Blocks 3 & 4 of 100

Week 2 blocks of Tea's Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Sew Along.

I have a bunch of fabrics left from making this quilt and I have lots of fat quarters that I have put in a bin to use up in my 100 blocks. I'm wondering if I can make all the blocks without buying a single piece of fabric. Of course I can! It will be easy.....she says now.

So far, with my 4 completed blocks, I have ideas for 3 quilts. Maybe I should write myself a note and put it in the bin, just in case....

Block Frenzy Continues

Blocks 21 and 22
This pinwheel block was fun to make. Quick and easy. The cow print block was supposed to me a redwork embroidery block but I am not in the mood for embroidery so I got out my farm print box and found this fun print. I think it is going to help make the baby quilt I have planned just a little more fun. Thanks Tea for picking these blocks for Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks sew along.

Moose On The Porch Layer Cake Quilt Along
These are blocks 5 and 6 for Moose on the Porch Layer Cake Quilt Along. I am having a hard time with this quilt along because I am using up some older batik fabrics that I don't really care for. But they are in my stash and I am going to use them up! I got these 2 done just in time as block 7 is posted today. :0) When all the blocks were put on the design wall, I kind of liked them so I will continue until the quilt along is over.

BOM Quilt Addicts


The block on the bottom right is the block that started this block frenzy I am on. It's January's block for Yahoo group BOM-Quilt Addicts. I am using a fat quarter pack that I got for Christmas a few years ago for all these blocks. I even have the setting designed already. I should probably print it out and put it with the blocks. You know~~~~just in case I forget what I want and where I put it......there are still 7 months to go!!!

I amaze myself with how much I can get done when Ernie is watching something on tv (football) that I could care less about. So I go to my hidie hole and sew a block, come out and do something, then back into my room to make another block. Of course all the while, I am listening to an audio book that I have become so addicted to.

More Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks

Blocks 17 and 18 of 100
These were fun to make. I am really enjoying machine applique. Even thought the block on the left was quite fiddly and the center of the snowflake bothers me but not enough to take it out and replace it.

Blocks 19 and 20 of 100
And needle turn applique is not going to happen so I machine embroidered the house block also. I love the star block and have marked that design to use in a table runner one day.

It's hard to believe we have made 20+ blocks already! Check out Teaquilts blog to see who else is doing this challenge.

Saturday Happenings

We didn't start Saturday off very good around here. Both of us woke up with the nasty flu. Poor Ernie has it really bad, I just feel like I've been run over by a truck. He crashed on the couch with his quilts, dogs and remotes, I hid in my sewing room. He napped and watched tv, I sewed and sewed and sewed. (He says knee replacement is easier than this darn flu!)

Last night I started Quiltville's newest mystery-Roll, Roll, Cotton Boll. I finished step 1 this morning. I needed to make 172 units, I made 188, just in case. Either I need to make a trip to the quilt store for more fabric for the remaining steps or I need to rethink my color choices. There is a downside to using up your stash, I think that's a downside. I have a few days to figure it out but will probably work with what I have.

Then I started my blocks for Tea's 100 block sew along making the blocks from Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks magazine. I love the flower block but I'm not too sure about the other one. I think it needs more contrast in the center strip and will probably remake that tonight. Or maybe I will take out the center strip and trim it down and add a sashing strip. I'll have to play with it and see.

Edit Sunday morning:
I added the white sashing and I like the block alot better now.


I know I sewed for over a total of 5 hours today because that is how long this audio book is. I had finished making my second block and was almost to the end of this book so I grabbed my little bag of bonus half square triangle/pinwheel blocks and put together this mug rug. The book wasn't quite finished so I found some scraps for a backing and piece of batting and quilted it. I finished the binding just after the book ended. Pretty good timing.

Now I think I'll curl up in my recliner with my quilt and my knitting.

