Happy birthday, Kim!!!

Today is my Goddaughter, Kim's, birthday! That is a picture of Kim, DH Drew, and son Aiden! Aren't they a great looking family? I think so!!!

Love you, Kimi!!! I hope you have a wonderful day!!!

XOXO...

I know...shock of all shocks...me...blogging, 2 days in a row. Who woulda thunk it? LOL!!!

The last week or so, I've been working on some quilt blocks for the http://www.flickr.com/groups/bushfirequiltproject/ . This is spear headed by an American army wife, who is stationed in Australia. There are other quilt drives out there, but I thought...what a great thing for an American to do!!! They were asking for star blocks, in particular, the Maverick Star from Bonnie Hunter's site http://quiltville.com/maverickstars.shtml
...but they would take any star blocks. Good thing!

So...I decided to make some Friendship star blocks. See the stacks of squares ready to sew. And then..as you can see in the foto...I had the squares lined up wrong. Yes...I sewed them that way...didn't notice until I had the first two rows sewn together! Frog stitched about 4 rows, and then the middle row so I could fix the star points!



Here are the finished FS. 8 of the yellow and 12 of the blue.

Then, I decided to try to make the Maverick stars. The only thing they asked was that they have a light colored background. I could do that. Many on the site seemed to be brights, so went looking for brights in my stash so I could do these scrappy.



Once I got started, these were really fun to make. I finished 5 yesterday, and will pack these up and get them in the mail today or tomorrow.


So...if you are a quilter and have time to make a few of these, her goal is to have them by the end of this month. Since she has an APO for mailing in the States, it's a bit less to send. Or you could mail them to her directly in Australia. The mailing info is on the site.

Have a great day, and quilt till you wilt...

Sally

I know y'all are stunned that I'm blogging so again so soon! LOL!!!

When the DFW Quilt Gang got together for our holiday party, I gave each member a FQ of the black fabric with the flowers...with a challenge to make two blocks for a Project Linus quilt. Debi had hers done within a day or two...me, I'm a bit slower! LOL!!! Below, you'll see the blocks I've made...

Yes, I made 3...I was on a roll.

We are getting together for the Dallas Quilt show on March 14th, Saturday, and we'll pass our blocks off to Debi, and she'll assemble them into a top and quilt it for the group!

Brenda joined me again today at the quilt house, along with Ruth and Virginia. Carol stopped by for a bit to chat. It is so nice having the house to go to for sewing and meetings. I get so much done when I'm there!!

My friend Patty called while she was on her way home from work. She and I went to jr high/high school/jr college together. I was in her wedding, and we've managed to keep in touch through all of our moves, etc. She and DH Larry are now living here in northcentral TX...woo hoo!!! We're hoping to get together soon...

More later...

Quilt 'til you wilt...

Sally

Just a little update...

Yesterday, my friend Brenda joined me at the 'quilt' house to sew. It was GREAT to see her!!! We were joined by 2 of the gals from my little local guild...Virginia and Ruth. Brenda got her challenge blocks done, and I got one of mine finished. I also finished some friendship blocks that I had started on Saturday, but had to frog-stitch about 4 of them, due to sewing them wrong! GRRR!!!

We all went to Ruby-Jean's diner (cute little place here in Ponder) for lunch. She has the BEST burgers!!! YUM!

We also talked to Debi...and will see her and some other quilty friends on Saturday, March 14th, for the Dallas Quilt show! We will pass off our challenge blocks to Debi at that time...she'll then put them into a quilt for donation to Project Linus. :>)

Also...Brenda, Debi and I are members of a new quilting forum online. It's called the 'quilting bee' on Delphi...there's a link in my sidebar. http://forums.delphiforums.com/QuiltPox I know it says quiltpox...but it's been renamed, yet the link can't be changed...at this time, anyway. Come on by...it's free to join, and we chat about quilting, our lives, comfort projects, our own sewing/quilting, our families, animals, friends, etc etc. It's a wonderful group of gals (and a guy or two)...many of which I've met in person...others I never will, but they are still great friends!

So...off for another adventure into town and appts. Have a great day!

