It's MONDAY!

Christmas is in the books. Love and laughter remains. We are home again. 

Best present given:

Best present received: Fabric from Australia, pics next week.

This weekend saw Clue 4 finished and 1 of Clue 5. Today is for running errands before noon as we are under a Winter Storm Warning and I don't think it is going to miss us this time. They are calling for 6 - 8 inches of wet, heavy snow heading up from Texas. Sooo......this afternoon will be reserved for Clue 5.

When I started Clue 4, I wondered if I could find 30 different reds in my stash. I did. I started with the ones I had used already in the "Santa Hats", Part 2 and then went on the hunt. Even though I used many reds in my Garden Party, I found enough so that all 30 are different.

This quilt is almost done, 2 rows to go, although they are the long rows, plans are for this next.

Next up is to clean up the sewing room, put the UFO's in order to accomplish and work on some bindings. Hopefully this winter will see some finishes!

Linking up with:

Quiltville Quips & Snips

Patchwork Times

As Always,

Deb

Late But Still Monday

Just a quick post to share. The countdown is here, 2 more small presents to buy and wrap and it is finished.

My progress on Allietare Clue #4. 3 sets complete and 27 to go

...all the pieces are cut and will get them done before the next clue arrives on Saturday! I am thinking Bonnie is being easy on us this year and I hope that has inspired some new quilters to join in! Or just maybe I am getting used to this way of piecing that makes it seem like it. We'll see...

Binding done on this one. Just needs the label.

I don't usually use just one line of fabric but this one was Lovely by RJR Fabrics. It is for someone special and I hope she likes it. As it was laying in queue for finishing, a friend saw it and quite literally coveted it. Alas, the line is several years old and I used up all the fabric. So I went searching and think I have found enough through several sources to make her one! 

A pic of the quilting, a meandering of loops and a flower. Hope you can see it. Turned out cute!

Finished and gave away 5 more rug mugs but forgot to get pictures but the giftees seem to like them. It is fun to have some small finishes.

Check out:

Quiltville's - Allietare Mystery Link Up Part 4

and

Patchwork Times - Design Wall Monday

In case I don't have time before next week....

I wish for you a Merry Christmas, filled with love joy and peace!

As Always,

Deb

Monday, Monday,

so good to me
Monday mornin', it was all I hoped it would be.

Staying on track! I am loving this quilt. I don't know if it the colors or the the process but yup, lovin' this one! Thanks Bonnie!

Two quilted are having their binding sewn down. It is my favorite part! I love the relaxing rhythm of it and maybe it is because it is the part that connects quilters from the past to quilters of now. Or maybe because I get to sit, relax and just stitch, not thinking about the stitching itself and letting my mind wander.

And this one is next up. Binding sewn on just waitng for this evening.

Rainy, blustery morning, so unusual for Minnesota although there is still a chance for a white Christmas. So I leave you with this, my favorite.

Check out all the progress at Quiltville - Monday Mystery and at Patchwork Times -Design Wall Monday.

As Always,

Deb

Design Wall Monday

20 and 20! Got started on Allietare! Mystery Part 2 and wondered if I could do 20 different reds and 20 different neutrals. Started digging and NO PROBLEM. Used some neutrals that were kinda boring and have been in my stash f-o-r-e-v-e-r.

Someone on the Quiltville's Open Studio FB page mentioned that these look like Santa hats and they do. This is my 5th Bonnie mystery and finally feel that I have the hang of it. NO trimming on these babies. I knew that the Easy Angle was the way to go but there were always a few problems that needed to be trimmed but these came out perfect. Yeah me!

I also managed to get some shopping done, spent quality time with DH antiquing (no great finds) and a few "mug rugs" to have in reserve for that gift you need now. I have a gift drawer filled with little things I see on sale so I can put together a small present when needed.

Off to another busy week with a wedding thrown in Saturday. 

Check out what others are doing.....

Mystery Monday Link Up at Quiltville

Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times

As Always,

Deb

Design Wall Monday

You would think that I disappeared from the face of the earth but not so, just enjoyed the summer and fall with family, friends and fun! Throw in a couple of weddings and funerals, the time flew by.
I am trying to get back on track so the first order of business is to giveaway the prize from May...
Lee  Webs of Threads, contact me and I will get it right out.

Second, yes, there has been sewing and quilting going on in between obligations. Newest first:
The Bonnie Hunter Mystery is here! 
I have finished the first step. I changed up the colors a little bit. I have used black and gray for several quilts over the summer so the stash was looking a little thin. BUT I had brown and blue so here are my color choices. I'll admit my blue does lean a little gray.

Then I made a cheat sheet to keep myself organized because this season is so busy that I sew in spurts, I mark down what is done when I leave the machine.

Step 1 - Completed. I did mine with the Easy Angle Ruler. The first time I used it, several years ago, I almost gave up but have perfected it. It was worth sticking with and now would not do them any other way. Thanks Bonnie!

I am also in a Facebook group that is sewing the Farmer's Wife 1930's

https://www.facebook.com/groups/FarmersWife1930sSamplerQuilt/

Here they are so far.

Six quilts are out to the quilter so binding on those when they return!

Eight rug mugs for Christmas presents completed.

