Churnin' out the blocks

OK, so a bit of a pun in the title when you see the pictures. A funny thing has happened this weekend. If you read my last post about doing a block swap, you will get this.
I got a call from my gal pal Paula. She was all excited, as she was working away on my swap blocks and all proud that she was getting them done. Hey, who wouldn't be, usually it's the night before the deadline and we're up at 11:30 sewing away, right? But nope, not us. When I called her back I informed her I was "churning" out the blocks for her. Funny how we both found time to work on each others project instead of our own. She got 8 blocks sewn for me and I did 8 churn dash blocks for her!

Why do we always put others ahead of ourselves? hmmmmm

This is pure bliss.
I couldn't resist posting this picture of my best dog in the world. Her nap time ALWAYS comes before others! I love my Annie girl!

Sew tell me what you are working on today!
Sharon

My quilty gal pals and I are planning a get away in mid September to Stevenson, WA. The plan is three nights together and we've got our hotel booked, river view rooms with a balcony. I wanted to do something that would give us a tangible memory of this trip so I devised a plan. Each of us are required to make blocks for the other quilters. Each person gets to pick their own block choices, they could provide some, all, or none of the fabric and the others are making the blocks. When we leave and go home, we will all have a stack of blocks made by our friends as a memory of our weekend together. Here are my blocks for Norma T.She wanted a log cabin with dark browns for the center and one side and creams on the other side. This was easy for me, as I already had 1 1/2" strips cut for a log cabin of my own. It was easy to pick browns & creams out from the 1000 + strips I already had cut. Remember this?
I will have to wait to see what she creates with these blocks!Paula K's package arrived yesterday and I've started working on her blocks today. She made it really easy, all the pieces were cut out and sewn into sections. I'll post those later.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Sharon

Happy Birthday....

.....to you,
happy birthday to you,
happy birthday dear Donnie,
Happy birthday to you....

Friends helping Friends

As quilters we are generous people. It seems we are always doing something for someone else and lots of times we really are. I have had a rough patch in the journey of life and my quilter friends from the Bend OR/ The Dalles, OR area made a quilt for me and hand delivered it to Innovations last year. It left me speechless and I LOVE that quilt. I have used it so many nights and it has brought me a wealth of warmth and love.....

And then this happened. The Pink ribbon says it all.
This past month I received a quilt from a wonderful group of quilter friends here in the Blaine/Lynden/Bellingham WA area, (I warned you, the rough patch was looong) and here is a picture of this one. I have used this quilt many nights since I recieved it, even used it the day I went home from work and laid on my couch for the afternoon. This label was made by Jo Byma, what a dear lady. We should all be so lucky to know someone like her! I am blessed to have such great friends.Dani Fisk did the machine quilting and it is spectacular. Thank you so much to everyone who participated in this, I am so grateful!
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Sharon

Keeping my Hands Busy

Even though I have many projects that could be getting closer to completion by using my sewing machine, I find myself doing a lot of hand work right now. I've gotten hexi crazy, partly because I get fixated on something and partly because I need to have my sample in larger pieces by September.
After laying out the stack of flowers I have got finished, I estimate that I need twice as many, which amounts to about 50 more flowers........wow, June showers need to become July flowers! I'm working on some brights to add into the group as I find the first batch needs livened up.
Here is a peek at the red background. The idea is that it will be a table cloth when finished.
I've also been hand quilting this sampler that I hand pieced a few years ago. I didn't have a vision for this and to be honest, I just figured out what I am doing with the quilting. So far I have ditched all the blocks, outlined the applique blocks and have started the diagonal lines. I was thinking I could follow the piecing but after taking a really good look at what lines would intersect with what blocks, I've decided it will be stitched 1 3/8 inch apart. Although this sounds like an odd number, I think I will get the desired results. Here is a peek. I really love the colors/fabrics that I worked with in this sampler.
To top off my weekend, I loaded the first quilt since my surgery May 14th. Let's see if my body has as much energy as my mind has!
I hope sew,
Sharon

4th of July

As a Canadian who has now lived south of the border for 4 1/2 years, this is the first time that I am celebrating the 4th of July. I have a lot to be thankful for!
Happy 4th of July, remember to take a few minutes to think of those that are not at home with their families.
Sharon

As a Quilter.......

....and a Breast Cancer survivor, I challenge all quilters to take a look at this magnificant quilt. With a donation of just $10, Click here, you could be the owner of this quilt. Just look at who has contributed to this amazing work of art. Plus your reciept is tax deductable AND the whole amount amount will go to the most amazing organization. So far the Susan G. Koman group has donated over a billion dollars in the race for a cure.
Because of this amazing group of people, my journey dealing with BC has been so smooth. I've been fortunate, and will make this organization my first choice when looking for places to donate time and/or money.
Please join me in making this quilt project an overwhelming success. Please feel free to mention this on your blog, or direct people over to this post. Either way it will help spread the word.
Sew amazed at the generosity of quilters!
Sharon

Happy Canada Day

As a transplanted Canadian, I cannot let today go by without making mention of Canada Day. I started looking for a picture of our flag and came across a link to the etiquette of the flag. I wonder how much of this information is common knowledge to Canadians? I'm sure I'll learn a few things when I read through the articles. What did you learn? Post a comment and let me know!
Happy Canada Day!
Sharon