tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69325136316165029012024-03-05T02:15:47.289-05:00Sew MarthaQuilts I'm making, quilts I want to make, my family and daily life in general...Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-72975309861730440822009-06-14T21:03:00.003-04:002009-06-14T21:14:30.305-04:00Wedding Quilt for my CousinLast year I posted about this quilt....my Aunt Faye embroidered the blocks while she was caring for my grandmother, quite a few years ago. She gave me the blocks and asked me to set them into some kind of quilt, and I proceeded to procrastinate about it for a number of years. Well, my 2nd cousin (my aunt Faye's grandson) is getting married in two weeks, and the quilt is going to be a joint wedding gift to him from myself and my Aunt Faye. I have been quilting it on my friend Karen's gammill, and finished it today. Now I have two weeks to get the binding on and stitched down. Busy, busy, busy I will be!<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkw_9baljcZl9-r78Qxy9Gqp-ekgnZ1cYQ9bmWRubtPXEgXIG1-aCV9I2AR7dRVBVtWfLnJXAX-FPK5uOQPmHSuVo9nR3WcDMS5SRFP1wBaG7rfa0cBDmFpg39oaplR2246DroJ5dIEY7/s1600-h/SDC10558.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkw_9baljcZl9-r78Qxy9Gqp-ekgnZ1cYQ9bmWRubtPXEgXIG1-aCV9I2AR7dRVBVtWfLnJXAX-FPK5uOQPmHSuVo9nR3WcDMS5SRFP1wBaG7rfa0cBDmFpg39oaplR2246DroJ5dIEY7/s320/SDC10558.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347355938939005378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQtKTlJB-8pQMCOZS2LvBu_U5IXkFvcjoTnL7QO3LKZ6PH2HA4xjsLd5OI_kyNYuT5CoBiuD_KvWEw41R4uOSgmI92j6pLx7jgpOjpYom6d28nZbd16-zEopwCOeXilbHHY7uvRL8jc3m/s1600-h/SDC10557.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQtKTlJB-8pQMCOZS2LvBu_U5IXkFvcjoTnL7QO3LKZ6PH2HA4xjsLd5OI_kyNYuT5CoBiuD_KvWEw41R4uOSgmI92j6pLx7jgpOjpYom6d28nZbd16-zEopwCOeXilbHHY7uvRL8jc3m/s320/SDC10557.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347355937280815426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijauOB95uKYDEPX4hMMyeoE38wWyipMfGivtLxtl9EHXSPdkuq6FRQEZqAhBhfWMTHz1K1ftJ9GUFu-zwh8cQK-rxo1VhStwjOHhFUGwyIEE_mHGA84c7SrYHo58O1bSY_xhcOkQJLXWbc/s1600-h/SDC10555.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijauOB95uKYDEPX4hMMyeoE38wWyipMfGivtLxtl9EHXSPdkuq6FRQEZqAhBhfWMTHz1K1ftJ9GUFu-zwh8cQK-rxo1VhStwjOHhFUGwyIEE_mHGA84c7SrYHo58O1bSY_xhcOkQJLXWbc/s320/SDC10555.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347355933232824850" /></a>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-61950241076386987782009-06-14T20:58:00.003-04:002009-06-14T21:02:46.858-04:00Another Finish!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNUeInf-bCDMymf7CmRCcLy9QwXoy4gPKQHhGF4wTOZP2R6P0gw4SHHFPSVcH0TJZB-_f23B1Bnu_ZbdTHHinYf82agI2_6OMIJRlRK0n7z_vW47q9il4CMwQQjWBLNL6LE62ydESm3pY/s1600-h/SDC10553.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNUeInf-bCDMymf7CmRCcLy9QwXoy4gPKQHhGF4wTOZP2R6P0gw4SHHFPSVcH0TJZB-_f23B1Bnu_ZbdTHHinYf82agI2_6OMIJRlRK0n7z_vW47q9il4CMwQQjWBLNL6LE62ydESm3pY/s320/SDC10553.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347353080825059010" /></a><br />I've had this quilt put together for quite some time now, EXCEPT for the borders! I don't know why, but sometimes I get that far on a project and then just get stalled before putting the borders on. Anyway, here's another one finished and ready to be quilted! I am planning to put this one on the machine and quilt it very soon...it is going to go in my yellow guest room, and I can't wait to see how sweet and "cottage-y" it makes the room look....<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-52824110440297218782009-06-09T20:27:00.003-04:002009-06-09T20:34:34.622-04:00Star BOTM FinishedI have finally finished putting the last border on my Star BOTM, designed by <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/">Judy L.</a> at Patchwork Times. Judy's directions are always so clear and concise, and a pleasure to follow. I had a fun time following along on this one - thank you Judy, for sharing your pattern!<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJK6hEyfGYssGbo_azziGVPBzaJK9DVIMhuyEbcuvb5Mj3WYbqXInKB3OxaUzglsYlklMRXza8A5rccDQKA7grvbQTUJzS3o1ThnI1XW8XeZOOaJsCigJFNTehKGEVwXdg97y-wAvz0kTx/s1600-h/SDC10547.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJK6hEyfGYssGbo_azziGVPBzaJK9DVIMhuyEbcuvb5Mj3WYbqXInKB3OxaUzglsYlklMRXza8A5rccDQKA7grvbQTUJzS3o1ThnI1XW8XeZOOaJsCigJFNTehKGEVwXdg97y-wAvz0kTx/s320/SDC10547.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345490231981270338" /></a>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-71695558180851855002009-02-09T20:11:00.010-05:002009-02-09T21:21:45.624-05:00I am such a Baaaaad Blogger!<div>I cannot believe so much time has passed since I have posted here! Halloween, Thanksgiving, my son's 22nd birthday, my husband's 52nd birthday, my daughter's graduation with her Master's degree and her move to Florida, Christmas, New Years....how have so many life events come and gone so quickly?????? I'm going to use all of the above as my "no blog" excuse - and that's my story and I'm sticking to it!