March Mini Madness

For the month of March, the Island Batik Ambassadors were assigned the task of making a mini quilt 24 x 24 or less, using foundation piecing or English Paper Piecing.  My mini is a combination of both piecing methods, as I love to do both.  So I played around in EQ7 and here it is.

This is my EPP block...it measures 6".  I pieced the star, then appliqued it down to the block.

           Here is my paper pieced compass block which measured out at 12".

And here is my little quilt...all finished!  My husband has long desired a Mariners Compass quilt, so here is one for him.  The little light house blocks were purchased several years ago and I thought this would be a great place to use them.  So glad I un-earthed them!  They were made by Island Batik as well.

I love  being an Island Batik Ambassador...the challenges are great fun!  Check out some of the other Ambassadors and see what kind of mini-madness they have been up to!

Nan from Purrfect Spots Designs
Turid from Den Syende Himmel
Stephanie from Quilt’n Party
Pamela from Pamela Quilts
Anna from Ark Angel Creations
Kathy from Kathy’s Kwilts and More
Jessica from Desert Bloom Quilting
Connie from Freemotion by the River
Kate from Seams Like a Dream
Sharon from Yellow Cat Quilt Designs
Tina from Quilting Affection Designs
Jennifer from The Inquiring Quilter
Barb from Bejeweled Quilts
Sally from Sally’s Quilting Corner
Jeanette from Inch Worm Fabrics
Connie from Kauffman Designs
Joan from Moosestash Quilting
Bernadine from Needle and Foot
Bea from Beaquilter
Cheryl from Cheryl Lynch Quilts
Maryellen from Mary Mack’s Blog
Joyce from Hearts Creations
Marlene from Kissed Quilts
Karen from The Quilt Rambler
Marian from Seams to be Sew
Laura from Slice of Pi Quilts
Linda from Inspired Layers
Vicki from Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting
Nancy from Masterpiece Quilting
Carol from FunThreads Designs
Terri from Meanderings Along Lizard Creek
Alison from Little Bunny Quilts
Suzy from Adventurous Applique and Quilting
Jean-Sophie from Sophie Junction
Janet from Whispers of Yore


Linking to:  Midweek Makers  Freemotion on the River

Rescue Me!

Yes, you read the title correctly....but it is not me that is in need of rescuing.  This is the second week of Furry Fridays, and I hope you will read on about the goals of the blog posts for this event.
Anyone that owns a cat, knows that a quilt is a CAT Magnet...right? And I am sure that dogs are just as attracted!  I love seeing the pictures on Instagram that quilters share of their fur babies helping them quilt. 

Many pets don't have homes and could use our help. So...a group of quilting industry partners have come together with the Petfinder Foundation to raise awareness of those less fortunate furry friends that are waiting to be rescued into a loving home.  For seven weeks, we will be sharing pictures of a shelter pet that needs a good home.  Even if they are not in your area, go to Petfinder.com, put in your zip code and you will find a listing of the pets that need a home in your area. 

This week, I am sharing a cat and a dog that need a loving home.  Maybe you or someone you know would like to rescue one of them.  Meet Tigress and Crysta.
Click on the names to find out more!

 A pregnant female cat was found and turned over to WARM and Tigress is one of 7 kittens born at WARM. Tigress is a very loving, very sweet tri-color Tabby. She follows you all around trying to get your attention and love. Tigress has been at WARM all of her life waiting for a forever home. If you're looking for a little companion, please consider visiting Tigress, she is such a sweetheart and will be a wonderful loving companion for some lucky person. 

Crysta is a beautiful eight-year-old tricolor German Shepherd mix with striking features. Crysta can be a bit shy at first, but warms up quickly. Crysta is a friendly girl that likes to be petted and loved on. Crysta likes to go for walks outside and explore her new surroundings. This calm, easy-going girl is going to make someone a wonderful new pet!





We have a precious rescue cat, Bella.  Three years ago she came to live with us after our long time Max had died.  I wanted a kitten, and on a cold, snowy day we visited the SPCA.  We saw lots of cats, but no kittens. One of the volunteers knew I wanted a kitten, so she went back to the hospital and brought out the saddest looking little baby. She was quite ill, and could not be adopted at the time, but when she recovered we were told we could adopt her.  I could not say no!  That face! 

 She is such a good cat...very tolerant of all the grandchildren and wants to be wherever they are playing.  Bella has become quite the traveler as well, and we take her with us whenever we travel in our RV. She is a very social cat, and cannot bear to be alone for long.  She is always sitting on one of our laps, or right in the middle of whatever I am working on...of course! You all know the drill if you have a cat in your life. 

