Stained QAL - Feb. 2012

From: Narcoleptic in a cupboard:    Stained QAL - FEB. 2012 Is Ready to Start.         Fabric Requirements List has been Posted.     Want to QAL with them?     Read More....

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Mini challenge and Contest

Ellison Lane Quilts: A Challenge and a Contest for You!: ""Looking for some creative inspiration?

How about a quick project that sparks your imagination?

Want to try a new technique or use some of your treasured favorite fabrics?

Then the Modern Mini Challenge is exactly what you need! Read More....

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Rolling along QAL

This QAL called "Rolling along" is from Judy's blog over at Patchwork Times.  It's really very pretty, Isn't it?  Judy  had already posted block three when I realized that this was a QAL.  One of my Duh, moments.  Read more....

One Week to go...

Happy Quilting: One Week Away, Yippee Skippee!:

The simply Charmed Blog hop starts Feb. 1st and goes through the 14th. There will be lots of great giveaways including a $200.00 grand prize. Read More....

Curvy Quilt Along

Sew Kind Of Wonderful Is having a Curvy Quilt Along called "Urban Nine Patch" . You will need to have the Curvy Ruler, but it's not to late to order and join in . Read more....

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A Giveaway

Lily Pad Quilting: Got thread? (A Giveaway): Yes, that's right, a giveaway over at Lily Pad Quilting. Read More....

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Modern Block of Month Continues....

Modern Block of the Month (BOM) ~ January Sew-Along « Sew,Mama,Sew! Blog:  This BOM started in July, but there is still time to join in and catch up.  Sew Mama's January Modern Block of the Month Has been Released! Alissa Haight Carlton from Handmade by Alissa shows you how to create a new block every month so you can grab your favorite fabrics and sew along. Read More...

End of Week Progress

I have joined in on the fun over at The Quilt Ladies Blog.  I posted their 2012 BOM a couple days ago.
I figured I could fit in another BOM , and had this cute little dark green with pink rose print that I've been dying to put into something.

  I personally love BOM's as I can do a lot of them since there is only one block to complete each month.  Normally I can do three to four blocks in a day, so if I dedicate four day's a week, then that means I can keep up with 12 BOM and still work on my other projects.  That equals 12 quilt by the end of the year.  Some are for me, others are for family.  And I enjoy every minute of it. : )


Well, I re-did my Sew happy block no. 5.
Didn't have enough of the yellow print, so had to change it a bit, but this time I did it right and didn't add seam allowances to the templates.




Since block no. 6 was just released, I went ahead and did it too.  It's a cute block, I may just have to do another quilt with this one in it someday.

I'm really short on orange now and just have scraps of the yellow print.  So I have added those colors to my ever-growing shopping list.

WIP- Wednesday

I've been working on catching up on the Just Take 2 Mystery Quilt.

Here is my first set of blocks from January 1st release.

And Here is my second set of blocks from the January 15th release.


I'm using a dark red (tiny print) and solid white background in my blocks.

These have been loads of fun, and a great learning experience for me to be involved in.





I'm also still working on my Sew Happy QAL blocks.

Here is block no. 5 "Template Star Block". Do you see what I did wrong?

 I think I wasn't suppose to add a 1/4" to my templates as my block was not only cut off at the points, but came out way to big.  I think the pattern may have already had the seam allowance added in. So time to go back and re-read the instructions and  do this block over.  I'll save this one for a matching throw pillow to go with this quilt when it's finished.



I'm at the point in time that I MUST go shopping to gather more fabrics.  I can't work on my Orca bay as I'm out of black that I want to use as my inner border.  I can't work on Peaceful Pathways, as I'm out of both my teal and my white.  I can't work on my NYE mystery as I want to add a cream to my border work - which I don't have either.   And I can't do my color challenge cause I don't have the right shade of blues.  Won't get to go shopping until around the 5th of Feb.  I just hate it when I have to put a project aside to wait on supplies.  So I'm going to see if I can start a few more new projects and work on my TAST work the rest of this week. 
Still working on my Hearts Desire border in the evenings too.  So as long as i'm busy--I'm happy. : )

Free Projects and More

Debbie Mumm: Free Projects And this wonderful six month BOM called "Mum's the Word Anniversary Sampler".  Be sure to check out her sewing organizer.






