Crazy Quilt Journal Project 2012

I haven't been posting lately because I've been working on a few projects, most recently cutting backing and batting squares to work the "quilt as you go" technique on my Dear Jane blocks.  I've also been working on my Crazy Quilt Lapquilt/Throw which keeps me out of trouble (lol).

At any rate, I've been accepted to work on the Crazy Quilt Journal Project 2012 and I'm beyond tickled pink!  Each month I am to make a minimum size 6"x6" crazy quilt block.  I will be learning from all the other participants as I'm fairly new to hand-embroidery but find it so darned relaxing.

So I'm working on several projects:  Dear Jane, Dutch Treat, finishing up my Sylvia's Bridal Sampler quilt and now the Crazy Quilt Journal Project 2012.  I've decided to put down the Civil War Bride Quilt as everytime I start a block something ALWAYS seems to require my attention and I find myself getting more than a little upset about it.

I will post/attach buttons to my sidebar once I figure out exactly how to do that.

Until next time...Sew On!

Janiac's Unite

I've been invited to participate in a blog devoted to Dear Jane Blocks.  I had been thinking about picking that project up again and making the blocks using only Patrick Lose fabrics, then I finished making a laprobe in CW Repro fabrics and now I'm planning on a third quilt!

The new blog "Janiac's Unite" is just the thing to keep me motivated and also to encourage others but mostly I can't wait for the eye-candy!

Today I finished five blocks, I'm so excited!  I have a renewed interest in this project and looking forward to restarting the Journey.

B2

B3

C9

D3

G13

Until next time, Sew On!

Long Time No Post

I just realize I haven't posted in quite awhile.

Let's see, we had a death in the family, dealt with an Earthquake and most recently we endured (and survived) Hurricane Irene.

I haven't gotten much sewing done as I've been hooked reading on my Kindle and I've started knitting a sweater.

I should really start sewing SOON, will post pictures later.

Obsession?

While watching a high profile court case (no comment on the what was testified by whom or the outcome) I ordered a book.  I've been admiring one particular pattern from the blog Quilting in Oz ("Dutch Treat") and just HAD to have it.  I've been teaching myself needleturn applique with "The Civil War Bride Quilt" and now reverse applique with "Dutch Treat".  It's a challange because the little treasures of blocks finish at a mere 4" but they're so much fun to do!  I was using pencil lines but now I've started using "The Fine Line" water erasable marking pen, works like a charm!

I've completed 2 TCWBQ blocks and 9 DT blocks (8 photographed).  Saturday when I went to The Yankee Quilter in Oxford, CT for our monthly Party with Patrick get-together the gals liked those blocks I took for show and tell.  I also finished another Rose of Sharon (Roses of Remembrance) block I call Kendra's Angel.  My cousin lost her teenage daughter (physical age 13, emotional age 9) and she loved the colors black and pink and she adored angels.  I will present her with the mini-quilt the next time I see her.

Until next time...sew on!

Been Busy!

I've been really busy since my last post.  Working bootdrives for our area volunteer fire departments, participating in parades, being a housewife and doing all those chores, helping hubby build a gazebo and becoming addicted to the Kindle I received as a birthday gift.  I've also been reading "tons" of blogs, everyone is so creative and talented out there each and everyone inspires me (and keeps me from sewing - lol)!

I also started "The Civil War Bride Quilt" and finished my first ever totally hand applique using the needleturn method.  The block isn't perfect but that's okay; there are nineteen other blocks to sharpen my skills.  I chose to start with block #5 as my first block and left off the butterfly for now as I want to get started on another block.

For the Bride block (block # 3) I was thinking of printing a picture of my hubby and I on our wedding day on fabric and having the flowers and such surround us in such a way that everything blends seamlessly.

Until next time, sew on!

Busy!

I haven’t been posting much because I’ve been addicted to reading everyone else’s blogs!  I got totally hooked on “The Civil War Bride Quilt” blog (http://thecivilwarbridequilt.blogspot.com/) and just HAD to order the pattern the beginning of this week from Australia (God bless hubby and his patience with me).  Everyone’s blocks look so amazing, we don’t have a “Bridal Quilt” and hubby is a history buff so this seems like the perfect project. 

I will be making lots of bias stems very soon as I’ve noticed most of the twenty (20) blocks have bias stems somewhere in them, not including the borders.  I’m not sure if I want to use up my Reproduction Civil War fabrics, Thimbleberries fabrics, Batik fabrics or just a hodgepodge of a basic “feel” of fabrics that are suitable for each block on an individual basis.  I know I’m most likely going to use the needle turn appliqué method.

I’ve started another Dear Jane quilt using only Patrick Lose fabrics and the colors are so bright, crisp and beautiful; it’s going to be one of the brightest quilts I’ve ever made.  The blog:  http://thatquilt.blogspot.com/ has helped me immensely in constructing some of the blocks and it also is another “eye candy” blog that I’m addicted to reading and learning from.

I’m turning our spare bedroom into a sewing studio of sorts and as a “Messy” hate to admit that room was a disaster area.  On the successful side:  I knew there was a bed in there somewhere (lol).  I have a hope chest from my mother I inherited that will be used for an ironing and cutting surface and there’s a really small table next to it that faces our backyard I will likely use as my sewing table.  When I’m not sewing I can remove the cutting and ironing mats and put everything away so the top of the chest is totally cleared off.  I don’t have a design wall, yet.   Instead I bought one of those corrugated tri-fold presentation boards (about $1.00) and stapled some batting to the front.  I eventually will hang a decorative curtain rod and hang the batting on it and when not in use roll the batting up.  I think my hubby can make a pulley system for me.  I really want that room to be my personal refuge and a place where creativity and inspiration reign supreme.  Besides, some days all I want to do is escape from everyone “needing” me on one level or another and wearing me out.

In terms of feel I’d like the room to have I’m totally stuck and clueless.  I like the shabby-chic look but also Bohemian appeals to me as does Country and Victorian.  We very rarely have anyone stay overnight so I have free-reign in decorating but I’ve never been much of a decorator.

Last week we took our female Dalmatian in for her shots and check up and for some help in dealing with her skin condition.  The labs came back and they're all okay so far.  There was nothing major but still...she’s uncomfortable and that makes me unhappy.  She is on a regimen of medications and medicated baths.  I really don’t know how moms of human kids keep themselves together and how they cope.

FNSI

FNSI (Friday Night Sew In), there are 188 of us participating.  I’m so excited to have joined this project via Heidi at Handmade by Heidi (http://handmadebyheidi.blogspot.com/2011/04/april-friday-night-sew-in-signups-are.html)  It’s going to be really nice to actually finish projects and making new friends.  Already we have things in common.