Wednesday, January 18, 2012


I am in such gratitude to all my blogging friends. The internet certainly has opened an eye for me. A source of living when bed/house bound in recovering from that horrible accident. Now into this new venture of quilting and finding this 'thing' called blogging. Although we may have different loves of color, fabrics, styles, and techniques, we carry a bond in the threads we sew - and I say THANK YOU.

NEWFO

I had already decided to set my goals for 2012 on a smaller scale - minis, table runners, wallhangings, and some baby quilts. I was so excited in seeing this 'mini' revolution around the net - lots of fun smaller projects every where. It's in tribute to Barbara at CatPatches who came up with the idea of being OK to start NEW projects. Not that I needed an excuse, but nice to know there will be others doing the same and encouraging each along the way. Thank you Barbara.


More NEW houses. You are going to get sick of seeing these, I'm sure. I see that it has been suggested (and encouraged) to try with a larger block if the tiny 3.5" block house is too challenging. I plan to mix mine up with different sizes. I think next week I will do some 6.5" houses - then the bits can be saved to work into the smaller ones. And look closely - I laughed because I didn't see it until I put it in photo shop to fix the color. One of these houses is not like the others. It is now fixed.


This new project is covering two challenges - the Color Pallette Challenge and a Circle Challenge. Just a peek because it will be posted later this month and I have worked up a tutorial on how I sewed those inset circles. A little bit of hand quilting left, then attach the binding which I can hand sew when my SIL comes down to finish up her pillow. Oh, I am thankful that I have a new sewing partner and it has been so, sew fun playing with fabric with her - I promise to show the quilt and pillow when she has everything done.


And thank you to KatieQ for putting those wonderful buttons on your side bar. I have two new buttons for you to scope out, maybe even inspire. Scrap Attack - we all want to beat those scraps down. And, Bust Yo Scraps - these snowball blocks are for this project. Yes, another new and I am making a smaller version using 1.5" squares - that barrel is FULL. This cute pattern should definitely tame them. And I am working them up as my leader/enders.


This is block #9 for the FQ Star Quilt Along - not really new and it will be the only 'large' quilt this year. But I am re-cycling shirts for these blocks - so that makes an 'oldfo' into a 'newfo' - doesn't it?


Not really quilting, but if we keep ourselves physically, mentally and spiritually fit, we certainly can enjoy this venture better. I had seen Annie's post on this and was 'pondering' - then I was seeing the support and thankfulness for this new venture. So I am now working toward a healthier me. First goal being to eat scheduled meals. Being alone, I don't take the time to have regular meals that you sit to the table to. Maybe a new placemat just for ME will help remind me to sit and eat. And since my two grandsons have been diagnosed with dairy and gluton allergies, I think I need to evaluate my own dietary and look into gluton-free. And I think I need to add more protein in my diet. I have a floor pedal machine which can also be used on the table for your arms - so the everyday exercise has always been there - it got me out of a hospital bed and wheel chair.

THANKFUL WINNINGS


Some of you may remember - I won Michelle's original 12 of Hearts. I get to keep hers, so now I can gift mine on. I loved doing this BOM and look forward to her new BOM with Hannah & Harrington Bunny. Thank You Shell - for the give away and for the awesome free blocks.


This lovely bundle I received from Jewel at IntrepidThread. A Stitch in Color - she has the whole line just in stock and you can see it on her blog in much better color than from my limpy, wimpy camera. Thank you sweetie!


Although these weren't from a give away - these lovely spool blocks are from various participants in the Australian 6" Block Swap. They feel like winning a give away when they arrive in the mail. A few I made myself, but by the end of this year, with more swap mates' blocks and more of mine - I will have enough for a special quilt that will be my NEW UFO finish for 2013. Thank you to all you lovely ladies!


And I won Box #3 from Miki and it arrived today. Oh my how beat up this poor VERY HEAVY box is - it was not handled too gently on it's travels here. I won't open this until Friday because of other committments. Then I will do a photo shoot of contents, what I pulled, and what I will put in for the next give away and post on Saturday. I would like to move the box on before the end of the month. (Box#1 is on to Annie and Box #2 is still not posted by Ali)

CLOSING THOUGHT


Sewingy Yours,
Sharon

28 comments:

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Wow Sharon Great Post!

Maybe 2012 is a year of Gratitude! That's something we have been trying to do in our family.

You do know that you have been a great support to me...encouraging me along the way and just being my friend......so Yes Sharon I am grateful for you.

Cheryll said...

Phew... jam packed edition today...LoVeD every word too.
Your house collection is growing nicely and I look forward to your tut on the circles. :)

Barbara said...

What a lovely post. I'm so glad you're enjoying your new projects.

Lesley said...

What a wonderful way to start my day! You have some pretty inspirational thoughts, and some wonderful projects you have shared. Whew...I think you have a lot of energy! Love your FQ block!

Karen said...

Remember not all houses look alike. I wonder if you would not have fixed it would anyone notice when you have 365 houses? Thanks for keeping me inspired. Your the best!

Wilma Lee said...

