I've got a Full House and an Oklahoma Boomer :)

I am just so excited.  I have had one of the fullest days I've had in a long time, I am feeling much better than I was last night (thank you for the well wishes), and I still finished two things today!  YEAH!  Not only did I watch a great game of basketball (my son had a game tonight), I got the sashing and the borders on my Full House, and I finished block 31 of 366!  I made it a whole month.  Honestly, there were days when I was wondering if I would make it, but I did...a whole month.  Only 11 more months to go, and February is a short one! :)

Design Wall Monday and Borrow and Lend

My design wall/table is full.  I can't wait to finish this quilt, and I had big plans, that is until a whopper of a cold hit this afternoon and I'm thinking the couch is sounding really good right now.

City Streets

Today's block is called "City Streets."  Mine doesn't really look like an intersection, but I guess I really didn't want it to.  It is a 9-inch block.

Castles in the Air

Tonight at about 10:15 my husband said to me, "I think you had better get to work on your block, it looks like it is going to take you a while."  I hadn't even looked at the block for today.  I let my family turn the page, they never said anything, so I figured no big deal.  I started to get a little nervous when my husband gave me his warning, that is until I looked at it.

Hello? Can you hear me now?

Sorry, but I love that television commercial, and this Telephone block goes with it so well. 

The calendar block was done in black, but I was in a red phone mood today...wasn't that the color of the phone in the bat cave on the old Batman and Robin show?  (My brother made me watch that show every Friday night when we were little).  Kids now don't get the pleasure of trying to have a "private" phone call while the phone is connected to the wall in the kitchen.  It was so bad in our house that I bought an extra long cord so I could run the ear piece all the way through the kitchen, down the hall, and into my bedroom.  Oh the joys of being a teenager and trying to get a really important phone call in...course then my grandma can tell even better stories of the party lines.  You never knew who was listening in on those, and by the time you got off the phone, everyone in town knew your news.  I'm always going to smile when I look at this block.  This is a 12-inch block and is number 27 of 366.

I'm linking today with Can I get a Whoop Whoop?  Happy stitching!!  --Kristen

Chinese Puzzle

Today's 10-inch block is called Chinese Puzzle.  The puzzle comes in with the color values and placement.

When I was doing the cutting it was a bit frustrating trying to figure out where the colors were to be placed, so I started sewing the half-square triangles together first and had them done before I went to the flying geese units.  Funny, now I guess the puzzle is in finding the flying geese units.  This is block 26 of 366.  We have snow in the forecast for tomorrow and no school.  It is my son's dream come true, a snow day on Monday, no school on Friday, and snow to play in.  :)  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Four Corners

Today's block was a challenge, which seems to be a recurring theme around here.   

The block on the calendar was done in gold, cream, and grays.  I tried to make it a happier version, and the first time around the middle square color just wasn't right.  I took it out, put a new one in, and it still wasn't right so I started over.  Sometimes when choosing colors a person has to test it to see if it really works or not.  I do like it better this way.  The squares that are cut diagonal twice into four triangles seem to give me trouble too.  Must be all those bias cuts or something.  I have a feeling once again it is all practice.  I know I'm going to have more of them through the year, and I am finding out that sometimes slowing way down does make for a better piece.  This is a 9-inch block and number 25 of 366.

I'm linking today with WIP Wednesday.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Old Favorite

Today's block is Old Favorite.  I worked on it early this morning and actually had it ready for posting by 11 a.m.  I took the pictures, wrote the post, and then sat and looked at it.  There was something just a little off, so I tore it apart and started over.  Yes, I'm becoming weird like that.

Nothing was wrong with it, other than I didn't pin every seam, and they needed to be pinned.  Another thing I have learned in the last week while working with triangles...things go better when I pin and press.  The more pins I use and the more steam the better things work out.  I never used to pin this much, never.  This block is a 12-inch block, and after working with much smaller blocks with more pieces, this actually seams large.  I can hear that Dear Jane quilt with all those little blocks calling my name, but first I have to finish the Farmer's Wife quilt and another 342 blocks. :)  This is block 24 of 366.  

