Friendship Star

I googled Friendship Star images and my computer returned several great examples:


I wish google would have given me the links...




This is a computer generated traditional friendship star block with a yellow star:

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Here's a computer generated friendship star quilt with red stars and a cream background:

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Here's a quilt with all purple stars on a light background:

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These next two are fabulous quilts made with friendship squares that have both dark and light stars, I wish I knew where these pictures came from!:

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Here is another single block with color coordinated fabrics:

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And finally a quilt made up of squares with multiple backgrounds and the same star fabric. This qult has an additional line of sashing after the first row of blocks and after the third row of blocks.


I wish I could give you more information about these images! But it should give you some inspiration for our swap!

9-Patch and Friendship Star

Anne, my Oct swap partner in England, loves using silks and brocades in her blocks.

So for her I used a deep purple silk dupioni and a gold detailed print with an asian flair in a Friendship Square Block.



I had some extra fabric so I decided to make a 9-patch for Glenys in Australia.


She loves deep rich colors. I'm not sure if using silks is included in that grouping... but I'm sure she'll like it!

Friendship Star Quilt Block Swap

Ok ladies, this swap is for a finished 12-inch block. The friendship star is a super-easy variation of the 9-patch.



There are some lovely variations of this pattern, but this time we're keeping it easy!



The only requirements are that the star is a light fabric and the background is a dark fabric.



I've included directions for the easiest method: (this method has more scraps leftover, but only a little)



Square directions below:

Background Fabric - Cut 8 squares 4.5 inches (you will need 4 for the Half-Square Triangles - HST)

Star Fabric - Cut 5 squares 4.5 inches (you will need 4 for the HST)


To make the Half-Square Triangles (easiest method) place right sides together, make a LIGHT pencil mark from one corner to the other and stich along the line, then trim 1/4 inch from the stiched line and press open. Voila!

NOTE: Please pay attention to "which way" your star is turning. This is only important if we do another swap with multiple squares. (I.e. if next time we make several of the same block and swap tehm with many other partners) then we will want our stars all turning in the same direction!

Deadline to sign up is: Oct 20th
Deadline to post is: Nov 20th

NOTE: We have enough swappers participating that you can send up to 12 identical blocks if you wish.

For example: If you make 12 identical blocks, send all 12 blocks and a SASE (Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope) big enough to fit 12 blocks in. You will receive back 11 unique blocks (made by other swappers) and 1 of your own blocks back.

If you send 6 blocks, you will receive 5 new blocks and 1 of your originals.

If you send 1 block, you will receive 1 new block!

Scrappy Baby Block

This is for a scrappy baby block quilt. Our directions were to all bring two log cabin blocks with the center block in a 5-inch size. These are for two little twins born not too long ago, the mother had requested bright colors.

I really thought this was a fun baby blanket. Doesn't look at all like the ones I made for my kids a million years ago!

So I ended up making several of them, I was on a role! (Just don't look at my Challenge 'To-Do List'!) And even sent one away for one of my swaps.

There is a new swap club starting, with Guaranteed Swaps, when I have more details I'll share them. But it makes you think....

What would you look for in a guaranteed swap??

Spectacular Block Arrived!

Vicky in Florida has sent me the most stunning block!

Here is a closer look at the detail in her block:

Challenge Progress Update - Oct 5th

I took Finn's New Years Eve Challenge. Here's an update on my Progress: (Beginning state means where I was on this project when I began the challenge)

• My (Very) First Quilt (Ever) - Beginning State: Top completed, What I did this week: Backing pieced, To be done: quilting, binding.
  
• Ina's Christmas Quilt - For my MIL. Beginning State: Top completed, What I did this week: NOTHING, To be done: Backing, Batting, quilting, binding

• Kayleigh's Christmas Quilt - To be done: Everything :-( What I did this week: NOTHING,

• Cricket's Christmas Quilt - Beginning State: Top (mostly) completed, What I did this week: NOTHING, To be done: Border, Backing, Batting, quilting, binding.
  
