Are you able to post some pictures of your WIP? I would love to see how your blocks are coming together in color sets.
Did you join the Postage Stamp Swap?

sorting system & first blocks

What a good idea for sorting the squares. Block looks good with same color family. Are you going to put sashing between blocks?

Are you doing different charm quilts with using all the same color in your bigger blocks of the 1.5 charms??? Or are you going to put the bigger blocks together when you get enough?

Very pretty!!!!

No, I won't have sashing on this quilt. 10 x 20 (aprox) 8" blocks, 4 inch border and 8 inch border. Might be 3 and 9 inches. Better balance. Total 12" borders, at any rate. Queen finished size, with decent overhang.

Oops, missed Hummer's question. It is all one quilt. The color shifts across the quilt.

What is working for me:

Sort the color family light, medium, dark. sew darks to light. When I run out of one or the other, substitute the mediums. sew all blocks in 1 row of a block. For me, that's 8. 2+2, then 4+4. When I have 8 strips of 8 for full block, or 4 strips of 8 for half block, I leave them chained, so I know it's a "set". When I have a good bit done, move to ironing board. first block down, rest on top, seams up. Place 2 strips first position, set iron (setting seams first), place 2 more strips, move iron to 2nd set. Grab strip by next seam. flip it a bit, put into "setting" position, set 2nd strip. move iron. the iron sits on 2 at a time, for a decent amount of time while you reposition the 2nd two. Then seams up. water spray the unit. I push all seams away from the first light block, same direction the whole strip. That way, when I sew two strips (rows) together, they all oppose each other. then seams down & press the top. I let it set, while I am turning the next strip.

I start sewing with the first row on top all up (away from me) & on the feed dog side all down (toward me). Learned that from someone here, that the seam pushes against the under one. The rest of the seams will be the opposite, unless you sew on the left side of the strips instead of the right. When I start sewing (64) blocks together, the seams will still oppose.

No sewing for me tonight! And I hate that so bad. My furballs stirred up a yellow jacket nest in the ground. And I walked right into it with shorts on. They tore my right leg up. And I got stung on my right hand I know of twice. It could of been more. They just bured my tush up royally.

Got my Furby good too! She had a swollen eye and back paw. I know the others got stung also, but not as bad as Furby I don't think.

Hopefully I can sew some tomorrow.

ohhhh, poor You and Furby. Hope you recover quickly!

Thank you Vicky. I did get 109 charms sewn up last night. I'll have to double up tomorrow to get my quota that I'm missing out on tonight.

My fingers are super stiff on my right hand where I got stung. And my whole hand is swollen on top now. It was way earlier today I got stung. And it's just now showing a lot.

aww, you poor babies! so sorry!

Thank you for the furbies!!!!

I see two limping. Don't know about my third one. He's in his bed right now.

Bummer on the stings!!Soda and water paste might help.
I've been putting together 1.5's and need to get back to it. This is a great incentive for me to keep at it. Here's the thread I started when I got my first 1.5's. Think I have enough now. Need to keep sewing!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-42414-1.htm

Great Idea with setting your 9P on point. Have you decided which green? I like the last one best.

Yeap, did that last night with the soda/water paste. My hand is still swollen this morning. And you talk about itching. My leg is worse itching than my hand. I'm afraid I'm going to make sore places by digging so much.

Thanks, Vicky K. No I haven't decided on the green. I've been partial to that one, too. Also like the first one, which has a blue cast to it. I'm going to need just over 2 yards and will have to make sure I have enough.

Great idea Hummer on using those check book boxes. I have always hated discarding them.

So sorry about your stings! Take care. Linda :-D

Thank you! I'm just itching and sore in one spot on my ankle now.

It was quiltmouse that was using the checkbook boxes. Wish I had of thought of it!

I got 70 sewed up last night! I really enjoy setting and sewing by hand late of the evening into the night. I'll be cutting fabric again before I know it.

Still cutting up my stash. (sigh, dropping my sholders) I finished ironning the scraps last night, now to concentrate on cutting. I didn't touch my black and white stash, figured would deal with those later.

You go girl, Betty. Can't wait to see what it looks like.

I can't wait either Vicky! Getting ready to sew again earlier this evening. I might get quite a bit done tonight. I hope I get enough rows to take them up and press them. So I can get my rows together. Get that pressed and I can take a pic.

I'll be headed to my scrap bags after I get these all sewn up that I have laying here. I'll be doing a lot of pressing. I figure I'll be cutting for awhile after these are all sewn up. So I'll have enough to work on several nights.

I think it's better to not have all the pieces cut out at one time. It gives me a break from sewing on them. And I don't get bored with my project.

Ok, whose working with me tonight!!!

Got a few more cut today...a bunch of duplicates for sure from "strings" fat enough to get 6-8 squares off of. Whittled down a pile by cutting out larger squares since i like scrappy anyway, and then some postage stamps. Who knew this project would help me reorganize my scraps?

(probably you PS Veterans, huh?)

ANnnnnnd....then I just worked on some actual quilting today. Close to binding, and then I can be selfish, selfish, selfish! :D

It does help in downstashing stashes doesn't it. I need to cut out some more charms for another cathedral window. I think I'll go with just purples and oranges this time. I think those will be pretty together. Or maybe a blue and yellow one. I still have time to think about those.

Welp, time to do a few stitches before bedtime.

I love postage stamps, I will have fun watching this thread, hopefully It will spur me to get started on mine, I have gotten away from it with a recent hexegon addiction.

Since I'm doing the 1.5" postage stamp swap, I may join this group. I posted pictures of some of my blocks in the swap thread here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-112233-1.htm . Check them out. If I get around to it, I may post pics of how I sort my little squares. This challenge may get me motivated; sometimes I need that! :lol:

That would be great to show how you sort your postage stamps. Hopefully it will give some of the girls the bug to get started on theirs.

I'm loving working on mine of the evenings.

Some of the ladies have stated they would like to do some side swapping of the postage stamps. If you are interested go to this page.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-142366-8.htm#3968050

Thanks, Betty, but I think I was the one who pointed you to this thread! :wink: I've got my stamps ready to mail. Can't wait to get back stamps from the others who have joined this swap. This is my fourth swap, so I've got a good start for my quilt -- to be finished amongst all the others!

Hi, other than being cut at 1-1/2" square...do they have to be washed, starched, etc? I have alot of scraps and I might want to do a swap at some time in the future so I need to know before I start cutting. Anne

Anne, here's the link to the (closed) spring swap which lists the rules: http://www.quiltingboard.com/group_a...sp?gracnum=142 . Not specified: washed/unwashed; starched/unstarted. I think the most important thing is the size -- it has to be at least 1-1/2". Larger it can be cut down; smaller ??? Hope you join us here and in the swap.

Hi, I would really like to do this in between The FWS Quilt-Along which is winding down but not done yet. I just have so many pieces from the QAL that I'm getting tired of looking at them and need a way to use them up. I've never done anything like this before and I really like the scrappy look but I also love the look of Evie"s blocks so I don't know which way to go. I started cutting the squares today and need to cut so much more. I've never done a swap for these little buggers either. They look pretty cute all lined up. I'm thinking small right now. Maybe some placemats to start. I don't want to overwhelm myself....Thanks for the invite. Anne

Here are a couple of pictures of how I sort my stamps. I use containers in which dried fruit and nuts are packed at my local market (Ralphs/Kroegers). The containers are big enough -- about 5" x 6" x 1-1/2" and stack up very nicely. Right now I'm using 14 of them. I like being in somewhat control, so I sort by color family and use the paired squares for leaders and enders and go from there.

Evie, you're so smart!!!

Great idea Evie!!!! Now you have me to thinking. Oh, I know exactly what I'll use. My aunt gave me some of those clear plastic containers they get those peppermint candies in. The kind that dissolve in your mouth. I'll have to get her to save me more of them.
I love your colors too!!!

Hey Anne, come right on and join us!!!! There's no time quota. You sew at your own pace. No deadlines. We are just having fun sewing. It's almost like setting and sewing with each other. But we can only talk on here. giggle

Would love to have you!!!!

Ok, I'm grabbing my fabric, thimble, thread and needle. Whose cutting or sewing tonight. Really doesn't have to be the postage stamp top. Just crafting. I doubt I'll be working alone.
Turning on my book in a bit.

Forgot about a couple of pkgs. I got in the mail today. I have to acknowledge those. And what a surprise I got.

I got a pincushion made out of a saucer and cup. It's done in mexican or what I call indian fabric. And decorated with hot pepper ornies. I love it!!!!! It will surely get good use here.

And a box of audio books. I'm thrilled.

It was like Christmas today for me!!!

Lifted my spirits up that's for sure.

My daughter in leaving Monday morning with her family. They are moving to TN. She has never been that far away from me before. But she will have her brother, my son, down there with her. I pray everything turns out good for her.

It's going to be so tight on them. Trying to pay their bills, get everything started down there, buying groceries.
They just bought school clothes here. And have to and buy new clothes down there. They have certian outfits they have to wear down there.

I'll send them some money when I can to help out until they get on their feet. I can't believe that just the U-Haul is going to be over $800. But that is with the two thing for the pickup also. Boy, don't it cost to move.

Oh, I would dread the thought of moving myself. I would have to have two tractor trailors just for my craft stuff. And I'm not kidding one bit. I have a little building over top of the cellar. A whole second house full. And one room in this house that is stuffed full of craft supplies. Plus a few things in my tanning bed/computer room.

I doubt they have a house big enough in TN for all my stuff. giggle

Ok, gotta give thank you's and feedback. Then on to sewing.

Come sew with me!!!!

[quote=HummerGardenCrafts]My daughter in leaving Monday morning with her family. They are moving to TN. She has never been that far away from me before. But she will have her brother, my son, down there with her. I pray everything turns out good for her.

I doubt they have a house big enough in TN for all my stuff. giggle
quote]

Betty, you are one busy gal!

Where in TN is your daughter moving to? One of my niece's lives in Chattanooga with your husband and five kids, so they do have houses big enough -- even your your stuff! :lol: Have faith that all will be OK with their move.

Will be cutting up some more blocks tonight. Can't believe how long its taking. One good thing I found out:
when I was first learning to cut, I had a really hard time figuring out how to square up my fabric for strips. The lady trying to teach me had the patience of a saint. Well I found one of my leftover fabrics from cutting strips. It was so out of wack, the top was about 2 inches out. LOL. Its nice to see how much we grow as quilters.
I purchased my fabric for the Holiday/Winter swap I'm in. I just need to confirm which block to create.
Back to cutting.

I also have mine cut and ready to mail. I want to start one soon. I thought it would be a good project when I really am to tired to think of getting the pieces in the right places on a fancy quilt! I really do not need to start any thing else..but want to!

I am up for the challenge.... i was able to join the swap so, I will have something to start with.... I am thinking that I could use the squares as a start and finish when working on other things.... will see how it goes,,,, 7,000 squares is a lot though...lol

I would like to be part of this group. I particularly have been starching, pressing & cutting scraps and pieces of fabric since I discovered it. I don't have enough of a variation yet to start sewing them into little groups... this is more organized and not so many pieces laying around. I've never done this before and I hope that I'll be able to stick with it. I do have other projects that will be in the forefront . I like the idea that I can pick it up where I dropped off and not have to worry about placement and patterns....only scant 1/4 " seams :-P Anne

[quote=Evie]I'm laughing my tush off at you right now!!!! This is so funny!!!!!! Your daughter doesn't live with my hubby in TN, I'm looking right at him. giggle He's in the recliner across from mine. I surely got a big kick out of this !!! giggle

She is getting a house in Boliver. But wants one in or near Middleton. Chattanooga is farther on down the road from where my son lives.