Two By Two

The cutting of my Lucky Stars quilt continues. This quilt will have 42 stars using 6 different fabric prints. I now have 4 of the prints cut for 28 of the stars plus 4 (the fabric allowed 1 additional star per print - table topper or curtain valiance? Time will tell!) My goal is 2 fabrics a day or Two By Two!

The process got a wee bit "hairy" this morning. Measuring and cutting is slow for me. I am very careful of where my fingers are as the rotary glides along. Gets complicated adding two black paws, a fluffy tail and one curious nose to what not to cut! Cha Cha got gently TOSSED!!**!! off the table several times.

Cha Cha's issue was her litter box. On Tuesdays it gets the royal treatment - soaked in Pine-Sol. I always seem to pick the exact moment she is struck by nature! She worries is quite an annoying cat until she gets to christen the fresh litter. Cats!

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

Yeah Spray Starch!

I elected to try spray starch on the pieces I am cutting for my Lucky Stars quilt. The difference I saw in the rotary cutting was Amazing! I'm hoping it will make construction of all those star points smoother and the points sharper.

I did not get a lot done. I had guests coming for dinner. And, something told me they were likely expecting food. People! I am pleased with what I have so far ...

There is lots left to cut! If I work on this little by little next week, I may be able to start stitching (my favorite part!) Saturday.  I have to stop at the first sign of "tired" or I tend to get sloppy. Terry has some super chain stitching suggestions included with this pattern BUT in order to chain stitch efficiently I need all the pieces ready! There is a catch to everything in life! I am in love with this fabric and pattern!!!!

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

Anticipated Arrival!

My FABRIC has arrived! The selections from Shabby Fabrics arrived last Thursday. My lovelies from The Old Country Store got here Saturday. The Old Country Store e-mailed a tracking number - both a blessing and an aggravation. I KNEW the FABRIC was in Panama City early Saturday. I spent an entire day watching out the front window ... sort of pacing, trying to pretend I was not anxious - looking, looking, looking! I must have taken a bathroom break at the exact arrival time because I missed seeing the mail truck. Drat! Finally, unable to stand the suspense, I walked to my mailbox. My FABRIC had arrived.

Beautiful! Absolutely Beautiful. This is Grace by Three Sisters for Moda. It is their 2011 Christmas release; however, my plans are for this Beautiful Fabric to become my winter bed quilt. I find the graceful design not limited to Christmas!

The wonderful cat tote in the pictures was made by Lucky-1, Stitch Selection. This tote will become the home of zip lock bags containing 630 cuts of fabric waiting to become a quilt. My selected pattern is Lucky Stars by Atkinson Designs. Now I am off to iron, iron and iron some more. Have I mentioned ironing is my least favorite part of quilting? Oh, well one must do what one must do.

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

Coming Soon!

Christmas 2011 is to be the year of a new real Christmas tree skirt. The former is actually a table runner, which is going to get to be a table runner this year! These lovely fabrics "Mistletoe" by Windham Fabrics were in my mailbox today, all neatly packaged. This is absolutely beautiful fabric - perfect for a Christmas tree skirt! My order was online from The Old Country Store. If you haven't already, go browse their online store. The prices are reasonable. The shipment was timely. Overall the ordering was a pleasant experience.

Happy Father's Day

 

Celebrate, appreciate, honor and love all the Fathers on their special day today. My dad is, among many other things, a Clown for Wahabi Shrine out of Jackson, MS. Shriners fund and support Shriners Hospitals for Children designed to giving children a new outlook on life. Their main focus is on the treatment of burns victims and crippled children. Check out their website. Should you know a child in need of these services, please make contact with them. The hospitals are there to help.

Today I cannot spend the day with my Dad. He is 8 hours away. I will call him and he will be constantly in my thoughts. My memories of his love are wonderful.

I am joining a group of friends this afternoon for a cookout. We will have lots of dads in attendance. My specialty chocolate cake is ready - I went all out and put sprinklers on it (ha!). I do believe there are lots and lots of dads who are fond of chocolate cake. Enjoy your day!

I'VE TAKEN THE PLUNGE!

This started my jump over the cliff. I purchased the fabric in a bundle of Christmas scraps in October/November 2010. The selvage so stated Moda by 3 Sisters. Perfect colors for my bedroom! I envisioned a quilt for my queen bed st first sight. Finding the fabric in the yardage required has proven impossible. Release was several years ago.

Look at Grace, 3 Sisters' 2011 Christmas line for Moda - color and delicate design - Perfect!, super quality - Awesome! and my reaction Instant LOVE!

I have waited and waited and waited for the yardage to be released. Had my pattern - Lucky Stars by Atkinson Designs .... LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! The Fat Quarter Shop HAD a kit for a lap quilt in MY chosen pattern using MY beloved fabric. I want a queen, more "planned" with less of the browns.

Grace yardage was released. DO I WAIT FOR A SALE? The fabric cost is a major investment for me. But what if by the time it goes on sale the remaining is mainly the browns? I've debated and debated!

Shabby Fabrics pushed me. Free shipping through tomorrow evening  (June 19) at midnight. They had Grace. I ordered for the 9 1/2" star blocks - all 42!!!  I'll hold off on the rest .... well, until .... I "discovered' The Old Country Store had Grace for $8.15/yard.

Many words to say, I'VE TAKEN THE PLUNGE! Twelve yards of Grace ordered, paid for and on the way to Florida.

I AM DOING A HAPPY DANCE!

