BOOT BASH BLOCK #8

BOOT BASH #8 is finally finished.  Please find the link on the right sidebar.  The boot top stitching is done with freezer paper templates adhered to the wool and then stitched around with 6 strands of embroidery floss.  Any less sinks right down into the wool.  Less would work for cotton.  So not happy about my machine stitching on the boot top but no time to redo.  Have to work for now, but YOU do better, ya hear???

Thanks for all the comments and prayers for my family.  Our little family is still in turmoil, but we are pulling together to heal.  I may have to raise my grandsons--still not sure of the outcome.  At any rate, my quilting life has slowed down considerably.  I am going to do my best to finish my Boot Bash Block of the Month, but will have to do it in my own good time so please be patient with me.  Oh "by the way"--this is the newest pic of me.  A bit frazzeled, don't you think???

Quilt Inspirations has inquired about doing a special post about my blog and Boot Bash.  I will let you know when it is posted so that you can travel over to take a look.  I am excited about it.  They have a great blog.  Be sure to visit.  They have a great TEXAS quilt up right now and some great "FREE" patterns.

While I am here, let me show you that I finished another Henrietta Whiskers block. You know, the one by Bunny Hill?

I now have six blocks finished and one more almost done.  The newest one is only a dream at this point, but not for long. 
Ok, now for my Civil War Block World. Poor Barbara--I am so far behind, but have done four more. I will post them here and hopefully on the Flickr Group sometimes today along with Miss Henrietta and friends. Sorry, forgot to crop--no time to fix them. WHEW! Baby's awake!

 BLOCK 19, Missouri Star

 BLOCK 18, Union Square

 BLOCK 16, Whitehouse

BLOCK 17, Comfort Quilt

On A Roll---A Roll of Binding, that Is!! Plus a Little More Stuff

Decided to put on a binding this morning that I have been putting off for "oh so long".  I looked in my box of left over binding pieces and found a perfect roll of perfectly sized binding that looks so perfect for my western strip quilt.  I love it when that happens.  I always save leftover pieces of binding because scrappy binding is just about my favorite.  Maybe because I can use the leftovers---and avoid making more LOL--who knows!  Here iit is as I found it and it is now on my quilt and ready for stitching tonight during TV time.

A Row by Row group challenge--I make my first row then others in the group will make one.  Here is mine before stitching some embroidered flowers etc. on it. 

I have been looking at row quilts on different internet photo sites.  There are some neat ones out there.  This one, for Halloween, I thought was especially neat.  Look at the little ghost nestled in all the candy cane pieces in the border!  Also, the flashlights are really imaginative, I think.  The way that they are shining in different directions--love it!

A little closer look--

I have organized all my Block of the Month patterns into a large notebook.  I include my patterns, directions, fabrics chosen and then put my blocks in as I finish them.  I also put my fabric blocks ready to stitch in and my sketches for my own designs.  I love looking through and adding ideas as I get them.

This is a glue product that I found at WalMart the other day.  I had not seen it before.  It has a fine and wider tip and claims to be a "no wrinkle" product.  I am sure this refers to paper, but I am hoping it will be wonderful for fabric applique.  I will report to you later and let you know if it works better than a regular glue stick.  It is a liquid product.

Do you wear Mary Kay eye shadow?  I do and I came up with an idea to use these little plastic containers that the eye shadow comes in.  They are about 2 x 2 inches. 

I cut my embroidery needles as they were in the package--out in the exact right size to fit in the container.  Then-----

I also cut out the information from the front of the package out and placed it on the top of the outside.  I have several of these with different kinds of needles in them and I can always get to my needles easily and know what kind they are.  Justa little idea I had.  I am sure there are other containers that would work just as well as these.

Just one more thing.  I am about to start my "Snow Bound" Block of the Month by Anne Sutten and Bunny Hill Designs.  I have these two fabrics that I am trying to decide on.  Which one do you think I should use?  I am leaning towards the Blue.  I think with white snowmen, the group of blocks would look richer, don't you?  Give me your 2 cents.  Please.

Don't forget to get your Block One pattern of my Tree Time Block of the Month.  All you have to do is click "Block One" on my sidebar.  For the directions for the series, click the sidebar button and it will take you to the original post.  You will find the link there. 

LATER COWGIRLS!!

A TISKET, A TASKET, A NOVEMBER BUNNY HILL BASKET!

