Seeing Red

 After worrying about whether these reds would run, I decided to wash and iron them all - not fun, but now it's done.  Several of them ran quite a bit so I'm glad it did it.  I have decided to use my reds, pinks and grey for my version of Easy Street.

When I looked at these pictures, I realized that several of the fabrics were reading really purple.  They have been pulled and are in a pile for another project.

A sweet friend of mine offered me some of her white/black fabric stash after reading my post where I had run out of enough variety.  I also made a trip to Mary Jo's (happy dance) while I was at my daughter's house in Charlotte over New Years.  Even though the prices have gone up, it's still a wonderful place to shop.  I'm very pleased with my collection of white and black prints now.

I'm hoping that my selection of colors will work well for Easy Street.  Since I cheated and waited until the final picture came out, I had a better idea where I wanted the colors to go.  The units so far have gone together very well.

 

My first 2 days of work have gone fabulously!!!  Monday night I fell asleep in the chair trying to work on a binding LOL!  I guess my little brain was completely exhausted.  I think it's going to be a really good fit for me.  I'm off to sew :).

Karen

Angels Watching Over Me

        Some of you may remember that last Dec. I shared that I had lost my job at the lawfirm where I had worked for 18 years.  The partners decided to close the doors.  I have spent the past year doing some contract work, looking for work and being on unemployment.  Today I started a new job.  This job is the answer to a lot of prayers, and it looks like a perfect fit for me!!!  It will be part time, very flexible, working as an administrative assistant for a tax attorney who now has his own financial planning/ wealth management firm. 

 

This is one of the angels from my angel quilt.  It seems that the angels have been watching over me this year.  Today was a good day, a great start to a new chapter in my life.  Who says an old dog can't learn new tricks?? :)

Hope you all had a great day,

Karen

Not Much Progress...

We are still in NC enjoying our family, but will head back to Florida tomorrow.  I haven't done much on this trip except for eat, play cards, watch football, eat and play with my grandchildren.  All in all, it's been pretty perfect.

I am slowly making progress on my little project.

I'm done with the machine piecing and have been trying to work on the applique.

I know when this gets done I will love it!! But I've had trouble getting into a groove.

This picture of my mom and me was taken as we were leaving my parents' house in High Point, NC.  We played about 100 games of Skipbo - and I'm not exaggerating :)!!!!  Such fun.

Happy New Year to you all, this year has been such a fun one for me as I've gotten to know some of you so much better.  I've got news that I'll post about in a few days.....

Karen

My Leader - Ender Project Update

I was looking for something the other day and found another orphan block (gifted to me many years ago by a sweet friend).  All I have to do is finish adding the rest of the leaves. Not even sure what pattern this is but I love it!

Since the colors were so perfect, I started putting some of my leader/ender hst's around it to just play around (you know, 15 minutes of play). :)   This has A LOT of potential!!

Here's the original star that I shared before, plus another orphan block I found.   I had been playing around with this layout and it was looking good............ until I starting robbing the blocks for the flower block.

I've started sewing some of the units together into flying geese units, hst rows and the square in a square block.  Trying not to do too many as I don't want to limit my options.

These are all the triangles I have left (in the basket) - so when I finish making all these units, I'll see where I stand.  It's still going to take a while unless I just start sewing :)!!  Leader/ ender blocks are such a brilliant idea - thanks Bonnie!!

Have a great day,

Karen

I tried to resist, really I did....

I've participated in 2 of Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilts - Roll, Roll, Cotton Boll and Orca Bay.  Of course, neither one is quilted yet, but the tops are done - except for a border on Orca Bay.   And I was going to stay away this time, but the whole mystery of it just got to me - so Easy Street has begun.

So far, Step 1 - 71 blocks.  I already know I don't want to make it as big as hers, so I'm holding off for now.  Plus I have run out of a variety of white and black prints - so this is it for at least a week.

I went ahead and made my kitty block - love him :)!!  I don't have many of the colors she's using, so I'll be changing them.  I just need to see a little more before I decide what colors to use.  This morning's clue did not help me one bit!!  I know that's kind of cheating, what with it being a mystery and all...... but life is too short to end up making somethig you don't like!  I've been collecting grey, pink and red fabrics - so I'm thinking I'll probably lean that direction. I do like the grey blocks so far.

Have a great Friday!!

Karen

Table Cover

My Pineapple Nine Patch is quilted, bound, done!  It looks so pretty on my kitchen table.

I used the Grace line by 3 Sisters - so beautiful!!  Had to fill in with a little stash - mainly the lights.

In the centers I quilted small swirls.

The green areas got a soft squiggle design that goes back and forth.

I quilted a feather in the cream colored areas with a meandering vine in the outside red border.

A quilt on the table makes my kitchen seem warm and cozy.

Have a great day,

Karen

Ready for Binding

The quilting is done, now I just need to find some binding fabric.

These are just the prettiest fabrics - kudos to Amy who was a pioneer in the field of vintage modern fabrics.  And even though these are from 4 different lines, they all blend so beautifully.

This still got a little washed out, I will get a perfect picture when the binding gets on.  The top part is pretty close to how it looks in person.  I'm totally out of my favorite AB fabric to use for bindings.  Will have to see what else goes.

The cactus are blooming again.  So little work to bring such beauty each year.

Have a great day,

Karen