Vote, Please?

Option 5

Option 6

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Option 4

I made 16 blocks and am contemplating a setting for them. I photographed four options, then two more. That's why the numbering (above) is funny. Would you like to tell me which setting you prefer? I'm just curious what YOU would do with these blocks.

This is what is going to happen to this quilt: it will be hand delivered to some baby or child in Panama! In fact, I hope it will make its way to the hospital in which I was born. Yes, I was born in Panama and lived there for 2.5 years. Now someone I know is planning a trip there; I asked if she could take along a quilt or two. I have my fingers crossed that my quilt(s) will end up at the hospital where I took my first breath.

Now whether that alters how you vote, I don't know. Just thought I'd share that story.... so, which design do you like best for this little quilt, for a baby in Panama, for a baby at "my" hospital??

Totally Done!

Wheeeeee! Tonight I finished the last stitch on the last label on the last quilt that's to be hung in the show... in 3 days I will go help get my display started. Final set-up is on Saturday, and the show officially opens next week.

It feels great to get to this point! I am happy I was asked to be a featured quilter, even though it has been more stressful than I anticipated. I worried about what to finish, how many to finish, would they be good enough, and would I get everything done in time. I feel good now and am satisfied it will be an adequate show..pretty quilts that won't embarrass me, and so many UFOs done. I'm proud of myself!

Tonya's advice to make quilts with love and to ignore the Quilt Police helped me a lot. So her quote saying as much is framed and ready to include in the show.

Next week I'll post pictures of the show including the other gorgeous quilts made by the very talented people in my guild. Just wait 'til you see them all!!! (And thanks for listening to my rants about this process.)

Helping the Children

Whenever I'm sewing quilts for kids - quilts that I will give away to various charities - I tell my husband that I am busy "helping the children." This works to explain why I am not busy preparing supper, doing laundry, or otherwise occupied caring for the household. He's a sweet guy and just smiles and then fills in where I'm not pulling my weight.





Here are the two quilts I recently made for the children. I made a third, but I used some high loft, polyester batting that someone gave me. It is sooo hard to work with! And it makes the quilt look all wonky in a bad way. So I'm not showing that picture. My daughter loves the high loft, cushiony look it makes, but it's so hard to work with that I only use it very occasionally when I have run out of the batting that I prefer. I suppose with this lofty stuff I should tie the quilts. That process does not appeal to me in the least. So... meanwhile I have this giant roll of fat polyester batting taking up room in my house.... and a couple weeks ago another woman gave me another roll! Yikes!

I'm just waiting for my next pay check so I can buy some cotton batting again. Then I'll be happy and more productive. What kind of batting do my reader(s) use and prefer?

P.S. You can see on photo #1 above that I am still having issues uploading photos. See the line of color change? This is the best attempt out of 5 to get this photo posted here. I think editing photos (e.g., enhancing colors) contributes to the difficulties in posting photos, but I don't know why, because I have done that forever, and this problem is recent. However, I do seem to have an easier time when I don't edit. But then my pictures don't appear as sharp and colorful. And these two are NOT edited, so why did that first one post so reluctantly?? Frustrating...

Meet Steve

Steve is our new housemate. I bought him at Ikea for only $5. He is poseable and likes to dance and do strange contortions. Steve was getting a little cold, so he was granted his wish of a quilt of his own. (Don't tell him it is still just a flimsy.. it hasn't been quilted, or really even designed, for that matter. He'll never know the difference.)



Steve is so happy to be warm! He'll need this quilt on Wednesday when the high is supposed to be a whopping 4 degrees F (about -17 C).

Cold!

It has been very cold here... well below zero every night and highs barely at or above zero degrees F. Even my dolls are getting cold and have to wrap up in quilts to stay warm.


Luckily we humans warmed up at a surprise party for my sister who is turning 60 tomorrow (Tuesday)! These sparkly candles added to the warm ambiance. Happy Birthday, KP!

My Wonky Neighborhood

I have been working on show quilts and making good progress. So to reward myself I took some time to do something fun. First I made a couple of preemie quilts.. one is completed, one is not.



Then I worked on house blocks. When we have our annual show, we always sponsor a couple of classes for our guild members. I am taking a mystery class to which I need to bring ten blocks, size 6.75" . They are supposed to be all the same, ten of one thing (like ten hearts). Since 6.75" is an unusual size, I decided to make wonky houses for my ten blocks. After a while I started to get the hang of how to size them approximately correct so they could end up at 6.75".



Here are the ten blocks I will take to the mystery class. I decided to be a rebel and bring one that is slightly different - trees - but it still fits into the neighborhood. I am curious as to what the setting will be and how it will work with my wonky houses. The class isn't until Feb 16, so it'll be a while before we all see the result.

In my process of making 6.75" house blocks, I ended up with a couple of them that are too big. I had no idea the falling-down house was going to be in a flood until I got to the end of it. If I had known that, I would have used an ominous-looking sky. Oh, well. I really like it, even without a stormy sky.



I have Monday off and hope to get more sewing done! Maybe I'll post more pictures tomorrow, maybe not. It has been fun to stay put inside my warm house and sew to my heart's content.

A Basket for Darcie

I sent some goodies off to Darcie, and she has received them and seems pleased. I sent her this basket block. I made it and really liked how it turned out, but I'm not crazy about basket quilts in general, so I didn't feel inspired about how to use it. I decided it would be a good blogiversary gift, and I thought Darcie could do something clever with it. I'm glad she likes it! I sent her some fabric and other misc stuff, too.

Has it cooled off in Australia? It's definitely cool here in the upper midwest! Brrrr. Great weekend to stay inside with the fireplace going, and sew, sew, sew (preferably on a binding on a very large quilt so it can sit on your lap and feet while you sew). Right now where I live it is about -8 deg. F (about -23 deg. C), and dipping fast.

A Part-Time Hippie Finds Some Thread

You're Not Exactly a Hippie...

While you're not a hippie, you've got the spirit of one. Like most hippies, you have deep beliefs and unusual interests. You may not buy into hippie fashions, music, or heavy drug use. But at heart, you are a free spirit and suspicious of the status quo.

Are You a Hippie?

I took the Hippie test and find that I'm not a full Hippie, just a sort-of hippie. Sounds about right!



I was in a bathroom at a local college and found this tiny thread. It's probably from someone's travel sewing kit. Thread was splayed out on the counter top, and this was standing there looking all lonely, so I brought it home and used it to make a black binding. Now it's happy because it's doing a good deed and no longer abandoned in the bathroom. The hippie in me wanted to rescue this cute, little spool of thread. The blue one is there just to show how tiny the black one is.

Peace, sister.

Sew Busy

I have been busy... sewing! I'm doing last minute details on quilts I will hang in our show. Bindings, hanging sleeves, labels. I'm tired of bindings! But it feels good to be nearing the end of show preparation.

Meanwhile, I felt like I was doing so well (preparation-wise) for the show that I could take some time to work on fun donation quilts. This is what I really love to do. I finished this house one that you saw in progress.



I finished this fall-colors top that is made from Lotto block winnings. Both of these will be quilted by someone other than moi and then sent on to some kids who need hugs.



I made some Lotto blocks over the weekend. First you see the little 6-inchers I sometimes send to Nancy, the coordinator, as a little gift.



These are the Lotto blocks for January.



This is the February block. I might make more later, but after I got one done I felt like stopping, so I sent it in with January.



Today I put Darcie's little gift in the mail. I hope she likes it!

And by the way, thank you so much for all the visitors and the comments. I love it! I appreciate knowing that people stop by my little blog!

Houses and UFOs

Hooray, it's the weekend! I truly love weekends. We had yummy pizza for supper, and then I treated myself to just having fun at the sewing machine. I was playing with houses ala Tonya. I'm still working on the technique. I'm not crazy about the roof on this one, but I love the window and the chimney.



I like my cute smiley skeleton in the window. I hope he doesn't scare some little kid.


Apparently this is a house in Australia. Looks like the kangaroo is going to crash into the side of the house.


These houses are becoming the last row in a very old UFO. Here's the UFO, patiently waiting for me to finish it. (Oh, what? Already? After only 3 million years? What's the rush?) I made all the blocks except for the cool weeping willow tree. I don't know who made that one. I have been the recipient of many orphan blocks over the years and can't keep track of who made what. I can barely remember my own name most days!



This house didn't make it into this UFO but will definitely get used in another.



I have been slowly whittling away at my UFOs and intend to keep doing so in 2008. I would love to get them down to just a handful. Last time I pulled them all out I didn't even dare count them all. This house UFO will soon be done, and it will go to Wrap a Smile, for a kid getting a new smile after cleft lip surgery.

And yes, I am posting this at 2-something a.m.!

...and the winner is...

