Quotable

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Block 18

This is the diagram for hand piecing block 18 (and there are 3 of them).

I could see right off that this was not going to work out for me.
At all.
So I decided to use the 60 degree triangle to make chubby little flowers and applique them in place.

I think they look pretty close to the original.
And more importantly, no hair was pulled out during the making of these blocks.

Block 17

A basket of berries to add to the quilt top.

And I am down to the final 6 blocks.
Wooo-Hooo!

Block 16

Igloos. That is what these little blocks are called.
Aren't they just the cutest!

I am not a giant fan of machine applique, but every technique has its place.
And today its place is right here with these igloo blocks.
Cute as they may be, there was nothing about them that screamed "fun to make", just "time consuming" and "easy to wonk-ify".
And so, a machine applique plan was hatcheded and executed.
Now I have 2 more adorable blocks to add to my quilt.

Block 15

Another block of appliqued flowers to add to the collection. This time stitched on a background of text.

I am in love with text prints, but I only found out about it today!

Block 14 and a Review

Block 14 is called Baby Carriage Flowers. It is an unusual version of the drunkards path, and I really like it!

This is 2 weeks worth of stitching (1 block a day):

90% of this has come out of my scarp basket, which I am glad to be using up even if it looks like I have not touched it at all.

Lucky #13

A cute block + some polka dots + orange + red + a little Kaffe = ADORABLE!

I mixed paper piecing (the stem unit) and traditional piecing (the blossoms and setting) to make this block.

Block 12: Orange Peel

These 7 little blocks took FOREVER!

I was actually surprised that it could take as long as it did.
But good to know, because I have been planning an orange peel quilt in my head for a few months.
And now I have a better idea of how I want to approach it. And it won't be by hand!

Quotable

Block 11

More EPP!
I have to tell you that I love the idea of having a hexagon panel.
You can bet you will see this idea pressed into service somewhere down the line.

Block 10 and a Sale

This is a pretty cute little block.
EPP came in handy on this one, along with a bit of traditional piecing to set the 4 quadrants.

If you are loving Green Tea and Sweet Beans as much as I am, now is a good time to pick up a pattern, because Jen is having a pattern sale! How timely. You can check it out here. Happy stitching!

Block 9

This little block is called Poppie. It is a favorite!
I paper pieced this one since the idea of hand piecing is just too much for me.

Block 8

A couple of scrappy drunkards path blocks are ready to join the fun.

Block 7

It has been a whole week and I am 7 blocks into this super wonderful little project.
Here is block 7, also known as Applique Block 1.

And here is the week in review.

Block 6: Churn Dash

These were easy-peasy, and they turned out so cute!

Block 5

Double Pinwheel. Straight forward and easy.
I finished them in no time and I am ready for more!

Block 4

This is my favorite block in the whole quilt. It was one of the reasons I bought the pattern.
And when I say favorite, what I mean is... totally in love with!

 

As it happens, Jen is a hand piecer. Sadly, I am not. So I am having to find creative ways to make these blocks. For these three I did a little mix of traditional paper piecing and english paper piecing.

It worked out well and the process was very enjoyable. I am even thinking of making an entire quilt from this block!

Block 3

Moving right along, I have block 3 all ready to go.
This convalescence is getting better and better by the day.

And so it continues...

Remember when I was fretting day and night over that little mama squirrel with a nest of babies? (Memory-Refreshing link here.)  And when my friends gave me some good solid advice about squirrel management? (More memory-refreshing here.) And the apricot debacle of 2012 (again with the refreshing.)

Well I now have another reason to regret that foolish choice, and here it is....

We were at Spring Market in Portland when this happened. These cherries don't usually ripen until Memorial Day weekend, so we had plenty of time to get home and get them netted. But, the squirrels apparently like them pink-ish and sour.

Now this probably was a combination of squirrels and birds, but you can bet those darn squirrels were in the mix. Does anyone know where I can get an owl? A big hungry one???

Block 2

And for Block 2:



This is actually 16 little-bity blocks all sewn together into (1) 13" block.
All of these fabrics are right out of the scrap bin!

We Have Twins!

They are pretty fresh. You can tell because they are small and spotted.

So darn cute.
Until they start eating my garden, of course.
Then, not so much.

Green Tea and Sweet Beans, Block 1

Today's the day!
I am in the studio and treating myself to a little sewing courtesy of Jen Kingwell and her new pattern "Green Tea and Sweet Beans".

Here is a photo of the whole quilt.

 I am SO IN LOVE with this quilt!!

Here is my first block.

Adorable right?!

A Quilter's Hubby

So how does a quilter's husband work on the family car??

In quilt-y comfort, of course!!

But here is the other funny thing about this photo.
So, I am standing there taking this picture and talking to my guy's legs, and instead of hearing him answer me I hear my nephew say "are you talking to me?"
Good Stinkin' Grief!!!
When in the world did my pudgy, 10 year, little old nephew grow man legs??

I am telling you, this "time marches on" thing is getting a little ridiculous!

Happy Birthday to...

Our little cowgirl!
She is 23 today. Seems a bit crazy that 23 years have passed already, but I guess they have.

We decided to start the day off just the two of us. Together.
Kind of like the day she was born. Me and her.
Her daddy was there too, of course. But somehow the whole world just fades away when the doctor hands you your newborn baby girl. And for a minute or so, it is just you and her. And all is right in the world.

So today, just the two of us.
But today, no one was fighting her way to the surface.
And no one was writhing in pain.
We were just having a nice country breakfast.
And for a minute or so, all was right in the world.

Happy Birthday Bec!! We love you bunches.

Stir Crazy

So here I am.
Still here resting.
So much resting.
Rest rest rest.

The body says yes. The mind says no.

Oh boy.
Fortunately I have Pinterest as a distraction.
If you happen to follow me on Pinterest...super sorry about ALL OF THOSE PINS!!
But I needed some distraction!!

My girls and I have made Summer Pinterest To Do Lists.
Mine is full of things like this:

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And it is getting longer by the minute.
You can check it out here, and if you want to join me for any of these fun/creative ventures just let me know!!

Here Again

Well, here I am again.

I feel like I have spent a disproportionate amount of time here this year, and I don't like it!
But, on the up side, this time I am recovering from a MUCH needed and LONG overdue surgery. One that should make a huge change in my health and hopefully I won't be seeing anymore sick days in 2013!!

On another up note, I have some excellent reading material. Like this book by Jen Kingwell.
I am going to make this beautiful quilt over the course of my 4-6 week convalescence.  I am certain it will make me feel better (as soon as I feel better enough to be in the studio)!!

But until then I have these pretty little flowers to cheer me up.