Leafs Me Feeling Leafy

I know, you are all probably wondering what is up with the title, but I promise you, I do know what I am doing.  It is time for the Leafs Me Happy Blog Hop.  I had so many ideas for my project, some of which will never work, some of which are now tabled for later, and then this one.

There are a lot of days when I make my daily block and say, "This would be the perfect block for some applique or embroidery."  I decided that I should take my own advice and actually do something like that with my block.  I did come up with the saying myself and embroidered it twice.  Yes twice, the first time I did it the block was square, not on point, so when I went to assemble the block, yeah you get the picture.  This is a 12-1/2  inch unfinished block.

I used Judy Hopkin's 501 Rotary-Cut Quilt Blocks for my block pattern and I'd love to send you a copy of this book.  Just leave me a comment letting me know what your favorite part of fall is...cool breezes, colorful trees, pumpkins.  You can also leave me a second comment if you are a follower or a new follower for a second chance at winning.  I will draw for the winner on October 11.




Here are my fellow bloggers for the day today.  Make sure you go and check out their blocks.  You can  find all the links and entire schedule for the blog hop here.

Monday 1

Fuzzy Hat Quilter

The Cuddle Quilter

Quilts My Way

Country Cabin Thoughts and Crafts

Dream quilt create

Why-Knot-Kwilt

Needled Mom

Quilter in Motion

Sunshine Girl

Meadowbrook

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the blog hop.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Texas Puzzle and Stash Report

Ever work on a creative project so long you just get stuck.  I'm there.  I've been thinking and planning a project for three weeks and I'm stuck so I took a break and made today's block.  That being said I only have a few hours to finish this project and that means I had better get some good ideas quickly.

Half-square triangles and simple strips...easy.  I think that was a good thing for today seeing as how I'm having such trouble.  It was an easy, don't think about it block, and I would actually love to make a quilt out of it.  This number 274 of 366 and it is a 9-inch block.

Stash Report....

Used this week:  0
Used year to date:  10 yards
Added to this week:  10.5 yards
Added to year to date: 118.0 yards
Net used for 2012:  -107.50  

One of these days my numbers are going to change and everyone will be in shock, including me! :)  I did almost finish a pumpkin quilt and I have another couple projects that are sooooo close.  Hopefully next week I will have more to report.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Premium Star

I really like this block, I love the way it goes together, and I especially like the four blank spots that would look just perfect with something in them.  Embroidery or applique would work well in these block.  And although I am doing much better with the 1-7/8" half-square triangles, pieces that small are still are not my favorite.

This is a 10-inch block and is number 273 of 366.  Now I just need to find something fun to put in those squares! ;)  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Queen's Crown

There are a lot of "homecoming" celebrations at the local high schools in our area this week.  One of my girlfriends has a son who was named king at his school and another girlfriend has a daughter who will stand up with the king and queen as an underclassmen.  I've always wondered what it would be like to be "royalty."  Imagine wearing a crown and dressing in pretty gowns.  Undoubtedly my crown would always be a little "off."  :)

This is another one of those saved fabrics.  Do you ever save a piece of fabric because you really like it and just wait until you find the right place to use it?  I have a lot of those pieces and at some point I should put them to use...I'm glad I did with this one.  This is block number 272 and it is a 10-inch block. Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Squash Blossom

This block has a lot in common with the way my whole week has been, a little bit of everything.  On Monday my car quit working and has something major wrong with it, yesterday work had a major program go down for the entire day so I had to work late into the night, and then something I had been planning on fell through so now I have to do a 180-degree turn and make a huge decision by Saturday.  This block has squares, half-square triangles, flying geese, and rectangles, so just like my week, it has a little bit of everything.

Since it has so may different pieces in it, it has a lot of seams that want to fight each other.  Sometimes a person just has to give in and press them open. :)  On a good note, it looks as though I am going to finish a couple of projects this weekend, that is if there are no more surprises.  This is number 271 of 366 and it is a 12-inch block.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Wild Duck

Here is another "bird" named block, to me it looks like an airplane.  It was a very simple block to piece with only half-square triangles and 2-1/2 squares.  I'm wondering what it would look like when putting four of them together, I think it would make a really neat design.

Well my block has flying elephants and I still do not see the wild duck in it.  This is number 270 of 366 and it is an 8-inch block.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Hovering Hawks

I was going to make this in black, white, and gold for the Iowa Hawkeyes, but I figured I would just stick with my 30's fabrics, and I'm so glad I did.  I used more of the colored fabrics than the background, and for this block I think it works.

