Back Online

Sorry for the absence, but my computer started acting up on the 4th of July and I was unable to do anything without it freezing. Anyway, the motherboard was bad and needed to be replaced. So, I'm back in business!

I'm participating in the Doll Quilt II swap and received the most adorable quilt in the mail last week. I had requested Civil War Repros and Fiona did such a great job! As you can see in the picture she made it really scrappy (I love scrappy!) and it looks like it came from the 1800's. Check out her blog at http://www.scraps-in-progress.blogspot.com/. As for my quilt I have the top done and need to finish the quilting and binding to get it in the mail on Wednesday. So far I'm loving how it looks and hope my swap partner likes it too! I'll post a picture when it is done and mailed.

Banana's

Thought I'd show you a picture of the bananas on the plant by our pool. This bunch was actually ripe and harvested the other day. I made banana bread out of them! We have two more stalks on the plant. I've had the plant about four years now and it's just starting to produce - I guess the plant has to reach a certain level of maturity to bear fruit.

Quilters Block

The topic this week on Stashbusters is what keeps us from getting things done. I've thought about this quite a bit lately because I found myself not working for the summer and I notice that I get less done than when I was working full-time! But, I think one of my biggest problems is worrying too much about what the receiver of the quilt wants! I know that sounds strange, but I've found that most people you make a quilt for are really not that picky. They're just happy to get a handmade quilt! Also, I think we as quilters tend to be too hard on ourselves and focus on what we perceive to be wrong with a quilt and not enough on what is right with it!

I have been going back and forth with myself all week about making the doll quilt for the swap I signed up for. I've changed my mind about the fabric and pattern many times - worrying that my swap partner won't like it. I had decided on "Calico Spools" from Quilters Cache and the printed pattern has been lying on the counter for days! Anyway, I just saw the same blocks on the Quilting Daze blog on Stashbusters and they were adorable! Perfect for an old-fashioned dolly quilt! So, I guess I just need to move along!

Doll Quilt Swap

I saw Beth's post about the doll quilt swap and couldn't resist joining also! I've never made a doll quilt before, but it sure beats the large t-shirt quilt I've been working on - that monster is going to be queen size and the biggest thing I've ever tackled!

The shuttle launch last evening was picture perfect! Too bad I don't have a camera and couldn't take pictures! Anyway, I'm going to Ft. Pierce today to pick up my girls and the cameras will be back!

Using Stash

A few days ago I read another quilters blog and she said she had requested to be removed from both the Stashbusters and Stash Quilts rings because she really didn't feel she met the criteria anymore for those rings. It made me sad because I really enjoyed reading her blog and I also wondered if the purpose here is to post just about using up your stash. I must admit that I don't have huge amounts of stash because I've only been quilting a couple of years. Also, I tend to go more for fat quarters if I don't know what I'm going to use a fabric for. In fact, I get kind of envious when I read about someone taking the backing for a fairly large quilt from their stash! I could never do that because I'm sure I don't have any stash pieces larger than 1-2 yards!

I've been working on a t-shirt quilt for my niece and I've framed many of the shirts with various fabrics to make the pieces come up to 16.5". I've had to take several fat quarters from my stash in order to do that. That's how I use up the stash - does that count?

Still no pictures - makes for a boring blog, but my girls are visiting my family in Ft. Pierce and they both took their cameras - poor Mom doesn't have one! It's a shame too because the space shuttle is scheduled for launch tomorrow evening and it's right in my backyard! God speed Atlantis!

Labels

The topic this week is labels. I must admit I rarely label (like never!) quilts even though I understand the significance of labeling. I have a HP label maker that I have used once for a commissioned quilt, but I did not care for the fabric sheets that you are supposed to use with it. I have seen instructions on how to make your own sheets using muslin and some chemical that you soak it in, but I never seem to remember to buy the supplies when I am out.

I apologise for my lack of posting this month. I've had some personal problems and really haven't had anything to show. Since I hate posting without photos, I just haven't bothered. I've been working on a Bargello for my sister-in-law and a t-shirt quilt for my niece, but neither would make for interesting photos right now.

Dream Quilt

Well, I've certainly been bad about posting recently. It's not that I haven,t been working on anything quilty, but I really don't have anything to show for my efforts that would look good in a photo and I hate posting without pictures. Anyway, I've been working on a t-shirt quilt for my niece and a bargello for my sister-in-law and her husband. When they get to the point that there is something to view other than little bits, I'll post a photo.

The topic this week for Stashbusters is your "dream quilt". Wow, this is an easy one for me! I would dearly love to make a "Dear Jane" quilt. I have the book, the software, and am collecting Civil War reproduction fabrics to use. It is just such a large, overwhelming project that I freeze everytime I think about starting it. I thought about doing it as a BOM as several on-line shops offer it this way, but when you calculate the cost it is quite pricey that way and, besides, I think I would enjoy choosing the fabric for each block. Another problem with this "dream quilt" is that I have never done paper piecing or applique', so I need to work on those skills first. Oh, well, maybe later this year...