Splendid Sampler Block #12

Here is my block #12 for Splendid Sampler.  I love it.  I had to make another one just because I loved it so much.

The Splendid Sampler Block # 10

I love this block.  Love it!  I am trying to think of how I will use it in some other blocks.  The block is  called, "Iowa" and is designed by Sherri McConnell for The Splendid Sampler.  It is block number 10.

If you want to join in on the fun, go to The Splendid Sampler blog.

Hearts A Flutter Block One

I am doing the Splendid Sampler.  Yes, why do I need another quilt project?  Just cause!  Cause I can.

This is what it looked like before I appliqued it.   I decided to use Joan Fords way of appliqueing to give another approach a try. I liked it but I am totally sold on my just learned way that I am currently using.

This is the finished block using Joan Fords technique.

Log Cabin

I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for. ”

- Georgia O'Keeffe

A Square from Vicki

In early January we lost a fellow quilter who was very loved in our group.  It has been very sad. Her best friend, Jan, of Quilting Revolution, shared some leftovers from a quilt she was working on with us at retreat.  We all made the same square together learning a few techniques.

I decided to use it with some Easter stuff I have. Just a little table topper. I figured I would find a piece of binding to sew around the perimeter.  When I returned home from retreat I was sitting in my new sewing room.  Lots of boxes of scraps and stuff that I still have to go through to organize.  This one box kept attracting my attention.  I opened it up and started looking through it.  Didn't I find a perfectly matched strip of 2 1/4 and just enough to go around the Vicki square.  Love it! I felt guided.  Who knows maybe Vicki stopped in for a visit and suggested it to my subconscious mind.  In any case, I am finished with it and am happy with the results.  Just beautiful! A great remembrance of a dear person.

 
I had a great time quilting it.

Before I came from retreat.

Houses, Block by Block

After having signed up for a million 100+ giveaways from Sew Mama Sew, I found Pretty Little Quilts.  She has a nice block of the month, in progress, but towards the beginning and I think I have to join in. It is called Hillside Houses, if you are interested, click here.  Ever since I saw this quilt,

Here is the maker of this quilt above.  So beautiful!

I have been interested in doing something like it.  Since Pretty Little Quilts already designed it, what the heck, I am jumping on this wagon...

This is the general layout of the quilt-




Cute, huh?

Grand Illusion Finale

The last clue was revealed on Bonnie Hunters blog Quiltville's Quips and Snips.  I am spending the day putting it together today.  Woot woot!

So, enough computer- time to sit down at the sewing machine.

 

Grand Illusion Mystery Quilt Part IV

I know I am not the only one cleaning, wrapping presents, baking, cooking, shopping and in general running around like a chicken with my head cut off.  I love it though.  I love every minute of it and am grateful for it all.

But a few stolen moments, mostly because I am too exhausted to do anything else, I find a little time to work on the next part.  I may not have all the parts done but I am getting there.

Grand Illusion Part III

I am getting excited about seeing what the final product will be.  It feels like such a gift.  For me its the perfect time of year for this Mystery Quilt that Bonnie does.  I know its busy.  But who says you have to do the whole thing.  Do a few at each step and then when you have time resume.

I love doing it side by side the people in my Guild and also all the people out there in the Blogosphere.  And it is so fun waiting for Friday for the next Part to be revealed.

Since I am not doing mine totally scrappy this Part was quite a bit easier for me because I was sewing strips together.  Pieing a bunch of 2 inch squares is definitely admirable.  I am quite sure that at least one of the ladies in my guild is doing just that.

If you want to join in on the fun, visit Bonnie Hunter's page, Quiltville's Quips and Snips. The pattern is available until June.

I realized this morning that I never posted my colors before this all began. 

Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt Grand Illusion- Step 2

I know its not scrappy.  As I mentioned before I have yardage that feels neglected.  I am worried about it lacking some interest but I bet, knowing the way Bonnie's quilts look in the end, it will have plenty of interest. I love the colors.  I am excited for the next step.  Pooh pooh all the people complaining on the blog or Facebook.  I am having a blast.

So only two steps have been completed.  If you want to jump in on the fun, head over to Quiltville's Quips and Snips.  Tomorrow is Step #3.  Woot woot.

My piles have grown since this was taken on Saturday.

Retreat Reflection

I went to retreat this past weekend.  I love retreat.  I love hanging out with the girls, being silly, having my meals made for me, people cleaning up my messy dishes, eating their good food, making projects, seeing other peoples projects, getting inspiration and ideas.  Its a blast!

My leaves are coming along.  Not sure what I am going to do with them all.  I love the words.  It will be a whimsical type quilt.

 This was on my drive home.  There a few more that I need to get pics of.

 A beautiful sunset Saturday evening.

 You can sit and watch the sunset on rockers, looking out over the lake!

These are the favors that were made by a wonderful woman in our group; cucumber melon soap, almond lotion bar, lavender bath salts and a bag of "spa" tea.

I had to try my friends jelly.  I had it on a sun dried tomato bagel.  I did not expect it to taste so good.  Nor did I expect to be able to spread cream cheese with a stirrer.

 Aren't these mason jars cute!

What is fall without mums.  It looks like fireworks.

Autumn Leaves

Autumn leaves are falling. Outside and in my sewing room.  I love these leaves.  I am note sure what I will do with them all.  I have considered something similar to the ones below but I am not sure yet.  I will keep you posted.


These leaves are pretty easy to make.  Each square in the 9 patches is 3 inches.  For the stems I start with a 3.5 square and slice it diagonally.  Then for the HST's (half square triangles, I sew two 3.5's together, back ground and leaf color- sewn diagonally on either side of a center seam.  Cut and square up to 3 inches. The stem size is 1 3/4 by 4.5 inches.

TA wall hanging.


 From McCalls- Fluttering Leaves by Bonnie Spencer.

And from Sentimental Quilter-

NY Beauty Beginnings

Here is something I have been obsessed with.  NY Beauty.  Not sure where I am going with it... So many options.

I am looking forward to having some time to complete some unfinished projects.  Some cooler weather when I won't mind turning on my iron. Or to be underneath a quilt, quilting it.  I have a bit of a back up in the tops waiting to be quilted department. 

SWOONING...

I saw this pattern in my magazine actually.  And I have seen it all over the internet. I love it.  I love everyone doing the block together.  I love how everyone's looks.  I had to join in.  I used my own pattern though.  My blocks are 30 inches each.  Big, humongous blocks.  One of my teachers had told me that anything more than 14 inches really isn't a good idea.  Ohhh, contrare.  Love the swoonage!

Craftsy Block of the Month

I went to a Stash Reduction sale last week.  It was an amazing sale.  I bought some really nice stuff at a fraction of the cost it would be to buy it new.  Even bought this nice little hexagon ruler for a buck.  How can you go wrong? One of the fat quarters I bought was this "bones" fabric.  I had to make it for my dog as soon as I got home.  Does she look chic in it or what? My kids went crazy over her when they got home from school.

I am in the Craftsy Block of the Month class with Amy Gibson. The class is free.  I am having a lot of fun with it.  I love these quilt alongs. 

Above and below are January's block of the month (BOM).

 These are February's BOM- half square triangles.  Had a blast with these.

I will show you March when I am done with them. They are  a lot of fun to do as well.