Arcadia Avenue Block #2

We're sitting under a solid sheet of ice here in Nashville, and thankfully we still have power!  Which, of course, means I have lots and lots of time to SEW!!!!

Block #2 - Peacock Feathers - is on the left

I managed to get my second block for Arcadia Avenue finished today - woohoo!!!  Do you notice that the center seam got greedy and gobbled up a few center points? UGH!!!  And I was SO careful!!!  Drat!!!

Yes, I should have waited until I had it fixed before showing the pictures, but I've been jealous of so many in blogland who show their beautiful quilts in the snow and just couldn't resist getting some pics earlier today before the light was gone and the snow melted!  Snow has a bad habit of melting at warp speed in this neck of the woods :*)

But this block did turn out gorgeous, didn't it?  I'm just loving these fabrics!  I actually made a change mid-stream about my medium constant fabric.  It shows up as the gray star.  Originally I had planned to use a dark raspberry there.....

........ but as I was assembling the first few sections I realized that it was just too much like the colors in the wedges.  So I decided to fall back on the neutral gray that Sassafras Lane used in so many of their blocks for the medium fabric.  I think I like it much better because it gets it's message across very subtly, while allowing the wedge colors to shine :*)

Despite it's imperfections, I'm linking this block up with the Linky Party over at Sassafras Lane Designs.

This is not an easy paper-piece project, but it is totally the most fun I've had in quite a while!  Added to Millefiore, which has been such a wonderful handwork challenge, I have to say I am very pleased with the new projects I chose for 2015!  Tomorrow, I plan to work on something completely new!

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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Happy Valentine's Day!

I've been playing around with my PINK scraps for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge this month, and since it's Valentine's Day, of course I had to make some hearts!

My crumb jars didn't have any scraps big enough for these, even though they are only 6 and 7 inch blocks, so I had to pull out the big guns - my PINK scrap bin.  I was SO tempted to pull some beauties from my pink stash shelf, but I am determined to use primarily scraps this year, so I am happy to report that the only fabric pulled from my fat quarter drawer was the light pink background on the heart on the right.  I had a lot of darker pinks in the scraps bin, but light pinks were scarce.

All of these blocks were paper-pieced.... I was even very thrifty and reused the clean side of a mis-printed scrap page from an earlier project.

I made the two hearts on the sides from a pattern sent to me by Julie of Me & My Stitches.....

Every time she sends us our Charming Club charm, she also sends a 6" block pattern for that charm so we can make a matching quilt block if we like.  I thoroughly enjoyed making these easy hearts!

The heart block in the center was from a free pattern I downloaded earlier in the week - and for the life of me, I can't remember from where!  The pattern sheet does not mention the designer or website or anything.  If you know where I got this from, please let me know so I can give credit :)

I think it turned out really cute!!!

I'll be sharing my hearts in SoScrappy's 

Valentine's Day Pinkstravaganza HERE

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Tomorrow, I will join Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching group and continue assembling my Millefiore blocks for the last round of Rosette #1.

The last of the blocks I have to assemble for round 3 are sitting very lonely in the bottom of my sewing box :*)

There are 8 pieces in each of the six outer point blocks - I have finished all of these ....

Looks a bit like an owl, doesn't it?  *grin!*

And then there are 6 pieces in each side block between those point blocks.  I only have two of those done so far - 16 to go!

Then I will need to sew all the blocks from rounds 2 and 3 together for the finish.  I am glad that I determined from the beginning to not have a timeline for this project, because I would be really feeling antsy right about now if I had.  Beautiful pictures of completed Rosette #2 are popping up all over the Millefiore FB page, and I'm feeling pretty jealous!  Rosette #3 will be released March 1 too!  But I'm enjoying taking my time on this, and I want to make sure it is as beautiful as I can make it.  I'm steadily stitching on it at night and whenever I can find an hour or so of quiet time.

Tomorrow, I plan to cut out the pieces for Arcadia Avenue Block #2.  I just realized I never showed you the completed Block #1, so here it is!

Isn't this just GORGEOUS???  

Sassafras Lane has hit this one WAY out of the park!

I can't wait to start on Block #2!

