The World Surrounding Me

My mom (aka my very own professional longarm quilter) sent me pictures today of the latest things she quilted: 4 of my Hawaiian applique blocks (to be made into pillows). One of those pillows comes with a story, which I wanted to share here. In 2006, in conjunction with visiting my parents in Ireland (since [...]

Every quilter, every sewist, every crafter (and probably every home-improvement-er, etc.) has these lying around: what’s jokingly referred to as “UFO’s” or un-finished objects. My quilting closet is packed with them. I’ve got: Quilts that just need binding attached. These I often feel worst about, since they’re *so close* to done, and since my Mom [...]

Last week, for my self-imposed Sampler Quilt Challenge, I picked blocks found in Encyclopedia Of Classic Quilt Patterns. This is not at all my favorite book of quilt blocks; it is just the book I grabbed from the shelf first. I don’t like it mainly because it is sorted alphabetically (only – not by type [...]

This is a work in progress. I am searching for quilt blocks that go with different states (for my sampler project). As I find blocks, I will link them here. GENERAL: General Indexes: Clip art of blocks for each state (no directions) Nifty Fifty Quilters (not all states have blocks, and many of the blocks [...]

I have set myself up for a new quilting challenge! I am challenging myself to make one quilt block a day, with the following rules: Blocks must all finish to 6″ or 12″. Blocks must all include at least one piece of a particular white tone-on-tone fabric. (I’ve got a ton of this fabric, so [...]

I’ve been working through my massive to-do list around the house. It had everything on it from “change light bulb in bedroom ceiling fan” to “landscape the backyard.” After reaching the milestone of having more work done than left to do (grand total will be about 135 hours of work), I’m taking a few days [...]

Here’s my latest creation – a Space Invaders “Mug Rug” Space Invaders Mug Rug, a photo by beckywhite78 on Flickr. What’s a Mug Rug, you ask? Basically, it’s an overgrown coaster or a small placemat. The idea is that it can sit on your desk and absorb the condensation that comes off your mug or [...]

I have finished two quilt blocks within the past few days. They both have a lot in common, but are also very different! Block #1: “Maile” Purchased pattern. Folded in eighths and cut out quickly (like a snowflake) the morning we were leaving for Kauai. Smooth, flowing shapes with some not-so-sharp outside points, but no [...]

I woke up at 6am Austin time, which sadly, is 1am Hawaii time. Any idea I had of *not* napping on the flights today has completely vanished. Oh well, this should mean I’ll be up to see sunrise tomorrow morning from Poipu Beach! I’ve used the time so far this morning, trying to be quiet [...]

When I just did quilting, I didn’t really need to organize my bobbins. Since I mostly use off-white thread for piecing quilts, I mostly just kept one bobbin, refilling it as needed. Now that I’m also sewing bags, home-dec and random projects, I’m realizing that I need many different colors of bobbins. I also find [...]