Two more tops done!!!

Hello Everyone,


It is another cold, but clear day here in Maine. I am glad about that. The snow can stay away!!!

This first picture is of my green and yellow string top. I love the way it came out. I cannot take credit for the setting. A year or two ago I saw a blue and yellow string top set this way. I made a copy of the picture for my "someday" file. When I started thinking about making green and yellow string blocks, the picture, literally, fell out of my file and onto the floor. Someone out in the world is meant to have this quilt. So, whoever you are that was the original inspiration for this quilt, I and the future recipient thank you for sharing your artistic talent with us.



This next photo is my pink/purple/white string top. This is a very girly quilt. there are several more like this in my future. I still have lots of pink strings. Purple strings are getting scarce, but I will think of something. Anyone out in cyber space have purple they don't want anymore??? :)

Both of these quilts will go to a homeless shelter this coming winter. I like making string quilts for the shelters, because they are pieced on a foundation and therefore, are a bit warmer and heavier.


I wandered around my sewing area after finishing these two tops this morning, trying to decide what to do next. Decided I am still in a string mood, so cut the rest of my foundation fabric and started another green and yellow set. I think I have just enough foundations for another top.


What is going on in your sewing room??


Darlene

Three quilt tops done!!

Hello Everyone,


I finished three donation tops this week. This first photo is a string quilt made with all kid's novelty prints. I used a bright lime green for the center strips and it will be bound in a bright green. This will go to a long term homeless shelter this coming winter.

These next two photos are also string quilts. I used all red, white, and blue strings. I have my friend Bev to thank for the many patriotic scraps. I used all the same blue for the center strings. I feel it brings a nice balance to all the different fabrics.
On one top I used a smaller inner border of red and a larger outer border of navy blue with stars. That quilt will be bound in the same red. On the other top, I used the same red and blue, but reversed the placements. The second top will be bound in the blue.


On a stashbusting note.....all three of these quilts came from stash. I used all but one strip of the blue with stars, so none of that went back into stash. That last lone strip got put into my container of red/white/blue strings.


I am currently working on another set of string blocks. These are being done in greens and yellows. Never did this combo before, but I am liking how they are coming out. I hope to have that top done by the end of this weekend.


I also have a set of pink/purple/white string blocks done. Well, almost done. I recounted and found I am 3 blocks short, so will need to get those done this week, also. I would like to get this top done by the end of the weekend, also.


After finishing these next two string tops, I plan on working on a personal project or two. I have a number of finished tops that I got backings for already. I just need to piece the backings and cut the batting. I want those ready to go for quilting. I also have a quilt that I am making for a friend. It is the "Stretched Star" pattern from the "Nickel Quilts" book.


What are you working on??


Darlene

Still sewing!!

Hello Everyone in cyber space!!!

It is a bright sunny, but cold day here in Maine. I plan on staying in and spending most of my day sewing. I am currantly working on pink/purple/white string blocks. Felt like doing something different.

I just finished trimming some novelty blocks that I finished last month. Trimming is my least favorite part of the process. Since I make large stacks of blocks at a time, my trimming gets done a little at a time.

I am almost done trimming up the red/white/blue blocks I have been working on. Should have those all trimmed and counted by this evening. I started a list on my side bar to tally my string blocks for the year. I like to watch the numbers grow. This will keep me motivated.

Last Saturday I spent the day in NH sewing with a great bunch of women. We had a wonderful day!! So glad I got a chance to meet them all. It is always great to make new quilting friends. Our machines hummed for about 7 hours!!!

I never did get a chance for photos. Camera batteries were dead. (heavy sigh) I really need to make charging batteries habit. I know that lots of photos were posted on the HeartStrings yahoo group. This is where we all met in cyber space. So nice to put faces to names.

Will have photos of some tops soon. Hoping to put together a novelty string top and a r/w/b string top this weekend. Just need to decide how big I am going to set them and if I am using borders or not.

