Monday, February 11, 2013

Snow Day on Monday!

Today the winds are picking up to blow around the foot or so of snow we received yesterday... enough for one session of snow blowing last night and one right now by my school teacher husband. Our son is enjoying an unscheduled sleep in day. He has had a cold for about 10 days and was treated for a nasty ear infection on Saturday so hopefully a lazy day will speed along his recovery. Here is our snow coated fire pit.
Can you believe mid-February is almost here?  I'm looking at my goals for the month and shaking my head already! I've got bits & pieces of all of these projects scattered about my quilt room... no wonder I'm feeling out of focus. I think it's time to buckle down and get the big ones done today and tomorrow so I can get them off to my LAQ. With that in mind I'm going to put away everything but my Four Patch & Friends (goal #2) and my Shabby Strings (goal #4).

I blogged about Four Patch & Friends yesterday so let's talk about Shabby Strings. Several years ago 2 quilters from the HGTV Quilting Forum and I did a swap when we discovered our shared love of shabby chic fabrics (namely Robyn Pandolph). We agreed to cut into our pretties and exchange 7.5" unfinished string blocks. I have 72 of these beauties stacked up here in sets of 4. Some in the bottom row are partially sewn together, I have no idea why I left it like this!
After playing around with layouts yesterday I decided that another row of blocks would make a better sized cuddle quilt and wondered if I had enough shabby strings to make 8 more.
I dug out my photo box (does that not shout pretty fabrics inside!) which is stuffed to the top. Um... yes. Tucker was quick to arrive because this box has not been opened for at least 3 years. After a thorough check he agrees that 8 more blocks will not be a problem. Then I had to set aside the camera because he was determined to sit on the box! I wonder if he thinks he is still kitten sized? Kind of like how I am startled by my 51 year old self in the mirror occasionally...
He stalked off in a huff and later I found him here. The comfort of slightly warm clothes fresh from the dryer! Does his look not say "Bug Off" or maybe worse?

Here are a few of the blocks laid out. String blocks + my favorite shabby fabrics = HAPPINESS!
So, two quilts to get to flimsy stage and everything else is going out of sight until these are done. My design wall reflects my scattered mind today!
I had to put up some pink & purple Crossroads blocks on Friday night to see how multiple colors look - LOVE it and can't wait to see what color we'll be making in March! A few Four Patch & Friends blocks are lingering along with my patchwork for my Threadbias QAL Reverse Applique Pillow and one lonely block of Quiltville's Bricks and Stepping Stones pattern.

I did an HGTV forum swap for bright bricks and B&W prints for the 4 patches last month. I've decided it's too busy and will be using a black solid and a white solid instead after seeing one like that on the forum. Good thing I only did one!

I'm linking up to Design Wall Monday@Patchwork Times.

14 comments:

  1. I LOVE the shabby fabrics. It is a colorway that appeals to me but I'd never actively go after it. I just know I like it when I see it. And I love the big flowers and the generally soft feel of what you are doing with them.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love those string blocks! I'll have to try those soon.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, Oh, OH!!!! Those string blocks are amazingly gorgeous. Oh man. If they're missing, they're at my house! ;D

    ReplyDelete
  4. Cats! They always find the most inconvenient places to lie!
    Such pretty fabrics in those blocks - I'm sure you'll be pleased to get it done!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your springy blocks are a wonderful contrast to the snowy picture you showed at the top of the post.

    My suggestion - stay inside by the fire with those lovlies and ignore the snow until it is replaced by perenials.

    Hope your boy feels better. Send Tucker into keep him warm!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful snow. Funny cat. Aren't they just hilarious. My cat will curl up in the bed while we are drinking coffee in the morning before your awake enough to make the bed. Then when I am ready to make it I hate to make him move!LOL! I love your shabby chic fabric string quilt you have inspired me. I think one will be my next project! Your other work is great too. I thought I was following you but I wasn't. I do get your posts in my email though. I am following you now in my little blue slippers. Speaking of Blue I posted and linked to Blue Monday. You might enjoy see my Blues today. Come by and see me.
    Have a wonderful sewing.
    Blessings,
    Sherry
    Thanks for sharing and inspiring me.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your Quilt Inspector has great taste - beautiful shabby strings!

    ReplyDelete
  8. The string blocks are really pretty. I worked on some string blocks today too. I needed 5 more to finish my quilt top and those 5 are all partially done. Maybe by the end of the week I'll find time to finish them and put the top together.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Happy snow day! Your shabby string blocks are so soft and pretty! Your other projects look great, too.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What soft and lovely string blocks!!! Just right for snuggling and feeling pampered :*) Tucker certainly thought so, and he's giving you a look that says you better look out LOL!!! Your Crossroads blocks look familiar hehehe!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love your wall - very colorful. I like those crossroads blocks - is that your pattern?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Deb! Your quilts are beautiful and what a sweet assistant you have! x Teje

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love the string blocks and Tucker is one handsome boy!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Yes, I would definitely say that look is telling you to back off! Such a pretty kitty! Love your string blocks!

    ReplyDelete

I really enjoy reading comments! Thanks for taking the time to leave me one. I try to respond to all comments except during big giveaways.

I have had to turn off anonymous comments for now due to a sudden increase in spam. Please send me an email instead and I will respond to you.