Brown Dirt Cottage

STOP WITH THE QUILTING ALREADY!!!!!!!

2011-12-13T11:38:00.001-06:00

And so I did.........I stopped quilting for a day!

I made this instead!!!!!

My Patty Cake Pincushion was sewn using MORE of my precious little crumbs!

It measures about 7 1/2" round. What better time could be spent surrounded by your

own fabric you made (see previous post), Yo Yos, rick rack some polka dots and a cute little vintage covered button used as a cherry on top?????

QUILTER DOWN!!! QUILTER DOWN!!!

2011-12-05T04:42:00.010-06:00

HEY....I may be down, but I'm not out!!!! For some unknown reason something happened to MY BACK last Tuesday!!! OUCH!!! It's been a mystery, but maybe vigorously shaking out those 10 blankets on the back porch may have had something to do with it....???? I'm not able to do much, I'm soooo mad, there are tons of things I need to be doing!!!

SO........I made some of these!!!!!!!

The only place my back feels better is sitting in my sewing chair with the ole heating pad. Not a bad spot to perch whilst I try to mend!!

Out comes my crumb bin! And boy do I ever have me some crumbs!!!!! I finally figured out I think the main reason I make quilts is so I can have scraps and crumbs to play!!! HA! ( no seriously)!

And when I say 'crumbs' I mean CRUMBS!!! I know some of you may think I'm crazy, but I save anything that will hold a seam all the way around and still have 'some'......yes, I said 'some' of the fabric showing. OK ANNIEO stop rolling your eyes!!!

Those 'crumbs' can quickly become larger pieces like these. LOOK...LOOK how cute they all play together! I usually keep some of these blocks made up, they are great for potholders and such. I make them 8 1/2".

Before you know it you can have THIS!!! If I sew the blocks all together with no sashing this is what I would get. I. LIKE.

This piece of fabric I made measures about 25" x 25". I am amazed that alllll those tiny pieces can turn into something that makes my heart sing so!!!!

Mr. Brown Dirt just stood at my design wall and was just mesmerized and in awe of those teeny tiny pieces that were mixed in! He likes it too!!!!

Check my sidebar under CRUMB THERAPY to read more about my CRUMB THERAPY/FABRIC MAKING.....I've enjoyed MAKING FABRIC since 2008!!!

..........it's snowing!

Scrappy Trips

2011-11-27T21:45:00.001-06:00

I am just W-A-Y crazy over these Trips Around The World Blocks!! This is what we are making for our November BLOCK LOTTO. I made 9 blocks this time to enter in the drawing. These blocks were made using 2 1/2" strips I had saved up in my scrap bins. Your strips only need to be 16" long and your finished block with be 12". The pattern was taken from one of Bonnie Hunters tutorials on her QUILTVILLE website.

One of the main reasons I LOVE this block is it's versatility. You can get totally different quilt looks by just playing around and re-arranging your layouts as you can see in the different photos.

This is one of my favorite layouts along with the layout of the first photo I posted.

These blocks are VERY easy to make, but require a little more extra time than most blocks but I think they are WELL WORTH IT!!

I HOPE I WIN THIS MONTH!!!!!!!

Down Memory Lane with Bonnie Hunter

2011-11-26T11:24:00.007-06:00

First quilts are always fun to see and to use as a comparison as to how far we have come. Some first quilts are comical and then some are quite grand and impressive. I think mine falls somewhere down towards the comical.

Bonnie Hunter over at Quiltville Blog has put up a link for anyone wanting to share their first quilts. She has a great post sharing about her first quilt!

Here is a photo of my first quilt (in the process of being finished). You can go HERE to read all about it. Finish photos also included!

Run over to Bonnie's blog and check out the other quilts......add your link too!

WHO CARES...!!!...???

2011-11-14T12:15:00.003-06:00

I DON'T...!!!! It hit me the other day and I literally stopped in my tracks and actually said out loud "WHO CARES"???? Who cares how many Q.U.I.P.'s I have??? In laymen's terms that is Quilts In Progress!!

I just couldn't stop beating myself up every time I wanted to start or try out a new pattern I would come across. I continually scolded myself and pledged NOT start anything else UNTIL I finished EVERY project that was piling up!! NO NO NO I would tell myself.

Most of my Q.U.I.P.'s don't need a whole lot to be finished. Some I get bogged down on finding or having the right borders or backing fabric. Some just need to be "sandwiched". I have 2 right now that are sandwiched, basted and just need to be quilted. I am "hand quilting" on one right now that will be slow going. One quilt I am thinking about sending out to be quilted, but the "jury" is still out on that one, after all, I REALLY REALLY would like to do them all myself. BUT, as the Q.U.I.P.'s pile grows I may be forced to let someone else quilt some of them.....wah wah wah!!!

I've decided not to fret on it anymore!! I WILL eventually get them all done!!

The WINNER of my little guessing game in my previous post about HOW MANY of these Q.U.I.P's I have IS......JANET O......the VERY FIRST commenter!!!! My mouth dropped open to the floor when the very first commenter guessed the exact amount I have which if 22!!!! Ok.....there, I said it....22! Interestingly, it really didn't hurt that bad to say it out loud. After all, some of you who guessed fessed up to how many you have and several of you have W-A-Y more than me!! LOLOL

Way to go Janet, we'll get together on your mailing address so I can mail you YOUR PRIZE for being such a good guesser. WAY TO GO JANET from Rogue Quilter Blog.

SOOOOO.....WHO CARES??? RIGHT???? I am right...aren't I???

Leaders and Enders Flimsy Finish

2011-11-09T10:44:00.005-06:00

YEP.......I've added another one to the PILE!!! I used Bonnie Hunter's Leader/Ender method to finally get this little flimsy created. It is her Basket-Weave-Strings quilt. I started this project way back HERE and I gave the instructions and a little tutorial on how I started it. This is a GREAT way to use up those pesky little strips and strings left over from other projects. I threw in a little bit of everything as I've shown in the following photos. I used a paper piece for my foundation and these blocks measure 5 inches.

This green strip is a LETTUCE print Mr. Brown Dirt bought me a Christmas or so ago. I did point it out to him that I was indeed using some of the fabric he gave me.

BUTTERFLIES outlined in some garish gold. The white with the blue design next to them is some cut up mens boxer shorts! Har har har!!!
OINK! OINK! Mr. Porky Pig jumped right in too!!!

I'm not sure how/where/when I ended up with this little tad of PINK FLAMINGO! Notice the AFTERNOON TEA selvedge in the upper right hand corner!

A-N-D these UGLY EASTER EGGS!!!!!

So SEE, this is an EXCELLENT way to get some OR ALL of those numerous and UGLY strips and strings out of your way!!! It's like getting a quilt for FREE!!!!! It was easy and mindless and I plan on doing another one or two. I could control the colors in the next one....Maybe RED WHITE and BLUE!!!

As I mentioned in the beginning about adding to the PILE, yes, I went through and rounded up ALL my Q.U.I.P.S......that's Quilts In Progress. I was amazed when I discovered how many I had. I should be ashamed!!! Do you care to make a guess as to how many I have PILED in the closet???? There might be a little prize if you guess it right!!

COTTON HARVEST is in full swing. Mr. Brown Dirt is already anxious for it to be over and I think he'll get his wish. Last year we harvested around 1800 bales of cotton and this year with the drought we will harvest only around 500 to 700 bales. Quite a difference indeed, but never fear, we always have CROP INSURANCE. Read about how we HARVEST right HERE.

Just to keep you informed.....COTTON PRICES are around $ 1.00 a pound right now. Mr. Brown Dirt says it will probable fall some before the year end. I WONDER if those FABRIC PRICES will fall some this year too???????????

3 Word Wednesday

2011-09-07T11:48:00.001-05:00

QUIETLY

S-L-O-W-L-Y

QUILTING

12 of 12 FINISHED and A QUESTION

2011-08-22T15:08:00.004-05:00

YIPPEE...WOO HOO...WOWZER and all that good stuff!!! I actually finished all 12 of the 12 blocks on my FIRST ever really truly ALL HAND APPLIQUED quilt!!!!!! I just had to put them up on the ole design wall to check them out!!! I must say I. LIKE.

You can go HERE to read how it all started!

I used the vinyl over-lay and needle turn method this go around, but there are some other methods out there I would like to try NEXT TIME. YES, there will be some more hand applique in my future.

OK, here's my question: these blocks are 20" in size. How in the world do I square them up or trim them down without having to buy one of those $60.00 dollar, over 20" rulers??????????

No Shopping Around Here

2011-08-19T15:54:00.000-05:00

Would you believe me if I told you the following items are THE ONLY sewing/quilty things I have purchased since FEBRUARY?????Just a little ole marking pen and some bees wax for my thread when I'm hand appliqueing.

AND THIS PATTERN!!!! OH be still my heart!!!! COG & WHEEL LOVE!!!

Yep, I've kind of been on a fabric strike. The average price farmers got for their cotton this past year was 84 cents a lb.......NOT the 1.50 the market was showing. You can check with the DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE to verify. Yes, some farmers did receive the higher prices, but MOST farmers had CONTRACTED their cotton before it was harvested.

COTTON HERE AT BROWN DIRT COTTAGE RECEIVED .75 CENTS A LB.

My local fabric store had already started MARKING UP their prices BEFORE we had even started harvest.

SOOOOO, I have been a little MIFFED at a LOT of those who used the news media and the price of the 1.50 a lb. the market guys were touting as an EXCUSE TO MARK UP THEIR PRICES ON OUR FABRICS!!!!!

OK......I'll get down from my soap box...........WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON??????

Hurt Feelings....

2011-08-15T01:05:00.005-05:00

Have you ever been working on a quilt or quilty project for someone and somewhere during the process they said or did something that hurt your feelings???? What did you do???

Did you ignore the hurt feelings and continue with the project and give the gift as was first intended OR did you quit and stop the project all together???? Well, this is what happened to me this past weekend!!!

Go here to see the quilty project I have been working on lately for my brother.

I called him this past weekend to try and tease him about his birthday gift I had been working on....NO, he was NOT interested. He was COLD, hurtful and let me know real quick he didn't WANT any gifts of any kind from me. He wasn't joking, he was short and curt with me!!

We did not have an easy life growing up!!! He being the oldest probable felt the cruelest aspect of it all! AS for ME, well, I was the only girl AND the true focus of our step father's abnormal affections!!! All and all, he and I being the two oldest SHARE the same life long effects of our childhood and those affects still cry out on occasion!!!

To make a l-o-n-g story short......MR. BROWN DIRT came to the rescue and told me..." Your brother can not help it.....he is not to blame for a lot of his feelings and actions....you are the only outlet he has for a lot of his frustrations....Just finish his quilt and send it to him...maybe it will help mend his heart"...............SO, I will....being sad and all.....I will finish what I started......but, I sure had the wind/fun of making his quilt knocked out of me!

Getting Started Is Half The Battle

2011-08-08T11:38:00.011-05:00

I've been collecting gently used recycled plaid shirts. I've had an idea for a quilt floating around in my ole noggin' for a while now.

Nice pile I have here to work with don't you think!!?

I began cutting 2 x 4 inch strips.......scattering the various pieces where I wanted them...BUT, I wasn't happy with how it was turning out. It looked so good in my mind!!! In real life it was just too boring!!

Sooooooo, I got jiggy with it!!! I thought some cute little stars were in order, I did those first and still thought all the pieces were too small and really busy and needed a little more contrast in the size of the blocks. I thumbed through one of my Bonnie Hunter/Quiltville books and decided on some of her UNION SQUARE blocks. They measure 12 inches. PERFECT!!!!

NOW......I think I'm on the right track don't ya think!!?? I rearranged some and I may rearrange again before I finish it!!

This quilt will be for my brother. He lives in COLORADO and I thought the plaids would be fitting for a MOUNTAIN MAN!! HA!

Cute Surprise

2011-07-30T19:11:00.000-05:00

Lookee what I got in the mail today!!! This CUTE CUTE CUTE little postcard!! What can I say.....I love it!!! My friend Julie over at Joe Tulips blog is a MASTER at making all things CUTE!!! She modge podged this up and sent it from Iowa to all the way down here to TEXAS! Click on her blog link above and go over and see how she makes these! THANKS JULIE!!!!

Here are the blocks I sewed up for the Block Lotto this month. It's just about time for the drawing. Maybe I'll win!!!!!

And here is a recent photo of the ole GOOBER dog. He's looking all serious and stuff.....don't you think????

Be Careful What You Wish For

2011-07-25T00:44:00.003-05:00

You just might get what you wish for if you wait long enough! And waiting might be a good thing. Remember that ole saying that "good things come to those who wait!!! WEll, good things came my way!!!!!

When you get what you waited for it might include A LOT of this!!! Sewing on papers and THEN removing all those papers!!!

It might also include separating out 12 months of blocks into their individual units!!

Because you waited there may be a TON of ironing and ironing AND ironing!!!!!! Lots of little tiny pieces to this project!

But look what you got for all that waiting!!! In January '2010' , I really really wanted to do this Susan Garman block of the month when EVERYONE else was doing it, after all, I am sooooo crazy for STARS!!! In fact, it was so popular Nedra over at the Cactus Needle set up a blog dedicated to just this STAR CRAZY block of the month that was featured on the Quilt Show! I think I had other things going at the time and I just didn't bring myself to buy the $225.oo+ kit at the time!! I was soooooo crazy over the fabrics in this project that I really wanted the kit. Could you hear my whining way over there in St. George Nedra?????

Well LO and BEHOLD Quilters Special had a 'special' on this monthly kit back in January of THIS year for 1/2 off!!! Yep....'cause I WAITED, I got this kit.....fabric (which was 23 yards and averaged around $5.oo-ish per yard.....printed pattern and all for

around $12o.oo-ish. KAPOW!!! What a deal!!!!!!

