Phew!

Boy, have I accomplished a lot in the last couple of days. I got my October and November Happy Blocks all cut and ready to sew. I did a print with blackberries, raspberries, and some other berry for my October center, with a raspberry-colored print border, and for November I did an orange check center with 2 different fall leaves border. The pictures aren't showing the true colors, but I think they're really pretty.

Then I cut the second set of border strips for my 38 extra Aunt Grace HB's. I'm using a white tone-on-tone for them. Got the 2 sides on but not the top and bottom strips yet. Besides these 38 blocks, I still have about 50 more blocks cut and ready to sew.

Decided I'd better make myself a list of the projects I have to get completed and the dates they're due so I won't miss any. So I went on and pulled all the fabrics and patterns for my next 4 swaps. Put each project in it's own clear glassine envelope so I can see at a glance what it is. I can't believe I'm so organized, lol.
'Course that doesn't mean I won't change my mind before each swap is done, but at least it's a start.

DD's birthday is in October, so I have to get crackin' on her birthday projects, too. She and DGD were over for dinner Wednesday and she saw the Fall/Thanksgiving panel quilt I made for myself last year and fell in love with it. Now she wants it for herself. Says she's going to steal it-the BRAT! Guess I'd better think about making her one, too. She loves Halloween, so maybe I can do something incorporating both holidays. Maybe pumpkins and creepy stuff.
Received my first StashBuster White Elephant Swap box yesterday from Anne. Not only did she send me books, patterns, and fabric--she added a lap-size top all ready to be made into a quilt. It's a great quilt for a man or boy. Can't say more than that as it might become a Christmas gift for someone near and dear to me. But isn't it wonderful that something she was tired/sick of can be recycled to someone who will love it? This swap is a great idea and I love all the possible treasures we can swap. Things I'm tired of or have decided not to finish (or even start), I can put in a box each month and send on to someone else who can use it. I've pulled a bunch of books and patterns and fabrics to send to my swap partner--hope she likes them, but if not she can send it on also. What fun!

Well, Katie says we better get to bed so we can get going tomorrow on all those projects we have lined up. Until next time....

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

A Halloween Swap....

how neat is that? Susan at Blackberry Creek Home Arts is hosting a Halloween Trick or Treat Swap. Stop by her blog and check it out. She makes the greatest ATC's and just posted new ones for Halloween. She is one talented lady. I signed up for the swap--can't wait to get started on that. One more thing to add to my list of To-Do's. Just what I needed, right?

Katie says we have to make Gudrun's pattern that's in the Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting magazine, September/October issue,
for sure as one of our projects for Halloween. And since I just happen to have that copy, I'm letting her have her way.


Block Central is having a “Sweet 16 Sixteens Snowpeople Swap” on their forum. It's a no-sew swap. Swappers need to commit to sending at least 16 Sweet Sixteens (A "Sweet Sixteen" is a 9” by 11” cut of fabric.) to arrive no later than October 15th. The theme for this swap is “Let It Snow!”
The background colors of each fabric should be blue and white with scenes of Snowpeople and Snowflakes-but not Christmas. I have to check my stash before I commit to this swap, but it sounds like a great way to increase my snowmen stash. Maywood Studios have a whole line of free Sweet Sixteen patterns on their website. Go here and check them out.


Happy Quilting,
Sharon

Summer's over here....

and the weather has turned cold! I had to wear jeans yesterday when I went out-first time since May. Today I went back to shorts, but shivered every time I quit working and just sat. Brrrr. I could live year-round in 70-80 degree weather and be very happy. The only time I want snow anymore is Christmas week. I do love the Fall, though. It's really my favorite time of year-still lots of sun and cooler weather.

And with Fall comes
and all the autumn colors I love. I have plans for 4 or 5 fall wallhangings. Some will be themed for Halloween, but others just for autumn or harvest time,
and then on to Thanksgiving.
I have a ton of fall patterns and books to choose from-that's the hard part! I've spent the last couple of weeks going over them and have made my final choices. Now to get down to business and start working.

