Wow, it's Friday Again ...

WAW! After the last couple of weeks I really didn't think I could pack more in.

This week was off to a running start and never really let up.

It was busy, busy, busy ... so ... I'm afraid there aren't too many pictures.
But the list ... the list tells the story. Happy Reading!

1. finished painting the kitchen
2. vacuumed and mopped 
3. then cut out, baked and decorated cookies with two sweet little girls
4. cleaned the kitchen again!
5. made salad rolls (twice in one day!) and again today, they were declared delicious ... even if they weren't very pretty ... and I've found the perfect spicy peanut sauce combination, mmmmm.
6. sat in the sun, got nice and brown while chatting with a friend and stitching away
7. prepped four Oma Lena blocks to take to the hospital with me on Monday
8. had two friends over for another day of stitching ... lots of laughter of course
9. finalized the design for the last two blocks of Nesting
10. went to the market again for more strawberries for more jam ... last batch turned out pretty good so here's to another try.
11. also went crazy at Ikea ... more storage for my office, kitchen towels, bathroom cupboard and kitchen doors - all very necessary things
12. narrowly avoided what could have been a very bad accident - phew, my heart still clops every time I think about it. definitely the emergency stop they train you for!
13. had another friend over for coffee, then went an sewed the afternoon with her at yet another friends house
14. may have ruined my favorite pan for making sauce ... not sure if I should tattle ... suffice to say it is glued / melted to a rubber surface after being taken outside to cool (because I had burnt a pan of onions)
15. slept soundly another 6 out of 7 nights ... in spite of some very warm nights.
16. felt like i needed a better profile pic so made an attempt at a self portrait .. not too bad but there are definitely room for improvements.

And yes, you counted right, I spent 3 out of 5 days sewing with friends!! It took up a chunk of time but was entirely worth it and I got a lot of stitching, drawing, laughing and bitching done. And yes, my head is rather tired from speaking so much Nederlands ... but I'm coping there too. I am a lucky, luck girl to have so many wonderful friends

Most significantly ... I made it to the end of the pregnancy. Yesterday was the last day of the 40 weeks. It's been a tough ride getting here. But I made it. We made it. The best moments of my entire week has been in creating and stitching the little squares you see above. In all 25 very special memories, wishes and dreams for Saskia and Arne. I can hardly wait for it to be done, but I won't rush it. It's too special.

You can read more about it here.

Our two week July vacation officially began at 5pm tonight. 

Axel doesn't have to work for 16 days! and we plan on enjoying it. 

I'll do my best to pop in and say HI, 

but I'm not going to sweat it if I don't ... I hope you won't either. 

We've got some great plans for our 2nd annual Staycation!! 

And regardless of during or after the fact, 

I'll be back to share the highlights with you.

Oh, and don't freak out about the hospital thing .. it's for sinus surgery. 

Hopefully just a day there. Maybe overnight.

Prayers are welcome but don't worry.
I'm looking forward to this sinus issue being solved.


And don't forget you can join in on, just post write a blog post containing your WAW list. 
Then come back and leave a link in the comment section.
You know I won't be able to stay away from my computer during our vacation so I promise to stop by and be wowed by all the things that you get done in your week ... you know ... the ones that get overlooked, the important things that keeping us from stitching every minute of the day ...

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Plus One, Minus One

... that's what I'd have to tally this week 

if I was keeping count of "on-going" quilt projects.

Starting a new project wasn't exactly intentional, 

but it was absolutely the right thing to do this week. 

Tomorrow is (was?) Saskia & Arne's official 40-week (gestational) due date ... 

I've been watching it slowly approach on the calendar. 

After tomorrow different kind of counting starts ...

I've used some of my nervous energy to create a special piece to honor Saskia & Arne. 

Each square represents something that relates to them. Our wishes, dreams and intentions all stitched up in a little 7-1/2" square sampler. Each square (including the t-shirt above) is 1-1/2" square.

You can read more about this project here and see detailed pictures of each square here. Be sure to visit Amy Power's blog Inspire Co. and check out her Happy Go Lucky Stitchalong.

