Pheonix Arizona

Just a quick note.  I am on my way with my daughter to New York.....its Fashion Week!!  We have a short layover here in Arizona!!  Just enough time to catch up on blogs and work on a few of my little baskets.  I told you you can take them anywhere :)   I am hoping to find a quilt store near our hotel....keep your fingers crossed!!
Happy Quilting

Cindy

My Week in a Nutshell

Where to begin....I have been working on wayyy to many quilty things!!  If I would stick to one or two I might actually get something finished!  I am a quilt junkie :)  So I will share a few of the things I have been working on this past week:

These are a few basket blocks I just started on a few days ago.  My inspiration for these came from two sources.  One was the new McCalls Quilting magazine, a quilt in there called Cocoa's Baskets, the other place of inspiration was from a fellow bloggers site, Karen at http://karen-logcabinquilter.blogspot.com/ . She has a great picture of a basket quilt she just completed.  Still not sure on a layout or anything, I just enjoy applique so I will keep working on them until I think I have enough!!

 These are my little baskets from the book, When the Cold Wind Blows.  I started on them this past spring, during a snow storm.  Our power was out and I needed something to work on that didn't involve my sewing machine or anything using electricity.  These little guys fit the bill, and I can take them anywhere to work on.  They are 5.5" and very portable.  Definatly a work in progress!!  Believe it or not, I never used to like basket blocks...not sure what changed, but I seem to be going a little overboard with them lately.  Still not sure I would like machine pieced ones...but you never know what might happen if the right one came along!!

Here is another one of my Lynette Anderson BOM blocks.  Still working away on this one, but not much left to do.  Instead of doing the Satin Stitch in all of the flowers I am coloring in some of the petals.  I like how it looks and it speeds up the process a little.  They are adorable little blocks that really don't take to long.

Can anyone guess what this is? Its not quilty, thats for sure, however it is taking up some counter space where i like to work on my quilts!!haha... Its crabapple juice!  I am in the process of making jelly.  Yesterday me and a few of my peeps were pickling and today I am working on jelly.  It has to Drip for at least 2 hours or over night before I move onto the next step.  I have two batches going and enough crabapples to make at least another dozen!!

Well that is my week in a nut shell, other than basic chores and such!  On Wednesday I am off to New York with my oldest daughter.  It is fashion week and she just had to go.....there was no way her dad was letting her go to New York on her own, so I guess she gets to drag her mom along!!  I told her, we can do all the fancy shops and such, but if there is a quilt and/or yarn shop near by we are going!!

Oh and I almost forgot....I am a winner.  I entered one of Messy Karens  http://messykaren.blogspot.com/  blog draws and won. Yaa hoo!! I won a stack of her Wavy Wipers....can't wait for my package to arrive.  I am thinking it will show up when I am in New York so it will be a good treat when I get home.  Thanks bunches Karen :)

Take care all, and have an awesome long weekend,

Cindy 

Welcome Fall

Ahhhh, what an awesome day!  The kids are back in school today, the sun is shining this morning and all is well.  My husband is out the door to get the combine all ready for harvest.  I love this time of year,  I am dreaming of fall quilt projects to work on, but have came up with nothing yet.  A small table topper in fall colors, an applique wall hanging with pumpkins, hmmmm.....After a few chores I plan on sitting out on the deck and stitching the afternoon away.  Maybe then I will decide on my fall project.

A little peek at what I have been working on.... 

I am working on a mini quilt.  It is one of the challenges at Small Quilt Talk, a group that is run by Kathleen Tracy.  I believe it has to be completed by October 4, so I am doing good for time.  I actually cut enough to make 24 star blocks!!  I could make at least 3 mini's!!  Not sure on the layout yet, but I am working on a few ideas.  For now I will just keep making star blocks.  They are super quick to whip up if you have everything cut and ready*  Stay tuned for the finished projects.

Is this not the cutest little block ever!  I have recently signed up for a BOM at a great little quilt shop in Calgary AB.  This is a Lynette Anderson BOM, and for anyone not familiar with her work you should check out her blog at - lynetteandersondesigns.typepad.com. The small blue birdhouse is actually a little hand painted button!!  Each of the blocks in this BOM will have a cute little hand painted button on it, along with embroidery and a little applique.  What a great mix of my favorite things :)

Well I better get out and feed the animals. I am sure they are all wondering where I am this morning.  Oh and I think the washing machine just finished, so I have towels to go hang on the line! 

Just another day on the farm!

Peace,  Cindy