I am EXCITED! I am SCARED - this will be my largest project ever. What if I screw it up? What if it looks awful? What if .......... WHY DON'T I JUST DO MY BEST ......... The fabric and pattern are so PERFECT a few imperfections will surely be okay. Happy quilting to all!

Full Moon Tonight!

 

Creedence Clearwater Revival: Bad Moon Rising Lyrics

Songwriters: John Cameron Fogerty

 

I see the bad moon arisin'
I see trouble on the way
I see earthquakes and lightnin'
I see bad times today

Don't go around tonight
Well, it's bound to take your life
There's a bad moon on the rise

I hear hurricanes ablowin'
I know the end is comin' soon
I fear rivers overflowin'
I hear the voice of rage and ruin

Don't go around tonight
Well, it's bound to take your life
There's a bad moon on the rise
Alright

Hope you got your things together
Hope you are quite prepared to die
Looks like we're in for nasty weather
One eye is taken for an eye

Well, don't go around tonight
Well, it's bound to take your life
There's a bad moon on the rise

Don't go around tonight
Well, it's bound to take your life
There's a bad moon on the rise

A Great End to a Bad Day

My day at the office was AWFUL! I talked to a lot of people - too many chose to take their frustration with life in general out on me. Only one of those calls was something I had the control to help the caller with, which I did!

The caller of all callers was calling to complain about getting voice mail at a company unassociated in any way with the one I work for. ????

The sickest caller refused name, contact number, etc. Hm mm ... Caller ID!???! No problem.  I doubt I will feel the need to ever dial the "unknown" number of the ANONYMOUS??? (Ha! Ha!) caller.

Enough of my ranting! I arrived home to  ----------------Ta! Da! Great End for the Day!

I won this lovely panel and fabric from Sandi of A Legacy of Stitches in a recent giveaway. The lovely fabric panel and beautiful complimentary fabrics were provided by Jacquelynne of The Noble Wife.

Quilters are the most amazing people - kind, generous, sweet and so wonderful to know! Thanks Sandi and Jacquelynne!

Apologies and a New Leaf!

My Sincere Apologies!

Earlier this year I won two giveaways which I have been remiss at blogging about. Please accept my apologies, Bren and Susan. I was and am most appreciative. I won't make excuses. I feel badly about not expressing my thanks on my blog sooner.

An Adorable, Colorful Feed Sack Needle Case!

Beautiful inside of needle case showing John James' straw needles - Sizes 9-10-11.

The above came from a generous giveaway by Susan of  Quixotic Crafter. What a wonderful addition to my sewing supplies! I am so appreciative of Susan! Thank you, Susan!

Sweet smelling, handmade soaps and lavender scented soy candle!

There is one soap missing - it is in action in my shower! I won these lovelies from Bren of Life With a Little Sass. The soap has been an absolute pleasure. Bren also included a fabulous fat quarter bundle which I failed to get a picture of. Thanks, Bren!

I have been meaning to take care of the above for some time now. Again my apologies and THANKS to Susan and Bren. Go check out their blogs from the links provided. I believe it will be well worth your time. 

So, now in light of turning over a new leaf .... meaning prompt attention to saying thanks. I got an e-mail from Sandi of A Legacy of Stitches first thing this morning. I have won a beautiful "sweet sewing themed panel and bundle of coordinated fabric" designed by Jacquelyn of The Noble Wife. Sandi has been having a THREE year blogging anniversary! Pictures to follow when I get my "grubby hands" on the "goods!" Ha! Ha! These are two more great blogs you should go check out!

HAPPY QUILTING, TO ALL!

Distracted

No quilt sandwiches got made because I got distracted yesterday afternoon. First there was a much needed break. You know where you are going to sit recline with a good book to rest for a moment and end up asleep for an hour. Then I got the phone call to come eat fresh garden peas, homemade cornbread and cobbler made from just off the tree peaches at my sister's house. Brother-in-law grilled BBQ pork to complete the meal. Who can turn that down? Especially, when you know the great nieces - nephew will provide the entertainment. Here is one of the distractions (and, the owner of the quilts should I ever get them sandwiched and finished).

 

I never post family pictures - security issues - but I thought this shot taken up close and personal by the 4 year old sister would be perfectly safe and secure.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day! Happy quilting to all!

TWO Bright, CHEERFUL Baby Quilt Tops!

My cutting skills have improved somewhat ... will have to work on picture taking next! Sorry for the crooked photos. I do not have a design wall so I sort of stuck these to the wall with pins.

Regardless of my lack of picture taking skills, I now have TWO bright, cheerful baby quilt tops. I read babies are stimulated by primary colors. Hopefully, that is true. Otherwise, I can give these to a clown to wave in front of charging bulls.

My brilliant mind has decided these TWO do not need borders ... both seem to be busy enough! Besides they are perfect baby quilt size as is. My plans are to use the stripped material to back the first quilt and the dark blue sashing from above to back the second quilt.

I am having fun today! Hope all of you are doing the same. Now I am off to make quilt sandwiches while I am on a roll. Happy quilting to all!

YEAH INTERNET!!

One might think I was addicted BUT twenty four hours without Internet is a wee bit much. How can I possibly know what all of you are up to when I cannot get to blogger? I was about to need medical attention. I switched to Comcast as my service provider. Old carrier was disconnected yesterday and Comcast scheduled for 8-10 a.m. this morning. The tech phoned at 8 to say he would be here in 10 minutes and he was! I am excited!

I AM DOING THE HAPPY DANCE!

ROWS! Who'd of Thunk It!

And finally there were ROWS! I may finish this baby quilt before he goes to college! Hopefully, I can say this without jinking myself - my cutting skills are slowly improving Happy quilting to all!