Getting Ready for VACATION !!!

As you can see, Jake is really helping me out a lot!!! In the bag are the Dear Jane Blocks that I hope to work on while at the Beach. I think that I have close to 25 of them ready to work with. I am sorry to say, that I am that far behind.


I intentionally left out the triangles for the top row of the quilt as they are to complicated to work without Anina's directions. I will really have to work hard to complete what is in the box.

Just so I don't go into applique' withdrawal I am also preping another block to my "Cottage Garden" quilt. This will be block #5 out of 9 for this piece. This block is called "Pleasures of Summer". Lots of stems and lots of small flowers. Heart shaped leaves. Lots and Lots of stuff. We will just have to see how this goes. I probably should take my current Baltimore Block, but, I am currently sick of working on grape leaves!!!

Piper finished with Vacation Bible School on Friday. She had a wonderful week. There must have been at least 100 children for VBS at the church. They had an amazing number of volunteers to help with these children. Piper has been very fortunate to be in a position to participate in preschool, kindergarten, and all the summer programs.

I am not sure when we will leave for the beach. There are so many of us going that we will have to have 'round robin' sleeping arrangements. While some of us are at the beach, some will stay home to take care of animals and watch property. Then after a few days we will switch off so that everyone can be there at least for a while.

The "Artful Bra" exhibit is currently being shown at:

Quilters Cottage

St. Michaels Plaza

2571 S. Ocean Hwy - Business 17

Garden City, S C 29576

843-651-4004 /fax: 843-651-4033

If you are in the area, stop and see Pat and Rhett. This is a wonderful shop with very, very "Happy Fabric" and a very sociable staff to help you.

So, if you don't hear from me for a few weeks, never fear, I'll be back. So in the eloquent words of the President of Devine Quilters: "GO SEW SOMETHING!!"

This Weeks News

I spent the several days at Myrtle Beach this week. Our annual Dental meeting was there and in the evening I had some time that I could put to good use.


This block is E-3 Paddle Wheels. Kinda cute. 20 pieces. Paper pieced.















This block is H-7 Bennington Star. Really wierd piecing if you use the paper pieceing pattern from the DJ program. I like the fabric that I used.

This block is G-5 Poof. Cute name. No a mouse did not eat the corner. My fabrics were cut a little close. Hope it does not interfere with setting it in the quilt. If it does i will just remake the block.














This is H-10 Ben's Bowtie. Again paper pieced.


With this block completed I have now completed 92 blocks- 15 Triangles- 0 Kites- for 2,038 pieces. Not bad, but still a long way to go.





I worked on another block during my trip, but you won't see it until I re-do it. Can't get the applique to line up.





Now, I am going to try to show you a picture of what I have to date. The fabrics are close in color, but not pattern. Any block that appears in gray would be one that I have set up to complete but have not yet done so.

I did it!!!!!!!!!!! Yea!!!!!!!!!!











I do hope that everyone has a good week. It is time for me to go back and spend some time on the Guild quilt for Devine Quilters. I'll let you know next weekend how that goes. I also have some photos of the grandchildren, I'll get those up soon.
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I really wasn't sewing

Really, I did not do these this weekend. These are some of the hexagons that I put together following a class based on the 'One Block Wonder' books. I took the class at the Quilted Pearl several weeks ago. Sara Quattlebaum taught it and this is what I have so far. My design wall has shrunk due to "stuff" being "stuffed" into a corner of my studio. I am going to leave them on my wall for a week or two to simmer. I may have to stir them periodically to get just the right mix that suits me. Once I have the right mix, then I will start to sew them together.

This is the actual fabric. Isn't it amazing the difference? I really want most of the blue to be in the lower left corner. I have other blocks to go there, just not enough room. I am not real sure what size or what type of borders that I will put on this piece. Right now, it just has to simmer.

I spent most of the day finishing preparations for Quilt Camp. I have 6 projects to take with me. The major one is to catch up with my Baby Jane, I am so far behind. Then there is the quilt for the Library Exhibit for the end of the year. I also have fabric and an idea for the guild challenge that I might work on. It is hard to work on a Guild Challenge at camp since I can't keep it a secret from other guild members. I am lucky to have many of them with me.

I almost forgot!!! The Bra's are coming to Columbia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited about this. A gallery exhibit in the Vista area of downtown Columbia, S. C. Fantastic!

