A finish?

I used my churn dash blocks as an excuse to visit one of my local quilt shop -- as if I need an excuse!  I was a little worried I would find a sashing and border that worked.  Actually, it was just the border print I was worried about.  That is the challenge of using a line of fabric for the blocks.  Sometimes you feel like you need part of that line for the other fabric in the quilt.  In this case, I easily found fabric to match.  I found three that I really liked.  One was too white.  I wanted to buy it to use on the back, but I can't pay full price for backing, no matter how much I like it.  The second was more blue.  That wasn't a problem, I just decided to go pink instead of blue.  The sashing isn't a solid, it just reads like one.

And that is as finished as it is going to get for now.  Sigh. . . I'm trying not to get discouraged about my quilt machine.  Right now I am waiting for another part and praying it will work.

I have one quilt on a deadline that needs custom quilting.  It is at a friend's house right now getting quilted.  It is much harder than I thought to give up control of the quilting.   Can't wait to show you that quilt, but it will be a few months. 

As Seen on Newstands

I finally spotted my quilt on a local newstand!

I must confess that I did move it to the front! 

Look at all the quilt magazines!  This was at my local Smiths grocery store.  I occasionally buy them here if I see one that I don't have.  I try to keep my subscriptions current.  It's cheaper that way.

On the Design Wall

This has been a frustrating week for me.  My quilt machine isn't working, and I have been trying to troubleshoot it with the great folks at Statler in Missouri.  We have tried three things that haven't worked, and are in the process of trying a fourth.  I am praying that this is the one that finally gets thinkgs running again.

In the meantime, what better than sewing to work with the anxiety!

This is a quick pattern from my book Simply Charming Kids.  I love the classic churn dash block!  This churn dash is put together with charm squares.  Perfect for times like this week when I didn't want to do a lot of cutting, and I didn't want to have to think much about what I was doing.

One thing about this pattern is that the triangles in each block are actually different, but similar.  A lot of charm packs have similar fabrics, so this usually works well.  I messed up a little on this one.  I was matching up the small squares with the triangles before I started, but I mixed them up when I put them back together after I had sewn the pieces.  I thought I could remember how I had them, but I couldn't.  I think I liked my original pairings better, but I am not going to worry about it at all.

The ladies at church wanted a quick table topper to start after Christmas.  I thought this fit the bill!  I had this Michael Miller charm pack from a few years ago.  I paired it with a Moda solid charm pack.  It will be finished with sashing and a border.  I haven't thought about with what yet.

Does sewing help relieve your anxiety too?

Block Three Winners

Good morning!  We have winners!  Two charm packs from Mama Spark, and one fat quarter set from me!

The winner of one of Mama Spark's charm packs is:

SFmitchell!

The winner of the other charm pack from Mama Spark is:

Kate in OK!

And the winner of the 5 fat quarters from me is:

sallie789!

Congratulations! Love all these fun stars!!! Email me your address and Pam and I will get those right out!
Happy Quilting!

Block Four with Mama Spark

It's Tuesday again!  Are you ready for another block?!? 

Well, ready or not, we've got another fun star block for you!  This block is from Pam Lincoln, otherwise known as Mama Spark: www.mamaspark.blogspot.com

Here's Pam!

HI Everyone,

My name is Pam Lincoln although you may know me by Mama Spark.  You can find my blog at www.mamaspark.blogspot.com and I would love you to stop by for a visit!  I’ve always felt that strangers are just friends we haven’t met yet. 

I was first introduced to sewing by my mom who used to sew all my clothes when I was little.  She taught me to sew when I was young and I have done a fair amount of sewing since.  My own three children never wore a store bought Halloween costume!  I am a scientist by day and a mad crafter the rest of the time. 

I started out with counted cross stitch, which I still love.  I had taken the odd quilting class but it just didn’t stick with me.  About 6 years ago a dear friend was sewing binding on while we were watching our daughters at swim practice.  She encouraged me to get back into making quilts.  I looked for a group to join and found one at my church.  About a year later I was running the group!  I have since left that group and formed another one.  I love hanging out with other quilters, so inspirational!

I began blogging around the time I began quilting, and have never looked back!  Who knew there were so many kindred spirits in the world?  The internet has a way of making everyone seem so close.  My quilting has evolved from making quilts from patterns to designing my own.  I love to make a design my own and to develop new designs of my own.  The blogging community as well as Flickr are such a rich source of information and inspiration. 

I have three children, one is currently in graduate school at North Carolina State, while the other 2 live at home.  The eldest works at the University of Michigan (that’s where I work too) and the youngest is working 2 jobs trying to decide what he wants to do with his life.  I also have a wonderful and very supportive husband that never complains that his living room has been turned into my sewing room.  We share our home with 5 cats and one dog.  We have raised some peacocks, chickens and ducks as well, although now they live at our friend’s farm.  Life is never dull at our house!

