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.

Wordle Fun

I found this bit of distraction on sew create it. Thanks Jane! Go to Wordle to try it for yourself.

As for me, I've been working on two projects simultaneously...Ostrich: Round 5 and Gentry's birthday quilt. I hope to have some pics tonight to share with you, but there really isn't anything to look at right now.

Halloween Candy

In May, I took Melinda's Wrapped Candy class. It was great! I decided to go with a completely different look and make "Halloween Candy". I haven't decided on the inner and outer borders yet, either fabrics or even colors. I'm totally up for suggestions. I'm also thinking about doing some applique. This is great pattern though, be sure to get one if you don't have it.

BOM Updates

This was the June's BOM. We used a "new to me" applique method. You sew two pieces of fabric together with water soluable thread, leave an opening, turn right-side out and soak with your spray starch (which will disolve thread and give a great stiffness), iron/dry and then the two pieces will come apart leaving you with two applique pieces, mirror images, with the seams perfectly tucked under. Thank you, Tanja, for teaching us this one!

Here are two of the tops made from the previous BOMs. I am always amazed at how they come together!

Now, this month is called Stars, Stripes and Circles. It looks to be a bit challenging, a pieced circle that looks like applique. I'll let you know how it goes.

Congratulations, Pat!

Woohoo! My sweet friend, Pat Vargo, just acquired a LQS. I know that having your own quilt shop is a dream that many of us share and I'm so pleased to see Pat's dream come true. If you are ever in the area be sure to stop by The Quilting Barn for a visit. I guarantee that you will enjoy yourself.

Twisty Cakes Class & Fun with Judy

My class went so well! The ladies were all wonderful and I loved seeing all of the great twisty blocks they made. I thought teaching from 9:00 to 4:00 might be a bit long, but the time just flew by so quickly. I could have easily continued on until late in the evening. I hope to make another digital scrapbook page after our next meeting, when I plan to get some pics of their "Twisty Cakes" quilts, in whatever stage they are at. Aren't the graphics on the "page" cute?! They are from a wonderful site that offers free digitial scrapbook kits...Shabby Princess.

I've been very busy lately and have lots of pics to show you, but I can't quite yet.

I'm working on another pattern and have made two tops for it, neither of which will be on the cover, so I need to wait to show you those.

I've also tested out a quilt pattern for a friend, it is so easy and super fast. But I need to wait to be able to show you that one until she has a store or something else set up for orders.

Now, there are a few things that I can show. My step-mom, Judy, has taken up quilting and is flying with her progress. She has made at least two more tops, possibly full quilts, since then but I don't have pics of those yet. This a pic of her first quilt, made entirely from flannel charms, it is gorgeous! She got the kit when we went to Paducah.

She also got some interesting fiber scarf kits. Here are some pics from the one she and I made for me.

Happy Birthday to me. ;)

My birthday was last week and I've been celebrating off and on for almost two weeks now.

It started with a much needed family vacation to celebrate both my birthday and Father's Day. We had been planning it for a long time. And sometimes when you do that, the expectation builds up and the plans don't seem to hold up to those expectations. Not the case this time! We went to Natchez Trace and it was so beautiful. I had intended to take lots of pictures, but we were having so much fun that I forgot to most of the time. I do have some though to share.

The most beautiful parts of the area in my opinion were the areas covered in ivy. I've never seen anything quite like it.

We had a beautiful view to wake up to and the kids got to pretend to be little forest rangers, too cute!

They also went on their first hike. They really aren't very in to the outdoors, so I did listen to a few complaints here and there. LOL!

Since then I've had wonderful gifts from family and friends...each on a different day. Even Rita Smith (at our LQS, Quiltsmiths) gave me a birthday discount. But, it's not all about "me", I'm even offering quiltstores two different sales for my patterns.

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. :)

Celebrations and Acknowledgements

There have been a lot of reasons to celebrate the last few months and I'm going to acknowledge most of them in this update.

Let's start with Hailey. My sweet little girl turned 10. She loved the Pretty Horses quilt I made for her birthday. She also loved going for a ride on a friend's horse. She is in the in-between stage where she loves big girl things, but was still extremely thrilled to get her American Girl doll.

Now, on to Gentry. He graduated from Caterpillar Club this Spring and will be moving on to Youth Club in the fall. He had a great "picnic" celebrations. Gentry's BBQ sandwich kept giving him some problems. LOL!

Gentry also had a fantastic time in Mini-Dribblers Basketball. I love the pics where his feet are off the floor!

And I can't forget about my mom, who was married this Spring. Congratulations to my mom, Marie, and her new husband, Jim. Isn't this picture fun? If you like it, be sure to check out Photo Enhancements.