I'm linking today with Fabric Tuesday.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

FNSI and Number 23

I forgot to post my FNSI finish on Saturday and Sunday, so I thought I'd post it quickly now...

I worked on my Fat Quarter Shop BOM block.  I can't believe it is block 8 already.  Only four more to go and it will be time to put the quilt together.  I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to sign up for the next one or not.

Today's block is Puss in the Corner.  Talk about going from one extreme to the next.  Forty triangles two days in a row and now a 9-piece block.  This is a 7-1/2 inch block and is number 23 of 366.  Can you believe we are this far into January already?  I was so excited yesterday when I realized I still have another weekend this month.  I have a lot to finish and that extra couple of days should really help.

I'm linking today with Design Wall Monday, Made by You Monday, and BOMs Away.  Happy Stitching!! --Kristen

Evening Star

Another day, another block with 40 triangles...but this one is a 9-inch block instead of 10.

I spent a lot of time choosing my fabrics (okay 5 minutes), and then I started cutting and sewing...and when I was finished I hated it.  I absolutely hated it.  I couldn't tell you why, but there was just something wrong.  I brought it to my husband and asked him why I didn't like it, and I told him not to tell me to take it apart and redo it.  He took one look at it and said, "Okay, don't, but you need to."  Oh my goodness..not again, two of the green triangle sets were upside down.  Then he says to me, "you sure you are feeling alright?"  :)  I feel fine...but I do need to use my design wall. It is just staring at me, and I need to use it.  Then I could lay my block out before sewing it and make sure the placement is correct.  So, my goal now is to get all the stuff off my design wall that doesn't belong there (pictures, started projects that are never going to happen), you know the drill.  Anyway, this is block 22 of 366, and now that it is put together correctly, I do like it.  

Now for my stash report....which isn't so great.  I added to it.  I made it three weeks without adding to it, and then I had to.  I'm also not counting used fabric until the projects are completed.

Used this week:  0
Used year to date:  0
Added to this week:  11 yards
Added to year to date: 11 yards
Net used for 2012:  0

How's that for buying nothing.  At least I'm honest. :)  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Double Cross

This 10-inch block should have been started long before it was.  Somehow today got away from me, and I didn't get to it until 10:15 p.m.  I also didn't flip my calendar page over until then so I had no idea what exactly I was in for.

All I have to say is triangles, triangles, triangles.  Once again, I really like it after it is finished, but wow, the journey wasn't what I was expecting.  I am learning that a challenge is good for a person.  It makes us slow down, think, and realize that with a little determination we can achieve something we never would have tried before (a 10-inch block with 40 triangles and no directions).  I have just been stacking all of my blocks as I finish them, and I am actually getting excited to start laying them out to see what I have so far.  I am going to wait until the end of the month to do that though...no need getting too excited yet.  This is block 21 of 366.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Darting Birds

Today's block is called Darting Birds.  As I was working on it I started thinking about my Farmer's Wife quilt.  I should be working on that again.  A 6-inch block is a fun block to make.  They don't have to be complicated to be interesting and you can always use different fabrics to change the way it looks.

This is block 20 of 366.  It won't be long and the block number won't be with the date.  :)  I'm going back to the sewing room to see if I can't finish a few things.  I have a small quilt that is almost completely pieced, a BOM block to work on, and a few hexagon flowers that are almost finished.  We'll see how far I get on this FNSI.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Aunt Dinah

I wonder whose aunt is Dinah.  :)  

It should have been easy and pretty straightforward, but once again I was excited, brought it upstairs to show my husband, and he got a weird look on his face.  "I think you better go back down there and put it together again" he says.  If you knew my husband, you would laugh.  He can't ever tell anyone they did something wrong.  I'm blaming it on this migraine I have.  We are supposed to get snow tomorrow and whenever the weather changes, my head hurts.  This block is a 9-inch block (of course it couldn't be 8 or 10) and it is block 19 of 366.  Tomorrow night is the FNSI, will you be joining us?  I'm looking forward to staying home, lots of snow, and a ton of sewing going on!  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Crazy Ann

The quilt block calendar sits on my desk each day, and today I had to ask myself repeatedly...why call this block Crazy Ann...well, I think I figured it out.