One of my favorite blocks so far! Isn't this amazing what I got for just waiting!!!! I have 6 months of this quilt done! Only 6 more monthly units left to do!!! YIPPEEEEE!!!!

DANG....I LOVE THIS QUILT.....'cause after all, I'm allllll about STARS!

Have You Ever......?????

2011-07-20T13:55:00.001-05:00

I HAVE!!!! I've done it numerous times, in fact, I do it ALL THE TIME!!! I've done it outside.......I've done it in my swim suit and I've even done it in my night gown. I especially like to do it in my fancy flip flops........and I look really good doing it when my toenails are painted up cute!!!

I wash my hair outside with the garden hose!!!!!! Yep, I do!!! OK, I know you can see that my shampoo there is for colored hair. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!!!

Shampoo.........Rinse............Repeat..........

WOW...........THAT'S BRISK BABY!!!!!!!

....... with this heat...... my hair is steaming under my towel and I'll be dry and done in about 10 minutes..................now.......doesn't that feel better!!!

This is as dangerous as I'll be living today Joe Tulips!!!!!

Learning Something New

2011-07-18T12:00:00.004-05:00

YES....I'm learning/teaching myself to hand applique! Here are 8 of the 12 blocks I have done so far!

Over a year ago I bought this kit from Piece O Cake for just 30.00 dollars!! Can you believe it!!! I was drawn to this pattern for it's old fashion look and feel AND for the great price! It also looked like an easy one for me to start with.

I am using the Piece O Cake way by just needle turning.....BUT... I have seen some other very interesting ways to do hand applique that I am soooo anxious to try! I haven't pressed any of the blocks yet and I hope all those little pin holes will disappear....aarrrgghh! I am using the tiny sequin pins they suggest!

These blocks are 20 inches! I must say it has been difficult for me at times getting all that fabric wadded up in one hand so I can keep it flat/smooth and easy to stitch. I have come to realize that solid fabrics show every little flaw as well.

But LOOKEE......here are blocks 9 & 10 of the 12.......yippee, I'm getting closer to a finish, and believe it or not I knew exactly how I was going to HAND quilt it before I even started, that is usually a big hold up for me in getting some of my quilts finished. I LOVE this quilt!!!!

Here are just a few of my Hand Applique Hereos:

Susan from SueGarman.blogspot.com

Janet from Quiltsalott.blogspot.com

Teresa from Fabrictherapy.blogspot.com.......Teresa has a fabulous 3 part tutorial on her process....go HERE to read about it!

Carrie from Apassionforapplique.blogspot.com

Go check out these gals and see the FABULOUS work they do!!! They are AMAZING!

I Just Plain Forgot

2011-06-22T22:13:00.017-05:00

Shame on me, I've been such a bad quilty blogger and forgot to share some of my past little projects.
Pot pads I made for an 'unannounced' giveaway drawing I had last fall. They turned out w-a-y cute, wish I had made me one too! I ran out of the red/white strip binding fabric and DARN IT I can't find anymore.....wah!

The back showing how I quilted them.

I received this FABULOUS hand crafted Christmas postcard from my friend Julie who blogs over at Joe Tulips Quilts. She sent it to me after I whined and whined that I needed one!! HA! Do any of you know WHY I thought I needed one???? She is SOOOOOOOO crafty and creative. Run over and check out her one of a kind FUN quilts!

And yes the ever so TALENTED Nanette from Freda's Hive sent me this WONDERFUL Missy Christmas Caroler during this past holiday season. I just LOVE her!!!! She is just adorable and I have left her out so I am STILL enjoying her. THANKS NANETTE!!!

I whipped up this house block for Beth over at Love Laugh Quilt blog. A few months back she had all who wanted to participate to sew up a house block, send it in and she picked a winner of all the blocks. DARN, I wasn't the winner!

I used up some of my scraps, strips AND CRUMBS for some great potholders/pot pads to give out for Christmas stocking stuffers and party hostess gifts. I had already given some out before I remembered to take any photos. All of these from tiny pieces that a lot of quilters chunk in the trash.

AND FINALLY I got my letters finished and sewn together for my LONG IN THE TOOTH Halloween quilt that seems to just go on and on!. This is the LONGEST string of letters I have sewn together.

AND A BIG THANK YOU to DONNA at LAVENDER NEST!! She awarded me with THE STYLISH BLOG AWARD....THANKS DONNA!...go here to see who else won.

So there you have it...........who knows, there may be some more I've forgotten!

I HATE borders

2011-04-07T15:23:00.004-05:00

........WEll......sort of........seems I dread doing them! I have several tops that would be finished if only I would just add the borders. It's not that I actually HATE the borders......borders add soooo much to a quilt. The main issue is WHAT I have to go through to add them. I don't have a table or counter long/large enough to accommodate laying out the whole quilt so I can measure and fit the borders to my top.....sooooooo.....here's where my love/hate for borders begin. Push the living room furniture aside.....drag out the vacuum and vacuum ONLY an area big enough for the quilt top....after all, I'm into borders at the time and NOT into vacuuming the whole room......spread out my top and THEN.....AND THEN.....this is when all the bending and squatting starts.....crawling around getting carpet burns on my knees......struggling to keep the GOOBER dog off the top so everything stays flat and smooth. By now I am working up a sweat and I turn on a little fan close by to help keep me cool and calm AND THEN the fan keeps blowing up my quilt top....SOOOOO, off goes the fan......LOLOL.....by now my fat butt has been up and down so much it's ridiculous!!!! BUT I REMAIN DETERMINED!!! The photo above is a close up of one I am working on today.....look at all those tiny pieces......these are called PARALLELOGRAMS!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this border but I HATE HATE HATE the process of getting it attached!! Those borders are getting added to this top. I participated in Bonnie's latest mystery quilt she featured over at her website Quiltville. This one is called Roll Roll Cotton Boll.....AND being a farm gal married to a guy who farms COTTON I figured I should do this one. I used up ALL of my white/off white scraps and strips. It felt good to get that bin emptied so I could freshen it up with some new prints! I didn't make mine as large as her instructions but I think mine will be plenty large. I have already been crawling around on the floor today adding a 1 3/4" bright green inner border with tiny white dots that is not shown in this photo. That tiny green border really made the top pop.....that is when I REALLY decided I liked the quilt. OK....I'm off to grunt and groan some more.....my plan is to get ALL the outside borders sewn on today. And if I'm NOT TOO SORE maybe I'll tackle the borders on my BUTTERFLY quilt. Does any of the above sound familiar?......WHAT DO YOU do when it's time for you to add your borders???

Pathetic......

2011-04-02T11:28:00.000-05:00

YEP.....that would be ME!.....PATHETIC..... in a LOT of areas! I can't believe how long it has been since I blogged.....WOW, has it really been 4 months already??? Well, I HAVE done a FEW things in all this time I have been off. The only way I know to catch up IS to just START CATCHING UP with some photos of what has been going here at BROWN DIRT COTTAGE! I will start with the BLOCK LOTTO blocks I have made. Above photo are OCTOBER blocks.

NOVEMBER BLOCK LOTTO

MARCH BLOCK LOTTO

Even GOOBER...THE DOG is showing signs of PATHETICNESS {is that even a word}? Look at him...lounging....in the sun...all warm and cozy....a crunchy orange snack not far from reach. I guess like 'owner'...like 'dog'!!! COME ON GOOBER.....we MUST snap out of it and GET BACK into the GROOVE!!!!

I promise to share more 'CATCH UP' photos in the coming days! I have missed EVERYONE....have you missed ME????

Change is Good

2010-11-18T18:04:00.001-06:00

Yes....I think there comes a time when CHANGE is good and much needed. CHANGE can come when you plan it and then again CHANGE can be forced upon you when you least expect it. This has been a hard year for Mr. Brown Dirt and myself dealing with his sick father. I soooo want to thank each and everyone of you who left heart warming comments on my previous post concerning the passing of our loved one. Our lives CHANGED this past year and continues to CHANGE each day after his passing. We have so many good memories though!!

I was in the middle of another CHANGE when father in laws sudden death occurred. I finally found some much needed new living room furnishings. Of course, NOTHING matches!! Soooo the paint color must be CHANGED. The curtain/drapes must be CHANGED. Here is how my living room has looked for 3 weeks now. My room is in a total mess, well...actually my whole house is sort of in a mess. The green is what is being CHANGED and that is primer you see there.

The mustard colored walls in Mr. Brown Dirt's office must be CHANGED too!!! This is the color he wanted, but I think 15 yrs. of me looking at it is long enough!!! I have already started priming it too.

The most CHANGE I need in my life is a little extra time. I need to make some CHANGES on how I spend my time. My house is in total disarray and the holidays are bearing down on me fast! I want to spend a little time being who I was before I started blogging and spending so much time on the computer. Soooo, it's time for a CHANGE here at Brown Dirt Cottage. I will be taking some much needed time out from blogging. This CHANGE will be good for me and maybe I can come back soon refreshed and with a clean and orderly house!!!! I may check in with some of you from time to time but I will not be posting for a while!! See ya!

Sad Day

2010-11-05T10:22:00.000-05:00

Mr. Brown Dirt's father left this earth early this morning. He will be missed but we are glad his struggle and pain are gone for good! He was a hard working farmer man who loved his garden and the outdoors. Rest in peace Ed........

I Made Some Stars

2010-11-02T14:39:00.005-05:00

Yes...I made some stars.......9 to be exact. That made me 9 chances of winning for this months drawing in the BLOCK LOTTO. I joined up the first of October because the block for the month was variable stars. Well, if you have followed my blog for these last couple of years you know i love stars!!! They are so versatile and fun to make. You can't mess them up....in fact i try to mess them up! The goofier you make them the more interesting they become! These are the largest stars I have ever made. These will measure a 9" finished block. So here is a parade of the ones I made. Hope you like them as much as I do!

The main reason for this post is to let you know I WON! I WON! Yes, I was one of the winners. There were so many stars made this month there was enough to have 5 winners this time. The first 4 winners will receive 48 stars each and the 5th winner will receive what is left. I was one of the top 4. So....I will be getting to keep the 9 i made and will have 39 more being sent to me in the ole snail mail. YIPPEE!!!!!!

You should go check out the BLOCK LOTTO. There is no commitment. You can choose any month or block we are making on any given month. All you have to do is make anywhere from 1 to 9 blocks. It's your choice to make as many as you have time for. It's a LOT OF FUN!!

I also talked my bloggy friend SHARON from INDIGO THREADS into joining this last month and she WON TOO!!!! Isn't that crazy!!!! I must say.....Sharon probable likes me pretty good about now!!!!

My Fall Quilt Festival Quilt

2010-10-29T17:31:00.012-05:00

Here is my selection for Amy's Fall Quilt Festival. This is a Quiltville pattern...Chunky Churndash I made back in 2008/2009. I soooo love the scrappiness of it. I guess scrappy quilts are just about my favorite. The whole quilt was sewn with 'stash' scraps and yardage. The navy blue fabric is about 25 yrs. old, leftover from some curtains w-a-y back in the 80's when 'country blues' were all the rage. Was I ever glad to finally find a use for it.

I am a die hard hand quilter!!! I find it so relaxing and find the 'dip and dot' look most appealing .....but yes, I have machine quilted some of my other quilts and still plan on doing more. Hand quilting is time consuming and I'm already pretty behind on my finished tops.

I chose to hand quilt concentric circles for this one. I measured to find the center and just drew myself a 2 inch circle and went from there. I think my circles are about 1 1/2 inches apart. Don't you just love this photo of the back. I love it best 'cause it's finished!!!!

Now run on over to Amy's blog and check out the rest of the fabulous quilts. Blogger won't let me link from Amy's name above so just go to my sidebar and click on the Festival Button and it will take you right there.

......GOT WORDS?????

2010-10-05T00:05:00.001-05:00

OH YEH.........I'm gonna have me some words!!!

Well.....I'm working towards it anyway. It's been a while since I made any letters/words and I feel a little rusty. I finished sewing all the sashing/blocks together and I think this quilt is going to be pretty cute!!!

.........LOL....... Looks like a pumpkin threw up in here!

Are YOU working on anything Halloweeny????

Halloween Quilt

2010-10-01T00:19:00.003-05:00

I pulled out my Halloween Swap blocks from last year and spent a little time arranging the blocks how I might want them. Some of the blocks I received are w-a-y off the size they should be and some were not finished and so I just put it up last year and thought I would deal with the 'problems' at a later date. When I pulled these out and put them up on the design wall I found that I really like the blocks better now than I did last year when they first arrived. I think I agonized and spent sooooo much time on my boo/ghost blocks to swap that when we finally swapped I was just tired of it already! So this morning I finished a few needing attention and think I have come up with a few ideas to correct the ones that are not large enough. I am playing with this today......auditioning fabrics for sashing/borders etc. or whatever I decide to do! YEAH FALL!!!!

I also need to get these sweet little Halloween panels 'sandwiched' and quilted. My friend Gail (no blog) sent me these last year and I miss-placed them for a while. Boy, was I relieved when
I found them.......LOL.....you know how we quilters are.....they were not where they should have been. They measure about 20"x 24". I think they will be great for machine quilting practice!

I want to spend a 'few' minutes thumbing through these today. I'm a pack rat when it comes to my magazines....I never get tired of any of them!! I have Country Living all the way back to 1982...LOL....hey, it's ok if you throw yours out....but, I think some of the decorating ideas still apply for today...especially for the different seasons. I keep them stored in monthly order so at a glance I can pull out a few that fit the month I'm in for a quick inspiration! And besides, the Country Living seems to have quilts on every page!!

I also tear out cute idea pages to keep from some magazines I don't save....look...look at these fun ideas I might use on my porch or table to enhance the seasons here at Brown Dirt Cottage!

