Monday, March 29, 2010

Jelly Roll Sampler Quilt Along Week 3




I liked this quilt block because it let you show off some of the fabrics a bit.  Not to mention, I think it took me 10 minutes to whip together. 

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Tulips are blooming

39 Tulip blocks done. . .another Charming Girls and Guys Club finish. 
This was one of my March finishes.  I am loving these blocks.  The line is Nature's Chorus.


The other goal was to keep up with all of my blocks in both the Pinwheel Quilt Along and the Jelly Roll Quilt Along, which I have! 

Now we are onto April!  I hope you girls and guys are getting ready for the Sewing Party on April 17th!  I am hosting the club sewing party and the theme is totes and purses.  I plan on doing a bag tutorial coming up, just the basics.  Stay tuned. Perhaps there might even be a giveaway.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

A lost treasure

Saturday sewing is in progress here at DQ.  What are you up to?  The month of March is almost over.  I can hardly believe it.  So I have to get crackin on these tulip blocks or I'm not going to meet my deadline. 

So I asked myself..."Self, why are you procrastinating on these blocks?"
  • Could it be that there are 39 of them?
  • Or that there are like 195 hsts?  Seriously, I am not a fan of hsts. 
Last week, I started thinking about all of the hsts.  Drawing lines.  Pinning.  Yuck.  Then it was like lightning struck!  About 5 years ago, I bought this tool called The Angler 2.  I was a very inexperienced sewer.  I had never sewed a hst.  This quilt shop I was visiting was selling them.  So I bought one, and I went back for the demo.  It wasn't a demo...she didn't even take it out of the package.  I remember going home and trying it.  I remember not being able to understand the directions.  Then the quilt shop closed.  And I had this tool that I didn't know how to use. 

So, I got to thinking that maybe I would understand it now after all of this experience.  I actually found the thing.  LOL.  I looked online and found all of these lovely tutorials.  No drawing lines.  No pinning.  Life is good.  195 hsts done.  Now onto finishing the blocks. 

Here is a shot of my Angler 2.  You align it on your machine, tape it down, and then you keep your corners of your square that you're sewing on the center line that I am pointing to (normally where you would draw your line).  It also work if you are trying to get 2 hsts out of one block.  You just line it up on the other lines.  There are instructional videos for every way possible.  They last about 2 minutes each:  How to install it, Triangle Square video, Two triangle square videos, flying geese, and many more.  The videos are very easy to follow.


I have already mentioned some of the pluses.  It is great because you don't have to pin or draw lines.  I also like it for chain sewing like I was doing.  On the down side, you have to realign it every time you change your bobbin.  It doesn't take long, but it is just one more thing you have to do. 

Happy sewing!!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Friday Night Sew In

I think I am depressed.  I had myself convinced that I would win that Joel Dewberry Modern Meadow giveaway over at FQS.  Isn't that fabric the greatest?  Wouldn't it make the best bag ever?  Woe is me.  What a let down...I sure thought I felt lucky.  What is your latest fabric crave???


So, I did some sewing last night.  Block 2 on the Jelly Roll Quilt Along.  I like how it turned out.

And here are both of my blocks sitting together.  I like them.  Can't wait until the next one is posted.
What projects are you working on??

Thanks again to Heidi and Bobbi for organizing the fun.


Thursday, March 18, 2010

Getting Ready for some Friday Night Sewing



Well, I see many of you will be sewing tomorrow.  HOORAY.  I wish I could sew the whole day.  I am planning on completing my block for the Jelly Roll Sew Along.  :)  Since I have to work and it has been a long week, I am going to keep it simple.  You can still join in the fun.

Also, head on over to Our Cozy Nest for a great giveaway!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Pinwheel Quilt Along Block 4

Oh we are having a rainy day here.  Yuck.  But, it makes for a good sewing day.  Here is my pinwheel quilt along block 4 finish.  The link can be found here.  I always have trouble with my points on this block.  It isn't my favorite.  I think when I get the rest of the blocks mixed in, it won't trouble me too much though. 

Happy Saturday sewing everyone!

Friday, March 12, 2010

Sunshine Blog Award

Karin nominated me for an award.  Isn't that nice?  I think it might be my first blog award ever!  Thanks so much, Karin

So, now I get to pick 6 blogs that I love to follow.  It is so hard to just pick six.  There are so many of that inspire me daily that I can't bear to pick six.  I am afraid that I might hurt someone's feelings.  So instead, I am going open this award up to anyone on my sidebar, blogs I visit very frequently.  I guess that is a lot more than six!!!  :)  Lots of sunshine here at DQ. 

If you ladies would like to play along, these are the award rules:


*Put the award at your blog
*Give it on to 6 other bloggers and add a link to their blog
*Let those bloggers know that they win an this award
*Give a link at your blog to the blogger from whom you have received the award

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Pinwheel Sampler Quilt Along Block 3




I am having fun working on these pinwheels.  This is block 3.  We have finished 6 blocks now and there are 10 more to go.  The instructions for block 3 can be found here.  I am getting really frustrated with my back up iron.  Gettine a new iron is on the top of my list!!  Thanks Rachel for all of your hard work on this quilt along! 

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Jelly Roll Sampler Quilt Along


Konda over at Moose on the Porch Quilts has organized a fun Jelly Roll Sampler Quilt Along.  At first, I thought I would pass it up because I had already started the Pinwheel Sampler Quilt Along.  Then I saw the first block, and I just knew I needed to do it.  So, I dug in my stash and lo and behold, I had all of the fabric requirements.  I am using my first Jelly Roll that I ever purchased, and have obviously held onto for a quite a bit now.  This Moda collection is Roman Holiday.  You still have time to participate.  The next block doesn't post until the 15th of March.  So, head on over there and get yourself started. 

What are you working on this weekend? 

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Cupcake Oven Mitts

I found this pattern when I was in Traverse City.  I finally bought some heat proof batting, so I gave it a go today.  These are for my mom for her birthday this weekend.  I think I will like them more, the more I do them.  They are a bit wonky in spots. 

Monday, March 1, 2010

March Goals- Tulips are going to bloom


My first goal for March is to get all of these tulip blocks done.  I am using Nature's Chorus and this is going to be a gift for my MIL for Mother's Day.

My second goal is to keep up on my pinwheel sampler quilt along blocks which I am using Boutique for.

I am only going to write these two goals, so hopefully I will have some free time to throw in a couple of smaller projects if I get the itch.