2006- It was a very good year

2006 WAS a very good year...at least for me it was. I was making friends online with girls from all over and I was participating in a lot of block swaps online. I decided to hostess a centralized swap of red and white blocks, 9.5 inches unfinished. Between the 6 of us we picked our favorite blocks and did a different one each month. ALL the girls were excited to make the blocks but I guess our excitement didn't carry over into actually assembling the blocks....but then again, how many girls really make and assemble right away?

So, since 2012 is going to be one of those years where I am going to try and ASSEMBLE not BUY AND HOARD, I pulled out the bin of blocks, rounded up some loose fabric and voile! In less than a week I had 10 months worth of the blocks assembled into a quilt top !

It's all ready for quilting...once I get the backing.

On another note, our puppy has reached the running off with my slippers stage as well as chewing on everything in site stage. We made an appointment for Bark Busters to come out and evaluate the situation and set up some training for us.... They were here promptly at noon and after an hour and a half our Luna was sufficiently "tired" of being trained but that didn't stop us, we kept on going. After he left we found her peeking out from behind the couch kind of saying "is he gone yet?" To which I replied "yes he's gone, but he'll be back in 2 weeks-so don't even get comfy......" LOL

I hope what we learned will make for a happier home environment!!!

QSQA

Month 2 of "Jo's Country Junction" Quilt Square Quilt Along" block, Bear Paw is finished.

Jo was not kidding when she said this block was "labor intensive". The gold half square triangles finished up 1-1/2 inches which tested my trimming patience! BUT, I continued along and assembled the block and am thrilled with how it looks.

Now to set it aside with January's block and move onto something else.

This has been a very productive weekend for me :)

Step 1

I finished Step 1 of my Mystery Quilt. This picture doesn't do my fabrics justice but trust me, this is going to be a gorgeous quilt!

Now to set it aside for next month's clue.

It's a Mystery

Do you like doing mystery quilts? For the most part I don't, but I couldn't help myself this time.

Michelle is doing a mystery with her guild and invited me to join in, and after NOT doing "Orca Bay" this winter with Bonnie Hunter, I decided I had to do it. Last Friday when Michelle and Robin came to town for a visit we went to Quilting Possibilities, Michelle and I bought the yardage for ours. Robin had a focus fabric at home and is buying her other 2 fabrics this weekend.

I carried the dark fabric around with me trying to find 2 others that I thought looked ok with it. I finally settled on the light one and Michelle found the bottom one which is a batik.

I have step 1 cut and with luck I can start sewing it up today.

I'll be back with an update later...........................

Quilt Square Quilt Along Reveal

Have you been over to Jo's Country Junction http://www.joscountryjunction.com/

to link up and show your block picture? The girls have done a great job making their blocks and there is such a variety!!!

So, what are you waiting for? Get your linky on your blog and go show your picture for a chance to win some great prizes!!!

Oh, and while you're there, you can see which block is next!!!

Peggy

NYC Trip

Today was Part II of hubbys and mine birthday/Christmas presents from our son. He got "Rock of Ages" tickets, which we went to back in late December and today we headed back into NYC for my show.

Before heading into NY you have to travel thru Union City NJ which happens to be touted as the "Embroidery Capital of the World since 1872".
There is a banner hanging above the highway that announces it!!! I tried to get a picture but it's impossible with a cell phone to zoom in close enough. There are plenty of pictures of it though on the internet....

Look at the entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel!! Have you ever seen it this empty? I sure haven't!!!

After parking our car we started walking around to decide where we wanted to eat lunch.
Only in NYC will you see a life size frog playing a musical instrument and a gorilla!!! There was an entire store on 8th avenue that just sells these types of statues with luggage....go figure!

We didn't want any "fast food or chain food" so we picked the "Playwright Irish Pub" on 35th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue. The menu looked good and after being invited inside by a nice "Irish" man holding a cup of steaming soup, we ventured in.... They did not disappoint with their food.

