It's May

How can it be May already?? What happened to March and April? Time certainly does fly, doesn't it!!

I've been busy, so I guess that why I haven't noticed the months just whizzing by but I certainly need to start paying closer attention... there's only 234 more days til Christmas ya know!

I spend last week and this week on baby quilts... I have 4 done now... 1 boy oriented, 2 girl oriented and 1 either way.... that is if I actually decided to give this one up.... I have them posted on the photo site... it's called flying frogs... it's bright bright ( did I mention bright?) flying geeze and appliqued smiling frog faces. I have a box of baby quilts....all sorts of cute things in it... and this is one of them..... the boy quilt is an adaptation of one of the quilts in the Little Box of Baby Quilts also. The girls quilts were made at the same time.... one positive block, one negative block made by sewing one block and then cutting it and resewing... really fast and quite easy. I cut and sewed the blocks for both quilts on saturday and put them together today. They are from the Eleanor Burns book "still stripping after 25 years" I was on Quilterstv.com yesterday morning and this was one of her videos... I watched her make it...and then it was off to the sewing room. I started on the blocks around noon and finished the last one around 5.

The only other project for this week were the coasters we did in embroidery club... they are in the hoop coasters from moosebstitchin and they were fun! little prairie points on the coaster which is a really good size... about 5" across almost......

I started another boy quilt, a Train, and need to work on that next. I have the engine, caboose and cars fused to some cloud background, now to do the applique on that...then add some borders. That will be this weeks project....as well as working on circles for a cute smiley face quilt. I want to have an assortment of baby quilt tops ready...so when the little ones get here, I can grab one and quilt and bind it and be all ready!

I won the block lottery this month on my quilting group. I'll be receiving blocks called Indiana Puzzle done in kona snow and either 30's repro or pastels. I've received 4 so far and will post a picture as I get more..... this will be a lap throw for ME!!

I've been working on the 25 weeks of Christmas Book......and will be posting the May goals for those of you playing along at the end of this weeks blog.

Guess that's it for now
Happy Quilting

LIsh

May goals for the 25 Weeks of Christmas

May goals

1.  Your christmas list needs to be filled out and complete
2.  Your project bags need to be complete and ready sew
3.  Your birthday and non holiday projects need to be completed thru September

Mothers day is May 11th


Your project goals for this month will be

Reversible Napkins
We did coasters earlier.....and glass mugs was on the list of staples for your box....
a mug, a coaster and a napkin along with some hot chocolate, tea or coffee  make a great gift........

A set of 4 or 6, reversible napkins, monogrammed and tied with a pretty ribbon is also a quick and easy gift.

Chocolate Spoons make a great gift for any coffee lover!
Add a few spoons to your mug and napkin and it's a gift to die for!
These are very inexpensive to make also.

It's an easy month goal wise.... get the lists ready... get the box ready....get your sewing room
organized and ready!!

Lish

April 20th

Spring was here for all of 3 days.......then cold and rain and crappy stuff.... then it came back again... and then it left But the gloomy days weren't quite as gloomy and the bright days were nice and bright...so maybe soon................

I woke up Friday morning thinking the cats were jumping on the bed fighting ..... hmmmmmm no cats in bed......it was an earthquake! Yup... my first earthquake. I've been thru 2 tornados...and I come from the east coast so I've been thru many many hurricanes... but this was my first earthshaker... it was very weird and didn't last long.... maybe 10 seconds at the very most.... the center was in Illinois....near southern Indiana and it was felt in several states around us. I live on the Wabash Fault... which apparently burps every 20 or 30 years.......this fault connects to the San Madrid fault which burbs every hundred years or so..... last time it burped it changed the flow of the Mississippi river they tell me.......... and it's over due..... yippee

I got quite a bit done these past two weeks...... all of the pictures are posted on the photo site. I finished one baby quilt top and started the second. The second one is called Flying Frogs and it's bright flying geese and lime green frogs........it's pretty cool.......I hope to get that finished up this weekend yet.