Fairfield Patterns is have TWO BOM.  Stars and Stripes are the theme for this 2012 Block of the Month sampler quilt. Over the next 12 months you will make small and large quilt blocks to create this beautiful collage of colorful blocks.  


They also have A Modern Ohio Star BOM going on.
Read more....



Florida Cabin Fever is having a "Patriotic Pinwheel Pizzazz" BOM.  I don't have an image to share, but  if you like Pinwheels, you'll love joining in on this BOM.

Jenny Beyer is having a free BOM for her newsletter subscribers called "Shenandoah Baskets".  First block will be released in Feb.  If you love baskets, then this one is for you.


For those of you who love needlework, here is a great Sew A Long or should I say Stitch A Long being hosted over at Willowberry Designs.

It's called "It's A Little Bit French".  When I first saw January's project I immediately thought how fun it would be to make this to give along with quilts I'm doing this year as gifts.  Read more....




The ladies over at "The Quilt Ladies" are hosting a 2012 BOM, Plus they have some wonderful free blocks including some great log cabins. Take a look-go-see and browse around.




Ok, that's a lot of links for today.  I hope you enjoy visiting, maybe joining in on some of these fun activities, and remember, the links to these sites will remain posted to my Mystery Quilts and More page.

 If you'd like to  keep updated on new activities as I add them to this blog, 

please join in an follow by google reader or email . 

If you have an activity to share, that isn't posted on my  Mystery Quilts and More page, please share the link by making a comment either here or on my Mystery Quilts and More page.  

I hope you all have a wonderful week and Happy Creating. : )

Quilter's Alphabet - Free BOM

Claudia's Quilt Shoppe - Free BOM:

Each block signifies one letter of the alphabet.  

Make yours scrappy , or it would be great with any planned color scheme.  

This project is given in 27 monthly episodes--for all you "die-hard" Quiltshoppe fans!  All monthly episodes are given in pdf format.  Read more....

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Paper Piecing Explorations

Garden State Quilters' Guild is having a BOM called Paper Piecing Explorations. Three Blocks are up now. If you want to join in, click the image to the left or go HERE.

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Starry Skies Sampler

heartbreak homestead: starry skies sampler: "
"QAL if you'd like, This is not a structured quilt along, although your free to follow along at your own pace. She will post a new block every week and her first block is gorgeous-you should go take a look. Read more....

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Award-winning Japanese quilts exhibit

UNL | News Release | Award-winning Japanese quilts exhibit .  I was searching for idea's on making an asian style quilt for a family member, and ran across this amazing award winning quilt  called "Three Sisters" by Hiroko Nakayama, Japan.  Isn't it just amazing!  I think something like this is way to big of a challenge for someone like me at this time and stage of my abilities.   But I can dream that someday I might be able to achieve something like this.  You can read more about this quilt here.    If you would like to see another of Hiroko's quilts called "Blue Sunset" click here and another here. 

Sew Happy Two More

 Two more blocks done for the Sew Happy QAL over at Sew Happy Geek.

These blocks have been so much fun to make.  And I have to tell you that Jenna gives such wonderful instructions in making the blocks, that I feel like I am finally being taught how to do it right.  I never took classes, I just looked at photo's of blocks, cut them to what ever size they said, and started putting them together.

I have always wanted to learn but never lived close enough to any groups where they had lessons.  But this QAL is so easy to understand and my blocks have never turned out so nice.  Thank you so much Jenna.

Check out what everyone has done over at the Flicker Group.  Sign up if you want to join in - there is lots of time still.  I highly recommend it.

Scrappy Rainbow Share Day

We've been having a few day's of icy weather around here. Not near as bad as some area's and our winter has not been bad at all compared to some of you.  So I am very grateful for a mild winter so far.

 Power went off for awhile today. I heard it was out in three counties.  It's back on now, and house is trying to warm back up inside.  I write while wrapped in a nice warm blanket.





So I've been busy again this week.
Let me share with you my blocks for this years Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2012.

This month is RED.  I said to myself, no problem I have a box full of reds upstairs.
HA!  I forgot, I used most of all my reds up.  All I had left was oranges.

I did find three fabrics of red in my stash, And since it's to icy to go shopping, they would have to do.

