A New Twist...

It's always hard to come up with a gift for someone that seems to have everything, or could get anything themselves. I have one of those best friends, so naturally I usually end up needing to make something homemade for her, which is what I would rather do anyway. Thanks to Gail Pan and her Christmas block of the month this last year, I was able to come up with the perfect gift. I decided to take the "Christmas" out of the wallhanging and make it something that could hang all year long. I also used colors that would suit the feel of my friend's home. Rich, earthy, wonderful colors...
I also had to change two of the words in the blocks. Instead of using "merry" and "noel", I used the words "laugh" and "home", which work perfectly in the block.

Another project done, just in time for my new machine to head back to the shop. I think it is either going on stike after all of that sewing for Christmas, or it is actually possessed. It has been running on it's own - without the peddle foot or me doing anything. I'm afraid to turn it on for fear that it will work on a project without me! That's no fun for me...

Block 5

It seems that I get later and later in the month before I finish each new block that comes. Not that I am getting tired of doing them...I just get busy with all of the other projects I am working on, or even just trying to keep up with the family's busy schedule of concerts, field trips, and baseball games - not to mention my piano lessons, church assignments, and household chores. My poor little blocks have been getting sent to the back seat before I remember that they have feelings too and want to be complete. A completed block makes ME feel better too, I guess.

Block 4

Sorry I have been away, it has been county fair time and I have had all 6 kids and 5 grandkids home for almost a week. Thus, no blogging, sewing, creating, or anything like unto it! I did get my block 4 done though the day after they all left. THAT I could do. I love the pink fabric with the stitching. By now you know that I am taking a different route with my colors. I hope you like them. Until next time...

Block 3

These little blocks have been so fun to do. They work up so fast and I can get them done in an afternoon if I don't have any other obligations. Doing these blocks have especially made me realize how fast each month comes and goes. Before I know it, I will have 12 done and the year will have snuck up on me and left me in the dust. If time is going to go by that fast, I might as well have something beautiful to show for it, right?!

Better late than never...

Wow - I was really slow getting this next block onto the blog. I've had it done for about 2 1/2 weeks now, I just got lazy about posting about it. I'd better hurry, because next months pattern comes out today! So here it is, the block for February. I love how the white stitching "pops" out on the ecru background. I wasn't sure how that was going to look. I've decided I really like it. Check back later...

OH MY GOODNESS, OH MY GOODNESS!!

I have started collecting fabric for my projects (on sale, of course) and have enough of a "stash" to get something started. The packages of squares are 5" x 5" pieces of fabric with about 40 in each one. They are called "Charm Packs." They are from one line of fabric, which makes it nice when you are trying to coordinate your colors. I am planning on making a quilt with the three yellow ones. I will have to post about that later, because I have plans for other things first. The cute little rolls of fabric are called "jelly rolls" and contain 2 1/2" strips of all fabrics in a line of fabric. The pre-cut fabric makes it easy to assemble certain projects that might require cutting fabric into strips. The yardage was just a good deal. I'm not sure what will come from that, but SOMETHING for sure!I even bought me some Christmas fabric after the holidays when it was pretty inexpensive. Yay for me!!

But THIS is the first thing on my list of things to start...a table runner I promised Connie. It will be my first table runner that I have made. The colors will match Connie's newly-painted kitchen and are very rich in color. All I need is to find a pattern that will use both squares and strips so that I have little cutting to do.
I have also been stitching this block and got it finished in a couple of days. It is part of a Christmas quilt (I have changed THAT up a bit with pinks and greens instead) that comes a month at a time. Meaning a new block pattern every month to stitch up, which will be nice when I am working on other projects. I will be using the different fabrics for different blocks. This is a free pattern that I got from another blog.
So there you have it...the latest things that keep me busy.