They Don't All Work.....

Last week someone asked me how I choose which blocks that were not going to end up in a quilt that they were made for.

This block is one of the ones that won't make it into the commissioned origami swan quilt that I'm currently working on because of several problems.

The first, and biggest issue to me, is that the plaid fabric that I used for the underneath piece on the right side just shows through the upper yellow print too much (it looks worse in real life).  And yes I'm picky!

the second issue is that pieces slipped when I was fusing them down  - see the circled areas in the upper photo.  Net result is that the block doesn't have the same look as the others that I've been making.

And while I thought about just tossing the block, I did decide to finish it and put it with several other orphan blocks that are in yellow/black.   So it will eventually end up in a quilt  that will go to Sunshine Quilts.

Gratitudes:
1.  For friends who encourage me to be the best that I can be.

2. For the fun that I have in designing and creating.

Hmmmm.....scrap problem here?

I love to work with scraps and most of the quilts I make are what I call multi-fabric quilts.

These two bins that you see here are what I toss the scraps I end up with when working at my cutting table and when sewing.

It might possibly be time to actually sort them and put them into the bags of scraps that I have upstairs in totes.  These two large totes shown to the right.....yup, those are what my ziploc bags of scraps reside in.   And yes, they are full............  Mind you, that isn't all of them because I have a couple of small project totes with scraps in them that have been pulled to be put together for various quilts.

Think I might have scrap problem?


Gratitudes:

1. No tornado's this morning in the Dallas area as the severe thunderstorms went through here.

2. For my job, which while it isn't perfect pays the bills.

A Fishy Tale

Another set of UFO blocks hits the dust.....

This quilt top started with a set of 5 blocks that had been made in response to a challenge I made to Sunshine members.  The fabric I had sent out was the fish fabric in the pieced blocks.

I used a second fish print that was close to the first in look and colors and the solid orange used in the borders to finish it off.

Final size is 41" by 56".

Gratitudes:

1. For the opportunities to get together with friends

2. For getting my tax refund back!

Weekend Progress

Had a list of things that needed to be done or worked on this weekend.  And got most of them accomplished or at least good progress made.

First up to be worked on were the final blocks for the commissioned teddy bear quilt.  Made the last 9 blocks - 8 setting blocks (no pic of them) and the final teddy bear block.   Also tweaked the #11 block by adding a candy cane for Nicholas to be holding.

I then started to layout the blocks so that I could see how it was going to look.   I need to figure out where I can lay it out in full.....I don't have the floor space for sure!

Next up was completing the stitching on the pile of swan blocks that I have been working on for a couple of days.   They are now done, and i'm ready to pull more thread out this evening for the remaining blocks.

The last thing that I did was to put together a quilt top for a belated baby gift.  The baby's room is decorated in an Arizona theme, so I'm hoping that they'll like the quilt.  Still is to find a backing that will work and then get it pinned so that I can quilt it.

Gratitudes:
1. The active shooter situation here in Dallas was not in the buildings where I work (altho it was only 1/2 mile away)

2. Warmer temps are on the way.

Block 11 - Bentley Bear

Teddy bear block #11 for the commissioned quilt -

Bentley is a pilgrim bear who is here to remind everyone to be thankful for their many blessings.

One more teddy bear block to make for the quilt itself and then I can start making the teddy bear blocks that I'm making as extras to go with the Teddy Bear BOM this year.  =)

Did make progress on the final 8 setting blocks - got the 2.5" squares cut that I need for the center of them.  Now I just need time to sew them together.

Gratitudes:

1. It is the weekend.....well almost.  =)

2. Realization that permanent changes (not just a temporary "diet") in the diet really do make a difference in how I feel

New Teddy Bear Block for Commissioned Quilt

Block #10 for the commissioned quilt - Nicholas Bear.   Still thinking about adding a candy cane to the block......

