CATCHING UP

Yesterday was supposed to be a catch-up day with LOTS of sewing getting done but that wasn't happening. Instead ... grandchild #4 and I spent the afternoon baking. I've been a Gramma for less than 2 years and still getting the hang on it.



Keilie wanted to visit just like her sister did but sewing wasn't on her mind ... cooking was. We baked cookies AND pumpkin bread - her "MommyJasmine's" favorite.

Which brings me to today ... I REALLY need to catch-up. Here's a finished Mountain Baby Blanket. (Dawn - that leaves 2 to do).

And my July - Love Knows No Season - block of the month. Elsie did offer an alternative for her non-American followers. I just loved how the ribbon turned out. And ... best part ... no hand sewing on this block!

Left to do today ... Update my iPod, get a sock started (both for my trip to FL tomorrow) pack, finish the laundry and I need 80 little 3" 9-patch blocks for my guild meeting (tonight). 32 of completed. Hmmm, that's not even 1/2 way there. Better get cracking. The ironing can wait.

FRIDAY FINISH

Don't have too much time to blog ... so what else is new? But I do have a Friday Finish and it is Saturday! I'm still trying to catch up from being in Florida for a month.

So - here's my April BOM from Elsie Campbell's "Love Knows No Season." The background (as always) seems a bit washed out in the photo, it's better live and in person.
AND ... what did I do during my "down time" in Floriday? Knitting is portable so that's what I did - a lot. I'm having a severe attack of SSS ... Second Sock Syndrome!

Now that my life is back to normal ... and that's NOT saying much ... I'm hoping to get back to sewing and blogging.

PS - don't forget Sew 'n Tell

FRIDAY FINISH AND MOVIE STAR FUN

I'm baaaack! Just spent the last 4 days in Florida with my mom (the clam chowder snob) and my sister (Goofy 2) and her family. I think it was warmer in MD than it was in FL! A fun visit but it's always good to be back home.

Here's my FRIDAY FINISH for Amy's Sew 'n Tell (see the sidebar button). This is the February block for Elsie Campbell's BOM: Love Knows No Season.

And ... a little tea towel that's going to be for sale at my guild's quilt show this weekend.

Now ... on to a little movie star fun!!! If you're old enough to remember Smokey and the Bandit, you might enjoy these pictures. If you're not old enough, well, shoot - look it up on the internet. My brother-in-law (Goody 2's husband) just happens to be Burt Reynolds' gardner. And this car just happens to be one (of several) that was used in the movies. And this Trans Am just happens to now live in my sister's driveway. Burt gave it to Al!

I was a good sister-in-law and made the appropriate postive comments about the noisy pipes and "wow, 100 mph" kind of stuff that Al was expecting. I've never seen Burt Reynolds in person but I did ride (at 100 mph) by the entrance to his estate. Kinda cool, huh?

If you're looking for some entertainment this weekend, stop by Southern Comforter's Quilt Show.

ANOTHER MONDAY

Well ... I typed the title and didn't realize just how prophetic it was ... I loaded the pictures, in the wrong order, added another one and clicked the wrong button so the post published without any words ... the title should have been "typical Monday!"

Anyway - here's what I wanted to show you ...
Please excuse the not-so-great photography - this block is sitting on my lap so it's a bit wrinkled. It's the February block from LOVE KNOWS NO SEASON. Each month it's free but previous months are not. So - go and download it if you think you might make it someday. This isn't finished. It still needs some hand embroidery.

Here's a close up of the rose. I used the fabric that I dyed last month. I think the variation in shading came out pretty darn good ... if I say so myself ... and I do!

I keep saying, "I don't do applique." I guess I really can't keep saying that, as I keep doing applique. BUT ... just to be clear ... I'm a fusible-girl!

Love Knows No Season

Love Knows No Season is the title of a new Block of the Month by Elsie Campbell. I finished my January block. I will, without a doubt, finish this quilt. It's not a mystery, no surprises. You can see the whole finished quilt on Elsie's web site and the patterns ... are FREE! Hurray for free!!

I just found and joined AmyLouWho for her Friday "sew 'n tell."

Calendar quilt

In 2009 I participated in 2 monthly challenges. A Tisket a Tasket with Anne Sutton from Bunny Hill and Pat Sloan's calendar quilt. With a little set back, here and there, I did manage to mostly keep up (or at least catch up) each month. Each quilt was VERY different. The basket quilt was all appliqued - not something I do much of normally. I had been exploring wool so I decided to do a mix of wool and cotton. The wool I hand appliqued (no need to turn under seam allowances) and the cotton I machine stitched. I added a few beads and buttons as well. And there was some embroidery. The calendar quilt was simple, simple, simple ... just sew one strip each day - preferably using fabric from something you were working on at the time. My strips were not uniform in size but each month, the panel measured 10x40. I added a few appliques here and there, representing something about the month ... a snowman, a turkey. And I kept track of when I finished a pair of knitted socks by sewing on a little appliqued sock. In April my Dad passed away and I wasn't home (or sewing) for most of the month. The hearts were sent to me by members of my quilt guild so I added them in for that month. Best part of this quilt ... a strip a day (or sometimes 5, if I needed to catch up) and suddenly the year is over and I've got the parts and pieces for a queen-sized quilt.

Here we are in 2010 and here I am (again) making a calendar quilt. Pat has group going on over at her Quilt Mash Up site to keep everyone inspired and encouraged. This year I decided to go with a 2" block for each day. 7 blocks in a row for the week and then a row for 29, 30 and 31 (if needed). The unfinished block will measure 10.5 x 14.5". I'll add some sort of applique to represent the month. I worked ahead on January, just have to stitch down the snowflake. I'm not sure why I choose blue ... hmmm ... I think I'll use white thread for the blanket stitching.

I'm also doing 2 other BOM's this year. Neither of which I've started and both involve applique but it's only the 27th! I still have plenty of time. OMG ... it's already the 27th and I haven't started! How much applique does one have to do before one can no longer say, "I don't do much applique."? I might be there.

I've printed off and will (maybe) work on today, Bunny Hill's new pattern Snowbound. It's really cute, couldn't resist and it will be all machine appliqued in cottons. I'm going to try and figure out how to add the button on my side bar. Anne has a flicker group too so you can see everyone's progress.

The other BOM I'm doing (ok, planning to do) is Elsie Campbell's Love Knows No Season. Elsie has lots of tips on her blog for different methods of applique. I'll be doing the machine stitched with fusible method ... my favorite. The actual pattern for this is on Elsie's web site not her blog.
You can see the whole quilt on her web site.

I'll post pictures of the blocks if ... oops, I mean WHEN, I get them finished. The sun is out and the sky is really blue this morning. I've got an electrician in my sewing room trying to fix a lighting problem so I can't sew right now ... but I could be tracing off my applique pieces for these January blocks. OR ... I could go and catch up on some blog reading and be inspired!

2010 Block of the Month ... Snowmen!

Hadn't planned on doing it, really tried to resist, thought about it, tried not to think about it but I just don't think I can NOT do it. Have you seen the cuteness? You have to go and see Anne Sutton's new FREE 2010 Block of the Month ... http://bunnyhill.blogspot.com/ . I did her 2009 Baskets (top is finished and waiting to be quilted). Great designer! Guess I'm doing the snowmen this year.

Someday I might even figure out how to add a link using just a word, without the whole URL showing.