http://www.hittingtheblocks.com Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:29:48 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Finally. Started this in August for a contest. Got the top done in a weekend, as the contest required, but the quilting took much, much longer. Didn't help that I kept getting side-tracked to other projects. This is one of the quilt patterns I've actually sold in our ... http://www.hittingtheblocks.com/2008/11/10/cup-o-joe-to-sew-completed/ So, I've been waiting for my non-winning Hoffman Challenge quilt entry to return home. I finally broke down and emailed the coordinators, asking when I should get worried. This was the reply I received: I’ve researched your entry and your quilt was selected to travel in Quilt Collection “D”... ... http://www.hittingtheblocks.com/2008/10/20/hoffman-challenge-revisited/ 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. ... http://www.hittingtheblocks.com/2008/10/16/cool-fabric-from-down-under/ The YMCA recently opened a branch here in the boondocks of King George, and my daughter loves the pool. We're there at least five, sometimes six times a week. However, the Punkin is a skinny little thing, and only lasts about 20 minutes before she turns blue ... http://www.hittingtheblocks.com/2008/10/07/swimming-cover-up/ 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... http://www.hittingtheblocks.com/2008/09/24/painting-with-fabric/ I'm all a-quiver right about now. I sold my first quilt pattern this past week, and tonight got it nicely wrapped up to send out (hopefully it'll beat lil' Miss Hanna Almost-a-Hurricane out of the state). Of course I've got the shipping jitters, the "Did I get everything ... http://www.hittingtheblocks.com/2008/09/05/first-pattern-sold/ I have now joined the same club as Scarlett O'Hara and Maria von Trapp and made some lovely outfits from curtains. Well, just one curtain to be exact. My mother was auditioning this beautiful brown fabric with the embroidered vines for her new bedroom, and I decided it was ... http://www.hittingtheblocks.com/2008/08/03/unusual-fabric-sources/ And here's my final product. I had a blast making it (yes, even all those little flowers), despite the time crunch at the end (that was my fault for not starting it until after recital, which was June 22nd.) And now back to my previously scheduled life... http://www.hittingtheblocks.com/2008/07/22/hoffman-challenge-finished-the-quilt/ The saga continues-- After getting the underlying blocks pieced (the actual quilting came later), but before I put on the backing, I did some major applique. The vase is the most important part, since it is the challenge fabric in all its glory. It has layers of batting underneath ... http://www.hittingtheblocks.com/2008/07/22/hoffman-challenge-finished-applique-and-final-touches/ Phew! After over 75 different designs and almost 200 hours of hand-stitching, my quilt is in the mail (please, please USPS, do not be late!!!). For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Hoffman Challenge, here is the company's own definition: "Every year, a team from Hoffman Fabrics chooses an ... http://www.hittingtheblocks.com/2008/07/22/hoffman-challenge-finished-piecing-and-quilting/