Sunday, April 19, 2009


I have been falling behind on all my Block of the Month blocks, but I am still enjoying them and keeping all the directions up to date so that when I get to the next point I will still know what to do even if I am not on time. I worked on the February part of the Stars for a New Day quilt. This one is a real challenging project. I just added this pieced border tonight and am not sure I am up to the next border. It is made of pinwheel blocks and it is all seeming a little too busy to me, but the techniques are really good practice and the directions are very well written. The Quilt Show has even had a video to go with the directions each month which is extremely helpful. I'm not sure how much further I will go with this because of the time and difficulty. I'll take a little break from it then decide.

I have also been working on the Verandah Views blocks slowly and am just a little behind on them but I did make a pieced house block the other night for nothing in particular I just have wanted to make one ever since I got the Fig Tree Quilts Houses book. I had my embroidery laying out nearby and noticed that the colors looked so good together that I think I will have to change the layout and add the house block in the mix.

Spring has sprung and work is busy. I haven't had much time to work in my garden but, when I went to water the other day I was surprised to find that 3 of the 10 tomatoes I had planted had froze last week. Our weather has been really weird, warm one day and cool the next...today it was about 90. I guess that is normal for us though at this time of year, but still it always surprises me. I had just packed away my winter clothes and got out my shorts then we had a few really cold days when my tomatoes froze and now it is back to shorts.

Another on-going quilt project I have been working on is my color blocks. I worked on a yellow one the other day. I am using scraps that I have sorted by color then cut into 2 1/2 inch squares and alternate with a cream colored plain cotton. I am looking for an idea to tie it all together with some sort of strips or cornerstones or something. I have several ideas, but keep thinking that it would really be easier to figure out using EQ6...could that justify the purchase? I think that all the extra hours I've been putting in at work help to justify that I deserve it...that's my logic anyway.

There are some bloggers out there that have started a support group to encourage each other to finish up some of their unfinished projects from the looks of this post I should be joining their group, but I kind of like to work on whatever inspires me at the moment and figure I will get things finished in good time. The important thing to me is that I sew for enjoyment, I don't want work with a deadline. I get enough of that at work so this is something I do for pleasure, with no pressure.

One thing I have enjoyed in blogland this week is to visit Park City Girl's blog...she has done the most remarkable cyber quilt festival. She got 363 bloggers together and they all posted their favorite quilts with a little story about it on their blogs and we can all go visit and see these wonderful quilts. There are as many different styles of quilting as their are people and each project had a special meaning to the quilter that quilted it. It is very fun to go look at especially for someone like me who always seems to be working when there is a quilt show around here. I am so thankful for people like Amy who take the time to put things like this together for so many others to enjoy. It truly is remarkable!

I will be thinking Spring and freshing up things around here a bit. It's time to clean out the cobwebs, get organized, and plant some new flowers and veggies to enjoy in the warm days ahead. This is truly my favorite time of year.

Enjoy a little sunshine!

Ferne

4 comments:

Karen from Sew Many Ways... said...

Hi Ferne,
Just wanted to stop by and say hi. Trying to catch up with everyone since our vacation. You've been so busy...these quilts are great. The first picture is beautiful, but looks difficult. I'm with you on the time pressure for quilting. If it's not for a gift...I take my time.
Have a great night,
~Karen~

Karen said...

I love your "Stars for a New Day" BOM quilt! Is this an online profect? It may be challenging but you are doing a wonderful job with it!
I also like how well the house goes with your "Verandah Views" blocks. Sometimes it makes a quilt more yours by adding changes from an original pattern.
You have been working on a lot of different projects! All of them look great!
I too have not joined any of the support groups to finish a quilt or project in one month. I have thought about it, but I prefer not to pressure myself with anymore committments right now. My quilt bee is keeping me busy enough!

Anonymous said...

Ferne,

*GASP* - that feather star is absolutely gorgeous. I love the pieced border, and don't think it's too busy! You picked some great colors to go into the quilt top!!! Absolutely lovely!

Have a wonderful week.

Karen said...

The feathered star is gorgeous!