Hoppy Valentine's Day!

These little guys (and I) are wishing all of you a "hoppy" Valentine's Day --- full of warmth and love and maybe some chocolate! (Grin)

Love,

Toadally in love . . .

This adorable graphic suits me today --- just popping in to tell you that I love all of you Lilypadquilters! One of my fav people in the world gifted me with this; isn't he cute? Padsworth thinks it's cool!

I figured I would join the avalanche . . . so many blogs and sites are gearing up for Valentine's Day, and I'm in the midst of completely different projects!

But I can show you some Valentine goodies from past posts, and offer them as quick projects for your sewing enjoyment!

Put together some scraps and "make" fabric for a mugrug or small project for someone you love . . .

Or, go all out and put a table runner together with hearts and embroidered reminders to kiss and hug the cook!!

And you can use reverse applique to make another mugrug from the scraps!

Check out the link up there, for the post that will tell you all about those two projects, and enjoy getting ready for a fabulous Valentine's Day!

Love,

 

At the Epicenter

Scientists are quite puzzled. See that seismograph paper up there? That doesn't usually happen in "this neck of the woods."

Seems there was some unusual tectonic activity in the area . . . what happened?

(Grin)

It was just me, doing a happy dance!

Why? 

Well, I took some of these:

And Padsworth and DragonDrop helped me make certain I had cut enough:

And then I put together some of these:

And then I danced because they went together nicely . . .
 

And then I danced some more because the finished block looked so pretty!

Remember that first block that I made? It turned out to be a little bit too small . . . I didn't check the tutorial, and it made a sixteen-inch block.  Great for a pillow cover, but not for my Bestie Quilt Along Swoon quilt for my dear daughter!

So, this is really my "Block Number One" --- and these are seriously large blocks, y'all! It measures 24.5 inches square!  
Now, do you want to see precision points?  Just check out my quilting buddy, Jackie, and her blocks! Wow! I've told her that when I grow up, I want to be able to make precision points and art quilts, just like her! (Grin)

We've been hearing about the folks in New England that are bracing for a nor-easter . . . you folks stay safe and warm (and please keep that white stuff up there, OK? I don't like it!). We'll be praying that your power stays on!

Love,

 

Fruitful Hands finish! and news of a giveaway!

Warning!

This is a photo-heavy post! Lots of pictures (but I can't guarantee that they are all in focus. LOL)

I finally was able to finish my Fruitful Hands tablerunner, and I want to show it to you!

I've shown you this fabulous line of fabric from my favorite designer, Jacquelynne Steves. (By the way, she has another new line coming out as we speak, and there is a contest, too! More about that later, OK?)

I showed you in earlier posts that I was making churn dash blocks, and putting them together with the blocks from her lovely panel . . .

This is how I played with them -- part of the design process here, complete with gears turning and smoke coming from my ears. Oh, you want a picture of that? Not on your life. Padsworth and DragonDrop know better than that.
I wanted to do something different, so I played with putting the blocks "on point."

Aren't those fruits and veggies gorgeous? I mean, I love fruits and veggies anyway . . . I'm getting hungry now. My mom really never had to tell me to "eat every carrot and pea on your plate." Oops, that didn't come out quite right. You didn't get it? Just say it out loud once or twice....it'll hit you in a minute.  (Grin)

I bet that some of you are thinking that I will place setting triangles in between those churn dash blocks, aren't you? Naaaah! That's too predictable!

Here is what I did:

After I joined all the blocks together, I outline quilted the edibles, and then did a freehand doodle in each corner.

Then I did some very small, tight meandering in the backgrounds of the churn dash blocks. My thinking here was that I really wanted the focus fabric on each of them to "pop" and look great.
How do you think that turned out?

Now, here comes the fun part. Since I opted to leave out the setting triangles, I have "inside" and "outside" corners to bind . . .

Remember the binding I made? Well, here is the tutorial that helped me apply it! Heather Mulder Peterson is another of the talented Henry Glass designers, as is Jacquelynne, and she has a seriously cute little guy that helps her with her work!

Her tutorial was super! I only had to get out my friendly seam ripper one time, and I didn't fuss at all. In fact, Moses the Studio Cat slept peacefully all the way through . . . so you know it must have gone pretty well!

And here are my results:

Um, yeah. Not the best shot. Try this close up?

Sweet, huh? I thought so! Try this next one on for size . . .

Not sure why that edge looks wonky . . . maybe because it's an indoor shot, and the runner is hanging on a ladder!

And one last shot in the sunshine:

I think I got a little too happy with the sunshine, and over-exposed it, but at least you can see most of it . . .

Now, I mentioned a new line of fabric from Jacquelynne way up there before this cavalcade of photos started, so let me fill you in on that!

(Imagine a trumpet fanfare here) It's a quilt contest! And a new line of fabric called Happy Town! And you can win $500! And get your quilt displayed at Market! AND help a fantastic kids' charity, too!

Talk about a WIN-WIN-WIN situation, that is one for sure!
Check out this quick summary of the contest, at this linkie! 

The rules and the submission form are there, and you can get even more information on The Noble Wife blog....and that is where the giveaway is taking place. She has some bodacious prizes up for grabs, and you won't want to miss it . . . Hop over there and check it out --- you may be a winner!
(It won't ensure that you win, but tell her that Snoodles and Padsworth sent ya!)

Love,

Pretty and pink

Made some cute pinwheel blocks this weekend . . . 

One of those I-have-fifteen-minutes-what-can-I-get-done times!

I made four blocks for Missy's project:

Check out her post and maybe you can help, too. Got any pink scraps? Follow this tutorial from the Missouri Star youtube videos, and you'll have some made up in no time flat!

I know the little lady recovering from surgery will love them!
 
I'll have a finish for you tomorrow -- be sure to stop by!

Love,