hear WHEN!!!

Go in my sewing room, saw it sitting there…..WHEN!!!!

Go to bed at night…WHEN!!! Driving my son to the airport today, once again the words were ringing my ears…..

So when I got home,

cleaned house, ran a few errands and decided that the time is now!!

Some of you may remember, some of you may be visiting for the first time, and then if you are like me you had forgotten.

To refresh your memory, I took the

insides of the hearts from this table topper

and made a small quilt. Today, I took a running stitch around each heart three times.

Then when I quilted it to the back, I took another running stitch.

Then just did hearts and loops. I did want to say that this quilt is very similar to

Accuquilts Valentines quilt, my hearts are bigger and different. This was not done with the Go cutter. The direction for this quilt is in the pattern for the Valentines table topper, you can find it at Inchworm Fabrics if you are interested.

Tomorrow I will bind it, I will….truly…..but for now my bed is calling me.

Oh...just on a side note, I am thinking of having a giveaway....and it has to do with the experimental Valentines topper that I made. This will only be for those who follow my blog and don't mind a few mistakes....so once I get it bound.....just be ready.

ADDING LOOPS

2012-01-11T06:37:00.002-05:00

So far this week, this is all I have been doing. I do it while waiting.....I hate to wait....

My husband had off yesterday and so I waited on him while he ran a few errands.

We went out and then when I got home, I was waiting for my sons to get back. Did I say I hate waiting.

So each time I pulled this puppy out and would just play.

I can not begin to tell you how many bloopers there are in this quilt. Some I frogged out and then others....well....they passed the test of not looking tooo bad.

So....next is just to stitch the piano keys in the ditch and then the binding.

Today I may go to D.C with the boys or stay home and cook the one visiting his favorite foods. We will see.

SEW CAL GAL'S FMQ CHALLENGE

2012-01-09T12:00:00.003-05:00

I have taken the FMQ Challenge with Sew Cal, you can see the button on my sidebar.

This month's challenge is leaves.

So I got a fat quarter, folded it in half and went to town.

So....the one thing I hate to do is waste these sandwiches for the challenge, so I made a tank topper. A Fat quarter was not really long enough, but it works.

I was too lazy to put a binding on so I got my pinking shears and just pinked the edges and sewed a straight line around the outside of the topper about 1/2 inch in. There you have it.

Yes, I should have ironed it but I told you, I am being lazy.
Then I won this pattern and beautiful fabric from Shelley at Red Quilts....thanks so much Shelley.

HANKERING

2012-01-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

That's right hankering. I got a hankering to do some free motion quiting.

As usual, true to form, I had other things that needed to be done but I veered off course again.

I remembered that I had sandwiched a quilt a good while back. I am blushing at the fact that it was so far back I can't remember and and...and...I haven't quilted it yet.

I definitely need more practice but boy is this fun!! I will show you the front when I am finished.

I am so excited, I feel like that little puppy when he sees his master and wets himself. I will have three sons home this week-end. One son will stay for almost a week...... I think some depends are in order.....HA!!!!

FEEDING MY NEWEST ADDICTION

2012-01-06T06:00:00.004-05:00

It seems that you need to keep feeding your embroidery machine bobbins. So I decided to make up a bunch of these. You can buy bobbins already wound but I am cheap!! Plan to fill this bowl up....no one will go hungry in this house.

I have been keeping my embroidery machine humming. I have already honed in on the different sounds this baby makes, when it is out of bobbin or thread breaks...I will probably listen to this puppy in my sleep.

When I venture away from this machine I found that I am listening for it to stop. Maybe I need a baby monitor?

Finished Projects

2012-01-05T06:00:00.001-05:00

A few post down, I posted this teddy bear, just wanted to show you what I did with him.

I worked all those words into a tote. Most of you know that I am involved with the 12 and 13 year old girls at church. They have eight values they work on and these are the eight values. I did pink totes last year and this year I plan to do something like this for each girl that comes into my class.

The next tote will not be this big. I have four months before the next gal joins us so it gives me time to think about this.

VALENTINES TOPPER

2012-01-04T06:00:00.002-05:00

I have been having a blast making these round toppers for my kitchen table.

Made with the Sweet Divinity Sweet Fabrics, Lady Bird leaves (cranberries), and Cottage Romance Red from Inchworm Fabrics.

Nothing goes to waste!!!!!

Here is what you can make with the left over hearts (the middle of the hearts from above).

This is just a top. I wish I had more of the blue fabric. This picture does not do it justice. I will post when I finish this top. This top measure about 42" x 42".

The next one is the experimental one, I guess you could say draft. My husband when he saw it didn't like it....I was kinda hurt but the following day he came in and saw the above one with the blue back ground and loved it. I just think the white is just tooo white.

Now for the fun part, Be one of the first five people to comment and I will send you this pattern free.. You will be able to find this pattern at Inchworm Fabrics. Jeanette is also offering kits as well.

Some of you have asked if I used my Accuquilt Go cutter for this, this heart is a page long, there is no Accuquilt Go heart big enough for this project.

2012-01-03T09:20:00.003-05:00

Can you guess what I am going to make with these?

Good luck, I am trying to guess too. I have an idea and will work on it today.

I also have plans for this little guy. Tomorrow I will show my new topper I have been working on so if you have a spare minute, come on by.

Didn't feel much like sewing last night and I am guessing that using this embroidery machine will fill in those not wanting to sew days or nights.

Right now, I am putting off the things I need to be doing....like laundry, dishes, sweeping....and the dreaded exercising...the later is the major put off. Can't Calgone just take me away?

I AM SEEING DRAGONS!!

2012-01-02T08:08:00.002-05:00

I did these Saturday!!! Don’t you just love them?

Every Saturday morning my husband wakes me up and ask, “Are you ready to Go”……I am half asleep but I am

thinking…..do I look like I am ready to go? So I jump out of bed and off we go to…..(well…not until I shower and fix myself up some…

the older one gets, the harder it is to get up and go).

JOANN’s

Now I am not a morning person, and I do not like to be woke up but if I know that it is to JoAnn’s we go…..you bet I am going to

hop out of the bed with a smile on my face. I think that is why he does it. After JoAnn’s we get a Route 44 Diet Cherry

Limeade. Oh boy!!! It just doesn’t get much better than that.

So….yesterday he asked…..you want to go to JoAnn’s in the morning? I am thinking……has this man lost it. We just went Saturday and he knows that

I can not go into JoAnn’s and not spend. To top it off, the man likes to go in with me. I prefer he stay in the car, I feel a lot more comfortable about

spending when he is not around (so you see me smiling).

I must be sick because I declined…..so he is out racking the leaves (maybe that is why he wanted to go, to put off this task)?

I hope you all had a wonderful New Year's Day.......I am sure you are like me and have tons of plans, tons of UFO's and of course tons of time....(okay....wish you had tons of time). Least ways it will be another fun year of sharing!!!

GREAT MINDS!!

2011-12-29T13:34:00.002-05:00

Here is my tank topper from yesterday.

I got an email from Ruth, Country Log Cabin, she said she did a tank topper as well, hers posted in January of 2011. So....what is it to be said for great minds? I love her topper as well. Can't you just see all of the fun things you can do to your bathroom? I asked permission before I took her picture. Cute huh?
Well....I have company, my niece and her kids are her and guess who is making them chocolate chip cookies. Her one son said that I cooked as good as his grandmother....I don't think so but I think I grew a little taller.

A MATTER OF CONSIDERATION! TANK TOPPER!!

2011-12-28T10:10:00.011-05:00

YOU ASK...." Just what is a tank topper?"

This tank looks so sad....

Oh yes....what a way to brighten up a bathroom.

This is what I submitted to Quick quilts and was told just recently that they had enough projects for 2012. In other words....bug off.

I came up with this idea during the summer and when the Ghastlies came about I made it up. I get a ton of compliments from friends visiting the Loo.

I took it a step further and made a lid topper. Oh yes...you say grosss....but not so Dear Watson..... Now this one does have elastic to keep it in place but...you can forgo the elastic and just use your glue gun and put a few drops (you don't need much) in just the right places to keep it in tact. It should pull off easily to wash and then glue back on.... EASY Can't you just see matching curtains, etc..... the possibilities are endless.
So....the age old question "To BE or Not To BE?".....

I will confess I was not too bummed about this not getting accepted, it just made me reevaluate what I am doing. It is not for the money because there is not much money to be had in submitting an article....it was just having my name on something. Oh well....

Now....I have several items I have been working on for a book "Thinking outside the box with the Accuquilt Go Cutter" .... the matter of consideration is...should I just finish what I have and submit it.....and go about my business, or just forget it all together? Should I stop the press and go full steam ahead or ....that is the question...or....or...or...

Now....when you see the tank topper, you see that it is similar to mug rugs, can you just imagine what you can do and put on these tank toppers? If you do want to make a topper, I will have a pattern at Inchworm Fabrics, not in her store yet. If you decide to go it without one, my hats off to you but please if you show it on your blog, could you give Bejeweled gal some credit for it?
> I wanted to mention that both items only takes 5 fat quarters, it doesn't get much better than that.

FREE PATTERN - A Gift from me to YOU!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

2011-12-22T00:38:00.004-05:00

A lot of you had expressed an interest in this Round table topper so for a week I am giving it to you free. After the week is up, it will go on sale at Inchworm Fabrics.

You can find the free pattern at Inchworm Fabrics. There is no picture but it tells you Christmas Tree Round Table Topper.

If you have a problem, let me know. So this is my gift to you, thanks for joining me through out the year, for your encouragements, wonderful comments, and most of all for your friendship.

I think I am going to take a break, not unless I have something fantastic to show you....

Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!!!

New Pattern and one free one

2011-12-18T09:33:00.006-05:00

This has been adorning my table for the last few weeks. I just love it. I had designed it a while back along with the rectangle one below. I was kinda concerned about the binding for a round table topper but as long as it is cut on the bias, it will work out great.

It was such fun designing this table topper.

This one here you can find for free at Inchworm Fabrics...for some reason I don't have a place to highlight and add the link..don't know what is wrong with blogger today. So go to www.inchwormfabrics.com and then on the left look for link and you will be able to down load the runner below or just click on the picture on my side bar, it will take you to her shop and then look under link. I had to wash it and block it. I had quilted it so heavy that it was quite the waver.....so in the wash it went, then I pinned it down to a wood plank and let it dry... Not a good picture but I love this one as well.

