An Election Day Challenge

Sweet P. at Coffee Time Stitches is proposing a challenge based on the Election results here in the USA. Here are her parameters for the challenge:

"....I'm issuing an Election Night Challenge. I don’t want to get bogged down with lots of rules about the challenge so I’ll keep it simple.

The completed project should have at least 51 blocks. The blocks can be as simple or as complicated as you like. Each one needs to “read” red or blue. There should be one block for every state that votes red (Republican) and one block for every state that votes blue (Democrat).

The project should be done by November 30, 2008. If you'd like to join in the fun, let me know and blog about it. The more, the merrier. On December 1 I'll post photos of all the completed projects and host a poll to pick the favorite. I'll award a prize for the project with the most votes and pick a winner from those who vote as well."

Sounds like an interesting challenge, don't you agree? I'm thinking about joining in...how about you guys?

My Project this Week...

...I picked a project for this week! And it wasn't on my 'To Do' list! I did scratch off one Thanksgiving wall hanging from the 'To Do' list as I found a Turkey doorknob hanger that I hung on my family room wall.

So I made myself a November purse. And yes Linda, it's from a place mat! *VBG* I followed the directions for the 'Bunny Ear Bag' in the book, Simple and Sensational Purses from Placemats by Ricki Bremer. Well, I added a few inside pockets to hold my miscellaneous 'things' and added a different type of closure so my 'things' wouldn't fall out.

From the 'To Do' list, I finished piecing Orange Sunshine (my version of 'Sunshine Makes Me Happy' from the book, Strip Happy by Donna Kinsey)

I have also been working on the quilting. The light orange thread I purchased really blends into all the orange piecing and makes the quilting hard to see. I'm using the Trailing Vine panto from Willow Leaf Studios, one of my favorite pantographs. The border and the backing are from the same fabric line...a happy accident on my part...and the backing fabric has these *huge* parrots on them. I was happy that I didn't have to *cut up* the parrots! :)

November 1st and Stash Busting Report Week #44

What a difference 4 weeks makes in the backyard! As you can see, most of the leaves have fallen and the flowering plants are gone. I have noticed an increase in the squirrel activities as they prepare for winter hiding their acorns.

I came down with a cold this week. The whole 9 yards: stuffy, runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat and scratchy voice...but I am on the mend as the whole stuffed up head congestion thing seems to be 'loosening up'. (That's about as delicate as I can describe it!) I don't remember the last time I had such a complete cold so, hopefully, this will be my major sickness of the season :) Although being sick, didn't stop me from attending the guild's Shop Hop and doing a little stash enhancement.

My report for this week follows:

• fabric received in: 11 yards
• fabric used: -8.5 yards (used)
• net fabric for the week: +2.5 yards (added)

Net fabric for the year: +19.5 yards (added)

What I accomplished this week:

• quilt and bound R/W/B Bento Boxes
• pieced 'Orange Sunshine' to a flimsy

Goals for next week:

• load, quilt and bind 'Orange Sunshine'
• pick a project to do!

This will be another short week as I have my Gammill Textures class at Quilt Center in Janesville on Friday. I have a list of projects I need to complete but I'm not exactly sure which one I will do...so this week, I am leaving that goal open ended.

A Correction

When I posted a picture of the Fall/Christmas Table Toppers I had made, I incorrectly stated the wrong author. The correct author is Genii Lehmann. Sorry for the misinformation. :(

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

And I've been BOO'ED by Jeanne at Luv2Stitch

I think I will BOO:

• Stephanie
• Sue R
• Finn
• FabricMom

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween :)

Bento Box Finished

I had originally planned on sewing the binding back during the second half of the last game of the World Series but I had forgotten I had a program planning meeting for the night guild.

Instead I worked on it will I was working on laundry. Here is the full picture of the quilt. Pattern is Bento Box by Tracey Brookshire.

Here is one of my 18 inch blocks.

Here is one of the 9 inch blocks. I used the Ebb and Flow pantograph from Willow Leaf Studio.

Here is a close up picture of the back and binding. I decided to make a scrappy red binding with the reds form the front, as I liked the way the red popped against the blue. (The beige is the carpeting the office/computer room at home.)

WIP Wednesday

Ummm...are you getting tired of this picture except with a different quilt?!

I sewed the binding onto Bento Boxes and it's time to sew it back.

Orange Sunshine

So far, I have the blocks made for 'Orange Sunshine'. Here they are on the design flannel.

Well...she DID say she wanted orange and orange she WILL get! :)

Actually, this was a good set of blocks to make today since it is cold and dreary out. I even saw a few flakes of *snow* drifting by the office window earlier. Things are bright (and orange!) in the sewing room.

Stash Busting Report Week #43

I had a very productive week in the sewing room...woohoo! Here is my report:

• fabric received in: 4.5 yards
• fabric used: - 14.0 yards
• net fabric for the week: -9.5 yards (used)

Net fabric for the year: + 17 yards

What I accomplished this week:

• made 3 totes for cancer patients
• made Halloween tote and pillowcase for DD
• pieced, quilted and bound Valor

Goals for next week:

• quilt and bind Red/White/Blue Bento Box
• piece Orange Sunshine to a flimsy

Okay, this is a short week for me! DD comes home for the weekend on Wednesday at 12:00 noon followed by DS at 3:00 pm. DH is taking Thursday and Friday as vacation days! Keeping the goals light as there will be plenty of family time this coming week. :)

A Quilt-y Finish

During the World Series, I was able to finish sewing back the binding on Valor. This pattern is by Daniela Stout from Cozy Quilts and is in the book, The Giving Quilt. It was designed with the Quilts of Valor Foundation, in mind.

Here is one of the stars.

And a close-up of the quilting. This is the Ebb and Flow pantograph from WillowLeaf Studio.