I'm Back for Scrap Basket Sunday

I've been away for a few weeks - nothing scrappy to show. I am back today to link with Kim of Kim's Big Quilting Adventure for Scrap Basket Sunday.

All I have been sewing is sashing, which was made from yardage and technically not scrappy. BUT the blocks inside of the sashing are definitely scrappy.

Let me tell you how happy I am to have bit the bullet and purchased the 1/2 yard of Harvest Moon Branch Navy yesterday when I discovered my WOF sashing strips came up 3 blocks too short. Just sewing the bottom row increased my HAPPY!

This is Lynn Wilder of Sew'n Wild Oaks' pattern Country Charmer. The sashing connected in all the right places like a CHARM! - so glad I did not decide to piece or (don't dare tell I even thought of this!) - stretch the fabric I had to make it fit.

Why Cats Hiss!

Why Cats Hiss!

by Ms Cha Cha Cat

Cats are by nature loving, easy going, friendly creatures. Until HUMANS....

1)  Say "Eat cat food. It is NOT treat time!"

2)  Bring potentially dangerous items - you know, a bar of soap or new candles -into my home.

3)  Deviates from her normal schedule and comes in the door unannounced to say "GET OFF THAT COUNTER!"

4)  Takes VACATION and screws up all my plans by staying at home.

5)  Rearranges furniture. How am I supposed to know where my things are?

Interruption of Cat Rant
 by the Human

Ms Cha Cha Cat is Naughty Bad! Do not listen to her.

Ms Cha Cha Cat - 6) the human steps on my tail and says "I TOLD YOU TO MOVE!"

Human - the cat has LOST use of the computer! She does not tell the truth. 

She is Naughty Bad!

******************************************

My Country Charmer is coming along nicely. The rows are sewn together so, at this point, the only rearranging I can possibily WILL do are the placement of the five rows. But I am happy with the rows as they are - I'll show you July 1 when we have our group update.

When I finished pressing and cut the sashing for the horizontal I found myself 3 sections lacking. I have 4 sections but each is between 1/4 and 1/2 too short and, my luck, I have no more of one of the fabrics. Drat! I considered rejected stitching the sections together and began an extensive search to find the older - Harvest Moon Branch Navy, by Kansas Troubles. Local quilt shop - No. Online quilt shops I have previously used - No. Bingo - Miller's Dry Goods! And, they allowed a 1/2 yard purchase. I only need less than 2" but who ships that? I am grateful to have found the fabric!

Wall Staring

Stare - to gaze fixedly and intently, especially with the eyes wide open.

A friend dropped by yesterday for coffee and chit-chat. When she excused herself to visit the ladies, I got up to Stare at the Wall - the wall on which my Country Charmer blocks HANG - oh, yes! My friend laughed coming back into the room. "What are you two doing?" she giggled. Two? What are you talking about?

I looked to question my friend and saw her source of amusement immediately. Ms Cha Cha Cat was sitting on the table beside me -  intently Staring at the Wall! with her head cocked to one side. 

Ms Cat is So Amusing!

I actually sat down at the sewing machine this morning. Yeah! Two of my blocks have some sashing and a permanent placement in this quilt!

 

Design Wall Day TWO!

The cheap, loudly colored tablecloth really works! I ignored Ms Cha Cha Cat's sniffing and patting and wonder of wonders she lost interest. My blocks remained on the wall overnight. I've been playing ...

 

I have played some more since I took this picture. It is so much fun rearranging the blocks on the wall! - something Ms Cat does not allow when I use the floor or bed. Naughty Cat has been "tricked!"

My next mission is to find one that is not so blue on the flannel side. I probably won't find it until the fall colors come out. This will do for now - great improvement over floor or bed layout.

Quilt Sue of Quilt Times emailed me to say she is thinking of having Mr. Fixit mount one on a dowel to be affixed with suction hooks. I love the idea. Once I find my neutral colored tablecloth I plan to do the same. Sue says the Internet is great for sharing ideas. I definitely agree!

