Houston!!! We had a problem

But I think it's fixed now. I hope.
I had to make some of my own foundations, no big deal right? So I thought. I traced the template onto the muslin with ease. (see picture below)

When I got 5 of these done, SOMETHING didn't look right. I rotated, flipped upside down, and even redrew my lines TWICE! Then it hit me. After re-reading Raymond's blog post on foundation piecing, I needed 9 inch squares not the 6 inch that I cut.

Now I'm working with pieces like this...




This size SHOULD help in constructing the blocks. I hope to start that Monday. As for now, I have enough muslin that this little "learning experiment" won't affect my supply! I just hope my pen holds out.

FYI the pen I use is a Bic Mark It ultra fine point permanent marker.

And so the journey begins.

I've spent part of last year getting to know Raymond. He's the brain behind Nacho Grandmas Quilts. I've soaked up EVERY tidbit of information that has come from his website, blog, email, phone call and book. Yes, he's even self-published his own book!! He was kind enough to send me a copy (autographed even!) along with his template and foundations. So anywho, here begins my journey creating my first quilt using Raymond's system. Sit back, grab a drink, and enjoy the journey with me.

I'm going to use Twilight Frost from Connecting Threads for my fabric. I have 21 fat quarters divided into lights and darks. I'll supplement fabric as needed with the charm packs and jelly roll.

the lights..............................and the darks

I have my template as well..

I started with this.................and now have this (sorry about the bad pic.)

Thus begins my journey down a new path in my quilting (mis)adventures. Thanks for joining me and as always comments are welcome.

My last project of 2009

I finished this before the year ended. I received this as a kit from Carin of Conceived Without Regard for Reason or Reality fame. Go ahead, click the link, you'll see my name twice!!!!

I made a few modifications but I think it turned out nicely.


The front, in all it's purple glory.



The back, yes thats PINK! It's from the Moda marbles line.

These are a few of my favorite things.....

2009 Is gone... I've spent the greater part of the year quilting, completing 15+ projects. Listed below are my top ten items I found made it easier to finish my projects.

Heres my top 10..

10. My notions... Including my cutter, seem ripper (ergonomic even!) quilting pins, and thread scissors.

9. Essential thread from Connecting Threads they have a ton of colors and it comes on a 1200 yard spool for less than $2.

8. My sewing machine. I spent 4 weeks trying to get the accessories the website SAID came with it. Since my machine arrived, it's completed most of my projects. No more sharing a machine with my wife.


7. Freebies!! I won these from a couple of blog give aways... I'll know what day it is thanks to Ryan at I'm just a Guy Who Quilts and the book came as a multi-part win from Carin at Conceived Without Regard for Reason or Reality . I also won a kit from Carin, pics to be posted soon.

6. Quilters Cache.com Tons and Tons of FREE patterns...

5. The QuiltGuy Yahoo! Group. Lots of talented guys who quilt.

4. Aunt Sadie's Quilt Shop. In a very small town. Open 3 days a week. Unbeatable customer service. Worth the trip if you're in the area.

3. Raymond K. Houston. Owner, operator, and mad genius behind Nacho Grandmas Quilts. Both the BLOG and WEBSITE. Raymond does amazing work.

2. Charlie Scott owner of the It's Just Me blog. He also does amazing work. He keeps creating quilts even though two of his quilts have been quiltnapped by his long arm quilter. Shame on you Amber!!!!

and my number 1...

My wife and quilting partner, Brooke, the driving force behind the Disconnected Stitches blog. It's great that I can bounce ideas and color choices off of her and she'll give me her honest opinion.


So, thats my top 10. I read over 100 quilting related blogs and all of them are great reads. If I had the time to list them all I would.

An Irish Christmas Give away..

Micki over at Irish Muses is having a Christmas Give Away... Check out all the cool things you could win. Click here for all the details

Totally done...

My must do projects for 2009 are officially done. Everything is complete boxed and ready to wrap. This is my last quilt of '09. It's got a bit more color than my last quilt. Now on to 2010 projects!!! And I'm 2 weeks early....More time equals more projects right???

Dear Santa

Yo Whats up Fat Guy..