The round runner only has partial instructions for it right now. As you can see it is similar to the rectangle one but the trees are bigger.

THIS CONFIRMS IT........I AM ONE CARD SHORT OF A DECK

2011-12-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was trying to sort my Christmas fabrics before leaving. I had about 45 minutes before I had to be somewhere. While sorting I came across this fabric......

All of a sudden I broke out in a cold sweat, the light bulb above my head was going off. I grabbed this fabric and went to town.

I started doing pleats.....and more pleats...watching the clock the whole time.

Shaking my head and thinking....Gal you have got to be nutzzzzzz. You have no business starting all of these towels. did that stop me? NO!!!

You can't see the wings on this one but after it is stitched it will be fine. I took the image off a few of these fabrics for the applique on the towels.

What possessed me? Why couldn't I stop. The whole time I was gone all I wanted to do was get back and finish the pleats and start what I had invisioned in my head,

When I got home....fabric started flying, glue sticks were being used up.

And so now..... everything is put away and all that is left is to stitch these down. The night is still young...

I don't know what came over me.....lost my senses I guess....

But oh....what fun!!!

I AM A GUEST AT "SEW WE QUILT" TODAY....

2011-12-15T06:00:00.003-05:00

Sew yesterday I was at "SEW WE QUILT" and I saw this runner... Oh my gosh, it spoke to me.

I HAD to make it. I just HAD to. I had a friend coming over to sew yesterday....I know I said I had a lot of running around to do but she brought over what I needed...

so we played instead and this is what we made.

She wanted to work on the pleats (that is posted over at SEW WE QUILT) today. She did the pleating while I cut the fabrics out that we needed for this runner.

I love love love love...did I say love this? My friend had to leave before she could finish hers but I kept right on sewing.

Do visit SEW WE QUILT Today, I am showing easy pleats or ruffles for your towels or just anything you want to put a pleat or ruffle on and....and...I am giving away a free pattern as well. Hope to see you over there.

NEW HOBBY - THE UNFINISHED!!

2011-12-14T07:46:00.004-05:00

Last night I made these. I like this idea because I am tooo cheap to buy cards. It is rare for me to buy one.

Mondays Card making session. A few of us gal got together and we made these. I felt way out of my element....give me a piece of fabric and I am in the zone...but card stock???

This is a 14 card workshop, you need 2 sheets of different patterned paper, 2 sheets of different colored paper, one sheet of neutral, and 7 white card stock paper. You are not suppose to have any scraps. I have a confession....I had scraps. I had mistakes. On my report card will be written, she does not follow instructions well.

If any of you are interested in the pattern for this no scrap cards....I would be happy to scan it over.

Now for the unfinished....well...I did finish this little guy last night but he needs to be sandwiched and bound.
Finished the stitching on this guy as well. Should someone tell him that smoking is bad for his health?
Did up a bunch of penguins. Now I don't know what to do with them. I had a plan but the plan did not turn out well. If you want the penguins, they are yours....the first to say I want....will get them.

Still undone.
Not done...
These were suppose to be gifts....I don't think I can make it in time. This one here I can't get the measurements to work out. I can add a few pieces of fabric here and there...so much work has gone into this that I don't want to throw it out. Should I just "MAKE IT WORK?"

Today there is no time. I have Young Women's tonight, it is my responsibility tonight for the craft. We are painting on ceramics. Someone donated the ceramics and paints. I have to run to the store for items, make treats, find my Christmas music (I know, should have already had it out).......so that is my day.

Tomorrow I am going to be on SEW WE QUILT

SERIOUSLY? Twenty-eight of these?

2011-12-10T08:09:00.004-05:00

What was I thinking?

I ran out of steam halfway through these, made myself finish them last night.
You can get the pattern here.

If you are counting, (I know someone will check up on my math), there are only 27 here, gave one away already.

Have a wonderful day!!!

MY NEW TOY

2011-12-08T11:23:00.005-05:00

Oh....for a new toy!!!! Doing the happy dance here..... jiggle, wiggle....more jiggle than wiggle.

I saved my pennies, sold a few quilts and this is what I purchased off ebay.

More jiggle jiggle.....can you feel it?

I can see why my two sisters were thrilled with their embroidery machine, this is so much fun.

This was just a sample fabric, I still don't know what is on the smart card, my computer can not read it....any hints or ways I can figure it out.

Last night I was so unhappy, my son and I thought we had to wait on the cards the gal is sending us. But all reasoning in me said that this one card should work. So this morning I sat down with the book and worked out all of the flashing lights and beeps (yes, those beeps are annoying) and I got it to work......

Now to read the cards so I know what I am embroidering.....

WHAT A FUN PRODUCTIVE DAY!!

2011-12-06T17:34:00.002-05:00

Last night after supper, I sandwiched this quilt and quilted it. Just finished binding it.

I wanted to show you what I did with my little candy cane topper. It is starting to look festive in our home. No tree yet.

I had a friend come over today, while she prepped her a candy cane topper, I got all the bindings ready and sewn on the next three toppers and a runner (will show later)

Trust me, the above toppers look so much better in person.

What a great day! Wonderful finishes, one pulled out of that endless UFO pile.....and an awesome friend to keep me company. Hope all of you had an awesome day as well....

I do think it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!!

CHRISTMAS BALLS TUTORIAL

2011-12-05T14:50:00.006-05:00

Three friends came over today and we did these Christmas balls. We had had it planned for sometime now but since I was trying to figure out things for my young women to do we just got together sooner. I do know that some of you have sent me a link to these balls, just so you know there is one out there. I am too lazy to go and look for it (no need pretending, it is what it is)....

So here is how we did ours. I had to redo my ball....I thought maybe I should just stick to sewing but I hung in there.

You need

styro foam ball

applique pins 3/4 inch

fabric cut in 2 1/2 inch squares (a Go cutter would come in handy for this)

ribbon and glue.
You fold in half. I ironed mine. I didn't the first one and well, if you iron it seems you have more control over your fabric. The gal who was teaching did not iron and hers turned out beautifully.
fold in half again
open up and then fold both sides to the middle
open up, find the middle.
If you want to hide you pin, you put the pin on the inside at the center point. If not, just pin on the outside.
You have to find your center point on both sides. She just put a regular pin on both sides and tried to eyeball the center. I did that at first and was sooooo off (one reason I had to start over). So when everyone left. I got out my measuring tape and found the circumference and went from there....worked out a lot better. So now that you have found the middle, you place the pinned fabric there. Now the gal that was showing us glued hers down.
This is what it looks like with all triangles in the middle. I placed pins at the bottom of the triangle just to keep the bottom of the triangle under control. Now when you go to put on your second row, you will take out the bottom pins because the next row will be overlapping and then just pin down the next rows bottom....easy...
You do the top and then the bottom, then add the second row, top, bottom, then last row. Oh...I almost forgot, I measured from the center to the tip of the next triangle on each one. The first ball, she said to just eyeball it...I did but for some reason it just looked bad bad bad. So measure I did, I am not ashamed....
Here is all three rows done.
This is what it looks like when it meets...yes...a mess but at least they meet.
Here it is all cleaned up with a ribbon around it.
How about some rick rack?
There you have it....

2011-12-03T21:43:00.001-05:00

I just loved that little topper in the post below by Thimbleberries, so yesterday afternoon I got to work on a few more.

Here is the first one, once again, the picture does not do it justice. Do you notice the little fooooopppaaa I made?

The colors look a little better on this one and as I look I notice that the leaves colors are a shade off from the border...hummmmm. Maybe I should have taken a picture with all of the fabric together before I started sewing and cutting?
Here I embroidered stockings.

Had lots of fun but the only problem is....now I have to finish them or they will be thrown in the UFO bottomless pit of.

Thanks for all of your wonderful ideas for an activity for the Young Women, now the hard part is to chose which one or ones....

NEED HELP!!

2011-12-02T16:12:00.001-05:00

I am need of a craft project for the Young Women in two weeks.

Trying to find a Christmas themed project that requires no machine sewing because we have too many girls. The age range is 12 to 18.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!!

THIMBLEBERRIES SEW DAY!!!!

2011-12-01T00:11:00.005-05:00

Using this book....

This pattern.....
Three hours later, I get this!!!
There is a list of quilters that join us on these Thimbleberries sew day on my side bar, if you are interested in checking out what they did. Thanks for the reminder Karen!!!

WHO SAYS I CAN COUNT?

2011-11-30T08:14:00.002-05:00

A sweet blogging friend called me yesterday. While we were talking, I was doing theses!

This morning before a friend comes over, I wanted to trim them up.

I will not tell you the name I called myself when I snipped off the seam allowance!
Seriously? Again?
Then I noticed that I had turned one of the Santa's faces inside out.....so I went looking for him...low and behold, he was the one I snipped off the seam allowance.
Well.....I had 32 to stitch, see...I told you 28....but sometimes it is good to be wrong because now I have a total of 28. I chose to top stitch mine instead of taking a needle and thread to close the opening.
Here are the fabric measurements I used, it helps to cut the fabric out first. I know most of you know that....

For the Santa's beard - 4 x 4 inch square

Face 1 1/2 " x 4 inches

Hat rim 1 1/2 x 4 inches

Hat 3" x 5"

This makes it go so much faster

You can get the pattern here

BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN!!!

2011-11-29T09:34:00.003-05:00

My one son left for Japan at 4:00 a.m yesterday. I stayed up with him until he left.

Ran around with my husband....took a long nap and began work on these.....(28)

.

Only have one totally done! You can get the pattern in the link below this post.

How fun is this? I am going to work a little on them today and do some other stitching. After I got my fill of these last night, the first pictures shows you how far I had gotten to. Do you just ever say....I can't just do this another minute? So I started on some other projects that have been in the works for a while. Trust me, these are fun but sometimes I just get the itching to move on.

So today....work on my Santa's a little and make my rounds to this and that. Husband is gone for three days....

My son told my husband. Dad....now that you are leaving this house is going to go to pot. Mom will have her sewing stuff all over the place. I never realized that I was a creature of habit....but let the mess commence!!!

A CASE OF THE LAZIES!!

2011-11-27T09:17:00.005-05:00

Yep...that is what I had....I confess....

No sewing,

No reading,

Just a lot of baking.....I tried taking the calories out of everything that went into my mouth but it didn't work (thank heavens for elastic pants.....HA!!!!)