This is a little (well...) tutorial about making the criss-cross coasters with 2 colors. In a previous post, I added a link to a GREAT tutorial that was done with 6...and it was done that way so you could easily see the process. So...this may be harder to understand, but I hope I can talk you through it. I made over 60 sets of 4 for the holidays in 2008!!!
This is what you'll start with. For one coaster, you need three (3) 4.5 inch squares of each of the 2 colors, and one (1) 3 7/8 piece of fusible interfacing. (You can cut it at 4 in, but I like to not have to worry about catching it in the seams.) I like the kind with a little bit of loft, so that is what I used the most. In this picture, there are 12 squares of each color, and 4 squares of the fusible interfacing...enough for 4 completed coasters.

For one (1) coaster, press 2 of each color (so 2 of each) in half. Above shows enough for 2 coasters.

For each coaster, you'll need 4 pressed rectangles, (2) 4.5 inch squares, one of each color, and a piece of the fusible interfacing.

Place the fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric. You only do this once per coaster, so above shows enough for 4. Turn these over...making sure that the fusible side is on the wrong side of the fabric...or you'll fuse it to the ironing cover!!! Once you have them turned over, press per the fusible instructions. The one I used, I had to 'set' it for 15 seconds...so took 30 seconds at least for each square.

Now, you are ready to build each coaster. Remember, the pressed edge is to the middle...or raw edges to raw edges.

I know this will sound backwards, but trust me. To start building, choose the fabric square that will be the inside piece...put that, wrong side up, on your table.

Then, take the piece that will be the bottom and has the fusible interfacing on it...place it wrong side down onto the first square. So, wrong sides together.

Then...I start with the first rectangle at the top. I put the next rectangle on the left side. This ensures that when sewing the coaster together, you aren't sewing against the rectangle. Believe me, you don't want to do that!!! Then, put the next rectangle at the bottom, then the last on the right side, slipping one end under the top piece.

Pin in place for sewing. This helps to keep it from shifting while stitching.

Here, you can see me sewing the coasters. Use a 1/4 in seam. You can do them by chain piecing, just like any block. See how the seam in the red piece is facing toward me? Makes it easy for the presser foot to sew over. If it is facing the other way, it's easily distorted and a pain to work with!!!

Here are 4 completed coasters, before trimming and turning.

Here is one that I've trimmed the corners. You can do it closer, but I like having that extra stitching, so hopefully, it won't come apart! From here, you turn it inside out, poke out the corners (use a tool for that, or a crochet hook, phillips head screwdriver...just nothing that would poke through the fabric!!!)

Here are 4 coasters finished!!! As you can see, I've used different fabrics on the bottom.

This is a small view of working with triangles, instead of rectangles. Same general idea, just more labor intensive because it takes more pinning to keep them where they need to be!

Here's the stuff for one coaster (fusible interfacing is used here too, just like in the others. Just didn't have a picture with it).

For these, place the rectangle at the top, to the right.

Then, add the next triangle, to the top and left.
Continue as before...

Pin well...these shift really easily!!!

Sew with 1/4 inch seam.

Trim and turn, as in the rectangle coasters. Poke out the corners as best you can (they don't have to be perfect...no quilt police here!).

These are great to use with any glass or mug. You can even use them with stemmed glasses, like wine glasses. You can open the middle, put the base of the stemmed glass in the coaster, and then it 'travels' with the glass! :>) Since there is a fabric lining inside, you don't have to worry about it being on the interfacing directly.

One thing that I found, which will save you alot of time, is to get fabric that you don't have to fussy cut! The more compact the pattern, the better for these coasters. You can use a busy print for one, and a contrasting solid or tone on tone for the other.

If you do use a fabric that you might have to manipulate a bit, remember, when pressing the rectangles, be sure that the image you want once sewn and turned, is on the underside, next to the solid fabric piece, when building. This usually means it needs to be in the upper left corner when face down, and you bring the bottom up to press. I did it backwards, and had to frog-stitch 4 coasters, and build them the opposite way...which is a hassle to sew over.

Here is a picture of a pile of completed coaster sets, all ribboned (takes about a yard of ribbon to wrap 4 coasters). This is just a few of what I made. I still have lots of fabric squares cut and ready to make more. I figure, I'll work on them during the year, and I'll have more ready for this year!!!