My friends over at the Fat Quarter Shop told me to cruise through their site and pick something for ME!! Guess what? I think I've been really good this year, my must be completed projects for 2009 are DONE and I've even started my 2010 projects early. I've kept my needle sharp, my bobbins wound and my stash somewhat in check. So if you should happen to find room in your sack for that special gift for ME I'd really really like the Blessings Fat Quarter bundle. (See picture below)


Even though it would initially be mine, the finished project would more than likely be donated to our local Domestic Violence shelter to be given to one of the women who seek a safe place to live. I really don't ask for much, but in the spirit of giving tis better to give than receive and I'd give the bundle away after I've cut and sewn it back together. So it's more like I'm the middle man.

Thank you Santa. And as always, there will be beer and good snacks in the fridge when you get here. I know you get tired of cookies and milk.

Vanilla Splash

This is my sister's quilt. It's a simple design with just a splash of color. I'm one binding closer to 2010.


The front



And a view of the splash of color, the red binding really sets it off.


Also, it appears that I'm not being notified of comments that are posted to my blog. This has been happening for about a week now. Anyone else having this problem? My Blogger settings haven't been changed so I don't know whats going on. I will reply to your comments as soon as I can.

Also this is my 80th post..Hmmmmmm :)

Final project of 2009

My last major project of 2009 is finished. All I have left to do is put the binding on 2 more quilts and then on to my 2010 projects.

I should have the binding on one of the quilts today since I have the day off and I'll post pics as soon as I'm done.

But for now enjoy the boots!


This is the completed wall hanging.


Here is a close up of the simple quilting and the piecing detail. I quilted 2 horseshoes and 2 stars (the stars didn't photograph well) and thats it. I didn't want to take away from the boots too much.

A Give away from Green Fairy Quilts

Check out this give away... It's got a layer cake and jelly roll and pattern. GO. NOW. ENTER!
Green Fairy Quilts: Time for another giveaway!!

To the victor go the spoils...

And yes, I was spoiled!!! Thanks to Rosa over at Rosa's World for the BRIGHT place mats and candy she sent me..



The front (I think)




and the back... with candy!!!


And to make the postal service happier, Carin over at Conceived Without Regard for Reason or Reality sent these wonderful spoils....

This is fabric for a BRIGHTly colored wall hanging or baby quilt. When I get it finished I'll post pics

And a really cool star quilts book (spiral bound even!) and some Hot Tamales!!

Thanks to both Rosa and Carin. You've made my month... Not a bad haul for it being my birthday month!!!

An antique give away

My friend Stephanie over at A Ditchin' Time Quilts is giving away this antique doll quilt. It's really cute but I don't believe the dog is included. Click here to enter.

Talk about deadlines!

So a co-worker is expecting his 2nd child in January... No big deal... I have enough time to whip out a quilt and get it to him... Yesterday (Monday) he says that today (Tuesday) will be his last day!! So I come home and create this little baby quilt and a gift for the 2 year old big sister! The parents-to-be are both BIG Kansas Jayhawk fans and I'll bet the lil' one will be too!



The front and back of the baby quilt




a close up of the back.

And a crayon roll for the big sister .

It's time to gobble up this give away..

Elaine over at Faithful Quilter: Elaine's Journey is having a Give Away. Go enter and be Thankful if you win.

I've actually finished some projects!

I know it's been a few days since an actual quilting related post. But I have been busy on various projects. I've got my mother's quilt back from the long arm quilter, worked on my BOM, finished my sister's quilt top and it's now at the quilter and a few other projects. I have 2 more to start and finish before Christmas.


My mother's quilt is DONE!!!!


This block looks a lot better than the block from last month.

As soon as I get my other projects together and back from the quilter I'll post them for you.

Veterans Day

Quilts For Kids

This is my contribution to the Quilts For Kids organization. It was a simple project and only took a few hours to complete. If you've got a few minutes to give, click over to Quilts For Kids and either request a kit (fabric for top and back are included, you supply the batting and thread) or send one of your own creations. You know you'd like to make a child smile.

Are you ready for some BINGO?

I know you want to play... Who doesn't like the possibility of winning a serious amount of fat quarters? click here for details.

A really cool give away. and some really great prices on some cool things at Etsy.

My blogging friend fabricartist21 has an Etsy shop you need to check out. She has some really cool items... You can find her shop here . And you can find out about her give away here. Go.. Now... Browse.. Buy.. and Enjoy both her shop and her blog.

Free stuff!

My friend, and fellow Bottle Cap candy connoisseur Carin is celebrating her 4 year blogoversary. And she's giving away 4 gifts just for us! Click on over to Conceived Without Regard for Reason or Reality for your chance to win!