Another goal of Furry Friday is to help provide kennel quilts through The Small Kennel Quilt Team, an organization sponsored by The Quilt Pattern Magazine. If you would like to help out , you can make a kennel quilt.  The information about the kennel quilt program can be found on The Quilt Pattern Magazine website. The kennel quilts are so easy to make...here is the tutorial from the one I made in February.  And...even more fun...a virtual quilt retreat on March 18 and March 19!  Why not join in and make a kennel quilt? 
A big thank you to our sponsor this week...The Quilt Pattern Magazine.

  

Here are a few I have made this week.  Scraps work wonderful!  Plus, they are great to practice free-motion quilting.  As you can see, Bella thinks all of them are for her, but I know I can convince her to choose just one and share!

What do you think....she does seem to be considering which one she really would like to keep!

It's Laundry Day!

Today is the Jen and Jan Mini Blog hop reveal!  I can show off my Quilters Laundry Day mini quilt at last.  I decided to turn my mini into a big, comfy pillow.  It looks ok with the pillow form I have on hand, but I think a trip to the fabric store is in order for one a bit larger.   

Jen designed the pattern and offered it free on Craftsy.  We were challenged to make a mini-quilt of our choosing to hang on the clothesline and to decorate as desired.  I love hearts and stars, so of course I had to add those to make it cozy, right?

A big thank you to Jen and Jan for sponsoring this fun blog hop. And.....they have some lovely prizes lined up for you!  So please head over to their blogs and leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway.  

Jen's blog: A Dream and a Stitch

Jan's blog:Color, Creating and Quilting

I hope you will go check out the other bloggers who have made Quilters Laundry Day, and see what they came up with!  I'm grabbing a cup of hot tea and reading blogs this cold, snowy Saturday...what about you?

Jen Rosin  A Dream and a Stitch
Kate Heads at Smiles From Kate
Jennifer Fulton at Inquiring Quilter
Karen Thurn at Tu-Na Quilts, Travels and Eats
Melva Nolan at Melva Loves Scraps
Vicki at Vicki's Crafts & Quilting
Julie Stocker at Pink Doxies
Anja Clyke at Anja Quilts
Diann at Little Penguin Quilts
Jayne at Twiggy & Opal
Susan Arnold at Quilt Fabrication
Leanne Milsom at Lizzie the Quilter
Sandra Walker at Mmm! Quilts!

Janice Holton at Color Creating & Quilting

Sola at Alice Samuels Quilt Co

Jennifer Strauser at Dizzy Quilter

Amy Gerlich at Amy Scrap Spot

Sharon Denney Parcel at Yellow Cat Quilt Designs

Steffi at Steffi's Hobbys

Tami at Sew Much for Free Time

Suzy Webster at Adventurous Applique & Quilting

Tish Stemple at Tish's Adventures in Wonderland

Susan Gordon at Sevenoaks Street Quilts

Anne Boundy at Said With Love

Barbara Wootie at The Flashing Scissors
Jan Welander at Making Scraps

Sewing room...I missed you so much!

Other than the reaction of my 8 year old grandson....coming back to my sewing room is heaven!  I surprised my grandson when we got back from Texas by going over to their house and ringing the door bell.  When Jack answered the door, his face was priceless!  He wrapped his arms around my waist and sobbed..."Oh my gosh!  Gramma you don't know how much I missed you!"  I love that boy!  I love being a Winter Texan, but I love and miss my family more!

This year, I am participating in my first Stash Bee ever.  January was my month to be the Queen Bee and now I have blocks to sew into a quilt. I chose the Split Hatchet block by Julie Hirt of 627handworks.   Our bee is international and it is great fun meeting all the wonderful quilters from all over the world.  During the month of January, I received colorful blocks from all of my bees. Once I get unpacked and caught up, I plan to sew the blocks together.

February we made blocks for our Aussie friend, Sue.  I absolutely love the block she chose, and Bella gave it her seal of approval too!

Inside Addition

This month, we are doing the cutest improv block for Kate.  How stinking cute is this?  I think I need a quilt made from this block too!

I am looking forward to making blocks for all the bees in our Stash Bee! If you have not joined one, I would urge you to give it a go!  Meeting so many lovely ladies out there in blogland is great fun!

I think I'm off to hibernate in my sewing room...I have a project or two I need to finish this week!  What about you?  

grace and peace....
Sharon