I had a son come from Japan on Monday, he leaves tomorrow morning. It is never any easier saying good-bye.

Oh well.....so while I was having my hiatus, I kept thinking....

I want to do something with these awesome Fabrics gifted from, Cyndi , Cut Up and Sew,

Thanks Cyndi!!

I want to make some of these picture frames. I have this on my fridge with a picture in it. Debi, Quilting with Debi sent this and you can get the pattern here. It would be great for people who have family or friends in nursing homes... So you would think I would have gotten in gear and made a few while I had the time....NOPE!!!! When the lazies sets in...they set in....I was afraid it would set in for the winter.

Yvette, BOM Quilter, read my episode with the flair pens and my birdie stitchery so she had mercy on me and sent me these Frixion Pens. You can see I already tore in them, you would have thought they were chocolate.
Then I found this today over at Fiona's, she has a lot of fun stuff going on over there today.

You can get the pattern here
So as you can see....I have some great plans, some you can see and some you can not. The party is over and now it is time to get down to business....

JUST STOPPED IN TO SAY HI!!

2011-11-25T23:06:00.002-05:00

There ain't now sewing going on here........sometimes at night when it is real quiet I can hear a low moan...........begging me to come back to my sewing room but for now.....

the machines are cold, the irons are cold.....and I am cold......and when I am cold....I turn into a reptile and move very very slowly.....

HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKGIVING~~~

2011-11-22T10:40:00.003-05:00

I am thankful for friends and Family!!! They are what matter most. (did I say chocolate too?)

To all of you that I have met and have not met.....I have enjoyed your friendship immensely!

Thanks for coming by.

Thanks for your awesome comments.

Thanks for being an unseen friend.

To my family.....I love you immensely!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

REMEMBER!!!

2011-11-20T09:25:00.003-05:00

Remember these (I call them leather but they are not) straps I got at my mother's?

Of course you to, I showed them to you!! Just joking, this is coming from someone who can't remember where anything is.....

Well......it has gone from this....

to this!!!

Now I know you remember this (wink, wink)...I was teaching my young girls to blanket stitch. They each had to blanket stitch their initial and then I would make a tote for them. Well....this is the second one I got back. The other ones you have seen, I did by machine.

So, here is a picture of the front of the strap.

another picture of the front.....
This is what the back of the strap looks like!
Glad I could find a use for these.....

NOW THAT THIS IS DONE.....

2011-11-18T09:37:00.004-05:00

I can get back to sewing......

Have a wonderful week-end....yep....it is here already!!!

Gotta tell you something funny before I go....

I have been sleeping on an air mattress for weeks....No...that is not funny.... My husband has a breathing machine and when it is not working, man nor beast can sleep in the same room with him. So it was the air mattress for me.

Now you know why there hasn't been much sewing....momma has been so tired.

Finally, yesterday he got the piece he needed for his machine. So....youngest son goes out and it is around ten...I am used to going to bed like 12:00 or 1:00....but I was so tired.....I go upstairs....it took me a while to get to sleep but when I did, I was gone.

Well....between 11:30 and 12:30...the phone rings. Wakes me up but I don't get to it in time....It says from TX, thinking it is my oldest son.....he will call again tomorrow. Well...it rings again a few minutes later..I get up...take a look out the window and see my son's car..

I am thinking, the boy is home, why doesn't he answer the phone? I get to the phone and the phone hangs up....

Boy is this irritating.

So...I get good and comfy...the phone rings again, I get up and by the time I get to the phone it hangs up again. Now I am getting kinda grumpy. Grumpy with my oldest son for continuing to call...grumpy with my youngest son for not answering the phone.

I grab the phone and put it beside my bed. Get good and comfy....the phone rings again.

This is the funny part. It was my youngest son, he was locked out and needed me to come and let him in. It is funny now but I sure felt bad last night.

I apologized, went back upstairs and by George if I could not get back to sleep...so I got up and finished the puzzle above.

WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

2011-11-16T09:31:00.007-05:00

Every since I had watched "The Quilt Show" and hearing Ricky Tims (no, I am not in love with him) talk about the Bernina and how it stitches more times in the blanket stitch than other machines. Well...that stuck out with me.

So....I got my Bernina back from the shop. She has been ill since Samoa. Infact, I only got a good 3 years out of her. Not happy about that. They said she was dirty in the panel and yes....in the bobbin area (so I am embarrassed). That salt air did not agree with her and I believe she has to go back into convalescence.....she is still not well.

That being said....A friend was using my pfaff yesterday and so I was using the Bernina....thank heavens or I would not know she was not well.

I did see what Ricky Tims was talking about. Look below at this picture. As you can see, the first one is the stitches by Bernina (activa 230), the second is the Horizon (Janome), the third is the Pfaff ( 2058). Which one do you like best?

This picture blow is from the Pfaff...
this next one is from the Bernina...............don't you just love it?
I will say that using the Horizon to do blanket stitch is a chore, therefore, I use my Pfaff for all blanket stitching. I love the Pfaff because it is a breeze to do the blanket stitch, no forcing, juggling, it just does what I want.

Bernina on the other hand for me is a chore as well. I do know that I need to get use to her and her wild ways. It also takes longer to blanket stitch (that is obvious), I could have had what I am doing in the pictures (you will have to wait until December 17th to find out what I am doing)....well...I could have had this done and quilted in the time it has taken me just to do the little bit I have done.

But.....to be fair....Bernina decides when she is tired and she just stops sewing. So I turn her off...either go and do something else and come back or wait a few seconds and she will start up again. So...she needs more convalescence time. Really irritating when you want to get something done.

So....what do ya think? Any opinions out there?

Every since I met Judy from Sew Fun Quilts and her Sister, Fabricartist21, in San Antonio while still in Samoa, I have wanted a 300e and I have been searching ebay and hounding my dealer for good deals. Does anyone have a embroidery machine that they truly love, my mind can be changed!

2011-11-14T09:43:00.002-05:00

The winner of the Beam N Read is Denise #23. Sorry Day Star you could have won if you I could have contacted you.

Thanks again.

Leaving you all with a picture of some wonderful fabric I ordered from Inchworm Fabrics!!!

Have a wonderful week!!!!

MISTAKE!!

2011-11-13T09:06:00.004-05:00

I have always admired every one's stitchery made into quilts. Terry over at Terry's Treasure has inspired me to put the sashings on while waiting for the last block, besides inspiring me to do embroidery. I confess I am not very good at it, never have been but I just love this.

So.....as I was putting it together, I just about had heart failure. As I was spraying my little quilt with Best Press, I noticed that I had this green running mess. So here is what I learned.

1. Don't forget to wash out your pen marks if you are using the green flair pens before you sew the squares together. It runs. It causes panic !!!!!

So I ran to the sink and started cleaning the green. Much to my surprise, there was not only one square running but several.... I wanted to cry....I loved this quilt....nurtured it.....kept up with it. Not all my squares did I use this green pen.

2. Do Not....what so ever put it in the washer. If the thought comes to put it in the washer in the moment of panic.....remember Barb said DO NOT PUT IT IN THE WASHER!!

I know, some of you are thinking...I already knew that...what a dufusssss....that is okay. You can not say anything about me that I hadn't already said to myself.

I had such a mess with the green running that I panicked, I ran and put it in the washer.

It only compounded the problem.

When it came out of the washer it had wads of threads....fraying.....What a mess. I spent some time on Friday morning trying to fix the tangled mess and mend any holes. So what you see is the end results. I still have to do a little more picking but for now, I am good....

Next is some more towels....
I am wearing this to church today!!!! Thanks Debi......I love it, notice the bling on it....

APPLIQUILTING

2011-11-10T11:31:00.004-05:00

I know you are going...SAY WHAT!!!!

In an email I was telling Cindy (Just Cindy) what I was doing and she said she calls it Appliquilting.

I have been so busy that it is hard to sit down and just sew, so it is nice to have a project set up that I an come to and work on sporadically.

This is where the Appliquilting comes in.....I am doing the blanket stitch to the whole quilt, sandwich and all....gobble gobble.

I love how the back looks. I think I am going to do some cobble stone in between the stems and basket....

Then Cyndi told me about this contest at the Missouri Quilt Co. She thought I might enjoy doing it. It started November 1st and ends Dec. 31st.

Part of the rules is you use one Summer Breeze charm pack, I ordered 3 just in case.

Sadly, this is where the charm packs lay, still in their wrapper. Poor charm packs.....maybe soon I will get to them????

Also....Day Star, the winner of the Beam N Read is a no-reply, didn't know that when her name was chosen. I am going to give this person until Sunday to send me her address and contact me, if not, then another winner will be chosen.

KEEPING UP!!

2011-11-07T22:57:00.000-05:00

November's Birdie block!

BEAM N READ GIVEAWAY!!!!

2011-11-07T00:00:00.002-05:00

The Winner of the Beam N Read is day Star #89

Thanks to all of you for entering!

---------------------------------------------------------------------

I can not begin to tell you how much I love my Beam n Read. Just recently my husband and I went to Texas to help a son move. Before I went I packed my bags and made sure this was among my necessities. In fact, it rode in the front seat with me, in the glove box.

About Dark time I needed light, I turned on the overhead light to see but I could tell it was really bothering my husband while he was driving....then it hit me...like DUHHHHH.....

Reached in the glove box and pulled out my Beam N Read......turned off the overhead light. My husband was happy but more impressed with the Beam N Read and how useful it was. He was also impressed with me for remembering to bring it.....(I just smiled)...

I can not tell you how many times I used it that week while traveling, I wish I had kept count because I was wearing the glove box out.

Here are just some useful ways to use it,

---traveling

----at night in bed, not wanting to disturb your partner while reading

----I use it while sewing, sometimes at my machine for added light and when my machine light it not working.

----when looking for something in the closet, in my case bedroom (has no overhead lights)

----while doing hand work such as knitting, crocheting, embroidery, bindings, hand quilting etc.

----under the hood of a car

----hands free light, so you can use both hand free

There are just so many ways, it even has a magnifying lens, a red light to help your eyes adjust to the dark......adjustable strap.

You can buy them at Kellys "I Have a Notion", fast dependable service...that is her middle name.

So what do you need to do to win?

Just tell me who you would like to gift the Beam N Read light to and why, no names are necessary. That is it. Winner will be announced on the 7th. Be sure to go by SewCal's for her giveaway today as well.

