Quilting for Fun and Giving

Orca Bay Progress!

2012-02-01T11:39:00.001-08:00

I spent a day getting all the blocks together for Orca Bay (Bonnie's Wonderful new mystery quilt design). The center is done, and the boder triangles are divided out and ready to go. I then turned my attention to making a few new items for my etsy shop for Valentine's Day.

Here's my Orca Bay right now:

You can click on the side bar there to see my new etsy shop items. I will hopefull have a new little quilt done to put up this week. V. Day is just around the corner!!!

God Bless
Mary

Orca Bay Finale'!!!

2012-01-02T11:52:00.000-08:00

TADA!!! Well, not quite! LOL! I am still making the flying geese units and haven't even started the border units! But, yesterday, I could not resist starting to lay it out! This is really a great pattern!I love the interlocking block look. The play between light in dark and the angles is fabulous! Thank you Bonnie Hunter for another masterpiece!

Oh, and as you can see, Sadie has a fairly new favorite place to nap. right on top and middle of my ironing board! If I need to iron something, I either work around her or take her off. She is NOT crazy about either option! Spoiled much?

Have a Happy and Blessed New Year!
God Bless
mary

Orca Bay-Clue #6...and Boo-Boo Blocks

2011-12-26T11:19:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a great Christmas! I have entered the world of Kindle readers! I got a Kindle for Christmas from my sons and Shara. I have enjoyed downloading and reading with it. We had a wonderful Christmas eve party at Shara's sister Diane's house and my mom also came! It was a blast and we all ate too much...hence the extra long cardio session at Jazzercize this am!
I made some progress on my Ohio Star blocks too. I have 19 light ones and 8 dark ones made. These are the CUTEST little blocks...when they are made right! LOL!

OK, I am laughing now, but I couldn't believe it last night when I was sewing and thought I was all done with the light ones. I had already done 20 of them...and one of those had a mistake too...so that's why I was shocked at myself! As you can see in the photo...well, they are now orphan blocks that will appear in a orphan block quilt at some date in the future! I am NOT going to spend the time ripping them apart! I am just going to cut new ones. I am going to have to make more QST's, but I will see how many once the dark ones are done. Anyway-I know now I HAVE to keep the photo of the block in front of me at all times!

I have been making more of these darling little heart blocks as leader-ender blocks. The sister group to quiltville chat-quiltville hearts is making a heart quilt for one of out members who is suffering from some major medical things. And this group is going to continue making the blocks for future needs. They are so cute, I may make a little heart quilt or maybe placemats to go in my etsy shop. We'll see!

Next post I do will be in the New Year! WOW! this year has been a fast one! God bless you all and hope your new year is happy and pray for peace!!!
Mary

Orca Bay Clue #5 progress

2011-12-18T13:08:00.000-08:00

So...I have 110 of the unit 5's done and 250 more to do! No hurry! It is going to take all week...or more, with Christmas coming up next week! That is OK! This is a marathon, not a sprint! No prize is offered for being the first one done!

This photo is all my pretty parts in their "Be Sweet" box. I have saved a couple of these little boxes that Mandarin Oranges come in. They are a great size to hold small parts or blocks for a quilt in progress.

Here's all my HST's awaiting their wing triangles to be sewn on.

And here are the 110 of the finished ones. As you can see, I had a rather loose interpretation of "black fabrics" for this quilt! I think they sort of look like Orca tails! My Orcas are very colorful!

I also am sending 6 heart blocks for Nikki's Love Quilt. More on that project later.

God bless and have a Lovely Christmas!
Mary

Clue #4 of the Orca Bay Mystery Quilt!

2011-12-12T00:01:00.001-08:00

I finished Clue #4 this evening. Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilts are always really interesting and fun to make. They have a large number if pieces and we are always guessing right to the end! I love it! Can't wait for the next clue!

And speaking of Bonnie Hunter ideas, last summer, she challenged everyone to make bowtie blocks using cheddar solid as the background, and have this be our Leader-Ender project. Well, I used scraps instead, but this is the result of those months of making bowtie blocks. I am going to give this one to my quilter's guild yearly Mountain of Quilts for Charity drive next year.

Are you ready for Christmas? Me neither! Just 2 weeks to go!!!
God bless!
Mary
PS-I mixed up the 2 photos above, but I am sure you can figure out which is which!

Day 2 of being the Featured Seller

2011-12-06T14:27:00.000-08:00

Here are some more links to wonderful treasuries! I just am amazed at the creativity of the tagt team members!

Comfort and Joy

Sometimes in Winter

Unique gifts

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

And there are so many more!
Mary

Hello December!

2011-12-05T21:14:00.000-08:00

I somehow lost the post that explained what is going on, so I will do it again!
I had an exciting day on etsy, as my shop is the Featured Shop of the week. I lost count of how many treasury features my quilts and other items were in today! And this goes on all week! It really is fun! My etsy team-tagt team-is the best team on etsy! There are so many talented members on the team and they are prolific in making treasuries and supporting one another's shops! The previous post has 3 links to some of the treasuries that were made today. Take a look! You might find that special gift for a special person in your life!!!
I am currently doing the Orca Bay mystery quilt by Bonnie Hunter. I have the first 2 clues done, and am working on the 3rd-very slowly! I hope I can finish it tomorrow afternoon. I included a photo of the 2 finished clues-it ended up at the top of this post.
More later-Christmas season is fun, but busy!!!
God bless
Mary

Here's a few more

2011-12-05T20:55:00.000-08:00

Teal Delight

Plumtealicious

The Bear and the Honey Bee

And this goes on all week! Stay tuned!

September Already!!!

2011-09-23T13:13:00.000-07:00

Wow! This year is going so fast! I am already planning for the Quilt Show! Here in Spokane, the quilt show for WSQ (Washington State Quilters) is in mid October. This will be the third year at the fairgrounds-a great venue for out rather large show. We have at last count almost 600 quilts and other items entered. Judging from some of the show and tell quilts at guild meeting yesterday, it's going to be great! I don't have new photos today, but will soon. We have a new computer in that is in the sewing room. I have to upload the Kodac easy share program into this computer and then I'll get to sharing!
It just seems like I can't get enough quilting done lately! I think I mentioned I was doing a new exercize program-Jazzercize. I have to devide my time a little more, and I think that may be why I have not gotten as much done theis year. But, the wt loss was so needed!!! I am still going to Jazzercize three times a week, and at last weigh in, I have lost 20lbs! Jazzercize is so fun that I have not gotten tired of it yet! I have been weighing at the beginning of each month, so I hope to add a couple more lbs to the 20!
Here's a question for all you nurses out there:
How does your facility handle change of shift reports? I have experienced it many different ways, from recording report, to bedside reporting most recently. I actually have liked doing report at the bedside so far, but I am interested to see how well it does as we continue. There is still the issue of going into a patient who desparately needs sleep and we wake them up yet again! Anyway-tell me your thoughts if you have time!
God bless-
Mary

What I am Working On

2011-07-20T12:35:00.000-07:00

My etsy shop has been dormant for a long time, but I recieved a great order from a friend at work who wanted a quilt for her adult daughter. The only guidelines were that it have her name on it, have a monkey or monkeys on it, and be full sized. At first I thought I would do a pieced design with a monkey fabric as the focus, but found it is hard to find an adult monkey fabric. All I found were juvenile prints. I asked a couple of the yahoo groups I belong to for help. I got all kinds of great sites, so thanks to those who reserched that for me! Meanwhile, I started looking at monkey clip art and found some possible patterns to use for an applique center panel. From there, Rachel's Monkey Quilt kind of developed itself! Here is the block layout and a photo of the center panel. I am working on sewing it all together now and hope to have it quilted by mid August.

Oh dear!

2011-06-16T13:16:00.000-07:00

Another month gone by. I have been without a camera dock to download new photos for about that long now. "Something" happened to the cord. We will get a new cord or a new camera soon I hope!!!!I can't list anything new on etsy or share any new photos of projects until it is fixed one way or the other. I guess as frustrations go, this is minor!
We got a new to us car this past weekend: a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid! Oh how I wish I could show a photo of it! We have joined the new millineum at last! The newest car we had was the 1998 Jeep Grand...and a gas guzzler for sure! Hey, it is a sign of the times for us to give up a larger V-8 gas hog for a smaller, 4 cylinder car, that runs on batteries part of the time! I'm loving the quiet ride and the newness of it!
I finally got caught up with other projects enough to feel confident in starting my newest quilt top-Walled Garden that I shared in the last post. I love the fabrics and think this one will be lovely! I will share progress shots when I can!!!
I want to share a link to an etsy shop and hope many will visit it. The owner of the shop-Som-had a baby girl at only 26 weeks gestation. The baby-Tara-is in the NICU fighting for her life. The etsy team I am on-tagt team-is trying to help her out by donating items to sell and giving her the proceeds, and also featuring her in many treasuries to increase her exposure and hopefully result in sales. NICU expenses become astronomical very fast!!!Here is a link to Som's shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SomsStudio?ref=pr_shop_more

If you wish, visit and support her if you can!

God bless
Mary

Quilter's Block

2011-05-18T13:09:00.000-07:00

I feel like I have had "Quilter's Block" for awhile! And that is not one you can sew! I had too many BOM's going, and it felt like I wasn't finishing anything! Well, I hope I got out of that this week!I finished quilting my "Meet Me at the Manor" from a Quiltmaker series quilt. The photo is of a 1/4 of the quilt-it is folded and on my ironing board. I got the binding part way ready. It feels good to have something nearly done! Also below is my Simply Radiant Star quilt with all the blocks done and the layout planned. Not as spectacular as some of the gals are doing, but I am ready to have this project done. I did not like the fabrics I chose for the connector blocks, so rather than rechoosing, I decied to just finish this one and move on!

I finished this quilt top too. It is from AP&Q magazine-I think the April issue. It is called "Follow the Leader". It is shown here folded on my ironing board too. I did not want to take down my SR quilt! This was a fun, scappy, and pretty pattern. The challenge was in the setting. Those are columns of blocks with a narrow sashing inbetween each one, then a flying geese border. I love the effect of that dark plum color as the sashing and outer and inner borders. I will show more when I get it quilted and bound!

This leads me to my next project. I get a Quilter's Favorite book every spring from AP&Q, and this year, there were SOOO many quilts I want to make! I am going to start with this one-"Walled Garden". I even love the name! Below is the book with the pattern, and the fabrics I picked for it. The colors were inspired from thiis truely yummy fat quarter pak I bought at a quilt show from Quilt Patch Lane. It is a Moda collection, but if course, I added alot from my stash. It is a rosey/peachy color that I really love, but also I have some lt chartreuse green in there too, and brown,and cranberry. I can't wait to sink my rotory cutter into those fabrics!!! But I must get those other things finished first!!!

