Correction to earlier comment about points not matching

In an earlier blog post, I grumbled that my points were impossible to match with this design.  Well they ARE impossible because they were not supposed to match! Gotta eat my words, unfortunately. They form a very nice shart point, AWAY from the corner. So much better!

Below is my border plan, but I've run out of black - oh dang it, back to my LQS!

This quilt will be about 60" x 76" when finished.

I have a LOT of paper to remove and already there is a LOT of it all over my sewing studio, the living room, trailing some into the kitchen, that has has fallen off on it's own.  We'll just have to grin and bear it - it's going to get worse before it gets better.  LOL

Totally unrelated to this post ... do you know all those bloggers who respond to "What's on your Design Wall? .. my version is "What's on my Design Floor"!  8-))

A HUGE thank you to another Blogger who gave all sorts of assistance getting this new layout laid out correctly.  If I gave out her name you ALL would be calling on her!  8-))) 

Hard to believe but -- I changed my blog's appearance!!!

Yes, I improved/modified my blog - first time since it began!  I am NOT a modern gal!!!  And I see I've lost my links to other bloggers.  Good thing I copied the template first!  And I'm not sure I like what I changed it to, but that's what learning is all about!  That header photo is way too large as well -- don't know about you but I get aggravated waiting for a giganto photo to show up, when a small one will do.  So now I have to figure out how to make it smaller.  8-))

HTML questions, and Strings Backing Find

SOLVED!!!  Thanks Paula!!!  8-)))  (I upgraded IE - easy peasy.)

Can anyone tell me what/how to get my sidebar back up even with the text on my blog, in Internet Explorer?  It rolls all down waaay to the bottom.  It's OK in Firefox.  What should I be looking for?  (I'm not remembering any changes that I saved -- apparently I goofed! 

Yesterday I made a LQS run, because of their sale.  I did some damage to my frugal nature purchasing quality backings for 3 quilts, all at $4.00/yd.  One backing is for my current diamond string quilt -- can you imagine there could be such an excellent  color choice available, and on sale?  Lucky me?   Colors are right, it's playful style is right, Q stitches will blend with my planned thread of tans, creams, etc.  On the way home the public radio station (The Splendid Table) was discussing Mexican food, on and on and on, so that by the time I arrived back in town I was so hungry I just HAD to try a new Mexican restaurant for lunch!  Delicious!!!

Cleaning up Strings

I've been working on these strings for a whole 3 days.  Once you get going, they go fast.  Frugal me -- I'm using telephone book pages, that I cut to 6 inches. 

When you cut your foundation to size, there is no wasted time measuring strings - that is a real time saver. Also, on this design, the teensy pointed ends are NOT going to match - I'm seeing this already, unfortunately. 

I have 2 more rows to make, and the color combination of these strings is almost gone.  Gotta start filling in, without making too many MORE strings.

As usual, I have toooo many colors - it's difficult for me to stick with just a few.  MORE is better -- and that part about giving the eyes a place to rest???  NOT!  LOL

I started with the black, and put a dab of glue under each one to hold it in place - better than pinning. 

Quilt gathering is tonight - we're working on the Guild Serendipity (Raffle) Quilt.  I'm not "allowed" to show it before the eventual unveiling next June. 

At Last, Something to Show!

Like many others in the USA, it's been too hot to do much of anything, but I've been plugging away at this simple quilt. 

I ventured outside my boundaries a little and made rings in 4 of the 12 blocks.  Not sure if I like them or not but this project DOES have all the wedge seams butting perfectly.  If you want the rings to show, using the same strata, you need to have an odd number of strips, and the middle strip will stand out as a ring.  I used (finished inches) 2, 1,1,1,1,1,2 for my strips. 

I have another quilt this size (below), 12 blocks, and while different colors, it's one of my favorites, and well used.

This blue/white/ tan one is about 60" x 76"  It's leaning towards nautical - those little figures on light tan or little sailors, at the helm.  Cute!  I'm thinking waves in various forms but I DO like to vary the patterns - can't stick with one idea in my head!  LOL

The border decision was a no brainer, after a friend suggested it to me!  8-))  Thanks Jody (Goddess).  They all mitered perfectly.

 



 The garage is nicely swept out, thanks DH, so maybe this weekend will be a basting day, but only if it cools down

For someone else

I don't usually do this but, having an infant grandson die waiting for a heart transplant, I learned there are LOT of people with tragic stories in their life. And yes, it's often not easy to read about it, but I'll try to do what I can here.

I received this e-mail from a blogger.  You really don't have to do much to be of help.

  "Would you be so kind to (& tell your friends) comment on my BLOG ONLY (emails don’t count), for the Miracle Makeover fund drive. Charlie, 8 yr. old, & his story are fabulous. Every comment brings us a $1 for the next person that will be sponsored..

Have a beautiful weekend.

Hugs,

TTFN ~

Marydon

http://www.blushingrosetoo.blogspot.com/

Perhaps it will help some who must deal with a child's serious health issues.

One Thing Leads to Another

The first time I learned how to make this simple block, I was electrified!

Like many other quilters, I was/still am a fan of Bonnie Hunter's www.quiltville.com and found her ideas thrilling - yes thrilling! My mind was reeling with ideas, plans, projects, colors, etc. I made my share of kids quilts using this technique, several Linus quilts, a sofa quilt, and one for the car trunk, all the time realizing this was one great use of scraps. I wonder if Bonnie Hunter realizes how responsible she is for ENERGIZING so many of us! Then, I realized this block had more surprises -- and it led me to projects made with smaller strips, larger strips, more strips, boxes of strips -- uhhh you get the picture.

Next, was THIS bargello project.

Again, I would not have had the courage to try it until I had the basic block (above) figured out. While it was not a complicated quilt, it LOOKED complicated until I realized it's relationship to that basic bargello block. My, my, what else is around the corner - more energy, I must say!

And then I realized how useful it would be for a border and I could use up the scraps from a quilt to make what appears to be a complicated border (NOT!). You have seen some of my use of this bargello idea on a number of my quilts I've shown on this blog -- here is another use for the same technique! I LOVE it when a great idea gives me mental energy!!! One thing leads to another...

(and now in reviewing my photos and projects, you can see what my favorite colors are! )

This post is about learning one technique even if you don't think you like it, because you never know where it might lead you ... sounds like a lesson in life doesn't it?

I have a sew day planned with a friend, and we're going to play "Bargello"!