I Must be Super Duper Crazy!

I really think I might have a screw loose!  I don't know why I keep making myself crazy entering last minute contests.  I enjoyed Sunni's {Love Affair with my Brother} Farmer's Wife in Your Life Series so much that I knew I wanted to make something to enter in the contest.

But...I had no idea when I would have time.  The projects had to be entered by today and guess when I started?  Yesterday!  I don't know how but I managed to finish a couple things.

First up, a cute little set of 3 magnets that I'm going to give to my Granny for her birthday.  Each one measures 3" by 3" and has the tiniest binding ever!  I just added some magnets on the back and TAA DAA...refrigerator magnets!

Contrary Wife Block

Friendship Star

Churn Dash

I'll have you know I was hand quilting those little buggers at 1 o'clock last night.  First time hand quilting ever.  I'm trying to convince mom the back isn't supposed to be as pretty as the front but she says the back should be pretty too.  Oops...no one told me.  Guess I need more practice! 

And I also whipped up a table topper or wall hanging.  I'm not sure which it will be.

It's a lawn ornament right now because the lighting is horrible inside our house.  I used two broken sugar dishes, a whirlpool, and a broken dishes block.  I really like how it turned out.  It was a challenge quilting something so tiny after all the huge quilts I've been doing. 

A close up...

I love the bright colors mixed with the white.  I finished this one at the salon this afternoon while my daughter got her hair done.  I guess I'm good at multi-tasking.  

I'm so relieved I finished my projects but I am worn out.  I wish I could take tomorrow off but my house is trashed!  I have left stuff laying all over during my marathon sewing spree.  Anyone want to help me clean??

The Pink Beast

Thank you all so much for all the kind and wonderful comments on the Pink Beast.  I listened to that annoying voice in my head and quilted inside the leaves this morning.  I just couldn't compromise finishing it fast for finishing it right.  I'm so glad I did it!  It makes me happy.  

Before...

After...

This is the best I can do right now for a picture of the whole thing.  It's just too big to put anywhere in my house to get a picture.  My hubs had to mow yesterday so I wasn't about to take it outside.  Even if I hang it on my clothesline it would drag the ground.    

There are 12 blocks set 3 x 4.  If you want to see more photos I have created a pink beast album on facebook.  I have to say I'm pretty proud of this one!  Thanks again for the wonderful comments!  It's so very appreciated!

The Pink Beast is Finished!

Yippee!  I'm so excited I finally finished quilting the pink beast!  Well...maybe.  I think I have to do a little more quilting tomorrow morning.  I'm not sure I would be happy with it if I pull it off the racks without doing a little stitching inside the embroidered maple leaves.  It's a little too wrinkled on the back for my liking.  

I wanted to share some pictures since I've been so busy working on this quilt for the past 3 days. I haven't had much time to get anything else done.  But that's ok because I'm so glad to have this one done or almost done!  

I alternated the stitching in the beige areas that frame the leaves.  Every other block is either loops or wavy lines.  I didn't really want to do each one the same.

I would just like to add that I have a serious problem! What's wrong with this picture?

  

I cannot get out of the habit of chucking my thread on the floor.  It's a terrible habit and my vacuum cleaner really hates it.  I'll have to crawl around when I'm completely finished and try to pick most of it up.  

I hope you enjoyed seeing some pictures of this quilt.  I'm super happy it's finished.  Who knows...maybe I won't stitch inside the leaves.  I need to sleep on it and make the final decision tomorrow.

I'll post pictures of the whole quilt once I pull it off the racks!  

  

Zig Zagalicious...Rainbow Table Topper

I finally finished my entry for Project Quilting hosted by Kim at Kim's Crafty Apple.  Project Quilting challenges have to be completed in one week.  This particular challenge was all about zig zags.  This was my first time to participate and I had lots of stressful fun. 

I went back and forth for 2 days trying to come up with something.  I even had my husband sketching ideas.  We had nothing.  I eventually put my pencil down and decided to give up.  Then a light bulb went off and an idea was born.  My first attempt was never finished because I hated the colors.  Next idea, rainbow colors.  I had to dig and dig to find 16 different colors.  I eventually had all my pieces cut and started sewing...

Here's the front...

