Six in Six

My oldest son has graduated from college this year. He has also moved back home, (until he finds gainful employment, of course). Being the most organized one in the family, he has decided that my studio needs, to put it mildly, a bit of an updating. So, for the last couple of weeks, he has been coming down here with me, reorganizing, throwing away, putting away, and going through my projects. He told me one day that I shouldn't start anything else until I get all of the ones that I have started finished. I suggested a compromise. I told him I wouldn't start anything new until I finished a few. So, I have decided that I am going to finish six projects in six months. I was going to go for the 12 in 12, but that just seemed so far away.

The first set of blocks are pretty much finished. I won the patriotic hearts in a guild block of the month. I decided to put them all together using a twisted log cabin pattern. I actually won enough blocks to make two quilts. The first top is finished. That one just needs quilted.

The second project is almost finished, it is a take off on this pattern that I saw at a quilt is nice . I use hand dyed fabrics that I purchased from Liberty Homestead . They are most beautiful. I have decided that this one is going to be for me! That's the plan for now anyways!

The third set of blocks is part of a kit that hubby bought when we were in Alaska last year. We went on a cruise of the Northwest Passage, and there was a quilt shop in every port. Bonus!! I want to finish this one for a show that the metro parks hosts every year. The quilt has to have a nature theme to qualify, and this one is perfect.

The fourth picture is a set of blocks that I started for project improv quilt.

The fifth picture is the one block wonder quilt that I took the class for last year. I've got all the hexagons cut out, but need to add some cubed blocks.

Awhile back one of my customers gave me a quilt to finish for her with blocks that looked like these. Can't remember the name of the pattern. I really liked the quilt and thought what a perfect way to use up my scraps. I also used it for my bee balm block, just to make the finishing process go a little faster! Thanks gals!! ;>)

I figure that if I blogged this, it would make me accountable. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for visiting!

Linda

Sweet Sixteen & The Eagles

Sixteen years ago today, the Eagles, (the greatest band in the world, JMHO), were scheduled to perform their "When Hell Freezes Over" concert in Cleveland. One of my girlfriends wanted me to go with her. It was my dream to see The Eagles in concert. I was pregnant with my fifth baby, and it was due on June 20th. I had a feeling it wasn't going to happen because all of my babies ended up being born well past their due dates. She begged me to go, thinking I would have already had this baby. I declined thinking that even if I did have the baby, I really wouldn't be in good enough condition to attend a concert at an outside stadium. Anyways, I thought there'd be another farewell tour sometime! :>)

It just so happened, that on that dark and stormy Friday night, the night of the concert, my little angel was born. I often tease her about making me miss the concert. She just smiles, and knows that I would have rather been no where else that evening.

Happy Birthday my little angel, I love you so.

Story Cloth & Willie Nelson

I am taking an e-course by jude hill. She is the author of a blog named Spirit Cloth . She does most of her work by hand, and her works of art tell all kinds of stories. The name of the class that I am taking is called Story Cloth. We have learned how to create a base, and add components for stories of our own. So far, this is the base for my story. We learn by asking lots of questions. I was having a hard time coming up with a story, so I began to write prompts in my journal. Like...what if my flowers grew faster than the weeds, or what if my Morkie was a miniature polor bear, (that's another story.....ha!), or what if the moon decided to come out and play with the sun! It's a beginning. This little guy is Mr. Willie Nelson, (no realation to the other one!). He is the newest addition to our family. He's no bigger than a minute, and as sweet as can be.

Blogger's Quilt Festival 2010

Amy's Blogger's Quilt Festival is always a good place to get your creative juices flowing. She's at it again, so grab your laptop, a cup of tea, and check out all of the amazing quilts. Her list of participants is up to 486. To get started, all you need to do is click on the link on the side bar, and all of the sites are listed. This quilt is for my big, little guy. When he was nine, I made him a cozy, flannel and homespun quilt, something close to 54 X 54. A few months ago he brought the quilt to me and said, "mom, did doesn't fit anymore, I need a bigger one". (He's now 6'2") I figured I just make another cuddly quilt with the flannel, then he also adds, "I don't want one of your 'old lady' quilts, I want bright". I told him about the stack of batiks I had, blues, greens, and purples, you know, nice "guy colors", and he said, "Well add some hot pinks, and yellows too!"

In March, I went on a weekend retreat with my quilty friends to get this thing started. I took my batiks, the black fabric, and with no pattern in mind, I cut 1 1/2" strips, and 2 1/2" strips of all the colors. I started piecing them together randomly until I got a 14 1/2" block. It was easy when I started off with the 2 1/2 square. The combinations just flowed. I thought I could come up with the correct size finished block by starting with the 1 1/2" square, but it couldn't be done unless I added a 3 1/2" strip, so I made the four smaller blocks, and sewed them together to get the 14 1/2". Worked like a charm. I finished the blocks that weekend, but didn't get them sewn together until recently. I let my guy arrange the blocks to his liking, and then sewed them together. I asked him to choose the quilting pattern, and the thread. He wanted lime green, I told him the I had a reputation to uphold, so we compromised. I ended up using a varigated thread that had greens, blues and purples. I used some of the leftover strips to make the binding, and finished it up yesterday. He's a happy guy!! He has another hug from mom.

On a side note, he throws the discus for his track team at school, and took third place at district finals. He'll be going to sectionals later this week.

Another finish

I bought the fabric for this quilt approximately three years ago. Cut the quilt out, pieced part of it, but didn't finish it until last spring. (2009). In October, I went on a weekend retreat with 4 of my quilty friends.......

....and made the backing. I used all of the left overs I had from the top, and only needed to purchase another yard. Two weeks ago, oh maybe three, I finally got it on the machine to quilt it. Binding is on, and it is finished! Thought I would leave it in the living room, and put the snowman quilt away for the winter, but my little peep has already confiscated it. Guess I'll have to make another for the living room!

Happy Mother's Day!

This email has circulated for years, and it gets me every time. Happy Mother's Day Ladies!!

A Newborn ' s Conversation with God


A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow,
but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don ' t have
to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you.
And you will feel your angel ' s love and be very happy."

Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand
when people talk to me if I don ' t know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words
you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will
teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach
you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?"

God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach
you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth
could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave
now, please tell me my angel ' s name."

God said, You will simply call her, "Mom."

Electric Quilt 7

Btw, just in case you haven't heard, Electric Quilt is releasing EQ7. The new features are amazing. You can check it out here!