BLACKBIRD DESIGNS WORKSHOP

<-This is what I accomplished at the all day workshop given by Alma Allen and Barb Adams of Blackbird Designs! I have never been known as an over achiever! The workshop was fabulous and I learned a lot and had so much fun mingling with other quilters. We all really loved Barb and Alma. They are so talented, it just blows you away! But more than that, they were such a pleasure to be around. They are kind and generous and enjoyable. I will pay good money for friends like that any day! :0)


The project that we worked on is called Candy Canes and Holly. It is about 28" square. While this project is not in their new book, Birds of a Feather, parts of it are. They explained how easy it is to remove blocks from a large design to create something smaller. They have various pieces of the main quilt made up in wool applique, hooked rug, a stenciled bench, etc.
Barb especially like to use dye remover to fade her new fabrics, then she over dyes them with tan dye for a really old, faded look. Directions to do that are in this book. The toile background is from their new fabric line and is fabulous!
Remember the previous background they designed using samplers? They actually photo copied two samplers made by little girls in the 19th century, cut them up and combined them, and Moda ran them on fabric! It is wonderful! I 'm telling you, these ladies have so much talent. I think it is so neat that they can work together and enjoy each others company and combine their gifts and then share them with us. It is interesting how inspired I feel for having spent time with them. Today it is supposed to be stormy and guess who doesn't care? I have more applique prep to do! Then I can stitch in front of the TV tonight. The stitching is the easy part -- all that prep work is why I never get to the stitching part!

BROKEN DISHES MEDALLION

I have been working on my little broken dishes projects. I made two square ones for gifts and the little doll size is for ME! I hand quilted that one. The side borders on both are from the new Jo Morton fabric line. It is awesome fabric and really gives an old fashioned look. I feel good to have those two gifts done before Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving the time just flies. I have a few more gifts to make. Notice how I jump around between projects? Is there a quilter out there who doesn't have ADD?
Tonight I have a lecture to attend given by the gals from Blackbird Designs. Tomorrow is their all day class. I am excited. It is at our LQS, What's Your Stitch 'n Stuff. I will report back in a few days!

I LOVE THIS BLOCK

I was cruising blogs the other day and saw this darling block on Mereth's blog. I hope she doesn't mind that I am "borrowing" it. I don't know the name of it. I had been looking for a block to use with some of these cool 19th Century repros I have been collecting. (Doesn't it sound better to say that we "collect" fabric?) The block easily graphed up at 10 inches. What I like about this block is that you can incorporate several fabrics into it. The corners are large enough to use a medium scale fabric and really show it off. In the single block picture, all the fabrics, except the tan, are from the Harriet Beecher Stowe collection by Windham. They are perfect in this block! At least to my way of thinking. The other blocks contain reproduction fabrics from other favorite designers. You probably recognize some of them. I really enjoy digging through fabric from many sources to see what works in a block. Making scrap quilts in this manner always takes longer, but each block comes forth as a pretty little prize in the end. Someday I will have to work harder at being more spontanious. I think we all evolve in quilting as we go along. We gain confidence and take chances and develope our own style. I am still working on that. In the meantime, I get excited about each new project that I start and try to go like crazy on it before something else catches my eye and I get distracted. Follow through to completion! I have UFOs that are calling to me, but this new project grabbed my attention! More later.....

FIREMAN FABRIC

Take a look at this cute fireman fabric! It was with some of my mom's things. I think it is probably 1950's vintage. The firemen are about 1-1/2" tall on black cotton. Notice the little wings on the fireman by the ladder. I just love it, but it really needs to go to a special home. Please tell me if you have a fireman connection: husband, father, loved one. I would love to give it to someone who will love it and put it to good use. It is 38" wide and there are two yards. Be warned, I will want to see the end product! Anyone interested? Leave a comment and an e-mail address.

Thanks for your interest in this fireman fabric. I had a difficult time deciding who to give it to, but I have made a decision. I have e-mailed her and will report back later.

BROKEN DISHES

I am back in Blogland! My computer guy came over last night and cleaned up my computer! Yay!! Everything that I had messed up while trying to “fix” things, is put back in order. What would I do without him? Let’s not even think about it.

I have been playing with HSTs this past week. I love them, actually. I used up little scraps of triangles that I had trimmed off things over the years, added some new ones, and started making Broken Dishes blocks. I never have enough organizing space and found that I can put the lids to my plastic boxes to use. I set out my little HSTs on one and used a larger lid to arrange the finished blocks. The blocks are 3” finished. I got the blocks sewn together, borders and all, and decided to add a little focus block in the center like in the Dutch Doll Quilts. So I picked out the center and sewed the little appliquéd bird in. (Remember the bird from a previous post? When I find something I like I just keep making it!) This time it is wool sewn on a cotton background. I love it! I will make one to exchange and one to keep! Now, back to the sewing room! Have a great weekend!