Design Wall Monday

Sunday I went on a block making/finishing frenzy! My Focus on Four list this week included catching up on my 100 Quiltmaker's blocks. Last night I finished up the 5th block and have the 6th block ready to do today. I left the Crapapple block up to inspire me to continue the leader/ender project. The fabric is ready to cut for the paper pieced portion of these blocks while I continue working on the "blossom" part as leaders/enders.

I have plans for all these blocks. So far I have 4 quilts planned out for the 100 blocks. It won't take long to use them all up.

Check here for more design wall posts from Blogland.

Woo Hoo! I Did It!

I think I can use this post to call myself an Over Achiever! Just this once. Then I'm back to my normal ole self.

This photo shows 100 four patches. These are for a swap with my longtime on line group. We are doing a 10 year signature block swap using the hatchet block and these 4 patch blocks will incomplete them nicely. I wasn't going to do the swap. I am trying to get my own things done but I've been with this group since almost the beginning and how could I not participate! Besides, the pictures that someone did in EQ6 look like a pretty awesome quilt. I am such a follower!

So my 4 patches are complete and in the mail to the head swapper. Now I need to finish my hatchet blocks. I have 50 sewn that need signing. I think I will make 100. They need to be complete before September.

The Quiltville mystery quilt is calmly waiting for the next step. I went to town a few days ago and got my replacement fabrics. I got all my hour glass blocks sewn up then started on step 6 which is to make Ohio Star blocks, 16 full size, 16 half size and 4 quarter size. So then I had to be a smarty and start to lay them out. I think this might be the right lay out but I will have to wait and see. Step 7 is supposed to be posted tomorrow. That means I have to get busy tonight. It's a pretty busy looking quilt right now. I don't know if the next step will calm it down or make it harder on the eyes. Either way, I plan to finish it so it can go to my May retreats as a show and tell.

I am cleaning my sewing room again. I worked for a while today putting stuff away and then I decided to to start cutting up the other 2 bags of scraps that have somehow turned into 2 bags and a basket full! I cut strips, squares and some rectangles. Leftovers went into the string basket. I like to make a few string blocks when nothing else will hold my interest. I can get a quilt top done in no time.

What I really want to do is make a doll. Last week at our guild meeting, our guest speaker was elinor peace bailey. She is quite a lady! Now I have the itch to make dolls again. I haven't made a doll in at least 7 years! I think I will trace my pattern tonight. Just to have it ready for when I can "schedule" doll making time into my busy life. HAHAHA!!! Sometimes I make myself laugh out loud.

Edited to say that Bonnie posted Step 7 and yeahaw!, I was right. Ok, I'm done now. I have to put my remaining blocks together and create a masterpiece.

Design Wall Monday

Can you believe this is the final Design Wall Monday of 2010? I am kind of excited for the first Design Wall of 2011 and the excitement it will bring with it. Thank you Judy L of Patchwork Times for hosting DWM each week. Monday is my favorite day in Blogland.

I spent lots of time in my sewing room on Sunday~~~in fact, I spent most of the day in there. It was dark and rainy and we both were ready for a quiet day. And I wanted to sew....I had some catching up to do.

First up was part 6 for the Roll Roll, Cotton Boll Mystery. Usually by now, I can figure out sort of what is going on but not this time! Bonnie has created a true mystery this time.

Then I got out my Moose on the Porch blocks and made block 4. I don't want to be behind when block 5 comes out on Tuesday. Using the batiks in my stash is making for some interesting blocks. I am going to have to buy something for sashing. Maybe a nice black or a dark blue. I'll find something somewhere, sometime.


I'm a bit behind on my Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks sew along over at TeaQuilts. Above is block 9 and


this is block 10, ready for some squaring up of flying geese and half square triangles before the block is sewn together.

It's going to be fun to start 2011 caught up on my sew alongs.

Blocks 15 & 16 of 100

I made time today to work on Tea's Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks sew along.

Design Wall Monday

I haven't worked on Pineapple Crazy since retreat in November. I've thought about it but haven't touched it. Wednesday at sewing group, one of the ladies showed her blocks and that's all it took to get me jazzed up to work on mine again.

