Let's Finish Our Blocks

Can you believe that we're here at the last week of blocks...this time just flew by...next post, we'll be putting it together.  This has been more fun than I ever imagined...seeing your fabrics, seeing your blocks has just been a ball...I can't wait to see your finished tops.  So let's get to these last blocks.

12 Patch Blocks
1. Gather 288 of your dark/medium 2 1/2" squares, that should be the last of them and your 24- 4 1/2"  background squares.
2. Lay one square on top of another, right sides together and stitch.  Make 48 sets of 2.
3. Lay one square on top of another , right sides together and stitch....  Make 96sets of 2.  Lay one set of 2 squares on top of another , right sides together, end to end and stitch.  Make 48 sets of 4.
4. Sew a set of 2 to the right side and the left side of your 4 1/2" background square.
5. Sew a set of 4 to the top and bottom.
You're all done with your 24 blocks...they were pretty easy, huh?

Have fun with your blocks...remember if you have any questions...please just send me an e-mail and I'll get right back to you!  ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been a Farmer's Wife

Well not really, but I have been sewing with the Farmer's Wife...and have I ever had fun. I'm up to 22 blocks and this obsession with these blocks has subsided at all. I wake up in the morning thinking about which one I'm going to do first. I usually try to pick a block or two and pull the fabrics before I shut the sewing room lights off for the day...then I'm ready to go. I did these Friday, Saturday and Sunday.


# 71 Puss in the Corner and # 73 Rainbow Flowers


#14 Butterfly at the Crossroads and #10 Bowtie


# 1 Attic Windows and #16 Calico Puzzle


#81 Snowball

A Jami update...I talked to her yesterday and she sounded great. She had her first chemo treatment on Friday morning. She said they gave her some really good anti-nausea meds and so far so good. She slept most of the day Friday, but she said she felt good yesterday. She asked me again to please thank all of you for your good thoughts, prayers and love. She said she always knows when you're thinking about her. She goes back tomorrow for a booster treatment and then she is off for 3 weeks. I will never be able to thank you all enough for all you've done for my dear friend...there just aren't words. So for now, please know that I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Let's Make Some Pinwheels

Whew, where did the week go?  We sure are having fun seeing all your stacks of fabric and seeing these blocks come together.  This is Simply a BLAST!

Let’s go...We're making 13 blocks this week, all with pinwheel centers...9 star blocks and 4 with white borders (or whatever your background is).  Here are the piecing instructions for the larger version...make sure you visit Kelly's blog for the instructions for the Mini Version.

Making the Pinwheel Centers
1. Gather 104 of your dark/medium 2 7/8" half square triangles..
2. Lay one triangle on top of another, right sides together and stitch.  Make 52 sets.
3. Lay one set of  2 triangle units on top of another , right sides together and stitch. Make sure to check Kelly's post about how to make these press nice and flat.
Your 13 pinwheel centers are all done...EASY…right!

Making the Simple Pinwheel Blocks
1. Gather 4 of your Pinwheel centers, eight of your 2 1/2" X 4 1/2" background strips and eight of your 2 1/2" X 8 1/2" background strips.
2. Stitch one 2 1/2" X 4 1/2" strip to the right and left side of your Pinwheel.  Press toward the strip.

3. Stitch one 2 1/2" X 8 1/2" strip to the top and the bottom of your Pinwheel block.  Press toward the strip.

You're all done with those. Your blocks should measure 8 1/2".

Making the Star Blocks
1. Gather 36 of your background Quarter Square Triangles, 72 of your dark/medium Half Square Triangles, 36 of your 2 1/2" background squares and your 9 remaining 4-Patch Centers.
2.Stitch one dark/medium  Half Square Triangle to the right side of your background Quarter Square Triangle.  Press to the dark.  Make 36.
3. Add a dark/medium Half Square Triangle to the left side. Press to the dark and trim off the "dog ears".  Make a total of 36.  These should measure 2 1/2" X 4 1/2"
4. Stitch one flying geese unit to the right side and one to the left side of your Pinwheel center.  Make 9.
5. Stitch one 2 1/2" background square to the right and left side of your remaining flying geese. Press toward the background squares.  Make 18.

6. Stitch one unit to the top and one to the bottom of your center.  Make 9.

Your 8 Star blocks are finished.  They should measure 8 1/2".  Don't you love 'em?


I know I promised that I’d have more pictures this week…but Blogger and my camera are not playing too nice today…so just like last week…Kelly has the awesome pictures.  Sorry!

