Scrappy Trips Around The World

I am just W-A-Y crazy over these Trips Around The World Blocks!! This is what we are making for our November BLOCK LOTTO. I made 9 blocks this time to enter in the drawing. These blocks were made using 2 1/2" strips I had saved up in my scrap bins. Your strips only need to be 16" long and your finished block with be 12". The pattern was taken from one of Bonnie Hunters tutorials on her QUILTVILLE website.

One of the main reasons I LOVE this block is it's versatility. You can get totally different quilt looks by just playing around and re-arranging your layouts as you can see in the different photos.

This is one of my favorite layouts along with the layout of the first photo I posted.

These blocks are VERY easy to make, but require a little more extra time than most blocks but I think they are WELL WORTH IT!!

I HOPE I WIN THIS MONTH!!!!!!!

Down Memory Lane with Bonnie Hunter

First quilts are always fun to see and to use as a comparison as to how far we have come. Some first quilts are comical and then some are quite grand and impressive. I think mine falls somewhere down towards the comical.

Bonnie Hunter over at Quiltville Blog has put up a link for anyone wanting to share their first quilts. She has a great post sharing about her first quilt!

Here is a photo of my first quilt (in the process of being finished). You can go HERE to read all about it. Finish photos also included!

Run over to Bonnie's blog and check out the other quilts......add your link too!

WHO CARES...!!!...???

I DON'T...!!!! It hit me the other day and I literally stopped in my tracks and actually said out loud "WHO CARES"???? Who cares how many Q.U.I.P.'s I have??? In laymen's terms that is Quilts In Progress!!

I just couldn't stop beating myself up every time I wanted to start or try out a new pattern I would come across. I continually scolded myself and pledged NOT start anything else UNTIL I finished EVERY project that was piling up!! NO NO NO I would tell myself.

Most of my Q.U.I.P.'s don't need a whole lot to be finished. Some I get bogged down on finding or having the right borders or backing fabric. Some just need to be "sandwiched". I have 2 right now that are sandwiched, basted and just need to be quilted. I am "hand quilting" on one right now that will be slow going. One quilt I am thinking about sending out to be quilted, but the "jury" is still out on that one, after all, I REALLY REALLY would like to do them all myself. BUT, as the Q.U.I.P.'s pile grows I may be forced to let someone else quilt some of them.....wah wah wah!!!

I've decided not to fret on it anymore!! I WILL eventually get them all done!!

The WINNER of my little guessing game in my previous post about HOW MANY of these Q.U.I.P's I have IS......JANET O......the VERY FIRST commenter!!!! My mouth dropped open to the floor when the very first commenter guessed the exact amount I have which if 22!!!! Ok.....there, I said it....22! Interestingly, it really didn't hurt that bad to say it out loud. After all, some of you who guessed fessed up to how many you have and several of you have W-A-Y more than me!! LOLOL

Way to go Janet, we'll get together on your mailing address so I can mail you YOUR PRIZE for being such a good guesser. WAY TO GO JANET from Rogue Quilter Blog.

SOOOOO.....WHO CARES??? RIGHT???? I am right...aren't I???

Leaders and Enders Flimsy Finish

YEP.......I've added another one to the PILE!!! I used Bonnie Hunter's Leader/Ender method to finally get this little flimsy created. It is her Basket-Weave-Strings quilt. I started this project way back HERE and I gave the instructions and a little tutorial on how I started it. This is a GREAT way to use up those pesky little strips and strings left over from other projects. I threw in a little bit of everything as I've shown in the following photos. I used a paper piece for my foundation and these blocks measure 5 inches.

This green strip is a LETTUCE print Mr. Brown Dirt bought me a Christmas or so ago. I did point it out to him that I was indeed using some of the fabric he gave me.

BUTTERFLIES outlined in some garish gold. The white with the blue design next to them is some cut up mens boxer shorts! Har har har!!!
OINK! OINK! Mr. Porky Pig jumped right in too!!!

I'm not sure how/where/when I ended up with this little tad of PINK FLAMINGO! Notice the AFTERNOON TEA selvedge in the upper right hand corner!

A-N-D these UGLY EASTER EGGS!!!!!

So SEE, this is an EXCELLENT way to get some OR ALL of those numerous and UGLY strips and strings out of your way!!! It's like getting a quilt for FREE!!!!! It was easy and mindless and I plan on doing another one or two. I could control the colors in the next one....Maybe RED WHITE and BLUE!!!

