Sister's Choice Quilts

This is Fun!

Just a quickie post today because I have to organize things for Grandpa.

Before leaving town to take him to the doctor, I scrambled to finish up one block from the 2011 Designer Mystery BOM, and am so glad I made the effort.   These blocks are fun.  And big too, so they go fast.

In fact, I got so carried away, I got down the Simply Sophisticated BOM as well.   Before responsibilities called me away, I got the units completed for SIX filler blocks!

Woo Hoo!  If you haven't gotten on Pink Pincushion's BOM Rehab bandwagon, give it a thought.  Let's join forces and encourage each other to finish up something!

Mixed Bag

My Easter weekend surely was a mixed bag.  On the one hand, we had glorious weather.  On the other, everything that could go wrong seemed to do that.

This was supposed to be the big weekend to move Grandpa into a little cottage on the nearby golf course.  He got through the day just fine, but when he was getting out of the truck at the final destination, he did something to his knee and has not been able to walk since.  Today we will get him to the doctor for xrays to see what he did to himself.  This is a disaster because I cannot lift him and my husband works out of town during the week.  I have a feeling Grandpa  may be going into a rehab center until he can walk again.  What a shame!  He hasn't even set foot into his new house!  I was there for awhile yesterday afternoon, directing the movers on where to place furniture and I know he will love the place once he gets into it.  His windows and back porch look out onto the golf course where one can watch both herds of deer and golfers enjoying themselves.

What little sewing I did took place during Eva's naps on Friday.

I am pretty happy with these Winding Ways blocks!  It takes me about 20 minutes to construct one.  Just look at the secondary circular pattern.  That is just so cool!

Here is something else I am planning on joining in on.  Sinta over at Pink Pincushion is hosting a BOM Rehab group.  Do I ever need that!  The idea is that the participants pick one of their BOMs that is sitting around gathering dust and make one block per week, and post about it on Mondays.  I have several BOMs to choose from (hangs head in shame).  In fact, have I ever finished a BOM?  "Why, I can't recall", she says, not making eye contact. 

Which one to choose?

Why yes, how about that one?

Rediscovery

Rummaging around in my studio has its advantages.  I remember how excited I was when I started this project over a year ago.  I love a two color quilt, and the curved piecing is just the sort of gentle challenge that I enjoy.  This quilt pattern is called Winding Ways, and has a super cool secondary circular pattern that shows up when you put the blocks together.

When I rediscovered the project box containing the few blocks I had made, my heart started beating just a little bit faster.  I pulled it out, sat down, and before I knew it, had made several more blocks.  These are really fun to put together!  Moving house and setting up my studio took me away from my projects for way too long.  What a happy thought that now I can get back to finishing up these blocks into a quilt.

Back in February 2011, I used the Marti Michell Winding Ways templates to cut out my pieces.  I love her acrylic templates, because you can just use your rotary cutter and cut around them.  Of course, if you have one of those "Go" cutter things, that works great too.  I still haven't climbed on that band wagon however.

There is  book I am referring to for my block construction method.  It is called Winding Ways Quilts by Nancy Elliot MacDonald.  Once you get a couple of the blocks under your belt, the method is truly "practically pinless" as the author claims.  Each and every block went together like a dream.  Do not be afraid of curved piecing.  Just try it.  After a couple of practice blocks it comes easily.

How wonderful it is to be organized again, and especially to be able to find my books and supplies as I need them.  All my pieces are already cut out and arranged together in the project box, and it was just a matter of moments to pull the book out of the bookcase, sit down, refer to Nancy's diagrams and start stitching.

Now, if I could only remember how big I was planning to make this quilt...

Hanging Out In the Studio

What a lovely day I had yesterday.  I hung out in my studio a good part of the day, puttering with this and that.  No deadlines, no pressures, just futzing with whatever my heart led me to do.

Since I am working on my Fig Tree Dresden Plates, I decided I needed a thread catcher to match my project.

I am kidding, sort of.  My other thread catcher lives up in the house next to my embroidery work, and I have been wanting one down in the studio next to my sewing machine.  I grabbed a layer cake of "Fresh Cotton" and pulled out two coordinating 10" squares and whipped up this little thread catcher in about 15 minutes.  Gosh those things are quick.  This time I left out the fusible interfacing, and to tell you the truth, it doesn't seem to make any difference if it is in there or not.  If you haven't gotten around to making one of these for every gal in your sewing group, you should consider it.  Here is a link to three tutorials, including mine.

I only constructed two more Dresden Plates, but sure do like looking at how cute they are.  These could become seriously addictive.  There are my Granny Squares smiling down at me from the design wall as well.  Those things make me happy!  Right now I am so in the mood for feminine, springy colors.

Oh, and here is an apparatus that I am currently enjoying very much.  It is a thread holder.

It was sent to me by a very thoughtful friend, and I have really been appreciating both its beauty and its functionality.  Here is another picture of it, without any thread strung through it.

This is made by Paul's Metal Petals.   The cone thread holder is such a stable way to hold your thread while you piece or machine quilt.  The thinner spindle on the right can be used to stack extra bobbins.  A very decorative and extremely practical addition to any sewing table!!

Back to Work!

Ok, enough goofing around, shopping at the mall, and gazing vacantly into space.  Time to get back to sewing!

I have the day off for the most part today, and plan to put together some Dresden Plates.  I love these pretty Fig Tree fabrics, and know my finished top will be so summery and vintagey. 

Other things on my list to get back to are Farmer's Wife, Granny Squares, quilting my T is for Thelma Schnibbles, and making a dozen or more little zippy bags for my son in law's new wine tasting room.  He has said he would like to have some "boutiquey" items for sale in the shop, and my zippy bags fit the bill!  So excited about that!

So, as you see, I have plenty to do and hope to show some results to you all next time I post!

Can't help sharing this picture of some ground cover that popped up in my back yard:

No clue what it is, but it seems pretty common in my area.  Couldn't you just dive into it?

And look!  They're ba-ack!

 

Book and Ruler Winners

Happy Monday everyone!  I am happy to announce the names of the winners of my little giveaway in honor of Monique Dillard's new book "Tradtional Fat Quarter Quilts".  Paula Zumaris has won the book, and Michelle of Island Life Quilts has won a ruler.  Congratulations girls!  Please let me know your mailing addresses and your prizes will be on their way to you.