On the finishing side of the column, I put the last stitches into 

the binding of this quilt last Friday and threw another party! 

More pictures and all the details are here.

 

I'd like to say that Axel's second sock is done .. but it's still waiting for me to turn the heel (again) ...

But TODAY, I drew the last and final block pattern for Nesting!

Now it's time to sit at the computer, scan, edit, write, re-edit and finalize all the patterns. 

This finished quilt design has been a long time in coming but I sure am loving the results.

This week is crazy busy. 

There is at least one major thing on my calendar every single day. 

I'm really not sure why it turned out to be this week. 

But maybe it's for the best 

... one thing is for sure ... 

it will mean for a whopper of a WAW list ... I hope you'll stop back by.

Be sure to stop by Freshly Pieced and see what every one else has been up to ...

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Monday Morning

I am really not sure where the weekend went. But it was perfect ... we worked, we relaxed, we played. The perfect combo, right? Our garden is shaping up and hopefully I can show so major improvements over this soon.

Axel put the last coat of paint on the kitchen ceiling so I'm headed in there to do a deep clean and put things back. Soon .. the lamp, we are actually going to hang a very cool lamp.

Yesterday, I played. I really didn't mean to spend the whole day doing it but it was rather therapeutic. A couple of years ago I saw this and fell in love with it, but I knew I couldn't justify another project. Then I saw more of them and they kept haunting me.

In March, I read that Amy was going to teach a class on-line - for just $10 (introductory price). I was curious about the whole on-line class thing. It's something I would love to try doing. I thought what the heck ... do it!

Use it as an opportunity to honor Saskia & Arne. Of course in early March, I couldn't quite see all the Happy things. It's much easier now, it is all I see. I miss them terribly but they have given me so much. I can only be grateful ... I keep saying over and over "we are better people for having known them."

My heart and soul is going into the stitchery.

I am working on it in my quiet time. 

After my work is done when I can sit and relax. 

And reflect.

It is all about them. It is all for them.

It makes me smile!

It makes me happy!

You can see close ups of each of the squares in my flickr stream.

I hope you have a lovely week.
Mine is just starting.
I have quite a list.

But I am ready.

Be sure to check back on Friday to see what I've gotten done.

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Weekend Stitching

Can you guess what I'm working on?

I'll give you a clue. It involves this.

Of course, if you're really curious you can see much more in my flickr stream. 

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Wow - 2 finished quilts!

Hahaha! I am really milking this week for all I can ... it started with a party when I finished the binding on this quilt. And is ending with a party because now this one is done!

It's still hard for me to imagine that I started this quilt 10+ years ago. It hung around (literally) as a quilt top for a very very long time.

Keep reading, I've included details of 9-Patches & Periwinkles are below (size, pattern, inspiration, quilting, etc)

It feels so good to have it done. Plus I'm doing a little test. I'll get on my soapbox about it later. But it involves binding ... Do you like Straight Grain or Bias better? And why ... ? I am very curious. But I have a lot to show and tell on the subject.

So, what else have I been up to?

It's been another WAW week! But this pretty much sums it up.

Honestly, I laughed and cried while making these. In an effort to have us eat "whole" foods I suggested to my husband that I make his much loved ice cream bars. I had a recipe for Chocolate Nutella bars. Wow, he sure came home with a huge jar of nutella in a hurry. The bars turned out really nice. Beautiful ... ha, until I tried dipping them in chocolate. Complete disaster. Oh boy, the things we do for love!

