So Long Scrappy Greens - Hello ORANGE!!!

Today is a Sit-back-and-relax Day!

After all the scrambling I've been having to do lately to get all my commitments done on time, it feels wonderful to have a morning to just sit back and relax with my blog buddies!!!  You all really do make me happy :*)  The iPad is one of today's electronic conveniences that I really enjoy too - I couldn't have been outside working on a blog post this easily several years ago!  Even a laptop was big and heavy and clunky back then.

So, let's see..... what can I get into that doesn't require a lot of effort or demands?  Today is Saturday, and for me that usually means I get to think SCRAPPY and play with lots of colorful scraps!  This month the Rainbow Scrap Challenge over at  SoScrappy has been featuring LIGHT GREEN scrappy projects, and of course I have none to share because I didn't do any :(  Both of my 2014 Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects already have GREEN blocks, so I took the month off and concentrated on those other demanding projects that really needed my attention.  Just in case you've forgotten, here are my 2014 GREEN blocks...

Soul Searching.....




And, Hootie!

Oh, I DO love this GREEN Hootie!!!!

Angela has already announced that September's color will be ORANGE!  I'm sew excited, because that is the last color I need to complete both of these quilts!  And I have lots of fun ORANGE fabrics - I just love the bright pop it gives to quilts.... and also because I'm using it for my Happy Dance blocks :*)  Which also means that they are already WASHED - WOOHOO!!!!

As you may notice, however, these are NOT scraps! I haven't really been digging into the scraps for my RSC projects this year because I wanted to use some of my prettiest fabrics in them.  But for the rest of the year, I will finish washing up the rest of my stash and begin playing with making some more simple, basic blocks with my scraps, maybe some more HST's to add to the ones I made last year?

I also need to reduce these crumbs that are overflowing from my jars, wouldn't you say?  I've been wanting to play with these crumbs all year and haven't touched them yet.  Here's crossing my fingers that I get to do that soon :)

One of the blog events that has me really excited lately is the upcoming Sew Kind of Wonderful Curve It Up Challenge QAL!

Jenny has been putting on a lovely Blog Hop this past week and getting everyone excited about the QAL.  Go HERE to find out how you can play along.  It starts September 1, and I know from experience that it will be fun - here are the blocks I made from her first Curve It Up QAL a few years ago ....

Come join in the fun - you'll love the blocks you can make with this wonderful ruler!!!

So, now I'm going to go find a chocolate chip cookie & a fresh cup of tea ....

Anyone want to join me?

Hugs & Blessings,

Teresa

=^..^=

And the Oscar for Most Fun Design Wall goes to....

Well, we'll need to go over to Patchwork Times to find that out won't we?  But I thought you might like to see some of the fun projects on my design wall now that Easy Street and the Rainbow Pineapples have finally abdicated their place on the wall.

Since I'm linking up with Barbara at Cat Patches for her 2013 NewFO Challenge this year, that means 12 new projects started this year - yikes!!!  I have no illusions that all 12 will get finished either LOL!!!  So, I thought it might be a smart idea to make some effort to finish up a few UFO's - right?  I learned from last year that it's just not possible for me to complete one UFO a month, especially since most of them are less than halfway done - some barely started.  I decided to set a more reasonable goal of finishing up no less than 6 UFO's this year.  Of course, my happy Rainbow Pineapples will count as the first completion.



For my next UFO, I decided to pick something that would serve as a great sit-n-sew project.  For me, a sit-n-sew project needs to be portable - not too many different fabrics, complicated techniques, or exotic tools! - and it needs to be machine pieced.  I chose Starry Night, a quilt I began as a BOM from a LQS back in 2007.  This is what the quilt should look like when I complete it.....

Photo from Starr Design Fabrics, Inc

This wonderful quilt by Starr Designs is made with all hand-dyed fabrics - luscious, deep, rich colorful fabrics!!!  The large paper-pieced star blocks are set in a floating background filled with tiny friendship stars.....

This is my Block #1 completed

I have six blocks completed - here are few more of them, just for eye candy :*)

I'll keep this box ready to grab whenever I go to a sit-n-sew or retreat and work on it until it is completely assembled.  I managed to get half of another block done at our Guild Sit-n-Sew last Thursday!



