Fire and Ice

Wow!

Getting this block was really important.  I've seen other people's ideas for Fire and Ice and they didn't impress me.  I wanted to find a block that really brought fire and ice to mind.  I hesitated to use a fire fabric because I wasn't sure I would like the use of a novelty-type fabric in the block.  I found all the oranges in my stash!

I found the snowflake/ice crystal block pattern when I was looking for my graduation block pattern.  The idea hit me over the head!  I only had to find the right fabrics....

I'm pretty tickled about this block.  I'm drinking too much of my own kool-aid these days.  For someone whose life begins and ends over whether or not people like me and my work, I don't care this time.  I like this block!  I was that way with a couple of my Twilight Quilt blocks and it feels great to get a little bit of my mojo back....

Thank you for everyone that helped me make up my mind.

You'll notice I went with a totally different fabric.  I wanted "ice" for the outside.  I guess I kind of let that be known earlier.  I had planned on making a quick trip to the lqs on the way home from work today before I was reminded that C's Exit Interview/Presentation was today.  Then, I remembered I had another icey fabric in my stash--one of my discards for the Keeping the Faith Quilt I started a couple of months ago.

I was freaking out earlier because the block had some discoloration in the center.  I picked up something from my iron or over ironing and I took a Q-Tip to it last night.  I think the yellow batik may have bled a little or something.  I took some Oxyclean to the block tonight, rinsed it, and then dried it.  I think it's okay now.  phew

I'll be writing up an office Eclipse Quilt entry at The Twilight Quilters Coven blog soon with quotes and everything.

It's Getting Interesting...

I'm not blinking!

Growing Up

Even my kids growing up is all about me.....

I'm not one of those moms that is bemoaning their kids growing up or that wants them to be babies forever.  I'm eager to see them grown and on their way.  If only one of them comes back, I know I'll be doing great.

The only time I get hit hard emotionally by one of the kids showing signs of growing up is when I think about me getting older with them.  I'm shuddering at being old enough to have a high schooler next year.  I'm happy for her, but sighing a lot for me.

I had another moment this morning.

S is having a fun day today.  (The last days of school is all about fun!)  She was able to bring a blanket and stuffed animal along with some reading books today.  She wanted me to buy her a new blanket.  I told her no and asked her why she couldn't use her quilt.  I figured as much....

I made a Strawberry Shortcake quilt for her when she was three or four.  She still sleeps with it.  She is too old now to take it to school because Strawberry Shortcake is for little girls and she didn't want to be made fun of at school.

I know she will probably always keep her quilt.  I'm hoping she does.  It's not like it could be a hand me down because the quilt border has her name in lettered blocks.  It's S's quilt and no one else's.

Looks like I need to get busy and make her another quilt as she's outgrown that one!

Fire and Ice

need help.....

I made this block at 6" because I was too impatient to wait to enlarge it since I really wanted to start it last night.  I had picked out my fabric and I couldn't wait to start it!

I think it turned out great.  It's a good representation of Fire and Ice from Eclipse.  JMHO  But, I need the block to be 7" so I need to add fabric to all four sides and then I will square it up on-point.

I'm torn between these two options.  Before you think the blue is strange.... it kind of shakes the block up a bit and adds to the "Ice".  The flames stick out more, too.  (fabric on the "outside")  It may be too much of a shock adding the color to the block, though.

There is also this option:

Help!!

Artistry

In my best and most confident moods, I like to think of myself as a quilt artist....maybe on the lower end of the scales.  I like to challenge myself by coming up with creative ideas and sewing my best.

I'm happy with my work of late.  I've felt liberated.  The friends I have in blogville have been supportive and helped me immensely in the past months.  I know I've said Thank You often, but it never hurts to say it again.

Eclipse is just around the corner.  I'm in a mad rush to make blocks, but not to just throw things together.  I'm not one to do this anyway even when pressed for time like other people.  (People seem to do that even if they have a lot of time to get things done because that's just the way they are.  To each his own!!!)  I have so many ideas pulsing in my head that's it hard to keep track of them all.  I'm not an organized person either which really is a challenge.  (I spent an hour looking for a pattern and book this weekend when it was right under my nose.)

After what has seemed like months of no new info about Eclipse, stories are pouring out about the movie.

It's stuff like the video below that have inspired me and kept me motivated.  I've also loved the new pics and scenes because they have helped me in my design process.  Wow!

Sunday Sewing

I feel like I should be watching Twilight or New Moon, but I watched the last half of Scream 3.   I hear that there is going to be a Scream 4 and it's rumored that Ashley Greene (Alice in the Twilight movies) is up for a part.

I sewed all the New Moon letters together.  I would have started to quilt it, but the batting I have on hand wasn't long enough.  Darn it!

It's going to be one big quilt!  75" wide right now.  I really should plan better....

Fixer Upper

I couldn't leave well enough alone.  I wasn't totally happy with my Wuthering Heights block pages so I did a little bit of sewing engineering.  I reprinted the two pages, cut the other two out of the book so I didn't have unsew the whole thing, and sewed the new pages into the book.  It looks....better.

**edited....I noticed typos on 2 pages!!!  ugh  They are fixed now.....

The text is also more centered and I did a better job of rotary pinking the edges. I can't live without my Hera Marker. I wish I had thought to use it last night!

Off to The Twilight Quilters Coven blog to write about the block. After that it's back to New Moon....