Birdies Top is Done! . . . I think . . .

Hello!  :)

When I last left you I had gotten the sashings and cornerstones on my Birdies Quilt.

I also had decided that I wanted it bigger than originally planned. The original plan called for one border which was going to be this . . .

So I got out my Sophie stash . . . Yes I have a stash of Sophie for another project! I love it that much!!!  :)  I decided to do three borders. Hope it's not too much!

I came up with this as the first border . . .

What do you think? I love it!  :)

Then a second border, the same size as the sashing . . .

This one looked good when I just laid the fabric next to the quilt but I'm not so sure with it attached. My original idea was to bring some of the stitchery color out to the border to balance the colors out. What do you think?

I went ahead and added the last border. I wish I had a better picture. I took tons of pictures but this is the best of them. It's hard to take pictures of something so big by yourself.   :(

So what do you think? Please let me know. I need some opinions here. Sometimes I look at it and I love it. Other times I just don't know. Is it too much? I am happy with the size now.  :)

I will be using this for the binding . . .

And this for the backing . . .

Looking forward to your comments and opinions. Thanks so much!  :)

Until next time . . .

A Full February 1st for Me!

Hello!  :)

I didn't get any sewing done over the weekend like I had planned. The hunky dude, the boy and I did go bowling though. I hadn't been bowling in over 20 years. I was pretty darn rusty . . . skills and body . . . lol! I've been paying for it ever since. We did have fun though!  :)

I had joined a Valentine's apron swap over at Country Pleasures. I thought the due date was February 15th for some reason, which is pretty odd since Valentine's Day is the 14th. Anyway the mailing due date was actually February 1st. So I got busy picking out the pattern and getting the fabric. Then I managed to get the apron plus an extra one for me sewed up pretty quick. Of course I can't show them to you yet but I will soon. I mailed it out today so my partner, Gail of Faithfulness Farm, should receive it soon and then I'll share both of them with you!  :)

I had a pretty productive day today. I finally got the two Snowman Blocks I made for a January Block of the Month Swap mailed out to my two partners.

I also got the charm packs mailed out to the giveaway winners from Monday. So Jennifer and Gail they are on the way to you! Enjoy them!  :)

While I was at it, I got the I-SPY charms mailed out for the charm swap. I'm ahead on this one as they're not due until February 15th. I know I'm shocked too! I'm never early!  Lol!  ;)

That was the end of the mailings today. Whew! It was nice to get those items off on their way!  :) I did manage to make two mini blankets for Doobie today but forgot to take pictures of them. :(  I did take a picture of him earlier today all swaddled up in my blanket though (he was cold).  :)

He's so cute and sweet! Isn't he?!!! He looks like a puppy here but he's not. Do you see his new license? I finally went and got it so he's legal now!  :)

I was even able to make some more progress with the Birdies today!  :)  I managed to get all the sashings on. I decided to go ahead and add some cornerstones where the inner blocks meet using the border fabric. What do you think? How's it looking so far?

I'm loving how it's looking but it's a little too small for me. I know it's supposed to be a lap quilt but I think I want it a little bigger. So far there's only one border to add. Tomorrow I think I'll play around a little bit and maybe add two borders instead of just one. Next time you see it the top should be finished. I hope so! It's not that I'm trying to rush. It's just that I've been dying to see how this one turns out. It's for me! I'm so excited! :)

And if that isn't enough . . . Today the mailman brought some goodies to me!  :)

It's one of my Snowman Blocks for the swap! Isn't it cute?!!! My partner Toni also sent me 4 fat quarters of snowman fabric, some sewing machine needles and thread! I'm a lucky girl!  :)

Here's a close up of the block. She designed it herself! I love it!  :)  Thanks Toni! You did a great job!  :)

Until next time . . .

All Cut & Ready to Go!

Hello!  :)

I'm still avoiding cleaning . . . but I'm going to get moving anyway!  :)  I cut all the sashing, borders and binding for my Birdie Stitches Quilt. I also cut some cornerstones but I'm not sure if I'm going to use them or not.  I'll lay it all out and then decide. It looks so pretty! Can't wait to see it all put together!  :)

I received the fabric I ordered for the I Spy Charm Swap at Midnight Maker last night. So I got it all cut and ready to send out. I really love the umbrellas and the duckies aren't too bad either!  :)

Last but not least, I cut all the pieces I need for a surprise project that's been on my to-do list. It will be nice to get this one behind me. I'm way late on it. Can't wait to see how it turns out either as it's all in my head. I'll share it with you when I can.  :)

That's it for now. I better get my behind over to my sewing area and dig that sewing machine out so I can get sewing!