THE COMPUTER FROM HELL

My computer has really been giving me problems. Or maybe I have been giving it problems, I'm not sure. I had trouble getting on line, then couldn't get on line at all for a few days. Verizon came out and put a new box on my house and now I am back on line. But I have really screwed up some other stuff in the meantime. Have you ever had a problem with your computer crashing after loading pictures onto your blog? I get that some times. I have wondered if Blogger distributes any problems, such as virus, worm, trojans, spyware??? I don't suspect them of doing it on purpose. But there are so many creeps out there who take pleasure in creating problems for others. My husband works for the government and was recently alerted that they are not to use any MP3's on office computers. Apparently McDonalds in Japan awarded MP3s as prizes and they contained a trojan horse. I doubt that McDonalds knew that, but the problem still remains. It stinks to be at the mercy of hackers.
OK, how about something pleasant!
I completed my Buggy Barn Geese quite a while ago (not quilted) but never got it posted. It is really a different style quilt. When you cut the pieces you stack layers of fabric together and cut the same shape from all layers. There is virtually no waste. Then you rearrange the pieces in the stack so each layer is different. Because you layer the lights and the darks together, you end up with half the blocks in dark background and half in light background. I couldn't quite get the whole quilt in the photo, but you can see that the blocks with the dark background are all in the center of the quilt, and the outer quilt has the reverse. I have never made anything quite like this before. It wasn't difficult. You trim up all the blocks to size, so everything fits. It did take lots of space due to the size and the diagonal set. It was fun to try something new. I think Buggy Barn does cool stuff!

I am playing with triangle pieces left from old projects, some from many years ago. I have been making them into Broken Dishes blocks that finish at three inches. I actually had to make more HSTs to add to the pile, so it is a nice mix of old and new. I am tying to get a jump on the season that must not be named in October. The LQS always has a party and gift exchange for employees and teachers. Everyone brings one gift and then a big fight breaks out to see who gets to keep the best one. It is actually a game that I find embarrassing, but of course I want my item to be awesome. We shall see.

I have over 200 blogline entries showing up, so obviously I haven't been keeping up! I will have to do some speed reading! Wishing you well!

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

We are experiencing technical difficulties. Please be patient until I get someone who knows computer code to set this up right! In the meantime, enjoy twice as many photos! (Now you've done it, Ollie).

WOOL INFO

Finn asked me questions about working with wool and I answered her to the best of my untrained ability. I decided to post the info here as well, in case anyone else was interested.
Finn also had an interesting comment about "gleaning" wool from bushes! Nancy actually knows someone who did that! It is a funny thing, but it seems to me that the older one becomes, the more recent the past becomes. Why is that? I think it is because when you find yourself at age 50 or 60, you realize that 100 years ago was not that long ago any more. Now about wool felt. I am sure some of you remember that years ago we could buy really good quality felt squares for crafts. I still have some! Then one day, overnight it seems, it was no longer nice felt, but cheesy synthetic stuff. Well, now wool felt and wool fabric is all the rage for crafts again. If only I had some of those old wool skirts back! They are overdying it for projects!
I don't know if I can answer Finn's questions adequately. I am new to this thing myself, and have never put my wool pieces through any process. I have been told that most of the books with wool projects will give you directions. The wool felt that you have is stiff. Am I right? You can use it that way, or you can "full" it. Fulling it produces a softer product. To full it, place it in hot-hot water. Soak it, press the water out, soak it in cold water, press the water out, then put it in the drier.The colors will probably bleed. Be careful not to swish it too much because they are not woven fibers, but compressed, and can fall apart. When it is dry it should be fuller-hence the word "full".
You can use the felt without this process, but it will remain stiff. You can also use this process on woven wool, and it will shrink up, as I am sure you know.
Directions vary with the applique, but the gal who taught me prefers using Heat 'n Bond fusible web. It helps keep the edges from fraying. I like that also.
My previous entry linked to a shop in Wisconson called Primitive Gatherings. It has kits and patterns, etc. (As do many others). Give it a try-it's lots of fun!

GATHERING WOOL

Did you know that in years past they (read: women) used to collect bunches of wool from the bushes where it had rubbed off the sheep? I read that somewhere. I love learning those little tidbits from the past. I feel drawn to the past in many ways, but truthfully, I wouldn't want to live there.
I took a class last Saturday where we made a little wool table runner. It is from Primitive Gatherings. The LQS does lots of primitive stuff, and I love it! This project came in a kit, and the red wool is a little on the dark side. It doesn't photograph well. There are two crows on a branch at each end and the word Simplify embroidered above them.
I couldn't stop playing with wool, so I decided to make a pincushion. Well, I actually made three! I will be needing a few gifts in the near future. It is so nice to have something to work on in the evenings now that it gets dark earlier and the temperatures have dropped. Jo Morton's book, Prairie Flowers, shows this as a pincushion in wool, and it was just what I was looking for!
I also taught a class this week. It is a cute little brown churn dash quilt that I call Table Scraps, because I was literally picking pieces of fabric off the cutting table and adding them to the quilt. It is scrappy and has some cute little mavericks in there. I love that little churn dash block!