I got a great e-mail this week from Wendy (no blog) with pictures of her blocks…aren’t they wonderful…love the 2 colors. 

Anyone else doing the big version, without a blog, please send  me your pictures and I’ll post them next week
And please don't hesitate to e-mail me if you have any questions at all...and the same for Kelly.

Farmer's Wife...To Template or Not

I've been having way too much fun with these Farmer's Wife blocks...I get one done and then I think...Oh I can do one more...one turns into 2...turns into more...here's what I did yesterday and today.... #31 Evening Star, #21 Contrary Wife, #20 Churn Dash, #32 Farmer's Daughter, and #12 Broken Sugar Bowl.  Today I decided to do another template block...

...I have always steered very clear of templates...way back 30+ years ago when I started quilting, that was the way we did it.  Then came rotary cutters and made our lives so much easier.  Well, I decided I wanted to do this quilt and so I needed to make the commitment...to template.  This fabric glue stick

has become my very best friend.  It works great...no glue stays on the fabric...I love it!  I'm sure there are lots of brands, I just happened to find this one at Joann's...made be Dritz and it was 50% off...I thought I'd give it a whirl...and I'm very happy I did.  I print the templates

...put one or two smears of glue on the back of the template

and stick it to the fabric.  Then I just lay my ruler on top

and cut right up against the line.  Works like a charm.  I have saved templates also and reused them for another block.  I've had lots of success...no slipping, no extra template making out of file folders or freezer paper...works for me...blocks go together perfectly...makes me very happy!  I'm having some fun!

A Sneak Peak

Before I give you a little peak at what I've been up to...I have to share my wonderful morning yesterday. I met Jami for breakfast yesterday at Cracker Barrel...it was fantastic! She looks wonderful, she said she feels great, the radiation has been done for a week and she feels like herself again. She said she feels rested and strong. Absolutely made my week! Her husband came back and picked her up after we finished breakfast and we loaded up his vehicle with pillowcases...the count is 194...when I delivered them to her the last time there were 87 and I gave her 97 yesterday. She made me promise that I would thank you all again for all that you've done. She is thrilled, overwhelmed by your genorosity, and just so thankful. She also asked me to tell you that she packages each pillowcase in a ziploc bag and includes a note..."Quilters across America want to thank you for serving our nation with exceptional courage and for all the personal sacrafices you make. This pillowcase was hand sewn and offers you the quiet strength, untold support and the comforting knowledge that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We truly thank you for all your efforts that ensure we are afforded the opportunity to live in freedom." Isn't that just the most wonderful message. Her original note started with "Florida women's quilting groups"...but this year thanks to all of you, she had to change it. I will never be able to thank you all enough. You have boosted Jami's spirits and given her the strength she needs to get through this "bump in the road", as she says. Chemo starts Friday at 9:30 (if the shingles are all gone)...so if you could send up some good thoughts I know she'll have everything she needs. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

OK, here's a peak at the corner of a new quilt that I've finished up...

...it's going to be a pattern...whew, there I've said it...now that means I have to get the pattern finished. This has been a dream of mine for a long time. I did several patterns when I had the shop, but they were for classes or for kits...this one is my first real pattern. With Kelly's encouragement and support this dream is coming true. Thank you so much Kelly! OK, I'm heading back to the computer to get my part done and ready for the graphics gal .

ENJOY your evening!

Bits and Bits and Bits

Well I have lots of bits this week, not any one big thing done...but I've had fun...so I'm very happy. Through Jami's Pillowcase project I "met" a wonderful gal from Alabama. She's doing quilts for the tornado victims in Alabama. As you know, Alabama is very near and dear to me since our kids live in Birmingham. The night of the big tornado in Tuscaloosa, Josh was out of town working, Katie was home with Camden and Hampton...they spent the evening in the basement. Katie was amazing and the kids were troopers. It wasn't until a couple of days later that I realized how close the tornado had come to their house...it hit a neighborhood right behind the Summit mall, which is less than 5 miles from their house. We are truly blessed, they had no damage at their house, even the 40 year old oak tree on the side of the house was fine. So, as Andy says "This is what I do"...I can make a quilt...a little person, not quite as lucky as my little people will have a quilt to snuggle under. Thank you for allowing me to help!

