A mile stone for me!

I have been thinking about how much time is past for my blog and it is almost a year ! ( WOW !) Time is flies so fast when you are busy no matter if you have fun or not just busy. I haven't reached the 100 entry but I will have reached the year I will try to come up with something fun to celebrate. Maybe a quilt???? A year of blocks would be great. How about all the blocks are 12 inches and is a calendar block. Any how I will come up with something fun, I do love suggestions. Maybe I will get a great idea from another blog no worries I wouldn't borrow an idea without giving credit to that person. The exact date is Oct. 26 so I have some time to come up with something. Happy stitching!

September's mug rug!

I finished this two weeks ago and as usual things in our house hold took some major busy swings and I am finally getting around to posting this finish.

Love picture quilts!

I will so need to look through my stash and find some border fabric and maybe make this for a gift to somebody. At any rate it will give me a nice small hand working project to take with me since I am running out of small projects to take with me.

God Bless America, we will never forget.

Fun with strips!

This has got to be a great pile of strips, as before the possibilities are endless. I do love string quilt tricks so I went in that direction. Once I had a few rows of strings I cut them into.....

4 inch long strips. I made like four lengths of these babies. I cut a neutral color like off white/ecru or muslin what ever. Then I stitched along each side, then I used my handy dandy triangle maker tool. And...

I ended up with something like this. I know that isn't much of a tutorial but I'm not giving a tutorial. I was able to get 10 squares from one long strip. The little squares unfinished are 5.5 inches they combine to create a 10 inch square. I was able to make 40 of these in an afternoon. If you want a better tutorial visit Bonnie Hunters website (teacher of the year), at quiltville.com she gives a much better tutorial, diamond-in-a-square strings. Enjoy!

Long time no post!

Finally I both find the time and take the time to post some pictures of finished projects and one WIP. This is a quick quilt that started a few months ago when I had a sew day and did a strip race. Any how I needed to make a quilt for my hubby because he will be a geographical bachelor for a few years. I sliced the stripped top into three equal parts and then added the borders to make it big enough to fit a twin bed. I was glad to get it done before he had to go.

I sat down last week and quickly made these mug rugs to catch up on my year of mug rug series. I'm guessing you can tell they are June, July, and August.

Last but not least this is a birthday wall hanging/ banner, because this month is my birthday. Hurray for me. Happy stitching!

Vacation works in progress.

First the fabric. I was so well behaved due to non-existence of space. I stayed with fat quarters, here we have the calicoes, I will always have roots in the traditional.

Here is a scrap grab bag jelly roll from Moda, I can't wait to have some fun with this.

I was on a search for this particular range of fabrics. Because......

when you take a few like these for example you get.....

This, I love this technique from the "Accidental Landscapes" book. I really enjoyed her technique extremely easy. I would say very much for a beginner. 

And last but not least I was able to get my two color quilt challenge almost done it just needs to top stitching and binding.(HURRAY !!) My colors are aqua and brown not to much difficulty with these colors. I forget at the moment the book that gave me the idea I will have to find it and get back to you on that.

I have returned!

I have been gone a while I know, but when in-laws need you they really need you. I have made a lot of progress on many projects. Today I am resting, so I will get pictures of the fabric and the work I've done and hopefully you will be pleased. I know I am. Happy stitching! 

Finished UFO's

I love to have small projects to take and work on just about every where I go. This is a cute little doll quilt that just needed top stitching and binding. Done!

This is a little wall quilt that I started about two years ago. I love houses and this made sense to finally make a home sweet home with a little house and some simple embroidery flowers. Any how at least they are done. Happy stitching!

school days

I can't believe that I haven't blogged in sooo long!!!!???? The end of the school year is upon me and with all the activities going on it's been just a little crazy. Both of my girls will be moving onto new schools in the fall, the youngest into middle school and the oldest will be a freshman in high school. Where does the time go?? I feel confident that in that time I have celebrated their lives helping to make memories for them to cherish in the future. I do have some things to share I just need to take pictures and download, when I get some time.
I have been to a great quilt show and didn't take any pictures I didn't take my camera what was I thinking???
I did have a great time, it was a guild trip so I had lots of company. Any way I will try to down load and make updates all this week. I will be gone for a few weeks and I don't know if I will be able to get internet service so I definitely want to make updates before I go.

Playing with Jacks

So any how, on Bonnie Hunter's website, quiltville.com scroll down on the right tool bar. She has a list of free patterns with awesome patterns, and instructions. For those who have gone you know about her anyone who hasn't check out her site. She did get a teacher of the year award, she is a great teacher, and wonderful encourager. This pattern is playing with jacks. I choose these colors they seem to be popular, and I love the combinations.

I cut them into 2 1/2 inch strips.

I again cut according to the instructions she gives. I put them into this layout.

Stitched them together in a 9 patch configuration.  This is so darling ! I cut out for 16 more blocks to be worked on at my leisure. Totally easy block could so make a quilt in a weekend. She loves to see what others come up with send her a picture she will add it to the rest. Happy stitching!

Finished!!

This is the fabric I chose, cute right? I will be making a disappearing nine patch.

I used 6 1/2 inch squares.

Stitched together then cut in half.

Then I rearranged the squares into a pleasing position. Then stitched into place. 

Then I put a simple border.

This is the quilt with some very bad quilting, the picture doesn't show how bad the stitching is. I realize I need to get a walking foot for doing this myself.

It has the backing with the binding all done. Now it will be given a label for the little girl that is getting this. Remember hubby and I went on a nice get away? Did I tell you I met a really sweet mom who during our chat told me about her little girl that was battling cancer. Well I just couldn't let a little girl not have her a quilt for being such a trooper. There is something about a quilt that makes one feel great. So any way I was waiting for pay day so this goes out tomorrow.

Happy Stitching!!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY !

This is better for the mug rug of the month. Some of my generous friends give me plenty of scraps, and I try to make something from the scraps. I especially try to make them something to give back to them. Right now I am almost done with a lap size quilt for a friend who has a birthday next month. As well as others who have given me scraps I have one more in the works. Any how a very Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there, I know for a fact personally we do so much for others please take time for yourselves we do deserve to give ourselves a peaceful moment, so enjoy something for yourself today what ever it is, a walk, bath, movie, sweet treat or a chat with a good friend. The day is yours make it so. Happy stitching!!!

Friday class and a rare picture.

This is the amazing Debby Kratovil and me (I don't like pictures of me because I don't want to show me just great quilters and their work) but I digress.

She gave a wonderful all day workshop from her new book "Supersize 'Em!" the princess feather. I really enjoyed her process and her relaxed and encouraging personality. I thank you Debby for being a great teacher.

Debby is an amazing quilter, does fabulous work and yet has techniques that even a beginner would be able to accomplish. FUN!!! I so needed a fun day I had a crazy week. This is how far I was able to get I am quite sure I will be able to get this done by next weekend. If tomorrow ( mother's day) I am allowed to do my favorite thing. QUILT!!! Happy stitching to all the Mom quilters out there!

May's Mug Rug Hurray!

I feel like I didn't try very hard with this one. The picture isn't very good either, when I get a chance I may actually try to make another one that I can be proud to show. I don't mind sharing my flops, they do exist I know I am not the only one. Once upon a time there was an ugly quilt contest. It's okay, learn from this and move onto the next. I will show more hopefully tomorrow I am working tomorrow and Friday I have a class to attend  hurray for me. You will never guess who I am taking a class with. She is a quilter, and loves to applique. I will try to remember to bring my camera and take pictures. Have a great day stitching!