Get it DONE- May Report/June Goals

I really have ADQD as Bonnie Hunter calls it -

[Attention Deficit Quilter's Decease] 

or 

"START-itus" as Kathy from Canada calls it.

It looks like I got 3 out of the 5 projects worked on for May. 

The end of June means the year is HALF over. Thanks JUDY L!  OH MY!

May Goals:
1- Work on the 2 New "Baby Girl" Quilts- Secret at least until JUNE.  They might get to see them a bit early. At least the Flimsy, if I get that far. Not Done
2- Get the Pink Mariner's Compass put back together. DONE!
3- Work on My Lucky Stars quilt- only need 6 more 12" blocks for it. DONE!
4- Trim and sew the House Blocks together. DONE!
5- Get my #20 Alliance Quilt finished and sent in before June 1st.  Not Done

#3 "Thank Your Lucky Stars" and #4 "House Blocks" DONE!

JUNE Goals (I'm only listing 3 this time)

1- New Baby Girl Quilts- I have the first 13-14 days to work on these before family comes.

2- Retreat/Guild Lotto project- those Depression Blocks are addicting.

3- UFO's for WASIQ Retreat  (I'm taking a few LOL -The #1,#2,#3, #4 shown above)

And then there's that Mystery with "Quiltaholics" that runs June 1st and 2nd, too. 

I'll be at least saving the Parts. I have a few Graduations to attend in June.

I'm linking up with the Judy L  HERE

May NewFO Link-up

 The only NewFO I had for May was these Blocks I made for June's LOTTO at my Guild.  I dug in my scraps and found enough to make 4-5 blocks.  Here is just 4 of them. I'm loving the scrappy-ness.

On Memorial Day we started a Project of making Pallet benches to go outside on our back patio.  Someone on Facebook asked if I was going to make quilted covers for the cushions. I had to see how many of these Depression Blocks from Quilter's cache it would take to cover just one side of them. Looks like 8.

There are two sections so I need 12 more blocks to cover the pallet benches shown below. That is if I only take one block for the guild Lotto.

 The original idea for this project was all over Facebook and the link to a finished picture is HERE.

I like the idea of having the cushions reversible. I don't think we need a table , but we can move these two sections and make a straight bench for more seating when family comes. We might not need the backing boards either if I make a bunch of pillows.  This is definitely an on-going project.

I also started playing with more of my favorite color- PURPLE.  

I'd seen this trick for making HSTS out of  2 contrasting squares many times.  Lori Holt reminded me HERE with her Quilty Barn Along. Her method made four 2" HST's from two 4" squares with some waste triangles left over. She sewed an "X" across the squares then cut the square in quarters at 2" and trimmed each HST off 1/4" from the stitching line. I really want to make some of her Barns. 

But I haven't jumped into that project. I have two Baby Girl quilts to make, maybe three. 

(Mindy needs one too)

I wondered how many ways it could be done and what size HST's I would have with each method.

A second method I've seen is to sew 1/4" on all 4 sides around the two squares RST (right sides together) and cut across the diagonal lines with an "X" to make four 2.5" HST.  There is no waste triangles and this yields a bigger HST. But the outsides of these are all on the BIAS.  So Press gently!

I mistakenly cut one of my samples the wrong way and got the 2-color wing triangles.  

I'm going to play with these some and see if I can create a new block.

Who knows what projects will jump into my head next month. 

I get to go on a Quilt Retreat so there could be a LOT! I'm starting to pack my UFO's projects to work on.

If I win LOTTO Blocks at Guild or my WASIQ Retreat I won't have to make as many to finish my cushions.

I'm linking up with Cat Patches HERE

A Different Kind of Decoration/Memorial Day

I didn't post for DESIGN WALL MONDAY- Yesterday was a Holiday meant for Remembering those who have gone before.  I have a rich heritage and I revere my ancestors who made hard choices in their lives.  I wish I felt I was making a difference, some days, I just don't want to TRY!   I don't think that my Children and Grandchildren know how I really feel.  I've tried to show them, but the things that matter most to me don't matter much to them...I went to sleep crying.
So instead of something Quilt-y today I am recapping the LONG week-end...
Friday I got up EXTRA early (for me) and drove up to watch DD#1 children while they attended the Temple with some friends in Portland. She left me a list of what to do while I was there.  Pictures were on that list. So here are just a few that I managed to take, between the times they were testing my patience.