I don't know why I can't get started and then when I get started, I can't stop!  I stitched the whole block last night after procrastinating about starting it for about 2 weeks.  I had the whole thing ready for stitching that long before I got to it!?
Why is that?  After I start, it is like one stitch leads to another and if I stop I will forget where to go from here!  It was all working last night-------so---------------------------------------------I stayed up until 2 am.  Sid was working nights and Clark was gone to the hunting lease and it was just me and my needle and thread.  I had a blast and I know some of you just don't get it, but it is just my thang!! LOL
Here is the finished November block.  I am so sorry that next month is the finale.  I will not have a special basket block to look forward to each month.  I will have to search out another one but I doubt that it will be as enjoyable to me as this one has been.  Don't forget to visit Flickr group to see all the many versions of the same block-- each as different as children are different.
I wish each of you a project next year that you love as much as I have loved this one.-------m

What's Up, Anyway!!

An update on progress. --Last weekend was a quilting weekend where I gathered with friends and sewed until my shoulders ached more than usual!!  My sides also ached from laughing so hard.  You've been there--you know what I mean!!
My antique reproduction quilt blocks got put together and a Flying Geese border put on.  I got into the mode of making Flying Geese and just went with it.  I was chugging along really good and decided to put some together and see how many more I needed.  Guess what?  I had enough for all 4 sides with some left over--how may more, you ask?   76 MORE!!  This cannot be! (Yes, this is one reason for the laughing). Yes, I will be adding more flying Geese to this quilt simply because they are made!!  Have you ever done this before? 
Here is the quilt as it is on my design wall awaiting a little more designing.  The corners must be made and attached.  I am thinking of adding some more stars to the corners or plain ones to show off some fantastic quilting, but definately more Flying Geese.  DEFINATELY!

Another accomplishment is a pincushion caddy.  Darling, huh?  My friend, Kathy and I each made one of these, hers completely different from mine using brighter fabrics.  Go over to Humble Quilter and hopefully talk her into showing it to you!

I am baby sitting today, but at naptime, I started my November Bunny Hill, A Tiskit, A Tasket block.  I love getting along this far with block because then "The Stitching Begins".  Love, Love, Love that part!  Better Go,  the baby is awake and needs his lunch.  More from the retreat later into the weekend.  This is just a preview.

Bunny Hill Block of the Month #10--OCTOBER

See bottom of
post or click sidebar button for Magazine Give away info.

Nothing like a little applique block to do during the appropriate month to put you in the mood. My favorite little darling too, Sunbonnet Sue! This is Anne Sutton's Free Block of the Month (for those few who do not know)! See the button on my sidebar. It will take you straight there!! Also see all my blocks in a sidebar slide-show! I have so enjoyed these blocks. I have changed a few of them a little to make me a little happier, but I give Anne all the credit. She is very very creative. Go Here to see my block on Flickr along with the rest of my set. Also see over 300 participant's blocks and the diversity of them. It's fantastic. Anne introduced me to Cosmo's Embroidery Thread this month. A sale on her site encouraged me to try it. It is fantastic. It goes through the fabric like butter. It works up quickly and smoothly. I'm just saying...........
You might want to stop by and C h e c k i t o u t!

I am encouraging you to go HERE and comment for a chance to win a year's subscription to McCall's Quilting Magazine. Yes, it's true!! All you have to do is comment for a chance to win or a little more for 2 or 3 chances to win. I want my visitors back. I have not been posting as regular lately, but than is about to change. I want everyone to get back to visiting my blog. You are all very special!!!

Bunny Hill BOM #8 Coming in Under the Fence!

I know, I know, what the heck does "under the fence" mean? In Texas, it means, just in time or at the last minute. My version of Bunny Hill's August Block is finally finished. This month the theme is CupCakes. I had a hard time chosing fabrics for this one. I don't know why. It looks better now that I have put on all the finishing touches, but I still am not completely happy with it. I am posting it just so I can say I am finished, but I may do it over if it does not look good with my other blocks. My version of this one and the February blocks are my least favorite.



I always go to the Flickr group to see the fabric choices of other people who are participating. I go there hoping to get "Inspired". Inspiration is what I always get. Go HERE if you would like to see how diverse the same block by different people can be.

My handle this month is a two color vintage rick rack laid on top of an extra wide rick rack. The lacy trim was hand made around the turn of the century. Two of the cupcake holders are wool. My usual Blanket Stitch is around each piece with "Cherry" buttons topping each cake. The embroidered leaves are Lazy Daisy stitches centered with a Bullion Stitch. I hope I spelled that right!. I thought my Lady Bug was too dark, but somehow (and this always happens), it looks better as a jpg. on the computer. Why is that? Thanks for looking, as always, especially to Anne at Bunny Hill for sharing. See the button on my sidebar. She is such a talented and generous lady.

