One Block

Apparently I am slowing down on my blogging.  I have been hard pressed over the last few weeks to get more than 2 blogs a week.  I was trying to figure out why I didn't have more to say.  I have no idea!  After reading blogs on Google Reader I thought I should post a little bit.  


My rational for blogging is folks like pictures.  I often read complete blogs but sometimes I just enjoy the photos.  It's a great way to get ideas -- designs, colors, projects.  Sometimes I see new products I would like to own. (Hey, I'm a ruler junkie!)  Sometimes I see a quilting design that I would love to have the panto.  And, honestly, I forget a good 75% of the stuff I see.  Sigh.  But it is fun to look at lots of blogs.  And save patterns and tutorials.  Who knows if I will ever make any of them although I have made a few.   


It's my turn to request blocks from my FCQ Equilters group.  I just was up in December and haven't done anything with those blocks yet.  How could I come up with another block so soon.  So, I procrastinated (I'm good at that!) but finally came up with Attic Windows.  No, not the one you are thinking of but the one here at my friend Marge's web site, Delaware Quilts.  But I couldn't ask for it until I tried it my self. My request is red, white and blue.  I'll either make a quilt for a state-wide initiative to make quilts for families of fallen warriors in Virginia or a Quilt of Valor quilt. Time will tell.




I've been working on Ruthie and as of late she is being ornery.  I am trying to finish a quilt so I can load a charity quilt that needs to go to guild tomorrow.  Let's hope she's in a better mood today! If not I'll do some piecing. 


Happy Quilting all!  




  

For You Marge!

Marge and I have been chatting a bit . . .  not much really important just the day-to-day things.  She's leading a retreat in Lancaster County now so she may not see this right away but ... I dedicate this post to Marge. You can visit her web site here.   


She replied to some smart aleck comment I made about not really working on the Million Pieces Quilt. Her comment was "Sooner or later you have to finish the million piece quilt, I have another similar one to show you, LOL!"  ARGH.  Something new with a million pieces? Hum, that could bust a lot of fabric. Bring it on Marge and congratulations, you've inspired me to actually work on the borders. 


I think it is because it is hard to measure and cut accurately that I put off working on the borders of a big quilt.  I originally planned to add a smaller inner border and bigger outer border.  But I need to get at least 13" for the drop so I wasn't sure about the bigger border.  Here's what EQ and Pieced Borders the Complete Resource (by Marsha McCloskey and Judy Martin) and I came up with. 

First, you have to ignore the yellow sunflower fabric.  It is the ironing board cover. I tried to crop it out as much as possible.  The deep gold fabric is the first border actually sewn on.  And, yes it is two different sizes so that the next border would fit correctly.  I am not liking the brighter, more colorful blocks -- they detract too much.  The fabric at the back is the next border.  I think I will make some sample half square triangle blocks using the gold and then more mottled fabrics.  I think these whites are pretty stark. (Hey, I had some blocks ready made in my stash and it was worth a try!) And, by the way the red beyond the other border piece is the wall!  


And, I'll try with just the back fabric as a border.  I was trying to give it some more interest without putting a 10" border on.  We'll see what transpires. 


Today is an out and about day.  The Bernina is finished with her spa treatment so I will pick her up. I'm also going to the local Country Curtains store to see about some curtains for the living room and the dining room.  There are rods already there so all I need to do is find some curtains to go on them.  And, no, I really don't do curtains much.  

Yikes, it is time to actually get out and about.  I don't want to be driving in Friday evening traffic.  (but Richmond is so much easier traffic wise than the DC area!) 


And, here's a new pic of Sophia snoozing away in her crib.  Isn't she the cutest burrito you've ever seen?  (well, ok, I'm only slightly prejudiced!) 


Happy Quilting All! 

I've Done It Now!

I like the wider designs now available for Blogger and decided I would redesign my blog a bit.  Hey, I'm somewhat bored -- in a waiting mode (hurry up little grand baby -- I'm sure mommy and daddy would love to have you visit in person...).  But when I made the changes I lost my counter.  ARGH... I love my counter, I wish I had copied my counter... help!  Anyone know how I can gather my info back?  (heck, does anyone remember the "name brand" of my counter -- I sure don't!) 

Here's what I've been working on.  You've seen the blue and yellow quilt before. The little Amish quilt was purchased as a top.  It languished in my studio for YEARS before I thought about using it for the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative.  How to finish it -- I found an old purple solid that went well and used it on the front and the back.  (Question -- hum, that old purple was from a log cabin quilt I made in a class with Eleanor Burns probably in 1982 -- it seemed like it was still in good shape and didn't fall apart while quilting.)  I used a cotton variegated thread in a shell pattern and then a square inside the center square of the shoefly blocks.  Finished it up in time to ship to Marge at Delaware Quilts for her challenge.  Printed out the registration form and started reading it... # 1 was quilts must be no larger than 9" x 12" (not even a little bit) ...  OOPS -- the Amish Shoefly came out 9 1/4" square.  Rats.  So the little blue one got sent along to Marge, Registration Goddess, and then will be sent on to AAQI.  

So, what to do with a 9 1/4" square quilt with a label indicating it came from the Delaware Quilts challenge.  Except, in reading Marge's yahoo groups I'm not the only one with a bigger than required quilt.  And, Marge's answer was send them along as they will be used.  Rats.  It's here on the counter.  So after I get a few more done I'll send it along.  


I am really impressed with the new blogger editor.  It is SO much easier to put photos where I want them.  I love the wider layout.  But, where, oh where did my counter go? Sigh. 




We are still on baby alert. Jen's doctor doesn't think she'll go another week (and that was as of TUESDAY.)  I'll keep you posted!  


Happy Quilting All!