My Age Is Showing

If you're a regular reader of blogs, you've probably seen many photos of these fun fabric baskets using this tutorial. I didn't make mine out of small squares because the cute Thanksgiving print was too large. I didn't want to cut up all the little people and turkeys.

When I started this project a couple of weeks ago, I decided to make it a bit bigger than in the tutorial, so I cut out the outside pieces and the handles and then put everything away for two weeks. When I got back to it yesterday, I had forgotten that I was making mine a bit larger, so I just absent-mindedly followed the original directions for the lining. When I tried to put the lining inside, it was way too small. I checked and double-checked the directions and then realized how stupid I was.

The lesson here is that if you're going to change the size of a pattern, be sure to write it down so you don't forget...maybe I'll remember that next time.

This Is Intermediate?

This is "A-12 Framed Fancy", an intermediate-level paper-pieced block. I think I would have called it an advanced-level block because of all the seams that need to be matched up. There are 37 pieces in the center 3" square! That meant lots of tearing of itty bitty pieces of paper...

My work on this one could be better, but it will do.

Don't Tell Susan...

...but I have finished quilting her quilt.

My friend Susan has a grandson on the way and she recently finished piecing an adorable cowboy quilt to welcome him into her family. She asked me to quilt loops and stars all over it; here is a sneak peek. The quilting doesn't show up too well in the photos, but you may be able to see better if you click on the photos to enlarge them.

Susan writes about this quilt on her blog here and here. I'm sure she'll post a photo of the finished product once she gets the binding on.

Back To Quilting

Yes, I Can! Yes, I can get this quilt done...

This is "A-5 Cathie's Campfire", an intermediate-level paper-pieced block. I've reached another milestone -- this is block #69, so that means there are only 100 more center blocks to go. Yes, I Can!

P.S. I now have a link on my blog's right sidebar that will take you to my complete DJ album on Picasaweb. The blocks are in chronological order of when I made them, not in the order of how they will appear in the final quilt layout.

Hope for the Future

E Pluribus Unum...

...Out of Many, One!

For America's Future

No matter how long the line is, don't leave until you... ...and make sure your vote is registered correctly by the machine.

Ready for the Cold

I've been having great fun practicing quilting on my HQ16 by making these cozy fleece throws. This first one is for my son (in his 2 favorite colors) -- I used 2 1/2 yards of anti-pill fleece on each side. That made it long enough for him to use either as a throw or on his bed (he's almost 6 feet tall). The fleece is not cheap at regular price, but I bought it in March for 50 % off at Joann's. This one is for me -- I guess pink must be my favorite color; I just realized that these two shades were the shades of my bridesmaids' dresses 19 years ago. I didn't want a very large throw, so I just used 2 yards of fleece for each side.

I am quite pleased with these, especially the pink one; I had never tried dragonflies before...

There is another picture on this post of a green throw I made several months ago.

For those who have mid-arm quilting systems, these are a great way to practice. The quilting shows off well and you get a cozy throw as a result.