So, wish me luck this week...binding the Manor quilt and sewing together SR quilt! I am really trying to resist cutting those fabrics before I finish those two things!!!

God bless
Mary

3 Great Sales!

2011-04-11T13:14:00.000-07:00

I just sent two quilts to Virginia, USA, and I am going to send another one to Ireland tomorrow!
I am amazed that the Double Four Patch and Stars (DFP&S)sold so quickly! I just finished it last month! I am sure she will enjoy both quilts.

This is the Pineapple Blossum I made last year, and it is accompanying the DFP&S to the buyer in VA!

I also sold my Dreams of Kitty Beach to a lady in Ireland. I can't find my photo of it right now. I love that I have quilts in many places around the world! That is what makes selling on etsy FUN!

Shara is healing really well, and I am back at work! I also started an exercize program: Jazzercise! I am going three times a week, even if it is after work! I have love it so far! I will weigh in after I have gone for 1 month...May 1...see if it has helped me loose weight! I started at 280lbs! Ugh! Pray for me!!!
I found out I am starting to have blood sugar issues...and my dr put me on Metformin-a blood sugar reducing med. That was the final straw to getting moving again! I DO NOT want to be diabetic if I can help it!

God bless!
Mary

OMG! I can't believe I haven't blogged in a month

2011-03-23T13:25:00.001-07:00

and a half! Wow! Early this month, Shara finally got in to see an Orthopedic surgeon and got her new hip on 3/13. She has been struggling with rt hip pain for at least a year, and we have been going all over town to figure it out. It is weird, because we went to Dr Bone-yes that is the Ortho doc's name-early last year, and he thought she needed a new hip them! Shara did not want to do surgery, mostly out of fear of what people would say due to her TG (transgender) status. After dealing with the pain of degenerative arthritis for a year, she didn't care what people said! We spoke to the Ortho unit manager before the surgery and told her Shara was TG, so it actually went well. Shara is home for a week now and is doing really well!
I have finished a few things and put them on etsy and plan to do a few more. I am on Family Medical Leave right now-until 4/6. It has been great, and I am pretty sure if I could retire now, I would! But I can't, so I will now dream about it yet!
Anyway, just thought I would touch base and say I am still here and still quilting!

God Bless

Mary

Design Wall Monday-2/7

2011-02-07T09:57:00.001-08:00

Hi All! I have almost finished my Meet Me at the Manor series quilt from Quiltmaker. I have the whole top together, but I think I want to add a yellow print outer border. I don't like ending a quilt with all those small pieces on the outside. But anyway, after all that piecing, the final result is pretty! I am happy with my color choices!

My current (well, one of them!) is the Kiss in the Corner by Bonnie Hunter. The pattern cn be found on her blog-Quiltville. This one is turning out cute. I had a whole bunch of HST's left over from another project-all done in batiks. The constant fabric is not a batik, but is very batiky looking from far away. I am up to sewing on the 1.5" squares in the sashing strip corners. There is a ton of sewing with this quilt-it is all done in 2" and 1.5" pieces! This is really typical of Bonnie H quilts! Also typical is how much fun they are to put together! I am happy to use up some of these 1.5" squares. I have lots of them!

This is the sweet little print I am using for the corner stones and setting triangles. I was starting to think this was becoming too monochromatic, but in the photo, you begin to see the pattern emerging.

That's some of my current projects. See what others are working on at Patchwork Times!

God Bless!
Mary

Design Wall Monday-1/17/11

2011-01-17T09:28:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday! It is the first time in three weeks that I am organized enough to get something up for DWM!
I was working several days getting my RRCB top done, and needed a break. This bowtie pattern was a nice break! The bowtie blocks are from a Moda Bakeshop pattern and finish at 4". The middle of the bowtie is a folded dimentional center. I added the plain squares to make an 8" finished block and here's the setting i am sewing it into. I plan to do a scrappy border using 2.5 by 4.5 pieces. This whole quilt is made from pieces I had precut from scraps.

This is one of the fabrics I used in this quilt. It was from a grabbag of fabric scraps I picked up somewhere last year. I am not sure if it is cotton or a blend, but I love that cute touch of embroidery in this very scrappy quilt!

And here is my Roll Roll Cotton Boll-still in pieces. The center of the quilt is together, The inner border strips are sewn together, and the outer border strips are ready to go. I am waiting until I have a full day off before I tackle the final part of getting the borders all on. Then I need to make a backing...! And a label! And get it quilted! This has been a fun and challenging project and I love the final quilt! Thanks Bonnie Hunter!

Have a happy week everyone and enjoy the quiltmaking process!
God Bless
Mary

Hello for 2011!

2011-01-10T23:09:00.000-08:00

2011 seems to have come before I was done with 2010! Time is going by too fast!!

I have been busy in the sewing room, although I don't have much finished. I wanted to make a few small items for my etsy shop and made a couple of Valentine's Day mug rugs.

I also made a free pieced letter wallhanging-hope to get it quilted andbound soon. I procrastinated over Christmas about getting three Christmas wallhangings done...one was posted on etsy, one is still on the frame, and one is still waiting to be quilted! I guess I could say I have a jump on next Christmas then! I didn't want that to happen for Valentine's Day, so I am trying to get some done earlier!

I finished all the blocks for the RRCB mystery quilt yesterday, but did not put them on the design wall, as Christmas Lights was still up there. I finished putting CL together today and laid out the RRCB blocks. That quilt is large-takes up the whole design wall and then some. I find it really helpful to have it all laid out, particularly with a diagonal set. I get lost too easily otherwise!

As I said, I have finished this top, but only had this photo to show. I really love this pattern and might actually make it again! That is something I don't usually do as there are so many patterns to choose from!

God bless everyone for the next year! May it be better than last year for us all!

Mary

Oh I missed the last one!

2010-12-28T22:55:00.000-08:00

I missed the last Design Wall Monday post of the year by a day and a half. I have been working on all those bazillion pieces to the RRCB quilt on Bonnie Hunter's site. I'm all caught up with getting them to the point they need to be for the Friday step 7 post. I am dying to find out how to put these together!
Between working on RRBC, I also am doing the Christmas Lights Bonnie Hunter pattern. I started by using it as a leader/ender project, but now I have alot of the parts done to start putting together. Hopefully I'll have something on my wall by next Monday!
God's Blessings in the coming New Year!

Mary

Design Wall Monday-12/13/10

2010-12-13T04:31:00.000-08:00

Good Morning!
This has been a busy week with various projects needing time spent on each one. I have four quilts in progress that are either series quilts, or BOM's, or the RRCB mystery! I never have a lack of things to work on, just have to make a decision on what to work on! LOL!
Here's the latest block on the Carol Doak BOM-Simply Radiant:

Here's the latest on Meet me at the Manor-the Quiltmaker series I'm doing.I think this is the last of the block instructions, next magazine it will be putting it all together! I'm glad, because McCall's Quilting mag came out with a new series! I want to finish this one before starting a new one! Is there a pattern here? I really like doing quilts this way, and it goes with my style of quilts with alot of fabrics and a variety of blocks. That is really the kind of quilts I love to do!

I just finished 70 of those little pinwheel blocks-they are one of the borders. Then I have 4 more other kinds of blocks to do, but not that many of each. I think the most is 8.

When I'm not quilting, I have been working on these cotton dishcloths. I'm going to give them as gifts this Christmas. I'm not sure who will get them, but I love making them! They are so easy! I'm thinking they would make great face cloths too.

I don't think I ever showed a photo of the little Sunbonnet quilt we found at one of the many antiquing places we went to on our vacation last Sept. It is probably circ. 1970's or so. The quilting is not the greatest, but it still is cute! We try to add at least a small quilt to our antique collection each year.

I also am up to date on the RRCB mystery quilt. This ine is really a great mystery, as the sections we have made so far are so different! Bonnie is good...she can sure make a great mystery! I anticipate every Friday because the next clue comes out!
Be sure to stop by Judy's Patchwork Times for more DWM posts!
God bless
Mary

Design Wall Monday, 12/6/10

2010-12-06T13:17:00.000-08:00

How is everyone this lovely cold day? I came home from work today not feeling real well, so I think I'm going to call off tonight! Sometimes one needs a break! I think it is winter blahs...but winter is just starting!

Quilting always does cheer me up, even if I don't have much time during my work week. I did finish my Asterisks quilt...the one above on my blog header. I listed it on etsy a couple days ago. Here's a photo (above) of the finished quilt. It was a lovely sunny day (but cold), so I took a few shots outside!

All the sewing I have gotten done this past week has been on the RRCB Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt. This quilt is going to be interesting! I have no idea where it is going, but I'm having fun! That is part of the fun of mystery quilts...the anticipation of the next clue, and guessing what is going to go with what! This week we are making "neutral" string blocks. Well, as you can see, they are not what is commonly thought of as neutrals! Bonnie's intructions said go wild! Use up anything that has more background than print. It is fun!

Click on this link here to see more design wall photos on Judy's Patchwork Times blog!
Hope your all doing well and God Bless!
Mary

Happy Post Thanksgiving! And DWM!

2010-11-28T22:39:00.000-08:00

We had out TG on Saturday, as everyone in my household worked over the actual holiday. This is something we are used to. We were able to gather some family together and have a nice dinner and visit, so I am thankful! I am also thankful to be employed with a very good job!
I thought about going out to shop on Black Friday AM after work, but I was so exhausted...no way! That early morning rush is not really for me anyway! If I do much shopping, it will be on etsy, or I'll make stuff myself!
I have a few things I am working on. I got these little blocks out tonight to sew some more of them. They are 4" Bowtie blocks. The pattern can be found here
I am making the blocks and playing with settings right now. It is a new to me technique of making the bowtie block. Kind of fun, because you get a little bit of dimention in the center of the block. I found it fun to unfold them and see how the center folds out. I'm easily entertained. LOL!
Here's one of the blocks:

And here's a setting I was playing with:

I am making the new Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt. I finished step 2 tonight. I quilted the quilt that is pictured on my header of this blog. I will show a photo when it is bound. I love days when I can sew and quilt without other demands on my time! Don't we all!

On another subject:
I realized I had not shared about our new dog Charly and the reason we have her! It has been about 2 months since our Akita, named Boxer (Bubby for a nickname) got very sick one day and we took him to the pet emergancy clinic, but it was too late! I don't want to say too much, as it still hurts to write about it, but he had a Gastric Torsion. His stomach got twisted. This is a life threatening condition. Bubby had been vomiting for several hours and we were talking about taking him to the vet on Monday-it was Sunday. Then I noticed his abdomin was hard and distended, and I know something was very wrong, so we took him to emergency. The vet said he could not do anything for him, but put him down. We were kind of shocked to loose him like that! It took awhile for us to want to adopt another dog, but we felt Walter needed a companion, and we missed having two dogs.
This is Walter:

And Here is our new dog Charly:

She is a Bull dog and possibly a Pitbull cross. She is loving and playful, protective and a handful! She does keep us hopping! Lately she has been trying to "talk" to us when she wants attention or is bored and wants to go out to play. We got her from the local animal shelter-SCRAPS. She is 2 yrs old.
So it is bitter-sweet. We have this great new dog, but lost a dear old friend.