• Cameron's Christmas Quilt - Beginning State: Top (mostly) completed, What I did this week: NOTHING, To be done: Border, Backing, Batting, quilting, binding..
  
• Botanical Shop Hop Quilt - Beginning State: Nothing, nada! (well, ok, a little piecing work was done), What I did this week: NOTHING, To be done: Piecing, Border, Backing, Batting, quilting, binding..
  
• Lastly, the Old Tobacco Road - Beginning State: I'm through steps one and two of this FABULOUS mystery quilt, What I did this week: NOTHING, To be done: Finish Piecing(steps 3, 4 and 5- pieced Border), Backing, Batting, quilting, binding!

31 Projects Done!!! Woo Hoo!

Although I haven't finished anything in Finn's New Years Eve Challenge, many have.

Look at what All these women have accomplished!! It's wonderful! At the time of this writing, I have finished Nothing! I don't feel too bad because there are others like me who are still making progress.

But these 20 women, have commited to 94 projects and finished an impressive 31 projects! Check out some of their working! It's Awesome!

• Babs ~ 6 projects *2 done!
• Bren ~ 5 projects * 1 done!
• Cindy ~ 3 projects (plus a small immediate one) *2 done!
• Clare ~ 6 projects (or more) 1 done!
• Em ~ 6 projects * 2 done!
• Ethne ~ 3 projects * 1 done!
• Finn ~ 5 projects * 4 done!
• Granny Lyn ~ 4 projects * 1 done!
• Jacquie ~ 8 projects *1 done!
• Julie ~ 5 projects * 1 done!
• Katie ~ 2 projects * 1 done!
• Myra ~ 5 projects * 3 done!
• Paula ~ 3 projects * 1 done!
• RoseMarie ~ 5 projects * 1 done!
• Ruthie ~ 8 projects * 1 done!
• Sandy ~ 4 projects * 1 done!
• Solvi ~ 5 projects * 1 done!
• Suzette ~ 3 projects * 5 done!!!
• Sweet Pea ~ 8 projects * 1 done!

I'll be on this list soon! I'm very close, just have one to quilt actually!

Keep Quiltin'

Dionne

Cents 4 Sophie

Every now and then, something comes along that compels me to share. This email came to me from Stichin' Heaven (a Quilt shop in Texas). It is NOT Quilty related, except that you can get a 20% off coupon to Stichin' Heaven in the month of Oct (which is pretty awesome!)

Here is what I received directly from Stichin' Heaven:

We always begin our newsletters with "Stitchin' Heaven is located in beautiful Quitman, TX population 2030." Well, fortunately, it doesn't matter the size of the town, its' county limits, or even the size of the state we live in. Community is determined by the size of our hearts in a time of need. This beautiful little girl has really brought this home for us in our small town of Quitman, Texas.

Sophie was diagnosed last year, at only 4 years old, with a large brain tumor. Since, her and her family, her parents, Darrin and Miranda, her 2 brothers, Camden and River, and now, her new baby sister, Livvy Ren (who is just a week old!), have had a long, hard road filled with doctors, hospital rooms, medical tests, and huge financial obstacles.

Earlier this year, a treatment that her mother describes as their "beacon of hope we so desperately needed and prayed for" came in the form a therapy offered by Envita Natural Medical Center of Scottsdale, Arizona. However, it is a 6-week therapy that is, by no means, cheap, and since we are in Texas, they would also have to live there. This is where a community bonds together to make it happen! Cents 4 Sophie was born, and the donations have poured in through different fund raisers like a lemonade stand with cookies on the courthouse square, an exciting game of baseball, buckets in the streets to take that change that clutters our cars, and makes your purse heavy, a quilt raffle, and so much more.

