Finally...

I've finally finished my Crayola Challenge quilt (aka Wild Strawberry).  I've been working on it for what seems like quite a long time.  It ended up being 71" x 94" - big enough for a twin size bed.  Here she is in all her bright pinkness...

(My dear sweet husband hung the curtain rod for me recently so I can hang up my quilts to take pictures.)

This is the third UFO I can mark off my list and one I was very glad to finish. 

I've already mailed it to Thearica who is in charge of the raffle.  Check out her blog to see pictures of all the quilts that will be raffled off.  The money raised will go to the Ronald McDonald House.  Not only is it a worthy cause, but the quilts are all beautiful.

If you'd like to buy tickets, let me know.  They are 1 for $2 or 3 for $5.  You can win one of over 30 quilts!  The drawing will be held on 9/11/10.

Until later...

Wild strawberries...

Yum!  Wouldn't they be delicious?

Not the right season for that though.  And not what I was referring to either.

I've finally finished my Crayola Challenge quilt top.  My color was Wild Strawberry this year.  I don't have a picture of the whole top yet.  Hopefully tomorrow, but I do have bunches of snapshots.


If you'll recall, I started with these fabrics...

I used one of the patterns from the French Braid Obsession book (with a few small changes).  The pattern called for fewer fabrics than I had.  Since I went to the trouble to dye a 12 step gradation, I really wanted to use all 12 of the fabrics.

I made 3 braids as the pattern required...

Unfortunately this made the quilt almost twice as long as it was wide (because of my additional fabrics).  So I added an additional braid and separator.

I'm really pleased with how it's turned out.  I'd love to keep the quilt for myself, but it's already promised to be one of the quilts raffled off to benefit the Ronal McDonald House Charity.  I guess I'll just have to buy more tickets and hope I win it...

I still need to quilt it.  I'm hoping to get it basted tomorrow and quilted by the end of the week.  However because it's bigger than I anticipated, I no longer have enough backing material.  If I can get out of my driveway tomorrow and down to JoAnn's, I hope to still have enough time to finish it by next Monday.  Wish me luck!

Until later...

Cha-ching!!!

Have you ever seen the movie 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation'?  Do you remember when Chevy Chase plugs in the outdoor lights and the meter starts whirling around and around and around.  That's what I feel like my meter is doing right now.

We just got our electric bill for January and it's significantly higher than usual.  In fact, it's the second largest bill we've ever had in the 9+ years we've lived here.  The largest bill occurred a couple of months after we moved in and that was due to a problem with one of the heat pumps.

I know everyone is experiencing the same problem.  I started trying to think of ways to conserve energy.  I turned the thermostat down another degree (it's now at 66) and I'm looking for other options.  I was concerned that the heating blanket I've been using recently could be a culprit - and I really don't want to stop using it.  Fortunately after doing some research on the internet, I found out it actually uses very little energy.

What about those on fixed incomes and social security?  How will they afford these large increases?  It's been a very cold winter for NC and I just pray it will be a short one.

On a positive note, the storm we got yesterday has us snowbound and I've spent some quality time in my sewing room working on my Crayola Challenge quilt.  If I could just keep David off my sewing machine I'd be even further along.  Stay safe and warm!

Until later...

Merry Christmas!!!

Just a few hours to go before Christmas is here.  I remember being so excited Christmas Eve and having such a hard time falling asleep.  I imagine my niece and nephew are going through the same thing right now.  I'm looking forward to spending the day with them and the rest of my family - celebrating and enjoying each other's company.  I hope all of you get to do the same.

I managed to get a few last minute things taken care of.  I worked a little on my sister's quilt.  I'm adding some trapunto to the stars in it.  This is the first time I've attempted this technique and so far, so good.

I finally dyed the fabric I need for the 2nd annual Crayon Challenge on HGTV.  I mentioned some time ago that my crayon is Wild Strawberry.

I couldn't find this color in my local quilt stores and ordered the dye to make my own.  It's been on my to do list for quite a while now.  The quilt is due Feb. 1st, so I needed to get on the ball.  I also purchased this fabric that I thought would work with my pattern.

The rules state that you can only use the color you're given plus one other crayon of your choosing.  My second color is black - so I couldn't use this fabric without a little change.  So now it has become this...

I  also dyed a 12 step gradation of the pinks.  Each one is 5/8 of a yard.  Here are all of my fabrics for the challenge together.

Now I need to get busy and make the quilt (after I finish the 2 Christmas UFO's).

I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas.  And for those of you traveling tomorrow, I pray that your trip is safe.  Until next time...

On a roll...

I'm feeling such a sense of accomplishment today.  I've managed to finish a number of things on my todo list.  First I have completely finished the 2 Quilts for Kids quilts.  We're planning to mail them back around the end of the month, so I'm pleasantly surprised I've finished early!  I usually feel like I'm always working on things at the last minute.  They've even been washed and dried and I hope they cheer up the children that get them.