Be sure to check out Patchwork Times for other DWM posts Here
God bless! May we all be thankful for the blessings in our lives!
Mary

DWM-11/15/10

2010-11-15T13:17:00.001-08:00

I've been busy sewing and knitting and I finally took some photos so I can share!
Over my last four days off, I have worked on a variety of things. I needed to make a dent in the string drawers. They are getting full again! It has only been 6 months since I cleaned all my scraps up! So I made a Heartstrings top using blue strings. It has been awhile since I made one of these! They are so fun and easy, I need to keep a pile of foundations handy!

I also have been working on developing a new product fo my etsy shop. I make alot of the knitted dish cloths, and thought why not make some smaller for coasters? Then I thought, why not make something to store them in? So I made fabric boxes for them. On the bigger ones, I left them plain, but the smaller ones I wove fabric strips through the holes around the edge. I think it dresses them up a bit! The coasters are knit from cotton yarn, and are machine washable. The fabric boxes are made with a stiff interfacing-Peltex. If anyone has a comment, please feel free to critique! The photos need alot of help, I know!

Last, but not least is the two quilts I quilted and plan to bind today. The tulips one I worked on last summer, and the Angel one I made recently. I wanted to get some quick small quilts made for Christmas...I sold the others I had! I have this one with the angels almost and another with a snowman panel still to quilt.

Hope everyone is having a great Design Wall Monday!
God Bless
Mary

Follow this link here to see others DWM postings on Judy's Patchwork Times blog!

DWM-11/1/10

2010-10-31T23:59:00.001-07:00

Hi All! I have my DWM post ready, but for some reason, I can't get into Patchwork Times! It has just been in the last couple of days that it opens, but there is nothing in the window that opens!
Well, here is what I've been working on:
The blocks below are from the quilt called Country Wedding in Quiltlover's Favorites-vol 8 I think. I only put up a few of the 42 blocks. I am in the process of sewing the blocks and sashings together. It will be a large quilt when done.

I also am making slow progress on my Quiltmaker series quilt "Meet me at the Manor". I love the fabrics I'm using in this quilt. Many of them are Moda fabrics in lovely peach, green, and yellow pastels. The blocks shown are not in the order they will be in the quilt, but I wanted to show the ones I have done. The part I am on now is making 42 sawtooth stars. I think I have about 18 to go! This quilt starts in the Sept/Oct issue. I am working from the Nov/Dec issue-the second part of the series. There are quite a few pieced blocks in this part!

That's all for now. Remember to look up Bonnie Hunter's blog and get in on the new mystery quilt-Roll, Roll, Cotton Boll. Catchy name Huh?

God Bless
Mary

ACLS Done!

2010-10-28T13:43:00.000-07:00

I have been away from my quilting and blogging for several days due to taking the ACLS-Advanced Cardiac Life Support class and test. I am very happy to say I got through it and am certified now. I don't want to go through that again any time soon, let me tell you! Each person in the class had to demonstrate they could run a code-that is if someone goes into a cardiac arrest situation, that we can show that we know what to do. It is like BLS-Basic Life Support, but advanced. A code is a stressful situation, and so is the code testing! Of course, if you realize your knowledge and ability to use it is life and death for your patient...well, it has to be taken very seriously! Anyway, I am glad to be done with the class for 2 years! I may take the class again in 2 years-instead of just testing out. It would be good to go over all the material again!
I sewed some stars blocks this AM, and it felt like I hadn't sewed for a long time...even though it was just a few days. I was really focused on studying for the ACLS test! I have been knitting dish cloths today, and finished 2 of them. I plan to give those as gifts this year. They are made out of cotton yarn and are great for washing dishes. One could use them as a face wash cloth too. I can knit one in about 2 hours.
I don't really have any new photos, I'm still plugging away on my projects-the BOM from Carol Doak, and the Raggedy Ann quilt. I also am working on the Quiltmaker series quilt. That's the one I am making stars for. The quilt has 42 of them, and I have 18 done. This is going to be a pretty quilt!!! I'll show some photos on design wall Monday...which I haven't participated in for 2 weeks!!! Well, life does get in the way at times!!!
Will post again soon!!!
God Bless
Mary

DWM-10/11/10

2010-10-11T09:27:00.000-07:00

Good Monday AM! How about another House quilt!
I wanted to show my progress on the new Quiltmaker series quilt,"Meet Me at the Manor. I have a bunch of great Moda fabric, and some others from my stash. I have too many projects going right now, but I've been itching to start this one ever since I saw it in the Sept/Oct Quiltmaker! I made my self finish the stuff I'm making for the WSQ quilt show boutique before I started this design!

Here are the three Christmas table runner. I'm still stitching sewn the bindings down on these.

And on the kniiting front...
I've been working on a shawl, the pattern is from the Ravelry. I also am knitting a green and blue scarf out of fun fur and cotton yarn.

Fiber is fun to work with in whatever form it takes!!!

Hope you all out there are having a great Monday!!!

God Bless
Mary

Design Wall Monday-9/27

2010-09-27T09:38:00.000-07:00

I have a few almost finished items to share. I've missed DWM for a couple of weeks!
I finished my Wonky Town quilt. I think I have a handle on how to do free-pieced letters. They were time intensive, but fun and they look pretty good! I also got a few free-pieced trees in there. This quilt was fun and is OOAK (one of a kind)!

I have 2 of the 4 word borders done on Cupcakes as well. I think this will be a very cute quilt!

Here's the little bag I knitted while we were on vacation. I plan to line it with the fabric sitting there beside it. I tried to felt it, but the yarn I used doesn't felt. Too little wool and too much acrylic fibers guess.

Hope your week goes well and we all get lots done!
God bless
Mary

We're home and I've been knitting!

2010-09-20T18:55:00.001-07:00

While we were on vacation, I finished the cupcake blocks, the Raggedy and Friends block embroideries, and half of the snowball applique' blocks. I would have finished them all, but I started knitting dishcloths, then knitted a purse. This is just as addicting as quilting! Oh No! So, during the trip, we had to visit yarn stores as well as quilt shops. I came home with some wonderful yarns and fabrics. The day we got home, we decided to have a pajama and movie day, so what did I do? Knitted a scarf! I had fun with embellishments on this one. I used some beads that I have had around for a couple years, and some ribbons. I put it for sale on etsy, but it may just end up being mine if it doesn't sell by the end of this winter!

No DWM for me today, but I did manage to put the crumb blocks together into a top, and the cupcake blocks are organized to put together too. I think I will do an applique'd border of words-sweet treat, that sort of thing, instead of free piecing.

So, that is my quilting (and knitting) world for now!
I only have one day left of freedom, then it is back to work...Wed night! Wee Haw!

God bless
Mary

DWM-9/6/2010-and Happy B-day to me!

2010-09-06T06:52:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is Labor Day, it's my birthday, and we are on vacation! Lots of things right there to be happy about! I also retreated into the sewing room for a couple hours yesterday, and finished making some more of these fun little houses. I am onlygoing to make 16 of them, then put them together with sashing and I was thinking of a free-pieced letter border that says Wonky Town or something. But as you can see, I need to work on my free-pieced letters! The W below is my first attempt! It turned out wierd, has some raw edges showing, and I think I can do better! So I'll try again...later!

I finished applique' stitching my Cupcakes blocks. I am glad I have 2 other projects to take on vacation! Below, I show fabrics I think will be sashing and outer border fabrics. That bright pink is really bright though, so I don't know. If you want to, share an opinion! I was thinking of free-piecing words around this one too for a inner border-like-Sweet treat, delicious, that sort of thing. Maybe if I get better at it!

So, that is my design wall! Have a safe and Happy Labor Day!

God Bless
Mary

Vacation!

2010-09-03T21:47:00.001-07:00

Today was the first one of our September vacation. So nice to think we won't be working for a little over two weeks! I plan on doing alot of hand applique work. I have three projects linec up for that. I showed them the last couple of design wall Monday posts. I may slip a finished quilt in there somewwhere too.

An update on Shara's condition: She got a cortisone shot directly onto her rt hip joint space. It is amazing how much those injections help! After a couple days, she has about 60% less pain. We are so thankful this worked! At least, it is working for now!

God bless!
Mary

DWM-8/30/2010

2010-08-29T21:49:00.000-07:00

I'm posting this early as I won't have time in the morning! Shara has been suffering from back pain for what seems like forever. I'm taking her to a spine specialist in the am and she is getting some cortisone shots into the area where the pain is coming from. We have great hope that this will help.
I have a new quilt started. It is one of those things where the fabric and pattern just kind of jumped out and said "Make Me!" I'm working on piecing the blocks, and them I'll put the applique's in the middle of each block. It will have a simple heart applique' in the middle. It is called Country Wedding in the book "Quilt Lovers Favorites" vol 7.

I have to get ready for work now, so have a great day!

God bless
Mary

DWM-8/23/2010

2010-08-23T07:27:00.001-07:00

Wow! When I did my photos this week, I was amazed at all I got done this week! A little here and a little there adds up.
I had three finishes, the first of which is my little pink and yellow strings quilt. I have not finished a string quilt is a long time! This will go to the Mountain of Quilts at the WSQ show this year.

The next two are for Quilts for Kids. I have had the kit for the Dogfighters quilt since spring! It's about time I got it done and sent!

I blogged about the Raggey Ann and Andy BOM awhile ago. I have two of the blocks in various stages of completion. I am saving them to work on during our upcoming vacation, but I couldn't resist doing some of the red work now! I did mix up 2 of the designs in the block on the right, so I had to adapt it a little! I also am doing a pieced sashing or maybe make more pieced blocks, and leaving off the black sashing.

This is a cute design I found and decided to use as a hand applique' project during vacation. These cupcakes are so cute! I think I'll put a button on top of each cupcake, and then try my hand at free pieced letters to finish it off.

My L&E project is crumb blocks. I have 57 of them made. I plan to stop at 80 of them. They are 6.5" blocks, and I'll put sashing between them when I put them together. Black or red sashing-I'm not sure yet!

And last but not least, my scrappy star top is all sewn together. I am just going to put a simple border on it and call it good!

Well, that's my DWM! Hope your week was productive too!
I also have sold six quilts in the last two weeks! I'm so amazed at the results of doing all those treasuries on etsy! That reminds me, I have not done one in awhile! A quilter's work is never done-Thank God!!!