I did mail out my September Happy Blocks in the Aunt Grace/Wash Tub 30's prints to the winners of that drawing on Block Central, NorthernDeb and Kylie.
Those lucky gals won about 50+ blocks each. I have to add a white border to each of the extra blocks I made and then I'm going to make them into a baby quilt top. Katie thinks we'll have enough to make 2 baby quilts or a lap quilt. She really like the blocks-especially the orange ones!

I also joined Bonnie Hunter's new Quiltville Swap Group on Yahoo and mailed out my first fabric swap strips. I love this group because we have a choice between swapping washed or unwashed strips. I don't usually pre-wash my fabric, so of course I chose to swap the unwashed 2 1/2-inch strip sets. We could swap up to 10 sets of 10 strips each, but I went for 5 sets my first time. Then wished I had done the 10 sets, because I forgot the strips are not WOF but only 20-22 inches. So I could get 2 strips out of each WOF strip.
Katie said, "DUH!" But next time I'll remember.

When I went to visit my grandson in Syracuse last month I went to 4 quilt shops in the area. My 2 favorites were Calico Gals and Mission Rose Quiltery. Calico Gals is very small but had lots of nice fabric and patterns for it's size. Mission Rose Quiltery was larger and had so much to look at, I think I went into overload looking at the tons of samples they had up. Both shops are located on the second floor, but still worth the visit. I also visited Cottons,Etc., which is very nice but I think more geared to fashion fabrics and clothing, and Patchwork Plus Quilt Shop in Marcellus. Patchwork Plus is huge--I've never seen so many fabrics outside a wholesale warehouse! Every color and theme you can imagine. Any ladies--they have TWO huge and beautiful bathrooms!! A big plus in my book. So if you're in the Syracuse, NY area, be sure and check these 4 places out. I told my grandson I'd be back for another visit soon if they have any fall classes I want to take. Just think-seeing my grandson and going to a quilt class all in one stay--how is that?

And last, but not least, a huge "THANK YOU" to Toni, The Quilting Pirate for getting my comments on this blog to work. She was kind enough to take the time to fix me up so I can now get responses. Isn't she the greatest? Thanks, Toni, I owe you one.

Well, off to bed now so I can get up bright and early and get groceries, then I'll have all afternoon to pick fabrics and get cutting. Until next time....

Happy Quilting
Sharon

My Poor Katie.....

Spent most of this week back and forth to the vet's office. It was past time for little Katie to be spayed-she's been in heat every 2 weeks since March. First she had to have all her shots and then had to wait til the vet could schedule her in, but finally Wednesday I took her (and my daughter and grandson's three cats also) to be spayed. Had to leave her overnight before and after, and went back on Friday to pick her up. Poor little girl--her white fur is shaved and her little pink tummy shows her incision. Found out she only weighs 5 pounds 6 ounces, even though she was a year old in March. She's been on painkillers til Saturday and antibiotics til they're gone, so she is not yet her usual perky self. In fact, all she's wanted to do is cuddle, so I've gotten zilch done as far as sewing. I did do a lot of work on my blog, rearranging things, updating links and great places to visit and shop. Katie sat right next to me in her rocker. I still haven't figured out why I can't get Comments to show up, though. I had them the first time I did the blog. I've read and changed things and still can't get that Comments thingy to come up. Anybody got any ideas? Email me at quiltingmama20 at stny dot rr dot com if you do-I think I'm illiterate in this part of blogging.

I did hear from Chookyblue and received my swap partner in the SSCS 2008. And she 's from ............ another country! LOL!

I'm so excited, now I have to go check out my patterns to see what kind of goody I can whip up for my new friend. It has to be something special, since she lives in ?


Happy Quilting,
Sharon

So Much Fabric, So Little Time!