SPOOLS QUILT

Remember when I posted a photo of a few spools I was sewing on in Minnesota? I finished about 3/4 of the blocks while at my daughter's house, then finished the rest when I came home. This week I got the top done! I love it! I made it for ME! The design is so simple and I do like simplicity. The blocks are 9-1/2" finished. Teri Christopherson, from Black Mt. Quilts, is the designer. It's in the book Sunflower Patch. I surrounded it with 3" cut squares and then a rust-red border. It measures 56" x 75". I was at the LQS on Monday and found the perfect backing fabric on the half-price shelf!
I spent today cleaning and organizing--still! But I have made real progress! The spare bedroom is once again useable. I removed all the boxes of fabric and stuff and got it all put away in my sewing room. I am loving my new cabinets! I can actually find things and put things away! What a concept! DD #1 is coming to visit tomorrow, so that was the incentive I need to get it done, I guess. :)

AMAZING STORY

Thanks for all your lovely comments on my little treasures and my quilts. It is nice to be able to share and have people appreciate the things we love and enjoy. I gain so much from all of you as I peruse your blogs and see your talents and feel your enthusiasm for "our craft" and for life in general. I am not posting a picture today, but instead, I want to share this story and video that my brother sent to me. It is heartwarming and beautiful! You will want to share it with your friends and family. Go to http://cjcphoto.com/can/

MOSTLY OLDER THAN ME

I guess those of us who like old quilts also like other old stuff! Finn was showing her lovely antique dishes, and it made me jump right up and take a picture of a few of my favorites. I really should do some close-ups for my family, because most of them are family treasures that I am lucky enough to own. Mainly because I am the one who is interested in them! But they need to be labeled. When my mom passed away I realized how little I knew about the things that she held dear. I need to learn from that!

The three dishes are Johnson Brothers. All have different pictures on them. They were my mother-in-laws. The little houses are not antiques (yet). They are by David Winter, and they were my mom's. On the lower shelf is an enamel tea set that belonged to my great grandmother, Libby Winspear. On the bottom it says "Germany", but no other clues. I would love to decorate my whole house in this manner, but I have a husband. 'Nuff said.

Another favorite display of mine holds a big platter that was a wedding gift to my great-grandparents (Lemon Chambers, yes, Lemon) in 1888. It is a treasure! The silver colored mug on the right might be pewter. I don't know enough about antiques, really. It is engraved, and says, "Won as 2nd Prize at Delaware Street Church Spelling School by John North, May 3, 1875". He was my great-grandfather. Two iron banks, one of my grandfather, Wally Winspear, and one from my husband's father. You probably can't see it, but around the neck of the little baby dress is a birth bracelet from when I was born. It says "Winspear Girl" in little bead letters. Anybody remember those? I guess that is an antique now too! Oh face it, I guess I am an antique now too!

FALL QUILTS

I just came from Melanie's blog and was wowed by her beautiful fall quilts. I have two for this time of year that I really like. One is called "Leaves in the Air", combining the scrappy leaves and the Birds in the Air blocks. I love scrappy, and it was great fun to see how many different colors and fabrics found a happy spot in this quilt. In my mind, the little diagonally set triangles feel like leaves fluttering to the ground.
The other is "Plaid Harvest", for "harvesting" fall colored plaids from my stash. I have yet to find a really good way to hang quilts for photos..I gotta find me some trees, like Melanie!

PIN CUSHIONS AND BINDINGS

I have seen some pretty cute pin cushions on blogs this week. It makes me want to make myself some cute ones! The first picture is kind of a joke, but I bet you all do it. That is my shirt stuck with pins! I also use a Gingerbread Man plate. He is kind of a catch all. The wooden chicken is a Cub Scout project that my brother made when he was a kid. He is now 57. My Mom used it for years. She glued a Dr. Scholl’s foot pad on his rump to stick the pins in. I keep it by my TV because it holds the thread and scissors as well. The stuffed apple is from when we lived in Washington, known for their apples! My aunt made the adorable chicken. It is filled with kitty litter. The last one, in the back, was a gift from my in-laws. They picked it up while on vacation. I was always touched that they would bring it back for me. It is hand made by a potter. The bottom is round pottery with a puffy top for the pins. It has a bent reed handle, so I can carry it around. I have had it for almost 30 years. Kind of fun, huh?


