Celebrate Red White & Blue

Welcome! This is it! We have all been working hard and the time has finally arrived. I am excited to share today with these lovely ladies:


http://maryonlakepulaski.blogspot.com/

http://www.hotpinkpeonies.blogspot.com/

http://piecepeacenc.blogspot.com/

http://lesleythecuddlequilter.blogspot.com/

http://marciascraftysewing.blogspot.com/


The full schedule can always be found at  janesfabrics.blogspot.com

I had originally thought I would do a series of blocks using HST's in the corners.  There are a LOT of them, but I am sure you will see a few along the way.  Some may have the dark to the outside and some may have the light to the outside.  Watch for them as they would make a wonderful R/W/B sampler.  So I have this CrossRoads variation block.   

Then I played with some Aunt Gracie fabric.  Some non-traditional print/color for a little country look using a variations of the Pine Burr  block.

Then the scrap quilter in me kicked in.  Found a couple of red strips, and dug in my barrel of pre-cut left overs for white-on-whites and just enough 'sparkle' blue for the stars.  This is a variation of 'Stars & Bars'.

And what Red,White, & Blue Celebration doesn't need a pinwheel?  Again, scrappy white strips paperpieced for a triangle  and left over red strips (that is all gone now) and left over blue/star triangles.  I can envision children running through the yard with bright plastic pinwheels, seeing who's can go the fastest.  Or the Grand Finale of the FireWorks Display with the spinning pinwheel sparklers!

For the 'whimsy' side of me; of course I had to play with all those buttons I have.  A simple button jar filled with all those red buttons.  I would sew a few on and then to help with stability of the block in the finishing, the rest of the buttons would be sewn as part of the quilting process.

And I modified my BirdHouse Block.  Again, fun to play with Aunt Gracie fabrics and some shirting - had to have a button.  Yes, Moe had to be there - a bird house - a bird cat.

And if you have a bird house, you have to have a bird.  We have a nesting young pair of bald eagles on our mountain and what better way to end my parade of blocks.  I had a FQ of  Red Print  by Red Rooster Fabrics Quilt of Valor line and thought it appropriate for the symbol of our country.  I made a rough sketch, turned it into a a silhouette, and then used the pieces for templates for an applique block.  I will eventually sandwich this up and try my hand at thread painting for a pillow top.

GIVE AWAY

Red Rooster Fabrics is proud to participate in the Quilts of Valor program and introduce this specially designed fabric collection. This distinctive collection includes a vibrant focal print - a galaxy design with layers of stars circling on a dark sky ground. In addition to their terrific coordinated prints, they have a truly unique label design. Designed in the shape of a pocket, each label provides lines identified with the specific information that the QOV program asks each quilter to include. Besides using them as a standard quilt label, they can also be made into real “pockets” that allow you to insert a personal note to the soldier who will be receiving the quilt.

The  "Under Our Wings" program will guide you every step of the way. http://www.qovf.org/content/join.html

I have 1 yard of each of the fabrics, plus a panel of special labels.  I will ship international and will hold comments for the give away until July 8th (midnight EST) and announce the winner on my Monday blog post July 9th.

I hope you have enjoyed my  variety of blocks - I do like variety.  Just to show, dare to try something different - and have fun with it.  Please remember to visit the other Blogs today and I hope you enjoy the two weeks of Celebrate Red White & Blue.

Sincerely Yours,

Sharon 

June's NewFO

**Since I am booked for July 1st, I am posting my NewFO a day early**

We had a lovely pattern give to us by 'Miss Rosie' for the June Schnibbles - Leap Year. I used 'Petite Odile' by French General with Moda muslin for sashing and border. I fell in love with this line and have since decided to add a large border of the Odette Denim - on order. Be sure to catch the parade of quilts HERE and HERE.

I enjoyed last year's Santa Sack Swap and joined again this year. This is the Sack I sent to my partner with the first two gifts. And while on my shopping trips, I am keeping a watchful eye out for some of my parter's list items as well as some things I have 'browsed' on her blog.

I participate each month in the Patchwork Times 'Color Challenge', SewCalGal's 'FMQ Challenge', Meg's 'Let Me See Your Jelly Roll' challenge, and the Monthly Doll Quilt Swap (always excepting new members-click the button and check it out). I played with some new blocks and made some quilter's stillettos. And enjoyed a joint project with my SIL to make a wallhanging for a re-turning business.