When I arrived the kids were eating breakfast and watching Videos. Their Parents had left shortly before.
The 2nd picture is of a wet Dragonfly that we found in the roses outside.  They played with the sprayer hose more than I wanted them too, just saying...(no pictures)

 

It was a nice day for reading, riding and watching them play outside.  Friday night I made Goulash and Grandpa came to eat with us.  He had a Church Meeting so we ate early.  Because this grandma isn't so patient and probably more because I was tired, it was an early bedtime for all of them.  Saturday morning another baby-sitter came to relieve me so I could drive to Moses Lake for my Neices' baby Girl Shower. I stopped by and picked up my Sister to ride with me.  We got a Text from a Brother who lives in Moses Lake.  He asked if we were coming to go to the cemetery to put flowers on our parents grave.  He didn't know about his daughter's Baby Shower.

 Cute "PINK" cupcakes. The plate behind had my Banana bread on it.

The soon to be Mommy of a baby Girl opened the gift that I took up for her.  My sister told me she had this Crocheted dress, she thought I'd made it. I'm not sure if it was made by me or my mother or grandma Waite. It just needed a petticoat to go under it.  I don't usually re-gift, but this was a special thing for me to give to her.  I think Grandma Waite would be happy to know she had one for her baby girl. She taught me to how to make them. My former sister-in-law was there and took my picture with her holding the dress.

 Here is us "Brown" Girls

Roma, Debbie, Mindy, Mary (me) and Sheila

 Cole, the BIG brother, was there to help.  Cousin Danette put the 'feet' on his face and Mindy's tummy.

 This is the dress my sister sewed up on our Mother's "Bernina" that morning.  This is our way of keeping our mother's memory alive. We met with two of our brothers out at the Cemetery after the baby shower.

 4 of the 5 of us "Brown" kids

 Mary (me), Selwyn, Roma and Derlyn

The weather didn't save many of my sister's flowers for Decoration Day, the ones she had went on her in-laws grave. Derlyn brought a Red, White and Blue bouquet with a Flag and Selwyn picked up some pretty roses to put in the vase. My Daddy and Mama loved thier roses.

 Since I was traveling past where my Father-in-law is laid to rest I had to stop for a picture at least.  I didn't have any flowers to put on it and they hadn't out any flags out just yet. My DH hadn't seen the headstone either, and we didn't know if we would go back up there on Monday so just a Picture is all I get this time.

MONDAY- DH was up and gone to the Home Depot early. He picked up a new DOOR for our house and some baby blue paint for it.  The paint was too light for me but we will get another can that is closer to the color on the trim of the house. While the paint was drying and before the rain...We went and picked up some old pallets to make a bench for our back patio- like I'd seen on my friend's Facebook. HERE is a link to see a picture of what it should look like... the following are the in-process pictures I took while DH was putting ours together.

 I bought some High density foam for the pads and some spray paint.  I still need to make the waterproof type covers for it, too.  The rain put a damper on the finishing and it was time to make Potato Salad for our impromptu BBQ that we had with our friends before we went to see a Movie. The Movie wasn't as good as I'd hoped and both me and my friend considered leaving in the middle of it.  I even dozed off for a minute...It was just over the top---TOO much suggestiveness for a PG movie, IMHO. It didn't help that I have the memory of seeing it back in 1975 with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow, so sorry- Leo just doesn't compare! Toby Maguire did a good job with his part, I liked him.
 We missed going out to DH's Sister's for a BBQ.  We just can't be everywhere, hard as we try. I am counting the days until my family is home to visit. I have a lot of things left to get ready for them.  I'm happy they want to come.  I miss them so much and wish they all weren't so far away!

I'm Such a Sucker for a Mystery...

I know I shouldn't but I have so much fabric calling to me in my STASH that I have to make another quilt or two or three besides the ones I already have started. I've resisted Judy L's last few... Deb K always has a great pattern to share with her Mysteries.  Click HERE to check out the one coming up in JUNE. This one is Weekend Whatever #28. She says this one is a Two color quilt.  The colors can be different shades of the same color.   HMMMMM, my head is buzzing with the possibilities.

Just looking at my Bigger pieces these are just a few that I'd like to see in a 2 color quilt. 

The Dots are definitely at the top of the list but I'm seeing this picture and have to say a 'White on White' (WOW) would work better with it. This fabric is from a Kit I got when my Hancock Fabrics closed. I could always use it for a Backing on one the baby quilts. Choices, Choices!

 I bought the Paisley to make a new Pioneer Dress. I think I'd rather make a quilt with it. 

It is similar to a fabric in NaDell and Andy's Wedding Quilt. 

The bottom fabric is my bolt of Judie Rothermel fabric that I have used in my Civil War Sampler.  I really like how it plays with the "In the Beginning" bolt of Light fabric. Watch and see which one I cut up to make the first parts of this Mystery.  

YEA, I can ROTARY CUT again!

Is the FROGGING Worth it?? YES!