I pin my blocks into groups of 10 so I did a quick count and was at 86. I made 4 on Wednesday afternoon. Then on Friday, we drove 2 1/2 hours to the beach for lunch so that evening I made the 5 border blocks. Saturday I made 9 more pineapple blocks and got up Sunday morning and finished block #100!  I am deep into Gilmore Girls on Netflix. I discovered that I can make 1 complete block per episode......don't judge.

I wanted to work on more blocks Sunday but I had to show some restraint and clean my sewing room. Instead of just putting things away, I decided to rearrange things and that lead to organizing and that lead to scrap and strip sorting and that lead to no sewing.  With all the scrap sorting, I bet I have enough little scraps for 4 more of these quilts.

I'm hoping that will change this week.  See what others are up to at Patchwork Times.

Design Wall Monday

I bet you thought I'm was going to tell you I did all 100 units like this one, but I'm not. I only did this one.  I made my Ultimate Scrap Quilt Like Julie's with just this block so making these was easy peasy. I had lots of practice and this little unit was deep into the chain piecing.

All little blocks are finished, only 30 have been pressed and trimmed of their dog ears. I'll get the rest finished sometime today.

I've been doing some scrap management instead of sewing. I have several bins of "scraps" and decided the real estate these bins were taking up was ridiculous and it's time to see what I have. On Monday I babysat the kiddos so I brought out a bin a, iron and ironing board and Go! to the kitchen table and started in. With willing help, we cut lots of 1 1/2" strips for my Scrappy Pineapple Quilt and there are 2" and 2 1/2" strips, a pile of shiny that will go into it's own bin, the bag on the left is for string and crumb blocks and the thin fabric in front of the bag will be foundation for the string blocks.  I have a pile of novelty 3" tumblers and 5" blocks for kid quilts, piano key border pieces left from the last string quilt and small block parts that will be fun to play with. There is also another 2 piles of pieces to big to cut up yet and a larger pile of pressed pieces that need to be cut. Scrap management is a never ending job but when I'm finished with this projects, I think it will be easier to keep up with.

I hope to have the remaining fabric from this bin cut today and all of it put away.  It's a fabric play day around here.  That is after I spend some time visiting around Blogland. I'm linking up with Patchwork Times and Quiltville.

**Note to self:  Must set the timer.

It's Been A Good Day

Ernie is feeling really good and is getting very bored. I don't know how many books he has read or movies he has watched. I don't know how many miles he has walked on the treadmill or miles he has ridden on the bike. I do know that I need that man to find something to do outside the house! So today he took a drive to see his coworkers. Thank goodness!

I love him dearly but I need some Judy time! And this is what I did with my time.....I am caught up on my 100 Quiltmaker blocks. In fact, I am caught up on all my sew/quilt alongs.......

Blocks 9 and 10

Blocks 11 and 12

Blocks 13 and 14

Perfect timing, guess who is driving in the driveway........

Castle Wall Progress

I started sewing my Castle Wall blocks last Wednesday. I'm a tad bit obsessed with them right now. Block 6 is half full of diamonds already. I'm sure it will be finished this morning.  Blocks 7-10 are ready with several more fabrics set aside in bundles waiting to be cut into blocks. Crazy, I know!!

I've been hunkered down in the recliner with the dreadful cold/flu stuff. Not enough energy to do much other than watch Gilmore Girls on Netflix and stitch or nap.  Maybe I'll make a cup of tea or throw a load of clothes in the washer while waiting for the dogs to do their outside business but not much else is getting done.

If I make this full size, I need 56 blocks. At this rate I'll have it finished in no time at all.......that is not going to happen. LOL  Life will get back to normal again soon. I'm feeling better but still not 100%.

You can find great Castle Wall instructions at Mickey Depre's website.  I'm loving her 2015 project too.  So far I'm resisting but I'm weak right now so who knows what might happen.