Two more blocks, already designed, to make for the quilt and then I've got four more bonus blocks that I'll be making to go along with the BOM.  Still need to make the final eight setting blocks but before I do that I need to cut 128 - 2 1/2" squares first.....lol......

Gratitudes:
1. Weather is supposed to be good the next couple of days.

2. Counts are up high enough that I can think about getting the needed tooth work done.

Final Decision.....

....on the business card that is....... Here is what I ordered....telephone number will be on the ones I receive, but I didn't want that shown on my blog.

I'm happy with this one and hope it will be a good investment for me.

Gratitudes:
1. All the feedback people gave me as I pondered card designs

2. No severe weather in last nights thunderstorm.

Weekend Progress

Made some progress this weekend in spite of all that was going on.

First up where the 7 swan blocks that I completed the stitching on - pinks and purple ones.   I'm working on them in color order based on what tote I need to get the thread out of.  

I then was able to get the last 8 prepped swans fused down and ready for stitching.

I then got the borders onto a quilt for sunshine quilts.  The blocks were part of a challenge that had been made with some of my fabric by a gal in Sunshine for me to put together.  And yes, the borders were deliberately made asymmetrical.  =)  The new machine was used to sew the last two borders onto the quilt and I think I've finally figured out the stitch length and tension for the straight stitch....well at least for this quilt.  lol

I had 3 more blocks (well, 4 but one has gone missing) with the fish fabric in them that I set together for the center part of another quilt.  Don't have a picture of it to show here tho.

Gratitudes:
1. Good traffic this morning on the way to work.

2. Feedback on business cards was helpful and they are now on order.

Hands 2 Help

Because I know that God has richly blessed me, I try to share those blessings in various ways.  One of the ways I do is in the quilt tops that I make and send off to Sunshine Quilts and American Hero Quilts.

This year I've also signed up to make a quilt for Hands 2 Help.  You can read more about it here.

I've oodles of quilt tops that have been done forever w/o homes to go to.   I've pulled this one that I think will make up into a lovely quilt for Em's Scrap Bag.   they give quilts to people going thru chemo.  And having been there - done that twice now this is something that I can identify with.

I haven't got a clue how long I've had this made, but I do know it started with the border print fabric and grew from there.

I hope to start the quilting in the next week or two.

Gratitudes:
1. No rain this weekend when I made my drive to Austin

2. Found the fabrics for the row I'm designing.

ScrapHappy April 15th

Lots of fun this month going through my scrap bins/bags as I've been pulling pairs of coordinating fabrics for Origami Swan blocks.  

I completed the first seven blocks early in the month.   And this week I've fused the pieces down for the next 17 blocks.  I've also pieces cut for 8 more blocks, but those still need to be fused.

Still to have the fusible web ironed on to them are 18 more pairs of coordinating fabrics already pulled and three more that need a coordinate to go with them.   And nope, not all of the blocks will end up in the finished commissioned quilt - I only need 42 blocks for it, but I'm already seeing blocks that I don't want to put into the quilt.

Here are the links for everyone who joins ScrapHappy from time to time (they may not post every time, but their blogs are still worth looking at):

Usually has a scrappy post:

Kate at https://talltalesfromchiconia.wordpress.com (in English)

Gun at https://rutigt.wordpress.com (in Swedish and English)

Titti at http://tittisquiltlek.blogspot.se (in Swedish only)

Heléne at http://quiltochsom.blogspot.se (in Swedish only)

Sometimes has a scrappy post:

Eva at bambisyr-evaj.blogspot.com (in Swedish only)

Sue at sewingmagpie.blogspot.com (in English only)

Nanette at http://stitchandsow-homeandgarden.blogspot.com.au (in English only)

Lynn at https://thetialys.wordpress.com (in English only)

Norma at https://shesewsyouknow.wordpress.com (in English only)

Lynda at: https://pixilatedtoo.wordpress.com (in English only)

Birthe: http://birthesrom.blogspot.no (in Norwegian only)