Until next time . . .

Friday Night Sew-In Fun!

Hello!  :)

Well I did it! Kind of anyway. I didn't get the sewing area cleaned.  :(  Hunky dude wanted me to run errands with him. So I did!  :)  When I got back home I was thinking about what I could work on that didn't involve my sewing machine since it was still buried. Then it hit me! I never got a chance to work on the final block for my Birdie Stitches Quilt. So I printed the pattern out . . . traced it on the block, I already had made for it, and got to work stitching it. Here it is . . .

Not a great picture . . . but I'm happy with how it turned out!  :)  I'm also elated because now I've finished stitching all the blocks for the quilt! WooHoo! You can see my other blocks here, here, here, and here. The next step is to cut the other pieces for the top and put it all together. I'm excited and can't wait to see how it turns out. Hopefully I'll be able to get my sewing area cleaned up so I can get back to more of the fun stuff!  :)

Check back here after midnight on Sunday, January 22nd for my charm packs giveaways!  :)

Until next time . . .

Stitch-N-More :)

Hello!

Guess what I finished this week??? I finished the last stitchery (so far anyway) for my Christmas Stitchery Mini Quilt. Here it is . . . 

The very last stitchery will be available this Friday. I can't wait! Maybe I'll get started on piecing the top before it comes out so I can get ahead of the game. We'll have to see if I can get motivated to do it.  :)

Guess what else I did? The latest Birdie Stitches Block of the Month . . .  

The November block was released on November 1st. I sat down to get it started and couldn't stop until I finished it! I added some extras to it too. :)  I had forgotten how much I love this Sophie fabric and these birdies! I really enjoyed working on it and can't wait until the last block comes out on December 1st. Wonder if there will be a Christmas tree? I bet there will be one!  :)

Today I received a couple of surprises in the mail . . . 

The first was a Thanksgiving quilt block from Toni in Pennsylvania. This is part of a 12-month quilt block swap over at Mary Jane's Farm. Here's the block . . . 

Isn't it wonderful! She did an awesome job appliqueing it! Thanks so much Toni! I love it!  :)  Toni also sent me three other items she made . . . a towel, a washcloth and a card! I'm a lucky girl!  :)

It was like an early Christmas here as I also received this in the mail . . . 

A fall apron made for me by Raine in Wisconsin. Through another swap at Mary Jane's Farm. Isn't it lovely?! She really did a nice job with it! Thanks Raine!  :)  She also sent me some apple fabric and a Thanksgiving towel. How sweet! Love it all!  :)

Be sure to come back here tomorrow. As tomorrow is the day . . . It's the day I reveal my Ghastlie projects! I have given you a couple of hints in the past. Remember this . . . 

and this . . .

What in the world could they be? Can you venture a guess? Well the wait will be over tomorrow! I will be posting them at 12:01am (eastern time) Friday, November 4th! Shhhhhh . . . don't tell anyone . . . but I'll be giving one of my items away! Be sure to come for a visit tomorrow!  :)

Until next time . . .

All Caught Up!

With the birdies that is!  :)  I still have many more projects to start... work on... and finish.  :)  But the birdies are done until the next one arrives on November 1st. I can't wait to see the last two. I'm so glad I decided to go ahead and join in on the Birdie Stitches Block of the Month quilt-a-long. If you haven't checked it out do so. They are so much fun! Okay... I know... you're dying to see the last three blocks I did huh?!!! Before I show you I want to let you know that the photos aren't the best... sorry!  :(

For the June block I decided to go with the design Kimberly (mybrownbagstudio) used. She adapted parts from the original design and added a few of her own. Here's my June block...

For the September block I kept the design as is but did add an apple.  :)

The last block I completed is a signature block for the back of the quilt. I took some elements from the original June block design and added my signature and the year. It's kind of hard to see it in the picture... sorry!  :(

I'm kind of sad that I'm all caught up. I will miss the birdies!  :(

Tomorrow I will work on some of my many other projects. I'm hoping I can knock at least one thing off my plate. Keep your fingers crossed that all goes well!  :)

Thanks for visiting! I love your comments!  :)

Until next time...
Cherise  :)

The Birdie's are Flying!