If I thought I was behind last week, I'm even further behind this week. Last Monday afternoon I drove an hour north to meet with Laurie in NY of Soldiers' Angels. She had 6 large boxes of fabric donated to SA by a quilter who could not sew any more. She wanted her fabric to go to someone who would use it to make quilts and/or other items for our soldiers. I also received a box of fabric squares donated to Kim in MA, again to be used to make quilts and other projects for wounded soldiers. Unfortunately, the fabric Laurie had, had been stored in a damp cellar for 2 months and really needed washing and drying. So I spent Tuesday laying out fabric in the sun to air and taking loads to my washer and dryer.

I didn't iron that stuff, but I spent part of the week washing and ironing YUCK!!! the rest of the fabric I have to go with my Aunt Grace/Washtub fabrics for the Happy Block Swap I'm doing at Block Central. Did get them pressed and ready for the last 2 strips to be sewn on, then they're done.

I also finished up more 9-patch blocks for another R/W/B patriotic quilt top.
Just have to add the borders to that and the other one already done and make the backs and they'll be ready to go to a long-arm quilter. I have to find someone in my area that will do the job for free or at least at a discounted rate for charity, or they'll never get quilted. I have lots of stash to draw from to make them, but no money to pay to get them quilted. If any of you out there know of someone who would be willing to quilt them, please have them email me at quiltingmama20 at stny dot rr dot com.

Had to get groceries on Wednesday and get some new tubs to put all the new donated fabric in, so a stop at Wal-Mart was necessary. Naturally I had to see what the fabric department had. Got some great quilt back fabric and some pre-quilted two-sided material to make myself a new purse for fall. And today in the mail I got a new purse pattern from Quilts Illustrated, designed by Penny Sturges. This next purse will NOT turn into a tote like the last one did!
And I fit in 4 loads of my own home laundry in between all the donated fabric and all the shopping. All this overworked my bad arm, so consequently could not sew since Thursday. Had to get a cortizone shot in my shoulder today to relieve the pain. But-maybe tomorrow I can sew again and finish up those blocks so they'll be ready when I WIN THE REST from the Happy Block Swap!!!
I did work on part of my Maple Leaf blocks for the Burger Queen mystery quilt, but have a long way to go on that. And everyone is posting pictures of their quilts and I can't even peek! How tough is that! These are the stems for my 6-inch blocks.

I did add a new slide show to my site today. Not a lot in it yet, but some of my older quilts and tabletoppers. I'll have to go look up my picture book and scan some of the pictures in from previous projects. I just love to look at everyone else's picture-I get so much inspiration from them.

One of my favorite new sites is Grandma's Kitchen, Patchwork Patroontjies She is so talented and I love her designs. I've put several on my to-do list.

And have you been to the Pink Penguin ? She has some great tutorials. One is the neatest fabric basket--I think that's going on my Christmas list of things to make for the relatives.

That's all for today, I hope to be happily quilting tomorrow.

Sharon (and Katie, who helped write today's post by sitting next to me and supervising!)

I'm So Far Behind...

I'm so far behind on the Stashbuster Burger Queen Mystery Quilt. Haven't even started sewing my 9-inch blocks yet. I did start cutting them, but got interrupted by wifey chores like making supper, and never got back to them.