I am still working on cleaning my sewing room. As you know, we have a tendency to “discover” things as we clean. This week I happened upon a few 9-patch blocks that a teenage girl made when she stayed here a few years ago. I made a few more, set them with alternating blocks and finished up a baby quilt for donation. I had two other baby tops to donate that needed backs and binding, so I got that done also. Now I have four little tops, with backs and bindings ready to go. I like to prepare my bindings soon after finishing a quilt top, while the fabric is available. In the photo you can see one wall in my sewing room with a quilt rack on the wall. I have padded the rod and pinned a quilt in progress on it. (No dates allowed) On the right side I have bindings strung onto a safety pin and pinned to the rod. This is very helpful to me when the quilt comes back from the quilter. I don’t have to stop and make a binding—it is ready and waiting. I suppose there are those that could have 50-60 or even 94 bindings waiting for quilts to be quilted! I am not that prolific! (See Quilting Daze blog)

SEWING ROOM CABINETS

The unveiling! These are my new cabinets for my sewing room! They are my 60th birthday present from my husband. My birthday was in January, but these things take time. My husband wanted to give me jewelry or and expensive watch. The kind of things so many women enjoy. But I have been wanting shelves for, what seems like, my entire life! You may recall my sewing room clutter from previous pictures. I can’t promise it will never be cluttered again, but at least this gives me a fighting chance! I had it built to accommodate my plastic storage boxes, so I can put one large box, or two medium sized boxes on a shelf. I can pull them out to sort through them. I also am using the lids to stack fabric or projects on. I was explaining to my husband that I can now label my projects, so I know right where they are. (Since I have so many “in progress”). He suggested that I date them as well. Very funny. The center of the unit contains file drawers for my quilting needs. DH has a goal to get all my stuff out of the office and into my own room. My suggestion of knocking down the wall between the two rooms was not even considered. Go figure! For those of you who are sewing on your kitchen table, please know that I did that for many years also. Life has many stages. For a long time I experienced the stage where the kids always came first. As well they should! But now it is my turn, and I think that is OK too. My husband? Well, he is still waiting for his turn, bless him. His dream is of antique cars and big boats. Let’s see if he will settle for a good homemade dinner tonight.

SECOND SHOT OF QUILT

I decided to try and post a second photo of Lincoln's Platform because, for some reason, no close up comes when you click on the previous picture. I hope I didn't change a setting because I will never find it again! Some of you noticed the circles that appear in the design. That is because I added a few lighter squares in key places. It was quite by accident that the circles appeared, but I like them. I used red for all the corner squares and navy for the center posts in the sashing. As you can see, this photo has the quilt mounted on my design wall. Unfortunately, I cannot get a clear shot in that spot. I moved my sewing machine off the table, etc. I really need to find a good spot for photos! Libby's backyard?

STASH PROJECT: LINCOLN'S PLATFORM

Here is the lesson that I learned from the Hour a Day quilt project: I am not an hour-a-day quilter! I really enjoyed making the project; I just can’t work one hour a day. Some days I spend the whole day sewing, some days I am forced to do other things. I spent several hours yesterday and today sewing the borders. I decided I wanted to make it a little longer, so I added a little saw tooth strip on top and bottom. I think it gives it that Patchalot look! The navy border is a Thimbleberries print trimmed off another quilt from a few years ago. I just had to cut the strips to size and sew them together. You don’t see the seams at all in that fabric. It is such a thrill to be able to complete a quilt from what we have on hand. Great project! Thanks Judy! I won’t be able to join in the leaves project, but love the setting. Judy has a gift for adding a touch of elegance to her designs. Did you see the American Quilter magazine this month? Judy mentioned that she had a quilt in it and so I looked for it, and saw her quilt featured. It is beautiful! So fun to see a “friend” featured in a magazine! (OK, so we have never actually met). Very nice, Judy!
Good news, I got my sewing cabinets! I am in the process of organizing fabric and when everything is put away I will take pictures and show off. I am excited!

CHARITY BLOCKS AND STUFF

The local quilt shop here is doing the Quilt Pink thing, so I made a couple blocks to turn in. Then Hedgehog mentioned that she was making red blocks for Clare in France for leukemia, so I thought I would make a couple more to send to her. In an effort to avoid making decisions, I just made them both from the same patterns. They are eight inch blocks. I think the Sister's Choice is my favorite. I saw it in a Terry Atkinson book called 9-Patch Reunion. She likes to make blocks a little large so they float, and the corner's never get sewn off. Nice method, especially for beginners. It worked nicely here because I was able to trim it to 8-1/2". It is nice to be able to make a few little blocks for a good cause. I give a lot of credit to those that are doing all the organizing! What a lot of work. New paragraph. I have been doing some stitching on my Sister to Sister quilt as well. You may recall when I got it back from my quilter recently. I kept looking at the border and wondering if it needed a bit more quilting. I DO NOT machine quilt, so finally decided to do some hand stitched viney things. I couldn't find any blue quilting thread, but saw some topstitching thread that I thought I would try. It actually turned out kinda cute. (Not easy thread to quilt with, by the way). Look closely, it is there!