We are expecting some truly frigid temps here in Nashville this coming week - zero and below a few days.  And maybe even some accumulations of SNOW - woohoo!!!!  It will be nice to get at least one decent snow this year.  I do hate that it is supposed to fall on Monday though, which is my sit-n-sew day with friends :(

I'm told that some of you who usually experience lots of snow have been strangely lacking in snow this winter, but the northeast has sure gotten hit hard.  My mom texted earlier tonight to let me know that they are experiencing some pretty major winds in the NC mountains tonight - a tree went down about 10 feet from their house!  And I think snow is on its way to them too.

Hope you all are staying warm and cozy 

and finding lots of stitchy projects to keep you happy and sassy!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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Also linking up with the following fun parties!

WIP's Be Gone
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?
Design Wall Monday
Tuesday Linky Party

Loving Me Some Rainbows!!!

Pretty little BLUE crumb blocks in the SNOW!!!!  Yes,  my friends, we got SNOW here in Nashville last night!  Oh JOY :*)  Okay, so it was only about half an inch, and it was gone by noon, but it was a real, true-to-life, bonafide, honest to goodness SNOW!  And it was so lovely on the ground when I awoke this morning, I just had to run out and take a picture of my crumb blocks in it before it melted :*)

One of my favorite blog parties is the Rainbow Scrap Challenge with Angela at So Scrappy, and I was delighted when she said she would be hostessing again this year.  I decided that the crumb jars would figure in my plan of attack, so I dumped out this month's color jar - BLUE! - and got to work (or should I say play?) ....

Every jar in every color is full to overflowing, so something's got to be done with them.  I love the freedom and mindless sewing of stitching up all these fun leftover pieces into a serendipitous quilt that will be loved and cuddled up in just like the planned quilts that were made from the original yardages :)

I love the "anything goes" mentality - stripes and solids, plaids and florals - throw them all in there and make something sparkling and new!

These are a great start, and we have another week yet to play with our BLUEs before a new color is announced.  All my pieces are still poured out next to my machine, ready for any spare moments I may find to churn out more lovely little crumb blocks :)

And speaking of RAINBOWS- I made a good start on the first block of my Arcadia Avenue quilt this week!

Click on the button in the sidebar to learn more about this quilt :)

I hit a little bump in the road as I started to cut the pieces for this first block - one of my fabrics was only a fat quarter instead of a half yard!  Apparently I had never unfolded it to be sure.  Duh!

So I had to go back to the stash and on the right is the fabric I chose to replace it.  I loved the orange elements in the first fabric, but I wasn't sure where I had bought it (I suspect in NC), and the online pictures were not close enough for me to be sure I would be ordering the same exact colorway.  As small as these pieces will end up being cut, I'm thinking it will be fine.  I actually ended up exchanging several fabrics for those I had originally picked ....

I'm using all stash for this quilt except for the Dark Raspberry which will be my medium constant, and the soft gray polka dot, which is my light constant.  The black is my dark constant from my stash.

I'm loving the fact that this project is paper pieced!  It's been so long since I had the pleasure of making a paper-pieced quilt.  I think one thing that appeals to me is the flow of it.  I always work on multiple sections at a time and chain piece ....

..... and having all the pieces laid out ready to stitch appeals to my organizational soul :)

Of course, I was quickly reminded that it is not very wise to try to watch TV and chain piece a paper-pieced project .... LOL!!!

This is going to be such a fun quilt and I am glad to finally get started on it :)  Sassafras Lane is hosting a Quilt Along for anyone working on this quilt, so if you're interested, you can go HERE to get all the juicy details ♥

In the meantime, be sure to go HERE to see all the other lovely BLUE blocks shared in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge this week!

Also linking up with BOM's Away HERE and Tuesday Linky Party at Freemotion by the River:)

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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2015 IS HERE!!!

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

Our 2015 kitchen calendar
artwork by Wendy Bentley

You know, for me, New Year's Day is a lot like a belated gift after Christmas.  One reason opening presents on Christmas morning is so darn exciting is because of the potential contained in that intriguing package, right?   What could it be?  Is it what I asked for, or maybe something I never knew I wanted until I open it and realize I really, really wanted/needed that?  My Guy is really a pro at giving me gifts like that :*)  Of course, it could always be another set of dominoes!  My son swears he got a set of dominoes every year during his teens LOL!!!

