Sew Some Love Sunday - Quilt Con Charity Meet-up

Welcome to another edition of Sew Some Love Sunday!!  I've got some exciting news to share this week.  I have just (really, like 15 minutes ago) returned from QuiltCon East.  It was a fun show to attend and I got to meet some people who are busy helping people through quilting.

This was a new-to-me quilt show.  Friends and I attacked it at a different pace (and order) than I otherwise might have.  Jacquie Gering was doing a demo as the show opened for the day, so we ambled over that direction first.

After watching part of Jacquie's demo, a couple of us decided to wander the show.  We took in some of the challenge quilts before finding our way back to the front of the venue.  Next came the "winner's circle", followed by a portion of the vendor booths.

It was at one of these vendor booths that I heard something that caught my ear.  "... kids with cancer... Atlanta area... quilts."  This was coming from a woman who was taping her quilting story for Quilt Alliance.  This woman was Holly Anne from Quilts for Cure.

I had been by the booth as she had begun taping, not catching her name, but had continued on with my "window shopping" then circled back for a Quilt Alliance T-shirt.  When Holly Anne finished speaking, I introduced myself, told her that I had just mailed her a quilt block last week (or the week before, as I couldn't recall!) and we got photos together:

Please ignore the crazy pulled back/ponytail look.

My hair was bothering me that morning!!

Friends and I also caught the tail end of the PULSE meet-up:

We blogged about our PULSE quilts HERE.

Members of the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild were on hand to share statics, stories, and thanks with those who answered the call to help with quilts in the aftermath of the Pulse Nightclub Shooting. The response to their plea was overwhelming.  The quilts were much appreciated by all who received them.  This included survivors, families of victims, EMT and Fire Department first responders, hospital personnel, 911 dispatchers, and the list goes on.  We were told that arrangements are currently being made for the delivery of the very LAST quilt.  If YOU participated in any way, the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild offers a heartfelt thank you!!

Also, introducing...

Grandad's Shirt Block Drive for Covered in Love!!  Kat from Kat and Cat Quilts blog just released the March/April block drive tutorial for our sewing pleasure.  Check it out (and make a block or two or ten!!)

Linking up (on Wednesday) for Sew Some Love.

Until next time...

Quilt for a Cause!!!

Scrap Happy Saturday - RSC17 - Week 8

Welcome to Week 8 of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!  AQUA, TEAL, TURQUOISE, and any shade in between has been this month's focus for the RSC.  It seems to be a favorite of many a quilter.  Thanks, Angela!!  I am enjoying my February stitching!

SUNDAY - I spent a good portion of the day reading through yesterday's RSC Links.  Then there was the thumbing through my new book.  (You'll hear more about that tomorrow!)  Finally, I got down to business.

Along with some RSC sewing, too:

Business on Sunday means sewing some love.  It was time (or PAST time!) to attach borders to my Law Enforcement Appreciation Quilt...

... And write up my blog post.  Hop over, if you'd like to read about the details of the quilt.

MONDAY - Tints and shades of SEA GREEN available at MSC:

As well as, in my mailbox.  Click over to my Mail Call Monday post to read more about that.

TUESDAY - Coffee with a friend was followed by a hair appointment.

Random SEA GREEN sightings between the two...

Ashley from Twist Fiber Studios made this project bag:

One of my favorite pairs of  shoes... because of the COLOR:

The Fossil bag that I got for Christmas:

The new-to-me Sloggers (posing with a TEAL colored tunic) that I found at My Secret Closet:

Bought the shoes!!  Left the tunic.

Oh!  Even AQUA readers:

While my fabric stash is fairly bare of SEA GREEN, my own closet doesn't lack in a range of shirts and blouses in the shade:

I expected to have a bit more sewing time this afternoon, but a trip to the grocery store and making an early dinner got in the way of my plans.  Evening stitching was blown out of the water, as well!! 

