"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer 29:11 (NIV)

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

2014-2014 BOM Final Patterns Posted

My vacation has been good for one thing - I've been able to finish writing the final three patterns needed to finish the BOM quilt for this year.  The patterns give instructions for making the alternate border blocks (all out of background fabric), the sashing strips, and the assembly of the quilt top.

My finished quilt top is shown in the picture below.


You can get to the patterns by clicking on this link - http://thequiltedsnail.com, then clicking on the link for the 2013-14 BOM and scrolling down to the bottom of the page.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to let me know.

And I'd love to see pic of your finished quilts!

Happy New Year!

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Sewing again............

Meds are working good enough that I actually felt like sewing last nite.  Finished up the swap block for this month and the final Christmas gift for Phx.  

Don't know how much more time I'll have to sew this week with it being finals week, but I'm looking forward to being able to do at least a bit of planning and computer work for my next submission during Christmas Break.

Gratitudes:
1. Meds that are helping get rid of the sinus infection

2. Only 4 more school days till vacation!

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Block 13 for the Block of the Month is here!

My best laid plans went astray as these things so often do.   Between the madness that is inherent for teachers the last three weeks of school, my body also decided it was time for the bronchitis/sinus infection I've been fighting the last 3 months to flare up this past weekend.   I'm now finally starting to feel better and am starting to get stuff done again.

This months block is named "Spinning Tops".   It reminds of of the old-fashioned tops that I used to play with as a kid, esp. as they looked when they collided against each other.

You can download the pattern from here: My website by clicking here.

I hope you enjoy making it.

Still to come are the patterns for the remaining sashing sections and the border sections.   All of these will be made with your background fabric.   And the final assembly instructions.

I'm still working getting the instructions completed, but am hoping to get them done before the end of the year.   If I don't it'll be right after the first of the year.

Gratitudes:

1. Christmas vacation is coming!

2. Parents who bless me with awesome gifts like a trip home for the holidays.


Sunday, November 2, 2014

November Block

In honor of Veteran's and all those that have served in the military here in the US and for other countries around the world, I created this memorial wreath.   I hope you enjoy making it














Click here for the BOM Page and scroll down......

http://thequiltedsnail.com/bom2013-14.html



Gratitudes:

1. I'm thankful for all those in my life how have served in the military or are currently serving...

2. For the freedoms that I and others enjoy, that the military have fought for and won, often at the cost of their personal health and even lives.

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Sigh............I really need to pay attention

So I had a few hrs today to get some sewing done before heading into the store to work tonite, and thought I'd get a few Christmas gifts made.   Started with the pillowcases that I'd bought fabric for recently and some that I'd had on hand.  

The first pair went together w/o problems - I know my girlfriends daughter will love them and the fabric is perfect for a high school sophomore.

The next pair went together just as easily........however it wasn't until I had them sewn that I realized that i'd reversed which direction I'd sewn the main fabric in - and that's not a good thing to do when it's a directional print you're working with.   Now to decide if I should go ahead and give them as intended at Christmas (hmmmm, would the intended giftee care....or not), or just keep them for myself and then make another pair of pillowcases.  

The third pair finished today had to problems when finishing it.  Good way to finish off the day.

I've fabric for 2 more pairs, flannel w/owls on it for a friend, and cotton with cardinals also for a friend.   Once those are done I've a pair of mens slippers to make using a felted sweater, and then 2 skirts for a niece. And need to fit the commissioned sewing in there as well.

Gratitudes:
1.  The clear day outside after yesterdays rain and snow,

2. My students, even as aggravating as they can be, are still worth being thankful for.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Fixed and finished!

Appliqued the Dresden Plate section down last night, and fixed the handle this morning.   Instead of redoing all of hte handle, I just redid the top section where I made the goof.

Everything is now sewn down to the block.   Only thing missing is the silver circle/washer for the blade.  But everyone in the swap will be adding their own once we receive them back.    I plan to add a circle of one that is metallic silver if I can find it....if I can't find it then I'll go buy some...lol.

