A Few More Things...

I haven't accomplished much more sewing today.

I've been reading...

have I mentioned lately how much

I love my kindle?

I do, ya know.

Love it.

Did I tell you that I named it?

Yes, my kindle.

It wasn't my idea...

when I registered it with amazon.com,

they asked me to name it.

How could I refuse?

edited to add:  I named it kashmir...as in 'kashmir kindle'.

{grin}

I also watched a movie today...

"Wall Street:  Money Never Sleeps"

with Michael Douglas.

It was okay, and I do like Michael Douglas.

I watched the first "Wall Street"

movie several years ago (made in 1987).

Wanted to watch that one again

before I saw this one...but didn't. 

I made a few Sawtooth Star blocks...

I am following (sort of) the quiltalong

with Cheri Payne of quiltsbycheri .

These blocks measure about 4.5 inches...

fun and easy to put together. 

That's all I have.  

Hope you're having 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

Sneak and Shoo-Fly...

I just now finished piecing the poppy quilt top...loving it!  My helper isn't here today, so I had to lay it out on my bed in order to get a few shots of it.  Measuring 72 x 84 inches, it has 21 Rubik's blocks and 21 blocks of the prints.  I chose to use the 7 fabrics from this colorway only, so there are definitely repeats.

I still need to put the backing together and decide on pillow covers and curtains.  All in due time.

I finished last week's Block 6 for the hand-pieced quiltalong with Erin.  Here it is...Shoo Fly (actually, 4 of them together in one 6 inch block).

 

Our next block also has a bazillion pieces.  I'll be working on that one throughout this next week.  

The sun is shining brightly today...on this first day of Daylight Saving Time.  I am happy.

"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

Pinterest?

What is Pinterest?

As they, themselves, explain..."Pinterest is a virtual pinboard.  Pinterest allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. You can browse pinboards created by other people to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests."  If that caught your attention, be sure to go here for more information.

I first became aware of Pinterest when Laurie of Minick & Simpson mentioned it in this post dated April 23, 2011.  I joined and started some boards and looked around and 'pinned' a few photos.  Then, I mostly forgot about it.  Until lately.  Now, I remember to pin photos that I really like.  To remember them...and where they came from.  

So.  What brings Pinterest to my mind enough to blog about it?

Remember my postage stamp quilt?  Here it is...

I pinned it on my Pinterest 'Finished' board sometime in October.  Since then, it  has been repinned 275+ times!  How does that happen?  I mean, I know how it happens.  People see it on my board, repin it to their boards...people who follow them see it and repin it...etc., etc.. But, WOW! 
That is 'my' quilt...getting around Pinterest like that!   That amazes me.  {grin}

Have you joined Pinterest?  If not, you might want to.  Just sayin'.  If you'd like to follow me, click on the red tab in my sidebar.  Have fun!  But, watch out, it can be addicting.

"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

Official!

Yes, it is.  I was pretty sure this was what was going on.  Now, after a visit to my doctor, it's been confirmed.  I have tinnitus.  What's that?  A constant ringing in my ears.  Cause?  Probably age.  There's been no ear infection, no continual exposure to loud noises or machinery...nothing new.  So far, this constant noise is not keeping me awake or causing me to lose sleep.  It's good when I have some music going on around me to distract me from it.  Else, it could drive me crazy.  Literally.

Go here if you'd like to learn more.  And, if you're interested in hearing what I hear, try the little players toward the bottom of this page.  The one labelled 'ear ringing sound' is the closest to what I hear.  Not quite so high-pitched and not usually that loud.  But, like that.  All of the time.  Day in and day out.  Nighttime.  Daytime.  All.  Of.  The.  Time.  It doesn't go away.  Fun, hey?

I have some hearing loss as well, so will be having a  hearing test in the near future.

Isn't that great news?  Actually, I'm looking at it with the 'glass is half full' attitude...there are many more things I could have that would be much more serious and life-changing.     

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Productivity.  With my poppy quilt, I've been making more Rubik blocks.  I trimmed the ones I had already finished to make 12.5 inch blocks.  The blocks are all variations of this one...

Until I had an idea.  How would it look if I made a Rubik block out of a single fabric?  So.  I took a piece of fabric with the large poppy and cut it into 9 squares and put them together with the sashing...and this is how it looks.  

I still need to add the solid borders.  It turned out better than I thought it would...and I really like it.  I think I'll put a few more together this way.  With the other fabrics.

As for the swoon/orange & aqua quilt...I completed block 6!  I sure like these big 24.5 inch blocks.  Still am unsure of how many I'll make, though.  The original plan was to make 9.  I may have decided that I don't want to make such a large quilt.  Time will tell.

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I posted 4 packages today.  I apologize for taking so long to send them on their way.  Madge, Ann, Jody and Jill...let me know when they arrive, please.

"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

3 Day Weekend...

This is a 3 day weekend for me, so I'm hoping to accomplish a lot!