This screams spring to me which is odd because it is very fall right now, but I'm always working a little in advance anyway (did you remember Christmas is only three months from today?).  This is number 269 of 366 and it is an 8-inch block.  I've had quite a few people asking lately just what I am going to do with all these blocks.  Why make quilts of course! :)  I've always wanted to make a different quilt for each month of the year for my bed.  I should have more than enough to do that AND have a few wall hangings too.  Oh the possibilities.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Gluten-Free Monday #1

I usually don't share my food adventures, but to help others I'm going to start.  :)  My son and I both have allergies to wheat and dairy and I have type I diabetes so our diet is to put it gently, interesting.  When we found out about the wheat and milk allergies our world was turned upside down, but within the last three years so many new things are on the market that we tend to get a little (a lot) excited when we can find something that tastes just as good if not better than the old.

I made these cupcakes for a cookout we had this weekend and my son thought we should share them.  They are made from a Betty Crocker gluten-free cake mix and some Pilsbury frosting that has no dairy or wheat in it.  Being diabetic I haven't tasted them, but I get a hug every time I make them, so they are definitely worth it.  I'm linking with Gluten-Free Monday.  

Brown Goose

I knew I had made this block before when I started working on this today.  It was driving me crazy because I tried to do the same thing I did before, make it out of half-square triangles, and once again it did not work.

This is another fabric I've been saving from the Toy Box II line.  I think it works well with this pattern.  This is number 268 of 366 and it is a 10-inch block.

I finally flipped through the whole calendar again and found it...it was the Fool's Puzzle on April 1.  It is made exactly the same way, you just flip the middle flying geese upside down and change the color placement.  I knew I was not losing my mind. :)  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Winged Square and Stash Report

I decided it was time to start using some of the fabrics in this line that I have been saving.  I do not know why I have been saving them, if they were not my favorites, or if I just did not know how to use them in some blocks, but I decided today was the day to try at least one of them.

This is number 367 of 366 and it is a 12-inch block.  I know I have made something similar this year to this block, and I think I need to start sorting them and see just what I have.  I think that might take a while though.

Stash Report....

Used this week:  0
Used year to date:  10 yards
Added to this week:  10.5 yards
Added to year to date: 118.0 yards
Net used for 2012:  -107.50   

I added another 10.5 yards this week to my stash.  They are all background fabrics that will be used soon, one for my 9-patch quilt and the other for my daily blocks.  There are only 99 days left and then I can add my final tally for all the daily blocks to my stash count...that will be nice.  I didn't realize how long it's been since I've done my stash report, but it gets a bit depressing when there is nothing to put as used, but then again it is just a fun way to see what has been added?!?.  :)  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Flock of Geese and FNSI Finish

Autumn is here...the summer hot is gone and the cool breezes of fall are upon us.  I'm happy as fall has always been my favorite time of year.  The leaves are changing color and warning us to enjoy what we have of the time outdoors as soon it will be too cold to not wear a coat.

Today's block is a simple one again, this time the whole block is half-square triangles.  It is number 266 of 366 (only 100 left) and it is a 10-inch block.  Last night I only finished my block for the day which you can see here.  After all that light bulb changing I decided I should probably do a little straightening up in my sewing room and after so much of that I decided to just forget it for the evening.  Maybe next month I will see more sewing for the FNSI.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Wild Goose Chase and We've Got Light

Some days I feel like I'm on a wild goose chase...and then I wonder what in the world I'm chasing.  It seems there is never enough time in a day to do all the things I want/have to do, and yet when I start thinking about it I would not have it any other way.

When I started working on my block this evening I realized it was quite dark over my cutting table.  We have overhead lighting so I figured I should finally replace a bad bulb.  When I opened the light I realized I had two burned out bulbs not just one.  Now that the bulbs are replaced I can see so well.  I then decided I should probably change the needle in my sewing machine as I can't even remember the last time I did that.  Two simple things that took a minimal amount of time sure made things better.  I think tomorrow I had better check out my rotary cutter blade.  It also makes me wonder if the women of long ago used to get together and tell each other they replaced the wick in their lanterns and they could see so well.  :)  This is block number 265 of 366 and it is a 10-inch block.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Flying Geese

We continue tonight with the bird theme, and I was so excited when this one was finished.  I love flying geese, but then to get a star in the middle, I was very happy.