On New Year's Day, we get to "unwrap" a mystery gift that will continue to unfold every day throughout the year.  (Sort of a DOY (day of the year) rather than a BOM (block of the month) - hahaha!)  We never know exactly what it will hold or what delights - or otherwise - we will experience.  Each day, more of the mystery is unveiled, until finally on New Year's Eve, we get to see the whole picture of that year.  Those of you who just had the pleasure of seeing Bonnie Hunter's new Mystery, Grand Illusion, unveiled know exactly what I mean right now, right?

My prayer for each of you is that your "gift" at the end of 2015 will be a wonderful one, 

filled with happy memories and good times!

I've worn my Happy New Year socks all day today, and I may just wear them tomorrow too!  Do you have traditions for New Year's?  Many of my friends are eating really disgusting interesting meals as a part of their traditions.  Others like to do what they love because there is a saying that whatever you are doing on New Year's, you'll do the rest of the year.  That would be nice for most of us, wouldn't it, to be able to choose right now, today, what we'll be doing the rest of the year?  Somehow, I don't think it quite works that way, though *sigh*

I had a lovely day though, so I think I would be happy if that were to come true for me.  One of my projects for 2015 will be Arcadia Avenue by Sassafras Lane, and I got to play with it a little today!  I did choose the Sunset colorway - you knew I would, didn't you?!?

The aqua will be the background, the black is my dark accent, the deep raspberry is the medium accent, and that light in the upper right corner is actually the  most marvelous pale gray with a white dot by Dear Stella!

Sassafras Lane is hosting a QAL for this wonderful quilt this year, and I'm excited to join in!  I'll be linking these fabric choices up with their first link-up HERE.  Go on over and check out all the fun combinations being chosen!  Shayla is even making one using low-volume fabrics - wow!!!

I printed out my patterns for the first couple of blocks yesterday and started paper piecing them, just because I couldn't stand to wait!  And also because I needed a NewFO for December *grin*!!!  This is the last NewFO linky party at Cat Patches and I think I've joined in on every one of them, so of course I had to be there for the finale, right?

Did you notice the patterns are smaller than the page?  You know how I love smaller quilts!  And I'd like this one to be a wall quilt - it's too amazing to be anything else :)  So I reduced the size to 75% on the printer, which will make my blocks about 9" finished instead of the original 12" in the pattern.

I also sewed up a test block I had promised to have done by today. Here are the colorful fabrics I played with ....

YUM!!!  ..... and notice the new accessory?  I'm not sure how, but I managed to stress my wrist several weeks ago, so I've been wearing a brace to protect it.  I suspect some marathon knitting sessions may be the culprit!  The brace really has helped, although I have to admit that it's darn uncomfortable!  I have to wear it while sewing because ironing and rotary cutting tend to torque my wrist in just the wrong way.

And speaking of knitting ..... this is no longer On my Needles!!!

I'm actually finished with the knitting on this Infinity Ombre cowl for my daughter Renee.  Tonight I'll kitchener the two ends together and sew in all the yarn ends.  She and little Hudson are on their way tomorrow morning bright and early for a few days' visit with us, so I want to have it wrapped up all nice and bright under the tree for her!  I'll be sure to share a pic when it's all blocked and ready for it's photo shoot :)

UPDATE:  Here's the finish!!!!

One of my favorite Christmas presents from My Guy was this new set of Knitter's Pride Dreamz Short Interchangeable Needles.

Last year I got the regular length needle set (you can see the longer needles in the middle in the above picture ) but they can't be used with the 16" cords for things like these cowls or hats, etc.  As soon as I unwrapped this set, I changed out my needles for the shorter ones.  Having the right tools for a job is absolutely Heaven!!!

Just a quick reminder ...
- tomorrow is the last day to get in on the Sew Sweet Simplicity GIVEAWAY!!!  Go HERE to leave your comment and have a chance to win this lovely pattern package from designer, Jacquelynne Steves!

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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Playing in Fabric ......

It may not be cheaper than therapy anymore, but it sure is easier and definitely more fun!!!

Photo found on Pinterest

I want thank all of you for your sweet and loving comments about our loss of sweet Gypsy.  

Gypsy on my lap her last morning with us .....
I had to go pick her up and bring her upstairs with me
because she couldn't walk on her own anymore,
but I will always be glad that I did ....

