Blogging is the Best!

One of the things I like best about blogging is all the new people you can meet from all over the world.  I received these pictures of Nive's 1880 Sampler blocks today.  Nive lives in a small town in the Dolomite Mountains in Italy.  She is doing a fabulous job and is using fabrics from her stash.

Then...

a surprise squishy package arrives in the mail from Heather over at Creative Confessions.

She is teasing me with these lovely precut hexagons and the precut paper templates.  I imagine she expects to see my first hexie soon.  We are going on a little getaway (far, far away from my sewing machine...sigh) and so a handwork project seems to be in order.

Just about done with the first experimental Shamrock...

more a four leaf clover...

but it has to be March before I can share!

A February Full of Finishes!

I am quite proud of myself.

February was a very productive and satisfying month for me.

I finished (now that is a word you will not often see me use!)

3 items on my UFO/WIP priority list, in addition to completing 4 small quilts, and managed to fit in 50 siggy blocks.

I have made 3 more CW blocks for Barbara Brackman's BOW.

Decided to add in a little gold...the red, white and blue got a little stale for me.

Kinda like that khaki colored background behind the blocks. 

Just got a new Bonnie Blue basics in TOWQS that might be the perfect sashing color for these puppies.  Hmmm, food for thought.

I have updated my UFO/WIP list to include 3 new projects I am anxious to start and hopefully someday finish.  Kathleen Tracy over at the Small Quilt Talk Yahoo Group is having a UFO challenge.  Even though binding my Calico Comfort, her design by the way, was already on my list, I have entered it as my challenge to complete. 

Yah, I know what you are thinking!

So now I am ready to March right on in to a new month!

Do you think I could come up with a Shamrock Lil Twister design?

A little this and a little that...

Right now, I am busy binding Serendipity found.  Not an exciting process, so I dabble in a few other projects to keep myself entertained (or from going crazy---binding is my least favorite part of a quilt!)

Finished the last block for the Paris in the Fall BOM at TOWQS.

It was a challenging block to say the least.

Then doing what I love to do best... 

drafting and piecing blocks for the Farmer's Wife Quilt.

The rest of the time... 

I keep making siggy blocks for my Album Quilt designed by Kathleen Tracy.

Mine will be 4x4 and I am waiting for a few more signed blocks to return before I piece it together.

I love Kathy's patterns--accurate and easy to follow instructions.

Not all patterns are like that!

Others have been busy too.

Satu's recent additions to her 1880 Sampler (her blog can be found here) and...

Bettina (her blog can be found here) always keeps current.

Charlene in NH just contacted me and I expect pictures of all of her blocks soon.

Another block pattern posted today for a total of 9, enough to assemble the first 3 diagonal rows, so next week I will include sashing and setting triangle cutting instructions.

I haven't made the last two installments in Barbara Brackman's Civil War BOW.

Other priorities right now and they look easy, so I can catch up.

And, BTW, my inspiration for my Valentine Twister quilt came from Jeanne over at Crystal Creek Quilts.

Jump on over and see the beautiful job she did on Lori's doll quilt along.  Tell her Cheryl sent you.

Spring is around the corner, so I think I will head to the plant nursery today for some cheery annuals.  The frost we had in Jan. and Feb. did a number on our yard.  Lots of work trimming and replacing as needed, but I love to work with my hands gardening.  Just not next to those dang jumping cholla cacti!

Serendipity Found!

She's back!

You probably cannot appreciate the wonderful quilting; but after I get her bound, I will try a picture outside in the natural light.

The longarm quilter was a miracle worker, but now I am petrified to cut into her.

Maybe by Wednesday I will stop procrastinating and...

JUST DO IT!

Layout for the Sweetheart of a Lil Twister

So many have queried about the layout of the heart I made using the itty bitty twister ruler from Primitive Gatherings.  Here it is:

Of course, you will need to add the borders prior to cutting it up.

Have fun!

1880 Barbara Bucher Snyder Sampler Quilt Update

Karen over at the Log Cabin Quilter has started her blocks.

I love the fabrics she has chosen. 

I see a few familiar Jo Morton's in there. 

Bettina over at Patchwork Passion is keeping up. 

I have 4 diagonal rows set so far.

After next week's block, I will post the cutting dimensions for the sashing and setting triangles for those of you who are like me and just have to start assembling the quilt before all the blocks are made!

Autumn's Bounty is back from the quilter and bound.

It is going to look so wonderful hanging in my breakfast nook.

Click on the picture to enlarge so you can appreciate the beautiful quilting!

Today I pick up my Kim Diehl quilt from the longarm quilter.

We'll see what kind of miracle worker she is...

I can hardly wait.



No Willpower!

Blogland is so full of temptation...

and I have no willpower.

Made with the itty bitty Twister Ruler by Primitive Gatherings.

It is 6" finished. 

I can't decide whether to set it with the stripe or just frame it.

What is your favorite?