I'm also working on the Curve it Up QAL with Jenny Pedigo of Sew Kind of Wonderful and her sister, Helen from HGMR Deco Quilting blog.  One of my Get It Done objectives was to catch up on these QAL blocks.  Here are the two most current completed blocks, #5 & #6....

The Curved 9-Patch

Curvy Geese

They've released 3 more new blocks in the QAL since then - Yikes!!!  And Jenny's had a baby too - which really makes me a slacker LOL!!!  But I was so far behind on these when I set that goal last month - 4 blocks behind.  Since I've done those 4 blocks this month, I'm going to count that goal as DONE!!!  Then I'll put getting the next 3 done on my March Get It Done list.

These blocks are a lot of fun to make.  They challenge me to pay attention and to think differently about how I piece.  They are so original!  I never feel as if I'm making a block I've ever made before, and I really like that.  I'm just hoping my fabrics will end up playing well together and making a beautiful quilt overall.  I'm going to have concerns about that until they are all together I'm afraid.

Of course, these projects join my newest NewFO, Cool Cats, and my current applique project, The Blue Collection, as well as a couple of embroidery projects for times when hand stitching is the perfect activity!  You can click on their names to see what they are all about if you like :*D

So what's cooking on your Design Wall?

Is it Ocsar worthy LOL???  

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

=^..^=

Linking up with.....

Another Curve It Up Block!

I just couldn't wait to share my latest Curve It Up QAL block with you ...
                           This is Block #4, the Curved 4-Patch!

Don't you just love it?  I do!

I expected this block to be really difficult, but to be honest it really wasn't hard at all.  It went together very smoothly and I just love the effect.  This is a block that rewards you for your efforts!  You can find the amazing Quick Curve Ruler and pdf's for all the blocks in this fun Quilt-a-long on Jenny's blog at Sew Kind of Wonderful HERE.

I had so much fun putting this block together last night that I really wanted to work on the next block today - it's an amazing curved 9-Patch - but I had to put my nose to the grindstone so I can finish up my Dare to Dresden project.

And speaking of which, the Dare to Dresden Blog Hop starts today!  The lovely and oh-so-talented Mdm Samm at Sew We Quilt is the instigator genius behind this fun blog hop, and Christine from Quilt Monster in my Closet is our amazing Cheerleader!

I know you don't want to miss a single Dresden project, so here is the full schedule.  

Psst...My day is the 29th!!!

January 24^th, 2013

Debby Kratovil Quilts

Apple Avenue Quilts

The TreeHouse

Sew Mollie Sue, Quilt Much

Quilts My Way

Buzzing and Bumbling

Marjorie's Busy Corner

Selina Quilts

Quiltscapes

Hill Valley Quilter

Sew Incredibly Crazy

The Raspberry Rabbits

I Like to Quilt Blog

Cherry's Prairie Primitives

Spoilt Dog Quilts

January 25^th, 2013

Gingersnap Quilts

Busy Bee Quilts

She Sews the Blues

Traveling Quilter

Grand Mama's Stories

Cherry Blossoms Quilting Studio

Sew at Home Mummy

The Slow Quilter

Pig Tales and Quilts

Annie Oak Design

Jane's Fabrics & Quilts

Tea Time Creations

Mo Broker My Creative Side

Just Let Me Quilt

Words and Stitches

Just Keep Swimming

Sew Many Yarns

Sowing Stitches

Jane's Quilting
My Patchwork Life
2muchfun

Pumpkin Patch Quilter
Quilt Monster in my Closet

January 28^th, 2013

A Reformed Heath'n

Meadowbrook

Rosemary B @ “that Other Blog”

Stitch Duchess' Crazy & Sane Quilting World

Grammie Q’s

Bumbleberry Stitches

Sunshine Girl

Spiral

Butjenter Quilter

Blooming Where I am Planted

Quilting Lodge

The Tilted Quilt

Life in the Scrapatch

Pretty Bobbins
In The Boon Docks

Sew Much and More

Threading My Way
Pink Ribbon Quilts
Thimble Mouse & Spouse

January 29^th, 2013

A Peach in Stitches

Nancy W @ “that Other Blog”

L3 Designs

Bungalow Bay Quilts

Quilted Delights

Quilt Crossing

Lixie Makes it

A Quilting Sheep

Charlotte's Creations

Quilt-n-Queen
Domesticity and Other Ponderous Things

Sew Much 2 Luv

A Quilt and a Prayer - ME!!!

