A New Year......Hopefully, a good one.

 I have not blogged in forever.....it seems if I was sick my husband wasn't and if he was sick I wasn't.

Then a week before Christmas  we both came down with Covid.  I have to tell ya....it was not pretty.  In the 42 years we have been married we both have not been this sick at the same time.  We think our little 12 year old house guest brought it home to us from school.  She was really tired one night and then she started complaining of not being able to taste anything....that is the extent of her sickness.  The not being able to taste for her lasted about a week.

Our son and his family went to see our other sons  a week befor Christmas so we were on our own.  Our little house guest was able to return to her family.

Thank Heavens for grocery delivery.  We had all kinds of cough medicine and easy foods to eat delivered.  Neither of us felt like eating and our smell and taste totally disappeared.  Everything tasted like cardboard.

My taste has not come back and all of you will be shocked that I don't really care for chocolate now....in fact, it kinda turns my stomach.  Strange huh???  It was my staple of life but not anymore.

Well...I am not going to show what I was doing before Christmas because Christmas is gone and I was not able to finish some of my projects let alone deliver them to the intended person,

So I will show you what I have been up to this month.

Country Chic by Sew Kind of Wonderful.  I have used Java Batiks from Inchworm fabrics and Island Batik Fabrics as well.  I had started this before Christmas but put it away to make Christmas gifts.

I saw this sewing table around November, it was at Lowes or on their website....It was so inexpensive that I just had to get it.  In fact, it actually adds more room to my room and looks so much better than the plastic table I was using.  Although I have a need for speed and sometimes my table rattles...haha

This next quilt is Jump Rings from Missouri Star Quilt Company "BLOCK."  This was so fun and very very fast.  Very little waste.  One fat quarter can make up to 4 rings, just depends.

Here are the fabrics I used....oh my gosh.  In fact, these are the fabrics that my sister, Jeanette, from Inchworm fabrics sent me to advertise for her.....kinda like an ambassador.  Who wouldn't pass up free fabric and such pretty fabrics.

I hope that my computer will do better this year but I doubt it.  My son called and we were talking about my computer...he said, why don't you just buy a new one.  I said I was toooooooo cheap.  He said, well, I have an old computer in my closet.  Now I have to tell ya....when my son says old, it was probably last years model.  It is probably very very nice, much nicer than one I would buy.  We will see...everyone cross your fingers!!!

Hope all of you have a very Happy New Year.

THERE IS A CHILL IN THE AIR AND NEW FABRIC IN MY SEWING ROOM.

I just have to say that my most favorite time of the year is fall.  I love the chill in the air and the smell of fall.

Here is the fat quarter bundle I purchased from Quilt in a Day.  Riley Flake "Farm House Christmas".   I just love these fabrics....Happy Birthday to me.

Next I got a surprise package from Creative Latitude, there were two skeletons but my grandson has the black one tied to his backpack.  There were also some other goodies but my grandson ate those.  She was just sending random people little gifts for commenting on her post.  She is one amazing person and friend.

Winding Ways Accuquilt die....why am I showing you this....because I want it....haha

the reason I would like this die is because of what I am doing at the present time.

The red fabric is Island Batik but I am mostly using Java batiks.

I swore I was not going to start another project until I got a few things done but those Java Batiks from Inchworm fabrics were just screaming at me....so I had to do something.

This is going to be Country Chic by Sew Kind of Wonderful using the quick curved ruler but the winding ways would really make fast work of this.  I will say that my squares are 5",  making a 10 inch block.  The winding ways makes an 8" finished block.

My sister, Jeanette, at Inchworm fabrics has asked me if she sent me fabric would I be willing to make some projects and post about them, kinda like an ambassador.  Who doesn't like free fabric....so I jumped on that in a heart beat.  My first fabric is coming this week....I am so excited.

 

Posh Penelope by Sew Kind of Wonderful - family quilt

I just wanted to show you the completed "Posh Penelope" by Sew Kind of Wonderful.  I did the binding yesterday morning.  YEAH!!!!

Not perfect but I love it!!!

I also want to say since some have asked, I used Java Batiks from Inchworm fabrics, most of the background fabrics and a few of the flowers is Island Batik, and I did use one batik from Timeless Treasures for a background.

Next I want to show you just two squares.  One year, can't remember when but it has been a while, I am guessing six years????  Anyways, several sisters, mother, and nieces decided to pull one name out of the hat each month and then that person got to chose a block.

Then that month we all sent that block to the person's whose name was chosen.

As you can see, I chose the Tree of Life.  Yesterday I spent my afternoon trying to figure out who made which block.  There are twelve blocks.   Just a suggestion, if you by chance do this, put the name on the back somewhere???? Since we all have a group message on our phones it was kinda easy.  Eventually I figured it out and started embroidering  the name and what relation they were.

 Here is my mother's block, maybe you can see that she did not follow the rules (funny huh)?  I think it was right on the beginning of her dementia....but I love the block anyways.

So this is my quest now, to find a sashing fabric and border fabric.  I am going through all of my fabrics, thinking of organizing them as well...so this project may take a while.