I had a burger with irish bacon, cheddar cheese and red onion that was out of this world!!! Hubby had a couple of beers and a chicken sandwich and fries. And when I tell you we cleaned our plates...I mean we ATE!!! I would recomend this pub very highly!

We did a little wandering around before heading over to the Ambassador Theatre to see "Chicago". That too was a great show. The music, dancing and story was so much fun!!!

We have been very lucky with our last 2 outings into the city.....the weather was clear and gorgeous so you didn't mind wandering around looking at the old architecture and just people watching.







Here's just a couple of pictures of the high buildings, an old apartment building (that I sooooo think I could live in. It's just gorgeous)

and the last picture is of a Yankee store. I thought hubby was looking in the window....I have NO idea what he's staring off looking at but he did enjoy all the goodies inside the store!

Binding, Binding, Binding

Here's a picture of my 3 quilts that I need to bind......

Of course, I need to do the princess one on top but that binding isn't made LOL The middle one has the binding ready and the bottom one has the fabric picked and set aside but not made...

Guess while the girls are still traveling that I should get the princess fabric cut and on the quilt!

BFF Visit

Today I was lucky enough to spend the day with 2 of my best friends Robin and Michelle. Robin was up at some ungodly hour like 4:30 to come to NJ and although I forgot to ask Michelle what time she got up, she was at my house at 9am so with a 3 hour drive, I'm sure she was up around the same time as Robin.....but as they will both attest, we'd get up at any time for a visit with the girls.

The day started with some Show N Tell. In November I'd brought 3 quilts down to Michelle's house so today she brought them back for me. She does an AWESOME job quilting!!! One is a baby quilt for a girl my niece goes to school with, one is a wedding present for whenever my son and his fiance set the date, and the other is a top I started at retreat in May of 2011 called "Chain of Faith" and really doesn't have a recipient in mind. I just liked the pattern, LOVED the fabric and wanted to make it :)

After I saw my tops, Michelle gave Robin her "My Blue Heaven" quilt that she'd done for her....again, another AWESOME job!

At that point it was almost 10:00 so off we went to my local quilt shop, "Quilting Possibilities".

We started off slow....each of us only carrying a few fat quarters around but we eventually picked up some steam and started piling a few things up.

I got some yardage to do a 3 month mystery quilt project with both girls that Michelle is hostessing with her guild.

By the time we piled fabric all over the store and then paid, it was lunch time. We went to a local place called "Via Napoli" for some penne ala vodka and cheesesteaks.....YUM!

I will take some pictures of my haul probably with a new post when we start the mystery.

We topped the day off with chocolate chip cookies that Michelle brought and some brownies that my daughter made for me to serve......

We had a great day and we're hoping that in March, or sooner, we'll be able to get together again....

Thanks for coming girls...........I miss you already!!!

Peggy

I'm Having Some Company

Yes ladies and gentlemen, I'm having some company tomorrow and I'm so excited!! 2 of my BFF's are coming to NJ to have lunch, go to my local quilt shop, talk, laugh and shop :)

This is a picture of us last year at Michelle's house down in Delaware.

I'll try and get a newer picture of us tomorrow when we visit "Quilting Possibilities".

Blue Twister

This is probably my 3rd or 4th project in less than 3 months using the "twister" template. I LOVED my red and white one made with Christmas fabrics but alas, that season is over and it was time for something new. It still amazes me that the layout to the right creates this twister top!

I found a perfect blue on blue paisley for that final border in a kit that has yet to be assembled so I'll have to replace that sometime but for now, it's on my topper.

Now to spend some time getting it quilted and bound and on the coffee table by Friday :)

Where did this week go?

I don't know where this week went but I certainly was not in my sewing room!

I guess my daughter getting her puppy on Tuesday and then waking up in the middle of the night with a stomach bug that had her incapacitated for 2 days really put a crimp in my sewing time. With being home for the weekend and then again Monday for the holiday, I'm hoping to dedicate myself to a little bit of sewing.

