Tuesday, May 29, 2012

A Little Porch Time- Show me your block!

Hello! You know as we keep adding blocks this will look more exciting! Here's my first block. I'm looking forward to seeing yours! Add the link to your specific blog post. If you do not have a blog send me the photo and I'll link it up.

We'll do the zinnia with nine patch blocks next. There is a correction on this block. In the book where it says sew a strip 7 3/4"x 21" to each side- this should read 7 3/4" x 21 1/2"
also:
Below the diagram it says cut a strip of background 2 1/4"x24". This should read 1 3/4" x24"

Monday, May 28, 2012

Playing....

Now I'm playing catch up, but I've been playing!! I mentioned I was taking vacation. I won't bore you with too many photos but we did have a wonderful refreshing time.

Hubby and I dressed for elegant night on our cruise.


Continuing the birthday celebration.

Just a casual moment on the ship.

Went sailing with Captain Jack Sparrow! lol

Kayaking in awesome waters.

Spent the day at Cane Garden Bay (listen to Jimmy Buffet's Manana song)

Taste tested the local brews...

Stimulated the economy.


My mail was picked up and I have yet to go through it. It looks like I received more quilt blocks. I'll post them soon. Missed ya'll!!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Two Color

 Look at this fabulous applique initial!! Brandie sent it for my birthday. Isn't that the sweetest?! And in that lovely cheddar color I'm so fond of. Thank you!
I also received this wonderful book by Edyta Sitar. Edyta is such a talented quilter and this book shows it. Thank you Kat!!
Here's this months Just Takes Two blocks. Up until today I have not had a printing problem, but for some reason my 2 little blocks measured 6x 6.5 instead of 6.5" square. Aargh! The sampler will be busy enough to disguise a few added strips, so that is what I did.

I finished the house block of A Little Porch Time. Finish it up and we'll plan on seeing them all at the end of the month!!

I'm signing off until after Memorial Day. Love to you all!!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Birthday Blocks

Here's a closer look at the awesome table runner Sharon made for me. She will be 50 next month!! 

I had several people who asked to see the blocks all spread out. So far there are 87!!  I think you should be able to click on the photo to enlarge.




Thank you again!! This is also going to be called my Jubilee quilt.

I decided to have a celebration of some sort every month that I am 50. I'm already looking forward to June!! Jill and Susan are you ready for me?

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Speechless...

My 50th birthday will certainly be one to remember!!


Karen B sent this wonderful personalized quilt! I am so happy that I was able to meet her last year. She is a special woman.I love everything about this quilt! Thank you Karen!!
I usually get one or two gifts. The excitement has been building as these have come in from all over!!
Amazing gifts!! My quilty friends are so thoughtful! I opened my gifts with four men...they really didn't get it! lol Handmade soap, fabric, table runner,quilt book, (not shown since I brought it to bed to read  last night!)  blocks....nope they didn't get it. Amazing. Thank you so much dear friends!!
Little quilt blocks from all over the world! Sent to my friend Randy for my Jubilee birthday. After I opened gifts I sat down and looked carefully at each one, reading the little cards and notes and treasuring the names written. Such sweet blocks that will make the most memorable quilt!! If you'd like to be a part of this and weren't contacted by Randy or Janet, I'd love for you to be a part of my 50th birthday celebration quilt. Let me know and I'll send you my address. It isn't because I need more blocks, but I know I've found out later about something wonderful that I wanted to be a part of and feel jipped because I didn't get asked.
Love and hugs to each one of you. Ever since starting to blog and just being online in the "old days" I've had the privilege to meet many wonderful people who I call my friends. And even if I don't get a chance to meet you it is amazing what a wonderful friendship can be made online and through the written word. Thank you all who had a part in making my birthday celebration fantastic!!

I'll be writing later this week about my half marathon! It was wonderful!!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Here's my Just Takes 2 blocks for May 1.
 And here is my not-so-creative challenge block!! It's a little lonesome looking but it will look great with the other challenge blocks.

Almost 1/2 through hand quilting the third block of Beyond the Cherry Tree. Once I'm done with the motifs and outling the applique I will do some sort of overall quilt pattern.

For those of you joining in how are you coming on your A Little Porch Time house block? I've got the windows and the star left and that is all. I'm excited to see everyone's blocks at the end of the month!!





Monday, May 7, 2012

Git Along Little Doggies!

At least the tops are finished for now!!
They will have some wonderful pieced backs with the leftover cowboy fabric. Thank you again for sending the wonderful cowboy quilt. I'm sure both quilts will be a huge hit!!

Friday, May 4, 2012

Not a Cowboy Quilt

The cowboy quilt got nixed for my Jubilee Quilt. It's been hanging on my design wall, and you know what? I'm not a designer. The darn center could have sat there until I was jubilee X2 and would never have made it into a quilt. So I thought I'd jump in with two feet.
The worse thing that could happen is that it turns out funky, weird, dumb, unbalanced. Hey! It wouldn't be the first time for me, or the first time in history.
Playing around with a basket in the corner. My spiky border is so short now! I'm considering putting the spikes on one or two sides and the zig zag (that I made some time ago) on the other borders.
Definitely going to need something more in this corner. But this is staying. I'll just keep adding stuff. lol
My initials and the date will go somewhere, just don't know where yet.

Have a fantastic weekend! I must get the borders on the cowboy quilts!!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Prim Quilts

Hi friends! I just wanted to do a quick post and let you know that if you order a subscription to this magazine and mention my name in the comment section you'll get an extra issue!!
What are you waiting for???? Click below.

Primitive Quilts and Projects


PS Will be back tomorrow to show you both cowboy quilt tops!!! Finally....

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative

I've got several things I want to share today all revolving around AAQI.

Here's my latest AAQI quilt. I'll send it as soon as I get permission from the designer, Susan Briscoe. Sue from I Sew Quilts UK gave me a wonderful book (Japanese Taupe Quilt Blocks)  when we met in NYC last year. My little quilt is anything but taupe, but it reminded me of windows that can see a little here and a little there, but unable to see the full view from a big window. This reminds me of my mom's view of her world. Only last week we (my siblings and I)  have made the decision to move her into an assisted living facility. When the time comes they also have an Alzheimer's Unit that will be easy to transition to. The change will be very difficult, but in the long run it will be better for her. I've been busy dealing with a lot of the things that will need to be set up in order to make this happen. Hopefully everything will be in order, so when I go on vacation I won't have to think about it until I return. We are planning on shit hitting the fan pretty good when my mom finds out, so hopefully I'll be able to go to my happy place and not take it personal. I'm hoping to bring some of the relaxed vacation mode back with me!! (excuse my bluntness!) lol

Next: I've committed to raising $1000 for AAQI with their $1000 promise. I'm not officially on the list yet, but these things take time as this organization is all run by volunteers!! 

Next: I loved this! A thank you letter from Dr. Domenico Praticò, Professor of Pharmacology at Temple University in response to receiving a research grant from the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative.

May quilts are up for auction right now! Bid generously. We can all make a difference, one quilt at a time! Check out this video! AAQI has raised over $730,000!!!