Peas and Carrots

So, the bad news is that a nice quilt shop about 40 miles from here is closing - so they were offering 60% off, but you had to buy the WHOLE bolt. So, I picked these three Peas and Carrots (which I love) to share with my mom - maybe a bag? (or 10? LOL)

Lizzie's backsack and wonderwallet

Well, Lizzie is off to grandparent's house for a few weeks. I failed to get her bag done before she left, but I did manage to get it there within a few days. It's another backsack in Monkey fabric and I made a wonderwallet to match...the wonder wallet was all of a 20 minute project - very fun and cute.

Block Central Challenge - Teri

My parents came today. My mom, Teri, is doing the BOM from Block Central, too, and is quite the busy bee! In one swoop, she completely caught up to all of the postings. I've still only done #1, but my excuse is waiting for my FQG (new phrase?) - fun quilting group - to do it too. My mom is using Swell, and it's going to be gorgeous, and very different from mine which is even more fun...I love when multiple people either use the same pattern or the same fabric and come out with completely different ideas - shows how individual each of us can be!

Unfortunately when she left she took my daughter, Elizabeth, with her. Lizzie loves to go to Grandma's house and usually does a couple times in the summer - they were going through all their plans...it made me tired just thinking about them - movies, a charity garage sale my mom is helping with, etc. Too much fun.

Caroline's BackSack

This is a "backsack" (pattern by LizzieBCre8tive). It was fun to make - there is a typo of sorts on the pattern which delayed its completion, but it's finally done. To learn to use the MegaQuilter and frame, I bought a yard of this bright fabric and just played around quilting it. Then when I was done I chopped in to get a piece that was the right size to do this bag. I plan to make more, but probably won't put batting in the pocket/flap - it makes them a little too bulky - maybe next one I'll try with fusible fleece...

Father's Day

Swimming and a nice outdoor picnic for Sunday. Got a new patio set, just in time for summer weather...can sit outside and watch children play and do needlepoint...sounds like a great evening to me. I'm thinking I probably need to invest in some citronella candles, though.

MQ and frame

Okay, about 2 weeks ago I bought this machine and frame. Unfortunately, the class isn't for a couple of weeks so we're on our own. I put muslin on the bottom and went and bought a yard of cute inexpensive fabric just to practice. (I'll make it into a bag later). I'm getting mixed results - a lot of thread breakage, which I realize is a tension issue - the needle is new, everything is loaded right...but I just can't seem to get the tension to work for me. I used the machine off the frame to get used to it, and it worked like a dream, so I know it's operator error...I'm anxious for the class, so hopefully I can begin to use this - I only have, oh I don't know, about 25 tops to finish...argh.

Very nice weather

Unlike other parts of the country, Oregon is beautiful this weekend - mid 70s and sunny. New pool for summer...out come the water toys and pool!

Block Central Block of the Month

Hi, all. My mom and I decided to this, and now I'm trying to convince my local quilt friends that we should do it too. Here is the link:

http://www.blockcentral.com/bom2008-intro.shtml

I am doing mine in Poetry fabric, which I have been saving (okay, hoarding might be a better term, but I'm going with "saving". I needed some additional blue, since all my blocks will be bordered with the blue floral. I love this Block Central pattern, since she gives you the fabric requirements up front, so you can choose your own fabric.

Blocks are finished at 16.5", so the pieces aren't as little as they seem!

Boxy Stars

Here are six boxy star blocks, laid against the yellow i was planning to use for sashing. I have 7 blocks done, and am torn as to whether the quilt will be 6, 9, or 12 blocks. I need to make a baby quilt, so 6 or 9 might make sense...12 is more of a lap quilt, depending on the border size. Since I'm planning to do sashing plus two borders, I might stick with 9...what do you think?

It's beautiful today in Oregon - cloudy off and on - but about 75 degrees.

Help - Boxy Stars

So, once the group announced they were going to do this pattern for July - well, I just love it. So, I thought I would just pick out fabric. Then, I was just going to cut out a couple of blocks. Well, how can you cut out blocks and not at least put a few together? They went together so easily - very fun. But, now I'm perplexed - how do you lay this out?

Okay, here are the three options. Not that I can't make up my mind, but...well...I can't. A huge bin of 30s and I thought this might turn out fun. But, I can't decide if I should do: (1) all the same colors (the stars really show); (2) a mix of two colors; or (3) a total random mix. I'm worried that the stars might get lost in the total random mix, but I want others' opinions...what do you think?

Creamsicles

Oh, just the thought...yummy. But, here are my, and my mom's, versions of the treat. My daughter says one looks very creamy, the other is too patch-worky for her - I'm guessing that will be the one that Bonnie likes.

OC top without borders finished

I finished the Orange Crush mystery tonight at 9:00, ran out and threw it over the fence and took a quick picture. I lightened it artificially since it's dark here, so the colors are slightly off, but pretty close. Overall, I love it and can't wait to put on the borders...but I need to make some more small blocks so I can finish it the way the designer suggested, which I really like.

Madison's Quilt

Stashbusters beware! One project done. I started this quilt when my friend Shawn told me she was pregant, which was 10 months ago - Madison is now 4 months...but still in the age range to use this. Shawn did Madison's room in Dick and Jane, which is on the back...every fabric is a dot.

It was fun to do...I hope both Shawn and Madison like it.