Dresdens

 I was so in love with this dredsen quilt that I made last spring.  And it was a gift.  So I cried a little and sent it off to its new home.  It was so simple using a charm pack to make a purdy little wall hanging.  

I had some precuts in my stash with no plans so I figured I'll make another.  I decided on a layer cake I had of the Buttercup line.  I started cutting and was surprised to find a layer cake wasn't the equivalent of four charm packs as one might think.  Actually its like having 5 charm packs!

My Buttercup layer cake.... aaaahhhhh she is so pretty.

 I cut the layer cake in half to get two 5x10 inch pieces

 Then go back and forth with my dresden ruler.  

 Five blades per half.  That makes 10 blades per piece of cake. Woot Woot.  

I really love making dresden blades.... they are so fun to me.  I'll keep you posted on my progress.  I'm sure you will be dying to know right?  Hehe.  

In my cabinet I have 4 quilt tops needing to be basted and quilted.  What is my problem?  I would rather sew 420 little blades than get to it. I think I am approaching my procrastination period which leads to my Christmas sewing craziness.  Its a little early though.  Maybe its just an I'm not in Hawaii anymore and it stinks, funk. 

Seeing Stars

I LOVE quilt alongs.  I participated in Old Red Barn Co's rounds One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Eight, and Nine!   The skills I learned opened up my quilting world, and even though I was alone quilting in New Mexico I felt connected to other quilters.  Quilt alongs inspire and motivate me!  I love them.  

So when my local quilt friends and I made Snowball quilts together last winter I loved it extra to be sewing along in real life. We decided to do another quilt pattern together, but Bri was moving to Italy and we would have to share pics online.  Then I thought, man we should do a virtual quilt along with a bunch of quilters, then Bri wont be the only one getting instructions online.  I starting asking quilt friends, and I was honestly shocked at how many joined right up! We ended up with 13 quilters making saw-tooth stars.  It was wonderful and so fun to watch the stacks of fabric they picked turn into these quilts.  

Erin in GA

Julie in CO

Becky in CO

Tineke in SD

Val in OH

Jamie in MS

Erica in CT

Kristen in SD

and Me in SD... hey that rhymed  

Everyone has been doing an insanely great job.  We have 5 finished quilts now, one that is still being hand closed on the binding, two or three assembled tops, and I heard a fourth top was being assembled today.  I am so pleased!  Of course Bri has moved to Italy and cannot find her stars, go figure!

Monster Free Mornings

My little boy started preschool this week.  Its three mornings a week, two and a half hours a day.  That's quite a lot of alone time for me!  I've been enjoying it.

postage stamp

I decided to pull out these jelly rolls, which were stuffed in a box.  I had to press them.

I watched a morning show while I did.  Then I started assembling them.  While drinking coffee.

I also got my newest quilt student's fabric ready.  I always get most of the fabrics cut ahead of the time so they can get to practicing that 1/4 inch seam allowance faster ;)  

The three mornings I had this week were nice.  I spent my time drinking coffee in the quietness of my house. Even with the today show on its still quiet.  I feel like I just have a little bit of time to get ahead! (and my hair has not been in a pony for three whole days!)

Amy did really well.  She didn't seem overwhelmed, and her seam allowance is perfect!  All of her points are perfect!

She managed to get her top sewn in just a few hours!  I am extremely proud. 

Giant Star

 I finished this quilt on Saturday night!  I haven't had a ton of time to sew or quilt this year it seems since I'm barely averaging one a month.  Which is reasonable, but below average for me.

I didn't have a pattern for this quilt I just winged it.  Of course it was a very simple design.  But I think it looks pretty striking.

 I love the colors of this quilt.  They just make me happy.

The binding was machine closed.  It isn't something I do very often. But in this quilt I was glad I did.  

This quilt is the last giveaway in the star quilt along I have been hosting.  It has been a lot of fun for me.  I hope the ladies participating had fun too.  And I hope whichever quilt alonger wins it will enjoy it.

Reality

perfection

 For a week this was our reality.  Monster free week in Hawaii.

 My hair was a disaster but the beaches were perfect.  

 I didn't think of quilting or dishes or wiping boogers.... it was perfect 

 On a tour of the Lolani Palace we saw the queen's isolation room and the crazy quilt she made while locked away for eight months in her room.  Luckily we were there on the LAST day of the test phase that allowed tourist to take photos inside the palace.  

and luckily I have a tall husband that has long arms to take aerial photos while still on the ground.

It was a nice trip away.  We got back to Rapid City late on Thursday.  Things are unpacked.  I woke up Jenni Juki from her three week slumber last night.  I finished a quilt, made a wall hanging, and started something new.  That is what a fresh burst of creative energy will do for ya!