Crises Averted

My quarter-seam foot broke.  Of course it happens when Don wasn't around. I tried using a masking tape mark, but it was more trouble than it was worth.  I kind of eye-balled seams  for a week, but finally gave up and researched. For less than twenty bucks I ordered a replacement....and 

we all will live ' happily ever after '..... 

Passion 48 Hour 9, 10, 11

Three hours it took to piece the squares into a  quilt center.

The outer borders will be added after I have completed the applique.  Looking at this quilt "in the making".... I tell myself there is a two color quilt in my future.

I always think about it but kind of feel I would get bored before finishing it.  Looking at this I tell myself it would be worth the fortitude to finish the project. I tried getting creative with the photos -- but the one thing about sunny winter days in the U.P.---- wind chills get rough.

Here are the fabric colors for the applique.

They are a little different than the pattern picture.  Muted tones work better in my home and I plan on using this quilt for years to come. I hope to get the applique pieces cut out today.

 The designer machine appliqued hers --- I'm still kicking around how I will pull mine together.

It's sunny and 3 degrees right now heading for a high of 19. I'm not going to complain-- it could be worse...and has been.

Three Snow Storms.....

Some snapshots from Facebook reminding me that Storms do pass...

Sunny Morning on the porch after another 6 inch dumping of snow the night before. We had 3 storms in 9 days.

Ripley's eyes say it all...

And we're off to make new trails....

Coming back in to finish the last of a gift from Don... He picked it up for me a couple of months ago in the Minneapolis Airport...

Nice to be thought of.....

Passion 48 - Hour 5,6,7,8

I think it's kind of like the old adage -- " How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll Center of a Tootsie Pop????"

I'm finding it hard to stop after an hour...I think I may have even cheated and worked more than that one hour a week.  But the important thing is that I'm recording the exact time it takes to piece this baby.  The blocks are made ---- now to piece them into a quilt.

Passion 48 Hour 5

Passion 48 Hour 6

Passion 48 Hour 7

Passion 48 Hour 8

A Quilt Makes the Difference....

The days are gradually getting longer.  Early sunrises, later sunsets means more walks for Ripley.  I've adapted to walking in 7-degree temps... that's my low as long as there is no wind.  Here's a photo opt before a snow storm is suppose to hit this evening.

A Quilt changes everything....

Introducing --- Gypsy.  

I kind of break out in cold sweats thinking about quilting it. I pressed all the seams open with the hopes that it makes for easier machine quilting.

Don't let anyone talk you out of that quilt you want to make....

Work In Progress ---

From the eyes of a quilter....

Draped over a kitchen chair, I just stand back and look at this.  I have 3 sets of borders to attach yet, but I'm so glad I didn't give up on this.  I went together so easily.  Just wait until it's finished.

Quilt Blocks....and Confidence.

Yesterday I was chatting with a friend about Paper Bag Piecing.  You know--- placing all of your blocks into a brown paper bag.  You close it tight and shake  the pieces good.

When you start piecing the quilt together, close your eyes and choose a block from the bag.   What you choose  is what you get--- The process creates a great way for randomizing.

Ask me my favorite blocks.  Anytime I can rattle them off one after the other:
Northwind
Pinwheel
Flying Geese
Granny Squares

Last year around this time I made Pinwheels --- over 300 of them.  I cutup jelly rolls with a cardboard template resembling Thangles.  I'm not a Thangles Girls.  I'm no good at removing the papers after stitching.
I chain pieced block after block.  One Sunday I grabbed my Bible for church and four blocks to share my progress with a friend at church. Yes-- I pray better with quilt blocks in my hands.

I got to church and showed the four pinwheels while sitting in a pew. She wasn't even a quilter.  She immediately was critical of seams, size comparison  and even added a comment, " You'll have to make a potholder or something with these.  They'll never work in a quilt."

I was devastated.  Suddenly every block was ugly.  Looking back now-- I realize why I gave up on this project and how silly it all was.

My confidence was stronger than her criticism.  So then  I decided that finishing the project was important. This morning  I started sewing with almost a defiant attitude.

Never let anyone talk you out of making that quilt you are dreaming about.

  They're not worth it.....

and the quilts are....

Gathering Baskets...My Obsession

What started out as a self-imposed "Block-A-Month" program, became my obsession--- I give you-

Gathering Baskets

The wind was  blowing.  The quilt has threads and wrinkles.  The temperature warmed up to 10 below and the sunlight was perfect. I couldn't wait any longer for a picture.  My snow boots got snow in them.  The snow I wading through was over 18 inches -- because I measured it.  This quilt is big-- something like 80 by 86.  The clothes line wasn't high enough, so it lays on top of the snow.  Before I finished taking snapshots---my ankles were a little numb.  Didn't matter.  I was having too much fun.

  I'm hoping to begin quilting today.

Here are the thread colors I'll use.  I saw pictures of this quilt when Lynda Hall displayed it on-line.  I saw more as it popped up on Pinterest.  I saw it once in person at Primitive Gatherings .

I never loved it any less.  My mom always said the best way to keep you from wanting that new dress was to try it on.   I guess it doesn't work for quilts...  Because when you see it in person you still can't get it out of your head.

Lynda talks about the freedom of using scraps -- I gotta be honest, the scrappiness almost bothered me at some points thinking, "this is never going to work...'  But somehow it all comes together.  I can't wait to stitch on the binding...(insert wink here).

Passion 48 - Hour 4 Not a Stitch taken...

Last week's work, the time an entire hour spent pressing the flying geese units down.   I'll say it again...this is the perfect project for me to tackle in small bites because I could  easily catch myself dreaming about that next quilt before I finish the project.

Life on the home front is well. My Chelsey turned 24 this week. The temps seem to be warming to the teens daily.  Ripley and I manage a snowshoe run every day, but we leave Bruno home.