Almost done...

Still plugging away on the Winter Wonderland blocks.  I've finally finished the last 4 star blocks...

6" Blocks 14 & E - Double X

9" Block C - Star of Hope

6" Block 8 - Maple Star

This means I'm now done with all of the star blocks!  Woohoo!  There are 34 blocks  - a combination of 6", 9" & 12" blocks made using 6 different fabric combinations.  Fortunately I've labeled each one with a sticker so I already know where each one goes in the quilt...

All of the Winter Wonderland pieced blocks

Now I need to make several dozen HST's and then I can assemble the borders.  I'm still hopeful that I can finish the top before the new year.  That's my goal anyway.  (I work better when I set goals.)

I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas day.  I spent the last few days visiting with family and so enjoyed myself.

Until later...

“[T]he Son of God came so we could recognize and understand the truth of God—what a gift!—and we are living in the Truth itself, in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. This Jesus is both True God and Real Life.” 

1 John 5:20 (MSG)

A little bit of handwork...

Probably like most couples, Mr. Quilting Bug and I enjoy watching some TV at night.  And with the invention of the DVR/Tivo, it's so much more enjoyable!  We've become so used to the convenience that it's hard to remember back when we had to sit through commercials or plan our evening around the start time of a show.  Our current favorites right now are Parks and Recreation, Big Bang Theory, Person of Interest and Once Upon a Time.  We're really enjoying each of these shows.  I'll also admit that we watch Survivor almost every season too.  How awesome is it that over the last 3 or 4 seasons God is mentioned more and more often!  I think the contestants prayed to Jesus in every episode this past season.

However, I'm one of those people who can't just sit and watch TV.  I have to be doing something else at the same time.  Usually, I work on my hand applique then.  I've been working on the next couple Ladies of the Sea blocks (#11 & #12).  (You can see the other blocks I've stitched so far here.)  So far, I've managed to finish the outer wreaths on both blocks and have started appliqueing the ships that go in the center...

We've ordered seasons 3 and 4 of the Big Bang Theory and they should come in tomorrow.  I've already seen them, but Mr. Quilting Bug hasn't.  I expect we'll do a marathon session of the series tomorrow night and I hope to make some good progress on the ships then.  I'd love to finish both of these blocks by the end of the year, but will have to spend a lot of time appliqueing for that to happen.  Each of these 16" blocks usually takes me about a month to complete.

I'm sure everyone out there is busy with last minute preparations for Christmas, but I hope you're also finding time to laugh and relax and enjoy those people around you!

Until later...

“Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established.” 

Proverbs 4:26 (HCSB)

The Story of Sam

Once upon a time, there was a cat named Sam.  She was a sweet kitty with a good disposition and she was the apple of her mother's eye.  She loved to run, jump and play with the other kitties in the household.  She also loved to eat.  Over the years, she went from being slightly chubby to overweight and finally obese.  As she put on the weight, it became difficult for her to do the things she used to do.  She stopped jumping up on furniture and playing with her sisters.  Her mother had tried putting her on diets before without much success, but when it became hard for Sam to even walk, her mom decided something had to be done.

So Sam went on a strict diet.  Her mom was determined that Sam would lose the extra weight. Unfortunately, Sam didn't agree with this plan and fought every step of the way.  She went from being a happy kitty to a mean, grumpy and cantankerous one.  She kept her mom up all night begging for food and even biting her when she didn't get any.  Her mom fought for every single ounce of weight that Sam lost and it was a difficult and frustrating battle.  In desperation, Sam's mom finally resorted to putting her on medicine.  This made a tremendous difference in Sam's mood.  She became the sweet, lovable and adorable kitty she used to be.  Best of all, the weight started to melt off her.  Sam could now run and jump and play like she used to and all her sisters were happy to wrestle with her again.  And they all lived happily ever after (hopefully)...

It was an arduous and difficult journey, but you've finally reached your goal!  After 14 months of dieting, you've gone from a record high of 18.1 pounds to a svelte and healthy 13.7 pounds.  

Before and after pictures of Sam

We're praying you can keep the weight off for good!

Until later...

So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. 

Galatians 6:9 (NLT)

Almost there...

I've been continuing to plug away on my Winter Wonderland blocks and now have several more to share.  The first is a 6" Cut the Corners block.

6" Block D - Cut the Corners

This was also the last block in this combination.  Unfortunately I ran out of the background fabric for it and had to substitute another, but it's really close to the original.  Here are the 5 blocks in this fabric grouping together...

Fabric Group #5

I also made 3 more blocks using the last fabric selection.  There's a 6", 9" and another 9" Cut the Corners blocks.

Cut the Corners Blocks #3, 18 and 23

Here's all 3 of them together...

Winter Wonderland Blocks

I'm hoping to finish the final 4 blocks in the next few days and start putting the top together.  As things look, I may actually have the top done this year!  Yippee!