God bless'
Mary

DWM-8/16/2010

2010-08-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

I made a whole bunch of 8" star blocks, as leaders and enders while making the Valiant Eagle. Then I thought those were so fun to make, so I made a bunch of 6" stars! While making the Wonky Roses, I made 3.5 inch 4-patches for L&E. I had about 200 of those by the time I was done with the Wonky roses!! What to do, What to do! I know! I'll put 'em all together and come up with something new! Well...maybe not new, but different!
So here is the beginnings of a Double Four-Patch and Stars quilt top! I ran out of small stars, because it takes two of them in the 12" block I'm doing with them, so now I need to make about 12 more. And I wanted to alternate it with the 8" star block-I had to use 1" spacers to make the 3.5 inch 4-patches play well together and make a 12" block of them.. Anyway-I have another really scrappy and fun quilt going now! These are great to work on during my work week, since they are just fun and I'm not all that precise with them!!!

Ok, now Here is my closet with my quilt tops wating to be quilted! ARRGGG! I make quilt tops much faster than I get them quilted! About halfway across where the pink quilt is hanging and a little before, are tops I have done this year! I've been on a scrappy quilt top making binge this year! As Jim Carey in the "Mask" says-"Shomebody Shtop Me!" Do I hire a longarmer to help? I don't know! I sent some out to various members of Heartstrings earlier this year! But these are ones I want to finish myself! I just need to focus on quilting for awhile!

Hope your days are full of quilting joy!
God bless
Mary

Wonky Roses quilt top done!

2010-08-14T00:38:00.000-07:00

I started making these free pieced roses after seeing them on Block Lottery, and the bug bit me again! I made thirty of them and made this quilt top. I don't know if I'll make some for Block Lottery or not! I always want to move on to something else once I've finished a quilt top. But these were fun to make!

So... should I start something else, or work on the several projects already going? I did pledge 5 Christmas table runners to the quilt show boutique...hmmm... And I am making mini totes and postcards too. Looks like I already know what needs doing for the rest of the week!
A quilter's work is never done!!! Thank God!

God bless,
Mary

Finish!!!

2010-08-12T11:12:00.001-07:00

I'm so very happy! I got the Hearts and Flowers quilt finished!!! I listed it on etsy this am. (scroll down-the link is on the sidebar).Two of my quilts sold this am too! It is exciting, as sales have been a little sluggish. Here's the finished quilt:

Hope you all have a great weekend! I'm working, so it will be an "interesting" weekend!! LOL!

God bless
Mary

PS-Since the Hearts and Flowers is done, I thought I would put a new photo up in my intro-this one is Asterisks. I made it last month.

Design Wall Monday-8/9

2010-08-09T06:40:00.001-07:00

I missed two DWM's! I can't believe I did that! This is an important part of my week!
But anyway, I have lots of photos to share.
I started making Rose blocks for the Block Lotto, and have made 25 of them so far, so I have enough for a quilt. I have not decided if I'm going to enter some in the Lotto or not! They are fun and wonky and addictive to make. If you want guidelines to make them and to learn more about Block Lotto, you can find it here

Here are some other things I have been working on the last two weeks:

I have been making fabric postcards for the WSQ quilt show coming up in October. I also exchanged some with a couple ladies from the yahoo group Liberated Quilters. And I have one on my etsy website to sell. These are fun to make and exchange too!

I made the August BOM from the Carol Doak group this week-I love how these are turning out!

And I finished the two tops I blogged about several weeks ago.

Now, all I need to do is get some things quilted! I will quilt at least one quilt today!!!

Hope your week is great!!!
God bless,
Mary

No DWM for me this week!

2010-07-25T10:27:00.000-07:00

I don't have our camera this week, as it was lent out to a gal where Shara works to take photos of the employees to send to one of the nurses who moved recently. Shara is going to make an email photo album to send to him. So, I am unable to post my DWM photos for lack of camera to take photos! That's okay, it is for a good cause!
I hope to finish putting together my Valiant Eagle quilt top, and my Bricks and Cobblestones. I also finished the applique' for the Tulips quilt, so might get that together as well. I need a new applique' project soon. I found a Raggedy Ann and Andy project with redwork stiched RA&A here
I'm thinking this might be that project! I can do the piecing and save the redwork for when I need a hand project-such as when watching TV, or riding in the car on Vacation!

I can't wait to see everyone else's DWM tomorrow!
God Bless
Mary

Design Wall Monday-7/19

2010-07-19T09:15:00.001-07:00

Happy Monday! I have made some progress on my Valiant Eagle. I got two star blocks done. I have the star point parts for the rest of the stars ready to go, so I expect this quilt top to be done by next Monday. It is coming along!

I stopped at a yard sale on the way home from work Saturday morning and found a big bag of fabrics, and patterns. I am not keeping any of the patterns except the Raggedy Ann and Andy one. There was a whole finished doll in the bag and cut fabrics for the clothes but I think I will end up choosing my own fabrics for the clothes! So, I had fun sorting through the fabrics, and there were several solid colored poly-cottons, and some nice cottons. Of course, I will give away the poly's and keep the cottons!
Here's a photo of the poor little naked Raggedy Ann.

Here's a couple photos of some of my RA&A collection! Aren't they cute!

Hope all have a Blessed Week!
Mary

Heres a little i have done this week

2010-07-17T13:39:00.000-07:00

I got hooked on doing these little postcard quilts. I might make some for the quilt show boutique.

These little totes are also going in the QS boutique!

And there is someprogress on my Valiant Eagle. The easy piecing is done, now I am working on the star border-28 simple star blocks.

I am in the middle of my 6 night stretch...must go to bed!!!

God Bless
Mary

Design Wall Monday-July 12

2010-07-12T07:16:00.000-07:00

Good Monday AM!!!
I finished my Asterisks quilt top yesterday and started another called Valiant Eagle. This one is from Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting-June/July 2010 issue-the latest issue. I just love the eagle in the center! It has a stripe border above and below the eagle and then a border of stars around all that. I only got the center part done last night. I think this one is going to Alycia in Colorado for her QOV project, although I sure would like to look into getting one started here in Spokane. We have Fairchild AFB just down the road from us.

Here is my finished Asterisks quilt top. It was fun to make. I could put two or four blocks together as time allowed during my work week. Yesterday, I put the top all together. I still might make some for block lotto, we'll see. I made 42 of the blocks, so was ready to be done with them after this weekend!

This is a short and sweet post! Nothing new on the work front-besides it being an extra crazy week! Some of the patients who are confused as a rule seems even more confused this past week. I'm not sure why. Summer weather?

God bless!
Mary

Design Wall Monday, 7/5/10

2010-07-05T09:10:00.000-07:00

Good day after the fourth! We did not do anything special, unless you count cleaning up the deck and making a new awning for the swing bench special! LOL! My schedule changed, so I worked last night. Don't get every Sunday and Monday off, but the trade off is getting more days off with my DSO!
Anyhoo! Here's some of my stuff in progress!
I have a pink flannel four patch on the design wall. Very simple little quilt, but I need to put it up there, otherwise I get things mixed up when I'm sewing it together! I can put one of these together in a few hours, but I've been doing other things too-of course! I made one in blue earlier in the week. These will go to Sallie House. They will be really cuddly for the kiddos.

I found the block lotto blog recently, and also the Liberated Quilter's group. Put those together and what do you get? Free piecing and a chance to exchange blocks! Well, I started making the Asterisks blocks and like them, so I kept making them. I have 16 of them made. Unfortunately, I did not read the instrutions right, and cut them 7.5 in instead of 8.5....sooo, I will make these for myself-I already cut the background squares! I will cut some others for exchanging. But aren't they fun!

I also have been doing a Bricks and Stepping Stones for leader/enders. I'm using dark blue and yellow for my stepping stones and dark and medium dark prints. These are mostly fat 1/4's that are a little unusual, I don't want to say ugly! The quilt will be fun and interesting at any rate!

Well, that's my Monday! Go visit Judy's site for more DMW!

God bless!
Mary

New July BOM block

2010-07-02T12:40:00.001-07:00

I'm participating in the BOM from Carol Doak. Here is the July block:

I just love the colors in this block!
I also started with the Liberated quilter yahoo group recently. Here's my first liberated block! I is not perfect, but then, it isn't supposed to be!

Trying these links again!

2010-06-29T05:14:00.000-07:00

Thanks Kathy for the explaination on how to do the links. I am going to try them again.
My first etsy treasurey "Butterflies and Florals:

And the second one, Candy Apple Red:

Now lets see if this worked!

Mary

PS-It looks like it did from my end. Thanks again Quilter Kathy!

Design Wall Monday-June 28

2010-06-28T08:19:00.000-07:00

Happy DWM! Wow this is the last one of June!
I finished the quilt top I was working on last week. Here is the top sans borders:

And here it is with borders sitting on my worktable. I am making the backing now. Last week I called it Oklahoma crossroads-the pattern is actually called Oklahoma Backroads. It's a Bonnie Hunter pattern, and was great for using the 2.5 and 2.5 by 4.5 cut pieces I have. I depleted them nicely!

And here is a little Double Four Patch that I made out of leaders and enders! I kept making four patches out of my 2.5 squares, then used the 4.5 squares I had to make this! Having those pieces of several sizes pre-cut is a huge help in getting some things done! I made these tops at the same time!

Have a great week everyone!
God bless
Mary

Links

2010-06-27T09:53:00.000-07:00

Ok I put them in but they don't show up on the post! I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong! Any ideas?
Mary

Eastern WA Street team

2010-06-27T09:31:00.000-07:00

I had some fun this week with the etsy group I am in. Leanna opened a chat room on etsy to teach a few of us to make treasuries. Our team is very pro treasurey and makes many of them to promote our shops. We have a new program that we choose one shop owner and make treasuries featuring that person's shop. The goal is to make as many as we have time to to promote that person's shop. I made my first two treasuries after the chat. It was fun and now I am addicted to making them. It really is a great way to find shops one has never visited before!

I also recieved a message from Tania on yahoo from the team and got a link to a great blog that promotes home based sellers and their shops.
I love that this blog supports and promotes us in this way!

Have a great week! See you tomorrow for DWM!

Mary

PS-I am trying to put links in here and have not figured it out yet!

Design Wall Monday-June 21st

2010-06-21T05:04:00.000-07:00

Walter says Good Morning to all!
He and Boxer were pretty frisky this am. They were happy that I got up earlier than usual. I have to work tonight, so it sometimes happens that I feel like getting up early and seizing the day!

Here is the quilt top I decided to work on after finishing my YTRR quilt top. I just love my scraps I have all cut up! This quilt top is going to deplete my 2.5 squares and 2.5x4.5 bricks. I even got into my stash and cut up a couple of light fabrics that I had used before! That qualifies as a scrap doesn't it!

