Find The Good

Yesterday my J recieved his Eagle Scout award. So todays find the good is about scouting. I am ever so thankful for the scouting program, for the oppurtunity it gives boys to serve.

by Chingmong

For the chance to travel and learn new things.

by Cindy Tee

How it takes a young boy and molds him into a fine young man.

by Quiltinspace

Who knows how to set goals, stick to them, and accomplish great things.

By Yarnin around

Prepared to take on the world and make a difference.

by Deerie

Congrats J!!! I'm really proud of you!!!

A Little Sewing Room Tour

I thought you might like a tour of what is going on in my sewing room at the moment. First up, on the design wall are my Twist on Tradition blocks that have been arriving from all over the world. Everyone has done a beautiful job. Thank you ladies. At the sewing machine is my D9P. Some ladies at church have agreed to tie it so it can be donated to Happy Chemo. I'm real excited about that. I enveloped it yesterday and plan to day to stitch around the edge to finish it off.

At the cutting table is my mess from the coin quilt I showed last time. I really need to get that cleaned up. But right now it is living by my motto: Creative clutter is better than tidy idleness.

But soon it will need to be done so I can trim this one up that I just finished quilting and apply the binding. It's my new pattern and hopefully I will have it ready to share soon.

What creative clutter do you have going on in your sewing room? I'd love to hear about it.

Wish Come True

My wish that started as just and folly came true yesterday. I was not seriously wishing that we would have a snow day so we could stay home and sew. Nevertheless yesterday it snowed here and after filling the crock pot with chicken soup, had a sick hubby and a couple of sick kids. I retreated to my sewing room to play. This stacked coin quilt was the result. I still need to add the top and bottom border. But I feel pretty good about what I was able to accomplish. I had seen this one on flickr and wanted one of my own. Then I was lucky enough to find this fun stripe for the back and binding.

Hoping to get it basted, quilted, and bond soon. So I can enjoy snuggling under it.

Did it snow where you live? Were you able to find a few hours of happy sewing? If so what were you able to create?

Find The Good

It seems very few of you appreciate winter the way I do. So this weeks Find The Good post is for you. It's all about color.

by Modernjax

Joyfull happy, vibrant living color.

Sunshiney color to brighten you winter blues.

by Janel M

by Studio Susie AKA MommaKitty

And put a spring in your step.

by Kim's Crafty Apple

To inspire you to create someting beautiful.

by Upstatelisa

And if your lucky you might get a snowday and not be able to do anything but sew. Hee Hee! Sorry I couldn't resist. After all I still love winter.

Finally a Finish

My scrappy wonky log is finally done. If you want to learn the process of how it was made you can read about it here. I'm glad I took the time to do the applique.
I think it adds a nice touch. Plus it gave me a chance to try a new applique method.
I was thrilled when I found the beautiful Kaffe in my stash to bind it with. It was a perfect match. Drawing in all the colors of the quilt in one wonderful fabric.

I didn't realize Sarah was starting her Friday Whoop Whoop. But now that I do, I've linked up. Go and see what others have completed, give them a pat on the back with a kind comment, and receive a little inspiration.

Now, which PhD to tackle next?

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

Do your fabric tastes change? What you once thought was quite lovely you now find ugly. Well I have quite a bit of this fabric. A bunch of it was very generously given to me when my hubby was in school and money was tight. Well I needed some mindless sewing, a charity quilt, and more room for fabric I love. So I took the old fabric made a bunch of nine patches that I cut in half both ways to make this disappearing 9 patch quilt. You know that old, ugly fabric is going to make a pretty nice quilt.Look what arrived in my mailbox. Sharon from Vrooman's Quilts sent these beauties. The newest addition to the Happy Chemo Quilts. Thank you Sharon for your generosity.Yesterday I borrowed 13 Woodhouse Road's blog as a guest blogger. Sharing how I organize my WIPs. Check it out if you want to know the method of my madness. Finally my blue scrap bin was full to overflowing so I needed to make something. No real plan here. Just some scrappy play.

Find The Good

I like winter. In fact it is probably my favorite season.

By Lola Blue Ocean

I like the cold winter nights when I can curl up in a quilt with a cup of hot cocoa and a good book.

by Lemon Tree Tales

The peace quiet and beauty that comes with a snowfall.

by Cascde Lily

The fact that I don't have to work out in my yard. Mother nature does her magic and it looks beautiful.

by Pink Chalk Studio

And all the fun winter activities; snowboarding, skiing, sledding, tubing, ice skating, snowman building.

By Smooth Sailing Nancy

Each followed by hot cocoa. Can you tell I love hot cocoa?

Quilters are Good at Picking Up Pieces

Quilters are good at picking up pieces and making something beautiful. As evidenced by the first finished flimsy from my first Happy Chemo sew in.

But there is more evidence. Take this great cause helping the flood victims.

Or this one that helps with Alzheimer awareness and research I read abou on Rene's blog.
Or Victoria's Basics Quilt Gather to help the homeless.

I know there is no end to the need for a quilty hug to help those that are less fortunate. And quilters are a generous breed that are more than happy to lend a helping hand. Last week when I posted about my Happy Chemo sew in everyone was more than willing to help me out. Not only did I get great ideas on simple quilts that inexperienced quilters could work on together, I had several people offer to send me quilts.
This got me thinking there may be others who would be willing to help me with my Happy Chemo goal. If you haven't noticed I've set a lofty goal of quilts I would like to have donated to this wonderful charity that has so blessed my life. Take a peek on my sidebar and you will find a Happy Chemo Quiltometer. I will continue to have Happy Chemo sew ins at local quilt shops throughout Utah. I'll post about where and when each month in case you can come and enjoy in the fun quilty hug making. I've also been asked to be over charity quilts for the Utah Quilt Guild and now I'm asking if you would like to help. You can make quilts and send them to me or you can contact me and I'll give you info on how you can be a Happy Chemo Helper and distribute them in your area. If you do this will you still let me know how many quilts so I can add it to the Happy Chemo Quiltometer?I've made a button if you would like to add it to your blog.