Thanks to a huge group effort from friends, community, and many more, the funds became available, and Sophie was able to receive the treatment she so desperately needed. Not only has Sophie had the first half of her therapy in Arizona, and has returned home, but a recent MRI shows that the tumor has not grown in 4 months! Her mother states in a recent letter in our local paper, the Wood County Democrat, " We truly believe the six weeks of therapy offered to Sophie this summer at Envita Medial Center made the difference."

The road has not ended, though. While Sophie is still receiving the medicine from Envita orally (at the cost of about $250/week), she still needs to complete the other half of the treatment in Arizona. Another 6 weeks at about $10,000 a week is needed.

This is where we come in...There are many worthwhile charities out there we like to support, but sometimes we actually get to see the money we give help an individual, and we believe that Sophie is one of those. We would like to invite you to join in this cause with us.

During the month of October, when you donate at least $5 to Cents 4 Sophie, we want to say "thank you for caring" by extending to you a 20% shopping pass for your next order of any full-priced items here at Stitchin' Heaven. You can donate in the shop, or online. Just enter the dollar amount that you would like to donate in the quantity box, and we will see that every penny of your donation goes to Cents 4 Sophie. Only one pass per customer, please, and all passes will expire on October 31, 2008.

So, join with us in supporting this wonderful family, and this beautiful little girl. Give what you can, not only your money, but also your prayers. You can visit the Cents 4 Sophie website at http://www.cents4sophie.com/ to keep up with her progress, make donations, and read Sophie's Story.

Postage Stamp Quilt Results!

Well, I've tallied my poll results and it was a close preference but clearly more people like the idea of ditching a plan and going all scrappy for my postage stamp quilt.

This is a scary prospect for me because I tend to be a 'fabric control freak'. But I always feel that when we strongly resist something, often we should most do it. Now don't go getting crazy and try to apply that to all areas of life... it just won't work.

But I really do need to exercise more, aerobically. But I hate running and I've resisted it for years, trying to substitute other forms of exercise. (I'd much rather play at lifting a few weights than huff and puff my way through a run). But clearly I need to bite the bullet and go for a run! Who knows, I might even like it... also, pigs could fly. But I digress.

A scrappy postage stamp it is! Now.... for a pattern! That's not controlling, is it? ;-)

Wonderful Disappearing 9-Patch Quilts:

I really love the disappearing 9-patch pattern. It's so very simple, and can look so well in a variety of fashions, from the well-planned, controlled colors to the completely scrappy. Below are some very nice examples I have seen recently:

• Snippets of a Quilter The owner of this blog shows a couple of different pattern placements, and some really lovely fabrics. I particularly like how she has demonstrated how different placements change the pattern.
  
• Blocks N Swaps Blog - Clever Sophie made a disappearing 9-patch using pieced blocks! This is a nice option that has beautiful results! Take a look!
  
• Crafty Mammas Blog - Amber gives the disappearing 9-patch a wonderfully refreshing look by adding sashing and some hand embroidery work!
  
• Advanced Embroidery Designs - This site also incorporates embroidery, and has some wonderful close-up shots of the quilting.
  
• Quilts & ATCs - Helen has got a great picture along with the tutorial. Actually, this is a great site full-stop. Take the time to look at all the great stuff Helen has posted, you won't be sorry!
  
• Audry Pawdry - Actually she has two really great Disappearing 9-Patch quilts that I just love: The first one she calls Fresh squeezed and also this Scrappy Disappearing 9-Patch

I love this pattern, it's among my many favorites. It's so much fun to see the many ways everyone interprets this pattern, how they accomplish it and what beautiful fabrics they use. The web has been such a great resource for strengthening the Quilting community!

Keep Quiltin',

Dionne

Shades of Purple swap square...

My swappie partner only made one request, shades of purple. I really need to get better at taking pictures so the colors come out nicer. But here is the square I made for her. I posted it a week ago so she should have it any day now.

What do you Think?

So I have two layouts for my 'Road to California' quilt blocks that I won from the Stichin Post Challenge.