Talk about inspiration.......I LOVE this table scape!!!! YEAH FALL!!!!!

dots and flowers

2010-09-26T16:12:00.001-05:00

Fort Worth Fabric Studio is a very good thing!! Dots and Windham feedsack florals galore. Jodie carries a lot of the newer designer fabrics at extremely reasonable prices. I think most of the yardage I have here was less than 8.00 a yard. Of course I had to add in sales taxes being we are in the same state and all, but I don't mind supporting my great state of TEXAS!

I was needing those feedsack florals for more of these.....! I have loved working on these hexies through the summer...perfect carry along projects.....and believe me....all I seemed to get done this summer was the 'carry alongs'! Yeh.....'cause I was carrying myself here and there and then carrying myself here and there some more! My little hexie flowers are about 10 inches in size. Oh yes.....my hexies in the middle are chocolate brown.....they look sort of black in this photo!

And remember when I showed you this on my previous post???

Well.....here is what was inside!!! How wonderful!! Sharon from Indigo Threads Blog sewed up the cutest zippered bags. The black one there on the left is made from a vinyl type mesh (reminds me of screen door mesh only better) and the blue fabric band she added in with the rick rack is from some of her 1920's vintage...I.LIKE. The other one is called a humbug bag...I'm crazy over the odd shape. Great goodies Sharon....thank you soooo much! This is from a Pay it Forward....Sharon featured this on her blog a while back. If there is anyone who would like to participate....leave a comment and let me know. You have a whole year to complete your little projects.

15 Minutes....

2010-09-24T13:15:00.001-05:00

Here is what I did with my 15 minutes this morning....I sewed these tee ni-knee half square triangles together! They measure about 1 1/4 inches big (or small)!! Aren't they cute!!!

If there is anyone out there who doesn't plan on using their 15 minutes today....could you send them my way!!!

Those half square triangles were left over from this project. But more on this later 'cause they are some goodies I need to get sent out to 3 FAB....and I do mean FAB fellow bloggers!

And my 'snail mail' left this at my door too.....More on this later.........................

If you want to know more about the 15 minutes....run over to Victoria's blog here....look on her sidebar and click on the 15 minute Sew-a-Long.....you'll be glad you did!!!

Sunflowers EVERYWHERE....

2010-09-21T17:40:00.001-05:00

AAaaaaaagghhhhh.....this SUNFLOWER panel REALLY speaks to me!!! This piece is the right size to make a BEAUTIFUL table runner. A little while back I received another surprise package from my friend GAIL (no blog....lives in Michigan). If you have followed my blog in the past you have seen other wonderful boxes of fabric goodness she has sent my way. THANK YOU GAIL!!!

GAIL also included this generous pile of various FAB sunflower fabrics!

These are SUNFLOWERS I have INSIDE......now let's go OUTSIDE and look at a few real ones....afterall.....it's HARVEST TIME!!

Looks more like Aliens rather than Sunflowers! I think I see different personalities too...don't you? HA!

SMILE Mr. Sunflower..................this is about the size of an EXTRA LARGE dinner plate.

Look at them bowing...looks like they are giving homage to the great GREEN gathering machine. toooooooo funny!

Hey Mr. Brown Dirt...REALLY!!! PLEASE let me go dig out that yellow can of spray paint!!!

WOW...WOW........LOOK VICTORIA......I have one too! GAIL also created this w-a-y too cute table topper for me. What can I say? I LOVE IT!!

Here is the flip side to the topper. Yeee-ow....this is where the work is! Just millions of fabulous fabrics. I especially like the little hot pinks and reds GAIL slipped in here and there. There are some sparkle-ee ones too.....And what about that JUMBO RIC RAC!!!!!! This circle measures about 40 inches. GAIL sent one to VICTORIA too and gave a 'HOW TO' on this topper over on VICTORIA'S blog HERE.

MORE goody fabric piles sent by Gail......just can not wait to cut into some of it.

I LOVE...LOVE this panel.......THANKS AGAIN GAIL!!

And last but not least.......LOOK at this GREAT array of inspiration GAIL included in my package!! GAIL is always so generous with me and soooo encouraging to me in our email exchanges. I LOVE EVERYTHING GAIL....THANK YOU...THANK YOU....THANK YOU!!!

CLAMSHELL UPDATE

2010-08-31T20:10:00.002-05:00

OH MY GOODNESS........LOOK...LOOK...it's finally becoming a REAL quilt top and not just a bunch of weird looking shapes that had me scratching my head more than once as I experimented and worked my way through to this point. So far the larger piece shown above is 65 " x 37" with 3 more '2-row' sections ready to sew on. YEAH!
For my Clamshell Club update I thought I would share some more tips and processes I used. Kind of a part 2 to my TUTORIAL I posted about here.

I took Gina's tip and made a large template/grid to pin to my ironing board. I drew a line across the bottom of the paper and then traced my clamshell pattern, tracing them on in the manner they would be sewn. NOTE: the clamshell pattern I used to trace here was the one minus the seam allowance on the rounded top edge. Thanks Gina, I really think this helped me!!

I folded my clamshell pieces in half and finger pressed a crease down the middle. No worry, by the time you 'man handle' and sew all your pieces together this crease will disappear.

Using the creases to help line up top and bottoms for a good vertical straightness. Pin pieces into place...pushing pins down into your ironing board to hold down your lined up clamshells. I like these big balled pins, they really help hold everything together good....especially if you push them all the way down. You will have to push them down at an angle, but be sure not to distort you lined up pieces.

When you have your ironing board template/grid full, pin your clamshells together using your tiny sequin pins.

After pinning...be sure to flip over and always check the backside. You need to be sure all your seam allowances line up and look good. You don't want to be ripping out and having "do-overs" later....trust me...I am speaking from experience!!!!!!!!

I only pinned and worked with 2 row sections.......see first photo again.

When I was ready to sew my "2-row" sections to the rest of my ever growing top I just laid out the larger section onto the ironing board template/grid.

Lining up the bottom of each clamshell like I've shown here.

Using the faint crease lines to keep the clamshells vertically straight.

Using the same process used for the '2-row' sections. Only this time you can't see the top of the template/grid.

So this is what I did...stick a pin in the top of the clamshell. Holding the pin down into the fabric.

Flip over and line pin up with the marked lines.

Just add your '2-row' section.....still using those crease lines as your guide for lining everything straight. By doing the process in '2-row' sections I'm not having to man handle or carry around the whole quilt top as I work on it. I know some will think this seems like a lot of trouble but I have tried all types of ways to keep the clamshells straight and this turned out to be the best way for me. I usually pin a bunch together and have several sections ready at a time. I must say...I don't like the standing at the ironing board part but this process works pretty fast for me.

I hope I have explained this clearly. Please feel free to leave any questions in my comment section and I will get back with you through email.

I've MISSED EVERYBODY......I know I have been missing in action lately. Lots going on, but I'm hoping things will settle down soon and I can get back to normal.

I Just CAN NOT Wait

2010-07-23T11:36:00.001-05:00

My friend Tonya over at the Lazy Gal Quilting blog has finally gotten her book finished and is now waiting for the publication. Isn't this a GREAT lookin' book!!! I am SOOOO excited to finally see the cover. All of these words were sewn by her quilty blogging friends....see mine??? It's the word 'HUGS' down there on the right. DARN IT.....I'm gonna have to wait until December before it comes out but I guarantee you it will be worth it!!!! Tonya has been one of THE major influences in my quilting. She was SOOOO helpful to me when I first started blogging AND quilting. She is tireless in how quick she is to help and answer any questions you might have, whether it's about quilting OR bloggy/computer problems. SHE is the one who encouraged AND helped me start my own blog two years ago. THANKS TONYA and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!

Go check out her blog and her new website. YOU WILL BE INSPIRED!!!!!

Butterfly Block Sewing

2010-07-06T08:32:00.007-05:00

No fireworks here in my area this past weekend.....just Rain Rain Rain....about 5 inches at my house......BUT....I did jump into sewing up some of these cute little butterfly blocks I saw on Nedra's blog Cactus Needles. Nedra saw them on Amy's blog Mrs. Schmenkman Quilts . Amy then saw them on Choccy Bangles blog.......well.....you get the picture. Just giving credit where credit is due...Something that seems 'lacking' in some other bloggers. It's just good manners ladies!!!!

Butterflies are usually flitting around flowers aren't' they....sooooo, I chose floral print fabrics and I opted for chocolate brown for my background instead of the black. I love the black the other gals used but wanted to experiment with something different. I had decided I didn't like them at first...but the more I sewed up the better I liked them as a whole. I really like this pattern. Thanks sooooo much AMY for working out the pattern/tutorial for us!!!

Goober is growing and growing. He is waiting here for a scrap of fabric to fall to the floor so he can grab it and run!!!

...............He is just too funny!

Clamshell Tutorial

2010-06-30T16:54:00.009-05:00

Back in March I started a Clamshell quilt. See here and here. I Googled one day to see what was out there about the Clamshell - NOT MUCH.....but, I did come across Jossie's blog and discovered she was forming a CLAMSHELL CLUB.....YES, I joined!!! The last day of each month we post our progress. Today is the first post and I decided to give the tutorial everyone asked about in March when I first posted about it........SO......here goes! The above photo shows to pick your pattern. My Clamshell pattern measures 5 inches across it's very widest and is 6 inches long. If you clicked on the 2 here's above, you will find the history on where and when I got my pattern from.

I made 2 patterns pieces just alike.....trimming the top seam allowance off of one. I use self laminating pages to help stabilize my pattern pieces.

Using one of your patterns with all the seam allowances, trace onto your fabric, making sure you line up the grain of your fabric with the arrows on your pattern....very important!
I use what they call a mechanical pencil...the kind you add your own lead to...for tracing my patterns. These pencils make very sharp thin lines. I also use a quilters Sandpaper Board to lay my fabric down for tracing. These are soooo great, your fabric stays put and doesn't pull or bunch up while you are trying to trace.

Cut out using a small rotary cutter. The blade on this cutter of mine measures 1'' across.

Now.....take your pattern that is minus the top seam allowance and line up the bottom edges.

I simply used my left hand to hold down.........

then I used my right hand index finger/fingernail to fold down the top edges to form a nice crease all along the rounded tops edge. You could also use a hard object like this small ruler to form you crease, but I found my fingers worked better and it was a lot faster.

I usually started at the top/middle and worked my way all the way down.

See the nice crease I made all along the top! You could then use a washable glue to tack it down......be careful......too much glue will make your fabric sooooo hard and stiff you won't be able to get a needle through it. There are some nice glue pens out there, but I am just using what I have on hand.

Or your could hand baste it down like I've shown.

I take one Clamshell and lightly fold in half at the top and bottom and line it up vertically using my creases as a guide to help line it up using the graph lines on my June Taylor mini ironing pad.....remember, at this point I am working from the backside. Take 2 other Clamshells and place as I've shown.

Using the graphed lines and 'eye-balling' the 2 pieces, you can line them up fairly straight. I am not overly concerned with having pristine straight rows......after all, who is going to 'whoop' out a straight edge to see if you are all lined up.

I am still 'mulling' over some other ideas to improve this step. I'll let you know if I work out something better.

I then use small tiny sequin pins to attach my 3 pieces. I guess you could use glue here too....I've not tried!

Here is the side you will be hand stitching the pieces together. I simply try to match my applique threads with the printed Clamshell fabric and use a basic applique stitch. I start at the right hand side there and stitch down to the bottom middle and then back up again to the left hand side stitching the 2 muslin pieces to my vintage printed piece.

Here is a view of how your back side will look after you've stitched them together.

I usually work in groups of 3's and 5 Clamshells. I find it is more 'portable' this way and can be good handwork when I travel. My design wall here shows you the different size groups I work with. When I have a more extended period of time to work on them I sew all the groups together to start forming my rows. So far, this has proved to be a very fast and easy system for me.

I hope this is clear and simple enough to follow. Please feel free to email with any questions you might have. OK.....I'm off to work on 'a few' before the day is over. Run over to Jossie's and check her sidebar and click on some of the gals who are also creating this little Clamshell project. HAPPY CLAMMING YA'LL!!!!

OK......Now W-h-e-r-e Were We???

2010-06-29T11:40:00.005-05:00

Let me think.......Oh yes....I had a reunion quilt I was working on. I guess I should let you in on the final results of that. For those who may not follow along regularly you can read about the quilt drama here and here. The quilt pattern I finally decided on for the reunion auction quilt was the 4 Patch and Furrows. I was finishing it up the day my reunion started so I didn't take any photos because it is so close to looking the same as the 4 Patch and Furrows one I made here. My 35th class reunion was a blast and our Saturday night auction was VERY successful. I am proud to proclaim my quilt brought $875.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was sooooooo proud and excited and would have been more ecstatic if that $875.00 had been going into MY pocket!!! My classmate Sharon is helping hold the quilt during the auction and that 'fellow' classmate is our famous auctioneer Mr. Assiter. He auctions off those high dollar cars over on the speed channel...some of your hubbies may have heard and seen him there. He is THE reason my quilt brought such a high dollar!!

I also had another one of my sneaky snake drawings....yes I DID!!! I just appreciated all the help, time, encouragement and suggestions all you lovely ladies left for me while I was trying to work on the 'house' reunion quilt!!! SOOO from the 64 commenters I had from THIS post I drew out 3 names......the lucky winners were..

RHONDA from RAVELLY BLOG
KAREN DIANNE from LIVING LIFE AT LEEHAVEN
TERESA from FABRIC THERAPY BLOG
These gals will receive a little goody from me in the mail as soon as I can get an extra minute!

