Orphan Fairies, Too!

A while back I acquired a stack of Orphan blocks from a quilter I can’t quite recall! I’m going to have to start keeping these baggied up with the contact person’s info attached so that I have a way to show them just WHERE their lovely donations ended up. I’m making a note for myself right now to do that…don’t you think that’s a good idea?

I’ve gone round and round about the best way to keep these Orphan blocks. And I admit it..right now they are in a HUGE rubbermaid tub…just IN there. And when I want something, I dig and dig and dig and try to find what will work.

Sometimes I’m looking for things within a certain color family.

Sometimes I’m looking for things of a certain size.

Sometimes I’m ruling things OUT…like…"No…I really don’t want to use the Christmas themed blocks!" ((For instance, remember the quilt that went to Japan after the tsunami, and I wanted to remove the skull fabric? I was looking for something particular to replace it –-))

So, because I work from so many different categories, so far it just all stays just “IN THERE” so to speak.

The other day, I decided to piece a back! ((And the fact that I had BOUGHT enough fabric for a back of this quilt in Alaska, and had forgotten about it already shall not be mentioned!)) I had found some REALLY crazy browns that just needed to go away happily find a purpose in this quilt!

Ooh…lovely 1990’s brown floral. Actually? I still think this is still quite pretty. And these brown/turquoise to ice blue colors are still popular. But I had YARDS of this…about 3. And was I ever going to use it in the front of anything? Probably not at this point. Brown Floral! You are Backing Contestant #1 on "The Backing Is Right!"

Ooooh…LOVERLY 1970’s brown calico!! Actually, this isn’t SO bad..it kind of has a retro look to it, doesn’t it? Well..it’s the real deal, and there was about 2.5 yards of this stuff. Brown Calico! You are contestant #2 on “The Backing Is Right!”

And THIS one…is staying as a small photo..because it is so blurry when you blow it up it will hurt your eyes! Only click to Biggie Size it at your own risk…This is Backing Contestant #3 on “The Backing Is Right!'

And this is where my Orphan Fairy comes in to play. I wish I could thank her! Sometimes I am encouraged to use the donated blocks in my own projects, or I use them for a donation quilt, or given free reign as to where they should go. Sometimes I marvel that there are quilters out there who are willing to gift such cute blocks in my direction!

Did you gift me with these blocks?! I used them to extend the brown fabrics to make the backing big enough for the quilt:

Your funky pinwheel blocks have been sandwiched between two of my own blocks..I was shooting for size here, so anything that finished to match your 8” blocks was fair game!

So what about the brown fabric that I bought in Alaska…which was SPECIFICALLY BOUGHT for this quilt? Well, because I cleaned out Backing Contestants 1, 2 & 3, and a handful of gifted and orphan blocks..I’ve got room to get what I bought in Alaska ON the shelf. And this is a good thing too!

Here is the BACK of the quilt, with the blocks all quilted through! Isn’t this fun? Much better than a one-fabric back if you ask me! I wish I could show you the front, but it will be a while before I can….

Suffice it to say though, that now that the quilting is done, there is binding and a sleeve to start hand sewing down!

Quilt Fairies!

Every once in a while a package will show up with no return address. SERIOUSLY! And sometimes there is a note inside, but no address, and sometimes there is a name but no email address so no way to contact the person….

But in these packages are WONDERFUL things, and I am excited to have them!

Sometimes they even come from amazingly far away places, and I eagerly grab the envelope and have to open it right then and there because…WHO would be sending me a big squishy from so far away?

This package had INTERNATIONAL type stickers and custom forms and EVERYTHING

This package came from Jackie, all the way from Australia!

I eagerly and carefully cut my way into the padded bubble envelope with hands shaking....You gotta love Christmas in the middle of Summer ;c)

Inside the package I found:

Look at this scrappy goodness! Isn’t this terrific? She didn’t just send me orphan BLOCKS, she sent the whole top!

She did include a return address, but no email address, so Jackie, I’m gonna have to thank you here, and in public for your wonderful quilt top!

She writes:

Dear Bonnie,

Thank you for your energy & love of quilting. I follow your blog in chunks rather than every day as life seems to allow it that way and marvel each time of what you’ve been doing & the inspiration you raise in so many people.

I’ve made a few of your patterns for our community quilts and hope that you’ll be able to use this top for one of the causes over there.

