Last Week...

My two monkeys had Spring Break last week, and they headed back to school today. Finally, some peace! I don't know if it's just being boys, or being brothers?... I just don't remember being so crazy and loud and hyper with my sister, perhaps my memory just fails me. Maybe it's just the difference between boys and girls.

During the week, we did some extra activities to keep them busy and occupied. Besides baseball practice, we had gone roller skating (which was hilarious), attempted to see "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" (didn't happen because of a rain storm), and a visit to a Asian restaurant. I know, the last one isn't a place where the boys are looking forward to visit. I think it's funny because my boys (and I) are Asian, my mom was from South Korea. Yet, my boys dislike Asian food, any kind of Asian food (well, they will eat plain white rice). It's the food that I ate primarily when I was young, and from time to time, I try to introduce it to them again to remind them just where we all came from. But all in all, it turned out okay because we were at a buffet that served American food also.

While they were home, I found time to "sandwich" my Dresden plate quilt. And remember, this will be my first "real" attempt in machine-quilting. I will be using Quilters' Dream Wool. It works wonderfully with my hand-quilting, and I heard it does just as well with machine.

I will be using YLI silk thread (100 weight- very thin) and I want to try to use a template to help me with the meandering stitches. Although, it may seem that everything is ready to start, I am still very apprehensive. I just might quilt another quilt top just for practice.

It's something new, something very unfamiliar. I know that I'll put it off for a while. But I know I can find other quilty projects to work on in the mean time.

Until next time,

Jane

Snow Day

We had some snow last night and now I have my two monkeys home from school today. I'm going to have to find things to keep them busy otherwise they will drive me nuts. : )

The snow started falling while we were at a Scouting event last night. Yesterday, February 8, was the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts of America and our scout council had an event celebrating our centennial and they also had former-first lady Laura Bush as our keynote speaker.

I found it very interesting but I think my son got a little bored during the hour-long presentation. But I still think he enjoyed it and, hopefully, it will be something that he will remember when he is older.

The postman had a surprise for me in my box! He had brought me two quilt patterns.

Yoyoville from Bunny Hill Designs

I have been wanting to do a Bunny Hill quilt for a while. Anne Sutton has an adorable style to her quilts. I actually want to make her Baltimore Bunnies quilt, but this one looks a little easier and perhaps I can get it done faster. And I have some fat quarters left over from the "Quilt Making 101" quilt from Annie Smith's web-quilt class. It is the fabrics used in the photo (Moda's Simple Abundance By Bonnie and Camille). No time like the present to get started!!

Reminiscence from The Rabbit Factory

I had found this quilt while blog-surfing one day. The quilt just spoke to me. I loved the applique work, the colors that were used.

Just a thought:

I have heard some quilt artists/designers say that they love to see quilters, when making a quilt from one of the artists' designs, to make the quilt "their own." To use their design and put a little twist on it, such as different colors or different fabric choices, and not make it what is pictured on the cover of the pattern. Well, I can't say that for myself. When I see a new quilt, one that I just fall in love with, it is the design, the colors, the fabrics in that quilt that I want to make for myself. I want to make the exact quilt that is photographed on the cover of that quilt pattern. Is that so wrong?

Just like the Dresden plate quilt. I have finished the top. Notice that it is just like the picture? Okay, I did make it a little bit bigger, but I wanted the quilt that was shown in the magazine.

I am plan to work on the "Quilt Making 101" quilt. I have all the sampler block finished and I need to figure out what sashing to use. And to satify my sweet tooth, I will cut out some of the houses from the Yoyoville quilt.

Be back soon,

Jane

Quilt ADHD !?!

Is there such a thing as Quilt ADHD? Quilt Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? I may have it! I love the process of making a quilt. But once a new idea comes along, I have to set the current project down, to start the new one. But it doesn't stop there. New patterns are everywhere and how is someone to control one's self. The beautiful fabrics used, I've got to have it! The new technique used, I have to try it!! I just can't seem to stop! Next thing I know, I have, who-knows-how-many, quilts to finish. I intend to finish each and every one, but I never realized that it had gotten this far!!

This is a quilt that I am currently working on. I had seen it in a magazine and I fell in love with it. It took me about two years to locate all the fabrics used. I'm planning to replicate the quilt as it was shown in the magazine.

Here is another quilt from the "Quilt Shop Hop" in 2007. I had gotten frustrated with it once I started to put the bias strips as part of the sashing. I know I have to relax and be patient.

I had to set this "Origami" quilt down because I had gotten tired of folding approximately 200+ flowers. That doesn't include the folded flowers I plan on putting in the border. In the end, it will be worth it. The three-dimensional effect is wonderful.

This a pattern from Sue Garman called "Mama Said." The applique is so sweet and she has an adaption so you can change it from girls to boys. YET, I have to wait until I get the other quilts out of the way.

You know there is more!

Til next time,

Jane