I sat and played with idea's on what to make for a few hours, then decided to just make a scrappy string block with a wide center of white.

Each block is exactly the same other then the color is changed at one end.

Put them together and this is what they look like.
I'm liking what I am seeing so far. : )

Mini Bloomers

Miss Mimi - One Piece at a Time:
Mini Bloomers first block and information has been released.
Erin Russek over at One Piece at a Time puts out a beautiful Applique BOM.  You must purchase the center block, but all the rest of the blocks are free to download.  Read More....



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WIP-Wednesday

My Works In Progress This Wednesday....




Hello Everyone,  It's Wednesday again and time to show you what I've been working on.

First I have two blocks done for the Sew Happy QAL going on over at Sew Happy Geek.  I decided to go somewhat bright and bold.

Next I worked on my Peaceful Pathway's border blocks.  I am putting two hearts up at the top, and then two of each sea-shell embroidery designs on sides and bottom border.

 I ran out of my white background so have to run to town sometime after all this snow melts and pick me up a little bit.

Peaceful Pathways is designed by  Esther Aliu.  Love Love Love the quilt and can't wait to show you all the finished top.

I'm still stitching along on my Hearts Desire Quilt.
It's another of Esther's designs. Gotta love them all, she does such wonderful work. If you would like to see more of what is going on over at Esther Aliu's then visit her blog Here.

I Finally have the little scalloped borders stitched down and am now starting the leaves. (they are just pinned in the area of stitch down for now, so I know if I need to make more).

I absolutely love this quilt and it doesn't bother me a bit to take my time with it.  I relax in the evenings and try to do about an hour or two most every night while I watch tv.

 I finished up my group of Disappearing 9-Patch blocks and they are ready to ship for the swap going on over at Malt Designs.

There is still time to join in and take part in the swap if you'd like.
It's an easy block and I cut and finished all mine in one afternoon.

And Lastly, I have Orca Bay's Center put together and

am now deciding on if I want to add another row of block to increase the size, 

or just an additional border or two.

Orca Bay is a designed by Bonnie Hunter over at Quiltville.

She hosts a mystery every year using all scraps.

These are great fun, lots of work, but I have done two now 

and enjoyed the results of both.  Well worth the time and I plan on doing

her next one fall/winter of 2012.

Bust Yo Scraps Quilt Along!

Bust Yo Scraps Quilt Along! | justabitfrayed: 
Beginning on Jan. 12, 2012 - a super-fun-scrap-busting quilt along with all your Bloggy and Flickr friends!
Get them out, get ready to sort them and get ready to use them up! And You've got to go see the quilt pattern you'll be making.  Plus there will be a giveaway!
Oh, I hope I have time to join in on this one too.  I've still got lots of scraps to use up laying around my house.  And even more larger pcs. to cut up.  Let's see, If I get up an hour earlier, and spend less time on the computer every day, then I should be able to get another hour or so to put into a new project - right!  : )

Scrap Attack Quilt-Along

Stitched in Color: Scrap Attack Quilt-Along: "What will you make?  A herringbone quilt? Postage stamp masterpiece? Clever Japanese X & + blocks? strings? Triangles?  Hmmmmm?  Well, the sky's the limit - especially since you just may settle on something of your own creation.  To participate, the only rules are

1. Your quilt is made mostly from scraps
2. You finish it by end of March, 2012 (so, um, you could have started it in 2005. Read More.....

"

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Morning Star, Morning Bright QAL-BOM

J o v i t a ' s P a t c h w o r k A t e l i e r: NEW QUILT BLOCK of the MONTHMorning Star, Morning Bright: Will start January 17th - so mark your calendar. ALL the blocks will finish 12" square.   All the stars represented are variations of the "Morning Star.  It takes 54 blocks to make a twin quilt with no sashing or borders, 72 for a queen and 90 for a king.  She'll  be posting at least one block or variation every single month.  Sometimes there will be more! 

Read More....
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Tangerine Tango Challenge

"Pantone's color of the year is Tangerine Tango. Pantone's website describes the color as: “Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it. Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”


So the challenge is on...Deadline is March 2nd. 
Read More....

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The Southpaw Stitcher: Blogoversary Giveaway!