To start today off I'm going to piece the back of this quilt. In my stash I found the cutest yellow flannel fabric. It has these fluffy whimsical clowns on it....LOVE IT! The selvage is still on it too and it's a Marcus Brothers and the designer is Dana Simson....and get this. The selvage has a printing date of 2002 on it!! Does anyone out there have any of her fabric?

I looked online and could not come up with anything so I'm guessing she didn't do a lot of fabric designing! Anyhoo, it's long enough for the longarm machine but not wide enough so I grabbed a bunch of coins and I'm going to cut the backing a little off center, pop the coins in and then attach the side. I think the backing with this little quilt will make some little one smile :)

If anyone out there reading this has any of Dana's fabric, I'd be willing to swap you something for it!!!

How's your Saturday? It's cold but sunny here in NJ!

Welcome Luna

Let me preface this post by saying I have never been an "animal person". I don't dislike them, but I never really had that yearning for a puppy or a cat..... Sarah on the other hand has HOUNDED us for 20 years I think (and she's only 23) for a puppy. As luck would have it, our oldest daughter Jen knew that a client to her hair salon had quite a few that were born in November so when we started tossing the idea around we contacted the woman down in Baltimore, got pictures of them and voile! Luna was picked from the litter and today came home to Casa Aront to live. Here's Sarah holding her in the car right after we left the kennel. Of course we had to go to the salon to show Jen so here's a cute picture of Luna on Jen's lap.....
And finally, a picture of the two girls (sorry about the sun coming in the window) with the puppy.

Jen has a 9 year old pit bull named Romeo that has such a great personality and is so friendly so we're hoping that with Sarah's laid back personality that Luna will be just like her.

Here's hoping that the first pet we've ever had works out just like we hope!!!

And Yes, the name is from Sarah's favorite book HARRY POTTER....not that I'd know since I have never read any of the books...sorry all you HP Fans.

QSQA Block #1

I am doing a Quilt Square Quilt Along with some of my BFF's and Jo's Country Junction.

Lori Smith is the designer of the blocks. I had originally thought I was going to make mine in greens with a goldish center pinwheel but as I started looking thru my fabrics I KNEW it would never end up being green...not with all the pretty reds I have so I spent an hour or so making it up.......

I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do with each of the blocks yet. I originally thought I'd make mini's out of them and put them around the house but now I'm not sure, so for now I'll just make them and set them aside. I'm sure I'll get some inspiration after I start seeing what the others are doing.

Peggy

"Purple Coins Quilt"

Once the house was in order and lunch was done today I decided it was sewing time. I came into my sewing room and did a little work trimming down some HST's for my Jamestown quilt but then I got a little bored so I decided it was a good time to start pulling some "coins" out and get a charity top assembled for a retreat I go to every May.

The coins went together super fast and I had the "perfect" purple marbelized fabric for the separator strips so as fate would have it I got the top assembled, the backing fabric pieced and voile! it's ready for quilting.

This isn't a big quilt, it finished up to be 37 x 44 but I still have lots of time to make another top to bring along with this one.... So, I get to add my first "finished project" to my blog list and I get to cross off my first project on my "Big 3 List" that I do every month with 2 of my BFF's.....

Isn't this Laurel Burch flannel perfect???

PS: That's Pierre the Sock Monkey up there inspecting the quilt....unlike a lot of quilters, I don't have a kitty inspector. I relied on Pierre today to make sure the quilt was sufficiently cute for some little girl :)

Happy New Year 2012

It's almost that time of year again where we wish health and happiness to our friends, neighbors and others that we come in contact with. I'd like to say Happy New Year early to all my blogging friends out there and wish you all a great 2012.

I have a few personal goals this year, one of which is to get into better shape personally and on a sewing front, I'm going to continue making my "Big 3" list with Robin and Michelle. The list kind of keeps me accountable in the sewing room.

Last year I made those Art to Heart minis for my mom every month and it felt so good accomplishing that and getting them mailed to her in Florida. This year, I am hoping that every month or every 6 weeks at least I can assemble a charity quilt top. Heaven knows I have bags of blocks and charm squares/coins etc. cut up and all ready for assembly so I'd like to keep myself focused on charity for 2012.

