6/23/09

Is anyone still doing these?

I'm doing so many BOM's this year that I have to take one weekend a month and just devote it to them. The first one I started was with a bunch of people from my previous blog site. It's from BunnyHill.com and is called "A Tisket A Tasket" and is a series of baskets, one per month, with something seasonal in each one. I'm going to make one addition to the original design and embroider the month on each one. Some of them are just missing something and I think that if I slip the month into them, at various places on the block, like up one side of the basket, or between the handle and the basket contents, it will give them just what they need. Anyway, haven't done that yet. I've been too busy to go backward and add stuff. For this one, I'm thinking of embroidering June up the right side, starting just above the bird's wing and ending just where the handle starts to kind of fill in that blank space.



These blocks were where I got started on the applique kick. 2009 has turned into applique year for me and I'm getting better and better. In the first couple of basket blocks, I tried several different applique methods, trying to find the one I liked best. In my practice, I have 3 January blocks, each made with a different method and all good enough to keep. But, in some subsequent months, I've made terrible mistakes and ended up throwing the blocks away and starting over. Now, I have the neatest stilletto that I can use to fold the edges of the fabric over the freezer paper and keep from burning my fingers and I've become quite adept at applique...and keeping my fingerprints.



On the homefront, Sydney got her braces off this morning. She did so good through the whole process, never complaining about any pain and getting regular compliments from the orthodontist about how clean she was keeping her teeth. In a year or so, when all her permanent teeth are in, we'll see whether she needs another round to adjust the front teeth to the back ones, but the ortho is not sure she'll need it and I'm really hoping not as we've just about used up the ortho benefit on my insurance.

I was so tired last night that I fell asleep on the couch while hand stitching some hexagons onto my hexagon medallion quilt. I just sat it in my lap for a second to cut a new piece of thread and woke up about 40 minutes later. Rob and Sydney were nice enough to let me sleep, but after I woke up, they sure had a big giggle about me sitting upright and snoring. I tried to blame that on the dog that was sleeping next to me, but they were not going for it..."that little dog was NOT making all that noise".

Reading: I haven't talked much about reading on the blog, but I am an avid fan of good books. I've been reading Endless Chain by Emilie Richards. This is my first book by her. I've only read quilt related novels by Jennifer Chiaverinni and I have to say that this book is very, very good. The characters are well developed and the plot has lots of twists and turns and it has been a real page turner. I'm about 50 pages from the end, so don't tell me what happens because I truly cannot predict it, which adds so much to my interest in a book. I have 4 of the Shenandoah Album series and can't wait to start the next one. But, first, I'm going to read an Earlene Fowler quilt mystery, just to give her a try and see what I think. I love a good mystery and I love quilts, so unless it's just terrible, I should enjoy it.

Take care and have a great day. I'll see you around the blog site. Lane

9 comments:

Vesuviusmama said...

The flowers in this basket are awesome! I think adding the months to the blocks would be a great idea. You're right, I haven't seen anyone posting these blocks in a while, well, since the other blog went down.

I really enjoy the Emilie Richards books, too. I've read them all and am anxiously awaiting another. Earlene Fowler's books are fun, although there's not nearly enough actual quilting in them. That hasn't stopped me from buying the entire series, though. I just finished Marie Bostwick's second book in her Cobbled Court Quilts series. I hope she writes more because it is a great combination of actual quilting and people with realistic problems that I can relate to. Happy reading/quilting/snoring!

oldbatt said...

Lane, just love catchin up on what is going on with you. Your Bunny Hill blocks are so cute but I gave those up months ago. Too many other things I really want to get done. BTW thank you for sending me the postage - it really wasn't necessary. I have started a blog on blogspot too but just haven't post much lately - hopefully soon though. Have a great day! Lisa

Becky said...

I really love the colors in the June BOM. I like the idea of stitching the month on the block.
I'm a snorer too, Lane.....Rick has to wake me up sometimes so I will stop! :) Oh well.....we are what we are, huh.

My name is Riet said...

That is a great block Lane. Nice and colourful ad the name of the month will look real nice I think.

Jay said...

Hi Lane. Just wanted to tell ya that I enjoy your posts. I am a long time fan of yours. I used to go in on Molly's blog and read your stuff. I feel I know you like a nieghbor. Oh, and tell Sydney CONGRATS on graduating from her braces. Tell her to show off that smile ;-)

Piece by Piece said...

Hi Lane: I started the basket blocks on the other blog, so far I have only finished one, but all of the instructions have been printed off the web site. Sydney must show us her lovely smile. One of my g-daughters {(one of the two born in China,) a lot of the Chinese have mouths too small for all of their teeth)} is just starting the teeth straightening process. She has had the spacer in for a couple of years, but that is coming out and braces on in August. Patricia

Sam said...

Hi Lane, your block looks tops! I bet Sydney is loving not having braces on her teeth now. Good on her! Sam xox

Cheryl Willis said...

Im printing them out, but haven't started yet, might decided to enlarge them and do a quilt. I never know when I am going start something new- just in case I do, I decided to have them available. yours is looking good. cw

Nancy said...

Oh, I love that basket block. I wonder if Bunny Hill is strill offering that series? I love blocks of the month but my favorite local shop closed last December and the closest shop is in NJ. Too far for a quick jaunt to the quilt shop. Would love hearing about any current BOMs