I'm Gonna Runaway!!!!!

Runaway Retreat starts tomorrow & I can't wait!!!

I'm packing up projects and tools!  

And getting ready for my Amish Beauties class - Woohoo!!!!

Since I'll be teaching one full day of the retreat, I've only packed a few personal projects to work on.  My main goal is to get the Blooming Nine Patch assembled.  Do you even remember what it looks like?  Here's a quick reminder.....

Simple, mindless sewing together of rows :)  

Yesterday, I played in my ORANGE fabrics to put together my final Soul Searching block so I could stitch it up at retreat, as well ....

    Isn't this little orange fox too, too cute?  

Unfortunately, that fabric stuck out like a sore thumb, so it didn't make the final cut :(  

Here are some sneak peeks at the fabrics that DID make the cut....

I just love the variety of black/white's in these blocks ....

Some of my favorite fun prints in ORANGES :)

The last of my Kindle Case fabric scraps - what will I do without them?????

I found an excellent use for those new Marilee's Numbered Pins picked up at AQS.  I was nervous about keeping all these pieces in the right order and right-side up from my house to retreat - so I pinned each one on the line with it's row number, right on the line where I will stitch - EASY PEASY!!!!

The rest of the blocks are all packed to go so I can assemble the quilt top when the ORANGE block is done!

I also worked on making sure I have the makings for another couple of Patchwork of the Crosses blocks to take with me.  Even though I won't have time to do any Slow Sunday Stitching today with Kathy's Quilts, I will most definitely be doing some hand stitching on these at Runaway :)

This one is in progress - I got the center stitched together this week....

I had been looking for the perfect project to use this vibrant Oriental border print.....

Here are a few of the color options I looked at for the outer row petals.....

I ended up going with the darker pink :)
That stripe would have been marvelous, but too much trouble to get it just right!!!

The next block uses one of my favorite fabrics for the focus print....

Here is a down-and-dirty layout of the center pieces before stitching ....

And here are a few color options I am considering.  I had pretty much decided to go with this layout....

But then I had to try it with the gold on an outer row to see what that would look like, and I rather liked the glow it makes...

Not sure that I like the aqua pieces in that particular place though.....but I think it needs the aqua somewhere..... Decisions!  Decisions!!!  I think I'll cut 4 more gold pieces and lay out the whole block to see what I think.  Maybe even look for a different aqua?  What would you choose?

I'm off and running folks!  

Still lots to do before tomorrow morning!

Before you leave, be sure to go over to see what's shaking at:

SoScrappy's 2014 Rainbow Scrap Challenge

Kathy's Quilts Slow Sunday Stitching

Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times

Tuesday Linky Party at Freemotion by the River

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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Design Wall Monday - 9-8-14

Not only did I start the Patchwork of the Crosses project this week (see those beautiful blocks HERE), I also took a class on Friday so I could play with these luscious fabrics.....

Eventually, these will become a beautiful new Ruler/Mat Tote!  Here is the designer's picture of hers from the cover page of my pattern....

Isn't this just an AMAZING design?  

A very talented local quilter/designer, Janet Gagneur, designed it, incorporating a dramatic block design from one of Kaffe Fassett's books.  I was a goner as soon as I saw it!  It has pockets on the inside for the most popular sizes of rulers, as well as your favorite tools.  And her quilting is impeccable - truly the icing on the cake!

You'd probably never believe that I already own TWO ruler totes, would you?  Of course not!  Not me!!!!

But, alas, I do - 

*hanging head in shame*

This one I made to cover my portable June Tailor ironing pad which was looking pretty pitiful.  I was ashamed for anyone to see it anymore!  I made a pocket to fit over it, using one of my fun kitty fabrics for the ironing side ....

.....  and batting for the other so I could use it as an impromptu block design wall at retreats.

Then I used another kitty fabric to cover the batting when it is not in use.  The plus is that I can carry a multitude of rulers and mats in the pocket as well as the ironing pad!  How much is in a multitude, you ask?  LOTS!!!!

The second ruler/mat tote is one I made during a class at our guild retreat maybe 4 or 5 years ago.  It will hold an 18x24 mat and lots of rulers as well.  Lots of fun scrappy fabrics on the front, with a funky rainbow dots stripe binding it.... Oh Yeah!!!!  And pockets on the front for more stuff!

The back is heat resistant ironing board fabric - perfect for retreats & sit-n-sews!

I really love it and use it often.... and I really don't NEED another one ..... but, I mean, who could reasonably expect me to pass up the opportunity to play with those glorious striped shot cottons and batiks?  Really?  No, I didn't think so :*)

So this is what my Design Wall looks like right now....The striped blocks are sewn but not assembled together yet.  And one lone POTC block shines down on the rest of the room like a magnificent star!

Two new projects already this month!!!  I'm already ahead of the game with the NewFO Challenge for September - woohoo!!!!

I won't get a lot of stitching done this week though.  I'm going on a one-day Bus Trip to the AQS in Chattanooga with the Music City Guild this coming Thursday and really looking forward to that, although my pocket book is already screaming in protest!  I'll take my knitting to work on during the ride - the Diagonal Cowl is a simple enough design that I can knit and talk at the same time without worrying about mistakes :)  I'm also very busy making sure I have all my ducks in a row for the class I'll be teaching at Runaway Retreat in two weeks....

Ducks in a row LOL!!!

Another thing I won't be doing a lot of this week is reading .......