NOW...I know I may fall off the wagon somewhere along the road but I'm really going to try...and with luck all my BFF's will keep me focused.

Here's to a Happy, Healthy New Year and all of 2012 to everyone!!!

New Project

I'm going to start a new project today with the hopes of finishing it by the weekend.

My niece goes to"hair school" with a girl that is pregnant and a while back asked me if I could make a baby girl quilt using some fabric that has"hair products" on it like combs, hair dryers etc. I did do a search online, but didn't come up with anything so I just bought a white print focus fabric with flowers and lady bugs etc, on it and pulled fabrics that might go with it. Being as none have white in them it will work nicely for the separator strips.

I'm using a Moda "Jumbo Coins" http://www.modabakeshop.com/2011/12/jumbo-coins-baby-quilt.html#more pattern that I found on their web site. Instead of using a solid white, I'm going to use the white print as the separator fabric.

I don't even have to buy a backing fabric because I have enough of these to piece the back AND I have a pink and a purple flannel up on the shelf that I can use! Can't beat getting an entire quilt almost for free from the stash now can you?

Peggy

Twister Finished

I started this twister quilt at a retreat in Indiana back in mid November. Since then I've started 2 new projects, finishing one totally. I finally made the executive decision that NOTHING gets started until the 2 borders were sewn onto the twister. I sat down earlier today and finally got them on.

The finished quilt is much brighter in person but we have to settle for a cell phone picture because although I got a new camera, I haven't had the chance to read the instructions etc.

I will sometime this week....

Now to get to the quilt store with a few of my Christmas gift cards and get the backing for this one.....

Oh, and by the way, it was made with Fig Tree fabrics and finished up to 73-1/2 X 88! I used 2 layer cakes and a little yardage for the 2 borders!

What's on your New Years Eve agenda?

Jamestown Landing

Have you seen this Bonnie Hunter quilt yet? I saw a sneak preview of it on a blog one day while I was hopping around so I tracked down the "Australian Homespun" magazine it was in and started to round up some neutrals and blues. Earlier this week I decided to start making the quilt so I got to cutting. Step #1 is 840 HST's !!!!

Here's 178 of the 840 all trimmed up.....

I'm thinking I have a lot of work ahead of me :)

http://www.joscountryjunction.com/


Did I really just sign up for my first block of the month for 2012?
Absolutely! You should go to Jo's Country Junction and check it out...all it will cost you is the price of the pattern! The fabric comes from your stash and it's a 12.5 unfinished block that you can finish off to be a candle mat or table decoration.....click on the above link and head on over....

December???

Where the heck did December go?

I haven't done much in the sewing room but I have been sewing. I did some binding on the red and white twister and got that on the coffee table and then I did some binding on a quilt I was giving as a retirement gift for my friend Helen.

Yesterday I thought I'd get some sewing done but when I sat down at the machine I just couldn't focus so I sewed a few 2 inch squares together to use as the center of a scrappy star block but then I lost my oomph and wandered out to the couch where I spent the night.

Today though, I was determined to do "something". I realized that I couldn't focus mainly because my "need to do" list is really non existent as opposed to my "want to do list" so it's hard to just pick one project and start it.....so instead, I pulled out some strips of fabric coins and started sewing them up....and this is what I ended up with tonight.
The colors are much brighter in person but I think you get the idea. I do have to admit that now that it's assembled and I see the picture I realize that I should have alternated the green separator strips but it's too late now!
I have some Laurel Burch flannel on the shelf to use for the backing...which by the way I bought for $5 a yard at my local shop, so it's going to make for a great charity top. OH....and by the way, everything for this quilt which finished up to 47-1/2 X 62 came from my stash! No credit cards were damaged in the making of this one!!!

I have a lot more fabrics cut for coins so I think I'll make another one!!

OH, and just a warning to any readers. 2012 is going to be the year of "using what I have" so you're going to be seeing lots of scrap projects here....just saying.