I am so excited to have been included in this wonderful Quilt along.  Konda is the BEST!  I can’t wait to see what you do with my block and I hope you enjoy making it as much as I did!  Don’t forget to stop by my blog and say “HI”, I would love to meet you!

Thanks Pam!  Here's Pam's block called Fiesta Star:

 Here's  my version of the Fiesta Star!

Click HERE for the link to the instructions.

What happens next?

The drawing will be from the flickr group. The drawing tonight (first thing in the morning really) is for any blocks posted since my last block was posted. The drawing is technically for block 3, but any blocks posted will be in the drawing. There will be some of you who are quick and will get your blocks posted.

This block is "due" in two weeks. I say due, but it really doesn't matter. Post your block when you get it done, and it will be entered into the next drawing. If you make one block, post one picture. If you make two blocks, post two pictures.

What's up for grabs this time?

Fabric!!!

Pam has 2 charm packs from Michael Miller.  It's Fairy Frost!

I'll add a set of 5 fat quarters!

Happy quilting!

Block Two Winners

I think you know how relieved I am that the block yesterday posted.  I was traveling home and not able to get to a computer to even check until late.  Sorry the winners are late, but we have three winners today.  Let's see who they are!

This is one of those times when  you didn't want to procrastinate.  The super secret prize from Mary Lou is this quilt kit!  Then I have 5 more fat quarters that I picked up on my trip AND one of my quilt books to give away!

The winner of one of my quilt books is:

carruthers2011!

The winner of my 5 fat quarters is:

bmjmsb!

And the winner of Mary Lou's quilt kit is:

SeamWeaver!

Congratulations!  Love all these fun stars!!! Email me your address and Mary Lou and I will get those right out!
Happy Quilting!

Block Three with Mary Lou Casada

I am crossing my fingers this morning that this posts correctly!  I am not home and have scheduled this post.  I use to be able to schedule posts just fine, but sometimes it doesn't work.  So I'm crossing my fingers!  I will be home to draw for prizes though!

Today, block three is brought to us by Mary Lou Casada from Cheaper than Therapy Quilting.

Here's Mary Lou!

What a privilege to be a part of one of Konda’s Quilt-Alongs!! I had so much fun doing the Layer Cake quilt-along earlier, so when the Fat Quarter Stars project came along, I jumped at the opportunity to design a block!  Thanks so much, Konda!

I’m Mary Lou Casada from Cheaper than Therapy Quilting (http://www.cheaperthantherapyquilting.blogspot.com/) and I’ve been quilting about 20 years (Oh My Word!!!)!! I’d dabbled in quilting a little because I had a grandmother who loved quilts and a great grandmother who was a prolific bee-quilter.  I can remember the frames being lowered from the ceiling of her little house when I was just a girl!  When Emily, my first born – who just turned 21 this Sunday! (Oh My Word!!) – was expected, I decided she needed a quilt…and off I went into the glorious addictive world of quilting!!

I am self-professed Queen Starts-a-Lot, and I love the process of selecting fabrics and piecing and/or appliquéing quilts.  I love the hand quilting part, too, but I’m notoriously slow.  Currently in the frame is the Mountain Laurel Quilters Sampler, a project I designed for my club ….in 2008! J   Slow! :-D  But it’s because I love starting new things.  That’s why I love quilt-alongs….Deadlines!! LOL

At Cheaper than Therapy I always end my entries with a Bible verse…Here’s an encouraging word for you!

^“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”  Jeremiah 29:11-12 (NIV)

Thanks so much for letting me be part of your Fat Quarter Stars quilt!

Blessings!

Thanks Mary Lou!  Here's Mary Lou's block that she calls Friendly Winds!

and here's my block!

My block didn't turn out quite how I had planned.  I forgot that the orange was going to go in the middle so the orange from the outside was brought into the middle like Mary Lou's.  Then I went and cut too many orange and not enought of the light green.  When I realized what I did, I decided to sew it up anyway -- it was all cut!  I still like it even though it probably would have been better the other way. 

Click HERE for the link to the instructions.

What happens next?

The drawing will be from the flickr group.  The drawing tonight (first thing in the morning really) is for any blocks posted since my last block 1 was posted.  The drawing is technically for block 1, but any blocks posted will be in the drawing.  There will be some of you who are quick and will get your blocks posted. 

This block is "due" in two weeks.  I say due, but it really doesn't matter.  Post your block when you get it done, and it will be entered into the next drawing.  If you make one block, post one picture.  If you make two blocks, post two pictures.

What's up for grabs this time?

Two super secret prizes!  We will find out tomorrow who the winners are and what they win!!!

Happy quilting!