Our group North of the Torra Quilters (NOTY), being close to the 2009 bush fires received many donations including from the states, and I like to think that this quilt top may be used for one of your disaster victims.

Being able to do even a little when needed always helps those who give and those who receive. Strangely we had quilts sent from Christchurch New ZSealand for the bush fires, then we sent some back for THEIR earthquake!

In a few years I hope to be able to organize a small group within NOTY which concentrates on scrap quilts and expect to use your books & site to inspire the members.

I know I”ve done this already from the Show & Tell at our meetings.

Keep up the good work! Yours in Quilting,

Jackie

Jackie, I can’t thank you enough for this gift top!

Just look at these fun crumb blocks, Y’all!

Aren’t these a great way to set these precious little bits?

I’ll be quilting up this top so that I have something on hand to donate the next time a need arises. I hate to think that a need WILL – but unfortunately that is inevitable, isn’t it? But instead of panicking next time, and scrambling..I’ll have something to fit the bill right away, and we’ll get this quilt off to someone who needs it, from both of us --- Jackie in Australia, and me in North Carolina.

Sometimes it does take a village….or just two people on opposite ends of the earth.

Show & Tell Thursday!

Yes, it’s that time again! It’s been a few weeks and I’ve got plenty in my inbox to share with you!

Again, these posts this week are all being written ahead of time as we are on our Caribbean Quilting Cruise adventure with Sew Many Places! Hopefully Lori and I are relaxing with our toes in the sand, noses in books, cool drinks by our elbows and enjoying a bit of island adventures as well as quilting our brains out when we are not in port!

In May, I visited the Piecemakers Quilt Guild of Athens, Alabama. It seems like forever ago already, but it was only 4 months ago…and I so very well remember that day, and the thunderstorm rolling through and taking the power out! Some things are so very unforgettable.

Since that workshop day -- Ada has been SO busy!

She made Hawks Nest from Scraps & Shirttails II! Honestly, when I was finishing up this quilt myself, putting my borders on, starting the text writing, and came to the fact that it had a trazillion gazillion half square triangles that finished at 1.5”—I wondered if anyone would be crazy brave enough to tackle this quilt!

I’m so glad to see that I am not the only loonie tune in the box when it comes to my love of many small pieces. I love piecing to be a challenge…something to enjoy for the whole process, not just to sew it together in a day and call it done.

Ada, your quilt turned out BEAUTIFUL! Thank you so much for sharing the picture with us!

This is Cathy Witt’s Tumalo Trail Quilt, also from Scraps & Shirttails II!

She writes:

Bonnie, now that you are back from your trip, I thought you might enjoy seeing pics of your Tumalo Trail I just finished... I actually started it the day I received your book back in March, but had to put it on hold due to a request from a non-quilter friend for a custom made RRCB (after she saw mine ). Once I finished the second RRCB I was able to get back to Tumalo Trail. It was a pleasure to piece... your patterns are always just perfect.

I have not made a quilt by any other pattern/designer since I stumbled onto your website two years ago. I started off by participating in your Carolina Christmas mystery and was hooked ever since.

Thanks so much for everything you do.

Cathy in TN

Close up of piano key border and quilting detail.

Cathy! Thank you so much for sharing your gorgeous quilt with me! This one just shines! What a great collection of scraps you used….and thank you so much for the sweet compliments. :c)

Next up is Yvonne!

Yvonne’s Blue Ridge Beauty units turned into jacob's ladders and took a turn into a different lay out! Isn’t this great?! I love blue and purple together --

Yvonne writes:

Bonnie,

This is the leaders and enders I was working on during my other projects. Eventually it became my primary of course cause I was itching to see it.

Happy scrappy sewing to you!

Yvonne in Chilliwack, BC

Thanks for sharing, Yvonne! And you are not alone…my leader/ender projects often niggle at me to become “REAL” projects too! Ummmm….I hear those 3” cheddar bow-ties calling my name as I type this!

Cindy Broadway has been quilting like crazy!

This is Cindy’s Maverick Stars quilt….I love what she did with the inner border, don’t you?

She writes:

Dear Bonnie,

A fellow quilter introduced me to your website and I love it!! I have always considered myself a "scrap quilter" and your patterns have been a delight.

When I began quilting, I couldn't afford to purchase new fabric and tried to use all those left over pieces from years of sewing for my family. Now I belong to a guild that does primarily charity quilts; so I enjoy using your patterns to make those just a bit more special.

