Block of Months

I'm so behind on my Block of the Months, but I at least caught up by one month.....and yeah, and I started a new one last month....

My Mystery Christmas BOM from The Fat Quarter Shop, I have 2 more blocks to finish up and I have the finishing kit which has a A LOT of tiny square in a square corner stones - yikes!

Back To Nature by Tonga for Timeless Treasure.  I'm SOOO excited to wrap this one up, it's going to be SOo pretty.  I actually started their new BOM with a local shop and it's a different color palette - I just love batiks!  I this is the center part of the BOM, I have 2 more months to complete with this one.

My Stars Around the Garden, this is month 4 - so I have a long way to go on this one.

I need to work on my Jewels of the Crown BOM, as well.  I can't wait to move into my new sewing studio so I can be more organized and have an active sewing life again!

Jewels in the Crown BOM

Is anyone else doing this free Block of the Month program?  You can start now, it's only 2 months in and the blocks only stay up for 2 months at a time.


I've got a large selection of batiks - but they are in small pieces, most are about the size of a fat eighth - perfect for this project.

 And now you see where my "Wordless Wednesday" came from :)

I finished up February's block over the weekend and I'm having fun with color and texture.

This is both of my blocks together:

I need to pull some of my larger pieces of batiks (I have several 3+yards pieces) to see if I can work them into the many borders for the finishing part of this top.  I think this quilt is going to be very stunning!  I love batiks!

Don't forget to do your daily entry for my Manic Monday Offering!

Friday Night Sew In - IS HERE!

Ok....

• chocolate - check
• salty snack (dill potato chips-looked/sounds interesting) - check
• wine - check
• down one child - check
• sewing area cleared and cleaned - check
• eating dinner - check

Start time is 7:00 pm!!
Ok...I think I'm ready!!

I've decided to work on 3 projects.  First I'm going to make my two BOMs, I have already cut - the 12 Days of Christmas and the Tonga Back to Nature:

Next I'm going to cut out 2 tops using this GREAT Lovebug fabric.  The girls each want one:

Lastly, I'm going to FINISH my Ocean Tranquility Bargello center - don't know if I'll get the borders on tonight, but definitely plan on getting the remaining third section on:

 Ok, it's ON ---who's doing this with me??  :)

Happy Hump Day!

Finally just hit the "Read All" button in my blog reader....I can't get 4 days behind, it's just overwhelming!

I'm going to try it again!


It is this Friday and I know exactly what I will work on.  I'm going to plan a day with normalcy, than a quickie nap, chocolate, chips, wine and movie for kids - then I plan to sew all night long on one project!  I have to get it finished - what you are thinking?  You'll see!!!  Are you going to play along?

I received my February towel from my first towel swap from Ms. Betsy!  I am in love with the towel she used!!  It's heavy, think, and a woven weave---very nice.  I'm getting these for the second month I'm dedicated to for my towel swap.

 And she made something extra (she is sooo generous) called a scissor mat (and Tijeras means scissors in spanish).

Now, I haven't done any sewing since yesterday morning, but I've been cutting out my BOMs to work on them today:

Wednesday, might be my day off, but it's the only day I can run errands - so, I'll be errand running today then finding time to sew for me (not work) this afternoon!

TGIF!

And I need to get moving and out the door before this "snow" comes into Eastern Tennessee.  I think I'm going to have to push my tomorrow morning class to the afternoon!

I finished my sampler top and it's in the quilting process now:

I so love it!  The blank block in the middle will highlight a machine embroidery desgin as I quilt it.  It is a tad bit brighter than the image, but the colors work very well!

I also pulled out some of my batiks and decided to jump into the Jewels In the Crown BOM, hosted by Reeze.

Doesn't it POP!  I think it works very nicely with jewel tones!

I also feel the need to share my favorite notions I used this morning as I pieced this block together (I paper piece - wasn't about to piece lots of triangles!) 

Add-A-Quarter rulers, 6" & 12", my clover seam riper, and my eze-snips! 


Well, I hope everyone has a great weekend - my will involve lots of sewing!