The first one is a straight block layout with two borders:

The second is on point with brown sashing with orange cornerstones and a brown border:

SANDY: please remember that the orange focus print is brighter than my EQ6 Mockups.

LYNNE: The greens are all 'scrap' and no green one square matches another, and I think the greens in the squares are all a bit more green-y.

Finn's New Year Challenge, Updated.

So, yesterday evening I was sitting at my sewing machine and my youngest children (ages 4 and 9) approached me... concerning in itself because they were supposed to be long in bed.

Anyhow, they wanted to petition me to get their Christmas quilts (which I promised them last Christmas) before Christmas this year! Oops, these weren't even on my Challenge list!

Well, what could I do? Plus I promised myself no more than 10 UFO's (ever since my Lost-Everything-In-The-Move disaster! Again see previous post.)

So I've rearranged my priorities! Here is my revised list of Challenge projects to have finished by the New Year!

1. My (Very) First Quilt (Ever) - This is one of my UFOMs (see previous post). This is a promise to myself.
   
2. Ina's Christmas Quilt - This is a gift I promised my husband I would make for his mother.
   
3. Kayleigh's Christmas Quilt - My oldest child. Can't finish the younger one's quilt and not hers. It's in shades of blue -- her latest greatest color.
   
4. Cricket's Christmas Quilt - I actually have two in the works for her because she changes her mind so often, but I'm finishing the one that is the most complete.
   
5. Cameron's Christmas Quilt - He's just a little guy and fortunately it's a little quilt.
   
6. Botanical Shop Hop Quilt - This will be the first bed-sized (or any other sized quilt) that I will finish that won't be given away. All my quilts seem to go to friends, family or charity. My husband made an off-hand remark to a friend a few months back that we never get to enjoy any of the quilts I make. I never even knew he thought about it.
   
7. Lastly, the Old Tobacco Road - Because I love it SO much! And because I promised myself I wouldn't start anything new until I've finished up more of my UFOs. But then Bonnie had her Mystery and I couldn't help myself. But this one I am only planning on finishing the top. I will quilt it in the new year!

So the only thing I will work on outside of the above items are my swap obligations.

I will not take on any new projects, I will not take on any new projects, I will not take on any new projects...

Christmas Ornament Pattern

Here is the pattern for the Christmas bauble, just as promised!

I've posted my grid notes, not very pretty but here are the basics:

Fabric Selection: Select 4 colors 1FQ background, 1/8th or less for ornament, ornament stripe, and a scrap of gold or silver for the "hanger"

Cut Background Fabric: 4 - 2.5 inch squares, 2 - 2.5x12.5 inch strips, 1 - 2.5x8.5 inch strip, 2 - 3.5x2.5 inch brick, 1 - 2.5x1.5 inch brick

Cut Ornament Fabric: 2 - 8.5x3.5 inch bricks

Cut Ornament Stripe Fabric: 1 - 8.5x2.5 inch brick

Cut Ornament hanger: 1 - 2.5x1.5 inch brick

Step One: Sew 2.5x1.5 background fabric to 2.5x1.5 hanger fabric top to bottom. Sew 3.5x2.5 bricks to either side of the hanger brick.

Step Two: Sew two 8.5x3.5 Ornament bricks to 8.5x2.5 Ornament stripe brick

Step Three: Take the four 2.5 inch squares, place them right sides together on each corner of the ornament square. Sew across each square, corner to corner. Be sure to get this step right, make a light pencil line if necessary because this step is critical.



Step Four: Press open the four corners. Be sure this step looks like a bauble before you cut the excess fabric off the back.

Step Five: Sew the 'Hanger Brick' from step one to the 'Ornament Square' from Step four. Be sure the stripe goes horizontal in this step. Then sew the 2.5x8.5 background brick to the bottom of the ornament square.

Step Six: Sew one 2.5x12.5 inch strips to either side of the ornament. Press and enjoy!

Kitty has a new head!

Well, I've fixed my poor decapitated kitty-cat!