A tablerunner for an October Bridal Shower

..and I guess I will catch up with the rest next post.

So see, I have not been totally delinquent, lol!

I am linking up to

Bonnie's Mystery Monday

Judy's Design wall Monday

As Always,

Deb

Design Wall Monday & Giveaway!

I live in Minnesota and my first-born lives in Boston. she loves it there and has been there for quite a few years now and I have resigned myself that she will not move back. This weekend has also helped me remember that as a Mom, your children are always your "children" no matter their age, how independent, capable and brave they are. My daughter became ill and was hospitalized, in much pain and my first thought was how fast can I catch a plane. She thought I was being silly, she could handle it. I know she can, but can I? She will be having a surgical procedure this morning and hopefully results so they remedy this situation.She has a great support system and I will just sit here to wait for the results, not so patiently.

Design Wall:

Some more parts sewn last night along with some "straightening" up of the sewing room. Garden Party by Bonnie Hunter published in Quiltmaker magazine, May/June '15

A couple of more houses assembled also.

Check out the GIVEAWAY from yesterday and leave a comment on that post to have a chance. I will draw the winner Thursday night at 8pm!

I am linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times!

As Always,

Deb

Stash Report Week 19 and Giveaway

Happy Mother's Day!

And now down to the numbers:

Used this Week: 57 yards
Used year to Date: 109.5 yards
Added this Week: 12 yards
Added Year to Date: 33.5 yards
Net: -76

This brings me up to date from Week 7 and still mighty impressive, patting myself on the back!!!

Went from this....

to this.....

It now looks like this, Garden Party by Bonnie Hunter

and this, there are 42 of these cut out for a Swap with a woman from Texas, Amy, that I met on a Swap last year. We are going to swap 4 each month(and make 4 for ourselves using only scraps for 5 months and we will each end up with a quilt using a pattern from Bonnie Hunter on Quiltville! Thanks Bonnie! Amy will do uphill houses and I will do downhill houses. 

and this what I cut into strips. Ready to be placed into containers.

There were about 200 2" squares cut to use in this:

I will never let that basket get that full again. I think I need to write that 100 times so I will not let it happen. It took almost 3 full days to accomplish it. Sometimes I looked at the basket and wondered if I was actually making any progress. Maybe I should switch to a smaller basket?

I also worked on my Bonnie(Garden Party) quilt from Quiltmaker magazine. I am attacking it from both corners, makes it seem more manageable. It is also all cut out. I am using it as a leader/ender project.

Finally, I get to the "Giveaway".

I am a block tester for Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks magazine. The last round produced this beauty. I made my blocks out of a coordinated colorway, also from that same basket when it was full. I chose the ones that fit together and here it is.

It is yet to be quilted but it is on the pile! These designers put so much work into the blocks you should get a look at all 100! I'll give you a chance to have your very own copy to peruse at your leisure and see what you can come up with plus a little extra for your stash, 42 5" novelty squares. 

Leave a comment and on Thursday night at 8 pm(CST) I will draw a winner. You really don't want to miss this issue. I have all 11 issues and refer to them constantly for inspiration.

Don't miss the progress that goes on at Patchwork Times with Judy's crew!

As Always,

Deb

Design Wall Monday

Good Morning,

The sun is shining and the temps are on the rise for today and the rest of the week. Hopefully I will get the yard in order and some planting done this afternoon.

After all the pics yesterday and still no stats, I have started a new project because of this.

It is the basket that sits under my cutting table and it is full. Time to clear it out. This is the project I chose. I will use the same neutral(from stash) throughout, it calms me and gives me a sense of control. lol

I love quilts set on point and this is a 2 block quilt by Bonnie Hunter in the newest issue of Quiltmaker, called Garden Party. Perfect for my needs, the framed nine patch blocks are complete as well as the setting triangle blocks and the corners. Now as I pull fabrics out of the basket, I cut the alternate blocks or put them into strips for the strip drawers or make them into 2 inch squares for this:

Don't forget to visit all the other wonderful walls at Patchwork Times!

As Always, 

Deb

Stash Report

Stash Report Week 17
"Stats from Week 7"
Used this Week: 0 yards
Used year to Date: 52.5 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 11.5 yards
Net: -41
It has been 10 weeks since I last reported and yes, there has been sewing and quilting going on and lots of L.I.F.E. also. I am going to post some finishes and fill in the stats to get them current later. 

I'll talk about them later and I think there are more but in the meantime, check out the more progress at Patchwork Times!

As Always,

Deb

Stash Report Week 7

Used this Week: 0 yards
Used year to Date: 52.5 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 11.5 yards
Net: -41

And it came to a screeching halt this week. Nothing in, nothing out. I did manage to learn how to get pics off my phone so enjoy these from The Plum Creek Quilters Show in Red Wing, MN. It is held at Sargent's Greenhouse. For the first time, we went it the afternoon and got front row parking for my SIL's Mom. Busy but not crowded, so much easier!
Enjoy...

And Sandy from All in Stitches, busy as usual. It is my favorite shop!

 There has been some sewing going on but nothing to show, but I am sure there is progress at these blogs. Check them out at Patchwork Times.

As Always,

Deb