Batik Progress

Hi There!

Gilbert's been helping me with cutting the green frames on these blocks. And, every time I have a few minutes, I've been sewing the green frames onto the batik blocks.

These blocks were a block swap that my friend, Helen Marie was in. She kindly forwarded her received blocks to me, a few years ago.

So, this would definitely qualify as a UFO (UnFinished Object)!

These are only a few of them.

I'm hoping to finish this one off as a King Quilt.



These blocks are squared up at 16-1/2" and as I mentioned, there are more blocks to be done.

Here's a close up of some of the blocks.

And here's a picture of the black batik that I will use in between each block.

(click on the black batik picture to see it better)

Since Gilbert and I don't particularly care for batiks, this quilt might go to my sister, Sylvie.

Not sure yet.

C U Later!

Rosa

Cat Pie, Anyone?!?!

Hi There!

Well, one more quilty project, waiting for Gilbert and Bertha (our Longarm machine) to do their magic.

Thanks to a lovely gifty from Barb H., a couple years ago, I will be using her fabric for the back.

Cute, eh?



And another BIG thanks for the 3 comments that I got, suggesting how I should finish the border on this quilt.

I picked one of them and modified it slightly.
*grin*



As I was working on my batik blocks, this evening, Gilbert was puttering around. I asked if he wanted to help me, with cutting up logs for a UFO (Un-Finished Object) Log Cabin quilt that I had started 2 years ago.

Even though he has difficulty with English, he was able to read the directions and Gilbert IS precise, when cutting wood!

The old saying "Measure Twice, Cut Once"
applies to wood, as well as fabric, for him!

Aren't I the lucky quilter?!?!?

He doesn't mind cutting my fabric
AND he's precise?!?!?

Yep - he's a keeper!

*VBG*

Gilbert and I bought one of those humungous pies at Costco. These pies come in a plastic container.

This time, I decided to keep the plastic container for "something".

Minou, our cat, decided to take over.

As you can see, she more than fills up the pie plate!

LOL

Actually, she kept sleeping on my ironing board!

So, I decided to put some scrap fabric in the empty pie plate and she took to it, like a duck to water!

Gilbert says she slept in it, almost all day!

LOL

Have a great week!

Rosa

Greatest Invention. Ever. (By Prairie Moon Quilts)

Hi There!

My friend, over at Prairie Moon Quilts has the most entertaining blog posts.... specially when she's talking about her life on the ranch and their occupants.

For Gilbert and I, it's like you were to plunk us down on another planet... hard to imagine but certainly very entertaining to read!

And her blog post called "Bovine Hair Styles" s'gotta be one of my favoritest blog posts of all time!

*VBG*

Well, she's having a blog contest, again, and this one ends June 28th.... on Tuesday. She has these blog contests from time to time and I've been very fortunate to have won a couple times.

This time, I thought I'd share with all of you.

WARNING!!!!

Enter her contest FIRST and THEN, go read the rest of her blog posts. If you start reading first, you might get lost reading about her cows and horses and dog and, and, and....

LOL

Oh... before I sign off, and since I don't have any quilt pictures to share with you, this time it will be a "funny".





We're heading out, this morning, for our usual "Saturday Morning Errands" and you ALL know how much I enjoy THAT!!!

*making a grimace*

But this time, we'll be visiting 2 new, freshly opened stores, so it should be fun!

Yep - I'll try and take a few pics to share!

Rosa

Need Some Suggestions...

Hi There!

Well, all my blocks are finished at 12-1/2" square each and the rows have been sewn together. In fact, I just need to sew the top 2 rows together..

Here's why I'm looking for suggestions.

This crib size quilt is now at 36 inches X 48 inches.

I'd like to add a border.

What kind or color do you suggest?



And if so, how wide?

Please disregard the other "stuff" on my design wall, as well as Minou, our cat. Minou decided she HAD to inspect my work.
(she's on the bottom right hand corner of this picture)

I was originally thinking of adding a white border and white binding, to make the snowballs "float", but then I realized that this quilt will be for a baby and an all white quilt might not be a good idea.

:-(
After re-thinking, I thought perhaps a 2" strip of pink, all around the edge, with a 1" strip of green and then, another 2" strip of green.