I will post on my sidebar the other bloggers and when they will be giving a Beam N Read away.

Good luck and thanks so much for coming by. Big Thanks to Bob the Marketing Director of Beam N Read for this wonderful giveaway.

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

"SPOTLIGHT ON NEUTRALS" BY PAT WYS

2011-11-05T00:00:00.000-04:00

If you had seen my post here

Well....I tried my best to just use what I had on hand....but I did buy a fat quarter for the stems. For me, this was very hard....a lot of fabrics have different hues to them, yellow, pink, etc....

I chose to applique with the blanket stitch which has not been done yet. I really love her book, her neutrals gives a fresh earthy look and I love that. I did enjoy this challenge that I gave myself to go with neutrals because
"I wanted to go outside my box" and I did.

Just now I searched google where you can find her book and I was amazed at all of the places this book is, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, several quilting stores....wonderful book. She made the comment that we are welcome to do it in color, I knew she wouldn't mind, if you have not been to her blog...do go here

Last day of the Ghastlie Blog hop and some finishes!!

2011-11-04T08:45:00.007-04:00

I confused my own self...(which is not hard to do)..... is this the one I finished the other day or yesterday? Hummmmm Least way, both table runners are done.

Rest of the aprons... I clipped the together by colors and to keep the ties out of the way.
My little gal canceled on me....so I thought I would have the rest of the afternoon to sew.....

I did but I chose not to. Me and my kindle had a nice time.

Enjoy your week-end~~~

Last day of the Ghastlie Blog Hop, thanks to Madame Samm for putting this together and to all the wonderful creativity out there. Be sure to look on my sidebar for the Ghastlie Bloggers today.

2011-11-03T07:42:00.005-04:00

Yesterday I was able to put the binding on one of these runners while my little sewing friend was here.

Last night I wanted to finish the other runner but I was given the pockets to put on those 18 aprons. A friend had them monogramed. I had just a little bit of fabric left...when I say a little...there not even enough scraps left over to put in the scrap bin (whohoooooo no scrap breeding tonight).

So, I took the remaining scraps and did this to the pockets.

I got five done and prepped the rest to be put on. I thought...oh...it will only take me a few hours.....WRONG!!!!!! So this is what I will be doing today before my little friend comes over.

Don't forget the Ghastlie Blog Hop......look to the side bar and my Beam N Read light giveaway!!!!

DON'T FORGET!!

2011-11-02T02:17:00.002-04:00

See my side bar for today's blogs.....

I don't know about you but this has been one fun time!! Lots of inspiration, lots of creativity!!!

Don't forget about my Beam N REad giveaway below....

DID ALL OF YOU HAVE A GHASTLIE WONDERFUL DAY?

2011-10-31T17:52:00.002-04:00

Well....while I was out hopping through all the wonderful Ghastlie blogs today...I happened upon this at the Quilt n Queen

This goes right along with the theme we have for the Young Women next week.

When I went back to look at her blog, I noticed that my neck is not big enough, but this will do...I certainly don't want to go back and redo them. Now that was a question....I am putting it out there. Maybe I will just leave these three as is and do the others longer? Serves me to pay better attention.

This is all I got done today...besides working and scavenging for my neutrals project (you will have to stay tuned for that one....) Don't you love cliff hangers????

BUT!!!!!!! I have to say that I had the most splendid evening. I am teaching one of my little gals how to quilt. We are doing a wall hanging for her room. She came over today and she is just awesome. I showed her my unconventional way of doing things and she just went right along....the ideas were just bouncing around the room....Talk about creative energy...we had it... We got a lot done for one hour. The next time we will put our designs into place and be rolling.... There has to be something said for these young people. Even tho I do not have grandchildren does not mean I can't love other people's children....and enjoy them....

Don't forget the Ghastlie hop, as mentioned before...look to my sidebar for the dates and places. Have an Ghastlie of a Halloween!!

I JUST CAN'T HELP MYSELF!!

2011-10-29T23:55:00.002-04:00

So I showed you this yesterday from Pat's book...(see post below)....I love flowers, I love baskets...I don't need another project...I really don't but......

I just can't help myself. I really can't, it is like chocolate, you can't stop til the last drop of chocolate is gone...

But I thought since I finished this....

I could start the other project. I figure we were giving a sense of reasoning and well...this is my reasoning.... One project out, one project in....

No fabric choices yet...but I do have it drawn on the fusible.....oh yesssssssss momma bejeweled is in her element.....now to choose the colors......neutral or color? Neutral or Color? HUMMMMM

“SPOTLIGHT ON NEUTRALS” BY Pat Wys…..and some finishes

2011-10-29T12:05:00.003-04:00

Look what I won over at Silver Thimble Talk!! I was so thrilled to have an autographed book by Pat. I have always loved her work.

She also sent an I-tunes card……. Thanks sooooooooooooooooo much Pat!!!

What a fabulous book, I am just showing you two of my most favorite. You know I had to hone in on the applique.

In fact I was trying to decide if I had enough neutral fabrics to do this pattern (I was wondering if the bejeweled owned any neutrals). Even wondering

if I know what a neutral is. You all know I love bright and flashy. So I was going around looking in all the nooks and crannies….when a lightening bolt

hit me…… BARB…..YOU DO NOT NEED TO START ONE MORE PROJECT!!!! GET SOME OF YOUR PROJECTS DONE!!! THEN START A NEW ONE!!! STEP AWAY

FROM THE FABRICS…..BACK UP SLOWLY AND WALK OUT OF THE FABRIC ROOM.

So I did…but oh….it is so hard not to do this basket one….so if I cave, it will be a good cave.

Here is a view of the free motion hearts I did on the back of the patch one.

Here are the two quilts that my mother and Sister Beverly started (they made the tops and my mother started stitching in the ditch in the

princess one). I finished quilting both and today finished the binding…..I will have to confess, the binding has been on for over a week just

waiting for me to sew it to the back side. Why did I put it off? It only took about 15 minutes each at the most to machine sew it down….why do

I do this? Put things off?

IT HAS BEEN A GHASTLIE OF A TIME

2011-10-27T06:36:00.006-04:00

Thanks for joining in on the fun, please continue to blog hop and see what the rest of us are doing. The list is on my side bar.

So for the winners!!!!

The winner of my small giveaway is #115 Heather from Marietta, Georgia of the Happy Appliquer
For the winners of the overall blog hop:

Sheri from Mrs Penny Ghastlies
Jackie from Mrs Karen Ghastlies..

If you have time among all of your hopping, will hop over to the Average Quilter, she didn't get the email for the ghastlies hop in time and so is not listed on the side bar but she did some cute projects that I think all of you would find interesting.

GHASTLIE BLOG HOP IS HERE TODAY!!!

2011-10-26T09:00:00.003-04:00

Here is my wall hanging blowing in the wind. I want to add some words to it, have any ideas? The huge tree is done by machine. Notice the buttons? They are from Button Mad, Incomparable Inc.

Here is the remaining fabric. There is close to a half yard here.
Here is the fabric folded (didn't want to trim it up in case someone wanted to fussy cut)...Yes, I said someone. I am giving this fabric plus a click it bag designed by Robin Quilts etc.

I have given you the link in case you wanted to go and purchase this fun bag. Just leave a comment!

I can not even begin to say how fun this hop has been. If you have missed the first few days, you truly need to go and check out the other blogs. What talent and creativity out there.

A big Thanks to Madame Samm for arranging this for all of us.

So please, go and start hopping....and thanks for coming by.

SEE BIG PRIZE ON POST BELOW!!

Giveaway is closed....thanks for coming by

PSS.....to the Ghastlie Blog Hop - 2 WINNERS

2011-10-26T08:55:00.006-04:00

Sometimes a person just forgets.....and well....I just fogot.

I forgot to mention and this is the most extreme forget of all...

YES>>>>> Cobwebs in the brain, haunting ghost in the cellar, you name it I have it.

So...there will be 2 prize winners.

You will receive....

4 Yards of this GHASTLIE
Collection from our sponsor
Alexander Henry Fabrics...
They are sporting a BRAND NEW look too.!
YOU can VIEW these from samples they have posted!

http://www.ahfabrics.com/collections/category/101-a-ghastly-night
http://www.ahfabrics.com/collections/category/100-ghastly-forest
http://www.ahfabrics.com/collections/category/102-a-ghastly-clover
http://www.ahfabrics.com/collections/category/98-ghastly-bramble

One winner will be picked from the posting blogs today, that winner will be turned in to Madame Samm and she will pick a winner out of the six that will be entered.

I am still having my small giveaway below as well.

So don't forget to comment below, I am closing the comment section on this post.

Thanks so much for coming by.....and be sure to check all of the blogs on the sidebar for the day!!

IT IS ABOUT TIME!!

2011-10-25T13:03:00.004-04:00

All I can say is, "I am ready for next year!" (This is a panel....no applique on my part only quilting)

Mark this one off my list.

As for today, don't forget the Ghastlie Blog Hop, check the side bar for today's hop. Lots of great prizes and lots of fun ideas.

GHASTLIE BLOG HOP STARTS TOMORROW - FEW FINISHES

2011-10-23T08:35:00.012-04:00

Yesterday when I got up my husband goes...."Let's go to JoAnn's"

Say what???? JoAnn's!!!

I was ready in ten minutes.

He even went in with me instead of sitting in the car. It is so funny to see these men sitting in the car waiting for their wives or tagging behind them in JoAnn's. What awesome husbands or significants.

He couldn't find me at one point and headed right to the clearance....he found me. He said he knew that is where I would be....HA!!!!

Well...I don't know if you can see the cobblestone (quilted with Guetermann thread) on this wall hanging but I finally decided on quilting that in the white area. Sometimes you just have to let it sit and eventually it will come to you. I will admit, deciding on how to quilt something is my weak point. I need to study up.

This wall hanging uses 4 Accuquilt dies, tumbler, flower, heart, and Sunbonnet Sue, the directions are in the post below, incase you missed it.

I would like to say that I know a lot of you do not have a the Accuquilt Go cutter but if you are interested, I can cut you the shapes out on card stock and send it to you for either one of the projects.

Then I blanket stitched this. This is from the Fall Medley die.

Started a fun new design with one of the accuquilt dies.

Put the bindings together for eight projects....yes...you heard me...eight. Tomorrow I will iron them and attack that.

GHASTLIE BLOG HOP

Will start tomorrow. If you look on my side bar you will see the dates and who is sponsoring that hop for the day. You will not want to miss this. There will be a winner every day, one winner from the six blogs. These are not prizes to boo at either. Some blogs will be giving away as well. Oh....you will be asked to pay for shipping if you win...well worth it. If you want to read more....go here!

So won't you join us?

My day is this Wednesday.

TWIST TO THE SUNBONNET SUE DIE.

2011-10-21T23:49:00.002-04:00

One day while looking at the Sunbonnet Sue die this thought came to my mind on how to use the bonnet.

So I pulled out my batiks (actually they are on my baker's rack begging to be used).

White fabric - 14" by 18"

Border is 4" wide (2 eighteen inches for the sides, 22" for the top and bottom, of course, you need to measure your block to get your correct measurements.

Flower is the Sunbonnet Sue hat

Inner Flower - bottom of the hat, I place the fabric just enough to where it covered the bottom part of the hat, then I cut a curve on the one half trying to match the curve on the hat bottom.

Stems - Flower Die stems...the longest one, I just cut until I felt I had a piece long enough and

thin enough.

Pot - Tumbler die.

Heart - largest heart on the heart die

Quilt as desired.

I still have the white to quilt.

SOMETIMES PLAYING CAUSES MORE UFO’S

2011-10-21T13:02:00.001-04:00

I have been working with this fandango fabric for some time now (purchased at Inchworm Fabrics)

I think I see the end of the rainbow with this quilt….I am so excited.

Now this is where the playing is taking place. I am having so much fun but…..

These runners look so much out of the 70’s….. I still have to blanket stitch them all but what fun!!!

I just love the fall die from Accuquilt.

I have a confession to make, I spend way more time in the shower than I should. It has gotten so nippy here and well…a nice warm shower it just

the perk I need to heat up these old bones.

TO BIND OR NOT TO BIND, THAT IS THE QUESTION?

2011-10-19T11:09:00.001-04:00

Finished quilting four quilts…..just need bindings…..so….should I just donate my whole day to binding?

Or should I play with my Go dies? Hummmmmmmm

WARNING::::::

THIS DEVICE IS TO BE USED BY A RESPONSIBLE ADULT OR WITH ADULT SUPERVISION!!!

If the phone rings…….put down said device! Do not keep chatting with amazing son, do not continue to laugh while said device is in use. May cause harmful accident, profuse bleeding, extreme pain, and temporary use of finger along with slight tenderness for days.

Don’t ask me how I know!!!

We Have 20 winners!!!! I just need your addresses……

2011-10-18T15:12:00.001-04:00

Twenty winners each get a card of 5 ladybugs….doesn’t get much better than that.  Thanks so much Buttonmad for this giveaway!!

RUTH

MARGI

HAPPY COTTAGE QUILTER

PAT...silver thimble quilt company   

KATHY MACKIE

POPPY IN PINK
LORNA

JESSICA quilty habit

LINDA

PAT V

JUST CINDY

IRINA

SANDY call me crazy                                   

MRS SEW AND SEW

QUILT MOM

JJ

LJ

LINDA

SEW MEOW

SNOODLE

Have any of you seen this?

2011-10-17T23:06:00.001-04:00

I know that most of you can make your own scrub hats and scrubs…..but don’t you know someone that needs these? What a great way to help

The National Breast Cancer Foundation! It seems that everyone is getting on the band wagon to help fight Breast Cancer.

These hot pink scrubs are just awesome? I personally like the black and pink ones.

If you go to Sew Cal’s blog, she has posted about Quilting for a cure, Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Excellent blog post and awesome information.

If you notice the four patch on my sidebar, the concept is “Make a Patch – Make a donation.” For every block you make, you donate 4 dollars along with it for the American Cancer Society.

As you may have heard me mention, my best friend lost her mom to breast cancer. Her mom was so amazing and I miss her terribly. At this moment in time, my dear friend has a daughter that is having chemo treatments and will have to have a double mastectomy. This really hits home for me and I know most of you out there.

So whether it is by buying hot pink scrubs, making a four patch, or just going out and taking care of your own physicals and making sure that others do as well, you will be making a difference!

REMEMBER THIS?

2011-10-17T06:42:00.001-04:00

Well…..it is sitting above my headboard in my bedroom. You say, what is strange about that? Well….it is on my side of the headboard because that is my husband’s way of telling me that he is not using it right now.

HUMMMMMMMMM

Sunbonnet Sue and Me!

2011-10-16T10:05:00.001-04:00

This quilt top is what I finished yesterday. I had planned to finish it totally but got the case of the lazes, you can even see I was too lazy to finish ironing the border.

Am I bad!!

What wonderful eye candy!!

My husband looked at me strange when he saw me smelling the fabric….is that weird?

I have a real sweet friend that sent me a gift certificate to the Fat Quarter shop….I was so excited.

My mother and sister Beverly gave me this awesome fabric, leather strips, and decorative balls. My mind

is going wild with things to do with these strips…do you have any ideas?

My one thought for the day is……I DON’T REMEMBER GROWING OLDER!!!

LIFE IS NOT WITHOUT IT'S CHALLENGES!!

2011-10-15T09:40:00.001-04:00

My husband and I just made a whirl wind trip to Texas. We were gone 6 days and most of it was traveling. We drove 24 hours straight on the way home only to get home and find out that we might have to go back.......not fun.

But, there is always a but.....for some reason family and friends makes the life challenges a little easier.

Like turning older......not fun but my niece Jennifer (she has been blogging on inchworm fabrics blog), sent me this.....I just love it and my Kindle is so snug in the pouch!! I just have to say that I just love my nieces....they are so kind and thoughtful and bring a breath of fresh air into my life.

A sweet friend sent me these.........Love love love it!!
I ordered this....remember the calendar that my sister sent, well, I had to have the book!

My mother and sister Beverly gave me some things as well...but no pictures yet....I am truly excited about the fabric, candy is all gone (I know...what a surprise)...and then some decorative balls to match my dinning room table centerpiece..yes...need to get a picture on here....will soon.

I won this over at the Tulip Patch, it is a Roly Poly Owl block kit for a wall hanging. Made from the drunkard's path. How fun is that? If you want to go and take a look at it just click on Tulip Patch.

I volunteered to finsh these quilts up for my mother. They are for my great nieces, I am really excited to have a part in these quilts.

I am working on these at the moment.....I ordered the blocks on ebay. I did the blanket stitch around them and now for a quilt. No Sunbonnet Sue die for me, I borrowed my niece's last time.As I said, life is not without it's complications and one of those was a dead computer......no worries...I am up and running on a new one but...once again...complications...trying to adjust, learn, and transfer over data....it just ain't easy!!

TWENTY BUTTON CARDS, TWENTY WINNERS!!

2011-10-11T06:00:00.002-04:00

Don't you just love these buttons from "Incomparable", her son is the one that set the site up as Buttonmad, I just love that name.... The one will take you to their website and the other will take you to their blog.

See the five lady bugs at the bottom of this picture? That is what we are giving away today.....20 cards to giveaway, one for 20 winners....doesn't get much better than that.....

So to showcase her beautiful buttons I have designed this wall hanging, featuring all five of the lady bugs...

So here is the skinny.....

You do not really have to comment here, even tho it would be nice but....
in order to win a card of buttons,

you need to go over to Buttonmad,

become a folower and definitely leave a comment.

I thought I would take a minute to tell you how her buttons started....

"My husband and I started out desperately poor...we couldn't even afford a blanket and were to proud to ask for help. We slept on a single matress on the floor, had two knives and one fork. I could go on but it would be an unhappy story...when infact, it was not at all. We were young and in love, living far away from family with a little baby. It sure was tough but she says looking back she does so with fondness. She told herself at that time that as soon as she found work, she was going to help anyone she could in the same position. That is exactly what she has done.
She says that even tho she no longer needs to work that she has not given up on her mission. She has been making buttons for 20 years and her workers are like family.
She has three children and each are involved in the business in some ways. Her son, the oldest is the marketing guru and photographer.
Shann looks after the factory and Tamera takes care of the blog and comes up with the adorable ideas.
She says that her greatest joy is giving employment to women. "

So this is where her passion lies....

Empowering Women.

I think most of us want to make a difference in this world, to feel that our life was not wasted....well, I can tell you that Jennifer certainly had made good use of her life in helping others and making a difference.

We will have this giveaway last a week, so lets say October 18th, the winners will be picked.

PLEASE BE SURE TO LEAVE A COMMENT ON BUTTON MAD'S POST.

GHASTLIES!!

2011-10-06T10:40:00.002-04:00

I have been working with this fabric of late....... Now this witch looks like me when I haven't had my chocolate fix. Now as for the broom in her hand..... I have a son...very naughty son that likes to pop out from behind everything....he will come up behind me and scare the be jeebies out of me. Maybe I should carry a broom around with me.

When he left for two years, it took me months to quit looking behind things....I would even laugh at myself because he was gone and I was still expecting him to jump out at me.

My sister Jeanette just sent me this awesome Calendar in the mail with a sweet card. Thanks Jeanette!! Now this sister owns Inchworm Fabrics

Most of you know that but several of you had asked where to get that Samoa Fabric seen in the quilt below. That is where. I believe she has 3 Samoan Jelly rolls left....just saying..

My husband laughs at this next picture ever time he sees it in my sewing room. I must be really bad.

Sue from Quilt Times sent this to me a while back, I just love it, thanks Sue!!

KING SIZED SAMOAN GOODNESS

2011-10-05T14:20:00.003-04:00

Do you remember me working on this one?

I think you only saw three rows. Well....the top is almost done...just needs a border. I am going to put a small, black, one inch border, than my most flashy Samoan Fabric, then another 3 inch black border. This top already flows over my king sized bed.

It was too big for the dinning room floor to take a picture. I know what alot of you were thinking...you were thinking it was about time I got my quilts off the floor.....I know....not a great place to put a beautiful quilt but a gal has to do what a gal has to do.

This can all be done with your go cutter.

BIRDIE BLOCK

2011-10-04T09:17:00.002-04:00

My husband spoils me.....he left Saturday morning (thought he was upset with me because he usually invites me to come along)....well....

He came home with this. I have already read one book and working on another..... He will probably regret it when he gets his monthly book bill...HA!!