I have some other projects that were done in June, but you won't get to see them until July - just around the corner. I will be taking part in the Red/White/Blue Blog Hop (scheduled date for me is July 1st) and the Think Christmas Blog Hop (scheduled date for me is July 30th). Oh, and the Bowls with Borders Blog Hop in the future.

And I enjoyed time with my daughter, SIL, and grandsons - even did some alterations for them last visit - family heading to a wedding in Florida (and everyone is short!).

Be sure to see what NewFO's everyone else have been creating - lots of inspiration at CatPatches.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Where's Waldo?

Remember this fun picture game? Find Waldo in one of his adventure photos. Well I had a bit of an unexpected adventure today. I was contacted by Joanne of Quilts By Joanne a couple of weeks ago, as she noticed the Open House blurb on the side bar.

She was going to be with a group from Canada taking a bus trip thru our area and then heading up to the Vermont Quilt Festival and maybe we could meet. They were staying 3 miles away. They would be stopping at my LQS - The Quilt Bug, so thought I could meet up with them there and called Kris to be sure it would be OK - I was asked to come early and help set up for the group.

Well, Waldo moved again. Kris called me late at night - her daughter went into labor. COULD I DO A FAVOR - do a trunk show in her place with this very same group at the Grapevine Farms after their dinner there. Not a problem as everything is out for display for Open House and we just had done a trunk show a week ago, so had that material ready. I think Joanne is still looking for me.

We (Mom & I) arrived early to set up - not really a room for this and they were aware of the change in venue and the staff really went out of their way to help.

We made use of various display hangers and racks in the room as best we could. And good old Mom - brought along a bag of clothes pins. I really had wanted to take my racks and tables - I can set that up in half an hour, but when traveling with Mom, it is her way - you know how that goes?

The group was tired and hungry so we went right into dinner (after the long line at the rest room) and surprise - Joanne found Waldo! I don't have any pictures of the trunk show - I was holding up quilts while my Mom gave 'the speach'. A lovely bunch of ladies and I am envious of them. They head to Keepsake Quilting tomorrow - day of shopping - a must. And then 3 days at the Festival.

I was thrilled when I received an E-mail from Amy (Amy's Creative Side) that I had been requested as one of her featured guests from the Blogger's Quilt Festival. I will be there this Friday, June 29th - so hop on over HERE and thank you, all of you wonderful people for nominating me.

Where will Waldo's (aka VroomansQuilts) appear next?

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Red White & Blue

You are in for a treat with the up-coming Red/White/Blue Blog Hop Celebration! I am sure a resulting abundance of patriotic quilts are going to be inspired.

I have seen some sneak peeks here and there, so thought I would offer one, too. The complete schedule is posted on the sidebar of Jane's blog HERE. I am scheduled for July 1st with these lovely ladies:

Mary on Lake Pulaski
Hot Pink Peonies
VroomansQuilts
piece peace
The Cuddle Quilter
Marcia's Crafty Sewing and Quilting

Now if I could just get my helpers excited!

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Summer's Day

Inspiration - my SIL's Clematis - gorgeous.

"A something in a summer's Day
As slow her flambeaux burn away
Which solemnizes me.
A something in a summer's noon ;
A depth - an Azure - a perfume.

COLOR CHALLENGE



This was the Patchwork Times color palette for June. Now a problem - I have but scraps of pink and yellow, so it took all month to figure this one out without buying more fabric.

Transcending ecstasy.
And still within a summer's night
A something so transporting bright
I clap my hands to see -
Then veil my too inspecting face
Lets such a subtle - shimmering grace.



I used up my Bella Solid bits from the newest quilt with a bit of scrap I found in the bin. Scrap back, batting and left over scrap binding. A little mug rug for my computer desk.

Flutter too far for me -
The wizard fingers never rest -
The purple brook within the breast
Still chafes it narrow bed;
Still rears the East her amber Flag,
Guides still the sun along the Crag
His Caravan of Red.

FMQ CHALLENGE



Cindy Needham, was our June FMQ Expert for SewCalGaland the challenge was to create a free form loop/spiral base and then fill in the areas with various forms. I still cannot wrap myself around feathers without a stencil. I enjoyed a lot of the various play, but would stray from the straight lines and boxed areas - practic. The small practic squares are hard to manuevor once on the edges, but I spent only about an hour playing with this - until the bobbin ran out.

