Finding Nemo Scrappy Trip (2 Rows)

Ooo La La!  I love the way these colors are going together!  Here's two rows already of my Finding Nemo Scrappy Trip quilt:

The sun wasn't shining, but I'm loving the bright orange streaks mixed through the blues/greens.
These blocks are addicting.  I'm shooting for a row a week.  Ahhh.  This week is already done.

Quilt Back Progress

I had time to piece a qiuilt back for a charity quilt.  I think it goes with the theme.

I found this little panel in my stash.  It will just get a plain one-piece back.

 

It doesn't seem like a lot, but it is progress to getting finished charity quilts and much-needed longarm practice.

2013 Finish-A-Long List Complete for Q2

On April 15, 1013 I linked up with.  You can see my post here.  I can't believe that I am staying focused and completing so many things off of my WIP list this year.  Whohoo for 2013 finishes!
It's not the end of April yet, and I finished my goals for the quarter.  Here are the finishes on that goal list:

Chasing Chevrons (view finish post here.)
 

Buckeye Beauty -- Mystery Quilt with Made by Love with Mary's blog (blogged here.)



I also finished my three bird Block Lotto blocks for April (blogged here.)



2013 Finish-A-Long Q2

 

Thanks to Finish-A-Long's and QA's for keeping me on target.  I can't believe I finished these two quilts!  I need to start setting bigger goals!

Saturday Quilt Parade

I volunteered to quilt a few quilts for our local quilt guild's charity drive.  Here's the little pile of quilts I selected from the LQG stash:

This one is all Christmas prints.  It should be easy to make a back for this one out of my stash.

This is a simple panel.  Another easy one to find something from my stash for the back.

I should have some browns/creams for this one.  Easy peasy.  I'm not sure how I'll quilt this yet.

 

Although this one looks simple, it will be more challenging.  The blocks are hand sewn and most of them are coming apart on the end.  Some TLC will be needed before quilting this one.

This one will take a little bit more planning for the back.  But we'll get there.

Adding FIVE more quilts to my WIP list!  But I love keeping my longarm dressed.  I have my Heather Spence mystery quilt on there right now but only half loaded.  I think I'll take it off and practice baptist fan on the quilt that needs TLC.  I'm thinking of doing Baptist fan on the Mystery quilt... I'm just undecided right now.  I need a plan on that one.

Hopefully you be able to see some of these as a Friday finish now and then!

Ironically just yesterday my friend e-mailed me to let me know where a church group gets their polyester batting for their quilts.  It's at this site:  http://okleequilting.com/store/  I thought it was pretty reasonable.  I ordered one roll.  This should be enough for 25 to 30 little quilts!  Keep those quilt tops coming--I guess!

On a super happy dance note... I completed my part of the MMMRR13 yesterday and sent it on it's way to the next quilter.  Whohoo!  Just in time!

Buckeye Beauty (Made With Love by Mary) Mystery Finished

I finished my Buckeye Beauty Mystery quilt at Made With Love by Mary's blog.  I loved what I learned using my simple circle template for the quilting.  It's rough, but it's a soft.  This quilt finished very soft. 

 

Finished quilt measures 44" x 56.5"  It went together quickly.  Again I used my 2" square die and my 3.5" HST.  Love my Accuquilt GO! Baby.

 

 

YEAH!!! I have met my April Goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes!!!

 

I'm happy to link up with Richard and Tanya Quilts for the Link-A-Finish FRIDAY.

This is also one of my WIPS I set as a goal on my 2013 Finish-A-Long.

Oooohhhhhhh how I love crossing things off my WIP list! The problem is that as my list gets smaller and smaller I have fewer and fewer tops to "dress" the longarm. Guess I better get on starting some other projects! LOL.

 

Finding Nemo Scrappy Trip Progress

Our little man was sick last night with the flu.  I just couldn't sleep.  I got caught up with a few movies and then just decided to sew.  Here's row 1 of my Finding Nemo Scrappy Trip.

WIP Wednesday 4.24.13

Here's what happened this week:

I got moving on this quilt.  I submitted it to my local quilt guild as my round robin quilt.  Each month someone from my guild will make two blocks for my quilt.  I provided all fabric and instructions.  I should get 20 blocks back at the LQG Christmas party.



I started a NEW project!  I can't wait any longer to do a scrappy trip quilt.  I cut tons and tons of my blues and greens from my string bin into 2.5" pieces.  Each block will have a strip of orange going through the center.  I call it my Finding Nemo scrappy trip.  In return I received a scrappy string-pieced block pattern to complete.



I completed three bird blocks for The Block Lotto.



I finished my Chasing Chevrons QA quilt!


I threw this little bear quilt panel on the frame.  It's almost finished!



I donated these two quilts to charity via my local quilt guild:



New Project
1.  Finding Nemo Scrappy Trip

Pieces still need to be cut1. Herringbone OSU quilt
2. Digging up Bones (Owen's dinosaur quilt) -- Gave blocks to LQG Round Robin swap 4.23.13

Blocks still need to be made
1. NY Beauty
2. Orca Bay
3. We Can Do It Skill Builder Sampler
4. Red/White Flower Basket Quilt
5. Maroon Star Sampler Quilt
6. Color coordinated hexagon quilt
7. Gourmet Quilter Sampler
8. Bluepatch Mystery Quilt
9. Amanda Murphy Designs (ugly fabric quilt)
10. Drunkard's Path Variation baby quilt

Blocks are made but need to be sewn together (and some sashing)
1. Block Swap Adventure Sampler (2011 - 2012)
2. Butterfly Blocks (that I won)
3. Orange/Blue Fish Blocks (that I won)
4. Split Stars (block won from the Block Lotto)
5. African Violet baby quilt

Quilt back need to be made (tops are done)
1. Grandma's WIP -- Cameo Rose (this one is a long-term project)
2. Grandma's WIP #2 (this is also a long-term project)
3. Tumbler Charm Quilt
4. Terry's Treasures Sew Along

5. Easy Street

Ready to longarm
1.  Dutchman's Puzzle
2. Heather Spence Mystery Quilt
3. Scrappy Christmas QA
4. Spring Mystery loaded 2/26/13 Eyelashes to rip out!
5. Bear/Rainbow panel (on the frame)

Quilted, needs binding
1. Made with Love by Mary Mystery Quilt -- Buckeye Beauty

Open ended projects (Pink highlighted items on this list are complete for April.)
1. Block Lotto Blocks
2. Block Swap Adventure Block
3. Modern Mini Mystery Round Robin 2013
4. And Sew On BOM project 2013

Each Wednesday I try to link up with Lee at Freshly Pieced. Sometimes the linky will accept my picture and let me link; sometimes it doesn't. But I try.



I'm also linking up with WOW on Ester's blog

 

Fully loaded potatoe casserole
A must try!!!!
8 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
... 1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (optional)
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
8 slices bacon, cooked, chopped, divided
1/2 bunch green onions, sliced

Place potatoes in saucepan, and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil over med-high heat. Cook until tender, then drain well.

Preheat oven to 375° degrees F.

Transfer potatoes back to the saucepan. Masher with a potato masher until almost smooth. Add cream cheese, sour cream, butter, milk, salt and pepper. Continue mashing until smooth. Stir in 1 cup of the cheese and half the bacon. Spoon mixture evenly into a lightly oiled 3-quart casserole dish. Use a spatula or fork to make an irregular surface

Bake for 20 minutes. Top with remaining cheese, bacon and green onions. Bake for 5 more minutes to melt cheese. Serve immediately.

Round Robin Block Exchange - Old Bones

This project was started mid January, 2013.  I am making it my Round Robin Block Exchange project at my local quilt guild.  Each member provides all the fabric for a quilt.  Pattern and everything is put in a bag.  Bags are exchanged each month at the monthly meeting.  Each month other members make two blocks.  At our annual Christmas party the bags get returned to the owner.  I needed to make two sample blocks.  Here they are:

 

 

Thanks, LQG, for helping me with this project.  I can't wait to see what is in each bag each month!

 

My friend's bag is going to be a little different... She trusted me with her fabric.  I am selecting her pattern.  She only knows what fabric is in the bag.  At Christmas she will get to see her quilt blocks.  Here's her fabrics:

 

I know exactly what I'm going to do with this!  Gotta rush and make two blocks for the sample.

 

Scrappy Trip Progress

Here's the progress on my scrappy trip quilt.  If you haven't seen all the beautiful scrappy trip quilts on Pintrest or Flickr, be careful... it's addicting.  We have Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville to thank for this beautiful block!  Here's the link to her instructions. 

My favorite layout is from Venus de Hilo, Stephanie's blog.  Yes, I am sewing the blocks together as I make them.  I believe my starting heap of fabrics is enough that I won't have to worry about the same scraps touching each other.  I call my color scheme Finding Nemo.  I have selected greens and blues of all kinds with orange going diagonally through the center of each block.  I LOVE it already!  Right now I am going with the 96" x 96" layout (64 blocks).  I have a feeling that this will not be my only scrappy trip quilt!

Scrappy Trip Quilt Started

I finally decided to tame a few of my blue/green/orange scraps.  Yesterday I met three of my Saturday goals.  I dumped out this bin and cut everything I could into 2.5" strips that were at least 16":

 

 

When he wasn't sorting pieces by big and little or turning the crank on the GO! Baby, he was busy in the living room "welding" his crockodile golf game to his skateboard with his ChuckECheese light.  He even had the visor down on his helmet.  LOVE LOVE LOVE moments like this.