And a bit of the back...

It measures 18" x 40" and was a big pain in my...  Uh, I mean I had lots of fun making it.  Seriously, I think I gave up at least 5 times, telling myself it was useless.  But I kept hearing my husband's voice saying "We're not quitters...we finish what we start...blah blah blah!"  That voice was super annoying. 

The quilting is very simple because I did it on my regular machine.  I just echo stitched the rainbow strips.

I tried to make it a little interesting by using contrasting thread.  Orange thread on the red and pink strips, pink thread on the orange and yellow strips, etc...

I did figure out a couple things during this process...

• I do not work well under deadlines when it comes to quilting
• I'm not crazy about spray adhesives {I skipped pinning my sandwich and sprayed it to death with adhesive}
• I do not like using my Pfaff to quilt 
• I am terrible at naming projects...my daughter named this one.  Can you tell?  

I think I'm pretty spoiled now by Roscoe {my Gammill}.  He sure makes quilting a lot easier!  

I really did enjoy finishing this runner.  I just second guessed myself to death on this project.  Maybe next time it will be a little easier and I won't be a big ball of stress. 

I hope everyone enjoys what's left of the weekend and has a great week!

We Have a Winner!

Hello hello!  I know you have all been patiently awaiting the announcement of the Blog Hop Giveaway winner.  It's finally time...

Lucky number 7...

7. B Greene said...

I am a Reese Cup-loving follower!! Thanks for the great giveaway - it would be hard to choose between those great prizes, but I love Salt Air!

Congratulations!  I will be emailing you shortly to get your info!  

I know this is a super short post but we're off to the soccer game in a few minutes.  We had to reschedule because of flooded fields.  I've been working like a mad woman finishing up my table runner for the Project Quilting Challenge.  I finally finished it!  I'll post pictures shortly.  

And...I might have a little surprise after while so make sure you come back!  You never know what I might do...

Another Pleated Boxes Pillow

Normally, mom writes her own posts but I'm helping her out today and writing this one for her.  Friday is therapy day for Gene and mom always goes along to see how he is doing.  He's starting to walk with the help of a special walker.  We're all so very proud of him and the hard work he's been doing!  

Any woo...mom saw the pleated boxes pillow I made and decided she wanted to make one.  {Who doesn't love to enter sew alongs and try to win prizes}  Long story short, it had to be finished by today which is why I'm doing the post.  Whew...that was a long drawn out story.

She actually put this cute little pillow together last night.

I love the fabric she used especially the stripes on the back.  I would also like to point out her perfect little pleats!  She has to be the most precise person I know!  I usually just throw pieces together and make it work!  Great job Mom!

Now a little show and tell from my house.  I got some new goodies today from Moda.  

  

This is just a couple of things I ordered...my favorites.  I've been wanting to try the circle rotary cutter so I finally ordered one for me and some to sell.  And of course, I just had to get some copies of the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt Book!  One for me and some to sell.  Are you noticing a pattern here?  One for me, one for you, one for me, one for you...I just couldn't help myself.  

I was looking through my new book and I can't wait to make something.  I noticed there are lots of blocks in the book that I've made before and didn't know they had names or that they are part of this book.  

We ordered some new paper piecing foundation paper too.  I haven't tried it yet but it's supposed to be pretty good stuff.  It's made by June Tailor.  Too bad I stink at paper piecing. 

Don't forget to come back tomorrow to see who wins the Blog Hop Giveaway.  I'm not sure what time I'll post the winner.  We have our first soccer game tomorrow morning at 9 so I think it will be after that.  Love watching my boy play soccer...hate having to get up early on Saturday.

Another Sneak Peek!

I've decided I really love torturing everyone with little tiny sneak peek pictures of projects.  {insert evil laugh!}  I must have a little streak of ornery in me.  I'm sure it's mom's fault!  I hope she doesn't read this post.  

Before I show a couple pictures I want to remind everyone of the Blog Hop Giveaway!  You only have one more day to enter!  This has been a huge success for us and I can't thank you all enough!  It's so encouraging to have friends who share our passion for quilting and sewing in general.  You'll be seeing more baby projects in the future as well.  NO!  I'm not pregnant but mom has all kinds of projects going for the twin grand babies, my niece & nephew.  Boy do I get side tracked easily...

