FWQAL Week 5

When I first started this I was being really confident with adding colors together. As I go along, I'm becoming more predicable. Like this one here. In my mind I thought the colors would pop. Reality is it all blends together. I thought about pulling it apart and starting over. I just didn't have the desire, maybe later.

Block 32- Farmer's Daughter

Now this block could be one of my favorites. I think that I'm just drawn to the orange. How could someone not be happy around a color like that?

Block 28- Cut glass dish

Because I missed last week I decided to make 4 blocks this week.

Block 20- Churn Dash

Do you see what I see? It's a mistake. Two of the birds are flying the wrong direction. Must have forgotten something. Maybe I'll tear it apart one day or keep it just for honesty and giggles.

Block 7- Birds in the Air

Sometimes it hard to see how something will come together, especially  since I am trying to break out of my traditional color pattern. I tested all of the blocks out together on the design door. It gave me a lot more confidence to see it this way. What do you think?

A fan

I admit it, I am a Bonnie Hunter fan. I love that she uses every bit, and thinks of quilting green. Back in April, I had the opportunity to see one of her quilt trunk shows. If I wasn't in awe before, I especially was then.

Sorry about the picture quality. I have never gone to see a guest speaker before. Let alone one that I really like. I didn't know if people took camera's or not, and how the person would feel about it. So I ended up taking pictures with my phone. While trying not to look like a following crazy fan.

She was absolutely wonderful to meet. I so wish that I could have attended the workshop the next day. But I was two weeks away from finals. So I could only do the evening quilt show. It was enough to have me addicted. Although I don't think that I would jump to do the one she has shown.  

Anyway while I was there I ended up buying her new book. Because after seeing the Rectangle Wrangle in person, I knew I had to make one. Our 16 year old had asked me to make him a quilt and this would fit the bill. After many hours, I'm still a devote fan. But I'm not sure I want to do this quilt again. I made it without the border because he only has a full size bed, I knew he didn't want stars, and to  just throw borders on it seemed out of place.

With the top done, I'm now ready to get started on quilting it. Thanks for the inspiration Bonnie, your awesome! from a shameless fan, aka me.

Garden update

I missed blogging last week, seems there just wasn't enough hours in the day. I wish that I could say that everything was eating icecream and enjoying the summer. But it was alot more like running around to doctor's appointments, and trying to keep up with all the normal activities.

Somewhere in all of that madness I was able to spend some time out in the garden. While I was there I found the start of this cantalope, and a few cucumbers. No matter how old I get it still amazing to watch vegetables grow, vs. just picking them up off the grocery store shelfs.

Since then we have been eating the cucumbers with lunch & dinner. It's just a simple sugar, vinegar, water, and cucumber mixture.

Not only does it look great, but thanks to a friend I finally have a use for these gallon size canning gars I bought years ago.

Week 3- FWQAL

This week seems to have flown by. Suppose that happens when you’re having fun, or installing ceiling fans. But really I can't believe its Friday all ready when did that sneak up. This week late last night, I did manage to get done two of my blocks for the farmer's wife quilt along. This week with things being busy, I am thankful for the quilt along to keep me on track. Sometimes it's good to be accountable to someone or something. The group over at Flicker is now 327 strong, Wow!


A big Thanks goes to Happy Zombie, for a blog button.

As for this time I used some fabric in my stash that seemed to go along with the color scheme. I'm not really sure if it is part of a collection or not. Just that for my purposes, it works. Today that's all that matters.

Block 72- Railroad

I also tried a more complicated block, something that I needed to print a new template for. Let me just say that these little half squares are only an inch and a half. I think this was my first experiment with teeny.

Block 38- Four Winds

As for the weekend, I have so much more I want to accomplish. There is quilting, lawn mowing, sewing, fishing with boys, quilting, laundry, sewing...maybe a drive in movie with friends? And we can't really forget that it's Father's Day this weekend. What are your weekend plans?

No Summer Worries

Before summer even started I was worried. Why? Because I have a special needs teenager. As if typical teenagers aren't difficult enough. Having one with special needs is interesting, And I was worried that there wouldn't be enough to keep him happy and occupied. But we have been having a wonderful time, and so far I haven't rushed to go replace the broken wii.

Today we went to the park and flew a kite. While hanging out with friends.

When we went to a friends house, we found out she has a tricycle. So he had his first opportunity to ride a bike on his own. Now we are adding this to the wish list of things to buy for him. Let me just say a bike like this is expensive to buy. As a parent I wonder if he would still enjoy this as much if it was at our house. Because the toy you always have access to, is sometimes the one you ignore.

Of course we have also spent time at the pool. But most importantly, one thing that we have done together is sew :)  

Sew as far as summer goes, there was no need to worry. At least not yet!

Week 2 - FWQAL

On Wednesday Angela from Fussy Cuts blogged about week two of the FWQAL, you can find her post here. We talked by email and she was absolutely wonderful  and welcoming about joining in with the group. No standing on the sidelines of the playground with this.

So with her lead I'm following up to show you what I have done this week.  I was able to make three blocks, your really only asked to do two. But sometimes you just have to go with it.

Block 9- Box

In case you notice, the center square is pieced. I started this using a charm pack, and I'm trying to use and stretch every little bit.

Block 21- Contrary Wife

I've been working through based on the templates that I allready have printed out. That is the one issue that has frustrated me up to this point. Each template is on a seperate piece of paper, so 116 templates/pages. This seems like such a waste of paper. Surely there must be a better way. I'm putting figuring that out on my to do list.

Block 41- Friendship Star

  Seeing how I started all of this with two charm packs. I am definately going to need to order more. Now comes the hard decision. Do I stay with these two fabric lines or should I go completely scrapy and add more and different bright fabrics?

For now it's time for a refreshing glass of iced tea, and a lawn chair. May you have a fabulous weekend.

Hauling Water

We are right in the middle where the budget always seems tight. Could be that we have hungry teenagers? So gardening seems like a great way to boost the budget and the tummy's. Not to mention that I know how the food is cared for when it comes from my yard.

We are also right where the township water ends. So we are officially on the town water, yet we still have the houses stone dug well. So each summer day, we go out to pump water. It's a bit of work but it's free. It is also the coldest, most refreshing water, that is also great for water battles.

Then we haul the water to the garden, dump and repeat.

It builds a whole new appreciation for having running water in the house.

In the knick of time

For the past couple of weeks I have been working on a quilt for my son. Even though I really, really wanted to make him a quilt. I was struggling with the fact that I put the things I wanted to do on hold. Typical mom situation right.

Block 1-Attic Windows

I wasn't working on the quilt blocks that I promised myself. I had stalled out and started something new, and there was some serious guilt there. I mean after all you would think that I would be able to at least manage a block or two, they finish small. Why not fit in that little thing for me?

Block 2- Autumn Tints

But just when I needed it, blogging came to my rescue with a Quilt Along. Check out more here: Farmer's Wife QAL The best part is that I found it while still in the first week, which means for once I'm ahead of the game, okay, okay!  maybe just on time- remember I'm just a human behind this computer screen.

Block 16- Calico Puzzle

Block 34- Flock

So here is what I have at this point, 9 blocks made out of Deb Strain's fabric "Fresh Flowers" and Riley Blakes fabric.

Block 35- Flower Basket (still needs a handle)

I also have added a list to my sidebar. So when I get one completed. I'll add it there too.

Block 39 - Friendship

Block 61- Northern Lights

Block 62- Old Windmill

Anyway it has given me a renewed sense of vigor, pisazzz, pop! Wish me luck! or better yet, come join in too.

Block 102- Whirlpool
I may go back and fix that one triangle point.