I have no idea why I didn't notice the star in the middle until after the block was finished, but I think it was because the calendar had a blue background instead of white.  This is block number 264 of 366 and it is a 10-inch block.  Tomorrow night is the FNSI, and I can hardly wait!  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Birds in the Air

I think I see a theme here with the "birds and geese."  I laughed out loud this morning when I turned the calendar page.  After last night I figured I would have a week's worth of difficult blocks, but today's was so simple it didn't seem right.

I have a new thought on the easier blocks.  They can be a welcome relief, they can be pretty in their simplicity depending on fabrics chosen, and they can change their look just by changing their direction.  This is number 263 of 366 and it is a 9-inch block.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Geese in Flight

It seems to me I've heard of this block before, but I cannot for the life of me ever remember seeing it finished.  I was very busy today and never really had a chance to look at this one until I started cutting the pieces and then I had a feeling it might be difficult.

After a person gets 262 blocks into a project there is one thing they will learn...don't panic.  I didn't this time and it actually went very well.  There were two Y seams on the last seam, and I did have to take them out three or four times, but in the end I'm happy with it.  I would never say to make this as a first block, and actually I doubt I will ever make another one.  This is a 12 inch block.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Johnny Round the Corner

I made a version of today's block last year for the Fat Quarter Shop BOM...

This was a 12-inch block and had a little different look to it as the middle circle is a different color than the background.

Today's block is a 9-inch block and the center circle is the same as the background.  I think a 6-inch block should be the next smaller size, I just need to do a little figuring to get that one accomplished.  This is block number 261 of 366.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Thunder and Lightning

We could use some thunder and lightning around here.  It has been such a dry year, a drought actually, and the rain would be welcomed.

Orange and aqua are not colors I usually use a lot of, but they were just there tonight so I thought I'd try them.  I am actually very glad I did.  There were a lot of half-square triangles which was welcomed.  Seems the week of no sleep is catching up with me so it was nice to be able to mindlessly chain piece them together.  This is number 261 of 366 and it is a 12-inch block.  Good night and Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Plaid

I used to wear a lot of plaid...I think at one point I had a different plaid skirt for everyday of the week during the winter.  I even had someone ask me once if my pink/fushia/purple/green/blue plaid skirt was my family tartan?!  I don't have anything plaid anymore, but now my son is into plaid shorts and shirts so it seems it all comes around again at least three times in our lifetime.

I'm not sure this really looks like plaid to me, but it is a fun way to use up some squares.  This is number 259 of 366 and it is a10-inch block.

My mailbox has been full the last two days with some fun reading...I finished early tonight and I have a quilt and a comfy spot waiting for me.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Hour Glass

The name of this block is interesting for me today.  I have spent a lot of time watching the clock as my son has been very ill this week.  What we thought was just a minor illness turned into a trip to the emergency room for what could have been a very scary diagnosis.  I spent plenty of time watching the hours tick by in between scheduled Tylenol doses and temperature taking to waiting in the doctor's office and emergency room.  It makes a person realize, and I seem to be one who totally forgets this, that being healthy is such a blessing.

Since the fever broke this morning I thought some cheery fabric was in order for this block.  It is number 258 of 366 and it is a 9-inch block.  I've never been one to just sit still so I've made some major progress on a few larger projects this week, and I'm hoping to have some good lighting for photos this weekend.  Thanks for stopping by and Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Towers of Camelot and 9-Patch Link Up

I love star blocks...they are my absolute favorite blocks.  So this block makes me happy being that it is a star and then it has a fun name.

I can definitely see a whole quilt with this block, and then set them on point...yep, I like them.  This is block number 257 of 366 and it is a 9-inch block.

I only finished six 9-patches this week, and as you can see, I found the lost block and finished it.  I should have always been at multiples of five and at last count I had 129...Found it!!  I'm at 135 now and I only have 15 to go to get to my goal of 150.  Hopefully it will be a very uneventful weekend around here and some major sewing will be done.  Link up if you have any 9-patches to share..  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Queen's Petticoat

Every time I look at this block I see something different (four patches, a star, half-square triangles).  I spent a majority of the day wondering how in the world I was going to get it to work.  One thing I do have to say about it is that it was much easier to piece than I thought it would be, and it took a lot less time than I thought it would.

This is another case where I like the block a whole lot better on the screen than I did when I finished it and this queen has a very brightly colored petticoat. :)  This is block number 256 of 366 and it is a 9-inch block.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Schoolhouse

I'm glad I'm done with the alphabet.  They were fun to do, and yes, I'd like a few more letters of my choosing, but on a day-to-day basis I'd rather do something else.  Today's block is the last of the schoolhouses, and I think I like this one the best.