In addition:

• Made yogurt 3 times, one flopped big time.
• used a flopped batch of yogurt in the place of water in the doughg resulting in the best home-made pizza we've had in a long time. 
• I made poppyseed bread. You can find the recipe here, but what another joke! Right after swearing I wouldn't eat baked sweets during the week I make poppyseed bread - which just happens to be one of my all-time favorites ... oh, the mornings I would pop into my favorite coffee stand for a non-fat, triple tall latte and a poppyseed muffin ...
• ventured out to the goat's farm for the first time in a long while - Axel's been picking up our fresh goat's milk. 
• WENT TO THE MARKET - what a lovely way to start a Thursday must do it more often. Strawberries for jam and fresh pineapple (both very cheap).
• cut, folded, filled and delivered a bunch more seed packets for Saskia & Arne's Garden
• dropped by our old neighbours for a visit and scored the grandma's strawberry jam recipe, fresh lettuce and lots of eggs ... well, "traded" for poppyseed bread and half my market pineapple because Axel won't eat it.
• spent way too much money on (mostly knit) fabrics but came home with enough to make Axel another 3 pairs of pajamas plus 3 tshirts and 2 blouses for me
• cast on Axel's 2nd sock, turned the heel, made a mistake and frogged it. tonight I'll try turning it again.
• made strawberry jam today
• moaned about not having anything for lunch in the house and then made a lovely lovely lovely salad with boiled eggs and lettuce from our old neighbours - yummmm! oh yes, we used the same lettuce and boiled eggs last night along with pineapple (from the market), ham, peppered goats cheese (from the farm) and cucumbers. Delish!
• slept soundly six out of seven nights!

I'm sure the list should be longer - I'm forgetting something but Axel just came home so it's time to hit that publish button. Sorry, I'll drop in later to check for goofy and spelling errors. It HAS been a week. 

Don't forget to tell me about your week!

Oh, and in case you missed it ... 

I FINISHED TWO QUILTS!!!

And there's more ... I know there is. 

9-Patches & Periwinkles

Blocks: 7-1/2" finished 9-patches (before washing)

Flowers: inspired by the book Folding Flowers by Rebecca Wat. I constructed mine differently than her instructions but the result is nearly the same. I also hand-painted each piece of fabric before folding it so each of the colored flowers are unique. The center ring of flowers I left white.

Finished Size: approximately 36" x 50-1/4" /  91,5cm x 128cm (after washing)

Fabrics: lots of different ones. I think the back might be a Kona Bay pimatext weight.

Batting: Hobbs 80% cotton / 20% polyester

Quilting: Professionally long-arm machine quilted by Barb Dau of Everett, WA (USA)

Binding: mostly Bias Cut, some Straight Grain - testing to see which wears better 
Time Frame: 2002-2012 - A whopping 10 years! Top pieced: spring 2002, Quilted: Nov 2011, Bound : Jun 2012.

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WiP'd

So this week I can actually show you a finish and an almost finished.

I was so excited on Monday that I threw a (virtual) party.

And it's still going on ... stop by and check it out!

With one WiP now a finish I was eager to up the score and grabbed this quilt.

It's one of three that a friend brought back from the states for me last November.

A quick discussion with my husband meant I was in two minds about which binding ... although honestly, I tended to agree with him. I had about 12" ... and I like a *bias* binding ... but I was running short and not really all that keen on using the end triangles to make up more (eh, who wants all the extra seams).

A friend and I were just chatting about what's better ... bias or straight-grain. I know which way I lean and with good reason - growing up I had a beach towel that had straight grain binding. Wore out faster than you can say "boo!" Yes, I know, it got washed A LOT! But still ... 

So ... hmmmm, since this is a baby quilt and likely to get washed a lot. I thought now is the perfect time to try a test. Yes, if I was being truly scientific I would have used the same fabric. But I think I'm being extra kind to Straight Grain because it's a slightly heavier more stable fabric. Bias is a little jealous, but he'll get over it.


I inserted three 14" Straight Grain pieces in an otherwise Bias binding. One corner is also Straight Grain so I'm curious to see how that turns and wears. I'll keep you posted ... It may be awhile but stay tuned ... I will report back with the results through the washings and wears.

In a quick minute today I trimmed up the quilt and sewed on the binding. I had a scrap leftover so poked it through my thread spool and pinned it to the quilt. Perfect for binding on the go ... otherwise I end up with several spools of thread in my pockets by the end of the day.

This finishing stuff sure feels good!