A person would have to be crazy to make more than one of these blocks.  Actually, if you don't cut the template pieces out backwards, and when you figure out the correct way to sew those pieces together, it really isn't so bad.  Will I make another one, NOPE.  How many more times do I need to use this template this year...7!  I'm so not looking forward to those seven blocks.  It ends up being a 10-inch block and it is number 18 of 366.

I'm linking today with WIP Wednesday and Made by Me Wednesday.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

You know, the more I look at this block, the more I like it...maybe I should call it Krazy Kristen! :)

The Flying Dutchman

Well, I finally did it.  I had my block all ready by 8 p.m. tonight, and I was going to take my pictures and get my posting done, but one thing led to another and at 9:45 I decided it was time.  Yeah, the camera wouldn't work, I couldn't get it to focus...because I needed to charge the battery.  So I'm still sitting here at 10:39 waiting for that little blue light to say "I'm ready."

This block is the Flying Dutchman.  It is a 10-inch block and is number 17 of 366.  It was really fun to make. It didn't take a lot of time and those half-square triangles were so easy to sew together because I got a straight stitch needle plate for my machine (it has one little hole in it) last night at my class...why, why, why did I wait so long to get one of these?  The corners don't get sucked down into the feed dogs, and I was finished so quickly it was almost frightening.  Seriously, if you have ever considered getting one of these, do it!  They are well worth it.

I'm linking today with Fabric Tuesday, that is if I can get my battery charged in time.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Nelson's Victory

I have a feeling there is a story behind the name of today's block, Nelson's Victory, and I should probably Google it.  :)

I just loved these fabrics in yesterday's block, so I thought I'd use them again.  This block is 8 inches and is number 16 of 366.

It is always fun to see how changing the fabrics can change how the block looks.

Tonight I attended a class to learn how to use my sewing machine.  WOW did I learn a lot.  It was amazing to learn how to use all those different stitches and the different things they can be used for.  Things that sometimes are so difficult can be done so easily if you have the right tools and know how to use them.  I've had a few sewing machines, and I've never learned as much as I have in this class.  I'm excited for the next one...and you know what was really fun about it?  I met some of the nicest women tonight.  I hope I get to spend more time with them at classes in the future!

I'm linking tonight with Judy for Design Wall Monday.  If you want some inspiration, go and see what everyone has been working on.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Economy

Every year when I put the Christmas decorations away I tell myself next year I'm not going to do so much decorating.  By the time decorating for Christmas rolls around again I forget that I wasn't going to do so much and I spend three days decorating...and then I try to put it all away again in one day.  I did make myself wait until I had everything put away today before I could start sewing.

Today's block is Economy (I wonder who thinks up some of these names).  It is another 10-inch block and is number 15 of 366.  

As you can see, I used the background fabric differently than suggested in the calendar.  I also used three fabrics instead of two.  I'm really liking the greens...and honestly I don't think there has been a fabric I haven't liked yet.  I am bound and determined to use them all and at the end of the year to have none of them left.  I only have 351 to go, and I'm actually thinking at some point I might have to find some more fabric, though I'm not going shopping yet.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Some stitching and the Rambler

Today's block was not about the journey, but the destination.  I'm usually all about the "getting there," but on this trip, I didn't care for the ride.  As a matter of fact, I thought about getting off...but then I decided I needed to learn how this works too, and next time I will use my own form of transportation.  :)  If you are completely lost, I will explain.

I had just watched a tutorial on doing flying geese here.  It made doing flying geese seem so EASY, fast, and no bulk.  This pattern uses three triangles, thus my not liking the "getting there."  I will make another one of these blocks, and I will use the faster, no bulk method.  It is a 10-inch block and it is number 14 of 366.  It is called Rambler.

Last night I did the stitching on this block for the Just Takes 2 quilt.  Tomorrow there will be more blocks to download...and I still have two to complete from the first group.  At least I have all the embroidery done for this set.

