Stack of deliciousness

I've had these French General fat quarters in my possession for some time now, but I have waited to find just the right pattern to showcase them.

The right pattern just fell into my hot little hands, by way of a new friend I met while visiting Illinois last fall.  My new friend, Monique Dillard, has been designing beautiful patterns and cool tools for years now.  In fact, Nicole and I did a sew along in 2007 using a sampler pattern of Monique's - Country Gatherings.   Here's a link to my quilt from Monique's design, Imaginary Friend.

Monique's exciting news is the April 2011 release of her book from C&T Publishing, Fat Quarter Winners.  Some awesome patterns and really unique techniques for putting those fat quarters in your stash to good use.  

Friends Nicole, Thelma and I want to congratulate Monique on her book, and feature some of her patterns, techniques, and interviews on our blogs so you can see just how beautiful and fun they are to make.   Please join us next week and throughout the month of April to see us introduce our projects to you, introduce Monique to you, and - did I mention? - there will be PRIZES!

Eventide Progress

I made great progress on my Eventide quilt this week.  Look!   A border!  There may even be 2 borders.   And a finished quilt center.   Stay tuned for my reveal next week.   Do you ever have so much fun making a quilt, you don't want it to end?   That's how I feel about this one.   Except if it never ended I couldn't move on to my long list of quilts that I want to make....

And today I leave you with my first ever Stashmaster Fitness Tip.  Riding a stationary bike, while good cardio exercise, is not the most exciting endeavor.  Knitting may seem like a good choice to pass the time while on a recumbent (seated) bike.  However, please pay heed to where your ball of yarn is, or it may get in front of your wheels and end up hopelessly wound around the hub and bike pedal.   Not a pretty sight.   Trust me.

Gift for a friend

On rare occasions, I sometimes *do* make something other than a quilt.   Last week I finished this cute ruffled pillowcase for my friend Diane's birthday.   The pattern was a freebie that came with Lecien's Flower Sugar fabric.   This project did not go smoothly, but the end result and the wonderful hug I got from my friend were priceless!

Move along, nothing to see here

I didn't have anything to show for my Eventide weekly update.   I have finished all the blocks and have started to sew the center rows together, but I don't have a photo to share - sorry!

I'm still hoping I can finish in time for the reveal.   Oh, good - I just looked at the calendar and we have 2 weeks left.   Now I know I can finish in time.

I'll be back soon with a picture of some sort, I promise!

Begosh and begorrah

Here is my sweet little Irish lass before she left for school today.   Isn't she the sweetest little leprechan?  Happy St. Patrick's day to all!

Eventide Tuesday - getting there!

I'm sure I could have completed more of my Eventide quilt, but the mess in my sewing room has been nagging me.   The piles and random bits of fabric everywhere were really stifling my creativity.

So Friday after work, I set to work in my sewing room.  By Saturday afternoon, every bit of fabric was corralled and cataloged - a place for everything and everything in its place.   Ah... so much better for the flow of creative juices.

I have finished all but 7 of my Ohio Star blocks for Eventide.  I need to finish a birthday present for a friend this week and am working extra hours at the quilt store, so I may not make much progress, but I'm still hoping to finish in time for our April 5 reveal (my boys' birthday!).

Thanks for pulling us all together to work on this great quilt together, Thelma.   I am really enjoying watching everyone's quilt evolve and to see it in different fabric choices.

Eventide progress, week 3

I didn't have a lot of time to sew this week, but I made a few more of the smaller star blocks for Eventide.   At least it's something!