Mr. Brown Dirt and I have also been dealing with his elderly 88 yr. old father. Tried to do the assisted living..they suggested a few days in the hospital...hospital said NO....so while we were trying to get him into a rest home he fell and broke his hip......next came the surgery and hospital stay and we all traded out sitting with him so he wouldn't be alone.....lots of sleepless nights....BUT, he is now back and safely tucked into the rest home we wanted him in who just happened to have an open bed...yay!! The rest home and FIL's home is in another town about 30 miles from us.....SO, Mr. Brown Dirt now has 2 yards and homes to upkeep and farm and deal with all his other responsibilities!! I'm sure a lot of you out there have been through all of this too!!! We hope he will recover physically....it is sad because his mind is still sharp as a tack!!!

A bright spot in all of this was a lovely package I received from Wanda at Exuberant Color! She offered to share some of her vintage fabrics for me to include in my Clamshell quilt. I thought it was funny when she wrote she thought some of them were ugly but hoped I could find a use for them elsewhere.....They are all wonderful and GREAT Wanda!!!

LOVE!!!

More LOVE!!!

I plan on using each and everyone in my quilt!!! THANK YOU soooooo much. By the time I add the vintage fabrics from my Munner's stash and the ones Sharon and Wanda have shared, this is going to be SOME SPECIAL QUILT to me!!!!

I also realized my 2 yr. blog anniversary came and went on June 24.....there just hasn't been much time for concentrating on the ole blog lately!!!

Crummy Therapy

2010-06-01T15:18:00.010-05:00

After I made such an 'episode about my little house reunion quilt (previous 2 posts).....My mind/brain/noggin/the creative side of my head was worn and tired......so, the best kind of therapy I can do is to pull out my crumbs and do some mindless sewing.....or another term would be to make fabric. When I pull out my tiny scraps and just start sewing them together it is soooo soothing and relaxing. I can still think on other projects without having to pay too much attention to what I'm sewing. I have my stash categorized into all sizes. My crumbs being at the bottom of the spectrum.....the next size up would be chunks and then strips then strings then 1".....well, you get the picture. I started my crummy therapy/making fabric w-a-y back HERE! Thanks Bonnie and Tonya for showing us how use up our ever growing 'crumbs' and scraps!

All those different sizes have their own drawer/bin............I pull out my crumb bin....place it right next to my machine and away I go!!! Most of the time I just reach in and sew up what I have pulled out randomly.

You can sew up these tiny little scraps to any size you want. Sometimes I dig through and sew up all the same color....like the greens above.

You could sew up all reds.......oops......looks like a strip got in there with my crumbs.....that's ok to throw some of those in too.

Maybe you would like the black and whites......

Or maybe you save those little tee ninee half square triangles 'cause they were so cute you just couldn't throw them away!!

But I think mixing them up all scrappy is a VERY good thing too!

AAaahhhhhh.....I feel sooooo much better after a little crummy therapy......you should try it.....you will feel better too.........and just think about the fun things you can make with that wonderful fabric you made and some of that scrap stash you put to good use.

I'll have a future post on what projects I used my crumbs for......now GO.....isn't it time for your therapy session??

I Finally Made A Decision

2010-05-27T17:54:00.003-05:00

As you can see...there is an empty blank space here in the middle of my design wall. I finally made a decision to take down the class reunion quilt and just put it away for a while...meaning I guess I will keep it for myself and finish it at a later date. I SOOOOOOO appreciate all you gals ideas, suggestions and pep talks on my last post. I just CAN NOT figure out what went wrong with me on this one...I have spent the whole week trying and applying a lot of the different suggestions you all gave...sigh.....it's like my creative brain refuses to light up and make a definite decision!!!! You'll never know how much it meant to me for you all to take the time to study and ponder my quilt to help me in making the decisions to get it finished. A special BIG thank you to TERRY from Terry Treasures blog who spent extra time with her PAINT program sketching up several color variations and emailing them to me......and to you to MARY (no blog) for your ideas and Paint examples! I think I need to get me one of these programs!! So as a thank you to all of you who left a comment about my class reunion quilt on my previous post I am going to draw a name this evening and send you a little goody!! How about that???

The week was not a total loss...I received these lovely goodies from Christina from A Few Scraps blog. W-a-y back when...she featured a Pay it Forward participation. I was one of the three and I totally forgot about it. She sent a great potholder and I'm assuming she created this cute little card too. Christina included a pair of dainty danglee earrings and some vintage needles wrapped up so neat and tidy. Thank you soooo much Christina. If any of my great bloggy friends would like to participate in a Pay It Forward here with me...just let me know here on this post and I will whip you up a little something and send it to 3 of you. I'm sure most of you know the details.....you have a whole year to send out your 3 after you receive mine in the mail. It doesn't have to be anything big and major....just a nice little quilty token....so come on....sign up!!

And remember a couple of my posts back......I commented that I would KILL to own these 2 Texas quilt books.........well, there are wonderful bloggy fairies out there in blogland!! My bloggy fairy doesn't have a blog of her own but she sent me an email stating she would love to send me a pair of my most FAVORITE quilty books of all time if I wanted them...HECK YE-OW!

Thank you soooooo much Mary from California. I am sooooo glad to have my own and won't have to check them out at the library anymore. I will treasure these forever!!!

?????...WHAT IS WRONG...?????

2010-05-22T00:22:00.003-05:00

Is it THIS QUILT or is there something wrong with ME???? I swear (yes, I have done some of that with this quilt) I just can not seem to get it together with this one. I have stalled...I have rearranged....I have literally covered it up so I couldn't even see it as I walked through the room!!! I FINALLY got the houses arranged the way I liked and FINALLY sewed the top together. This class reunion quilt has worked a number on me...I don't know why really, I guess I'm afraid of the worse case scenario...no one will like it, resulting in low bids equals total embarrassment to me. (but then again, if no one bids on it I get to bring it home) I am aware that a lot of people don't like this type of quilt but I felt I needed to make one that expressed ME and how I felt about my little hometown. I think the little houses represent the wonderful community we all grew up in together.
This quilt started out a lot more colorful than it is now. I realized that maybe I should tone it down some as to not just SCARE everyone with the brightness of it....LOL....I think everyone is expecting something that looks like what their grandmother would make.....boy, won't they be surprised......but then again I WAS voted as 'most unpredictable'!!!
ANYWAY......I would SOOOOO love for you guys to take a minute....look/study this quilt and give me your brutally honest opinion......yes, be honest.....you ARE NOT going to hurt my feelings! Here is my thinking.....it seems TOO busy to me. Do I not have enough break between the top and the flying geese border. I'm thinking the black/white check sashing is still busy enough that it all runs together.....???? Have I worked it to death....??? Red sashing was TOO harsh.......should I put another row of something before I add the flying geese....oh yes, and these flying geese are toned down from the first ones I made and I feel it looks better, but.....maybe the flying geese are too much???? I should do something else??? Should I just finish it the way it is and be done with it??? Maybe I have just looked at it too long!!
Soooooooo, what do you think?????? Mr. Brown Dirt is SOOOOO ready for me to just be finished with it...LOL.....he is tired of listening to me whine about it!!!

Projects A Plenty

2010-04-29T11:15:00.009-05:00

It has been very busy and a lot of projects going on around here at Brown Dirt Cottage. One project is this baby quilt in progress. I am short one block but my brain got tired so I started on the zig zag border. This is my first zig zag border, but I am wondering if I would have liked the black and whites reversed...????

I have a deadline on this project and I have a lot more done on it since I took this photo. This quilt will be auctioned off at my 35th H.S. class reunion on June 12. I was kind of volunteered to make a quilt for the auction to raise monies for our next reunion. I must say I had a hard time deciding on what type of quilt to do, but I finally decided to make it an original, one of a kind 'folksy' fun lap size......maybe someone will like it....?????

I have made quite a lot of headway on my clamshell too. This is going together a whole lot faster than I ever imagined. I think if it had been the only project I had been working on it would have been finished already.

I received a GREAT package from Sharon over at Indigo Threads. She told me she had started a clamshell way back and it was still a work in progress and she wondered if I would like some of her 50's and 60's vintage fabrics to add to my clamshell. Well...HECK YE-OW!! Aren't these just FAB!!! Thank you soooooo much Sharon!!! I love each and everyone and have already included them in the quilt.

Some close ups..........love these.....

Oh my..........yum...yum....

Wow............wow.......

......... Love the plaid............

I have also been thumbing through and enjoying some of my new books. What great inspiration!

I did manage to get a trip to the library in. I would KILL to own these 2 Texas books!!! I have checked these out numerous times. Some great inspiration as well!!!

Ok......so these are all the 'inside' projects I have going on. There will be some major exterior work done on the ole homestead. Would you like to see some 'before' and 'after' photos??? After I meet all my 'quilty' deadlines and serve on jury duty...uuugh.....I need to start some 're-do' on the inside too.....after all, it has been around 14 yrs. since anything has been painted. I am most definitely tired of Mr. Brown Dirt's mustard colored office (yes, that's the color he wanted).

I'm off to clean my kitchen window......now that's a project that has been way over due!!!

Oh.....and Goober says to say 'HEY'........

CLAM SHELLS

2010-03-27T12:07:00.011-05:00

I have been cutting out these little Clam Shell pieces like crazy. I determined to try and use only my older vintage fabrics I have had stashed here and there. I also decided to make my pieces larger than the pattern......WOW WEE.....I would have had to cut out a bazillion cazillion of these suckers by 'their' instructions!!

I have been wanting to make this quilt for a l-o-n-g...l-o-n-g time. This photo is from a book of mine called America's Heritage Quilts by Better Homes and Gardens...copyright shows 1991. This particular quilt shown is dated back to 1936. ClamShell quilts were said to become popular in the East but then became a favorite through out the rest of the country.

Here is one of my favorite vintage pieces....see, it's waffle fabric. The blue flowers are j-u-s-t right!!

Now.....all I have to do is finish cutting out the vintage pieces and then get on to cutting out the muslin/neutral pieces to fill in between the rows........AND THEN.....get to hand sewing all of these together............sigh...........I know this will be a long term project....it will be worth it though................won't it???

I Love Me Some Gwen and Freddy

2010-03-18T10:41:00.002-05:00

I've been using Gwen Marston and Freddy Moran's new Collaborate Again quilt design book. I had a hard time choosing the first one I wanted to try and finally chose the Spider Web design. Here is a close up of one of the blocks...look how nice the banana fabric plays with all those dotty polka dots. All of the blocks measure 20".

I showed some of these blocks on my design board on my previous post.....well, here it is all sewn up together. If I decide to leave it like this and just bind it....it will measure 60" x 60"-ish. Mr. Brown Dirt has told me MORE than once..."I don't like square quilts"....."can't you make it more oblong than that?" So....he got me to thinking.....I may add a type of border at the top and just the bottom.....I'm thinking some 'spikes'.....???? maybe ????

I started out wanting to use some of my fruits fabric Mr. Brown Dirt bought me a couple of Christmases ago into every block....see here....love those blueberries.........well, I didn't manage to get fruit in all of the blocks.

Oh LOOK......some of my new Kaffe Fassett jumped in there........Heavenly!!!

I think this is probable my favorite block!!! Look Nanette....CHERRIES!!! It really just came to life when I added the B/W batik half squares to the corners. Thank you GAIL...this is some of the fabrics you sent me....Perfect for this block!!!

I really loved this quilt design. I don't know if you noticed or not but I have 3 different style blocks in this quilt. If you follow the instructions in the book...ALL of your blocks will look like my third photo with the blueberries....BUT....the blocks in their sample quilt in the book looks like my first and last photos....sort of like a buzz saw effect. SO.....if you make this quilt and follow their instructions your quilt is not going to look like Gwen's photo in the book. I played around with my template and came up with three different blocks. At one point I was going to make three different quilts using all the same block types.....but in the end I said "NAH"...I'll just throw them all in together. I think it turned out ok.....I.LIKE.........And I LOVE this book!!!

What's Cookin' on the Design Board

2010-03-03T11:51:00.000-06:00

I thought I would let you peek at what has been on my design board lately. This photo shows some round 'thangs' AND some square 'thangs'. Look at my first ever SPIKES I played with this past weekend.....oh...these are fun and VERY neat!! To the left in the photo is my log cabin blocks I started oh so w-a-y back when. I have decided they needed one more row sewn around the outer edges...the top 4 blocks are all I have done on this. Those GREAT BIG round blocks are about 20"....they are from a quilt out of the Gwen Marston and Freddy Moran book.

These are some piano key borders I will sew on to a BIG and UGLY quilt I started W-A-Y back when too. I have since finished all four and have sewn them onto that UGLY quilt......and can you believe the ugliest quilt I ever made is THE BIGGEST one I have ever made.....it's at least a queen size......yuck!! Who wants THAT much ugliness spread out over their bed????..HA! I might show it to you sometime! OK....OK...go here to see which one I am talking about!

And of course a productive sewing weekend would not be complete without some more cute little stars! These are about 3 1/2".

"AAaahhhhhh.....cum on Mom.....can't you stop with the quiltin' stuff and come play!!"

Mini Quilt

2010-02-25T13:17:00.013-06:00

COLOR........COLOR........COLOR...........that is what I was aiming for in this mini house quilt. I really think I accomplished that don't you!! I soooo wanted to use some of my new Kaffee fabric and I found some perfect pieces to go together.

I sooooo loved this piece....but....it too was sent off as a gift. I surprised my friend Gail (no blog) with this little 'thank you'. She has been so generous to me in this last year, sending all kinds of fabrics/books and quilting magazines she wanted to pass along as she sorts and cleans out her sewing 'pit'.

How cheery is this with all these snowy/icy/dreary cloudy days we have been having! Gail lives in Michigan and think maybe she had to pull out the ole sunglasses when this arrived...HA!