I have a little stack of stuff that needs quilting ... hopefully that will be next. 

If I could just make myself baste them. 

They're small and fiddly and ugh ... I hate basting.

Probably even more than sewing on binding.

And don't forget to stop by Freshly Pieced!

She's taking a summer break and has guest bloggers covering WiP Wednesday!
There are a few of us who planning on being very very productive this summer, 
are you one of them??

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Morning Star, Morning Bright ~ Block 3, part 2

Well, this should really have auto-posted last Friday ... it didn't and nobody said anything so ... hmm, should I call a head count? Are you making Morning Star, Morning Bright blocks? I sure would like to know. Of course I'll continue on, but it would be nice to know that some of you out there are making the blocks.

Did you make Part 1 of Block 3? Once you've got that done, you're ready to assemble the pinwheel windmill. Sew one background rectangle to the top of each goose. Then arrange them as you see above. Sew the upper row together, then the bottom row. Finally the two halves together. You'll want to "spin" the center seam to reduce as much bulk as possible. You can find more handy pressing plans here.

But here's the Twist .. the Spin .. that tutorial you used for no waste flying geese. It made four identical flying geese. But I just needed a little more movement in this block so ... I went back to making geese with the Quick 45° "wasteful" method (for today see block 1 but I'll add that step-by-step tutorial to Teach Me @ peawink.com soon). ~ if you'd rather use the no waste method and do four identical geese for the large star, I'm fine with that. I've given you the cutting measurements below**)


In addition to your Pinwheel Windmill block you will need:

* there should also be
four squares of
the sweet little red print
in this picture *

Background: (sweet little red print)
   A  FOUR 3-1/2" squares
   B  FOUR 3-1/2" x 6-1/2" rectangles

Star:
   C  FOUR 3-1/2" squares - dark red

   D  FOUR 3-1/2" squares - light red

Center:
   E  ONE 6-1/2" Pinwheel Windmill

** If you want to use the no-waste method for the large geese, then cut the following:

Background: (sweet little red print)
   A  FOUR 3-1/2" squares
   B  ONE  x 6-1/2" square


Star:
   C/D  EIGHT 3-1/2" squares - any red

So, now you're basically going to construct this block the same way we did block number 2.

One thing that's difference is the geese ... look closely ... see? The geese have different backgrounds. Half are dark red, half are light red. The trick to this is putting all the dark red squares on the same end of the geese shapes.

Then put the light red triangles on the other end. Sorry, I really thought I had a picture of this ... but ... yeh I don't.

Do you get mad when I do this?

Should I remake & retake or are you doing ok?

Please DO LET ME KNOW?

The construction of this block is then the same as all the other blocks in the series, but if you have questions, please please don't hesitate.

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Please Come to my Party

WHO?

you! my fellow quilters and friends

WHEN?

now, all week, until I finish something else

WHERE?

your house, my house, the zoo, the park

why everywhere of course!

WHY?

cuz I *finished* a quilt, I'm over the moon and I have to share my excitement.

Why am I making such a stink about finishing this quilt? Well because it is FINISHED ... I cannot remember the last time I finished a quilt so I am celebrating this. BIG TIME!

This quilt started as a class sample 10 YEARS ago. It's a colorwash and a bargello. They were quite the rage 10 years ago. Decidedly not modern today. I'll be honest too .. colorwash *and* bargello are both styles that don't speak to me. Not a word. Just not interested. But asked to teach the class I was and if there's one thing that makes this style of quilt successful it's color. I think I did ok with this one. I love the transitions. The way the dark and light ribbons of color play against each other. I see a bubbling brook full of fish flowing through a cool forrest. Haha ... yeh, I get carried away sometimes. But ...