I have a project going that has to be 100% complete by Sunday.  Hopefully I'll be able to get it finished in time.  I'll be working on it all day tomorrow.  Here's a little peek.

I'm totally in love with Moda Cross Weave fabrics.  The largest strip of turquoise on the left of picture 2 and the green center strip of picture 3 are cross weaves.  Each fabric is made of two different color threads.  The green is actually half green half yellow.  The turquoise is a mix of light and dark turquoise.  I. Love. It.

I must be a little nuts too!  I went to Hobby Lobby today and bought some spools of thread.  I think it would be so cool to try a little hand quilting.  I have no idea what I'm going to make with it but here's a picture of my goodies.  I picked out white and purple, my favorite color!

I think that's about it for today...not much else going on around here.
 

More Stash Bee Trees!

Mary and I got together on Friday and did our March block for Stash Bee.  What a fun day! This month we had to make a tree block.  {You can check out Vicki's tree block here.}  Mary had some very cool fabric with leaves on it.  She put some steam a seam lite on the back of the leaf fabric and started cutting.  How cool is that?  She's a lucky duck.  It couldn't have worked out any better for her.  She drew her tree trunk and started adding leaves and came up with a really cool block.  

 

How cute is that!  Good job Mary! It's so much fun sewing when someone else is around.

I thought and thought about what I was going to do with my block.  I had several ideas going around in my head, but couldn't decide on any one of those ideas.  One night during my quiet time before bedtime, I was playing (now don't laugh) Angry Birds.  In the background was the cutest tree.  The light bulb went off and my tree idea was born!  I started drawing and erasing and drawing some more and this is what I came up with.

This was a fun block to do.  I might like to have a tree quilt myself.

 

I hope you enjoy our take on Fall and Spring!

Monday...Need I Say More?

Do you ever have one of those days where nothing seems to go the right way?  Boy was today one of those days for me.  I've been racking {wracking?} my brain trying to come up with an idea for the latest Project Quilting Challenge and it hasn't exactly gone as I had hoped.  Each idea I have is proving difficult and I finally quit...for today.  I need to rest my brain and regroup.  

Let's talk fabric for a moment.  Have you seen the new collection from Kate Spain, Good Fortune?  You will love this collection if you love purple, blue, green and coral!  

Here's a little peek...

I have a fun project planned for this collection.  I can't wait to show you all once I get it put together.  We are running a special on the Good Fortune layer cakes this week.  Check it out!

Don't forget the blog hop is currently underway.  You still have time to enter!  We've had such a great response to our giveaway.  A huge thank you to all who have entered!  We love each and every one of our  followers.  

I think that's it for tonight.  I have to rest my brain so I can get to work tomorrow on that challenge!  I won't let it get the best of me!

Oh...I almost forgot...I appreciate all the wonderful comments on my No Name Appliqué Quilt!  I think I need to work up the pattern!   

  

The No Name Applique Quilt

Happy St Patrick's Day everyone!  I hope you all are enjoying the Blog Hop Giveaway that's currently underway!  Make sure you check out our giveaway and enter before midnight March 23rd!  I know I've been blog hopping like a little cracked out leprechaun!  Who knows...I might get lucky and win something.  

I figure it's time to share the coveted appliqué quilt.  This is going to go one of two ways...you all will be super impressed and really like it or all of the hype and anticipation will be met with disappoint.  Gosh I hope it's option number one!

Here goes nothing...     

My little helper had to help hold the quilt.  We were having hurricane force winds that day!

I have terrible lighting inside but I wanted a picture where the quilt wasn't blowing like a kite!

The most interesting part of this quilt was my inspiration.  Have you seen the commercials for the Cottonelle Toilet Paper covers?  Well...here's the one I saw and thought to myself "I could make that a quilt!"

Not too bad if I do say so myself.  Now I need to find the time to quilt it.  I'm not sure when that will happen!  I still need a name for it...I'm terrible at naming quilts.

I hope you all enjoyed getting to see this one.  And I hope it wasn't a huge disappointment after all the teasing.  

As I love to tell mom..."Break's Over!  Time to get back to work!"