Operation Wood Hollow

This is a photo from Julie's blog showing the Seeley Fire to the east of her home.

The other day I was reading on Julie's blog about her effort to collect quilts for families who have lost their homes to the Wood Hollow fire in Utah.  Then I saw a couple of BD#1's pics on Flickr of the ash and smoke in her own back yard and I knew I had to do something to help. 

When I visited Julie's blog this morning, she said had had a wonderful response to her plea for quilts she was going to try to collect  a quilt for each family who has lost a home to the wild fires and forest fires in the Western U.S.  Last I heard on the news that's about 650 homes.  Wow! 

It's kind of ironic that the west is so dry and the south has been experiencing such terrible floods.  Too bad we can't send our rain a few thousand miles west.  Just last weekend some places in Central Florida received as much as 26 inches of rain.  A couple of weeks before that, Pensacola received 15 inches in places.  But as bad as flooding is, it doesn't strike fear into me like a fire does.  Even with hurricanes, while there can be great loss, there is still the chance of miraculously finding some of your belongings.  In a fire, they're just - gone!

Makes me count my blessings.  We received lots of help in our community after Hurricane Ivan.  I know what it means to have someone show they care.

So I know that these two Little Man quilts are in the finished pile and are available to send. 

It wouldn't take much to finish Jelly, so I could maybe do that in the next week or so. 

And my Fairy Tale Friends top is finished as well and just needs quilting.

Julie says it may be a couple of weeks before she can deliver the quilts to those who have been affected.  That should give me time to finish up a couple of these WIPs, and the motivation to get them done, since it is such a worthy cause. 

Hopefully, these quilts will comfort someone and help them to get through this tragedy.

If you want to help by donating quilts or other items these folks may need, please visit Having Fun Quilting!

I'm heading back to the sewing machine to see what I can get done today.

Happy Quilting.

Super Swaps Covered Journal Swap

1. 1st finish of 2012, 2. Pieced quilted book cover, 3. Capa para agenda, 4. Foxy Sketchbook, 5. Selvage Book Cover, 6. Recycled Cloth Journal cover, 7. DS fabrics journal cover, 8. Journal made with Bliss from Moda Fabrics, 9. Composition Book Cover, 10. Quilted Journal Cover, 11. journal cover, 12. Journal Cover, 13. journal cover, 14. Echino journal cover, 15. Monogrammed Planner Cover, 16. Whimsy Plus journal cover, 17. Stack of selvedge notebooks, 18. Eiffel Tower Journal, 19. Selvedge notebook/journal cover, 20. Calendar-cover: front, 21. Notebook Cover, 22. journal front and back, 23. Scripture tote, book cover, journal cover, quilted journal cover, quilted book cover, 24. Journal Cover, 25. Linen + anything = success!

Apparently, I just can't say no to a good swap.  This one is no exception.  This one is called Super Swaps.  Last round we swapped oven mitts, and I got that awesome package from marslaura.  This time, we're swapping journal covers.

I was flitting around blogland today and saw that Kristy had made a mosaic for this swap, and I thought, "What a good idea!" so when I got home this evening, I decided to do the same.  I searched "journal covers", and quite honestly, I had a really hard time finding covers I liked enough to put in a mosaic.  Many were too unstructured or too "messy" for my taste.  Some were too artsy and too multi-media, and while that can be fun, it's not really me.  Some were felt, and while felt certainly has it's place, a felt book cover seems like it would last me - oh - about 3 weeks.  Some were painted or made of paper.  Some were (dare I say it?) just plain ugly.


But, all that searching (I literally looked at hundreds of book covers) helped me to think about what I do want in a journal cover.  I would like something I could take to work if I needed to, so I would like it to be fairly structured and - well - tidy.

I would like it big enough that I can write down ideas or even sketch them as they occur to me.  I'm thinking the perfect cover would fit one of those composition notebooks you can buy in the school supply section of Wal-Mart or Target, or even at the dollar store.

I want to be able to use it a long time,so it would be great if I could put on a new book when the old one is full.  And it would be great if it latched closed so that if I tucked a sketch from some random napkin into the book it would stay there.

Knowing me, it should be washable.

As with all quilty things, I like bright colors and cheerful themes.  I love brights on white, but that may not be the best idea for a journal cover.  Gray and linen might be a really good choice for this project.  I would like to have it made from modern fabrics.  Selvages would be way fun.  Embroidery is fab.  Solids are OK.  Batiks, not so much. 