</div><div><br /></div><div>So, even with all these important events that have just occurred, I have still been sewing! How else does a girl stay "sane" if you don't have an opportunity to relax and zone out from life's daily stresses by quilting? What have I been working on???? Well, there is this lovely mystery quilt that was shared by the wonderful <a href="http://www.quiltville.com/">Bonnie Hunter</a> over at Quiltville, called "Double Delight". I just love the way this quilt turned out. If you haven't ever made one of Bonnie's quilts or followed one of her mysteries - you really should! It is great fun!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9s7vF9mJusUlenP4f89MjaEAoLlx0mAHKPMVI5UGQ6Lzcpmj63HI96Vz2fknGMHqh_8LQURd6agsRUOkc9NwXMjq7OrppIHBO4eLFz_e-UwCAQ-YBuBTj9BaBxw0fvLHzz0toUhADZcps/s1600-h/SDC10264.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9s7vF9mJusUlenP4f89MjaEAoLlx0mAHKPMVI5UGQ6Lzcpmj63HI96Vz2fknGMHqh_8LQURd6agsRUOkc9NwXMjq7OrppIHBO4eLFz_e-UwCAQ-YBuBTj9BaBxw0fvLHzz0toUhADZcps/s320/SDC10264.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300976333696398290" /></a><br /><div>What else have I been working on? This little Friendship Star quilt was made as a birthday gift for my friend Tammy. She is a childhood friend that I reconnected with a few years ago, and we are both celebrating the big Five-OH in this MONTH! My Oh My! </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGiN1yk6tMfnwHsJPqddMT3Pl5rcV7sAnmWNK-ovfglOSspy0dIO_5aFDj4oygNNg0PUutcXNtYWMSc28FKWdoUzcUWBAmrQcvIfmifZwFPfi7V3jl6loywiIGDcP_DjCawd-GePxxVe-/s1600-h/SDC10260.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGiN1yk6tMfnwHsJPqddMT3Pl5rcV7sAnmWNK-ovfglOSspy0dIO_5aFDj4oygNNg0PUutcXNtYWMSc28FKWdoUzcUWBAmrQcvIfmifZwFPfi7V3jl6loywiIGDcP_DjCawd-GePxxVe-/s320/SDC10260.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300979869257138514" /></a><br /><div>One of my quilting resolutions for the New Year is to quilt "green" as much as I can in 2009. I love scrap quilts, and I really love making them with total disregard to where any particular color is going to fall in the quilt. To me, that is what makes a scrap quilt fun. I save all my scraps that are at least 2" square, and I beg my dear friend <a href="http://www.bordercreekstation.com/">Sherri</a> for her scraps. I am always so happy when I receive some of Sherri's leftovers, because I just can't seem to deplete my scrap pile, no matter how many scrap quilts I make. So thankfully, Sherri's scraps provide me with some welcome NEW colors to add to the mix. I am currently working on a New York Beauty, which is one of those quilts on my bucket list....here is my progress so far.</div><div><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40AZQ7PMHP9AGzgSQJ1ZWCGCS8hdO0ErMawBgNANZe9-KmtR9m5omKIDcYMlSFJC7-E0D_ppValoDE37LeYvvjtHda8lCl6Z30JDTliGF33QUZuSMUa6CESdS-g3ZA4frT9AWaaBYp-g7/s320/SDC10288.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300983797280900578" /><br /><br />Glad to be back to blogging a little, and will try and be a better blogger in 2009! Happy Belated New Years everyone....and<br />Happy Valentines Day too!<br /></div>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-72040203573420650382008-10-13T07:03:00.011-04:002008-10-13T07:36:20.366-04:00Blissfest Nielson AuctionIf you are a wife, or a mom, or a sister, or a daughter....I encourage you to go over to this site, <a href="http://www.welovethenielsons.blogspot.com/">Blissfest Nielson Auction </a>and watch the video and/or read about Stephanie and Christian Nielson. Stephanie has been a popular blogger for a long time at the <a href="http://www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/">NieNieDialogues</a>. She and her husband Christian are parents to four small children. In August, Stephanie and Christian were in an airplane crash, which has left them both severely burned. Stephanie is still in a medically induced coma as the doctors continue to treat her wounds. Please go read about them, look at all the goodies being offered for auction to benefit their family...and especially look at the "Leaf Sampler Quilt" that I donated....and BID on it!!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-THHBXv4u8H9CKOOXMR8BpL7WVBTcrnDeI2WejHvGxywul3QgsBrpKxOiSgItYHWsBZCwm2AuXVFyKor-gOQd44SpkrPiBW0IB_xkkpuxxl1j72bUnYOu80wfVVBVpfV2PKN12GN2S2dP/s1600-h/DSC_0015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256594376830058834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-THHBXv4u8H9CKOOXMR8BpL7WVBTcrnDeI2WejHvGxywul3QgsBrpKxOiSgItYHWsBZCwm2AuXVFyKor-gOQd44SpkrPiBW0IB_xkkpuxxl1j72bUnYOu80wfVVBVpfV2PKN12GN2S2dP/s320/DSC_0015.JPG" border="0" /></a>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-41104543555928223472008-10-08T21:07:00.003-04:002008-10-08T21:22:04.945-04:00Star BOTM, Block 5<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkU3WbZHXPKpyEav8P9PTT1GCa3-pCjaETINpWj1OvI5yAlpL1tnk965cbnk-YCQurnLYeVk_NU8fiytJVDsEqwIqGFYo1LaTpi1-5dAyOKnSebjQiXmBYHp0IUwUI9XyrZz7Xcdy-YhWo/s1600-h/101_0063.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkU3WbZHXPKpyEav8P9PTT1GCa3-pCjaETINpWj1OvI5yAlpL1tnk965cbnk-YCQurnLYeVk_NU8fiytJVDsEqwIqGFYo1LaTpi1-5dAyOKnSebjQiXmBYHp0IUwUI9XyrZz7Xcdy-YhWo/s320/101_0063.