Country Threads Block of the Month

I am trying to complete all my UFO's and not purchase new kits, etc.  On Country Threads' blog,
www.country-threads-chicken-scratch.com, they started a "free" block of the month on Jan. 1, 2013.  The first of each month, Country Threads will release additional blocks.  For me this is a good way to use up my Thimbleberry fabrics left from my sample making years.  I have a whole drawer full of scraps.  The next block(s) will be released Friday, Feb. 1. Below are my blocks completed in January.

Care to join me?  Oh, come on ..... you must have a box, bag, or draw of fabric scraps that need to be used up.  Notice the background in the large star... I didn't have enough of the same background fabric so added another background fabric.  THINK Scrappy!

Yours in quilting,
Terry

Favorite Tool

The magnetic dish in the teddy bear's lap is holding my longarm pins that I use to load my quilts onto my longarm.  This dish was a gift from Barb Amrein for my birthday.  It is so slick because it not only holds my pins and catches them it I drop them close by.  This is not a tool you necessarily buy at the local quilt store, but at your local auto supply store like O'Reilly's, Car Quest, or Auto Zone.  I love networking with other longarm quilters.  We have so much to learn from each other.

Yours in quilting,
Terry

Spoiled Yorkie

Here is one of my constant companions while working in my quilting studio.  This is Rascal, my two year old Yorkie.  He is snuggled into the "big" dog bed, while Harry Potter, my Aussie, sleeps on the cement floor next to the dog bed.  Look closely at the cute little pink tongue sticking out while he dozes.  If Rascal is not sleeping in this bed, he is sleeping behind me in my desk chair while I am piecing quilt tops.

Here is the quilt I finished quilting this evening.  Sorry the colors aren't showing a little better.  It is a beautiful chocolate brown, sage green, cream, dusty blue and tan.  I quilted it with Honey Nugget 3014 by Quilter's Choice.  I just love that thread.  It works like a dream in my Handi Quilter and there is a large selection of colors available.  It is reasonably priced.

I will try to get a large picture of this quilt for another post.

Back to work tomorrow for four days and then I will be retired again.  Hey, no smart comments from those of you who like tease me.  Haha...

Have a great week and enjoy the warmer weather.  Tomorrow night we might get to grill burgers in 60 degree weather.

Yours in quilting,
Terry

Easy Street Update

Easy Street is the Mystery quilt Bonnie Hunter (www.quiltville.com) had going on between Thanksgiving and the new year.  I have all done and I am working on finishing the rest of my blocks.  This quilt is so out-of-box for me using such bright colors but I love it.  The colors aren't as vibrant in the picture as they are in person.    I have two retreats coming up and hope to have the top finished for quilting no later than March 2nd.  I have purchased the batting and backing fabric already, just need to choose border fabric, if any.  It is very hard for me to quit on it when it will only measure 80" x 80".  I am a "Go Big or Go Home" type of quilter.  So queen size at least for this one.

Bonnie is starting another mystery in the Quiltmaker Magazine in the issue coming out Feb. 1st.  I double-dog-dare you to try it.  :)  I have issued this dare to "quilty" friends through an email and now  I am issuing the dare to my blog followers.  Its a great way to use up scraps and clean out your stash.  Also, don't be afraid to change the colors to suit yourself.  Come on and be scrap-happy with the rest of us.

I am actually writing this post a day ahead of time and setting it to post tomorrow.  Also, I might be operating on a sugar high as I made a big batch of carmel corn again.  This weather is a little unpredictable right now.  If I don't have power tomorrow, those of you in blogland will still be able to read my news.

Have a great Monday!  Yours in quilting, Terry

1000 VIEWS

Tonight I checked my statistics and I have had a total of 1,000 pageviews since I started my blog.
Woot, Woot!!!  Thanks for visiting, come back often and please leave me comments so I know who visited. 

Thanks again to all my viewers!

Yours in quilting,
Terry

Drippy Sunday Afternoon

Here in Illinois they have been threatening rain, sleet and ice for the past twenty-four hours. It has arrived and coating everything right now. Here's a view of fence and we can see the icing from our back door.  The dogs don't spend much time outside.  Just get their business done and right back in.

 

 

Then if you peak out the front door you see the ice accumulating on our very old maple trees.  This starts me to worrying.  I know, I know there is not much we can do about Mother Nature but I don't want a sunroof put in our house today or tomorrow by a tree branch.

 

 

So after church today, knowing this weather was only going to get worse, DH (dear husband) and I set out some meat to defrost for supper.  Then we raided the refrigerator for leftovers and had a smorgasbord for lunch.  Tonight's menu is old fashion chicken and noodles.  MMMmmmm good when its cold and wintry outside and warm comfort food in your tummies.

 

My DS (dear son) was actually up and about today (usual asleep from working nights).  He wanted to make chocolate chip cookies together.  Half of the dough plain and half of the dough with choc. chips.  You see, he loves to eat the dough.  So quality time was spent making the dough and he put away the mess when we were done.  It is so nice when your kids start to realize how to keep up the house. Yippee!!

 

Well thanks for dropping by today.  I have one more week of contractual work and then I will be back in my studio full time with plenty to do.  The Covered Bridge Quilt Guild is having their quilt Show March 16-17th and I have a lot to get done between now and then.  Additionally, I want to blog nearly every day to stay in touch with everyone in blogland.

 

Have a blessed Sunday.  Yours in quilting, Terry