Sanibel May 2011

At Three Crafty Ladies I picked up some fat squares to add to my stash for Rachels new quilt for school in the fall. It will be blue and white to match with a duvet I got earlier in the spring. She has a queen size bed now so that increases the need and the project. I always prefer to make things that will actually fit a need vs. just making something for the sake of making something... hope that makes sense. I guess that is why I end up with huge projects that I have to admit overwhelm me sometimes or take me longer to complete. I learned this about myself early on though. I have an aversion to having a drawer or closet full of things that aren't useful to me or anyone else for that matter. When they sit in a closet no one is enjoying them. Reminds me of buying dishes that you are too afraid to use. I LOVE it when I see some thing I have made used and worn out. It makes me feel like they loved it as much as I loved making it for them!
This is the inspiration for the quilt. It is a pillow case and duvet cover that is embroidered in tones of blue on a white background.

and here is the pile.

 Decided to go with the Statavarious- Sweet and Sour pattern. This will give me a great opportunity to use leaders and enders....

Rachel even managed to go and have a look at the quilt hanging at Thimbles & Things and she likes it!! That is a relief especially since I have it cut out!



Thanks Sue for all your help... you are such an inspiration.

I think I may be getting it!

I have been trying to figure out how to quilt small projects on my machine. I took a chance on a small table runner that I really like... was this a mistake? Turns out it wasn't! I am really happy with how this turned out. Just the right amount to do on a small machine. My arms and hands were tired and I took a break but I was really surprised how addicted I was to just finishing the next little part! I also enjoyed coming up with 'new' patterns within the areas I was focusing on. I decided early on in this process the only rules were the ones in my head... so I went for it and I am really pleased with the results.

Lessons learned: GO FOR IT! ANYTHING GOES! ENJOY THE CREATION OF TEXTURE! Rules do not apply if you are happy with the result. You are the creator of the project after all.

I will definitely be practicing and play some more... after all there is an entire sewing room of projects that need finishing!!

Dear Jane

I was texting with Krista last night and she has found us a great project that I had never heard of and can't wait to do... . Dear Jane quilt. I went online and found the quilt at www.stitchinheaven.com .It is set up as a block of the month for 24 months... WOW...I also found a great blog for the Dear Jane quilt that also has tutorials for the squares.It can be found at
http://thatquilt.blogspot.com/
 There are so many blogs now it is really interesting and fun. I really enjoy looking at others and love that they are constructed the same as mine and mine is not so different!

Green Socks

All done the green socks while in Florida and managed to even get the socks for May Sock Club done it time! Whew. - that was serious pressure.

Picked up the June sock which looks like it is a bit of a challenge as this is a new technique. And it will certainly be a party trick! Maybe only at the Sock Club though!