Katie's Salt Marsh Path

Marcia's Crafty Sewing and Quilting Scrappy Quilt Challenge

2012-01-17T11:49:00.000-08:00

You may remember that I wrote about Marcia's Scrappy Quilt Challenge on January 6th. I showed you the scraps I planned to use.

Now it is time to see the finished top.

I love it. My daughter said, "That's a great quilt! Some little child is going to love that." Two minutes later she burst my bubble saying, "Do you realize that none of those blocks are the same?" I tried explaining about using the pattern from the Scrappy Challenge, but she wasn't buying it. She decided that she prefers quilts that use the same blocks throughout. Boring!
I didn't cut into any yardage for this quilt. The strips for the borders were cut for another quilt and misplaced. There they were waiting in the fabric closet. At 33 x 41, this will be a good donation quilt for a small child. Thanks Marcia. Whether I win the long arm quilting or not, this was a fun quilt to make. I've already cut some focus fabric to make another one.

Somebody's Got to Win This. Why Not Me or You?

2012-01-17T09:21:00.000-08:00

I was visiting a blog this morning and noticed something interesting on the side bar. The Quilter's Club of America Fabric for Life Sweepstakes is offering 50 prizes. I think one of them should go to me. If not me, than one of my web friends. Let's face it. It's a clever way to add thousands of quilters to their mailing list, but suppose one of us wonderful quilters wins. I was sucked into the Greedy Zone and entered. If I win, I promise I'll share.

On My Weigh with Annie

2012-01-16T18:54:00.000-08:00

Annie of Annie's Ruby Slipperz has started a program to encourage everyone to get healthy in the New Year. Annie's posting some great tips on nutrition and ways to keep yourself motivated. There will be an opportunity to check in and report how you are doing every Saturday. I don't know about anyone else, but being part of a group helps to keep me honest and motivated about my goals.
Annie is so nice. I wanted to post her button for the On My Weigh project here on my blog, but I didn't see any html code. I left a comment asking for help and within a few minutes she got back to me and offered her help. Of course, it was right there staring me in the face. I think the fat cells are affecting my thinking. I really need to join On My Weigh

More to do in 2012

2012-01-08T08:15:00.000-08:00

Sorry this is text heavy. There are pictures at the end.

In 2011, I actually managed to finish some UFOs that were languishing in my sewing closet for years. This was due in no small part to the UFO Challenge held on the off shoot of my favorite online quilting group. CQ-4-CBee is a subgroup of Cyber Quilters set up for special projects and challenges. I only finished 3 of the 9 quilts I posted in the beginning of the challenge. I also gave away one of the tops I listed and took apart a top that wasn't working the way I planned. That left me with 4 of the listed UFOs on my challenge list. I also participated in the 100 Quilts for Kids Challenge and the Hands 2 Help Challenge.

I've learned that having a goal with an end date really kept me focused and I was able to bust lots of stash and finish a few more UFOs. For 2012, in addition to the 3 challenges I posted about yesterday, I have joined a few more to keep me on target. Although most of these Quilt-Alongs and Challenges have end dates, there is no pressure involved. If I am unable or unwilling to continue, it is not a problem for me or other participants.

I plan on participating in 3 monthly challenges:

The 2012 NewFO Challenge at Cat Patches invites participants to start 1 new project per month. The term NewFO was coined in response to the UFOs all of us claim to be working on. It encourages everyone to start something new without feeling guilty about finishing. I definitely like that.

The Monthly Make It Group 2012 hosted by the Felt Fairy is committed to making at least 1 new item every month. The item does not have to be quilty to participate.

In addition to these challenges, I also plan on an additional scrap challenge. The Scrap Attack over at Stitched in Color encourages quilters to finish a quilt made mostly from scraps by the end of March.

I will also be trying to complete One Crazy Quilt Block per month. The finished block will be at least 6 inches.

The last challenge I plan on taking part in is the Building Houses from Scraps project. This group is making one tiny house from scraps each day. At the end of the year, each quilter should have 365 tiny house blocks plus a larger house block for the center of the finished quilt. I absolutely love this idea, but have not completed a block yet. The blocks finish at 3 inches and I am really struggling with the size. I cannot keep the seams straight and the blocks will not lie flat. I will either have to enlarge the block or expend my energies elsewhere. I am pretty much resigned to the fact that tiny is not my thing.