Turid: http://densyendehimmel.blogspot.se (in English and Norwegian)

Susan: https://desertskyquilts.wordpress.com/ (in English only)

Cathy: http://nanacathydotcom.wordpress.com (in English only)

Debbierose: https://sewrosey.wordpress.com (in English only)

Tracy: https://itsatsweetsday.wordpress.com/ (in English only)

Jill: http://nicepieceofwork.wordpress.com/ (in English only)

Claire: https://knitnkwilt.wordpress.com/ (in English only)

Jan: http://thesnailofhappiness.com/ (in English only)

Karen: https://mewithptsd.wordpress.com/ (in English only)

Deb: https://abearsthimble.wordpress.com/ (in English only)

Enjoy till next month!

Gratitudes:

1.  I get to have lunch with a friend tomorrow after dropping off the fabric for donation in Austin, yippee!

2. Road trip for a few hrs - it'll be good to get away for a while.

Business Cards, round 2

Feedback from the ones from the ones I posted yesterday showed that the last two didn't make the cut, the black was liked but w/o the pic of the block, and the top one was ok.  

So today I went back into Vistaprint today and worked up a few more possibilities without a picture of a quilt block on them.  

The top two pics to the right have been the clear winners so far.....I really like the colors of the second one but they are too dark for the writing to be clear in my opinion.  I may make a $5 investment and have one of the graphic designers at Vistaprint lighten the colors up so that it is easier to see the printing.

I also like the top one, but it would definitely be my second choice.

I still like the card on the bottom here from yesterday, but I like these two in the top pics better.  So I'm getting closer to  a decision and in order my business cards.  =)

Gratitudes:
1. It's a long weekend for me....woohoo.

2. Good weather is predicted for tomorrow - a good thing since I'll be making a round trip to/from Austin all in one day.

It's coming!

Volume 15 of QuiltMakers 100 Blocks from Today's Top Designers will be released on May 2nd, just a little over 2 weeks away now.   The thrill of seeing my block designs in print never gets old for sure.

And there is a blog hop associated with the release that is always fun.   More info can be found on the blog hop by clicking on the logo below.

Gratitudes:

1. For the opportunity of having my block designs published.

2. For having a place to donate the fabric I no longer want where it will be available to others that will use it.

Business card possibilities

I've been working on getting the design for my business cards decided on and have three possibilities.  Not sure though which one I want to go with....need to decide that because I'd like to order them this week.

What do you guys think of these four desgns?  Pics are in order of my preferences for the four.

Gratitudes:

1. Only a small chance of rain is forecast for the areas I'll be driving through on Friday.

2. Making progress on the business side of things.

Growing.,......

One of my goals for this year was to growing.   Both growing as a pattern designer and growing my commissioned quilting business.

I'm making progress on both fronts - the commissions have been coming in fairly quickly this year.  And I'm currently working on two different ones.  Will need to hustle after these are done to get the next one though, or figure out the best place to start selling some of the quilts that I've already finished.  Either that or actually work on the scrub tops that are sitting here waiting for me to get them sewn up!

At any rate, to help grow my designing skills I've accepted a chance to be one of the quilters/bloggers designing a row for the Christmas Caroling Row Along Blog Hop that will take place starting on September 5th this year.  All rows will be centered around Christmas Carols.  The song that I'll be designing a row for is "We Three Kings of Orient Are".     I 'm looking forward to designing my row and I've already mentally designing it....just need to get out paper and pencil and start sketching it out.  =)

Gratitudes:

1. Being offered the chance to design a row for the blog hop

2. Fro friends who encourage me in my designing and quilting

New Pattern

Another pattern has been added to Craftsy.

This one was designed in memory of the Siamese cat that my family had for 20+ years.

It can be found here.

Gratitudes:
1. That I'm able to design quilt blocks.

2. The severe thunderstorm didn't hit on my way home from work.

Progress this week

Lots of things in progress this week, but no new pictures at the moment.

