Autumn Quilt Along

here i am pulling fabrics.
pretending to know what i am doing.
say hello to my center square.
it's not good to dilly-dally or hesitate.
you can use a random square you already have.
but i don't. so i made this one.

decided to jump on Lori's Autumn Quilt Along.
her quilt alongs are always small and interesting.
and fun trying to use fabrics you already have.
now i could Flickr or Instagram this.
but my blog could really use some activity.
kinda looks like i haven't made anything.
not true.

Stitchie Love

i joined the For The Love Of Hand Embroidery group.
it is hosted by Jane of Jane's Fabrics blog and starts today.
the highlights are that we can choose any pattern we want to.
and we should use Presencia thread.
if i have previously shown you any embroidery.
likely i had stated and used DMC thread.
so in addition to the fun of picking a pattern to share.
this will be my first experience with Presencia.
the schedule of participants can be found here.
my turn is not until the 2nd Monday of December.
but it begins with Jane herself and her post can be found here.
i thought i would keep you in the stitchie mood.
and share some of my favorite stitch designers.

today is:
Catherine's Bumpkin blog.
Catherine's Etsy shop.
Catherine's Facebook page.
Catherine's work has been included in this new book.
to celebrate this. until Wednesday midnight UK time.
Catherins here has a special offer.
i've gone ahead and purchased this one in Bluebell and Clover.
to see something i stitched by Catherine go here.
and i kinda sorta did blog about it here.

maybe it's one of Catherine's patterns i have picked!!

Deck-Ade The Halls Quilt Along

i wanted to tell you about this cute quilt along.
before it gets going much more.
but all i have are these starter pics i posted on Instagram.

sometimes i like to buy fabric as i go.
i say "i got this". and it turns out i don't.
works for monthly things.
not so much for anything faster.
but every other Monday is awesome and doable.

Fat Quarter Shop is celebrating 10 years in business.
it's free. and you can use your own fabrics.
details including future updates and YouTube videos.
can be found here on their Jolly Jabber blog.

although i am also using the Aspen Frost collection.
going to switch up where the fabrics are used.
since i already have 2 monthly programs running with FQS.
will be purchasing at my LQS. and on Etsy.
if you like kits. FQS has one you can find here.

Modern BOM 2 Sew Along

block is called "Stained Glass".
hesitant to continue with these colors.
i switched out the pale yellow for a bright yellow.
it needed a softer color. so back to the pale one.
this time i included my feet. a very large block. 24-1/2 in.

this BOM Sew-Along is sponsored by Sew Mama Sew blog.
designed by Alyssa Lichner from Pile o’ Fabric! blog.
sewmamasew.com/blog2/category/sew-alongs/

My Patchwork Sunday

BOM Rehab has closed. boo-hoo.
it was a reality check. for sure.
thanks to Sinta of Pink Pincushion blog for getting us together.
and getting us to share just how much behind we all are.
so. time now to document a few patchwork projects.
that have been tossed around.
some getting special boxes.
and some just being buried under piles.
until i find them again.
i also miss my Scrappy Sunday posts.
and i really really do plan to make those blocks into a quilt.

MY SELVEDGE COLLECTION QUILT.

can't remember when i starting saving selvedges.
but very happy that i cut (& tore) them at 2 in.
sure that i would want at least 1 in. of the print showing.
been watching everyone's selvedge projects.
and just recently decided upon a (purchased) pattern.
but in cutting the pieces i wanted. mostly. well just the words.
i found that there was much leftover that were not long enough.
or did not show much of the designer & manufacturer wording.
some had nothing but blank space.
can someone tell me what you do with these?
while i went after the selvedge pieces that i did want.
what do you think happened.
i decided to prep for a secondary project.
and then what do you think happened.
you guessed it. really.
i decided to prep for a third project.
this is where the insanity is too late to stop.
so i have cut 6-1/2 in. lengths.
and randomly sewed "twosies'.
these i presume will be arranged in a brick design.
then trimmed up smaller bits into whatever size they were.
thinking they will be some kind of 'jelly-roll-race'.
right now renaming 'very-long-scrappy-bits-selvedge-journey'.
yeah. that sounds accurate.

just a peek at some selvedges sewn together.
i really wanted to show you more.
but i was unable to complete such a large block.

