What's Up Wednesday: new beginnings

Happy Leap Day or whatever the appropriate sentiment is!

I had my blog post drafted early this morning, but didn't have a chance to hit Publish before I left the house for a day of running around.

My newest project is a baby quilt inspired by Jolene's star quilt for Maddie which I pinned on Pinterest forever ago.

Only six blocks have been completed so far, but it's a start, right? These squares are ready to be made into stars.

Speaking of Pinterest, the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild now has a Pinterest (and a Twitter) page...and y'all were worried about my free time?!!!

These shot cottons arrived from Glorious Color yesterday.  They are really quite lovely and prettier in person.  Thanks Cindy for your help in color selection and where to purchase.

A sample of the Priority: Alzheimer's Quilts made by OMQG Members

Tomorrow begins the March online auction for the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative.  Michele wrote about how AAQI Liberated Quilters Meet 12 Month Goal, and she was nice enough to include me.  Like Michele, I wasn't home to answer the personal thank you call from Ami Simms.  I do, however, have a nice voice mail message saved on my phone!

Now to begin my next new project.....

Dear Anne,

Can I say how much I enjoyed finally meeting you and spending time with your lovely family?!

I have been excited about your visit for several months now....just ask my friends and family who heard me talk about it constantly.

You were so gracious allowing me to interrupt your family vacation time, and I apologize if I overstayed my welcome...I just couldn't help it....I felt like I was seeing an old friend - for the first time ;-)

It was such a joy holding your precious granddaughter!  Roo is such a cutie pie and a blessing to your family!  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to meet her.  I loved seeing the three generations together and wish I had taken a picture of all of you.

Thank you for making me one of your Japanese knot bags!  I absolutely love it!

You can bet I will put the fabric goodies inside to good use!

I know I am not the only one who has missed your creative and thought provoking blog posts, but I am thankful for your continued support and encouragement.  You have helped me more than you'll ever know.

You didn't get a chance to visit my sewing lab, so you didn't see I have the Hello Friend card you made me to go with the needle case hanging with other gifts from friends.

Pixie Dust quilt coordinated by Bumble Beans and donated to Craft Hope for Haiti

I didn't get a chance to show you the Pixie Dust quilt all finished or ask you to show me the block you made.  (However, I did a little research and believe I found it.)

I also didn't get a chance to ask your opinion about several projects I have in the works, show you my Featherweight and ask if you got yours for the RV, or introduce you to my family.

Anne, we'll just have to do all that (and more) next time!

I have said this before, but if you ever get the chance to meet a {blog} friend in person, take it!  Don't let anyone tell you the bonds and friendships formed through blogging are any less real than those formed in the "typical" manner.  I am fortunate in that I have met several of my {blog} friends in person, and hope to meet many more before I am done! 

Happy Monday to all!

Sew & Tell Friday #55

It feels good to have a finish to share and link with Amanda's finish it up Friday and Amy's Sew and Tell Friday.

This quilt is named Above and Beyond and is a gift for my husband's cousin, who along with his wife, went way above and beyond their roles of cousin, friend, doctor, and mentor this past year for my oldest son, and really our entire family.

I made this quilt using the 1600 jelly roll method with a fabric roll on hand.  I have no idea the name of the fabric line, but I can tell you it's not my favorite. 

  

I added a wide border of Amy Butler Lark on the top and bottom to liven it up some.  The backing is the same fabric, and the binding is also from the new Amy Butler Lark line.

I entered the quilt top measurements in my handy dandy Robert Kaufman Quilting Calc app to determine the number of binding strips necessary.  I added an extra strip to be on the safe side, but in case you are curious, the app's calculation was spot on with inches to spare.  

I quilted organic lines parallel to the strips in a dark blue thread.  I'm still finding excuses not to use my new Juki for quilting...the next quilt for sure!

It's appropriate that I have pictures of this quilt in Montana and Florida, as it went back and forth several times.  The actual quilting was done in Montana last week, but I forgot to bring the binding fabric.

Here's a picture of it quilted before the binding....in Montana.