Caught Up,,,

...Almost! I still have one BOM to do, it's a paper pieced star. I don't know why I'm putting it off. Maybe it's all the prep work. Cutting all the pieces takes time and thought and I'm not up to that right now. ;-)

These are the C blocks from the Pinwheels On Parade Party.
All caught up and ready for the D blocks and sashing.

These are all of my Jelly Roll Sampler blocks from the Moose on the Porch Quilt Along.
I am using strips from a "scrap" bag that I bought last year. None of the strips are a whole width of fabric so I get to play around with the blocks and make some a bit more scrappy.

This is the finished Care Bear top that will get loaded on the long arm next. This is number 2 on my focus on four list. I can't wait to see Clella's face when she sees this. She does love her Care Bears.

Then there is the hexagon quilt-a-long over at jaybird quilts that I have resisted starting but my resistance is dwindling and I think I will start that soon. I have a bin stuffed full of batik strips and this will be a great place to use them. Stay tuned, you know I'm going to show pictures soon!

But if I'm going to meet my stash usage goal of 100 yards by May 1st, I need to get my buns working. I only have 3 1/2 days left to get 'er done!!!

Blocks 7 & 8 of 100

Blocks 7 and 8 of Tea's Quiltmaker's 100 Block Challenge are finally finished. I'm already a week behind but I'm not too worried. I have my fabric picked for the next 2 and will be working on them soon.

I'm not loving the fabrics I picked for the star block. As I sit here and look at this photo, I think I am going to take the star points out and replace them with a nice creamy yellow and leave the center as is. That's my new plan!

I love Mr. Teddy even though he is looking like he has a swollen jaw. :)

Thanks Tea for hosting this.

Photo Play

I wanted to create a collage header for my blog and didn't have a clue how to start. Until yesterday! While cruising through Blogland, I read somewhere and gosh I wish I could remember where, that you can create a collage with Picasa Web Albums. I downloaded the program-free of course-and started playing. Thanks to whoever posted that.

Last night I created the new header and a collage for my computer background full of family faces. This morning I spent some time organizing some folders and created this for my 100 Blocks so far. But really I want to sit here and play--I think I see a chicken collage turned into a poster...........

But now I must get in there and get the next block finished so I can be up to date and work towards being ahead.

Blocks 5 & 6 of 100

Block 5 from Tea's Quiltmaker 100 Block Quilt Along.

Block 6--I love machine applique' and seriously need more practice.

Design Wall Monday

These blocks were made Saturday during my 5 fabulous hour sewing stint. These are blocks 1 and 2 for Tea's Quiltmaker 100 Block sew along. If you don't read Tea's blog, you are missing out on one of the most fabulous quilters in Blogland. The other day I was ready to pack up and move just to join her scrap club. Then I remembered how much stuff I have......

We have a cold snowy week ahead of us so I am planning to stay in as much as I can and keep my sewing machine warm.

Grab something to drink and a snack and visit Judy L and others to see lots of fabulous design walls throughout Blogland.

For Once In My Life...

...I want to be one of those overacheivers! Just once! I tried, honestly I did. I am going to give up. I will no longer strive to be an overacheiver. I'm done. I'm going back to my old ways. Just work on stuff when you want to. Don't try to keep up with the fun mystery quilt that people all over the world are working on. Go ahead, screw up a simple direction by not paying attention to the cutting instructions. It doesn't matter that you have the first 4 steps complete before step 5 is published. Then when it is published, why not mess up on step 5??? When you get done with my way of doing step 5, you'll have 100 quarter square triangles just like mine.

The instructions clearly state to cut your strips 2" wide. Did I see that? NOPE! I have 1 1/2" strips stuck in my brain. So I grab my little pile of already cut light colored strips, cut up the rest of my light fabric, cut up some more of my red and cut my little triangles like a crazy woman. Yip, I will become an overacheiver!