So looking on - the night - the morn
Conclude the wonder gay -
And I meet, coming thro' the dews
Another summer's Day!"

DESIGN WALL MONDAY



DWM for Patchwork Times are these leaf blocks using the tutorial and template from Kristi - QuietPlay - Red Herring block. Everyone is making them with brights, moderns, whites - hey, I'm different. I have a lot of green scraps to use up, so I see a lot of leaves. And I changed the 'center' ribbing - instead of the small strips on the blocks making a thick mass in the centers, I am making the 'herring' blocks minus those and then joining those two units with a 1" strip in the center. They lay so much nicer.

There are some hidden works - my Santa Sack is heading out in the mail today, and blocks are made, photo'ed and draft done for the R/W/B Blog Hop as I am the first day - July 1st! And a commission piece is on one table - while that box of fabrics is out - I will work on the blocks for the up-coming Christmas Block Hop. As, well as getting ready for our Vending Season. I need a nap.

- Emily Dickinson, A Something in a Summer's Day

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Quilt Gallery

I haven't hardly paid attention to this year's Quilt Gallery quilt contests - last year I think I did them all! Someone reminded me this week's theme was Embroidery/Stitchery Quilts - remembering my 'Raggedy Friends' quilt. I would love for you to go visit Quilt Gallery and
VOTE HERE . So many lovely quilts and you can vote for four this week. Voting is from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th (midnight). I see some of my blog list friends are there, also. Luck Ladies!

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Summer Solstice

A solstice is an astronomical event that happens twice each year as the Sun reaches its highest or lowest excursion relative to the celestial equator on the celestial sphere. As a result, on the solstice the Sun appears to have reached its highest or lowest annual altitude in the sky above the horizon at local solar noon. The solstices, together with the equinoxes, are connected with the seasons. In many cultures the solstices mark either the beginning or the midpoint of winter and summer.

And it brought the hottest day of the year to us - and this 'old lady' had an air conditioner installed - thanks to my brother!

DOLL QUILTER'S SWAP



I received this beautiful doll quilt from Anita for the June Theme - Something Old-Something New. This 'Happiness is an Heirloom Quilt' is such a treasure. I hope you can enlarge to peek at all those sweet prints she put into the little postage stamp quilt on a quilt. And the pieces are graduated size to give the deminsion of flowing into the piece - clever!



And just a great label (on some super backing) - label those quilts ladies and gents. She added some various laces and ribbons and roses - oh that lace with the trees and houses is just so pretty. I am planning a large crazy quilt with white/off white/beige fabric and embellishing with lites and pastels. How sweet of Anita to add to my embellishings.

12" MINI SWAP



Our June theme was "Welcome" and I received this sweet Pineapple mini from Mary Pat (who said in her little note with it that she wanted to keep it). I am so happy with this - an heirloom block representing 'welcome' itself. I have been keeping a watchful eye on it, my Mom is very partial to all things Pineapple. Thank you so much Mary Pat!



This was the "Welcome" mini I sent to Danette. We've been paired up in swaps before so I knew a little about her and I just have a thing about birdhouses welcoming Spring. Picture is from her as I was afraid if it was in my photo album, I would but up on my blog and she would see it.

LET ME SEE YOUR JELLY ROLL



I finished up my Jelly Roll quilt for this months challenge. It still looks like an Easter Egg to me. I used a Bella Solid JR with my staple Kona Snow. I have a light weight flannelette in white with multi mini pastel dots for the back and saved some of the JR strips for a scrappy binding. It will be saved for a spring baby gift.

CLOSING THOUGHT

"Peacefully -
The quiet stars came out, one after one;
The holy twilight fell upon the sea,
The summer day was done."
- Celia Thaxter

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

**I had scheduled this to auto re-lease - of course , it didn't**

The Hairdresser

So excited! We finished up the wallhanging to present to our hairdresser who just re-opened in her new shop/location in town. We so wanted to welcome her and the girls back home. (They lost their other shop to our devastating flooding from Irene)



This block, found on-line, started the whole search. Oh it looks so much like Tammy (owner), and we just knew this was the direction to go.



