Quilt Bug

The last quilt I completed was Gabriel's for his first birthday. At the moment I am anxiously waiting for Tomi to do her magic on Nick's queen sized quilt. Once I receive it I can finish up the edges and deliver the late birthday present to him. I've very excited to see it finished, I think it will be my very best ever. Thanks a great deal to Nick's choice of bold fabrics that lent itself so well to the design I chose.

Gabriel's first birthday quilt.

How fun is this backing?

After finding the Strip Twist pattern that I mentioned in my last blog I realized that I just might have enough coordinating fabric on hand to try a small first version.

And it is strip sewing, which goes fast.

Although the next step is Triangles! Triangles are a bit difficult for me.

An advantage to ongoing quilting is the acquisition of the fabric "stash", known to some as the quilter's "dirty little secret". Many quilters have a passion for purchasing fabric without a purpose. I have not done much of that (notice I say "much") but rather tend to buy "a little extra" when picking up fabric for a project. As a result of those leftovers I do have somewhat of an accumulation that I have often been able to start, if not complete, various smaller quilts from. By most standards my collection is modest consisting of five small storage containers, a stack of some fabric in the linen cabinet, and a bag with mainly the pinks from Kiera's large quilt. Trust me, long term quilters own much much more. Some with entire large storage containers devoted to each color on hand.

But if that were my case how could I consider a life of quilting without visits to Ginger's? Pretty much quilt fabric nirvana.

Blog Hijacking and Quilt Nerding all in one.

I stole this from a Quilters Blog the Quilting Nanny, see my list of Blogs I Like. I liked this today, sometimes touchy feelie things like this inspire me a little. Also, she had a link to a great Free quilt pattern that I wanted called the Strip Twist. An awesome use of your scraps and fabrics on hand that inspires me to cut and sew and I don't even have to agonize over the combinations of prints and colors at the fabric shop. Just dump the scrappy box out and look for material that is at least 2 1/2 inches wide and 9 or so inches long and a combination of half dark and half light shades. Might get started and then let the quilt decide who they are destined to be owned by. Might get the fabric together and already know.

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.
Love the people who treat you right.
Forget about the ones who don't.
Believe everything happens for a reason.
If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.
If it changes your life, let it.
Nobody said life would be easy.
They just promised it would be worth it.

Friends are like balloons.
Once you let them go, you can't get them back.
So I'm gonna tie you to my heart so I never lose you.

Note: Author Unknown.

The Strip Twist Quilt design;

Halloween 2009

Like many a good murder mystery, we will begin our blog entry with a shot of the ending scene; Who killed the Zombie/Vampire "Zompire" Prom Queen?
Halloween begins innocently enough with the annual pumpkin carving.
Zoey poses for her puppy pumpkin.

Kiera expresses her distaste for the gooshy insides, that must be removed.

Mike and Kiera hard at work.

Beware of sharp objects!

Finished Jack-o-lanterns. Left to right; Mike's, Kiera's, Gayle's and Zoey's.

Unlighted view.

Pumpkin carving aftermath. A gory scene of pumpkin innards.

What has happened here?!

Is she trying to save Scary Joe? Or is she the attacker returned to the scene?

The crime scene, police suspect it was staged by the attacker!
(authentic police tape courtesy of Louie and his recent prank to tape our front door)

Gayle and Mike, with Davey Jones at the neighbor's Haunted House.

Zompire in the graveyard at Debbie's.

A view of Debbie and Jim's Halloween House.

Mortals beware as the dangerous and undead patrol the graveyard.

Mike, as a baseball fan zombie watching the World Series, with Snow White puppy.

Kiera alive and well with the fabulous flowers her grandparents sent to congratulate her on her first skate competition.

Another fun Halloween has drawn to a close.
Already wondering what to dress up as next year!