FINAL DECISION

Well love it or not, I've decided to make the military quilt using the puzzle box pattern. I would have preferred to have someting more unique but after several starts and wasting a lot of fabric I went this route.

I don't "love" it but I do like it and feel it really shows off the American fabric. At tleast I made a final decision and can get rolling.

AMERICAN BACKING

Before I forget I got some backing fabric on ebay for Houston's military quilt. This auction was 23 yards but the price was great and I'll share it with some others so it will get used.

I'm going to put it on the back of Houston's red/white/blue quilt. Here's a pic.

MY NEW MILITARY QUILT

Boy this quilt is not working out. I thought "oh I have plenty of time, don't have to rush" but now Houston's deployment is coming up next month.

I decided I do not like the quilt as you go design for this quilt. I like the concept but red folded to the front is too stark for me. So what now since I've cut up all $58 worth of fabric? Well I tried sewing 5 strips together similar to the quilt as you go block and sashing in red. It's okay but after a day of making those blocks - not loving it.

About midnight last night I thought about the puzzle box so I jumped up and made a square. WOW it really shows off the flag fabric better than the rest. The center is the flag fabric with blue and red sashing. I'll throw in a small white border to get all the colors included. So now I'll rush to get it done but I'll like the final quilt much better and I want him to have something nice to remind him of home. I'll post a pic tonight or tomorrow of the finished block.

I'M BACK

I've been on vacation all week and so I posted nothing, absolutely nothing. I actually did basically nothing on my vacation which was wonderful for a change. I did a little bookkeeping, a little sewing but not much else but rest, watch the rain and rent some movies.

Anyway I'm back so I'll stat posting what I'm working on again this week.

JUST A TRIAL RUN

Not that I don't have enough started projects - but I've started another one. It kinda jumped ahead in the line because it has a deadline. My brother's girlfriend has a 21 year old son in the Navy. He will be leaving for the Persian Gulf mid June and I wanted to have a quilt for him to take as he head away from home.

I selected the fabrics during an 8:45 pm trip to Joann's last night. i wanted something to remind him of America so you know they had to be red/white & blue. This pattern is one of the quilt as you go patterns. You make the blocks with all three layers at one time then join them turning the seams to the outside and sewing down so as you complete each one it's a finished block.

I love the colors and think they blend wonderfully but I'm not sure I like the look of the final seams joined. So I'll wait a few days and see if it growns on me. If not I'll make something similar in a traditional block. Here's what I have so far. Ignore my seams - this is a trial run from 11pm last night.

I ALMOST FORGOT

Anyone know what color dogs like?

I'VE GONE "GO CUTTER" CRAZY

I think I might be go cutter crazy. I finally played with my Accuquilt Go Cutter and it's so easy. At first I thought I'm wasting a little fabric and you know how fabric greedy I am but I'm okay with that now with the time saving factored in. I cut out half the tumbler blocks for a quilt very quickly and the notched corners make it so easy to go together. Today Jean and I realized we may be cutter crazy. Lunch found us looking thru the latest magazines and we realized how quickly we were specifically looking for patterns that would use my die sizes. She even ordered her a 6.5 in square die.

We made a sweet deal. I can borrow her die in exchange for letting her cut squares on my cutter. I think I got the better deal. Anyway she realized just on a whim that my favorite pattern fits my dies. I love that puzzle box and it takes 6.5" squares and 2.5" strips. Well technicially it's 2 " strips but you better believe it will be 2.5" now as I bought the strip cutter. Can't wait for those blasted mats. I did find out Accucut is backorderering for wholesalers but if you order directly they have all the dies and mats. Mine were shipped today. Come on Monday.

I'm thinking I'll need a third job to buy cutting dies and mats. Anyone wanna buy a quilt?

I PLAYED WITH MY CUTTER

Well I finally took the cutter out of the box and tried it out. Can't make a lot yet as I'm waiting on the rest of the cutting mats to arrive but hopefully soon. I got the strip cutter yesterday so just need the mat. I tried the tumbler die as I have the one mat that matches that. I was able to press the fabric and cut about 100 tumbler's or so while watching a 30 minute show. Here's a couple of them put together.

TUESDAY'S RAMBLINGS

Well my Accuquilt Go Cutter arrived Friday and would you believe I didn't even get it out of the box till Sunday afternoon. Then all I did was cut a test square. I've received most of the dies but the cutting mats are on backorder. Yesterday the 2.5" strip cutter arrived but looks like I didn't order a mat for that so I had to do that today and wait for it to come. I guess they don't mention that you have to have a mat for the size die you're cutting. Once you realize what you've invested you start deciding from now on if it can't be cut with that then I won't make it. Maybe I can rent it out (ha-ha).

Most of my Tuesday ladies cancelled tonight so I'll take a few moments and cut out some of those tumbler blocks. I do have the 10x10 cutting mat for that die. I have a friend who's dog could use a nice quilt. Maybe something in a pretty blue color. I've always wanted to make a tumbler quilt but the cutting looked tedious.

Maybe I'll try a paper piece block. Never have but been thinking about it. Or here's an idea - maybe I'll work on finishing those 3 laying on the table. I have 1 with half the binding on, 2 more waiting on quilting and one just started but several more in my head.

