Insanity 2009

It's not like I don't have enough going on to keep me busy for the next 40 years, but I have decided to join two Block of the Month clubs (BOM).

The first is through a local quilt store so that I can learn how

to do hand applique. I was actually surprised that this particular shop decided to do the Halloween Baltimore quilt by Pearl Pereira. Pieceful Gatherings ,in Fox River Grove, specialises in Civil War reproductions and darker fabrics with some 1930's repros and wool thrown in. They don't usually do Halloween that I know of. It's a nice little shop and they are the only ones in the area that are open on Sundays. Their applique teacher does beautiful work and talked them into having this class. Boy am I ever glad! Have I mentioned that I love Halloween and bats? This quilt has a ton of bats too! I hope I can do it justice! Pearl has a really cute "Little Red Riding Hood" quilt on her site as well.

The second BOM I've decided is a free, yes FREE, online sew along from Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs. It's called "A Tisket, A Tasket, 12 Months of Baskets" and is the first one cute, cute, cute! I've been following Anne's designs for a few years and think she's just wonderful. I have the kits for the "Pumpkin Hill" and the "Rabbits Prefer Chocolate" BOM's that I haven't made yet because of my handwork phobia, and I really think the Rabbits need to be hand done as opposed to fusible webbed. Since I've been participating in the embroidery club at Tammy Tadd's, my fear of it has lessened quite a bit, and I'm finding that I enjoy it somewhat, so I think 2009 will be the year I learn some hand applique! Maybe if I get these three done in my lifetime, I'll make the Baltimore Bunnies too!

Block of the Month

In parallel with all of my other projects, I'm also working on a $5 Block of the Month series at Quilter's General Store in Rockford. It's great fun! My friends Debbie, Linda, Robin and I all meet up for the drive out to Rockford the 3rd Saturday morning of the month. That way we each only need to drive 3 times total for the year long program.

We meet up Karen (yet another Karen) at the Machine Shed in Rockford for breakfast prior to our class. If you are ever in the area, we all highly recommend the Machine Shed for all meals. Debbie and I split the chicken dinner when we go to Rockford for our annual quilt guild weekend retreat.

The $5 block of the month is an interesting concept. You go to the first class, pay five dollars, and they give you a fat quarter (an 18"x22" square of fabric, not a body part!) The instructor explains the assembly of the block for that month. The following month, you come back w/the block finished and the provided fabric in that block. If you meet the requirements, then you get your next fat quarter for free! You essentially get 12 fat quarters for $5! It's a great deal.

I decided to try the program because I totally love the Madeira fabric line by Blackbird Designs that they chose for the program. The blocks are a sampler quilt design from the Kansas Spirit book by Jeanne Poore. The blocks are nice, but I have to say - none of us are all that impressed with the directions. I have never done a sampler quilt, so I figured it would be fun.
I've been trying to do 2 blocks each time, one with a light background and one with a dark one. Sometimes I forget that plan though and end up with 2 light backgrounds. I plan to make 2 different quilts out of them. The only problem I've had so far with the program is that there is one fabric design in the line that I totally don't like, and of course we've been given that one in like 3 different colors as our one to use! I always use it as the absolute smallest piece possible in the block.