Happy New Year's Eve Eve!

It's been a busy, hectic week or two. I will have some new projects to share with you once I get them downloaded from the camera. I hope someone else will be out there to join me this weekend cyber sewing. There's pillowcases to make and string blocks for HeartStrings Quilt Project. I also have binding to put on hubby's quilt, and whatever new project catches my fancy! Until later...

HeartStrings Blocks

Blocks for HeartStrings Quilt Project

These 24 string blocks are on their way to Sue in MN to be used with other donated blocks for a charity quilt. I had fun laying them out in different ways, and I hope Sue does, too! These are the remainder of my July 2009 goal to send HS 31 blocks.

Operation Quiet Comfort

This is the label that we use in the mini quilts for wounded soldiers. These quilts are only 3 foot by 5 foot. They have requested the color red not be used unless it's in a red, white, and blue theme.

I've only totally finished one, but have 3 more in the final stages.

This group is currently collecting quilts for Fort Hood. Also, the Heartstrings Quilt Project has rounded up enough quilts for the wounded, and gathering more for the families of the fallen in Fort Hood, Texas.

Downy Quilts for Kids

This is a kit for children hospitalized for cancer that can be requested from the Downy Fabric Softener Company. They send the fabric and label, and you put them together and send them back. This was truly quick and fun. I can't say that the quilting was, but I got 'er done. (Not shown in this photo.)

Halloween Cyber Slumber Party

There is a Halloween Slumber Party going on tomorrow night. Actually it's started already for some of us. Just go to my website: www.susanround.com We're working on everything from quilts to making jammies. Get your chocolate, clean out the litter box, and grab a project to work on this weekend.

What a Difference a Day Makes!

Life is good! I wanted to make sure all of you quilters and crafters go to my website: www.susanround.com and sign in for my Halloween Cyber Slumber Party starting Friday and running through Sunday. Get your chocolate and coffee ready, your favorite pjs ready-to-wear, and a list (in your head) of what you would like to accomplish this weekend.

Ouch! I'm crushed today.

Woke up realizing my oldest son would have been 34 years old today. My estranged mother called last night and left a message to call her. I did return her call and left a message. But the topper was when I just read a horribly hurtful email about me that was directed to the entire online quilting group. I'm absolutely stunned. And it's not even noon, yet.

What we did today. . .

Today I stood guard for car watch, and my little man rode his skateboard down the hill to the culdesac. Guess who carried back all the gear and skateboard?

The Rush for Aprons: My new goal has been set.

I've pulled fabric and am cutting out 22 aprons. My goal is to have them finished and mailed by October 30th. The next online retreat is Halloween, the next day, so I need to get these to Tammy now before her tour ends in November.

Labor Day Madness Block

Four of my guests retreating this weekend will be receiving this block.

Spiderweb Blocks

Stacey Sent Me Quilter's Chocolate!

Black & Gold String Quilt top

I cut the foundations from an old cross stitch kit.

Writing a Quilt Cookbook!

Blueberry Cobbler Center and Banana Pudding

Labor Day Cyber Sewing Retreat This Weekend!

I'm hosting another cyber sewing retreat starting Friday, September 4th and going until Monday night, Sept. 7th. I will be drawing (at least) one name per day to receive a small thank you prize for joining me. This is my effort to turn holidays back into positive activites and fun. If you have lost a loved one, you know how difficult holidays can be--especially without kids. Last Memorial Day I realized that this holiday was NOT about paying respect to everyone you know who has died. It's for our veterans of war and soldiers who died for our freedom. I had a cyber slumber party, worked on Quilts of Valor and writing Soldiers, and had a good time being preoccupied with doing for others. Last 4th of July I hosted another retreat and it was such a success I decided to have a retreat for every holiday. Please check it out on my website: http://www.susanround.com/ and click on the number in the circle to the right of the post title, Labor Day Weekend Retreat to either join in or just keep up with our progress and fun.

New Photos from Shura (meeting) Yesterday

Video of Tammy at Women's Center

This is a video of Tammy Lanning talking about the Women's Center in Afghanistan (where the aprons and blankets are shipped). Just click on the title of this post above.

Jackson's Happy Block Quilt Done!

Full Speed Ahead on Aprons!

I just received word from Tammy in Afghanistan and the cooking classes are a great success! I'm going to be making aprons as fast as I can in between making cool ties and Christmas quilts. In October the sewing classes will be held every few weeks, and there will be around 20 students in each class. http://apronsforafghanistan.blogspot.com/ Each of the women students will be keeping their apron after classes have ended for their own personal use.

My Little Man Golfs

This is my little man. He's testing out a golf cart for his little cousin, you know, to make sure it's safe and operating correctly! We actually played like he was the ice cream man. Did you know these little carts go in reverse, too? Us adults didn't realize it until this test drive!