When I first read through the list of groups I have signed up with, I felt it might be overwhelming. After examining my goals for next year, I realized that challenges are a good fit with my goals and that many of them overlap. For me, that is an excellent reinforcement.

I worked on a new Disappearing 9 Patch quilt yesterday made from 5 inch floral charms that have been sitting in my closet for years. The floral charms as well as the tone on tone solids were cut from scraps. This quilt is designated for the local women's shelter.

The buttons for all of these groups (with the exception of the Crazy Quilt Blocks which is no longer accepting members) are on the sidebar.

Fabulous Temptations for the New Year

2012-01-06T18:17:00.000-08:00

There are so many fabulous things happening on quilting blogs right now it's hard to choose which ones to participate in. There aren't enough hours in the day for me to try all of them so I've narrowed it down to a few I can't resist.

When Mary of the Curious Quilter announced her 2012 Postage Stamp Quilt Challenge and Swap, I knew it had to be on my "Must Do" list. Mary has plans for monthly posts, swaps, giveaways and a year-long Postage Stamp Quilt challenge. Click the button on my side bar for all the juicy details.

Marcia over at Marcia's Crafty Sewing and Quilting is having a Scrappy Quilt Challenge. She is offering free quilting to one lucky quilter who finishes a top using her scrappy tutorial. I started mine today. Pictures of the fabrics I 'm using are below . The top needs to be completed by January 17th. You can get further details by clicking her button over on my side bar.

Over at Pleasant Home there is a month long Scrap Along. There will be: articles on scrap organization, ideas for scrappy quilts, tutorials, scrappy tutorials, and even a Scrappy Board on Pinterest. There's lots more info to see. That button is also on my side bar.

There are a few more that I will be participating in . I will post about them tomorrow .

Winners of the Birthday Giveaway

2011-12-27T13:30:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the delay in posting the winners. Blogger does not like my new computer and athough it allowed me to create a draft, it would not allow me to publish the post.

I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Christmas celebration with their family. We had a lovely, if quiet celebration. The day after Christmas is always a bit of a let down. Luckily, today is the day to choose the winners of my Birthday Giveaway.

There are 77 names in the bowl. 57 are followers of the blog with an additional 20 names of people who left comments. The first winner is:

Tonya's name was chosen first. Tonya is a follower and also left a comment; "They are not the only ones that read your whining post. LOL. I just don't always comment when I am so busy and behind. My son's birthday is tomorrow. I know how it is. Well, happy birthday. So kind of you to have such a big giveaway! Notice how comments come out of the woodwork when you host a giveaway?"

Sheila's name was chosen second. Sheila is a follower and also left a comment: "Happy Birthday! Very generous give away. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year."

Sharon V's name was chosen third. Sharon left this comment: "Happy Birthday KatieQ!!! Hopefully in spring we can arrange a meet up - got wheels now."

PattiLou's name was chosen fourth. PattiLou is a follower. I will contact the winners so that they can make their choices.

Funghi for the Fun Guy

2011-12-24T09:48:00.000-08:00

If you are someone that doesn't like mushrooms, read no further. My mother's parents were from Poland and mushrooms were an important part of my grandmothers's recipes. This recipe is not one of my Babcia's, but it is wonderful. I found this recipe for Hungarian Mushroom Soup at the For the Love of Cooking blog. All of the recipes at this site are delicious. The only changes I made were substituting Smoked Spanish Paprika for the regular paprika listed and Greek yogurt for the sour cream. I didn't have time to go to the store for the sour cream so we had to make do. We have made the soup twice and when I make it again, I will definitely plan ahead so I can use sour cream. The taste was fabulous, but Greek yogurt is thick so it didn't blend as well as I would have liked.
A salad with shavings of Romano or Parmasean, some crusty bread or the Pillsbury crescent roll in the picture, and a glass of wine makes a heavenly dinner.
One more sleep until Christmas.

Happy Birthday to Me and the Present is for You

2011-12-20T17:33:00.000-08:00

Since only Sharon V and Debra S read my whining post about my birthday being so close to Christmas (http://saltmarshpath.blogspot.com/2011/12/december-is-for-birthdays.html), you might not be aware that today is the big day. Even thought it's my birthday, the presents are for you. I will be offering 4 items. If you are already a follower, you are automatically entered. You may have an extra chance to win if you comment on this post. If you are just dropping by, feel free to leave a comment to be entered into the drawing. I will draw 4 names next Monday, the day after Christmas and will notify the winners that day. The winners will be able to choose a prize in the order their name was drawn.

