Quilting, Losing and Tea: February 2012

Monday, February 27, 2012

I.S.T.H. Better Pictures

Between sunshine and photo editing software, I have some much better pictures of my I.S.T.H. quilt top. I don't think it will get quilted by Wednesday, but I hope to by Saturday so I can donate it to Minnesota Quilters.

My next project will be to figure out what to make for my Memorial Quilters group challenge quilt. I accepted the challenge and will have to make something with the piece of fabric I received by April.

Wish me luck, please, in finding a pattern. :)

Blessed Sewing,

Karen

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Weekend Sewing Report

Once I had the stars together for I.S.T.H., I started to enjoy making that quilt. I originally had a hard time with the background, but I went digging in my little stash again and found my "Pure" FQ's. I had bought a few directly from Sweetwater a little while ago when they had them for $1.00 each. The color was perfect to go with what I was using for the stars. However, a FQ wasn't enough for all of the background, so I used 2 different prints. The colors in this picture are very washed out. I hope we have some sunshine tomorrow so I can get a better picture.

I did not make the checkerboard border, but instead simplified it. I am planning to get this quilted and bound before parade day on March 1st.

I noticed when I opened my blog that I have 49 followers! I am not sure how that happened and it still amazes me, but in a happy way. I hope to celebrate when I reach 50 followers with a little giveaway. I have been so amazingly blessed with giveaway wins, and I want to give back. I actually have a stash now!

Speaking of giveaways, my new friend Kristen is having one for her birthday. You can find it right here on her blog, Meadowbrook. Kristen lives in the town where the Minnesota Quilters will have their annual show, and since I will be there as the Scholarship winner for 2012, we hope to meet each other. Besides being quilters, we both have 11 year old sons and both have a strong faith in Jesus as Savior from what I can see on her blog. I hope you will visit her. You will love her daily block posts.

Blessed Sewing, Karen

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Hmmm....Background for I.S.T.H?

I am trying to figure out what I should use for the background for this quilt. Here are my 2 possibilities. The first is a brown - the color of the darker fabric in the star is brown. The second is a muted yellow with a print.

I would like honest feedback. I know which one I like the best, but I am open to suggestion. These blocks were pretty fiddly, but I do like how they turned out. My little sewing corner in my room looks like a tornado hit. I was trying to find a background to use from fabrics I already have.

Blessed Sewing,

Karen

Thursday, February 23, 2012

An Idea I would like feedback on

Right now I have my blog set up with 3 tabs. But I find myself only using the quilting tab. Would it be intrusive or a turn off if I used just one tab? I could start each blog post with the subject so those who are my wonderful regular followers can decide whether or not they want to go to the post. So the title would say Quilting - xxxx, Losing - xxxx, Tea - xxxx.

Any feedback welcome.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

I.S.T.H. HST Angst

Prior to the past few days, I really liked making Half Square Triangles. But then I met the wonderful Schnibbles pattern I.S.T.H. Little tiny HSTs that you have to trim to 2 " square. There were a total of 108. Sorry this is blurry, but this is what they looked like after trimming:

And here they are after the first chain stitching go round.

The wonderful Singer you see is a loan from a friend who does not sew. It fits into my Mom's cabinet and sews the most wonderful 1/4" seam using the edge of the foot.

Tomorrow I hope to make the 9 stars with all of these units. Then I need to fit them with the background fabric. I had a very hard time with choosing fabric for this one. The fabric I eventually chose was what was left from a Connecting Threads kit I won. I will use the rest of the leftovers for the borders. The pattern calls for little tiny squares in a checkerboard, but I am going to do something different and less time consuming.

One more picture - a glimpse of part of the Modern Mini I am making for the Modern Mini Challenge at Ellison Lane Quilts - you can see the button on the left side of my blog. I have no idea what I am really doing, but I thought it would be fun to try something different. I have several of these strips made, and it is the way I am going to combine them that I hope will make the quilt a "Modern" mini. :)

Any guesses on what I.S.T.H. stands for? Those that know - please wait to comment or put something different as your 'guess'. I want to have fun with this.

