Someone please tell me why...

I'm starting a new project when I'm moving this weekend!

This is my new One Block Wonder using this fabulous Philip Jacobs Chrysanthemum print. 

All the blocks are done.  And as soon as I can get my design wall moved and my

sewing room settled I'm going to play with the blocks.

For some OBW inspiration check out Bruce Seeds here and here. 

It's all Bruce's fault that I'm starting another one.  I came across one of his quilts on

Pinterest which led me to googling his name.  And once I saw more of his quilts I

immediately got inspired to do another one.  This gentleman's work is absolutely fabulous.

So again I say...it's Bruce's fault. 

Thanks a lot Bruce...LOL.

Cross your fingers for me...

I'm entering the Moda Bake Shop Sliced Contest. 

Here's my entry.  It may not be the most original idea

but gosh darnit...I think it's pretty cool.

There are so many great entries that I'm not sure of my chances.  But either way I have a

fabulous new cover for my 3-ring binder to hold patterns or family photos in.

Highlights From the 2012 Bear Creek Quilt Show

Weekend Report

The blocks and setting are completed.  All that's left is to sew the rows.  I ended up piecing the setting triangles a bit different that Carrie Nelson did in the original pattern.  It was purely an aesthetic thing.  Overall I'm very happy it.  Now I think it's seriously time to find a project with A LOT LESS half square triangles.  After this AND the Ocean Waves, I'm half square triangled out.

In regards to my last post, I'm so glad to hear there are so many of you that are interested in learning Edyta Sitar's method of paper piecing.  I don't know how soon I'll be able to get a tutorial up because of my upcoming move.  But I will work on it as soon as possible.

DONE!

Okay...so I like it better now that everything is all sewn together.  Isn't it strange how looking at pieces and parts on a design wall (or safely stowed away in a box) we can dislike what we see.  That's how we get UFO's...right?  Then once its complete our opinion changes. 

I guess I've learned a valuable lesson...PERSEVERANCE...because it will work out in the end.

On a side note...I've started two long term projects that I'll work on in between projects

and when I need to take a break from current projects.

Everlasting Wreath & Hawaiian Delight by Laundry Basket Quilts

An interesting note about these two blocks...they are both foundation pieced with printed foundation facing up.  It's actually a brilliant idea.  I found it much quicker the usual paper pieced method.  There's no putting the fabric on one side and turning it over to sew.  There's no need for freezer paper or Add a Quarter Rulers.  And best of all...no fabric wast...absolutely NONE.

Would anyone be interested in a tutorial?  And/or joining me in making one of these quilts?

I think I've found a new obsession!

A pattern, 2 pounds of crushed walnut shells, some Kaffe and VOILA!

PINCUSHIONS!

Next up?  I'm thinking birds...or maybe a mouse.

Look What I Found

While shopping at Moda for background fabrics for the Bird's Eye View BOM

I had previously posted about I found this fabulous book!

 It covers everything from lightweight cottons to wool. 

Inside are 101 projects (none of them quilts) made from one yard of fabric. 

All the pattern pieces are included.  There is no need to go to a copy place to have a pattern enlarged.

Here are a few of the projects you can make.

I already have selected several projects I want to make. 

I'm thinking the umbrella is going to be one of the first ones I do!

Do you "Whittle"?

Not that kind of whittle?  But this kind...

This is what $50 can get you...20 fabrics and 10 yards of fabric.

Whittle's Fabrics is one of my absolute favorite quilt shop sites.  Fabric prices start at $7.50 per yard and go DOWN from there.  Yes...DOWN.  Most fabrics are priced at $5.00 per yard.  I don't know how they do it but that's okay...I don't need to know. 

They carry a wide variety of fabric styles (Civil War, 30's, contemporary, etc).  I go there mainly for their reproduction prints which are absolutely fantastic and being added to regularly.

Here's a closer look at those fabulous reproduction prints...



Pfft...who says reproduction prints are dark and drab looking?

So now that you know...go forth and SHOP! 

Weekend Report

A day late but I'm here.  I managed to get a little more sewing done before the move starts later this month.  I have packed away the majority of my quilt room.  I told myself that if I was going to sew, I was going to work on shop samples so I didn't have them to worry about during the move. 

Here's Frontier Furrows by Antler Quilt Design.  Some of you may remember me posting about this forever ago.  I've been dragging my feet on it because I haven't been very happy with it and there were other samples that kept getting put in front of it.  The blocks are finally all done and I still don't really like it.  And the border has been changed from an orange print to a brown one.  It's less "in your face" than the orange was. 

 I'm hoping that it'll appeal to men that come into the shop with their wives. If there's one thing I've learned it that just because I don't like something doesn't mean everyone else will dislike it too. Often what I like is very different from what others like. I'm going to try and finish it up today.

After I finished the blocks, I needed a break.  So I spent some time playing with these I-Spy hexies.  Right now I am just sewing them into sets of four.  It's a work in progress and I'm just figuring things out as I go.

They started out as 4" squares from a couple I-Spy swaps several months ago. I knew I wanted to do something other than squares and rummaging around I found my EZ Hexagon template...ding ding ding! The hexies were cut at 3 1/2" and the setting triangles are 2 1/4".

Before I end this post I wanted to share two new patterns that arrived in the mail last week from Australia.  I have been wanting to buy The Blessings quilt pattern for a long time now and I finally broke down and ordered one.  And along with it I bought Joie de Vivre. 

Yeah...I don't really need these and I have a million other patterns that I want to do also.  I know I'm not going to live long enough to do them all.  But I don't care.  If I decide to ever do them I'll have them.  Otherwise when I die someday, whoever inherits my quilt room will have a treasure trove of beautiful patterns to choose from.


Till next time...

I don't know why...

...but sometimes you just NEED to buy it.