3D Boxes for QuiltDad

Well, actually, this is from Bonnie's BoxyStars pattern at Quiltville.

But because John (Quilt Dad) doesn't care for stars, and is doing a quilt out of oriental fabric that just calls for nice clean lines, I decided to make him the 3D boxes.

Now, I am a little obsessive about not wasting fabrics so I saved those little corners to make some Half-Square Triangles.

In the picture above and below, I actually made the seams a little TOO close so I had to re-do that one. (I noticed it when I took the picture)


Here is what the block looks like before I trim off my HSTs. I sew across, then turn it around, move my fabric over by 1/4 inch and then sew again.




And finally, three 3D box squares and 6 bonus Half-Square Triangles!

I hope John likes them!

I came home to a pile of mail!!

Would you look at this HUGE pile of mail I came home to!

I absolutely love getting things in the mail and these packages contain some of the most beautiful fabric you've ever seen!

Here is just a peek at the lovelies contained inside!

I can't wait to start cutting into this stuff and stiching it up!

What a Trip!

Well I went to St. Louis for my Thanksgiving holidays. It was great fun to see all my crazy relatives. I always was the favorite cousin (at least that's what I keep telling them). I absolutely adore visiting my family there! And they, well, they put up with me brilliantly!

Well none of them quilt ~ except evidently my cousin's husband's cousin in Chicago. How's that for a connection! Wouldn't it be a hoot if I found her and emailed her. Isn't that what everyone has always wanted!? An email from the long lost cousin of your cousin's wife?

So every time I made plans to go to a quilt shop (and there are several in the area) something ridiculous happened. For example one day I had planned to go to Your Quilt Shop in Arnold, MO. So just before we went, we stopped off at White Castle. Yes, I know it's terrible, completely unhealthy. But what can I say, it was a childhood memory. But for the first time, it wasn't all that awesome.

Anyhow, when we got to the shop, I reached down for my camera to take a picture of the outside, so I could write about the shop on my blog. And not only was my camera gone, but also my purse. Yup, I left it at White Castle. So I had to drive all the way back to the White Castle, which thankfully had my purse (and camera) waiting for me.

The same with the Quilted Fox... it seems that I just wasn't fated to visit all the quilt shops. I did actually make it to the Joann's Fabric there in St. Louis. Of course that wasn't without incident. My auntie, who came with me, backed her car right into the corner of the store and crushed the back of her rental car! Of course I gave her such a hard time because she doesn't like fabric stores (can you BELIEVE it???) But it's true, so it must have been the spirit of all fabric stores exacting their revenge. Just kidding, no one was hurt.

Second Christmas Quilt (Almost) Done!!

I actually got this all sandwiched and pinned before I left, but I never got around to posting the pictures.

Here is a close up, there are some very cute christmas kids on the print. This is a bit risky because my middle child is right at that stage... almost a tween, still a kid. Will she like it? Will it be too young for her?

This quilt is for my middle daughter, I'll quilt it and finish the binding when I get back.

Friendship Star Swap ~ In the Mail...

Well the last few blocks came in yesterday and I got them all swapped and mailed out!

Because I was busy packing for my trip, I didn't take any pics so the last few will have to be a suprise!

Hope you like them!

(Almost) Done with Christmas Quilt One!

Well Here it is, everything done but the binding! Yahoo. I finally finished up the quilting.

Here is the back:

This fabric was picked out by my little guy. I was looking through fabrics for a backing on another quilt at my LQS several months ago and we came across this fabric. He told me that if I ever made a Christmas quilt for him he wanted that fabric as the backing, well, it went on sale and perfect timing too!

Block of the Month Giveaway

Here is a block of the month giveaway over at the Stitching Cow

The giveaway includes: receiving an e-pattern together with 3-4 videos each month demonstrating the techniques used in this quilt.The videos include demonstrations of hand embroidery stitches, needle turn appliqué, template piecing, border cutting, colourwash painting and more. It really is the easier way to tackle a more challenging quilt. Members of this program are able to watch over my shoulder and discover all my secret tips and tricks to creating this beautiful quilt.

More Friendship Star Swap Blocks

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Only a few more swap squares to come...

Lap Quiilt Swap IV (or LQS4)

Here is the fabrics I've chosen for the Lap Quilt Swap IV






These are nicely muted colors from a variety of lines. The rules of this swap are that you send your fabric to 11 other people and they all send their fabrics to you. They make you a block with your fabric and send it back to you (with leftovers) and you make a block for each of them with their fabric and send back the block (with the leftovers).