MY STARTER BLOCK

Well here we go. This is the starter block I'm using for SummerSadie's Around the World Swap. I had to change the burgandy color at the last minute. I had enough for my quilt and one more then cut wrong and had to use up that last square. But I still like this just as well. It's just slightly darker than the previous.

I looked at some one the ladies blogs and starters blocks - hope I'm not over my head here. But we shall see soon enoough. I mailed out my starter this morning to Texas and am waiting on Anita's from Cape Coral. The fun begins. I'll keep you posted.

RED, WHITE & BLUE

Ladies - before I forget. I met my brother's new love interest yesterday (Debra who is very nice) and she mentioned her son was in the Navy and will be leaving for the Persian gulf next month. I think I'd like to make him a quilt before he leaves. Any suggestions?

WHAT WAS I THINKING

Well I hesitate to say it but if you want to see the new bento box check out birthofaquilt.blogspot.com.

I was going to call it Florida Citrus but may have to change the name to "What was I thinking". But I'm sure it will find it's way to someone that will love it. When it's finished I'll post it on Faith Quilters as it's one of my comfort quilts.

By the way the around the world swa I joined starts this week. Keep an eye out for my details on that. I have to make my starter block tonight.

I LOVE THIS!!!!!

Ok, I know I'm working on a yellow/green comfort quilt which you can see on my blog (birthofaquilt.blogspot.com) and I have 2 waiting for quilting and one for binding but I had to stop and make a few of these. I was so excited I couldn't even wait for my Go Cutter to arrive tomorrow before I cut all the squares.

I needed a pink/black block for a monthy swap. Once I got finished I LOVED IT. So I had to stop my projects and make one more before I forgot about it. Well then I was cutting squares and decided while I'm here I might as well cut a few extra. As luck turned out I had exactly enough of the fabric to cut 16 squares. Well that can't be just luck so must be I needed a new quilt. I had to sew one so I'd remember what it looked like and well one or two more to see what they look like together. Oh hush now - you know I'm not alone here. 4 blocks later I realized this was meant to be. My couch and rug are sage, the chair it will go on is black and the walls are waiting to be painted butter. And I was just saying my chair needed a throw since the leather is sticky in the summer.

Here's a picture of the first row - what do you think. If you hate it don't tell me - I'm too excited. I'll post more as it's coming along on my journal blog. Check out birthofaquilt.blogspot.com

And ladies - check out quilterblogs.com and summersadie.worldpress.com. They have great blogs.

Monthly Block Swap

I almost forgot to tell you. I'm in a monthly block swap as well. My April partner wanted a pink and black block. When I get home I'll show you what I made her. At first I thought not my taste in colors but I loved it. In fact I hope I have enough to make some for myself.

By-the-way - don't forget to check out quilterblogs.com. I could spend hours reading those blogs.

WORLD BLOCK SWAP

Well I tried something new today. I signed up for a world block swap. I hope I understood the directions but if not I'm sure they'll be glad to help me out. Quilters are always so much nicer than the average folk.

In this swap I'll make a block and send it to the next in line. She will make a block she thinks looks nice with it, sew them together and send it along to the next. This keeps going thru 20 members so after # 20 it's back to me with 20 blocks all joined together and made by 20 different people. Since there are 20 in the swap they'll also send me theirs and I'll add a block of my choice. Boy I'm glad I bought that accucut Go Cutter. Sounds like I'm going to be busy. I'll keep you posted and put pics and the blocks as they come to me and what I added.

Quilterblogs.com

No new pictures today but you ladies should check out Quilterblogs.com. They have some amazing blogs out there. I've added a link to them on my blog list. Let me know how much you love it.

Have a blessed week.

CRAZY CURVES UNVEILED

Here's the photo of my crazy curve quilt (sorry about the rug on the edges - photography isn't my greatest skill). I am not happy with the decision to quilt the outside of the circles on one row and inside the circles on the next. While it basically looks okay I wanted it to look amazing. I just couldn't make up my mind what to do with it. It's been in the closet awaiting quilting for a few months now so I figured just get it done.

This will give me 4 finished for 2009 and it will be staying with me. The back of my couch has been waiting on a quilt. It's not pictured here but I'll be putting a purple/pink batik binding on later this month. Next I'll be quilting a comfort quilt done in florals for Faith Quilters and then hopefully my pink and green Weaver Fever. Neither of these are in the "no buy" section but the fabric was not purchased this year.

By the way I heard Holly's puzzle box quilt arrived in Minnesaota today. Hope she loves it.

WELL I BOUGHT IT

Have you heard of the newest cutting sensation for quilters? It's called the Accuquilt Go Cutter. It's a remake of the scrapbooking machines only it's made to cut fabric. They had a commercial version for years but it had a hefty price tag and required heavy, expensive dies. This is designed for home quilters.

I haven't seen it in action but mine was ordered today and I'm excited. It comes with the die to cut 2.5 and 4.5 " squares and I added a cutting mat and die for the 2.5" strips as well. Wow pretty soon I'll be known as the jelly roll queen. Maybe I can make quilt kits and sell them to all my friends.

Here's a picture of the accuquilt go cutter from the web. I can't wait. As time goes along I'll see about adding more dies to my colloection. This may help me venture out to more experienced quilts I've been avoiding because of the cutting involved.