Rehab 3-18

While I did do a lot of sewing and finishing up this weekend, not so much was for my BOMs....I did manage to make another Ohio Star block for the Country Threads BOM.   I hope I will be happy with my choice of using neutral fabrics when I'm done.  It is not to late to add some blues in.  I'll have to think about that before next month.   I also drew off a layout for the 2011 FQS Designer Mystery.  Just a few years behind!  The blocks have been done....I couldn't decide how I wanted to set it; I didn't buy the finishing kit on that one!  Can I finish it before Christmas??????

Yesterday I showed my finished Scrappy Trip Around the World.   Here is #2.   My oldest son and DIL are going to France at the end of the month for a christening, and I wanted to make a baby quilt to send with them.  I needed something quick and I thought 4 of these blocks would make a cute quilt.  I pulled some soft pinks, whites, and gray fabrics and sewed the quilt in no time.   I added an eyelet ruffle and tacked it with silk ribbon bows.  Perfect for a little princess!  

Do you need a little extra motivation to finish your BOMs or just want some eye candy.....then you need  BOM Rehab.

Debbie

Blog Hop Party Winners

Boy this has been a busy weekend, but where did it go?   National Quilting Day, St. Patrick's Day, the ACC tournament, 70 degree weather......  How did you celebrate?  I think we  definitely beat the winter blues with this blog hop!    Did you get a chance to start working  on your projects this weekend.    Looks like there will be a lot of gardening, painting, cleaning, decluttering, and quilting going on this spring.   With the help of Random.org., comment # 225 was selected as the winner of the layer cake.

Lee

I have twin sisters who are turning 40 soon and I want to make them each a picnic quilt for the summer to use! thank you!

Congratulations, Lee.  I'll send you an email for your address and get your prize in the mail.   I bet she is already sewing on those quilts!

Michele once again hosted a fun party!  Thanks!   

I spent some of the day, Saturday, quilting my Scrappy Trip around the World.  Had to celebrate National Quilting Day just a little.  I tried to cheer the Wolfpack  to a victory in the ACC tourney , but not to be this year!   Hoping for a good run in the NCAA.  March Madness!  Love this time of year!   My son and daughter-in-law went to the games on Saturday.......

We still love her even if she is a Tarheel fan!

The sun came out briefly today and I tried to get a quick picture of my quilt, but my the time I went outside, it was cloudy again.   I sewed the binding on tonight while watching The Bible on The History Channel.  

Debbie

Hopping to Rehab

It's not to late to join in the fun and beat the Winter Blues!   I still have a lot of hopping to do.  It was just to pretty outside this weekend and I celebrated a birthday as well!  I love exploring new blogs and seeing what everyone is creating.   Head over to Quilting Gallery for the list of participating blogs.  I've seen some great giveaways.  Maybe the luck of the Irish will be with you!!

I did spend a little time in BOM rehab and made one little block for the Country Threads BOM.    We have three blocks to do this month.  Looks like I will  need to have some extended rehab time......the first month of another BOM came in the mail Saturday.....Peppermint and Holly.....Yes, it does have a holiday theme!!

I was a little disappointed in it though.  Not the pattern...Love the quilt... The book, Quilting the Garden by Barb Adams, Alma Allen, and Ricki Creamer was included in the first month with 3 pieces of red fabric. The fabric was beautiful so no problems there.  The way the shipments are set up it will take about 4 months to get enough fabrics to start a block.  Not a typical BOM...Guess they think I should finish up some of the other ones before starting a new one!!!   There are so many wonderful projects in the book, I may just have to start one of them while I wait.  If you like applique, you may like this book.  The photography is beautiful and the book is full of gardening ideas as well.

Here is my little 6 inch Ohio Star block.  It is resting beside a little box I found this weekend.  Sunday afternoon, we decided to go to the farmers market and get some plants after preparing the beds on Saturday.  Before heading back home, we stopped at a nearby antique mall and made a quick visit.   (Wanted to get those plants in the ground!)   I found this cute little box.  It isn't that old, but it will be perfect in my sewing room.