New Machine is Here!

I've been learning and playing with my new machine today. Unbelievable what these machines can do these days! The first thing I had to check out was the 1/4 inch foot for piecing. Perfect. There is also a way to sew without even using a foot pedal--this will be great on those days my legs hurt! I'm going to go finish up some UFOs now, so photos will be following soon. Yeah!

Woo Hoo! A new machine on the way!

After 30 years on a White Rotary sewing machine, I'm getting a NEW Brother XR7700 computerized and lightweight! It should be delivered in a few days and it's just like Christmas waiting for it. I was really getting concerned when the older one kept messing up and I figured for the cost of repairing I could almost buy a new one. I do still have my 50's Singer, but I really need something to withstand daily fast and furious sewing. The Singer is perfect for piecing small bits together, detailed stitching and it makes THE BEST buttonholes ever. With the new machine I'll be able to do quilting easier, decorative stitching, and all that "new age" stuff.

Right Off the Sewing Room Floor

This is a Christmas present for someone who might be looking here. I used the same pattern that was used on the 7 Shirts=1 Quilt made out of plaids. I will find the link to add here shortly. This was made for the Missouri Tigers fan (black and gold). I'm thinking of quilting paws, "M" , and beer bottles in the larger black snowball blocks!

More Aprons to Send!

This is the 3rd batch of aprons that I've sent overseas.

Just In: More Aprons Received!

I just received this photo from Tammy this morning. It's another batch of aprons being presented to the cooking instructor at the Women's Center. I am still in awe that I can actually do something positive across the world having no money but a lot of quilter cyber friends to help me make it happen. I'm so humbled and proud. (Notice the book titles on the bookshelf in the background.)

Mini Quilt for Operation Quiet Comfort

My first mini quilt top for Operation Quiet Comfort is shown here. Since this photo was taken, it's been quilted, and the binding is still waiting for me to finish. The instructions were to make these quilts 3' x 5' and use no red fabrics. These are so much fun to make after making full-size and extra long quilt tops for the past several months.

More Aprons Sent

These 6 aprons were made from fabrics that angels sent to me during the past several weeks. I knew when I first opened the boxes and saw these prints that they would be PERFECT for aprons.

Aprons Delivered!

This is Cpt. Tammy Lanning handing the first batch of aprons to the cooking instructor in Afghanistan. Success! There are many more to make and send, and packages for the orphanage there. Thanks to everyone who has sent me fabric to make aprons, sent money for postage to get them oveseas, and supported this effort. I'm absolutely giddy knowing this is really happening.

http://apronsforafganistan.blogsot.com

1st Batch of Aprons!

Made by women in the USA for the women of Afghanistan. Check it out: http://apronsforafghanistan.blogspot.com

I've Heard from More Soldiers!

Today I received a response letter from one of the Soldiers in Iraq. I'm on the Letter Writing Team at Soldier's Angels, and they send me names of servicemen a couple of times each week. We are told never to expect a return letter, however sometimes you do. Then, just a few minutes ago I received an email from a Sargeant who just received my letter and wanted to thank me. I can't tell you how pleased I am that my words reached across the world to at least one of our Soldiers. Actually, one of them is an airman in the Air Force; the other is an Army Soldier from the front lines. This week will mark my 50th letter sent since I started this in January. A few minutes of time, one postage stamp, and my heart is filling up with love and pride. As an update, it's June 4th and I've received 2 emails, and three more letters! Very nice letters. My heart is filling up.

Red String Bag #2 (mine!)

This is the second red string bag I made for myself! I used muslin for the foundation and left the "U" section uncut. When I stitched the red strips, I carried them along the entire purse, then cut out the "U" on the pattern.

The reversible lining is the same as Pat's bag below.

Scraps to Bags

This is a grab-n-go bag I made for Pat Miller from fabric she sent me. When I first saw the red and black fabric, I knew I couldn't cut it up and there was just enough for this bag, and some scraps large enough I'm making myself one, too!

Quilt of Valor #2 top DONE!

This is my second Quilt of Valor and they just keep getting more and more fun to make! With a very special thanks to Patricia M. in New York I can proudly share this creation.

Now, it's on the way to Janet in California who will turn this collection of fabric pieces into a quilt, and pass it along to Alycia for her delivery to our wounded Soldiers. A true community project from the nation.

Funny Money Border

I decided not to use a white Chinese Coin border around the Quilt of Valor below. Instead, I call this "Funny Money Border" because it's just rectangular pieces of every width stitched together. It was after reading another quilter, Meredith in Corona, CA, writing about using more color in the Soldier's quilts that I chose this border instead of the boring white.