First things first.  I must tell you about a package I received in the mail this week...a late birthday package.  From my almost birthday twin, Lindy.  I met her on a rug hooking forum several years ago.  Lindy blogs here.  Her birthday is the day before mine. 

I was absolutely stunned by what she sent...

'Border Music' by the author of 'Bridges of Madison County', pink grapefruit body lotion (yummy!), and fabric.  Yes, FABRIC!  She sent enough of the Curio by basicgrey for Moda fabric for me to make a lap-sized quilt top.  And, the pattern for it...kaleidoscope.  Here's what it will look like...

Isn't that absolutely gorgeous?  Lindy knows me well...this fabric is so me.  I cannot wait to get started...it absolutely is the next quilt in line.

I didn't take a photo of the cookbooks she sent...several specialized recipe books...catfish, fast simple meals, chocolate and others.  Definitely some must-try recipes there.  See those pocket pie molds?  We're going to try those out real soon.  {grin}

I've not been idle this past week.  I've been working on my blocks for the Poppy quilt.  (note to self:  please come up with a better name for it!)  I have 13 of the 21 Rubik blocks finished.  I am so pleased with how they're looking!  Here's one of them... 

I am sure that you're wondering how (knowing how un-random I can be) I decided on the layout of those 9 squares.  Cuz, you know, each of the 21 Rubik blocks will be different.  I'll tell you my secret...I numbered my fabric squares, then used finished sudoku puzzles to number the spaces.  Clever, hey?  {grin}  Also, there are 9 squares per block, but I have only 7 prints.  I thought about adding in some Kona solids or some of the olive green colorway Poppy fabric, but decided against it.  Instead, I am trying to find different areas of the same fabric to use.  Twice.  For example, the first square in each of rows 2 & 3 are the same fabric.  Hard to tell with them, isn't it.  Course, not all of the repeats in all of the blocks are as different as those, but I wasn't going to be OCD about it. 

Also.  The Rubik blocks have 4 different layouts...1 centered and 3 off-centered.  It's a very fun quilt top to put together.  

We got 5" of heavy, wet snow yesterday.  Looks much like my header photo...which was taken a few years ago.  Course, the temp will be in the 50's this next week, so the snow will be gone very soon. 

Have a great weekend, and please do let me know what you're up to.

"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

Keeping Busy...

I kept myself busy yesterday.

I finished cutting out all of the

solid pieces for the Poppy quilt.

I was able to get 7 blocks put together.

Well, to be more accurate,

I sewed 7 centers for the Rubik's blocks.

I still need to add solid fabric around these

pieces to make them measure 12.5 inches square.   

While watching the Academy Awards,

I finished block 5 Granny Square

for my hand-pieced quiltalong.

Although I am enjoying the hand sewing,

I am happy that this is a small quilt. 

That's all for now...

have a good day!

"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

Two Finishes and A Start...

Well.

I figured out what was going

on with my digital camera!

The battery compartment door is loose,

therefore the batteries are

not making good contact.

Drat!

This happened with my last camera.

I wonder if someone can fix it?

I suppose I should ask/call around...

would be better than buying a new camera.  

In the meantime...

if I hold the door shut so

that the batteries are making contact,

I am able to take photos.

Not the easiest, but workable for now.  

With that being said,

I can now show you a few

finishes from this week.

I used this pattern...

 

to make this bag for my niece, Michelle.

Michelle loves blue...any and all blues.

I have it on good authority that she will love this.

And, here is block 4 of the hand-pieced

quiltalong I am doing with Erin.

This is the Bear Paw block.

6.5 inches.

Do you love those 4 fussy-cut

squares as much as I do?

{grin}

I try to not have too many projects

going on at the same time.

I think I'm in a good place

right now to start something new.

I bought this fabric over a year ago

and have been chomping at the bit

to use it.

So, today, I started.

The fabric is

'Poppy Collection' by Laura Gunn.

Here is the collection in the spice colorway.

It's for my bedroom...quilt, curtains and pillows.

The quilt pattern I'm using is by

Ashley of Film In The Fridge.

It's called Rubik's Crush

and can be seen here.

With 12.5 inch blocks,

it is especially suited for large print fabrics.

Which Poppy is.

I fussy cut one poppy block...
I had to!

It is way too pretty to not show

it in its entirety.

Wouldn't you agree?

(I have more yardage of that particular

fabric which will make up part of the backing.)

See the 2.5 inch squares
toward the top of the photo?
That's just some of them...
there are 189 total.

I should be able to start piecing tomorrow.

Can't wait!

What are you up to this 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

Sew On!!!

WINNER of the giveaway:
Madge @ The View Right Here!
Congratulations, Madge!
I've emailed you.
Thank you so much to all who entered.  

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I had a few projects that I really needed to finish up.  In addition to the swoonalong and the hand-pieced quiltalong, I really want to start working on my next quilt project.  But, I won't let myself start until these other things are finished and ready to go out the door.