 I just noticed I had a picture saved of the Peppermint and Holly quilt.  

See why I'm anxious to get it started!!!

Follow me to see who else spent some time in Rehab this weekend!

Debbie

Blog Hop Party

Are you tired of winter??  Or do you just want to celebrate with friends for a few days?  Michele at Quilter's Gallery is once again hosting a great blog hop party to help chase away the winter blues.  All my friends know I love winter, but this year we have had no snow; only a few missed opportunities with lots of cold rain.  Pretty common for a NC winter...timing of systems is everything.   So I'm ready to head right into spring and dream of a better winter next year!  The weather will be in the 60s this weekend and I plan to take advantage of it and spend some time outside.  But I will be joining in the party!




You can find a list of participating blogs here beginning Friday afternoon.   Now for my giveaway!  What is one of the most recognized signs of spring?   Well, here it is the Robin.   I have been seeing them for a couple of weeks now.  I love how God sends us these little signs reminding us that spring is on it's way.  Everything outside sings of new life.  My poor little daffodils have been blooming off and on all winter thanks to warm snaps this winter.   A few days ago, we had a couple of other visitors stop by too.  They actually come every year about this time and stay only a few hours, but they seem to enjoy their stay.   

 The picture is not great.  I was taking it through the kitchen doors and I didn't want to interrupt their frolicking! I would love to know their final destination.  Just glad they always stop by to say hello! 

When I saw Kathy Schmitz's new line for Moda, Round Robin, I knew it would be the perfect giveaway to chase away the winter blues!

 

To enter my giveaway and have a chance to win this layer cake... all you have to do is leave a comment telling me about a non quilting project you hope to accomplish this spring!  Not spring where you are or you have no projects in mind....share a favorite Easter dessert that your family loves!  I'll choose a winner on Friday, March 15.  Good luck and have fun hopping!   I will ship internationally!

Debbie

Catching up and Rehab

Wow... it has been a long time since I posted, but I have been doing some sewing.   More sewing than blogging....Time just gets away doesn't it!  I finally caved in and couldn't resist the temptation to join the Scrappy Trip Around the World voyage!   I have seen so many pretty tops out there and I couldn't fight it off any longer.  After a couple weeks of sewing off and on, I have several  (22) blocks made.  A pretty good start.  The hardest part was trying to decide on fabric colors.  I finally decided on using my brighter scraps mainly because I seldom use brights in quilts...(well until the last few years anyway) I've used enough to have a bunch of scraps!  I decided to add a red and white strip in each block for a little consistency. I love how your eye follows the white chain in a wonky way when the top is constructed.  As I was sewing, I would think of other color combinations that would make a great quilt.  I love scrappy, but I love a controlled scrappy much more!  Recently on Pinterest I saw one made with all red fabrics.  It was awesome.  If you haven't started one, go ahead. Just a fun no pressure project.

I've also started another one of Bonnie's quilts, Talkin' Turkey.  I've wanted to make this one from the first time I saw the block.  You can't go wrong with any red and white quilt!  Right?

Still working on my BOMs too!  Here's the latest on from the FQS.  Think this one was the most time consuming one I've done, but worth the effort.  Love how this quilt is coming together.

Head over to the Pink Pincushion and see who else was in Rehab.  It is great to have just a little extra motivation to work on all these BOMs.  Thanks, Sinta!  You're the best!

I've also been working on a lot of nonquilting projects.  I have just as many of these on my to-do list as my quilting projects.  Finished one of these this weekend.   My grandmother's rocker...Here's the before.........

And the after

I have always loved this chair from the first time I rocked in it as a little girl.  If I remember correctly, my grandfather gave this to her, but I don't know the occasion.  I'm hoping my uncle will remember.  I got my love of quilting from her and her mother.  I have lots of pictures of my grandmother, but none of her at the quilting frame.  I don't think anyone took pictures of people quilting in those days.  I treasure all my quilts I have that she made.  Back to the chair!  It was in good shape; just needed a little TLC.  After removing the old fabric, I stripped it and then refinished it.  I wanted to find a fabric close to the original.  I actually found this at Hobby Lobby.  They have a great selection of decorator fabrics.   I was so tempted to go with a more modern design...so many pretty fabrics out there, but I really wanted to stay true to the era.  Several years ago, I saw a similar one in an antique mall and it was called a sewing rocker.  That makes it even more special to me!   Now on to the next project!  After I make a pillow for my rocker.

Debbie

Drum Roll Please

I am finally caught up on my FQS Mystery BOM.   Just in time as the next one is probably in the mail!

 

And

 

I think this one is my favorite block so far.  I don't know if it is the pattern or the fabric selection.  I love these three fabrics...I can see a quilt with these in the future!   I was also able to finish the February blocks for the Country Threads BOM...

I'm anxious to see this one develop with my neutral fabrics..... My scraps are so bland after working with the vibrant Vintage Modern line. I had a pretty successful rehab session considering I only found a few hours to sew.   How about you?  Did you work on any BOMs this weekend?  Share them on Sinta's blog and see who else is there.

Debbie

 

Was there a game yesterday?

Yes, it was Super Bowl Sunday and I had planned to sew and quilt while watching the game.  We decided this year not to have a "party" but to just spend a quiet evening at home....Wasn't really rooting for either team...just wanting to see a good game!   I can say I enjoyed the coin toss and kick off...(Thank you Peyton and Papa John for the free pizza!)  Our cable went out following the kick off.  Not only did the cable go out, but internet service and home phone as well!   And I thought it was bad last week when it happened and the grandkids couldn't watch Imagination Movers!   All I can say it that the worse job in NC this morning was probably the customer service at our local telephone company.  Everyone with digital cable lost service....It briefly came on at the end of the halftime show and then a few minutes in the third quarter and a few minutes at the end of the game.  So I spent a very quiet Sunday evening at my sewing machine while Terry read.  Must admit it was nice, but I would have been very upset if I had a houseful of friends and "our" team was playing.

I made a couple more of my FQS mystery blocks.  Got to get caught up with these before the new one starts!

 

I have been working on a WIP challenge with an online group.  Each month we pick a project and post our progress each Wednesday.  For January I chose my 2011 Civil War BOW from Barbara Brackman.  My goal was to finish making the connector blocks, put the last 2 rows together, and get it basted and ready for hand quilting.  Yea.....I met my challenge and have started quilting it.

 

During my Super Bowl Sewing Party, I also started a new Schnibbles... Brocante....I need a quilt for a gift in 2 weeks.  Guess this will be my February challenge!  

Follow me to The Pink Pincushion and see who all made it to rehab this week.

Debbie

My favorite Schnibble and January sewing

The end of the month has quickly come.  Just seems like we were ringing in the new year and now we are just a few days away from seeing if the groundhog predicts more winter. Our winter has been crazy here in NC.   Record breaking warmth followed by ice storms then back to temps in 70s...tornado watches.  It has been great to get back to some sewing and quilting following the holidays.  New BOMs and sew alongs, going through WIPs, starting new ones...I love January.  It always brings new projects!  (And new excitement with old ones)   This month Sinta and Sherri wanted us to show our favorite Schnibble.  Boy, that is hard.  First, I'll show my favorite one from last year, which was the first year I participated in the "parades".  I had to choose Hubble as my favorite quilt.

The pattern that really caught my eye when I saw it was Paganini.  I was doing the FQS mystery with the 12 days of Christmas line and thought I wanted to make a little quilt to coordinate with the larger one.  So I ordered a couple of charm packs and the pattern, but never made the quilt.   My blocks are done for the mystery quilt but have not been sewn together.  I thought this would be a perfect time to make the schnibble quilt.  (I really plan to finish the mystery quilt soon!).  I will probably add a little more detail to the borders when I finish the other quilt.  I haven't decided how I will finish it, but I want to use a consistent design on both. 

Tomorrow's parade should be fun.  Can't wait to see everyone's favorites.  

Debbie

We had a Pinterest Christmas

Did you?  This year, well technically last year, our family decided we would cut back a little on our Christmas presents.  Seems like every year, we spend more and more on gifts.  We ended up deciding to draw names...we drew twice so each person would have 2 gifts to open...one larger $$$ and one smaller.  For about 6 years now, we have been renting a cabin at Pigeon Forge for Thanksgiving.  Great family time and fun Black Friday Shopping!!   One night, we were back at the cabin sitting by the fire, and we all  (well, the girls) had our laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc on looking at Pinterest...I had the idea of everyone making a small gift inspired by something we found on Pinterest and swap in Dirty Santa.   It was so much fun...We will do it again next year too...I wanted all the gifts!

Carter thought Woody and Buzz needed to be included.  Sons made the sign, wine cork trivets, and framed black and white photos.   Terry made the chalkboard globe.  We found this small one at an antique mall.  I made one earlier in the summer and love mine...Carter painted the picture frame with a picture of he and Callaway.  Of course, Grandma got this one and dared anyone to take it!  One DIL made the memo board and the other one made a gift bag with our favorite dip ingredients and a bowl.  She had made brownies from a recipe she found, but wasn't happy with them...We ate them for supper, and I didn't see anything wrong with them!

I made the wreath using my boys old toys and some of my mom's Christmas ornaments,   She was so special to them.  I think each one of them had the wreath at some point in the game.   I'll make another one for the other two.   I love the photo of Callaway.  My son took it the night we did a "walk" through Tanglewood's Festival of Lights.  Think I need to drop another hint that I want one too!  

Debbie

BOM Rehab 2013

Better late than never!   Computer, yahoo, or blogger issues have been resolved so hopefully I can show my progress tonight.   With all the new BOMs creeping into my sewing room, I may need additional rehab!   One of the new BOMs that caught my eye was the sampler from Country Threads.  This surprised me because I generally don't like most sampler quilts, but I liked the variation in thesize of the blocks and the layout.   This was one that I knew I could make completely from my stash.   For a long time, I have wanted to make a neutral quilt using various shades of cream.....so...here are my first 2 blocks.....

 The print in the large star has just a touch of blue.  I plan to use this as a focus fabric throughout the quilt.  I don't know how many years this fabric has been waiting for the right project. 

I also finished the 12 inch ribbon block for my Gingerbread Joy quilt.  A couple more units to go on the 6 inch one.  Hope you don't get tired of looking at these blocks.  One of my goals is to finish this quilt this
 year.  I'm at the point where this one could easily get pushed to the side.  May need some cheerleading to keep on track!

I would love to have a quilt made with these blocks!

Join Sinta's Rehab if you think you may need extra motivation to finish all your  new 2013 BOMs. Maybe I'll see you there next week!

A New Year

Over two months have passed since I have blogged.  Whirlwind of the holidays plus a cold, bronchitis and flu really did a number on me!   This week has been the first week I have even ventured to blogland.  Just in time for all the new projects, sew-alongs, challenges, BOMs, etc.....So many I want to join in on.  I spent the majority of New Year's Day in my sewing room cleaning, sorting, inventorying projects, and actually sewing a little.   Boy, it was much needed therapy. 

I do want to back up and thank my Santa Sack Swap partner for being such a great Santa.  Sharon of Vrooman's Quilts was my partner in this fun swap organized by Cheryll of Gone Stichin   My little grandson couldn't wait to "Opening Day".  He had such a good time all year watching the bag fill with presents.   Of course I waited til he got home from preschool to open them!  

 

Here's all the goodies from the sack.  Carter carefully placed them for the photo.  I had wrapped one for him and is little sister to open too.  

 

 You can see Santa did a great job in loading his sack.  Thanks so much Sharon.  

Hopefully, this will post.  I have spent most of the night on this....issues with blogger on adding pics.....downloading Moxilla.....fighting with cookies.... Crossing my fingers as I click Publish!!!

Debbie