Bees and Swaps

It's the end of the month so I thought I would show you what I made for my bees and swaps. First the Stitching Bee, I made this block for Lisa. Her theme was Daydream. You might remember I made this one for her also. But it was not quite 12" (she did say any size was okay) but since everyone else was getting a 12" block from me and because this was a fun theme to work with and I had this idea I made this block. I based it off a poem my mom used to tell me when I was little about Winkin' Blinkin' and Nod sailing off in a wooden shoe. And also a lullaby my maternal grandmother used to sing about Lena and Hans also sailing in a wooden show 'off to the land of their dreams.' Without further ado, here it is...

Next for my Sew Bee Wonky group a wonky house for Kellie. Then my swap block for Karen.

And one for Mary.

Well that's the swaps and bees for this month. They are so fun. I wish I had time to do more.

Speaking of fun head on over to QuilterChic and check out her fun sight. She has featured me today. Isn't that so nice of her. Thanks Cheryl.

Scrap Happy Summer- It's HOT

It's been HOT! In the 90*'s HOT! And I have wanted to try some words so this came to mind.

I gathered my black scraps, one red strip and started making letters. I learned that I should have maybe drawn this out first. Then maybe my T wouldn't be so small and spaced a little to far from the O. But it was a fun learning experience. Hope if your in the Northern Hemisphere that you are staying cool. 'Cause like I said it's HOT!

Once again it's time to link up. So if you have been playing in your scraps link up and show us what you've created. Thanks for playing along. Make sure when you post you let others know about the Scrap Happy Summer Challenge so they can see all the fun creations and join in if they choose.

Lending a Helping Hand

We had a wonderful day the other day. The ladies in this picture along with a few more organized a day of service where people in the neighborhood could go and help tie quilts.

Color, cut out and assemble file folders with learning games.

Or paint toys.

Everything that was done will be donated to our local humanitarian center and used for people in need. Thank you ladies for all your work to create this fun day.

A Finish and Some Progress

The binding is on the homespun sampler I made for my children's piano teacher and it is ready to give to here. I'm very pleased with how it turned out. I hope she loves it. If you want to read about the progress of this quilt you can go here by scrolling down it should include every post that has to do with this quilt.
In the way of progress I have basted and I'm now quilting my 'A Dutchmen's Journey quilt. And I'm happy to say I have found a home for it. I will be giving it to my Aunt Darlene. She is so generous to share her cabin every time we have our family reunion. And since this quilt is based on our heritage I though it would make a lovely gift for her. I'll post finish pictures of it soon.
All the blocks are quilted with windmills and I'm putting swirling wind in the sashing. Any ideas on how I should quilt the mountains in the border? If you can't remember what this quilt looks like go here and scroll to the bottom. The border is not sewn on here. Apparently I have not taken a picture of it at that stage. But the border is up against it on the design wall so you should get a pretty good idea of what it looks like. I appreciate any and all suggestions.

Have a great weekend!

Em

Scrap Happy Summer Experiment

My 2 1/2" strip drawer was overflowing, so I decided to do a little experiment. I used the strips as leaders and enders, sewing them together at a 45*. When I figured I had a long enough strip I put the two ends together and sewed until I came to the middle where I cut through the strip and repeated the process. I did this five times, giving me a piece that was 64" long. I ment for it to be wider. I messed up in my math. I was thinking I would have 30 rows instead of 32. Somehow it slipped my mind that if I was going to be halving it each time it would be impossible to end up with 30 rows. So I needed to add some extra borders to make this quilt proportional. So I grabbed my 2 1/2" squares and sewed them together and placed those in between two solid strips. Now although this does not have the N seal of approval (it's not bright enough.) I think it made a nice scrap quilt.
And as an added bonus I can now close my 2 1/2" strip drawer. What have you done this week to reduce your scrap bin? Take a picture, post about it (remember to link back this post so others who come to your site can find what others have done with the Scrap Happy Summer Challenge), then link up with Mr. Linky so those that come looking can be directed to your wonderful creation. Thanks!

Catching Up

We had our family reunion this last week. If you want to read about past reunions and this quilt I made because of them you can do so here, here and here.

We camped. I took J, N and DD up early to insure we got a campsite. Here I am playing Set. And here is N relaxing at the campsite.And here is the mess we brought home. Hence the need for a catch up day. We had to get this all aired out and cleaned up. Not to mention the mountain of laundry camping creates. Oh but it is so worth it. We had a great time.

Come Sail Away

Do you ever feel like sailing away? Away from laundry, housework, kids who think your ruining their life because you make them work, etc...

I do so while playing with my scrap bin once again. (Little secret here, my scrap bin and sewing machine are my sailboat and my imagination a calm see to sail away on.) I made this journal cover for a friend who has recently suffered a serious loss. Figured she could use some sail away time too. Wrapped it with a happy yellow strip of fabric and sailed it on over to her home.

Hope everyone has a carefree, sail away weekend.