Just when I think it's safe to enter the sewing room, something else pops up that must be attended to!  This time, it was an old friend's birthday celebration... one would THINK that it might have been on my calendar.  Alas, it was one of those missed entries.  :o((

WEDNESDAY - It was my ONLY 'stay at home' day this week. The first thing I did was do some housework.  (YUCK!)  The next thing was posting this week's edition of Wonderful Wednesday. (You won't want to miss this one!!)

While waiting for a package (that never arrived!), I assemble the LAST row of my Rainbow Strings Expansion Project:

THURSDAY - A look back at some of the SEA GREEN sewing that happened earlier this month:

FRIDAY - Something you might not know...

SATURDAY - Once again, we've arrived at LINK PARTY day! Come join me on a journey to a sea of projects in one of the most soothing colors of the rainbow.

Since I'm not very good at posting on the go, linking up may have to wait for Sunday evening or Monday morning.

Joining Cynthia for Oh Scrap!, too.

Until next time...
Get Scrappy!!!

Design Floor Friday - Rainbow Strings Expansion Edition

Welcome to another edition of Design Floor Friday!!  In this week's post, I will share with you a behind the scenes look at the Rainbow Strings Expansion Project.  This quilt top was DONE... and then it wasn't.

How did THAT happen, Joyful??

I completed Rainbow Strings HERE.  Shared it with friends.  One of whom fell in love with it, snuggled with it, and later decided that the quilt top was too short for the way she planned to use the quilt.

SEW...

I started with this (too short) completed Rainbow Strings quilt top:

Then began making MORE blocks.  GREEN first:

Then...

Moved on to AQUA blocks...

... Which played into February's Color of the Month for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  How on earth did Angela know EXACTLY what I would need to work on this month?!?!

Unfortunately, I didn't get very far before I had to beg my friend, Needleb, for a scrap infusion.  I happen to know that she has a fair amount of AQUA strings hiding in her scrap stash.  Let's hope that she's willing to part with a few!!  :o))

Not only was Britt willing to share THESE scraps:

My RSC friend, Deb at BLOG, came through for me with THIS batch of SEA GREEN scraps:

On top of that, a (friendly) reader, Cathy R. was pleased to send some beautiful TEAL/TURQUOISE scraps:

As if THAT wasn't enough, my friend Katie Z. informed me that she had rounded up some strippy AQUA scraps for me:

Thanks to these wonderful benefactors, HERE are the last four blocks of the Rainbow Strings expansion project:

I'm guessing that you would like to see more...

The GREEN row:

The AQUAMARINE row:

Add those to the previously completed quilt top and you get... 

Rainbow Strings - The Expansion Project - the re-completed top:

Next stop... the quilting frame.  Quilting ideas, anyone???

Not today, though, because...

Until next time...

Expand your quilting horizons!!!

Wonderful Wednesday - No Scrap Left Behind {A Book Review}

Welcome to another edition of Wonderful Wednesday!!  This week, I want to tell you about the book I just got.  It came in THIS package and, technically, could have been included in this week's Mail Call Monday post:

DS1 ordered it for me and I couldn't be more pleased.

It's Amanda Jean Nyberg's NEW book No Scrap Left Behind, which arrived on my doorstep this weekend and I absolutely LOVE it!!  I thought YOU might like to take a look:

What do you like about this book, Joyful??

The answer to that question is... EVERYTHING!!!

Why, Joyful??

It felt like Amanda Jean, from the blog Crazy Mom Quilts, used a fresh approach to her book devoted to scrappy quilts.  Yes, she told her quilting story and she gave some ideas about scrap management, but she also talked about what it takes to make a successful scrap quilt.  She even talks about what to do when things aren't working!!  (How refreshing is THAT?!?!)

My FAVORITE part of the book (besides all of the wonderful projects) is the way she sorted the projects by scrap type.  It's brilliant, really.  Not to mention, SEW much more useful!!