I don't know if you can see (click photo to enlarge)....but I used a blue thread to hand quilt this.

This was my first try at Baptist fan hand quilting.....hhhhmmm....the jury is still out on how I feel about them......I like the look, but doing the actually quilting.....well, I think I need to talk to you Tonya about how you do yours!

A little Kaffee scrap strip for the back.........and we're all done. I.LIKE. Hope you do too Gail!!

This little mini quilt measures around 14" x 19".

Ticker Tape

2010-02-24T12:58:00.007-06:00

Did any of you see this cool way to use up some of those little scraps.....LOL.....the kind I can't seem to part with!! Amanda Jean from Crazy Mom Quilts blog first showed this little project as a doll quilt. I wanted to try it out...and it seemed so easy.....I opted to make some place mats....easy peasy!

Just gather up......dump out......or go through your little scraps. Have fun playing and placing them like puzzle pieces! I made these mats about 16" x 12".

Something I did different than Amanda Jean was go ahead and place all my scraps out at once and pin down with a straight pin.......easy peasy.......these place mats are already sandwiched with batting and a backing! Isn't that neat? They will be finished and ready for binding when you get all your scrap pieces sewn on. LOVE THIS!

I did use my walking foot to sew them down.....afterall.....it's already a mini quilt.

I sewed the scraps down using a good 1/4"+ seam allowance......will cut down on them ravelling out when they are washed.

So here is how they look from the back......cute AND so easy peasy! I have made several of these for gifts. When we were invited out for Thanksgiving dinner I took some to my hostess using red and white polka dot binding and apple fabric on the backing. I sent these to my friend Gail in Michigan.......hope you are enjoying yours Gail!!!

GOOBER update: he has found his tail and has been going around in circles all morning!

My New Sewing Buddy

2010-02-20T18:20:00.005-06:00

Hi................My name is Goober!

Why is that Mrs. Brown Dirt always running around behind me with a paper towel???

4 Patch & Furrow Quilt Finish

2010-02-18T23:40:00.001-06:00

Yes....it's good to have another finish under my belt!! I love how my scraps and the vintage repro fabrics mix well together! I am amazed how hot pinks and red reds can play nicely with the soft floral pastels.

Even though some of the darker squares seem to jump out at you....in person this quilt has a soft vintage feeling and look to it. I am so happy it turned out exactly as I had it pictured in my mind. I split my furrows squares using two different fabrics instead of just the one color scheme. I decided not to add borders to it.....just wanted it to look like some of the old quilts I have collected through the years. I don't think mine looks a whole lot like Bonnie's, but her quilts inspire me to be creative and I love to do my own version!! This quilt measures 60" x 66".

I wanted to hand quilt it sooooo bad....but I made this one for a gift and I thought machine quilting it would be best so that she could really use it if she wants. Don't you think it has a 'plaid-ish' look to it ???........I like!

This is my favorite block!! Mr. Brown Dirt went by the fabric store and picked these out for me!

For the binding I chose blue scraps to finish it off with. The backing is some more of that 17 yr. old fabric I also used for the back of my Chunky Churndash.....the one I hand quilted with all those concentric circles....remember? And I 'STILL' have enough of this fabric left to do ANOTHER quilt back.....man, what was I thinking when I bought all that yardage!!!

And a big THANK YOU to all you 'rowdy'.....'clowning' blogger friends of mine for harassing me about not blogging! It's nice to be missed!! I promise.....I haven't been lounging or loafing..........really......I've been stitching away...letting the fabric dust fly!!!

What Am I Up To...???

2010-01-11T18:50:00.001-06:00

I've been working on this sweet little project for someone special...!!!

I've been trying to ignore this pile of Kaffee goodness that has been a constant distraction. I think every good little quilter should start out the new year with something new for her stash....regardless of how big...deep...or wide her stash already is!!! Thank you soooo much 'MRS.' Santa.....and yes...Thanks Terri for such a good sale!!!

I need a couple of gifts......like "I can't begin to thank you enough" type gifts....the kind of thank you that requires a whole quilt! I have in mind a softer scrappy vintage look and feel. This is another one of Bonnie's from Quiltville inspirations. It is the 4 Patch and Furrows design....Mine may turn out a little different than the one she shows...but that's ok!! Hhhhmm...I only need about three of these!

Darn...I have been seeing another distraction out of the corner of my eye. Oh...Oh...my heart beats a little faster everytime I glance over at them! Thanks for your 20th anniversary sale Jackie!!!

See...I have more than plenty to keep me busy.....now if only I could speed my little self up a little...I think I 'piddle' around too much!!! I just want to be like Wanda when I grow up!!

Gee Thanks Santa...!!!

2010-01-04T12:25:00.000-06:00

Yee-ow.........just what I needed!!!.............NOT!!!

BUT SANTA....I certainly didn't mind getting this!!! Nanette from Freda's Hive was so generous to include me in one of her wonderful Christmas goody packages. This little star ornament is just so lacy.....sweet and too darn cute for words! She created these by cutting up and using a vintage Christmas table cloth.....she tells how on her blog....go see. I'm ga ga over the neat little pile of cute squares of fabric she included too. They really remind me of all things vintage-ee. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness Nanette!!! You need to scoot on over to Nanette's blog and read up on an upcoming retreat she will be involved with!

AND SANTA....whatever could be in this lovely little package???

WOW....it's this fabulous apron made by the ever so creative AMANDA from the Busy Little Quilter blog. Amanda had a giveaway on her blog for one of these cutie patootie aprons....and I won.....and since she knew I loved and collected Santas, she made mine with this great vintage looking Santa fabric. Go here to get the pattern Amanda shares for this 'fat quarter' apron. Thank you for my apron Amanda....it really is so so cute!!!

Chunky Churndash Quilt

2009-12-31T14:40:00.002-06:00

WHAT do me and this quilt have in common??? We were BOTH up at 2:00 a.m. this morning! I was bound and determined to get this finished before the end of the year.....well, I just barely slid in on time.....HA! I have a whole day to spare!!!

The back.........showing off the hand quilting......ooooooouuuuu....be still my heart! My concentric circles are 1 1/2 inches apart. I debated at the time between that and one inch. I wish now I had gone the one inch. I like it like it is....but I have seriously considered hand
quilting another line in between.....OK....I'm dun considering...and that won't be happening!

The little churndash blocks change into different designs depending on the fabrics don't they? This is a pattern I used from Bonnie at Quiltvilles website. I can't believe the navy triangles are sewn with some fabric I have had for 17 yrs......and the fabric used for the back I have had for at
least 16 yrs........and whaaaaaa.....I still have too much of it left!!!!

WOW....I almost can't contain myself.....sooooo FAB after the washing!!!

Sorry Little Churndash quilt...I know it took me a while and sometimes I neglected you...folded you up and put you away more than once.....but we're friends now aren't we???

Waverunner Quilt Progress

2009-12-27T19:00:00.002-06:00

I have completed the top of my Waverunner. It's kind of wild and crazy isn't it?? The more I look at it and study it the more I like it!!!
Victoria from Bumblebeans blog came up with this interesting little project.....the point of this quilt....NO RULERS. I just cut my strips with my rotary cutter 'free style'. Of course I used my square up ruler to cut the individual 10 " squares, but other than that..."baby you're on your own!!!" Now I just need to decide how I'm going to piece the back. THANKS VICTORIA....this was fun and I am seriously thinking about doing another one!!!
Run on over to Victoria's blog...look on her sidebar and click on Waverunner to see some of the other gals quilts.....and then you can check out the rest of Victoria's blog and projects.....some good stuff going on there!!!

From Our House To Yours

2009-12-24T11:42:00.004-06:00

We wish you GREAT Fun.....WARM Hearths....Lots of MERRY Making and GLAD Hearts !!!

HO HO HO

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^

(oh what I wouldn't give for a piece of lemon poppy seed cake)

Black/White Quilt Finish

2009-12-23T09:59:00.005-06:00

A view of some of the machine quilting I did.......'simple'.

More machine quilting.......'simple'.

This quilt was hard to photograph.....it wants to look more grayish than a true Black....which is what I wanted from this quilt....MORE BLACK and 'simple'.

More machine quilting and a close up of some of the wonderful fabrics my no blogger friend Gail from Michigan sent to me. She has waited patiently to see how I used them. I chose 'simple' for this Black and White Challenge quilt I signed up for last year. We had a year to complete this

challenge and I just b-a-r-e-l-y made it. Thank you Jackie for setting up this challenge AND

THANK YOU AGAIN GAIL for all these great fabrics!!!

My 'simple' B/W quilt is about lap size.

Here is a view of the pieced back.

Where's The Red and Green...???

2009-12-09T14:52:00.001-06:00

No Christmas projects or fabric flying around here today! I've got a 'challenge' deadline to meet......Maybe I'll j-u-s-t make it???

Soft Christmas Trees Link

2009-12-08T11:42:00.006-06:00

I thought I needed to share the links to these cute little Christmas Trees that were sitting on my ironing board in a photo on my previous post....to share the info on how to make them again.....these were sewn up last Christmas! I had lots of emails asking about the pattern. So...if you want to make some yourself...here are the places to go to get the patterns and the 'how to'.......I hope you won't mind if I repeat this post from last Christmas!!

For this tiered tree you can click HERE or HERE. This will take you to the Whip Up Blog and The Small Object Blog. These are two great blogs with lots of ideas and tutorials!!! Nanette from Fredas Hive gave some of these away last year during her blog anniversary. When we all saw them we just went Ga Ga and had to make some too!!

I SO love this one.....well of course....it's Vintage Gingham!!! The tutorial on these last two stuffed trees can be found HERE.....at the Littlebirds Blog. I blew up the pattern to make some of them different sizes.....and as you can see...I made a little 'cap' for these using the top 'tier' of the previous tiered tree.....just a little something to make them different. These little trees have such possibilities. The sky is the limit on ways to decorate and adorn them!! I hope you can see I did a blanket stitch on this one to connect the bottom to the top.

These are just W-A-Y too cute......don't you agree???? Now go make some for yourself!!!

FRIDAY......

2009-12-04T12:11:00.000-06:00

Now............if only I had a new ironing board cover and my window was clean....!!

Never Say 'NEVER'

2009-12-01T07:43:00.002-06:00

I have always said I would NEVER own or do a machine quilted quilt......I am SOOOO a HAND QUILTED type of gal!! WELL...I guess I will have to eat my words. Here is my first officially completed MACHINE QUILTED quilt!!!

If you follow my blog you know this is one of two fall style quilts I have worked on....a His and Hers pair. This one is Mr. Brown Dirts and he LOVES it...so much so I really had to just rip it from his body to get some finished photos.....LOL....yes, I got this one finished just about the time to put it up ( fall colors and all ) and drag out the Christmas colors......Oh well.......

He has told me his favorite side is the back. I like it too.

For my first endeavor quilting on something this large I thought just sewing some straight lines would be good practice in learning to 'man handle' a quilt and my machine. I did cross hatch style squares in the middle.

I decided on lots of closer together straight stitching in the borders.... I.LIKE......I haven't washed it yet so it's not as 'crinkle-ee' as it could be.

I never wanted to do a quilt that looked like I had 'sewed' all over the top of it. I have seen some quilts that the first thing I noticed was the machine quilting....instead of the quilt as a whole.....this being my reason for NEVER wanting a machine quilted quilt. I knew I would
need to change my thinking on this as my pile of quilt TOPS was growing. SOOOO....this is what I did.......I put my STITCH LENGTH to 3.00....and lowered my bottom TENSION to 2.25....(trying to achieve that DIP and DOT look of HAND quilting). I used a CREAMY OFF WHITE THREAD instead of the stark white. This thread color just seemed to melt away and is hardly noticeable. I don't know if any of this is right or wrong, but it is just what I experimented with and what I decided was right for me.....MAYBE this machine quilting isn't so bad...I just might
do some more!!!

We'll talk about the ORDEAL I had with the batting on this at a later date and post!!!! Here is a HINT.....I wore a dust mask.............

Seam Ripper Tip/Trick/Tutorial

2009-11-29T09:30:00.002-06:00

I guess I could say I didn't know any better, but I didn't know the proper way to use a seam ripper until I started blogging. I certainly don't remember who or where I learned this from out there in blogland....I'm sorry I can't give credit where credit is due, but learning this has saved me considerable time in ripping out my seams.....Heaven knows I do a fair amount of this. In this 'episode' of ripping I sewed one fabric to the wrong side.....anyway....you take your ripper and pluck through about every 5 to 8 stitches like shown.

Then you flip this over to the other side...grab the thread at the end on this side and pull gently and viola!!! Easy peasy!! I'm sure most of you already know this trick, but as I was ripping this out a moment ago I was thinking maybe there was someone else out there who didn't!

When I was growing up and learned to sew....this was our 'weapon' of choice for seam ripping!!!.....LOL....does anyone else remember this?

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

Fat Quarters R Us

2009-10-26T08:45:00.002-05:00

Look at these sweet little fat quarters in the making!! So white, soft and fluffy......waiting to be plucked and swept away. Wonderful colors and dyes await you my cuties!!

This is behind and to the south of my house. LOOKS LIKE SNOW doesn't it?? This is called 'dry land' cotton because it has not been watered except for what little dab of rain we have had. It was planted and then left on it's own. Most of our acreage is all irrigated except for this little area at the house. This is considered pretty good dry land cotton!! WAY TO GO MR. BROWN DIRT!!!

Here is where I walk everyday. It's a wonderful place to walk....seeing and appreciating Mr. Brown Dirt's hard work...feeling the cool nip in the air and enjoying the quiet!

NOTE : if you want to see how this is harvested go to my previous post HERE.

Have You Ever......?????