COME LET US ADORE HIM!!

If you have been visiting my blog, you will know that I have been working on "Starry Night"

Last week I was not able to sew any, was busy babysitting while my son helped my husband put in the metal post.  I helped with the heavy log post but the metal ones I was not able to help with.  So my son and his family came for four day.  During that time, there was no sewing for me except that I was able to cut out all of the remaining blocks which helped a ton this week.

  Isn't he cute???

        

I used so many different batiks.  Java Batiks from Inchworm fabrics, Island Batiks, Batiks I have hoarded over the years from Hawaii and Marshalls.

Guess what????  Come on guess????  

The top is done!!!!!!  

I am so excited.  This was such a fun quilt.  

I will show you when I can clear up a space to lay it out or hang it up.  Or maybe when it is totally finished????

This next is the backing for a king size quilt.  I had some left over stars.  You are actually looking at the wrong side of the backing.  I had a time working with all of that fabric.  I was totally pooped when I got it all done and thrown over the machine.  I just need to load it.  I have to tell ya.  I was not happy when I went to my long arm.  Some of the fabrics that are attached to the poles were off.....I have my grandsons to thank for that.  Good thing none of them were around...HaHa

It is a rainy rainy week and cold.  

 

A LITTLE CURVE AND TWIST IN THE ROAD!

Jelly Roll Twist

52 1/2" x 60 "

My nieces decided they wanted to make this quilt last Saturday.

I joined in.  As it turned out, it was only me and one niece.  No matter.  This was such a fun quilt to make.  It goes so fast.  This quilt is great for a beginner.

I used Riley Blake"s "Root and Wings" jelly roll.  Free pattern on the fat quarter shop.

You really can get this done in one day and even quilt it if  you don't mess around but I took an extra day to quilt it.

Don't you just love this pattern?

I just knew I had to try this pattern!

Below is the Quick Curve Ruler and the 6" Sew wonderful ruler.

Here are two of the blocks.  It took me all day yesterday just cutting out all 42 blocks.  My hardest problem was finding enough different fabrics.  I used Java Batiks from Inchworm Fabrics, and Island Batiks,  a lot of them I purchased from Hancocks of Paducah.

I know you all will find this hard to believe but my hand always gravitated toward the bright fabrics for the corners.  I guess I have a problem with darks and an addiction to brights.

                         Then this is the MOD ORNAMENT

I made this a few weeks ago.

You can get the free pattern on the Sew Kind of Wonderful site

You use the mini curved ruler for this one.

 

Not only do patterns have curves and twist, so do our lives.  My husband and I put our house on the market.  He spent 2 and a half days bush hogging the property, another day our son and his friend came and helped do a few things around the house.  I started cleaning out and organizing, I took down all of my quilts, trying to make it all a blank slate.  Anways, the twist is, my husband came to me after we got all of this done and before they came to take pictures and said, "Do you really want to sell", I asked him if he did and he said no.  So no we are not selling.  Go figure.   

SISTER QUILTS

How many of you have made a quilt and had a lot of scraps left over, I mean sewn together scraps?

This quilt here I made in 2014, I had so many  beautiful Samoan  scraps left over that I saved in a box knowing that I wanted to make another quilt.

This was a charity quilt.

                                                   Here is the Sister Quilt to the one above

                                                        
                                                                           80" x 80"

                                                          
                                                        Finished this one in November of this year

                This one is also a charity quilt for a friend that has a rabbit rescue in Idaho.

                                 I do not have room to lay this all out for you to see but I truly love it.
                        One day I will get my sewing room back!!

This quilt here was made with oriental fabrics from Inchworm Fabrics.  My sister Jeanette and I ordered the Quick Curved Ruler and then I purchased us both the "One Wonderful Curve" book.  We decided to do this quilt together.  She has hers and will be showing it as soon as it is quilted.   I have had this quilt done for sometime now.  I wish I had room to show you the whole thing.

                                                 

         72" x 84"

 I have shown this quilt before but it is the Sister quilt to the one above.  There were so many curved scraps  from the quilt above that I decided to keep them and make a quilt out of them.  I used the Orange peel Accuquilt Go die for this one.  The orange peel die was perfect and trust me there was very little scraps.

So I guess you could say that I got two quilts for the price of one.

I love doing sister quilts, what about you?

APRIL SHOWERS TRULY DID BRING MAY FLOWERS! April Showers Topper

It has been raining so much this month that I am sure the mosquitoes will have a field day this year.

Here is a little topper I designed a few years ago.  This was taken off the craftsy site when Craftsy did their purging.

Here it is using the beautiful Island Batik Fabrics.

Today I put the binding on three quilts.

I can only show you one.

If you have been reading my post, you will remember that this quilt is made from the scraps of another quilt.  I used the Accuquilt Go orange peel die to make the shapes.  I also used Aurifil 50 wt. thread.

I have yet to quilt the other quilt but it is sandwiched.

I love this Oriental fabric from Inchworm Fabrics.

I have really made some headway this month in all of the quilts I have an obligation to make.  I always worry about meeting deadlines but I think I am going to make it.