While I was sewing today, Moses kept me company.  She found a nice cozy spot on top of a quilt and proceeded to give herself a very long and thorough bath...

Moses taking a bath

I know this can be a very busy and stressful time of the year, but I pray that all of you are finding time to rest and relax.  Personally I find myself much more at peace when I stop and think about why I celebrate Christmas.  But if you're struggling for any reason, be it financial, physical or emotional, please know I'd be glad to pray for you.  Just send me an email.

Until later...

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again - rejoice! 

Philippians 4:4 (NLT)

A couple more blocks...

I'm still working on my Winter Wonderland blocks and I have a couple more to share.  (It's pretty much the only sewing I'm doing right now.)  This first one is a 6" Maple Star block...

6" Block #16 - Maple Star

The second block is a 9" Martha Washington Star block.  I really like the look of this one.

9" Block #20 - Martha Washington Star

I only have another 8 blocks and some HST's to make before I'm ready to assemble this top.  I get excited when a project is so close to being completed!  At least the top is close.  The quilting of it will be a completely different matter.

Sam is still doing well.  I'm keeping her away from salt, although it's been difficult.  Whenever I eat potato chips (a guilty pleasure), she practically assaults me trying to get to them!  But mostly she's just laying around - as cats usually do...

Until later...

“Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it.” 

Romans 12:9a (MSG)

Stash Report Week #49...

December 3 - 10, 2011

I've skipped the last couple of Stash Reports, but only because I had absolutely nothing to report.  I didn't buy any fabric or do much sewing.  However, this week saw a nice package from the Fat Quarter Shop come in.  I had a gift certificate from my quilt bee  (love you ladies!) and some Christmas money from my parents (love you too!) that I used to buy some fabric I'd been wanting.  And get this, it was all on sale!

First, I bought 12 yards of this Jovial fabric to use as the backing for 2 quilts.  I already had all the fabric I needed for the quilts except for the backing.  I sure hope I can actually get these made in time for next Christmas, because I obviously missed the boat on this one...

Jovial fabric to use for backings

I also picked up some fabric that I need for my Baltimore Halloween and Over the River and through the Woods quilts.  I only needed 1.5 yards for the Halloween quilt to use in the border.  I knew I'd used a Moda Marble in the rest of the quilt, but didn't know exactly which one.  So I guessed!  And fortunately, I was right (love when that happens).  I also bought 1.25 yards of Primitive Muslin Pie Crust to use for the background for the embroideries on the second quilt.  I love the slightly mottled look to this line.

Moda Marbles Sweet Off White and Primitive Muslin Pie Crust

That's all the fabric I bought, but I have to show this pattern I picked up.  I've been eyeing it for a while, but resisted buying it until I saw it on sale.  This is another Crabapple Hill Pattern.

New Crabapple Hill Pattern

I  know I'm not going to start on it for at least 6 months, but it's definitely one I want to make!

As for what I used, it's not much.  I've been working on my Winter Wonderland blocks, but won't count the fabric until the top is done.  Other than that, I made a few quilt blocks to donate which maybe used a quarter yard...

Donated Kansas Troubles Blocks

So...
Purchased-this-week: 14.75 yards
Used-this-week: .25 yards
Purchased-to-date: 396.25 yards
Used-to-date: 513 yards
Net used: 116.75 yards

In case you didn't know, the Fat Quarter Shop is starting their 12 Days of Christmas sale on Monday.  I have some Christmas money that I've set aside especially for this sale.  There are several fabric lines I have my eye on (American Banner Rose, Panier de Fleurs, Rounneries Deux) and I'm hoping some of them go on sale!

A sleepy Gabriel

Until later....

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 

1 Peter 3:15 (NLT)

More Winter Wonderings...

I'm not spending a lot of time quilting lately, but I did carve out a few hours today to iron some freshly washed fabric (more on that in tomorrow's Stash Report) and to make a few more Winter Wonderland blocks.  This first block finishes at 6" and has 37 pieces.  The HST's are only an inch in size.

6" Block A - Double X

That was the 5th and last block using this fabric combination.  Here are all of them together...

Fabric Combination #4

I'm actually using a total of 6 fabric groupings to make the 34 blocks for this quilt.  (FYI - I know the pattern calls for far fewer blocks, but I've changed it up a bit.)  I need to make 5 blocks out of the 5th fabric combination.  I started with a 9" version of the Double X block.

9" Block #5 - Double X

I am so careful to make sure all my stripes go in the same direction and in this grouping, there are actually 2 prints that I have to watch out for.  Although they're both plaids, they're still directional.

I also made a 9" version of the Cut the Corners block.

9" Block #12 - Cut the Corners

I was able to cut out and sew all of the HST's together on the next block before I ran out of both time and steam.  I'm enjoying working on all of these blocks; however, working with so many homespun fabrics makes me hesitant to use them in another quilt.  They're beautiful, but they're also challenging to sew with because they really love to stretch.  I'm being careful and going slower than usual in an attempt to make them behave.  I know it's going to be worth it in the end though; I love how this quilt is turning out!

