I won! I'm so excited!

I am a winner!  (I never win anything, so this is awesome)

I am going to be the proud owner of a new book...to use scraps!   http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2011/10/06/winners-circle-scrap-republic-blog-tour/

Way too cool.

In love with this idea

I am in love with this quilt - look at the pink and grey elephants - good scrap idea!  (Reprinted from a website)

Baby Quilt

The top finished on a baby quilt for a friend.  She is doing the room in Dr. Seuss, so I thought this piece on the border would be perfect.  The baby is a girl, but I think the quilt is neutral enough...

Quiltopia

Well, I finally found the cord to the camera - so, here are the pictures from this weekend's quiltopia quilt show. There were several very fun ones, but I found this inspiring.

Quiltopia 2

Another one...

Let's Try Again

Okay, I did block two of the baskets...and decided it didn't go at all with block 1. Although I wanted them scrappy, the colors were all wrong. So, I redid block 1. What do you think?

First basket block

Here is the first basket block for the fabric shop hop quilt.

Civil War 14 and 15

Getting caught up.

Sister's Choice

I'm working on a Sister's Choice for Candace, our beloved kindergarten teacher who is retiring this year. Here are some of the 9 patches.

Sampler

This is the FabShopHop qult for April. Lizzie was kind enough to go bunny hunting for me so I could get all 13 blocks - I've already downloaded the first. I just love it and can't wait to start thinking about colors - I like this color way, but might be a bit creative. Since I've sorted all my fabric into color bins, maybe I could come up with a fun combination.

Cake Pops

Okay, here is our first try at cake pops. Oh, the lessons learned!

First, I didn't put the dough in the frig, then make balls and put them in the frig. I somehow skipped the whole "cold dough" step, which would've helped. If they get the least bit warm they melt.

Second, sprinkle don't dip in sprinkles...they are just gloppy (which, frankly, Sarah thought was great).

Jerry said they taste good, which is what really matters. The looking nice can come later.

Farmer's Wife Status

Okay, I am somewhat officially at 18 (although I need to redo that little green one toward the bottom). I am thinking about using a darker green to do the sashing (not THIS green...but I wanted to see the effect). I was worried the blocks didn't have enough contrast.

I've started jumping around. This book requires you to print all the patterns, so I've started doing the ones I already have printed.

Civil War 13

Here is 13...now need to make at least 2 more. I may still make it the whole way. She does a nice job with instructions. I may put a handle on this one - ric rac????

Civil War 11 and 12

Here they are.

I made a tremendous error - not on the block, but the picking of fabrics for 11. Turns out a block just a couple before looks almost identical. Luckly there are a lot of blocks, so I can space they far apart!

LIbrary of Congress

So, the only spot open (and, of course, one of my favorites) was LOC. The outside of the building is fabulous...but can you really top this?

More Washington...

Washington DC

There is nothing like an early morning walk around the Capitol. It was lovely - very few people and the weather was very cooperative.

Cupcakes

Oh, don't these look fabulous? I carried them all the way from DC. So, four squished cupcakes - but they still tasted awesome! Cheers to "Crumbs" at Union Station.

Civil War 10

This one went together super easily! I may use this for the other "filler" blocks...

Sunday afternoon play

So, as a break from block land, I pulled out the 30s nine patches I made last Fall. With the help of a few solids, I think this will be fun. Sorry for the green wall...I definitely think I need to put up a design wall that is...say...white.

A dozen Farmer's wife

Here are 11 and 12. I am going to start using this gingham (from the Sanctuary collection too) as much as possible - it is super soft and I like the cottage feel it has.

After 12 I'm taking a break from this until maybe tomorrow. I made the mistake of paging ahead and found some very difficult blocks coming up - need to refresh a bit before then.

FD 9/10 and Civil War 9

The problem with color choices! The bow tie block is barely discernable as a bow tie - I should've don ea heavier contrast. Now it just looks like a dark square in the middle of a four patch (which is, theoretically, what a bow tie is...but....).

FD Quilt blocks 6-8

I really like the one at the top - took a little more time, but went togethr nicely. None of my blocks are the right size - I know that's my failure to achieve and maintain a 1/4 seam, but I'm hoping they are all the same size, which is really all that matters, right?

Dsiclaimer: Someone else's

My mother went all giddy over this pattern, so I just had to post this absolutely adorable apron from another site...inspirational!

Farmer's Daughter 3-5

3 more done (that's 5/111). Yes, I had to take out the "bat wings" block and so I need to trim some threads. Otherwise, I think it's going to be a pretty quilt.

Easy blocks

Thankfully, this week easy blocks all around...

1 shabby chic civil war

#1 and #2 Farmer's Wife. Yes, it's Sanctuary. Yes, I probably have enough to do a whole other quilt. And, just in case you're counting, there are 111 blocks (so 2/111 and counting).

Just what I need...

...another project. But, I broke down and bought this book. I have been eyeing it for quite a while and finally did it.

I have to admit a little disappointment: the blocks are all on CD Rom, with no rotary instructions and the templates print one per page so it's really wasteful. But, I'm going to do this...at least 2 per week.

Bag for Miya

This is a "mail sack" bag I made for Miya. Lizzie picked the fabric - I think it turned out cute.

found projects

Okay, so I found a stack of these partial blocks. So, I put them together thinking, "Oh, I'm sure there is just a few of them". 48. Yes, 48 blocks that finish at 8 inches each. E-gads.

Valentine's Day at Our House

What a wonderful day.

3 more blocks

Okay...I'm a little worried I don't have enough contrast in these blocks. The sashing is going to be a red that goes with the line, so it will pop...but these blocks are really "blah" so far...I'm hoping I can go through scraps and find some extras to add to give it more flavor.

Although, I am happy we're on 7. That means one more and I can quit. I know that's crazy, but 8 blocks is at least 4x2...then 9 is 3x3, etc. So, each time after 8 I can say "Done!". However, I do like these blocks. I may just have to start over with a different fabric line if I decide this is just too plain.

Sewing Room re-do

This is so terrific! Thanks to Craiglist, we found these great cabinets which J. was nice enough to install. Makes sewing so much more fun (and organized). I still have lots of work to do to get the sewing room the way I want it, but this is a great start.

Gone...Quilting?

I am also working on the Civil War quilt along. Okay, these aren't civil war fabrics, are they? Nope...they are shabby chic. Leftovers from Caroline's quilt...I'm going to sash with a deep pinkish-red...so the fact the blocks are kind of flat - I think they'll pop when it's done (46 blocks or so from now). I'm two behind, but hopefully can catch up.