Doesn't she look much happier?

This is my latest Stichin' Post Challenge block.

I hope she goes to a good home!

Pinwheel Paradise Revisited... OTR Mystery Part 2

So I am finally done with (or at least almost done with) part 2 of the Old Tobacco Road mystery quilt. 400 Half Square Triangles to make 100 Pinwheels.

So for this step you start with 2-inch squares and turn those into 1.5-inch half square triangles and sew four of those together to make 100 pinwheels.

This turned out to be a very long step for me because I had some technical difficulties with my fabric selection. (I ran out of the only fabric I decided not to "scrap-out")

Bummer! But now it's done. (almost) :-)

The Strike is Over!

So the teacher's strike is over! And now that the pain of the strike is done, I am happy they stuck to their issues!

But I was so distracted with trying to homeschool my children (definately not my strength) I made a fatal flaw in the block I was creating!

Funny thing is that it took me a while to figure out why it looked wrong!

I must be tired! I think I need another cup of strong tea!

Challenge Update... sadly, not sew much!

So I had mentioned earlier that I am doing Finn's Challenge to get 5 projects done by the new year. Others have chosen more, some have chosen less.

But the last few days have thrown me for a loop and I've been away from my machine, my computer and getting behind on all my work and obligations.

The teachers have been on strike now for two weeks solid and it doesn't look good. Other mothers are taking their kids to the beach and horseback riding, to the fair etc with this time. But I have been trying to homeschool my children. I must say, this is a HUGE responsibility!

I have learned a new respect for those friends of mine who take the homeschool route.

Now you might wonder why I am forcing the academics on my kids, but I believe that there is a time for playing and a time for learning. They had their summer, and a wonderful summer it was. But fall is coming on quick...

Well, that is why I haven't posted - or sewn in a few days. Just that, and nothing more. Thank you for your concern. It was REALLY SWEET to get so many emails. But nothing sinister has befallen us -- just me overwhelmed.

YAHOO! I'm a Winner!!

Yes, it's true. I won! I can't believe my good fortune.

Perhaps you heard me whining (click here to read post) about how much I loved my swap block and didn't want to send it away. But, of course I did the right thing and sent the block away.

Well, the day after my birthday I went to the mailbox to find a big envelope full of blocks (mine included), a yard of fabric and a lovely letter, I had WON!!

If you aren't familair with Stichin' Post's Monthly challenge, here how it goes: Every month, instructions are sent out along with a piece of fabric for you to create a block with the addition of your own fabric. Send it back to The Stitchin' Post before the end of the month and your block is entered for a drawing. Each winner receives 20 blocks. I think potentially you could go the whole year without winning. (But not me -- big grin)

I put them all out on my floor (didn't even want to wait to clear my design wall) It really looks nice. Although I was thinking I might lay them all out on-point with sashing. These blocks are pretty big. I didn't measure but I think they are 16 inches, and I got 20 of them.

Nice!

Christmas Swap SPOILER - (Don't Look Emma)

Well, I've been blocked on my Mystery Quilt. I'm trying hard not to be good and spoil the design by looking ahead (because of course, the mystery moves on... even when I don't).


So I mailed off my 'Christmas Bauble' Square to Great Britain.

I hope Emma likes it!

New Year Challenge... Can she do it? Yes, She Can!

Well Finn has issued a challenge! A New Year challenge to finish up your UFO's and projects! See her post at:

Finn's New Year Challenge

So I'm taking on the challenge with Five!

1. The Mystery Quilt: Old Tobacco Road (seems a bit self-indulgent but what-the-hay)
2. My Very First Quilt Ever, one of the UFOMs (UFO Miracles). This is already a finished top. (Finished like forever ago!)
3. Jelly Pinwheels, this one I haven't even started yet. But it's a gift for my Mother-in-Law, using fabric my husband picked out. It will only be throw size so not too big, but she lives in Grangemouth Scotland so I can't wait too long to mail it!
4. Cinder's Best Day, this is a "commemorative" quilt for my daughter who was devestated when her cat Cinder died of kidney failure. This is a quilt I started just before I started blogging, and haven't worked on it since. Thus no pictures uploaded.
5. My Botanical Shop Hop Quilt - This is the first quilt I have ever made with the intention of keeping it just for us! Which is why, as my husband likes to point out, we have no quilts ourselves. I have given away absolutely every thing I've ever finished.

