Little Ladies of Progress

Here is one of my favorite quilting books, which was also a gift from a special friend.

Here is the inspiration for my latest project.

One cute little house.

Sweet little lady with embroidery embellishments.

Can you see the tiny bead necklace on this gal?

Plus she has an adorable apron!


I have put feet to the words I often use:

You cannot base your life on feelings,

you must base your life on Truth!

I do not feel like doing anything.

But I know that I truly do enjoy quilting.

So I am doing some quilting.

I am also focusing on filling my mind with God's Truths.

So my little ladies are Little Ladies of Progress.

Much of my quilting and naming of quilts reflect my life's journey,

and here again; it is so.

What is up?

Been in a real quilting funk lately. I have spent quite a bit of time curled up under this quilt, birds and swirls. I have been sewing these little ladies and houses out of bliss leftovers, of course it is bliss. I have the previous post quilt, fandango, to finish quilting--but it is just so difficult to quilt something that big on my little machine (whine whine whine).
Also have strips ready for another jams and jelly quilt but I need a tone on tone to really get started on that one.
So I would guess that I have almost a dozen projects.
(pause while I count)
Maybe not as bad as I assumed, let's see:

(5)Three tops that need backs and quilting, nope ...make that four...nope, 5!
1. The twin to mom's quilt
2. Birds with blue n red on white
3. The retro 50's fabric quilt
4. The black and white passport leftovers dutch something or other pattern
5. Jake's turquoise and black quilt (has been sitting untouched in a box for 12 months)

(1)Then I have Fandango--which is in the process of being quilted.

(3)And then there are projects that have been started and are in various stages:
1. Breakfast at Tiffany's. Top is close to finished
2. Two Square - aqua and lime+ greens
3. The back yard garden project - greens and browns. Funny I have all of the difficult squares finished, just held up on the east ones!

(4)And then there are pieces and parts:
1. Bliss wonky stars
2. Bliss applique
3. Bliss ladies and houses hanging on the wall
4. Bias spider web squares - an understandable slow project--no rush here

(1)Projects cut out:
1. Perfect Blue quilt ( my birthday gift to myself 2009- cut since then too)

Ok worse! 14
And there are also a few projects that are so small at this point that I am not counting them. :)

I did make a beautiful baby quilt for one of Bruce's co-workers new baby.
Maybe that is the key, I just prefer to work toward something.
Maybe so.

Red Couch Day

Feeling rotten again! Again...ugh, it just never seems to be gone for long. This morning I am curled on my "red couch" playing on my laptop. It is an easy way to get a lot done without moving much. So it is almost like I have been busy this morning (oops it is 2:15 already), balanced the checkbook, paid a few bills, did some work for The Rogue Angler, read my mail...pretty busy huh?

Anyway, while surfing I ran across this wonderful writing on what it is like to have Lupus. I am posting a link to the article on the writers web site: But You Don't Look Sick.

The Spoon Theory

http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory-written-by-christine-miserandino/

Also I am working on a new quilt called Fandango designed by Kate Spain. But I have changed up the pattern arrangement a little. I kindof prefer more of a color pattern, So I am alternating greenish pinwheels with orangeish ones. But the fabric is WONDERFUL!!!

In A Quandary

Remember how I mentioned last time that I did not do well following directions? For example the first block I put together was block B and you might also remember that I altered the pattern to better fit what I did. Anyway...the above block is my block B. (Horrible picture, way too much sunlight, I really need to take a class on how to use my camera, or be more willing to take another picture when I see how they turned out....) Back to my primary quandary, I like the block B pretty well. It is a happy block that makes me smile.

So then I moved on to tackle block A. To begin with, I did not like that mini-pieced star center so I substituted additional applique--those little centers are very cute. Then I worked out the inner star and so far so good. Next came the outer border and I almost choked when I started counting how many of those red, pink, red formations I was looking at. Honestly I finished one little section and it felt like I should be completely finished with the square. Note to self: Some quilts are really a pain to do. If all my quilting was like this...this might just be all of my quilting. The block A finally completed.


Still, as I look at how cute the blocks are and back to the pattern and count four of block B (the easy one) no problem; and only five of block A (lets see that is one down, so four to go times four of those blasted red, pink, red border combinations...that is 16) Can I really commit to finishing 16 more of those? Wait! I actually have one more that I put together with the first four, so no we are talking 15..hmmmm....maybe.

Then I put the two alternating blocks together and I hesitate. I am not sure I like it. It seems SO busy. What do you think?

Honestly, I think this is going to take some consideration. For all that work, I should LOVE it, Don't you think? I just don't know what to think. maybe I am going to have to alter the pattern again to give my eyes some resting space. I am open to ideas.

Still Hooked on Bliss

Recently I decided to overcome my fear of applique and so I grabbed a handful of left- over Bliss. I figured if anything could help me through this daunting task, Bliss would help. My latest quilting magazine fed my courage with a number of tips from the pros, step by step instructions, and even a pattern. I gathered myself and started my first ever attempt at applique and come up with this:

So much fun that I made a few more.

Why stop when there is plenty of Bliss left-overs and free scrap to work with?

Now it was back to the magazine--what should I do with this little bouquet? The original pattern was a little different, but I am all about making it "my way". So after a few pages of graph paper figuring, I determined a way I could make a variation on the original pattern with the samples I was working with. However, I was not ready to stop appliqueing, so I changed the pattern adaptation a bit more to allow for more applique.