Peggy

TWISTER

Have you "twisted" yet? Michelle made a couple back in October while she was at a retreat so I thought I'd give it a try. WELL....I gathered up some charm packs as well as a layer cake with some yardage and while I was with Michelle at a retreat 2 weeks ago, I took my twister for a spin....I LOVE IT! I can't believe that you start off with all these 5 inch squares sewn together and after you start cutting, this is what you end up with!

This quilt is made with a Fig Tree layer cake.

I'm going to add a skinny border around it then also add a wide floral border which will make it full size!

As I look at the red and white one I realize that I should have moved some of the squares around but you live and learn...... I'm off to connect the blocks and get it on my coffee table by the end of the week.

I'm Back

I'm home from retreat....actually, have been home since Sunday but I've been running like crazy with having to go right back to work on Monday and then Thanksgiving thrown in there.....

The retreat center had it all decorated for us with trees everywhere, one prettier than the next.

We were a small group this time but we had fun!

I got 2 full size quilts assembled and a table runner. I haven't unpacked the projects yet that I worked on but when I do I will post some pictures.

Can't wait to see these girls again in May!!!

Peggy

On the road again

The car is all packed up with all the supplies and fabric I'll need for a fun 4 days at quilt retreat in Indiana. I'll be heading to Maryland Tuesday afternoon to get a hair cut and the grey's covered and then bright and early Wednesday morning Michelle will meet me at the Cracker Barrell parking lot and we'll head out to Indiana. It's a long drive but we'll have lots to talk about and so I'm sure we'll be in Indiana in no time at all!

We'll be gone until Sunday so next week I hope to have lots of pictures to show you of all the projects I completed.

Have a great week!

Peggy

December

No, it's not December, but I did finish my December Art to Heart mini for next month....
I did all 12 minis this year and didn't have to buy hardly any fabric, used from my stash!
I don't keep these, as I've mentioned in month's past, I send them to Florida for my mom.
So, now this project will be done, as soon as I pop it in the mail this week! OH...and just to show you the same project done in a different colorway, below my green one is Michelle's...Isn't her's great ?

Chain of Faith

This isn't a good picture of the finished quilt, but it's called "Chain of Faith" by Jo Kramer. I got it from the Moda Bake Shop probably back in March or April and after deciding on "BLISS" fabric I kitted it up and took it to a retreat back in May. I did the majority of the cutting and assembly there but then I hit a problem and didn't feel like tackling it then so I set it aside. Last week I decided I wanted to get an older project done and off my "to do" list so I pulled it out and got it done.
It's amazing how with a little focusing you can finish things up!

This is an upclose picture of the fabrics. I have both the red dot and the turquoise dot for the backing. I think it will end up being the red.......

Contest

I entered my Liberty Ridge quilt into an online quilt contest and would appreciate some votes from you girls..............

http://quiltinggallery.com/2011/11/08/weekly-quilt-contest-remembering-veterans/?_jpg

Voting starts tomorrow-Friday 11/11/2011.....

Best Trip Ever

I had the best trip ever to Delaware to visit with Robin and Michelle.

After a shopping excursion to the Delaware State Fairgrounds we had lunch at Chik Fil A-LOVE this place and don't get it here in NJ. Then back to Michelle's house for some fun time playing with her Longarm Machine!!!

I was able to quilt this blue star runner as well as this summery runner all by myself!

This was so much fun! I hope to be able to make and take a couple more projects down to Michelle's in the future.

Everyone enjoy that extra hour of sleep last night?

BFF's

Yes, that's me in the center there hanging out a couple of years ago with my 2 BFF's.

Tomorrow morning (Saturday) Robin will be leaving Long Island at about 3am and heading here to NJ where we'll travel south to Delaware to meet up with Michelle and spend the day chatting, laughing, eating, shopping and plain old having fun. There is a craft show that we'll start the day at and then we'll have lunch and spend some time at Michelle's house inspecting her new longarm.

We might just have to get a new picture of us.....