I have two quilts that need to be quilted (this is not counting the UFO's), yes, I have plenty of those.

CHECKING THINGS OFF MY LIST!!

You will just have to forgive my pictures today, it has been raining like cats and dogs and now it is stinking cold outside.  I have been freezing for two days, under the covers reading books...yes, that is a whine and I would like some cheese with it.

This first quilt I have showed you before, it was waiting to be quilted.  I quilted it on my Pfaff since I can not get to my longarm, that is not a whine. 

The fabrics are Paisely Dots by Island Batik.  The cancer ribbon design is by craftistitch.  I used my white aurifil thread to sew everything together with.  I have a huge cone that I am trying desperately to use up....I say desperately because that is all I have been using lately.

This next one is just the top, needs to be quilted.  If you saw the previous post, you will know that this is scraps from a project I am doing with my sister.  Love the oriental fabrics which you can get at Inchworm Fabrics.

I used the Accuquilt Go Orange Slice die and pink Aurifil thread.

Here is just a sneak peak of my April Quilt for the April Island Batik Challenge.  Don't you just love the turquoise aurifil thread?  Ummmm Ummmmm good.

So, I have two of my eight projects done.  I feel good about that but I added one more to the list...ha ha!!

SAVED FROM THE TRASH BIN

Today I am happy to report that I have the quilt top finished.  If you saw the post before this, you would know that my sister and I are making the same quilt from the same wonderful fabrics from Inchworm Fabrics.

We are using the Quick Curved ruler, here are the scraps from the project.

I asked my sister what she did with her scraps.  She said she threw her away.  For some reason I just could not do it.  So....I thought...

and thought....

and thought.

This is what I came up with.

              I sewed two half moons together.  Then got out my Orange Peel Accuquilt Go die.

Before and after the cut.  Looks so nice and neat.

Even less scraps.

I decided to blanket stitch them with Pink Aurifil Thread, umm ummm good.

Ok, I know what you are thinking, one minute I am overwhelmed and the next I am starting another project.

Let the record show that I just needed focus and writing it down helped me do that.  When I have things I need to do if I can get a direction I do nothing.

Then...I just couldn't let these scraps go to waste and had to do something with them or they would be just that, scraps to be thrown away later.

Are my excuses any good?

I am going to set up my Pafff  so I can quilt the Charity Quilt....and when I get tired of that will work on some Orange peels. 

Sounds like a plan.

YEAH ME!!

WHEN YOU ARE OVERWHELMED

Sometimes in life we tend to take on more than we feel we can handle, or at least sometimes I feel that way.

As I was chatting with a friend, I was saying that I wanted to sew but didn't know what to work on, was too overwhelmed with what all I am doing.  So I listed to him what I had and by the time I was done I was able to see clearly what I needed to work on.

Here is my list.

1.  I am working on the "Fancy Forest" by Elizabeth Hartman, "Flea Market" fabric by Island Batik

He kinda looks like he is going to fall out of his tree or had too much to drink last night.  I need to make his twin.

2.  I need to finish my Cancer Ribbon Quilt that is for Charity, all I need to do is quilt it, due April.

3.  Need to put the binding on my April Challenge for Island Batik.  Simple...just do it!!

4.  Need to finish quilting my May Challenge for Island Batik

5.  My sister and I are working on a project together, when I got back from a little trip the fabric was in my sewing room waiting for me.

6.  I volunteered to join in a blog hop in May

Christmas Rapping Quilt Book by Eye of The Beholder

by Purrfect Spots

I spent Monday getting the pattern enlarged that I needed.

7.  I am doing a block of the month with my sisters, nieces, and daughter in law...etc.  Now mind you this a block a month.  Well....I started the first block and got hooked.  "Winter Wonderland", I purchased what I thought was a book but it came pdf.  Using Island Batik scraps

The first block is due this month....

Last but not least #8 - I have a pattern that will be in the Fall Market Catalog for Island Batik, so the fabric will be coming any day now.

Trying to get as much as I can out of the way so I can devote time to that.

  

My husband and I keep our little grandson after he gets out of daycare in the mornings and sometimes all day if he is sick.  I usually cut patterns out while he is napping.  Then don't get back to sewing until that evening.

So there you have it, if you look and see, some of those items won't take long.  Some of those Items I want to do and forget the rest.  But...if you have a mind set like I do, you think of all of the things you have to do and can't get past that you just need to do one at a time not all at once.

That being said, after I wrote it all down, it came clear as day what I should work on first.  You are probably thinking, get all the small things out of the way....NOPE

This won out.  I purchased this book for myself and sent one to my sister.  We have chosen a pattern out of this book.

Using these beautiful fabrics from Inchworm fabrics.  I started work on it yesterday.

My plan is to get this quilt top done and then work on the small things.  It helps to have a plan.

Now I have just posted a long post....sorry, I try to keep them short.

TRANSFORMATION!!

From THIS

 and these Inchworm Fabrics

to this!!!

 For two days now I have had some gals come over and sew.  The first day they worked on some things but the second day only one showed up and we made this ten minute runner.