I LOVE this quilt. It rocks in my living room - against my blueberry stain walls. Yes, there will be pictures in situ soon ... first I have to cut the frame for it. See those corners on the back of the quilt? Instead of a hanging sleeve I opted for corners so I could mount it as flush to the wall as possible. And keep it square .. hopefully. I'll report back on this plan later. On my last trip to the NW (3! years ago) I left this top with Barb Dau (Everett, WA) and asked her to quilt a bubbling stream through it. When a friend from here flew back to visit her family last fall she kindly brought it back for me .. along with 3 other quilts I'm embarrassed to say that I still haven't shown you. I am also embarrassed to discover that I consistently write peak when I mean PEEK, yikes!

The finished quilt measures 35" x 48" / 89cm x 122cm. It hangs portrait style with the longest side going up and down. Most bargellos hang the other way - horizontal but not mine ... nope, mine has a stream running through it with fish so lengthwise it is. But you'll get to see that better when we hang it.

So I hope you'll PARTY with me 

... a cupcake, glass of wine ... a nice piece of fruit ...

Whatever it takes to make it a party for you! 

I am soooo very excited and thank you for joining me in one big 

Hip Hip Hoooooraaaaay!

Sticking with the color theme and finishing mode I can also tell you ...

that I am just an inch away from turning the heel on Axel's SECOND sock! Yes, ma'am that means a pair. Considering I've knit 5 socks in my life and only one pair that is indeed another reason to celebrate.

AND I pulled out this sweet little quilt and chose binding for it.

So ... there might be reason for another party very very soon!

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WAW!

Are you ready to be WAWed ... because What A Week (WAW) this has been!

I last sewed on Sunday ... not once did I manage to sit in front of my sewing machine it this week.

I'm thinking about naming him Jack.

Next week I need my WAW to be a just a little less WAW.

It has been one of THOSE weeks again ... but I did get a lot done. 

Sadly, most of it isn't really pretty picture ready.

This week included:

1. eating lots and lots of strawberries
2. painted miles and miles of 2x2s black ... I won't show you my hands
3. spending the day with a friend and finally cast on the matching sock sock for Axel 
4. me going mad and starting not one project but TWO
5. some very very cold weather. my husband even turned our central heating on one night. me? I was very grateful for our new pellet stove keeping my office cozy!
6. making this cake, it was a flop 
7. baking banana bread, eating half with the neighbour and giving the rest to a friend before Axel got even one slice.
8. making another loaf of great banana bread and didn't cut into it until Axel came home :)
9. sharing my adaptation of mom's Banana Bread recipe
10. selling our guest bed - don't worry we have two others, it just means I have my living room back!
11. trying to paint over the candle soot streaks in our living room only to discover I have to do the entire wall ... next week!
12. the launch of Teach Me @ peawink.com ... ok, this one is HUGE and probably explains the little progress on everything else
13. watched the bumblebees get drunk on nectar
14. vacuuming and mopping the living room - have i mentioned how dusty and sandy this house gets?
15. vacuuming and scrubbing the kitchen floor - I wanted to say for three consecutive weeks - but it's raining heavily and there is NO sense in scrubbing this floor when it rains. Not with a dog, two cats and a husband in the house. I vacuumed, that will have to do, the mopping will have wait for another day or two.

So there you have it! Not much ... except a list of reasons why I wasn't sewing. 

All the stuff that happens, that's just important but for some reason most of us never admit to it.

And now it's Friday. Normally I rush around trying to finish up things to add to the list. 

But not today.

I'm tired and looking forward to the weekend.

Home made pizza dough is rising for tonight's dinner and a cake is in the oven 

(damn, I forgot to set the buzzer again!)

So I'm going to leave you here. 

Push publish now and just concentrate on what should get done before the weekend starts.

I'm hoping to still cut binding for one of my all time favorite quilts .. it's supposed to hang in our living room. Wouldn't it be fantastic if I could do the hand sewing this weekend? ... Ahaha, wishful thinking. A) I hate sewing on binding and B) There's a fence to build, windows to seal and ... oh that blasted list!

I can't wait to read about your WAW! 

Link up and tell us what you did this week. 

Don't forget to grab our button and link back to this page or my blog. 

And Happy Weekend to one and all!

