Departures and Arrivals...

I took a trip to the post office today and sent a number of packages on their way. The boxes were sent to family members, and the padded envelopes that fill my tote are winging their way to the participants in the Farmer's Wife quiltalong (stateside). The packages for our group members out of the country will be mailing by the weekend. I sure hope everyone likes the surprises I've sent to them just to say "thank you" for participating.

I also have more beautiful friendship blocks to share! This block came from all the way from New Zealand. Raewyn of lovetostitch blog is so lovely. I love the colors she chose!

Friendship block from Raewyn at Love to Stitch

Thank you, Raewyn, for adding another block that will become part of a treasured Farmer's Wife friendship quilt. What a generous gift from your hands. xoxo

The second block that came was from my girlfriend, Sherry at Createology. She chose a butterfly theme for her packaging and a sweet tag that she added to her envelope. I'll be using it as a bookmark for my next reading break. All those butterflies were so lovely, too! I'm even saving the wrapping!

Friendship block from Sherry at Createology

Here's a closeup of Sherry's block. I can even see a butterfly settling into these pretty flowers! Thank you, Sherry, for the gifts of your hands. Another beautiful block to add to my treasure trove until I join them into a friendship hug from my Farmer's Wife friends, old and new.

Isn't it truly amazing how a small gift from the heart can brighten someone's day? I'll be gathering up more goodies to send to two special granddaughters and a grandson very soon, too. I know how much young people love mail. It's not just us ol' gals who get excited with a surprise in the mail, after all! It's always nice to spread around the joy.

Ahead Of The Game...

I just had to share my October block for Sandy's 

 Quilt Shop quiltalong. I'm ahead of schedule for a change! 

This is my interpretation of the block for the QAL.

 

Remember that each of the gals participating in the QAL designed one

 block,  except that I designed June and July. Nancy designed this block for

 October, and this is her original version that we all used as our starting point.

I first completed all the applique' work - by hand, this time.

I wanted to practice the technique we'll be using for the guild album quilt.

I'm really happy with the way my stitching looked and my applique'

technique has vastly improved from the first class project I made.

I fussy-cut a whole pumpkin patch from a great fabric I found at 

the shop, and then I hand-embroidered tendrils on the leaves.

Of course, my spooky version would have a howling corgi puppy! 

I found an image online by doing a Google search, sized it and then printed

 it on fabric to put him in the pumpkin patch. After all the hand stitching,

 assembly and quilting, I added more embroidery for the corgi "arrooooo".

I've always practiced a new technique on each block, so none of mine

are "perfect". On this one, I wanted to try quilting echo feathers on the

border. It's a good thing this is the October/Halloween block, because 

my work there is really, reaaally scary!  I think I'll do more practicing

on fabric pieces until I get much better at this technique, but for this little

quilt I think I can pull it off. After all, it's supposed to be hair-raising,

and this echo feather quilting on my borders definitely is! lol

 I'll be able to take it to the shop this Saturday to add to the rest!

Doin' a little happy dance here. I'm ahead of the game this time!

You know, I don't usually decorate seasonally, so at the end of the
year I'm going to have twelve little quilt "banners" that I won't be
using around here. I'm trying to decide what to do with them.
 I'm not really sure if they're worthy of giving away to anyone.
Any ideas?

It's Not Where You Start...

 It's where you finish. Right?

Considering that I spent the better part of two days

recuperating, I'm pretty happy with how I finished.

 

 This is my September mini for our Sandy's Quilt Shop QAL. 

This one was designed by Nora, who is one of the owners of the shop.

By the time you read this post, I will have completed hand-sewing the

binding, too. I'll be taking it to Sandy's to add to the rest this morning.

 I actually made this project before I started the September mini. 

I still hadn't sent off the giveaway gift for Marydon's winner at the 

Blushing Rose, so I created this and then got it in the mail for Diane yesterday. 

She lives right here in Florida, so I think she may even have her reader

case by tomorrow! I hope she likes it and enjoys it for a long, long time.

Well, there you have it. I got off to a rocky start for the week, but I think

 I finished on a high note by making two new things on Friday! I'm looking

 forward to relaxing with the coffee group this morning (and checking out any 

new fabrics that may have arrived since last Saturday!) and then I have 

plans to spend some quality time with Handsome and The Corgi.

I hope you get to spend your weekend with someone you love,

doing something that makes you happy. Life's too short.

I'll close by sharing a quote with you:

"When all is said and done, I'd like to know that I 

spent my life well; accomplished something that will 

outlast me; and lived my days in vivid color."

 - DCL 2006

 Reminder:  

The next Memory Lane Monday is this Monday, 

September 24th. You can share a story on your blog and 

link back here all week. Hope you'll join me!

 

Back To The Farmers Wife...