My Red Stars quilt has four blocks made now. I didn't touch the Q4K quilt, so it still is sitting there! I organized my finished quilts so most of them are hung up in the quilting room closet, instead of sitting in a pile. Most of them are in my etsy shop, so I wanted them to be more accessable. I got about half the binding stitched down on one of the quilts I quilted last week. I had a good productive weekend for the most part!
This week, I am working Monday night through Friday night. My schedule got changed a little this week. Usually I have Monday night off. Looks to be a long week, but next week, my weekend off is changing! I finally got them to change me back to the weekend off I had last March before all the changes started. Shara and I will have the same weekend off together again! And I am going to have FIVE in a row off!!! I am excited about that, altough I will have to work 6 nights in a row to get it. I learned a long time ago that you have to give a little to get a little!
Hope everyone's week goes well! And Happy Monday!!!

God Bless
Mary

At last-the YTRR top is done!!!

2010-06-18T17:21:00.000-07:00

I'm so happy I was able to finish this top today! I just think it was starting to wear on me to still have it in progress. I could have switched those last two borders, but I still think it turned out pretty. I had some of the turquiose triangles left, so I sewed them into squares and made prarie points out of them. They are small, so see if you can find them! I just put four in a row on each border. It makes a fun little touch.
The first photo is a detail, the second is the whole top. It barely fits on my design wall and I had to take a photo at an angle to show all of it. It is actually 80 inches square. Now I need to do a backing and put it in line to be quilted!

God Bless
Mary

It's my weekend off and I'll sew if I want to!

2010-06-18T08:26:00.001-07:00

Yes! I am ready for my 4 days off! I just printed out the first few pages of Carolina Crossroads from Bonnie Hunter's group. I almost finished the last few blocks of my YTRR. And the foundations for the Red Stars quilt are printed and waiting! I also have a fun quilt on my longarm frame. I love my job, but I really love the time I have to sew and quilt. My DSIL told me she thinks I am addicted to quilting! I think she is right! And it is OK! It's a good addiction!
Happy weekend everyone! The quilt above is just a picture of one I made some time ago. It's on my etsy shop, but I like the spring theme! I'm feeling Springy this am.
Happy quilting
Mary

AC

2010-06-15T14:18:00.000-07:00

The AC guy already installed the new AC and it's working great! I was impressed what a great job he did, and fast too. The company is called Air Control. I believe it is a privately owned local company, but if you live in Spokane or the area, I recommend them.
So, we are cool running here in Spokaloo, LOL!
Mary

Design Wall Monday-June 14

2010-06-14T06:54:00.000-07:00

Monday Already? I had a long week of work and got a few things done, but I actually did not sew at all one or two of those days! I started and worked on the new Carol Doak 6000 member block and got three of them done. I think I will make 9 blocks-or maybe 12! I love this block and I like the effect the strips make. They are hard to get matched though! You could probably pick out the first block I made, as I did not try to match the strips. Looks better to match them!

I only worked a little on my YTRR, I am still plugging away, but as you can see, I don't seem to have much momentum with that project anymore. I quilted two quilts, and got the binding on yesterday, so here's a sneek peek at them. When they are completely done, I will show the whole thing.

And here is a small quilt that has been buried for awhile under some other quilts. I sorted finished quilts yesterday and am in the process of reorganizing my longarm room. This little quilt is from a Quiltmaker series quilt from 1997 I think. I love this pattern and am almost inspired to make it again. Quiltmaker is the one magazine I will not give away. It always has something inspiring in it! If I could only have one quilting magazine (parish the thought!) this would be the one!
Anyway, this quilt was made when I was still hand quilting. It is a little faded because when Matt (the oldest son) was living with us for awhile, he used it as a window shade. It is still a great quilt though!

We have to get a new central air conditioning unit this week! The old one has been giving us problems for the last three years and it finally decided to go KAPUT all together. Big expense, but we can't live without it!
So that's my week in a nutshell!
How was yours?
God Bless
Mary

Design Wall Monday-June 7th

2010-06-07T10:08:00.000-07:00

I started this Tulip Applique' quilt back in late December and I work on it every now and again when I don't have any other hand work to do. I finally have enough of them done to have something to show! The pattern is from Fons and Porter Love of Quilting Magazine-Jan/Feb 2010 issue. I fused the appliques on the fabric, then do a buttonhole stitch around each one with embroidery floss. That's about as complicated as my form of applique gets! I hate turning under edges!LOL!

I also about finished Round 5 of my YTRR. I have a couple more strips to sew on, then I will start the last round. It is now 70" square, so I probably will add another 15-20" to it, to make a nice sized quilt to go on a water bed. I'm not going to try to sell this one! I'd have to ask too much for it!

I have the cutest little quilt top that was in with that fabric I was given awhile ago. The outer border and the backing has a flying pig print that is sssooo cute! I'm going to finish it and give it to Quilts for Kids. I also have a kit from Q4K that has been patiently waiting attention for awhile-couple months I think! So those both are on my list for this week.

Hope everyone's week is great! And thanks for the nice comments from my last post. I said I love my fabric for the new BOM, and some of the nice comments agree.

God bless

Mary

I Caved!

2010-06-05T21:48:00.001-07:00

I said I was going to work on my YTRR, but I decided to press the fabrics for my BOM. Then I thought I would cut a few pieces out. Then I thought I would sew at least the June block. I loved how it turned out so much that I decided to make a couple of the connector blocks to see how they looked with the June block. So, there you go! I have not done anything with the YTRR yet this weekend!

I like how this block turned out so much I can hardly stand it!!! How about that funky large print used in the corners! The setting blocks are going to be both orange and red backgrounds. I only have 2 yds of each of them, so I'm just going to use them both. I thought the red would go around the outside edges and the orange around the inner blocks. I'll have to make more blocks to show what I mean.

Now to go back to work on that YTRR! I will get it done...I will get it done!!!

God bless

Mary

Two finished tops

2010-06-02T12:17:00.001-07:00

I finished two quilt tops over the past few days. It helped to get a low census day off! So, here's the finished Star Struck quilt top, with borders on. I made the backing too, so will get it quilted soon!

Here's the Orphan Block quilt top. Finished as well.

I got my YTRR out and its pinned up on my design wall. I am determined to get it done this week! Carol Doak put out two new blocks, well actually a BOM quilt top and a new 6000 member block. I want to make them both! I have fabrics pulled for the BOM. I am not going to start it until the YTRR is DONE!!!

It just occured to me that this is my 100th post. Wow! It took me awhile! I don't have a giveaway, but I will just say I've enjoyed blogging and am thankful for the one's who read it. It gives me motivation to keep up with my quilting, and inspiration from the other posts I read.

God bless

Mary

Design Wall Monday, May 31

2010-05-31T10:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Memorial Day to all!
Sunday afternoon found me finishing up my Star Struck blocks and then working on the 3rd of my orphan block quilts. I have a rather chaotic mess on my worktable right now! In the middle of the table is my Star blocks which I am in the process of sewing together. On the upper right corner are still some scraps that I want to keep and cut into usable sized pieces for future scrap projects. In the upper left is fabric I have pulled from stash for the new Carol Doak BOM she recently announced. It came on the Carol Doak yahoo list as a birth announcement! She said she was pregnant with a new BOM and was about to give birth. And it is going to be a spectacular new baby! I have simply got to finish some stuff so I can spend time with the new baby!!!The rest of that stuff is what I'm using as blocks and setting strips and pieces for the orphan block quilt. Today, I hope to clear most of that off, and I'm still working on organizing my fabric. I have to buy three more drawers.

Here's my work table:

And here's the orphan block quilt as it is right now. Probably won't be like that later in the week, because I will add and change things around, but you get the idea.

Since it is raining here today, and I have the afternoon to myself, I will stay in and work on my various projects. I do need to try to finish the YTRR too! It came to a stand-still when I was cleaning and reorganizing.
Back to it NOW!!!

God bless
Mary

Comments

2010-05-26T13:46:00.000-07:00

I have enjoyed all the comments on my last post about my adventures in reorganizing. I have tried to answer some of the ones with email addresses attached to their profile. One person commented that if I took the sliding doors down, I could put up a curtain. I want those doors down, but couldn't figure out how to get them down. I think it would help me have better access to that closet. They are on metal slides at the top, but I couldn't see where to unscrew them. I will probably get my DBIL to look at them. My sweetie is not too adept at construction/deconstruction!! LOL!

I'm on a five night rotation of work, so I will be needing to sleep soon!
Thanks again for the comments. That's what it is all about...giving each other inspiration!!!

God Bless

Mary

Design Wall Monday-May 24

2010-05-24T09:41:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday All! My design wall doesn't look too different from last week. I have added a few more blocks to the Star Struck I was working on, but not really much sewing was done. I also finished the Carolina Chain top.
What I was really working on was reorganizing my stash. Two things happened this week. First, I decided once and for all that I would get rid of the Monster laudry bin of scraps and I am happy to say it is GONE!!! Secondly, I got a huge wind fall of fabric from my DSIL's friend Wendy. So far, I have prewashed about 200+ yds of nice Benartex fabric. Here's the progress on the Star Struck quilt.

And here is the progress on my scraps:
I have cut and organized the scraps into 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 inch drawers. And there is a separate drawer for 2x3.5 and 2.5x4.5 bricks. These little storage containers are really handy for this!

I also have two large drawers for strips. I have not organized them by size, color or even lt and dark as yet. That is coming!

So here is the scrap users system. Takes up less space and is very user freindly!

Here is the whole starage system. The large drawers have large pieces arranged roughly by colors. I have three drawers with greens and four of blue! I have two for reds and burgandys, one for rose colors and one for pinks. There is one for orangey family fabrics, but I think the bright orange and the peach colors should be separated. I have too much for that one drawer. I need three more drawers for neutrals and browns, and teal/aqua colors. That is why there is a large stack of fabric there; it still needs a home. It is still a work in progress!

I wanted to leave space between my design wall and the stash storage, so I have another set of drawers in the closet. That has all the blues in it. I had to clean that closet out, and I wish I would have taken a before photo. Believe me it was SCAREY!!! Now I can hang up my quilt tops and backings and can pull out whatever I want to quilt. Before, they were in a big pile and very hard to get to. I have an old dresser on the other side of the closet that has four drawers. There is a drawer of christmas fabrics, one with thread, one with rulers, and one with wool fabrics and vintage embroideries. Some day, I will get around to making something with those.I did not take a photo of it. The closet has sliding doors, and make access to the closet kind of difficult, and limits the space. I would like to take those down, but am not sure how.

And here is all the scraps I did not keep. I have some boxes going out next week to various people who said they wanted scraps, and two large bags of scraps I will give either to a local lady who is in WSQ or to a charity organization.