I've been working on my binding stack and finished up two christmas wall hangings, a table mat and the quilters dozen april block. I have a stack of candlemats yet to do, all made from those 30's orphan blocks.

The May goals for the 25 Weeks of Christmas will be posted the end of next week for those who are playing along, but not part of the yahoo group. I have a few openings if anyone wishes to join. I'm closing it again at the end of June and there will be no new members added after that until the following January.

There's also the possibility of a book on the 25 Weeks due out in the fall. I'll keep you posted on that also.

Have a look at the flickr site for all the new fun stuff.....Okie dokie duckie has updated her knitting blog so you might want to check that out too...Have a great week ahead....and
Happy Sewing!

Lish

Finally!!!

I almost hesitate to say it... but I think spring has FINALLY arrived in Indiana. It was in the 60's yesterday and close to 70 today!! It's absolutely gorgeous. My cats are very happy that they can now go out on the deck and soak in the sunshine too!

I got quite a bit of sewing done recently... I finished the binding on the purple log cabin wall hanging and it's been delivered to it's owner, I made a coffee set which consists of a small box for coffee/tea/sugar etc, 4 reversible napkins, 4 reversible coasters and a reversible table mat... actually about placemat size. I used a lot of stash. I had coffeebean fabrics that I used for another project...so I started with that to make the box... one thing led to another and while digging I found a panel of coffee oriented blocks.. I cut the blocks apart to make the napkins and table mat and made stripes to cut the coasters from... quite awesome if I do say so myself lol. I made 4 pursnickities. THis is a lazy girl pattern that has 3 variations made from one 16" quilted square.. I made the nickita version. I call them Grab and Go! Two of them will be grab and go diaper bags for babies coming in august. They are shaped like a brick or a man's shaving kit and hold a pack of wet wipes, a couple of diapers, a bottle, binky and mommy's keys and wallet.... just enough to take for a quick trip. It hangs quite nicely on the stroller handle too! One of the others is made from sewing oriented fabric. That one as well as the last one will go in the christmas box along with the coffee set. There are also two small needle/thread kits. These need to have their snaps and buttons attached. I also did the first two blocks from my Stars across America wallhanging. I did the Barbara Fritchie star and the Harriet Tubman star. I plan to make a 4 or 6 star hanging so now I need to decide which other ladies from history will be represented... I'm sure Clara Barton will be in there but just not sure of the others. I also finished up the April block lottery blocks and they have been sent to their new owner. It was a really fun pattern this month.
This month was wing needle nite at embroidery club. I've posted pictures of the cocktail napkins, beverage napkins, and tray doilies that I did using a Wing Needle. Pretty cool!!!

I'll put pictures of all of the new stuff on the flickr site when I leave here. I think that's about all I finished up over the last two weeks. There were about 3 days that I didn't get a chance to get into the sewing room.... almost put me in withdrawal lol

I do have one project that I'm working on that I can't post yet.... its for the Fat Quarter Frenzy. I received the fat quarters and decided on my project... I have most of it cut...just one more part of it. Once it's done... it'll get sent back to it's owner...then I can post what I did with 4 fat quarters of fabric.

Think spring....... bee happy

Lish

Happy Bunny Day!!

Ir's Easter Sunday and here in Indiana the sun is finally shining. Maybe the Easter Bunny is bringing a basket full of spring!

There's a herd of new photos posted on the photo site. I had two really great days of sewing this week and finished up a few projects.

I did 18 9 patch blocks for the block swap. That's the 16 I need plus 2 extras...just in case someone else signs up. They are done in some left over Thimbleberries fabrics. I want to try the disappearing 9 patch quilt when I get mine back.

I also sashed up the large orphan blocks and they are ready for batting and quilting. The large ones will become table mats or candle mats and the smaller ones will become placemats. The little pinwheel orphan blocks will become hot pot mats and potholders...I have lots of insulbright!!