The first seven of the origami swan blocks have been stitched down.  And I'm about halfway through ironing on Wonder-Under onto the backside of the 30 or pairs of fabrics I've pulled for origami swan blocks.  Will finish off the fusing tonight.  Next up is to finish pulling the fabrics for the remaining blocks and for block backgrounds.  Then I'll start assembling the blocks.

More fabrics need to be chosen for the remaining teddy bear blocks that I need to make - 2 for the commissioned quilt and 4 sample blocks for the BOM (will be bonus blocks for it).  I'm also hoping to get the final 8 setting blocks started for the quilt as well this coming weekend.

I also plan to continue to work some with the new machine and practice with it so that I can use it to stitch my butterfly blocks.

Gratitudes:

1. That the changes I've made and continue to make in my diet are having positive changes in my health and that continued weight loss is one of the positives.

2. That there are resources out there for dealing with and potentially healing thyroid issues naturally.

"New" Patterns Added to Craftsy

I've added a couple of free patterns to Craftsy.   These have been on my website  and were in dire need of updating and new sample blocks.   They can be found here.

Gratitudes:

1. For being able to avoid driving in the severe thunderstorm last night on the way home

2. For friends, new and old, and the blessings that I have as a result of my friendship with them.

Origami Swan Commissioned Quilt Underway

And this commissioned quilt is officially underway.  Seven blocks have been fused and I've pulled fabric combos for 16 more blocks.  All fabric used so far for the swans comes from the bag of prefused fabrics that I have as part of my scraps.

Still need to iron the wonder-under onto the fabrics before I can cut the sections out for more blocks.   I need 42 blocks for the finished quilt so there will be a lot more to go.

Gratitudes:

1. A possibility of finding a doc willing to do the digging needed to deal with long-standing issues, even if he's 45 miles away from where I live.

2. No storm damage here at the house today.

A Quilt for Me.......

Every once in a blue moon I actually make something for me, something that I won't consider selling.  And this new project is one of those projects.   39 years or so ago I inherited some wonderful hankies from my paternal Grandmother.  In the years since then they moved around with me lots of times and to multiple states, but I've never decided what to do with them......until this year.  I finally decided that it is time for me to make something for myself, while working on other paying projects or donations.

So I will be making a hankie butterfly quilt for myself.  At this point I'm thinking it will be 9 blocks, plus a border of some sort.   The first block is pinned and ready for me to stitch the hankie down.  I still haven't decided if that will be by machine buttonhole, or by hand.

I've pulled 12 hankies out to work from (have  a few more plain ones),

The one at the bottom right is actually a little towel, so it won't work as a butterfly.   I'm thinking of doing something along the lines of this hankie dress block or this second hankie dress block.  

I might even end up making dress blocks out of the two with the crocheted sections on the corners.  Or maybe I'll do something different with them.....still to be decided.

The pics to the side and below show close ups of the hankies I've pulled out to work with.

Gratitudes:
1. For the loving Grandparents on both sides of the family that I was blessed to know growing up.

2. For all of my family and those friends who are like family to me, near and far.

Weekend Doings So Far............

Started my weekend sewing on Friday by making a couple of sample blocks for old patterns that I'm updating and will be uploading to Craftsy.   Both of these are angel blocks and the patterns hopefully will be up before Monday.

After the angels were finished, then I made two more appliqued bear blocks for the commissioned teddy bear quilt.  Just need three more for it and I'll be down to only needing to make 8 more setting blocks before that quilt is ready to start assembling.

I've also managed to get the templates made for the second commissioned quilt that I'm working on at this time - 42 origami swan blocks to make, all from scraps and my stash.   Love working on quilts like that.

Next up for today is finishing up the prep work for my taxes.   I got behind on my spreadsheets this past year and now I'm trying to play catch up with them to get my taxes finished up.

Gratitudes:

1. I survived (well my job at any rate) the re-org at work and am still employed.

2.  For the friends who encourage me through out the week.