Keeping Busy...

WOW!!!  Can you believe it?  This is my third post this year...in fact, this month!  Wow!!  What is going on with that, hey?

I've a few things to share with you.  Oh, don't get too excited...just more quilts and stuff.  ~grin~

This first one, you should remember well...it is my all-time favorite fabric collection...Kashmir III. Especially cool to me cuz of the song, "Kashmir", by Led Zeppelin.  Just one of those things.

So.  I am slowly getting my quilts quilted...thanks, in large part, to my dear friend, Brenis.  You know, we have been friends for many years, but never met each other until I moved here to Colorado.  So happy that we are only a few hours apart!!!  But, I digress...

This quilt top was completed in June of 2012.  The pattern is from my friend, Erin, over at Why Not Sew? blog.  Brenis quilted it for me this fall and I finally got it bound and laundered. I love it so much!!  It measures ~57 x 73.

And, the back...what can I say!!!  So in love with it...

I also got the Lotta Jansdotter patchwork quilt back from Brenis...the fabric collections used are Bella and Echo.  This quilt top was finished in February of 2013.  Such a fun quilt...and the quilting is even more fun!!!  This one measures about 55" square.  (It has been spoken for by DIL Rachel.)

Isn't that quilting just too fun?  LOVE it!!!  Thanks, Bren!

With the last box of fabric, my friend, Cathy, sent me a few unfinished quilts.  I had fun putting this one together.  Now I just need batting and backing and it will be ready to quilt.  This one will be going to a charity.  

I started this sampler...need something to keep my hands busy with while watching television.  I am having fun working on it.  I am in no hurry and have no particular color plan.  It's by Rebecca Ringquist...dropcloth sampler.  Sometimes, it is very nice to have no plan and be in no hurry.

I have a few other projects going on, but they are sorta kinda secret projects.  

Hope your week goes well for 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

SWEET TWEETS Blog Hop...

I am honored to be part of this blog hop for my friend, Erin, of the Why Not Sew? blog.  Erin has definitely cornered the market on cute and sweet projects.  She is uber-talented and has stretched herself beyond measure in the last few years…showing versatility and talent with each project she tackles.  I am just so darn proud of her…especially now that she is published! 

Sweet Tweets:  Simple Stitches, Whimsical Birds is the title of her book and it is indeed full of sweet projects..all with cute little birds. Erin has mastered the art of raw-edge appliqué, where the free-motion stitching looks like sketching.  She shares her technique and knowledge with us on each one of the 12 projects this book offers. 

Sweet Tweets book cover

For this book tour post, I chose to make the book bag for my granddaughter, Kaylynn.  She is an avid reader and loves bags. 

Erin's bag

The pattern calls for linen, but for this bag, I chose to use a canvas duck for more durability.  And, because I used a sturdier fabric, I omitted the use of interfacing.  The instructions were clear and easy to follow and this bag was quickly put together.  I was a bit nervous about the raw-edge appliqué, not having done any of it previously.   But, I carefully followed the instructions given and am so very pleased with the results.      

I was so excited that I found this cute bird fabric to use as the lining.  How cute is that, hey?

I also made one long shoulder strap instead of two shorter ones…for an over- the-shoulder style.

My Granddaughter has already received this bag and LOVES it.

Thank you, Erin, for including me in your excitement!

I am able to offer a giveaway with this blog hop.  If you'd like to win an e-copy of this book, please leave a comment on this post.  I will draw a winner on Monday morning, September 14.  In the meantime, follow along with the rest of the blog hop to see the other projects being made.  

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The giveaway is over...I apologize for being a day late in announcing the winner.  I am in the process of moving and am travelling with my moving truck.  The winner is...Indianna, who wrote "The lining fabric is just perfect. I love the fact the book has lots of small projects as they are my favourite things to make. Quick and satisfying, especially if there's a cute bird involved."

Please email me at act_collies@yahoo.com with your email address.  Thank you, everyone!

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Here are the others on the blog book tour:

(I am not sure why this doesn't all look the same, but the links are there.)

Tuesday, Sept.8 - Erin (intro post)   Why Not Sew?

Wednesday, Sept.9 - Heidi  Fabric Mutt

Thursday, Sept.10 - Debbie  A Quilter's Table

Friday, Sept.11 - No Post

Saturday, Sept.12 - Jacque The Doodles of My Mind

Monday, Sept.14 - Amy  nanaCompany

Tuesday, Sept.15 - Svetlana  s.o.t.a.k handmade

Wednesday, Sept.16 - Renee  Sewn With Grace

Thursday, Sept.17 - Martingale Stitch This! The Martingale Blog

Friday, Sept.18 - Heather  Vintage Grey Handmade

Saturday, Sept.19 - Clara and Jennie  Clover & Violet

Monday, Sept.21 - Amanda Jean  Crazy Mom Quilts

Tuesday, Sept.22 - Cindy  Live a Colorful Life

Wednesday, Sept.23 - Carla Grace and Favour

Thursday, Sept.24 - Mary  Molly Flanders

Friday, Sept.25 - No Post

Saturday, Sept.26 - Erin, Big Giveaway Post!!!  Why Not Sew?

Fall Leaves...

In keeping with my new business practice set forth earlier this week - of sewing for fun on the weekend (and the weekend begins at my house at 3:00 p.m. on Friday) - I have begun to make some maple leaf blocks.  I was inspired by Erin's Indian Summer Maple Leaf quilt shown here.  Erin's tutorial for the block is here.  The fact that I had 7 fabulous maple leaf print fat quarters definitely helped that inspiration move me to jump right in.  Mind you, I have had these fabrics in my 'someday' bin for about 5 years...always meant to be used for a maple leaf quilt.  But, you know how that goes...new ideas and new fabrics and inspiration hitting from all sides...well, those fabrics soon were at the bottom of the box.  That is, until Erin showed her quilt.  Ah-ha!  What fun!  I can do this without buying any fabric! 

When I bought these leaf print fat quarters, I also purchased a multi-colored leaf print to be used as borders...or as backing for a small quilt.  For the background fabric, I am using a neutral print that adds interest without taking away from the leaf prints.  It's a tan on cream print that I have used before and I LOVE it! 

Here is my first block.  The blocks measure 12.5 inches unfinished...

These are super easy to put together.  I am so looking forward to working on this over the weekend.

This past week, I worked on dressing a doll...my first collaboration with the fabulous Cathy.  Did I tell you about that?  Our collaboration?  Don't worry, I will talk about it when I have this first doll completely dressed.  I spent quite a lot of time re-sizing patterns and sewing samples of clothes to see if the patterns needed further revision.  I am good to go with what I have, so by the end of next week, I will have some things to show you.    

Have a great weekend!



"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

Hand-Pieced Quilt...

Back in January of 2012, Erin of whynotsew blog fame, started a quiltalong for a hand-pieced doll quilt.  Well, never having done hand-piecing, I was curious, so signed up for it.  I used all oranges with white as a background and sashing fabric. 

My plan was to hand-quilt this.  But, I didn't.  It sat around forever!  I'd pick it up and try some hand-quilting and decide that I didn't like what I was doing...then let it sit around some more.  I finally decided that I really needed to finish it.  The batting I used was given me by my lqs to try.  It is so soft and a much more lofty batting than what I'm used to (warm and natural).  I machine quilted it...each block its own pattern determined by the lines of sewing.  I made 2 rows down the sashings.  It's a bit poofy, but okay, I think. 

This little quilt measures ~20" square.

Here it is now...

For the backing, I used a piece of vintage fabric given me by a coworker...I had planned to do the quilting in an aqua or teal to match, but went with white thread when I decided to machine quilt it.

  

I am finally able to cross something off my list!  I seem to keep adding, but never subtracting from it.  

"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

Best Laid Plans and All of That...

This past week was the one where I was going to start - in earnest - working on making some doll clothes.  Yet, here it is, Saturday evening...and I have not made a single step in that direction.  Well, I guess that is not exactly correct.  I found a lovely pattern that I am excited about using.   I am in the process of tracing the pattern pieces onto pattern paper, and will start cutting and sewing as soon as I finish that process.  

(Pattern paper...the paper that patterns are printed on.  You know, like the patterns you buy at the store...Simplicity, Vogue, McCall's, Butterick, etc.  Only this is white paper and comes on a roll.  I had some years ago when I had another business and also used it when I had my rug hooking hobby/business.  I thought I had some left, but couldn't find it, so bought a roll a month ago.  What's nice about it is this...when a pattern comes in several sizes, I can trace the pieces I want in the size(s) I want and don't have to worry about cutting off a size I may need later.  OR, now that there are so many patterns available by instant download, it's nicer to have the pieces on pattern paper rather than on copy paper.  That's probably more information than you wanted to know, but there it is.)   

I procrastinate.  Big Time!  However, this week was more about laying low because I was bothered with headaches.  Not migraines, thankfully, but bad headaches nonetheless.  Every day this past week.  ugh.  First time since my retirement.  Not sure what is/was going on, but I didn't have one today, so perhaps the cycle is broken.

So, needing to do something, but not wanting to work on something new (ya know, where I'd have to think), I finished putting together some double hourglass blocks.  

I have a total of 76 of these blocks...they are so easy to put together.  The fabric collection is Fig & Plum by Fig Tree & Co. for Moda.  I received the fabric from Cathy a few years ago (you know, that supply of fabric from her that will never run out).  She had started this quilt...and I am finishing it.  It will make a very nice lap quilt for someone.  I just need to decide how to arrange the blocks and I will get the top put together.  But, oh dear, who knows when I will get around to quilting it!!?!!  

And, from the leftover pieces, I cut some 2" blocks.  Here's a sneak peek at the little quilt top I put together.  I think it's going to be the perfect size for someone's doll...

    
Those 2 quilt tops were easy for me to work on...as in, they required no (well, almost no) thought.  

Besides working on the doll clothes in earnest, I have a list of side projects to complete within the next month:
*1 Kleenex cozy done
*2 Halloween trick or treat bags for five month old babies (one boy and one girl...wait til you see what I am going to do with them!) done
*2 skirt linings
*1 custom carrycot
*strawberries (I just joined a strawberry pincushion swap that Erin started...go here if you'd like to join in)

It's nice to have side projects.  As long as they do not become distractions/diversions.     

And, in addition to all of this sewing stuff going on, I am editing 3 volumes of poems for a friend.   I am almost done and hope to get everything sent off this week.   

I have yet to think about Christmas...and I absolutely refuse to think about it for another month or so.  I may be sorry, but I need to set some priorities.

So.  If all works out, I should have some fun things to show you by next weekend.  

In the meantime, have a great Sunday and a great week!




"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

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

Hand-Piecing???

I cannot believe I am going to do this, much less that I am actually quite excited about it!

I very much enjoy having something to work on in the evenings while sitting in front of the tv.  There is still a lot of embroidery left on my 'snow days' quilt, but sometimes I want something a bit different to do.  Well, wouldn't you know...along comes Erin of Why Not Sew? blog fame with her bright (read fantastic!) idea of doing a hand-piecing quilt along.  I'm in.  Like Flynn.  (OH!  Remind me to tell you about that!)

So.  I am going to do it.  We'll be doing twelve 6.5 inch blocks...one per week. 

I looked at several different fabrics that would work, and decided to use these oranges...

I'll throw in a few aquas here and there with some kind of white as background.  I have the most fun backing picked out...just wait til you see it!  {grin}

And, ohgosh, a major oops!  Three days ago, I realized I haven't yet made a quilt for my niece/godchild, Michelle!  YIKES!  Her birthday is February 21...think I can get it done by then?  I ordered some Kona solids that I need for it and will get going as soon as they arrive.  

In the meantime, I am working on a few smaller projects.  I'll show you as I get them done.

Hope you're having a good weekend!

"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

Swapping...

Remember this little quiltie?  I posted about it here...

Well, Erin loved it.  Absolutely loved it!  You all know Erin, right?  Her blog is why not sew? .  She and I did a swap 2 years ago...the 'we double rock swap' (click here and here).  Because she loved this little sunshine star quilt so much, I sent it to her and told her we could do another swap.  So, we did.  Just the 2 of us.  That's the name of it...'just the two of us'.  Cuz it was.  Just the 2 of us.  Nobody else.  Two.  Us. 

Today was my lucky day...I received the quilt that she made for me!  And, you know what?  I love it!  I absolutely love it!  It is perfect!!!  Totally me!

I snagged the photos off Erin's blog...her photos are gorgeous and show off this precious quilt so well...

The fabric is Sonnet by April Cornell for Moda.  It measures 16.5 inches square.  My colors.  Exactly!  Perfect in every way.  Thank you so very much, Erin!

"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

Catching Up...