Then I finished this block.....now are you as surprised as I am that I have been keeping up? I am totally floored and so proud. Only two more to go....

It is getting pretty cool outside.....notice that I never complained of the heat...well that is because I hate to be cold......if you take that as a whine....then so be it, just send me some cheese....

Have a wonderful day!

Batiks...

2011-10-01T10:23:00.003-04:00

Sometimes a piece of fabric just needs to be left alone.... That ugly brownish is really salmon.

So I made a runner out of it.

Here is the back fabric (purchased from inchworm fabrics)

Here is the runner....I just love it. One problem, it doesn't match anything in my house.

Have a wonderful week-end. Things are pretty quiet over here, haven't been around visiting much either, will be by soon!!

Introducing Gretta Godie and her dog Goochie!!

2011-09-29T18:04:00.003-04:00

One day I got this hair brained idea.....and so I started playing around with my Go dies.....

and this is what I came up with. Gretta Go-die and her dog Goochie.

I used the medium circle die for the face, the flower die for the hair, arms, legs, the tumbler die for the dress, the rose of sharon die for the feet and hands. Oh..almost forgot, the scarf is the leaf die in the rose of sharon die. I had such fun dressing Gretta....if you make one, I hope you will come and share with me.

Little Goochie is the doggie die, and I cut his sweater from the dog die as well.... I had thought about doing a whole series but well, just thought I would share it with you instead.

Anyone looking at this could certainly just make one on their own and the placement...so enjoy!!

THIMBLEBERRIES SEW DAY

2011-09-28T14:50:00.003-04:00

A few months ago I posted a project I was going to do....I had all of the fabrics and so last night I went to the pile that I had been saving........

but.....

I forgot I borrowed the beige fabric.....OOOOPPPSSSSS and I needed 4 2/3 yard of it....well....what was I thinking????

So.......to make a short story long

Lately as I pass by my fabrics or go and choose a certain fabric...this little voice I hear......

Barb....what about us???

Have you forgotten we are here?

I just look at the shelve where this voice is coming from and whisper....

"Man I sure do love you"....how many of you talk to your fabric. I touch the fabric and say...."Someday.... Someday"

Well.....as I was trying to figure out what to do...those little voices came to me again....and here they are....

Oh....such yummy goodness......and I could no longer deny the urge to slice and dice these fabrics.

I know, they are not Thimbleberries fabric....I did audition some fabrics but that little whispering kept calling me back....

So.....I decided on this pattern.....

Started making it with these fabrics.....
Now the problem is......what to use for the border? I don't want it to be tooo wild....but these colors just say fall to me and I just couldn't help myself....I could say the devil made me do it....but reallly???

So...here the project sits....but you have to give me one brownie point for remembering it was Thimbleberries Sew day,

THIMBLEBERRIES SEW DAY!!! and FALL MEDLEY WINNERS

2011-09-28T09:22:00.004-04:00

Today is Thimbleberries Sew Day, I will return later with what I am doing....using a Thimbleberries pattern but not fabric.

Winners of yesterday's giveaway

#1 - JoAnna from "Needle, Thread, Happiness

#2 Lucy from "Charm About You"

#3 - Diana (she was number 75), no blog.

What fun to read all of your comments, Thanks for coming by ....

Will be back later!

GOING HAND IN HAND WITH "SEW WE QUILT" and a GIVEAWAY!!

2011-09-27T06:00:00.001-04:00

Today I did a post at "Sew we Quilt"

but....I am doing a post here as well...it goes hand in hand with the post over there...so please go over and check out my post.

So...this dish towel mathes the towel and pot holder over on "Sew We Quilt". Now when you see the next pictures, you will see how crazy I went with the Fall Medley Die. This Accuquilt die is soooo fun that I just couldn't help myself.

So...to the giveaway part...... Here are some leaves, pumpkins, and acrons....this is picture #1.

Next is a medley of leaves, pumpkins, and acorns...this is picture #2!

Now, here are some funky leaves, pumpkins, and acorns...no Steam a seam on these...this is #3!

Just leave a comment on which one you would like to win....and I will post a winner tomorrow!!!

Madame Samm has been working hard on bringing nothing but fun and awesome prizes and it was so fun to be able to post on the same day that the Baby Go cutter was being given away. So good luck to all of you!!!

Thanks for coming by!!!

Thanks for being a follower!!!

Thanks for Commenting!!

ORDER OF IMPORTANCE

2011-09-24T21:46:00.003-04:00

I am sure a lot of you feel as I do, that you have so much to do that you just chase your tail? So I decided that since I have so much to do....that I should write it down...sometimes the little things get swept out with the threads.

So...that being said...here are three blocks for the Grieving Quilts John a'lee is asking for....go to my side bar and you can get the details. I have more cut out but.......yep....tail chasing again.

I did get this made just in the nick of time for our new little lady that is coming into the Young womens.

My son had a few friends come over.....to my surprise... I had my Go cutter out, scraps on the table....my slice out, cardboard and paper cutter...ironing board....well...you get the picture. I was working on so many things (tail chasing again) that if you were a by stander you would think...is this lady mad???

Well.....it is hours later, the mess has been semi cleaned and before the night is out, all will be in its place for tomorrow.

Won't you join me on "Sew We Quilt" on Tuesday? You will be glad you stopped by there, I am not saying but I think the giveaway will be so worth a drop in.

Notice my mail for the week on my side bar....I sooooo love mail.

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD!

2011-09-21T11:55:00.003-04:00

YOU sure are looking good....you're everything that a big bad wolf could want....OWWWWWL

How many of you remember that song?

Well...I have been singing that song every since I got this fabric in the mail from Quilt Taffy
They have a giveaway every Thursday and this Thursday I was the lucky winner....OWWWWLLL THANKS CORRIE!!!

I am just jumping from project to project...having to get a lot done and nothing to show for it, or at least NOTHING I can show right now...but here is something I thought would be cute for a little Halloween party or to just put some treats in to giveaway at work etc.
Notice it is missing a handle...hummmm in my going back and forth looking for buttons, I somehow lost the other handle...driving me totally insane (now my husband will say that that is not far to go for me)....I am hoping to find it.

But....I believe this piece is just 6" x 6", you can make it as big or as small as you want. I got this screen at my local quilt shop.
Some ribbon
cover each end of the screen (my suggestion is that you place the ribbon a little shorter on one side than the other so you can get both sides when you sew)....learned the hard way.
Sew the sides...
Make a triangle at the bottom...like so...you can see that I really back stitched this sucker up...
Clip..yes, I need clipping lessons...
I covered this end with ribbon...and if you want to get fancy you can do the same to the sides....but no fancy foot work for me today.
Add the handles....and you have a cute little treat bag. When I have a spare few today...I am going to make a bigger bag....I didn't want one as big as the last one I did....so I am going to scale it down.

IRON COZY!!!

2011-09-19T12:08:00.003-04:00

I was just so excited when I read Stash Manicure's post for today...Nan from Pots and Pins did a turorial on an iron cozy.

Some of you are thinking...yea right...iron cozy...what next!

How many times have we gone somewhere with our iron, used it and then had to wait for it to cool? Raise your hands...don't be shy....

Well..nip over there, she has a great tutorial.

Now...she says not to leave an opening for your cord...I did...because I wanted to....

make it reversible.

She also used a binding for it...I did not...I just took my pinking shears to it. Yes...call me lazy...(been called worse)...besides "It is my party, I can do what I want"!!

so here is my iron...all nice and cozy....

How fun is this?? Did you notice the flip flops for my ties? Yes, my tie is black, I was going to lie and say it was navy blue...but once again....my party!!!

This did not take long at all, fast and fun.....now I have time to make more...oh yes...I see a whole slew of cozies in my future.

THE WINNER OF THE 25 DOLLAR GIFT CERTIFICATE

2011-09-17T17:11:00.002-04:00

The winner is the Quilted Squid, I just looked and it seems she is new to blogging so won't you go over and show her some blogging friendship? Looks like she is going to be a fun addition.

Not accomplishing much today...brain is in thinking mode so beware....

CLAM SHELL TUTORIAL USING THE CIRCLE DIE FOR THE ACCUQUILT GO CUTTER

2011-09-16T06:38:00.003-04:00

Some of you have seen this Clam Shell runner from a while back. It is made from the Accuquilt Circle die, using the middle circle (3" in diameter)

I am working on this quilt using the circle die again but using the 5" diameter circle.
Trust me, no fabric was wasted, what I didn't use for the large circle, the middle circle was used and what was not used for those two, the smaller one was used...very little waste.

So let's begin. For the quilt...I cut a 5" strip, this strip will be as long as you want your quilt wide. You will need a glue stick.

Lay out your strip. Take your first circle and crease the middle
place the crease on the bottom of the strip, like you see here.
you can see here where it is creased.
Then you just glue the top portion of the circle down on the strip of fabric.
Then you do the same to the next circle, you will place the circle next to each other, crease touching.
You will do this all the way down your strip. In this case I have nine circles, the next row will be eight....then nine on the third row, eight on the fourth etc.
Then you will blanket stitch around the circles to the end of the strip like you see here. As you can see, this is the back of the strip.
Now you will go and trim the back like this.
For your second row, as mentioned above, you will only have eight circles. You will crease the middle and if it is helpful, crease the middle both ways so you can match the middle crease to the top of your quilt (which will be inbetween two of the above circles)...
This is what the back looks like after the second row.
This is what it looks like after you trim off the back...now sometimes the glue has to be seperated from the fabric so you can get a nice cut...but that is not a big deal.

Also, every once in a while I measure from top to bottom on both side of the quilt to make sure I am keeping the same length and width on each side from top to bottom, from side to side.

I have not finished the quilt yet but what I did on the runner was, I cut the sides right down the middle of the circle, and bottom. Added a border to each side and bottom. Then I just did a straight stitch quilting around each circle, that is what gives it the puffy look.

For the quilt, I am thinking of cutting strips for the side and bottom but not cut the circles down the middle...I will glue the circles onto the strip and just blanket stitch around them....that is my plan as of now. I still plan to do the same quilting, straight stitching around each circle.

You will end up with alot of scraps.... This could be considered very wasteful...and you are probably thinking that using the go to do clam shells is a waste of such fabrics....

Take a look at this runner...do you think it is wasteful now? It is made from the scraps off the back of the clam shell. I have enough scraps to make more of these runners or come up with something new.