So this swap actually finishes in Feb '09, so I'm not too concerned about the slow holiday mail. Here are some links from a couple of participants from some of the previous swaps:

• Audrey is the one who invited me into this swap, take a look at her blog to see the results of a previous few swaps. (The below links are from Audrey, this is my first time to participate).
• Sew Help Me made a beautiful quilt in browns, greens and pinks from a previous swap.
• QuiltDad has a mosaic in Amy Butler fabrics.
• RitaPizza put together a really nice mosaic on-point of all her swap blocks.
• And Finally AthenaMat put together a great top from her swap blocks.

This should be a fun swap!

Fall themed Table Runner

I really love this table runner. It's perfect for these autumn days

Of course, to take the picture I placed it on the floor, because I'm not tall enough to get a good picture on the table. Only when I uploaded to my computer did I notice that I must have taken this picture before I vacuumed.

Some of the Friendship Star Blocks...

Here are a few of the blocks I've received. I'll post a few more pictures throughout the week!

These all have yellow/orange stars on blue backgrounds. Not all of the blocks have been in this color way. It's so much fun to see all the lovely blocks come in!

Because everyone is sending in different numbers of blocks (1, 6, 12) You'll never know which of the blocks I put on this blog you will eventually find in your mailbox!

Some Progress to Report...

... on my NYE Challenge . Not a whole lot but as a reminder, This is my 'NYE To Do List':

1. My (Very) First Quilt (Ever) This is one of the 'Great Finds' of mine. Years later to find the very first quilt top I ever made. It's certainly not the best workmanship, but back then... well, I was just a newbie!
   Progress: Quilting Done, just needs the binding! (Yahoo!)


2. Ina's Christmas Quilt This is for my MIL. Top is done, ordered away for the backing fabric. I must send this one off to the UK (Scotland, home of my hubbies birth) so I hope that fabric gets here soon!


3. Kayleigh's Christmas Quilt This is a christmas quilt for my oldest daughter. She was always a purple girl, but has recently switched to blue, blue, blue!
   Progress: The top is done, so it's just the quilting and binding. (Backing is in same order as Ina's quilt)
   
4. Cricket's Christmas Quilt This is a Christmas quilt for my middle girl. She recently went with me to the LQS and looked at some fabrics. Sadly she picked out a bunch of fabrics that were about as far from what I've made her as possible. Bummer because...
   Progress: The top is done! So, she'll get what I've made. It's just the backing, quilting and binding left to do.


5. Cameron's Christmas Quilt: Now my little guy doesn't like anything new, unless it's a toy. He is very much into routine. It took him almost a year to grow fond of his other quilts (one from his god mom at his babtism and one from me when he transitioned from a crib to a toddler bed) Now he loves those quilts and a snuggle blanket I made him years ago above all else. I expect it will take him some time to warm up to this blanket as well.
   Progress: The top is done! Just the backing, quilting and binding!


6. Botanical Shop Hop Quilt : This is the first quilt that I have ever made for myself with the intention of putting it on my bed! My husband said to me one day in passing that we didn't have any of my nice quilts for ourselves!
   Progress: Well, I've almost finished the piecing. Just one more 'Element' to finish then I can assemble the top!
   Picture:



7. Old Tobacco Road : This is a Bonnie Mystery Quilt that I fell in love with and really would like to finish!
   Progress: Well, I've got a long way to go!

Now, some of you might be wondering where the pictures are of the Friendship Star Swap...

Well, you are going to have to wait because I haven't taken the pictures yet! But I will, I promise!

So, keep quiltin'

A Lovely Giveaway!

When the Old Red Barn Co. hosts a giveaway, it's done in style!

There are three beautiful quilts being given away and a few patterns as well!

Aren't they beautiful! To enter you need to go here!

Here are closeups of all three quilts:

Long Time Gone

Well, it's definately true. I've been a long time gone from this blog. I had a minor routine surgery (out-patient even) that went terribly wrong.

After a near-death experience ~ that my children refer to as 'The Tragic Day' as in... "I missed that soccer practice because it was on The Tragic Day." They are so very dramatic.

Then a somewhat painful and unpleasant recovery.... I am now back after what really seems like a long time gone.

BUT, I have started to sew again, and I am now also beginning to receive 'Friendship Star' squares in the mail for the swap!

I must say, what FUN!!! I love swaps, it's like the fun of sewing, quilting, shopping and having friends to share it all with wrapped up into one nice little package!

So here is my question:

Should I start posting pictures of the squares I receive? Or do you want a surprise?

Now, remember, that some people are sending in 6 blocks to swap and some people are sending in 12 blocks to swap. So while EVERYONE will get new blocks (plus one of their own) they won't necessarily be getting one of EACH block sent in. Do I really make everything difficult or what?!

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? ;-)