I like the new web set up for your patterns and think the directions are easier to follow. I have attached some photos to share those I've tried and given away.

One of my favorites was the "Maverick Stars" using the tiny triangles from piecing bindings in reply to a challenge from my guild members who were going to throw them away!!! I used several of their other smaller pieces to make the inner border as well. Thanks for the many ideas.
Keep the inspiration coming.

A quilting friend.
Cindy

Cindy’s Crayon Box quilt just zings with that lime green border! How many 2.5” strips could you get rid of with this quilt? Anything goes…use it up!

Boxy Stars is another great free pattern to use up those 2.5” strips. It works great with a Jelly Roll, peeps --- You should give it a try! Work it up in a planned color scheme, or go as Cindy did…play scrappy!

Whooowhooo!! Look at the fun and wonderful strings that Cindy was able to give place to in this quilt! This one is Diamond Strings, and I’m itching to make another one of these! That bright bubble gum pink is a great accent color, isn’t it? It just pops!

Thank you ladies, for sharing your beautiful quilts with me so I could in turn share them back with all of you!

I don’t do “Show and Tell Thursday” every week, but as time and space allows. If you have a Quiltville quilt that you would like to share, please email me a photo along with a little story about the quilt! Your quilt could appear here!

Take THIS TSA!!

It’s inevitable. When traveling with as much luggage as I do…it’s bound to raise curiosity! I mean, wouldn’t ANY TSA agent like to see just what is in these bags?

((And, I think the fact that most airports charge $4.00 to $5.00 to rent these little luggage carts is quite a rip-off, but that’s another post for another time! I think I could have purchased myself a whole string of these out right by now!))

Does this happen to you? How DO they decide what to check anyway?

I get to my location, open my luggage…and SURPRISE! "Hello, You have been inspected by TSA."

And I can just hear them now ---“BLANKETS?! Why is this lady traveling with so many blankets? Where is she going, the North Pole or something?”

Well yes, I was in North Pole, just a week or so ago, but you know what I mean.

I used to toss these out….but not any more! They’ve found a way to be re-purposed! They are a good enough weight to be sliced down like this:

And fed through my hexagon punch like this:

I just love knowing the government is paying for part of my hexagon fetish! Sweet deal, yes? These punches have been discontinued by Creative Memories, but I have seen them occassionally on ebay. I have no information on how/where else you could get one. I just love mine.

I’m not sure what I’m going to do with ALL of these papers I keep punching since supposedly my hexagon medallion is getting closer to reaching finished top status ---

Maybe I’ll fill this JAR! Just beacause --- I can!

I’ve got a good start on it already! All these hexies have been cut from greeting cards, business cards, TSA cards, and advertisements that come in the mail – as long as they are the right weight ((About the thickness of an index card)) They will work!

I’m packing up a baggie full for the cruise, just in case I can twist anyone’s arm into a hexie lesson while we are on board…..

Maybe, just maybe, THEY will find a way to repurpose THEIR TSA inspection cards too!

Calling All Quilt Detectives!

I’m putting out an APQB --- That’s an All Points Quilt Bulletin!

I need your assistance in helping me track down the name and source of this block pattern!

Alicia L writes:

Hi,

I am sorry to bother you, but I have a quilt top and do not know what the pattern is called. I thought that you might be familiar with it. It seems so familiar yet I just cannot find any reference to it anywhere. I hope you know it.

I live in Southeast Oklahoma and am a retired school counselor. I quilt----mostly for my family. I grew up in South Texas but did not really get an interest in quilts until about 15 or 20 years ago.

This quilt top I bought recently in Conway, Arkansas. And it is a beauty. I have not decided what to do with it. I look forward to your insight.

Thank you, Alicia L

Do you recognize this block?

It seems to be related to a kaleidoscope in some way, but I didn’t have the time to really go looking for this specific pattern, and thought you could help me do some detective work!

If you know what this block is called, or where the pattern could be found, can you leave a comment below? I’ll have Alicia come check the comments section for any helps you can give her while I am away!

Isn’t this just a wonderful scrappy mess of color?

If anyone can help her, I know my readers can!

Gooey S’mores Pie!

It’s occurred to me that I haven’t posted any recipes in a while!