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Morning Star, Morning Bright ~ Block 3, part 1

I've spent the last two days trying to write the instructions for making this block. It's not hard. It shouldn't be. But I've been in a real muddle and nothing is coming out clear. We're going to take this in steps. I hope you don't mind.

Because it's the third block of the Morning Star, Morning Bright Quilt Along  I wanted to share another method for making flying geese - four at a time with NO waste.

Are you ready for this?

I've got some great news.

I've officially launched

That's the new hangout for all my block and skills based tutorials. I didn't want them to get lost here on my "main" blog so they're here.

So today, we're going to make the Pinwheel Windmill in the middle of star.

Tomorrow I'll come back and we'll put the Pinwheel Windmill inside the big Morning Star Block.

Ready? Here we go ... this Windmill Pinwheel is a 6" finished block that will go in the middle of the 12" Morning Star  so you'll need to cut:

Background:
    Four 2-3/8" squares*

    Four 2" x 3-1/2" rectangles (you'll need these after you make the geese)


Windmill / Geese:
    One 4-1/4" square*

Now, grab these* pieces and hop on over to Teach Me @ peawink.com to check out the step by step tutorial for making Flying Geese ~ Four at a Time with No Waste.

If this is your first time using this method, I do recommend practicing it on scraps first. If you're not happy with the results you can always resort to the "wasteful" method.

In that case you'll need the following:

Background (my white)
    Four 2" x 3-1/2" rectangles
    Four 2" squares

Windmill (my red)
    Four 2" x 3-1/2" rectangles

So ... come back tomorrow and I'll give you the rest of the cutting and construction info for this Star with a Spin.

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Amish Delight

I know. Another post. Today.

There is likely to be yet another.

But I absolutely had to share!

The postman came yesterday bearing gifts.

Yes, you read that right.

Not one, but two.

Actually, even more than that.

But two packages.

One from Lisa and another from Cathy.

Here's a little background.

To be 100% honest, I can't remember when I actually "met" Lisa. I know we crossed paths a few times, exchanged greetings here and there. But when did we become "friends" ... I don't know. We see each other very little, write even less. But I know she's a friend. I think about her often and feel her thinking about me. It's hard to describe. She's there. She's been there. For a long time.

The story of this little quilt started many many years ago. I whipped the top together during an Amish workshop I was giving in Germany. Then it sat in a pile of tops was hung occasionally. Often forgotten. At a quilt show in March 2008, Lisa saw the top pinned up in my booth and asked if she could quilt it for me. Um ... sure ... wow! No hurry, whenever. On and off I had forgotten it over the years. Until it arrived yesterday.

Not just quilted, but embroidered as well.

Tears, goosebumps, gratitude, love.

oh my

Can you SEE how fine that quilting is? 

Did I mention that the entire quilt measures 11-1/2" squares. 

Those tiny green squares you see above are 1/2"!

Her note said I could remove the embroidery if I didn't like it. 

Are you kidding? 

I LOVE IT. 

I saw it first. The initials. A J A S. Axel looked at it and was a bit puzzled. You see, my middle name is Adria so it all made since until he got to the S ... Goldschmidt? And then it hit and he cried too. The poor man. Sometimes I just want to scoop him up into my heart and hold him there. 

The second package was from Cathy.

A new friend.

I think I met her through my friend Maria first.

Get this.

I live in Belgium, Maria was living in Colombia, Cathy lives in Maryland.

What's the connection?

Yep, you guessed.

Facebook

and Pinterest.

Honestly.

Sometimes I hate social media.

But how can you hate it when it brings people like Cathy into your life?

The second package contained not one

but two of these wonderful little heart blocks!

Honestly Cathy!

They're so sweet.

How did you know?

That I love most things Amish?

That they belong here?

I haven't decided what to make.

But it will be special.

Because you cared.

Because you're my friend.

Cathy also sent this book. 

We're looking forward to spending some quiet times together. 

Reading it together.

Thank you!

The gifts are beautiful. They are wonderful.

But nothing compares to the gifts of your friendship.

Thank you to both of you for your love and kindness.

xox

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In a Moment of Madness

Really? It's Wednesday again? Already?

