The Block Scrambler

Here is the infamous "Block Scrambler." I like to lay out my blocks on my bed when I am working with them, even though I do have a design wall. Cabalito insists on jumping up and walking around on the blocks the minute I start laying them out. Soon they have a somewhat scrambled appearance! I know he thinks he is helping me and fancies himself to be quite the quilt designer. He seems to be doing a pretty good job here. I am pretty sure I will do the on-point setting for this quilt, even though this picture depicts a straight set. I love the wild colors and can't wait to have a complete quilt. I think I am going to do the "quilting in sections" method with this quilt. I would love to have it done, done by the end of my summer break. Unfortunately I have been sidetracked doing another scrappy bargello for my mom. It all depends on how much help I receive from the Block Scrambler!

Julie

Finally Catching Up

Since school ended for the year I have been trying very hard to catch up on Orange Crush. I am working on steps 4 and 5 at the same time. Last night I stayed up until 1 A.M. sewing and watching the Stanley Cup finals. (It went into triple overtime!) I am rooting for the Detroit Redwings. I enjoy watching hockey but usually only watch the Stanley Cup finals. Needless to say, there is not much hockey here in the South.

I found out that Zelda is a boy! I had not really looked that closely at the cat and had just listened to my kids telling me it was a girl, but as I watched him walk away from me today I noticed something that convinced me the cat was of the male persuasion!

These little wrens are out on our carport. So cute!! Today I noticed the parents going crazy out there and I found a baby that had fallen out of the nest. I put it back and all is well again. I just love all the new babies in springtime.

Julie

Orange Crush Progress - Step One Complete!

Today Anne D. and I got together and had a "mini-retreat" to finish our four patches. We kept going until we were both finished so that we would be ready for step 2 when it is posted. It was fun! I encourage those of you who live close to one another to have your own mini-retreats. It really is motivating. Of course, Anne and I are in the same guild so we already know each other. Anne is more of a controlled scrappy person. Her blocks are gorgeous. Mine is totally scrappy. Some of the fabric in mine is so ugly that I had considered using it as a foundation for string quilts! Well, Bonnie did say to use up all those ugly things! And, like many others, I had gone crazy with my strips and I have enough left to make at least another quilt. I may just make a double Irish chain too. I think several others plan to do that as well. You can read about Orange Crush here http://quiltville.com/orangecrush1.shtml

Julie

Crumb Blocks

I have been working on these fun crumb blocks lately. They are extremely addictive. I now regret the many, many small scraps I have thrown away over the years. I could have saved them for crumb blocks! Well, now I can't throw anything away. I even save the pieces that are too small for crumbs to use as stuffing for a pet bed! It is good to recycle and use every little piece of that expensive fabric.

Later today we are having a cook-out at my mom's house. We are having hamburgers and hot dogs, grilled corn, and baked beans. This is to celebrate the arrival of my brother's fiance from the Philippines. Her sister lives here in the Valley and so she will be here with her husband and son. It is raining today so we will be inside the whole time. It will be fun. :0)

Today I have done some cutting on my Orange Crush strips and some work on my quilt guild's retreat challenge. I hope to have some 4 patches made soon but so far I haven't started sewing on the strips. At least Spring Break is coming up soon - maybe I can get all 150 4 patches done then. I have so many projects that I need to be working on right now that I just don't want to do anything. I am going to force myself to work on cutting more strips now so that at least I will have done something! Wish me luck,
Julie

Detail of some crumb blocks. FUN!!

Orange Crush Color Selection

These are the fabrics I pulled for my Orange Crush mystery quilt. I still haven't pulled any accent fabric but I am going with some medium blues. My fabric choices are pretty much just like Bonnie's (the Orange Crush creator.) I can't wait to start this new mystery. The last mystery she did, Carolina Crossroads, was plenty of fun.

I plan to keep up with my OC progress here on my blog. I am loving the way these fabrics are looking so far!

Julie