I also don’t know how long I’ll be without being able to post anything on this cruise. I have NO idea if/where I’ll have wifi or not. I know it can be really expensive on the ship ((Don’t they nail you for EVERYTHING!!?)) so this is another one of those posts I've set to release while I’m gone so you don’t have an abandoned blog to turn to while Lori and I are off with the quilt cruisers having the time of our lives. ((Aren’t I terrible for rubbing that in?!))

If you haven't heard from us yet...it's because we can't get reasonable connection!

You have GOT to try this pie. It is the yummiest thing ever, and just right for Labor Day festivities coming up…what is better for summer than S’mores, and put it in pie? Awesome!

Gooey Chocolate S’more Pie

Ingredients for 8 servings

• 1 graham cracker crumb crust, baked
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 8 oz. good-quality bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 Tablespoons sugar
• 1 large egg
• pinch salt
• 2-3 cups mini marshmallows

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Put the chocolate in a bowl.
3. Bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan, and pour it over the chocolate. Let sit a few minutes, then whisk until smooth.
4. Whisk in the egg, sugar and salt. Pour into the crust.
5. Bake for 25 minutes, until filling is softly set but still trembles slightly in the middle when you gently shake it. If it starts to darken around the edges, loosely cover the edge of the pie with a pie shield or foil.
6. Cool completely on a wire rack. Keep the pie shield or foil in place — it’ll come in handy when it goes under the broiler.
7. Pile the marshmallows on top of the cooled filling and preheat the broiler.
8. Broil the pie for a minute (it browns quickly, so check it after 30 seconds) until the marshmallows are golden brown.
9. Cool for 10 minutes before slicing with a sharp knife dipped in hot water, then wiped dry (do this before you cut each slice).

You won’t believe how yummy and easy this is!

Enjoy!

30 years ago today….

As I’m sitting here writing this post, I’m completely in awe of how time really DOES fly. Everything changes, yet everything is the same in so many ways.

30 years ago today, August 28, 1981 I didn’t have a cell phone. AMAZING. How much a part of our lives are these contraptions now?

30 years ago today, I didn’t own a color TV.

30 years ago today, I didn’t have a mortgage.

30 years ago today, I didn’t have a car payment. ((Oh I wish that would apply now!))

30 years ago today, I didn’t own a microwave.

30 years ago today, I didn’t have a personal computer.

30 years ago today, I did have a stereo with 8 track cassette. ((Boy, was that dumb!))

30 years ago today, I didn’t have a vcr. ((Not even a stupid beta max one either, glad I didn’t!))

30 years ago today I didn’t have a GPS or even imagine that would be possible.

30 years ago today I didn’t have pets.

30 years ago today I didn’t have children.

But 30 years ago today Dave and I were married…..and I had everything.

This post is for you, Honey. I wish you could be on this cruise with me. I’m sorry that I’m away on our special milestone anniversary, but I am so glad we got to share Alaska together!

This was us in front of that crazy carved moose inside of Gwennie’s diner in Anchorage where we had that first awesome breakfast. My shirt really is NOT neon green, it’s light blue denim. Gotta love flourescent lighting ---

30 years ago today I didn't have these crow's feet either! And you had hair! :c)

This is where we first stopped to look at the mountain goats on the other side of the road with your binoculars. We were so full of awe and wonder at the beauty of the nature around us…just as we were in the beginning of our life together.

On the shores of the lake at Moose Pass. Remember trying to nap in the car, and how I was so hungry I left you there while I went for that reindeer sausage dog? It was cool to watch the float planes take off and land here. Next time, let’s go up in one, okay?

This is you with Jetta, Nikki’s dog…on our hike up Moose Pass. I’ll always remember the stories you’ve told me of the dogs you’ve had in your life. How one dog ((Was it Sam??)) saved you from drowning in the canal when you were a small boy. I love your love of animals, and what a place they have been in our lives. I love to watch you with Sadie, she is so attached to you, with good reason. You spoil her rotten!

We had such a great time in Delta Junction! Was this picture after Buffalo Burger #1, or #2?

Our hike with the Rogers family was terrific! I’m so glad we got to get to know them better and to spend what little non-rainy weather there was in the beautiful outdoors.

If you EVER con encourage me into staying in a rustic cabin like this…just KNOW that my handcrank sewing machine is coming along for the ride. I’ll sew…you fish, hunt, whatever..but remember, if you catch it, you clean it!

So whaddya say? Are you up for another 30 years?

Happy Anniversary!

Love,