Wishing Stars

Star light Star bright

I've been making stars with all my might.

Happy scrappy stars to wish upon.

I'm hoping and wishing that I can get everything done that I need to in the next few weeks. School letting out brings lots of fun activities for kids that require a little effort to plan. DD has a mountain man rendezvous on Tuesday and Wednesday that I get to help with. I've got the quilt ready for them to tie. So I'm ready that way. Now all I need to give is my time to help them tie the quilt. I've done this before and it really is quite fun. So I am looking forward to it.

Also I'm thinking of going back to school and have an appointment with an advisor on Thursday. Am I crazy to add this to my list. I don't know. I would just like the security it would bring. I've watched two of my friends lately have to provide for their families. The thought scares me, what if that happened to me? Although my patterns pay for my habit they will not support my family.

Then I have two classes I'm teaching the following week and I still have a lot to do to be ready for that. The week after that is The Wasatch Front shop hop. Fun times. I've been around to all the shops and stocked up my patterns but I need to make a few displays for one of the shops. So add that to the list.
If spring has you running wild or you would just like a free wish. No worries I made lots of wishing stars.

What are you wishing for today?

Tie One On

I seriously did not think I would have a finish this week. At 5:45 last night I was starting the dishwasher and figured I had about 10 minutes before I had to start fixing dinner. I've been wanting to make some headbands using Heather Bailey's tutorial So I rushed down to my sewing room to put those precious moments to good use. I cut one out and began to sew. Got caught up in the sewing fun and needless to say dinner was a little late. But I made this cute headband.(Myra let me know that the link was not working so I've fixed it. It goes to Heather's blog and from there just scroll down to her free patterns, click on the Horray for Headbands. Sorry about that.)

And after DD went to bed I made another. They are fast and easy to make and oh so cute to wear.

So amazingly I have a finish for Amy's sew and tell. Small though it may be. Go see what other creative creations have been created this week at Amy's.

Sewing Room Tour

Welcome to a tour of my sewing room. Come in and enjoy my creative clutter. Here on the design wall we have some Snips and Snails meeting Sugar and Spice. I really need to get some lint remover or tape run over my design wall and get rid of some of those threads.

At the ironing board, lots colorful pieces getting sewn into various blocks

My garbage can full of bits from the cutting table. I've decided pretty garbage is just another benefit of quilting.

And last but not least, chain piecing at the sewing machine.

So what is going on in your sewing room? I would love to hear all about it!

I've got Mail

When I joined Lyn's challenge I never thought I would win anything. I was just thrilled to get the cute little grandmother's garden blocks to play with. And play I did. I sketched designs, moved things around on my design wall. I finally came up with this, Grandpa's Wrench in Grandma's Garden. You can read about it here and here. I sent my picture to Lyn.
And lo and behold I won a beautiful prize. This came in the mail. Sorry the picture is sideways. Stretch you neck a shoulder muscles that might be a little tight from you quilty projects and you can see it the way it should be. Inside those cute little red packages of fun were these fun gifts. Buttons, now who doesn't like buttons? Jeana Kimball needles. I took a class from Jeana once she is amazing as are her needles. And a cute little stitchery pattern. Thank you Lyn. I had so much fun with your challenge. And these gifts are just icing on the cake.

Bloggers Quilt Festival

First isn't Amy great to host Blogger's Quilt Festival. A BIG THANKS to her!
Next I want to show off my son's quilt. Didn't he do a great job. He sewed all the scraps together, I helped him tie it and then I bound it for him. This quilt just screams 'N', he's the one with the neon green room. He loves color and I love him and his quilt.
Finally for my showing is this black and white quilt with red accent. It is my new design and will be available on my webpage soon. I call it Breathe. The motion in the blocks reminds me of the rythmic in and out of breathing. It also relaxes me simular to a deep breath. I had a lot of fun making this one. My hubby loves it. The deep contrast of the black and white really appeals to him.

Well I'm going to check out all the other wonderful quilts at Blogger's Quilt Fest. Hope you will do the same. I'll also be linking up at for Sew and Tell. After all it is Friday you know.

It's Gonna Be a Party

It's gonna be a party and your invited.

Where: Panguitch, Utah

When: June 10-12

Fun classes by Nanette, Nedra, Brenda and Bonnie, many others and me.
I'll be teaching these little boys and girls, and the quilt in my header. I still have a little room in my classes and would love for you to join me.

But if another class catches your fancy sign up. But please pop by and see me. 'Cause I would love to meet ya.

Pineapple Crush

I have always loved pineapple quilts. You might say I have a crush on them. Last year I bought a ruler and took a class on how to make this great block. I made one block and it sat in a bin for a year.

Well I took it out recently. I cut a bunch of black centers and assembly lined that bunch into blocks.