2009-10-23T19:45:00.007-05:00

..............Have you ever started a new and different project and just DID NOT want to turn off your machine and go to bed???? Have you ever just gone ahead and stayed up all night??? My answer is YES....I have numerous times. That is how this new project made me feel!!
It had me up until 2 a.m....and had me WANTING to stay up all night. This is a quilt along I am following at Bumble Beans blog. Victoria came up with this Waverunner quilt design and has offered up a quilt along tutorial.....done at our own time and pace. Love This!!

My late night 'owlness' has been with me from w-a-y back when I was young. My creativeness started early at around the age of 10 with drawing/art and oil painting. As long as I can remember, if I was all engrossed with my art and painting, my mom never made me go to
bed.....if I was painting I could stay up all night. She never disturbed or interrupted my efforts. I know staying up late or the thought of even staying up all night may seem foreign to a lot of you, but it seems very normal to me.....LOL....of course, the older I get, the fewer and
farther between my late night ventures occur........So.....are there any more night owls out there???

edit note: just so you don't think I stay up late and sleep in late...it has never mattered how late I stay up.....I always wake up the same....I too am a morning person and love to rise and 'get to it'!!

It Only Took 23 yrs.....

2009-10-22T13:20:00.005-05:00

..................YES YEAH.......it took 23 yrs. to finish this.........FINALLY!!!! 23 yrs. ago I didn't know how to make up and sew on a label........

It's a nice double bed size quilt.....you can read the story HERE about this 23 yr. wonder............

23 yrs. ago I didn't know how to cut and sew on binding.........I've been about the last 8 months searching for the right binding fabric......nothing looked right......until one day by accident I was digging through some of my older stash and dug out this vintage gingham from an estate sale....PERFECT! I did a little 'happy' dance that day!!

23 yrs. ago I didn't know how...or that you were supposed to hide your quilting knots....LOL...the whole back of this quilt is 'full' of these little knots......I LOVE IT!!

23 yrs. ago I didn't know ANYTHING about HAND QUILTING.....as is visible here with all the varying size stitches......LOVE THIS TOO!!

23 yrs. ago I didn't know that you should line up your seams 'a little' bit better than I did here......the pinky mauve and white strip shown to the left is one of many repair pieces I had to add before I could sew on the binding.....just CRAZY in LOVE over these tiny pieces!!

I LOVE THIS QUILT!!!!! It has MANY warts....flaws....and mistakes....AND was a nightmare to get finished because of all these issues.......but when I finally finished it.....I layed down on my couch and covered up with it......and you know.....I had the best feeling in the world!! This little quilt and I have traveled a lot of miles together ........I THINK IT IS MY FAVORITE!!!

JUST A NOTE.....I have finished some other projects since I started the above quilt.....but this is officially my VERY FIRST one I started.

Who's Fault Is This...????

2009-10-17T20:29:00.002-05:00

Look at all this LOOT...!!! Someone gave me an excuse to go to the 'big' city to get all this stuff!!.....LOL......well, it's NOT stuff!!! It is MUST Haves!! Let's see....there is some new thread......new fabric......new machine embroidery designs (lower left) and must have
embroidery thread......11 yards of white flannel (finally) for my design board. I sure am tired of those 8 x 4 foot insulation foam boards
propped up in my kitchen. Ok, I see some tracing paper and mechanical pencils.....hand applique needles....AND who fault is it for my shopping trip to the city?????

LORI over at BEE IN MY BONNET BLOG!!!! Yes....she had this wonderful blogoversary giveaway and I won!!! Of course I thought I was probable going to receive ONE of her great hand applique patterns......BUT LOOK....she sent ALL of these!!! I was just amazed when I opened my package. These are HAND APPLIQUE patterns....and YES...I want to learn how to do this too!! I immediately opened one up and read the instructions and list of supplies I might need. So a quick trip to the big city was in order....I made a list and off I went.....let's just say....my list was long!! Thank you so much Lori!!! You will never know how much I love these patterns and appreciate your generosity!!! You must run over to her blog and she her other fantastic vintage thingies and creative patterns she is working on!!!

Adventures In Machine Quilting

2009-10-13T18:10:00.001-05:00

Hot Pad front.......circles / bubbles / pebbles quilting

Hot Pad back.........

Placemat back........

Placemat front......Swirls / skwiggles / loopie loops

Placemat Front......meandering stipple/zig zags/ swirls

Placemat back.........

Love the black and white binding/edges......THANKS GAIL (no blog).....this project IS FROM some wonderful LOG CABIN batik SQUARES GAIL sent me ( see here)......I cut the length GAIL SENT into three pieces....I sewed up the BATIK STRIPS GAIL SENT to make up the back of these wonderful placemats!! These will certainly brighten up our dining!...LOL..I hope you don't think I messed them up too bad Gail! The ONLY THING I CONTRIBUTED to this project was the 'practice' machine quilting!! Oh.....what an adventure that was to figure out!! I started trying to learn the bubbles/pebbles about a month ago.....that was a hair puller but my FAVORITE!!! I finally took the BSR off and just free motioned the rest. I learned that using the BSR on Batik fabrics can be a little more difficult to machine quilt than maybe other fabrics! I can thank MAGNOLIA BAY for helping me figure that out!
My other help and inspiration for learning this machine quilting came from the wonderful ladies at these blogs...FREE MOTION QUILTING BLOG......CRAZY MOM QUILTS......and HANDMADE BY ALISSA BLOG. I am truly amazed at these girls talents and I thank them for being so generous with their videos and tutorials!!!!!
While learning to use my sewing machine to quilt was fast and a wonderful challenge and learning experience......I must say......I still love HAND QUILTING the best!!!!

Practice Makes Perfect

2009-10-06T14:30:00.007-05:00

Practicing my machine quilting.............I changed my needle, adjusted my tension just a tad and put in regular quilting thread to practice with and I've had much better results using the BSR (bernina stitch regulator). Getting my hands and the speed moving at just the right cadence is better too....LOL....I feel as if it's like that old trick of trying to pat your head and rub your stomach at the same time!

Practicing my machine embroidery..........oooohhhh.....I have sooo many cute designs to get to!! I'm not completely happy with the contrast on this one...but, hey.....that's what practice is for!!

Practicing on my new addiction......why.....it's Hexies of course!!............TIP: my joint at the top of my left index finger and my thumb began to ache while sewing my hexies....straining to keep the two pieces aligned and together.....so...I had an idea to use those same little hair clippees I use to hold down my quilt binding while I sew it on. Perfect!! Oh wow....now my hand can relax and the pressure on the joints is much better while I'm sewing them together.

I want to thank the bloggers in my previous post for playing along and sharing their quilt 'backs' with us. I wish there had been more participants.....I have seen a lot of lovely quilt backs out there!! So, if you have one you want to share....you still can....just go and add your link!!

Show Us Your Backs

2009-10-01T23:22:00.004-05:00

......LOL......Not your bare backs but your QUILT BACKS!! I have been busy lately sewing and designing up several quilt backs for some finished tops. The above photo is one I just finished. I was trying to use up as many of the scraps I had left over from the top...yeah...I know... some of you are thinking...yep....those are crappy scraps all right....But Mr. Brown Dirt likes it and I do too! As I worked on these I began to think about some of the neat quilt backs I have seen all over blogland and how fun it would be to have a place to show off our 'backs'! I know the main focus is about the FRONT of a quilt, but I thought it would be fun to see if some of you have some unusual or creative backs you would like to share with everyone. So hey...find a photo or take a photo of your quilt backs...post them on your blog...put a link back to my blog...then come back here and play along and add your name and your blog link to Mr.Linky (((be sure to type your blog link using the http:// )))....and after you link....Please leave a comment!

Is The 'Blogging' Honeymoon Over...

2009-09-29T11:47:00.003-05:00

Today I read a comment on someones blog mentioning something about having a 'stale' blog.I think it was Janet over at Quiltsalott. Hhhhmm, I thought that was a good word. I have been thinking a lot lately about the changes I have been seeing in the blogging world. I first noticed a slight change after the first of the year, I thought well, maybe there were some New Year's resolutions made about cutting back or cutting out so much blogging. Slowly through these last few months I have seen some of my fellow bloggers dropping like flies. Some have just STOPPED blogging all together and a lot have cut W-A-Y back on the number of posts they do. It also seems to be the coming trend to all of a sudden to just stop replying to those who leave comments, even if it is something that blogger has always done in the past. So-o-o-o, is the 'honeymoon' over? Do you find blogging a 'chore'? Has the excitement and the lure of it lost it's luster? Do you think you put out 'stale' posts just because you feel obligated or pressured to?? Everyone talks of Blogging Without Obligation, but we still put pressure on ourselves and others. Do you want to take a break but feel you JUST CAN'T? Teresa from Stitchin Friends recently did a post laying out her new blogging schedule. Sarah from House of Krom has been talking about priorities with her family and less computer time. I have read countless others proclaiming they spend w-a-y too much time on the computer. A lot of bloggers are taking up Facebook instead of blogging....well, I don't think I find the Facebook that much fun. I find blogging more satisfying. Yes, I do have a Facebook account but don't go there much. I Twitter.....that is fun!. You can make quick little sentences about what you are doing through out the day and it only takes a second or two. I'm not finding fault in anyone about how they blog or how they spend their computer time. I have just been thinking about these changes I see.

So, what do you think? What is your take on things? Have you developed a way to manage your time between computing, family and your favorite projects? Is the 'honeymoon' over? Is blogging becoming 'stale'? Are we ready to go on to something new and different?

Goodies Galore

2009-09-28T17:55:00.004-05:00

OW.....OW.......This little Owl is sooo cute it's 'hurting' me! I am just always amazed at how talented some of my fellow bloggy friends are. Mel over at My Own Place Blog is definitely one of those who ranks high on the list. She recently had a giveaway for her blogiversary and I was one of the lucky winners!!! Yeah for ME!! Go here for the owl tutorial.

Isn't this TINY little witches hat magnet she made just amazing??? It's a COPY of Mel's 12 1/2" Witches Hat Halloween blocks that I am fortunate to have one as well. What a contrast between the two sizes!

Included in my winnings was all the 'fixins' for one of her table runners. Look at all the yummy reproduction fabrics she so neatly layered. I'm tellin' you.....Mel is a class act at everything she does!!

Her instruction sheet for the table runner was even colorful, cute and well written.

And ALL my gifted goodies just spilled out of this so FAB little gift bag she whipped up.....YES MEL....you are one of those I call a 'WHIPPER UPPER' because you just seem to always be whipping out wonderful creations and appear to do it with such ease!! Yes Mel....you know I am a FAN!! Thank you so much for your generosity and for the care that shows in how you present your gifts to us. You are greatly appreciated!!

If you haven't ever been over to Mel's blog, take some time and go over....scroll down and around and check it out. You won't be disappointed!!!

The Addiction Has Begun...

2009-09-24T19:43:00.000-05:00

I have a plan......and this new addiction is coming together with these 1 1/4" Hexies...............And yes......I am still working on the 4 B's ( previous post ).....I only have 7 more quilt tops to go!!!

I've Been Doing The 4 ' B's '

2009-09-16T13:25:00.004-05:00

Borders..............Backs............Bindings.......................BORING!!!

My Friend Jenny's Log Cabin

2009-09-11T12:09:00.012-05:00

Isn't this scrappy log cabin quilt just w-a-y too cute!! I think Jenny (no blog) did a fabulous job! CLICK ON PHOTO to enlarge. Jenny was my very first blogland swap partner. We swapped scraps with each other. Melly and Me Blog hosted this swap and provided the tutorial for this pattern back in the spring of 2008. Wow...was it THAT long ago!! Hhhmmm.....I guess Jenny is more on the ball than I am. I hang my head as I reveal that my blocks are still laying in one of my project boxes.

Here is a close up.....you can see some of the quilting designs. I like that she made smaller log cabins to use as part of her border.

I love this little diamond/square design she added in the sashing between her blocks.

I think I 'spy' some of my scraps in this photo.

Here is her simple white yet elegant back. Her label is w-a-y down in the bottom right hand corner.....LOL...behind the caladium.

A close up of her floral binding.

And a wonderful finish with a great label. Thank you so much Jenny for sending me these photos so I could share!!!

EDIT:>>>ATTENTION>>>>>THIS IS NOT My Quilt.....it belongs to my friend JENNY>>>>>>

My Completed Halloween Swap Blocks

2009-09-08T10:13:00.004-05:00

Here are my completed blocks I sent in for Janes Halloween swap.....THIS.ONE.I.LIKE...

Do these pumpkins and ghost look familiar Gail (no blog)????

Thanks for sending these cutie fabrics too Gail!!!

This is w-a-y cute too! Baby pumpkins and ghosts.

Ghosts and Candy Corn anyone????

This ghost and ghoul fabric is really vibrant in person.

Now this is what I'm talking about.......probable my favorite!!!

For my group I signed up to do BOO letters.....but I couldn't get the word to look right in the required 12 1/2" block size.......it needed something else.........SO......I drew out this ghost to sit atop the BOO.

I determined since this was a larger design I should paper piece it instead of free piecing it. I sewed up the design in 3 separate sections and assembled those 3 together...positioning the little hands where they would fit in the required size.

Since I drew out my own pattern there was A LOT of figuring out as I went along AND A LOT of RIPPING OUT! I think it was well worth it though...I think they turned out pretty cute!!!

Deana over at Dream Worthy Quilts sent me this block. She and I did a private swap with each other. Aren't the dangle-ee witchey legs just the Cutest?? Thanks Deana.....I love it!

**************NO JENNY*******I DIDN'T GET YOUR EMAIL********************

Leaders and Enders

2009-08-31T10:00:00.008-05:00

This is my new Leader/Ender project. Gather up your strips and strings. Use anything less than an 1 1/2".

Cut some 5 1/2" paper squares, making sure what you use the ink will not rub or iron off onto your fabric. ( tip from Bonnie).