I finished up my spring Miranda Bag and Towne Purse. Both of these patterns are by Lazy Girl Designs. I also did up a Lazy accessory set... 2 Wonder Wallets, 2 pouches, and a check book cover. This time I made a large trifold quilted wallet. It's not a Lazy Girl pattern. It took me 5 hours to make the wallet... it's nice... it has a zippered pocket, a regular pocket, credit card slots and a clear viny ID card slot. The credit card piece lifts up and theres 2 more vinyl pockets and a checkbook/coupon pocket and pen holder. It also has a pocket on the back.
It only took me 1b 1/2 hours to cut and sew the complete accessory set!!

I also finished up a purple Log Cabin Star for a friend at work. Just need to hand stitch the binding. I'll post that after the binding is completed.

There won't be much sewing today.... it's March Madness and it's hit West Lafayette! The Purdue Women's Basketball team is playing tonite in the first round NCAA games. There are four sets of games today and I"ll probably go watch'em all!!

Tuesday is the next set of games and if all goes well today... we'll play tuesday nite for our shot at the Sweet Sixteen.... so keep your fingers crossed and think Black and Gold!!

For those playing along on the 25 Weeks... April goals will be posted next week and currently I have a few openings available in the yahoo group. April 1st I'm closing membership again til June so if you are interested, please sign up. You can see the group here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/25weeks.

Til next week
Think Spring

Lish

March is acting much like a Lion

March came in like a lamb and it's acting very much like a lion! Snow..rain..winds and crap.... but the birds are singing a cheerful song and the chipmunks have left their burrows and are running helter skelter looking for food.......

I've been working on a few things so far this month.... I finished up my block lottery flower blocks...they are posted on the Flickr site... also there's a paper pieced turtle tool mat, some Lazy Girl Sew and Go kits, a couple of Ipod cases. I finished up my Giant Postage STamp blocks and everything is in the mail!!

I went to the Indiana State Museum to see the Threads that Bind exhibit... it's an Amish Quilt exhibit and really very nice. They also have a block from the Aids Quilt, Home of the Brave quilt and Quilt of Valor. They also have a free block kit that you can make for the Quilt of Valor and mail back. It's a very easy block... mine is done and on it's way to be part of a Quilt for an Injured Soldier.

The rest of this month will be spent working on Orphan Blocks, and Gift Box Stuff. One of the Ipod cases is for me and one is for the gift box. One is for a birthday in April. The same goes for the 3 Sew and Go kits... the batik is a birthday gift, the rainbow one is for me, the other goes in the box, although I do have a receipient that may get it before xmas.

Hopefully those of you who are playing along are working on your goals. If you have any questions or problems, feel free to contact me.

Somewhere I have 2 paper pieced coffee cups... I want to make them into coasters.. but they seem to have run off at the moment... I'm sure they'll surface again soon...and when they do... I'll take pictures!!

Have a great week

Lish

March came in like a Lamb

March arrived in my part of Indiana on saturday as calm as a baby kitten.......it was warm and wonderful and definitely like spring! Sunday was the same.... temps in the 60's..... sunshine, warm breeze, birds singing....... Monday morning I left for work in 62 degree weather...that was at 6:30 in the morning...... by the time I got home it was 32......this morning it was -10 with the wind..... I just love Indiana weather! lol

I don't have pictures up yet of what I've been working on.... been doing a bit of this and that and a whole lot of something else! Right now I have a Miranda Bag and a Towne Purse cut and quilted and ready for sewing......I have an assortment of Wonderwallets, pouches and check book cover ready for sewing to match the bag and tote........ I have a log cabin star I'm working on for a girl at work....... I have 8 or 10 large orphan blocks sashed and ready to be quilted.... these will become candle mats for the gift box.........there are 6 others that will become table runners or toppers and I have 12 small orphan blocks ready also.... these will be made into table toppers and potholders.... I need to get busy!!!

I'll post the March goals for those of you playing along on the 25 Weeks til Christmas program....