As I mentioned in the beginning about adding to the PILE, yes, I went through and rounded up ALL my Q.U.I.P.S......that's Quilts In Progress. I was amazed when I discovered how many I had. I should be ashamed!!! Do you care to make a guess as to how many I have PILED in the closet???? There might be a little prize if you guess it right!!

COTTON HARVEST is in full swing. Mr. Brown Dirt is already anxious for it to be over and I think he'll get his wish. Last year we harvested around 1800 bales of cotton and this year with the drought we will harvest only around 500 to 700 bales. Quite a difference indeed, but never fear, we always have CROP INSURANCE. Read about how we HARVEST right HERE.

Just to keep you informed.....COTTON PRICES are around $ 1.00 a pound right now. Mr. Brown Dirt says it will probable fall some before the year end. I WONDER if those FABRIC PRICES will fall some this year too???????????

Hand Quilting

QUIETLY

S-L-O-W-L-Y

QUILTING

Hand Applique

YIPPEE...WOO HOO...WOWZER and all that good stuff!!! I actually finished all 12 of the 12 blocks on my FIRST ever really truly ALL HAND APPLIQUED quilt!!!!!! I just had to put them up on the ole design wall to check them out!!! I must say I. LIKE.

You can go HERE to read how it all started!

I used the vinyl over-lay and needle turn method this go around, but there are some other methods out there I would like to try NEXT TIME. YES, there will be some more hand applique in my future.

OK, here's my question: these blocks are 20" in size. How in the world do I square them up or trim them down without having to buy one of those $60.00 dollar, over 20" rulers??????????

No Shopping Around Here

Would you believe me if I told you the following items are THE ONLY sewing/quilty things I have purchased since FEBRUARY?????Just a little ole marking pen and some bees wax for my thread when I'm hand appliqueing.

AND THIS PATTERN!!!! OH be still my heart!!!! COG & WHEEL LOVE!!!

Yep, I've kind of been on a fabric strike. The average price farmers got for their cotton this past year was 84 cents a lb.......NOT the 1.50 the market was showing. You can check with the DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE to verify. Yes, some farmers did receive the higher prices, but MOST farmers had CONTRACTED their cotton before it was harvested.

COTTON HERE AT BROWN DIRT COTTAGE RECEIVED .75 CENTS A LB.

My local fabric store had already started MARKING UP their prices BEFORE we had even started harvest.

SOOOOO, I have been a little MIFFED at a LOT of those who used the news media and the price of the 1.50 a lb. the market guys were touting as an EXCUSE TO MARK UP THEIR PRICES ON OUR FABRICS!!!!!

OK......I'll get down from my soap box...........WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON??????

Pinterest

I have some not so good thoughts about this PINTEREST craze....do you wanna here them? OK, here goes. I have begun to realize that a LOT of my photos here on my blog are ending up over on PINTEREST. If it wasn't for the fact that I have sitemeter I probable wouldn't have known it. I guess I should feel flattered and in a lot of ways I am. BUT......I feel my blog and all that is contained in it is MINE. When I started my blog I didn't share it with anyone who knows me. My little quilty blog was a place I could feel free to share my craft and sometimes some personal thoughts WITHOUT familiar people/others in my community/and certain other unwanted visitors always questioning me about what or why I was doing things on my blog. Up until now I have felt quite safe and anonymous here in my little corner of quilt blogland. No one I know in my area quilts so I felt pretty safe they would never end up here on my blog.

Today I discovered a photo of mine on someone's PIN that is one step away from a LOT of people that know me in my area coming to my blog. I don't like this. I feel sort of robbed of my peace of mind. Seems daily my blog is bombarded with those who just run in and take what they want. I have not had one person ask me it they could use my photos. You would think they could at least make nice and leave a comment, tell you they like your blog, your quilts or something!!!

Yes, I know.....some of you may think I'm over reacting, but until now my blog wasn't drawing anyone except other quilt makers. I've had contact with most of the gals who visit me, I pretty well knew who would be coming over for a 'read' AND my quilty blog buddies weren't taking my photos to share all over the NET. I'm not really sure how far my photos have gone.

I don't really want my next door neighbor here by accident because they clicked on a PINTEREST photo and ended up here.

As for the few tutorials I have done, they were done for my quilty friends......my loyal followers when they asked me to share my process with them. Of course I would share, it was sorta of a thank you for a lot of you who have also shared tutorials and how-to's. I know, I know.....when you post something on the internet it is there for 'whoever' but until PINTEREST came along I really didn't worry about it because only true quilters were interested.