I hope this makes some sense!!! I think between looking at both blogs, it'll make perfect sense!!! If you are only making a few, these are easy and fun. Since I made so many, I actually started cutting fabric in late October...did a little at a time. Then, I'd stack them in sets. Then, I'd take a day and press rectangles and interfacing. Another day, I'd assemble the coasters, getting them all pinned and ready to sew. Since I did all that preparation, once I got to the sewing machine, they went pretty fast.

I think it would be fun to have some for every holiday! That would make a fun gift for anyone.

I'll now have to go to my stash, and look for other holiday fabric. I KNOW I have shamrocks, Halloween stuff, hearts, Easter fabrics, etc. Hmm...just what I need...another project! LOL!

ENJOY!!!

I'm sure most of your have heard or read about the devastating wildfires in Australia. So much destruction and loss of life, and to think some may have been intentionally set. I was lucky to have spent about 10 days back in about '82 or there abouts outside of Sydney for a wedding. What a lovely country and people.

On the about.com quilting forum, someone posted a link to a group that is asking for 12.5 inch (unfinished) star blocks to be made into quilts for those that have lost so much. There is now another group posting there, but I've decided to make blocks for the first group mentioned. This same group has also been mentioned on the Quilting Passion forum. I think it's a great cause, and a small thing I can do to help from so far away.

Here's a link...I hope...

http://www.flickr.com/groups/bushfirequiltproject/

They have permisson from Bonnie from http://www.quiltville.com/ to use her Maverick stars pattern

http://quiltville.com/maverickstars.shtml

I believe the pattern is 6 in finished, but the blocks for this drive are 12 in finished (12.5 unfinished).

They will take any star pattern blocks, if you are so inclined to make one, two or more. Check out Marcia's site...

http://www.quilterscache.com/

She has lots of stars!!! I don't do 'wonky', so I've decided to make some friendship star blocks...I like what that represents, and am pretty good at making them. :>) I have a sew day tomorrow, and one on Wednesday, so hoping to make some as leaders/enders with another project I'm finishing.

They have a 'button' on their site to add to our blogs, but I don't know how to do that. I hope the link will help.

I know I still have that tutorial to put on my blog. All in time. And yes, Debi, I'll be working on my blocks for you!!!

Happy January, everyone!

Where has this month gone? Geez!!!

I'm working on a picture tutorial on making the criss-cross blocks, with both the rectangles and with triangles. Once I have all the pictures taken, I'll download them and update here. The one site that I've been referring people to is great, but she shows it using 6 different fabric colors. Now...it is so that you can understand and see the process, but I've had a few ask how to make them the way I do...using 2 colors, so will show that soon. Hopefully in the next few days.

Here's her link...

http://allsorts.typepad.com/allsorts/2006/11/crisscross_coas.html

These are easy to make, especially if you are only making a couple sets. I, on the other hand, made about 60 or more sets of 4 for Christmas. I still have some cut out. I figure I'll work on them during the year, maybe use them as leaders/enders projects.

Y'all be good until I write again!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

My dear friend Brenda..aka Trouble...got terrific news today! She is cancer free!!! Woo hoo!

She had thyroid cancer, surgery, a super pill called 'the bomb' to get rid of any other cells...and woo hoo! Great news today!!! She's been such a trooper thru all of this...I'm so happy for her and her family!!! Us too...those that love her like a sister!!!

All this, after having a 5 way heart bi-pass about 2 years ago...so she's really been through the mill in the last few years.

It'll be a good Christmas for sure!!!

These 2 pictures were posted on my friend Marcia Hohn's site www.quilterscache.com . She does a weekly Monday newsy letter. Now, granted, this was a few weeks back, but it has taken me that long to find some trees here in TX that were also changing colors. Isn't the first one beautiful? So vibrant! I'd love to see a real fall changing of the colors someday... The 2nd picture is the very next day. Good thing she took the first when she did!!! Thanks Marcia!!!

Now we have the changing of the leaves in TX. The picture to the left is what most trees look like. They go from green to yellow. I did find the one to the right at the tax office the other day. Seeing those that are the 'reds' are few and far between here. There was the normal 'yellow' there too, so took pics of both. Okay...I realize it's almost winter (we've had a few mornings below freezing lately), but this is the best it gets here locally for 'fall foliage'.