I know this to be true 

because I said to my husband 

last night as we were signing off 

"just think, tomorrow is Wednesday, we're half way there."

But honestly? Is it really Wednesday.

I'm not ready.

I wanted to show you finishes and progress and and and ...

Can you hear me whining??

Because in truth I have to tell you I gave into a moment of madness.

And started not one new project .. but TWO!

Seriously, this has got to stop.

But ... one is nearly done and the other ... well it's perfect.

Just perfect. I know exactly what it will be one day and it helps give me hope. One day there will be a baby in this house because we are not giving up. And she will be wrapped up in this quilt. The one I made while I was dreaming and hoping and remembering the little girl that wasn't meant to be here. She just watches and eggs on her momma.

I'm not "actively" working on this quilt. The pieces are cut and I'm using the wedges as my leaders and enders so it will happen slowly, over time.

So there you have it!

2 NEW projects
NOTHING finished ... unless you count the wee little sock that almost matches it's pair.

WAIT - I did finish my little bag, but you might have read about it already.



BUT, honestly I have been busy. Lots of behind the scenes stuff on Oma Lena ... I'm sure spreadsheets and red tick marks would not keep you captivated. But it's happening. And it's good.

You can read about all the important between the gaps stuff here.

I suppose I do have one HUGE finish ... but it will never really be a finish because I am adding to it constantly, almost daily.

It's launched. 

The one place where you will find lots of tutorials from start to finish. 

The way I do things and why! 

Including pressing plans. 

And of course My Soapbox where you can read just how opinionated about a few very hot topics. I hope you'll stop by. I would love some feedback. And requests are always welcome.

In the meantime, thanks for stopping by. I love reading your comments ... on my list this week - answer all the lovely comments!

Happy Sewing!

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Making Geese Fly

Big News ... Just In!

I often get asked "how do you do THAT" or "can you explain THIS" so ... I am very very pleased to announce a new set of Tutorials ... step by step.

Today's Feature begins with Making Geese Fly ... from beginning to end. Learn my favorite methods for creating flying geese as well as why and when I use it.

Why am I starting here? Well, because there are a heck of a lot of flying geese in our Morning Star, Morning Bright BOM and it will be so much easier to direct you to these methods in one go instead of going over them every time a new block is demonstrated.



Graphics, pictures, close-ups, you name it, here is where you will find it.



Features include

• step-by-step tutorials
• pressing plans for all your favorite blocks
• my soapbox ... intimate thoughts about pre-washing, pressing seams open, etc.

Yes, it is all under construction. I have a list of topics and will be adding to this blog daily.

Are you wondering if this is just going to add to my plate? No, the idea is for my plate to be more organized instead of a mixed up mash. Teaching and tutorials will no longer get lost between this great idea and that quilt. It will be here. Organized and easy for you to find. Enjoy! 

So what do you think? Let me know. Your comments are always welcome. PLEASE feel free to request a topic, pressing plan for any block you desire or anything else you can think of.

New Tutes will be announced here as well so you're sure not to miss any ... 

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The Women of Prague

Walking through Prague I was fascinated by all the friezes.

I concentrated on the faces of the women and found their detail in so many buildings.

Beauty, strength, perseverance, reverence, sorrow, hope and waiting.

It was all portrayed in their faces.

And more.

I'm trying to decide which face to wear today.

My list of things to do continues to be longer than my arm but I'm whittling away at it.

I'd still like to show you more of Prague but it keeps hitting the back burner.

It's all a bit overwhelming but I'll keep putting together a few things to show. 

Eventually an album but since I know the pictures are safe I won't stress out over it.

You might hear from me again today ... I'm off to pull together the post for 

another Morning Star, Morning Bright block.

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(who says) ...

... socks don't grow on trees

I know, I know.

This pic was in my WAW mosaic from yesterday.

But I just love it and had to give it it's own post.

Besides it's Saturday!

And I get to do anything I want

~ wink ~

The socks are ravelled here and here.

The tiny is for a little friend due in September. 