What cha think, eh?

Rosa

Another UFO Bites the Dust and Another Progress Report

Hi There!

Finally finished my first Inklingo project.

This cute little table topper was all hand pieced and then I decided to machine quilt it as it was too odd a shape to put on Gilbert's longarm.

I've name it "Frummie's Coffee"
and the label was sewn on this evening.



Here's a picture of the back.

It's coffee bean fabric that I picked up, while in Florida.

And here's a picture of the front of it.

Tomorrow, it will replace my 30's table topper.



Pulled out the Easy Spider Quilt.... remember that one?

Gilbert and I managed to pick out ALL the itsy, bitsy pieces of paper that I had used to make the blocks. At one point, DON'T ASK ME HOW, but while removing the paper from the back, I noticed a 5 or 6 inch gap that wasn't sewn. A HUGE slit!!!

How did THAT happen?!??

Anyhow, I was too discouraged at the time and just threw it in a corner in my sewing room.

Tonight, I pulled it out and sewed the gap. Gilbert will iron it all for me tomorrow and longarm this one!

YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!

As for the Strippy SnowBall Blocks, well, I managed to sew a few more "frames" and now have 7 twelve inch snowballs finished. I hope to finish off the last 5 tomorrow evening.

Don't they kinda look like jewels?!??

*grin*

And finally, here's one of the last garden flower hangers that I made. I think I've made 4, in all... but I'm not considering them completely done 'cause I need to add "hangers" on them. Not looking forward to that, but I'll keep you posted when it gets done.

That's about it for show and tell.

Hope you have a Fantastic Friday!

Rosa

Strippy Snowball Blocks and Quilty Ladies!

Hi There!

Rushed home, in a hurry to work on my newest project, my "Strippy Snowball Blocks" and as I walked in the door, Gilbert says, "We need to go out and buy some colored pencils."

Oooohhhh kaaaaay....

Jumped in the car with Gilbert, picked up a few items, rushed back home, shoved pre-made casserole in the oven and scooted on over in front of my sewing machine to work on these cute blocks.

Managed to finish off completely, 2 snowball blocks and then, it was time for supper.



Today, Gilbert longarmed a panel for me.

As I will be cutting these cuties up, I asked that he do a simple meandering.

(hanging on the wall)


(still pinned on the longarm)



This is for quilt shopping and retreats!



This shows a quilter with LOTS of chocolate and candies and snacks and, and, and....

LOL

And this one shows the Ironing Line...

I plan on making mug rugs and mini wall hangings.

Stay Tuned!

Rosa

My 2 New(?) Projects...

Hi There!

Well, next on my UFO (Un-Finished Object) Radar are some batik blocks HM, my friend in Georgia, had sent to me many, many moons ago.

I had pulled these out several times since receiving them and simply couldn't figure out HOW to put them together. *s*

Finally, Sunday morning, I realized that I needed to make 2 more blocks, which I did and upsize them to 16-1/2 inches, making sure that they'd be ALL the same size.

Doesn't look like much, right now, but trust me... I DO have a plan!

*grin*



Then, on my break today, I suddenly got the urge to work on another scrappy quilt!

So, I quickly sketched a baby quilt design on scrap paper and once I got home, after work, immediately went to work on these blocks.

Would you believe that I managed to sew all 12 blocks, in about 3 hours!?!?!?

Once again, these blocks don't look like much, but they will be snow ball blocks.

I'll be posting lots of progress pictures.

Stayed tuned!

Rosa

Shampoo Alert!!!

Got this in an email, today and I thought I'd share with you....

***********************

I tried to get up early enough to get this noteworthy tip sent to you before you showered. Let me know how it works for you.

Shampoo alert!

As I was conditioning my hair in the shower this morning,

I took time to read my shampoo bottle. I am in shock!

The shampoo I use in the shower that runs down my entire body

says "for extra volume and body"! Seriously, why have I not

noticed this before? Now I understand why I am so "full-figured"!

Tomorrow I am going to start using "Dawn" dish soap. It says

right on the label "dissolves fat that is otherwise difficult to

remove."

