carriem

Ggal--WOW!!!Congrats on finishing a beautiful quilt!! The stepping stones block in-between is such a great way to lay it out, the sashing and quilting look good and yay it's done.

Mirabelle--that's a fun machine. I am sure your DH will understand...wink, wink.

I made good progress last night...6 of the 12 blocks done on my quilt...here is what I started with and what I have done so far...one of the ladies here at the retreat really likes it (and she's become a good friend over the years) so I think I am going to give it to her for cost of materials for her "retreat quilt"...when I mentioned that she was VERY excited. I will have to add another border to make it long enough for sleeping with but that is easy enough to do...even have some more fabric from the line at home. I didn't have a plan for this quilt yet so it is fun now to know who it's for.

Honchey

I see some of your favorite colors Carriem I like the contrast in the blocks... very pretty fabrics....

gardnergal970

Thanks everyone! I couldn't have done it without you!
Anael....your SewGrands look so cute. Both are getting that marshmellowy, love to touch look of a newborn. What good care they are getting.
Mirabelle....are you a sewing machine collector like Dubib? You found a jewel this time. How are you feeling?
carrie...I love your colors too. Such a simple block but very interesting with the contrasts you've chosen. Do you get to help people put together fabrics at the quilt shop?
QNS...must be having a ball with DD and her family. Does DH like his new computer?
Jan...the narrow strips are just how I joined the blocks together. I think I remember that you quilt the block with the batting, assemble the blocks and add the batting. I have the block, batting, and backing all quilted at the same time. I even found that the extra layers when squaring up the blocks kept my quilt really square so when I added the borders there was very little easing.
Jeanie....maybe Anael could help you decide. She likes the eyecandy.
Honchey...glad others are learning that you make a great trail boss. What fun we've had with you leading the way. Nothing serious going on in my sewing room right now. Kind of taking stock of what needs to be finished next as I have another quilt buzzing around in my head and want more space before I start anything new. Have a great day everyone!

QuiltingNinaSue

Yes, GardenGal, i am having fun with dgs and dd and dsil. DD is getting him all set up and learning the new system...its a monster, BIG casing. have guests joining us at noon, the neighbor who dug us out of the snowbank. planning a Bar-b-que; will see how that goes. he is the minister of the young people at church and can talk music to sil.

Brownies and cookies and ice cream for dessert. leftovers i will leave in the virtual RV. Dgs is up and running in the hallway and dd is finished her shower. you all have a good day.

QuiltE

Darn it all ... just wiped out all my comments and have to start again.
(and yes, I was running with the 2nd tab opened, and managed to kill it ... not a good way to start Saturday!)

Thanks Everyone ... for pampering me and my mouth!
Ever since my jaw/teeth/mouth have been achy, so I think he upset a nerve with the little bit of work he did.

Honchey ... Guess we'd better watch what we say ... now that you have a "following" IRL! I'm sure you are a wonderful teacher IRL ... thorough yet keep it relaxed, organized, clear and keep it calm. I somewhat parallel you to the OBW teacher I had. I just so enjoy seeing her when I am in the LQS. Nothing seems to get her in a flap! So ... are all these new PP graduates ready to Saddle Up??

QNSue ... hope you stayed out of the beer , and got your tidying up done before everyone arrived. Looks like you're having a grand weekend, with your morning check in!! Now keep it going!!

Anael ... fingers crossed for Bram going solo ... and Isa having a splish-splash very soon!

JeanieG ... ITA with JanRN, there's somewhat of a fun-factor in the brighter blue. The blocks look great on both, just depends on whether you want the fun-cheer-bright look or more of a classic with the darker one. I have a Fusions Mist that's about 1/2 way between the two, that I bet would accomplish both! The good news is that if you do switch to a different colour, you know you love the mis-buy and will use it. Of course, we are left to wonder if it was planned! Per chance does your LQS have the swatch chart that you could see IRL, and order from it? That's how I ordered my FWS green, from the itty-bitty piece, but at least I knew what I was getting!

GGal ... absolutely stunning! I can't get over how well the Stepping Stones blend the blocks together. The diagonal lines and oval stones really take away from the blocky-chunky look that mine will have in the traditional setting. Envious of your creativity!! Are your sashings just 1/2"? Was this your first big QAYG? I can't get over how straight your sashings are. One of the holdbacks I have with this method, as I know the inherent risk. Great job done on your part! And to think I have a SS/BB, to remind me of your achievements. Next project your BB quilt? ... some familiar BBs and some different ones!

MiraB ... So I was right! .... though I didn't expect it to be this machine! I was thinking more likely something long/mid-arm'ish! What tricks will she do? And what;s your story for your DH? hhmmmmm .... maybe you could shift the "blame" your DD. After all Daddy will be sure to fall in line with his DD?