I've done some reading and such today and there are some articles out there that describe the legality/copyright of taking photos and pinning them on PINTEREST. PINTEREST has removed themselves from legal action by getting those who sign up to agree in the setup to take responsiblity for what you PIN. They won't be responsible...you will be. The lady who wrote one of the articles I read said she had taken all of her pins down to keep it legal on her end, she being a LAWYER. I want to opt out of my photos being pinned. How do I get those who have already pinned to take my photos down. How would you find them all.......????? I just want things to go back to the way they were before PINTEREST rudely interrupted my blog!!

So.......these are my thoughts on the matter.

Do you have any thoughts????

Cute Surprise

Lookee what I got in the mail today!!! This CUTE CUTE CUTE little postcard!! What can I say.....I love it!!! My friend Julie over at Joe Tulips blog is a MASTER at making all things CUTE!!! She modge podged this up and sent it from Iowa to all the way down here to TEXAS! Click on her blog link above and go over and see how she makes these! THANKS JULIE!!!!

Here are the blocks I sewed up for the Block Lotto this month. It's just about time for the drawing. Maybe I'll win!!!!!

And here is a recent photo of the ole GOOBER dog. He's looking all serious and stuff.....don't you think????

Star Quilt Blocks

You just might get what you wish for if you wait long enough! And waiting might be a good thing. Remember that ole saying that "good things come to those who wait!!! WEll, good things came my way!!!!!

When you get what you waited for it might include A LOT of this!!! Sewing on papers and THEN removing all those papers!!!

It might also include separating out 12 months of blocks into their individual units!!

Because you waited there may be a TON of ironing and ironing AND ironing!!!!!! Lots of little tiny pieces to this project!

But look what you got for all that waiting!!! In January '2010' , I really really wanted to do this Susan Garman block of the month when EVERYONE else was doing it, after all, I am sooooo crazy for STARS!!! In fact, it was so popular Nedra over at the Cactus Needle set up a blog dedicated to just this STAR CRAZY block of the month that was featured on the Quilt Show! I think I had other things going at the time and I just didn't bring myself to buy the $225.oo+ kit at the time!! I was soooooo crazy over the fabrics in this project that I really wanted the kit. Could you hear my whining way over there in St. George Nedra?????

Well LO and BEHOLD Quilters Special had a 'special' on this monthly kit back in January of THIS year for 1/2 off!!! Yep....'cause I WAITED, I got this kit.....fabric (which was 23 yards and averaged around $5.oo-ish per yard.....printed pattern and all for

around $12o.oo-ish. KAPOW!!! What a deal!!!!!!

One of my favorite blocks so far! Isn't this amazing what I got for just waiting!!!! I have 6 months of this quilt done! Only 6 more monthly units left to do!!! YIPPEEEEE!!!!

DANG....I LOVE THIS QUILT.....'cause after all, I'm allllll about STARS!

Have You Ever......?????

I HAVE!!!! I've done it numerous times, in fact, I do it ALL THE TIME!!! I've done it outside.......I've done it in my swim suit and I've even done it in my night gown. I especially like to do it in my fancy flip flops........and I look really good doing it when my toenails are painted up cute!!!

I wash my hair outside with the garden hose!!!!!! Yep, I do!!! OK, I know you can see that my shampoo there is for colored hair. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!!!

Shampoo.........Rinse............Repeat..........

WOW...........THAT'S BRISK BABY!!!!!!!

....... with this heat...... my hair is steaming under my towel and I'll be dry and done in about 10 minutes..................now.......doesn't that feel better!!!

This is as dangerous as I'll be living today Joe Tulips!!!!!

Learning Something New

YES....I'm learning/teaching myself to hand applique! Here are 8 of the 12 blocks I have done so far!

Over a year ago I bought this kit from Piece O Cake for just 30.00 dollars!! Can you believe it!!! I was drawn to this pattern for it's old fashion look and feel AND for the great price! It also looked like an easy one for me to start with.

I am using the Piece O Cake way by just needle turning.....BUT... I have seen some other very interesting ways to do hand applique that I am soooo anxious to try! I haven't pressed any of the blocks yet and I hope all those little pin holes will disappear....aarrrgghh! I am using the tiny sequin pins they suggest!

These blocks are 20 inches! I must say it has been difficult for me at times getting all that fabric wadded up in one hand so I can keep it flat/smooth and easy to stitch. I have come to realize that solid fabrics show every little flaw as well.