So.  I was determined to get a lot done this weekend...and I did! Some of these were started before the weekend.   And, some were started/finished this weekend.

This is a Nook Cozy.  (or kindle...mine seems to like it okay).  Measures about 6.5 x 7.5 inches.  I am waiting for a magnetic snap for it and then it will be on its way to sister Joyce for her friend.

 

Niece/Goddaughter Jody requested some kleenex cozies.  She sent fabric and I made 10 of them for her.  Those colors are fun!

 

Sister Jill was showing off her tote bag and 2 coworkers ordered bags!  They wanted theirs to be red...and just like Jill's tote.  So, they are.  Kind of.  Same fabrics, anyway.

tote #1

tote #2

                

closeup of button and loop on tote #2

Jill's birthday is tomorrow and she requested a plastic bag holder.  I've been making these for several years and they sure come in handy!  This one is empty, so it looks kind of odd...one can get a lot of plastic bags inside of that!   This is just one of Jill's gifts...the others aren't done, yet.  Yes, I know...they're going to be late.

 And.  Always planning ahead.  My niece, Michelle, will be 26 on Tuesday.  Needless to say, her gift will also be late.  Waiting on the pattern.  That I just ordered on Friday.  But, here's the fabric for it.  She loves blue and I think she will love this fabric.  I'll show you when it's done.

I cut out my pieces for block 4 - bear paw - of the hand-pieced quiltalong.  The measurements were off, so some resizing needs to be done.  I'll work on those this week when I'm sitting in front of the tv.

I think that's that!  A great feeling to be getting these projects done.   


Have 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

Oh, Happy Day...and Giveaway!

Happy Birthday to me!

Happy Birthday to me!

Happy Birthday to me...

Happy Birthday to me!

Guess what today is?

{grin}

I love my birthday.

Every one of them.

It's been a great day,

filled with food and gifts.

Yummy to everything!

I have the best coworkers.

And friends.

And, family!

Thank you, everyone.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now for the good stuff.

The giveaway stuff.

Here's what I am giving away...

Quilt - 19 inches square.
Jan Patek - The Pokeberry Quilt
Indygo Junction - My Folk Art Best
Figgy Pudding quilt pattern
Fifty 5" charm squares - creams/golds/greens

rustic bell hanger

Leave a comment in this post only.

Please be sure that I am able to email you

either through your profile or in your comment.

 I will draw a winner on Sunday night.

Good luck to you all!

"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

The Day Before...

I am without a camera.  Not sure if it's the batteries or the camera.  I use rechargeable batteries...put two newly charged ones in my camera and the screen read "battery life exhausted" or something to that effect.  So, the batteries are either not making good contact, or the battery charger is no longer working.  In the meantime, I hope to use Julie's camera.

I wasn't able to write the 'interesting' posts I mentioned...no camera, no words.  I can't do one without the other for what I wanted to write.  ohwell.  Someday.

 

I am back to work today after having 4 days off.  I had a nice four days all by myself.  Well, Tag was here with me.  Julie was off taking care of business.  And, as usual, I didn't get as much done as I thought I might.  I did find out that there are some things that work out better in my head than in reality...won't be trying them anytime soon.
 
Before my camera batteries exhausted themselves, I was able to take 2 photos of blocks I finished this weekend.  

The first is another swoon block.  Block 5 of 9 for me.  I love these big (24.5 inches) blocks.

 The second...this is the Ohio Star block...the 3rd block of 12 in the hand-pieced quiltalong.   This block is 6.5 inches.

Well, are you ready for it?  Tomorrow is the big day!  The big 6 - 0 day!  As for me?  I am as ready as I ever will be. 

ohyeah...and let's not forget about the giveaway!  It starts tomorrow!  Be sure to come back to see what  the giveaway is...at this time, I am still adding to the pile.  
     

"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

Birthdays. Past and Future...

ohoh...somebody is pouting.
Why?
Because I didn't post about

his very special birthday.

Not sure why I didn't.

We did celebrate his special day.

It was Wednesday, February 8.

Tag,

aka Brown Boy,

aka TagEButt...

is now 10 years old!

The big 1 - 0.

Ten!

A milestone.

I simply cannot believe it.

He acts like a two year old.

Heidi (a coworker) made Tag's

special treat again this year.

Yup, peanut butter cookies.

Here's a photo from 2 years ago.

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Speaking of birthdays.

Mine is coming up real soon!

Thursday, February 16.

I will be 60 years old.

whoa...
that is such a high number.

I am not obsessing about it, though.

It's just a number.

A milestone, to be sure...

but still, just a number.

So, in honor of me, 

I was thinking about

having a giveaway.

Anyone game?

I'll post about it on my day.

That will give me time to put

together a wonderful package

for the lucky winner.

So, if you want to see what

I put together, be sure

to come by on my day

- Thursday - 

to wish me a happy birthday.

And, to sign up for a chance to win.

In the meantime, have a great week.
Me...I have 2 more days off with
lots of things to finish up.

"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