Quilt Along Block Three

 I got block three done for the Jelly Roll Quilt Along, you can click on the button on the sidebar to learn more.

I don't know that I like this block, though I think I was supposed to alternate the way the blocks are turned, but I still don't think I'd be in love with this block. For one thing it uses none of the background. Oh well we'll see once all the blocks are done.

 I wanted to thank everyone for their support for Little Bit's appointment and the fabric eggs, the pattern can be found here, though I did make some adjustments. For one thing I made the template narrower, and I switched the way the grain line went, I'd rather a tall long egg then a fat one that looks more like a ball then an egg. Not over stuffing would help, but hey what fun would that be?? I also am going to admit I took pictures of the 'good' sides of the eggs I made. This is a new thing for me so I think it worked out well.

Little Bit is having petit mal seizures, or that is what the neurologist thinks. She is scheduled for another EEG, MRI and they took blood and urine samples to check for a few other things, including protein metabolic disorders. So right now it's things as normal until we find out differently.

Some crafting going on

 Little Bit wanted to dye Easter eggs yesterday, a few of the dozen above, which somehow led to me making fabric eggs. Well they were supposed to be eggs, some are a bit misshaped.

What do you think of the wreath? I was thinking of threading them together like that. Little Bit decided to play Dora/Swipper and ran off with the eggs several times while I was making dinner, she seems to have lost at least two of them.

I also got the binding sewn down on the Rouenneries table runner.

It's been sitting around just waiting for me to get my butt in gear so here it is. Now it just needs to get washed, dried and all crinkly.

Tomorrow afternoon Little Bit goes to the neurologist for the results of her EEG and who knows what else. I don't really expect much but maybe I'll be surprised and we'll get a few answers about her cognition etc.

I have an odd child

Seriously. She doesn't eat chocolate and now this.

She is enjoying her snack. Which she was very excited about. What was this wonderful treat??

Lima Beans!! Little Bit though that was such a great treat, and I know I didn't do anything special because they were just popped into the microwave from the freezer and she just mowed them up like they were candy. I don't know why the top photo is all squished.
Weird. Wonderful but weird.

Now this is a sampler

 I was looking around for something to work on while I wait for some fabrics to arrive for WIPs and I remembered I'd made a smaller tumbler quilt, flimsy, back in November using 2.5 charms cut into tumblers/thimbles from Seneca Falls and Scrapbook Garden. Well I managed to find it, which is a feat in and of itself, and popped a few stitches out and managed to add the little sampler packs from Butterfly Garden, Looking Back, and Collection for a Cause-Charity. I had to add two other fabrics from the stash because I found two of my squares where only half there so the numbers didn't work but they do now! I found the "cheddar" from Charity to be very bright but I think it'll be fine.

 I left the last few stitches out from each of the rows so I can add more later. These are not my normal fabrics but I do like them so I think this will just get bigger when I have "samplings".
 Right not the mini measured 26"*18" and has 13 rows of 15, so there are 195 fabrics.

 I'd though of adding the Blackbird Designs I had, both have Garden in the name, but I think they were just too bright for this one. For now this is going to be folded up and put away were I got it from, maybe I'll be able to find it next time too!

Happy/Sad Day

 Little Bit told me she had art today and "did Easter". Why is this happy/sad? It is one of the most coherent recalls of what happened in her day I've ever gotten, that didn't involve pushing/hitting or other such things, which may or may not have happened days/weeks earlier.
 And she got invited to a birthday party. This will be her second non-family birthday party and I don't feel bad in saying we will be buying a nice gift because this has made her sooo happy to be included.

Mini Verna and star sashing

 So ever since I started showing Mini Verna I've had a few questions on her. I was inspired after making a table runner in a similar style using Happy Zombie's pattern.

Below are instructions, or the math anyways, for using Mini Charms (2.5"), and using 3 charm packs (5") to make a large throw size.

Quick notes. Regardless of the size of the pieces the method is the same.
When sewing the rows together always press towards the square, this will make joining the rows together a snap.
Working with smaller pieces take more time then larger ones I find. Mostly because you don't have the room for error and they can be hard to line up as nicely. Paper piecing would be easier but since I don't EQ without the laptop I can't give you a template. I did make Mini Verna without it so it's doable.
These pictures were using mini charm sizes, so it's ok that they look smooshed. It works.

One sided sashing is this:

One sided sashing goes towards the edge of the quilt.

Two sided is this:

Mini Verna
5*8 setting
Cutting:
40 -mini charms, 2.5" squares.
67 -1.25x2.50, this is the sashing.
252- 1.25" squares, these are the stars points and star centers.

I used the stitch and flip method (if you need this explained email me or check out some of the tutorials online) to make 45 two sided sashing pieces, and the 22 one sided sashing pieces.
Arrange the charms in whatever way is pleasing to you. Sew the sashing and charms together. Sew sashing and star centers together into rows and then sew the rows together alternating Charm and Sashing rows.

I added a 1" border all around in the same fabric as the sashing. Baste, quilt, and bind!

Alternate Sizes/Setting

Mini Charms 6x7 setting
42 mini charms (2.5")
47 sashing pieces (2.25"x1.25")
   - 22 one sided sashing
   - 25 two sided sashing
177 1.25" squares
   -144 corner pieces for stitch and flip
   - 30 centers

2 Charm Packs 9x9 setting, 54"x54"  with no borders added.
81 Charm Squares (5"), all but 3 charms from 2-42 piece charm packs.
74 sashing pieces (2.5x5) [Use Jelly Roll strips for a scrappy sashing, in which case you'd need 10 strips, or 1yd of fabric]
    - 32 one sided sashing
    - 42 two sided sashing
296 2.50" squares (One of the Jelly Roll Basics would be a time saver, you'd need 18.5 strips, or 1.325 yards)
    - 232 for the corners of stitch and flip
    -64centers

3 Charm Packs 11x11 setting 64"x64" with no borders added.
121 Charm Squares (5"), all but 5 charms from 3-42 piece charm packs.
130 sashing pieces (2.5x5) [Use Jelly Roll strips for a scrappy sashing, in which case you'd need 17 strips, or 1yd of fabric]
    - 40 one sided sashing
    - 90 two sided sashing
540  2.50" squares (One of the Jelly Roll Basics would be a huge time saver, you'll need 34 strips, or 2.5yds of fabric)
    - 440 for the corners of stitch and flip
    -100 centers


I hope this helps...I know it may not be the most clear so feel free to e-mail me any questions or comment here.

Stuck but binding

 So I'm in a bit of limbo right now. I can't work on Nephew #2's quilt until I get the rest of the fabric in the mail, which could be tomorrow or next week depending on customs, and I don't have anything else sitting waiting. I don't really want to get out a UFO, they're buried and probably are because they need some amount of work. And I can't decide on starting something else. I have several ideas but no motivation or am lacking the necessary materials for the project.

 I sewed on the binding to Mini Verna finally. It's a very small binding but it looks good I think.

I've prepped the binding for Roundabout, even though I won't get around to it quilting it for while. Forgive the utilitarian picture.

I dug out the Clover Bias Tape maker, man does this make making the binding a breeze! And NO burnt fingers!! I will never make binding without it again. Seriously. It takes longer to cut the fabric then to get it ironed into double folded binding.

 I also used it to make the binding for one of the Rounneries table runners I made. I got it attached and am working on sewing it down in the evenings while DH is watching whatever crap is on that night. Sigh. I'm getting tired of TV. Seriously I want to chuck the thing most of the time. I either end up watching stuff I really don't enjoy, DH's stuff like sitcoms, or Little Bit's cartoon movies, over and over again. I don't think it would be so bad except whenever one or the other is home the tv is pretty much on. I HATE that. If you need noise turn on music. If you need to unwind fine, but all the time?? And neither of them ever thinks to ask if I want to watch anything. Little Bit is 6 so this is understandable..I wonder what DH's excuse is?
Ok I'm ranting so I'll stop now.
Off to get Little Bit from the bus.