These will be the centers of the "alternating" square, which was originally to be completely pieced. Probably when I complete this "pattern" it will not resemble the original inspiration. But I already love it!

Maybe next time I will follow directions.

...or maybe not.

Bliss-ful Progress

This lovely little handful, is the beginnings of some great fun. First off, I am partial to red, so this collection caught my eye and second, I am really partial to red and white polka-dots (see upper left of picture), and what happens when you put that together with a little Christmas money...

What you get is Jam and Jellies (Fig Tree Quilts Pattern). Eye candy! Sigh! This one square is almost enough for me, but why stop when you have a good thing going...

Do you want to know what happens when you put all of these parts together? What you get is a quilting girl who can hardly wait to show her momma this pretty quilt. I had to text her practically in the middle of the night (hmmmmm...I'm not telling why it was in the middle of the night...but it might of had to do with my recently reactivated night owl skills). My momma is off playing in Mexico, but she assured me she is eager to see my newest creation, and that she would love it. O.K. So I know I am a big girl now, but I still want to show my momma my creations (at least the ones I am proud of). And this one, I am proud of... drum roll please....

Not the greatest of pictures, we had a beautiful sunny day, but the quilt top was not finished in time to see the sun. I quickly snapped a couple pictures so I could post tonight. I will try to get some better pictures tomorrow if the weather cooperates.

So after I snapped those pictures and took a little break from smiling at that pretty top, I felt like doing a little star gazing. That is Bliss-ful isn't it? Well it was for me...

I am not sure how many stars I will be able to make with my scraps, but it seemed like a nice way to use up the leftovers and make something else beautiful.

I hope you have a Bliss-ful week!

Quilting Bliss

Fig Tree Quilts has published the cutest pattern called Jelly and Jam, I have had my eye on it for some time now. Last time I was in LA, I picked up the pattern and planned to make the quilt with Breakfast at Tiffany's, but I purchased charm packs instead of Jelly Rolls, so that put a large kink in my plans. Do not despair--I came up with plan B for my Breakfast at Tiffany's:

So back to the Jelly and Jam, in November of 2010 I discovered Bliss, literally the fabric collection called "Bliss". It is Bliss-ful! I went a little crazy and had a Merry Bliss-Mass. I made myself a new Bliss-mass Stocking---finally a stocking for me which I LOVE! For a good friend and hostess with the most-ess, I made a Bliss Table Runner. And finally I settled into the Jams and Jelly quilt pattern in the Bliss collection.

The colors range from these cool browns and sage-like greens, all highlighted with ice blue and red or pink.

So far I have these blocks going, they will all be sashed with a Bliss custard cream polka dot and posted with some of the red. Since I think it is time to put away the Christmas Fruitcake Quilt, I am planning on Bliss taking its place in the front room--which means I probably had better use flannel on the back (which IS available in Bliss as well).

These colors are so great together. Although I do enjoy mixing and matching my own fabric combinations, it can sure be fun to use a coordinated set. I can't wait to see this quilt come together. Stay tuned!

A Big 21 Gun Salute For 2010

I have not been completely ignoring my quilting life (just the blogging part). I think the extra work hours in front of a computer make me less likely to come home and get in front of a computer again. Not that surprising. But I still managed to make time for some sewing therapy and finished the year off with a big bang!

A big job for two KING size quilts came in as Christmas drew near, but I was pretty motivated and excited, so they were done in plenty of time for wrapping. This is the Lemley 1 & 2, both are double Irish Chains and backed in their own mustard yellow prints. I thought they turned out great, and I hear they were well received.

My Mom came over for Christmas and we put her big machine to work finishing one of her 2 year projects----I wish I had a picture, she hand sewed hexies til her fingers bled (there was actually quite a bit of blood on that quilt), then we framed it and she quilted like mad for a very satisfying gift under the tree.

I had to sneak the machine when Mom was out to finish quilting and bind a secret gift for her. I think this is my LAST Embroidered Bird quilt. A perfect gift for my mom.

For the first time ever I used Fleece for a backing. My wonderful husband loves snuggley things so I wanted to try the fleece as a backing. It quilted nice and looks good, but it feels wonderful. I am not sure if I will use fleece again (so bulky), however I also tried a flannel backing for the Christmas Fruitcake quilt and really like that. My kids are not willing to put that quilt away now that Christmas is over. So I will definitely do the flannel back again.

Cindy requested something Hot Pink from the Sewing Santa, I am not sure if I actually hit Hot pink, but it is rich looking and comes pretty close.

And finally Dad was surprised with a quilt made from the fabric findings he has brought to me over the last year. He picks up different fabrics when he can for next to nothing, so I put together a nice neutral scheme with coral splashed. He was sure surprised. I tried my best to use all reclaimed materials for his quilt--I know he likes that sort of thing. Plus, it was a new type of challenge for me.

As is our tradition, Mom and I created something while we were together....this time a French Roses quilt for Aunt Laura. It turned out so fresh and bright. Laura's favorite color is red, so we dug through all my fabrics and pulled every red I had and set to work in a quilt as you go fashion (also new to me). We used my very favorite ever green for the leaves (kind of a fresh green apple tone on tone) (p.s. Mom, I know you have more of that fabric stashed away somewhere.......), Mom picked a luscious crisp white for the background and back, and of course I requested we use my favorite red polka dot fabric to border. It was almost finished when Mom left and I know she was working hard to finish it--and I just got a call tonight from Aunt Laura: guess what? She loves it!

So, a BIG finish for me in 2010 : 21 quilts completed. I can hardly believe it! But is sure does feel good.