Still getting fatigued way too easily. 

Still taking my daily nap.

I've been working on some easy things, though.
Things that don't require too much energy.

I'm stitching on block 7 of the 'snow days' quilt.

(no photo)

I finished piecing this quilt top today.
Right now, it measures ~48 x 57.
I'm not sure if I'll add a border.
This took me all week to put together...

working in small increments of time.

If you'll go visit my friend, Erin, 

you'll see that she is working on something similar.

Actually, I totally ripped off the idea from her.

The big difference is that
I used a charm pack (5" squares)...

she is using a layer cake (10" squares).

She knows I did this.
(Thanks, Erin!)

And.

I've been reading.

A lot!
Way more than usual.
I'll for sure hit my goal
of 80 books read this year.
I'm at 51 right now.

 Hope the weekend goes well for you.

Those on the east coast...

I'm thinking of 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

Coins & Bees...

I was able to finish a few things this week.

I made a coin purse for Joyce

that matches the purple tote

I made for her (shown here).

In the Aqua & Red Block Bee,

we have two blocks to make each month

for the next 6 months.

 We were given complete freedom with Carrie's block.

This isn't what I originally intended, but this

is what my block for her ended up being. 

 

Erin (Why Not Sew?), wanted a wonky star block.

Following this tutorial

I quickly put this block together.

Wonky stars are fun and easy peasy...

I love it!

 

I have another tote to make

and then I'll be caught up.

What have you been working on?

Aqua & Red...

So.

I joined a bee.  

Why?  Cuz they're fun.  

And, because I have nothing else to do.

It's called the 'Aqua and Red Block Bee'.

(See the button on my sidebar.)

I love the aqua/red color combination

and have yet to make anything with those colors.

When Erin, of Why Not Sew? started up this bee,

I quickly joined.

(You may remember Erin from the "we double rock swap"

she & I did 2 years ago...click here & here).

I have no red and aqua fabrics in my stash.
Really.
Well, perhaps a few pieces.
But nowhere near what I'll need.
I have plenty of time to pick some up here and there.

I stopped at my LQS today to
drop off my 'Just One Star' blocks (2!).
My LQS gathered a total of 44 star blocks
from its customers...woohoo!!!

While there,
I looked around to see what they had
for aqua and red fabrics.

I found these...

Yes, I bought them.
Are you surprised?
Don't be.
You know I have no willpower.
(Won't that red stripe make the best binding?)

I think that's a good start, don't you?

I have no idea what type of blocks I'll want...

stars or log cabins or what,

but that part doesn't need to be

decided for a few months, yet.

I also picked up one of these charm packs...

It's scrumptious.

It's for a future project.

That's all I'm going to say about it.

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

Happy, Happy, Happy!

After my post (last night) of feeling

like a failure with the green charm quilt,

I relaxed in my big easy chair

and finished reading a book.

All the while,

the green charms were moving around in my head.

Gosh...how annoying that I couldn't just let it be!

I finally decided to go online and look at different blogs

and on flickr to see if anything inspired me.

Keeping in mind, of course, that the fabric was

already cut into 4 1/2 inch squares.

What do you know...looked on Erin's blog

and was totally inspired!

YAY!

Go here to check out her rockin' small squares quilt.

Thank you, Erin!

So.

Totally motivated, I stayed up until 2 a.m.

cutting the solid fabric into squares and strips

(Kona cotton solid = Bone...a lovely color/fabric!)

and sewing all the squares together.

I left the ironing and sewing of the strips until this a.m.  

I am happy. 

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

Pink Square in Square...

Here's what I did with the pink fabrics.
I put this together last night and today.

Erin, over at Why Not Sew? had 

organized a small charm swap.

 We swapped pink charms (5"). 

I thought and pondered and deliberated...

wanted to get the most out of my charms.

I finally decided on this design...

simple square in square blocks.

I used 36 charms with

Kona solids in carnation,

bright pink, and pink.

I mostly used the solids as 
contrasting values with the charms.

I may add a small border.

Measures about 51" square right now.

Easy peasy.

Pretty in Pink, indeed!

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

Low Humidity + regained energy =

a productive day!

YAY!

Gave Tag  a bath.

Mountains of laundry washed/dried.

Quilted my second dqs9 quilt.

Vacuumed.

Feels good to get stuff done.