Thanks to Pat in New York, I just pulled pieces of fabric out of a box she sent me and if it had a straight edge, I stitched it to another and just kept going. The larger scraps I sort into colors as I go. That way I'm being productive while going through the WONDERFUL boxes of fabric Pat has sent to me for these charity quilts. Life is good!

Today I heard from London, Holland, England, and Alaska! How great is this?

Quilt of Valor #2

These are the blocks I'm currently working on for my second QOV. Most of these strings were donated from New York (thanks, Pat!) and also used scraps from Louisiana, Montana, Indiana, and Ohio. I got the pattern idea from Mary (HeartStrings Quilt Project) on her website: maryquilts.com and is called The Patriotic Star.

http://www.maryquilts.com/patriotic-string-star

How fun is that? To send one wounded Soldier a quilt that came from all over the nation? The blocks have not been squared up, yet. Solid red strip blocks will go in the corners. Then I'm thinking about a row of whites/lights in Chinese Coins, then another row of blue.

Just Finished!

This is the Happy Block top I posted earlier (Feb 21).

I decided to go ahead and use a flannel sheet as batting and just eyeball down the center of the sashings. I think the next one I'm going to quilt the square wonky, or twisted.

I used red thread on the bobbin even on the white sashing. This quilt is being given (tomorrow) to my little man who is 3 years old. I'm going to tell him the red quilted squares around the back are the garages, buildings, and roads to play with his cars on. I'll keep you posted if he buys it.

Confetti Quilt

Last week I saw this idea but didn't write down where it came from. This is strictly haphazard sewing. I just randomly cut scraps and stitched them onto white strips. No measuring, no centering, no straight rows. After each row was done, I just cut them all to 4 1/2" wide and started stitching them together. It is great fun, fast and no concern of anything being square except the overall top when finished (which I'm not!) I just found out that the original was actually a doll quilt. The tutorial is at: http://ladyharvatine.com/2007/05/in-the-true-spirit-of-whiplash.html

Barbie turns 50!

Barbie is 50 years old on Monday! She doesn't look a day over 20, except she lost the pinky finger on her left hand. I don't remember how. She's wearing the original top, but I lost the skirt that goes with it.

My 1st Quilt of Valor

I've assembled all of the red HeartStrings blocks into this top. It's soon on it's way to California where it will be quilted, finished, and given to a wounded soldier.

Thanks to Dawn Ramirez for contributing her scraps so I could make this. It's my 2nd HeartStrings top.

Solids and Sheers

This is what I'm doing with my solids and sheer fabrics. I saw this idea in a magazine years ago. If the fabric is sheer, I just double it up and use 2 as 1. I can also use up some leftover batting. After sewing the strip on top of the previous one, I cut a long strip of batting, roll it up, and stitch it down.

Talk about Vintage!

I received these ladies from an estate sale. I'm thrilled to tell you that they have found a perfect home. They are joining some of their distant relatives who are gathering together to complete a quilt for a very special woman.

My attempt at knitting

I've knitted straight scarves and blocks, but never got the courage to attempt anything that increased or decreased. When I made a mistake, there's no way I can pick up the stitch and keep going. I guess crochet is more forgiving to ripping out and starting again, so I stuck with crochet all these years.

My 2nd counted cross stitch

This has hung on a wall someplace wherever I've lived. The edges aren't bound, it's not framed, just another one of my early projects that is now a UFO.

Since I'm showing my firsts,

this was the first counted cross stitch I did, and the last one I swore I'd do. However, I did make up a design for my favorite friends saying, and one other huge name sign. I'll have to dig out that photo. It was a hundred squares an inch, I think, and the frame was about 2 feet by 1 foot.

Great Grandma's UFO

I had four of these blocks that were given to me and were made by my Great Grandmother Carey sometime in the late 1800's. I shared two with another relative, and this shows the back of one and the top of the other. These have to be one of the oldest UFOs today.

A surprise UFO!

This UnFinished Object was a great surprise to find. I have no idea what year I made it, but it was the absolute first blocks I tried to quilt on. I thought I had lost it several moves ago! Maybe there's hope finding the baby quilt center UFO.

Why I Don't Do Hand-piecing!

My first hand-pieced block of one inch squares (Postage Stamp size). I believe each row I added changed the shape of the block, so I'm going to stop here for now.

Thread Catcher

I got this pattern from Leanne at The Stitching Room. I cut out a dozen and did the construction stitching before leaving on a recent flight. They are so much fun to make and can be used for many other things. I finished ten of them and have been handing them out for special thank yous. Check out http://thestitchingroom.blogspot.com

My 2nd Set of Happy Blocks: 1st Top

Since I'm now on my 3rd Heartstrings Quilt Project, I suppose I'm not considered a newbie anymore.

2nd HeartStrings Blocks

2 layouts - same blocks These blocks will soon be in the mail to Sue. I think I'm still ahead on my 365 blocks for 2009!