"Holy Hexagon"!

Ha, I actually heard that line in a movie.  Ok, it was a nerdy animated movie about polygons living in Flatland who dare to dream there was a 3rd dimension (above and below them).  I showed it in my geometry classes last friday introducing it as a 3D movie.  The students kept asking where their 3D glasses were...imagine their disappointment to learn it was a math movie! Anyway, my point was...one of the polygons yells out "holy hexagon" and I seem to have adopted the exclamation!  Thought it was fitting for my One Flower Wednesday post.  I've started attaching rows using my white stepping stones.

It's so fun to finally see it taking shape!  Although it is going to be quite a process.  I did a complete layout and organized the rows and have been stitching away.  My fingers are a bit sore...mostly from the cute little white dots...those are kind of tough, sticky bits that make it hard to slide the needle through.  So I avoid them wherever I can but sometimes I just have to push through.  I'm not comfortable with a thimble so I'm constantly removing it and putting it back on.  Other than that, I'm enjoying my flower project.

Hope your garden is coming along too!

Sneak Peeks

Here's a  peek at the blocks I made for my March swap partners.

Let's Bee Together

For Tiffany

(Her fabric, my choice of Star block.)

Block Swap Adventure

For Staci

(Requested red, white, blue fabric, used her block pattern too.)

The blocks are in the mail and I'll post a reveal after they're received.

My Blue Ocean

Just had to share this awesome block I received from Staci

(my March swap partner for BSA).

I just love the colors and patterns in the batik fabric she chose.

She said in keeping with my ocean theme she thought the tiny circles in the blue looked like bubbles and the wavy lines in the green like seaweed.  Exactly the impression I got when I opened the envelope. 

It's just perfect. Thank you Staci. 

Oh, and I almost forgot.  Staci also, very generously, sent me a fat quarter of another batik print.

It's the green one on the left and I agree with Staci --

it does look like algae covered rocks.

 

Indeed, it reminds me one of my fav beach spots in Pacific Grove, CA. 

Ah, just sitting here thinking about the calming sea makes me relax

and SO wish I was there. Hmm. Sigh.

Anyway, I found the the other fat quarter in my stash. It also reminds me of bubbles and seaweed so I'll use them together with the same pattern to make another ocean block to add to my collection.

Big Thanks...Long Overdue

So one day in the early part of this month while browsing blogs just letting my curiosity guide me, I stumbled onto this great blog, Creative Confessions.  I found myself reading through previous posts for quite a while.  I'd been to this blog before and kept thinking to myself...why was I not following?  So...I slid over to the sidebar and clicked the FOLLOW button.  Little did I know what that click would mean. 

Shortly after, I got an email from Heather, the author of Creative Confessions, letting me know about a secret giveaway for her 100th follower.  And guess who the 100th follower was???  Yep, ME.

I was so excited because I'm not used to being a winner.  Just doesn't happen that often.  And Heather was SO sweet about it.  She wanted to taylor make a gift to celebrate the occasion and soon after I had THIS sweet package in my mailbox.

To satisfy my needlework interest there's a couple of very nice project patterns for a candle mat and those dainty fresh Summer Pairs from CrabApple Hill.  And would you look at that tiny package of mini dresden plate template/papers.  I'd told Heather how I loved Dresden Plates and was itching to start my first project with some....and she even included the cutest little fabrics that will be perfect for them.  I love the fabric with the tiny umbrellas!!

And she included a very kind, thoughtful card  (isn't that a great wedding ring quilt on that card?)

So Heather, finally I've had a chance to officially thank you and let every one know what a great blog you have and what a super person you are!  Thanks again, this was truly a wonderful surprise!!



Just Another Star

I decided to make another star for the Just One Star Challenge. 

This one went faster...makes me want to do another. 

But I better get back to my other projects.

Happy Wednesday,

Just One Star

Here's my block for the Just One Star challenge for Quilts of Valor by Moda.  If you want to join in to help make quilts for injured service men and women, click Moda's logo below for all the information and block pattern.

Also, Rachel at p.s. i quilt is having a giveaway for anyone who mails their block by tomorrow.

Otherwise, the deadline is May 1st.

It's an easy pattern and I'll probably make another one before then too.

Have a great week!

P.S.  This star block is dedicated to my nephew who is currently serving in the U.S. Airforce, EOD unit in Afghanistan.  My thoughts, prayers and love are with you every day, Todd.

FNSI Results

It's still quite windy outside but I think the rain has stopped.  As I kind of suspected, this week took its toll and kept my progress to a bare minimum. I definitely watched Roger play two tennis matches...and WIN!  So that was great progress ...  although not for my quilting/sewing projects.

As for those, just a tiny bit of progress on my

Be Mine Cathedral Windows pillow.

 Decided on the final layout and spray basted them down.

THEN I completed ONE window...right there at the top.

It's not perfect...but enjoying the process and like it so far!

Not too bad for a sleepy friday night!  Hope yours was productive too.

Stormin' Friday Night Sew In

What a perfect night to sew.  It's pouring down rain and freezing outside.  I'm thinkin' a nice mug of hot chocolate, ipod cranked up and the hum of my sewing machine sounds perfect.  (If I can stay awake past dinner that is.  It's been a loooooong week and I stayed up way too late last night.)  But, just in case, here is my project list and hopefully I can make some progress on at lease one or two of them....maybe even cross one off!!

• Be Mine - Cathedral Window Pillow
• Block Swap Adventure Block for Staci
• Watch Roger Federer win his tennis match (fingers crossed)!
• Let's Bee Together Bee Block for Tiffany
• "Just One Star" Block for wounded soldiers project
• Work on more blocks for Flutter By quilt
• Start Victory Quilt

Hahahahaha...yeah right.  I didn't realize my list was so long.  Oh well, now that it's there in blue and white maybe some of it will get done.  Or maybe I'll start with a nap.  zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

Enjoy your friday night!

Little Hexie Inchworm

I'm not even going to calculate how many of these white hexies I need to surround my flowers! 

For now, I'll just keep sewing and I'll be checking in to see the progress everyone else is making on their flower gardens over at

One Flower Wednesday.

Oh, but before I do that...looky what I got in the mail Monday!

Been drooling over this fabric ever since I first saw it. 

Here's a peek at just some of the other prints in this charm pack.

I just love the colors and the retro design and name of the line brings sweet memories.  When I was younger I babysat a little neighbor girl - with the cutest strawberry blonde hair - named Ingrid. Every morning her mom would remind her to come straight home from school and not to "dilly dally".   I miss little Ingrid (I babysat her for several years) and if I knew her today I'd definitely make this quilt for her. 

I plan on using this pinwheel pattern from Moda Bake Shop.

Miss you Inky Stinky  : )

My First MUG RUG!

So, I finally got around to making one of those mug rugs I've been seeing all around that are just so darn cute.  I was a little afraid to try fearing my best efforts would fall short.  But, I'm pretty happy with this little surprise project.

See, it started out as an idea for a pillow - a birthday present for my friend, TabbieG -  that would match the quilt I made for her birthday a year ago.  But I didn't have enough scraps to make a full size duplicate block.  So, I halved all the measurements and created this little mini block.  Added a bit of white to extend the rug and added this cute stackable flower button.  I even embroidered using the pattern right on the white fabric.  The only problem beyond this was I couldn't find a cute purple mug to complement it. 

So, since I knew TabbieG wouldn't mind and we all need a sweet treat sometimes, I grabbed a glass and my mug rug quickly became a Margarita Mat !!

In fact, we spent last friday night watching chik fliks and indulging in a couple of lip smacking margaritas!

Here's a few more shots...pics, I mean  ; )

What, 3 o'clock?  No worries...it's 5 o'clock somewhere!

Happy Fabric Tuesday!

Down but not out!

Talk about down...two weeks of that awful bug...missed a week of work...and didn't even feel like sewing...or blogging.  I managed to keep up with some of my blog reading, but it was hard to watch all the great projects going on and not being able to work on mine.  But, I am on the mend and got to spend most of my day today sewing.

I thought my Cathedral Windows Pillow was quite appropriate for sewing on a sunday afternoon and I got this much done.

I'm not completely settled on the layout of the fabric but at least I'm to the stage where I can experiment!

I can't wait to start sewing those curves and completing the windows!

Throughout the week, I did manage to do a little work on my embroidery and here's a peek at our latest lighthouses (even though I haven't removed all the markings or pressed them yet, sorry mom!) 

Mine...

and mom's....

We both have one more to go!

Also today I worked on a special project for a very special friend who happened to have a birthday today.  I can't post it til I give it to her, so I'll wait and share it for fabric tuesday.

Anyway, it feels good to be back to sewing and my blog.  That's what really makes me happy!  

  Hope you're keeping well and busy and happy too.

How my garden grows....

Last week I had 2 flowers left to finish stitching and guess what?  I did it!  So, that makes 120 flowers.  I anticipate making a large lap quilt with 10 to 11 flowers across and the length a bit longer than width.  Here's a snapshot of my garden layout. 

My design wall is a small board, not large enough to show a complete layout but the stepping stones, or pathway between the flowers will be white so you get the idea of how it will look once those are sewn inbetween.  The layout is random, just trying to have an even distribution of color. (Harder than it seems!)

I fought with my camera to get these pics.  I just couldn't seem to get the right lighting to show the colors (they're brighter) as they really are.  And I'm still under the weather with a nasty cough/cold so I lost the battle.  I did a few close up shots (trying to get rid of the carpet background ;)).

I kind of focused on that yellow and red flower right in the middle.  That's the last flower I made!

So, I'm feeling quite accomplished having finished the flowers and ready to move on through the next phase.

Hope you're making progress and keeping well!

See you next One Flower Wednesday!