If it Keeps Snowing Just maybe

I'll complete my organization of the sewing room.


Today they have been begging people to stay off the roads unless it is really necessary. With the snow we received yesterday and another 1" or so last night the roads are a mess. It was 24 degrees then the sun came out melted just enough on top of the ice to really make it a real hazard today. So I am being a good citizen today and staying home.

In between sewing session I have been cutting scraps into manageable blocks, sorted by size.

1.5" and 2" in this drawer:

2.5" & 4.5" go in this drawer:

3.5" & 6.5"

5" & 10.5" here:
The 10.5" will be used for quilt backs.


All size triangles are here: You get the idea,
Fat quarters and larger scraps are color coded in these drawers, I have 3 of these, I picked up on close out for $7 each,they fit perfectly under my cutting table. I have a tiny room so every inch has to be used, and of course the ironing board has center stage at all times. Today I decided to dig into the pile of scrap strips, the best way I know of to organize them is to use them up.
So I started making string blocks.
Fastest way I know of to use strips and they can always be used in charity quilts. Usually though the pile doesn't seem to diminish.


Happy Quilting!

Snow Snow Snow

A little update on this mornings post, it has snowed 8" in about 6 hrs, and it is still snowing.

Heavy snow fall this morning just as the commuters have to hit the trail, I am thankful I do not have to get out on the roads. This morning started out nice and warm, then just about 6:30 it started snowing very heavily. After all it is winter in Idaho, I heard on the radio this morning that a few homes in North Idaho, have collapsed from the weight of the snow. They must not be built like they use to, I lived in North Idaho as kid we always had heavy snow from November to late March, I never heard about any roofs caving in.
I had plans to swim this morning but looks like it is best to stay home and sew. I am working on UFO's that I came across during my deep cleaning at the beginning of January. I have several projects going at once I am currently finishing a Block of Month "Thimbleberries Pansy Park" I refer to as my M & M quilt. Me and 2 other friends Mary Ann & Marlyn decided to do it together as a way to stay connected after I moved. The three of us each furnished the other two with the fabric for the next block each month, the idea being when we finished we would have identical quilt blocks.
There are a total of 12 sampler blocks, each block has it's own challenge at piecing. I had finished 8, the remaining 4 were cut out and waiting, they have been waiting for 2 years now. I think it is time to get it finished.
In the evening I am still quilting the frienship star quilt, "Working through the Blues".

I also have caught up on a BOM Mystery quilt offered by Claudia's Quilt Shoppe

So it is not like I don't have anything to do on a snow day.
Happy Quilting!

Sunday Morning Crumbs

Not much going on around here today.

The temperature has taken a turn for the better, it went from 18 to 38 overnight. What a pleasant surprise this morning when I went out to fill the bird feeder. They had predicted snow overnight, I'm so pleased they were wrong.

I was up early this morning, I wanted to finish the crumb quilt before I turned on the computer. I played with the lettering yesterday afternoon, which turned out to be easier that I thought, but time consuming. I opened Bonnies' crumb page and kept running to the computer to look at her letters.

This morning I did a simple stitch in the ditch around the blocks, (don't try this before you have your first cup a coffee). I had a hella of time trying to sew straight, needed that first cup to steady my hand.
I think I will hang this in the bathroom above the toilet, see how many read and ask about it.

I know everyone must have a blog roll as long as your arm, but if you have time check Dizzy, a creative lady with a sense of humor.

Happy Quilting!

A Day off & Friday Crumbs

After having a couple weeks of intense sewing for the quilt shop, I took the day off and played with crumbs.

No pattern to follow, no instructions to read, and no color selections to worry about. I have been wanting to try this crumb quilt blocks ever since I discovered
Bonnie's Crumb Quilts.
In just a short time I had a bunch of 3 1/2" blocks made, how fun. I'll never throw another crumb away.

Yesterday while I was in the sewing room playing with my crumbs, an anonymous good samaritan came and shoveled the snow out of my driveway and cleared the front walk.
What a nice surprise. I did tear myself away long enough to make a much needed trip to the grocery store. We are expecting another snow storm to come through today. At least the snow brought along with it warmer temperatures, this mornings low was 18 instead of the 5 it has been.

As I sew, I listen to talk radio, yesterday they were talking about time to plant seeds for the garden. As much as I enjoy spring and the garden coming to life, I am dreading all the labor that goes with it.

Happy Quilting!

Valentine Hearts

I am caught up at the quilt shop for awhile, so I can get back to a few of my projects.
I thought I would share with you, my February quilt, also known sometimes as my July quilt. I am hanging it a little early because it makes me happy.

I made this quilt about 12 years ago, my first attempt at freezer paper applique. I did a lot of hand work on this quilt that I probably wouldn't take time to do today.

I never leave it hanging very long because the dark colors fade so fast.

I think this was about the third quilt I hand quilted.

