Meow

I saw this Buggy Barn pattern completed at the Gwinnett quilt guild meeting this past month.  I signed up for the workshop and fell in love with the process of constructing the  quilt village block.  I found the cat pattern  during shop hop weekend.  And I couldn't wait to start to play with it.  It calls for rick rack whiskers that hang loose.  I really did not want to do that piece.   I think I will use fabric paint for the whiskers and the eyes.

Of course Spooky, the quilt inspector is checking my work.  The first picture I took, he was laying on the cat's face!

FunkyTown ready for occupancy

This was so much fun!!!  I was able to put it together today.  I can't wait to start on the cats and flowers.  But first I need to put together a backing.  I have one house and two trees left over, so I will build from there.

I wonder if it is any warmer in FunkyTown than here in the ATL.  Snow flurries this morning.  will it ever end???

Funky Forest

The trees for Funky Town are completed.  I have 6 houses of the "development" done.  I am planning on 6 more houses.  I will be beginning phase 2 of the construction next week.  I am glad I did the workshop.  I never would have done this had I not taken the workshop.  I also have plans for some funky cats.  I fell in love with that project when I saw Terry's sample.

(too many ideas, too little time!)

Block of the week-Grandmother's Choice

I got a little behind on the B.O.W.  Last week- #29 is Seven-Pointed Star for Australia.  I looked at this bad boy all week.  The only way to construct was applique.  The template was sitting there..it would not go away.  I HAD to do it!  But first...

#30 Broad Arrow: Prison Garb popped up this morning.  This one is easy peezy.  I got it done in a jiffy.  And then I cut out the points for the star.  I had to needle turn the star onto the background.  It took me FOREVER to do it. 

And now I am caught up until next Saturday

"Crazy" Workshop

It has been a fun week so far.  Yesterday was a great guild meeting.  The speaker was Jane Buckwald (sp) talking about quilting era following Civil War until present.   She brought many quilts and it was an enjoyable and informative lecture.

Today was a workshop to learn the technique in the book "Crazy 'Til the Cows Come Home" by Buggy Barn.  Our project was Quilters Village.  I was not too sure about this whole process prior to going to the class.    The book shows the quilt in homespun type fabrics.  That is not my style.  I only attempted one quilt in homespun and never finished it.  And am not too sure what happened to the rest of it!  I decided I was going to go wild.  After all it is "crazy".  My project will look like some village on drugs!! 
The trimming of the block is not done until all the construction of the blocks is completed.  I will not be making the quilt as big.  The original has 30 houses.  I also have "tree" blocks to make.  We will see!!

Greater Atlanta Shop Hop

So this picture has nothing to do with the Shop Hop-just Spooky roosting on Easy Street.
We decided yesterday to check out the shops in Marietta.  So bright and early this morning Marti, Marie, Cindi and I headed off to the other side of town.  We went to Little Quilts and Tiny Stitches first.  I really don't understand why quilt shops just don't seem to last in Gwinnett County.  We did some looking and some buying-fondled a bit of fabric and then it was time to eat lunch.  I must admit, one of the first things discussed this morning was where we would lite for lunch.  All of us have a fondness for the Marietta Diner.  Only downside is the food is so good, one has no room for one of the decadent deserts-oh those cakes and pies!!!!  i swear you gain weight just walking by the cases!

After lunch we checked out Red Hen.  Not my favorite shop but I did manage to get a piece of fabric for the back of a Just for You quilt. 
We ran into several Thimbles during the day-more Gwinettians on a mission!

Before heading back to our side of town, we made a quick detour to Kennesaw-famous for the Civil War battle and Cottontail Quilts.  This is a lovely shop.  By the time we hit I75 we were in rush hour traffic.  But then again-rush hour in the ATL lasts most of the day.

I must ready myself for more fun-tomorrow is Thimbles!!!!  Life is good

Love it when a block goes together....the first time!

I was a little nervous after last week's block.  Grandmother's Choice # 28 is named: Ocean Wave: My Friend Erma.  Erma was a WAVE during World War II.  Interesting story.  about WAVES.  At any rate, she was also a quilter.  I loved seeing both the pictures of her in her uniform and especially the picture of her quilting.
I did not follow the "directions" for block construction.  I used the Easy Angle  ruler to construct the HSTs.  The block went together and is the correct size.  Did not need to do any trimming!

Laundry is in the dryer.  The time has come for me to jump back into C and J (before you know who REALLY gets on my case).  Gotta love that Pat!

Crafting with Karin

 Spooky is actually sitting on the pet bed that I made this week.  I was beginning to wonder.  I did not spend much time on it.  I felt bad because the floors are really cold and there is no carpeting  except in the second and third bedroom.  I have been reduced to wearing socks and slippers just trying to keep my feet warm this winter.

Today was learn to make socks at the senior center.  I have always wanted to learn to do this.  I didn't know I was going to be using such tiny needles.  Julie taught several of us today and cheered us on.  I may end up with only one sock.  And as my girls said-you can buy socks at the dollar store.  These will be really soft if I get them made.

Laurie called me a "Golden Girl".  I have decided that I am a cross between Rose and Dorothy.  I love hanging out with all my "girls".  I realized today that I have to get cracking on the preparation for the workshop that is happening the week after next.  I am now at the point of "what was I thinking when I signed up for this one"?  This weekend: trace the patterns on freezer paper.  Also scavenge in the sewing room for fat quarters required for the workshop. 

Tomorrow is block of the week.  I hope it is better than last week's!

It was good to see Pat vertical today.  Glad she is on the mend...although I did have to report my progress (or lack of progress) on Comfort and Joy.  I better have some more done by next week's Thimbles

Not my favorite block

#27 block of the week is called Grandmother's Dream-The Houghtons.  An interesting story regarding women's rights regarding education.  also Katherine Hepburn is a granddaughter or great granddaughter.
This block is not my best work and I am not sure that I did it the correct way but it is together and it is as good as it is going to get!!!  So there!!!!!

And now I will attempt the other project..Dixie Diary blocks.

Pet Bed

For several years my friend Becky has been making pet beds and donating them or giving to friends.  I have been saving my scraps and giving them to her.  She would stuff them in a pillow type thing.  I had some batting left over after making the just for You quilt.  It was "resting" on the floor.  Then I noticed Spooky was sitting on it.   I had some old cat fabric and decided to make him his own pet cushion.  Finally this morning I actually saw him sitting on it!  Only time will tell if he or Willie actually will use it.  After all, they have quilts to sleep on.

Weekend Accomplishment

I did not get much done this weekend.  The Blogger Girl's block was published on March 1.  I did do the 2 blocks, although they do not look different. I am hoping that when placed in the quilt top, it will be okay. This is a 6 month program and now is half done.

I downloaded both Grandmother's Choice block of the week and Dixie Diary block #3.  The block of the week requires some partial seams and I finally got around to cutting it out this morning.  The Dixie Diary block totally confused me.  It is a good thing that Sarah explained it last evening.  She said I over thought it.  So this morning I cut it out and have it partially done.  I have yet to applique the star or heart on it. and add the narrow border.  I am thinking that I am going to make the narrow border on all of the block a solid color-probably Kona black.  That means I have to fix block #1 and finish #2.  It just does not appeal to me!

Now time for a whine:   I AM SO SICK OF THIS COLD WEATHER!
There, I said it.  It is March,  come on pollen!!!