Wow! I'm quite impressed with myself! (That doesn't happen too often... lol!) The birdie's are flying around here. The last time we talked I had 4 done with 6 to go to get caught up with the Birdie Stitches Block of the Month Quilt. Guess how many I finished in the last couple of days? ................................................. 4! I finished 4 more! I can't believe it! I thought maybe 2... perhaps 3... but I never thought I'd finish 4! Now I only have 2 more to get all caught up. Yipeeeeeee! Here are the ones I just finished.

Block #5 ~ May ...

Block #7 ~ July ...

Block #8 ~ August ...

Block #10 ~ October ...

I still have June and September to do. I'm actually going to use part of the June design as a signature block for the back so I actually have 3 more to do to be caught up. I've been trying to decide what design to use for the June block. That may slow me down a bit :(. I will basically use the September design as is but will add a little more. (At least that's what I'm thinking right now... but I'm a woman and I've been known to change my mind ;)!)

I'm just so excited about these little birdie's that I can't stop! I may have withdrawals when I'm all caught up. I've really been enjoying it! I know I keep saying it but I really am! I do have another stitchery project waiting to begin so I will still get my stitching fix. I really need to get back to some other projects I put on the back burner too... Cutting & Mailing my Christmas Fabric Charm Swap  ... 2 Halloween Quilt Block Swaps ... 2 Thanksgiving Quilt Block Swaps ... at least the due dates are over week away... whew! Then I have the Halloween & Thanksgiving aprons that I'm making for myself. They're all cut and ready to sew. Of course I have other projects that are in the works too. Boy this quilting/sewing bug has really bit me big time! I haven't even mentioned the fact that I'm in a Christmas boutique November 17 - 19. Guess I better get started on making things for that too. And then there are Christmas gifts to make! Yes I've overextended myself! (Just a little!!!!!) I always do that. Not quite sure why. It's just my way I guess. There's nothing like stress to motivate you.

Guess I'd better get going and tackle some of these projects. I hope you are doing well and making lots of awesome stuff! Please share your creations with me. I really enjoy seeing them!

Have a Wonderful Day!

Until Next Time...
Cherise  :)

Progress!

Hello! I didn't get any actual quilting done this weekend but I did make some other progress. I managed to get the stitching done on 4 of the Birdie Blocks, for the Birdie Stitches Block of the Month Quilt! Now I'm only 6 behind... lol!  :)  It was very relaxing and satisfying. I really enjoyed it!  :)

The pictures aren't the greatest but here they are...

Block #1 ~ January...

Block #2 ~ February...

Block #3 ~ March...

Block #4 ~ April...

What do you think? I'm basically following the patterns but I'm also adding a little here and there.  :)  I really like how the Sophie fabric's looking. I haven't done any stitching in quite a while and forgot how much I enjoy it! I have some other projects I need to work on, but I think I'll put those off for one more day and get another block (or two) done.  :)

Hope You Have a Marvelous Day!  :)

Until Next Time...
Cherise  :)

Rainy Day Progress

Today was a nice, cool, refreshing, rainy day in Southern California. I loved it! I love the rain! I wish we had more days like this.  :)

Can you see the rain? Do you smell it? Okay... I know this isn't smell-o-vision... lol!  :)  Someday we will have it. Can you imagine?! I love the smell of rain!

The boy's been home all week with his cold/asthma. I was hoping he'd be going back to school tomorrow, but his cough is still too bad, and he's still needing multiple asthma treatments. Maybe Friday??? I am feeling better though. More like myself again! Yea!  :)

I managed to get some work done with my Birdie Blocks today. Remember where I left off? I had a pile of centers and rows to stitch together...

I got them all done! Yea! I did have to use the seam ripper and fix some of them a couple of times because they just weren't lining up right. :(   Here they are all laid out...

And all stacked up...

Doesn't the Sophie look yummy!??? You can tell I love this fabric, huh?!!!  :)

I picked out my floss colors to match my fabric and got my needles out all ready to go.

Next step is to trace the patterns on the blocks. Since I'm so far behind... should I just start with October and work my way back? Or start with January, like everyone else did, back in January? Hummmmm.....

I signed up for a Halloween Quilt Block swap so I got my Halloween stash out today...

Cute, huh?!!! Don't you just love the creature mixing the potion! Hopefully my partners (I'm doing two) aren't reading this. I'm hoping to start on the blocks tomorrow. I'll be making the two blocks for my two partners, and one for me. Then after I swap I'll have three different Halloween blocks. These blocks are for a 12-month block series that's beginning with the October one. After I get these done I'll be working on Thanksgiving ones. At least these are pretty quick projects that won't need to be put together and finished until next year.  :)

Hope you're having a nice week!

Until next time...
Cherise  :)