I hope you are having an enjoyable weekend.  My family is spending some time together watching the NFL playoff games.  We have had one team win and one lose so far...hopefully tomorrow we will be two for two.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Handy Andy

Today is Friday the 13th.  I'm not superstitious so it really doesn't mean anything to me other than it happens only once in a while and it is Friday...YEAH! :)

This is a 10-inch block and is number 13 of 366.  I'm finished early, and I can't believe it.  Good thing though., we have a basketball game tonight.  Enjoy your evening, I hope it is relaxing and full of stitching (mine will be in the car on the way there, during the game, on the way home, and when we get back).  Hopefully I will have something to show tomorrow for all that sewing. I'm linking with Can I get a Whoop Whoop?:)  Happy Stitching!!

 --Kristen

Beginner's Delight

I'm going to give you a little background on my project before I show you my block tonight.  Ten years ago I bought a calendar that can be flipped everyday that has a different pattern each day on it.  As I flipped the calendar I would think about how I could use the block in a quilt and how much fun it would be to make them.  The problem being there are no completed quilt patterns for the blocks, and all the blocks are different sizes.  They range from 4 inches to 18 inches and some are really odd sizes like 14 by 17 and 12-3/4 making it really difficult (for me) to design quilts with the blocks on paper.

 I finally decided this is the year.  I am going to just start making a block everyday and then after I have some blocks finished I will make quilts.  I have no idea how I am going to sort the blocks yet, I'm just sewing them together.  And, truth be told, I'm really enjoying myself.  Some have been really difficult, but so far, so good.  I flip the calendar over in the morning and that is the block I will be making that day.  I had 8 yards of the white fabric and 55 fat quarters of the 30's fabrics in my stash.  I choose my fabric and start cutting each day.  Hopefully all will go well and on December 31, 2012 I will have 366 finished blocks AND some quilts to show for all my work.  

Today's block is Beginner's Delight.  It is a 10-inch block and all half-square triangles.  It is number 12 of 366.  I am still working on other projects, and I will share my fast way for putting hexies together soon (I have to get the pictures taken).  Thank you so much for stopping by today.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen 

Sew and Sew and Sew

When I turned the calendar over this morning I almost passed out.  :)  The block is a sewing machine and seriously I had no idea where to even start.  I figured if nothing else, I had better start as soon as I was done at work because it might take a long time to finish, my husband was working late, and my son had basketball.

Spool of Thread

Today's block was fun.  It is called Spool of Thread and is an 8-inch block.

Spool and Bobbin

Today was one of those days that if I told you everything that actually happened you would never believe me...never.  I will give you just a recap of part of it.  I had to start work early because my son had a late start for school.  I took him to school and then had to leave work early to go to the funeral of a dear friend's mother.  When I left the funeral there was a cop putting a parking ticket on my car.  I ran a block yelling "no" and she actually took the ticket back (thank goodness because it would have been $15)!  After making a spaghetti dinner, basketball practice, saying prayers, and getting everything cleaned up, I finally sat down to make my block for today.

Flying Shuttles

Wow..the day got away from me, and this block was a fun one.  It is so interesting to see what a person can do with the same size squares and 1/2-square triangles.

Cotton Reels

Block 7/366 for today is Cotton Reels.  It is an 8-inch block.

Chimney Sweep

I'm just going to say that this one was interesting...I'm also going to say that mathematically this block does not work.  If you are going to make this block someday, email me, and I'll let you in on my secrets to getting it to work.  This 10-1/2 inch block is called Chimney Sweep and is number 6 of 366.

Spools

I was almost afraid to change the calendar this morning after yesterday's 100-piece block...

Snow Crystals

Well, this 16-inch block is finally finished and not without a few redo's.  There were quite a few lessons learned with this one.

Block 3 of 366 and A New Start

Wow, it is getting a little late on me here, but I did finish the block for today.  It actually didn't take as long as I thought it would, and it was easier to put together then I expected.

Design Wall Monday

I'm back again...I know, I can't believe it either.  But, I finished another block, and I'm on a roll.

December Finishes and January Starts

I'm beginning to really look forward to the monthly finishes at Lily's Quilts.  I actually surprised myself this month.