Yep, I dropped my Kindle Paperwhite the other night and the screen apparently shattered underneath the surface!  The screen saver is now frozen in that upper left corner and the horizontal gray line is always there now too.  BUMMER!!!!   Not to fret though, My Guy very sweetly consented to replace it when he saw how devastated I was - however, he made sure to buy the Accidental Coverage warranty this time :*D  I have always said he is one of the smartest people I know!!!

Do you have a Design Wall to share with us?  Or just want to see some amazing works in progress?  Come check out the Linky Party HERE at Judy's Patchwork Times today!  

Wishing you all a lovely week!!!

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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Design Wall Monday - 8/18/14

This week was a week of stepping back and setting some priorities on my projects.  There are a lot of things calling for my attention right now, and some of them are pretty loud and demanding!

In two weeks I will begin the first of several classes for my pattern, Amish Beauties!

This class was accepted at Runaway Quilters Retreat in September this year, and I'll be teaching it to 20 students that week!  How exciting!!!  Locally, The Quilter's Path is also offering a couple of opportunities to take the class and make this quilt - Friday, August 29, and Saturday, August 30.  You can contact Marita at the shop for more details if you are interested.  The best news is that she is putting together KITS for this quilt, and her bright solids are amazing!!!!  Patterns will be available for sale on October 1, but those who are taking classes will of course receive their pattern at the class.

Needless to say, I want to be sure I have all my ducks in a row on this class, so a lot of paperwork is in process and taking up a lot of my time!  But it's a fun time and I'm enjoying it tremendously :)

On my Design Wall this week, I have my Blooming Nine Patch still, and I did mange to carve out some time for the joy of making 9-patches for it.

I finished up Color 8 this week and got halfway through Color 9, which is the Dark Purple and the last color.  These final strips quickly became units for the last of the 9-patches.....

Here are some units cut and ready for the final row of 9-patches, with a strip set all ready to cut more when needed....

I can't say enough about how fun this quilt design is proving to be for me!  I'm almost disappointed to be finishing up the last row of colors!  I've decided not to put a border on it, just finishing up with setting triangles and a binding in the dark purple.  Of course, there's still a lot of sewing on this top because all of those squares have to be sewn together to complete the top.

Then I saw this CUTE little Shark Pencil Case - it's a FREE pattern and tutorial on Patchwork Posse  - and knew immediately that I had to make one for Sara for school this year.  Doesn't every Marine-Biologist-in-Training need one of these???  I've even had a few other family requests for this cute little helper :)

I haven't started on the shark yet.  Of course, I had to wash all my GRAY fabric first :)  That worked great since I didn't have a color to wash for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge this month.

I even threw a few recent black purchases into the darker grays - isn't this just the cutest little black & white print????

So that's what's going on at A Quilt and A Prayer... how about you?  

What do you have on your Design Wall this week?  

Share with us at Judy's Patchwork Times!

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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Design Wall Monday - Catch-up Style!!!

There are so many things to do now that Sara has gone home!!!  

Not only do I have to get back into reading all my favorite blogs, but all my projects are screaming for attention!

This is why my Design Wall is in two pieces....

I often have to get behind it to get into my stash closets :)  No work has been done on my Blooming Nine-Patch this week, and I really want to get that next color up there.  These strips are just waiting patiently to be sewn up and made into delicious 9-patches - YUM!!!

You can see tons of wonderful projects in progress at Judy's Patchwork Times today!

My next priority is to make sure I am ready for several classes for the below quilt that I will be teaching soon.....the bright and beautiful Amish Beauties!

Then I have TWO Bertie's Year blocks that desperately need attention....

Yep, they've been languishing!  I've got them fused down, but not yet stitched down.  And I was doing so well at keeping up!  And I got an email that the next one is already on it's way - yikes!

I want to make a See-N-Go Project Bag  - from these gorgeous scraps (you can see mine HERE and get your FREE pattern from Jacquelynne Steve's Summer E-magazine - also FREE - HERE!) to match my Stitchery Keeper - see more about it HERE.




And then I have "just a few" other projects that are calling my name LOL!!!  

This month is Light and Lime Greens for the Rainbow Challenge over at SoScrappy, and I don't need to make any more green blocks so I'll take a break from that this month.  Hopefully that will give me time to catch up on some of these more pressing projects :)

So I know you're wondering if we got everything made for Sara before she left, right?  Yep, we did!  And then some, because I did some repairs on several of her pieces of clothing the night before she left :)

The Foxy Shorts turned out really, really cute!

I was a little nervous about making the Woodland Creatures PJ's.  It had been quite a while since I did any apparel sewing and working with these new-fangled all-in-one patterns was a little bit of a challenge at first...

And working with jersey knit fabric again - let me just say UGH!!!

But they really did turn out cute and very, very comfy!!!

And Sara finished up her second pillowcase - cupcakes for her sister Emma!

Yesterday morning we met her father and sister halfway between Nashville and Monroe NC to get her on her way back home so she can begin getting ready for school.  They start on August 26 there.  On the way, Sara finished up the little cuddle rag quilt I made the night before for Miss Link by snipping all the edges to make them ruffle when they are washed ....

As you can see below, Miss Link was a huge help - LOL!!!

It turned out really cute and I enjoyed sewing up those scraps and getting them out of my stash!  Sara will wash it and make it all raggy and cuddly today :)

It was so much fun to have her here ... and teaching her to sew was a privilege I never thought I would have.  What a blessing!!!  And I really want to thank you all for listening to my posts about her visits :)  But it was really strange to wake up this morning and see her room empty :(  That will take a few days to get used to I'm guessing.  But my guess is that Gypsy is not missing Miss Link even one little bit!!!!

What do you think?

Oh - if cats could talk, we'd all be in trouble!!!!!

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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