 

AND my husband had his BEST RACING DAY EVER yesterday!  Whohoo!!!

 

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BOSTON 911 CARES Update: Below you will find the addresses where notes and letters of support can be sent to our brothers and sisters in Boston. PLEASE, at this time, no packages or food should be sent. Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts gift cards might be nice. Packages will not clear security at this time. Letters and gift cards will. Please share this on your personal site or other 911 sites. Make sure you include the wording we have provided. These are bog agencies and we want to make sure letters get to dispatchers.
Boston Police DISPATCH/911 400 Frontage St. 02118. Boston Fire ALARM/DISPATCH 59 Fenway 02115. Boston EMS DISPATCH/COMMUNICATIONS. 767 Albany Street 02118. All are Boston addresses. During any tragedy, your support of the brotherhood is appreciated. 911 CARES = we will update this as we can(Kevin)

***********************************************************************

FLUBBER
1/2 cup white Elmer’s glue
2/3 cup warm water
food coloring
1 teaspoon Borax
... 2 glass bowls

In a small glass bowl, mix together glue, 1/3 cup warm water and food coloring (add enough drop until desired color). In another glass bowl, mix Borax and 1/3 cup warm water. Pour glue solution into bowl containing Borax mixture, gently stir together. It will be wet, and within a few minutes it will set.

April Block Lotto BIRDs

Today I made three BIRD blocks for the April Block Lotto.  Although I love this block I only think I have time for three blocks for now.  There may more by the end of the month, but only three for now.

 

 

My husband is off playing "racecar" today.  He has a '67 Chevelle that he races at local dragways.  He hasn't be able to race a whole lot these past few years.  I am so happy for him as he can pursue his hobby as well.

Here's my sewing list for today:

1.  Make three bird blocks for the Block Lotto.
2.  Get Round Robin bag ready for my local quilt guild swap.
3.  Cut a bazillion 2.5" strips (mostly for a scrappy trip quilt).
4.  Take Bloom Bloom Pow and Brick Row Sewalongs off my wish list (lack of interest now.)

Chasing Chevrons QA Friday Finish

Here's my Chasing Chevrons QA quilt -- all finished!  Thank you, Jennifer, from That girl... that quilt...  blog for sharing your pattern and hosting this quilt along!  This QA started sometime in November, 2011.  I finished the quilt top on time with the QA, but never finished the quilt because I was afraid to quilt it.  I now have the confidence to do an all over stippling pattern on a big quilt!  Whohoo!  I love freehand stippling!  It measures a nice 71" x 71".  I have to admit that this was not really one of my favorite quilts, but now that it is quilted I love it.  Quilting really made this quilt!

 

In the photo the blue-background chevrons in the center get lost.  They don't seem as lost in real life.  The blocks were all cut with my Accuquilt GO! Baby dies.  That's how I got the smooth finish of the chevrons vs. a bunch of HST.

 

 

 

 

I'm happy to link up with Richard and Tanya Quilts for the Link-A-Finish FRIDAY.

 

 

This is also one of my WIPS I set as a goal on my 2013 Finish-A-Long.

 

 

Oooohhhhhhh how I love crossing things off my WIP list!  The problem is that as my list gets smaller and smaller I have fewer and fewer tops to "dress" the longarm.  Guess I better get on starting some other projects!  LOL.

 

 

 

Bear/Rainbow Panel on the Frame

Here's what's on my frame today.  It's just a panel of a bear with some balloons and a rainbow.  I thought it would be a good place to do some freehand practice.

 

I remember buying this panel in 1980.  I was going to make my first notted quilt.   My mom was making curtains and quilts for my two 3-year nephews.  I never did anything with it back then.  Sadly my nephew, Tommy, was killed in a tragic farm accident during that time.  I don't usually post stuff like this on my blog.  I'm still not over the hurt.  I still think of Tommy all the time.  Never forgotten.

Got this recipe from Michelle Foster's facebook page:

Crockpot Orange Chicken

Ingredients:
2 large carrots, peeled and sliced about 1/2-inch thick
2 large red or green bell peppers, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
... 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
8 ounces orange juice concentrate
2 cups Mandarin orange segments or fresh orange segments
2 Green onions, chopped
hot cooked rice
Directions:
Put carrots, peppers, garlic, then the chicken, ginger, salt, pepper & frozen orange juice in Crockpot. Cover and cook on LOW 4 to 6 hours. Serve chicken on hot cooked rice on platter. Top with orange segments and green onions. Serve chicken liquid in gravy boat, if desired.

On a funnier note, I have a work-from-home job in which I'm that operator standing by to take your call as seen in a lot of commercials.  I wonder if I will be selling this in the future:

LOL!