Take a light and a dark and lay them in the center...right sides together. Stitch using a 1/4" seam allowance.

Flip and press top piece down. Keep alternating light with dark strips until you reach the edge. Your strips should be long enough to extend 1/2" off the edge of your paper.

Turn square around and start sewing light/dark strips going the other way until............

You end up with this!!! Uh... mine doesn't look so light/dark....oh well, no bigg-ee! Now trim....leaving 1/4" of fabric extended from edge of paper. If you will keep a pile of these papers and your strips close at hand while you are working on other projects you will ALWAYS have fabric under your needle.....and if you do, you will be working on two projects at once and one day you will end up with one of THESE....A Basket Weave Quilt.....Bonnie has more detailed instructions for this project on her web page.

Ok....all of you who whine about paper piecing....just keep the ones you have sewn by your chair and lazily tear out the paper in the evenings while you are watching the 'boob' tube.

I learned about leaders and enders from Bonnie at Quiltville....this is such a great idea!

...LiL Sister....

2009-08-28T14:51:00.001-05:00

.............It's been a year.........I still miss you just as much today.............!!!!!

Playing With 'Miss Bernie".......

2009-08-27T16:30:00.004-05:00

Hey, how did those people in Switzerland who make these things know I had cows..????? Isn't this a HOOT!

I'm learning and checking out all her 'bells and whistles' today. Look at some of these wonderful stitches she allowed me to make!!

Oh my...look at these sweet little snowflakes. I'm thrilled they are a nice size and not tee-ni-nee!

This swirl or ocean wave stitch looks like real 'hand stitchery' to me....this one stitches out slow!

I used my BSR--Bernina Stitch Regulator here for some quilty practice runs.....Miss Bernie is not playing nice with me....the stitching is 'crap-o-la'!!!......Uh, well....maybe it's me???

My seem ripper slides easily underneath the large spaces on these seams...the seams are longer than when I use a basting stitch!! (Click to enlarge)....I thought this stitch regulator would make my stitches look better. I have practiced some just lowering my feed dogs and free motion....that worked better than this. I know.....it's probable ME!

Can you see what I'm talking about.....maybe I should get out my handbook....when all else fails.....read the instructions! I think maybe I need to adjust my stitch length.......I'll go try that and see what happens! .......MUST.LEARN.THIS.

......And Jenny (no blog) I'm waiting for that email picture of your scrappy log cabin...can't wait to see it!!

Confetti / Cathedral Stars.....

2009-08-26T16:58:00.003-05:00

As you can see....I have more or less finished the top to my Confetti Stars. This is my version of Bonnie Hunter's Cathedral Stars Quilt she has instructions to over here. I made mine so colorful I thought it reminded me of that glittery confetti you can get at the party store. I'm thinking I will just add a border around using the same turquoise green. I decided I didn't want rows of various borders of straight lines going around it. I wanted the stars to stay the main focus.....and then I'm thinking the blue for the binding. The hot pink stars are bright enough without adding more of that color around the edge....I'm just saying.....

It will lay on the floor through out the evening so Mr. Brown Dirt and I can do our ritual we do every time I finish a top. We look at it....admire it....critique it....give our various opinions on how wild and colorful this one is. We will discuss which fabrics would be good for the back and....LOL....try to guess on how long it would take me to hand quilt it! I truly LOVE this one.....I'm thinking GD Shaylee's name might be on this one!!

AND GUESS WHAT??? I pulled another SNEAKY drawing for a giveaway. I selected these Halloween fabrics left over from my blocks I made for Jane's Spectacular Halloween Swap. I drew a name from this post....there were 43 comments made......I appreciate all my regulars for helping me out with your opinions.....coming to the rescue when I needed it. Oh how I love to be sneaky.......AND the winner is...#33.......BONNIE from CALAMITY JANES COTTAGE!!! Oh....and by the way.....she is having a giveaway.....go check it out before it's too late!!!

Congratulations Bonnie.....get with me so I can get your snail mail address.

Round and Round They Go...........

2009-08-25T14:32:00.008-05:00

VINTAGE GOODNESS.....

Oh...Oh......LOOK.......yummy SAILBOATS....

TINY blue roses encased in TINY blue hearts.....now who doesn't love that!!!

BALLOONS.......be still my heart!!!

CHECKS are my friend....especially LAVENDER!

LITTLE DUTCH PEOPLE.......YES...YES!!

I.LIKE.

These cute little rounds of fabric were in a Ziploc bag which were included in one of my wonderful 'care packages' from my friend Gail who lives in Michigan (no blog). They are MOST DEFINITELY VINTAGE! I don't know if they were cut for yo-yos or maybe for hexagons. I just thought you might enjoy seeing them. I was squealing like a little school girl when I discovered them in her package. There are more that I might share at a later date. Thank you Gail!!!

The Fat's in the Fire......

2009-08-14T12:00:00.004-05:00

That's Texas talk for when things are really busy....hoppin' and jumping at your place! Even though it's busy and crazy here.....this picture represents my dreamy thoughts of sitting out under the shade tree in a lovely white wicker chair sipping lemonade being lazy and just enjoying life......

But instead....here's my reality.......I've got to pick and shell a TON of these......oh, but YUM!!

I'll be sooo glad I did when the dead of winter is here and I can pull some of these out of the freezer!!!! ( In case you don't recognise what these are.....they are blackeyed peas.)

Clapping...Clapping....I have been busy opening up another 'care' package my friend Gail sent me(no blog)she lives in Michigan! Tons and Tons of fabric and a great Thimbleberries quilt book and a wonderful array of quilting magazines!! Thanks so much Gail. I haven't had much time to play with and examine the fabric and books......the picture below explains why.....

It's ALL Janes fault my work area looks like this!!! My swap deadline is breathing down my neck and I've been ripping...uh I mean sewing day and night trying to get my blocks finished!!!

I was busy 'digging' around in a drawer one day and found this......OOOuuuuu....I.LIKE.....

And.......I'm feeling 'green' this week. These are the fabrics that have been speaking to me lately!

So see....with father-in-law in the hospital....the garden in full swing....halloween block swap AND my house being soooo dirty......THE FAT HAS BEEN IN THE FIRE and I'm just trying to keep from getting 'splattered'!!

Frustrated Quilter...

2009-08-03T13:49:00.006-05:00

I don't usually ask for other peoples opinions because most of the time I have my own definite ideas concerning my projects........BUT, this is the first Halloween project I have ever done and the first Halloween fabric I have ever added to my stash. I am trying to finish up my swap blocks for Janes Halloween Spooktacular and I am getting VERY frustrated with myself because I just can't seem to make up my mind on which fabric to finish these blocks with!!!! I have taken some photos of my options and would like to get your opinions.....if-in' you don't mind!! ...LOL....I'm sure everyone will probable pick something different and I will still remain undecided!!!

I guess this is possible my favorite at the moment......

Mr. Brown Dirt likes this one......

And...he thinks this one is his favorite.......probable my least favorite.....

This one is cute.........

More cuteness........

See.....I just have a lot of unfinished 'BOO's laying around....waiting patiently.....

'B' is for BOO

2009-07-31T10:18:00.007-05:00

I made 15 free pieced 'B's for my Halloween block swap over at Jane's. We only need 12 for the swap but I made some extras for some private swaps. From what I have seen from the other participants there are some really great blocks. Our quilts are going to be soooo
cute. I am going to sew on the 'O's today and hopefully get those done!!

These are my favorite fabrics for this week. The larger piece with the little birds and trees is really speaking to me. Reminds me of some of those cute little Japanese fabrics, but I picked this up at Joanns.

OK....it's after 10 in the morning here in Texas....and guess what.....I'm still in my night gown......sewing up a storm! I may just stay in my gown all day.......I had to suck in my stomach for this photo.....but there was nothing I could do about my big 'boobies'!!!

I've been forgetting to share a good read with you.....a hysterical MUST read here! That Summer Sadie is a riot and has a wonderful blog!
Another NEW blog to me is Dream Worthy Quilts....DJ ask me to do a private swap on a Halloween block with her and I was more than happy to...I know she will have a wonderful block to swap with me and I'm very anxious.

Have a good weekend Ya'll..!!!!

Quilter 'Interrupted'....

2009-07-27T13:10:00.002-05:00

Yes.....seems I got interrupted with 'LIFE' and summer...and a sickly father in law. I did manage to get my nine patch blocks sewn up for Jane's Spooktacular Halloween Swap. Now I just have to get going on the other blocks. Those blocks are to be a 'free style' design.

Here are some fabrics I am considering for the free style design I chose. I have never had any Halloween fabrics before this swap. I don't know why...I just never bought any!

I was also interrupted by a 'wild' idea I had....."Why Don't I Move My Sewing Studio Downstairs"! This photo is what is left of my UPSTAIRS sewing room. Let me just say...
I am SOOO SORE!!! My body aches ALL over....even my toes!! Mr. Brown Dirt and I moved and toted and dragged and 'shoved' beds and mattresses....up and down the stairs with shelves and fabric for 3 whole days! I vacuumed and shampooed carpets and deep cleaned.

TA DA!!! Here is a viewing of my new ROOM......DOWNSTAIRS!!! I can't tell you how Happy I am to be downstairs!! Look Nanette....I have a chandelier too!! It just seemed I spent most of my days running up and down the stairs checking laundry....moving the water in the garden...checking what was in the oven....and on and on....I would come downstairs and get busy doing something else and never make it back upstairs.....and at the end of the day I would be so aggravated that I didn't get much sewing accomplished....AND...I now have Internet service for my laptop right here by my sewing machine...YEAH!!!!

I want to show you what I did with my CURTAIN PANELS that were too long and not to appealing just 'hanging'. (click on photo to enlarge) I hung 4 separate panels and then just took the two on both sides and tied them in a knot.....how CUTE! Believe it or not Mr. Brown Dirt came in and said " wow...cute curtains...where did you get them"? Well.....Mr. Brown Dirt....where else.....I made them!!!! Yes, I can sew other things besides quilt blocks. I have a long history of sewing curtains, dust ruffles and duvee covers and any other home items I needed. I used to sew all of my own clothes as well until it got too hard to 'alter' my middle age 'spread'!!...........I'm thinking about hanging some of my vintage plates on the bare spots up above the shelves and such.....I'll share a photo when I do.

I was also interrupted by a little shopping. Don't you just love these Amy Butler fabrics!!!

More Amy..........

This one might be my favorite. I am planning to use these to make some new bags. I bought a new pattern I'm anxious to try.

So, I guess you could say I had some good productive interruptions.....my body might not think so, but my mind and heart were totally into it!!

I would also like to thank Pat...Gail...Melanie...Barbara(from the panhandle of Texas)...Joann...and Sharon from Grass Roots Quilting for their lovely encouraging emails and checking up on me. It's certainly nice to know you are missed!!

Happy 4th From Texas Ya'll...

2009-07-03T22:40:00.000-05:00

I'm proud to be an American......yes, because I know I am FREE!!!!

Happy Fourth Of July To All My Quilting Blogging Buddies!!!

Variety Is The Spice Of Life...Even With Fabric

2009-07-01T11:51:00.008-05:00

This is my VERY FIRST little star I ever made. My cute little stars that I love making sooo much call to me often. I chose this one to play with the other day and determined not to cut
into any new fabrics and use what was already in strips ( look Sharon..indigo blue )... and well.....this is all the blue I could find in these darker tones.....but I'm not giving up....I'm still digging through the ole stash of scraps.....and look GAIL....do some of these fabrics look familiar?? I used to be a fanatic about blue.....blue in my house everywhere....well, I got over that several years ago...but, my eyes are sure enjoying looking at this.

I also worked on this project....I have it sandwiched and all pinned up ready to machine quilt...YES....I AM GOING TO MACHINE QUILT IT.....waahhhh....you all know how I love to have everything HAND quilted. I think it needs to be quilted using variegated thread and I have NONE....so, it's been on hold until I get some....I'm anxious to finish it and get the binding on....the binding is going to be 'wild' too!! ( p.s. Gail sewed up part of this).

I finished all the blocks to my Confetti quilt and spent yesterday sewing the rows together.....ooouuuu I lik-ee too much!

See those blank spaces there on the edges.....w-e-l-l....I may have a problem with not having enough matching fabrics to complete.....DARN!! I hate that when that happens!!

And after showing you all those wild and bright colors I have used in the above projects....these sweet little fabrics are my favorites this week. Such a contrast aren't they? My fabric stash collection has such a wide VARIETY of colors and designs. I have loved fabric since I was a little girl......and I Love it ALL....no matter what style I like it!!! Gail, you asked me in an email if I thought my tastes had changed since I started quilting.....no, I don't think so. I feel I have enough variety to match any mood or project I might have.......I am very eclectic in my taste, and that's ok!

CAUTION....SOAPBOX Speech Up Ahead...

2009-06-25T11:15:00.004-05:00

Ok....this post has now been removed.....the ones I intended it for I think have seen it and I hope it will accomplish what I wanted it to.....I love all you wonderful lovely ladies who are sooo kind and supportive. You gals have just made my week!!! I have gotten to meet some of my 'lurkers' and kind of put a name with some of you! Now....let's just get on to some nicer things...like exciting new quilty projects!!!

Confetti Stars

2009-06-23T16:55:00.005-05:00

I, like Bumble Beans have several projects on my design board that I worked on this past weekend.....but this little mixture of colorful goodness was sooo BOSSY and DEMANDED that I work on it today......So I did!!!

Some Late Night Sewing...

2009-06-19T11:22:00.009-05:00

Usually when the mood strikes me I don't ignore it....regardless of what time of day or night it is!
I get right to it before it passes me by!!