Design Walls and Mail

Since I got into quilting I have been envious of the lovely design walls I see on favorite blogs. The pretty blocks hang upright, where one can stand back and  look. I  decided I had to have! - arranging blocks on the floor or bed gets "interesting" as Ms Cha Cha Cat always elects to cause havoc help. She can definitely "arrange!" quilt blocks!

I got my design wall. Okay, it is a $4.00 flannel backed plastic tablecloth from Dollar General and it is hanging unevenly on my wall secured by blue painter's tape ..... but it is my design wall and I love it!

 

See a few of my Country Charmer blocks hanging! The blocks are random. I have not decided placement in the quilt just yet. I'm planning some serious play time shortly.

Did I forget to mention the most toned down tablecloth I found was bright blue with blue polka dots? If this works, - Ms Cha Cha Cat is right now, at this very moment sniffing and patting the wall (bad cat!)- I will find a neutral colored tablecloth and a better method of hanging it on the wall.

I got the most wonderful mail yesterday ....

Lesley of The Cuddle Quilter held a giveaway for those of us participating in the Country Charmer quilt-along and I won my choice of any of  Lynn Wilder's patterns, which Lynn donated for the giveaway. Nostalgic Pillows & Quilt Pattern was my immediate selection. I have been drooling over this pattern for quite some time!  Lynn of Sew'n Wild Oaks is the designer of both this pattern and the Country Charmer. Lynn does GREAT! She has many more fabulous patterns. Go look.

Thank you Lesley and Lynn!

Back to my Country Charmer - I've changed directions with the fabric selection for the borders -

I could kick myself for this next fabric purchase - I only got 2 yards on sale. I was  thinking how much I loved the fabric. The Country Charmer never crossed my mind until I got home ...

to find this is perfect for the backing. I have several fabrics I am auditioning to come up with a pieced back.

Cheetos!

Pat of Silver Thimble Quilt has the cutest new website and blog. She is having a giveaway to celebrate.

The Loot!

Don't these goodies look divine? Grab a bag of Cheetos - Pat's quilting food of choice - and rush over to check Pat's new site out. You will be glad you did!

Christmas in June - Oh, Yeah!

Christmas came early at my house - June no less - and it came with a Bang! Oh, Yeah! Friday my wonderful, lovely boss gave me a $50.00 Visa gift card as a thank you. I immediately thought of the fabric I would need for the Christmas QAL & Challenge (go read all about the QAL and give some serious thought to joining us).





Friday's mail brought the three Santa patterns I ordered for the Christmas QAL. I was so excited and planned to hit Quilting by the Bay when they opened Saturday - armed with my gift card and Santa(s). Things got even more exciting when I "remembered" Quilting by the Bay was celebrating 11 years with customer appreciation sales.

Look what came home with me this morning from Quilting by the Bay for a grand out-of-pocket expense of $25.00 ($99.00 of fabric, discounted by $24.00, less my $50.00 gift card = $25.00) Amazing! Awesome! I am very happy! And let me present my haul! ......

Two Yards for My Stash!

11 Fat Quarters!

Complimentary Drink Holder

AND

The Santa(s) I intended to applique in cream, taupe, beige, gold became BLUE, SILVER,  AND WHITE! The fabric below caught my eye as soon as I walked in the quilt shop. I walked past several times but this fabric was calling my name. So Santa is getting an updated wardrobe ....

There is sparkling silver throughout these fabrics, which did not photograph well. The silver is Beautiful!

Quilting by the Bay in Panama City, FL has an outline store for any of you out of town people. Here is some information (from their recent newsletter) on the sale which runs thru 6/21/13 ...

Quilting by the Bay has been open 11 years

and the celebration continues.

Check out our specials

valid through the end of our celebration June 21st.

Special Bundles of 11 Color Coordinated Batik Fat Quarters

Regularly priced at $35.75 now just $22.99.