GOD BLESS AMERICA

COPYRIGHT ISSUES

Yesterday I spent the afternoon at What’s Your Stitch ‘N Stuff, our local quilt shop, where I teach classes. They had an open house to promote fall classes. I always enjoy those because I am able to see what other teachers are doing, meet friends and promote my classes, etc. (Plus, they have refreshments!) One gal, Bobbi Case, brought in a couple quilts she made from my patterns. I will picture one of them here, because I just showed you my version a couple days ago. Scroll back and see Quilt Jam, or click http://patchalotmore.blogspot.com/2006/09/quilt-jam.html You may have missed it because I wrote it, then saved it, then posted the Lily entry, then edited the Quilt Jam entry. So when I posted it, it came up before the Lily entry, and was dated the same day, when, in fact, I posted it on Friday, 9-8. Ah well. So—isn’t Bobbi’s quilt beautiful?! All pinks and browns-it is luscious!
I am writing this in Word and hoping I can copy and paste it into my blog. Behold, I get paragraphs!
All this talk about copyright issues- Finn mentioned it again. I just want to add that I agree with her, in that I think most of us are in it because we love it. And I don’t know about the quiltmakers and designers that are “big time”, but I can tell you, I feel good if I cover my expenses, and I NEVER could get compensated for my time. It is just like making quilts—you know how people always ask how much you charge for a quilt? You couldn’t pay me what it is worth to me, but if I love you, I will give it to you; or donate it to a good cause, as so many do. Even though I design quilts for classes and so forth, I buy plenty of books and patterns by other designers. There is sooo much talent out there! And, like I mentioned about Sally Schneider in my earlier entry, I bet most of them are just like us and happy to share. Has anybody ever heard of a lawsuit regarding quilt designs? Stay tuned for your next episode of LAW AND ORDER!

CAROLINA LILY

Fons and Porters Love of Quilting Magazine has a great column in it called "This Old Quilt", by Gerald E. Roy. Have you seen it?In every issue he shows old quilts and discusses them. The Oct. 2006 issue has a beautiful Carolina Lily quilt that he says is a baby quilt. I really love it. I keep threatening to make a Lily quilt, but have not as yet. A few years ago I saw one that I loved at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival. This is an old quilt also. I love the fabrics, the design, everything! There are lots of variations of this block, and some I like more than others. I don't know what this one is called, but thought you might enjoy taking a look at it.

QUILT JAM

Yesterday I actually got the BB geese completely sewn together! I think I will add a small border to frame in all those goofy geese, then I will post a picture. The day before, I actually got all the sashing and rows sewn together in our Stash quilt from JudyL. So I only have borders left on that! Wow, progress! I love it! Plus my mind is always swimming with new ideas! I don't know why starting projects is so easy and finishing them can be so difficult that we have to force ourselves to do it. Would someone please tell me why I can't begin a new paragraph on blogger? So moving to a new topic, Bonnie has had problems with someone using her designs again, and claiming them as their own. Bonnie always comes up with such great ideas. But to claim-jump them as your own copyrighted material --wow, what cave does that person live in? We live in an on-line world and there are no secrets! Having said that, I want to show you a quilt that I "designed" and used for a class. The quilt, pictured here, I call Quilt Jam. (Because you can jam so many fabrics into it! Yes, I love word play.) I printed patterns, etc. The blocks are made using a method created by Sally Schneider. Guess what? She gave me permission to use her method in my pattern! Many of you have probably used this method before and love it as I do. I really appreciate Sally's creative mind AND her willingness to share. I do think that after we spend hours and hours working on a quilt it "feels" like it is our own. In that way it may be difficult to separate ourselves as the quilt creator, from the quilt designer. I have posted several quilts on my blog that are my own design. I would be upset if someone claimed them as their own and published them. But I love sharing them with you! Now here is the funny part. I went to Sally's web site to make sure of the address before I created a link to it and while I looked at her patterns, I saw that she has another design that is very much like one I have printed. Now I am really feeling awkward! I e-mailed her and told her the situation. I told her I would remove mine from my web site if she felt it was a problem. She e-mailed me back and told me it was fine and I can continue selling it. Whew. Really, so many designs are so similar. But I don't want to make waves. I just want to sit like a duck in a puddle and splash a little!

SUNNY SHORES

Well, summer is over! Today is September first. We had quite a storm today. The "not quite a hurricane" called Ernesto swept through with tons of rain and 65 mph winds. Some people lost power. Luckily we did not. We really needed the rain, but not to the point of flooding! Our house is at the end of a street that slopes off the beach road, so all the water runs into our yard. We had several inches of water sitting in our yard for a while. Our yard is primarily sand, so eventually it soaks all the water up without a problem. It is kind of exciting to watch a storm, as long as it is from a dry, safe spot. I am grateful that it wasn't a bad one. As a tribute to the summer that is now gone, I am posting pictures of a quilt I call Sunny Shores. I completed this quilt two years ago. I like to make quilts with fun borders, and as you can see, I had fun with this one! Towards the end I was really digging through my stash for yellow and the right shades of blue to complete the quilt. That made me happy because I really had a lot of yellow and blue. I still have plenty, but the stash took a hit with this quilt. The Delectable Mountains are Delectable Waves, in this case. However, I think I like my little bouncing stars the best!

