Happy New Year 2012!

Happy New Year everyone!

Blogger's December BOM. This is the block that Pat Sloan has designed for us. For directions you can click on the Mariner's compass star on the right.

 This mug rug I made for my friend Jean W. She let me borrow her magazine with the pine tree paper piecing pattern. It is the December 2009 issue of American Quilt and Patchwork. The little quilt in this magazine is very pretty.
The mug rug is 6X9 inches, just right for a mug and a cookie. She doesn't know that I made this for her. I will be collecting fabrics to make the quilt soon.

Beyond the Cherry Tree Block 1

The Beyond the Cherry Tree BOM is almost done. If you have not seen this beautiful quilt, you are in for a treat. It is available at Sentimental Stitches. It has been over 2 years of monthly postings; and the last border and block 25 are not posted yet. I have been collecting the blocks; but did not start making the quilt yet.
It all changes now; I am ready to start with block 1. I have pinned all these pieces to the background fabric, took the picture to see it on the design all; and will start making changes. For example, the light green will have to go; the red berries will have bright yellow/orange centers. This will be a happy, not too serious quilt. The blocks will have various background; but all 4 borders will be this same fabric because I love these dots. No promises of finishing it anytime soon. Quilting is my avocation and I am resolving that I will not be stressed in 2012 by things that are supposed to be my fun activities.

Very little sewing

 I spent 2 hours this morning sewing. I have to say that I could have done a lot better if I didn't make so many mistakes. It must be the several weeks without sewing that made it harder for me to do the simplest of the jobs.
The photo above is the 11 Ohio Stars I have finished for Orca Bay Mystery step 6. I usually don't like to show my work in progress because I never like what I am doing. But I do like these stars.
Below is the Blogger's Block of the Month Star for November. It was published on November 25th; but I just made it this morning. I had a hard time deciding on what colors to make this one. I did not like anything I did. So, I did modify it to look like this :-(
I am not happy at all with it, so I will make another one later. I was not too inspired I guess. Maybe I will make it the way it was designed and change the fabrics around.
I had a great day after that at the movies; and eating left overs.

Ornament Exchange

My Wednesday Bunch group had the yearly get together for the holidays this week. We made 1 ornament and wrapped it well. Than we drew numbers for the little package would go home with us. The ornaments were all so beautiful!
The one on top is the one I made. I saw this before; but unfortunately, don't remember where I saw it.
The one below is the one that Joan made. It is gorgeous. She used paint sticks, stencil, and beading. The pipping is about 1/8 inch. Too cute. I am so glad it is mine now.

To make the bird ornament, you will need:
. 1 small bird (about 1/2 and I found this one at Michaels).
. 1 1-1/2 inch wide clay pot.
.  large red seed beads and thin wire to make clusters of berries. (I used 3 beads per cluster)
. 2 pieces of artificial greens. I cut a 5 inch piece and made a circle; and another piece about 4 inches and folded in half to make the nest. I glued them in place using E-6000 glue and let it dry overnight.
. about 12 inches of ribbon to glue around the pot so you can hang it on your tree. (I used Tacky glue). Tie a knot at the base around the pot and tie a know on top to make the hanger. Trim as needed. I also added some seed beads to the ribbon. You are done.
You could just buy a small sprig of greens and glue to the pot; but I had all the materials above, so I made it my way.
Easy and fast to make.
Happy Holidays and Happy Everyday in 2012.

Orca Bay sew along 2 and 3

 This half square triangle made using 2" strips that are cut with the Easy Angle ruler, are my version of the step 3 for the Orca Bay Mystery. Of the 350, I have about 200 made. The rest will not be sewn for a couple of weeks. I will keep collecting the "clues" and will be making them later.

 The blue 3 1/2" blocks above are a few of the 70 something we are suppose to make for step 2. I have about half made and that is all I can do for now. I am having a lot of fun with family and friends. I love to sew; but my philosophy is "people first and sewing second." When I have down time, I will continue to sew. I have the best of both worlds!

Christmas Block and Sylvia's album

This block is my new addition to Sylvia's Bridal quilt. It is the "trip around the world" block. I did finish it last week; but did not have a camera to take pictures. But now Dear Santa gave me a gorgeous hot pink Sony Cyber-shot and he is even letting me try it Ü

Well it is supposed to be packed until Christmas; but one needs to know if it works or not.

The Christmas block here is the one I made using the DOQ (my local guild) green challenge fabric. The block is 12 inches (12 1/2" unfinished). If you want to make a similar one. You will need:
From the background fabric:
2- 2 1/2" x 12 1/2" strips (for top and bottom)
2- 2 1/2" x 6 1/2" strips (both sides)
2- 21/2" x 4 1/2" strips (both sides of the bowl)
2 half square triangles. I use the same 2 1/2" strips and the Easy Angle ruler to cut them. But the square have to be 2 1/2" , so it can be also cut from a 2 7/8" square.

From the Green Fabric:
2- 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" strips.

From the red fabric:
1 strip 2 1/2" by 6 1/2"
2 half square triangles like the background above.
Sew the half square triangles to make the  squares that will be the bowl. Sew the other strips to complete the block as shown on the picture.
Very easy and quick.