The Quilters of South Carolina
Invite you to view the
ARTFULL BRA EXHIBIT
March 2-15, 2009
The Gallery at DuPre
807 Gervais Street
Columbia, S. C.

Opening Reception- Thursday March 5 at 5:00PM



That's it for now. I'll be on retreat with Just Stitchin' Thursday to Sunday, so you won't hear from me. I really doubt that I will have a post until sometime next week. So, have a good week or two and stay tuned for more news.

Long Weekend

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I do hope that everyone is safe and well. I have had some time off and have really been stressing over a piece for an exhibit for August of 2009.

Rocky, has been in trouble this weekend. He decided that Dick's shoes were a tasty treat. Needless to say, Mr. Greer, is not very happy with young dog. How could anyone be upset with this 70lbs of licking love?



Jake just spends his days napping. He really tries to ignore Rocky, but, when that is not possible he barks at Rocky and snaps at his head. Rocky yelps and runs, but, no one is hurt and Jake gets his point across.



What has Joyce been doing this weekend you may be asking? Actually if this is your thinking, then you should really get a life. Maybe I should too. I have been playing with something for our library exhibit for Devine Quilters. I have actually been working on this for 3 days at the machine. Two to three days with EQ and some type of design. One of the main ideas is for our pieces to have lots of color in them. I don't think that this qualifies.




Other things required are: nine patch block, a star, using a snowball block, churndash blocks. You don't have to use all of them, but at least 3 of them. You can distort the blocks in any way. I don't really know where this piece or this post is going, but I will keep working on it. The red-orange piece of fabric on the left, may work its way into this piece, I just don't know. I am really in a quandry over this piece. This is 1/2 of the piece as I have it now. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Each block section in this piece finished 2 inches. The size of the piece is also set to be 36x48, so that all of the pieces will be a uniform size.

I really hope to work on my Baby Jane tomorrow. It just depends on whether or not this library piece turns loose of my brain.

Back to Baby Jane

I have finally caught up again. During Christmas I could not get to my machine. So, here is what I did yesterday.

TR5 Michigan Dunes

L-8 Box Kite

K-4 Thea's Turn

K-13 Brandon's Star



G-3 Four Leaf Clover





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Baby Jane and other "Stuff"

I had lots of company in the Studio yesterday to "help" with my various projects.
This is Rocky and Patches. He really gave her a hard time yesterday. It was cold outside, so Dick decided that he needed to be inside. What a day!


He harrassed that cat all day. Rocky loves to lick, like any Lab, and Patches was soaking wet most of the time. She really was patient with him.

This is Jake. He is a 15 year old Lab Shephard mix that we adopted 15 years ago as a puppy. He really can sleep with his head in this position. He is the very best dog we have ever had. Rocky has a lot to live up to.

This is another block to my Cottage Garden Quilt. This makes block number 3. Only 6 more to go!!! This project will have to age for a while so that I can get back to work on Christmas.

Now, to Baby Jane. I have caught up again.

This Green and white block is D-7 Meeting Place

The yellow and white blockI-3 Family Album

This multi-color is L-4 St. George's Cross

This triangle is BR (Bottom Row) 8 Thunderhead.

This brings my Dear Jane signature to :

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Who would have believed that I could accomplish so much in just the 8 months that I have been working on this project. I didn't actually start until March. I am loving this project.

Have a good week and a Great Thanksgiving!!!

Back to Baby Jane

I am finally trying to catch up with my Baby Jane. After Quilt Camp, QSC's retreat, and fulfilling other obligations I can get back to this.




This red and white block is C-5 Eye of the Cyclone. It required a little piecing and a little applique. Lots of fun to do







Next Up would be yellow and white and called C-4 Tic Tac Toe-variation 1. This required some
paper piecing and a little adjustment on the corners. What fun!

Then there is the purple block. A-10 Which Points West. Boy!! was this a bear!!! Anina provided us with some wonderful instructions to help out with this block. When I started it I really did not think it would work our, but, SURPRISE it finished perfectly. Thanks Anina.

Now we have our triangle. This is Right Side Triangle 8, Love Forever. Total reverse applique and great fun.

These are the blocks that I have completed today. Hopefully I can do something toward Christmas presents tomorrow. I also need to up load some of the pictures from Quilt Camp and from our Guild Challenge, Devine Stars. See you soon.

Hooray It's Done!!!!

