Sunday, April 24, 2011

It pays to prep ahead of time.

Being behind on my block of the month, I thought it wise to prep all five of my blocks while I had the time. What I am finding out is that when the stitching bug hits me, all I have to do is sit down and stitch. 
Novel idea, right?

Well, I checked back on my last post and it has only been four days since I finished the last block.

Block #19 is now done, too. 


That's pretty quick for me.  I mean, there has been work, there's been shopping and Easter all within those four days, so I am thinking that all my prep work has paid off. 

I'll have to remember that the next time.  yeah, right.....I am usually not that organized, but it is a good thought.

I have my next block all picked out to work on, but it is going to go into my suitcase.  I am heading to Paducah via St. Louis. 

I am meeting up with my friend Sandy who lives in St. Louis


and we are driving to Paducah and meeting up with a bunch of friends there to enjoy the big AQS show.  It's the 27th annual show.  I have been there a couple times and it is well worth going to if you have never been there before. 


I don't have a quilt in the show this year, but I can always dream!

I'll see you when I get back and with some pictures, too, I am sure.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

#17 Cherry Trees is done.


This is the first of my five prepped blocks that I just completed.  I picked an easy one just to get some quick satisfaction....and it is satisfying to see my pile a little smaller. 

Now I am going to pick out the next easiest one just to get another one  done.  I feel like I am on a roll. 

See you soon.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Getting some stuff done.

Finally getting to some of my own quilting.  Everything had been on hold since I was working on the wedding quilt.

I have five blocks prepped and ready to stitch for the Beyond the Cherry Tree Quilt Album (that's how far behind I am).

#15 through #19 have all the pieces (or almost all) glue basted down with Roxanne's glue.  These aren't in any specific order.

This next one requires numerous cherries/grapes and from what I have heard there are over a hundred. 


This next one doesn't have all its pieces glued down as there are way too many and some of them are layered so  I didn't want them falling off while I was working on the block. 


In between all this prepping, I made another "star birthday block" for my exchange and it is ready to be mailed. 


What a good feeling to be sewing for myself again.  Just maybe I can make a dent in my sewing room that seems to have been ignored for quite some time. 

Hope to be back soon with a finished block.....or two. 

Monday, April 11, 2011

Beyond the Cherry Trees has been on hold until now.....

Beyond the Cherry Tree Quilt Album has been on the back burner for some time now, but I am hoping to get back on track real quick.


Block #15 is where I stopped.  I just need to trace the pattern on my background fabric and then I am good to go.

# 16, 17, 18 are all prepped as far as pattern pieces go; and I have just printed out the pattern for #19 that was put up for download yesterday.

The latest thing holding me back from working on this project was prepping for my daughter's bridal shower.


Prior to that was my oldest daughter, husband, three little boys (almost 2, 4 and 6) , a dog and a cat moved  into our house after they sold their house and then working on getting their new house move- in ready (two months).  So we moved them out, moved them in and moved them out again.

Prior to THAT, my father-in-law passed away  and we had to move all his stuff out of his house and get that house ready to sell.

...and prior to that, my mother-in-law passed away and we had to move her things out of the assisted living and then settle her estate. 

If you are thinking of moving.... please don't ask for help!

In and amongst all those things, I was working on my daughter's wedding quilt (top priority) which is now at the quilters.  (sigh)


I don't mean to sound like I am complaining.  Life is what it is; and you do what you have to do, but it is time for ME and I really NEED to get back to my Cherry Trees.  

Although,.... I did find some time to  finish another Elm Creek Quilts book....The Quilter's Homecoming, but now I have to make some progress on some of my own quilting, so hopefully the next time you see me post, it will be something about my latest Cherry Trees block.  

Wish me luck! 

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Just like chips.....

chips...you can't eat just one;

and the same goes for the "Just One Star" challenge


I couldn't just make one, so I made two.   I am sure most of you have heard about the challenge by Moda to make just one star.  If not, you can read about it here.

I would, also, like to share with you the beautiful fabric that I found this weekend to back my daughter's wedding quilt. 



It is Wild Rose by Blackbird Designs (Moda) and I really love it.  I think it will really compliment the brown and pink triple Irish chain.  Can't wait to get this one quilted. 

Well, enjoy the last few hours of your weekend.  I know I have enjoyed the few hours I have gotten to spend in my sewing room NOT working on the wedding quilt. 









Friday, April 1, 2011

This is not an April Fool's joke.....

The wedding quilt "top" is DONE!!!

I said I wouldn't post anymore pictures of it until it was done and my goal was to have it done by the end of March, so I am thinking April 1st isn't too bad.

Anyways, yesterday there was a pile of blocks.


Doesn't look like much, does it?  There are 25 blocks but each of them will finish out at 20".

Then I sewed the rows and got them all pressed.


With no one here to hold it up for me, this is the best that I can do to show you the quilt.  It measures 100" square. 





Now I am off to look for a backing. 

If I can get this quilted and back sometime in May, I should be able to get the binding on (which is made) and have it stitched down BEFORE the reception, not AT it.   

I will post pictures of the totally completed quilt hopefully before June.  

Yeah....I can finally start  something new. 


Michigan quilters, take note

  Come see us at our first Quilter's to Quilter's sale.   Don't know what that is?  Well, it will be 28 quilters/vendors selling...