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Thursday, July 26, 2018

Secondary Pattern with Island Batik

If you've never though about secondary patterns...
they are usually a couple of simple blocks that combine to 
make something that looks very difficult.
That's a quilters top secret weapon!
LOL!!
This month Island Batik challenged their ambassadors,
 to show off that weapon with their batik fabrics.
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!

Earlier this year Carole,"From My Carolina Home" hosted  a fun
"Square Dance" scrappy mystery quilt.
(It's linked for you)
UPDATE: Pattern will be available in her Craftsy shop soon.
It was a perfect example of secondary patterns!
I grabbed my
Mountain's Majesty "stack" and went to work, on the 9-patch blocks.
Two simple blocks...
combined to make a very cool pattern. 
I added in an assortments of "Island Batik" fabrics, for the "rail" blocks. 
No matter the line, their fabrics all play so well together.
Piecing would have been easy, with lots of chain piecing...
unless you've got extra help
These are my two new helpers, Kenai and Denali.
They are trying hard to convince me they help.
LOL!!
Someone got tangled in my cone thread as I was stitching...
so the jury is still out on their helpfulness!
"Square Dance"
Here's my "Island Batik" lap size version, of the "dance".
Don't you just love it?
A big thanks to Carole for another wonderful mystery project.
And to "Island Batik" for providing these gorgeous fabrics.
Now I challenge you to look for secondary designs.
So fast and so fun!
I might even throw in a couple of extra helpers to add to your challenge!
Not...I don't think we could part with them here!
;-)
til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'
Seriously...now your asleep?????
:-)


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Sunday, July 22, 2018

Christmas in July Blog Hop

Dashing thru the heat, in an air conditioned car!
Oh...that's not how the song is suppose to go is it?
What can I say, its been in the near triple digits for way too long, here.
Carol must have known that we need a little reprieve,
 and start thinking about those cooler days ahead.

Finding a project for this hop, was an easy one for me.
You see, when I was in Lancaster PA earlier this year, we met some gals...
They were working on this quilt, that I just had to have.
Before I even left the building, I had googled where to get the pattern.
Here's my "First Snow"
This fun scrap buster is paper pieced.
It was so much fun to see my village come together, and then play with
embellishing things.
I dug thru my Christmas stash, looking for little appliques,
 that could be cut from fabrics.
What a great way to use up those special buttons and beads.

Finding the perfect little pieces for the doors...
All added to the fun.
I do hope I've inspired you to get your "First Snow" on.
If your as crazy over this pattern as I am, you can find it
HERE
Paper piecing can be a bit overwhelming for some.
I myself, used to hate it with a passion.
(A great teacher in a class I took years ago, cured that for me)
LOL!!
This pattern is probably geared towards someone
 who is comfortable with the process.
If your a confident beginner...I'd say jump right in.
Cause the weather outside is frightful...
but the air conditioning inside is delightful.
What better time to sew...let it sew, let it sew, let it sew!
Thanks for visiting today.
Be sure to visit my fellow bloggers,
as it's beginning to look like Christmas at their houses too!

July 23


July 24


July 25


July 26


July 27



til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'
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Tuesday, July 17, 2018

King

I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things.
There are lots of projects due in the next few weeks.
I can share this with you.
This is officially my first Row by Row for 2018.
Don't you just love him?
He came from Quiltique in Henderson Nevada.
This kit is laser cut and includes the complete pattern in it.
For now, he's just fused, but once he's done, there are big crystals to be added.
There'll be a whole lotta shakin' goin' on!
LOL!!

I'll see you next Monday, at the"Just Let Me Quilt" Christmas in July blog hop.
I'm stitching down my binding today!
;-)

til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'





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Sunday, July 8, 2018

While the weather outside is frightful...

Like a million degrees!
LOL!!
Inside is quite delightful.
Cause it's like Christmas in July again, from "Island Batik".
Twice a year they send their ambassadors, boxes of goodies.
July, being a perfect month to get us thinking about those cooler weather projects!
Each time they are bigger and better, and this is no exception.
Aurifil, gave us tote bags and thread, color charts and stickers...
Hobbs bless their hearts, sent us not 1, not 2, but 3 packages of batting!
Then there's the fabric.
Glorious, glorious fabric!
The batik foundation bundle, is from the Basic and Blenders collections
They are available "ALL" the time.
I'm loving the new "Check it out" line.
So many ideas with checks running thru my head.
White, black, gray batik...
Must have's for your stash, especially if you love applique like I do.
The white is my new favorite. 
How many times to we say "@&$*", when we see colors showing thru our white fabrics.
;-)
Yards of delightful batik's.
5 yards of a neutral, we always need them.
I use this "almond" all the time.
My heart goes pitty pat!
Then there stacks and strips, so much beauty to the eye.
 
All of that and my favorite guy!
Oh how I'd love to show you, but as you can see,
it says Surprise and it will have to be!
A little hint, that I can share...
It won't be long before it starts looking like Christmas hare!
OK, I can't really come up with a rhyme for share.
LOL!!!

A big thanks to...
You guys are the best!
til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'
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Saturday, July 7, 2018

When life gives you lemons...

You haven't heard from me in awhile.
We suffered a tremendous loss a little over a week ago.
One of my boys best friend from Kindergarten died in a horrible accident.
Normally I keep my blog upbeat with quilty fun, but as my blog is my personal story,
I felt this needed to be included.
My two and the "twins" have been friends since Kindergarten.
That's 30 years now. They grew up together so much, that they were like brothers.
There was nothing harder than getting the news.
He and my youngest had just finished their 8 day stint in the oil fields.
A tire blew, this truck went out of control...and the rest is history!
Our hearts are forever broken.

We are so fortunate to live just outside a big city, 
in a community with a small family feel.
The love and support was overwhelming for us all.
We planned for 250 to attend the service
 and were absolutely blown away when over 400 showed up.
Friends and family from as far away as the United Kingdom.
School teachers, some from their elementary school.
It amazes me that at 35 years old, 
they still remember and consider their students as their own.
It took my breath away.

These boys have always been considered as the brothers with 2 mothers.
And my heart breaks for them all.
I was asked to do the eulogy at the service.
Me???
I've never spoken in public before, not to mention under these circumstances.
How could I say no though? The Fushimi's give and give and ask so little in return.
I sat down with the task of writing it out.
I read it out loud until I could read it without busting into tears.
Yesterday, I put on my big girl panties, did a little praying for some help from above...
And delivered my speech.
I made it thru the entire thing without shedding a tear.

I wrapped things up with this...

Keegan’s death is not in the order, that life should work. A parent should never have to loose a child. That being said, as parents we always want our children to be OK, and be able to go on without us and make the best of their lives. I can’t help but think, that Keegan, wants the same for all of us. We are all family here, and I know in my heart he is with us all. Life is a process. It will look a little different from now on. We will each fall from time to time, but as family, we will stop and pick each other up when needed. 

I have to sit back and reflect on our online/blogging community as well.
We are there for each other, sharing and helping along the way.
That really is, what life is all about.

Rip Keegan...

We did have a shining light last week before all this happened.

We have a couple of new additions to the house.
Kenai and Denali
These two, sure have filled our hearts with joy!
Unless it's at 4am, when they want to play!
LOL!!!!!
As usual, they both found their favorite human BFF, 
when they walked in the door.
No surprise there, he's always a kitty favorite.
But I finally got a little love myself.
Guess they figured out who feeds em!
"Sew" life has it's ups and it's downs.
All we can do is put one foot in front of the other, and keep on moving.
Stopping along the way to help someone else!

til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'
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