Creative wheels are turning...

It's too bad that there are so many road blocks. My machine is sick again. The kids keep getting sick, which means I keep getting sick. And even though I have my next pattern completely designed and written up, the fabric that I MUST have isn't available in the stores yet. I also have another pattern spinning round and round, but I really want to do the other one first.



Now, in my hurry to post the Autumn Dance pattern, I completely forgot to mention that at least half of the amazing fabrics used in the cover quilt were loving hand-dyed by Jill Eugena of Color Me Wyrd. All of her fabrics are one-of-a-kind works of art!



While I am anxious to get moving on those other patterns, I do have plenty going on to keep myself busy. I'm participating in a mystery quilt at my guild...15 light FQs and 15 med to dark half-yards. I just now have my fabrics picked out. It was especially difficult for me, as I was determined to only use stuff from my stash. Now, I'm a bit behind as I haven't cut the fabrics yet and we are already into the first stage of sewing.



Shelby Sue, the new puppy, is also keeping me on my toes. Yes, she has a middle name. She is into so much mischief that a middle name was warranted.



I also haven't posted my center block from my Ostrich Challenge, so here it is. I have an idea of what I want to do for the first round, but it is going to be difficult. So, I'm procrastinating on it. The thing is, if I make a mistake, there will be not be any way to fix it.



Need to go now...the Halloween decorations are calling my name...

Road block and Ostrich

I've hit a bit of a road block...my machine is sick. We took it in for servicing this weekend and hope they aren't too backed up to get it done soon. I am really striving to have the new pattern available on September 21st, but that might not happen. I do have another machine, but it is really best to use only one machine on a project as they sew differently and the scant quarter inch measurement might not be precisely the same. So, this is just another opportunity for me to work on my patience level. LOL!

Regarding the Ostrich Challenge...I've decided on 6 rounds, 2 months between each round. We all have busy lives and I don't want this to take up a lot of time for anyone. If you are planning on participating, please sign up under the discussion board on the FB Fan page. The deadline to choose and submit a picture of your orphan block (or a block that you make if you don't have an orphan) is September 15th. The first round will be announced on the 21st and I'm excited about the theme! I think it will be an easy one, so you will have to be responsible for making it challenging. Oh, and I've decided to not to wait until the end for a giveaway! I'll hold a drawing for each deadline, including the one to submit a pic of your orphan block. And for this first one, if you can talk a friend into taking the challenge with you, I'll submit your name twice. Just be sure to let me know who they are so I can give you the credit. ;)

Working hard and feeling the creative spirit!

288 of 336 seams for 24 blocks are done! My sweet little boy loves putting the pieces back up on the design board for me after I've pieced and pressed parts together. I must say it is a huge help!

I've decided on hosting an Ostrich Challenge! Don't know what an Ostrich Challenge is??? Well, it is similar to a Round Robin, except that like an Ostrich, it doesn't take flight...meaning you do all the rounds yourself. Also, you may choose to "stick your head in the sand" by not doing one round.You will start with an orphan block. There will be between 6 to 12 rounds, with a month or two between each round. I haven't decided yet, so this would be the time to voice a preference.The idea here is to really challenge yourself. This is a time to try techniques, color choices, etc. that you would normally feel uncomfortable with. Step outside your comfort zone. Since you are doing all the rounds yourself, who cares what anyone else might think, it isn't their quilt...No quilt police allowed with this project!I participated in an Ostrich Challenge some time ago. I really loved the finished top! I learned a lot and found I was capable of more than I knew. Now, I know that the experience itself might be enough of a reward. But, I think I might be offering some surprise gifts at the end. I mean, who doesn't like winning something, especially when it is well deserved???

I'm going to be hosting this challenge on my FB Fan Page (there is a link to join on the top right hand column), so you'll need to go there and you can share your thoughts on the discussion board.

Ostrich- Round 5 & New Pattern Info

It took me quite awhile, but I finally finished the fifth round of my Ostrich...Plain Jane. The top has grown to 62" so far and I've only done 5 of the 6 rounds. However, I have yet to "stick my head in the sand" for a round, so I could call it completely done. The sixth round, Grand Finale, is supposed to combine two parts from previous rounds. However, I have yet to be inspired to know what to do and also the top looks "done" to me. I'll continue to give it some thought and I'm totally open to suggestions, so feel free to share your 2 cents.



Okay, a bit of news on the designing front...I'm teaming up with a friend and local artist for my next pattern. Jill Eugena hand-dyes some of the most beautiful fabric! So, I'll be using her fabric in my next cover quilt and we may even put together some kits. It will still be awhile before the release of this one as I have so much to do before then. I won't bother sharing the list as it is overwhelming. But if I can manage everything in a timely manner, I'm hoping for an early October release.

Classes and My Ostrich

Woohoo! I'm going to be teaching two classes this year.

• "Twisty Cakes" - June 28th, 9:00 - 4:00, Cordova, TN


• "Sassy Sixteen" - October 4th, Great Escape Retreat, Maple Mount, KY

The "Twisty Cakes" class is $20 and that includes the pattern. Email me if you will be in the area and are interested.

The "Sassy Sixteen" class is during the much anticipated PUP's Great Escape 2008 Retreat! Other teachers for the retreat include: Jill Eugenia, Tanja Todd-Kellum, Easie Cecil and Karen Combs. We still have a few spots open, so let me know if you would like to come.

My "Ostrich" is finally coming along. A few months ago I completed the third round, Yin Yang. I used ribbons with knots in the middle to add dimension, texture and balance. Light purple fabric with dark purple ribbons; dark green fabric with light green ribbons; half of the ribbons are vertical and half are horizontal; a much more straight and structured round after the completely reckless round prior to it...all about balance.

The fourth round, Paradise, really gave me a lot of grief. Not so much in regards to actually doing the round, but in deciding what to do. Defining what "Paradise" means to me and then coming up with a design that represents that meaning, that also works with the previous rounds...well, it took forever. Finally, inspiration struck and all was revealed. So, what does Paradise mean to me? The Lord and all the blessings he continuously pours out to me...my cup runneth over! I know the picture is rather wonky, but if you look in the corners you will see goblets and they are overflowing, running over, all over the place. :)

Hoping for snow...

If all goes the way I want it to, we might have some snow at the end of the week. But I'm not really counting on it. We don't have snow very often. I'm still hoping though.

I had a friend over for a bit yesterday. It was just what I needed to get going on stuff. I made a block for the guild's donation to the Farm and Gin show. They are going with jewel tones.

After that was done my friend left, but I was still feeling motivated so I finally finished the second round of my Ostrich Challenge quilt, "Binary" was the theme. I decided when I started that this quilt was meant for me to challenge myself. I definitely did that with this round...the non-uniform and quirky meander of the bias tape...very unlike me. I enjoyed my accomplishment for about two seconds before I realized I had no idea what I was going to do for the next round. LOL!

I finished quilting on my Wreath WH, yes, I know, it is after Christmas. I still have about half of the binding to do and some type of sleeve. I wanted to finish up the guild stuff first though. I still have the BOM to do, but I'm having to search high and low for water-soluble thread. I didn't realize it would be so hard to come by and I don't have time to order it. Still not sure I want to do this block at all, but I'll probably give it a try anyway.

My next pattern hit a speed bump, the layout wasn't working as well as I had hoped for. So, now I think I have that part solved. Just struggling with finding the time to piece it! Maybe I can get an hour in today.