I sure hope that this is the last time I have to "frog" this week.  I took the whole thing apart, down to the center and trimmed it to the size that it should have been.  It lays much more flat now.  The added borders had to be adjusted also as per the directions in the Pattern Book.  I found the finished sizes that were used back in 2010 when I did the Round Robin the first time.

Getting this put back together was on my List this month.  I've done pretty good so far this month. 3 of the 5 projects have been worked on so I can show progress for next Month.  

This will have to count as my Mid-Month report. I didn't see a Link over at Patchworktimes, yet.

While sewing it all back together I got 2 more Lotto Blocks made for Guild and of course more 4-patches.

Today was the day to go out for our M & M Group.  It was nice to see the blocks that were finished so I could take pictures there.  I've thought about starting the 2nd BOM, but have resisted so far.  I have plenty to keep me busy already. I went in to STASH and they Brought these Books home from the Quilt Market in Portland.  They even had TULA sign a few copies so we could buy them.  NICE!  They have several of TULA's quilts on display in the store.

 

It's almost Memorial Day and I will be going to Moses Lake to put flowers on the grave of my parents.
I am saddened by the Tornado in Oklahoma as many are. Grateful those I know there are safe.  Bonnie posted HERE  if anyone wants to send quilts for the families there.

Design Wall Monday - May 20, 2013

I had fun playing with my 3.5" HST's this weekend.  I chose the "Depression Block" for the Block Lotto at Guild and my online Quilting Guild Group- WASIQ chose a block very similar to it for our LOTTO at our Retreat in June. I'm counting the days.

3 done and two more ready to sew.  I am hoping that we get a LOT more at our Guild, so I'll be taking at least 4 of my blocks to contribute to the Block Lotto.

  HERE's the Link to the WASIQ Block. I've made 6 of the blocks for the retreat.  We aren't sewing the full blocks for the Lotto.  I will have at least 6 chances to win the Blocks at the Retreat.

 



There is still 4-patches and 2.5" squares being cut for my Midnight Flight Blocks.  I think that I'll take the parts and pieces to the Retreat to assemble.  I was in Downtown Walla Walla on Saturday selling raffle tickets for the Guild Quilt.  I drew diagonal lines on a bunch of the 2.5" neutral squares so I can work on the next part, the spinning Purple blades and the Black/Neutral Hst's for the Midnight Flight blocks.

The wind was blowing and sales were pretty slow with Whitman Graduates and their parents walking by.  I should have taken a picture of the cute quilt stand that Lianne's DH made for us to use when we are out and about with the Raffle Quilt. It's a Queen size Ocean Wave quilt.  I have this one on my list to make someday.
I have 2 quilts in the Blogger's Quilt Festival HERE and HERE.  The Nominations are happening now. Each Category has a Link to view the Quilts. HERE is a link to the main page with all of them.

Click HERE to see more Design Wall Monday postings.

Blogger's Quilt Festival 2

I realized that I can choose and link up 2 of my quilts in Blogger's Quilt Festival  

Here is my 2nd quilt. You can see my Scrappy Quilt entry HERE

Quilt Stats:

Pieced by Mary Crowther July-August 2012

Quilted on an APQS with Side Saddle by Lynn Wilson of Thread and Bolts.

Quilting design: 'Swirling b2b' by Anne Bright

fabrics provided by Quiltmaker: Red Rooster 'Abigail' by Kathy Brown.

Size: 50" x 50"

 I'm entering my 'Tester' Quilt "The Friendship Chain" in the Throw Quilt Category HERE.
My Big Reveal Post last year was HERE.

I made this quilt with one of the blocks I Tested for the 100 Blocks Magazine Volume 6.  

The main block was Laura Blanchard's "Split Decision".

The alternate block is called 'Friendship Quilt' and was published in the Kansas City Star August 17, 1938.  The book tells of this block being used with a Name written in pencil in the center, then embroidered by the ladies who made quilts with it back then. 

The editor's named my quilt "Friendship Chain"

Me with the quilt and with the Ladies at the Quiltmaker Offices in Golden Colorado last December. Thanks to my DD #2 for taking me there to see it hanging in the gallery.  

The Quiltmaker Staff brought the quilt back to me at the BLOCK Party in Portland last March. 

I blogged about it HERE and HERE.

 It is the #3 quilt on pg 88 of Volume 6 100 Blocks Magazine.

 Here's a close up of the quilting pattern and the quilt while it was being quilted.

There are several categories and each one has their own LINKY box.  I hope to get around to more of the categories and do some Blog hopping. Be sure and leave your comments as you visit.  
We ALL blog for comments.  I'd gladly accept a Nomination and Votes too.