ROTATING PROJECTS

My computer crashed and I didn't know what it all meant, so I had my "guy" come to check it out. He didn't find a problem, and all was back to normal. So I had him load a new background for my blog. Hmmm. It may be a little too bold! I will try to mess with it some more when my computer is not revolting. Computers are so weird. Right now there is a slow delay showing what I type. Go figure! I just had a new AC for the zone that cools my sewing room and office. When do I get to sew??? Ok, so I have made some progress. Here is a photo of a corner of my room. BuggyBarn geese on the wall, and Stash project on the floor. Maybe I did get an hour in yesterday. But you can see I am rotating projects. It seems like I spend too much time rushing to get it all done. I really enjoy the process of construction. It never bothers me to work with small scraps. It takes longer to cut and piece, but I like the end result. So I guess to me, rushing is still a slow process. But an enjoyable process.
I keep trying to pull from the bottom of the stash for Judy's project, but still end up with some fresh stuff in it. I think I will end up with another quilt that I don't want to give away. Is that bad of me? You all donate so much. I admire that you are able to let go. I just sent a quilt that I loved to a relative and still haven't heard back from her, and I know she likes it. It has been six weeks. I want my work to be appreciated. Do I worry too much if someone is "quiltworthy"? Does anyone ever realize how much goes into the making of a quilt (other than another quiltmaker) ? OK, I will quit whining and get back to the sewing room. X>)

REAL HUMILITY

I am embarrassed to say that I never noticed the block that got turned until a few of you mentioned it in the comments. At first I thought you were noticing that one block is missing the blue center. But someone said "yellow block" and I thought, "WHAT"? Ahem. Yes, let's say that makes it uniquely mine. Ha! Well, that's better than calling it a reject! Thanks everyone for your very kind words. :-P

ANOTHER BABY QUILT

I thought I would post a quick entry, and while
I am at it, show another baby quilt I made this year. It is a Mary Hickey design. She does darling things, I think. I had all those 9-patches left over from a previous project from TEN years ago. I was quite delighted to find a use for them!
I have decided that I cannot commit to a schedule of one hour of sewing a day. I just have to do it when I do it. I spent all day Friday working on Judy's project, and got quite a lot done. Well, all the Shoo Fly's are done, and the scrappy borders are on four blocks. They look darling. I will try to get more done and then post a picture. Most of you are miles ahead of me, and have great looking quilts. I have always been a bit of a turtle I guess. But a happy turtle!
In the meantime, I spent two days working on directions for my Sister to Sister quilt, posted earlier. So I feel good about that! Still miles to go --ugh! But it is not like someone is forcing me to do it, right? I choose to put myself through this. Patti asked why do we quilt? Because we must. And aren't we lucky that we have something that we love to do. And it doesn't get us into that much trouble, really. I won't elaborate, it would be the never ending story. Lots of other bloggers have made very good points on the subject already. Plus, Patti has said it sooooo well! So I just say, "I'm like a moth to the flame". Love it, love it, love it! Bye for now!

REVERSE SIDE OF CHINESE QUILT

I really don't know if there is a right side to this quilt, as it is reversible. Both sides tell their own story. I think I will find a place to hang it using those cafe curtain clips. Then I can switch it around from time to time. My sewing room is still a mess. I am having cupboards made to store fabric and the guy has taken three months. It is always something. I have been waiting for years to have these, so I guess I can wait a little longer. It is just that you begin to wonder if he really intends to deliver them. I gotta get back to work--I have deadlines! Catch you all later!

CHINESE QUILT

My daughter brought me home a quilt made in China! Go figure. She must think I like quilts or something. Well, it is interesting. It is very bright and most made of solids in nylon or poly or something. I know it isn't silk. The workmanship is questionable, but this is the stuff of souveniers. I would love to see what a really talented craftsperson would make. I know they have them. Anyway, this quilt is enjoyable and very Chinese in the symbols, colors, fabric, etc. It is not really "quilted", but it is pieced. It is reversible. One side shows dragons and pandas and frogs, etc. The reverse is all pineapple blocks with a stuffed insect decorating the center. Scorpions, spiders, etc. I presume there is some symbolism there that I don't understand. I do love the colors! I haven't been aware of any Chinese bloggers out there in QUILTLAND but I would certainly enjoy and appreciate any comments.

