Been missing, Meeting a blogger, Sandy blocks

I've been missing lately.  I was gone 22 out of 31 days in Oct/Nov.  5 days were planned for a family reunion in Arkansas, but, the other days were a surprise.  My father-in-law had bypass surgery, and hubby and I rushed down to Texas to be there for the procedure.  We had to rush back so that hubby could be in a wedding, then, 4 days later, I was headed back down to Texas to help my in-laws.

On the way back down, I stopped by both of my son's colleges to see them.  I arrived on Halloween to spend the evening with my oldest son.  His college hosts Trick-or-Treating in the dorms.  It was fun seeing all the college students in their costumes, and the local kids and families going thru the dorms, gathering candy.  My son dressed up as a Star Wars Storm trouper going to the prom.  He got the purple leisure suit from my stepfather this summer.  Now I'm on the hunt for another leisure suit for the younger son.  He really wants one in orange, if possible (his school colors).

my son as a 'Storm Trouper going to the prom'

my oldest son

one of the college students

The next day I arrived at my youngest son's college, shortly after he got out of class.  I got to meet his girlfriend, tons of his friends (he's a very social guy) and he took me to a church service for college students at his church that evening.  Sorry, I didn't get any pictures of him.

The world is a small place.  I read a blog written by a lady from my hometown in Texas.  She moved there years after I left.  It is the same town that hubby's and my family still live in.  Well...  I got a chance to go shopping at the local Hancock's while I was in San Angelo.  It was one of the few places I got to shop at while I was in town.  Imagine my surprise when I laid my fabric bolt down on the cutting table, and recognized the lady who was going to cut it for me.  I checked her name tag, then asked if she was CollectIn Texas Gal?  She said 'Yes, I am'.  I told her that I am Cheryl's Teapots to Quilting.  What a surprise for both of us!  Sue wrote the cutest blogpost about us meeting here.  Please read it, it is sew cute!

me & Sue (CollectIn Texas Gal) at the cutting table

See, a small world.  Oh yea, Sue had been working on blocks for Erin, over at My Patchwork Life, for Sandy relief quilts.  I had already read Erin's plea for blocks, but, being out of state, I didn't have my fabric stash with me.

Yesterday, I pulled out some fabric, and made some blocks for Erin.

Disappearing 4 patch block on my Spartan

Disappearing 4 patch block for Sandy relief quilts

all 9 Disappearing 4 patch blocks for Sandy relief quilts

As you can see in the top picture, I've set up a sewing area in my youngest son's room.  He won't let me take it over until he's been gone for a whole year, but, he said I could use it until he comes home for Christmas.  I'm so far behind on projects that have deadlines, that, I really need to get working on them.  Besides these blocks,  I've basted and started hand quilting nine blocks to make nine mini quilts.  I'm quilting them during DWTS shows.

hand quilting mini quilts

On Sunday, while hubby and I watched a few movies (my down time after the trip) I was busy drawing patterns on fusible paper, then ironing it on, and cutting it out.  Here is part of what I was working on.

I don't have pictures of the other fusibles I was working on.  They aren't ironed onto backgrounds yet.  I'll show pictures of those later. 

I found lots of goodies on the trip down and back.  I haven't even had time to unpack them, so, I'll post about them later. 

Have a Great Week!

Valentine's block lotto blocks (finally)

Well, my little quilt guild finally got to have our Valentine's block lotto, a month late.  Several of our ladies that were participating couldn't come to the February meeting, so, we just waited a month. 

my block

and the winner was........  drum roll here.....

NOT me.  Oh well.  Now we are thinking of having another block lotto for fall, using a pumpkin in the block.  Hmmmm.......  gonna have to think about this one.  Any ideas for me???

Catching up! Progress! & Squishies!

YIPEE!!!!!!!  I have FINALLY caught up on my blog post reading.  I've been behind (sometimes as much as 3+ weeks) since before Thanksgiving. I missed the December blog hops, and lots and lots of giveaways.  I also missed my One Year Blogiversary earlier this month.  My goal was to get caught up before my Birthday early next month, and I did. 

My tiny guild is having a Valentine's party next month.  Everyone is encouraged to make a 12.5" block using Valentine colors and hearts.  I used scraps and fat quarters that had been given to me long ago (thanks Ann) and came up with five of these blocks.  I still need to applique the hearts on two blocks.  I have another block planned, too.  I plan on using the extra blocks to make mini quilts, like the Christmas Santa quilts and give them as presents next year.  I'll have to find a cute backing fabric for them.  I don't have hearts  or many pinks in my stash.  I still have to trim these down to 12.5", but, I didn't want to do that until the last minute. 

string pieced hearts

I used this cute mouse to help remove the paper foundation from the strings.  I found this little guy at a garage sale last summer.  His 'tail' worked great for sliding between the paper and helping to loosen it up.

Mouse 'tool'

I received two squishies in the mail this week.  I love these vintage bow tie blocks.  I wish I had some vintage fabric that I could use for sashing and cornerstones.  Maybe something cheddar colored, or yellow or even pink (not my usual color).  Any ideas?

vintage bow tie blocks

I checked these blocks out on the back.  There is a combination of machine and hand sewing on each of these blocks.  I haven't seen that before.

vintage bow tie block

I was in a Disappearing 4 Patch (D4P) block exchange late last summer with my Treadle On group.  The blocks have to be made on a 'people powered' sewing machine (treadle or hand crank).  I received the other blocks last fall, but, this lady didn't get to participate with the group.  She and some others (me included) swapped a few more blocks so that she could get some of the blocks, too.  I just received these from her, along with some lovely Civil War reproduction fat quarters and a cute charm.

Disappearing 4 Patch (D4P) blocks & FQ's

I just realized that I haven't shown the other blocks that I received.  I'll have to post them soon.  I even received some from Belgium.

Have a Great Weekend!