This is block number 255 of 366 and it is a 12-inch block.  One thing about life, after you leave your formal schooling life is just one big lesson.  My son has been sick for the last couple of days and with sickness (like all unknown things in life) comes learning.  It seems the things that used to work do not work this time, and I guess that is what keeps me from thinking I know it all.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Old English Versus New Kristen "E"

I made tonight's E block...and then I had to see if I could make an E that was more me.  Curiosity you know...

This is block number 254 of 366.  It is a 7-1/2 inch block.  I'm not liking the way it looks like a D and frankly there are too many things going on with it.

This is the Kristen version of an E.  Actually, if I had taken a little more time in planning it, I could have used fewer cuts...next time.  I do know what I am going to do with this, it is just a little too late for me tonight, and there is always tomorrow. :)  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

My Take on the "D" Block

Each time I glanced at today's block I was not excited about it.  After piecing it I figured out why and how I could fix it...

The first picture is how it should look according to the calendar.  The second picture is how I like it.

All I would need to do to make this second one be a 7-1/2 inch block is to add a white strip the length of the block and omit the half-square triangles.  The calendar is more "Old English" looking, the bottom is more me.  I think I will be taking off the half-square triangles on both this block and the "B."  This is block number 253 of 366.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

"C"

Naming this post just "C" seems wrong, but that is what this block is...a "C."

I like the "C" and the whole time I've been working on it I've been singing "C is for cookie, that's good enough for me," the old Sesame Street song that Cookie Monster used to sing.  Sad what a person remembers when they get tired.  This is a 7-1/2 inch block and is number 252 of 366.  I did get ahold of Barbara today, whew, thank goodness.  I'm sure there will be an occasion to have another giveaway soon...I have more fun thinking up new giveaways to have.  :)  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

"B" and a Big Blue Surprise

Today's block is fun because I have a lot of people in my family who have names that start with B.  I doubt I would ever make a B quilt for them, but it is fun to associate the block with people I love (my  husband, my mom, my father-in-law, my dog).

The odd thing about this block is that the little triangle is applique...I was not expecting that..I thought the entire block was pieced. I think if I made it again I would try to figure out a way to piece it.  My fabric is a little too see through to just applique it over the blue.  This is block number 251 of 366 and it is a 7-1/2 inch block.

Now for the Big Blue Surprise....My girlfriend and I were talking a couple of weeks ago and she mentioned that her mother had bought a raffle ticket and won a beautiful quilt that weekend.  We were both discussing how fun it would be to win something like that and how nothing like that ever happens to either of us.  That week I had entered a punch needle project at the state fair.  I have never entered a punch needle project in anything before, let alone the state fair.  The competition there is fierce and I did not expect to see this when I got there...

I knew before I went that I had won, but I had no idea that I would receive anything like this.  So my friends, do not ever think that you can't achieve something.  It may take years of trying, but anything worth accomplishing is worth the work!  It may not be entering the state fair, it can be anything you want to achieve be it big or small.  Now I'm trying to decide where to hang this beautiful ribbon.  The snowman is also going to find a special place in our home...and honestly, I think it will be the Christmas tree. :)  And about that drawing for the fabric and rulers from the Blog Hop...Barbara, you have until Saturday, September 8 at 10 a.m. central time to contact me, otherwise I will be drawing another name (quick, if your name is Barbara check your facebook messages, I know you have seen it, you need to respond).  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

"A" and 9-Patch Link Up

All I can think of as I see the "A" is the Fonz from Happy Days saying "AAAAA" with his thumbs up.  Okay, so I'm so dating myself here, but you know how it goes some days.

This block is fun, and I have so many ideas of ways to use it.  I guess I will just have to see how well I like the other letters before I decide which way to go with this..and no, there aren't 26 of them, so the next 26 days won't be a letter a day, there are only five.  They are all the same size at 7-1/2 inches which makes me wonder which ones are hard to make at 7-1/2 inches.  I suppose I could get some graph paper out and try and figure them out. :)  This is block number 250 of 366 and I just realized I've made 250 blocks...wow.  To be honest there have been a few days when I wondered if I would make it this far...only 116 to go.

Here are my 9 patches and I now have 129 finished.  Guess I need to make one more to have an even number and then I will start trying to get this quilt top finished.  Link up if you have some 9-patches to share with all of us and/or go to the Meadowbrook facebook page to share there! Happy Stitching!! --Kristen

School Boy

I've been up for almost 24 hours give or take about 15 minutes.  We had a terrible storm last night, so terrible in fact that we had huge trees down, no power for 12 hours, no internet for 15 hours (GASP, although I do work from home so that was disastrous), and a freezer and a refrigerator with food that could have been really yucky if we left it without power for much longer than we did.  Thankfully we could use a generator to keep those two appliances going.  It did make us realize how much we depend on electricity and how thankful we were when we finally had it again.