Here's a sweet picture of Moses in her favorite napping spot.  In case you can't tell, it's between the pillows on our bed.  With the throw pillow in front, it makes a nice protective hiding spot for her.  Sometimes, she even crawls under the covers there for some additional privacy!

Moses, napping in bed

Until later...

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! 

Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) 

More sewing time...

Yippee!  I managed to spend some more time today quilting.  I'm actually having a bit of a rough recovery right now from my recent surgery and really benefited from the distraction that sewing provided.

Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs is collecting blocks to send to Jeaneane after she lost her home in a tornado earlier this year.  (You can read all about it here.)  I've been meaning to make a few blocks for her and the deadline is fast approaching.  Her favorite designer is apparently Kansas Troubles and I just happened to have a Charm Pack of it in my stash.  With it, I was able to make 3 different 8" blocks...

Sawtooth 4 Patch

Hovering Hawks

Your basic 16 Patch

Once I finished with the blocks for Jeaneane, I found I still had enough time to make another Winter Wonderland block.  This one finishes at 6" and is called Cut the Corners...

6" Block #24 - Cut the Corners

Although this block has 33 pieces in it, it went together rather quickly.  This brings my total number of blocks to 21.  I only have 13 more stars to make (and a gazillion HSTs) before I can start assembling this quilt. I'm hopeful that I'll get a chance to make a few more this week.

For those of you who are wondering, I'm actually recovering just fine from my surgery.  (I had a hysterectomy about 2 weeks ago.)  I've just had a minor setback.  Being such an active person, I'm finding the enforced downtime a little challenging.  However, as Christians we are called to patient endurance and I figure this is a necessary refining of my spirit.  Thanks again for all your prayers!

Until later...

"I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things. 

Revelation 2:19 (NLT)

Forward momentum...

I'm having some trouble sleeping tonight and thought this would be a good opportunity to write a post.  I've been having trouble finding the time (and interest) lately, but hopefully that's finally changing.

On Friday, I set aside some time to quilt and made a few more blocks for my Winter Wonderland quilt.  I finished half of the blocks for this quilt back in August, but haven't had a chance to work on it since then.  These first 2 blocks are your basic Pinwheels and finish at 6"...

6" Blocks #6 & 9 - Pinwheel

I planned the cutting of the background fabric to make sure the stripes all go in the same direction.  (For some reason, if they go any which way, it bugs me.)  The background fabric in these blocks is a homespun, which is a bit more challenging to sew with.  It likes to stretch and distort on me, but as long as I'm careful, I can usually make it behave.

I also made another 9" block called Martha Washington's Star.  It's basically another Pinwheel surrounded by Flying Geese.

9" Block #17 - Martha Washington Star

That brings the total number of blocks done to an even 20.  I have another 14 to make using several different fabric combinations.  I already have 2 of them cut out; I just need to find the time to sit down and sew them.  Hopefully soon though!

On a personal note, I was wondering (for those of you who have indoor pets), do you find them napping in your bed all the time?  Especially with the colder weather, mine seem to congregate there for most of the day.  Just curious if this is the norm or if mine are particularly spoiled?  They do love the sunshine that comes in these windows most of the day.

Jack, Sam, Moses and Gabriel napping in bed

Until later...

With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation! 

Isaiah 12:3 (NLT)

Thank you for your prayers...

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for our cat Sam.

Sam at the scratching post

We got her test results back today and things are looking better.  She's slightly dehydrated and a number of her levels are high - including extremely high salt levels (Sodium and Chloride).  We're to get her to drink more water (not quite sure how to do that) and to cut back on her salt intake.  I'll admit to occasionally giving her potato chip crumbs because she loves salt, so I'm going to stop doing that as of now.  We're also checking into the salt levels in her food and treats, although it's a little difficult to tell.

She also has elevated Triglycerides (fats), so we're to avoid fatty foods.  But considering her diet is made up of prescription diet food, some Crispies treats and the occasional potato chip or toast crumb, I'm not sure why her cholesterol is high?  Bottom line, any of these can cause a water imbalance in the brain and a seizure-like episode. This is a much better diagnosis than the alternative (which was a brain tumor).

And since the one seizure, she's been pretty normal.  I even managed to video her lounging around on the scratching post...



Again, thank you for your prayers.  She's only 11 and we're hoping to have her around for many more years to come.

Until later...

He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. 

Psalm 147:3 (NLT)

A Prayer Request...

For those of you who pray, would you please add my cat Sam to your prayer list?  She had a seizure the other day and is waiting on some test results.  I'm praying everything comes back fine and she never has another one, but would appreciate your prayers as well.

Sam

Until later...

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. 

Psalm 28:7 (NLT)