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254957231881033698" /></a><br /> Another pretty block! If you aren't following along with <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/">Judy Laquidara's Star BOTM </a>quilt, it's not too late to jump in and catch up. She gives really good directions and diagrams. She posts directions for a new block every two weeks. It's fun to see all the different color choices made by the various quilters who are participating. Fun stuff - really!!! This is Block 5, and also a picture of the first 5 blocks together.<div><br /></div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bU1nt8bvT-fykfeIoDXRDOJzdGqWL_XDgD6SFr5IwGQBs2rV4e-8ZkYvpuYvEliwpyGBmjSXp4mNnXWqustt5NVwr2VOeahoc9e3xzyN_yBg43cgVPmqGjMqu54_ytXUyDssuegu9mr1/s320/101_0064.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254957231322041890" />Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-22441273422687242412008-10-06T21:48:00.003-04:002008-10-06T21:55:58.702-04:00Scrap-Tastic<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PWOm-4EAXN4DjFRIB3cdnC_G8yBWsKMg4znR4nBzyi_nN3ALcs4bVI6kbgWAE6hTJjbLygry2-2DK6LkTjM_FWU6spL4bbGhJRIi2cKYyvm5arj6TBcxoMLO-bqE-opWpVJyPXh8U_G0/s1600-h/101_0061.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PWOm-4EAXN4DjFRIB3cdnC_G8yBWsKMg4znR4nBzyi_nN3ALcs4bVI6kbgWAE6hTJjbLygry2-2DK6LkTjM_FWU6spL4bbGhJRIi2cKYyvm5arj6TBcxoMLO-bqE-opWpVJyPXh8U_G0/s320/101_0061.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254224444725914802" /></a><br />I wonder what it is about scrap quilts that speak to me so strongly? Maybe it's the old-fashioned idea of using the fabric on hand, maybe it's the way all those random fabrics blend together beautifully, maybe it's just that it appeals to my thrifty side...I'm not sure of the reason, but I definitely would rather make a scrappy quilt than any other kind! I have been working on this quilt for about two weeks now. It is part of the Stash Pot Pie Series, and it's called Tennessee Waltz. The directions called for slightly smaller blocks (2" pieces for the 4 patch blocks); I used 2 1/2 inch pieces for my 4 patch blocks...mainly because I already had a bunch of them made! This quilt is really big (85" x 109") so I won't be putting any additional borders on it. I love the way that every seam in this quilt is straight, but it gives the optical illusion of curves...Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-26572132036328728322008-10-02T11:10:00.008-04:002008-10-02T11:27:11.903-04:00Pumpkin LoveEver since I was a little girl - I have loved pumpkins! I love anything pumpkin flavored (although pumpkin pie absolutely rules), I love the color of pumpkins, I love the smell of pumpkins, I even love the feel of a pumpkin, smooth and cool to the touch. Driving home from work this week, I see the first of the "Pumpkin Patches" along the side of the road, ready for the kids to come and pick the perfect pumpkin for carving. With both my kids grown, I really do miss pumpkin carving! Maybe I will just have to carve my own pumpkin this year...<br /><br />So, in honor of Pumpkin Season, I thought I'd post pictures of my pumpkin quilts!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKRRQl9SNMY97vZsYpnLfULuLV0mgPNrFHG3p_xgTLMHO1y7r2AAsx3zk-c6iTMrLC6dtx04f_w-26kWXG3mbaEcwpZv8bTkrB-4Mycatcu7lWD-9epjUBw6mcfirK5aGXBD3M5xqTykH/s1600-h/pumpkinquilt2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252577805105535266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKRRQl9SNMY97vZsYpnLfULuLV0mgPNrFHG3p_xgTLMHO1y7r2AAsx3zk-c6iTMrLC6dtx04f_w-26kWXG3mbaEcwpZv8bTkrB-4Mycatcu7lWD-9epjUBw6mcfirK5aGXBD3M5xqTykH/s320/pumpkinquilt2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsLnas847v2MEX6rzd0QFn8y9BZn6UzETbv7nNbiHEjerNOXWt40_fTfy7q0urEYId7MxzITy6vjSr_OJNxY4gT-2r4s05G_inkcCtZ3ClBXkhpbITz9GVdJU9R3bWyoatULqWe_LhE2l/s1600-h/pumpkinrunner.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252577815673463762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsLnas847v2MEX6rzd0QFn8y9BZn6UzETbv7nNbiHEjerNOXWt40_fTfy7q0urEYId7MxzITy6vjSr_OJNxY4gT-2r4s05G_inkcCtZ3ClBXkhpbITz9GVdJU9R3bWyoatULqWe_LhE2l/s320/pumpkinrunner.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxeyg46szC31muNvPDpKIf_-vhBGA-mRdW56zCvwWqWhBm1sgy2IHqoP9fsyNOLhKsXm9UVjeHp2wQH_2SKVauHEY5vSVQcPGUulZKGqvo2FzRUQ8wiF7Cpfn3CMqz5ienS60mFvJUG1Y/s1600-h/fallclubquilt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252577425529759458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxeyg46szC31muNvPDpKIf_-vhBGA-mRdW56zCvwWqWhBm1sgy2IHqoP9fsyNOLhKsXm9UVjeHp2wQH_2SKVauHEY5vSVQcPGUulZKGqvo2FzRUQ8wiF7Cpfn3CMqz5ienS60mFvJUG1Y/s320/fallclubquilt.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_AUoqufV0fL9xGEVYxigvtwrfCANemjjMFMo1yUIHCkFQUQRdwnYFFv-60n3wCHDByIIGdkPNaGXG_ugPUPs4jVODRJSg9pf5FUtTwOudpcVUaeAC9xbf5kMjhuxSGae0tydN4Hp5-no/s1600-h/autumnclubquilt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252576440276510194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_AUoqufV0fL9xGEVYxigvtwrfCANemjjMFMo1yUIHCkFQUQRdwnYFFv-60n3wCHDByIIGdkPNaGXG_ugPUPs4jVODRJSg9pf5FUtTwOudpcVUaeAC9xbf5kMjhuxSGae0tydN4Hp5-no/s320/autumnclubquilt.