It pays to read the warning labels!!!!

A Father's Love...

Happy Father's Day!!!!

Just recently saw/heard this video on our CCMTV (Canadian Country Music TV), sobbed and sobbed and sobbed and basically fell in LOVE with this song, immediately!!!

*sigh*

Really... listen to it and let the words sink in... *s*

Song by Bucky Covington called "A Father's Love".

Tell me what you think of it. *s*

Oh.... and here's a little story of sorts, that I wrote a while back...

Father's Day



Rosa

Stop and...

Hi There!

I decided to take the afternoon off, as well as all day tomorrow.

As soon as I got home and had dinner - that's our noontime meal - I went into my sewing studio and decided to tackle a REAL old UFO (unfinished object).

It was my embroidered roses. I had started these probably in 2004 or 2005.
(Also read: Prairie Moon's Countdown)

I guess what kept it as a "UFO" was I couldn't figure out HOW to place them in a quilt and with what other fabrics, to match these blocks with their white backgrounds.
*scratching her head*

Kinda boring looking, all by themselves, on my design wall, eh?



But this last week, I realized that these blocks couldn't/wouldn't be the focal blocks... they HAD to be what I call the "plain" blocks!



And that's when I remembered the incredible stash of fabrics that my friend Elaine had sent me last year. I had just barely touched the surface of her gift with "My Pink Quilt" that I had made and the greens and burgundies would go FANTASTIC with my embroidered roses!

Would you believe that I have never really made 9 patch blocks? At least, I can't remember purposely making them for an big quilt.

These are the 2 color ways that I used.

Now, by 6h30 (approx.), these embroidered blocks, as well as the 9 patch blocks were all pieced together.

(Note: These are ALL 12 inch square blocks, BTW.)

I will be adding mini frames and bigger frames, to make this lap quit more "squarish".

Stay tuned.

Once again, Elaine, thanks for that wonderful fabric stash!!!

Rosa

Finished Project #5 - "My Fruity Ladies"

Hi There!

During this past month or two, I've been close to finishing projects, yet there was always something holding me back.

Okay, I'll confess...
I've been procrastinating, once again!

*hangs her head in shame*

Well, I put my foot down and decided to finish these quilty projects.... once and for all!

Tonight, I finished the binding AND the label for
"My Fruity Ladies"!!!



Click on the back for a close-up of Gilbert's quilting.

This pantogram is called "Sunny Day".

Okay, here's a suggestion.

A few years ago, my Secret Pal, Jo had added these cute little cards, with her monthly gifties. I had put these cards away and this afternoon, while searching for something else, came across these cards.

The cards have a different quilt block, as well as the instructions on how to make it.

Since Gilbert and I have a clear plastic protector on our kitchen table, I've decided to bring these cards out and display them.

They're so pretty!




Hope you get to do a few quilty stitches this week!

Rosa

LOTS of "Eye Candy"!!!!

Hi There!

My friend Barb did some cleaning up, lately. She wrote me an email and asked me if I wanted some of her magazines and books.

I replied, "SURE!!!"

I mean, did she REALLY think I'd say "no"?!?!?

*VBG*

Yesterday, her hubby dropped off TWO (double bagged) shopping bags filled with "Eye Candy"!!!



And some incredibly nice books!!!

Gilbert's already flipped through the one called "Fast & Fun Machine Quilting". A lot of their tips and tricks can be converted to longarm quilting.... and he's ESPECIALLY keen on Trapunto quilting!

He had seen this kind of result before,
but didn't know how to reproduce it.... till now.

*grin*

I'll keep you all posted on his trapunto!

Hope you have an excellent weekend!

Rosa

Finished Project #4 - "My Flower Pot"

Hi There!

I just finished adding the label on "My Flower Pot".

This was a center panel, with side panels of leaves - instructions included - that my Secret Pal, Joyce, had sent me.

It took a while, but I finally got it put together and asked Gilbert to quilt it for me.



He and "Bertha", our longarm machine,
worked their magic on "My Flower Pot"!!!

Here's a picture of it, outside....
but the sun was setting.

It measures 39-1/2" X 40".

I don't think I'm the best at taking pictures, unfortunately...