Hope you enjoy looking at it as much as I do.
I have given away a lot of quilts but could never part with this one.

Happy Quilting!

Quilting slumps in January & maybe a reason

Seems like the majority of blogs I visit are in a quilting/blogging slump.

Maybe this blog has the answer, Quilt Nut Creations she states that Jan. 21 is the most depressing day of the year, so she offered a cute give away to cheer everyone up. Beings I'm behind on blog reading too I missed getting my name in the pot.

A lot of the blogs have been posting about the frigid weather, with the chill factor I have a -1 this morning, brrrrr. When I went out to fill the bird feeders I felt it.
I think I will skip going to the pool today,if I left there with my hair wet, it would surely freeze before I could get to the car, good excuse! I think I will hide out in my sewing room today.

I will have to go out later to deliver a couple tote bags to the quilt shop, and a visit to the grocery store is becoming necessary. .



Both bags are made using "Simplicity" charm packs by 3 Sisters for Moda

Here's hoping slumps are over for everyone.
Happy Quilting!

Cross eyed Chicken Pin Cushion

I found myself in need of a quick gift,for my friend Pam, I had about an hour to come with something, and get ready, this is what I came up with Doreen Speckman's Chicken Pin cushion.

I found a few orphan blocks that just happened to be the right size, actually you can make these any size,
I had to play with it awhile to remember how it went together.
As I recall, we use to fill these with rice, running out of time, (I hate to be late) ran to cupboard oooops out of rice,but I had popcorn, dumped in the popcorn and sewed her shut.

Then a gift bag, this one happened to have Buggy Barn advertising on the front, which is not a bad thing, if the gift had been for a quilter I would have used it as is. Pam does not sew, so decided to cover it, I pulled out some wonder under and covered the logo.
All in all, she turned out kinda cute, even with her cross eyes, and the recipient was pleased.
How many quilters remember Doreen?

She was a creative, innovative quilt teacher and a comedian, I never missed a show when she appeared on "Simply Quilts"

A Quote from her obituary reads: "Doreen created her first quilt with the anticipation of the birth of her daughter Megan. From there she began a career in quilting which included: authoring two books in quilting, teaching quilting classes for thousands of people over the years and gaining worldwide fame for her off beat sense of humor and entertaining style. She led quilting tours and cruises to all corners of the world, touching the hearts and inspiring quilters along the way."

Doreen died while on a quilting tour in Ireland 1999, she was 48.

I have her first book "Pattern Play" and refer to it often.
Happy Quilting!

Stash busting and a new project

Another sample quilt for the quilt shop, this one is also from the Quilt Pink magazine. The block is very simple,
the fabrics we are using for this quilt has completely taken me out of my comfort zone.
Another thing that is so nice about sewing for the shop, I am doing things I wouldn't have chosen to do on my own.


Sunday Stashbusting Report.
This is the only thing I bought at the quilt show yesterday, a panel of 6 different quilting divas. I will add borders to each one and use them as gifts for my quilting buddies. Of course I will have to keep a couple in my stash.

Happy Quilting!

Quilt Show Today

Today I went Nampa's first quilt show fund raiser, proceeds will go to benefit The Pix Theater restoration project, the theater was built in 1946.
It was a small show, about 80 quilts in all, and about 10 vendors, but it was packed with people. I took my camera along but was only able to get a few photos.
I thought this was a cute quilt, "jeramiah was a bull frog" applique.


Then this quilt really impressed me. It was tribute to the quiltmakers grandmother.
The pink represents the aprons she always wore, then the quiltmaker placed her grandmothers collection of hankies in each apron. There were two photos in the quilt of her grandmother one at the age of 80 and one at the age of 21. It was hand quilter and very well done. I think her grandmother would have been very proud.


Happy Quilting!

A little of This & That

Yesterday morning I completed this little 14" square appliqued quilt for the quilt shop. It is made using a charm pack "At Waters Edge" by Moda.


The shop has only been open a month or so, I was lucky enough to be one of her first customers. We just hit it off right away, of course quilters do that. With in few days of the shop being open, Mary ask me if I would be interested in sewing samples for her.

We struck a deal that we are both very pleased with. Mary told me yesterday that the patterns that I have sewn samples of are flying out the door.
This darling little shop is only 5 blocks from my house, I don't even need to stop at a stop sign to get there.


The shop had there first class yesterday afternoon, I ask to sit in.
Sandi Moore, a seasoned teacher, was teaching a free scrappy tote bag class. I wanted to watch her teaching style, Sandi is also a retired school teacher, a real fun person to be around.

I am not sure I have any teaching skills, but I guess I will be finding out real soon.

Mary has me scheduled next Tuesday to teach a class on making placemats. It will also be a free class. It will be my first teaching experience so I am a little nervous about it.
I will also post my technique here next week, for a no binding placemat, be sure and check back.