Just One Star and a Broken Heart

I was inspired by a recent Covered Porches post to join in and make a quilt block for the quilts being made for soldiers.  You can get the pattern to make one too for the Just One Star challenge that Moda is holding. Moda needs to receive them before May 1st.  I made mine out of scraps I had in my stash...and in looking for what to use became inspired to clear out a draw of fat quarters and scraps working them into either the 'scraps to be cut box'...see previous post :-) or into my wall cupboard that has the fabric sorted by colors.  Reorganization and clearing out is always a good thing.

This Psalms block was actually finished about a week ago but the pressing was not attempted and the photo not taken until today. I'm not showing the back :-) but it came out better than I first hoped. Pressing these blocks still has a ways to go on the learning curve.

This block is called Broken Heart and is for Psalm 34

I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Ps 34:4,7,18

Elinor went up to check out the beautiful blue sky.  She is a little camera shy but held her spot for just long enough.

Haven't started a pieced scrap quilt yet because I got distracted by this at Log Cabin Quilter.  I now have it mostly stitched down...had to move the pocket and still need to re-do the carrot.



it's a good week

Last year while walking the dogs, I met up with some quilters who were enjoying their own quilting retreat right here in my own neighborhood. You can read about that visit here.  So I knew they were headed back to town this year but it had been kind of a busy week for me and I hadn't seen them yet.  As I came by walking with the dogs, my DH and a nephew, I started to tell them about the quilters and then came upon this sign :-)  Quilters are so creative...even in ways to communicate.  I met up with them later and really enjoyed seeing them again along with the fantastic projects each of them were working on.  Sharon and Margaret both have blogs so you too can check up the projects they've been working on...at least maybe after they get back home.  This group really knows how to treat themselves to the best retreat and right on the ocean.

I have finished quilting a wall hanging for our friend, Tony but Blogger is not letting me add any more photos today so I will save that for another post. What I have been sewing on this week are bags to take to the market.  My friend, Tonya (hey there, Ms T) had me shorten and re-hem curtains a few years back and I've used the cotton duck from that project to make these bags. Only several more to go :-)

Ms. Elinor is still enjoying those dog beds!  Fortunately, there really is plenty of them to go around and the dogs are learning to adjust a bit.  It's nice to see the cats keeping everyone learning new style.

quick note here

Two Psalms blocks finished. The first is called "As watchmen wait for morning". This is for Psalm 130. "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Ps 130:5-6

The second block is called Morning Star and is for Psalms 143. "I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." 

 














I chose colors that reminded me of sunrise but I wish I'd placed them differently. This doesn't look good to me.

Underneath and to the left of where I sit at my computer is a dog bed.

For some reason, the cats have taken to sleeping on the dog beds.

Bridget is not sure what to do with this change.



Scraps

 Such lovely photos here of my hoarded leftover scraps from too many projects and years to remember.  I have dug through these piles and pulled out pieces but most of it is not that useful especially when I can't find what I'm looking for. I have admired Bonnie Hunter's quilts from Quiltville for so long and I finally decided to finally organize them like she suggests. Marianne is kindly helping me.

 And Bonnie is helping me too!  I was the lucky winner of her brand new book when I commented on Bonnie's post over at Stash Manicure.  I love the patterns in Bonnie's book and am feeling inspired to put my scraps to use. Until my stash is cleaned up, I am not likely to go shopping for shirts like she does but I will sure enjoy making these quilts.
Thank you, Bonnie!

Tuesday

It is a beautiful day here on the coast. You can see the blue water in the horizon... and a new picture of the almost completed roof across the street. It's a nice roof :-)

The neighborhood is peaceful even inside. This is a rare picture of Marianne and Elinor in sleeping coexistence.

For quilting projects, I have a couple of blocks to show you. This is a Lone Star made following directions in the book Stars By Magic.  I must say...it was fairly magical!  Pretty easy to follow and easy to get good results. Thank you to Mary at Quilt Hollow for inspiring me to take another look at this book. Where this block is headed is still kind of a secret so I will save the rest of the story for later.

This next block is the 20th Psalm block I've made. It is called Snowflake and is for Psalm 51. "Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow."

We are headed out to walk the dogs along the bluff. I hope it is a beautiful, peaceful day in your neighborhood too.

Giveaway Winners

Well, the Spiced Pears seem to be the most popular of these cute little pin cushions. Though I am still partial to the pumpkins.

Here are my first attempts.  I need more pumpkins and haven't started the tomatoes yet.  They are quick to sew up though so my garden will be growing soon.

 It was really fun to read about where each of you live. I hope to see more of the country someday and take in the beautiful sights.
I used the random generator for the 14 entries and it selected 14 the first time around.  So the Spiced Pears kit goes to Linda of Flourishing Palms.  The second "spin" chose #4 and so Big Delores,the pumpkin (my fav :-) goes to Yankee Quilter of Scraps and Threadtales. And since it is thought that the rg never picks #1...I was happy to see it show up this time for Elaine of Faithful Quilter who will receive the Heirloom Tomatoe. Please email me with your addresses and I will pop these in the mail right away.
I really wish I could send all three to everyone! Thank you all for joining in to help me celebrate blogging.

I was 'celebrated' in another fashion too.  I won a cool giveaway hosted by Kelly at I Have a Notion. This is fabric by Laura Ashley and it is beautiful. I love it! Thank you, Kelly.

Check out Kelly's blog today for an adorable pin cushion kit from Just Another Button company.  I love their cute pins....check out the IHAN website for crows and quilt blocks.

101st Post Giveaway

A big Thank you to all of you that have made blogging fun, inspiring and a community. To celebrate, I'm hosting a giveaway (and doing some shameless promotion) of cute pin cushion patterns. These are not just any pin cushions...they are tomatoes, pumpkins and spiced pears designed by a friend that I met through Melanie of Crazy About Quilts.  Rana of Pieces of Rana's Life has a fairly new pattern company offering designs for quilts, totes and these sweet little notions. Check out more of her patterns at Sewn into the Fabric

For the giveaway, I'm offering one kit (pattern,walnut filler, and some fabric to use) for each of 3 winners.  So join me in celebrating blogging by leaving a comment on this post and mention which one you would like.  If you care to make the replies extra fun to read, please let me know something you like about where you live. Next Monday I will pick three names (prolly using the handy random number generator) and announce those who will win a pattern and kit.