Now I have enough to start my walk down lovers lane.

Something Borrowed, Something New

My little neighbor that was 13 when we moved here is getting married. Where does the time go? Her shower is this weekend, so I borrowed the scraps I had left over from this project. And made her a new table runner.

And matching hot pads.

She is doing her kitchen in black and red. Hopefully this will be a nice addition and help her make her little apartment home.

I'll be linking up with Amy's sew and tell. Go see what other creative things have been made this week.

Thoroughly Modern Emily

Everything today is thoroughly modern. Everything today makes yesterday old

They say it's criminal what women'll do. What their forgetting is it's 1922.

I have always loved the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. My mom, sisters and I have watched it dozens of times. No I didn't always live in a testosterone heavy home. I can now sympathize with my only brother what it must have been like to grow up with all those girls. And just yesterday my DD told me I had no idea what it was like to be the only girl. Oh the poor little thing. Anyway back to Miss Modern Millie she was so up with the times. And as I made these blocks for Lisa in our Stitchin' Bee. I couldn't help but think of Millie. We were kindred spirits while I riped, cut, and sewed.

Lisa sent some fabulous solids and said to make a modern block.

I was not happy with my first attempt. You can find it below. It felt disjointed and didn't seem to go with the other blocks that had been made. I ripped it apart. Used the parts I liked to make the above blocks. I am much more pleased with these.

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

Back in January I started swapping blocks with Mary. We decided to make a blue and yellow quilt. Representing each of our favorite colors. Each month we make two of the same block. We keep one and send the other off. Well, I am getting quite a collection of blocks and I just had to share them with you.

I am also doing this with Karen, except we are making red and yellow blocks. I get so excited at the end of the month. Awaiting the arrival of two precious packages sent from opposite coasts meeting me in the middle.

By the end of the year I will have two fabulous quilts full of love and friendship. Made by friends though far away very near to my hear.

Quilters Come With Strings Attached

It's my birthday today. N has informed me that since I am in my 40's I'm ooooollllld. But my sweet and wonderful grandma told me I'm not old. Because she has children that are senior citizens and I'm no where near that.

As a present to my self I have a finish. I was so thrilled when Stephanie started her Strings Challenge. I had never made a string quilt before that. I had seen many and I loved them. The challenge was just what I needed to get me started. I went to a thrift store and bought several old sheets to use as foundation. Probably a little over kill. But like I said I loved these quilts and heaven knows I have lots of strings that needed a home. I cut up one of the sheets into 10" squares and went to town. Those blocks were addictive and before I knew it I had a top.

I knew I was going to be taking a long road trip so I hurried and quilted it. Then while my wonderful hubby drove I bond this quilt. I love the memories in this quilt from all the different fabrics used from previous projects. I love the happy bright colors. Thank you Stephanie for this fun challenge. I know this will not be my last string quilt.

I am also linking up for Amy's sew and tell. Go see what everyone created this week.

Piecemaker Repeat

There is something about a quilter that makes them special.

I don't know if it is because they are piece makers. Heaven knows they make a lot of pieces, as evidenced by their many scrap bags. Or, which I think may be the case, they know how to take those pieces and make something beautiful. Even if those pieces are teeny tiny, odd shaped, or ugly to begin with. And that gift from God, because He blessed the piece makers, makes them compassionate and caring.Their ability to pick up the pieces and make something beautiful spills over into all aspects of their lives. They help victims of natural disasters, wars, and nasty diseases pick up the pieces of their lives and feel of God's love in the many quilts that are donated to these causes. They rally around each other and give support if one of their own is feeling burdened in any way. They share their knowledge, talents, and resources freely. They are truly an amazing group of people.I often feel inadequate amongst them. But their gentle, loving way draws me to them and inspires me to work harder and be better. So many, many, thanks to all you piece makers may you be blessed again and again for all the pieces you make and then put back together so beautifully.

I posted this when I first started my blog. Sorry for the repeat but I thought it was worth saying again.

Plink Plink Plink

Isn't it such a blessing that we are all different. That where we are weak others are strong and vise a versa. And because of this we need each other. We are better when we are together. That united we stand. What comfort there is to be drawn from the fact that if I can't do something there is sure to be someone that can. And more often than not they are more than willing to share their gifts and talents with me.
I am thankful for my children's piano teacher for this reason. Becauase when I play the piano it is more plinking than playing. I could never teach my children to play the piano but she can. And I must say she is doing a beautiful job. If they would practice more it would be even better. She on the other hand doesn't quilt. But I've been able to make this for her. You can read about our little trade here.
I thought a piano key border was fitting for the piano teacher. Just need to finish sewing the keys together and then it will be ready for quilting and binding. I hope she will like it.