Blessed Sewing, Karen

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Quilt Guild Show & Tell

Last Thursday was the monthly meeting for Memorial Quilters in Forest Lake, MN. The meeting itself this month was kind of tough for me as a new member = talking about the quilt show duties in April. But hopefully I can find a way to help a little bit. And I hope to finish my Full House quilt to enter.

Here are a few show and tell pictures:

I wish I knew everyone's name so I could give credit. I will learn! The following 2 pictures are of the last quilts this lovely lady made with some fabric she purchased. Last month she showed us several large and medium quilts she made with it. We were all practically rolling on the floor laughing as she showed us these. It became a game to see how close she could come to using up all the fabric. When she was done, she had a snack size zip bag with a few pieces. And she had to get creative in her piecing to finish some of these mini quilts.

Friday, February 17, 2012

FNSI - a bust

I had grand plans for Friday Night Sew In. But I was too sleepy to do much. It was a long week, and I am finally feeling better - but still need some extra sleep. If you are visiting from Heidi's, I apologize that I have nothing to show for FNSI. I tried to figure out how to delete my name from the list but couldn't. You could go back a few posts if you want to get to know me a little.

Meanwhile, I hope it was a productive time for you!

Happy Sewing/Quilting,

Karen

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Fugly Fabric Giveaway

On to the winners of the lovely Fugly fabric. Winner of the dinosaur and blue paisley fabric is:

thegooseFeb 12, 2012 10:58 AM

I'd be happy to have the blue 80s fabric. I live in new england. But I'd be happy to take the green as well. Or the dinosaur print if it hasn't been spoken for. I'm making softies to give to this organization: http://cradlestocrayons.org/

Winner of the green FQ's is:

Lisa JohnsonFeb 12, 2012 10:37 PM

2 green fq please. I hope my name jumps right out of the hat. I live in WV,USA Hope it doesnt matter.

So Congratulations to both of you! Once I have your addresses, I will mail your prizes out.

Life has been busy, and now I have a bad cold, so I am behind in posting. I did get some sewing done over the weekend, and even more important, I organized my fabric by color. It was fun, but I can't believe how much I have accumulated in just a few short months. I will share a shot when I get a chance.

Be blessed and Happy Valentines Day,

Karen

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Fugly? You be the judge. Available for swap & Giveaway!.

****Edited 2/10/12 I am going to add a little giveaway to this. If you are interested in receiving the 2 green FQ's OR a FQ of the 80's calico and blue, please let me a comment. 2 winners! Just tell me which you would prefer if you won, and where you live. I will use the old fashion method of putting the names in a hat and having each of my kids draw one. Giveaway ends at midnight, Feb. 13, and I might put something not so fugly in the package. :)

I am joining in with the Fugly Fabric linky party at Charm About You. Some of mine is Fugly, some is not. In most cases my preference would be to swap these for something you have. Still trying to build up my stash. So if you are interested, tell me what you want and what you have to trade (please include pictures).

Here is my wish list: For the smaller pieces, a different FQ or

large scraps or some Moda charm squares in brighter colors.

For the larger, not so Fugly pieces, I have quite a few fabrics dreams/wishes/desires. :) First and Foremost, I would love some Veranda by Amanda Murphy. If you have some of that you want to trade, you will move to the top of the list. I would need to see a picture and an approximation of size of what you have to trade. Colorway for this line does not matter - I love it all. Or maybe a half rolie polie (you will see why I say this below).

Riley Blake - Sew Cherry by Lori Holt, Delighted by The Quilted Fish, , and Sunny Happy Skies.

Moda - I would love some Early Bird by Cosmo Cricket (not sure if this is Moda - it is older), almost anything by Sweetwater, or charm packs/partial charm packs. So, here is what I have - in order from Fugliest to not so Fugly (in my eyes). If you click on the picture, it should pop out in a larger size.

1.5 yards Dinosaur fabric = a little bit light weight This I will give away if someone really wants it! Daisy Panel - there is another picture on the

other side of one large daisy.

1 yard 80's calico on the left.

One or Two FQ of the Blue - the gold is shiny

Both FQ's I won in a green FQ draw last Saturday

Very cute Jacquelynne Steeves mouse FQ. Just not my style. FQ Blank Textiles Jesus print.