Tuesday thoughts

First, I'm back into blogging full force - catching up on blogs over the past 2 weeks was challenging to say the least.  I did post in a few giveaways - which require sharing their links on your blog - so, I'll play along!  Visit these folks for your chance to win some cool stuff!!

Stray Stitches 300+ follower Giveaway
The Pickle Patch Giveaway
Let's Ring in 2011 Blog Giveway
January Giveaway

As I have read through many blogs over the past few days, I have come across several interesting and FREE Block of the Month projects for 2011.  I've listed several that interest me and several for the general viewing.  I'm unsure if I'll start any, but wanted them here for reference:

Birdie Stitches
Jewels In The Crown - most likely will do, have tons of batiks perfect for this!
Lazy Hearts
Give Thanks
Redwork Kitchen - if you look on the left side they have links from their previous BOMs as well
A Sentimental Journey Through the Months 
Boot Bash
Granny's Hankie
Home Sweet Home
The Quilt Works, Enchanted Forest
Nancy Rink's Designs, Ole To The Blue And Gray
Civil War Quilts (need books for the patterns)
Ethter Aliu BOM - hasn't started yet, just reference
Pine Needle Quilters - great reference page with LOTS of BOMs starting and completed
The Quilting Clubhouse - another great reference page with lots of boms
BOM Quilts - always have new things going on as well

whew....that's a lot :)  Many wonderful free choices out there to use up your stash!  I'll stick with my list I have on the right bar for now.

Another thing as I read through your blogs is seeing everyone's 2010 accomplishments and 2011 resolutions and goals.  Again, I look through my own accomplishments and realize I just didn't do much of anything for me.  I did a lot of work for others and I did have a cross-country move involved this past year as well.  Yet, I'm sadden how my hobby has become more of a job for me than a hobby.  I want to get back to quilting for me, I want to find that place of zen and peace, lost in the creation and the droning sound of my machine.  Being one with my inner self artist.

So again no resolutions for me this year, I don't believe in holding myself accountable for things that most likely will fall to the waste-side because they weren't done in the true essence of myself, then feeling like a failure in the end.  I just will strive to make this year the year I reconnect with my quilting heart.

Successful Sunday

Yeppers, indeed!  I think this is the first time I've completely had my holiday decorations down by the first Saturday of January!  I did find a few stragglers items later in the afternoon - but everything has been de-christmas-ized!

Once I removed my colorful package wrapped door, I realized I needed a new curtain to represent winter.  So, I whipped one out last night:

Then reading the Stay At Home Round Robin Blog and went ahead and finished December and January's steps yesterday.

Now I await my two other BOM's that I will receive mid-month, but started pulling fabrics for my Christmas Sampler and cutting my Stars Around the Garden. 

Today is a work from home day and I have lots of samples to make up and some computer work!  Should be very busy!

Block of the Months. . . .

I'm a month behind on one BOM, so I'm working on those blocks and started working on a few of my other ones.

I'm excited to say (and find it kinda silly at the same time) to announce that I signed up for the 2010 Designer BOM 12 Days of Christmas from the Fat Quarter Shop:

Of course I'm 5 months worth behind and the next shipment comes at the end of this week....I received all first 6 blocks yesterday and started cutting on Block 1 - hoping to do one a day this week!  I will be sewing a little more intently this week to start on the program as a monthly project!

Here's yet another Blog Giveaway, hosted by Leona.  She has a wonderful blog even without a giveaway!

I did a lot of computer work today - for Patches Quilting, there are a lot of new classes on their site!  So, I did do a little sewing but not much.

I've been working on this top for a commission, can't wait to finish it up with the start blocks I have to add into the "holes".

Looks like I'll be up tonight doing stuff, sewing cleaning and holiday gifting :)

Turkey Week, Day 2

Have you done your shopping for the big day?  I dread the shopping part, though I do try to accomplish all that the weekend before.  What are you plans?  Are you cooking or visiting family/friends?