TULA PINK 'CITY SAMPLER' SEW ALONG.

this is going to start on the 20th of May.
and end around November.
for more info see Sara on her Sew Sweetness blog.
she will be gathering all the important posts.
or check out the Flickr group.
i've had the book about a week. deciding on fabric.
then just decided i had to go scrappy.
perhaps a focused color theme.
i love green. particularly olive.
and have a large amount of that color everywhere.
so i made a few blocks to practice.
there are 100 blocks.
and will trust that the sum of all will work itself out.
however i don't want my quilt to be boring.
so i should include a pop of color.
yet still keeping olive the 'Star'.

the schedule seems like it will be 4 blocks a week.
i made 5.
and fussy cut a koi fish print (found at JoAnn's) for another.
but look forward to helpful posts.
that i know Sara has planned for us.
there are some interesting scrappy projects going on out there.
and maybe you (or me) are working on those too.
if you leave a link to your post.
i (and maybe someone else) will come and check it out.

AYOS / Hat Trick

2 charm packs of The Boo Crew by Moda for Sweetwater.
binding plus 2 charms of black gingham by Riley Blake Designs.

i haven't finished a Schnibbles in a very long time. so a few issues came up. i almost got 3 charm packs. because i am a bit controlling in the fabric selection. if i had more light green charms would have added another row of squares to other side. almost used gingham as the inner border. thought it was too much. of course it would have been fine. decided not to include it. simple finishing. flannel backing. and some ties.

BOM Rehab / 2012 FQS Designer Mystery BOM

block 8 is called "lime sherbet" and is designed
by Bonnie Olaveson of www.CottonWay.com
and Camille Roskelley of www.ThimbleBlossoms.com.


block 9 is called "lakeside retreat" and is designed
by Joanna Figueroa of www.FigTreeQuilts.com.


block 10 is called "sunday drive" and is designed
by Polly Minick and Laurie Simpson of www.MinickAndSimpson.com.


block 11 is called "country fair" and is designed
by Julie Comstock of www.CosmoCricket.com.

fabric is Vintage Modern by bonnie & camille for moda.
you can still sign up at Fat Quarter Shop.
for 2012 quilt. and also 2013 quilt which starts in June.

for info on BOM Rehab see Sinta Renee on her Pink Pincushion blog.

Modern BOM 2 Sew-Along

block 1 is called "Up From Here".
unsure of colors i picked.
or at least the order used.
but woW!!
these blocks are huge.
they measure 24-1/2 in.
and there will only be 6.

this BOM Sew-Along is sponsored by Sew Mama Sew blog.
designed by Alyssa Lichner from Pile o’ Fabric! blog.
sewmamasew.com/blog2/category/sew-alongs/

making knittens

found pattern and yarn in a new knit shop which i managed to avoid for over a year. looking for something different. and found it. yarn comes from a local farm which perhaps i shall investigate when it gets warmer.

also made a-sort-of matching hat. bit small. and although it may stretch. will make again in larger size.

Hugs & Kisses Fingerless Gloves by Lynn Wilson Designs.
#7 straight needles.
Slip-Stitch Cables Hat by Lynn Wilson Designs.
#7 circular needles.

love day.

this is my street.
i live in building to the right.
which you cannot see.
and my car in a lot to the left.
buried for a few days.
no kidding.
completely covered.
and unseen under a thick blanket of snow.
sort of a no-biggie.
because street not plowed.
therefore parking lot could not be plowed.
happiness and love.
forever changing.
recently high on my list.
not being stuck in house because it snows a million inches.
playing with iphone5 as if still bought yesterday.
changing home internet to wireless.
waiting for new laptop because broken not useful.

BOM Rehab / 2012 FQS Designer Mystery BOM

block 7 is called "moonlight serenade"
and is designed by Sandy Gervais
of www.PiecesFromMyHeart.net shop and blog.

fabric is Vintage Modern
by bonnie & camille for moda.
you can still sign up at Fat Quarter Shop.

for info on BOM Rehab see Sinta Renee on her Pink Pincushion blog.

BOM Rehab / 2012 FQS Designer Mystery BOM

you may want to look away.
might be a bit of a spoiler.
6 blocks have been completed.

so why not crack open the finishing kit.
fabric is Vintage Modern
by bonnie & camille for moda.
you can still sign up at Fat Quarter Shop.

for info on BOM Rehab see Sinta Renee on her Pink Pincushion blog.