The Southpaw Stitcher: Blogoversary Giveaway!: Lots of prizes, Deadline Jan. 20th.

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Thoughts in Thread

Val Laird: Free Pattern Launch - Thoughts in Thread:
"Thoughts in Thread" is a wall quilt measuring 34 inches square and consists of nine blocks. Each month over nine months, you will receive the pattern for each block, then in the tenth month you will receive the finishing instructions. 

The concept of this design comes from a wonderful verse in the Bible: Philippians 4:8 -

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly—fill your minds with these thoughts. 

You can see that it is all about Thoughts, hence the title - "Thoughts in Thread". Read More....

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Sew Red Blog Hop

Lily's Quilts: Sew Red Blog Hop:
What's The Hop About?
Well, it's raising awareness about heart disease! Each month, Sew Red for Women will feature an original quilt block designed ecspecially for you by some of today's most inspiring designers & bloggers. They will provide a special link to hop on over to the blogger and/or designer's site for details and instructions for completing the featured block. And you just might learn a thing or two about heart disease while you're there. The hopping begins on February 3rd, which happens to be Wear Red Day!
Read More....


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Sparkle Punch Quilt-Along

Oh, Fransson!: Sparkle Punch Quilt-Along:

This beautiful quilt by Elizabeth Hartman is now offered as a quilt along.
Material list was posted January 4th, and first set of instructions was released Jan. 11th (both links are still posted).
The Quilt Along will finish Feb. 1st.

So if your looking for a quick, beautiful project right now, then you might want to check this one out. Or just save the information and make it a bit later.  Read more.....

Follow this blog to keep updated on future QAL, Mystery's, BOM, Challenges, and More.

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Yoyo along

Yoyo along : Part 1: The material list, information and part 1 and 2 of the yoyo along is what's happening over at Sew Take A Hike.   I've never made yoyo's yet.  Still have a big hexie project going on, so yoyo's will have to wait for awhile here at my house.   Read More Here.
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Made in Cherry Quilt Along

Made in Cherry Quilt Along:
Fabric Requirements are posted, first day of cutting is also posted.
I'm a little late in finding this one, but there is still time to join in the fun.
Check it out over at Pins & Bobbins.

Orca Bay - Step 8

 Orca Bay - Step 8 (Assembly).
I have laid out two ways.  I like them both but I'm
leaning towards the one on the bottom.
I like how the black diag. pattern shows up.
I like how the blue blocks look larger.
And I like how the black star blocks show up in the intersecting diag. lines.

So I'll think about them for awhile - and then start putting this top together beginning Sunday or Monday.

I want to thank Bonnie Hunter over at Quiltville for another absolutely Wonderful Mystery.  This is only my second one, but I hope to do a lot more of her quilts.
Orca Bay Mystery can be found Here.  Go and check out what everyone else's quilt looked like.(Links at the bottom of the Orca Bay Page).  There has been some truly awesome quilts made from this design.

I'd truly love to do another one in batiks with sunrise/sunset colors.  If only I can find the time.

Happy Quilting Everyone!

Studio Organization

I'm going to participate in the Studio Organization Challenge over at Within a Quarter Inch.
I'm a - "Everything needs a place" kind of sewer. If my room is UN-organized, messy, cluttered, I can't work.

My situation is this:  I have a huge amount of Inventory.  Mostly books, notions, various (non-quilting) fabric, and machines, etc.  I have one room upstairs that is housing boxes of stuff, I call this my storage room.


Another room (which is the guest room - or suppose to be) which was set up last year as a sewing room (but is to small for my needs), currently has two machines, my rolls of batting, stabilizers, bins of fabric stacked ceiling high and five rows wide, etc.  


With the onset of COLD weather... burr.  and high electric bills since this old house has no insulation --I have closed off the upstairs to save and  heat only the lower level.


Therefore I have now moved my sewing into a TEMPORARY location  (what use to be our living room).  Won't go into detail about where I had to move the living room, etc.  




So I'm going to try to organize the absolute necessary items in this area, keeping the one room as a storage for now,  and clean out the guest room and set it up for it's original purpose "Guests".   