CHINESE QUILT CLOSE-UP

This is just a teaser. I will post the whole quilt later!

I wanted to post a close-up of the workmanship on this quilt. I can't decide if they don't know about matching seams or if they are into that wonky look. What do you think? Note that the center of each block holds a little stuffed insect. Yes, we have spiders, tarantulas and many unidentifiable bugs. I think I will just love this for what it is and not try to understand it. I had trouble with Gee's Bend also. I am having touble catching up on everyone's blogs. There is so much going on out there! Also, I am having trouble finding time to work on Judy's project. I have 12 Shoo Fly blocks done without the little border of squares. I want to put it on my design wall, but that is full of the goofy geese project. So I spent today sewing those blocks together. I can't wait to get it together and move on. I think it is turning out really cool, I just need to finish the top and move on. There will be a photo soon! I have classes scheduled for fall and need to write supply sheets and pattern directions! Ugh! It is such a pain! Making the quilts is the fun part. Teaching is fun. Writing the directions is not fun. I just need to focus. Wow, my head hurts just thinking about it.

ON MY WAY HOME

I just had to post this photo to show you how good the other shots really are, all things considered! I am packed and on my way to spend the night at my Dad's before leaving in the morning to go home. My daughter says she will drive me through Rogers, MN so we can stop at Quilted Treasures. Yay! It is a great shop. I have been on involuntary quilt shop deprivation for three weeks. Luckily for me I can get a fix by going to all of your blogs to see what you are doing. What a concept!
I was able to spend time yesterday going through my daughter's scraps and did some cutting for Judy's project. Lots of four inch squares and two inch strips. This will be fun. I decided to make it in blues and browns and some red, since she had a nice selection of those. I think it will be very nice. It is fun drawing from someone else's scrap pile. I LOVE scraps. I think that is why fat quarters are so appealing to me--just because they are small!
I have another project started at home that has the same size Shoo fly blocks in it. I started it last spring while at my son's house. I haven't had a chance to work on it since then. The colors will be smilar to the Pioneer Trail colors. At least while here I did get all my stars and geese finished for the Buggy Barn quilt, so I can set that aside until I get a chance to sew the blocks together. I am making progress! More later from Virginia!

SISTER TO SISTER and PIONEER TRAIL

My granddaughter tried to help me get photos of the two quilts I just got back from my quilter. They are not bound yet, as you may see. It was quite breezy today, but sometimes photos that aren't quite perfect look more interesting to me.

The quilt on the left I made for Lisa, the Hong Kong exchange student. I hope she likes it. I am having second thoughts about giving it away! I came up with this design plan using the Sister's Choice block with a simple applique border and 9-patches in the corners. The medium blue is that Jo Morton print from Little Women with the faces on it. Then for the vine I used the reverse side of the fabric so it shows solid, and allows the color to match. I named it Sister to Sister, which is a play on words with the Sister's Choice block and Lisa and my granddaughters becoming like sisters.

The quilt on the right is one I brought out of the closet a couple weeks ago and decided it had seasoned long enough, so I added the borders and sent it off to be quilted. I named it Pioneer Trail. The Shoo Fly blocks reminded me of wagon wheels and the zig zag setting gives the impression of winding roads--well, at least to me it does! My quilter made the "trail" look like washboard roads, with the illusion of ridges. She did a great job! I think I will use this one as a class this fall. It always feels so good to get my quilts back quilted and ready to love!

TWINKLE TOES QUILT AND KATIE

I wonder if I write a post today if my last post will show up? It popped up on bloglines right away, but has never shown up on my blog. Go figure.
So here is my little darlin'. I tried to pose her in front of the quilt I made her, and this is the best I could manage. She loves her books and pretends she is reading. She has learned new words since her mom is gone. Daddy took her to Urgent Care today because she woke up with a fever and has ear infections when teething. Sure enough-both ears! Poor baby! She doesn't much like the medicine either. My wonderful quilter finished two quilts for me and I had her mail them here because I couldn't wait to see them. I will get a photo posted soon.
I changed my ticket so I am staying until Aug. 19th. My luck I paid $100 to change it and the next day the airlines is letting people make a change for free due to those stinking terrorists. I would gladly throw my money in a pot that offers free one way tickets for terrorists. We get to pick the destination! Bye bye!
By the way, I never agreed to stop buying fabric for the month. However, I have hardly been out of the house this month, let alone quilt shop hopping. :-(

MORE BIRD SALIVA INFO

Can anyone tell me why this post shows up on bloglines and not on my blog??? Does it show up for you when you look at my blog? Also, are comments blocked on my blog? They are not supposed to be. Hit me with your best shot and let's see if I get anything. Thanks! OK, I am re-publishing this same entry.
I am still getting a few comments on the bird saliva from my previous post. I appreciate having people share their knowledge with me. In case you missed their comments, I am re-printing them here.