The first item is the 2012 Quilts calendar by Debby Kratovil which includes instructions and patterns for 12 quilts.

The next item is an Antique Fair jelly roll by Blackbird Designs for Moda. The picture is a little dark, but the prints are beautifully muted country colors.

Next, I am offering 3 beautiful patterns by Jill Finley from Jillily Studio. I won the patterns at a giveaway on the fabulous Stash Manicure blog. I love them, but after doing a thorough inventory of my books and patterns, I already have so many projects that I want to try, that I know that I will never use them.

Last, but not least, are 2 items that I won earlier this year. One is the pattern Rows and Bows for Fall and Winter by Seams and Dreams that I won in the C-Bees UFO challenge. The other is the book, Nature's Way, autographed by the Granola Girl herself, Debbie Field. Tucked inside the book is a sheet of Heat and Bond to help you with the applique. I was thrilled when I won the blog giveaway. The patterns in the book are gorgeous, but alas, I know that I will probably never make them.

Maybe these items have been waiting for you to use them. I hope so. Leave a comment and you may find yourself with a new project for the New Year.

This giveaway is now closed.

Giveaway Winners

2011-12-20T09:01:00.000-08:00

It was amazing to see that there were 220 comments for the giveaway. Welcome to all of the new followers and congratulations to the three winners. The winning names were drawn by my favorite Retired Guy.

The Ruby Charm Pack was the most popular. The winner is:

Anya said, "Ruby would be my first choice, but any of the prizes would work! Thanks for the chance!

Second in popularity was the group of 6 Fig Tree fat quarters. The winner is:

Kathy said, "I so would love to win anything Fig Tree so count me in and thanks, you gals are great to do this for us.

Last, but not least is the winner of the Happy Camper dessert roll.

is Marjorie of Marjorie's Busy Corner. Marjorie said, "I pick the dessert roll,please....what a decision to make..lol. I love all of them."

The winners have been notified and their prizes will soon be in the mail.

If you were not a winner, don't fret. In honor of my birthday, I will be offering another giveaway later today.

Quilting Gallery's 4th Birthday Celebration - Quilter's Blog Hop Party

2011-12-09T06:59:00.000-08:00

Welcome Quilter's Blog Hop Party visitors.

I can't wait to start visiting all of the bloggers participating in the blog hop. In honor of my birthday and the Quilting Gallery's 4th birthday, I will be offering 3 items for my giveaway. Don't forget to stop by the Quilting Gallery blog to see the links for all of the Blog Hop Party blogs. I can't wait to start visiting all of the bloggers participating in the blog hop.

With all of the lovely online Thanksgiving fabric sales, I was able to snag a few beauties to share. I love anything from Fig Tree Quilts so I am offering 6 fat quarters, 3 from the Fresh Cottons line, and 3 from Mill House Inn.

A yummy Happy Campers dessert roll from American Jane.

And a sweet charm pack of Ruby by Bonnie and Camille.

Please tell me in your comment which of the items you would like to have. The winners will be drawn on December 17th. I will be happy to ship anywhere in the world. Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the blog hop.

This Giveaway is closed. No further comments accepted.

December is for birthdays

2011-12-09T05:51:00.000-08:00

I'm sure no matter what time of the year you were born, there is something to complain about when it comes to celebrating your birthday. For me, it's the fact that my birthday is a few days before Christmas so my relatives always said, "I'm giving you a bigger gift because it's for your birthday and Christmas." I might have fallen for it if I didn't have 3 cousins who were my age that lived right around the corner from my house. My cousin Pat is 1 year, 9 months older and my cousin Susan is 21 months younger. Did they really think I wouldn't notice that we got the same things? Bah, humbug!

My mom was not much of a baker (or a cook) so she often bought a chocolate cream pie (my father's favorite dessert) or a few cupcakes for my birthday, saying, "It's so close to Christmas that we don't want too many sweets in the house right now." Phooey!!