It was a retired panel of Loralie Designs fabric - The Hairdressers - 2006. So the hunt was on and this was the next block we chose - we were looking for ones that most resembled the shop girls.



And this one is almost 'dead on' for one of the girls - our excitement was mounting as we continued to browse for more.



Oh, we have the next one. It could be a younger version, but this is just too uncanny.




And this was the last one we found that is so our manicurist. We, also, found some coordinating print of the line for the border - everything arrived in the mail within three days.

Once we had them all, I did all the math/calculations, my SIL did the piecing while I cut and pressed. I did up the border and prepped the hanging sleeve and binding while she did the label. I quilted and we shared the embellishing.



We delivered it Tuesday morning - this is the only good picture I got at the shop as that wallhanging got whisked from person to person and held to wall to wall - and then the batteries died. This is the owner (yes, she is 6'4"), who's first block image led us on a wonderful treasure hunt and the first joint venture for Jeri and I. It was just thrilling to give to someone who returned to the re-building of our town with such determination.

Maybe there's someone who you can give a simple 'thank you' gift too - it is heartfelt on both sides.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Crafters' Campfire 2012

It's coming soon! Time to kick back, relax, pull out the camp chair, enjoy some food - get away from it all. Tonya and I will be hosting again this year. So mark your calendar for Saturday, July 21, 2012. We will have a link up that day. Share your favorite recipe, a small camp craft, camp game, a camp song, or an amusing camp story.



And for those who link up with a sharing post on 'camp day', will be entered into the give away - a layer cake of 'Welcome to Bear Country' by The Berenstains - appropriate for a campout don't you think? So grab the button and spread the word - and mark that calender to save the date. See ya all there - I'm bringing the S'mores!

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Magical

A garden gnome or lawn gnome is a figurine of a small humanoid creature, usually wearing a pointy hat, produced for the purpose of ornamentation and protection from evil sorcery, typically of gardens or on lawns. These figurines originate in 19th century Germany, where they became known as Gartenzwerg (literally "garden dwarf"). The application of the term gnome in English is first attested in the 1930s.

I find Gnomes a bit scary and have teased so many that I was going to sneak them in their gardens. Well, this little creature appeared in my garden and I have yet to find out who brought him into my garden. But, he is cute, so he can stay. And he must have some magic in him as the flowers are just spectacular this year. AND my computer is back with nothing more drastic than needing a GOOD cleaning (cat hair).

WINNINGS



I am waiting for this lovely Jelly Roll to arrive from Megan of CrookedSeams for the 'Let Me See Your Jelly Roll' monthly challenge'.



I won a gift certificate to The Fat Quarter Shop for the Hands2Help and this is what I picked out. 'Cauterwauling Tales' by Sue March for RJR Fabrics. A cute panel with matching FQs - a quilt (maybe pillow too) for my grand daughter for Christmas.



And the lovely Marcia of Crafty, Sewing, and Quilting gifted me as a Promotion Angel for her 'Garage Sale'. Gorgeous 'Nancy's Harvest' by Nancy Halvorsen for Benartex Fabrics. I have a project in mind for them, but that will wait for August.

DESIGN WALL



This is my next Jelly Roll Challenge piece - Pastel Bella Solids. I am grabbing some sewing inbetween prep work on two other projects - YES, I work several projects at a time, don't you?



And slowly progressing. Very Easter Egg looking, LOL!!



A peek at a joint-venture project with my SIL. She did all the piecing, I did the borders, shared the embellishing, and I quilted while she did the label. Just a few little bits and we should be done today so it can be delivered Tuesday. I will be sure to get photos - a surprise gift for a returning business to our 'still recovering' town from Irene - yes, our hair dresser, but a sweetie who could have said "good-bye' like so many, but insistant on returning.

REMINDERS

A lot of new buttons added to the side bar. One you may take special note of is '100 Quilts for Kids' spearheaded by the lovely Katie of Swim,Bike,Quilt - and I have checked with her - yes, you can use your Hands2Help quilts to enter. She has a list of donations sites or you can chose your own/local donation.

CLOSING THOUGHT

Garden Sanctuary
You who walk,
Maybe with troubled thoughts,
Come, enter here and rest;
And may the sweet serenity of growing things,
And the heavenly peace,
Be mirrored in thy soul.
-Doris M. Palmer

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon