What Inspires Me...

I see a lot of things I like...and that I would like to make, but not all of them truly inspire me.  This, on the other hand...definitely does.  This quilt is made up of churn dash and monkey wrench blocks...

as well as plenty of half-square triangles.  Isn't it fabulous?  (I apologize...I never noted where I saw the photo so am unable to give credit to the person who made it.)  What I love about this quilt is that there is a method to its madness, yet it looks so random.  It so inspired me that when I belonged to the Bee Addicted 3 block swap two years ago, churn dash and monkey wrench blocks were what I asked for.  Alas, those blocks are still waiting to be worked with.  I think at the time it seemed like such a huge project.  Perhaps I'll get to it this year.

Take a look at these churn dash quilts made by Erin of Why Not Sew?.  She stitched one by hand and one by machine...

Be sure to click on the photo to enlarge it.  I love her use of fabrics...these small quilts look so old and soft and already loved.  Don't you think?

You may remember that our first block in the hand-pieced quiltalong, with Erin of Why Not Sew?  was the churn dash block.  Here's mine...

Last but not least, my latest inspiration...this small quilt I saw at Purl Bee.

They call it Masking Tape Quilt...because of the way the little square blocks of fabric look.  I think it is dang cute.

Wondering where all of this is leading?  Why, to this little churn dash quilt I am working on.  All the blocks are pieced...and this is about as random as I get.  And, yet, there is some kind of order to it.  The top is finished...I would love to have it completely done before Sunday night comes.

What inspires you?

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Regaining Self...

At last.  I have some energy!  The pneumonia cleared within 2 weeks, but the fatigue has been making me crazy...it's been a long time regaining my energy/stamina.  After 5 weeks, I am finally feeling more like my (old) self again. 

Today is craft day.  Lots of projects to catch up on.

I've been very undecided about how to quilt the 2 dqs9 quilts I am making.  Made a decision this a.m....on one of them, anyway.  I stitched in the ditch around the center blocks and around the black borders.  Then, I quilted straight lines on all 4 sides of the green border.  Still need to bind it...will use Half Moon Spots (black with white spots).  Here's how it looks thus far.  It makes me smile.

Got my August Bee Addicted 3 blocks done for Liz.  She wanted square in a square blocks.  With only her fabric...Route 66 & solids.  I messed up on this one...measure twice, cut once?  Oh, okay.  Next time, for sure!  Wanted to do blue all the way around.  Well, Liz can change it out if she wants.  

 

Must keep on truckin'. 

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

All Done.

I had a nice quiet day at home...got a few more sewing projects done and out of the way.  Feels good!

For this month's Bee Addicted 3 swap, Nichol wanted log cabin type blocks.  She sent a lot of different fabrics, and we were free to add from our own stash.  I ended up adding 2 pieces of mine.

I made this dotted tote and will probably give it to Kaylynn.  It's about 10" square with a long enough strap to go diagonally across the body.  I thought she could keep her doll clothes in it (that I am going to make soon).  Dots...what could be more fun?

That's it for today.  I'm going to sit and do nothing but watch tv.  Back to work tomorrow. 

Sunday

April is my month for the Bee Addicted 3 block swap.  Here's how it works...there are 12 of us in the swap...each one has a specific month.  When it's time for your month, you send out fabric and notes on what type of blocks you'd like everyone to make.  So far, we've had circles on squares, wonky quarter log cabins, improv blocks (twice) and wonky houses.  I am going for something traditional.  I'll be sending enough fabric for the 11 gals to make 2 blocks each...one Shoo Fly and one Monkey Wrench block.  The piecing together of this quilt will  be quite far from traditional, though.  Just wait...I think you'll love it...it'll be awesome.  Promise.

Here is the fabric...I showed these last fall when I purchased them from the prim quilt shop that I love, JJ Stitches.  (Kelley...you can look...and I'm thinkin' you'll be smiling.)

Here are the packets all ready to send out.  Need to write out notes and they'll be ready to go. 

It's a fun group to belong to...9 of us live in the U.S., 1 is in Australia, 1 is in England, and 1 is in Canada.  Belonging to a swap is giving me experience making different kinds of blocks and I'm having a great time with them!  Can't wait to see the quilts made from all the blocks we've been putting together!

There's not much sewing going on around here these days.  My house is in complete chaos...there is more painting to be done.  By the landlords.  

My son will be coming this week to pick up several pieces of furniture from me...things I no longer need.  I'm trying to declutter/simplify in preparation for my move.  Once he's  got those pieces out of here, I'll be able to move things around a bit and get everything back together.

I have "The Bone Collector" movie here.  I saw the movie years ago when it first came out - and read the book - but I just felt the need to see Denzel again.  I want to sit in my big easy chair with my feet up on the ottoman and eat popcorn while I enjoy watching Denzel.  I really hope to do this later today.  

Have a good Sunday!

Fabric Shopping...

Had to pick up a few pieces of fabric.

Some of it is to finish out what is needed.

Some of it is for new plans.

Some of it was on sale.

Some of it was 'simply irresitible'.

Like this one...so fun!

See the photo below for all the fabrics in the collection.

 

 

These two pieces are for my Bee Addicted 3 block swap.

My month is April.

I needed a few more neutrals.

I found the perfect backing fabric for the pinwheel quilt!

So soft and feminine like the other fabrics.

 I won 24 pinwheels & 5 fat quarters from Cathy of

Quilting on Turtle Hill.

A friend from work asked me if I'd be willing to donate a quilt 

for her son's school fundraiser.

Sure.  Why not?

This will be it.

It's due March 15, so I should get started, hey?

I finally have all the fabric for my son's wedding quilt.

This fabric is awesome! 

I had a plan when I bought it.

But, I changed my mind.

I now have a better plan.

 

(Don't be surprised when I show more fabric on Monday.

I need to pick up the rest of the fabric for my whirlygig quilt...

and my lqs offers a 20% discount on Mondays.)

pssst...this is post 499.

Snow Day...

I am taking full advantage of the snow day

and getting caught up on my sewing.

All the sewing I did for Christmas

gifts really threw me off my schedule.

For my Bee Addicted 3 Swap,

November was Katrina's month...

she asked for 15 1/2" wonky quarter log cabin blocks

& sent 2 colors for us to use.

These are so much fun to do.

We skipped December, thank goodness.

January is Jenny's month.

She asked for modern blocks...

I got 5 out of the fabric she sent.

Love this fabric! 

Pretty happy with the blocks, too.

Must go...more to sew!

Small Projects.

Hanging out...
reading, watching a movie,
& working on small projects today.

Here's the September Pioneer Sampler quilt BOM block.

Here are the wonky stars I made for
Brioni of my Bee Addicted 3 block swap.
They were fun.

Cannot wait to see what we'll get this next month!

Block Party!

Nothing but blocks today...so far, anyway.

Here is my first block for the Bee Addicted 3 group. A wonky house in a forest clearing.

This quilting bee is so much fun already and we're just in the first month. Here's how it works: There are 12 members in this bee...it started this month and goes for 12 months. Each of us chose a month. At the beginning of each month, everyone (whose month it is not) gets a package (from the one whose month it is) with fabric and instructions on what that person wants. For example, September is Becca's month. She sent many different fabric scraps and stated that she wanted wonky houses and/or trees. We are to make one or more blocks. By the end of this month, we'll all send our completed block(s) to her and she'll have several blocks, including whatever she made herself. It's going to be a great experience!!!

Did you catch the lady bug in the window...the window with gingham curtains? I thought it was a great idea!!! Makes me smile!!

April 2010 is my month...I'm going to use either the Authentic or Kashmir III collections of fabric. Love them both! Thinking blocks with stars or whirlygigs, but there is lots of time to change my mind.

Also completed my next BOM...this is block 8. I had 2 to do this month and completely messed up the first one. Since I'll only be using 9 of the blocks for a lap size quilt, I will still have 11 to choose from. This block is much prettier in person...and that paisley? It's also a border fabric.

Time for lunch and then back to more sewing. More to show later.