Wnd even better - made it with one day to spare.....lol.
Gratitudes:

1. It's Thursday.  =)

2. Seeing one of my best friends and her family in just over 2 wks at the wedding of my niece.   Looking forward to that.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Well Phooey...............

So much for making progress on a project before heading to work.    Well actually I have made progress on the swap block I'm making, but realized as I was pinning the portions to be appliqued on that I'd made a boo-boo in color placement in one part of the block.  

Net result is that I'm going to have to redo the handle on the rotary cutter "stem" for the dresdan plate flower.  Can you see the boo-boo?

Phooey........deciding on the handle color took forever.   ........lol..........  Oh well, will remake that section tonite when I get home from school.

Gratitudes:

1. Voice is about 80% back to normal.

2. I have jobs that pay the bills, even if they leave me exhausted at the end of a buay holiday shopping day in the store.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

If you were wondering why..........

............I seem to do so many multi-fabric quilts, there are a couple of reasons.   The first being that it drives me totally nuts to have to work from a limited palette of fabrics - I hate the limitations......lol.   Yes, I've done it BUT it most definitely is not what I prefer to do.  

The second reason is because my 2 scrap bins are big and filled to the top to say the least, lol.   Both bins are 15" tall, 24" long and 17 wide at the top edge.   And yes they are filled to the very top as the picture shows.    

The scraps are sorted by color and are in ziploc bags.  Most common are gallon sized bags, but there are quite a number of 2-gallon and quart sized ones as well.  

The 30's prints that I've been working to use up were in 1 qt bag (full, all green prints) and a qallon sized bag that was about half full (pink, purple and a couple of solids).   I've been able to work through enough of them with the three quilt tops that I've finished to get them down to a single quart sized bag.  

With that kind of results, I'm afraid to even think about how many quilts are there in those two totes.....much less the rest of my extensive stash.    I need to get sewing!  Or else start sorting through and selling off what I don't want, and  I am starting to do that now buy getting ready to bust my stash of 30's prints.    Plaids will probably be the next category after that.

Gratitudes:

1. My voice is holding up for the most part this week at school even though I'm still fighting laryngitis.

2. For others who are willing to quilt the tops that I get made for charity.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Ever wonder how far.......

......your scraps would go when you put them into quilt tops and how long it would take you to use them up?   I know that I have.  

This past week was Fall Break for the school district that I work for, and one of the things that I did was to make the decision to downsize my stash of 30's prints.   I had it for years, and for the life of me don't remember why I collected it.   I did use some in one or two quilts, but have wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy more than those two quilts required.   Maybe I should blame it on the fact that I love making multi-fabric quilts.    
At any rate, I'm not and have not been using the fabric, so I plan to sell most of what I have.   Will keep a little bit so that if I'm in a swap and need to make a block for someone with 30's fabrics then I can w/o buying anything new.   Fabric is pulled and now I just need to get it all measured and figure out what i'm going to price it at and how best to sell it.    Any ideas on that?  

I also decided to pull out the scraps of 30's fabrics and get them made up into tops for donation. So far, I've made 3 tops from the scraps and have only added background fabrics and a purple solid for a border on one....and still have fabric for at least one more top and maybe a second one...... I'm beginning to think these scraps will never end...........





Saturday, October 18, 2014

Fall Break Doings.....

Fall break was this week for the school that I teach in and was much enjoyed.   I've been able to get some much needed rest, both physically and for the vocal cords.   Am hoping that will hold true when I go back to school on Monday and have to start lecturing again.

Did manage to get some sewing done over the last few days after a quick flying trip to the Indy area to visit with one of my best friends and her family.     Have been working with my UFO's and scraps, all things that I can do w/o a lot of thought going into the designs.

First top completed with a childs quilt that was made from the leftover strip sets from a quilt that I finished after a friend passed away several years ago.   this will be donated to Sunshine Quilts.

