Fourth Time is a Charm

Scrappy Triangles is proving to be a challenge. Now only do the little triangles enjoy flipping themselves the wrong direction but the bulk created in the many seams makes flat a difficult concept.

Block 1 of 16

On the third quadrant I decided to press the horizontal seams open - great improvement for the bulk. On the fourth quadrant both horizontal and vertical seams are pressed open - much, much better. Doing this, for me, requires lots of pins as the seams no longer "lock" at the intersections. But the fourth quadrant is definitely the flattest. I think I will continue in this method.

Ms Cha Cha Cat

Ms Cha Cha Cat says her is very happy I have found a working solution. Her was getting tired of hearing all the naughty language coming from my mouth. Her is too delicate for such ..... okay, now the cat is not telling the truth. Naughty cat!

Block 2 Layout

Look How Much Smaller the Block Becomes Once Sewn!

Scrap Basket Sunday 10/25/13

900 HSTs

One  Block To Be

First Quadrant of Block Stitched

Close Up of First Quadrant

See where the triangles are "OFF" in the very center? I  reported the issue to the Quilt Police! Believe me it will remain as is - I stitched this section 4 times trying to eliminate a lump. The LUMP is gone but the points are OFF, oh well -  I am over it! lol

Two Quadrants Completed

I'm linking with Kim at Kim's Big Quilting Adventure. Stop by and see all the scrappy goodies.

Nap Time!

Ms Cha Cha Cat is headed for a much deserved nap. She has diligently supervised the cutting, stitching, ironing and squaring up of 900 HSTs for the blocks of the "coming soon" Scrappy Triangle quilt.

Ms Cat really likes HSTs 'cause of the sort of hissing sound one gets when you say HSTs! But right now Ms Cat is rather exhausted. One does have to wonder how much rest she will get reclining on all of her toys! Crazy Ms Cat!

All Good Things Must Come to an End!

All Good Things Must Come to an End!

Thank you to Susan Boggs for the original picture of her kitty Ares

Poor kitty - Ares, not Ms Cat!. Black Cat Appreciation Day must be over at his house. Ms Cha Cha Cat says this better NEVER happen at her house. She would be very, very insulted.

On the stitching side of life, I now have 700 HSTs for my Scrappy Triangles quilt. Fabric is cut, stitching lines drawn and prep complete to make the rest.

I've also done a bit of secret stitching for my FRIENDS partner.

508 - Getting There!

508 HSTs

Scrappy Triangles is getting there. I have 508 of the 864 HSTs needed to start putting this quilt together. I am linking with Kim of Kim's Big Quilting Adventure for Scrap Basket Sunday. Hope you can join us.

Black Cat Appreciation Day

Today - April 17, 2013 - is 

Black Cat Appreciation Day

Ms Cha Cha Cat chose to start her special day of being appreciated off at 1:30 a.m. She says nothing shows true appreciation like early morning cat treats. She really doesn't care if her human would rather sleep! lol

Christmas QAL & Challenge

Okay this is not a Christmas quilt and has nothing to do with today's QAL but ..... I finally got some decent, if nonprofessional, photos of my Country Charmer. I simply had to post a couple. I love this quilt!

There are 252 HSTs all squared up and patiently waiting in my plastic tub to become part of my Scrappy Triangles quilt.

Ms Cha Cha Cat and I are fixing to iron some wax paper to start my Christmas QAL & Challenge - no red or green with size limitations. Gotta love Sue of Quilt Times - her QAL rules are quite intriguing!

If you haven't already drop by Joanna's Needle, Thread, Happiness to see what everyone has been up to this weekend.

Christmas QAL & Challenge - Day 2 #1

Day two of the Christmas QAL & Challenge for August is underway. Joanna of Needle, Thread, Happiness is our lovely hostess for this wonderful weekend. Hurry over to see what the gang is all up to.

I still have not started my QAL. Seems I keep getting distracted! Scrappy Triangles keeps calling my name. I prepped what will be - should I hold fast to measure twice, cut once - 128 triangles for my plastic tub. I press my two squares together instead of using pens so will need to finish these before moving on.

And the weather is beautiful right now! The sun is out! Yeah! I'm determined to find a good location to take outdoor pictures of my Country Charmer. Wish me luck.

Here is a picture of 128 (hopefully!) 2" HSTs prepped for stitching. Later today I plan to make the wax paper templates for my QAL applique. I may even get the fabric cut and ready for the real fun!

Ms Cat is taking a nap. She needs one. She has been very busy this morning. The sewing machine chair my sister gave me for Christmas last year has become INTERESTING to the naughty cat. She spent the past 7.5 months SCARED OF THE CHAIR! NO MORE! My chair has apparently become Ms Cha Cha Cat's new favorite toy.

Maybe I do like this chair. Those rollers on the legs aren't really that scary.

Well perhaps the rollers are a bit scary. I'll have to be careful.

Now the chair quit moving. I do like this chair!

Do NOT even think of telling me to get down!

