Hitting the Blocks » Neat Stuff

Interesting Source of Inspiration

admin — Tue, 26 May 2009 04:27:09 +0000

I was in Borders yesterday, looking for sources of inspiration for my Hoffman Challenge quilt, because what I had originally planned just wasn’t flowing well.

I came home with this book, and over a dozen ideas for quilts. I can’t wait to get started!

I guess that just goes to show you can never tell where your next inspiration may come from!

Office Reboot

admin — Sat, 16 May 2009 03:47:20 +0000

A few weeks ago I walked into our office/sewing room and just stood there, completely at a loss where to start cleaning/organizing/attacking the mess it had become.

So I sent out an SOS to my mother, who excels at this reorganization sort of thing, and last week we redid the room.

This is a built-in desk we made. My DH had been begging for more table space (for more space in general–previously he was the one stuck in the corner), so the section that juts out into the room is now his, as is the computer by the door. I rather like being in the corner, so that is now my computer space.

Right beside my writing space is my quilting corner. My really high quality fabrics are displayed on the shelves, my medium quality (Nice Jo-Ann’s and Hancocks) are tucked in the corner next to it, and my low quality (Wal-Mart) stuff is hidden in the cabinets above the craft armoire.

Even my fat quarters have a nice little home now!

I found this huge computer table at a garage sale for $10. My sewing machine fits oh-so-nicely on the drop-down keyboard tray, giving me an almost flush sewing surface, and the additional 3 feet of table space to the left of the machine will be lovely when doing larger quilts. All my other sewing fabrics are in those boxes above the window.

And I even have a design wall (almost a 5′ x 7′)!

The only drawback is this whole deal is that we lost a bit of storage space, but what we have now is so much more useful and accessible. I love it! (Thanks Mom!)

Cool Fabric from Down Under.

admin — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 23:36:28 +0000

My aunt works for United Airlines, and gets to travel the world much cheaper than the rest of us mortals. A few weeks ago she asks my mom (her sister), “Hey! Wanna go to Australia?” Of course my mom, being quite sane, immediately said yes. They got back to this side of the planet on Tuesday–the Punkin and I drove up to Dulles to pick Mom up and take her home to WV.
When it comes to gift-giving, my aunt and mother know me quite well. So, unknown to each other, they both bought me the same kind of gift–fabric! Coordinating fabric no less! The package on the right is actually designed as a patchwork kit. The three smaller designs on the left are 100% cotton handkerchiefs (there are 6, but 3 are repeats of the patchwork designs). There’s even a 54″ coordinating square tablecloth residing at my mother’s which is fair game if necessary.

Now the question is…what kind of quilt to create using these unique designs? Ah, decisions, decisions, decisions

Painting with Fabric

admin — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:32:27 +0000

Alice over at BC Quilter recently did a post on the landscape quilt she’s been working on. Isn’t it lovely!

I’ve always wanted to try one, and just haven’t gotten to it yet. Perhaps it’s time to jump that technique ahead a few projects…

Happiness is a Warm Blankie

admin — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 18:00:31 +0000

Something I’ve really had on my heart recently is to make a quilt for Project Linus.

If you’ve never heard of Project Linus, here’s who they are, in their own words:

“Project Linus is a 100% volunteer non-profit organization with a two-fold mission:

First, it is our mission to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”

Second, it is our mission to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.”

Not much more for me to add to that explanation, other to say, “Where do I sign up?”

How Fortunate!

admin — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 19:17:41 +0000

Are these not the cutest things?! When I saw this in my Keepsake Quilting catalog, I had to get it. Cute and uncomplicated–I like that combination. And considering the number of China adoptions going on in my church, this will be a handy little pattern to have