I've never lived in an area where the trees did that beautiful changing thing...so this is the best it gets!!!

Okay...so, now I've update my blog twice within a few hours. I have much more to tell y'all...but back to bed...it's too early!!!

Sally

I've been looking forward to yesterday for awhile now. It was another gathering of the 'DFW Quilt Gang'...our 3rd annual Christmas party.

This year was Brenda and my turn to organize. And, with some help from Debi, we got it done.

Last weekend, Brenda came to Ponder to the community house that my little local guild uses for our meeting, sew-ins, etc. Here's a pic or two of us getting things...ah, together...

Looks like a mess, but I really was sewing... There is organization in that chaos...

Here's Brenda surrounded by paper...it was wrapping for the cups we were filling for little welcome goodies for the gang.

And, there she is, waiting for me to get the FQ's, nail files, cute pencils, candy canes, and the stirrers ready for the cups. Yes, she's smiling...sitting down is a good thing. We were tired! LOL!!! At least she is still smiling! Okay, so I'm not in the pictures...someone had to use the camera!!!

I am sad to say that we forgot to get a picture of all of us together at Quilt Country in Lewisville!! Slap me upside the head! We mentioned it a few times, but just never got it done. Brenda and I realized it after the rest of the gang was long gone. Sorry folks!!!

But, here are a few of the pics that I took. This is Jan (aka TXJan)...see all the FQ's to the right...she won BOTH of the L/R/C games! Lucky (well...) girl!!! It'll be interesting to see what she comes up with...as we brought 'ugly' FQ's to exchange. Knowing Jan, she'll turn them into a beautiful quilt!!! Debi had brought the dice for us to use, and Maynard, Jan's DH (and a GREAT guy!), had made a wooden set too...so we used both!

This is Jackie, Jan's DF, and now ours too!!! She is just great, and fit into our group like she's been there from the start. Welcome Jackie!!! Here are a couple pics of things she brought for either show n tell, or that she was working on.

Jackie gave each of us a panel like the above quilt on the left, and the instructions for the top. I think Jan and Debi got the background fabric to start theirs. Over achievers! LOL!!! I can't even think of starting this, until I get a few others done... Once my Christmas sewing is over, I can get back to my quilt list... Oh, and I believe the pink/white was hand quilted...I bowed to her...


This is Marje...first time I'd seen her as a redhead! Woo hoo!!! She brought a quilt to show, but I thought I'd take a picture later... Oh poo...I need to take pics when I think of it!!! She was busy sewing on her Jem Gold...

This is Debi...


And, a couple of the quilts that she brought. She finished the binding on this one I think...it had a wild pink and while fleece backing. Nice and cozy!!!

Here she is with another that she was working on...or, did she bring that one finished? I don't remember (senior moment), but she and Jackie were sewing down the bindings by hand. Now...most quilters do it that way...but with my carpal tunnel, it's just not an option...so mine are sewn...alas...by machine! Well, mine aren't going into any shows anytime soon...grin!

Here's Brenda...aka 'Trouble'. Don't know why they call her that... I don't know how she wore those Santa things on her head all day!!! And, there she is with the wallhanging she rangled...ah, talked Debi out of...GRIN!!! I know she'll treasure it!!!

Last but not least, this is the sunset from January Lane in Ponder as I was driving home. I just thought it was so beautiful, that I had to take a pic or two...

Shelly, if you are reading this...you were missed. I understand that Debi has passed the reins to you for next year. We'll all help if you need it...

We got calls from Sheryl and Dori (aka pollyanna) too. It was terrific to talk to them, and they, and the others that were with us last year, were missed so much. One of the gifties I gave to the girls were the criss-cross coasters that our dear JanJ made for us last year. We know she was smiling down on us from heaven. I taught Brenda how to make them too.

Anyway...more later...I've got lots to update, and just no time. Debi is gonna help me after the first of the year with getting things situated here...

It was a great day, I hope everyone had fun!!! I sure did! We'll all gather in March at the Dallas Quilt Show, if not sooner.

Sally