Are you a creature of habit? Do you do things that seem odd to others but make total sense to you?
I buy pairs of things – two packages of rotary cutting blades, two packages of needles, and so on. One for now and one for the next time I need it. Makes sense, right? Except that having recently moved, I found all those “extras” I had put away and then either couldn’t find or forgot about when I needed them.
Did you sew this weekend?
I did!
After reading Barbara Brackman’s post the other day about Turkey Reds, I decided I wanted to sew-along and make 6″ Sawtooth Stars. I thought about making one star a week, then decided I should make three to catch up for the weeks I’d missed. Then I decided to make two a week so I could have hundred stars at the end of the year, enough for a nice-sized scrappy star quilt. Perfect!
So I pressed and cut enough pieces for about thirty blocks. I intended to make two stars. No, six would be better, that would catch me up. I made fourteen. I’m going to try to keep up with the two-a-week plan because I think it’s safe to assume that it won’t be long before I’ll be busy getting ready for that Market-thing.
I also cut into those Mix It Up Monday pink fat quarters.
I love these X-Plus blocks and since I’m one of seven quilters who hasn’t made this yet, I decided to cut strips and pieces. Coincidentally, I’ve made three blocks so far. I think I’m going to make 36 blocks for a 60″ x 60″ quilt – the blocks finish at 10″ x 10″.
And because there’s just something about a new rotary cutting blade that makes a girl want to keep cutting… I cut strips for one other “on my list” quilt.
I’m going to need more fabric – more pink, yellow and orange. And backgrounds.
So three projects started – and no, I didn’t get my Snapshots block done. I got the pattern and… that’s as far as I got. I’ll do better next weekend.
The last “three” is an easy one. Three tote bags – three winners. One of the sweet ladies in the office provided the random-I-don’t-know-any-of-these-people-selection service.
Elaine Cartney – who was making a baby quilt for her “coming any day” first grandchild. (Congratulations!)
Lisa G – in Australia who wanted to know if we’d ship a bag! (Absolutely!)
Nicole C – Going to a quilt retreat in Utah. (And we did! We did!)
Ladies, if you’ll check your e-mail boxes, there’s an e-mail waiting for you.
As for the rest of my Monday… I’m not sure what or where I’ll be. The existing furniture is being removed and built-in cabinets are “supposed” to be installed tomorrow. That means there isn’t any place for the computer. Or for anything else.
Stay tuned…
Lovely starts, Carrie 🙂 Can’t wait to see more. I can see you love those moment so piecing. Enjoy!
Ohh thankyou so much!! I’m so excited! Cannot wait for it to arrive. What a great start to my day.
I feel so “on trend” because I decided (independent of any bloggy happenings at the time)to make sawtooth stars this year, and now I seem to be seeing them everywhere I look….. happy accident 🙂 but I have only made 2, not 14!!!!!
I started on those stars too but pieced mine by hand. I only got 2 done!!!
I am so enjoying your Cutting Table blog posts. I am absolutely going to make those Sawtooth Stars. Someone nice gave me a bunch of Civil War charm packs that will be perfect.
hI can hear the ” I love my job, I am at home, I am happy, in your writings. Lots of hugs your way.
I love all your blocks!! To be working full time and making such gorgeous blocks~ you are amazing! Have a happy week!
Here you are, you little devil. I really like those two blocks. I am having a quilting resurgance after being a lazy slug for a couple of years. Thanks for your input.
Just like some of the others and you, I’m jumping on one of the “block a week” wagons and doing 6 inch churn dash blocks in totally scrappy fabrics but using a solid for the background. I did the first 2 the other day to “catch up” then decided that I better cut a few more so I did 5 more and cut for 5 down the road…. We are all creatures of habit and I for one wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’m making the X-Plus blocks with a friend from NC. We are doing them scrappy as well and are mailing one another 8 a month till we’ve had enough and then we’ll stop.
I like yours in the one color way……
Your blog posts are such fun and “sound” like you’re really enjoying yourself there. Hope it continues to be fun.
Peggy
Love your blocks!
Great blocks!
Love your blog,will start using my scraps
I love your X-plus blocks!
I am always blown away by the impeccable accuracy of your piecing, and your unfallingly perfect fabric combinations…please, please do a course (online or live) for those of us who would love to learn the secrets of your beautiful work!!!! (You have the perfect forum for a course now…) :o)
Wow! When you start, you don’t waste any time! I am another of the seven quilters who have not made the x and + quilt! That is what I plan to start! Loving your posts! Great job!
Are the mix it up Monday’s blocks available, I love the block, Lorraine
Moda is SO LUCKY to have you. Your blog posts are awesome. I followed you on your personal blog and honestly I wouldn’t be surprised if Moda sees an uptick in sales because of you and your blogging.
Sad I didn’t win the bag 🙁
Love your Civil War Stars, I’m making them too.
I realized (thanks to a recent move of my own) that I do this with post-holiday sale M&Ms. I would buy a couple of bags – one for the freezer, one to eat – but by the time the Christmas M&Ms that I left out were gone, the Valentine’s Day M&Ms would be on sale, so I’d repeat. This went on for at least a couple of years. I think I ended up moving nine bags of M&Ms half-way across the country. No more candy purchases until they’re gone!
Your star blocks are beautiful! Thanks for the link to Barbara’s blog—-I love i! I have always loved her rich, fabric lines and am very interested in our quilt history. I better get started making some stars so I can catch up—hope to have enough for two nice-sized quilts by the end of the year.