I've had this pattern a little while and have been very anxious to see if I could make it work! I thought is was a little pricey...but, you get the handle with it and the pattern is like a nice little booklet.

So....I got right to picking out some fabric and cut out the front and back pieces you see here.

.......Oh....but why not try something a little different. I usually have different ideas than the original pattern......YES.....I'M USING A PATTERN.......so, I spliced once and then twice!.. No

point in just being 'ordinary'...right???

Don't you just love it when the polka dots and ric rack show up to help you out with those vacant areas..!!.

A little larger polka dot bullied it's way into the inside of this little number and then invited some plaid to come cozy up and be the pockets.

............................................I just love it when a plan comes together...................................................

A view of the back.

And I found this little note laying beside my cute little bag this morning!! Aaaauuugh....Thank

You Mr. Brown Dirt.....you just made my day!! ( the bag is not for sale....that is just a phrase he uses when he really likes something)

Got Pattern.....????

2009-06-17T14:45:00.002-05:00

How do you come up with your quilty projects??? Do you ALWAYS use a pattern or do you just DRAW one up??? This little sketch is one I drew out last year. I would like to do this for my oldest granddaughter one day. I have 'tons' of notebooks of all shapes and sizes full of drawings and sketches of ideas. No matter if you are a 'great' artist or draw like a first grader I think it is a good idea to keep notepad and pencil handy to write down or draw out those ideas so you don't forget them!!

I was thinking about doing a table runner one day and doodled out this idea. This little drawing is only about 3 inches long.

I think this teapot drawing I drew from one of Tonya's at Lazy Gal Quilting tutorials, drawing out separate units to be sewn. I divide the pattern into sections. This helps me figure out how it might get put together.

This is my most recent I-dee for a baby quilt gift. I know these people so-so and I'm not sure I should spend that much time and effort on a gift for a couple that is around 33 yrs. old and has been away from our community for at least 15 yrs.....but, living in a small town....EVERYONE gets an invitation to the shower. I guess I could just do another little 'token' gift and make this anyway and save it for someone special in my own family.....'cause you know me...I will probable want to HAND quilt it!!!

This was my very first rough draft of the mini teapot quilt I showed on my previous post. I just couldn't get the 'tea time' letters to fit in right!!

I joined the Hexagon 2 blog here a while back. I 've been struggling with what fabric styles I would like to use. I think I have narrowed it down to the blues and yellows....maybe. My little hexagon papers are freezer paper and I punched holes in the middle to make it easier to remove them. I think I got the hole punching idea from Mel over at My Own Place blog. Mel always has such great ideas doesn't she!!

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my ways and processes on how I start some of my quilty projects....SO... go get a pencil, pen, marker or CRAYON and DRAW something....I promise....

you will like it!!! Then be sure and post and show us what you came up with!!!

Catching Up....Part 2

2009-06-16T00:01:00.007-05:00

OK....I promised to show you more of what I worked on during my time off. This little project all started with a wonderful vintage tea towel.

Yes....do you remember this?? I adore the large criss cross stitching!!! I was looking at it closely one day and I wondered if I might be able to do a pattern and maybe free piece the teapot...hhhmmmm...let's see if I can give it a go!!

So, I got out pencil and paper and drew out the design...using lines where I might cut and sew and drawing out shapes to sort of 'jury' what type of fabric to use where...with a little color too. The numbers you see there on the handle I put trying to help myself know what pieces to maybe sew first. The little round circles represent polka dots.....yes, I had someone in mind who LOVES polka dots!

After numerous rip outs and re-placements of the different fabrics I finally had the center to my mini quilt started. Now I just had to figure out what would come next!

I finally decided on a mixture of tiny squares.....once again....since I didn't have a pattern for my project and I was just 'winging it'....figuring out the dimensions for the size of the tiny squares might pose a problem.....I figured and figured and measured and allowed for ALL those seam allowances and it came out perfect!! YEAH!!

.........VIOLA....!!! The final product!! Of course I knew the whole time I was creating and sewing on this I would most definitely HAND quilt it!!! I love it!!!

A close up of the hand quilting and the scalloped edges. I had never done a scallop edge before, but I think it sure makes it look 'prissy-er' with it!

I had a few scraps and pieces left over and used them to finish up the back. My label I tried to camouflage.....it's in the bottom right hand corner.

Catching Up....part 1

2009-06-11T18:07:00.011-05:00

I haven't been 'loafin' around or been off on some exotic vacation, but I did make this little 4 letter word for Tonya's challenge. We were to free piece in block or brick fashion and I must
say everyone's words are sooo cute and fun!!! Go check them out. Tonya at Lazy Gal Quilting has the best tutorials on letters and she is very encouraging on trying to get you to try new techniques. I owe her for taking my fears away on free piecing and being able to overlook some of my flaws in my quilt making and being able to accept it as it is!! ( this block is in the mail to you Tonya)

While I was absent from the blogging world I went to the big city and did a little fabric shopping. Don't you just love fat quarters...I tend to get a little carried away!

Working on this little project took up some of my time..... but more on this in another post!

Hhhhhmmmmm....looks like I did a little more shopping doesn't it...???

I managed to start another project too. These are the cutest little 4 patch squares, about 300!

Oh......and did I tell you I did a little shopping...??

And while I was out shopping.......I bought a new one of these!!!!!

I just want to let all you lovely ladies who emailed and some who 'demanded' (lol) to know where I was and what I was doing that I LOVED that I was missed and you took the time to check on me. I too have missed everyone and will have a lot of catching up to do!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY...

2009-05-10T11:30:00.003-05:00

Wishing all of you MOTHER'S out there a wonderfully happy Mother's Day. Enjoy your small children as well as your adult children. I encourage ALL mom's to look at your children with new and fresh eyes today. Do a mental check to appreciate them and LOVE them with ALL your hearts. Over look their faults and short comings, for you never know when they might not be there anymore due to unforeseen causes or situations. Honor your children as well today as they honor you!!....................HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!!

Spring Cleaning Update

2009-05-01T12:59:00.008-05:00

Flowers....Flowers........I am soooo ready for flowers everywhere!! I thought I would show and give you some tips you might want to think about this weekend.......like, thinking outside the box on different ways you can showcase or display your lovely blooms. I have 2 matching pair of the above little 'plant' stand. This is one side of an old dresser someone cut up, I think they had plans to make nightstands out of them. I bought both side pieces for 5.00 each ..brought home and clean and painted. Now all I need are some new knobs for the drawers. Mr. Brown Dirt cut out a circle using a hanging basket pot for a template...and it fits right down perfectly. I usually have HOT PINK WAVE PETUNIA plants in these for a cascading effect, but they are not ready yet.

Whoo Whee....cleaning this place out was a dusty dirty job. I discovered that Mr. Brown Dirt had used it to 'store' some of his manly 'farm' stuff in there over the winter......WELL, I quickly remedied that!!! You can see all of my pots ready and waiting to be filled to over flowing with beautiful plants and flowers. This little greenhouse we always kept at the house for growing and over flow for the greenhouse business we have downtown. I could just spend HOURS in here!! This is where I have been having my morning coffee!!

We need to remember our little feathered friends too! You gals need to get your bird baths all washed and cleaned out. After all, they will want to take a 'dip' while they are vacationing at your house.

Get your brooms out and sweep up all their little houses and places of 'refuge'...maybe add a fresh coat of paint.

This is one of my ALL time favorite planters. This old pedestal sink is great to just set a pot down in or I have actually filled with potting soil and just planted right into it. Hhhhm I see a quilt design in this photo! Speaking of POTTING SOIL.....it really pays off to purchase the better potting soils. CHEAP potting soil has nothing in it!! You will be happier in the long run with a better soil. We always sold FERTILOME brand and swear by it!! Miracle Grow is ok too!

SCAEVOLA or 'Fan Flower' gets its name from the shape of its flowers. They just flower out one side shaped like a fan. This AUSTRALIAN native is VERY HARDY to drought and heat. They make beautiful hanging baskets. I have just planted these and can't wait until this little basket over flows with greenery and blooms. TIP....DO NOT fertilize your freshly planted little plants for a couple of weeks. The roots are young and tender and the fertilizer will BURN these roots and harm or possible KILL your lovely flowers. So wait, give your plants time to get accustom to their new pots and surroundings.

Of course geraniums are also an excellent choice for hardiness, especially THE RED color. Pinks and Lavender colored geraniums ARE NOT as hardy, but work really well in the shade. White geraniums fall in behind the red for hardiness. Mr. Brown Dirt loves the red, but my favorites are the pinks and lavenders.

April is the best time to PRUNE your ROSES, or as soon as you know there will be no more frosts or freezes. I'm pretty ruthless when I'm pruning. See how I pruned in the above picture....most people don't want to but the more you prune the better. For ROSES try to prune really well in the middle of the bush...allows more sunlight in and around the roses and helps cut down on mold and disease. The same works when you prune your FRUIT trees. Now is the time to FEED your roses with a SYSTEMIC powder that you sprinkle around in the dirt at the base of your bush. This food goes down and gets into the root of your bush and prevents those 'nasty' little BUGS that attack your cute little rose buds before they can even bloom. FEED your roses about every 3 months. It's best to water your roses in the early part of the day and best NOT TO GET water or spray the whole bush with water. This helps keep the bush dry and help prevent those little round dark 'rust' spots you see forming on the leaves.

And last.....Iris from my Grandmothers flower garden. When she died I dug up several varieties and brought home to plant in my yard. She loved these soooo much.........."Look Munner.....aren't they beautiful?"

I hope some of my ideas and tips will be helpful. Mr. Brown Dirt and I have been involved with flowers and plants for years including professional greenhouses open to the public. If you have a plant problem or question just email....maybe I can help!

CLOSED FOR SPRING CLEANING

2009-04-27T00:20:00.003-05:00

Forgotten 'Reveals'...

2009-04-24T09:07:00.006-05:00

I was going through my photos and came across these and realized I had not shown the reveal after the 'sneak peek'. Shame on me!! Remember this teapot tutorial that Pink Penguin shared with us. I loved it so much I ran quickly and made one...and then two more. I turned this one into a cute little potholder!

Here is a showing of the back. Don't you just love the blue ric rac!!! This potholder was sent off as part of a gift.

This reveal was harder to photograph....long and skinny (like me.....ha!!) It's a nice table runner I hand quilted. I have decided smaller projects are harder for me to hand quilt. Smaller means they are 'light weight' and I have a harder time keeping in control of it.....does that make any sense?? Maybe I was just being weird about it.

I used a coordinating fabric for the back and I just love all of the different teapots and teacups. Click on the photo to enlarge and you can see some of the fans and cross hatch design I used for the hand quilting. Part of the fabric on the front reminds me of old handkerchiefs. This table runner was also sent off as a gift, but looking at it here.....I can sure envision it on MY table right now.
Hope you enjoyed the reveals and I'll try not to forget to reveal my other 'sneak peeks'!!

Quilt Festival...My Favorite Quilt

2009-04-22T10:21:00.008-05:00

I definitely wanted to participate in the Bloggers Quilt Festival. Amy at Park City Girl Blog is hostessing this event. You must run over to her blog and look at the ever growing list of quilts. She has prizes and there are sponsors...GREAT FUN!!
I picked this 'BONNIE' quilt because, well, actually it is THE ONLY completely finished quilt I have done, so it should be my favorite right? I have lots of flimsy waiting to be hand quilted....but not finished. This was a gifted baby quilt I went 'round and 'round with. I didn't have or use a pattern. I started it 3 different times, ripping out and starting over again. I finally gave up and settled for this lay out. I free pieced the name Bonnie using Tonya's from Lazy Gal Quiltings free pieced letter tutorial.

Here is a close up of one of the crazy squares.....see the cute little lambs just peeking through the lace and ric rac!!

Another one featuring pretty little girls.....possible having a tea party surrounded by more lace and ric rac!!!

I finished it up by HAND QUILTING it. This was only the second time I had ever hand quilted anything! The first quilt I hand quilted was about 25 yrs. ago ( still not finished) was just straight lines around the squares. Go here if you want to see. This time I quilted little hearts....fans....cross-hatch across the Bonnie part and there are some 'squiggle' lines too. (click on picture to see close up)
OK....so I hope you enjoyed seeing this quilt.....again!!

'His' and 'Hers' Green/Fall Quilt Progress

2009-04-19T21:02:00.008-05:00

I have been sewing up these little Star Struck blocks like crazy!! This top picture is the 'HERS' version....that would be ME! I got really excited when I discovered this darker green polka dot went perfect for the sashing. I think it makes mine more fun! Go here to read how the 'His' and 'Hers' came about.

I have this cute little fold up table I cart out and set up right next to wherever I ended up laying out my quilt blocks. I pull out my 'trusty' nearly 30 year old Singer and away I go!!

I really like the whimsical polka dot sashing I decided to use on mine!!

'HIS'
For Mr. Brown Dirt I decided to sew his blocks together without sashing. I thought his throw should be simple with less whimsical features, more of a 'manly' look.

For 'HIS' I decided to border it with the matching polka dot with just a touch of the pumpkin color showing. And if you look closely, you'll see grapes and garlic. There are pears and bell peppers....just all kinds of fruit and veggies mixed in through out both of our quilts.

For 'mine' I think just more polka dots to border the edges. I put some of the pumpkin with it but decided I didn't like it!
When I finished sewing the blocks together it hit me.....what 'if' these look REALLY loud and out of place thrown around in my living room...???? I scooped them up and ran downstairs and threw them on the couches......and a pleasant surprise....the orange and bright greens didn't look that bad. So, I'm excited to be ahead of the game and will have some seasonal colors to use for fall. I may have to break down and machine quilt them in order to get them finished. WAH!! I don't think I could get them both hand quilted before Oct. It might be best since I KNOW these will be used. We'll just have to wait and see about that!!!