Gives new meaning to 'on the rocks'...

Check these out.....they're hail stones!  We were pummeled by them Tuesday.  I've heard of 'golf ball' sized hail but have never seen it.  I really expected to have a window or two broken but we were pretty lucky.   

Before the hail storm and trauma to my flowers... I was busy whipping up a variety of little projects.  My small project box was over flowing so I picked a couple quick little kits that only took an afternoon each. 

This little patriotic banner came pre-cut.  It doesn't get any easier, does it? 

I even kept it simple and used my pinking shears around the edges instead of binding.  The center button is tied on with thread leaving the tails hanging. 

This little guy captured both my patriotic and summer spirit.  

I was in the mood for summer stitching so I dug through my stash and pulled out this Lizzie Kate Boxer:  Summer. 

So far this is the best fabric I have for finishing.  I thought I had something with bumble bees but I couldn't find it.  

And, just to show I've really been stitching...not just quilting...here is a progress photo on Prairie Schooler's Christmas Village.  I love this one but don't get much stitching time so it's a slow go. 

 I'm focusing on this piece so I hope to finish it this summer. 

Happy Stitching.

Libby

Flower tower.

I've been wanting to try this ever since I saw a picture a couple of years ago. 

I need to go fix the mulch now that I've walked on it.  I love mulch.  When the mulch goes down, the work is done. 

Happy Memorial Day...

L

Forgotten block.

I saw my camera card out of the camera and wondered what I'd been planning to do.  Then I wondered into my sewing room and noticed how tidy my sewing area was.  Hmmm.  What was I working on before everything go so busy?  Oh, yes.  This block....

It was a pretty quick block and now I'm all caught up with my block of the month projects. 

What to start next?? 

We've been working hard on  the yard.  So much work getting everything spiffy for summer. 

Libby

So easily distracted.

Lee had a funny post about the 'hey girl' pictures that are cropping up everywhere.  Since I enjoy a good laugh and pictures of hot men just as much as the next person I just had to post the few I found that 'spoke' to me. 

Hope you get a chuckle....

Back to the work of the day.

L

Another block

is finished.  The problem block is done.  I found a fabric placement chart online.  It showed me where the strange blue fabric went so I put it there but who makes the middle of a sunflower blue?  I thought I'd use the brown but the brown was for the stem.  I was going to use a green for the stem but ended up following the fabric placement chart as best I could.  It was FULL of errors.  I also found an error in the block placement/numbering chart that comes with the pattern.  Boy, if I was doing this all at once, I bet I would have had to wad it up and toss it!

The next mistake was completely my fault.  Doing two block of the months at once has it's challenges.  I forgot that the pattern for this one comes reversed.  The snowman one does not.... I have to reverse it.  That means I should have flipped the placement of the flower and the leaf but I forgot.  Luckily, this block is pretty flexible.  

Not a bad end result despite the pattern challenges. 

I've moved on to the newest snowman block but my sewing machine has decided (again) it's tired of the button hole stitch.  I'm crossing my fingers it's only temporary because it already spent 2+ weeks at the repair shop this spring for the same tension issue. 

I'm going on a quilt shop bus trip tomorrow.  WOOT.  Here's hoping my investment in Facebook stock pays off!!  Have you seen the price of fabric lately?  Scary. 

Libby

Keeping my head above water.

My block of the month projects are coming in almost faster than I can keep up.  I got an email that the latest edition of Merry Merry Snowmen  was on it's way so I got the most recent one finished up.

Probably you're not supposed to change methods mid stream but I ended up using my machine to do the embellishments that I'd previously been doing by hand.  It started with the windows.  There were 2 layers of fusible under them (ahemm...no forethought went into the construction) and there was no way I was going to get a needle thru that without hurting myself.  Then I just kept going with the other stitches.  I don't think it will really show in the overall finish.  Seeing as I don't invite the Quilt Police to my house I think I'm good.  

Back to last month's Great Pumpkin block of the month, I found a solution to the bee hive pumpkin.  First, I'm going to complain about the overall pattern for this quilt.... the instructions are seriously lacking.  The photo is tiny and each monthly pack comes minus a picture and without any directions.  When I started this block I thought that yellow part was a candle.  The bees that were buzzing around the pumpkin weren't on the pattern and there was no fabric included to make the little guys, either.  It wasn't until I was putting it together that I started to wonder how one could actually see the candle inside a pumpkin that I realized what it was.  Doy.  But still...no photo larger then my thumb nail and no pattern...what is one to think? 