Have a wonderful day!!!

Darlene

Got my computer back!!

Well, time to start a new year. I know, I know, it is already a month into the year, but I have been without a computer for 2 months. Finally getting caught up.

Tomorrow, I am off for the day to sew with a group of ladies. Most of them are from the yahoo group of HeartStrings. I am looking forward to meeting them. I should have pictures to share when I get home.

Today, I need to finish a donation top and then get everything ready to take with me tomorrow. We are off bright and early for the drive to NH. Also, I need to go pick up my machine at the shop. It was in for some maintainance work. Will probably be humming along nicely, tomorrow.

Stay warm and safe, everyone!!! A good day to stay in and sew, here in my neck of the woods.

Darlene

Goals

I have decided that I get more accomplished if I write my quilting goals here. So, even though the week is half over, I am going to list what I want to get done by Sunday evening.


1. Finish top of Lattice quilt
2. Trim the rest of QAYG blocks
3. Make the rest of the red/tan 4 patches needed to finish double 4 patch top


I had originally planned to make 350 QAYG blocks. I have changed my mind on that. I find I am getting a little overwhelmed by that goal. I feel as though I am not able to spend any time on my own personal projects. That being said, once this batch is trimmed to size, I plan on getting them in the mail to Sue by Sat. I have over 150 blocks done.


Still stitching,

Darlene

Cupcakes

Hey Everyone,


Do you love cupcakes?????


Sweet Pea over at Coffee Time Stitches is having a giveaway to celebrate her 400th post!!! Way to go, Sweat Pea!!!!! Go on over and check it out.

http://coffeetimestitches.blogspot.com/

Family Photos

I am back. Have not been around recently, so decided it was about time.

We got a chance to go visit my son, Steve, last week. He was able to get his son, Stephen Jr., for the afternoon. We got some cute pictures.

These first two pictures are of my Hubby on the floor playing with Stephen, Jr. and his tool bench. We got him the tool bench for Christmas. We remembered how much Steve liked his when he was that age. We were very glad to find one. He loves it.

In the background of this second picture, you can see my daughter, Lydia and my son, Steve. Lydia just turned 12 last week. Steve is 21 and you may be able to tell by the photo, but he is very tall, 6'4". The long legs give it away. LOL

These next two photos are of Lydia, Steve, and Stephen Jr. on the couch with Boo. Or, as Stephen Jr. calls him, "shitty shat". LOL (Stephen Jr. is 2 and a half) Apparently, he can't make the hard C sound yet. LOL

I have to give Boo lots of credit. She tolerated being chased and picked up and carried around quite well. Especially, given the fact that half the time she was upside down. She never hissed, bit, or clawed at the grandson. She must know that he means no harm and he was being as gentle as he could. She did run away occasionally, but not far. She would lay down in the middle of the floor where he could just pick her up again. What a good "shitty shat"!!!!!!!!!

This last photo is of Stephen Jr. and Lydia coloring together. I have both pictures on my fridge. LOL Even at 12 years old, Lydia stills likes to color. Actually, she is becoming a very good artist. She draws very well. We are hoping to get a scholarship for her to take a week long Cartooning class this summer.

I realized as I was loading the photos, that I did not get one of Summer, my son's financee. Tried to find the one of us at Thanksgiving, but can't find the file it is in. I'm sorry, Summer, my oversight. Summer is a beautiful girl and we welcome her to our family. She and Steve have set a date for the August 9th. We are all looking forward to the wedding.

On a quilting note, I have been working on "Quilt As You Go" blocks to send to JanMac in Australia, to be made into quilts for the bush fire victims. My goal is to send 350 blocks by the middle of summer. I have just about 150 finished and another 50 ready to go. So, well on my way to my goal. I must say, that without the string and batting scrap donations from others on the Heartstrings Group, I wouldn't be able to make this goal. Thanks to all of you!! You are the best group!!!!

What have you all been working on???

Darlene