 I thought I'd be able to work on my Farmer's Wife blocks 

while we traveled, but I was wrong. I haven't made

one single block and I'm missing working on this project!

Time to get back to making my Farmer's Wife blocks

 and the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quiltalong!

 I've made more blocks than just these, but I haven't photographed the 

latest batch in one picture yet. I only have pictures of 

the individual blocks, so I show all of them together in a few days.

*** If you're part of the quiltalong, 

you can expect an email from me this week. ***

We're not going to add more blocks yet, because I know 

I'm not the only person who went on break for a little while.

Instead, you can expect some pointers as I make new blocks, and 

I'm going to host a giveaway for everyone on the quiltalong list.

I'll tell you all about it in the email!

So, everyone can expect to see more finished blocks 

from me this week as I finally get back on track.

On another note...

I had planned to have my iPad cases listed up 

on Etsy yesterday, but my day didn't go at all as I'd planned. 

I'll get them listed this week, and will let you know when they're available.

It's going to be a busy, busy week, girlfriends!

My Turn...

My turn is coming up to design June's mini quilt for Sandy's Quilt Shop QAL. I figured I'd better get crackin' because June will be here before I know it! I'm mean, I can hardly believe that it's already MAY! Where is the time going?

If you've followed my blog for a while, you know how I feel about barns. It just seemed appropriate that there should be one in my mini quilt. I've also added a tiny quilt block (in keeping with the trend to paint quilt blocks on the sides of actual barns), using my favorite block...the pinwheel. 

There was an extra month open at the end of the group drawings for all our design assignments, so of course I volunteered for a second month. I'm designing June and July. (What the heck was I thinking?)

Here's a sneak peek at June's design. I'll show the entire piece in June, but now I want to design and finish July, too. I also have to sew up the minis that the other gals (Joanie and Faye) designed for April and May - because I really am that far behind!

I'm going to check on eBay and see if anyone is offering up any online auctions for more time. I think I need to find about eight more hours in each day. And a few more days in a month would be nice too, please. Until then, I guess I'll just give it my best shot at accomplishing what I'm able with the time I'm granted...and hope that I'm granted LOTS of time, because there's just so much I want to do.

I'll be sending out the list of this months' blocks for the Farmer's Wife Quiltalong today or tomorrow. I know. I think I'll lie down for a while.

Playing With Blocks...

Churn Dash Block

I spent part of the weekend working on Farmer's Wife blocks. I've been missing working on these blocks, so I was glad to get back to them.

Linoleum Block

I love choosing the different fabrics to use in the blocks, and then giving all my concentration to cutting, aligning and assembling each block.

Wrench Block

Press (using my favorite linen spray - Fresh Cotton!), square up and measure. I always feel like I've accomplished something when I have a few more to add to the stack. At this rate, I'll have them all finished by...December! (I'm kidding! I'm hoping to have them finished long before then.)

Thimbleberries Cottagewood Print

You may have noticed that I used this fabric in my first block in this post (Churn Dash). I had a fat quarter of it. BIG HUGE COLOSSAL mistake. I love this fabric and don't have enough to make more blocks. I need more to use in future Farmer's Wife blocks.

From RJR Fabrics

Now, I'll be searching for more of this specific fabric. If anyone has any amount that they're willing to part with, please let me know and I'll be happy to purchase it from you. I've checked online and haven't been able to find any there. (I can't type any more. It's too hard while I'm crossing my fingers.)

I'll be in the studio again this week. I'm planning to make more Farmer's Wife blocks, and I'm behind on the quilt shop monthly QAL, so I need to catch up on those, too. If my schedule works out, I'll also go back over to take another of Loreen's paper piecing classes. (I had so much fun last week!)

What do you have planned for this week?

February QAL Finish and Winners...

I finished my QAL piece for February for our group

at Sandy's Quilt Shop. I love the way it turned out!

 

Completed in Moda's French General fabrics, I also added vintage buttons...

 

 and even a little French General embroidered ribbon.

je t'aime...I love you...

perfect for my February mini quilt!

I'm looking forward to the design for March, and

I sure won't be dawdling on the next one!

It's time to announce the winners of my 1000th Post Giveaway!

 Winner of the First Giveaway Gift - Set of 6 napkins

 DAWN of The Feathered Nest

Winner of the Second Giveaway Set - Vintage linens assortment

MARY ANN of Handcrafted by Mary Ann Miller

Congratulations to both winners. I'll be sending out your gifts right away!

Thank you to everyone who entered. 

It won't be long before I celebrate THREE years of blogging -

with another giveaway, of course!

I hope you'll stay with me, so that we can continue this journey together.

Valentine Bluebirds...

I'm nearly finished with the February mini quilt for the Sandy's Quilt Shop QAL. You know how I adore the French General fabrics from Moda, so I decided to use that line for my interpretation of the design.