When my children were in the lower grades of elementary school, I taught Religious Education classes in my home. Each year on my birthday, the children in the class (I usually taught a group of between 4 to 6) could invite a friend to my house and we would have a party. They had to bring a wrapped gift (so I could have the thrill of opening a present) that was suitable to be given to the Toys for Tots toy drive. My favorite, was the year one of the children brought an African American Cabbage Patch doll. One year, I opened a football, basketball, and a baseball and glove.

This year as part of my birthday celebration, I'm joining the Quilter's Blog Hop Party and offering a few giveaways. Quilt Gallery is celebrating their 4th birthday and the celebration will be world wide with 226 bloggers participating.

The Blog Hop Party giveaways start on December 10th and will run until December 17th.

You can click the logo on my sidebar to get more info. I'll be posting about my giveaway items later today with a Blog Hop Party post.

My complaints may seem petty when you consider I share my birthday month with the One who gave us the greatest gift of all, but I am human, not divine.

The One That Got Away

2011-10-14T18:37:00.000-07:00

Our internet service is back so I thought I would post the other quilt that I sent to Basic Housing Inc. My daughter liked it until she realized that all of the charm squares are insects. I think it's fun.

This is the last of the donation quilts I sent for the 100 Quilts for Kids project. Now it's time to do something for myself.

The Post Office Loves Me

2011-10-14T10:03:00.000-07:00

Our phone service is out, so we are without internet. I am posting from the Library across the driveway from our local Post Office. There are 4 Post Offices within an 8 mile radius of our house. Two of them are in CT. I have been bringing so many boxes to ship quilts for the 100 Quilts for Kids drive that today when I stopped by with 2 more boxes; they told me they loved me. I guess things are as bad for the Postal Service as you hear on the nightly news. In the 21 years that I have lived in this area, I have used the various offices depending on what errands I had to run afterwards. None of the offices are convenient. Actually, nothing is convenient to where we live. Over time, I have found myself using the other 3 offices rather than the one for our town. With the reception I have been receiving lately, I guess it's time to become more loyal to our town Post Office.
Two of the quilts I mailed were for Wrap Them In Love The mission of WTIL is to collect donated quilts and distribute them to children in the United States as well as around the world, so they can be wrapped in love and comfort. Many of the children are in orphanages awaiting placement in loving homes. Some of the quilts are sent to areas experiencing natural disasters or extreme poverty. With the economy in trouble, they are receiving more requests to provide quilts to children needing warmth this winter. Although the 2 quilts were made last summer, I never got around to mailing them. The 100 Quilts for Kids drive was a real wakeup call for me to get motivated and send any quilts already finished out to the world where they can be used.

This quilt went to The Basics, Inc in the South Bronx. I mailed 3 quilts to them in September. Victoria at Bumble Beans is trying to collect 250 more quilts for this group by Thanksgiving. If you have a quilt looking for a home this is a great place to send it. They help homeless families get into permanent housing.

I included another quilt in the box with this one, but was unable to down load it to the blog from the Library. It uses the Storytime pattern for the 100 Kids Quilt Along with mottled blue sashing and insect print squares. If we get internet service back later today, I will post that one too. I am so happy that the project was a success and the numbers of quilts donated far exceeded the goal of 100.

The Post Office Won't Go Broke With Me Around

2011-09-30T17:50:00.000-07:00

When the 100 Quilts for Kids Challenge was posted it really captured my heart. This year, like many other bloggers, I decided that I would make eleven quilts for donations. Some bloggers have called it, "Eleven in 11. As of July, I had donated 8 quilts. I have been trying to reduce my stash and clear out some UFOs. The 100 Quilts for Kids Challenge seemed like a perfect way to accomplish both goals I originally thought I would make 3 quilts to accomplish my original goal of 11 for the year. While we were without power, I spent my days going through my stash and looking for UFOs. I started cutting kits and when the power finally came back, I was ready to rock.
This little quilt was completed in April, but I wasn't sure where it should go. It will be added to the box going to the Basic Quilt Drive in the South Bronx in memory of my husband's great Uncle Joey. He was a lifelong resident of the Bronx and Supreme Yankee fan who died in July. He volunteered with the Saint Vincent DePaul Society arranging for donations of food to local families and soup kitchens in the Bronx.

The third quilt packed in the box was started using fabric left over from a UFO that I repurposed. I planned to donate it to the Hands 2 Help Charity Quilt Challenge, but didn't finish it in time. I didn't like the layout so I moved the blocks around until I was satisfied. Now it is ready and on its way.