Wonder what my partner will like? Hope she makes a mosaic and gives me some good hints.  I think this will be a really fun project.

Going Berserk for Bags

I've been on a bit of a bag kick lately.  Bags are really not on my list of things that need to be done, but that's how I've spent the last couple of evenings.  So far, I've completed two bags and have two more ready to sew.

I used my basic bag pattern from my One Hour FQ Tote Tutorial but used 1/2 yard pieces of fabric for the bag and the lining instead of the FQs.  The fabric is home dec weight and was on the remnant table at Jo-Ann's.  If you haven't been to Jo-Ann's this week, all their remnants (which are always half off) are half off again, so these bags maybe cost $2.50 to $3.00 each.

This one is red, white, and blue in honor of Independence Day.  I used a scrap of Kona Red for the insert.  The lining (I should have taken a picture of the inside, but I was afraid I'd be late to work) was a piece of DS Quilts Daisy Mae in red. 

I really like this fresh blue.  Not quite over-the-top 4th of July, but it gets the message across I think.

Here's the second finished bag.  Recognize the insert?  I thought you would.  You can't really see the outside pocket on this one, but it's there.  I love the size of these pockets - they hold my iphone and keys perfectly.  I really like this color combination too.  Kinda beachy, don't you think?

This remnant was slightly larger than the other one, so I had enough fabric for the pockets and the handles from this main piece.  It's a bit more subdued than the Independence Day tote.

The lining (you can just see a hint of it in the photo, right?) is a scrap from BD#1's scrap bag.  I love it when she gives me her scraps.  I find them very useful.  A couple of months ago she gave me a small paper bag full of scraps.  This particular scrap was about 1-1/2 yards long and about 22" wide, or a 1-1/2 yard piece split down the middle.  Not sure what she used it for, but I'm grateful for the donation.  Another piece from that same bag of donations was the back of my Outfoxed quilt.  You can't argue with that!

Fluffy Sheep Mosaic 2 Sunday Morning Fresh

Colors are: (L-R) Row 1:  Peacock, Kona Canary, Bahama Blue; Row 2:  Kona Papaya, Kona School Bus; Row 3:  Azure, Banana, Kona Turquoise

Here's my second entry in the Fluffy Sheep Kona linky party and contest.  Since you have to have a separate post for each entry, I'm posting twice today, which is really against my rules, but I'm making an exception for this fun contest.

I'm really jazzed by blues and yellows lately - and I think I'll have to make a quilt in those colors soon, so here's my bundle.  I'm calling it "Sunday Morning Fresh".

Fluffy Sheep Kona Mosaic 1 - Saturday Afternoon Brights

Colors are: (L-R) Row 1:  Kona School Bus, Bahama Blue, Kona Canary; Row 2:  Kona Turquoise, Kona Red; Row 3:  Kona Lime, Kona Bright Pink, Kona Magenta

I was blog surfing yesterday when I ran across a post at Canadian Abroad about a contest my friend Cindy was having at Fluffy Sheep Quilting.  It seems Cindy is carrying lots of Kona colors in her shop now and the contest is to put together a bundle of Kona and then get the most votes.  Well, of course I have to play along, so I put together a bundle or two, which I plan to link up to Cindy's blog.

Anyway, it was kind of fun to make a mosaic of these great Kona colors.  And while she said to use 8 Kona colors, I just couldn't leave the center blank, so I shamelessly copied Susan and put the Fluffy Sheep logo in the center (cute logo, huh?)

This bundle needs a name, so because it reminds me of free time and fun, I'll call it "Saturday Afternoon Brights".

Want to create your own bundle?  Visit Cindy's post here.

Another Block Party

This weekend I completed several small projects, a couple of which I can't show yet.  The others are bee blocks, actually finished in the month they were due, which hasn't happened for a couple of months.  I actually think I am caught up now.

This is a Bottled Rainbows block for Amber in the Sew Fun Bee.  She sent the block, already constructed, and a selection of fabrics and asked that we add the coordinating fabrics in ticker tape style.  I have to say, the more I do this ticker tape method, the easier I find it.  I nearly went crazy with the first one I did.  Not so bad now.  I added a couple of fabrics from my stash to give it some "local flavor".  This block is huge - I think it measures 18" x 24", but it gives a nice large palette for the ticker tape fabrics.  I'm fairly pleased with how this turned out.  I really started without a plan at all, and just fit in the fabrics where they seemed to go together.  I started in one corner this time.  If I were to do it again, I might start in the center.