I have to confess that I haven't been able to respond to each and every one of your comments - I get all choked up and upset all over again each time I sit down to the computer to answer those wonderful emails.  I hope you will understand and forgive me for not responding to you individually.  Please know that your compassion and caring lifted my spirits and gave me many reasons to smile through my tears the last few days :)  And I prayed for quite a few of you who shared your own pain at losing a beloved pet.  Praying for others is another thing that lifts me up out of the pit :)  Does it you too?

Today was a better day.  My Guy and I puttered around the house and tried to get back to what passes for normal around here.  I finally began to feel the urge to do some sewing again, and there were a few projects demanding attention.  Playing with fabric is usually a sure thing to take my mind off what ails me, and it didn't fail me today.  I pulled fabrics to my heart's content!

Aren't these luscious??? 

Rainbow version?

I'm really beginning to love working with solids - they have such impact!

Or how about these???

Sunset version?

Tone-on-Tone prints in bright, hot colors!

Hmmmm - how do I choose??? 

I know - You're wondering, "What is she up to now???"  LOL!!!  Well, there are few things that can yank me out of a deep hole better than pulling lots of gorgeous, color-drenched fabrics off the stash shelves and planning a new project!  So that's what I did today :)

I've decided I absolutely HAVE to make the Arcadia Avenue quilt by Shayla and Kristy Wolf of Sassafras Lane!  I'm sure you've seen this quilt, right?  It's been all over the Internet for months now :)  I went over to Sassafras Lane and bought the book the first day it became available - I knew the minute I saw it I would have to make it :*)  I do love to paper-piece and haven't had a good PP project in the works for quite a while - it's time!!!

The above picture shows it in beautiful Dear Stella dot fabrics and a light background .... (Psst....Canton Village Quilt Works has a limited number of kits available in this colorway if you're interested!)

Of course, I'm drawn to the darker background, and I really want to use that gorgeous shade of aqua in my pictures above.  (I know it looks more blue in the picture, but trust me - it is a perfect aqua!)  I've challenged myself to pull all the fabrics from my stash, although I will allow the purchase of one or two small pieces to complete the set if needed.   I already know I will have to buy a light and a medium constant.  I'm sure more of the fabrics in my pictures above will be subbed out for others.  A few are just there to audition the colors I think I might want to use, even though I know it is not the particular fabric I want to use.  Make sense?

My biggest problem right now is in deciding which color way!  I love the Rainbow version I've pulled together - YUM!!!  But I also love those sun-loving yellows, oranges and pinks in my Sunset version!  I may have to toss a coin - but I'm leaning toward the Sunset :) 

And just a reminder - Shayla Wolf is also the talented designer of the cute little Hootie owls I've been sharing with you!  She's super talented, isn't she?  I interviewed browns for the tree limbs today since I wasn't totally sold on the original choice of the chocolate brown (the one in the background between the Hooties).....

I think I've finally decided to go with these fabrics ....

I'm thinking most tree trunks and limbs are not really a dark chocolate brown, but rather have a lot more gray in them.  I kinda liked the touch of green in the top left batik and plan to work it in as the tree top somehow.  This project is on schedule to get lots of love next week :)  Since I've also worked these owls one block each month, I'm linking up with Lyn at What a Hoot! for her BOMs Away Party.  Did you see that she graduated?  That is such an accomplishment and I am so proud of her!!!!  I'm hoping this means we will begin seeing more of her lovely quilts in progress :)

But ..... before I did any of these things, I had to get my #3 Sew Sweet Simplicity block done and a post ready for you for Monday morning!

I hope you'll come check out all the fun blocks - and get inspired to make your own.  This month, there is a Bonus Block included, and there's another GIVEAWAY too!  Jacquelynne is just so generous to us, isn't she???

Now, I plan to get back to my therapy session - relax and pull some fabrics for my next Patchwork of the Crosses block!  Here is the start of my current block...

I'll be Slow Sunday Stitching on this, and hopefully start another, while watching football with My Guy tomorrow.  Why not pick up a slow stitching project and join the fun by linking up with Kathy's Quilts!

Hope you all have a lovely Sunday!

See you Monday morning, bright and early :)

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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