Ok, that's it. My challenge five! And by finished, I mean, done-done: top, quilting, binding... EVERYTHING!

Can she do it? I hope so... No, just kidding, of course I can do it!! Now, if the teachers would just go back to work so I can get a little piece during the day!

:-)

Mystery Update - Tragedy strikes! ... maybe

...just maybe I'm being a bit over dramatic. But it feels like a tragedy to me. I am working on the Old Tobacco Road Mystery quilt by Bonnie Hunter and even though this is a scrappy quilt, I decided to control the colors a bit.

I decided to go with a nice green and blue family for parts 1 and 2. But I am using one cream fabric throughout the entire quilt.

But about half-way through the sewing and cutting on step 2, I realized ... I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH CREAM! And of course, Murphy says, I bought the last of the bolt.

Of course, it's not a flat cream easy to replace, no it's a tea-stained and ivory print. I can't do one color for more than half of the cream and then all creamy scraps for the second half. I might have gotten away with it if I hadn't finished part 1 already!

Ok, so my sewing is taking a hiatus and now I am on a fabric hunt. I'm trolling the LQSs and even the Pacific Fabrics in the area!

Wish me luck!

Old Tobacco Road - Step 2: Pinwheel Paradise!

Well, even with the Teacher's Strike and the summer that never ends, I am managing to move forward with my Big End of the Summer Mystery Bash!!


Now that part 1 is finished, I have several leftover 2" (inch) strips in blues and greens, and in cream. I actually have many leftover 2" chunks of blue/cream 2-patches so I am a bit worried that I've mis-calculated my sewing for part 1 and won't have enough fabric for the next step. But because it's scrappy, I can always find more greens or blues. (If it's creams I'm up a creek... but we won't think about that because it isn't going to happen!)

• For this step you need a million half square triangles. Oh, sorry, I meant to say 388 2" (1.5" finished) Half Square Triangles! Now, that is enough to drive me batty, except that I often forget just how much that really is. Anyhow, I decided to use my beloved 'Thangles'


• First put your 2" strips right sides together, one light and one dark. Then put your Thangle 1.5 sheet over the strip-pair. Just stitch on the broken line and cut on the solid line. Perfect triangles every time. No rulers, no thinking, no muss, no fuss!

• Thangle TIPS: You don't have to shorten your stitch to use Thangles, but I do. Why? Because it makes it just that much easier, and I'm all for easy! Also, it's helpful to keep your fabric borders and your Thangle sheet aligned nicely.

• Last step for Pinwheel Paradise (my own name for this step, Bonnie would have come up with something nicer, but instead gave us a lovely theme song by Dusty Springfield). Stitch up those pinwheels! 388 half-square triangles make 97 pinwheels!

FYI - I am actually going to sew until I get to 100 pinwheels (instead of 97) because once again we are going to need a few half pinwheels... and there is no way I'm going to make a half-pinwheel. I'll just sew it up and take the rejects and cut'em in half!

If the whole Thangles thing isn't for you, and you are interested, there is a nice little half-square tutorial at Mama Crafty's Blog

Old Tobacco Road - Step 1, 4-patchs Forever

So I've been so busy with the Teacher's strike (Still no school for us!) and with my sewing that I almost forgot to post!

Well, Step one is to sew a whole bunch of 4-patches. And I mean a WHOLE LOT!