<center><a<br /><br />href="http://www.emsscrapbag.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img<br /><br />src<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sew-em/5352808935/" title="Quilty Hugs for Happy Chemo button by auntem1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5288/5352808935_1d2995e51e_m.jpg" width="240" height="240" alt="Quilty Hugs for Happy Chemo button" /></a>" />"<br /><br />/></a></center>Just grab the html above and paste it in the html gadget in your side bar. Thanks for any help you can give me or any of these other fine ladies and their worthwhile causes.

Caught in the Modern Quilt Group Web

In December I was perusing flickr, a favorite past time of mine, and I found in a thread a mention of local modern quilt groups. The discussion encouraged people to see if there was a group in there area. I have been very jealous of the groups I've seen through Jacquie and Victoria and thought what the hey I'm going to look. I'm so glad I did, because I found one and they were about to have a sew in. In fact, it was last Saturday and I got to go. Left hubby in charge of making sure the kids got their jobs done and I went to play. And play I did. I made these spiderweb blocks I was so thrilled that the fabric that I had ordered from Jackie at Canton Village had arrived because I wanted it for the stars in my spiderweb. Jackie has the greatest fabric. Lucky me I got it on sale. I am so excited for this quilt.

I forgot my camera, shame on me, I know. But if you would like to check out pics from the sew in Kati and Kayli took some great ones. Please ignore the one of me front and center in the group shot. Talk about a cheesey smile. Oh well.

On a brighter note I was featured on Be @ Home (I don't know why it won't let me link it every time I try it just puts in this addresss but it's the link so just click on it.)http://pocketchange.become.com/2011/01/blog-review-ems-scrapbag.html. Go check it out if you have a minute.

Find the Good

Quilts bring joy. There is no doubt about that in my mind.

by Froggy Girl Designs

From the friendships they create while they are being made.

by tjacobs61

To the sense of accomplishment that comes from teaching and learning this time honored skill.

by L:E:A

They bridge generation gaps.

by arlakaytay

And bring a smile to all who receive them.

by austysmum

Yes, quilt bring joy!

A Little Help Please

I need a little help. I've started having Happy Chemo Sew ins to make quilts for Happy Chemo, an organization that gives gifts to cancer patients. What I need help on is ideas for quilts we can make. Simple quilts that will accommodate varying seam allowances. I was so glad to have Katie's help. She had told me that he had made coin quilts at a charity sew in she had had. Now thanks to her, and the wonderful ladies that helped me yesterday. I have lots of coin stacks waiting to be put into quilts.

I was also thinking my simply charming quilt would work. You can find the free tute here. If you would like to make one. I figure it is one that no seams have to match so seam allowances can vary. If you have any other ideas I would really appreciate them. I so want to make a ton of quilts for Happy Chemo. Also if you are in the Bountiful Utah area on Feb. 26 I'll be having a Happy Chemo Sew In at Quilter's Haven from 1-5 and would love your help.

Best Friend Exchange

Last year I asked if anyone wanted to exchange blocks with me throughout the year. Each of us making two blocks one for us to keep and one to share. We each chose a favorite color and those two colors would be our color scheme for the blocks. Karen and Mary graciously accepted. And the BFF exchange began. Now twelve months later we come to a close. The blocks below are my final blocks. They are a little late but will be on their way today. I used the little girls from my Snips & Snails meets Sugar and Spice pattern. I felt our BFF quilt need to have some best friends on it. Karen and I chose red and yellow. All the blocks with the little pieces and precision piecing are Karen's. She does things I would never dare try. So I'm thrilled that I get to have these sweet blocks in my quilt.

Mary and I chose blue and yellow. What a great combination of blocks we have. I love the friendship flower she made. Her sailboat and house are also favorites.

Thank you ladies for playing along with me. I will miss getting your blocks each month. But I know the friendship we have created will last forever. You guys are awesome.

Find the Good

I hope everyone had a wonderful time ringing in the New Year. Now is the time for reflection. To look at all the pieces of our life and decide how we will go about making them better. It's time for New Years resolutions. Have you set yours yet?

By Blondeejc

Are you looking to get out of debt and to save more money this year? That is one of our family's goals. So I'm planning lots of scrap quilts. Their my favorite anyway. And since I've already purchased the fabric they will not hurt our budget.

By Philistine made
Maybe your goal is to lose a little weight. Another goal I should have. How about a reward system for this one, like a fabric fat quarter for every pound of fat lost. That just might motivate me. An a fat quarter here and there should not hurt my budget.

by I'm a Ginger Monkey
Maybe you want to work on improving your relationships. I'm hoping to involve my family is a big project I have in the works. My N is going to make part of it his eagle project. Hopefully before the year is out all three of my boys will be eagle scouts. Now that would be awesome.

by Audrey Pawdrey
Maybe you want to learn something new, a quilting method you have yet to try, a new skill to help you in your work, a new language, oh the list is endless. This world has so many wonderful things to learn about.

by Farmerberlin

Whatever you New Year's resolution. I wish you success.

Here's to a wonderful 2011.