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYlqplEGiSqkNSxxl5O1OK0VY4kOWmkUylVhmL_sZWlaxJt-0Pbmf3bKBxuDhnKZIdmZBbgnV-WneLGb4VRK4kXXwLkMp3VFaPpGzPLrizFyiIYr8SvTfw6jr9MksjNDmJVUZkY6BCcQj/s1600-h/pumpkinquilt1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252576170225353522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYlqplEGiSqkNSxxl5O1OK0VY4kOWmkUylVhmL_sZWlaxJt-0Pbmf3bKBxuDhnKZIdmZBbgnV-WneLGb4VRK4kXXwLkMp3VFaPpGzPLrizFyiIYr8SvTfw6jr9MksjNDmJVUZkY6BCcQj/s320/pumpkinquilt1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIJ2vhuEamZP6QpgOJTVncaoqye4L7xDi-yjS92ZejkfGA0JGid0B97G9TgDd2GekOfska8tOBEQLrxt3S_p7hmLJVzsg9wJ8A_FkmwoUwVVk7hBT2u1vzNqvdgDseqXmXpT0ZqZHsS2N/s1600-h/harvesttimequilted.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252575955264491090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIJ2vhuEamZP6QpgOJTVncaoqye4L7xDi-yjS92ZejkfGA0JGid0B97G9TgDd2GekOfska8tOBEQLrxt3S_p7hmLJVzsg9wJ8A_FkmwoUwVVk7hBT2u1vzNqvdgDseqXmXpT0ZqZHsS2N/s320/harvesttimequilted.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-85673401049628367362008-09-15T20:45:00.006-04:002008-10-02T11:31:10.803-04:00Star BOTM, Block 4<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsMvfCmpotNWUXEug0PDXdvgd-nF5uU3jzpBsz_lXRTDKP3Kwyv6GhVhMwLWiDJ9BzvImLtDvmEusZwU-ZQwiuARrqJRcwGMW-oVqGVgXlvVmPiEuIrKhzPgQLnm90T80IZ0NN59LYtqL/s1600-h/101_0044.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246414817871947730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsMvfCmpotNWUXEug0PDXdvgd-nF5uU3jzpBsz_lXRTDKP3Kwyv6GhVhMwLWiDJ9BzvImLtDvmEusZwU-ZQwiuARrqJRcwGMW-oVqGVgXlvVmPiEuIrKhzPgQLnm90T80IZ0NN59LYtqL/s320/101_0044.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Judy L. from <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/">Patchwork Times </a>has posted the 4th block in her Block of the Month series. All the star blocks in this series (so far) have very interesting centers. I'm enjoying this series, and each Star block has gone together perfectly. Judy's directions and measurements are spot on, and easy to follow. Head on over to her site and jump in....it's not too late to start!Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-26235393411640245962008-09-15T13:10:00.011-04:002008-10-02T11:29:58.474-04:00Marathon of Sewing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw59beV_H4BCYjYEjweesnW7WtIoKzdrWhpgDsyJ-IVprkjS29De_oOIboKIQX3VW6EfbLrx7yqS7zE62HyVIcgYu4PA4LdMbBOGO5r9NQ-8q-8OvA9t_cWAcW9Y6H6PW49Hdqv9I72__Q/s1600-h/Imported+Photos+00012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw59beV_H4BCYjYEjweesnW7WtIoKzdrWhpgDsyJ-IVprkjS29De_oOIboKIQX3VW6EfbLrx7yqS7zE62HyVIcgYu4PA4LdMbBOGO5r9NQ-8q-8OvA9t_cWAcW9Y6H6PW49Hdqv9I72__Q/s320/Imported+Photos+00012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246306616991224658" /></a><br />Let me just say that this quilt "Old Waterloo Road" may just be one of the more difficult quilts I have ever put together, in terms of sheer endurance needed!<br />This whole quilt went together on point, in rows that are 3 1/2" wide....I felt like I was sewing, and sewing, and sewing, to see that I only had a small corner of the quilt put together. However, like the litle engine that could, I kept going - and I'm so glad I did! I have made alot of scrap quilts in the past, this one has just moved to the top of my list of favorites. I still have one more fabric border (just fabric, no piecing) to put on, and then it is finished. Now I'm picturing all the beautiful, swirly, curly all-over pantographs that I will audition for quilting this one.Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-66932569516164119942008-09-08T21:08:00.002-04:002008-09-08T21:15:26.913-04:00Quiltville Mystery, Old Tobacco Road<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBrpONFLPoxFPdYZRawIVzRgrA0U9fX_FAcxLwJo-RJTNOYqvgMH4PlkQWtpRWqhP8u-YmW_8K9ldZaXs2pR6KPF6UdCSaVQ6Rp9aNpkpAt5U97s57_X65YD_mtmkz6-BZo4k9aD5UEHi/s1600-h/101_0031.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBrpONFLPoxFPdYZRawIVzRgrA0U9fX_FAcxLwJo-RJTNOYqvgMH4PlkQWtpRWqhP8u-YmW_8K9ldZaXs2pR6KPF6UdCSaVQ6Rp9aNpkpAt5U97s57_X65YD_mtmkz6-BZo4k9aD5UEHi/s320/101_0031.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243823871477828354" /></a><br />I have been working on this mystery since Labor Day weekend. If you have never followed one of Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilts, they are alot of fun...especially if you like scrappy quilts and just want to use up all those random leftovers. I have to tell you, this one was very challenging to lay out on my design "floor" (yes, I crawl around in the floor). Not only that, but I have two cats, so after I got this bad boy on the floor, I did not want to pick it up and lay it out again before I start sewing the rows together.<br />So...no visitors are allowed in my sewing room right now as there are all kinds of flat items laid on top of this quilt layout to keep the cats from attacking it while I sleep tonight!Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-83368152454547328602008-09-04T12:06:00.004-04:002008-09-06T22:33:33.196-04:00Star BOTM, Block 3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukGod3gdNGYN6J24TfITlcjH8bDYRUq9e5PqK9XVn8iPoLIKWI-iZfMY1eZpOvkgEuhQZEG4PIiSfSLImzs2PQiL8E-3fVGysyIf_6GbGB9ndixjpFobzCs_iuw2PRPpvEmwoAWM_JM7y/s1600-h/101_0008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukGod3gdNGYN6J24TfITlcjH8bDYRUq9e5PqK9XVn8iPoLIKWI-iZfMY1eZpOvkgEuhQZEG4PIiSfSLImzs2PQiL8E-3fVGysyIf_6GbGB9ndixjpFobzCs_iuw2PRPpvEmwoAWM_JM7y/s320/101_0008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243101810195848114" /></a><br />This has been such a busy week - there are not enough hours in the day!!! I did manage to steal about an hour last night after I got home from work, so I tackled block 3 in the Star BOTM from Judy L's <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/">website</a>. If you are looking for a fun internet project to follow along on, it's not too late to start! Judy gives great directions and illustrations, and it's really fun to see how everyone else's blocks are turning out.Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-87097375583910145442008-08-28T08:43:00.005-04:002008-08-28T09:00:13.850-04:00Summer Guild Challenge Quilt<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2QL3-REsGQpBp9eii9T5nmLweZKRK6kYr8yYaxQkmSOai7wGIpMJFoWhqLGZ-hL1GXvmPpcSoF9Qr7v-ClBwkl7lyDBYy3i6NoV-6wdQ9AF-DOe9bQCo98f06D7sgo1Y55wrNsmCPCvO/s1600-h/Vacation+2008+00181.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2QL3-REsGQpBp9eii9T5nmLweZKRK6kYr8yYaxQkmSOai7wGIpMJFoWhqLGZ-hL1GXvmPpcSoF9Qr7v-ClBwkl7lyDBYy3i6NoV-6wdQ9AF-DOe9bQCo98f06D7sgo1Y55wrNsmCPCvO/s320/Vacation+2008+00181.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239551106946397394" /></a><br /><br />My local guild is participating in a challenge over the summer. The challenge is to make a quilt using only half square triangles. You take four hst's, and put them together into a block, in any arrangement of your choice. Then you put these together with an alternating block that is the same block but turned a different direction, OR you can make an alternating block that is a different configuration of 4 hst's, but the same colors. Clear as mud, right? It sort of made my head spin just thinking of the different combinations you could do...the other part of the challenge is that each participant pulled an envelope that contained a paint chip, and that paint chip would be the main color of your quilt. Lucky for me, I pulled a paint chip that I loved...it was a lovely teal called "seaside cottage". So it seemed perfectly logical to me that this quilt should be pieced while I was on my summer vacation in Kitty Hawk, NC. I wanted to make something very "beachy" and "summery", and I think I did. I have purchased some seashell fabric to use for a backing...I was looking for a simple project to do on vacation, and made this quilt entirely with "thangles". I can't wait for our first guild meeting and to see the other challenge quilts....Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-632667096226068672008-08-25T21:47:00.004-04:002008-08-25T22:03:25.295-04:00Star BOTM, Block 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwzRBObPZNFwcn7r2OEjT6u8Zj-10bOPaMthVYfji7XEAz8r1Cqye9NG6cVTY_PO8LZbGiSav79sBPNNti4Sj5YWA02Lu9lXzW1lKd0agSh3O3iCYTaAELsM5tt3cX4hjqwNoLrJ1TH5q/s1600-h/DSCI0520.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwzRBObPZNFwcn7r2OEjT6u8Zj-10bOPaMthVYfji7XEAz8r1Cqye9NG6cVTY_PO8LZbGiSav79sBPNNti4Sj5YWA02Lu9lXzW1lKd0agSh3O3iCYTaAELsM5tt3cX4hjqwNoLrJ1TH5q/s320/DSCI0520.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238641080384200194" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDwRpBT40nVWI6Np-RCdINquwuIEOL5GbtnzlaeL4SRhu1Fj0kW9ye95VcAE9pggfo9Bvl1YfRClu4hxq8E1_70kmEixcctmPvuPCd3HGi9y_2dTvDARvvKxxko-V4_kZjRuFQuyaNmnF/s1600-h/DSCI0476.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDwRpBT40nVWI6Np-RCdINquwuIEOL5GbtnzlaeL4SRhu1Fj0kW9ye95VcAE9pggfo9Bvl1YfRClu4hxq8E1_70kmEixcctmPvuPCd3HGi9y_2dTvDARvvKxxko-V4_kZjRuFQuyaNmnF/s320/DSCI0476.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238640385616143762" /></a><br /><br />I was on vacation this past week....a wonderful, peaceful, relaxing week in Kitty Hawk, N.C....one of my favorite places in the world! I actually brought my sewing machine with me, which is something I've never done before on a vacation. I found that since I get up earlier than everybody else in the house, I could spend a nice hour or so in the morning sewing. I worked on a Summer challenge quilt that my guild is doing, and I also made Block 2 of Judy's Star BOTM. Here it is!Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-1273303455856749402008-08-05T07:36:00.003-04:002008-11-13T01:09:55.745-05:00Feather MeanderingMy friend Karen <a href="http://theniftyneedle.blogspot.com">(check out her new blog here)</a> is an absolutely fantastic longarm quilter. As if that's not special enough, she's also incredibly generous in sharing her time and her knowledge. While I have an older model shortarm setup at home (Design a Quilt), Karen has a beautiful Gammill at her house. Not only does she let me touch it...she actually has let me quilt on it! This past Friday I had a day off from work and was invited to have a "sew day" with Karen. While I am a champion at the all-over puzzle type meander on my own machine...I have been yearning to learn a fancier all-over feather meander on the Gammill. Karen is always so encouraging when I am critical of my own efforts. Anyway...this is what I did on her Gammill last Friday. I can't wait to practice at this a few more times; I think it turned out pretty okay for a beginner!