There are more this month....so you'll need a bit more time to complete them...... right now there are 295 days left til christmas!!!! Wow! It'll be here before ya know it!

1. Complete ALL remaining goals for January and February

2. Prepare your birthday gifts for April and May

3. Fill in any remaining blank spots on your gift list... you can always change it later, but you need to have your list completed by the end of the month.

4. Gather up your orphan blocks. It's time to get rid of those leftover blocks from quilts, swaps, block of the month projects, etc. You can turn them into finished gifts in no time at all! Listed at the end of these goals are a few things you can do with orphan blocks. It will be up to you how many you complete, but you should shoot for at least 4-6 for this month.

5. If you don't quilt or have orphan blocks,or you don't want to use up your orphan blocks then you need to complete 6 pillow cases. Pillow cases can be singles or sets of 2.... up to you. Pillow cases make great gifts for kids and for college students. Flannel pillowcases are warm and comfy too! Pillow cases can also be used as *gift bags* for larger gifts. They also make wonderful bridal shower gifts too!

Things to do with orphan blocks
for larger blocks.... 16" or more... add several borders and make baby quilts or large floor pillows 4 large blocks together makes a nice lap throw or crib quilt.
for blocks 12-14" add some borders or sashing and use for table runners, table mats, candle mats, pillows, placemats, large tote bags
for blocks 8-10" pillows, placemats, tote bags, put several together for table runners or table mats
For smaller blocks quilt them and then use them to make wallets, eyeglass cases, rotary cutter cases, etc.

Think about making a shower curtain from your blocks.... they are quick and easy to do! The basic shower curtain measures 70 x 72......... I have one on my photo site that I made.... I did 6" borders on the sides and made an 8" checker board on the bottom.... the top header was 4"...and I made button holes for the hooks to go thru..... it's really a fun project...... no batting!!! after you put the blocks together.... add just a backing.... I used white cotton..... I made it like a pillow case..... sewed down the sides and across the bottom.... then turned and added the header... i just tacked the front to the back at a few places then attached a plastic liner along with the curtain when I put it on the hooks... if you draw it out on a piece of graph paper first.... it goes together really quickly.

Ok kids.... you have your assignments.........I'll post pictures of what I've done so far soon........

See you in a week!!

Lish

Last Sunday in February

Can you believe it?? Another month is almost gone! Time sure flies when it's cold and snowy and crappy outside! We've been having 3" of snow.... every day.... for forever it seems...... just enough to be annoying....I'd rather see an 18" dump than this piddly fluff stuff!! It's bright and sunny today so there is some melting and runoff...and that means more flooding.... we've had our share of flooding recently too! Someone definitely ticked off Mother Nature and I wish whoever it was would just apologize so we can move on to spring!

Ok... I just came back from the Purdue Boilermakers Women's Basketball game......... We've amazed and astounded just about everyone this year.........our two key players were injured and had to sit out this entire season...... we have a very young, inexperienced team.......BUT!! these girls have fought hard and played hard...and yes, sometimes played really stupid... but we are currently 3rd place in the Big Ten standings........ We have one more game left in this season before we head to Indianapolis for the Tournement........ Most of the powers that decide things had us pegged for 6 or 7th at the most... that'll teach'em!

Today was an especially tough game... we played the spartans hard at their home court...and held them through the first half...and then we played stupid and went from a 9 point lead to losing the game...... today we played hard....the whole game.......everyone played their hearts out and we pulled it off!!!

I also noticed something today......... Michigan brought a lot of fans with them..... that's unusual for any team that comes to play here... they will bring a few...but today there were a lot.... and I noticed one other thing........ there is nothing in this world that can bring a group of strangers together like the Chicken Dance can. Our pep band started playing......and everyone started flapping...even a few of the michigan fans.......it's a sight to behold!

Enough for now........ later this week I'll put up the March goals for those of you that are playing along with the 25 Weeks and I'll post a few pics too.

Take care

Lish