The dot on the picture is not on the fabric, it must have been on the lens.

This quilt is traveling to Texas. Debra of Debra's Design Studio is collecting quilt tops she will quilt on her long arm machine and distribute to local veterans and their families. I think this quilt would be fine for a toddler. The binding I prepared for the quilt is the same fabric as the outer border.

I have 2 other tops that are waiting for quilting, a set of blocks ready to put together for a baby quilt, and a group of blocks for Debra's Texas Veterans' quilts. Hopefully, I can finish them next week. After that, the rest of the year is reserved for projects just for me.

A Few More Quilts for The 100 Quilts for Kids Challenge

2011-09-29T11:26:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, it is still raining out so the pictures are less than ideal. This little quilt is for Quilts for Kids. It's made from an Eye Spy panel that I bought a few years ago. It's hard to believe that the quilting took 2 full bobbins.

Victoria of Bumble Beans Inc is hoping to collect 700 quilts for the Basics Quilt Drive. These quilts will be donated to homeless families in The South Bronx. My husband was born and raised in the Bronx so this donation is a perfect fit for me. It was started with some blocks and fabric left over from my H2H challenge quilt.

I love the polka dot fabric on the back.

100 Quilts for Kids

2011-09-28T21:34:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I finally have something to post. We lost power for 5 days as a result of Hurricane Irene and our internet service was not restored for 17 days. Without electricity, I spent the daylight hours cutting fabric to prepare kits to sew as soon as power was returned. While the internet was out, I discovered how many hours there really are in a day. Although I missed visiting my favorite blogs and keeping up what was going on, I managed to finish 2 UFOs and several quilts for the 100 Quilts for Kids challenge. It's not too late to participate. Check the button on the right side bar and you can get more info.
The 2 quilts below will be donated to Quilts for Kids. The pink quilt is from a kit provided by Q4K. The bug jar quilt is a former UFO that has been hiding at the bottom of my fabric closet.

The Hearts and Flowers quilt below was also a long term UFO. It will be donated to the Down Syndrome Assoc. of Middle TN. This quilt will become part of Diane Wingo at Dew Quilting's dream to give every newborn with Down Syndrome in her area of Tennessee a quilt in honor of her son Stevie.

When I pieced the backing, the blocks seemed too large. After it was quilted, I found that I really liked it.
I have one more quilt that is finished and 3 tops waiting to be quilted. It's raining here today so hopefully the weather will be good enough to take photos of the rest tomorrow.

No Sewing Today, but...

2011-08-08T19:25:00.000-07:00

Today we made our annual summer visit to the Aquarium in Riverhead. They have added a butterfly/exotic bird exhibit that was really fun.

I managed to snap a picture of an Isabella Luna moth. You may be more familiar with how they look as a Wooly Bear caterpillar.

A butterfly tried to hitch hike out of the exhibit on the back of my husband's shirt.

We were able to hold a bird.

Pieceful Quilting is a great shop just down the street from the Aquarium. The ladies who work there are really friendly and helpful. I wandered through, but I only found one fabric that interested me. At $11.25 a yard, I was able to resist. I was not able to resist the fabric by the pound bin. I found two bags that were an incredible bargain at $6.95 each. They both contained several slightly less than 1/2 yard cuts, with lots of smaller pieces and some strips. This one had several cute prints including fabric from "The Hungry Caterpillar" line and a beautiful seashell print (the $11.25 fabric was from the same line). There was also a quilt block.

The green pack has a really lovely sea themed batik and even had a few 2 1/2 inch squares tucked in.

It was a great bargain. All of it is quality fabric and will come in handy. My only regret, is that I didn't buy another bag.

It's a Gold Mine in There

2011-08-07T13:45:00.000-07:00

"Nothing [is] so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task."

--William James

William James must have been a quilter describing his relationship with his UFOs. Despite my attempts to make friends with my UFOs, they continue to taunt me and refuse to be tamed. I have decided to ignore them and go on to something new. While I was looking through my collection of 5 inch squares in preparation for Debra's Quilt Smack Down, I discovered some hidden treasures.

