Friday, February 28, 2014

Yippee..... My backlog of BOMs are all finished!  It felt really nice to see that stack of BOMs get smaller and smaller.  The March blocks will be here in another week or so I'm happy to be ready for their arrival.
 
The first two are from Sew Lux Fabrics.  Same block pattern, different fabrics.  The first block has the prettiest combination of fabrics!  I like the unusual version of Flying Geese.
 
 
 

 
The next three blocks are from the Fat Quarter Shop Designer Mystery BOM.  These blocks have just been a joy to put together as each block is so clever and unique.  The first three blocks in this series were baskets, the next three blocks were stars, and now these three blocks are houses.  The common denominator for all of the blocks has been the navy square near the center of each block.  I can't wait to see what the last three blocks will be!
 


 
That's it for today.  We are expecting our next major snow storm to begin Saturday night and I'm planning on getting some sewing done (between shoveling) while waiting it out.  Spring..... where are you?! 

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

More BOMs were finished today.  I love the fabrics in this first block ... they are so warm, happy, and spring-like!
 
 
 
   Same block.... different fabric.

 
  Another block.....



Different fabric.



And here's a generous giveaway that I won last week from Carol at Just Let Me Quilt!  I won a gift certificate from Quilt Taffy and this is what I bought..... a yard of Ghastlie Christmas fabric and a charm pack.  I was a happy camper to have won this.  If you haven't ordered from Quilt Taffy before, give them a visit.  I ordered this fabric on Friday and it arrived on Monday.  Can't get much faster than that!  Many  heartfelt thanks to Carol and Quilt Taffy!


 
 
Well, back to the BOM sewing.  I still have 5 blocks to make in order to be ready for the next ones that will arrive in early March..... better plug in the iron and get sewing..... 

Sunday, February 23, 2014

I'm still nipping away at my stack of BOMs.  Here are the next ones in line from Sew Lux Fabrics .... again.... same pattern, two different fabric lines.
 
 
 
 



To be continued.......

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Happy 18th Birthday Oliver!!
 
 


I can't believe that I've had 17 precious years (he was 1 when I adopted him) with my little Oliver.  Time certainly slips away.  Oliver has been such a joy with the most gentle, loving personality you could ever ask for.  Even taking this picture.... I was about 2" away from his face and he just snuggled in while I took shot after shot around his face.  He's very patient with me!

Last year on his birthday, I wrote that I didn't know if he'd see his next birthday or not.... I guess I have to say it again, with the hope that he will have a great year ahead of him.  His health issues are serious, but as long as he seems to have a happy, fulfilling life, I'll celebrate each delightful day spent with him! 

Thanks for being my cat, Ollie!      

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

 
I made these blocks yesterday afternoon while the snow was falling.  This is the same block sewn with two different fabric lines.  This BOM series was offered by Sew Lux Fabrics and this is block #4.  Like yesterdays BOM series, I'm very far behind.  I have blocks #5 through #9 piling up in my sewing room.  And this is "times two" since I'm doing the blocks in two color ways. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
I'm done shoveling for the day and now I can focus on more BOMs.  We only got about 5" of snow last night, but it was enough to make shoveling an Olympic event at my house.  I made my first round of shoveling around 6 AM while it was nice and peaceful.  Then I went back out later in the morning to tackle the driveway. 
 
A warm up is on the way for a few days and no more snow is expected until Sunday.  Of course in Indiana, this is subject to change at the drop of a hat (or snowflake). 

Monday, February 17, 2014

Just checking in with a couple of small projects.  One is my Designer Mystery BOM from Fat Quarter Shop.  This is block #6 and I have #'s 7, 8, and 9 waiting in the wings.  I'm really behind in this series and even more behind in the other BOM series.  I WILL catch up..... I will catch up .....
 
 
 
 
 
This is a little pin cushion that started out as a candle that my neighbors gave me.  Once the candle had burned down, I scraped out the residue and made a felted "coffee" insert out of some roving.  I put a quarter in the shot so you could see that the coffee cup is quite tiny.  It was nice to re-purpose it into something that I'll continue to use.
 
 


I'm "anxiously" awaiting our next snow storm.  Another 6" is supposed to begin falling within the next hour, continuing through until tomorrow morning.  I may not be thrilled to have to shovel so much snow again, but I am thrilled to think that these snowfalls just have to be over soon.  The good thing is that tomorrow will be another snow day and I'll be working on more of those BOMs.  Hurry up spring!

Friday, February 14, 2014

Happy Valentine's Day

 
 
 


Hope you all have a Happy Valentine's Day!
 
(My gift today was seeing a big, plump robin perched in a snowy tree in my back yard.  Yes, I do believe spring will actually arrive!)

Monday, February 10, 2014

Baby, it's STILL cold outside!

I'm sorry that I've been AWOL for such a long time.  The weather has been horrible and I'm simply laying low in survival mode.  Between the most snow in our recorded history and some of the coldest temperatures in our recorded history, I'm just frazzled!  I've also been hit with the flu and that too, has knocked my on my hind quarters.  Oh... and let's not forget that with the cold temps came broken water mains.  Two times so far, with the streets flooded and cars frozen in ice up to the middle of their hub caps.  Uncle..... Uncle!!!!   
 
Here's a picture taken yesterday of my driveway.  For reference, the little white, ball blob in the center of the photo is the top of a grape vine post that is 6' high.  For those of you that know the joys of shoveling, you understand that this means with each successive snowfall, I've had to HEAVE the snow up and over this mini mountain.  Without any thawing, the mountain just continues to grow. 
 
 


This is the sidewalk that runs from the side of my house to the garage.  No point of reference here, but the snow is about 2' high on both sides.  This is pretty well level with the snow that is on the ground.


 
On a happier note, here's a sweet Valentine's gift for your quilter friends.  I found this as a free download from the Moda Cutting Table and thought that it was really cute. 
 

 
I think you can read the words a little better in this shot.
 


Hope you are all doing well and surviving this harsh winter.  I'm hopeful that we are at least half way through the season and spring will soon follow.  I can't wait to retire my shovel for the season!