The biggy is for my husband's giant size 48 / US13 feet.

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What a Week - 8th June

I've been looking forward to Friday all week just so I could tell you what all I'd done. This week was a prime example of why such a list is important. Mind you, I don't think today's list will be as long as last week or as accomplished because I've been quite . a . bit . slower. I hope you don't mind.

The weekend was mine and I did a bit of fun guilt-less sewing.

Monday? 

Monday! 

I heard it coming. 

One huge lorry full of gravel poured the length of the drive we share with seven properties. Arranged by two neighbours, they told us about it but never asked for financial or physical help. They didn't ask it of the other five properties either. So while I sat at my desk and could here the pssssht of the gravel as it fell from the up-ended bed of the truck I realized I couldn't sit here with a clear conscience and not help. So ... out I go, into the pouring rain and helped three others spread an entire lorry of gravel. Did I mention it was raining? My underwear were dripping when I decided the 2nd shower of the day was needed - just to warm up. Have I also mentioned this is the *most* physical work I have done in two years. Yep bedrest and pregnancies kind of leave you in a bit of an out of conditioned mess. But I did it. Shoveled, raked, spread, shoveled and shoveled some more.

I am telling you this because this is exactly what I mean about your week not going as planned. I was sore. I still am sore. It has affected my entire week. But really, is spreading a lorry load of gravel blog-worthy. Not really. But here it is on my What a Week list. Yeh, I know I told you the story. It took a whole paragraph .. to make a point. I love What a Week lists.

 

So how does this work? 

Well you post your What a Week list on your blog - go on celebrate all the things that got in the way! We'd love to hear about it! Then leave a comment below with a link to your post. Be sure to check out everyone else's posts and link back to my blog somehow, but that's it! 

Of course you're always welcome to grab our What a Week button (below). 

So this is what I did ...

1. completely ODd on no bake cookies - so I'm passing the torch, the recipe is here
2. made a sweeeet little bag and loving my buttonhole - seriously something I never thought I'd say
3. dug over 2 (of 8) raised beds before the rains came
4. helped my neighbours spread an entire load of gravel in the pouring rain. oh, that guy standing under the arrow at the end of the drive? that's my 6'8" (203cm) husband .. just to give you an idea of just how loooooong it is.
5. finally got some seed in the ground - summer carrots and spinach
6. celebrated Christmas early and took delivery of a bunch of fun ebay wins .. yarn, yarn, yarn
7. swatched several of the yarns, I hate swatching but I did it and am very happy with the results, time to do a little pattern hunting - it's mostly sock weight
8. sewed a button and hook onto my favorite pair of summer pants - so much nicer than just tucking in the waist band to try and keep them up
9. vacuumed and scrubbed my kitchen floor - yep, still newsworthy. it's a nasty floor, our soil is sandy, we have two cats and a dog. every scrub is newsworthy, sorry, that's just how it is!
10. continuously made and ate homemade goat's milk yogurt for two weeks now - finally figured out the formula - yahooooo!
11. cast on a sweet little baby hat, then realized it was a premie pattern. hmmm, maybe not such a great idea for me right now so frogged it and started something else. 
12. visited with two wonderful friends while we took another look at Nesting. omgoodness, I didn't realize how close I am to being done. I really need to finish up the series running in my shop and then launch that pattern world-wide too! I might actually be on a roll with rolling out some of my own patterns. I can hardly stand it!
13. cut a whole bunch of 2-1/2" strips for my friend Gabi to make this quilt for her son.
14. AND then walked into the village to the post office and the pharmacy. this is major, considering I've pretty much only walked from my front door to the car and back for the last three months.
15. finished knitting the pair to that very tight little baby sock and it's still a tiny bit bigger but close enough.

In the end this week wasn't much about patchwork, although technically there is machine quilting AND binding on my purse. But I did what I needed to do. For me and mine. And that's what counts. So, spill it ... did you sew as much as you wanted or did you get a whole lot of more pressing things done?

p.s. the socks are ravelled here and here.

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