Choose your favorite colorway here

Sale Fabrics - 2 yards for $11.00 minimum 1 yard cuts.  Sale price will not show up in your cart but we will adjust your total before we charge your credit card. Sale valid through Friday June 21st.

 New fabrics added to our sale department daily!

*Free Shipping on orders over $100 shipped within the United States

*Half price shipping on orders over $100 shipped to Canada

*30% off shipping on orders over $100 shipped Internationally

(Valid only on orders placed June 15-21, 2013)

Free Gift with Every Order

Should you stop by the store or visit online tell them me and Ms Cat sent you! 

God's Yard Art

Ms Cha Cha Cat had a "hissy fit!!**!!**!!" this morning. She was at her favorite window view - on top of the bookcase in the bedroom. I was sleeping - was being the operative term. Seems a visitor dropped by. Ms Cat does not like visitors! She loudly made her dislike known ...

 

As slowly as Mr. Turtle was moving, Ms Cat will have something to hiss at all day while I am gone to work! She didn't seem to be impressing, scaring or worrying Mr. Turtle. In fact Mr. Turtle gave no indication he even saw my puffed-up, unfriendly, bad mannered Ms Cat.

Look at his shell - I can see the making of a beautiful, rich colored autumn quilt - God's Yard Art!

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

Christmas QAL Weekend

A fun weekend was had by all who participated in the Christmas QAL and Challenge. Joanna of Needle, Thread, Happiness was quite a delightful hostess. Thank you Joanna.

Having a whole weekend to join in as time allowed was very nice. No sewing took place at my home; however, decisions were made and supplies ordered. Come join us next month. There is plenty of time.

Ms Cha Cha Cat survived her flying glass scare. She will likely stay off the kitchen counter until I leave for work that is. Some cat never learn.

Full Circle or The Big Duh!

Saturday I reluctantly gave up (very, very hard for me once my brain decides I WANT!) finding the Classic Santa by Sue Garman as individual Santa(s). The Quakertown Quilts website said patternS - plural!. I kept seeing the 12 pattern set. I intended to place a call Monday and BEG,!,

Sunday a wild thought came - I needed  the names of the Santa(s). Comparing the neutral Santa(s) with Santa(s) around the world got difficult. I switched to the original Classic Santa pattern done in red and green and guess what popped up? You got it  - the individual patterns! (and the Santa(s) were already named for me!)

I had gone Full Circle which is better described as ---

THE BIG DUH!

Quickly I ordered The Danish Julenisse, Dedt Moroz (Father Ice) and The Swiss Samichlaus. 

Did I seriously think Sue reprinted the pattern so she could use different fabric?

My weekend was not totally unproductive. I pulled fabric for Dulcinea the Another Year of Schnibbles quilt for June, I'm going patriotic - red, white cream and blue ...

Here is someone I haven't seen most of the day ....

Ms Cha Cha Loves her Catnip! That would be the specks in this picture - catnip!

I was taking my shower this morning when a loud crash came from the kitchen followed by pounding cat paws running down the hall to the safety under the bed. I apparently was remiss and left an empty tea glass so close to the edge of the kitchen cabinet that it fell off  - ATTACKING this darling kitty. Surely it was me because Ms Cha Cha Cat would never walk on the kitchen cabinet! Naughty cat! She deserved her little scare. She is all recovered and in Catnip Heaven at the moment.

Perusing

pe·ruse [puh-rooz] verb (used with object), pe·rused, pe·rus·ing. 1. to read through with thoroughness or care: to peruse a report. 2. to read. 3. to survey or examine in detail.

 

Saturday I spent the day PERUSING both the Internet and my collection of quilting books/magazines. I love the word PERUSING;- sounds sharply intellectual and officially productive when compared to  browsing the Internet or flipping pages in a book. 