And, I'm not finished, yet!

Here's the quilting on this one...

big flower in the middle & pebbles around the hst's.

Straight line quilting on the outside border.

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My friend, Erin

(my 'we double rock swap' partner from last year), 

over at Why Not Sew? 

just opened her etsy shop.

Click here to go there.

Her work is awesome...and those

pincushions with thread catchers are a must-have!!!

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

Inspiration...and Other Things.

You all really should go take a look at Erin's Irish Chain quilts...they are awesome!  She said she was inspired to write her post by my little quilt...heck!  I am inspired to do BIG DOUBLE Irish Chain quilts now that she showed her quilts!  {grin}  Go here to see them!

On other things...I finished two more blocks of my postage stamp quilt.  Now there are 12 done...only 4 more to go. 

Have a good night!

Surprise in the Mail...and a Tag Story!

So.

You all know how I love getting packages in the mail!

You must...cuz you keep sending them!  {grin} 

I'm not sure if you remember Erin of 'why not sew?' fame...

from the 'We Double Rock Swap' last year.

Just the two of us.

Swapping doll-sized quilts.

I blogged about it here and here. 

Yup, she's one of my blogger BFF's.

For sure!

Anyway.  I received a small package from Erin in today's mail.

No clue what it was.

ohmygosh...

She sent me a needle case that she made and blogged about here!!!

(I really hope you all are checking these links out!)

 

...it's now MINE, ALL MINE!

ohman, I love it and I needed it soooo badly!!!

BUT, wait!  That's not all she sent!

She also made this little half-square triangle

(hereafter referred to as hst)

mini quilt for me!

I love it!!

Look at all those bitty hst's!

Finished size of each hst is 1 1/4".

The mini quilt measures roughly 9 x 10 inches.

It is A. Dor. Able!

Don't you think?

Thank you so very much, Erin!

I love, love, LOVE them!

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And, now...the Tag story!

As most of you regular readers know, Tag E Butt is one smart boy.  He is my service dog.  Not officially, but in reality...yes, he is.  He picks up whatever I ask him to.  Paper, phone, remote, fabric, shoe, sock, pen...the list goes on and on.  Being a retriever, this all comes naturally to him.  He has such a soft mouth, too.  When he picks up paper for me, there is not a tooth mark on it.  Not all wet and sloppy, either.

In addition to being the quintessential brown dog, he also has a huge vocabulary!  I have always talked (LOTS) to my dogs, and I think that they develop a better vocabulary from that.  And, the word recognition game is an ongoing process.  He has recently learned 'food bowl'.  So, now, it's up to him to bring his food bowl to the kitchen when it's time to eat.  As I walk to the kitchen, I say, 'get your food bowl'...he grabs it and brings it to me in the kitchen.  


Course, he thinks it's great fun to bring it to me at other times to see if I'll fill it up.  I don't...unless it's actually mealtime.  Which, sometimes, it is!  His inner clock and all that.  




Okay.  Here's the story.  It was suppertime for Tag.  I didn't say a word to him...just walked to the kitchen...didn't ask him if he was 'hungry', if it was 'time to eat', I didn't say 'get your food bowl'...nothing.  He followed me out to the kitchen, being the ever hopeful food-driven boy that he is...he knows what time it is.  (really)  I opened the cupboard door, got a pill (phenobarbital) from the bottle, and stood there looking at him.  Put my hands out, as if to say, "well?"  but I didn't say a word.  He looked at me for a moment, sat (a very nice sit on the slippery floor, too) and then you could see it...the 'aha' moment!  He ran out to where his crate is (his food bowl sits on top of his crate between feedings), grabbed the bowl and brought it to me.  

5/25 edited to add:  Apparently, I should have given a more detailed explanation of the 'feeding Tag' routine so that you would better understand the 'aha' moment.  Tag gets a pill (anticonvulsant because he has idiopathic epilepsy) with each meal, so opening the cupboard door to get one is the first thing I do once he brings his bowl.  So, to just stand there...I didn't have his bowl to put the pill in...that was the 'aha'!  Tag connected those dots and got his food bowl.


I praised him BIG time and we were both happy that he had figured out what I was doing.  What a good boy!  It is always so exciting to see it happen...when he figures out what the missing piece of the puzzle is.



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DWTS is tonight!  Two dances...one a freestyle!  Cannot wait!