I say...let us try something new....so stay tuned!!

Why reinvent the wheel?

2011-09-15T09:32:00.005-04:00

Nothing like Homemade French Bread!!!

Now.....how many of you have done this? You are trying to trace that image onto fabric?

I got tired of doing that and moving the paper around to fit in the squares so I could trace...

So I invented this!!! (no one is allowed to laugh when you see this next picture)

Now we are going to play a game....Find the Hidden item!!

Circle the ott light.....(I am sure the ott light was thinking....she expects me to do what!!!! Ain't gonna do it

Circle the plexie table......

Circle the project.....oh yesssss....works perfectly except if you move suddenly, everything can come tumbling down.

Five dollars at Tuesday Morning....priceless

I have already used this light box...it is awesome. Originally was for scrapbooking, embossing...but hey...it can cross over...no rules here.

Happy Transformation

2011-09-14T09:43:00.002-04:00

From this....
To this....

to the design floor...

To....this!!!

It doesn't have borders yet but...it fits the top of my king sized bed and hangs over on the end by a few rows.....

All this is thanks to my Go cutter....2 1/2" strip die.

Happy Quilting!!!

TODAY'S POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY KFC

2011-09-13T08:07:00.005-04:00

I know that most of you have seen these containers at KFC....I just can't stand to throw them away....

I put my beads in them...they stack nicely.

Bobbins....the container is small enough to fit in a small drawer...

My favorite meal...chicken breast, roll, and mashed potatoes...ummm ummmm good.

The next picture is my ironing boards.....I thought I was going to have to replace the cover...

But I washed it (laughing)...imagine that!!! Novel concept....

The other day I could not thread the sewing machine needle for the life of me. I read somewhere that if you put a little glue on the end of the thread it would thread easier. I was desperate so I got my little glue stick out and slid the tip of the thread in glue....

IT WORKED!!!! You don't need much so it dries really fast.... Glue sticks are cheap, insanity is expensive!!

Hope you all have an amazing day.....remember the giveaway is HERE

I WON!!! I won the baby quilt contest at the quilting gallery with my octopus quilt....thanks to all of you!!

SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE.

2011-09-12T08:01:00.007-04:00

Slow goings around here....but it is going...

don't laugh....but this quilt goes from one wall to the next in my dinning room. It looks disarrayed right now because it has been sitting there since, I think Monday.... I will walk past it, switch a few pieces around and continue on. They are sewn in four squares each right now and they are just laying there.

My son asked when was I going to pick it up. I laughed.... then he asked why was it still on the floor. I laughed again and said Inspiration son...inspiration....trying to get some.

He shrugs his shoulders and wanders off....least ways I don't have to sweep there...HA!!! Think I will gather it up today...What do you say??

My mother and sister did send me the fabrics I needed for the aprons.....

Thanks a ton!!!! Now I need to cut them out and add to the 12...easy...

Where are we at on the aprons? All 12 are cut out...All twelve have part of the waste bands on....some are sewn on and just need the opening shut and top stitched. Should already be done....but no hurry....turtle pace here....remember slow and steady wins the race.

I have had several stitching projects that I have been working or (or haven't been)....

My sister Margaret of Average quilter and my brother, Jim (my only brother) went and purchased this for my sister Beverly of
Quilters Corner. Beverly has been the main care giver of my mother (I hate that word care giver, makes my mother sound old....to me she is not old). My mother has had a few mishaps lately and this last time she ended up in the hospital.

Beverly has never complained...she is always cheerful and informative and never seems to tire of our endless questions. She has been amazing. So I am sure she felt like she won the lotto when she received this. Thanks Beverly and Thanks Margaret and Jimmy for being so thoughtful!!

Husband is home today...so I am off....

I will pick a winner for the 25 dollar gift certificate maybe Friday, My sister of Inchworm fabrics is out of town anyways and can't get to it just yet....you can find the giveway here

WILL YOU GO AND VOTE FOR ME?

2011-09-09T06:00:00.005-04:00

I have entered this quilt that I designed in Amerika Samoa in the weekly contest at the quilting gallery....won't you go and vote for me?

This pattern includes the actual size of the octopus you see here, no having to go to the printers to resize it. You can find this pattern at Inchworm Fabrics, Pattern Spot, or just email me.

You can make it pink with a bow on it's head. You can put a mop, broom, dust pan, dish towel etc in it's tentacles...or even golf clubs, golf balls....your imagination is the only thing you need.

Thanks so much for indulging me in this and if you voted for me...thanks sooo much.

Vote here at the quilting gallery!

Also don't forget the 25 dollar gift certificate for Inchworm Fabrics giveaway on the post below this one. Inchworm Fabrics has decided to pick up the shipping cost so you get the full 25 for fabric shopping...

CHANGE OF PLANS AND A GIVEAWAY!!

2011-09-08T10:20:00.004-04:00

SHIPPING FOR THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW FREE....SO YOU GET THE FULL 25 DOLLARS IN FABRIC!!!!!

It seems that everyday I plan to get in my sewing room something comes up and I have to CHANGE MY PLANS,

dratts!!

Of course, Monday was Labor Day...did get some sewing done inbetween resting (a gal needs her rest)..... Tuesday I get a phone call and was asked to hem a long dress with a lining.......out of practice but okay, that is doable.

So....since Monday I have been working on these....I have 196 of them so far. This will be a comissioned quilt and she wanted blues and browns....

Here they are on my (clean) design floor..... I really think that taking a picture of a quilt before putting it together helps with block placement...I see now that this will not be how I will do it but hey, this is just for your benefit...

Yesterday I made these for my little gals at church to keep a journal of all of their projects and ideas for their Young Woman Values. Can you guess which ones were more popular?

While you are guessing.....I decided since Fabric.com was so generous to me that I would share some of the shopping fun with a giveaway.......

For one lucky person I am giving away a $25.00 shopping spree to Inchworm Fabrics...she is having an awesome sale. Shipping is part of that 25.00 unless you want to just buy fabric and pay for the shipping yourself.

So ask yourself...."DO YOU FEEL LUCKY"

JUST LEAVE A COMMENT HERE TELLING ME WHAT FABRIC OR FABRICS YOU WOULD BUY FROM HER STORE. YOU MUST ANSWER THIS QUESTION TO QUALIFY....SO GO AND VISIT HER STORE....AND THEN COME BACK TO ME.

Yaw come back now ya hear!!!

A BIG THANK YOU TO FABRIC.COM

2011-09-07T10:38:00.002-04:00

I was so excited that I won a 100 dollar gift certificate to Fabric.com

over at Pets on Quilts by Sew Cal Gal

So here is a big THANK YOU!!! To both Fabric.com and Sew Cal!!!

I had a hard time chosing and then remembered my mother wanted some Dr. Seuss fabric so I brought some for her and me.....now what to do with it????

Don't want to do the fabric dance because we do not need another earthquake here in Virginia!!!

"PICK FOUR" WINNER AND CLICK IT BAG

2011-09-03T03:00:00.002-04:00

The winner of the "Pick Four" book is LindaTN from Maryville, TN, congrats Linda, we just need your address and a big Thanks to all of you for coming by and entering. An even bigger thanks to Sue for making all of this possible.

Click it bag

by Robin.....this is all I have to show for my day.... Just click on the highlighted "Click it bag" and it will take you to where you can order your pattern. I just loved Robin's notebook cover so much that I went in search of more of her designs. I just love this besides the fact that it is pink! Maybe a small one is in order for my cell phone?

Have a wonderful week-end... and a special HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my mother!!

2011-09-02T06:58:00.003-04:00

Stash Manicure is giving away a Bernina Sewing machine to a Wanna be quilter today !!! I am so excited about this so I just had to say!

Today is the last day of the "PICK FOUR" blog hop, be sure to go by Hazel's blog to enter and there is still time to enter mine and a few others. I will be announcing the winner tomorrow so there is still time.
Thanks to Sue for such a fun time.

THIMBLEBERRIES SEW DAY

2011-08-31T18:48:00.003-04:00

Well, this one slipped through my fingers....but I do have a free pattern site for you, go here, some awesome Thimbleberries patterns.

So...did you join us, well....since I just popped my head in to say hi...

Don't forget the PICK Four Blog hop tomorrow, look on the right to see where you need to go.

So as you know if you read my post from below, I spent my day reading this awesome book. My husband comes home and says, wow...the house sure looks nice. I am thinking to myself, all I did was the dishes and clean the shower curtains.....hummmmm

I guess since all of my sewing is not all over the kitchen table and counter he feels the house is clean. Hummmmmm (I should have told him that I worked so hard all day and was tired)....HA!!

QUILTING!!

2011-08-31T12:54:00.002-04:00

Nope, no quilting going on here!!

I have a little petite Canadian friend responsible for this!!

Don't forget the "Pick Four" blog hop, see right sidebar.

EASY EASY CLAM SHELL TABLE RUNNER

2011-08-28T12:41:00.010-04:00

Saturday as I was thinking (I know....I get myself into more trouble)..... I came up with this idea.

I used the Accuquilt Go Circle die, using the middle circle (3" in diameter) and came up with this table runner. If you would like a tutorial, give me time and I can come up with one. It is done by rows, starting with the top, you blanket stitch around each circle ( top only), See how easy it is???? Then you just work from row to row...and I use a glue stick to glue down the next row....let it dry and then blanket stitch....easy...easy...easy.

I had so many plans and so much that I needed to do but nope....the thought wouldn't leave my head (don't you just hate that?).....

I will say that after I trimmed the back of each row before starting another one that I had some waste. But look what you can do with the scraps from trimming....

Countless possiblities, making leaves.

You can use your scraps....and just forget about the waste. But there are so many out there that say the Accuquilt creates waste, I am here to tell you that it does not (least ways that is my opinion)....

Enjoy your day and don't forget about the "Pick Four" hop and giveaway below.
and Lynn tomorrow here

PICK FOUR BLOG HOP!!! AUTOGRAPHED BOOK GIVEAWAY!!

2011-08-28T05:00:00.004-04:00

What a wonderful day for a Blog hop and week.

I was so excited when Sue asked me to be a part of this hop...so here is her book.

Here is the unveiling of the quilt I have been working on. What a fun pattern Sue!

The instructions were easy to read and the pictures were great!!! I am a picture person to be honest. I am not going to tell you much about this pattern except that she has a fun trick to this quilt pattern. Don't want to spoil the surprise for you.
You can get the book at LQS's, Amazon, and Martingale &Co. or maybe win one here??? Or there?