Next to be worked on was sorting and putting away the mounds of scraps that had accumulated over the last several months.    The piles were about 15 inches tall and needless to say weren't exactly stable....lol.   These are now sorted, and put away in the correct bags of scraps.  







In putting away the multitude of scraps I realized that I was running out of room for them in the two giant totes of them that I have.   So I pulled out the two bags of 30's repro's that I have and started working with them.   I started by pulling the two sections of strip sets that I had.   By frog-stitching I made them into 9 centers for blocks.   I then added strips to either side of the sets using solids that were in the bags.   After putting the 9 resulting blocks together I added a solid purple border (from stash!).



And then just because I'm no good at resisting starting a new project when I see a pic of one that I like, I took a strip of some of the other fabrics in the 30's scraps and started making stair step blocks.   I added a pale yellow solid cotton to the prints.     I've finished 9 of these blocks and have them together (altho only 6 of them are shown here).   Still need to decide on what i want to do for the border.   This quilt will also be going to Sunshine Quilts.

i'm also trying to figure out what to do to cover up a torn spot on one of the center blocks in the birdhouse quilts.   And I also need to get the borders onto those quilts.   Once that is done then I'll have enough done up to send of for someone else to quilt for Sunshine.

Gratitudes -

1, While not fully over the crud that i've been fighting I am finally feeling better.

2. 9 weeks till Christmas vacation!  lol



Saturday, October 11, 2014

finishing UFO projects

Fall break is here, and except for working at the store this weekend and next (and the grading that I brought home!) I'll be able to sew this week.  

Am starting off my weekend by finishing off gifts for the pay-it-forward swap I'm doing this year.   Made some kitchen towels and tote bags for the gals to choose from.  =)

Bags shown below are ones that finished sometime ago, but am now going to give the gals who I still need to get PIF gifts to a choice from.  

Gratitudes:
1. Fall break is here!

2. Am feeling better slowly.

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Border Musings

One of the benefits to being stuck at home sick has been being able to sew and thereby make progress on UFO's that have been sitting around here.   
One of the projects that has been stuck are some blocks that were made by others in response to a challenge that I made on Sunshine.   They then sent the blocks to me to put together into tops.  there were three sets tho that have been silent tho on what they wanted to do.   However one of them spoke to me this afternoon and finally told me what to do, well for most of it anyway....

A gal on the list had made 16 lovely machine embroidered blocks using the birdhouse fabric I sent her as inspiration.   I ended up making two different bird house blocks to set in the center of 8 blocks, thereby ending up with 2 quilt tops made.   Birdhouses were made with scraps from my prefused fabs.   

At this point I'm leaning towards putting more of the bird house fabric in the border corners.   However what I haven't figured out iw what color fabric to put along the sides of the quilt.   Anybody have any suggestions for color?

Gratitudes:
1. One more week of school....woohoo..........

2. Temps are supposed to warm up a wee bit over this next week.

When the docs says stay home, a girl just has to....

............Quilt!   Well at least sew.  ;-)   And that's where I've been all weekend............at home and not allowed to talk.   The doc would be happier if I had next week off as well, but given that's the week before fall break it won't happen unless I get dramatically worse or absolutely can't talk.

However, having to stay home instead of working has meant that I've been able to get grading done (oh yay for bringing work home when I'm sick.....NOT!  lol), and have cleared two piles of fabric that had been given to me for charity quilts.   Both are flannel / Cotton mixes and I think turned out cute.  =)  They will be going to sunshine quilts for kids somewhere.   I'll be sending them on for quilting by someone else.

The first one started with a large piece of flannel with an alphabet print.   With it I paired pieced yardage from some of the lime green scraps from my stash.

The second one started with a 5" flannel charm pack by Moda.   Added yellow sashing and a lime green border with the remaining 5 flannel charms.   Lime and yellow are cottons and the four-patches are flannel.

Both the alphabet flannel, the charms and solid white flannel came from a quilting friend in Wisconsin.

