AccuQuilt GO! Quilt-Along Fabric Choice and Block 1

Picked up the AccuQuilt GO! Chisel die on Saturday and began the process of starting the Quilt-Along at Ebony Love's blog, Quiltpossible.  The triangel die, also used on this block, is on backorder.  Thus, I cut the triangles with a rotary cutter. 

My fabric choices are as shown below:  Light and dark neutrals, light and dark green, light and dark blue.  I also have chosen a light and dark red.  It was not used in Block 1.  I will show it at a later date.

My first block is shown below.  I am having trouble getting them to measure the suggested nine inches.  I have completed two of the necessary eight.   Here is close-up of one block and a picture of two side by side.  I really love the block.  There are lots of possibilities for using this die.  I would never have attempted to cut out a chisel block with a template and a rotary cutter.



I will work on the remainder tomorrow and keep trying for a nine inch block.

What I See Outside My Window ... At Work

My office faces the Pascagoula River.  Across the river is the Port of Pascagoula where tons of frozen chickens are picked up by cargo ships and sent to Russia and elsewhere.  Also there is a company that repairs oil rigs.  Thought it would be interesting for you to see what one of those rigs looks like out of the water.  This one has been in port for several weeks and is being prepared to go back to the Gulf.  It is setting on a special ship designed to transport these rigs.  The size of the ship and the rig are fascinating to me.  Imagine the effort and know-how it took to design such a ship and transport rigs to and from the Gulf of Mexico waters.

Friday, February 25

The size of the yellow bulldozer in the forefront gives you an idea of the size of this rig and the ship it is resting upon.

Update on Block-A-Palooza Quilt Along

Finished blocks 9 and 10 this week.  Block 9 was quiet a challenge for me.  I had to make those tiny geese three times before they were good enough to put in the block.  I ended up paper-piecing them.  I am not pleased with the block but do not have the time to re-do now.

Block 9



Block 10

 Since we have reached (more than) the half-way mark, the participants were asked to make a comment on the flicker site and display a collage of the first eight blocks.  This is my collage:

A bouquet of fabric!!

President's Day

Today is a holiday.  I have spent the day organizing my quilting things and doing some cleaning around the house.  Block 9 of the Block-A-Palooza is up, so I will cut it out and try to sew it sometimes today.  Also on my agenda is a trip to Curves, a trip to the grocery store and reading a chapter in Patricia Cornwell's Port Mortuary.

I am expecting my third grandchild sometimes in May.  My son and daughter-in-law sent me pictures of the baby's room, which they are in the middle of painting.  It's a girl so the room is pink and green.

I plan to visit them in March.  At that time I will get a color swatch so I can match the baby quilt and other things that I will be making.

Not that I needed anything extra to do, I also joined the AccuQuilt GO! quilt-along that is getting started over at Quilt Possible with Ebony Love.  I am awaiting the Chisel die to come in, then I will catch up with the others.  Check it out at http://quiltpossible.com/02/17/192.

Block-A-Palooza Update - Blocks 7 and 8

Finished up Block 8 of the Block-A-Palozza this morning.  I am enjoying a three day weekend and I have a long list of things to get done.  Block 8 was first on my list.  It had applique which I am not comfortable with.  I used my Janome portable 'cause my Brother, which I use most of the time is in the shop.  I was pleased with the way the block came out.  Block 7 is on top in the picture below.

Around three o'clock today I stopped all my chores and sat down and read one of my books and just chilled out awhile.  Tomorrow I will take up my battle with my list of things to do.

Block-A-Palooza

Received my fabric, Sunkissed by Moda, last week and started the Block-A-Palooza quilt along, "Waiting for Spring" which began with Quiltdad.  You can find the information on his blog.

Blocks completed to date are Flying Over Fields (1), Word Search (2), Shoofly Geese (3), Gingham Pinwheels  (4), Geesy McNinepatch (5), and You Are Here (6).  I love the fabric.  It will be interesting to see the different blocks and the use of the fabric.  Pictures are below:



Block 3, 2, 1, 4



Block 5 and 6



Yesterday I spent several hours with a local quilt guild sewing baby quilts.  Actually they were rag quilts.  We completely finished 8 or more.  It was a fun day and especially fun to finish something that I started.

This week at the Sandstitchers Guild we will be making the block Majestic Mountains.  I had started a patriotic quilt using that pattern a couple of years ago, but I put it aside.  Maybe this will motivate me to get it out and finish it up.

My Blue Heaven Workshop with Bonnie Hunter

On Sunday, January 30, I and two of my friends spend the afternoon with Bonnie Hunter in a "My Blue Heaven" Workshop in Baton Rouge Louisiana.  We have a marvelous time.  Bonnie was such a sweet and kind person, so likeable and fun to be around.  I did not get much done but I had a great time.  Below are some pictures from the class.  The Hexagon Quilt was beautiful, one-inch hexagons!  We are naming our Quilt "My Blue Bayou" since we were in Louisiana taking the class.  You can see her version of the quilt behind our pictures.



Bonnie Hunter

Sandra, Susan, Bonnie, Angela

Bonnie's Hexagon