Rosa

Finished Project #3 - "101 Civil War Fabrics"

Hi There!

These 2 were done a couple weeks ago, but THIS was holding be back from calling it "Finished".

Its "label".



Apparently, a quilt isn't completely "finished" unless it has its label.

*grin*

Well, I wanted to make half square mini triangle blocks and since I was making a second block, every time, I figured, "What the heck - I might as well make a 2nd mini quilt, while I'm at it!"

Gilbert machine quilted these with "Bertha", our longarm machine. I asked him to to do a "cross hatch" pattern.



The blocks are approx. 1-1/2 inch square.

The finished size of this quilt is 12-1/2 inches X 13 inches.

But, IMHO, the most amazing thing about THIS quilt is that there are EXACTLY 101 different Civil War fabrics in this quilt!

Yep!!!



Doesn't look that way, but trust me... that's the total count!

*VBG*

Enough for tonight.

I have yet another quilt to bind and add it's label.
This one's a lap quilt.
Should be done sometime this week.

Stay tuned.

Hope you guys/gals have SUPER week!

Rosa

Finished Project #2 - Florida Pillow Cases

Hi There!

While fabric shopping in Florida, I decided that I wanted to pick up some fabric with palm trees in it. I had a hard time finding some, till finally, in one of our last shopping spots, I grabbed some in Johann's!!!



Well, unfortunately, I didn't pick up enough to make the backs of these pillowcases.....

So, I had to wait and make a trip to Mardens, in Calais, to find some kind of coordinating fabric.

Here's the back of our pilllow cases.

It's not as dark as the picture. It's more like a (darkish) powder blue and it looks like clouds....



I figured with palm trees on one side and clouds on the other, these pillow cases would certainly provide us with pleasant dreams!

LOL

Rosa

Finished Project #1 - "My Civil War Mini"

Hi There!

For various reasons, I've had a few nearly completed projects just hanging around. This afternoon, I decided to put my heavy foot down and GET 'ER DONE!

Let me introduce to you,
"My Civil War Mini"
(picture taken outside)



As you can see by the ruler on the left, the finished quilt measures 8-1/2 inches X 11-1/2 inches.

I paperpieced the snowballs and decided to add some embroidery on the border.... And, it's hand quilted by MOI!



And each snowball is approximately 1 inch square.

The label's on the back and......

TAH DAH !!!

One more quilty project that's FINISHED!!!

On to my next project!

Rosa

Tic, Toc... Tic, Toc...

Hi There!

Last February, while in Florida, I went to visit a few fabric stores. While there, I picked up the funniest gal fabric, knowing full well that I would certainly find SOMETHING to make with it!

*VBG*

I even managed to pick up some coordinating pineapple fabric and some matching charcoal/black!

I've decided to finally make ME a lap quilt! And as this fabric reminds me of Frummie and Elaine, AND the fruit ladies are comical.... well, it's a cheerful, pick-me-up kind of quilt!

Here's the top of the quilt. Gilbert and "Bertha" - our longarm Gammill - did their magic on it, once again.

I selected our new pantogram called "Sunny Day" and it certainly showed up, on the back of the quilt!

Once I've finished binding it, I'll show you the completed pictures of this lap quilt, that I've named "My Fruity Ladies".

This evening, I tried making another "Blue Ocean" drink.

This time, I used:
1 shot of Blue Curaco
1 shot of Coconut Rum
1 small can of pineapple juice
1/4 cup of orange juice
and 1/4 shot of Grenadine.

It was fruity and tasty but instead of "Blue Ocean", it looked more like....

"Swamp Water"!!!

LOL

Oh?

Here's why the clock has been ticking, ticking, ticking....

One whole week of (almost) wasted time - practically NO sewing AT ALL...

"What was I doing?", you ask.

I was trying to figure out FaceBook!

Someone FINALLY explained to me why Gilbert and I needed to have a FaceBook "Page"... to help spread the word of "The 3 A Quilting".

Soooooooo..... with the help of family and friends, we've got somewhat of a "Page" started up.

Please be so kind as to visit us and YEP.....

"LIKE US",

as well....

Thanks!

Rosa