Wow, thanks for all the comments! I have drawn a name from all those who left comments. And the winner is........... oh, first I will post a picture or two. Teehee, how's that for forcing you to slog your way through my whole posting?!

Remember a while back I showed you this table runner? I finally got the binding on it (with one or two maladjusted corners, but what's a girl to do?). And I decided to put it and the little basket quilt in the small quilt auction at our store. The show opens on Feb 6 and then anyone who wants to can come bid on our small quilts (as well as enjoy gazing at all the gorgeous quilts in our show)! Come on, folks. One person is coming all the way from California! So can't you hop on a plane, too, and come from Australia, Japan, Norway, Iowa or wherever you happen to be at the moment? I promise our show will be worth it!



I got the binding on this giant quilt that Darcie quilted for me. What a big piece of fabric to be pushing around and through my little machine. But I was happy to get the binding on. It always adds so much to it to get a quilt completely done... all I have left now is a label.



Oh, I almost forgot. The reason I'm showing you this picture of the quilt that Darcie quilted for me... well, yes, to brag that I got the binding done on it. But the other reason is that Darcie won my drawing!!! I get to send her a prize of some kind. So watch out, Darcie. I don't know what it is yet so I can't even tell you that it is something cool. I'll put my thinking cap on and let you know when it's on its merry way.

Thanks for helping me celebrate my two-year Blogiversary!

Help me Celebrate -- a Prize Drawing!

I started my blog two years ago, on January 4, 2006. I can't believe it is two years old already. I've had such fun meeting people from all over the world, learning from very talented quilters, and reading all your blogs. Thanks to everyone who visits and leaves comments.

In celebration of my two year anniversary, I will have a little prize for someone. Leave a comment here by 10 p.m. (central time, USA) on Thursday, Jan 10. I'll draw a name and that person will win something. Right now I have no idea what, but I'll have fun coming up with something special for you, winning person.

*** Happy anniversary to my blog and me! ***

Two Wall Hangings Done!

Done! I'm counting the rainbow wall hanging as done, even though it isn't bound yet. The binding is made, and I hope to get it attached this evening!

The kangaroos project is totally done! Quilted, bound, labeled, and hanging on my dining room wall!

I guess I'm excited as I'm using only exclamation points in these sentences!

Kangaroo-Gazing

I usually think of myself as a utilitarian quilter. I make "normal" quilts and hope they get used on beds and for cuddles. The other day I ran across a pattern (for a wall hanging) and some fabrics I had completely forgotten that I had. I made the wall hanging and just love it! It makes me feel like an artist! The pattern is Frames by Maple Island Quilts, and the fabrics are all from Australia, designed by Aborigine people. I quilted it tonight (Friday) and hope to get it bound tomorrow (Saturday). Here's a photo of it as a flimsy (before quilting)... that's kangaroos in the center piece. I named this quilt Kangaroo-Gazing, because our quilt show theme is Star Gazing. I think it'll really jazz up my display at the quilt show, don't you?!

Bags and More Bags

I spent the day making Christmas gift bags. I have a dozen of them made now! I didn't think I had that many Christmas fabrics, but as I looked through my stash, I found that lots of fabrics qualify. They weren't made specifically for Christmas, but they work great. Next time I make some bags I see I'll have to look for some yellows and golds to add to the mix.

Quilting them was so much fun! I'm starting to feel free to go a little wild with my quilting and see how it turns out. I had a blast experimenting!

On this fabric, for example, I decided to kind of scribble sharp lines up and down in the grid portion and to mimic the sun/star shape in that portion.



Then on this red bag I did more of those sun/star shapes in red. I decided to make one in yellow so it would stand out better. Of course it happened to be my least good example, but I'm trying not to criticize myself.



I've also been playing with this shape in machine quilting... loosely patterned after Tonya's fans that she does by hand, trying to see how I can make them and/or distort/embellish/change them as I play on my machine. This is the quilting I also did on my most recent top (not yet photographed).



So that is what I accomplished today. Tonight I am going to take down the tree! We've had it up since the day after Thanksgiving which was way early for us. We've never set it up that early before, so now I'm ready to have my living room back to normal.

Getting Things Done

I've been busy trying to make sure my quilts will be done in time for the show in Feb. I'm going to be a featured quilter! Not that I'm such a star quilter, but the position makes its rounds through our guild. Guess it's my turn this year. I've had to spend most of this year finishing UFOs so I'll have something to show. Usually I give away most of what I make. It has been quite fun to see my UFOs turning into completed quilts, although I do miss making the kids' quilts.