Em

Scrap Happy Summer Fruision

Well I combined the inspiration and ingredients. And with my neighbor's help this is what I have so far. This is big enough that with borders it will make a small throw. But I'm thinking I will make it bigger. I really like the design it is creating and want to see more of it. At first I had a hard time following the picture in the book so exactly. I never follow a pattern. I always like to make it mine. And all though I did not use the pattern it is the same quilt as is in the book. I tried moving things around at first and did not like the effect as well. Here is a sample of what I tried. Although it is cute I really like the effect in the other arrangement.

Well it's time for another link up with Scrap Happy Summer. Because there has been some confusion about how this works I'll try to explain it better. Each Wednesday I'll join up with Mr. Linky. Then if you have a scrappy creation you would like to share. Create a post with a picture of your creation and a link back to my blog (in your post) so others can find their way to Mr. Linky and the others who have created scrappy creations. And if they desire share their own scrappy creations. If you have questions please ask.

Gathering Inspiration and Ingredients

A while back Stephanie was creating these fun blocks. I loved them and asked her where she got her ruler. She couldn't remember but told me to look at JoAnn's. I looked on line at JoAnn's and couldn't find it. But at one of my many trips there I saw one. And as luck would have it I had a 40% off coupon so of course I had to get the ruler. Then my dear hubby got me the wonderfully inspiring book "Material Obsession II" and this pattern is in it. My dear friend and neighbor, the one whose son I made my 'I'm a Maverick Star' quilt for, saw this quilt in the book and wanted to make it. She asked if I would help her. How could I refuse. It's such a happy and fun quilt and she is such a dear friend.

So I gathered the wonderful ruler Stephanie had told me about. So glad I found that. And some white Kona. And and ice cream bucket of colorful strips. I've started sewing together alternating warm and cool colors.

I'll post my progress Wednesday, when there is a little more to show. What has inspired you to start your latest project?

My Motivation

We just got a sectional to go in our family room. Now there is room for every one to sit comfortably while we watch movies. I have a hard time just sitting and watching. I need hand work. As I mentioned in the last post I have a pile of tops needing to be quilted. So I started quilting. I quilted this top for my children's piano teacher. You can read about how this quilt came to be here. I've got the binding sewn on one side and now while we watch movies I can hand sew the other side.
I also finished quilting this one. Free pattern for it here. I think I'll add this to my birthday charity quilts for Trisha's challenge.
Well I should be able to watch a few movies while I get these bond. And my pile of unfinished tops will get a little smaller. At least for the moment. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Thanks for stoppinig by!

Scrap Happy Summer #2

Welcome to Scrap Happy Summer. Sorry I'm a little late getting going this morning, to many late nights and early mornings made it hard to pull myself out of bed. Well I made 11 more crumb blocks add the sashing and a border and wha la! I call it crumb cake.
I am so glad Belinda posted the crumb blocks she was making on her blog and reminded me of my original six. I am really pleased with how this turned out. I think I will count it as one of the 5 charity quilts I promised Trisha I would make before my next birthday. Just need to get it quilted along with about 5 other quilts. Does anyone else have this problem?

Well what scrap happiness have you been creating at your house. Link up and show us. Remember to include pictures of your progress and a link back here so others can join in the fun. Thanks

Bees and Swaps

I've recently discovered the world of on line quilting bees, and I am hooked. What a fun way to meet people, get inspiration and be creative all at the same time. The first bee I joined was The Stitchin' Bee. This block is for Lisa. Her theme was day dreaming. So I made some logs for her to saw while day dreaming and sewed ric rac zzzzz for her to catch.
The other bee I'm in is Sew Be Wonky. With my new love affair with all things improvisational I could not resist this bee. These are Kandra's blocks. I probably should have made the one on the left a little more wonky. This little block is for Mary. Sorry this is late Mary. Summer is keeping me hopping. I'm going to do July's block this week to ensure I'm not late again. Mary and I exchange a block every month in our favorite colors. You can read about it here and here.

Karen and I do the same thing. Once again Karen I'm sorry this is late. Same reason as I gave Mary. I also promise you that I will get July's block done next week before my family reunion, the boy's scout camps and our family vacation hit.

If you haven't tried a sewing bee or swap you should give it a try. They are great fun!

Challenge Report

Myra's PhD Challenge and Stephanie's No String's Attached Challenge have ended. I really enjoyed these challenges. Because of them my stack of finished quilts grew. Thank's to Myra's Challenge I finished this wonky Sugar and Spice quilt. It now lives with my 8 year old neice.
My DD's baby doll now enjoys this little trip around the world doll quilt.And this project improve quilt is available for snuggling with while watching tv in our basement.
Thanks to Stephanie's challenge this black and white quilt came to be. The pattern is available here. And this happy scrappy string quilt is done. I love it!

And I was able to make several of these for gifts.

I was also able to move these projects a little closer to competion. This just needs to me quilted and bound. I can't wait to see it with the red binding.

My Dutchmen's Puzzle has the border on and is also waiting for quilting and binding.

Thank you Stephanie and Myra for your inspiration.