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0wv39IyWGhFdxSADr0bpBrdxUZIiQhKZ4FWMRfC_rPjeV7Zjg561Ucq27sGaTCoxkt_NG2SZcWvicpxKjnT7kJCZKsXpVwg3HA6IkHdu55ZDRm8ABo18TSfQQpJsRbUCG4U6AEWI93L5/s1600-h/feather+meander.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0wv39IyWGhFdxSADr0bpBrdxUZIiQhKZ4FWMRfC_rPjeV7Zjg561Ucq27sGaTCoxkt_NG2SZcWvicpxKjnT7kJCZKsXpVwg3HA6IkHdu55ZDRm8ABo18TSfQQpJsRbUCG4U6AEWI93L5/s320/feather+meander.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230999323716832482" /></a>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-33279011296699872142008-08-04T20:19:00.002-04:002008-11-13T01:09:56.106-05:00Judy Laquidara's Star BOM, Block 1This evening after work I had a chance to sit down and sew Block Number 1 from <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/show-us-block-1/">Judy L's BOM</a>. It went together very smoothly, and I'm happy with my color choices. And as always, I'm grateful that Judy is providing us with this lovely on-going project! Here is my block: <br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDTHdz0qOD98QtPgEUujdeZQ8ZJAaYQkf_paVM7cadoNjEn-9lmpQ1wB0Pk8C_NpEOe-V-xq2y2WaNmI5iVER9KbQMzdcYR_mQdIhbI3YTMiguHVaG4rQUnOd574TNjKlH6HIGCD6Wrk_/s1600-h/Untitled+00262.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDTHdz0qOD98QtPgEUujdeZQ8ZJAaYQkf_paVM7cadoNjEn-9lmpQ1wB0Pk8C_NpEOe-V-xq2y2WaNmI5iVER9KbQMzdcYR_mQdIhbI3YTMiguHVaG4rQUnOd574TNjKlH6HIGCD6Wrk_/s320/Untitled+00262.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230994977175249794" /></a>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-29643481629355393222008-07-22T21:26:00.001-04:002008-07-22T21:28:12.423-04:00Need blogging assistanceIf someone stops by who is an experienced blogger, can you please tell me how to reply to a comment??? I'm really stumped!Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-3013136472332311822008-07-22T10:51:00.005-04:002008-11-13T01:09:56.417-05:00Goodbye to My Sweet AprilFeeling really raw and sad today...Yesterday I had to make the decision that every pet lover fears and dreads. My cat April, almost 19 years old, was diagnosed last Thursday with kidney failure, and due to a bad heart and the numbers from her bloodwork, she was classifed as untreatable. She was the most wonderful and loving of cats, and my ever faithful sewing companion. I am going to miss her for a very very long time.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiwLFHB-Vx1Sihq-4yzRcpln22uPn7CXSxnV4j-kf36SR6Zeahtb-NhW80nged1gvGHZUdycGDj-vnYI4mk1Zo9KRU5XNUSjLURriyCui-vQInwKUrdMNQhtgiyZDSSYkWJaxHkfFijdr/s1600-h/100_5784.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225852449676215810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiwLFHB-Vx1Sihq-4yzRcpln22uPn7CXSxnV4j-kf36SR6Zeahtb-NhW80nged1gvGHZUdycGDj-vnYI4mk1Zo9KRU5XNUSjLURriyCui-vQInwKUrdMNQhtgiyZDSSYkWJaxHkfFijdr/s320/100_5784.JPG" border="0" /></a>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-61920796253410836012008-07-16T06:51:00.004-04:002008-11-13T01:09:56.662-05:00Are you a treasure hunter?Do I have some fellow treasure hunters out there? I simply CANNOT resist stopping at yard sales, flea markets, and thrift stores. I know, alot of people would never want anybody elses "junk", but there are some real treasures out there mixed in with the junk! My mom, who is 79 years old, is the Queen of the yard sale. I believe that there may be some gene that I have inherited from her that compels me to look for treasure amongst everyone else's castoffs. Now, take a look at this footstool...I can't claim to be the one who found it, but my mom found it at a yard sale for $30. She didn't need it, but knew it was too good to pass up, and that I happen to love, love, love unusual old oak pieces. I should have taken a "before" picture of it...it was very black looking with old varnish, and the fabric on it was worn, faded and very stained. Just a few hours of stripping, sanding, staining and recovering, and I am now the happy owner of this little oak footstool. Isn't this absolutely the ultimate in oak cuteness?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8X4j0x3fsqOCDaWVLxQxpLN36eGbWNpLKvvRGtFcp7s3M26FRQnkbV6a9m9I-hv3eufj8Q0PfQg9RPqAoAClyDQyQ_X0FrzG1AxISwPSOrd96M0AZpuPN3CEnxx-MhYBJp2hG8JrJCd6h/s1600-h/Untitled+00058.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8X4j0x3fsqOCDaWVLxQxpLN36eGbWNpLKvvRGtFcp7s3M26FRQnkbV6a9m9I-hv3eufj8Q0PfQg9RPqAoAClyDQyQ_X0FrzG1AxISwPSOrd96M0AZpuPN3CEnxx-MhYBJp2hG8JrJCd6h/s320/Untitled+00058.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223564882629076530" /></a><br /><br />An added bonus to this little footstool, is that the top cushion is actually a hinged lid which swings open, and I can use it to hide all my hand-quilting and applique supplies that I like to use while watching t.v.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OXgsXuzLR-8RJmBBY_HLXqxdXkAVuGDCw1QTZHAGrSRyHKUuV6APin-dBfj4A87fM8zztDe8ORxJOboqee0ATc2zIJKsoc1IhArjOkjSttRms9reiSNo6R1_lgqX6Ff6cgKQvxa27RYE/s1600-h/footstoolopen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OXgsXuzLR-8RJmBBY_HLXqxdXkAVuGDCw1QTZHAGrSRyHKUuV6APin-dBfj4A87fM8zztDe8ORxJOboqee0ATc2zIJKsoc1IhArjOkjSttRms9reiSNo6R1_lgqX6Ff6cgKQvxa27RYE/s320/footstoolopen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223565552833942402" /></a>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-87908350493700430992008-07-14T22:11:00.005-04:002008-11-13T01:09:56.981-05:00Shabby Stars Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Tv4248Hr8ahn_ug3A22q7FC-xSVl5O73UxAUt-31BfD3ZxOuhaX9SI6VbCighZtYQE6wkBwMk4PU0HprJ_n8qe24FncT4GYg_AHCal9sp54m5Dt4IuC10jDzk7rVSTDbbKuak9rW32SI/s1600-h/DSCI0356.