I'm going on my first ever quilting retreat next week.  Those who are veterans at these things suggested that I try to do most of my cutting at home so I can really get to the sewing.  I managed to get the fabric for 2 quilts completely cut up (including the backing and binding) and ready to go.  I have a 3rd quilt all in rows - they just need to be sewn together.  And I also finished the cutting for step 2 of Jan's mystery quilt.  Whoohoo!!!

And if that wasn't enough, I finally got around to dyeing some of my own fabric.  And I LOVED it! I will definitely continue to do it.  Next up is the Wild Strawberry gradation for my Crayon Challenge quilt.  (Was that a confusing sentence for anyone out there?)  I'm going to save the pictures until my next post.

We have a freeze warning here tonight, so make sure you stay bundled up.  Until next time, take care...

One, two, three...

That's the number of crayons I picked in the Crayon Challenge.  Actually each participant chose an envelope with 3 random crayons in it.  The challenge was to make a quilt using only those 3 colors.  You couldn't add a 4th color, but you could use any shade of your 3 crayons.

My envelope contained Gray, Sky Blue and Atomic Tangerine.  I carried this envelope around with me for months as I tried to find fabrics that fit the criteria.

Last night at guild, we all showed off our creations.  I was surprised at the number of ladies who participated and completed a quilt.  I think Jan and I were the only two who hadn't at least partially quilted ours yet.  Oh well, it had to be somebody, right?  It was a beautiful show - well mostly.  There were a few color combinations that were just way out there.  Not the fault of the quilter; some colors just aren't meant to go together.  Looking at all the quilts, I also realized I'm really on an applique kick.

When I thought about my colors, my mind pictured a koi pond.  So that's what I made.  I call it "The Koi Pond".  (Can you tell I thought long and hard about the title? LOL)

I also showed my dog quilt last night.  One lady stopped me in the bathroom later and asked how I came up with the idea.  I thought about it and I have no idea!!!  I can't remember what I was thinking at the time.  Is dementia setting in already?

I also meant to show everyone the beautiful gift I got from my secret sister this month.  Her father made me a rolling pin out of black walnut.  It is gorgeous!  I don't really bake, but then again, I wouldn't use it to roll out a pie crust if I did.  I'm trying to figure out where to display it in my kitchen.  He's obviously very talented.

Also my secret sister made me the heart block.  I know from her letters she's married with children and works full time so I really appreciate her taking the time to make me something.

Until next time...

Another finish!!!

Tonight I finally finished the embroidery on my 3rd Ladies of the Sea block, the Le Coureur. There are an awful lot of grapes and leaves on this one, but they all look so pretty. Sue Garman did a wonderful job designing this BOM. Each block is a labor of love. It takes me about 5 weeks of sewing at night to finish each block. And have I mentioned that there are 16 blocks in this quilt and 4 full borders? Yes, it will be many years before it's completely done, but my dear husband is so worth it!!! (I love you honey!)


I also got a little package in the mail today with a single crayon in it. You might be wondering why just one crayon? Well, I signed up for yet another online challenge. This one is the 2nd annual Crayola Challenge. The challenge is going to be used to raise money for a Ronald McDonald House in California this time. Each person who volunteers makes a quilt (54"x70" or larger) to be raffled off. The rules for the challenge are that you can only use fabric the color of the crayon you receive. It can be any shade of that crayon though. In addition, you can pick one other crayon and use that shade only as an additional fabric selection. So are you ready to see the color I got?

It's... WILD STRAWBERRY

Doesn't it sound delicious? Yum. I've already been thinking of what other color I'll add. Perhaps a sunshiney yellow... or maybe orange sherbert... or a leafy green... or who knows? I think so many colors would look good with this choice. (I should probably invest in a box of crayons though to make sure whatever I choose is also in the box.)

When I got my crayon, I went to the web to learn a little bit more about it. Did you know it's the favorite color of Tiger Woods? Or the it has only been around since 1990? You can learn such useless information on the web. I also learned the RGB code for my color. I put it into Paint and this is what is showed...


A little bit bright huh? Actually, I don't think it's a great representation of the crayon in person. The crayon is not so in your face. Why don't I show you and let you decide for yourself.


By coloring with different pressures, you start to get an idea of the possible shades. The quilt doesn't have to be completed until Feb. 1, 2010 so I'm in no rush to get started. (Other than the fact that I get to buy more fabric of course.)

I did go out to a couple of LQS's on Monday with Jan to pick up a few bits and pieces that I need to finish current quilts. And while out, I bought some fabric to make a very special someone a surprise. I'm not going to say anymore about it other than to hope she'll love it. It won't get done immediately, but I'll show a picture after it's in her possession. (I know she sometimes reads my blog and I don't want to give it away.)

Well, I'd better head off to bed now. I've got a very busy day tomorrow filled with dog groomers, acupuncturists and my very favorite quilting buddies. Until later...