SEWING COMMITMENTS

Have you started your year with commitments:  Sewing commitments that is?  You know those Block of the Months AKA BOMs, on-line swaps, friendship group swaps.  How about all of them, like I have done.  Oh yes I have.  Seriously. 

I joined the Hexie Blog's BOM.  I couldn't resist after getting hooked on making the little darlings (thanks Melinda).  You can read about this year's BOM here.  Here is mine done in 1" hexies (I will also be doing one in 3/4").  I have decided not to appliqué it down to anything until after I see what next month's block will be. 

I am also doing an on-line swap with a group of wonderful gals.  It is called the "ATW Swap".   It stands for Around The World, which is where the blocks will be headed.  We are supposed to pick and make a 9" block that represents us in some way.  Each person sends to the list members a fat eighth piece of fabric for you to incorporate into their block and return the finished block back to that person.  So at the end you will receive a variety of blocks that have a common piece of fabric tying it all together.  The block I'm making and sending out something like this one.

I also belong to a friendship group that meets once a month (we call ourselves Talking Threads or TTs), and we are making birthday blocks.  So the meeting during your birthday month you will receive from each member,  a block that you chose (either by pattern or theme).  I chose "What's In My Garden" .  It can be anything from flowers to critters, any size, any style.  I'm easy, and I can't wait to see what people come up with.

My friendship group of at least 11 years (we meet every Wednesday and call ourselves the Wednesday Wackos) is also doing a BOM. We have each made a block of our choice and will be passing it on to each other (you can send fabric if you wish) to make a block that goes with it.  A few have picked out a particular pattern, while others have picked a theme:  fall, Christmas, stars...you get the idea  At the end of the year,  the blocks  will be returned to the owner for assembly.  I chose a 12" finished block using Australian fabrics.  Here is my block that will be passed from person to person:

I hope you are enjoying your week and

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

GOING SEWING

I've been putting together and cutting kits or sewing projects this week.  Like most of you, I have so much fabric that putting together kits should be a no brainer.  Of course, I still had to go shopping to fill in gaps, like the perfect background.  But, I have several kits ready to go now. 

Tomorrow, my friendship group is meeting for a sew-in day. It will be nice to just set up the machine and put the foot to the pedal.

Then on Monday through Thursday I'm going to another group sew-in.  I'm sure I have enough cut to see me through both.  Gosh it will be nice to just have nothing to do but sew, and eat, and visit. Awwwwwww.......

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

SEWING TODAY

Check out these cute shopping bags I sewed today.  Not the little purple bag.  But, the cute striped one and the one with the giant crab.  That cute fabric came from Ikea.  I know.  They have some pretty cute fabric there and for good prices too.  And it is perfect for Robin's Shopping Bag pattern.  And they will be going to a couple of good homes.

The little purple bag is also from one of Robin's pattern, the Click-It Bag.  I made this from the practice quilting on my last quilt.  I just hate to throw out those little practice pieces, that is, if they come out somewhat decent.  OK, back to pulling those threads to the back and binding.  I'm getting pretty bored with that by now.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn



NEWEST SEWING ADDICTION

Geta had this great tutorial on her blog recently and it is my current sewing addiction.  I love making these little boxes.  I had some leftover charms and decided to see how it would make up.  It turned out so cute that I went out and bought this cute charm pack, "Breakfast at Tiffany's" by Moda, to make a few more. Why did I buy yet another charm pack?  Because it was just so darn cute is why.

Then the decision is what should be the outside and what should be the inside?  Oh if all life's decisions where so difficult, hey? But I think I like this.

But, I just couldn't stop.  Aren't they just so cute?  Thank you Geta for a great tutorial.  Now what to do with them all.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

LYN BROWN MYSTERY UPDATE

Here is my mystery block for Lyn Brown's Puddle Jump Mystey.  Confession:  once I realized what it was, I used a different Medium.  Still have more sewing to do on this project.  I am really liking it so far.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

LYN BROWN'S MYSTERY CLUE 3

Clue 3 of Lyn Brown's Puddle Jumping Mystery is half-square triangles. For the larger size, it is 240 half-square triangles. It took me a couple of days to finish these.

Here is a picture of the three clues we have done. Clue one is the rail fence; clue two is the nine patch and then the 240 HSTs. That is a LOT of HSTs.

But, they are bagged and ready for clue 4 on August 17. Bring it!

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

STRIPES AGAIN

Lots of bias edges, lots of spray starch used, and lots of cutting with the X-Block.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

Rachel's Purse

This is my granddaughter, Rachel's, new purse. While she was here last month, she selected this pattern and fabric. I sewed it last weekend while I was on my weekend retreat. It is on the way to Pocatello, Idaho as of today. Be looking for it Rachel.

Happy sewing,
Marilyn

X Block Workshop

I took a workshop yesterday with Patricia Pepe (http://www.patriciapepe.com/ ). She is the Queen of the X-Block. It was an amazing workshop. This one block, and the tool she has invented, makes it a fast, fun and easy block. It works into so many variations it is mind boggling. And, she is able to convey it to the student without a lot of head scratching. And beleive me, that is a talent.

Here are a few of the ways to twist and turn the blocks to make each block look like something different.

Aren't they all great?

Just take a look at Kasey's in the center there. Doesn't is look complicated? It's not. It is still just a 9-patch turned in a few directions. Of course, it too was cut using the X-Block. It was a great way to spend a Saturday. I hope you take a look at Patricia's site to see some beautiful quilts.

Happy quilting,

Marilyn

New Tote Tutorial

My friend Khris from Australia, has put up a free tote bag tutorial on to her blog. Looks like a fast and fun one to make. Go check it out and maybe make one.

Red Pinwheel Update

Here is an update on my new quilt. Since I'm only working on it a little each day, this is as far as I am on the pinwheel path. More next week. Happy Easter.

Pinwheels and Squares

I have 90 pinwheels sewn and a whole bunch (330) 4.5 inch squares laid out and ready to go. I have to put this away now until next week. Two Wacky Women are vending at the Glendale Quilt Show this week. So long sewing machine; I'll see you next week.

Half-Square Triangles

360 to be exact. But, who's counting?


And I'm chaining...........
Now what will this be?

LLB Bag

Robin recently created this pattern and I volunteered to be a pattern tester. This way I get a really cute bag right away. It is a fun pattern to make. I only used three fat quarters and still had some leftovers. I am using this bag as a thank you gift. I guess I will need to work on another one right away. Stay tuned for the published pattern, which will be soon. Naturally it will be found at our web site: http://www.twowackywomen.com/ Happy sewing.

Tote-A-Long

I made this sample, which folds into its own pocket, last night. It literally takes one-half yard and one-half hour to complete. We will have both the pattern and kits for sale at the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach. It's cute isn't it?