I don't even know where to start with this one.  I wasn't going to applique the brim to the hat tonight, but the poor kid looked like a pencil so I had to.  I have that song "Can't Touch This" in my brain from the 1980s-1990s...you know where they did that shuffle dance and wore zooba pants, although with the hat he looks Amish.  Hopefully when I put this block with the school girl block things will be better.  And like I said, I'm working with no sleep so it may just be me...and that funny sleep deprived feeling that comes on.  He still needs shoes, but that is something for tomorrow.  This is block number 249 of 366 and it is an 8 x 12 inch block.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

School Girl and Our WInner

I did draw early today for the Blog Hop with Giveaways winner, but I haven't heard from her yet...so we will go on to today's block and see if she has answered me yet by the time I finish writing this.

Today's block is giving my Sunbonnet Sue a run for her money in the cute department.  Her arms look a little odd, but then I just figure she wants to give me a hug. :)

Her shoes and belt were a treat to make as there were no cutting instructions for them.  What I did was add 3/4 of an inch of black fabric and then cut the other end of the piece so that whole measurement ended up being what was called for (the shirt is a 2-1/2 inch square with the black added).  It only took me twice to do the belt...once again, measure twice cut once. :)  This is block number 248 of 366 and it is an 8 x 12-inch block.

Now for the giveaway.  I had so much fun reading all of your comments, and you all blew me out of the water with as many as there were.  I think crayons, markers, and pens were the favorites, but there were a few who also added Trapper Keepers which made me smile...I loved my Trapper Keeper, although it was so heavy I could hardly carry it, and it barely fit in my book bag.  So thank you for participating and giving me so many comments to read.  Thank you also to all the new followers...it is always fun to have new people reading about my sewing adventures (and misadventures).  So, now that I wish I had a prize for each of you, if your name is Barbara check your Facebook messages...I'm having a terrible time contacting you and if I don't hear from you soon I will have to go back to the Random Number Generator and draw another winner.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Old Home

Well, this house is more my type of house compared to last night.  But then again, when I look at last evening's block I think it is more of a milk house rather than a house anyone would live in, and that may be why it had two chimneys and tonight there is only one.

This house needs a wreath above the door I think.  It is block number 247 of 366 and it is an 11-inch block...which is a very odd sized block, that being said, it is the perfect block for today as today was quite odd.  I keep forgetting that today is Monday as it was a holiday.  Tomorrow, I will be drawing for the Blog Hop With Giveaways and you can enter until I do the drawing.


Stash Report....

Used this week:  0
Used year to date:  10 yards
Added to this week:  2.5 yards
Added to year to date: 107.50 yards
Net used for 2012:  -97.00   

Wow has it been a while since I've done my stash report.  Nothing to report...and it is pretty pathetic looking isn't it?  For those of you who are new, I'm not counting my block of the day blocks in my stash report until the end of the year...or I start finishing some quilts with these blocks.  One of these days...(a person can dream can't they?)  YIKES...told you I couldn't remember it was Monday, Sunday is supposed to be the stash report.  I have a feeling it is going to be a very long week.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

House on the Hill

This is one of the oddest house blocks I have ever seen.  First of all it has two chimneys, but it is a small house.  It has one odd window and one big door on the end.  My husband builds houses so I'm pretty sure it is not up to code...at least not in our town that has so many "codes" it is hard to keep track of them all.  So, I just decided why not make it colorful...

It looks like the circus lives here and they are jumping up and down.  I think I also need a dog or a cow on the "hill."  :)  This is block number 246 of 366 and it is a 12-inch block.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Little Red Schoolhouse

Whenever we go to my husband's family cabin we pass a little old schoolhouse a couple miles before we arrive at the cabin.  It is a very long drive, and when we stop by the little schoolhouse my husband always say, "I used to go to school there."  Our son used to say, "but dad it is so old now and it doesn't have a front door anymore, no one could go to school there."  Then we will laugh and I will have to break the news that my husband never attended that old run down school, but some kids did long, long ago.

Whenever we pass that old schoolhouse I think of the TV show Little House on the Prairie and imagine the kids walking to school with their lunch pails and little girls with braids swinging.  Of course the boys probably had a few frogs in their pockets.  :)  This is block number 245 of 366 and it is an 8-inch block.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen