Spinning Black and White

Altho I still don't remember who all swapped with me in this swap, the top is done. Another one added to the "to be quilted" pile. Would be nice if these tops just magically quilted themselves!!!

Looking for

the ladies that swapped in this Pinwheel swap with me? Were you one of them??? Please contact me if you were! The blocks are all done in black/white/wob/bow.

Using scraps......

So many scraps! Time to "get-a-grip" on them! I was intrigued with Bonnie Hunter's pattern (http://quiltville.com/outonastring.shtml) Out on a String. Pat had two 6' diamond rulers so I changed my stars from 3" to 6". I am also using one fabric as the center for each star--I know, controlled scrappy again, but it's a start!!! Not sure how many stars I will make yet....

"My Time"

.....was spent at a friend's house for a few days. I left Monday forenoon and will travel back home tomorrow morning. We spent time sewing/quilting, chatting and having lunch with more friends. Also did a little shopping.

Progress: Disappearing 9-Patch top is completed-

A "Shelley" bag was made:

I continued working on my "Sewing Jar" blocks and my black-n-white Pinwheel blocks. My string blocks have been started, and I tested a "scrappy Majestic Mountains" pattern. All in all, a great feeling of accomplishment and a time of relaxlation!!!!!

A day of stash management

was on the agenda for today. I have so many pieces of fabric I'll never use in a current/future project. Often have to ask myself WHY did I buy that????? Spending a lot of time sewing/quilting with Ann has opened my eyes to the "Scrappy World." No, I still can't make a totally scrappy quilt by just picking up strips/etc., but I am working on it. I can do "controlled" scrappy...guess that's a start?

Anyway, today I decided I needed to actually DO something with some of these fabrics instead of moving them from place to place! At Ann's on Thursday, I remarked there's a pattern I'd like to make but don't know what colorway--yet you guessed it, her remark was "well, scrappy, of course!" All day yesterday I thought about this. Can I really do it with some of these no-longer-wanted fabrics?

I started by pulling out the bins and started by cutting 8.5 inch squares...I needed 66 of them. Ummmm I've cut them with no repeats--ut-oh!!!!! The unused pieces went into an empty bin. I did use all one fabric for the co-ordinating fabric, so once again I have a "controlled scrappy" kit cut out.

I started with 5 bins full this size: (they were full!)

now all fabrics are in bins this size and I can actually find something!

well, all but this:

Now I need to figure out HOW to cut these into useable scraps??????

T-Shirt Quilt

A while back I was asked to make a t-shirt quilt for a friend's daughter:

School's Out!!!!!

And I think I am once agian "amoung the living!" Every year the last month of school seems to get busier and busier! In the mist of all this Michelle finished up her Jr. year of college and had to be moved. I sadly missed the Ohio Quilter's Retreat because of this move. Unless something drastic happens, so won't have to move now until the end of her college life and depending on the job, she will stay where she's at.

Again, I helped out at the bus garage after school ended washing buses inside getitng them ready for State Inspection. Started with a list of 8, which grew to 15 then 16! Finished that up on Thursday morning then quickly headed to visit Ann before they found more! My arms and back are still achy, but it paid good and that's fabric money!!! :)

Now I intend to enjoy my summer off--at least for awhile!

More Practice Needed!

I've been working on perfecting my machine quilting on my domestic machine. Truely believe I need to keep practicing!!!! Used a different batting and I'm not thrilled with the result. Rylee likes it though--butterflies and purple!

Churn Dash in 30's forals

Still working on using up my "stash," I made twelve Churn Dash blocks using my 30's florals. I strip bordered them at retreat last weekend and made the top---now to get it quilted!!!