This is our first year living in Tennessee and we are visiting family for the feast, though I am bringing 3 of our family's favorite traditions.  Here is the second recipe that we do yearly at this time and for Christmas as well.

Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Passed from Kevin's grandma, mom, to me.  I have made slight adjusts and this is always a hit. 

• 2 - 10 oz. packages of chopped broccoli
• 1 can of cream of mushroom soup
• 1 small can of drained mushrooms (I love mushrooms)
• 1 cup of mayonnaise
• 1  1/2 cup of grated sharp cheese (I use extra sharp)
• 2 tablespoons of dehydrated dry onions or one small chopped onion
• 2 two beaten eggs
• 2 - 3 cups Cheez-its.
• salt and pepper to taste

Cook broccoli 10 minutes and drain well.  While the broccoli is cooking take 1  1/2 cups of Cheez-its and put into a ziploc bag and crush.   Mix 1/2 cup of the crushed Cheez-it's and 1/4 cup of cheese and put to the side (this I use for the topping).  Mix remaining in ingredients, except the un-crushed Cheez-its.  If it seems a little be dry or stiff I'll add a little bit more mayonnaise.  Pour into casserole dish, I use a 9 x 13 pan.  Sprinkle crushed Cheez-its/Cheese mixture on top, then using non-crushed Cheez-its, decorate top and sides of casserole.  Cover casserole with aluminum foil.  Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes.  Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes. 


Again, I can't find an image with the Cheez-its looking pretty on top - and I get more comments on how it looks this way :)  I'll take a picture of mine this year to share.

Grateful Thought:  Spending the holidays with family has new meaning now.  Again with this year of changes and growth finding a place among family is very important and I'm grateful my kids and I can enjoy these new and improved relationships.
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Block of the Months, nothing like waiting til the end of the month to complete.  I have done 2 of the 4 I have been religiously keeping up with.  Need to readjust my BOM list again, realize there just isn't enough time yet for that kind of dedication.

This is for my Back To Nature Block 5, November.

And here's Section 11 of my Christmas Sampler Quilt:

I love how this is turning out, wish it would be ready by next week, but there's always next year!

Back on track!

So, I have returned after a fall break (kids had an entire week off of school-end of marking period) and trying to get back on track with life here!

The follage was gorgeous driving up and back from Tennessee to Maryland and home again.  I enjoyed a quickie trip down to Florida, visited a winery, saw the ocean & sunrise and my favorite spot Margaritaville.  Then I spent the last half of my week working at my shop, Patches Quilting in Maryland.

Saw a few friends and lots of old customers.  I just didn't have enough time to enjoy Maryland, my husband or all my dear friends.  Work is work.

One of my customers, Nancy brought in her complete Needle Nosh Block of the Month.  This is one of the Block of Month programs I taught at Patches and she was a part of my class.  She also won a blue ribbon in her county fair (Frederick County, MD)!

I have a lot of pictures and realized I never took any fallish pictures - - oh well, here's a few for you to enjoy, until I get some sewing done this week - - which I have lots to do!

Lakeridge Winery, Florida

Sunrise at Cocoa Beach

Margaritaville in Orlando with my friend, Stacie

My oldest playing up for Halloween- I think pink fits her!

What busy weekend....

So busy, it will take me the next several days to share all the images and activities....being Monday though, we'll start off slow.

Finished half of my BOMs for this month, now to serious sewing.

Christmas Sampler:

Stars Around the Garden:

Back to Nature, Tonga Batiks:

Winner of my Fall Blog Giveaway is this Friday.  Did you get all 3 of your comments in for your chance to win?  I have added a few more things into the package - lots of surprises!!

Arrggh!! Matey, I feel piratey today!

It's September 19th and that means - - It's Talk Like A Pirate Day!, so the rest of this post will be in pirate speak - - unfortunately, I don't see a Pirate to English translator available.