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Tv4248Hr8ahn_ug3A22q7FC-xSVl5O73UxAUt-31BfD3ZxOuhaX9SI6VbCighZtYQE6wkBwMk4PU0HprJ_n8qe24FncT4GYg_AHCal9sp54m5Dt4IuC10jDzk7rVSTDbbKuak9rW32SI/s320/DSCI0356.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223059123578048146" /></a><br />Here is my progress to date on the Shabby Stars project that is posted <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/">here</a>. I am 3 blocks behind on this project, but I did that intentionally because I enjoy making several of the blocks in one sitting. That way I can drag all my fabrics out of my project box, and really spread out and look at the colors I'm using and make each block really scrappy and different. Here is a photo of the setting blocks, I have those all made. This quilt is going to go on the bed in my spare bedroom, which is yellow. I have never worked with pastel colors like this before, and I'm really happy with the way it looks. I can't wait to start putting this quilt together!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCAVQwCHxFTmXl0QWmUfTNuf3CbcwNinbCmkJzUhGbkoQiD-vg6ujgVW3KZQ6UJ_TMJnpd_SZZeyRsU9-xfqouW3Sg1YuWsOFCsHBBLwRLNLn-e3SO_uZagupJBGA9eJGwgYsEh7ZD5tn/s1600-h/DSCI0357.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCAVQwCHxFTmXl0QWmUfTNuf3CbcwNinbCmkJzUhGbkoQiD-vg6ujgVW3KZQ6UJ_TMJnpd_SZZeyRsU9-xfqouW3Sg1YuWsOFCsHBBLwRLNLn-e3SO_uZagupJBGA9eJGwgYsEh7ZD5tn/s320/DSCI0357.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223060278481885890" /></a>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-7121978246512298082008-07-14T22:03:00.003-04:002008-11-13T01:09:57.165-05:00Patchwork Times Star BOTMHere are the fabrics that I have selected for the Star BOTM that is starting at <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/star-bom-fabric-selections/">Patchwork Times</a>. The only fabric missing from the photo is my main background fabric, which is a beige color; hopefully it will arrive in my mailbox tomorrow!<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sqH62tilod3Kq6v2BQo8rrDNGMDcFNoi8FqCabsPQ0yHI02tvytPFT12GSb2iNrLmx14m1UD994FDzlB7nAMfZD9VTrHd1uuoWhQO2IYP61pef-azkenZdNMBQOWdogS8iabxA6I0DLn/s1600-h/DSCI0354.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sqH62tilod3Kq6v2BQo8rrDNGMDcFNoi8FqCabsPQ0yHI02tvytPFT12GSb2iNrLmx14m1UD994FDzlB7nAMfZD9VTrHd1uuoWhQO2IYP61pef-azkenZdNMBQOWdogS8iabxA6I0DLn/s320/DSCI0354.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223056743422509394" /></a> I am anxious to get started on this project. I really love the fabrics that I have chosen.Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-84011573553620319562008-07-08T14:27:00.005-04:002008-11-13T01:09:57.566-05:006 Years Isn't Really That Long, Is It?My family comes from the south - Tennessee to be exact. Although I was born and raised here in lovely VA...my mom, dad, and all of their immediate family are from Tennessee. When I visit these relatives in the south, instead of being "Martha", I become one of those southern girls with two first names...."Martha Faye". (When I was little, one of my cousins pronounced it "Wash your face".) Okay, that was kind of a long way of getting around to telling you about my Aunt Faye. I have always loved and admired her, and wanted to be just like her when I was a little girl. There is a family story that I learned to knit at about 6 years old, lying flat on my back in bed next to my Aunt Faye who had just had back surgery....I think that my Aunt Faye is also behind my love of making things, and even more important, my love of quilting! About 10 years ago when my Granny Kate's health was failing, Aunt Faye was her full time care-giver; she spent many hours bedside of my Granny Kate, and spent her time cross-stitching 16" quilt blocks. About 6 years ago, she passed the blocks to me and asked that I set them in "some kind of quilt" for her. So I procrastinated just a little bit. But this past 4th of July weekend I made up my mind to just do it. Here is the result....I still need to add some borders to the outside, but all in all, I'm pretty pleased with the outcome. I can't wait to see if Aunt Faye likes it! (By the way, if anyone has any of this older Thimbleberries fabric from the Sugarhouse line that is used in these setting blocks - I'm desperately looking for some more for the borders of this quilt!