I have also decided to mainly do quilts that i can display,smaller things,and wall hangings that are no more than 48" wide. I have so many scraps that I don;t think I can ever use them all, let alone my stash, lol.

Sarah Craig said...

What a lovely, talkative post! I feel like I just ate breakfast with you while having a conversation!! And I love the house block - it's just a really long first step out of that house! All your blocks are just beautiful.... and I can't wait to see your circle quilt!!

JudyCinNC said...

Wonderful Post Sharon and I loved my visit with you today. I really think you should have left the little house block the "wrong" way as it would have been the 'humility block'. LoL Lucky you winning Shell's little quilt. Judy C

Belinda said...

Oh Sharon, you have blessed all of us so much with your blog! Thank you for sharing your life with us this way.
I'm really looking forward to the tutorial on the circles. That looks intriguing.
All of your work is awesome!

rubyslipperz1052 said...

I'm thankful for YOU and therefore very happy that YOU are part of blogland! My day, my life would be very amiss without all the fun/inspiring things you bring to blogland. And, the words of encouragement that you always share with your comments.

I LUV your closing words...I'm going to repeat them in my "talking to myself" thoughts.

big HUGE cyber-hugz to YOU!!
annie
anniesrubyslipperz.com

Michelle said...

Loved the closing thought...very nice.

Marilee said...

You might want to move it on by Saturday....new postage rates after then.

Sheila said...

Lovely post. So many neat project for me to watch you put together. I appreciate my blogging friends, too. They are kind and supportive. I'm glad you have your sewing while you are healing.
Have a good weekend and Blog on.

Northern Deb said...

Enjoyed reading your post... I too love to read everyone's blogs...seeing what they're doing, what colors they're picking.. fabrics, patterns. Makes me feel connected to all the other quilters out there. Take care of yourself.

Char said...

Great post today Sharon! So much I don't know where to start. I love the snowball blocks and the hand stitching is wonderful. After my little machine problem I'm doing hand stitching on my table topper too. Thanks for sharing the 2 new scrap challenges and I'm lovin' the spools!

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

Oh that poor box had a rough trip.

I think I looked at your houses for five minutes before I figured out what was wrong with the house. lol. I have my patters printed out but I haven't had a chance to sit down and sew yet.

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Hip hip horray for all the wonderful friends we meet through blogging! Woo hoo!
Glad you liked your prize. So fun to share the blocks with everyone.
Love your stitching on those quilt blocks. Sooooooo pretty!

Miss Hillbilly said...

Blogging has changed my life for sure. I am so thankful for my blog friends.

I saw those buttons on Katie's blog and thought of you because they were both about scrappy.

I need to learn circles so I look forward to what you've got to share! I guess I need to have a browse through your latest buttons.

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

I have lots of buttons for QAL on the right side of my blog if your interested in checking them out. A lot of scrap busting ones, finishing ones and lots of others too. oooo getting mystery boxes in the mail is the greatest thing. Take what you want and add what you don't need anymore. Can't wait to see what you have in that big ol box.

Denise :) said...

What a terrific, fun post! I like your interpretation of the FQSQA block. And I'd seen you'd won the 12 Hearts -- I bet it's beautiful in person -- that was a fun stitchery! I hope you have a terrific day! :)

Pattilou said...

Love your house blocks! After sewing some 1.5 inch blocks into a larger block I'm amazed that you want to tackle a whole bunch of them. They are always sew pretty sewn into a quilt.

Your quilts on Whoop Whoop are so lovely.

You are a machine, girlfriend!

Good luck and follow through on your health goals. Always room for improvement isn't there?!

Michele said...

You are so right. I have so much to be thankful for and your closing thought sums it up perfectly. Have a great weekend!

P.S. Might you be interested in a day trip to the quilt show at the Garden State Convention Center the weekend of March 1st? My BFF backed out and I don't want to go alone so I am looking for some local quilting buddies to go with.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Sew many great things you received. I love the last saying you posted. It is so correct.

Snoodles said...

I'm so happy to have my blogland friends...out here I have few "buddies" and I love to talk and share with you and with others on their blogs. Makes life more interesting! Looking forward to the circle tutorial! Good luck with the health goals - I need to behave myself and exercise more. :)

beth said...

I always have to stop and catch my breath when I read your posts! You have your hand in so many "quilty" Pies!!!! Thanks for all you do Sharon.

Brita said...

As always, I'm dazzled by your accomplishments -- plus those posted by Sarah! I'm glad to hear you're thinking about your health, we tend to forget to take care of ourselves, don't we? A suggestion to help your plan to eat regular meals -- cook up lots ahead of time, freeze them, and they're quickly available to stick in the microwave or into a pot. Some, I just cool and put into ziplock bags, for ease of handling.

KatieQ said...

Thanks for the shout out. Your blog was the second one that I started to follow. Your posts never cease to educate, inspire, and entertain. I look forward to reading each and every one.

Marcia - Crafty Sewing and Quilting said...

I am trying to catch up with all my bloggy friends tonight and hopping around. I am so glad I met you thru' blogging. You are always sharing so much information about all the wonderful quilting blocks, and swaps and all! Thanks! I am thankful!