Then I got distracted by Block Central's forum announcing the sign-up for their September Happy Blocks Swap. Since I've never done a swap either, I had to nose around a little, and yep! I'm hooked! All you have to do is make these simple little "happy" blocks out of 4 1/2 inch squares surrounded by 1 row of 2 1/2 inch strips. How easy is that? And my favorite "brainless piecing" block is already the Log Cabin, so this simple Courthouse Steps version will fit happily into my schedule when I want to sew, but don't feel up to thinking about it. You know--those times you feel like you're in Zombie-land! LOL !
Now I generally never pre-wash and iron my fabric anymore. The only time is if I'm sewing a large flannel quilt. I usually just jump right in and cut it up and sew. But the rules for the Happy Block Swap say you have to, so I moaned and groaned and did the dirty! Ugh!
I forgot how much I hate all that pre-wasing and ironing! But it's all done now, and I moved on to the cutting.
This month's swap is Aunt Grace/Wash Tub type 1930's Reproduction fabrics. I haven't used any of those before; that's why I was attracted to the swap in the first place. I've had fun cutting up and matching all the blocks to sew. I only have to do 6 blocks for the swap, but I have over 60 extra's cut and ready to sew, just in case I don't win the swap blocks. Instead of everyone swapping blocks, only 2 people get the blocks. Then they aren't eligible to win again for a while. A different idea, but sounds like a fun chance to take. Maybe I'll be lucky and win half the blocks, but if not, I'll have enough for a lap quilt anyway. These are my fabrics--don't you love them?
Tomorrow I'm going to sit down and chain piece them all. I started to lay the blocks out in a stack on the table to make it easier to chain piece, but Katie decided she didn't like them that way! First she attacked the center block and bit it, then she showed her contempt for the pieces by sitting right down in the middle of them.
And proceeded to give herself a bath! She is so spoiled.

But we love her and she sure makes life interesting around here. Anyway, I gave up on trying to lay the blocks all out stacked up and will do it as I sew them. When Katie has a hissy fit, it's easier to let her have her way. (Now do you see why she's spoiled?)
Have any of you been over to Kate North's blog and seen the beautiful small quilts the ladies in her swap are exchanging? What wonderful quilts and beautiful colors. I'm hoping to join them in the future. I went back thru all her archives and those little quilts are simply gorgeous! Take a few minutes and visit her, you'll be glad you did.
That's all for today. Next time I hope to have all my Aunt Grace blocks done for you to see.
Until then, happy quilting,
Sharon

PS - Thanks to the wonderful creator of the character, Maxine. I love buying her Hallmark cards to send out to my friends. She is hilarious.

Finally-Pictures to Share!

I've really been busy since my last post. Decided to make a new summer purse because I was so tired of my old denim one. And it was too small to hold all the junk I've been carrying lately. Found some nice doublesided pre-quilted hot pink real summery-looking fabric on sale at my son's WalMart (not his personally, lol, he's a department manager there). So instead of grocery shopping on Friday, I sat down and cut out and serged myself a new larger purse. Only trouble is, I made it a little bit too large and it became a tote! (Must be the tote fairy zapped it when I wasn't looking!) I didn't put any inside pockets in, 'cause it wasn't supposed to be this big, but I did add 2 nice large pockets on the outside for my cell phone and note pad, pen, and sunglasses case. My old purse got so I couldn't zip it shut, but this one I left open with just a button closure. I put some plastic canvas in the bottom to make it stand up and put a long, skinny strap made from the same material on it. Now I'm ready to go with lots of room to spare. I can even put my small umbrella in it if I need to. Don't you just love the colors?
Worked some more on the Burger Queen Mystery. So far I only have my 12-inch blocks done. Finished squareing them up this morning. Later today I'll start work on the 9-inch ones. What do you think so far? I'll be adding in some different colors on a few of the 9-inch ones.
After I finished my maple leaf blocks, I worked on the 9-patch blocks I'm making for a quilt for Operation Quiet Comfort. This quilt only needs to be 36 inches wide by 60 inches long. I laid them out on the table as regular 2x3 rows, and it looks nice, but I think I'll cut up the blocks and rearrange them in the Disappearing 9-Patch format. I haven't made a quilt like that before, so it will be a new experience. Hopefully not a painful one!

Well, my break is over, time to get back to work. Can't get too far behind on that Mystery and OQC really is in desperate need of small quilts for our wounded warriors! Please take a minute to check out OQC's website and see how you can help, too. The link is posted under My Favorite Links. Remember, our troops need our support!