My temp. space will need organized with movable, temp. organizational methods.  I have about a dozen projects to start this month and the next.  So I first set up these stack-able drawers, labeled them with the projects I'm working on right now.
The bottom drawer is called "Family Projects".  These are things that have all the sudden been given to me to work on by a family member.  It can be anything from doing a hat, to a quilt to mending... but If I don't have a place where I can find it easily, it could get pushed to the back of a pile and lost for months. So now it's here in my "Current Work Projects".


Once a project is completed to a flimsy - it will get moved to my UFO (to be quilted) area.  So this is my first step in organizing my temp. studio area.  And I tell you, it has already cleared out two piles of stuff I had sitting around in boxes on the floor.




My storage area upstairs will need to be organized as a warehouse, have perm. shelving, etc. so that I can find everything.  Like this unit to the left - (which holds my batting rolls, stabilizer, etc.)  It is currently in my guest room, and needs to be mounted to the wall.  So it will need to be moved in the storage room and mounted and cutting table set up under it as I have it here.


(The storage area will not be set up until spring, since were not heating it right now and it's about 20 degree's in there at present).




 I set up my category lists into two sections for organization.
One for the Temp. location I'm now in.
The other for my storage room (when I am able to get in there and work).

Temp-Immediate Studio Area

• Fabric (just enough space for what I'm working on, or will be working on over the next few months).
• Rulers
• Pens/Marking Tools
• Gadgets 
• Embroidery (machine)
• Embroidery (by hand)
• Thread
• Scissors
• Patterns (just those I"m working on now or will be in the next few months)
• Books (Only the ones I need to refer to regularly or have inspiration I'm working on).
• Notions
• Templates
• Sewing machine feet
• Cutting area
• Sewing Area
• Machine Embroidery Area
• WIP’s and UFO’s
• Ironing and Place to work on Applique pcs. 
• Family Projects (those thing that all the sudden get passed to me to make for them)

Storage Area

• Fabric 
• Patterns
• Books
• Batting 
• Extra notions, thread and supplies to restock temp. room with later.
• All other craft supplies that I'm not using right now
• Odd sized items like rolls of fusible webbing and such
• craft gadgets, tools, etc.
• Spinning,weaving supplies and tools
• Spinning Wheel
• Yarns, knitting/crochet tools, etc.
• Fabric Dyeing supplies
• Beading supplies

I think that about covers getting started on this challenge.  I'll try to work on it at least once a week.

Want to join in on the challenge?  Go to Within a Quarter Inch.  I hope there are a lot of people who participate and share photo's so we all can get idea's on better organizing.  

County Cottage BOM Mystery

Country Cottages Mystery BOM - Block of the Month Program

*Block One is now available to download!*  Country Cottages is the first mystery BOM designed by Shabby Fabrics! This darling calendar style quilt is just so much fun, featuring quaint cottages and some special themed surprises each month! The pattern will be available as a Free Download around the 7th of each month on the County Cottage Blog.   

Want to keep up to date on what fun activities are happening across the web?  The click the follow button on the left to follow my blog.

Check my Mystery Quilts & More Link at the top, for all the buttons to various activities I've already posted about.

Quilter’s Alphabet- BOW

Quilter’s Alphabet- Block 2 – Artful Arcs Of Applique:
This is the second week in the Quilter's Alphabet BOW hosted over at Lyn Browns Blog.    She has links to the first block as well as to the materials list page.  If you interested in following along with this activity, head on over to Lyn's page.






Follow my blog for current updates to fun activities for sewing, crafting and quilting as I come across them on the web.
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Quilt Along with the January QOV Design

Quilt Along with the January QOV Design:
Judy over at Patchwork Times is going to be starting up a QAL
featuring this design starting Jan. 23rd. (Monday).
Read More....

Follow me and keep updated to a huge list of activities as they are located around the web.




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It's Sew Kiki: Happy BirthdayGiveaway

It's Sew Kiki: Happy Birthday It's Sew Kiki!!: A fantastic Giveaway, make sure you tell them that Rhonda G at Grateful Stitcher sent you. : )

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Lone Star QAL

Quilt Times:  Is having a Lone Star QAL. They will not be providing patterns or instructions, but we will try to suggest places where patterns are available;
You can write posts about your progress on your blog, and then sign in to a Linky on one of our blogs on the first Saturday of the month;
If your up to a challenge and a fun QAL - Read More.....


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