THE CALICO CAT SAID:
She was telling the truth about the saliva... & They pay a premium for it! It generally comes from birds nests that are harvested (after being abandoned) from inside caves - where people risk their lives to collect them, the saliva keeps the twigs together...
More info in the birds nest soup: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird's_nest_soup

RUTH CROCOMBE SAID:
I really enjoy reading your blog, and I really like your spools quilt. I am a bit shy commenting on people's blogs, but have been prompted to comment regarding bird saliva:

There is a species of birds (swallows I think) that live in caves in the mountains. Their nests are made of saliva and they are high up in the caves. People climb into the caves (with very little safety equipment) and collect the nests (this is done after the birds finish nesting). The birds' nests are made into bird's nest soup and is one of the most expensive dishes you can buy in China/Taiwan and Hong Kong

My daughter in Hong Kong said they told her it is very expensive and they think that it keeps skin youthful, but you must eat it every day. The Chinese have certainly come up with amazing cures and techniques in the past, so who knows??? Maybe they have something there! I always say it is an amazing world we live in! Thanks for sharing!

SPOOLING THROUGH SCRAPS

Before I came to my daughter's house I pre-cut this project. She never has time to do the prep work for making a quilt, but she can do some sewing while the baby naps. I figured I may as well cut for two quilts and have her make me one, but then I got started and made quite a few blocks for myself. I will leave hers all ready to sew when she is able. It is good to have a project to work on while away from home. It feels like stolen time sewing. This spools project is from a Black Mountain Quilts book by
Teri Christopherson. They are 9-1/2" finished and I will set them 5 x 7. Everyone who loves to sew should have a spool quilt! There are so many cute variations. I love blocks with lots of different background fabrics. This is where a good stash is really an asset. I am making 35 blocks and making two blocks each of the same background. None of the spool fabric is the same. One lady told me she hates using the same fabric in several quilts. She finds it boring. I find that odd, as I take such joy in seeing them making themselves useful. They show up different in each quilt, and always with a few newer pieces. They are like old friends! I have a dear friend who gave me some red civil war scraps and every time I use them in a quilt she is so delighted to see that they found a nice home!
On another note, Calico Cat commented on my previous blog entry that bird saliva is indeed a delicacy in China. What an amazing world we live in. People make use of everything. Do you think it now comes in a can? My grandson thinks that they probably hold birds in cages and taunt them with food til they drool. Really, it never occurred to me that birds had saliva.
I am reading Sarah's Quilt by Nancy Turner. It really isn't about a quilt, but life on the Arizona frontier in 1905. I read her previous book, These Is My Words, and it is one of my very favorites. This one is proving to be just as good. The main character, Sarah, reminds me so much of my grandmother and the stories she would tell of growing up in Alberta, Canada in a similar environment. They really faced the elements back then. I am so thankful for the strength and tenacity of my ancesters. I have often thought I would like to have lived with them, but in reality, I am not sure I would have been tough enough. So I live vicariously though these good books!

TREES AND CHICKEN FEET

I haven't had much time for blogging as I am still at my daughter's in Minnesota. She has gone to Hong Kong with her oldest daughter. Last school year they had a girl from HK living with them as a foreign exchange student. Now they have the opportunity to go visit her family and see the sights. She says they are non-stop eating. especially dim sum, which the Chinese love. It is actually like little appetizors so you get to taste many things. When I spoke to my granddaughter yesterday she said, "We thought we had eaten Chinese food before. We hadn't! They offered us chicken feet and bird saliva...". I know they eat chicken feet, but she may have been joshing me on the saliva. Then again... They also ate lots of wonderful food and came away stuffed. The HK family is showing them a wonderful time.
The quilt I posted is a Debbie Caffery pattern that I made a couple years ago. It is from Open a Can of Worms. All 2-1/2 inch strips, remember? Daughter has it hanging, but it was hard to get a good shot. It was quilted by Becky Kraus of Bellevue, WA. She did a grest job. I tried to arrange the trees so that the ones that looked snow covered were on the top of the mountain, so to speak. I ran out of background fabric when it came to the setting triangles, so substituted something else. A carpenter once told me that if something doesn't quite work out the way you planned, you make it look like a detail that you intended to incorporate. Great advice!
Meanwhile I am enjoying the baby-15 months and sooooo cute! She says lots of words, tho lots of times you have to know what she is saying. I was holding her and pouring a diet coke. She was watching it fizz and said "Wow". Such sweet simple things bring such pleasure!
I am trying to catch a couple blogs each day, but will have so much to catch up on when I get home. You all offer such a wealth of information and inspiration. I want to clean-up and clean out and sort and stack and scrap and stash and create and make Tonya's designs and make Judy L.'s scrap quilt and make an Ostrich, plus make all the quilts that Patti showed us, and on and on and on..... I want to do it all! Don't feel bad if I didn't mention you, I want to make whatever you are working on also!