Disappearing Nine-Patch

Had a chance to escape last weekend!! Went to a small retreat down in Torch, OH. Had a wonderful time with some pretty awesome quilting friends!!! Wasn't sure what I wanted to take to work on? I wanted "mindless" sewing! I needed to regroup and refresh, not only my body, but mind also! The BOW/WOB/brights 9-patches have been sitting here. I had started cutting and resewing them but just didn't have the stick-to-itness I needed to finish, so to retreat they went! I've also added a solid black border and and trying to decide what to do for the last border(s)????? Got a few great suggestions from the other quilters at retreat, now have to decide! What do you suggest?????? (from 9-patch to a disappearing 9-patch)

Celebrating a birthday

Hubby had a birthday a few weeks ago....the girls joined in on a "birthday dinner" affair!

oh boy......

...I have NO idea where the last month went!!!??!!! A lot of time was spent at my parents....My Dad is home and doing really well. Still have some problems regulating his morning sugar count, but that's something we are dealing with. And, the weather played some surprises on us...rain...hail...snow.... UCK!!!!! The other afternoon it was just snowing a few flakes at 2 when I went to work by 4 I could hardly see a quarter mile ahead! Then the next day it was sunny and 50!!! Awwww the joys of living in Ohio! :) As for sewing/quilting.....will catch up on that in a few.......

Just an update:

NO sewing
NO warm weather
NO school--again

It's been a wild ride this month! Due to this crazy Ohio weather, we have missed a lot of school or had delayed starts. Thus, my schedules are all messed up!! ggggrrrrrrr Today we are having another ice storm followed with snow. Kids have to move into their new home this weekend--not going to be a fun move! (huuummmm......maybe I could stay at home and watch Ms. Rylee instead of helping move???)

Dad is still in rehab---not progressing very fast, but making some progress.so we are taking it one-day-at-a-time. He wants to go home, but........

I think a nice hot cup of tea is in order so catch up with you later!

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!!

My Dad.....

...fell last Tuesday and hasn't recovered very well so am asking for your thoughts and prayers.
He didn't break anything, but really bruised his back. Being a heart and diabetic patient on top of this, leaves to a very slow recovery!

From Tuesday-Friday early afternoon he was in the hospital. We then had him moved to Walnut Hills Rehab Center. All has NOT gone so well there either! He is confused at times and just seems to have given up. ACK!!!! We are praying that everything starts in an up-swing this week!

Needless to say, I haven't touched my sewing machine lately! Nor have I been able to consentrate on hand stitching. Maybe if I cleaned up the studio, I'd be able to steal a few minutes here and there? So, I'm off to see what can be accomplished before heading back to work. Will stop and see my Dad on the way home this evening...this will become a daily thing for now.

Have a great week!

My Find.....

Went to an auction with Ryan and Amber on Monday evening. Lots of crafts and fabrics but they went for outragious prices so I left them there except......

I just couldn't turn these Grandmother's Flower Garden blocks down! Have no idea if/when I will ever get them into a quilt, but for now these 80 blocks are ALL MINE!!!!!

Wanna an icicle?

Lots of them on my bus even after sitting in the sun all day yesterday! Felt good getting out and about this morning even if it was to go to work!

Black and White con't:

Another snow (ice) day and I spent more time sewing! T wenty-seven blocks made to swap--all pressed and ready to go into the envelopes as soon as I make the trip to the store to get them!

Made a few extra blocks for myself so I played a little with the layout that is in my head:


From this:


To This:

Another day off work....

...due to the ice storm that came through overnight and they are calling for more ice and snow plus it's windy and cold!! Not very thrilled about it! Staying home and inside as long as the power doesn't go off.

I did get Michelle's taxes filed and ours started.....will finish later as the numbers were getting blurry! Needed a break so headed to the sewing studio..

Have 30 9-patch blocks made. Need to finish pressing them. Think tonight I'll sit and do some hand-work while watching TV......

Sure hope we can go to school tomorrow--I need people!!

Black and White

I am working on some black and white 9-patch blocks. Each fabric must be a white-on-black or a black-on-white and all will have a touch of bright in them--the center square to be exact. Fabrics may be repeated. (another way to use up stash!!) I am swapping some of these so will have a variety. Once I have all the 9-patches, I have another plan in mind so stay tuned!