When I was at the shop on Saturday, they asked where my piece was. I replied, "It's not even February yet!" There was a lot of chortling and cajoling, to say nothing of the immediate correction I received. Sad, but I was serious! Seems I've been so busy with other things that, even though I've been writing "February" on everything, it hadn't really registered that it was time to make this month's piece. (Nothing like having a "senior moment" in front of God and everybody!)

When Tammy and I got back from the art show (photos later in the week), I immediately set to making my piece. All the fabrics were chosen, templates cut, fabric fused and attached to the background fabric before I went to bed Saturday night. I did the stitching, assembly and machine quilting Sunday before heading to a concert in the afternoon. I didn't want to waste any time finishing it!

This is the original piece as executed by the gal who designed it. (My sincere apologies that I don't know her name so that I can share it with you!)

When we receive our design sheets, we get to see the original - which I always photograph - along with shapes to make templates for the applique' pieces. (One 8 x 10" sheet of paper that's mostly white with a few elements drawn in.) We're left with quite a bit of leeway for decisions about color, placement - even the number of leaves to use in this one. I stuck pretty close to what the designer wanted, but chose to make my statement with the fabrics. I still have birds' eyes and flower centers to do and then I'll show you the entire piece, along with photos of finished minis from some of my other shop pals.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and another Tuesdays with Tag. We're working on a little something special for his post. In the meantime, if you'd like a little gift inspiration, perhaps you'll go over to Button Floozies blog where I left an idea. Of course it uses buttons, so don't be surprised!

Tomorrow is the last day to enter my 1000th Post Giveaway.  If you haven't entered yet, be sure to click here to drop your name in the hat. Drawing will close at 10:30 pm. I'll announce the winners on Wednesday. Good Luck!

It's Almost Time...

Such a sweet romantic image. Quite different from my imaginings of the life of a farm wife that might have followed, don't you think? I've managed to find more than a few cover images of the Farmer's Wife Magazine, and this one is from June of 1936.

It reminds me a little of our process for beginning the quiltalong. You're committed to participate (Not signed in blood, but you want to join the fun), you've chosen the fabric (or will soon), and you're busy copying templates. Still in the "honeymoon" phase...

It's almost time for us to begin our Farmer's Wife Sampler Quiltalong! If you're going to join us, I hope you're anxious to get started. February 1st will be the launch date for our party!

If you've signed up, I have your email address. Please be sure to add my email address to your email list so that you're able to receive all my group emails. Your first one will be sent today, so watch for it in your inbox.

Remember, there is still time for you to sign up if you'd like to join us. Not only will I share my inspiration for the blocks I choose to make, but I'll also share what I learn about creating the blocks. Even if you're not going to make a Farmer's Wife quilt, I hope you'll enjoy following the process and reading my own stories to accompany my blocks.

I encourage all of you who will be making your own quilts to get a notebook where you can write your own thoughts as you recreate the beautiful blocks that will become your Farmer's Wife Sampler quilt.

It won't be long now! I hope you'll all join us next Wednesday as we get started.

I'm also very excited to announce that there are only ten more days until I write blog post number ONE THOUSAND! You know there's going to be a giveaway, right? Because I believe that my followers/friends should have a leg up in the prize department (for reading my musings on a regular basis), it will be a Followers Only giveaway. If you're not a follower, you can't win. ("No tickie. No chickie." lol)

I'll put some thought into what I'll be offering for the giveaway and I'll share it with you in ten days.

Recent Finishes...

Yesterday was a day to finish projects. I completed my mini quilt for the monthly quiltalong at Sandy's Quilt Shop. Each month is being designed by a different shop customer! Isn't that exciting? I've drawn the month of June from the basket. Then there was still one month left, so I offered to design the July mini, too. (I haven't decided what they're going to look like yet, so it's going to be a surprise!)

I'm really happy with the way my piece turned out. When I take this to the shop on Saturday, I'll take a photo of the whole wall of completed minis so you can see what the rest of them look like. I'll also get the pattern for February's design, so I'll be able to start on that one, too.

On Tuesday night, a call went out for someone to bind a scrappy quilt for the quilt show boutique in February. I love sewing on bindings, so my hand shot in the air to volunteer.

I'll get it back to the committee today or tomorrow so they can put it with the rest of the beautiful items that will be for sale at the quilt show.

It felt good to be back in the studio. Tag kept me company and reminded me to take a break from time to time. I've got an appointment to keep this morning, but this afternoon, I'll be right back in the studio to start something new. I'm looking forward to showing you what's next.

Thanks for all the comments on yesterday's post.  Pat's quilts were truly inspirational, and I'm so glad I was able to share them with you. (Now, if I could only talk her into selling the amarylis quilt!)

I'll be back tomorrow. Make today a beautiful day!