I remember buying a Tumbler template for 5 inch charms from the Missouri Star Quilt Co. awhile back, but didn't remember cutting out any shapes with it. For those of you who don't own a shape cutting machine, this is a lovely template. If you have charm squares already cut, you can turn them into a pile of Tumbler blocks in no time. I also works well with 5 inch strips. I don't know when I'll get time to work on it, but I created a kit that I can start on when I'm just looking for something to sew.

In June 2010, I completed this quilt called "Quilter's Bounty."

I must have really enjoyed piecing it because I found the pattern packed in a baggie with enough of the sewn strip blocks and 2 1/2 inch squares to make another one. All I have to do is cut the setting squares and strips and I'm good to go. It's an older pattern so the instructions are not written to be used with a jelly roll , but it would really work up fast if you used one. The finished quilt is very deceiving. It looks as though you frame four patch blocks and alternate them with strip blocks. I'm sure that would be an easy way to go but the pattern offers a quick alternative that works very well.. One more quilt added to the list.

Charity Quilt Smack Down

2011-08-03T17:16:00.000-07:00

After finishing up the H2H Charity Challenge, I decided I wasn't going to sign up for anything for awhile and just concentrate on my UFOs. That was before Debra at Debra's Design Studio lured me into signing up for a Charity Quilt Smack Down she is hosting on Saturday, August 27 and Sunday, August 28. The reason she was able to reel me in without a fight was because the quilt she will be making is super easy, uses a ton of scraps and will go to a Veteran's group. As if that isn't enough, you can send it to her and she will quilt it. Since I like to piece, but dread quilting, this is an answer to my quilting prayers.

The pattern she will be using is from Barbara at Thinking Out Loud

Debra had a Pyramid quilt Smack Down last weekend that I was unable to participate in, but I'll certainly be using her method in the future.

I've already pulled some fabrics from my stash.

Go on! Take a look! You know you want to do it.

Hands 2 Help Challenge completed

2011-07-31T16:37:00.000-07:00

Today is the final day of the Hands 2 Help Quilt Challenge. Visit Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict to see all of the quilts made by the 47 participants. I completed 2 of the 3 quilts I started for the Challenge. I tried 2 new to me techniques on the red, white and black quilt. It was the first time I used a flange on a quilt and my first attempt at sewing a binding on completely by machine. I was delighted with the flange which added a narrow punch of solid black to the border, but less than excited about the machine sewn binding. I actually like hand sewing the binding to the back of a quilt. I find it to be very relaxing and a great way to keep my hands busy while watching television or when I am a passenger in the car. I decided to try the machine sewn binding because it has been so hot here this summer. The week I was applying the binding, temperatures reached 100 unairconditioned degrees. The tutorial I followed recommended using a blanket stitch. Although I like the quilt, if I machine bind a quilt in the future, I will try a different method.

The back of the quilt looks washed out in the photo. The middle stripe is Kona cherry, while the 2 side stripes are from the fabric below.

The second quilt I completed was made using the fabric sent to me by my challenge partner Jamie. I really like the bright colors against the crisp white. While I was finishing up the quilting, I realized that I reversed a few of the blocks. I was disappointed that I didn't pick up the error in time to correct it, but I still love the way the quilt looks. If you find the errant blocks, please don't tell me, it will definitely burst my bubble.

I used a pretty pink floral for the backing which is actually much brighter in person.

I wasn't able to put together the blocks I made for the third quilt so I will complete it and use it for a different charitable group. The fabric was leftover from the same UFO that spawned the first red/white/black quilt. I think it will make a cute quilt when finished.

The quilts will be taken to Romania along with food and school supplies by the husband and father-in-law of Judi of Green Fairy Quilts. If you would like to see a video of one of their mission trips visit the Green Fairy Quilts blog Thanks Sarah for hosting such a fun and worthwhile Challenge. I hope this will become an annual event.

UFO Conversion

2011-06-18T13:44:00.000-07:00

I have come to the realization that the primary reason I have so many stubborn UFOs hanging around is because I have ceased to like them. It's hard to devote the time to finishing something you really don't care about. I first blogged about my black/white/red quilt back in March of 2010.

First I decided the red batik I chose for the sashes and border had too much black in it. Then I thought that the stripes looked boring. In an effort to save the project and avoid wasting the fabric, I bought a brighter red batik. Then I decided to take the strips apart and turn them into 4 patch blocks. Today, I completed the top and like the results. When it's finished, it will be traveling to Romania as part of the Hands 2 Help Challenge. The colors are more vibrant in person, but it was too gloomy outside to take pictures today.