I can't believe it. Anina assigned this block, A-5 which is called Cathie's Campfire, and I had already done it at some other time.

So, hooray it's done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now to try to finish getting ready for QSC's Fall retreat. I have my blocks cut and all of the blocks together, except for the star blocks. I am taking a class to make a quilt called "How Far Is It to Bethlehem?" from the book Adoration Quilts by Rachel W. N. Brown. So all I have to do now is get the rest of the fabric together for the applique.

I'm also taking a class this weekend on a 4patch swirl, but in miniature. This quilt is similar to the Stack and Whack, except it is a four patch and this one is in miniature. Can't wait to start this one.

Need to get back to work. Have a good week,

Baby Jane is 6 months old!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Baby Jane is really growing. She is 6 months old!!!

This first block is E-9 Quilt Jail. It was fun to piece. Again, we paper pieced this block.


It is amazing to me that I am 6 months into this project and the progress that has been made is because of Anina and her hard work on these blocks. Thank you Anina.

For those of you that say you could never do this, you are wrong. I have not hand stitched any of these blocks, with the exception of the applique blocks. Everything is being done on the machine. I am using the Dear Jane software, and it has been invaluable. I am also using the Dear Jane rulers (tools), the square and the triangle.



This triangle is RS9 (Right side 9th from the top) Danish Delight.
I have also decided that as I make a block or triangle that I will cut a plain triangle for the border out of the fabric that I use for the block. That way, I won't have so many to do at the end of this project.

I still haven't decided what I want to use to sash these blocks, so I haven't started doing any of that.

Now that I have my assignment complete for this week I can work on a Christmas present. I really need to complete the quilting on one of those quilts.

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you affected by hurricane Ike. This is one BAD storm. Stay safe.




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Reporting In-This is a Long One

The only thing that I am up to date with is Baby Jane. The Green and Peach block is J-4 Adalaine's Apron Strings completed months ago. The red and pink block is L-3 Reflections Abound. The Green and white block is H-8 Eaton's Cross Roads. I only have to complete this weeks triangle and I will do that tomorrow.

I am so far behind on Christmas, that I may never catch up. I have to complete the quilting on the quilt for Alexis, Piece and quilt the one for Piper, and figure out what to do for Austin and get it done.

The picture of my design wall will give you some idea as to the mess that I have in the studio at this time.

1. The star quilt that I started in a class last week.

2. The House and Vase of flowers for one of the applique quilts that I am working on.

3. My red, black, and white miniature--that I just love to look at.

4. You can see one sleeve of the jacket from the class last month.

5. Look closely and you will see a few rows of a miniature tumbler that I have started

6. There is a possible border for the Just Stitchin' mystery from last February

7. Two blue and white miniature star blocks--what for? who knows!

8. On the table you can see the art bra's that I am working on for QSC challenge

9. There is a portrait block of Piper that I did a year and a half ago that I hope to do something with very soon.

10. Two applique blocks from 2 years ago and Just Stitchin's trip to Palm Key

ON THE TREADMILL:

11. Lexie's quilt that I am quilting

12. A Love Quilt from Guild that needs binding

13. Kristy's lap quilt that needs the binding sewn down.

ADD TO THAT:

We are only 4 weeks away from FALL QUILT CAMP and all the surprises that come with that.

I think that I need to get back to work. Something needs to be finished this weekend.

Have a wonderful and safe Labor Day.

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Back to the Baby

I have finally caught up with my Jane. Anina took a few days off to take a trip, so that gave all of us some extra time.

The triangle is BR-6 Frank's Rickrack. This was a BEAR to piece. Anina had offered some suggestions, but, did I take the advise? Of course not!!! I finally got it together today and I am sooooooo happy to have it done.

The green block is K-12 Doris's Dilemma. It was very easy and I am really happy with the way it looks.

Now we get back on track with two blocks a week. I can't believe what we have accomplished. I started in March working with this group and I have completed 55 blocks and 3 triangles for a total of 1003 pieces. I am not sure that I have posted pictures of all of them, or if I have gotten them all into the flicker account, but I do have them all in a notebook and all listed on an excel spreadsheet.

You did hear that didn't you Anina??





















Busy week planned this week. Tuesday night is applique group, Thursday night is design group, Saturday is a class at the Quilted Pearl. I'll post somemore this week to share Piper's Birthday Party. It was so much fun.


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