So, that was this last week in a nutshell. My back, feet, legs, and wrists are all screaming with arthritis pain, but I am happy to have a better organiztional system in place. Now, maybe I can get some quilting done!!!

God Bless

Mary

Design Wall Monday, May 17

2010-05-17T08:18:00.000-07:00

I made thirty of the Carolina Chain blocks altogether this past week. There they are finished on my sewing table, along with the 2x2 and 2x3.5 inch square bin. looks more full than last week! In between sewing those blocks, I have been sorting and cutting out of the Monster scrap bin! I have many 3.5 and 2.5 inch squares and sme 2x4.5 brick cut also.

I started Star Struck yesterday evening. I am using the 2x2 and 2x3.5 inch pieces. The block finishes at 6" instead of the 8" block in Bonnie Hunter's original design. They are going to be mostly scrappy, but I coordinated the dark star within each block. I like the results so far!

I am also going to send strings to Cricket and Shirley on Heartstrings. I am going to tame that monster scrap bin yet!!!

I worked 5 night shifts in a row this past week. I am loving ACU! I am glad I made the switch. There is so much to learn! I will be taking ACLS (Advance Cardiac Life Support) in June.

God Bless

Mary

So, I was visiting

2010-05-14T10:37:00.000-07:00

with this very delightful lady at Walmart today while waiting in line at the pharmacy. If you've ever picked up scripts from Walmart-takes awhile!
Any way, the subject somehow turned to sewing, and quilting! She told me she had made ONE quilt in her life, and vowed never to do another! Can you imagine? Ok, quilting is not for everyone! I said I had to sew or quilt everyday...a day without it is just not complete! She said-oh, do you have a big STABLE...I said WHAT? She said stable-you know-Stash Beyond Life Expectancy. I had to laugh and write that down! Isn't that a great little numonic?
And Yes, I do have a big stable, and I'm not ashamed, nor do I intend to stop adding to it! But I will have to decide some day who will get the stable when I'm gone! That's a subject for another day!!!

Design Wall Monday, May 10

2010-05-10T09:07:00.001-07:00

Isn't this a great little bin of 2x2 and 2x4.5 inch pieces? I have been cutting like crazy-doing a little every day until I have enough pieces to make Carolina Chain! All these pieces are out of my scrap bin...that monster I showed a few posts ago. Carolina Chain is a pattern from Bonnie Hunter found in the May/June issue of Quiltmaker magazine. Fun little pattern, and the blocks are fast and easy. I made 36 of them yesterday afternoon after coming home from Mother's Day dinner.

Yeah, I know, I need another project...NOT! But this was calling to me and those 2" pieces are hard to resist!!! I had a four day weekend (yahoo!!) and worked on finishing borders on two quilts, worked on my YTRR 5th round, and then started the Carolina Chain. I did not quilt anything!!! Darn it!!! I ment to, as today is Shara and my day off together, and while we watch movies, I like to have a hand project available. Binding a quilt is a good thing to have on hand. I have my hand applique' tulips to do, so I will work on that. There is always so much that I want to accomplish!
Hope everyone had a nice Mom's Day!

God Bless

Mary

Leftovers for Girl-quilt top done

2010-05-08T11:45:00.001-07:00

Just a quick note to show my Leftovers for Girl quilt top. I think it turned out cute. It went together quickly and was fun to make. I'm going to do Rd 5 of my YTRR project, then tackle doing the boy leftovers.

God Bless

Mary

Design Wall Monday, May 3

2010-05-03T10:03:00.001-07:00

I just had to first include a photo of Ziggy. As I have said before, the sewing room is his room, he just lets me use it, as long as I keep making things for him to rest on!

My pineapple Blossum top is done except for the border. I'm going to use a dark blue angel print. Yes, I know the fabric is "Christmasey", but it is so cute! And I have enough for the backing! I trimmed the blocks try to make them more even in size and did not realize that some of the corner triangles ended up uneven in size! So alot of them did not match well while sewing them together. I also turned one of the blocks the wrong way while sewing it, and the middle triangles are oriented differently than the outer ones! I think that was the one I was making while half asleep...come on, you all know what I'm talking about! LOL! I left it that way-see if you can find it! I figure it is a charming "oops".

I started putting up a Leftovers Quilt on the design wall. I call them that, but they are really a collection of orphan blocks. The blocks for this one are from a variety of sources. The large star blocks are from the star block exchange with the Carol Doak group last fall. I have a few of my own, a few sent to me from Alycia in Colorado, and I have a few I picked up from our WSQ yard sale early last month. I have another basket of the leftovers as well. I'm going to make one "girly" one and one "boyish" one. These will be finished for our Mountain of Quilts (MOQ) display at the Spokane Quilt Show in October. The Pineapple Blossum is going to the MOQ as well!
As I look at the block arrangement in the photo, I see that I need to redistribute the lighter and the more colorful blocks. I will be playing with them for a few days, then sew together! These kind of quilts are pure FUN!

Oh Yeah!

2010-04-27T12:20:00.001-07:00

I almost forgot to show my other two pictures. I posted them on my yahoo account, but I want to show them here too. First is a little quilt that I will finish and send to Quilts for Kids along with the quilt from the kit they sent me. It is done with 24 8" blocks, to keep the size small. I made as many blocks as I could using that cute bright yellow bee fabric. I will have to find some more of that. I love the happy bright color and the bees are so cute!
The other is my YTRR with Round 4 done. It took awhile, because I ran out of the background fabric-the white print. It is from a Connecting threads collection, so I had to wait until I could afford to order it, then wait for it to come. And they were out of the first one!!! I thought, well I'll just use the other one they had that was similar. They blend OK. Look closely and you can see the different ones, but far away-they are OK!

Design Wall Monday-on Tuesday

2010-04-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

I have alot of strings and strips and they are piled in a big laundry sorting bin. At the time, it seemed like a good idea, and they are fun to dig through, but I'm thinking I need a better system! As I stated yesterday, I have worked on cutting these scraps into various sized usable pieces. And I am making progress! All of the strips shown here (on the cutting table) are going into my Pineapple blossum quilt! All are cut from the scraps and strips I have in the bin, except the light squares, alot of these come from fat quarters and left over strips in my stash. Using up scraps...gotta love that! Thanks for the inspiration Bonnie Hunter!!!

Design Wall Monday...Oh Darn!

2010-04-26T16:30:00.000-07:00

I say oh Darn, because the photos are not transfering from camera to computer! This happened once before, but I can't remember how we fixed it. My sweet Shara will have to come to my rescue!
I have a new quilt too on the design wall. It is a Bonnie Hunter pattern-Pineapple Blossum. I have also been cutting up scraps and putting them in a little three drawer storage system that I picked up at a thrift store. I already can see I need another one! I have 1.5 and 2" squares in one drawer, 2.5" in another drawer, and a few 3.5 and 4.5 in the last drawer, along with some 2.5 by 4.5 squares that will be great for flying geese units. I was amazed how many I had cut up and how many 1.5" squares I have!
Well, I will just have to post those photos later. Darn It!!! I also am about done with a couple new quilts for my etsy shop.
Speaking of which, Saturday I went to a lunch hosted by Kim from sentamentalstones.etsy.com. Several Eastern WA team members were there. It was a nice time of sharing and support. I feel excited about etsy again!

God bless

Mary

Grateful Heart SAmpler

2010-04-20T13:30:00.000-07:00

I wanted to show this one. I blogged about it some time ago, when it was design wall stage. I love how it turned out, and it is posted on my etsy site for sale. I will put it in this year's quilt show, provided it does not sell. The way sales have been lately, I don't think that is a problem!!!

God Bless

Mary

Design Wall Monday-a day early!

2010-04-18T16:12:00.000-07:00

This is the little quilt top I made with my hearts and flower blocks. I used the hourglass setting. It is a favorite setting of mine. I also found out I won some fabric from Carol Doak! Last time I won some, it was very nice fabric. I can't wait to see it, and I'll have to use it in something special!
I'm going to try to get one quilt top quilted today, then work on yellow centered Heartstrings blocks. I also have my round 4 on the YTRR to finish! So many projects, hard to choose just one!

God Bless

Mary

Little Hearts and Flowers blocks

2010-04-13T11:00:00.000-07:00

I thought I would show a couple of these. They are 6" hearts and flowers blocks from Carol Doak's website under free blocks. She is doing a free fabric give away and all you have to do is make these and post them on the yahoo site. Easy-peasy! I have made 15 of them so far, and I think I will keep making them until I have enough for a small quilt for Quilts for Kids. They are really fun and easy to make!

Design Wall Monday and Pets

2010-04-12T12:51:00.001-07:00

I want to show my finished Mariner's Compass top today. I enjoyed making it, now will put it in line to quilt. May take awhile!
I found Ziggy hiding under Shara' coat playing peeka boo, so got a shot of him. The others were just hanging around. Walter goes in his kennel any time he thinks something is a threat. I guess he was intimidated by the camera! Boxer is our Akita. He is a hansome boy! Sadie is the calico-likes to sleep in the middle of the living room. Shalom is the yellow cat. He looks very grumpy in that picture, but he really is sweet. His front teeth stick out of his mouth and we call him a saber tooth cat. They are a fun group and keep us happy and busy! We went for a walk with the dogs this am. It felt good to get out and stretch! I am hoping to make that a regular thing! It has been too long!!!

God bless

Mary

2010-04-12T12:51:00.000-07:00

This was an oops! I hit enter at the wrong time! Isn't Ziggy cute though!

Day shift

2010-04-06T19:03:00.000-07:00

I must admit, I found day shift to be a challenge. I have a renewed respect for what nurses do on days. I found it very challenging to make sure all the meds were given on time, and other patient needs met. The nurse I worked with-Nancy- is a real gem. We had four patients at the beginning of the shift, then an admit and a discharge. It is amazing even with the aide's help and a resource RN to help with admitting and discharge how busy one stays! And Nancy said she would normally have that whole group herself! It was a great experience and I learned alot. That was the main goal for today, and at the end of the day, I can say goal met! I think the rest of the day is going to be watching American Idol and stitching bindings. Easy stuff!
Tomorrow is a class day!