CarrieM ... Looks like a good project to work on while at a retreat. Great colours, mixing your orange and purple ... but no green! How kind of you to make this for your friend.

And now ... I'm off to get my hair chopped, some errands and then back to sew. I have all my PC spare blocks done now, though I am contemplating a couple more which will be done today. Then that's the end!!!!!!!!!!

To My Mystery Pardner ... You have not been forgotten, as that now means that I will then be saddling up to make your Mystery Block this weekend! I know, none too soon, compared to the eager beavers in this group ..... I set myself the goal of finishing the PC before I shifted gears, and that I will. Besides I'm still ahead of the mailing date ... right?

Honchey

Yes, QuiltE, your deadline as well as Mirabelle & JanieW are the 15th...The gals making blocks for the 3 of you also have a deadline of the 15th...you know who you are...I almost gave the names away!!!
I'm debating as to when I should schedule my appt with the dental surgeon...I would like to hold off until the middle of May...We're going to be in NC for the month of April maybe longer...I don't know what to do....

I think the most difficult part of teaching this class was reiterating how important it is to pin & flip the piece you are going to be sewing...I brought a few sample foundation papers for them to work on before sewing on the featured project.The one thing I had a problem with was that there was just too much socializing going on.. a 2 hour class ended up being 3.5 hours...I got stuck in commuter traffic and it took me almost 2 hours to get home.....other than that it was good..They really liked the way the points lined up and how nice the block looked...I gave them a few websites to get pping patterns...
I'm also going to be working next Wednesday...it's so nice to do that every once in awhile....

GGal, I really like the stepping stone block and doing the applique by machine makes it so easy..it definitely is in my future....just thinking about it I know where I will use it...I hope you don't mind...

Mirabelle, I have sewn on the Anniversary Singer and it sews very nice..the one thing I didn't like about it was that it doesn't have needle up/down..otherwise I would have gotten one myself... one of Vikings newer machines is the OPAL and I'm thinking of getting it..it's small to midsize with a longer bed for a small/midsize has everthing except the sensor system....You have to manually lower and raise the presser foot...after getting used to not doing that
it's a pain...
I think I'm going to work on one of the other "irons" today...either that or do some picking up around my machine area...it's a real mess!!!!....
we're also starting to clear out some stuff from the room upstairs and bringing it to the recycling center...
The sun is shining so brightly it makes me want to get up and do something...so I guess I will..H.

oksewglad

Good morning all; Oh baby pics, so sweet. A whopping 14+ inches of Isa; yeah!
QNS--FYI, my SIL brings the beer! Hope their travel is safe. Looks like moisture of some sort down your way; have a great day and know that Mr QNS will be a happy camper for quite a while now that he's got his computer up and running.
Jan--you are so right about the blues on Jeanie's lovely is more dramatic and formal. Personally I liked the darker blue as to me it made the blocks "pop" as QNS mentioned. But I like the sound reasoning you gave for the second. Oh no we are confusing Jeanie even more.
Love Love Love GGal's quilt--saw it on her thread the other day. Backing is a great way to use a novelty fabric. I never know what to do with such fabrics so shy away from them. I think I might try your QAYG method on this, too.
Oh mirabelle has a new toy. This should help take the pain away. Note to QE--something like this may be a cure for your dental pain as well!
Carrie--I think you will have a colorful retreat with that quilt you are a stitching on.
Honchey-- an undercover celebrity in our midst--aka our fearless leader!!! Enjoy the sunshine-it's in the 30's and drizzly here.
I've been darting in once in a while, mostly to keep a head of the thread as it's so easy to get behind. Almost finished with my mini. I made a candle mat with small bricks as well so guess there's two heading over. Will finish to day and share with you guys.
DH wears down as the day goes on. Rests in the afternoon and usually calls me to finish the last half of milking at night. Had an impromptu overnight guest last night--4 yo fell asleep here so spent the night, but was ready to go home for breakfast! Back to finish little things!

gardnergal970

Honchey....the Stepping Stone block is not original with me...I borrowed it too. The secret is to have the appliqués cut on the bias to avoid fraying and I used Roxanne's glue and glued them down so I didn't have to worry about the pieces moving. I did a lot of quarter squares up before I started assembling them into blocks and pinning them would have been a pain...quite literally!

Anael

GG, just stunning! Beautiful quilting too. Did you use templates? I just LOVE it. Whenever you've had enough of looking at your PC quilt you know where I live Just send it over, I will take good care of it.

And now, without further info:
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Anael

Latest news on Bram: he moved to Unit 2! He's next to Isa again. No pictures, he needs lots of rest to adjust. He wasn't wearing any cloths, not even his hat. He's doing ok without the ventilator but needs lots of support (meds, extra calories and rest) but he's breathing on his own for 60 hours already. Tonight they're celebrating their 7 week's birthday