Here's one more picture of it bound....in Florida.

Have a wonderful weekend and happy stitching!

Musings

Thanks for the moral support provided yesterday!

I actually did a little bit of sewing today, and if I finish hand stitching the binding tonight, I may have a quilt to share tomorrow!

I took KT's advice and painted my toenails purple (aren't they purdy?!) which really lifted my spirits.  It really is the little things.

Speaking of little things, I have quite a few baby quilts to make.  I've been hoarding fabric waiting for inspiration to strike, but I'm running out of time.  Luckily, Alissa's book arrived earlier than scheduled, and I know inspiration will be found inside!

Malka's new line of fabric for a Florida quilt.....

Stack of cute cowboy fabric for a Montana quilt....

Soft flannel fabric for a Washington quilt....

Source: norskeinteriorblogger.blogspot.com via Rene' on Pinterest

Shot cottons ordered to make a quilt in these colors....

Source: redheart.com via Rene' on Pinterest

Kona solids ordered to make a quilt similar to this crocheted afghan.

Think I'll be busy for a little while?
Happy stitching!

What's Up Wednesday: In case you are wondering...

....I'm still here....

 ....well, not "here" as indicated in the picture, but "here" as in still around.

This is my go-to picture when I'm in a funk.  I've shared it quite a few times....ha...but not lately;-)

Happy stitching!
(Send some of that quilting mojo my way!)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wishing all of you a very special Valentine's Day shared with those you love!

I'd like to share with you some heart photos I've taken while in Montana, starting with this cool bike decked with hearts I spotted outside my favorite chocolate shop!

How about this tie dye heart t-shirt?  

This picture wasn't taken this winter, but I had to share it again.

Can you see the heart formed by the melting snow?  I took quite a few shots this summer trying to capture the heart that I saw....my daughter sees a butterfly.  What do you see?

These hearts are a close-up of my Priority: Alzheimer's Quilt #8419 Sweet Hearts which is still for sale if you like it ;-)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sew & Tell Friday #54

This week I spent more time reading than sewing....again.  This could explain why my stitching productivity is WAY down! 

Looking for a small project to make with my Melody Miller's Ruby Star Shining fabrics, I ran across this  list-taker pattern by Jennifer Casa.  I will be making more of these as I just can't get enough of these cute typewriters, and the list-taker is easier to make than the iPad case ;-) 

Here's the back...

....the inside pocket...

....and a place for my pencil and notepad.

I covered the top spine of the notepad with a strip of the selvage....so much prettier ;-) 

My daughter is on winter break, so I have a feeling I will be doing more reading than sewing again for another week.  I am now on the second book in the Game of Thrones series, and I find I can keep track of all the characters better when I read in marathon sessions ;-)  

Happy Friday!  Be sure to see the lovely finishes linked up with Amanda Jean and Amy.

Dear Jane: Family Reunion

Completed a second Dear Jane block today.  Since my lab was just cleaned, I didn't want a paper pieced block.  I make such a mess when paper piecing! 

Block C-12 titled Family Reunion is a nine patch block that incorporates five tiny nine patch blocks ;-).  I still haven't bothered with the CD, but found rotary cutting instructions here.  So nice to have someone else do the math!

Did I mention I am using my featherweight to piece all the Dear Jane blocks?  My sister is using her featherweight too in making her Farmer's Wife blocks.  She helped me realize what I thought was a 1/4" foot is actually an 1/8" foot....that explains a lot.  

My machine came with all sorts of feet, attachments and accessories, but no 1/4" foot that I could see.

This foot is conveniently stored in a box labeled with its use.

I have no clue, however, the purpose of this foot.

I do know what to do with these!  The previous owner was kind enough to include a variety of colorful bobbins.

My sister and I have each made two blocks so far.  It's a start ;-)  I'm hoping to have my 1/4" stitch figured out before my next block.

If Michelle doesn't show her work soon on her blog, I may have to ask permission to show them here.  I especially love the Rainbow Block she just finished.  (Hope I'm not in trouble now.)

Happy stitching!