My husband is a champ!

Today I wrote down 3 goals to accomplish.

First, I needed to find a video showing how to sash a quilt.  Done.

Then I got my husband's shirts ironed and various other tasks that need to be completed.

I finally got down to the business of beginning to sash my quilt (goal #2).  When I began sewing my third block to the sashing, I realized that some of my blocks were definitely smaller than others so that made one decision for me.  I cut down all the blocks to 12 1/2 inches square.

At that point, I made dinner for my husband (and family.)  It was totally off THM plan because I used noodles for pork chops and noodles, and they weren't Not Naughty noodles.  They were completely naughty but I totally stayed away from sugar!!!  Sugar doesn't play nice, and I was not going to have a migraine to celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary.

This is what my husband brought home for me to celebrate our day.  (He had planned to take me out to dinner, but I didn't really want to go out tonight.  Like the champion that he is, he was okay with that and cancelled the reservations.

Gorgeous roses!  I love roses, and their fragrance is even more beautiful than their form.  I think my husband is awesome!  I love him so much and am so grateful he is my patient, fun, and wise husband!  I may have fallen for him because he makes me laugh, but I've stayed in love because he is the perfect complement to me and helps me so much.

Not only was he willing to stay home with me (our kids took off for youth group meetings at our church), he encouraged me to finish the last goal on my list for the day.  He helped me figure out how much fabric and what sizes I needed to cut for the sashing for the Christmas quilt (which he has laid claim to.  I think he's afraid I might not finish it otherwise.)  Then he practiced his violin while I cut and sewed.  

Now I have finished my first row of the quilt!

How blessed can a girl get?!

Elven Garden

I just found some information on Free Motion Quilting (FMQ) on the Elven Garden Quilts blog.  Here is the link:  http://theelvengarden.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/free-motion-qal-choosing-colours.html.  There are more links at the bottom of the page.  I had wondered if it might be best to either tie or stitch-in-the-ditch quilt my Christmas quilt, and one of the posts reinforced that thought.  I think that might be the best strategy for me as a beginner.

Also here is a cool Minecraft tutorial:  http://www.thatlookslikeitneedsstitches.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2016-02-17T12:42:00-08:00&max-results=1

Just wanted to pass those along!

Piecing completed!!!

I finally finished piecing my disappearing quilt blocks for my Christmas quilt today.

 Yay!

Here's a picture of the stack of finished blocks with the Christmas tree block and the green fabric on the bottom that I've chosen for sashing.  So far I've only bought one small piece of fabric to make this quilt.  Unfortunately, I don't have enough fabric to make the quilt back or batting, but 99% of the top will be from my stash!

Now I have to make some big decisions like:

1. How big of a quilt do I want to make?  Is it going to be a lap quilt, a blanket, or a bedspread?  Originally I had planned to make a queen size quilt because I have a queen size bed.  I'm not sure now though.  It might be nicer to have it to cuddle up in on the couch or reading a book.
2. How am I going to lay it out?  I also noticed, while it was spread out on the floor, that these blocks will make a very scrappy, very busy quilt if I push all the pieces together.  I also went back to the original pattern and realized I had turned my pieces differently than the Amy Gibson at Stitchery, Dickory, Dock, contributing to an even busier pattern.  My eyes felt like they were fighting each other trying to find something to focus on so I decided to put sashing in between each block in order to reinforce some order and cohesion to the whole quilt.
3. Because of #2, I want to make another quilt with the same fabrics to see what different affect might be had by turning the bigger squares toward the center of each block and also using a plain color for the center block.  This Christmas project may never end!
4. If I made a blanket 5 blocks across by 6 blocks down, with 2 1/2" sashing in between each block, how big would the blanket be?
5. If I put the Christmas tree block in the center of the quilt, would that also give a little more cohesion to the quilt? Or would that be better just to use as a pillow? Leaning that way especially since I don't have a dead center block if I put 6 blocks down and 5 across unless I appliqué it on the center top.
6. Do I use a quilt as you go technique or just make the quilt top?  I'll probably just stitch in the ditch if I quilt it on my machine or tie it on my quilting frame.

Now onward to cutting the 2 1/2" strips for sashing. Step 3.

Neat quilts on the web!

On other browsing, I found this Christmas tree skirt from Missouri Star Quilt Company that I want to make out of my stash.  (See what I mean? This Christmas project may never end!)

A little late for this year's Valentine's Day, I think this dimensional mini-quilt from Made by Me in Red (directions by Moda Bake Shop) would be a really cute to make one or all of my kids for V-day decorations.  If only one, I'd have to choose my daughter because she does all the holiday decorations around here!

While you're at it, check out this patch pink rail quilt from Scrapbox Quilts!

And another link just because I love foxes!  If you follow Courtepointe & MOI's link to the patterns page, you'll find several fox quilt patterns.  The blog is written in French, I believe, but translated to English too.  These aren't free but they are cute!

Duh!

So far my silliest (and most annoying) error has been to replace my cutting blade and then have terrible times cutting fabric.  It was on my Fiskars blade that is stiffer when opening and shutting than my Olfa blade.

But I could not believe that I had to seesaw back and forth repeatedly to get it to cut!

Ridiculous!

Terrible cuts!

And then one day (about a week later) I noticed that there was a lot of lint from the rough cutting.  Being economical cheap, I had insisted on using that doggoned blade.  I cleaned off the lint and then realized that some was stuck and would not budge.  Figuring that I had a knick in the blade (and possibly the reason for the rough cutting, I tried to pull it out.

I finally woke up to the realization that I had not one, but two, blades on the handle.

Yeah, don't do that.  It cuts amazingly well with one blade now.