I still have lots of strips left over to make another quilt with.

My Baby is All Grown Up

2011-06-16T12:01:00.000-07:00

I've been having computer issues with photo retrieval so I haven't been able to post my happy news. My baby (the Viking Princess) is all grown up. She graduated from college on May 27th with a major in Psychology and a minor in Computer Science and has now joined the ranks of the unemployed. She's pictured here with the President of the college after the Baccalaureate ceremony the day before graduation. She was one of the student speakers at the Baccalaureate ceremony and I sobbed so loud I could barely hear what she was saying.

We were not able to take many pictures on Graduation Day. It was very hot during the LONG ceremony and the area where my daughter was sitting was in direct sunlight. After the ceremony she didn't feel well so we gave her the opportunity to rest and cool down. We got a few shots before the day was over, but not nearly enough to make me happy.

Her college adviser told her it was better to work a year before applying to graduate school so that she could be sure of the area of psychology she wanted to specialize in. Unfortunately, she neglected to advise her where the job would come from.

Last week, she interviewed for an assistant teacher position. She was cheerfully told that if she didn't hear from them in 2 weeks, to give them a call since they received over 500 resumes for the position. While she was at the school, there were 2 other young women waiting for their second interview. Both of them are already attending graduate school so the competition is tough.

This week she felt positive about a phone interview she had for a psychology research assistant position that is exactly what she wants. She won't know if she is in the running for the job for at least a month. They are still waiting for the grant to be funded. A summer research position she was offered was reneged when their funding was cancelled. The job market is really frightening. People with Master's degrees and Phds are competing for entry level positions.

She has great credentials and attended one of the top Liberal Arts Colleges in the country, so hopefully there will be something on the horizon. In the meantime, it's great to have her home.

Halloween In June

2011-06-15T13:21:00.000-07:00

Sorry, these items have already been given away. I will be having another giveaway next week.

Jana over at Adventures of a Cross Stitch Drama Queen is encouraging quilters to work on their Halloween projects in June rather than later in the year when everyone seems to get busy. I think it's a great idea. Unfortunately, I don't have any Halloween projects ready to work on at the moment. I do, however, have some Autumn/Halloween panels that I bought as part of a "Panel Surprise" sale bag from the Fat Quarter shop a while back. They are calling out from my fabric closet and begging to be released. If you would like to celebrate Halloween in June by making something with one of these lovely panels, please leave me a comment and I will mail you one. Sorry, I will only post to the US or Canada. Please make sure you are not set as a "No Reply" blogger, if you are, leave your email or I will not be able to reach you.

Thanks to Madame Samm I won

2011-05-20T08:50:00.000-07:00

Today on Stash Manicure, the lovely Madame Samm is featuring the talented artist Rebecca Barker. Last month, when she was featured, I was lucky enough to win 10 of her beautiful quilt themed cards. I was thrilled when I opened the package and saw that they were even nicer than I expected. If you haven't already entered the giveaway, hurry over to Stash Manicure to check out the details of the giveaway. I love my cards so much, I can't bear to write in them. I have them in my sewing room so that I can look at them everyday.

They are much nicer than the above picture. It was pouring rain all day yesterday and the lighting even with a flash was not complimentary.

Starting the Hands 2 Help Quilt

2011-05-15T14:25:00.000-07:00

I have been searching for the perfect (if there is such a thing) quilt pattern for the beautiful, bright fabrics that Jamie, my Hands 2 Help swap partner, sent me. She has already made lots of progress on the quilt she is making with the fabrics I sent her (with lots from her own stash added). You can see the quilt on her design wall at Baby Boomer Quilting Bee. She does fabulous work.

These are the lovely fabrics she sent me. They are actually much brighter in person. I decided that the quilt on the cover of the Summer 2011 issue of Quilts and More designed by Cherri House is the perfect match. You can see the picture on her blog Cherry House Quilts. In addition to the yardage, I have cut some charms from a ZuZu Petals charm pack by Benartex. The original quilt is 85" x 85" so my meager brain is working on the math to shrink it down to the 60" x 60" challenge size.

I have to put on some speed because the blocks are laid out on my daughter's bed. She'll be graduating from college next week and will be coming home to continue her job search. Using her bed as a design wall will no longer be an option.