God bless
Mary

Blog of Interest

2010-04-05T21:15:00.000-07:00

I read an interesting article in the newspaper today about a young man named Nicholas Rapp who is traveling around the world driving and camping. I am going to follow this blog, as there is alot to learn when one travels. You can link to the site from my sidebar.
I think it will be an interesting journey to follow. Maybe someday, Shara and I could take an epic trip like this! Or maybe just around the USA.
If you could travel like this, where would you go? I would love the visit the eastern side of the States. Many of the people I meet online live in Maine or Minnisota. For me it would be a trip to meet in person many of these people, as well as going to some of the great quilt shows and shops I read about.
Mary H

Design Wall Monday..again

2010-04-05T16:37:00.000-07:00

So here is my Mariner's Compass Sampler with all the blocks plugged into the setting. I will start to sew it together today. I am going to have a fairly busy week with classes and working a day shift (shudder) tomorrow. After today, I might just work on Heartstrings blocks between shifts, so I have something easy to work on.
I know I say shudder, just because I am not used to working days! At night, we don't do discharges, except on rare occasions, and mostly patients stay on the unit, and doctors are not there writing orders. Contrary to some nurse's opinion, patients DO NOT sleep all night! When they sleep, it is only for a short while. Lots of things interrupt their sleep, but we try to protect it as muich as we can. OK, I'm digressing! I'll post about my day shift experience when I can!

God Bless
Mary

2010-04-04T10:48:00.000-07:00

Today, I want to share three quilts that I have for charity. The first is a string quilt top I plan to quilt and donate to the mountain of quilts display at this years quilt show in Oct. For more info, go to the WSQ web site on the sidebar. The other two will be given to Sallie House. The small colorful squares one this month at our guild meeting, and the other probably at the quilt show. I really like that one, it is very soft and cuddly with the soft denim like owl fabric on the back, so I may have a hard time letting go of it! I need to put it away, so I woun't "bond" with it! I guess I'm still a blanket baby at heart! LOL!

Happy Easter and God Bless!
Mary

Answer to Helen's comment

2010-04-01T13:11:00.000-07:00

I have done several paper pieced Mariner's Compass. I don't think I would want to try it without paper piecing! They require such precise piecing that I know I couldn't doit the traditional way! I did do one many years ago with traditional templates and hand pieced it. As you can see, I only said I did ONE! I had another one cut out, but it lay buried for many years under other things. Yes, for me paper piecing is the way to go! I have 3.5 blocks done now, I'll post another photo soon, when I get more blocks done.

I have appreciated all the well wishes on my new job. I have worked two nights at it, and yes, it is hectic, and I love it so far! The manager said ACU is a dynamic unit...now I know what she means!There is so much to learn, and things move at a fast pace. I learned last night that when someone is on a cardizem drip-vital signs-esp blood pressure and heart rate are, well, vital! The VS must be watched very carefully-the heart rate or blood pressure could drop suddnely! My peceptor Jana is sssooo awesome! I've learned alot from her already! I also am taking some classes for three days next week-Essentials of rhythm strips, and Basics of Advanced care. That will be great learning opportunites too!

God bless
Mary

Design Wall Monday

2010-03-29T21:09:00.000-07:00

I love this book- Mariner's Compass Star by Carol Doak! I started a new project using the setting shown above from the book, but I am going to do 9 different compass stars from the book instead of all the same. I just can't seem to do just one thing all the same! To me, it is boring to do the same block over and over. So I have laid out the setting triangles on my design wasll and will put each block up as I finish it. These blocks are wonderfully intricate, and paper pieced. Should take me about a week! LOL!

Oh, and tonight is the first night of my new job on ACU. I get to be precepted by Jana on ACU for the first two weeks. I am supposed to find out soon when the classes they are sending me to are.

I am excited about my new job and the new quilt design!

God bless
Mary

Re: New job

2010-03-16T11:16:00.000-07:00

I got the call about my new job yesterday! I did get it! I am not sure when I'll start, probably in two weeks. I sent in my two week notice. I am excited for a new start, and in something where I will be learning some new things.

I just printed out the instructions for the next round on the YTRR. It matches exactly what I wanted to do, which was to make corner blocks similar to the middle one. The criteria just say to make a paper-pieced corner. I'll post a pix when done.

God bless
Mary

New quilts ready to send out

2010-03-14T13:32:00.000-07:00

I finished two Quilts for Kids quilts recently. They are going out soon. I had fun with the puppy one, I quilted words that had something to do with puppies-such as water, playmate, barking, etc. I was thinking the kid who gets this might enjoy finding the words quilted on. The fairy fun is from the kit I received.
I also finished my QOV that is going to Alycia in Colorado for her project. This quilt was from the RWB block exchange project we had last year. I am excited that this collaborative quilt will go to comfort a wounded soldier.

I also sold my Fancy Cats quilt from etsy. I'm so glad it finally found a home!!!

God bless
Mary

Job Stuff-2

2010-03-10T17:34:00.000-08:00

Well, I haven't heard for sure about the new job, I left the nurse recuiter three messages in the last 2 days. So, I will leave it in God's hands. If it is ment to be, it will happen. Or maybe something will happen on surgical to convince me to stay there! It's all good!
My sweetheart and I are spending the day together, since our weekends are opposite each other now. So I'd better get back!!

God Bless
Mary

Job Stuff

2010-03-09T12:56:00.000-08:00

This past monthor so has led me to a place where I have another cross-roads in my career life. These seem to come up about every 6 years or so. I have been working in surgical nursing for about 9 years, and Holy Family surgical for about 6.5 years. For about 2.5 of those years, I have been charge nurse. Now, all of the sudden, we have a new unit manager, and a new nurse on the unit, and I find myself being told I'm no longer good enough to be charge. It was not in that blatant of a way, but still...
So I am now back to being a staff nurse, my weekend off changed, and the new nurse...who got her license 9months ago...is now charge. Wow! I'm leaving out alot of detail, but it is sad that this political stuff happens.
Last week, I put in for a transfer to the ACU unit. I got called that day, and asked to come to HR for an interview. Yesterday, I had the interview, and it sounds positive. I've been interested in ACU for a long time, but never followed through on a change. I am excited about the possibilies a change to critical care can bring. There is alot to learn, and I do love to learn. I am going to call HR today and find out if is for sure that I got the job. Keep you posted...

Of course, I have not felt up to doing anything complicated since all this happened, so I've been working on string quilts. I made one green and blue string top, two log cabin string quilt tops, and am working on a second string top-this one is pink and green strings with yellow centers. I saw this on someone's blog recently...I'm sorry I don't know whose...and thought it so cute, I wanted to do one myself. I'm going to finish all of these for donation at our Mountain of Quilts display at our quilt show in October.

God bless you all,
Mary

YTRR-Rd 3

2010-02-22T10:47:00.001-08:00

This is my Round Robin quilt so far. I put round three on it yesterday. This is aa great project that the Carol Doak yahoo group is doing. We call it a round robin, but it does not get sent around. Every three weeks or so, Carol posts guidelines for the next round and everyone designs it based on those guidelines using Carol Doak patterns of course! It's a challenge and fun too. This time the round was to design a border using rectangular shaped blocks. I used blocks from the 9-patch stars book and the ones on the sides, I enlarged to 5" by 8", then put two together mirror image. This created those great diamond shapes.
I also finished my Grateful Heart Sampler, but did not take a picture yet! I cut a backing and batting, so I will hopefully quilt it soon. I'm getting an awful big pile needing quilting! That's to go with my awful big pile of tops waiting! I am going to start sacrificing quilt tops that I don't like so much to be backings to whittle it down some!

God Bless
Mary

On My Design Wall Monday

2010-02-15T11:41:00.000-08:00

I see many bloggers out there who have a design wall Monday, and I think it is a good idea, so I included a picture of my Grateful Heart Sampler that is 3/4 done. I like the colors and the variety of prints.
I also inclused a picture of the finished Vintage Stitches quilt top. I bought backing yesterday, along with batting, so hopefully it will be done soon! The book is shown here also. This book has 2 or 3 more quilts in it that I want to make. It's a great book! The Crazy Puzzle quilt came out of it too.

Have a happy day-Mary

Some new things

2010-02-14T13:54:00.000-08:00

I finished three quilts last week. Two for my etsy site and one for Quilts for Kids. I am going to quilt another one for QFK before I send them in. The Fairy Fun on is cute, but I wish they would have varied the way the fairy fabric was cut a little. Most of the faries' heads are cut off! The other two are on my etsy site for sale. I finished my Vintage Stitches quilt top, then forgot to take a picture to show, so I will have to do that! I am not on to another sampler I found in a magazine called Grateful Heart Sampler. I love the name and really love the fabrics and colors I'm using. I'll show a progress pix soon!
Happy Valentine's day and God bless all
Mary

Puppies!!

2010-02-08T16:45:00.001-08:00

I just added a new element to the blog-The Daily Puppy. I do love and enjoy dogs, and so this is perfect for my blog. Hope you enjoy the Daily Puppy.
God Bless
Mary

Well, color me surprised!

2010-02-08T12:46:00.000-08:00

That picture worked out okay! It was weird, because all I could see was a bunch of gibberish letters. That was the first time I've ever seen that! When I finish the quilt top and post another picture of it, I will also share the name of the book it came out of. I can't remember it now, but it is a new Thimbleberries book.
Mary

I've been trying to upload some pictures, and all

2010-02-08T12:32:00.000-08:00

I get is this gibberish!This is supposed to be a quilt on my design wall, which I am going to finish today. It is a Thimbleberries pattern. It is pretty, but I'm not sure how the picture is going to turn out when I publish this post!
I finished three quilts this past weekend, two for my etsy shop and one for Quilts for Kids. I also made another top for them to hopefully quilt today.
I did this on the old Olympic machine we inherited from Shara's mom, because my Kenmore is going to the doctor tomorrow. She's not feeling well, due to thread breaking every 5-10 inches...very frustrating for the sewer! The Olympic is probably from the 50's, but works pretty good. Only straight stitch though. It gets me though when Kenmore is ill. She was due for a tuneup!
Have a great day!
Mary

One Month Gone Already

2010-02-01T13:44:00.000-08:00

Wow! time flies when you're having fun!
I finished my commission quilts and they are in the wash right now. My customer will soon have them, and I'm confident she will like them! I will show a pix before sending them out.
I have several projuects going, and a finish, but it still needs to be bound, so no picture yet-the Spring Valentine.
All my table runners are done and posted on etsy. Take a look on my etsy site-the link is on the sidebar.
God Bless!
Mary

My Yours Truely Round Robin quilt

2010-01-23T15:56:00.000-08:00

I finished the second round of the round robin we are doing in our Carol Doak group. We don't send the quilts around, just do them for ourselves-going by Carol's instructions for each round. This round was to use only two colors-it could be different shades of two colors, but just two. So I used rose and blue, and tried to tie them in with the center block-I showed the first round on a previous post. It's turning out great, as everyone else's in the group is!

Mary

Several Carol Doak blocks

2010-01-16T21:46:00.000-08:00

I have been making blocks for the Star block exchange this week, and I also made two table runners featuring Carol Doak's blocks. I have pictures!

The 9-patch star book is becoming one of my favorites. The pictures to the right are for the block exchange, all from that book. The Valentine's day table runner is from Carol's 300 PP block book. The blue and purple TR is from Carol's yahoo group files. She designs special blocks from time to time. This one is a New Year's Day block for 2010.