Until later, Happy Quilting!
Sharon

Decisions! Decisions! Decisions!

Well, I finally made my choices for the StashBusters Burger Queen Mystery Quilt! After looking at everyone else's block and fabric choices and changing my mind three times...LOL I finally went back to my original choice of the Maple Leaf block from Marcia Hohn's Quilt Blocks Galore. I chose assorted fall colors to make scrappy blocks in different colors. Katie had to have her say, of course, but she finally agreed that these colors were okay with her!
So I guess these will be my final choices. My background fabric is small rust flowers on a light cream with my plain large border the darker green. The end fabric is really a dark red tone-on-tone but is showing up more rust-colored in the picture, but I really love the dark purple I threw in. If I run out of my focus fabrics, I'll have to head back to my stash and choose some more, but that's the beauty of a "scrappy" look. No one knows if you planned it that way or you ran out and had to make substitutions.
Tonight I'll finish cutting my blocks and tomorrow I'll start sewing. Clue 3 came out today and I can't get too far behind!

I also have to get back to my Disappearing 9-patch and get cutting my scrappy quilt for Soldier's Angels. Maybe I'll cut that tonight after I finish my Burger Queen blocks. Nothing on TV anymore, so I might as well keep busy.

Until next time, happy quilting!

Sharon

My First Post

Today marks my newest challenge--creating my first blog! I have learned so much over the last month or two, reading blogs of other quilters from all over the world, that I thought I might try it myself.

I love fabric and patterns and pictures of quilts and reading about other people's quilts and..... you get the idea. Sometimes I spend so much time looking and planning and adding to my stash that I forget that I need to use some of it up and actually make a quilt! My hubby says it's time to quit buying and start sewing! What does he know? The smooth feel of the fabrics as they sit so prettily on my shelves is a tonic in itself. And the colors - reds, greens, yellows, blues, and purples make me smile-they're like opening the door on sunshine. Why would I want to use all that wonderful stuff up?

But I've made myself a promise that I will TRY to stop buying and get going and start making quilts for myself and my family. My daughter does have a quilt on her bed now that I made her after she wore out her first one. And I do have a UFO in a box waiting to be finished that she'd love. But first, I need to do the binding on a beautiful Jacob's Elevator quilt that my friend, Mary, made for me. I suppose I should make a list of all my UFO's, but I'm afraid that would discourage me, so I think I'll just get going on my next project.

I've started a red, white, and blue disappearing 9-patch to go to a wounded soldier through the Operation Quiet Comfort program. And I've pulled fat quarters to do the Stashbuster Groups' New Year's quilt so I can donate that to the Soldier's Angels quilt program. Both groups do a fantastic job in supporting our troops and wounded warriors both here in the States and overseas. I've set myself a goal this year to make and donate at least 5 quilts to them before the year's end. That should certainly use up some of that stash I try to hide from my DH.

I've also signed up to do my first Mystery Quilt through the Stashbuster Mystery Quilt group. I haven't started sewing yet because I can't make up my mind which quilt block to do and which of 3 sets of fabric to use. I started pulling fabric for Maple Leaf blocks in assorted fall colors 'cause that's my favorite time of the year, but then saw some of the 9-patch blocks others were making and pulled 2 different sets of fabric for them! Decisions, decisions! But I have to make up my mind this weekend, 'cause Week 2's instructions are up and Week 3 will be up Tuesday, I think. I don't want to get too far behind on that.

Helping me along with my sewing is my little cat, Katie. She is the sweetest cat I have ever had. I just finished sewing 26 football-fabric pillowcases for a unit in Iraq and after I got them ironed, she had to "help" by making sure they were "pressed" just right and were soft enough for our soldiers! LOL! She sure is fun!

Since I have no quilt pics to show yet, I'll just add pics of Katie to this posting.
Hopefully, next time I post I'll have some blocks to share. Until next time, happy quilting!

Sharon