Thursday, April 29, 2010

Projects A Plenty With Clamshells Too

It has been very busy and a lot of projects going on around here at Brown Dirt Cottage. One project is this baby quilt in progress. I am short one block but my brain got tired so I started on the zig zag border. This is my first zig zag border, but I am wondering if I would have liked the black and whites reversed...???? Love Gwen's version.


I have a deadline on this project and I have a lot more done on it since I took this photo. This quilt will be auctioned off at my 35th H.S. class reunion on June 12. I was kind of volunteered to make a quilt for the auction to raise monies for our next reunion. I must say I had a hard time deciding on what type of quilt to do, but I finally decided to make it an original, one of a kind 'folksy' fun lap size......maybe someone will like it....?????


I have made quite a lot of headway on my clamshell too. This is going together a whole lot faster than I ever imagined. I think if it had been the only project I had been working on it would have been finished already.

I received a GREAT package from Sharon over at Indigo Threads. She told me she had started a clamshell way back and it was still a work in progress and she wondered if I would like some of her 50's and 60's vintage fabrics to add to my clamshell. Well...HECK YE-OW!! Aren't these just FAB!!! Thank you soooooo much Sharon!!! I love each and everyone and have already included them in the quilt.
Some close ups..........love these.....
Oh my..........yum...yum....
Wow............wow.......
......... Love the plaid............


I have also been thumbing through and enjoying some of my new books. What great inspiration!


I did manage to get a trip to the library in. I would KILL to own these 2 Texas books!!! I have checked these out numerous times. Some great inspiration as well!!!
Ok......so these are all the 'inside' projects I have going on. There will be some major exterior work done on the ole homestead. Would you like to see some 'before' and 'after' photos??? After I meet all my 'quilty' deadlines and serve on jury duty...uuugh.....I need to start some 're-do' on the inside too.....after all, it has been around 14 yrs. since anything has been painted. I am most definitely tired of Mr. Brown Dirt's mustard colored office (yes, that's the color he wanted).
I'm off to clean my kitchen window......now that's a project that has been way over due!!!

Oh.....and Goober says to say 'HEY'........

41 comments:

  1. Good to see you back! Love the clamshell. I think the clamshell is next up in the modern quilt world as the hot shape.

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  2. Oh my, where do I start? First I like your new header. New headers always catch my eye. Second, I may have to drive (I hate flying) and stalk you. I love your projects. Love them all. That quilt for the reunion auction will be HOT. I absolutely LOVE it. Yes I'm gushing. Good job girl. Your fabrics are wonderful. Everything is turning out so great. It is kind of nice to get a fresh coat of paint on things. I feel like 3/4 my house is that way and the quarter is stuck 15 years ago.

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  3. What a treat! You've been bizzy with some FUN looking projects! Love the baby quilt and the reunion quilt!! You should open up the auction to us. :-) Your clamshells are a delight. I have had them on my mind for a little while now, so I'm really tickled to see yours! Those are some GREAT vintage fabrics you received -- what fun!

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  4. Wowsers, a color explosion has been hap'nin under your sewing needles! Love, love all the bright fun.

    Yes yes yes to before and after photos!

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  5. Wow, wow, wow!!! I love every single project! That baby quilt is to die for... you know I can be a baby at times... hint, hint... LOL! Love the wonky houses too. What a trooper making a quilt to be auctioned off. I hope they all will appreciate all the work you are putting into this quilt. Beautiful! And you are just doing a fantastic job on the clamshell. OMG! Gorgeous! I would love to come over and have a sew in with you for sure. Such similar tastes! By the way, your quilting books look just like mine! I have every one in that stack. Too funny!

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  6. Hey Goober!!!

    Love the clamshells - I've thought about them, but that is as far as I've gotten.

    Yes, please, befores and afters - my favorite things.

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  7. Goodness, you have been busy!!!

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  8. Belinda, I can just see the bids going up, up, up on your quilt and the first one. Love it.
    Aren't quilters just so generous, they really stitch from the heart.
    You have alot of irons in the fire. I had jury duty this week, but had my fingers crossed and didn't get picked.

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  9. "Andy" is one of my favorite shows, I know them by heart.
    OK let’s talk quilts, I adore the baby quilt. That new little one will love the colors and I like the zig zag as is but it would still look cute if you added another in the opposite way.
    I would bid on one of your work of arts in a minute!! Love the reunion quilt! and of course who could not love the fabrics in and for you clam shell quilt, my you have been a busy gal and yes I would love to see pictures!

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  10. Ditto everything that has already been said. Love the 2 top quilts. I can send you a few vintage 50's scraps too if you would like them. Just let me know what size piece. Your auction quilt should bring lots of $$$. Anybody who doesn't buy a ticket needs their head examined!

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  11. bright colorful funness!!!! those houses are awesome - I love the stripey background on the one. wonderful fabrics. great fun. "enjoy" jury duty - hope it goes quick.