BOM Rehab / 2012 FQS Designer Mystery BOM

block 4 is called "breezy afternoon"
and is designed by Aneela Hoey
of ComfortStitching.typepad.co.uk blog.

block 5 is called "cherry sundae"
and is designed by Barb Adams and Alma Allen
of Blackbird-Designs.com blog.

block 6 is called "town square"
and is designed by Kate Spain
of www.KateSpain.com blog.

fabric is Vintage Modern
by bonnie & camille for moda.
you can still sign up at Fat Quarter Shop.

for info on BOM Rehab see Sinta Renee on her Pink Pincushion blog.

ciao Florence Nightingale....

been away from my silly life. convalescing nicely. with my sister and her family. a home filled with endless activity. there shall be no way to truly thank Linda for all she has done. she is family. she is love. she is precious. she moved her dining room settee. into her living room. and i have been there for 7 or 8. well maybe it was really 9 weeks. i suspect a pretty ordinary healing process. surgery. awesome. scary. annoying. but it is time for me to get back at it. go home. will miss this time. so much. Champ. faithful family dog. Princess. other faithful family dog. love them. scrappy flannel quilt. warm & cosy. a gift made for me. a few years ago. thank you Jessica. thrifted linen tablecloth. which makes the best-est sheet. cool when it's hot. warm when it's chilly. finally got me some Garnet Hill pajamas. 2 of them. thanks Mom. the ever-powerful-t.v.-remote-control. pretty sure i am caught up on all my shows. a desparately-needed-new-camera. QVC. 2 payments down. 3 more to go. and a-special-bundle-of-long-desired-fabric. because who could not sew for that long. without dreaming. pheww. been-away-too-long-post completed. and yet. there is a storm coming. do you follow other CT bloggers. Jennifer. Jackie. Heather. Audrie. Terry. they do a better job of explaining weather and seasonal events. after reading their posts i often say "ditto". just saying. and to our NJ bloggers. Lisa. Barb. stay safe. and i'll be sewing with you after the storm.

duh!

you would think i have been on a break. certainly not intended. but 5 posts in the last 3 months. bloody awful. the Olympics have made my English come out. good grief. and now. oh my goodness. i need-need-need to take a break. my machine has been delivered to the sewing repair shop. an all-time-record without a tune-up. there must be gawds-and-gawds of fluff inside. a few weeks apart can only be good for both of us. above is one-of-a-million pics taken of me and my sister. i have always liked this one. the styling is questionable. ya think. my Mom really did sew us pretty matching outfits. but these ensembles reek of thrifting. i would be the oldest so not the child with the arrow pointing at her. so taking a break. reading a few books. knitting some small projects. and checking out new stuff like. Lancaster Diamond Quilt Along. (i got the templates). Washi Dress Pattern. (love it). Ron Swanson Along. (yup i started this one). Betsy's Closet Stitch Along. (very cute but not right now). Quaker Ridge Shawlette Knit Along. (so want to). Silk Moon Crescent Shawlette. (casting off). A Tiny Tree Pattern. (hope to find the time). did i miss anything?

2012 FQS Designer Mystery BOM

block 3 called "weather vane"
is designed by Barbara Groves and Mary Jacobson.
you can find their blog at www.MeAndMySisterDesigns.com
fabric is Vintage Modern by bonnie & camille for moda.
you can still sign up at Fat Quarter Shop.

2012 FQS Designer Mystery BOM

block 2 called "mint julep" is designed by Lisa Bonegean.
you can find her blog and shop at www.PrimitiveGatherings.us.
fabric is Vintage Modern by bonnie & camille for moda.
so pretty. you can still sign up at Fat Quarter Shop.

2012 FQS Designer Mystery BOM

block 1 called "laundry days" is designed by Anne Sutton.
you can find her blog and shop at www.BunnyHillDesigns.com.
fabric is Vintage Modern by bonnie & camille for moda.
if you haven't ordered fabric or signed up for a BOM at Fat Quarter Shop. it is a real treat. and i highly recommend it. at least sign up for their emails. or read their Jolly Jabber blog. well after watching others make previous years' blocks and quilts. signing up made me happy. it has a traditional and old fashioned look. using the prettiest of colors and fabrics.

channelling Kootoyoo....

been watching Kootoyoo post her collections probably since the beginning. been itching to make my own. so here is April.

healthy Eden tea i should drink more of.
real tears would flow if beaded headband was lost.
springerle cookie mold bought at fancy kitchen shop.
Munson bunnies only available at Eastertime.
hoop lehsmik sent to mindboggld for Wild Olive Stitch Swap.
my Chevy clicker and other keys i need.
just-looks-vintage button from sister's coat i mended.
Betty Crocker iced tea spoon i eat dinner with.
my Fendi reading glasses from when i wore contacs.
small Emma Bridgewater dotty plate.

BOM Rehab

Oh My Stars!! Quilt Along.
hosted by Sheila of her Thought and Found blog.
here are my stars made in fabric #4. and possibly my favorite.

for info on BOM Rehab see Sinta Renee on her Pink Pincushion blog.