This brown quilt is one I made a couple of years ago when my son got a new bed. Even had it machine quilted, and then my son started using it and even washed it. I finally got the binding on it tonight. Whew! It feels great to have it done.



I quilted another top today (no picture yet). It's going to be in the show. I've been experimenting with a new style of machine quilting on my domestic machine and am pleased with how it turned out. I'm happy to say that my requirements for perfection have relaxed, and I am content with what I produce even though it may not be perfect, whatever that means. Tonya has helped me learn to ignore the quilt police.

Right after Christmas I started making Christmas gift bags. If I keep plugging away at them through the year, I'll have a decent collection of them by next Christmas. These are my first attempts. I've made plain bags before, but these are quilted! It's kind of like making a bunch of small to medium size tote bags. These are also inspired by Tonya! She has been a great example and teacher to so many of us.



The tag isn't attached yet. It's just sitting there. I've made several tags and am experimenting with style on those, too. It's fun to play!





I have 15 quilts registered for the show. I think that'll be a good number. They range in size from about 8-inches square to queen size. Not all of them are done yet; some are in production at the machine quilter's, some are waiting for binding, and I still have one left that I need to quilt myself. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now, and it feels great. Not that I have completed all my UFOs! I still have many of those to enjoy in the years to come. I'm just feeling relieved that I got done as many as I did and that I think I'll have enough to put on a decent show. I'm sure as the time draws closer I'll be sharing more info and pictures. Stay tuned!

Secret Santa Surprises

I participated in Chooky Blue's Secret Santa Swap, and it was a lot of fun. I got this beautiful bag from Anita in Australia. She also sent some chocolates and a couple of fat quarters.



I sent this wall hanging to Yvonne in Norway. I was so late in getting it done that I didn't add any extras like I meant to... maybe some buttons on Frosty and maybe a smile on his face. I hope Yvonne feels free to add those things herself if she wants to.



This is the picture Yvonne posted of the stuff I sent her. I sent her on a trip to Paris -- well an imaginary trip that she can write about in her book anyway. Who doesn't dream of going to Paris some day?!?



Chooky had all of us trading with a country other than our own home country, which I think was loads of fun. I like to think of all those quilty objects criss-crossing the planet as they moved through the mail to get to the happy recipients. I sent a small white-chocolate-covered pretzel to Yvonne. To my surprise, she said she had never eaten pretzels before! They are a very common snack here in the U.S., so I assumed almost everyone would have tried them. Live and learn!

More Snow

We had a great Christmas... lots of fun company, laughs, and good times. This little guy was the center of attention, understandably. He is the sweetest baby! He is my great-nephew who was a preemie back in late July. He weighed 2 lbs 12 oz at birth. Now he weighs 12 lbs and is doing super! He's very mellow and content.



On Christmas Day as we sat down to eat dinner, a lovely, soft snow began to fall. It was the perfect Christmas mood! It snowed softly all day. My brothers-in-law and husband went out to shovel. This morning this is how a shovel and broom looked, after collecting more snow overnight. During the day and overnight we probably accumulated another six inches of fluffy snow. It is so beautiful outside!



Look... our neighbor is pretending to be in Florida. He has a palm tree in his yard. Do you think it is fooling him... or anyone?

Away in a Manger

This morning we woke up to a winter wonderland... very Christmasy looking, don't you think?



I'm showing you my manger collection. I guess I've never called it a collection before, but I am sort of drawn to manger scene ornaments. These two are with a musical angel that I found at Goodwill for about $2!



The one on the left is something I have had since 1959! I got it in Sunday School when I was 7 years old. Maybe this is the one that got me started "collecting."



This is the creche set that my mother gave me. It was made in the Holy Land. I have added to it over the years. Did you know, for example, that there was a giraffe at Jesus's birth? And an angel (on the right) who knew sign language? She is signing "love." There also was a pine tree glistening with snow. Believe me, they were pretty amazed at that in Bethlehem! They also loved the floor-size quilt that magically appeared in the stable. The animals promise not to poop on the quilt.



This is a fold-out scene that was sent with a Christmas card. The picture is me with our son when he was one day old, 21 short years ago.



Christmas dinner, being enjoyed by a huge woodpecker in our back yard! This is the best picture I could capture of him, and unfortunately it's the one on which I forgot to turn off the flash. He was a little camera shy and didn't want to pose properly for a truly great shot of him.



Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!