 

And, dear reader, before you consider me lazy let me explain I had a purpose for my day PERUSING -

 

 The Christmas QAL & Challenge started yesterday with Joanna of Needle, Thread, Happiness as our host. Both Joanna and her partner in QAL sponsorship - Hazel of Hazel's Quilts, are off to good starts. I, on the other hand, despite my diligent day PERUSING am lagging behind. Sue of Quilt Times provided the rules (you can find complete guidelines for the QAL on each of the above linked blogs). I'm struggling somewhat:  no red, - no problem; no green - doable; no more than 96" - super complicated!!!!

Early yesterday I found exactly what I wanted. The pattern fits the challenge and me to a "T" however I only need one (well probably several!) Santa. The pattern is Classic Santa by Sue Garman sold at Quakertown Quilts. 

Yes, I do see all of the red and green and I get the whole pattern is too large. Now see if you can peruse to find the remake Sue Garman did in beige, cream, taupe!  ONE of the Santa(s)  would be the perfect size. I'm calling Quakertown Quilts Monday. Keep your fingers crossed!

 

Country Charmer Update - June 2

I'm linking with Lesley of The Cuddle Quilter for an update on the Country Charmer QAL. This beautiful quilt was designed by Lynn Wilder of Sew'n Wild Oaks. Lynn is super creative and her patterns are well written. There are several of her quilt patterns on my one day soon list. The QAL has the cutest blog button (see my sidebar) designed by Sue of Quilt Times.

 My progress has been limited non-existent since our last update. All of my sashing strips and most of my nine patch units wait for pressing. You can certainly tell pressing would be good from the picture! This is a go at your own pace QAL and I am comfortable being exactly where I am on this quilt. I have gotten great pleasure from sorting, petting and playing with the completed block units. I love Lynn's Country Charmer pattern!

I'm going to cheat (just a wee bit of fudging!) and also link this post with Kim of Kim's Big Quilting Adventure for Scrap Basket Sunday. Not a stitch was sewn this past week; however, my Country Charmer is definitely scrappy.

 

This and That

WOW! If you haven't already go see the May parade of Another Year of Schnibbles featured on Sinta of Pink Pincushion and Sherri of A Quilting Life blogs. You will be inspired, amazed and so very glad you took the time.  There are some beautiful little quilts to be seen!

Dulcinea is the selected Carrie Nelson pattern for June's Another Year of Schnibbles My pdf - I love those "instant" emailed patterns almost as much as I LOVE these little quilts - is waiting on my computer. You can order yours here.

FANTASTIC NEWS FLASH! I was disappointed understanding when I learned Sue of Quilt Times  needed to pass on sponsoring a Christmas QAL for 2013. AND I GOT SO EXCITED to read yesterday's announcement on Sue's blog. Sue said in part -

"I am thrilled to say that the Christmas QAL is starting up again, in a new, bigger and better version.  Your hostesses will be Jolly Jo (aka Joanna) from Needle, Thread, Happiness and Happy Haze (aka Hazel) from Hazel's Quilts."

The Christmas QAL & CHALLENGE starts next weekend - June 8. All the details have not been released yet (and "things" are changing for 2013). I'm reading selecting our own patterns and NO GREEN OR RED!! Something tells me Sue has her hand in this no green or red business. LOL Never fear I  have some potential color combinations and patterns playing about in my head. I will have to wait on guidelines for this challenge before making final decisions.

My niece and husband have a new home 16 hours away in Wichita Falls, TX. The air force felt husband would be beneficial to the military way over there. The family remaining here is rather sad. The "rats" took all four of their kids! Can you believe they would take the children? Seriously, keep their family in your prayers as they transition to a new home.

Candace of Squash House Quilts has the cutest video of her cat, Sasha, GROWLING during the introduction to her new sister cat, Gracie May. Playing the video at my house causes some serious HISSING! I take it Ms Cha Cha Cat would not welcome another cat at her house! She is one spoiled cat - my Ms Cat, that is!