But LOOKEE......here are blocks 9 & 10 of the 12.......yippee, I'm getting closer to a finish, and believe it or not I knew exactly how I was going to HAND quilt it before I even started, that is usually a big hold up for me in getting some of my quilts finished. I LOVE this quilt!!!!

Here are just a few of my Hand Applique Hereos:

Susan from SueGarman.blogspot.com

Janet from Quiltsalott.blogspot.com

Teresa from Fabrictherapy.blogspot.com.......Teresa has a fabulous 3 part tutorial on her process....go HERE to read about it!

Carrie from Apassionforapplique.blogspot.com

Go check out these gals and see the FABULOUS work they do!!! They are AMAZING!

I Just Plain Forgot

Shame on me, I've been such a bad quilty blogger and forgot to share some of my past little projects.
Pot pads I made for an 'unannounced' giveaway drawing I had last fall. They turned out w-a-y cute, wish I had made me one too! I ran out of the red/white strip binding fabric and DARN IT I can't find anymore.....wah!

The back showing how I quilted them.

I received this FABULOUS hand crafted Christmas postcard from my friend Julie who blogs over at Joe Tulips Quilts. She sent it to me after I whined and whined that I needed one!! HA! Do any of you know WHY I thought I needed one???? She is SOOOOOOOO crafty and creative. Run over and check out her one of a kind FUN quilts!

And yes the ever so TALENTED Nanette from Freda's Hive sent me this WONDERFUL Missy Christmas Caroler during this past holiday season. I just LOVE her!!!! She is just adorable and I have left her out so I am STILL enjoying her. THANKS NANETTE!!!

I whipped up this house block for Beth over at Love Laugh Quilt blog. A few months back she had all who wanted to participate to sew up a house block, send it in and she picked a winner of all the blocks. DARN, I wasn't the winner!

I used up some of my scraps, strips AND CRUMBS for some great potholders/pot pads to give out for Christmas stocking stuffers and party hostess gifts. I had already given some out before I remembered to take any photos. All of these from tiny pieces that a lot of quilters chunk in the trash.

AND FINALLY I got my letters finished and sewn together for my LONG IN THE TOOTH Halloween quilt that seems to just go on and on!. This is the LONGEST string of letters I have sewn together.

AND A BIG THANK YOU to DONNA at LAVENDER NEST!! She awarded me with THE STYLISH BLOG AWARD....THANKS DONNA!...go here to see who else won.

So there you have it...........who knows, there may be some more I've forgotten!

I HATE borders

........WEll......sort of........seems I dread doing them! I have several tops that would be finished if only I would just add the borders. It's not that I actually HATE the borders......borders add soooo much to a quilt. The main issue is WHAT I have to go through to add them. I don't have a table or counter long/large enough to accommodate laying out the whole quilt so I can measure and fit the borders to my top.....sooooooo.....here's where my love/hate for borders begin. Push the living room furniture aside.....drag out the vacuum and vacuum ONLY an area big enough for the quilt top....after all, I'm into borders at the time and NOT into vacuuming the whole room......spread out my top and THEN.....AND THEN.....this is when all the bending and squatting starts.....crawling around getting carpet burns on my knees......struggling to keep the GOOBER dog off the top so everything stays flat and smooth. By now I am working up a sweat and I turn on a little fan close by to help keep me cool and calm AND THEN the fan keeps blowing up my quilt top....SOOOOO, off goes the fan......LOLOL.....by now my fat butt has been up and down so much it's ridiculous!!!! BUT I REMAIN DETERMINED!!! The photo above is a close up of one I am working on today.....look at all those tiny pieces......these are called PARALLELOGRAMS!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this border but I HATE HATE HATE the process of getting it attached!! Those borders are getting added to this top. I participated in Bonnie's latest mystery quilt she featured over at her website Quiltville. This one is called Roll Roll Cotton Boll.....AND being a farm gal married to a guy who farms COTTON I figured I should do this one. I used up ALL of my white/off white scraps and strips. It felt good to get that bin emptied so I could freshen it up with some new prints! I didn't make mine as large as her instructions but I think mine will be plenty large. I have already been crawling around on the floor today adding a 1 3/4" bright green inner border with tiny white dots that is not shown in this photo. That tiny green border really made the top pop.....that is when I REALLY decided I liked the quilt. OK....I'm off to grunt and groan some more.....my plan is to get ALL the outside borders sewn on today. And if I'm NOT TOO SORE maybe I'll tackle the borders on my BUTTERFLY quilt. Does any of the above sound familiar?......WHAT DO YOU do when it's time for you to add your borders???