Civil War BOM Blocks To Date

I was tempted into doing the Civil War Block of the Week by Barbara Brackman by a good friend of mind. And so far I've managed to stay up-to-date on this BOM....but that is only because I made 3 blocks last weekend, and the last 2 this weekend.....lol. You'd think that it wouldn't be hard to make one block a week....but these blocks are only 8 inches finished in size and a 9-patch block just doesn't do that number evenly so there are lots of fiddly cuts and odd numbers. These are coming out 1 block a week, so there are 42 more blocks to make before I really think about setting them in some way.

I'm using up bits and pieces of CW fabrics that I've had leftover from two CW block swaps in the blocks. And then filling in with fabrics from FQ's where I need to. I like how the blocks have turned out so far...except for onef the first ones (middle block, left column). And that one I like the block...but not fond of the fabrics that I choose because they were too close in value so the pattern is lost. Haven't decided to redo or not. And there was one block that ended up about a 1/4" too big despite my best efforts....but I think I've figured out how to set these so that I can still use that block and not have to remake it.

Gratitudes:
1. Great grades on the latest two tests
2. Heating bill should go down now that the other two apts in this house are occupied.

Newest block and this week's doings....

Finished up another batik beauty block, this is number 11. Have enough orange scraps to do one more block with them and then that color may be gone.....or I may end up finishing them off in a quilted postcard....The half sq triangles used in this block were leftover from one of the earlier blocks that I made. Am really trying to not end up putting more scraps into the bags as I empty them. After I finish using up the orange scraps, will work with the yellow and gold that I've got so that I can totally empty the baggie they've been in. =)

Will be working more blocks this weekend at the retreat in WI with some good friends from one of my quilt lists that I'm headed to Thursday. Am looking to the time with them. Will have lots of other projects there with me tho to work on as well. Am taking a number of Christmas gifts with me to get finished as well.

Unfortunately my sewing time will be moderated some by homework 'cause I've got reading that I need to take with me to work on and research for my next paper that needs to be done.

And hopefully by the time I get home on Sunday the heating and fan for the heating will actually be working...both of which aren't at this time. And hopefully the broken windows will have been replaced......Not holding my breath because I've been trying to get hte windows replaced by the prop. mgnt company for over a month and they still aren't done

Gratitudes:
1. For plenty of warm quilts with the heater in my apt not working

2. For the registration process of the student version CAD software finally working tonite after 2 weeks of trying to do it.

More blocks and an 'experiment'

Finished up three more batik beauty blocks. And in doing so made a dent in the small orange batik scraps that I've been saving. These blocks are numbers 8, 9, and 10 so far....with a lot more scraps remaining to be used. And after making these three blocks, the even teenier scraps inspired me to try making some snippet postcards..... Still need to finish them, but I think they turned out cute. =) And having made them, means I have almost no scraps in the trash. I can deal with that. Have another 6 or so blocks designed, but need to get more done because I've got way more scraps than those six patterns will use. Am beginning to wonder how big this quilt will end up being......

Gratitudes -
1. Found my work shoes....albeit after buying another pair at Goodwill.
2. The wonderful cool fall weather and the retreat next week!

Latest Blocks

I've finished up four more batik blocks this week. Used all of the brown itty-bitty scraps that I had been saving. =) One color down, six more colors to go. =) About time to start designing more blocks ....... Pics of the latest ones are below.

Gratitudes -

1. School is going well.
2. Have started back to work at Joann's....now only if corporate would cooperate....

Another batik lovely finished

Finished up another block this afternoon from my itty-bitty batik scraps. This one is in purples. =) Still have enough purple for another block. Made one oops in this block, but am not going to go back and fix the goof. Now to decide what block to make with them.....

Gratitudes -

1. The wonderful fall weather we are having out here.
2. For the provision of the wonderfully lg apt I'm living in out here.

Completed House Block

One of the online groups that I'm in is making a quilt made of house blocks as a gift for someone. And I was finally able to get my block finished last nite. I love how my block turned out and am looking forward to seeing the finished quilt!

Gratitudes -

1. I passed the reading and math sections of the Praxis 1 test with good scores.

2. The score on the writing section should be back within a couple of weeks.

Fav Fabric swap....

Love taking part in Fav Fabric swaps. They are a great way to get back blocks for a sampler quilt all made with a common focus fabric without having to make them all yourself. I finished up two of the last three blocks that I need to make for the current one that I'm in this afternoon. Will mail them out tomorrow. Picture of the blocks is to the side.

Now back to the task of finishing up the set of 8 quilted wallhangings that I'm working on finishing up. 2 down and 6 more to finish. Once done they will go to back to church to be given to the kids who made the blocks.

Gratitudes -
1. Travel last weekend to Phoenix went well.
2. Interview for the Phoenix Teaching Fellows program went ok.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone!

There is a train of thought that says what you do on New Years Day is what you'll do through out the entire year..........so I sewed to my hearts content and finished off the swap blocks I owe for two different swaps that I'm in. I'm not superstitious, but what can I say - I don't want to be looking for a job for all of this year after 2009! You can see pics of the Lotto and Fav Fabric blocks I made below -

Gratitudes:
1. For the safe travels back from Phoenix last week.

2. For the unexpected visit to urgent care this week being affordable.

Molly's lotto block

I'm in a monthly block exchange with a group of friends. And love making the blocks because the blocks always stretch me in some way and help me to grow as a quilter. This month's block is for Molly and she sent out civil war fabrics to everyone, along with different block pattern. She sent me the Swamp Angel Block pattern and plenty of fabric for it. =) Finished it up last nite and will get it in the mail today tomorrow.

And I received a block yesterday that was made for me by Cap'n Nancy. Thanks Nancy for the great block! Love how the block turned out - esp. since I had no clue what to do with the set of Fq's that were the starting point for the blocks made for me this year. =) Am looking forward to seeing the rest of the blocks and thinking about what I want to do for alternate blocks.

Gratitudes -

1. For the room that I'm renting and the room I have to sew there.

2. For the the way that God will continue to lead me as I consider going into teaching.