Bunny Hill BOM # 6 Revisited and #7.

Notice anything different? Remember that I ask you if I shoud add a button or other vintage trim? Remember that I told you that nothing seemed to work for me so I just thought I would leave it "as is"? Well, I changed my mind in spite of the fact that your comments indicated that I had made the right decision. I found a button that seemed to be made just for this block and the miniature rick rack seemed just the thing on a particular day--ever had that happen to you before? One day nothing works and the next--wa--la?

Below you will find BOM #7, the July Block. I really had fun with this one. If you have visited the Flicr Group site, then you have seen all the beautiful blocks that are being made with the free patterns. One lady decided to put a flag in her basket for July, and then added some star flowers. I liked the flag alot, so I changed it a bit and added a fire cracker complete with sparkle. I had a ball with this one--think it has been more fun than any others. Tiny rick rack adorns the flag as it waves, the batting sheep holds a flag telling us the special day in July, and

following suit, I used vintage rick rack for the handle, this time weaving a medium and a small size in nave and a bright blue for a little pop. If you click on the pics, you can see the detail. (This scares me to death). Oh go ahead---nobody is perfect!! LOL Thanks for looking at my blocks and hey--go do the Flickr thing!!

Bunny Hill Blocks of the Month--#6 is Finito!!

Another fun Bunny Hill Block is finished! I am enjoying these so much. I chose 2 shades of brown rick rack interwoven for the handle this time. Wool is the flower centers. French knots embelish the flower centers and the daisy strip of embroidery that stretches across the top. If you look close you can see that the fabric I used has a tiny LadyBug on it and I fussy cut the fabric so that Miss Ladybug is sitting just perfectly on the flower petal. I didn't use any vintage buttons on this block as I could not seem to find the perfect place for them. I considered the corners where the handle and the basket meet, but it just looked a bit much to me. What do you think? Do you it is complete, or could it use some buttons?

ON TO #7--JULY--Then I will be caught up. Get busy on yours now. See the Bunny Hill button on the sidebar.

Bunnie Hill BOM-It's Fun and It's Free

I SAID that I was going to keep up with this one--Don't ever believe a word I say! LOL
May is finished now, and I am picking out the fabrics for June and July as we speak.

Staying consistant, I used vintage rick rack for the handle and vintage lace and buttons, and some wool for the applique pieces. In this case the leaves. Don't forget to go over to the Flickr Group site and see everyone's blocks. They are fantastic! You can also begin to see what makes certain blocks stand out among all the others. Seeing these blocks will make you realize how important neatness is in your work. Also it will give you some insight as to which color choice you like best. You can see the contrasts of fabrics and what roll texture plays in making a great block.

The link for the free BOM is on my sidebar. Never too late to start. Applique (any method) and embelishment just might be your "THANG" (remember where I am from LOL) and you never knew it. Have a great "rest of the week". Love to all-----

If this post causes you to lose control and start a Bunny Hill BOM please leave me a comment and tell me. There is another group I need to tell you about!!

BUNNY HILL BLOCK OF THE MONTH, FOR APRIL

My Bunny Hill, A Tisket, A Tasket Block of the Month for April is now finished. See my side bar for the button that will take you straight to the free BOM series. When selecting these fabrics, I was not happy with the bunny, but now that it is finished I am more happy with it. I kept telling myself that I could trash it at any time that I decided that I knew I would never be happy with it. I never could trash it. It looked better with each step I took to make it my own block. It's a little brighter block that the others that I have made, but I think the vintage tatting, button and even the background help calm it down a bit.

The couched bow that appears orange is really a light shade of red. The red in the rick rack is an embroidered chain stitch.

Bunny Hill BOM, A Tisket, A Tasket-April block

FOR THE WINNER OF THE McCall's Magazine subscription IN HONOR OF MY BLOGIVERSARY---go HERE. Original post is updated.

My Bunny Hill April BOM is ready to stitch. I have been so busy and haven't had time to get the fabrics picked out. I have just been thinking and thinking about it and tonight I mustered the courage and strength to "geterdone". I didn't think I was happy with the rabbit, but after seeing the picture, maybe it is OK. Do you think I shoud change him? and if so what to? I tried all kinds of fabs and colors and nothing seemed to pop. I am hoping that the stitching will do it for him.

HAPPY EASTER ALL YOU CUTE CHICKS--HOPE ALL YOUR EGGS ARE IN ONE HAPPY BASKET!!