This block is for Henny in the Sew and Bee Happy Bee.  The block is the maybe block from 99 Modern Blocks.  Henny gave us free rein to choose a word and colors.  It was a fun and easy block to create. 

So, if I don't get drenched by TS Debby, I may try to get these to the Post Office today, along with my other weekend finishes. Thankfully, we're not getting the worst of it this time - just occasional heavy showers and gusty winds here.  Pray for those folks in Central Florida who are getting far too much rain from this naughty girl.

An Apple A Day...

Two weeks ago yesterday dawned  dark and stormy.  A perfect day to stay inside and sew.  After I finished my Outfoxed quilt, I decided I still had some quilty time left before I had to go pack for our trip, so I dug Little Apples out of the WIP pile.

The blocks are sort of a log cabin/bento-ish style of my own design.  I had a charm pack, a jelly roll, and a package of fat quarters I won from Pink Chalk fabrics.  This fabric is so cute, I wanted to do as little cutting as possible. 

I used buttercup Kona for the sashing and a simple white border. I seem to be getting a little better at getting the sashing to line up, which makes me happy.

 The binding is random-sized pieces of left-over jelly roll strips.

I quilted it in a square pattern to accent each block.  I didn't mark them or anything, so they're free form and pretty random.  I kind of liked the contrast with the predictable nature of the blocks.

The backing was blue little apples yardage with some pieces of the fat quarters added to the side to make up the width.  On this quilt, I really like the asymetrical look of the squares down the side.

I'm pretty excited about another quilty finish.

If you're looking for Little Apples precuts, you can still find them at Westwood Acres.

What have you been working on lately?

Hexie Care Package

I have recently made a new online friend.  We are in a couple of bees together, and in one of the intro threads, I mentioned that I am from Seattle.  My new friend mentioned that she was also from the Northwest, and in fact was spending the summer there while her husband is deployed.  Oh boy, did that bring back memories.  I did that at least 2 summers, when my children were small.

In our correspondence, we agreed to meet if I make it to Seattle this summer, which I fully intend to do  (sister is more than ready to get Grandma's treadle machine out of her garage - how I will transport it to Florida, I'm not exactly sure, although my new friend offered to drive it part of the way - is that cool, or what?)

Sadly, my friend's sewing machine has been in the shop almost the whole time she has been there, and she is suffering a bit from its predicament.  I suggested hexies, and said I would make her a Hexie Care Package.  I used the leftovers of my Little Apples quilt.  I used Kelly's tutorial to make the little pouch.  Easy peasy.  LOVE how neat and tidy the zipper looks using Kelly's method.

 

And inside is everything you might need to make hexies and keep your hands busy, including a  Little Apples hexie needlebook.

Pins and needles and scissors, oh my!  (I watched a PBS special on Judy Garland  last night, so that was just bursting to come out!)

 Sure hope she likes it.

 

My Memories Giveaway Winner!

I've had a ton of fun this week creating fun digital photo albums and photobooks with My Memories digital scrapbooking software.  I'm really glad I had the opportunity to try it and create some fun memories with it.  Thanks to those of you who entered the giveaway.  One of you is in for a treat!

And that person is....  {insert trumpets here}

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

1

Timestamp: 2012-06-22 23:57:36 UTC

who is goldogmom who said

Goldogmom June 17, 2012 9:25 PM

I think Rainy day blues would be good. My daughter loves blue and is expecting her first child. She is a good scrapbooker and I'd love to win it to give to her.

thanks!

Congratulations on becoming a grandma - it's great!  I'll be contacting you about how to get your free My Memories software very soon.

And if you didn't win here's a code to get $10 off your own copy of My Memories digital scrapbooking software AND a $10 coupon for the My Memories store.  Just visit My Memories at http://www.mymemories.com/digital_scrapbooking_software and enter Promo Code: MSV310dld at checkout.

Super Duper Swapping... (And Last Call for Giveaway!)

Last call for entries in the My Memories digital scrapbooking software giveaway.  If you're interested, go here to enter.  Ends tomorrow.

As I've mentioned a few times before, a week ago Saturday dawned a bout as ugly as a day can be.  Thunderstorms and heavy rain descended from the heavens as though it was the beginning of Noah's cruise.  And in the midst of it all, the poor FedEx man appeared at the door and dropped off a package.

