Wednesday Thoughts

A while back I decided to "clean up" my stash, pull out any fabric that was 9" wide or less, cut it into nickels, 2.5" noodles, or 3.5x6.5" bricks. I have at least 20 stacking wire cages I store fabric in, and I've made it through one! I have LOTS of odds and ends of fabric, and will be cutting for quite some time! But that's OK, that's how I'll use up all those pieces! I have two "Nickel Quilts" books, and many patterns that use noodles, and I love to make Bonnie Hunter's Bricks and Stepping Stones pattern. If you ever need inspiration, try Bonnie's site. I often use it for ideas---thanks Bonnie!! While I was camping over the weekend, I got 72 "units" sewn together, almost enough for a queen size quilt. I would have made more, but I ran out of 4 patches.

I'm also cutting strips for a new "string" quilt pattern I saw. It's a bit different method than the Heartstrings method, I think I will try it. Tonight I was cutting more strips in the colors I will use, and still adding to my nickels, noodles, and bricks! Wow, pretty soon my wire cages are going to be half empty!

Monday Goals and Design Wall

I was able to sew this weekend, and I put up my current project on the wall. Alycia's #2 project, I really like it.



This project required a bit of frog stitching because I wasn't THINKING, but it is really very easy. I think the blue setting triangles with a narrow red border or maybe just a very narrow red border with another wider blue border?? I'll play with it when I get that far! It's a great way to play with your noodles!

Goals--ah, I do have some plans for this week. I am sewing with some of the Nebraska Heartstrings Group on July 14th, so I will be readying what I need to take to that. First we are going to visit Ashfall Fossil Beds, I've always wanted to see them, then out to lunch, and sewing all afternoon. What could be a more perfect day! If there are any Nebraska people out there who are interested, email me! Quiltin' Library Lady is organizing all this, I can hardly wait!

1. Get ready for Nebraska Heartstrings Sewing Day!

Yes, just one goal, it's enough for summer. I will sew in between on other projects if I have the time or energy!

Sunday Stash Report

This was a bad week for stash busting! But it was a great week for stash enhancing! A few of you already know that in my "mailbox fun" I send out a FQ of green fabric and 5 "noodles" to each of you. So I bought 10 yards, but used 9.5 yards in the mailing! So that's 1/2 yard to the stash!

And then I needed the setting fabric, borders, and backing for my quilt from Alycia's site, and I also bought some backing for my bricks and stepping stones blocks. Uh oh--that made 20 yards more to the stash! So in one week I added 20.5 yards to the stash. That makes -28 yards for the year! But Judy, the stash report really makes me THINK before I buy, so I'm not feeling bad about the purchases. And when you think about it, one queen size quilt (my favorite size) will use about 20 yards of fabric, so I'm only 1 1/2 quilts behind!

Happy 4th of July!

Wishing everyone a Safe and Happy 4th of July!
Congratulations America!

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis

Motivation Friday

Since this week has NO motivation about quilting, how about the outdoors?? I love flowers and gardening, so I took pictures of them instead!
First, my clematis--one is a Jackmanii

It's had a tough time, last year the carpenters stood on it to build the deck, and it's just recovering. The other side of the deck has this clematis surrounded by striped malva, it's a dwarf clematis, but I can't remember what it's name is. The flowers are like lavender bells.

In the corners of my deck where I wanted to move my climbing wisteria, (but it got too late to move them this year) I planted several different climbing annuals -- moonflowers, morning glory, lab lab, and cardinal flowers. I then stuck some of those bamboo plant poles in them up to my deck, and one cardinal flower has already caught on!
Another use of selvages if you look closely!

















I also checked my perennial sweet peas, a bit wind blown but as tall as I am and blooming like crazy. More selvages!
My trumpet vine,
purple coneflowers,

and a dark hollyhock (almost black) are all starting to bloom.

Even my vegetable garden is becoming a jungle.

And then I stopped over at my sister's --- I know the red ones are knockout roses

Some of the lilies --

I love this plant -- it's nicknamed a "goat's beard"

I especially love this birch tree--

My sister and my favorite brother in law work very hard on their flowers!

But I guess I need to be more like Scrappy, my nephew's dog--


A dog's life ain't half bad!! A shady spot, someone to come along and scratch me, and a dog treat too! Ahhh!

Happy Thursday

Small things make me happy! Today Leonard came and fixed my upstairs washer.
Okay, maybe not Leonard's best angle--but I have a washer, dryer, and an 8 foot cutting table in this room! Luckily Leonard is tall and thin!

Confession Wednesday!

When I can't fit in sewing time, the longing for playing in fabric is too compelling. I BUY!~ Yesterday we had to run errands, I had my COUPON so went to my favorite discount fabric place and bought--gulp---20 yards! Now I have all but 7.5 yards already spoken for in a quilt I'm working on, so I do have a use for it. I was making Alycia's #2 "Not so top secret quilt", and I didn't have enough of any fabric to make the setting triangles. Lots of odd bits and pieces, but was afraid it would look too thrown together. How do you like these fabrics??

The solid blue on the right is for setting triangles, the red will make a border, and the blue/cream at the top is the backing. What do you think??

And that last 7.5 yards? It is to be a backing for the bricks and stepping stones blocks I sew when I am bored. I think it will make a great bias binding also, I love using plaids and stripes for bias binding.

It should coordinate well with the black/white blocks in the stepping stones blocks, and since the blocks are VERY scrappy, it will match about anything!

I'm also trying to get together with some of the Nebraska Heartstrings group members, sewing with friends is so much fun! I am hoping we can also visit the Ashfall Fossil Beds, I have wanted to see it for a long time.