I am obsessed! Yes I've said it! I'm Carol and I'm obsessed with Farmer's Wife blocks. They are so much fun to do. They're like potato chips or M&M's...can't just do one or two! I was going to do 2 for this week and I ended up with 5...I had to make myself quit...I had other things I needed to do...haven't finished this week's stars from Primitive Gatherings...tomorrow. Here are the Farmer's Wife blocks I did today...

                     #77 Seasons...this one used templates and it went together perfectly

                                         
                         #6 Big Dipper

                        #61 Northern Lights

                            #72 Railroad

#84 Spool

I sure had a fun day...hope you all did too!  I'll try to be back tomorrow with a little sneaky peek of a project I'm working on.

Are you Ready to Sew? Let's GO!

I have to tell you, this is really fun!  Kelly and I have been looking at all your fabrics and all I can say is...these are going to be some awesome quilts.  We got a note from Wendy (no blog) and she included pictures of her pretty fabric stacks...

she's decided to do 2 colors...red and white

...it's going to be great.

Here we go...We're making 12 blocks this week, all with 4 patch centers...8 star blocks and 4 with white borders (or whatever your background is).  Here are the piecing instruction for the larger version...make sure you visit Kelly's blog for the instructions for the Mini Version.

Making the 4-Patch Centers
1. Gather 48 of you dark/medium 2 1/2" squares.
2. Lay one square on top of another, right sides together and stitch.  Make 24 sets.
3. Lay one set of 2 squares on top of another , right sides together and stitch.
Your 12 four patch centers are all done...EASY huh!


Making the Simple 4-Patch Blocks
1. Gather 4 of your 4-Patch centers, eight of your 2 1/2" X 4 1/2" background strips and eight of your
2 1/2" X 8 1/2" background strips.
2. Stitch one 2 1/2" X 4 1/2" strip to the right and left side of your 4-Patch center.  Press toward the strip.
3. Stitch one 2 1/2" X 8 1/2" strip to the top and the bottom of your 4-Patch block.  Press toward the strip.

You're all done with those. Your blocks should measure 8 1/2".

Making the Star Blocks
1. Gather 32 of your background Quarter Square Triangles, 64 of your dark/medium Half Square Triangles, 32 of your 2 1/2" background squares and your 8 remaining 4-Patch Centers.
2.Stitch one dark/medium  Half Square Triangle to the right side of your background Quarter Square Triangle.  Press to the dark.  Make 32.
3. Add a dark/medium Half Square Triangle to the left side. Press to the dark and trim off the "dog ears".  Make a total of 32.  These should measure 2 1/2" X 4 1/2"
4. Stitch one flying geese unit to the right side and one to the left side of your 4-Patch center.  Make 8.
5. Stitch one 2 1/2" background square to the right and left side of your remaining flying geese. Press toward the background squares.  Make 16.
6. Stitch one unit to the top and one to the bottom of your center.  Make 8.

Your 8 Star blocks are finished.  They should measure 8 1/2".  Don't you love 'em?



I must confess, I was so excited about sewing these blocks that I forgot to take lots of pictures...but you know Kelly is a pro at this and she took lots of pictures...so just check her post today for those great step by step pictures.  I promise...I'll be better next time.


If you don't have a blog and you're doing the large version, please send me a picture and I'll post it here on my blog next week.  And please don't hesitate to e-mail me if you have any questions at all...and the same for Kelly.


Hope you all have a fun, fun time sewing this week...and just one question...what is Kelly going to do with ALL those geese she's stitching...we'll have to keep our eye on her!

One Flower

All caught up...well it is only the first month...LOL! I am going to keep up with this one. Oh I just love this cute flower and this fabric, Strawberry Fields by Fig Tree is the yummiest ever. I've decided to add the stem and leaves each month so I can put it together as I go along. The Fat Quarter Shop has outdone themselves with this Block of the Month...it's going to be a fun year!

Summertime Fruit

This is my favorite time of the year for fruit...it's all so yummy...my favorite breakfast...

...raspberries, blueberries, peaches, bananas and this wonderful Greek yogurt. I've always loved yogurt, but it really took me a while to give the Greek yogurt a try...my thought was...yogurt is yogurt...WRONG! OMG, I love this yogurt

it's thicker, creamier and much tastier. I like all the flavors that they have but my very favorite is the vanilla with my own fruit added. If you haven't tried it, and you're a yogurt lover, give it a whirl.

Pillowcase Project Update

This is all so very exciting...we have a total of 171 pillowcases right now...I delivered 87 to Jami about 2 weeks ago...here are 84 more to deliver. I talked to Jami on Friday...she had her last radiation treatment on Wednesday and was to begin her chemo on Friday. When she got there, checked in and chatted with the doctor for few minutes she found out that they were going to delay the chemo...a two week delay...bless her heart, she has shingles. The doctor put her on antibiotics, and she's to rest for two weeks. Another bump in the road...but she's taking it in stride...she continues to be very positive.

She asked me again to please thank you all for all that you've done for her and her project. She said she was feeling a bit sorry for herself on Friday when she got back from her appointment, went into her guest room where she has the pillowcases and just sat in the midst of all of them. She said she could feel all the love you all sent with them. She again said, "Please thank everyone for all they've done...they will never know how much this means to me." I assured her you all understood.

Thank you again and again for making this happen! You all are the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another Iron or Two

Hi, I'm Carol and I have a problem...I have NO self-control!  I'm just going to say that I'm a quilter and I can't help myself...LOL!  I've never been a "work on one project at a time kind of girl"...but I think I've gone completely off the deep end.  But, I also must say...I'm loving every project I'm working on...the good news is...I'll NEVER be bored.  I just need to live many, many, many more years.

Iron number 1...I signed up for Primitive Gatherings Star Block of the Week...I love these little stars

...I really don't need to be doing this as a Block of the Week, I have enough fabric in my stash to make 24 million stars, but I knew they'd send me little pieces of fabric for 5 stars every week for the summer...just the summer...so my thought process was...I won't have to mess up my whole room picking out these little bits of fabric, I'll save lots of time, I'll get new fabrics that I don't have in my stash, and I'll have a deadline...get the blocks done before the new ones come on Friday.  That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.  They are fun and they are really cute!  Summer fun!

Then Wednesday, Sherri over at  A Quilting Life had a post  about The Farmer's Wife Quilt Along...Well, I've looked and looked at that book...loved the blocks...but resisted.  I just didn't need another thing to do.  But, it's a quilt along...2 blocks a week...how can I not do it?  So another iron in the fire.  I ordered the book, looked at Sherri's first 4 blocks and figured out the cutting.  First 4 Farmer's Wife blocks done...

...again, a deadline...I've always worked better with a deadline.

I'm a happy girl and ENJOYING every minute of my summer sewing...that's what it's all about!

Ready...Set...CUT

Let's get this Quilt Along started... Kelly and I are so excited...gather up your fabrics...this is just part of my stack...I used up lots of my scraps and I forgot to take the picture before I started cutting...sometimes I wonder about myself!

Here are the Simple Things cutting instructions for my large version...it's a really pretty easy cut...HAVE FUN!

From your Background fabrics...Cut

1. 3- 4 1/2" strips, and from these strips, cut 24- 4 1/2" squares.
2. 3- 2 1/2" strips, and from these strips, cut 16- 2 1/2" X 4 1/2" rectangles
3. 4- 2 1/2" strips, and from these strips, cut 16- 2 1/2" X 8 1/2" rectangles
4. 5- 2 1/2" strips, and from these strips, cut 68- 2 1/2" squares
5. 3- 5 1/4" strips, and from these strips, cut 17- 5 1/4" squares.  Cut each square in half diagonally twice making 4 Quarter Square Triangles per square (for a total of 68 quarter square triangles.

From your Mediums/Darks...Cut
336- 2- 1/2" squares
120- 2- 7/8" squares, cut once on the diagonal (There are lots of ways to approach the cutting and sewing of Half Square Triangles. This is the count and the size for the method I use, it's the easiest way for me, no special rulers. Please feel free to use your favorite method, and just adjust the cutting instructions accordingly.)

If you want to cut your borders now here's what you'll need...I'll repeat this again when we get to the borders so don't worry...

Inner Border

2 strips 2- 1/2" X 56- 1/2"
2 strips 2- 1/2" X 60- 1/2"

Outer Border
2 strips 6- 1/2" X 60- 1/2"
2 strips 6- 1/2" X 72- 1/2"

Binding
8 strips 2 1/4" X WOF

If you're doing Kelly's smaller version go Here
ENJOY! We'll be back next week with the first 2 blocks.

Kelly has added a Mr. Linky to her post today...make sure you add your link to your post so we can all follow along.  Did I say we're going to have FUN? 

It's Summertime

Summertime is here...I know the calendar doesn't say so yet...but it sure is summer here...thankfully we've pretty much finished up what we need to do in the yard...so this is coming into my time to crank down the air conditioning and sew!  I've already started...I finished up the Fat Quarter Shop 2010 Designer BOM today...

...I did just a smidge of changing on this one...the big stars in the border were supposed to be a bit wonky, or maybe the word is liberated...I just couldn't do it...so mine are all the same...just couldn't step out of the box...maybe one day!  Mr. Quilt Holder was having a bit of trouble with this one today...the breeze just wouldn't stop...he'd get it up, I'd get the camera ready, then we'd wait, 3 times he said "Now"...bless his heart, my reflexes aren't quick enough...I'd be just a bit too late...this is the best one...just a little flapping on that bottom corner.  This sure was fun...and I got it done just in the knick of time...I'm thinking the new Designer BOM should be in the mail any day now.  I'm really excited about the new one...it's going to be made with Strawberry Fields...I'm loving that fabric...it just screams summer!

Kelly and I were on the phone yesterday chatting about the Quilt Along...and we got to talking about how the time seems to just evaporate...she mentioned that she was thinking about going "commentless" for the  summer...and after talking about it and thinking about it, I decided I'm going to join her in the "No Comment" on my Blog Plunge...just for the summer is what I'm thinking.  I have lots and lots that I want to do this summer...Mom and I head to the beach in July...Hampton and Camden (oh and their mom and dad) are coming the end of this month...I have lots and lots of sewing that I want to do...I'm tossing some new, fun ideas around in my head...and poof, summer will be over.  I love, love, love all of your sweet comments, but my thought is that if I take the time that I would normally spend on the computer replying to comments I'd probably find extra hours in the week.  Now I won't be far away, I promise...my goal is to blog lots more.  If you need me you can always, always e-mail me (goodhomequiltco@aol.com or brownquilts@gmail.com) and Kelly will be putting up a Mr. Linky for all of the Simple Things Quilt Along girls...I'll be looking forward to all of your posts for the Quilt Along...can't wait to see everyone's fabric.  I'll be back tomorrow with the cutting instructions...oh it's going to be fun!  It's not too late...join us if you'd like...remember this is a no stress quilt along.

 "Simple Things" Quilt Along

Kelly and I couldn't be more excited about our quilt along!  Hope you all are excited about joining us in the
 
"Simple Things" quilt along.  Everyone is welcome to participate with us you don't just have to be a Charming Girl.    Please feel free to use our button on your blog. 

We have two versions for you to chose pick from!   Here's my version...it's 72" X 72".
 
  Here's Kelly's  smaller version...it's 38" X 38"...it is so darn cute!
 
which is 38" x 38".

Kelly called one day and asked if I'd like to do a quilt along with her.  I came up with a couple of blocks, Kelly came up with a couple of blocks...she worked her design magic...and here we have 2 very fun quilts.

Each week for the next several weeks, we'll post instructions for completing the quilt!  This week we're giving you the fabric requirements, next week we'll be back with the cutting instructions . . . all the way to the binding.  We're going to take it slow - so that everyone can relax and enjoy the process!  No rush, no stress!
In the end, we'll have a parade and a prize drawing for those who complete their quilt tops!

Fabric Requirements for "Simple Things"...the big one
33 Layer Cake Squares or 10" Squares (or equivalent)
1 1/2 Yards Background Fabric 
1/2 Yard for Inner Border
1 3/4 Yards for Outer Border
2/3 yard for Binding
4 1/2 Yards Backing
I used all of my scraps of Minnick & Simpson fabrics...Prairie Paisley, Flag Day Farm, Wiscasset, Bar Harbor, American Banner Rose, Charlevoix...it all works so great together.  I also used Bella Solid White for the background.

This quilt  is a reminder to us that it's the simple things in our lives that make us happiest- lunch with a friend,  time with family, a visit on the phone with the grandchildren, a walk on a nice day...whatever makes you the happiest.

Can't wait to see what fabric you all decide to use...are you going to use your stash or pick out something new?  And I really can't wait to hear what you're going to do with your quilt...will it be a graduation gift, a wedding gift, a snuggle quilt on the couch, a baby quilt?  I've already decided what I'm doing with mine...it's a gift for Jami...she starts chemo soon...so she'll need a quilt...and I couldn't think of anything better for her than red, white and blue.

So gather your fabrics...and we'll see you next week...same time, same station...let's have some fun!