I enjoy the yahoo group and the great ideas and inspiration I get from it!

At last-Pictures!

2010-01-07T23:17:00.000-08:00

It has taken me awhile to learn to put new photos on with this new computer. I just had to sit down and figure it out, really! I wanted to show a little of what things I have been doing and maybe write some goals for 2010.

In October, I finished one of the quilt tops for my commission, and never was able to show a picture, so here it is! I have since finished quilting the first of the two, and also sent my customer a coordinating wall hanging. This has been one of the most special projects I have worked on. She ill end up with about 5-6 quilts eventually.

In November, I made a table runner for a Carol Doak challenge, but never was able to show the picture, so I will now. These little runners are so satisfying to make that I think the next thing I try on etsy will be a series of table runners!Check out my etsy shop at http://www.mkhquilts.etsy.com/ to see what I do!

In December, I have worked on some donations to Quilts for Kids, a great project to get small colorful quilts to hospitalized children. I have sent four so far. It is a great program sponsored by Downy fabric softner. They send you a kit to make a quilt with very nice high quality fabrics in nice bright colors. You can also send your own designs in too. The picture I have to show is of one I made out of a panel fabric. The print is for making a fabric book "Teaching Children to Pray", but I just used parts of it for the quilt. It is my favorite one that I have sent in to this program. I hope it becomes special to some child out there!

Carol Doak's group has started this year off with a Your's Truely Round Robin. The first part is a center star of your choice. I chose the pattern-"Rays of Hope", found on Carol's website. I wanted a large dramatic block and I love the name, so I chose this one. I also really love the colors I chose. That aqua blue was jumping out at me everywhere I went shopping last week! I think I bought about 4 fabrics with that color in it! So here is the center-should be interesting where it goes from here! This RR is done without sending it anywhere-just at home with the creative guidelines that Carol comes up with at each round.

This month, Heartstrings is doing a pillowcase project-inspired by the Allpeoplequilt.com million pillowcase project. For me, I had several fabrics that I wanted to move out of my stash and into the world where they would do some good. Besides that, those pillowcases are fun, FUN to make! Instant gratification happens with creating them. I have made 31 of them, but I made some of those for my family. We needed new pillowcases too! This picture only shows 22 of them, but you can see what a great variey of fabrics and colors can be used!

Soooo:

Goals for 2010:

1.Finish the commission quilts by mid-Feb.

2.Quilt at least one UFO a week. (for me that's a lofty goal!)

3. Ride the exercize bike at least three times a week.

4. Keep doing all the projects I have started. There's about 6-7 of them right now. I can't start anything new now. I ran out of project baskets!

Hope and Blessings for this New Year to All!

Mary

Christmas is Over

2009-12-28T23:46:00.000-08:00

and it was great! We spread the festivities over three days! Christmas Eve at Shara's sister Diane's house. Diane is a vibrant, lively, fun-loving gal about a year older than Shara. She has had Christmas Eve at her house for several years now. As always there is lots of food, people, and noisey fun. We drank hot buttered rums and laughed it up as usual! Opened about a million gifts, then it was time for home and bed...? We were up until about 1230!
Christmas day: Shara had to work that night, so we just had brunch at Northern Quest Casino with my mom, our two boys and me. We only had two hours, but it was fine. I spent the rest of the day quilting on my commission quilt. I had sent the wall hanging to the customer on the 24th, so wanted to progress on the quilt! I also finished another log cabin scrappy.
Oh, did I mention I am making some log cabin quilts? They are great for using up smaller strings. I have done one in the barn-raising design with scrappy colored center squares, and the other is court house steps with reds in ther center squares. The next one will have reds again-I had enough 2.5 inch squares cut for two quilts.
But I digress...the 26th, we went out to my brother Bill and Ginny's for an after Christmas day Christmas. We all were able to come, except Phyllis, who was unable to come up from New Mexico. My family was finally able to meet Matt's girlfriend Linda. They all seemed to like her, and she seemed comfortable with them. I hope, I hope, there might be...dare I say it...wedding bells! And maybe someday a grandbaby! Well, not so fast Mary! They are still young, and by today's standard, too young to seriously think about marriage! Living together for over a year is another thing entirely! I guess I just want them to be happy, and I will reign in my grandma hopes until they are really ready!
That was my holiday. I am working as usual over New Year's. I ask for all of Christmas off, so now I must give back by working over that holiday. I think New Year's is a quiet reflective time for us, and things like First Night Spokane are just not that important to us, so for us it is better to work.
I am now making pillow cases, our current Heartstrings project. I finished to quilting on my commission quilt today. As I mentioned, I am starting another log cabin soon, and will make more string blocks for the block cupboard-blue centered this time. I have a couple of paper pieced projects going too. And maybe a third. Carol Doak should start a new BOM project soon. I signed upfor the star swap, and am working on a 5500 member block project.
As I keep saying, I will try to get pictures up soon!

Computer fixed again!

2009-12-12T11:07:00.000-08:00

Thanks to our dear friend Steve Dawson, our computer is up and running again. I have not tried to upload pictures yet, but will later. He pretty much had to wipe out all the programming and start agin from scatch. Thanks to Shara's foresite, we put alot of important things on an external harddrive. I did not know how valuable those were!
I've been working on finishing things for 2009, because I'd like to start new for 2010. I'm going to give away or take off my etsy website several things that did not sell this year. I'm not sure which new direction to go, but I think it might be fewer large quilts, some table runners, and maybe I'll think about doing some custom work. I have one commission that is almost done-the quilt is on the frame now! I have her wallhanging done, just need to label and wash it.
I'm waiting for Carol Doak to put a new monthly quilt on line. I think she was going to do one in January. I also want to do something with her 5500 member block.
Heart-strings still is a passion of mine-I put together a full set of orange centered blocks and have a box of red string blocks to send in. I also will make some blue centered ones later. The block inventory had gotten low, so we are trying to build it up again.
As for Christmas plans-that's where some of my etsy items are going!
Oh, and I gave both our nephews a quilt as they are doing very well after having gotten out of prison recently. They are both working and staying clean and out of trouble. No drugs,etc. I have stated before how much I hate meth and the devestation it creates in people's lives. These young men are a perfect example. I pray every day that they will continue to find the strength to stay clean and sober!
God bless you all and Merry Christmas!

Love
Mary

Computer woes continue!

2009-12-04T04:18:00.000-08:00

Our new computer isn't working very well! For some reason, it looses programs. Or the programs don't work. I tried to upload pictures in the Carol Doak online group-couldn't do it! I couldn't even get the pictures to transfer from camera to computer. The printer and the computer don't like each other either. I had alot of new finishes, but I still can't show them. I hope we can get things figured out soon! I get a little frustrated with the whole thing!

2009-10-19T11:24:00.000-07:00

I'm going to attempt to post some new picture, This new computer isn't always very cooperative!
Well, okay, I couldn't get it to upload...I have several things finished, most of which will go to charities. The quilt show was wonderful, and I wanted to show our Mountain of Quilts project. I don't know the exact count, but it looked like hundreds of quilts for various local charites!
Mary-who is still trying to work out the bugs in this new computer.

2009-10-06T14:03:00.000-07:00

We're Back!
Yes we got a new computer today, and when we get the photo program loaded, I can start posting pictures again. I've missed having one of these PC's at home! This one doesn't like our printer yet, but Shara is working on it!

God bless
Mary

2009-09-30T03:35:00.000-07:00

Let's try this again!
I ment to write a little about our vacation when we got home, but found our computer had crashed...Total TU! I just have access at work, until we get a new one. We will go computer shopping this weekend I hope.
The vaca was nice and relaxing. No money issues, Shara and I mostly got along well. It was a good time. We went antiqueing several times during the trip, and I would like to post pix of some of the treasures we found, but until we have a home computer, I can't! I found a lovely crazy quilt with red velvet backing in one antique store. In another, I found a hand embroidered panel of an old fashioned dock scene. I think that might go well with some light house fabric I have had for awhile to make a little wall hanging. Or maybe I will just frame it as is.

2009-09-30T03:34:00.001-07:00

Hello from Oregon!

2009-09-16T18:45:00.000-07:00

We are finally on vacation! We are going to the Oregon coast this year, but first spending a couple days in Portland. Shara has a cousin here. We are staying in a hotel that has computer access-public computer.We don't have a laptop...
Anyway, back to the vaca...We will go from here to Pacific City and stay in a cabin at the 1000 trails presewrve there. It is a week of relaxing and antiqueing and beach combing and movies and some hand applique work. No, not a sewing machine! And that is OK!
Hop to find some treasures to share though! See you after the 25th!

God Bless
Mary

Wow!

2009-08-28T11:10:00.000-07:00

It has been a month and a half since I posted! I have been diligently sewing quilt tops and finished two quilts. I also made the RWB blocks for the Carol Doak site swap and got them sent off. I just don't have pictures to show!
The end of July was very sad. We lost our dear Dad, Boyd Ressel. He was 87 years old and had been suffering from increasing dementia for around 6 years, but declined rapidly after falling at the nursing home. Falls are often the things that cause elders to decline, and this was no exception. We will miss him greatly, but he is no longer suffering. He would not want to live that way any longer. I know he is with God, conducting meetings with the angels!
I must admit, my quilting was a haven of rest during that time, as it often is when I have stress in my life. I brought my commission quilt blocks to work on when we went to Mom's house. We drove back and forth nearly every day that week. I also finished my RWB blocks and sent them in. I'm glad for quilting, as I can think about all the memories of my Dad and family, and have quilting to comfort me too.
I will post some pictures soon, I just need to photograph some things! I took Bailey down to the sewing machine doctor this week, now she is humming like a new machine again! Should have some more finished quilts ready and new stuff for etsy too reaaly soon!

God bless you all-remember to cherish your loved ones. We all are limited in out time here!

Mary

More pictures

2009-07-14T11:58:00.000-07:00

I have pictures! I have two that will go to Sally House-someone donated some great tiger panels, and I made one with a panel on the front, and the other is backed with two of them.

I also have a simple patchwork squares one that is going to Sally House. It has a baseball themed fabric on the back, so it is great for a little boy. I forgot to take a pix of the back!

I also have my Batik wallhanging done, and the Kimono one..

These are going to be in the show this October.

Right now I am doing a commission for a lady living is New York. It will be a total of four quilts. Fun!!

This is the Preliminary design.

Mystery quilt-finished top.

2009-07-02T10:18:00.000-07:00

Since being home from Seattle, I have worked on finishing projects. I have a picture of my Carol Doak paper pieced Mystery quilt:

Isn't it pretty! I have no idea how I'm going to quilt it, probably an all over simple design. The piecing is what is the focus of this design. Carol is a great designer!