Quilt Block Challange

I really wonder some days where the Procrastinator Gene came from. Neither of my parents are procrastinators, is it a learned trait?  We got back from Cold Spring last week and lately I haven't felt like doing ANYTHING.. Minus, playing on the computer. My old stand bye include : email, facebook & pinterest.  Tho, I've been playing alot of Sims 3 lately. :)   It wasn't until I was walking through the local Variety Store that inspiration hit. I got in to a conversation with the owner whom I've known for years. It's nice to walk into a store and they know your name. :) She was packaging up the 'Annual Quilt Block Contest' at the Dodge County Fair. It was something I was totally unaware of.. 

The rules are simple: available to the first 20 quilters, you MUST use all 4 fat quarters in the block (DO NOT ADD ANY EXTRA FABRIC) and make one 12 1/2" square. Next year the blocks will be sewn together and auctioned or raffled off.  So, as I walked out to my car with my treasures 'Quilt Block Kit' included.. I now wonder what kind of block I will make.. I'm really partial to 8 pointed stars and I know this REALLY cool way to make 3D flying geese..

Here are the fabrics, I'm wishing there was a cream. I showed my sisters on Sunday and we decided the closes thing to a cream would be the light blue. So, this will be a challenge for me. I love the fabrics tho.. The swirly blue, marblie green and the loon print. They remind me of the Minnesota Shop Hop Fabrics..

I see the light..

After the achey back and double seeing eyes.. I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I haven't done a sew sew session in such a long time.. 2 days of constantly sewing & I see quilting in my near future as well.. but here it is.. The quilt is from "Miss Rosie's Spice of Life Quilts" I love this book..  I plan sometime someday to do all the quilts in the book.. 

backing fabric

The colors are much brighter than my phone camera (yes it still works after the fall) shows... So.. without farther a due...

Enjoy~ And happy Stitches~

 Laura

Shattered...

So, I'm so clumsy...  Went into my sewing room a couple days ago.. Needed to cut a few more pieces of fabric for the pink & brown quilt I'm doing. Which is something I need to get done by MOTHERS DAY.. I've always been better under pressure.. Always..   SO... I had a stack I was carrying into my fabric haven.. Included Cell phone, fabric and a pad of paper.. Not in that order..  I must have moved just right and smack....

   There goes my phone...

So.. Uh mm... Thank God I have insurance on it.. But still..  Funny thing is.. They don't make my htc H2 anymore.. So I'd have to get a different phone as soon as I pay the deductible.. So.. I better get back to sewing the Pink & Brown Quilt..

Wish me luck~

 Happy Stitches~

 Laura

Quilt Retreat March 2012 Part1

So this year at retreat I didnt get as much done as I thought I would.. I remember in past years that I could stay up much later than I can now before my eyes would go double and heavy. I blame this on old age. I got to working on the "Simply Stars'' pattern.

 I really thought at first glace that I would be harder than It acctually was.. Funny how you can be sew intimadated in something but really REALLY its so much easier than meets the eye.. Funny..

First, I started by sewing my strips.. The pattern had it greens,purples, red, darker red, blue and tan.. I sometimes *not all the time* will follow the pattern colors.. This isnt one of those times.. I chose pink, blue, green and purples. I love bright vibrant colors- jewel tones.  Then, I cut templates (you can find the template fabric at like Michaels or Hobby Lobby- I would guess that Joanns would have it as well)

I sewed 6 of each color only because I was switching it up and only doing 4 colors and black borders.

The blocks themselves are sewing Y seams.. Its really not as hard as you think and don't pych yourself you, IT WILL TURN OUT.. And if it doesn't pull Jack the Ripper out and Start over..

They reminds me of paper airplanes..

The quilt is sewn on point at a diagional.. I rarely if ever put things on Point.. I may love a quilt or pattern but won't make it if its on point. (I made this one to prove to myself that YES! I CAN make it!! Mostly because T wants it.. and I needed to KNOW I could!!  I didn't use the template for the borders- didnt think that far- but cut a 4'' strip of fabric and winged it like I always do...

Yay!! Finally a WEEKEND off!!!!

Finally, after one hell of a week at the JOB.. I get a weekend off.. Oh what to do...

Day 28 of the Drop and give me 20 quilting challenge I got a little side tracked.. not by something sparkly but by an idea I'd had seen on pinterest.. Oh how I can spend hours on pinterest..   I went to the local 5&dime after work Thursday to pick out the border fabric for the Horse quilt.. The little lady who helped me was SO nice.. Armed with my fabric I headed towards the front to then get side tracked with the felt.. I saw these cute little heart bookmarks on Pinterest and thought ''I'm here, I should get this'' So...

 I made myself a little template out of some cardboard and away I went..  I don't know who I'll give them too.. I know a few people who still read actual books.. not just nooks. :)  I even hand embroidered them.. something I rarely do..  They are so so cute..              

Sew.. On day 27 of the Drop and give me 20 quilt challenge.. I was sitting in my sewing room in a bit of a funk.. You know what 'funk' you get into when you have things you SHOULD be doing but don't want to do them but yet don't really know what you WANT to work on???

Sew.. I went through my UFO box and found this wall hanging kit I've had FOREVER.. At first I wasn't really fond of the colors because they aren't colors that I would do.. you know? I switch out the drab purple they had in the kit for a more purple that I liked..  and started to sew, applique and quilt..

By 10ish I was done.. I even embellished it.. :) I have no idea where I'm going to put it or if it will be a gift but I got it done!!! I'm so proud of myself!! I even have a little hanger for it..

Now what to do today.. :-P I have the WHOLE day off.. Hubby it here too.. We don't have plans until this evening when we will go to T's for dinner.. I have a french silk pie to make.. if it works the Hubby will get one for his birthday coming up.. ;)

Happy sewing!!

Quilter's Snowday...

Armed with a doctored up mug of Double Black Diamond Extra Bold Coffee and the puppies I set off into my sewing oblivion.. :)  I got sew much done!! Its snowy and cold here in Minnesota (finally, but mother nature can take another holiday and bring back the 50's) I have entered my happy place. :)   I worked on my January Project, Black Urban Cabin.. I cut 2 quilts out. *yay me* and worked on a few mug mats that are belated Christmas gifts for a few friends.  Oh, and I started building houses from scraps thanks to Sister C who started doing these as well.. :)



Thurs 1/12/2012 block..

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Friday 1/13/2012 block.. see its 3"

I don't know about anyone else but to sew is like to breathe for me.. :)


my mug mats.. :) and binding options..



Urban Cabin..



Urban Cabin.. its SO pretty.. I'm so happy with the colors..