From Toes In the Sand to Storm At Sea

Here is row one of the Toes In the Sand quilt. I went with the light gray instead of white in the background. Now that I have a row together, I realize the quilt reminds me more of a stormy gray sea, so I think I'll rename my quilt to Storm At Sea.

This first row went together quickly, so I don't think I'll have a problem finishing the top up this morning. I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon, then I may have to go into the hospital for a few days, which is a bummer since I'm SO in the mood to sew!

I'll post a pic if I'm able to before I have to go to Bismarck.

I think it's going to be a beauty when I finish!

Have a quilty day!

Design Wall Monday, December 16, 2013

On my design wall this morning are some of the blocks from my Toes In the Sand quilt.

They are in no particular order, I just wanted to see them up.

But, here is the layout that I think I'll go with for quilt 1.

I was able to make at least one, usually two extra blocks with each month's fabric, so I have several extra blocks and still two months to go for the BOM (block of the month). So, I think I'll have enough blocks to make two of these quilts: keep one, and donate one.

The next decision is what to put for the setting triangles. Should I use white or light gray?

I won't really have a lot of time this week, so I don't anticipate getting much done. Make sure you check out what everyone else is up to at Judy's blog.

Have a quilty day!

What To Do For Entertainment On a Friday Night

When you live in rural North Dakota, there's not so much to do on a Friday night unless you want to travel a bit. But, we find our own things to do.

Usually, that means Olivia holed up in her bedroom on Pinterest or Instagram, the other kiddos playing with toys, Dana watching TV, and me hanging out on the computer, or sewing.

This Friday, though, my hubby had an idea to work on a puzzle...and it was a hit.

A rare spontaneous smile from my 13 year old.

Caesar and Joey watching.

Blocks Finished For Toes in the Sand

I've finished a few more blocks for my Toes In the Sand quilt. They're coming along fairly quickly.

I'm about halfway through with the blocks.

What have you been working on? I have to get a move-on because I have surgery next week and I may not be able to sew for a few days after I get home.

Hope you all have a quilty day!

Toes in the Sand

Last night I decided to resume working on a BOM (block of the month) that I began this year and hadn't worked on since Month 2.

The quilt is called Toes in the Sand, and it's SO pretty! I am into triangles for some reason, and this quilt is full of triangles.

When I first got the book, I actually finished the blocks out of my own stash. I used purple and orange batiks. I'll find those today and try to get some pictures up. I'm having a hard time finding a background that I like.

The quilt I'm working on now will look almost exactly like the picture.

I have to take the kiddos to Bismarck this afternoon to see the orthodontist. It's SO cold out there, but it's supposed to be warming up. Here's hoping!

I should be able to work on Block 3 a little this morning while the kids are working on school. I'm working on helping them to become more independent.

Hope you have a quilty day!

Design Wall - December 9, 2013

On my design wall this morning is the Festive Frostings flimsy before the borders.

I'm pretty excited. I knew that it would go quickly once the blocks were finished, and it did.

Now, there are three borders and I'll have the flimsy finished. I hope to have that done by later this week. I am in Bismarck today and also tomorrow afternoon.

It's still bitterly cold here, and I worry about getting stranded on the road with the kiddos, but I know that God is my co-pilot, so I know we'll be OK.

Make sure that you check out Judy's blog to see what everyone else is up to.

Have a quilty day!

Confession and Tutorial

Well, ladies. I confess that I've been adding to my stash like mad. I haven't been keeping track, but to give you an idea, I went to a shop close-out and my good friend, Kari had a half-price sale on November 30th. Naughty, naughty!

But, I am looking forward to next year as I have dozens of quilts planned from my stash.

So, I guess I'll just share something with you that you probably know, but maybe beginners wouldn't.

It all started with these nasty spots from my nasty starch covered ironing board. :-(

First step is to rip out a portion of that row.

Next, you will rip out the nasty spot block.

Sew the new block onto the second rip out.

Then, sew the first line you ripped out.

Now, you have a new block in place of the nasty spotted one.

Make sure that you check out Judy's blog to see how everyone else is using up (or adding to) their stash.

Little Stars Are SO Cute!

I finished one of the little stars. I just couldn't go to sleep without doing it.

Isn't it cute? Only 11 more to go.

Big Stars Finished!

The big stars are finished!

Tomorrow morning is my 4-H group. They are SO fun, I can't wait. We weren't able to meet last month because of some health problems, but tomorrow, we're golden. It's just going to be cold, Cold, COLD!

I'm going to start the small stars this evening and hopefully finish them up tomorrow.

Another Post!

Just letting you know I'm still here! It's BITTERLY cold outside. The ambient temperature is below zero and any wind drives the chill factor far, far below zero. My hubby is working in the shop and trying to stay out of the cold, but the cows don't want to be out in it, either and they're making a beline for any shelter they can find, so they have to be chased back to where they belong.

I'm still working on Festive Frostings. It's coming along.

I wish you could see the fabric. It is SO beautiful. Gold on gold and silver on silver with a metallic sheen.

I'm hoping to get these large stars done today and start working on the small stars. Then, I'll be able to put them all together and I think the quilt will go together pretty quickly from that point.

My kiddos finished school this morning, and now their at grandma's making reindeer cookies. It's nice to have grandparents near. I wish my mom was closer! I MISS her!

Hope you're all having a quilty day! Stay warm if it's cold where you are!

The Prodigal Blogger Returns?

Well, we'll see, I guess. I have every intention of returning for good. I've been busy; periods of piecing and quilting and long periods of dryness. I've been homeschooling and also I've had some health problems.

But, enough about me. There's no way to catch you up, so I'll just start from where I am.

And right now, I'm working on a quilt called Festive Frostings.

You can't really tell from this photo, but the quilt is STUNNING in real life.

Here are a couple of the blocks that I have finished.

I hope to put in some photos of the quilts that I've been working on, so stay tuned. It's nice to be back (I hope!).