Since making it into a mouse house was out of the question I've been keeping my eye out for a squirrel.  I found this RugSpun shape that was perfect. 

I used my usual button hole stitch to applique him down. He needs an eye but that will come after the quilting.

Never heard of RagSpun?  Check them out here. They're a pretty neat looking applique.
 

I have the next Great Pumpkin block under way.  There is a mystery piece of fabric in this pack.  I'll show you when it's done.  Maybe I'll have figured out where it goes by then, but somehow I doubt it.  

Libby

And the winner is....

So, I spent an hour...maybe longer trying to copy/paste, upload, convert, or whatever the Random Generator link that I used to chose the winner.  I think you're just going to have to trust me that the winner of the Big Bag o' Patterns

is Quilt Hollow.    I sure hope Mary can find a few bits of inspiration in this bag. 

Happy Mother's Day.

Libby

It's hump day!

What better way to post on Wednesday than with a teaser. 

The Big Bag o' Patterns is making another appearance.  

I randomly pulled out 3 things....my gently used Peppermint Twist pattern, something by Ink Circles and a Stitcherhood leaflet. 

Check out Sunday's post for the very simple rules to acquire this collection of totally free-to-you patterns. 

Libby

The Big Bag'o'Patterns.

Finally.  My  big bag of patterns is ready. 

Remember...these are items I received at my recent retreat or that I've already stitched.  The bag could hold any number of surprises. 

Let's take a peak....

 

A Shepard's Bush....

with left over threads. 

A Lizzie Kate...another left over.   

One of the gift patterns that I won't stitch.... The Sunflower Seed:  This is the Day. 

 And so much more. 

My only request..... be a follower and leave a comment.  I will draw next Sunday.  I'll mail you the goodies.  Pick through them then consider adding whatever you're ready to pass along.  Let's 'waste not, want not' and clean out our stash. 

If you don't have a blog and are not sure how to 'follow' someone.  Click on the Follow icon on the right and see what sort of account you need.  It should be easy to google the various types and see what would work for you. 

Come on...join in and let's see if we can't create a little fun.  Keep the Big Bag'o'Patterns traveling. 

Libby

God love these kids....

summer break has begun for the first of the college students.  I'm thrilled to have him home but 15 weeks?!  That's one long summer break.  Oldest College Student never had a break that long...she always found some traveling she couldn't live without.  Anyhow, I'm happy but today I'm buried under laundry. 

In my world, I do the laundry.  That's just the way it is.  I actually like doing laundry.  I feel like it's one of the few 'mothering' duties I'm allowed.  None of my kids need me to manage their lives, make their lunches, fix their hair...you know...those million and one little things they needed when they were younger.  So, I fix supper and I do laundry.  Not a bad life....

However, this morning I said to my husband...do you suppose it's time the 19 year old started doing his own laundry?  

'cause you know, when stuff like this that I clearly didn't buy him, starts cropping up maybe it's time. 

I think everyone should have the joy of raising at least one son.  It's interesting. 

Libby

More catching up

These 2 blocks were finished a couple weeks ago but not photographed until Monday. 

Block 5 of The Great Pumpkin.  What is it, you say?  A bee hive pumpkin.  I know.  I've never seen one either.  Somehow it isn't working for me so I'm deciding what to do.  I thought a little squirrel next to it would work but haven't found the right pattern.  It's possible, if just the right little mouse pattern comes along, it could be a little mouse house.  I have a hate-hate* relationship with mice so it's hard to say if the 'right' mouse pattern exists.   I have some time to think about it since this block of the month goes on until fall.

Next, block 2 of my snowman block of the month minus any embellishments.  I did buy a nice piece of orange wool for carrot noses but even that has to wait until after the quilting is done.  Block 3 is waiting for just the right moment to be started. 

After much contemplation, and reading of legal material, I'm going to do a cross stitch pattern give-a-way so stay tuned.  Entrants will need to be followers so get yourself signed up.  I'm going to sort some of my own patterns to sweeten the pot so I need a few days. 

Happy stitching. 

Libby

*exceptions made, always and forever, for Mickey.  After all, he's the host of the happiest place on earth.