It's a good thing I can get to my Joann's Store in less than 30 minutes. I have to go buy some more fabric. I have been hoarding black and white fat quarters for almost a year. Then Bonnie comes up with this mystery and I want to play along and I want to make my black and white quilt with an accent of one red fabric. Why one red??? Because when I found this cute fabric, I ended up with 4 fat quarters. Why 4??? Because I forget that I have that print in my stash, I like it so I buy another one. Now I am going to Joann's, use my gift card (Thanks Dee) and buy some more red fat quarters (Yes, they still have them, I checked last time I was there.) and some more white/black because I don't have enough any more.

Then I will finsih up my 2" hour glass blocks, bag them together and decide what to use them in. Then I will make my 3" blocks like the intructions clearly state.

I needed another UFO because I only had 28 to begin the year. And maybe, deep down inside my brain, I wanted to make 2 red, black and white quilts. I think I'll buy 5 of those red fat quarters!

Squeezing In An October Post

Wow, I was almost too late to have a post in October. I've noticed alot of my favorite blogs have slowed down posting so I have quit feeling guilty about being a slacker. I will just post when I can and be happy with that.

Since the last post, we took a trip to Arizona to see Crystal, Mike and Mr Elliot. Everyone told me it was going to be hot there. Imagine my surprise when we arrived and it was actually hot! Duh, people! I LOVED IT!!! The only day we saw 100 was on the way to the airport to come home. Got into Portland and it was raining. Enough to make me want to get back on a plane and head south. I plan to head back down the end of January for Mr E's 1st birthday in February. I sure hope it's not Super Bowl themed! (Does this make me a parttime snow bird?)

Mike wasn't able to be there with us after the 1st day so Crystal showed us all the local sites and good eats of Mirana. We took one day and drove south to Seirra Vista to see my friend Pat and her fabulous quilt store, Thimblweed Quilts and left her some of our money. Then after lunch, we headed over to Tombstone. I want to go back there when it isn't so warm (notice I didn't say hot!) so we can do the OK Corral tour. Grampa and Mr E were getting fussy.

Good news is that Crystal and Mr E will be here on Wednesday. We are going to our quilt retreat. We have friends coming from all over the state of Washington. It is held each fall at Royal Ridges Retreat. If you go to their website, you will see why we love it there. We sew with horses right outside our window. Some days there are kids there riding, the meals are homestyle meals and we get to have a slumber party with our girlfriends. Lots of sewing, laughing, eating. Fabulous show and tell. Oh I can't wait.

Blogger is being fussy now about my picutres, so I am going to keep on babbling.

Miss T spent the weekend with me and had a nice new denim skirt. Being Gramma, I took the liberty of deciding it needed some embroidery on it. We added some rhinestones to the flowers and she thinks it's just beautiful. It is pretty darn cute. I love all the embroidery on the jeans and skirts now.

On a quilty note, I haven't been doing much. I made a few blocks for the retreat, have 2 projects cut and ready to sew and I'll take my scraps to work on scrappy string blocks it I have time.

I guess I don't get to upload pictures tonight. So I'll have to try again later.

I have to eat dinner and finish the quilting a friends quilt tonight. We need it for show and tell.

Until next time,
Stay happy.

Stash Report 12.26.10

It's time for the final Stash Report for 2010. I already knew my buying habits weren't too bad...I've been a member a Stashbuster Yahoo Group for years and had already become very aware of what and why I buy fabric. Not to say I don't buy some just because I love it or I want it, because I do. I don't see that changing any! I was very surprised by the actual numbers. I really wanted to make my goal of 100 yards net but that didn't happen and I will not complain because I was gifted with 25 yards of fabulous fabric!! But in my mind..........

Here is my year end report:

Used in 2010: 257 yards
Added in 2010: 175.25 yards
Net Used for 2010: 81.75

I don't plan to continue with the stash report in 2011. I plan to focus on turning quilt tops into quilts. But I will continue to check on my friends in Blogland and see how they are doing by visiting the links at Judy L's on Sunday mornings.......

PS: the photo is of some orphan blocks that I turned into mug rugs for my quilting friends...a simple mug rug and a jar of hot cocoa mix made great little gifts!!