You have already heard quite a bit about her book, not much else I can tell you but....

HERE IS THE REST OF THE STORY!! (interviewing Sue)

So in your book you said that you had walked by a store with a quilt in the window. That you had to go and take a look and from that moment it was history. Your love affair of quilting started.

1. So...did you take classes or are you self taught?

Yes is the short answer! I started by teaching myself, then took a few classes, then moved house but carried on alone and finally enrolled for some more classes a year after we moved so I could unlearn all the bad habits I'd developed.

2. What do you use for inspiration. In your book you used a teddy bear.

That's an interesting question. I wish I had an interesting answer, but the plain fact is I don't know, ideas just seem to appear from nowhere.

Why did you only chose four colors?

I think it's because I'm a control freak. If I try to do a scrappy quilt, I find myself trying to organise the scraps somehow into colour ranges, or types of pattern or whatever. The only way I can truly do anything scrappy is to put all the pieces in a bag and make myself use whichever piece I pull out each time. Don't tell anyone though, but sometimes I even cheat and put one piece back and pull out another one. I always have trouble looking at a random pile of fabrics and visualising a finished quilt from them. Now I know that many people will be gasping in horror at this whole answer, so I do hope I haven't lost you too many readers and followers.
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4. How did you come about writing a book?

Well, I didn't mean to! I just had too many ideas in my "I Wonder What This Would Look Like" folder on the computer and writing a book was a good way of clearing some things out to make room for more

5. How long did it take you to write this book, from start to finish?

The whole process took about 18 months from start to finish, but a lot of that time was hurry-up-and-wait time for me. When I got the contract from the publishers, Martingale & Co, they gave me 6 months before I had to submit the manuscript, finished quilts, etc to them. "Easy", I thought. "No problem", I thought. Well I can tell you now I was wrong. Oh so wrong, but it was definitely made easier by friends who volunteered to make some of the quilts, and others who tested blocks for me. Thanks Lis, Drew, Kim and Roberta. After I sent everything to Martingale, there was a fairly stop-go sort of period of about a further 6 months, while they did all the things they had to do to turn what I said into what I meant to say, then it went to the printers and then came the exciting time when publication day finally arrived about 18 months after I first received the contract.

6. You have a long arm machine?

Yes I have, but it's all driven by computers. I'm not clever enough to be able to do freemotion quilting.

7. Did you quilt most of these quilts in this book?

I quilted those that I pieced and Lis and Drew, who have exactly the same setup as me, quilted the ones they made.

8. You had mentioned that you never really like sewing, what has changed your mind?

What, do you mean that piecing and quilting is sewing???

9. When not quilting, what do you do?

Think about quilting. Did I hear someone at the back suggesting I have a one-track mind?

10. You and your husband are retired? Did you work before?

Yes I worked as a programmer/systems analyst first and then in the space and communications industry before moving into recruitment and sales, which was something I really loved doing.

You also said I could add in any other questions, so, in case anyone needs to know my favourite food is chocolate!

Now for the fun part!!! I get to giveaway an autographed book of "PICK FOUR", just leave a comment and do go by and visit Sue's Blog, Quilt Times, it would be nice if you followed her but that is not a stipulation of winning.

Be sure to go by and visit Darlene at "Sewcalgal" tomorrow and thanks for joining us!!

I will pick a winner on Sept 3rd.

I hope all of you were safe during Irene???

EARTHQUAKE IN STAFFORD, VA CAUSED BY WOMAN JUMPING UP AND DOWN WILDLY!!

2011-08-26T14:32:00.003-04:00

I just found out the other day that YES, there is a quilt shop here in Stafford....

WHAT!!!!!!

Oh yes, you guessed it, today was a free day and off I went to scout this out. Sure enough
"Bonny's Sewing & Fabric". They just opened in April. They have classes....they have machines....some fabrics.....

Look what I walked away with.....go ahead and laugh to yourself. I know, I said I never would do another screen bag.....I couldn't help myself....it is orange!!!

Then I finally found some Best Press Spray....and now I am laughing, you think I could have taken the picture with the label showing correctly.....hummmmm

So...I tried it out on a square I made to help a little gal (you can read about it here if you want to help). This stuff is great. Would show you my block but it is in the mail box waiting to be mailed out.

Now...you will find on your right a poll about Accuquilt, do you prefer to use the Go cutter for applique or for piecing?

I hope you all stopped off at Pat's, Silver Thimble Talk, for the Pick Four blog hop...the link is on the right as well...just click and you will be transported there.

WHAT'SSSSSSSS UPPPPPPP???

2011-08-25T10:01:00.003-04:00

I have had several people email me and ask "What'sssssss uppppp"! Wondering where I am.

Have you ever heard the saying "I am so busy, I don't know which end is up"? Well...that is me right now.

I was away for two days (missed the earthquake). Came home and hit the ground running. I am preparing for two meetings today. (which we had another small earthquake last night at one in the morning).

One is with the presidency of my little Beehive class and this is what I have planned for them.

That teired center piece will be fill with truffles (my first time making them), lemon bars, and fudge (turned out a little tooo done).

I was going to make a table cloth yesterday but thought I am stretching myself a little thin so I got a piece of fabric my son sent me from the Philipines and made it work.

The glasses were given to me by a friend and I had to dig in my storage boxes for the little plates.

After our meeting I have another meeting with the Leaders over these beautiful young women. I have a few things I have gotten organized for that as well.

So....maybe .... just maybe...if I am lucky, I might get some sewing in tonight or.....if I chose, just put my feet up and sit a spell.

Have a fabulous day......

Can you tell I love my little young women? Be sure to check out Quilt Hollow (link on my sidebar) for her "Pick Four" review and giveaway...but remember me on Sunday...I will be waiting for you!

PICK FOUR BLOG HOP STARTS TODAY!!!

2011-08-24T07:21:00.002-04:00

It starts today at Hazel's

SUN BONNET SUE

2011-08-21T16:23:00.004-04:00

Here is my Sun Bonnet Sue, it is cut out with the Accuquilt Go cutter....
I also used the Funky Flower die, heart die, and 2 1/2 strip die. Now the die for the Sun Bonnet Sue does not have the band for the hat, I just did the band on my own so I could put those lovely buttons from ButtonMad on it. Nope, still haven't found my other ones (buttons)....

I still have some quilting to do on a few squares, Mr. Horizon and I were not getting along Saturday so I just closed down shop. My husband says it is operator error (how could he???)...how could I????

I just love green and pink together, this quilt is pretty scrappy....but I love it!

Thanks to all of you who responded to my blogger problem, I have the problems fixed and I am a happy blogger now....

YOU STOLE MY HEART WITH....

2011-08-20T07:27:00.003-04:00

buttons.....

Here is what I am doing with the buttons from ButtonMad. I finally gave up looking for the buttons and just adapted my pattern of Sun Bonnet Sue's to the buttons that just arrived.

I had a different friend come over yesterday. She is just now getting into quiting and her question was.....when you do the backing of a quilt, do you worry about where the seam is when you have to put piece the backing together. She felt it had to be centered in the quilt. So my question to you is, does it matter?

GOOD NEWS!!! BAD NEWS!!!

2011-08-19T09:07:00.006-04:00

The most wonderful news is that Button Mad
sent me these wonderful buttons and earrings.

Bad news is for some reason that one earring has been flipped over each time I go and retake this picture.....so I just gave up. Awesome earrings. Awesome Buttons. Thanks so much Jennifer.

So...the good news is that I was laying in bed this morning and I came up with a brilliant (even if I say so myself) idea to use those buttons.

Bad news is, I can not find the other buttons that Button Mad sent me.....I have searched high and low.

More bad news, they are with the buttons I had for my Be Attitudes quilt...and believe it or not, I was going to finish up the borders today and get it going.

Good news is....I had misplaced all of my coupons.....I found them...whohoooo I search and search for these buggers.

Bad news....they are all expired.....hummmmmmmm

More good news, I ordered these fabrics from my sister's store, Inchworm Fabrics, I ran out of this fabric a few post ago. Now I can get busy and finsh up this quilt.

Bad news....I have to go to JoAnn's (I know...I know...poor me) and get some fusible light pellon.....

I had the most wonderful friend come over yesterday (I have to say that because I think she is starting to read my blog...wink!! wink!!). She asked me what do I do with all of my quilts and why do I keep making them. She says she only does a quilt with a purpose. She knows exactly where it is going in her home and if she is making a present for someone.

So....I am asking all of you, why do you keep making quilts? What is your drive?
I know my answer. what is yours?

I have a poll going on the side bar (you can choose more than one answer), but would really love to hear more than a few words of why you quilt.

TUESDAY MORNINGS

2011-08-17T12:28:00.003-04:00

I just popped into Tuesday Mornings yesterday and this is what I came out with, cost me 4.99 ....

This set....I tried to feel the fabrics to see if they were quality fabrics and I have to admit it was hard to tell. Got them home and the majority of them are great fabrics with the exception of a few...not too bad...
got these needles for 99 cents each.....
Then I noticed they had a slice ( cutter) for 99 dollars, now that was a good price....it pays to pop in there occasionally.

Now...most of you may see a pattern with me. I have my manic stages where I go crazy and get a lot done and then weeks like this one where I am not being very productive. No....I am no bi-polar or manic, it just sometimes I have weeks where I am taken out of the home more than others....and I will confess I am prone to headaches like a lot of you are, sometimes I can continue to sew through them and sometimes I will just nurse the dog out of them...(that means taking it easy doing not much of anything). Am I complaining, hope not, just a part of life and well...like most of you, we roll with what we are given and do the best we can. Each morning I wake up and am very grateful that I have been given another day to live...isn't it great!!

FUN ! FUN!! FUN!!!!!!

2011-08-16T11:44:00.003-04:00

I know you are wondering what I am doing with all of that...that...well...that!!!

I am making them into these....

A month or so ago Robin sent me a note pad just like the one above (different fabric). I told her that I so loved it and if she didn't mind if I tried to mimick it and make some of my own. Well.... Robin being the generous person she is, sent me the pattern.....now you can have it, just go here Fast, easy, fun...and makes for a great gift because I sooooo love mine.

Oh....will you take a second to click on my side bar where it says Connecting Threads and go over and vote for Gene's fabric....