Scrap Basket Sunday & Christmas QAL #2

There are 124 HSTs in this plastic container. I'm using Lynn's tutorial for 8 at a time which is working like a charm. Any of you who are doing the math in your head will be quite aware I should have 128. Perhaps you have also heard - measure twice, cut once. Seems that didn't happen on one of my sets.Oh well, this Scrappy Triangle quilt will get done despite my "better" efforts!

I'm linking with Kim of Kim's Big Quilting Adventure for Scrap Basket Sunday.

Earlier this week I was enjoying Kim's blog while Ms Cha Cha Cat reclined in a chair nearby. I  explained to Ms Cat how Kim was exercising - going to a gym!

Ms Cat suddenly shot out of the chair, pelting toward the bedroom at a great rate of speed. Maybe she head a noise outside? To my surprise back down the hall she came and took a running tour over a couple of chairs, the couch and my feet; continuing back down the hall. 4-5 passes later she flopped on the floor at my feet.

I said were you exercising like Kim? She said Meow! I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kim for inspiring my cat to exercise! lol

Speaking of linking - I am also linking with Joanna of Needle, Thread, Happiness. Although I spent the day "goofing off" with my sister instead of participating in the QAL. I'll be there tomorrow!

Christmas QAL #1 - August

This is the weekend for the Christmas QAL & Challenge. The gang is meeting over at Joanna's - Needle, Thread and Happiness today and tomorrow. Come link up with the party - any time, either or both days. You will find the link HERE. We always have a wonderful time! You will be most pleased you joined us.

Now I had BIG plans for today but sometimes plans get changed. My sister called. She wants to go "goof-off" which means a day of shopping and talking. I'm so glad this years QAL is two days each month. I can  "goof-off" today and party tomorrow!

I'm off! I'll catch the gang later today (maybe). I will definitely be see everyone Sunday.

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864 .. What Was I Thinking!

Here are the first 8 of the 864 HSTs in the Scrappy Triangles quilt I showed you Sunday. My new scrappy quilt project. What was I thinking?!?!? 

Onward - to or toward what is ahead in space or time.

I like this quilt and have lots of scraps so onward I will go! I am using Lynn of Sew'n Wild Oaks tutorial for getting 8 HSTs at a time. This was my test to make sure I understood and could follow the instructions.  Lynn writes crystal clear pattern instructions - very easy to follow. I know so - without a doubt! However, my quirky brain "wanders" sometimes! 

The Christmas QAL & Challenge gang meets this coming Saturday and Sunday. We will be visiting Joanna of Needle, Thread, Happiness. Whether you participate in the challenge or not be sure to drop by. You will be glad you did.

I've got lots to work on this weekend. Khris of Sew Prim Khris  released the FRIENDS Swap 2013 partners.

Judy of Sewing Seeds of Friendship is mine. 

I'm very excited! I have lots of planning ahead.

I, also need to actually start my Christmas QAL. Ms Cha Cha Cat is not very good at applique, so will be no help. And, I pulled fabric for Canasta, this month's Another Year of Schnibbles. Besides, 8 barely makes a dent in864 HSTs.

One would think I would get off the Internet and get cracking! Eventually, okay!

I so love having projects!

Housecleaning and Scrap Basket Sunday

Housecleaning is a necessary "evil." I've spent two days sorting patterns, quilt notes, tutorials, etc. and took advantage of local back to school specials to help me get organized. No more tearing the house up looking for the pattern I

I got clear plastic inserts to hold individual patterns and made myself a couple of notebooks. I  went page by page through all my quilting magazine and saved ONLY the ones I absolutely loved .... loved so much I know I will make - hopefully in the next year. The Schnibbles binder includes an alphabetized index of both the pdfs and the ones in my Another Bite of Schnibbles book.

Organized is a wonderful feeling. Too bad it never lasts long around here!

And, all my work paid off. I found my next Scrap Basket Sunday project ....

This picture is from Fons & Porter's love of Quilting, November/December 2011 issue. The quilt is Scrappy Triangles by Jean Nolte. Definitely on my immediate to do list! I may start cutting fabric for all those triangles later this evening. I'm linking with Kim of Kim's Big Quilting Adventure to say although no scrappy sewing happened this week, I do have a plan!

Ms Cha Cha Cat says - Enough Already! Would someone please get the cat treats - NOW!

I'm off to indulge the spoiled, naughty cat!

Country Charmer Update - August 1

My apologies upfront. The pictures in this post are lousy because of this ...

My front yard once again! Sunny Florida is going to have to look for a new name soon. This is my front yard not a meandering creek. And, when it doesn't look like this it is all sand in various stages of drying. So off to the bedroom for photos.

These were the best pictures I was able to get of my completed Country Charmer flimsy. My bedroom is too small to get a higher angled shot. For anyone interested Ms Cha Cha Cat is hiding under the above bed. I said a naughty word rather loudly while attempting pictures. Ms Cat apparently felt guilty over something because she quickly disappeared under the bed.

I am linking with Lesley of The Cuddle Quilter. Go see all the other lovely Country Charmers being made around the world. Lynn Wilder of Sew'n Wild Oaks is the talented pattern designer.