2013 Blogger's Quilt Festival

I REALLY wanted a NEW Quilt to reveal today for this "BLOGGER'S QUILT FESTIVAL".  But it just didn't happen.  My "Easy BUSY Street" will do.
My 2nd Entry in the Festival is in the Throw Quilt category HERE
Quilt Stats:
Pieced by Mary Crowther November 2012-March 2013
Quilted on APQS with Side Saddle by Lynn Wilson of threadandboltsquilting.blogspot.com
Quilting design: 'Swirls E2E' - Designs by Deb
Size: 82" x 82"
My quilt is in the Favorite Scrap Quilt category HERE

Here I am with my finished quilt AND the pattern designer- BONNIE HUNTER!

 The highlight of my Year thus far has been going to the Quiltmaker Block Party in Portland, OR.   You can read more about it at the link.   Meeting Bonnie has been on my Bucket list for a couple years.  I worked on this quilt even while I was on a vacation, visiting my DD#2 and her family in Colorado.  I used my Daughter's machine while I was there and watched Bonnie on QuiltCAM.  I am so glad that I was able to go and meet the Quiltmaker people in Colorado at the Quiltmaker offices in Golden and see them again in Portland. I couldn't stop smiling that whole 3 days. I slept under it in the hotel and it is on my bed today.  I changed my version by not making all the blocks. The two alternating blocks have 77 and 69 pieces in them. I added the gray and Purple for the Borders to tone down all the GREEN. Bonnie called the Purple fabric; the 'eternal swirl'.  I have it in several colors in my Stash.
This was the 2012 Mystery at Bonnie's Blog.  quiltville.com .

Amy over HERE is hosting the link-up for the 2013 Blogger's Quilt Festival right now.  May 17th-31st.
The Spring Quilt Market is in Portland happening while we Blog Hop and enjoy this Blogger's Quilt Festival.

May 17 – 24 – Linky’s Open & Nominate for Viewer’s Choice

May 24 – 30 – Vote for favorites in each of the categories 

May 31 – Winners announced

I hope you enjoy the Festival! Don't forget to Comment, Nominate and VOTE!

Quilt Guild Lotto Block/Squishies/gifts

The Block Lotto for my Quilt Guild in May is the "Depression Block" found at the Quilter's Cache HERE.

This is a great block for scrappy neutrals and bright fabrics.  The Easy Angle, Bonnie Hunter's favorite ruler or the Nifty notions Half Square ruler can be used to make the HST's.  I cut a 3.5" strip off each of the 8 Prints and  8 Neutrals because the finished HST's are to be squared to 3.5".   It takes 16 HST's to make the block.

 I showed them a tip to "pressing" this block.  

Press half of them to the light and half to the dark, arrange to nest the seams.

 I told them how Bonnie Hunter considers a Neutral anything between 'White and Paperbag Tan'.  

Even the backside of a fabric is OK. Here is my Story Board ready to show at Guild. 

A close up of the left side is the first picture.

For the evenings program, we learned more about choosing colors for a quilt from the Color Wheel 

from Barbara Larson.  It was interesting. 

 
 I remembered to take a picture of the "LOTTO" blocks that were brought this month. 4 very different blocks.  Mine is the upper left one. I had to look up the LOTTO Block for my retreat and it uses 3.5" HST's too.  FUN  that I get to use the rest of the fabric I already cut for the DEMO for my WASIQ LOTTO, too.
 More of my Mother's Day gifties and squishies in the mail.

A flower in a painted pot from the Ransoms, also a new Family Collage and handprint of Abigail. The Left picture is from Wyoming.  it came with a cute beaded Yo Yo necklace and flower bracelet with a sweet note. I got a card from Janessa in Colorado, Milton's came with a BIG box of my favorite Chocolates. 

Have you ever seen such a BIG BOX?  I used the Macy's card to buy two new shirts for a hopefully one of these will be for the next Family Picture. 

Saturday I went to a Big Car Tent Sale up by K-Mart and with the flyer that had a scratch dot and matching numbers I got this 'Fresh Water' pearl necklace to wear with my Suit I bought last year in Idaho. 

 The Gardenias  Geraniums were from the WARD. I saw a Purple one that I wish I had gotten. Pink will have to do.

 Early Monday morning a few friends went to Shari's for Noel's Birthday.  After living in Walla Walla for almost 9 years it was a first for me.  Had to get a picture.  Ladies from each of the 3 wards in WW.

 My mailbox has brought a few more books to read and my final prize from the 100 Blocks Volume 7 Blog Tour, too.  Thanks to HAPPY STASH Quilts!

Whew, so glad to have a day where I can stay home and SEW or READ. 

The Busy week is half over today.