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  12. I'm ready to bid on that house quilt right now! It will be a big hit. I love love love your clamshell quilt. You've been busy!

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  13. I made it as far as your first two quilts, then was slobbering with the luschiousness of the fabrics and had to stop typing! Wow - what outrageous and gorgeous colors!!!

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  14. You certainly are going in many directions, but atleast all of them are fabulous! I love the auction quilt. What a generous donation. Guaranteed to raise a LOT of money.

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  15. Boo!

    Belinda - where do you get your energy from?

    I'm loving the clamshells and Sharon's fabrics are FAB!

    Woo hoo - you've got LQI!

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  16. Great quilts on your wall, Belinda - love all the colors!
    How fun to get all those pretty fabrics for your Clamshell quilt - nothing like including friendship into quilts! Good luck with the reunion and the auction, too.

    ; )

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  17. I'm lovin' each and every one of your projects!! I think the zig zag border is terrific just the way you have it.
    I hope your wonky house quilt raises lots of money!!

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  18. Hey Brenda, Looks like you have been busy and everything looks great! Your houses are darlin! I hope you make lots and lots of money! Happy sewing!

    p.s. Great books!

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  19. I love everything you are doing. I have to say the clamshells aren't really my thing but they look great. I love your wonky blocks for the baby quilt and the houses too.

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  20. Oh your reunion quilt is adorable!! Someone is going to be very lucky to take that home!! Love the top blocks too...so inspiring :)

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  21. Oh my you have been busy....My favorite is your baby quilt. It is just striking. My granddaughters would love that quilt!
    Great job on all your projects!!!

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  22. There is so much here to comment on and I am not up to writing a novel in the comment section. I'll keep it short and sweet....
    I LOVE IT ALL!!...absolutely love it. sigh...after I take it all in one more time, I am headed back to my projects of the moment!

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  23. Good Heavens you've been busy! Looks like fun. LOVE the vintage fabrics. Oh, heck, I love it all. Yes, would like to see before and after pictures. Please give Goober an extra pat.

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  24. Fun fun fun at your place with all the luscious fabrics and blocks. I love them all, I did that first one with nine huge blocks but I love your border and I think it's perfect. Love the fabrics that came in the mail, what treasures. I didn't know there was part two of the lone star book, I have part one and it's wonderful.

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  25. Oh wow, Belinda, where to start? I love it all! Your baby quilt is a ton of fun. Why couldn't you change horses in mid-stream and do part of that zigzag in reverse color order? That would be fun!

    Your quilt for the HS auction is wonderful! I think anyone that doesn't love it is missing something!

    I'm glad you're enjoying the fabrics. They look right at home in with your clamshells!

    Good luck with the house project. And YES to the photos....I LOVE before & after pix!

    Oh, and I really like your new header! And Hey! to Goober!

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  26. Oh my gosh these fabrics are fun and fantastic and I'm psyched for you! They'll be a great addition to the awesome clamshell which I'm so excited to watch. :) It's really a motivational visit all around. The baby quilt is GREAT! A zig zag border is the perfect way to round this out - great idea. Black and whites reversed? Either way is good I should think. No rules with this one. Fun is the story here. Speaking of stories, what a great story your houses will carry with them. I think this is so fantastic. Makes me super happy to read you're creating this for the auction for the reunion. That's very VERY cool of you. This way it'll go to a home where it's truly loved and cherished, which it should because it's just too darn cuteamous!

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  27. It's a joy to watch your awesome clam shell quilt come together. Those vintage fabrics are completely awesome. Purple daisies on a green polka-dot background--be still my heart! Love the bright baby quilt too!

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  28. I love ALL your projects especially the reunion quilt. Hope it raises lots of money xx

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  29. I love, love, love your quilts! What talent you have!

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  30. Your blocks are wonderful, love the bright, cheerful colors. Hope your quilt raises lots of money.

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  31. I especially like the baby quilt - so bright and surprising! Is there a pattern for your technique? I would love to try it - it's wonderful!!

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  32. I love your funky house quilt. It should do well.

    I think it interesting that all of your current posted projects are in the same color tones. Hmm, they must be your colors or your current whim. I typically have a large variety in my pool.

    LOVE YOUR BLOG!

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  33. WOW! they are all looking so lovely. The first two seem very "Gwen and Freddie" influenced - I love that!

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  34. Love, love, love the Wonky Houses. I have done a couple of blocks so far and have so many more I want to do. Now, if there were just twice as many hours in a day I could get it all done.

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  35. WOW, that was lovely to run into your colorful blog. I adore color and you nail it with everything you do. I just marked you on my favorites!

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  36. Beautiful projects! That clamshell quilt is going to be a beauty!

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  37. lots of great projects you have going on! the clamshell looks amazing, the baby quilt, fabulous! Class reunion quilt! I would't be able to turn it over... I'd keep it... ;-)

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  38. Just catching up on the rest of your blog. I really like the class reunion quilt. So sorry you were just feeling like it was right.

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  39. I love the clam shells. Looks fun to do

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