Amanda Murphy Design

Little Mushroom Cap
Kathy's Quilts

Sandra Kaye Design

January 30^th, 2013

Charlotte H @ “that Other Blog”

Clothes and Crafts

It Seams to be Sew

Merry Gay in Stitches

Water Penny

Granny Good Stuff

Under the Presser Foot

More Stars in Comanche

Sew Me Something Good

The Day Before This Day

Farm Road

Livin' Blue Quilter

I Piece 2 Mary
Kwilty Pleasures
Espritpatch
Nutz4Redwork

January 31^th, 2013

Quilting Prolifically

Patchouli Moon Studio

Mountain Quiltworks

In Ga

Dachsies with Moxie

Color My World

Shepody Mountain Crafter

Christa Quilts

Moosestash Quilting

Lavender Quilts

Never 2 Many Quilts

Cathy's Chatter

Madame Samm

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

=^..^=

Design Wall Monday - 1/21/2013

I've had a very productive week in the sewing studio!

This is the 3rd block in the Curve It Up QAL, hosted by Jenny and Helen over at Sew Kind of Wonderful.  There have actually been 6 blocks released, so needless to say I'm playing catch up ;*D  These curved blocks are so much fun!  Here are the first 3 blocks all together on my design wall.  For some reason the picture is really fuzzy, but you get the idea.

I'm using a lively set of fabrics called Good Fortune designed by Kate Spain, and there's a lot of variety and color in them.  I also got the next 3 blocks cut out and ready to sew up.  These are the fabrics I've chosen for each one.

While I was playing with these fabrics, and also putting away the fabrics I bought on my shopping spree road trip to Franklin, I went ahead and cut off the selvedges.  One of our Guild ladies makes the most amazing boxes using selvedges and she is going to teach a class on it in a few months time.  She advised us to begin gathering our selvedges so we'll have enough to have a nice variety.  I think I'm off to a pretty good start.  I'm not sure I ever really realized how cute even the selvedges can be.  Here are a few of my favorites .... =^..^=

And look at this Good Fortune selvedge.... I am in love with the little different colored fans here instead of the usual circles!!!  What a really nice, special touch!

Of course, I am still working steadily on Easy Street and making good progress, one block at a time.  This is my little "assembly station" LOL!!!

I even finished up one block using the pieces as leader/ender pieces while playing with my pink scraps yesterday!  My goal is to have this quilt pieced and ready for quilting by the end of January.

Of course, I am still working very diligently on my Dare to Dresden project.  I hope you'll be sure to come back on the 29th to see my project!!!  I'm pretty sure it's going to be worth the wait =^..^=

What's on your design wall?  It's always fun to check out the projects linked up with Judy over at Patchwork Times!  I'm also linking up with Connie at Freemotion by the River!

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

=^..^=

Slow Stitching Sunday ... and Some Major Stash Enhancement!!!

Since I have been traveling for the holiday, I was able to get in some sweet hand stitching!  I finally finished up the 7th block in my Promises & Borders quilt.  I only have 3 more blocks to finish this up.

I also got a lot done on my latest Blue Winter Wonderland block.... just a few snowflakes left to finish this one up.  Lots to go before this quilt will be finished though :*)

I always so enjoy the gentle pace of hand stitching and look forward to my time with needle and thread :*)  I'll be linking up with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching linky party, so be sure to go over and see what others are slowly stitching up!

I can't wait to get home (driving all day tomorrow!) and get busy on some really fun projects going on!  Bonnie posted the first Easy Street clue Friday and all I could do was LOOK!!!  I am just itching to chop up some 2" strips with my new die cutter and get busy making those cute little 4 patches!!!  And Jenny at Sew Kind of Wonderful posted the newest Curve It Up QAL block - a curved rail fence - sweet!!!!  Look for some fun project posts SOON!   =^..^=

However, my week was not all spent in traveling, visiting family, cooking, and eating lots of this...

Yes indeedy - that's a 24 pounder!!!!  Just before he went in for his last browning :*)

I also managed to enhance the stash quite nicely!!!!

I always try to go by Mary Jo's in Gastonia when I am in North Carolina, and it worked out perfectly for me to drop in last Tuesday.  I even ran into Mary Jo herself!  I'll do a post next week on my visit and share some of the pictures I took at the shop, but for now I'll just share some of my goodies....