All you have to do is sort your scraps and decide which ones you need to use up.  Once you've done that, simply pick up your copy of the book, go to that section and choose a project.  Easy-peasy!!

See for yourself...

Amanda Jean has provided 2 - 6 projects for each scrap type.  Most of the projects in the book are throw size or larger, but she has provided a number of smaller projects, as well.

REMEMBER:  You can ALWAYS choose to make fewer blocks for your own quilt!!!  Conversely, you may opt to make EVEN MORE blocks than suggested to end up with a larger quilt.

So... I hope you enjoyed this edition of Wonderful Wednesday.  I'm excited for two reasons:

1. I absolutely LOVE scrappy quilts and this book it full of them.

2. It's almost Friday and I'll be on my way to Quilt Con.  If I'm lucky, I may even get to meet Amanda Jean!!!

UPDATE:  I ran into her just before she was leaving the show.  We talked for a little while and she was kind enough to sign my copy.

Until next time...
Read me a quilt!!!

Mail Call Monday - Scrappy Love

Welcome to another edition of Mail Call Monday (the late night edition!!)  I received several packages in last week's mail.  It is with much excitement that I will share the contents with you.

First came this GIANT squishy from Cathy R. out in Colorado:

Here is a bird's eye view of the contents:

Get a load of all the SEA GREEN goodness:

Thank you for your generosity, Cathy!!!

The next arrival was from Katie Z. over in Kansas:

 Lots of AQUA strips in the box shown above:

An extra surprise was slipped in!!  Handmade soap fitting this month's color cue for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge:

A closer look at the variety of shades included:

Thank you for sharing, Katie!!

Last, but not lease, an envelope from Deb A. down in Florida:

 She included a quick note with her batch of lovely TEAL strips:

Thank you for responding to my plea, Deb!!

I mentioned at the beginning of today's post how excited I was about receiving these packages.

What's the deal with all these squishies, Joyful???

Well, you see, I put out a call for more SEA GREEN scraps to finish the Rainbow Strings expansion project.  These generous quilters dug though their scraps and sent strips that fit the bill.

And???

Well, THREE packages seems quite remarkable when you consider that my request was made near the VERY END of THIS POST!! These quilters took the time to read about my week, in its entirety. They didn't just look at the pictures or scan what I had to say.  Not only did they READ the whole post, but they responded (and followed through!!)  For that, I am truly grateful.

Thanks also goes out to the other quilters who were kind enough to check there stashes, only to find them lacking in ocean colors. (You know who you are.)  I just wanted to let you (and others) know that I appreciate your effort.

Until next time...
Share the (scrappy) love!!!

Sew Some Love Sunday - Police Progress

Welcome to this week's edition of Sew Some Love Sunday!!  I'm here to report the progress I've made on my Law Enforcement Appreciation quilt.

Be forewarned:  Only a limited amount of progress was made.  :o(

The wall hanging began the day like THIS...

... And ended the day a completed quilt top:

UNLESS, of course...

It decides that it would like another border!!  Stay tuned.

WARNING:  There may not be a Sew Some Love post here next weekend because I'll be at Quilt Con.  Much excitement!!  If I get back too late, I will try to post on Monday or else we will skip a week.  If I manage to get home early enough, I'll post on Sunday.

Checking in on Wednesday with Kat for her

Sew Some Love LINK UP!!

Until next time...
Sew Some Love!!!

ScraoHappy Saturday - RSC17 - Week 7

Welcome to Week 7 of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!  As usual, when the week begins, I have NO IDEA how much sewing time will present itself.  Take a walk through this one to see how it all pans out.

SUNDAY - Check out my Sew Some Love post for this week. Along with that sewing, I did a little RSC sewing, too.  The rows are sewn for the 16-Patch centers for my Scrap Jar Stars:

Late afternoon found us on the campus of NCCU for DS2's concert. It was the 14th Annual Valentine's Concert presented by our three local universities:

Featuring...