Left side is a larger scrap. Not sure what line, but good quality. FQ top right Recipe for Friendship Bowls. Bottom right large scrap. (These are spoken for)

Yes, this is a Sherbet Pips Jelly Roll - I plan to cut each strip in half (I will keep half). If you want this, I would definitely want something I really like in trade. I had a hard time offering this up - but I do want to build my stash, and I am not sure what I will be doing with this.

(Thank you Izzy for the trade for 2 Veranda prints!)

This may or may not work out, but it will be fun to see what is offered.

You can comment below to indicate your interest. If you are a no-reply blogger, please leave your email address

Monday, February 6, 2012

Time to Go Thrifting...

Worked on finishing my Sew.Happy.Quiltalong Week 2 blocks today.

I just needed to finish up a few seams.

Friendship Star

QST Pinwheel

One problem though, when I went to press the seams to help me match things up, my iron didn't heat up. So I guess it is time to go thrifting and see if I can find an iron. Sigh....

Other fun stuff - my fat eighth bundle of Reunion from Carrie Nelson of Rosie's Quilt Company arrived today, addressed to "Goddess of Quilting, Losing and Tea". It was stuffed into a darling clear pouch that says Schnibbles on it. There was a cute card from the very funny Carrie, and a cute little tin of glass head pins that says Little House on it. Perfect little treat. :)

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Unbelievable

I am in happy shock. When I did my Schnibbles, I did not know that there might be a chance at prizes. I am doing it because they are manageable size quilts and I love charm packs. :) So I was surprised today to read this post from Sherri on A Quilting Life.

Another Year of Schnibbles Winners

"We have some fun (fabric of course) prizes to award to 6 of our parade entries. We chose all 6 via random.org...and 1 person from my parade and 1 from Sinta's parade will get this fat eighth bundle of Reunion by Sweetwater for Moda...compliments of Carrie. Congratulations to Mary of Quilt Hollow from my parade and Karen of Quilting, Losing, and Tea from Sinta's parade."

Did I read that correctly? I won a FAT EIGHTH BUNDLE of Reunion? By Sweetwater? SWEEEEEEEEET.

I have not allowed myself to even look at this fabric online very closely because I love all of their fabric. I knew that I could not buy any more fabric right now. I had decided when I started this journey that I would not end up with a huge stash. And I have come to realize through the months what a lure blogs, project ideas, and pretty fabrics are. I have given in to the lure here and there. I have bought some charm packs, the layer cake I cut up to give away and that I used for a large part of my Full House Schnibbles, some FQ's here and there, and my thrift store finds. I have also been so blessed to win a surprising amount of fabric also.

I have no clue what I will do with this lovely bundle. I have read about other bloggers 'petting' their fabric...LOL. So maybe I will do that for a while. Most likely I will use it for another Schnibbles sometime this year.

I was originally going to blog today about a different giveaway -

what I thought was my 'most recent' giveaway win.

Surprise, another one! This charm pack:

arrived in the mail today from FQS - via this giveaway win on

April's blog Kool Beenz.

This will be used for a Schnibbles - I will have to find some fabric that goes with it from my little stash or break down and buy another charm pack. :)

So, I wonder where they sell lottery tickets? Hee hee.

Blessed sewing!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Lovely Fabric Treats

My last giveaway win of 2011 arrived 2 days ago - all the way from Croatia! Thank you so very much to Rockgranny at KRPE & ZAKRPE for these lovely dotty fabrics. I feel so honored to have received them.

I also received my recent giveaway win from Sharon at Vrooman's Quilts. Sharon, thank you for your generosity in giving these away. You put so much time into cutting them. I am drooling over all of these wonderful small squares, and I am already starting to sew them together as my leaders and enders. Look at these plates full of fabric goodness:

This is probably about 1/3 of the squares.

Look at all of these fun prints - daisies, baby toys, cherries, and more.

I love that orange one with the white daisies.

I don't know what the end result will be with all this fabric goodness yet. For now, I am making 2 patches and then 4 patches. Maybe some kind of rainbow quilt?

Happy Blessed Sewing everyone!

Karen

P.S. That snow is deceptive. Like many in the North, we are having an unbelievably mild winter. I don't have much more snow than this on my entire deck. ;)

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