Jan--check your LQS or even joanns or hancocks. We sell an "iron cleaner" at the shop I work in. Or do a search online...I am sure there are homemade cleaner recipes out there too. :)

MiraB ... I think I am up for the challenge! The quilt tops were pretty much done, so the backings and bindings are pretty straight forward. Just the one has me stumped on the do-ability of it! Well on the way with the DJs. The MBs have to be done and will be today. And the hearts will re-surface likely tomorrow, so I can start ruminating on them As for PhDs under ten ... maybe that should be my 2014 year end goal? :D:D:D:D:D

QNSue ... looks like this quilt could become a memory quilt for your years with your DH. Keeping with the RW+B theme will be so appropriate. I wouldn;t worry about not repeating your fabrics. Sometimes we get our quilts just too scrappy. Continuity can be good and let the project blend nicely together. Now, you have to re-type all of that for the Star thread!

DublB ... will be interesting to see your LadyBug LadyBlocks! As for your dot goal ... I think you missed your deadline already! Perhaps 31st?

MiraB ... oh so glad you have the spark has been re-ignited! Maybe you just needed a break from that quilt? or just had to get your mind into the space to work with the darks? It's going to be magnificent, and I know the photo is no where near as beautiful as you can see it IRL.

GGal ... oh dear, are you suggesting I need a white board to go with my project boxes. Gosh, not sure I am ready for sanity!! :D Seriously ... it's a perfect idea!!! I work well with lists, so putting that list in front of me, would be a perfect reminder and incentive. I think we are all welcoming that winter lull .... full well knowing it will go back at it again! :D

JanRN ... so you can have a day of "cat's away the mouse will play"!!!! I wash/dry all my batiks in hot/hot along with a Colour Catcher. If they are runners, they get the retayne treatment to stop that. However, I have never run into the wax problem. I would think if there was excess wax it would have disappeared with the wash cycle. Scary though, when you say you washed it ... and now have black wax coming off. Can you imagine that in your dryer? YIKES!! Wax melts, so I would alternate between ironing the hot iron on an old wet towel then onto a brown paper bag then back to the wet towel. When you think all is good, try ironing a tea towel, or something that it's OK if there is a mark and see if you are happy with the results. Definitely get in touch with your LQS ... they should know about what's happening and might be able to advise.

:DAnd now .............. I am off to my happy place!!!!!!!! :D

I'm hoping JeanieG gets her MB soon.....

I'm at work....my wireless modem? at home is on & off so I can't communicate right now...Work all day tomorrow...
Carriem & QuiltE how are the 4 patch posies sewn together??? straight on as they are cut or do we turn them??

Customer just approached... talk later...H

Honchey--You turn them to keep the same part of the block meeting in the middle (does that make sense??). I included a close up of a picture for you to see.

Thank You Carriem.. My modem wasn't cooperating with the cable company and I called this evening at now it's all squared away....I hope!

Tomorrow is a long day at work so I want to play a little...I always wanted to try the 4 patch and found a floral print and see how it goes... What size are the pieces before sewing?

I still love those sunflowers Carriem, I hope you are feeling better

Here is a pic of the Out of the Darkness completed blocks, I hope to start cutting the centre panel today, just 3 more pieces to sew on my Star block.. The blocks are huge 18 inches

Honchey ... is JeanieG the only one without her December MB now? Hope you had a good sales day! For your 4PP ... stack your fabric and cut your squares. Then you kind of spin them out ... when you look at each of the individual squares straight on, with them placed in the 4P, the same part of the print will be on the left as is on the left of the other one. So the opposite side matches against the other one. Does that make sense? Sizes, can vary. Mine were 2-1/2" cuts ... because my print was smaller. Though CarrieM's sunflowers being larger would be a larger square. Just kind of go with the size of your print and take the block a little smaller, in order to let the kaleido show nicely.

JeanieG ... How disappointing for you.

MiraB ... stunnnnnnnnnnnningly gorgeous!

Thanks Mirabelle....that sunflower table topper is still just a flimsy/shop sample. The fabric is almost gone so I will get to bring it home and finish it. :) Your blocks look like a lot of work! What a great variety of colors!!

Honchey--QE answered your question...for my sample above, I think the middle was cut 6 1/2" square and the corners were 3 1/2".

It took a couple days to recover from the EMG...I didn't realize it would affect me so much. I am feeling better now and ready for my elbow to get worked on tomorrow. I got my Alaska block fabric all cut today so it is ready when I can sew again.

Mirabelle, that quilt is stunning ! ! ! ! I admire your patience!

Carrie, I'm glad you recovered from the EMG. I hope it all works out for you!!

I was doing a DJ applique this morning.
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