Bonnie always gives everyone the opportunity to pull from your stash to create her quilts and gives directions that are very friendly for 'Sew-Betweens' (what you make with your Leaders & Enders)

Anyhow, I don't have a big basket of pre-made 4-patches ready to go. So to achieve my 182 4-patches, I had to begin from scratch! So here are my steps:

• Cut my cream fabric into 2 inch (2") strips, and my fabric family of blues and greens also into 2" strips.


• Sew one cream strip to one dark stip.

• Cut these strips into 2" chunks -- enough for 182 4-patches (I know I need some of this fabric leftover for the next step, so I had to really keep track.)

• Last step is to sew your chunks into 4 patches! 182 four patches, but I did 190 because we need a few half-4 patches and I figured I'd take the 'runts' or the "baddies" and cut 'em in half.

I'm really excited to see how this quilt will turn out. I love Bonnie's quilts and everyone who is working on this one is doing some really different color combinations. When we are all done, I will try to post links to everyone's pics. Of course, Bonnie also puts a lot of links on her website of the finished quilts as well.

I really think that might be my favorite part. Seeing how everyone used fabric and color selections to make beautiful and unique quilts from the same wonderful pattern.

Well, Keep Quilting!

Dionne

Old Tobacco Road - Day One, Fabric Selection

I am doing Bonnie's latest Mystery Quilt called 'Old Tobacco Road'. I got a bit of a late start on this one, so I am not answering (or reading my email) in a timely manner in an effort not to spoil the surprise!

If you haven't done any of Bonnie's mysteries, they are fabulous and a lot of fun. I will be posting all of my OTR (Old Tobacco Road) related activities and pictures here.

The Basics: This will be 56" x 78" - which is bigger than a throw size. I might add the optional borders segment, and then I'll end up with a full size quilt that measures approximately 81-inches X 104-inches!

Bonnie's directions allow for both a complete scrappy look, or a more controlled scrappy look. I tend towards the controlled colors and bearing that in mind here is what I've done:

Choose two color families:

• First in deep rusts and browns - Bonnie threw in some black for contrast, I replaced that with deep garnet.


• Next, a color family that will not clash with your rusts. I chose greens and blues.


• Lastly you need a selection of lights or creams. I chose not to go scrappy at all here but have one cream print that I will use throughout.

The black you see is for one of the borders. I don't know if I will only do one border or all three that she has fabric selections for.

Tree of life

This center medallion is called Tree of Life. I plan to finish this with nice borders in complementary colors. I hope I can find some more nice fabrics to work with.

July '08 Thangles Buck-a-Block

I'm a little late posting July's blocks. Actually they were done a few weeks ago, but I just plain forgot to post them until I was about to do the August blocks. My LQS (Local Quilt Shop) does the Buck-a-Block from July to June each year, and in two alternate colorways.

Last year I only did one colorway (the Batiks -- still a Work in Progress, but you can see it in the Labels). This year I decided to do both, I wish I would have done both last year as well, but I won't make that mistake this year.

Two colorways:

1. Brights


2. Blue, White and Yellow

UFOM #6 - The Really Big Kaleidescope Quilt

My last and final Miracle UFO! This was going to be a King Size Kaleidescope quilt. All done in purple. In retrospect, I find the color selection a bit dark. It's kind of funny how our tastes change over the years.

Everything was included here. All my notes, lots of fabric, Several finished squares, many more almost finished squares -- and even a marking pen.


Everything but the required ruler! The really irritating thing about that is that I remember seeing that ruler when we were moving. I remember thinking that it was out of place and ought to be with all my other sewing supplies. Then I got distracted, I didn't go investigate what the movers were doing. To this day I wonder if I would have stopped right then, would I have been able to salvage all my sewing supplies? All that fabric? All that work?

Now that ruler is gone, and so is everything else. Well, almost everything. Everything except my 6 little miracles!
Here I've placed the finished squares together on the floor (my design wall is already covered with my "real" work -- ha ha) I think it will look nice when it's all done. If I can find a ruler replacement, I might even make it a King size! Probably not though. We'll see!