The Duke University Jazz Ensemble:

The UNC Chapel Hill Jazz Band:

And the North Carolina Central University Jazz Ensemble:

Sorry for the terrible pictures, but the house lights make cell phone photography next to impossible!!

MONDAY - A trip to APQS, Raleigh (for Owner's Group) ate up my sewing time today. Featured topic, grid work:

Sample sewn by Angela of Thread Waggle Quilting

I took the time to assemble the rows for the centers of my SJS blocks before leaving for my meeting:

The flip side of losing my sewing time is that I got to have dinner with DS1 (and grab a quick hug, making me one happy mom!!)

I did do one sewing related task when I got home.  It was the FINALE for the En Provence Mystery and I wrote a post to link up with Bonnie and many of the Mystery Quilters from around the world.  I find it SEW amazing at how many different versions result from the same pattern.  Logically, I know that I shouldn't be, but I always am (for some reason.)  Go take a look and see what I mean.  I bet YOU will be surprised, too!!

TUESDAY - Here's hoping that YOU had a Happy Valentine's Day!!  THIS is hanging in my kitchen for the month of February:

Keys to my Heart, 8" x 10", original design

You may have seen this last year (or the year before that), if you've been following my blog for some time.  If not, it is from my Art Quilters Play Group days about 5 years ago.  It's a simple piece that was made using "found objects" and I was quite pleased with myself in its originality.  After all these years, this little quilt is still one of my favorites from those artsy endeavors.

Knitting this morning, followed by a bit of AQUA hunting to celebrate the softer side of SEA GREEN.

First, at my favorite consignment shop...

A votive holder:

A planter:

And... A vase:

Then at the local Thrift Shop...

A dinette set:

An office chair:

And... A piece of framed artwork:

During the middle of the afternoon, I went on a 'wild goose chase' involving a kid, a (non)concert, a bus or two, and some ice cream. 

Insert a BIG sigh here!!  

Yes... That's me.  (See the sleeve of a quilted jacket and a hint of DEEP TEAL nail polish?!?)  I'm hanging from the rails of a STANDING ROOM ONLY bus heading back to my car.  (I have to admit, riding the bus was WAY easier than finding parking on campus!!)

Note:  The ice cream was to console myself for the quilting hours wasted by DS2 (who made an assumption about WHEN a Valentine's concert might be held.)  Double sigh.  I suppose this is my punishment for being an involved mom of a scatterbrained college student (who relies on the internet for concert dates, instead of verifying the information with his band director!!)

On the up side...  It was good to see DS2 for a few minutes before heading for home, even if I did want to smack him!!  LOL

Later, I took the time to lay out the components of my greener SJS:

WEDNESDAY - Sew Day???  Maybe so!!  ONE Scrap Jar Star sewn in shades of SEA GREEN:

Along with a handful of errands to run (including, but not limited to, the bank, the post office, and the grocery store... AGAIN!!)

THURSDAY - A few more of my friend, Britt's, SEA GREEN fabrics waiting to be made into a block for Rainbow Strings:

But first...  I spent the day with a friend and before dinner I managed to do the mock-up of the blue-er SJS:

FRIDAY - If you've been following along this year, you know that I spend the day with a friend.  The (late) afternoon is my own. Today, I finally put away the new longarm needles that I bought on Monday.  THIS is where I put them:

Please remember, in case I complain about not being able to find them the next time I need to replace my needle!!  :P

SATURDAY - Calm, cool AQUA projects are sure to await at Angela's LINK PARTY on the So Scrappy blog. Sail on over.  It will be SEW worth the trip!

By the way... If YOU noticed that my SJS blocks had the corner units in the wrong position, just keep it to yourselves.  :P

It took me laying my completed block out on the floor at Quilt Bee this morning to realize my mistake.  Oops!!!  I suppose now that I'm home and have posted this, it's time to go put my seam ripper to work.  Yippee.  Sigh.

I'm also linking up with Cynthia for Oh Scrap!

Until next time...
Get Scrappy!!!