Gratitudes:
1. New meds from the doc for the bronchitis and cough.

2.  Voice is better after not talking for two days.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

October BOM block has been posted

My apologies to everyone following my BOM in being late to post the October block.  I'm running late in posting this thanks to being sick most of the month of September.   Sad thing the block and pattern were done weeks ago, I just haven't felt good enough to get the pdf file created and everything uploaded to my website.   =P  

This block is called "Twinkling Star" because the small gold half triangle blocks reminded me of the stars in a clear night sky.

You can find the pattern HERE.

Enjoy making it!

Gratitudes:

1. Having health insurance as I face having to go to the doc again to figure why I'm not getting better.

2. For being able to at least sleep sitting up on the sofa, instead of in the office chair w/o coughing like a mad woman.

Monday, September 29, 2014

Swap blocks finished

I finished off the two swap blocks that I was making this month.   One will be swapped (top block), and I'll keep the second one for myself (bottom block).

In doing these two blocks I reminded myself of two things - first I can do hand applique, and nicely if I say so myself....lol.   And the second thing I reminded myself is that when I did the second block I inadvertantly missed one step in the instructions before fusing the machine on and stitching it down............apparently I still insist on doing things my way and marching to the beat of my own drummer.....lol.   Can you see where the difference in the blocks is?  

I'm really looking forward to the next block which can be seen here -
http://dodmystery.blogspot.com/2014/09/october-mystery-revealed.html.




Gratitudes:
1- Good friends and coworkers who put up with me even when I'm coughing like a mad woman with this bronchitis.

2 - I'm feeling a little better even tho coughing more at the present time.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

completed swap block

Finished up the swap block that I'll be swapping, and the one I'm keeping.   Good thing I was planning on keeping the second one 'cause I definitely didn't manage to follow the pattern on mine....sigh............  And yes I do tend to do my own thing, but I really did mean to follow the pattern.....sigh......guess the tendency to quilt to the beat of my own drummer was just too strong....lol.

Baby shower for my coworker was tonite.   And the bibs that I made went over well.  =)

Gratitudes:

1. 2 more weeks till fall break!!!!!

2. Cough seems to be getting a little better.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Swap block finished

I'm in a Row-by-row swap that is looking like it'll be a lot of fun.   An online friend is designing it and Deana does great work.    You can find details on the swap Blog.   And by scrolling down you can see the blocks that have been made in September by clicking here.

The theme of the quilt is "A Quilter's Garden" and the first row has 4 different sewing machine blocks.  

To the left is the one block i've managed to get done to swap this month.   And believe it or not, I even hand appliqued the body down......I know shock of shocks.  What can I say - i never said I can't do it....I just normally choose to not do it because it's too slow for me....lol.      I do plan on making one more for myself from the same fabrics, but have been feeling so cruddy that it isn't started yet.   I do plan on doing machine applique tho on mine for the body.

Gratitudes:

1. New meds from my doc that will hopefully get rid of the bronchitis and the skin infection.
2. a long weekend with an extra day off from school and only two weeks away from Fall break!

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Quilted Pouch/Basket Tutorial

A few months ago, when Easter merchandise went on clearance at Joann's I picked up a free standing felt pouch.   Meant to be used to hold whatever you wanted, I thought it might have the start of a fun idea for a quilty gift.

The original bag is made from heavy weight purple felt.  It stands 7 inches tall before the edge is folded down and the base is 5" square.  

I decided to use a piece of green wool felt I had on hand as my base.  I tried estimating the size needed for the felt to make one the same size as the purple and cut it at 18" by 11".   As it turns out, that wasn't correct, but that's beside the point here.....lol.   Will have to go back and think and measure before making another one.


 Once I had the felt cut to size, I then dug out a strip of greens that I had left over from another project.   I laid it down on top of the felt and then quilted it to the felt to hold it in place.








Next up was continuing to add more fabric strips till all of the felt was covered.








I then trimmed the excess fabric back so that it was even with the felt panel.









I then  folded the panel in half and stitched down the sides using a 3/8" seam allowance.












Once the seams were sewn I cut a 3.5" square out of the corners on the side where the fold was.
The size you cut here determines how big the pouch will be when finished, and can be played around with.












Next sewing step was to bring the center of the bottom fold up to match where the side seams are.   Then stitch across the cut edges using a 3/8" seam allowance.  Repeat for both sides.

Turn right side out and press seams flat.





Final step was to turn the top edge (1" down) and then stitch down for a finished edge to the pouch.


 Pouch finished up half the width of the original one and a little shorter, so I definitely need to tweak measurements.   But the process will be the same no matter what dimensions you cut to.

Hope this sparks a desire to try something new for you.

Gratitudes:
1. A good nite's sleep
2. 2 days off next week from school!

Friday, September 19, 2014

Orphans no longer

I'm still working on finishing up some of the baby bibs that I've had in progress for years.  

13 more bibs have been finished for a total of almost 2 dozen so far.   Most of the ones finished in this bunch stand alone as bibs without  any additional trim or embellishments.     But I did use three small orphan blocks to decorate three bibs.   All different hats, they will eventually go a baby boy sometime.   Still have 30-something yet to finish up if I use all the wash-cloths that I have set aside.   Haven't decided if I'm going to do that or not.   Will eventually use all the 'pretty' ones, it's just the solid ones that need embellishing that I've got mixed feelings about.   Of course that could be just because I'm getting bored doing them.....lol.

Why do I have so many you ask?  Well, there for a while it seemed like all of my married friends were having babies.   And the time just wasn't there to make baby quilts for everyone so I got started on making baby bibs for them.   And as these things go, I saw lots of cute bibs (prints or colors) that would make great bibs so I bought them a few at a time.  Just never got them made up.....sigh......  the new babies have slowed down now but I still need baby gifts every so often so I try to keep some made up and on hand to pull a quick gift from.

What do you make up ahead of time for quick and easy gifts?

Gratitudes:
1. The weekend is almost here!
2. For students that want to learn how to do something right even when it's a hard topic.



Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Happy Orphan Blocks

Most every quilter has them.....those pesky orphan blocks that they just don't know what to do with.   Odd shapes, sizes, patterns that didn't quite work out right, colors that don't work out the way we planned, or ones that we 'inherited' from someone else.   I suspect for most of us they just sit in totes or boxes waiting patiently for us to be struck with inspiration on how to make the most of these gems in the rough.

I have my share of orphan blocks, I'll take them out every so often to look at and play with and think about what to do with them.    Most of them have been stubbornly silent tho so they remain in my tote of orphan blocks.   Occasionally though some of them will start whispering to me about what they'd like to be when they grow up.  

This week two of my little orphans decided it was time to tell me their dreams of greatness.   The first block to speak to me was one that passed onto my by an online friend.   It was a lovely fan block, but in colors that I rarely ever use.    I'd been working on various tote bags over the weekend and had pulled out a very soft looking plaid in blueish-grey and tan.   The block looked great up against the plaid.   So I ended up quilting it after backing it w/muslin.  Then attached it as the outer pocket on the tote bag.   Haven't decided what i'm going to do with this, might sell it, might give it as a gift.

Another happy little ex-orphan as of tonite is this little sailboat block that now has a home on a baby bib.   This will be going with a stack of other bibs as a baby shower gift for a gal at the store.

So two orphans are orphaned no longer, and I have fewer 'voices' clamoring at me to do something with them.   Wonder what will speak to me next demanding their turn at the sewing machine?

Gratitudes:
1. Being able to sleep in bed for a few hours even tho I'm still croupy with bronchitis
2. Meds that are helping to bring everything back under control

Monday, September 15, 2014

Around the World Blog Hop

I was tagged for the Around the World Blog Hop by Susan of Desertsky Quilting.   The link will take you to Susan's post about her creative processes.   I met Susan online about 18 years ago, through online quilt group at that time.   We met in person when I moved back to Phoenix after completing grad school in Boston.   We've remained friends over the years, and are always willing to get each other into trouble when out shopping or when considering new quilt projects.

There were several questions that came with the blog post directions, so I'll branch off of those to tell you a little about me and my design process.

If you read my blog on a regular basis you'll know that a lot of my work goes to American Hero Quilts and Sunshine Online Quilt Guild.   American Hero's delivers quilt to wounded service men and women, Sunshine makes quilts that are given to kids around the world through a couple of different programs.  There are many other projects though that I end up involved with because I make a lot of gifts.

1. What am I working on at the present?

Like normal there are multiple projects in various states around here.   I'm working on finishing up the Block-of-the-Month that I've been posting on my blog and website and have the top almost half together.  I have a finished quilt top for the mystery quilt that i'll be hosting next year.   the finished top will be posted in December when the final step of the BOM is posted.  Then there is the block robin waiting on borders to be put on.   So far tho that quilt is being contrary and not telling me what it wants for the final border.    So it sits in "time out" will i think about it.


This past week I've been sick and so didn't feel like working on anything where I had to really think about what I'm doing, so I worked on making some tote bags and a kitchen towel that have been prepped for several yrs.  At least one of the totes and the kitchen towel will be a Pay-It-Forward gift for this year.   The others may end up as gifts at some point or sold.   Still more fabrics in my stash for tote bags, so I'll have some 'mindless' sewing to do for a while.


I've got several new designs, both blocks and quilts, in progress as well.






2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?

If I have to classify myself, I'd say I'm a scrappy quilter or maybe a "multi-fabric" quilter.   I do tend to quilts that use a lot of fabrics in the tones and colors, vs just one fabric in a color.  

The wedding quilt I made for my nephew and his new wife is an example of this.   The greens are about 2/3's scraps, but the remaining greens and the back fabrics are new ones.    I lost count of how many different fabrics are in this quilt, but love how it turned out.  

A lot of my quilt are definitely on the geometric side of things, but I do design a wide variety of quilt types.   I participate in an online art quilt challenge every year and what I end up doing depends on the challenge each year.    This year's quilt is shown to the left.     I like to use more than just fabric in my quilts as well, this year's entry used shiny tulle and linen cross-stitch fabric as well as the cotton fabrics in the quilt.

My designs have ranged from paper-piecing blocks and quilts, to applique to pieced.   Most any fabric works for me - except those that are muddy in tones.

I also to take part in swaps and round robins.   the cat quilt to the left is just one example of one of my quilts from a round robin. I made the cat, and used rick-rack for the whiskers.

3. Why do I write/create what I do?

I create and design because I love it and normally it relaxes me.   My doodles are most often ideas for new quilt blocks.   I can't imagine not designing, even if a lot of it happens on the fly as I'm working.

4. How does my writing/creating process work?

My creative process starts with graph paper (typically quadrille paper for ease of scaling) and various pens/pencils.   I'll get an idea for a block and draw it out on paper to get the idea down.   Once I have an idea of the block, then I'll switch to Visio and draw the block up in it.   Visio makes it easy for me to make multiple copies of the block and then play around with quilt layouts to see how things go together.     Once I'm happy with one or more layouts then if it is a pp'd pattern I'll create the sections in Visio and then print them out for use.    Otherwise I'm "off to the races" and sewing away.  =)

That's is my basic story and my creativity process.    I'm sending you today to the blogs for three people whose work inspires me.  

Claire is a friend that I met in the same online group that I met Susan.   We've known each other for several yrs now, and have met in person several times at quilt retreats.   And for a while we even lived in the same little town as i went to grad school at Purdue University.   Claire is taking a Master Quilting class and her work in it is always fascinating to me.   She will be posting on the 22nd on her blog KnitNkwilt .

Sophie is another quilter that I've been blessed to be able to meet in person.   I love her work, and she also is able to get me headed down rabbit trails that I hadn't intended to go down.    My tea towel quilt (proving to be stubborn!) is an example of that.    I love the tea towel pieces that she has done.   You'll be able to find her post on the 22nd here at Sophie Junction.

The last friend I'm sending you to is Deana.   I met her online 3 yrs ago when Susan talked me into doing Deana's mystery quilt.    I loved what she did with it, and the process has proven inspirational to me as I worked on developing my mystery quilt for next year.   She is hosting a row-by-row swap these days featuring her designs.  You can also check out her latest mystery at - Daughters of Dorinda Mystery Blog.

Gratitudes -
1. For meds as I recover from acute bronchitis and an acute UPR and the latest flare with my ITP
2. For bosses who understand when I'm not working to 100% because i'm not feeling good

Monday, September 1, 2014

Block Robin together.....

Woohoo............the block robin is together except for the borders.   And with the exception of a little minor tweak to the filler blocks on the bottom center it all went together almost perfectly.    Gotta love it when that happens.  =)

The final two blocks added ("Faith" and the interlocking hearts") were inspired by a couple of different quilts in an Australian quilt magazine that an online quilt friend sent me.  

Next up is adding the borders, and I'm debating on a couple of options for that.    

Gratitudes:

1. God's provisions for my needs even when I don't see how things are going to work out.

2. The PT job that I do have currently to help pay the bills and put food on the table.  

September block posted

The September block for my Block-of-the-Month has been posted.

I named it Lantern because it reminded me of paper Chinese lanterns that are often used in the summer time to light up patios after dark.

You can find the link to the pattern here -

http://thequiltedsnail.com/bom2013-14.html

I hope you enjoy making the block.

Gratitudes -
1. A three day weekend.  =)

2. 4 weeks already finished in school.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Thinking about possibilities....

.....for changes to the pink/turquoise blocks so that they aren't quite so prominent compared to the other blocks.   I'd like to keep them in there because I know who made them and would like something from her on the front...........and not just in the label on the back.

One thought I've had is to add WOW triangles to each block after frog-stitching the groups.    Finished block to look something like what is shown in the middle of this pic.   blocks could be arranged in multiple ways so the spacer sections would not all be the same.  

What i'm not sure tho is if the turquoise settles down to a more 'decorous' level....lol.  

How do you think the possibility looks?

Gratitudes -

1. beautiful weather
2. A God who knows what is happening in my life even when i have no clue about what will happen in the future.


Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Considering.....

....someone in a small group that I'm a part of posted a comment about the colors of blocks in the block robin - particularly the turquoise/pink half-square blocks.    Her comment was to the effect that the blue really stood out among all of the other colors in it.

Now this is something that I had wondered about but at this point haven't made up my mind on what to do with the block sections.   The cross stitch piece that this started with does not have any blue in it.   The two turquoise-greens are in there, but not a turquoise-blue.

Am waiting to "hear" what the quilt says it wants because I'm not sure what I want to do.   I have pulled a fabric that will work as binding in the tonal family as the greens that are there now.   But should I use some of it to replace the turquoise blue blocks - that is what I'm debating now.

Any thoughts out there?

Gratitudes -

1. Labor Day Holiday - No School!!!!!

2. Tests from the past two yrs being available to edit and tweak for classes this year.  =)

Monday, August 25, 2014

Two more blocks made....

Two more blocks have been made for the block round robin.    The replacement star was made with some of my fairy frost stash.   It still needs to be bordered with more of the WOW that I used for the background to bring it up to 9" finished in size, but I need to find the WOW first since I used scraps for the background.  

The flying geese were made with some of the pinks that I'd pulled out and sent at the start of the swap.

Am still playing with layouts and thinking about what to add next to fill in the open areas of the quilt.   Maybe an applique block or two before finishing with some small filler blocks.

Graditudes:

1. AC that works both in the house and the car.
2. A nice bed to sleep in and three alarms to wake me.... =)