Catching up with Civil War...

Yes, even though I have sewn everyday since the New Year started I have fallen way behind with the Civil War Quilt Along.  YIKES!  I only have 6 blocks completed and they are up to 16!
I need to get back to the routine of doing the block for the week EVERY WEEK!

I see another goal ~ SEW CIVIL WAR BLOCK EVERY WEEK!

This morning I made block 15.  Now I know this is really out of order but it was fresh on my mind and I had the pattern newly printed.

Here she is!

And, here are the blocks I have completed to date!

Maybe I can make another one tonight after I work on my Calendar Girls BOM for Saturday's class sample!

Have a fun day sewing!



Busy...busy...busy!

Work today...party tonight!
Yup, going to a Fireman's Installation Dinner/Dance tonight with my husband!
It's always fun and the food is always great ~ too bad the weather will be lousy :(...!

Finished quilting and binding the Ice Cream Quilt on Thursday night and dropped it off ~ it can begin the journey to Japan.

Can I just tell you ~ sew soft, sew cozy, sew adorable!

Last night I started the Birthday block for the swap I am in.  This month "Civil War" Fabrics.

Yes, I have a few of those, LOL!!!

I had a block in mind and couldn't pull it off because the center focus fabric wouldn't fit in the block (the flags would have been cut off).  Sew, as it works out I had to design a block to make it work.  Not such a bad thing because I have been trying to design a block for each participant anyway!

Here it is in all it's glory...

The center looks a little "off" color from the rest but that's only in "photo life"...in real life it looks really cool!
Hope the birthday girl likes it as much as I do!

Off to work...HAPPY SEWING!
Colleen

Ice Cream Memories...

Yesterday was a day off!  My husband is always off on Wednesday and I try to take off one Wednesday per month so we can spend time together.

During lunch (at our favorite Japanese restaurant) I was telling him about "Quilts for Japan".

The guild I belong to is asking members to participate and the shop where I work is a drop off point.

After a little bit of conversation about the devastation in that country I made up my mind to participate.

When we got home I pulled a bunch (about 25) of my stash fabrics to make a quick quilt.

Many of the ones I picked make me smile when I see them and the others I picked for "filler".

A good STASH MASH ~ used up about 2 yards and the back will take 3 yards ~ so I mashed 5 yards of stash!

Cut three 2.5" strips from each fabric (two for the top and one of each for the binding).

When I finished piecing the strips and looked at the top all I could think of was...

ICE CREAM!

Please, don't ask me why because I don't know why ~ it just reminds me of the counter in an old fashioned Ice Cream Parlor!

Here is a photo of...

ICE CREAM MEMORIES

YUMMY! and bright (that was the goal ~ bright!)

Someday I will have to make "Ice Cream Memories 2" to keep!

Tonight, after work, I will need to quickly back this (I have a nice soft yellow flannel) and quilt it so I meet the deadline (Saturday!)!

Have a great day...it looks like we might have some sunshine today!
Happy Sewing!
Colleen

I feel like Spring...where is that darn SUNSHINE!

Yup, today the weather is suppose to be nice and warm ~ it's warmer but the Sun is still missing.

Yesterday was a lovely day but again, the Sun didn't show until about 6pm!
I REALLY WANT SOME NICE SUNNY DAYS!

Managed to get in a little spring cleaning yesterday (and when I say a little, I mean a little)! :)

I also hung my Easter Flag outside ~ finally!

Have I ever mentioned my outside flags?  Well, other than my assorted American Flags that I hang I always make sure holiday and seasonal themed flags have an Americana theme to them.

Here is a photo of my "Great American Easter Parade"!

This makes me happy!

Sewed a little this weekend ~ not as much as I wanted.  Must get busy tonight!


Happy Sewing!
Colleen

Almost finished!

So here is a photo of my One Block Wonder all pieced together with the inner border on it.

It is currently hanging in the class room at work as a class sample.  When I get it back I plan to add a 8" border with the original fabric used to piece the quilt.

The fabric hanging to the right of the top is a snapshot of the original fabric prior to cutting it up.

The class isn't until May so I won't be getting the borders on until at least Memorial Day Weekend...and then of course the question remains...how will I quilt it?

The colors are a lot brighter in person.  Here is a close up peek.

That's all that's new right now...happy sewing!

Colleen

Finally Finished

It was a crazy time getting this one done.  A joint effort with my sister for our niece's Bridal Shower.

I designed and pieced the top and my sister did the free motion quilting and binding.

I also made two pillows to match.

My sister had machine trouble and so I had to lend her my machine, it was very stressfull but well worth the effort.

This quilt came out really nice and my niece loved it!
Not the best photo but it is the only one I have of it!

Happy Sewing!
Colleen

While pecking around...

...look what I found!

Go to this website for an amazing treat!

These "quilts" are really neat!

Happy Sewing today!

My life is like a "Crazy Quilt"...

Beautiful, a lot going on and it will all come together when the time is right!
Some seams seem to need special stitches to cover them and hide the "oops"!
We will get there!

In the meanwhile, I have been sew busy that I haven't been able to post on a regular basis.

I finished the top for a special project and that is being quilted right now ~ no photos ~ took them on my cell phone and not quite sure how to get them off the phone and into this darn computer...this seam needs some lovely flowers for sure!

Yesterday was a day of ups and downs so when I got home from work I decided that I needed to just have some sewing FUN...and I did just that!

I had a Jelly Roll laying around for months now and I decided that it was time to unroll the stack and make something sort of out of the ordinary for ME!

Well, one hour and 45 minutes of sewing and here is what I have...

I am going to call it "A Quick Roll..."!

I will post more about this technique at a later date - for now, enjoy the view!

That's all for now...lots to do today and tonight is the First Friday Finishes (Sit n' Sew) at the shop ~ always a fun time!

Have fun and SEW EVERYDAY ~ I do!
Colleen