Some of these luscious lime/apple greens will be added to my Easy Street stash!

Love these aquas!!!
These will not only be used on Easy Street but also on my aqua Jamestown Landing (someday!)

This yummy aqua batik was only $7 a yard so I had to bring home some of it - wouldn't you????

This is the gray I decided to use for Easy Street - I like it much better than the one I had in my stash.

Two more fat quarters for Easy Street!

I'm hoping this happy orange polka dot will work with  my Curve It Up QAL fabrics

There are always so many batiks to choose from at Mary Jo's, but these had to come home with me!  I love the rich blues and I'm thinking they will work well with my Butterflies quilt.  This picture does not do the multi-colored one on top justice - the picture below is better....

This is a better shot of the multi-colored blue/purple batik - WOW!!!  It is a gorgeous piece of fabric!

So the Stash Report for this week is.......

Stash Enhancement Report - November 25, 2012 

Used/Destashed this week:  0.0 yards

Used/Destashed YTD 2012: 222.75 yards

Stashed this week: 14.25 yards

Stashed YTD 2012: 269.00 yards

Net Used for 2012: -46.25 yards

Be sure to go over to Patchwork Times to see how others are doing at managing their stash!

Hugs & Blessings!
Teresa
=^..^=

Curve It Up QAL - Block #2

We have so much coming up for us in the next week that I knew I needed to jump on getting the second block done for the Curve it Up QAL.  I really didn't want to fall behind, so I downloaded the PDF and got busy.  Jenny's sister Helen over at HGMR Deco Quilting designed this block which is called the "Curve It Up" Sawtooth Star.

Working with these fabrics is really stretching me.   The line has orange, purple, aqua and green, and not all of them play well together - not for me anyway.  And a lot of them have large patterns that don't work in small pieces, so I had to go raid my stash to add a few more solid-reading fabrics to the line.  The curved orange stars are from a fat quarter I dug out of my stash :*)

I originally wanted to go "matchy-matchy" and use this pretty aqua with the dragonflies fabric in the 16-patch center.....

But as you can see, it just didn't work.  The aqua was a perfect complement to the dragonflies fabric, but it was just blah in the block.  I knew I had to punch it up with some color, but I was concerned about using the purple in there, afraid it would be too garish, but eventually it was really the only choice that allowed that center to pop.  Once I got it put together I was thrilled with the result!  I love the movement of those purple squares in there!

The block went together easily, although at first I had some qualms about the fact that the star points don't go out to the seam allowance and they don't meet in the middle.  Once I realized it was designed to look like that I decided to get used to it :*D

I thought it would be fun to add a decorative element to this block by fussy-cutting the flowers in the corners.  After I figured out where I wanted to cut the first flower to get the look I wanted, I put some Omni-Grip on my small square ruler and traced the flower design on it so I could place the ruler exactly on the same place with each subsequent flower.

              Here are my first two blocks of this QAL together.....

This has been fun and challenging, and I am delighted that I decided to join in.  I'll be linking up to Jenny's Flickr Group HERE.....

I also want to show you something I won last week from my friend Leslie who shares her gorgeous art quilt works over at MarveLes Art Studios.   This girl is a serious artist and makes some wonderfully quilty, sparkly, delightful pieces - you will want to check her out!  She is also one of the sweetest bloggers I have met here on Blogger :*D

This hand-painted watercolor drawing notecard is what I won!

Don't you just love it?!?!!!!

I'm so happy with this little card and can't wait to frame it and hang it in my sewing studio - huge smiles!!!!  Thank you so much Leslie =^..^=

I may need to take a little break from the blog this week with all the things going on right now.  Today we celebrated our youngest grandson's first birthday....

What a CUTE birthday cupcake :*D

Tomorrow we are going to the stadium to see the Carolina Panthers play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  I sure do hope they decide to play well tomorrow :*)  It is supposed to be cold and cloudy, so I will be bundling up very, very warm!!!

After that we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving, as I am sure many of you will be doing as well.  May I send to each and every one of you - whether you live here in the US or not - my sincerest wishes for a wonderful holiday surrounded by all those you love!

Happy Thanksgiving!

=^..^=

Teresa

Linking up with