Another busy weekend and now it's Sunday - me day for sewin'. I've decided t' work on a few o' me own BOMs and then do some more sewin' for other sources. Pulled out some fabric from me stash and thinkin' o' whippin' this little project up as well:

Then as I was cleanin' up me sewin' area, I discover this project I started a few weeks ago...it's not as easy and quick as you would think---or I mean as I thought, but it's about half done and need t' finish it up:

Me favorite time o' year be upon us....color, smells, cooler days, renewed tv series, and yumme foods. I'm makin' a split pea soup in t' crockpot! It's me favorite way o' cookin'!

Christmas Sampler

Another project I have started on my own is this Christmas Sampler.  It's designed into 18 sections and I have decided to finish it up as a block of the month project.  I finished section 8 yesterday and will continue monthly on this project.

I added it to the section before and started my second row!  I'm loving how this project is turning out.  There is paper piecing, hand applique, machine applique, using my square in a square ruler, thangles and even a flying geese ruler.....lots of great techniques.  I would LOVE to instruct this project at a shop.  It's a great project for learning many different things.

 Now to work on my beast of a BOM- - - Out of the Darkness.

No time for me. . .

Yet, but Monday kids start school!!

So, I found an hour over the past few days (broken up hour) to finish Block 2, Month 1 of my Stars Around the Garden.

I think we are set for the weekend....no obligations, no errands, just down time....meaning more sewing for me!

Happy Hump Day!

Another day of busy-ness, but closer to the end of a tunnel - - - granted I'll always find something to keep me busy!

I spent time yesterday finding a place for everything. . . my husband brought me about 10 boxes of sewing room items!  Well, problem is I don't have a huge space to have things out in the open.  I have to really think my processes through.  I want to be able to organize items that I use the most in convenient spots otherwise they will never be put away and being in a small apartment, things needs to be put away and kept orderly.  I have a little more organizing to do, but here's my small sewing area (it shares the dinner room area):

I'm used to a whole floor (15' x 23') area for sewing stuff :)  My huge sewing table won't be used for a long while and I'm already missing it.  I can feel the difference in my elbows and wists.


I did sew for a little bit yesterday complete Month 1 Block 1 of my Stars around the Garden:

And I know my friend Jane will want to steal this quilt because it screams her colors....and yes it's Moda's original Kansas Troubles line.  Too bad I'm keeping this baby :)  Have Month 1 Block 2 cut out, might sew on it today.

Still need to finish up my Frosty Flakes and prepare the next one that is now available.

Plan to do some sewing today for commission work, should keep me busy along with back to school things.

Tuesday Randomness. . .

Reading my Google Blog Reader and realizing, the next Frosty Flakes will be out TODAY!  Yikes, so need to finish the center embroidery on my own block - I had problems with it, but I'll figure it out and post tomorrow.

I spent Sunday evening going through two of my block of months programs I started over 4 years ago.  I mentioned how I don't have a lot of me time right now, so I'm working on my BOMs and thought this should includ my previous UFO ones as well.  Unfortunately, I remember why I didn't finished them - but time to put those feelings of fear away and get down to work.  It's wasting fabric just sitting in pieces in a bag.

First oldest BOM is called Out of the Darkness/A New Beginning - Pieced Baltimore Album pattern by Pam Bono.  I started this late 2006!!  Ugh, this monster is such a challenge.  Each 18" block has at least 250 pieces in it (a few have over 300 pieces).  Cutting alone for each block takes 4-5 hours.  Though as I look back at the 5 blocks I have finished, I realized I'm a much better piecer now and use different accurate methods, so it shouldn't be as challenging as it was before - though it will still take a lot of time.  I have cut out the pieces for block 6 & 7 and started sewing them.  My original thought was this owuld be my autumn bed quilt and most likely it will remain that way....granted it won't be ready til next autumn - - maybe  :)

Next oldest BOM is called Stars Around the Garden started the summer of 2007.  What's funny about this one is that I have already done it.  I purchased this monthly kit from a shop in Canada and showed it to my boss and ended up teaching it at Patches.  So, I never worked on the kits I got in the mail, just on the shop's sample.  Now it's time for me to do my own and it actually excited me!  I have ALL the fabric including the border for this one.

I have lots to entertain myself, now just need to get down to work!