It contained lovely swap items from marslaura, my partner in both Super Swaps swap and PP11.  Now, the first thing you need to know is that the Super Swap was for an oven glove.  Some people even sent two oven gloves, or an oven glove and a pot holder.  Even if you add PP11, which was for 2 pot holders, this is way over the top.  Would you look at this loot?  There are 2 placemats, 2 pot holders, an oven glove, a soap bottle apron and a trivet filled with scented rice!  It also contained some additional fabric in case I wanted to make some coordinating items.  What's left to make, I wonder?  I'm not sure there is anything Laura hasn't covered here.

I really love the soap bottle apron.

And look at the personalized embroidery on the oven mitt.  So cool.

So, I feel very spoiled.

And if that wasn't enough, I also received some other swappy stuff the previous week, and with all the rain and WH's surgery, just didn't get a chance to take pictures.

I received my ticker tape mini quilt from Denise.  I love the flower.  I love the mix of ticker tape, applique, and embroidery.

Denise had my name and I had hers.  In this swap, you know who your partner is, so you have to be sneaky about the pictures you post.  Denise received my pineapple mini.

Denise's creation has so much texture....  Would you check out all the French knots in the center of this flower?  There must be hundreds of them.  Wonder if she counted?

And the ticker tape fabrics she used were fun too.

Thanks, Denise, for a fun little mini quilt.

And I also received my pinnie in the Fab Little Pin Cushion Swap, or FLiPs as we affectionately call it.

Be13cca made me this lovely pinnie, and there is certainly no mistaking its purpose.  LOL

On a side note, I've been dying to try this letter piecing technique.  Now, maybe I won't have to.

Here's the back of the pinnie.  Look at the fun fabrics she used!  All that fussy cutting!  So cute.  And a little bundle of scrap fabrics.  Boy, can I have fun with those!

Thanks Becca.  I really love my pinnie.

So, it's been a great round of swapping and it's been a lot of fun.  I really love the stalking and creating, but it's fun to get these fab packages in the mail as well.

 Happy sewing!

Grandma Love - and Giveaway Reminder

Britton's mama sent this adorable photo to me yesterday, and I just couldn't resist sharing it.  Just looking at this photo makes me giggle.  Don't you just want to squeeze him?  I spent a couple of minutes (seriously - less than 10 minutes!) with My Memories software making a digital scrapbook page just to show off this great smile. 

Yes, I'm the proud grandma, and yes, I hate being 2000 miles away from these wonderful little moments.  His mama says he's the best baby ever!

But, I've been having a great time with this software trying out new things.  One thing that I really enjoyed in today's brief session are the number of layouts available to create a great page.  And I really liked how easy it was to mat the picture to frame it on the paper.  A couple of embellishments, and I was done.

If you would like to win your own copy of My Memories, enter a comment on this post.  Giveaway ends June 22.

My {Very Own} Memories v2.0 - Digital Scrapbooking Software Giveaway!

I've had a fun time this weekend playing around with the My Memories digital scrapbooking software, and I have to say that it's a lot faster to create scrapbook pages digitally than with paper and scissors.  I created the page above in about 10 minutes, and that allowed for a "learning curve" issue to figure out how to change the color of the Word Art font.

Is it just me, or is this baby darn cute when he sleeps?

 I'm really having a blast with this software.  I think you will too.

If you would like to win a copy of My Memories digital scrapbooking software, find out how on this post.

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Don't forget about the My Memories digital scrapbooking software giveaway here. Giveaway ends June 22.

I've been waiting a long time to share this quilt.  I finished it at BD#1's house (on her Bernina!) when I was there in April.  I bought the fabric a couple of years ago and gave it to WH on his birthday last year, with a promise of completion.

I want it on the record that I ALWAYS keep my promises - sometimes it just takes awhile.

And besides, this way I have a gift for two occasions!  LOL!

WH is a retired pilot - first military, then airline.  In fact, as the son of an Air Force officer growing up on a SAC base, all he has ever wanted to do is fly.  But somehow, he has always felt that he missed out on the best flying - that early period, particularly WWII - when flying was in its infancy and it was all new and exciting.  So I thought these old-timey airplanes would be a hit.  I cut them apart and made individual blocks of each one.

Then put the blocks together in rows with sashing around each one.  The blue reminded me of the sky, of course.

The back was tricky.  I pieced and pieced, and it still wasn't big enough.  And don't look too closely...  Somehow the backing shifted at the top and it quilted crooked. but that was way too much work for my seam ripper by the time I noticed it.


So WH,  I hope you like your {FINALLY} finished airplane quilt.

And I hope you - and all the fathers out there - have a wonderful Father's Day!