Circle (Dresden) Blocks

I have the urge to make a giant Dresden block. I've been seeing them all over blog-land and the quilting community and really like them. Since you're doing just one it doesn't seem as daunting as a gazillion blocks to make up a whole quilt. I've found a couple of tutorials online:

 This one is from Sew Mama Sew

I like it because it has an even number of petals. It also shows a cool technique to get the points on the petals- but I'm not sure I want pointed petals. Also, the block is appliqued to the background.

This one is from Lily's Quilts

I like this one because the finished block is a little bigger and there are no points on the petals. However, there's an odd number of petals. For this quilt the background is pieced into the block.

Both of the tutorials were Quilt-A-Long's and have been finished for some time. But the tutorials are still posted on their blogs.

Have you made a block/quilt like this?

What technique or tutorial did you use?

Do you have any pictures to share?



My new Book!

I just realized that the title of this post might be a bit misleading. I didn't mean "my" as in a book I'm featured in- just "my" as in a new book I own.   :o)

I don't usually buy books. However, the other day I was hopping to this site and was very intrigued. I've been following the blog hop ever since and LOVED the quilts I was seeing. Amazon had it listed for a great price and paired with another book I've had my eye on for some time I was able to score both of them for a steal.

It came yesterday and it is GREAT! First, I thumbed through, looking at all the pictures. Next, I started going through and looking at each one more carefully and reading what the designer of that particular pattern had to say about it. I haven't gotten through all of them yet- but I'm sure I will today (the book came yesterday).

I'm one of those that's jumping on the 'modern' quilt bandwagon. I love the idea of using up scraps and piecing without a step-by-step plan. But it took a while to get there. I'm so used to having every little bit mapped out before me it was hard to start stitching with no boundaries. What makes this book so cool is it bridges the gap between following a pattern to the 'T' and sewing without a pattern completely. There are pattterns in this book, but they give you guidelines and recommendations but the finished product will really be a product of your own- COMPLETELY original. I LOVE that!

My next project is going to be this one! 

By the way, if you can't tell already, I so recommend this book to ANYONE!  :o)

Kenny Sew More

Meet the newest member of our household. You may know him by Ken More, but I call him Kenny. As many of you may remember, early this year I lost my beloved Kendra. I have debated replacing her for some time- but she just seemed so irreplaceable. However, this weekend I was made aware of Kenny and at once knew I had to adopt him.

You see, Kenny is...um was the floor model at a store. He's been used and abused. Lots of lookers, no takers. Until I came along and saw the wonderful machine that he is.

I've thought and thought about replacing Kendra for months. I've looked at many machines. The problem is that even with a test drive in the store I still didn't know if that machine was going to be the one. Kendra was just so....perfect. So when I saw Kenny I knew the wait was over. After all, they come from the same blood line. They're cousins- but practically twins. Identical twins if-you-know-what-I-mean.

I haven 't gotten a chance to see what Kenny can do yet. He was missing a few important parts (power cord). Because of his condition he came at a very discounted price. Another reason I couldn't pass him up. Can you believe I just threw out Kendra's remains a couple weeks ago!? Grrrr!  That's what always happens- you don't think you're going to need something and finally throw it out and right after it's gone you realize you do need it. Oh well, the new cord is on it's way and I'll be blanket stitching before the week is over.

Some may not think Kenny is a great machine. I know better. After having Kendra for 7 years and Kendall (my oldest and most beloved Kenmore) for almost 12 years- and still going, I am very pleased to have Kenny join the family. And I expect to have many good years with him.

Today we celebrate...

our Independence Day!

Yesterday my 6 year old asked me why we have a 4th of July. It took my by surprise for a moment. "Don't they teach you that in school?"  I thought. Then I remembered that since the holiday is in the summer I'm not sure how much she puts together from that they learn in school. Besides, she's only just finished kindergarten.
Anyway, as I started to explain to her why we celebrate my heart swelled and I felt such pride in my country.
It's not that I didn't before- but honestly, I don't think about it too much.

With all the political uproar that our nation faces day-to-day on various issues, it's easy to grab a hold of one side or the other and get swept up in the negativity. But it's important to remember those who have gone before to make our country what it is and to give us the freedoms that we enjoy every single day without a second thought. Even more, we have brave men and women today that are willing to put their lives on hold while they continue to fight not only for our freedoms, but fight for the freedoms of others as well.

While I may not always be proud of the way our leaders lead, I am still very thankful to live in this land where I can be free. I am allowed to work, to go to school, to choose what I'd like to wear each day, and the list goes on and on. I'm also given the opportunity to worship the God that I believe in, a freedom very dear to me.

So today, amidst all the BBQ's, gathering of friends and family, and watching of fireworks- take a moment to give thanks for the freedom's that you enjoy.

New project!

The other day I was blog hopping and came across a quilt at Moda Bake Shop.

It was cute but I wasn't dying over it.

However, later on I was thinking about something else and I rememered that quilt again and was curious which fabric line was used. I went back to the post and read through the tutorial.

OH MY HECK!!!  I was so impressed and excited. I HAD to try this technique!

And so, I started searching my stash. I had three Park Avenue by 3 Sisters charm packs and yardage for borders. The only thing I didn't have was newsprint. Luckily my neighbor came to the rescue. I was so excited I started sewing that night. I worked on it for the next few days until it was quilted and bound! 

I LOVE how this quilt turned out. It was so fun!  Obviously I didn't use her patterns, just the technique. I made 18" squares and cut them apart like I would in my Liliana pattern (but bigger). Then, of course, sewed them back together.

The coolest part is the texture you get from her technique and the edges of the charms. I quilted my quilt in an allover square design. I haven't quilted in so long it was looking pretty scary at first, but after a while it was like riding a bike and I was back in the groove. The parts that don't look that great actually add to the character.

The best part is I had all I needed in my stash!  I love when I see a project that I just HAVE to do and I don't have to wait to go to the quilt shop first to get started!  :o)

Hey all, have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend!

God bless the U.S.A.!