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-j48Ba-Z0OzDhOjKDQZ1OnCig3kSx3Z1J8jdXiu1p416sqh028ikoerqoAn-gBv5xZI3QL_wJNLyVhrL9Sx4XpHJkG1DwXVNYIJ5zY0w1VXMR63w0wTd-j6bJt_2KZao4_abh1hCJEny/s1600-h/Aunt+Faye+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220714332039684098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-j48Ba-Z0OzDhOjKDQZ1OnCig3kSx3Z1J8jdXiu1p416sqh028ikoerqoAn-gBv5xZI3QL_wJNLyVhrL9Sx4XpHJkG1DwXVNYIJ5zY0w1VXMR63w0wTd-j6bJt_2KZao4_abh1hCJEny/s320/Aunt+Faye+2.jpg" border="0" /></a>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-54977046122410782652008-07-08T14:20:00.002-04:002008-11-13T01:09:57.740-05:00Quilt for a Cause<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK57b-QPGlz5lxz3_8-1_FJu2wIcuvFAvceXtFju87lPqafqXqT7pAbD7OQulocyTVxBkyYDtVoTY-rFDQcJ_HkUS8MjR5UfOoh2zAr3SCKP5tS5XvPMRBpquJCbY9JG1p6ToAh_sFvoWp/s1600-h/Cancer+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220711215973704866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK57b-QPGlz5lxz3_8-1_FJu2wIcuvFAvceXtFju87lPqafqXqT7pAbD7OQulocyTVxBkyYDtVoTY-rFDQcJ_HkUS8MjR5UfOoh2zAr3SCKP5tS5XvPMRBpquJCbY9JG1p6ToAh_sFvoWp/s320/Cancer+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Wow - I took a bit longer of a blog break than I intended. (I actually did not intend to take a break at all, but got really busy with life stuff, ya know?) I also have had some nice sewing time over the past couple of weeks, so will show some photos of what I've been doing....I have been working on a quilt which I call the "Breast Cancer Quilt" that I'm donating to a local golf tournament here in VA for a silent auction. This is a queen sized quilt, and I just finished machine quilting it yesterday. This quilt is actually made and donated in memory of my friend Dale McGee Fry, who lost her battle with cancer in December 2006. I think of her often, and I hope that this quilt brings in lots of money for the cause, and that whoever ends up with it uses it and loves it alot!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-22066855441024825012008-06-13T09:04:00.003-04:002008-06-13T09:37:45.484-04:00Mom StuffI have to admit, I really am not all that thrilled with the empty nest I have most of the year. My daughter, age 23, lives a little more than an hour away, where she is simultaneously attending school for her Master's Degree while working for <a href="http://www.targetinc.netfirms.com/">Target</a> (not the store) as a "Community Living Manager" in a group home where she is the full-time caregiver for 3 mentally retarded adult women. We talk daily, several times a day. She comes home to hang out and spend the weekend when her schedule allows. I miss her alot, but I've adjusted to her living "on her own". <br /><br /> My son, age 21, is a junior at George Mason University where he is an Art major. He has been living on campus during the past two school years. He is also on staff at <a href="http://www.restonbible.org/">Reston Bible Church</a> where he is the "Music and Arts Assistant" and also the electric guitar player for their worship band. I have to admit, I have been eagerly looking forward to having him home for the summer....and as it turns out, he's not exactly going to be home. He has an opportunity to move into a house with 3 musician buddies, all of whom are recent college graduates, right in Reston. This puts him incredibly close to his job, very close to his college (and he's taking two classes over the summer which would have involved commuting 4 days a week from ALOT further if he were at home); AND the rent for a year is less than the cost of 9 months of campus living. It's a great opportunity, a smart move considering the cost of gas, and I'm still a little disappointed and just a bit sad that he won't be home for the summer.Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932513631616502901.post-17204672455622748662008-06-13T08:45:00.003-04:002008-11-13T01:09:58.098-05:00Shabby StarsThis week I jumped in and started following the Star Sew Along that <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2008/04/star-quilt-along-week-1.html">Crazy Mom Quilts</a> is hosting on her blog. Since I am playing "catch up" on this one, I have just been making the blocks in no particular order. I have one left to do, I believe it's number 5. I love, love, love the subdued colors that Crazy Mom Quilts used in some of her sample blocks, so decided to make my stars in what I'm calling "shabby chic" florals....very different from my normal Civil War /Thimbleberries/Kansas Troubles prints. I have a pale yellow spare bedroom that I would like to put this quilt in. I have made alot of bed quilts, but none of the colors that I typically work with look good in this pale yellow room. I'm finding that I'm more and more willing to step out of my comfort zone and start working with different colors and styles...it's kind of refreshing. I have been cruising all the internet quilt shops this week looking for these shabby chic florals, which I have never even glanced at in the past. I'm trying to find the "perfect" floral fabric, with a nice mix of pink andyellow, for the setting blocks. Here are my stars so far:<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZzv1U28zHso6IOXZbsTZR9lZb8e7dMuTkOVq4QeXgjYrXYTOVp_lsz03znwzpPoj0RVKEIM1J6OTuyrq0qfwzu5G11PX9ZgwlnN3MKmbuE_m_QxzDRX1Qop7ySr0HrCPkG2kMdDwo6cA/s1600-h/shabbychicstars.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211348783507284226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZzv1U28zHso6IOXZbsTZR9lZb8e7dMuTkOVq4QeXgjYrXYTOVp_lsz03znwzpPoj0RVKEIM1J6OTuyrq0qfwzu5G11PX9ZgwlnN3MKmbuE_m_QxzDRX1Qop7ySr0HrCPkG2kMdDwo6cA/s320/shabbychicstars.jpg" border="0" /></a>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09551440482696659614noreply@blogger.com0