Farmer's Wife Blocks 1-50

Hi all!  As promised, I'm finally getting around to posting the progress on my Farmer's Wife blocks.  I'm almost at 60 done, but since I'll be posting in groups of 10, I've got the first 50 for your viewing pleasure.  You can click on the pics to enlarge them.

Blocks 1-10



Blocks 11-20

Yes, that black, red and ecru one is supposed to be pieced like that.  :o)



Blocks 21-30



 Blocks 31-40

Two still need the paper removed.

Blocks 41-50

Three still need the paper removed.

Hope you enjoyed my little block show!  :o)

Quilty hugs,

Suzy

More Info On My Custom FQ Die

A few of you have expressed an interest in my custom FQ die and how you can get one like it.  First of all, I'm flattered.  Thanks, peeps for thinking I've "dun good".  LOL!  Second, y'all are "noreply" so I can't contact you directly, so I'm doing so here on my blog, which may also help those who are interested in the future.

Now on to the important stuff...  Yes, I did design this die myself -- it is custom and not stocked for sale by AccuQuilt.  However, it MAY be possible to obtain one for yourself by contacting AccuQuilt directly with the information I am about to share with you.  FYI -- I drew up my prototype using my EQ (Electric Quilt) program.  Made it easier for me and AccuQuilt was very impressed.  *big grin*  Once I submitted the prototype, the ball got rolling and they quoted me a price ($132.00) and after my approval of their CAD drawing, they sent it on to be manufactured and shipped to me.



My Prototype as drawn in EQ



With that all said, and considering all the "hard" stuff is done, I wouldn't be surprised if they kept my die board in their archives (I mean, what if I use this one to death and need another?  LOL!)  So I will share with you my "die number."  Ready?  It is FQS9200186.  And I called the die "FQ To Scraps."

I hope those who are interested can get one for yourselves.  I'd love to hear from you on the outcome of your inquiry.  Good luck!

Quilty hugs,

Suzy

It's Here!!!

I got my custom FQ die today from Accuquilt!  I am so pumped!

Yes, I've tested it out.  I would have taken a video, but it's just little ol' me (if you don't count my Dad visiting for the winter who is totally techno challenged) and, of course, I need my hands free to crank.  Teehee.  So pictures will just have to suffice...

Here's the die (after my marking the cutting blade lines with my black sharpie).

And here's the die with three FQs folded lengthwise on the die.

And here's the die going through in one pass.  I must admit that it was a little tough to crank when I came to the end of the pass, but I think it's because I need to break the sucker in.  I'll let you know more about that later if it doesn't improve.

And here are the results! 

3 FQ's in one pass = six 2-1/2" strips, six 2" strips, six 1-1/2" strips, six 1" strips, six 1/2" strips (for mini string blocks using scant seams), 30 2-1/2" squares, 24 2" squares, 24 1-1/2" squares.  VERY LITTLE WASTE!

If the FQ I am cutting is short on a side, I put that side on the strip end, so my strips are a bit shorter (which is fine), and I lose that last full 2-1/2" square, but can use them as scraps or recut them into 1-1/2" or 2" squares.

In a FQ frenzy,
Suzy

Do-Over

Isn't it funny how fabric choice can totally make or break a quilt...

Better?

Lesson learned,
Suzy

Design Wall Monday

I'm making progress on a few of my projects. 

Here's where I am with my Scrappy Trip quilt.  All the blocks are done and now I'll be sewing the rows together.  Not sure if I'll get to these today.  Maybe tonight when it cools down some.  It's already 86 degrees here.  Probably will reach 90.  The thought of the weight of the quilt in my lap as I sew the center together just doesn't appeal to me in this heat.  And I refuse to turn on my air conditioning.  I'm a fresh air kinda girl.  *grin*

Here's my other project.  The workshop quilt that we didn't know what we were getting as they were in paper bags.  Each of the quilts everyone worked on were all different.  I was happy I got oriential fabrics, but I'm just not liking this quilt very much.  That and the fact that there wasn't enough fabric for the bottom border and I had to make do.  The only redeeming factor is that when my daughter picked up my grandson last night, I had it laying on the great room floor wondering if I should remove the one side border and replace it to match the bottom border; and she saw it and seems to love it.  Of course, it being in the purple color family may be a big reason.  She's a purple girl.  I was going to donate it to our guild to add to the charity quilts, but now I think I will send it to be quilted and give it to her as one of her birthday gifts (March 25). 

What are you all working on today?  Share with us on Judy's blog.  :o)

To finishes,
Suzy

I Caved...

Yep, I caved.  I'm weak.  I admit it.  (*hangs head in shame*)  Here are the Scrappy Trip blocks I have done so far...

Yes, they are just like potato chips...you can't stop at one.  There are worse things to be addicted to, I think.  :o)

Addicted and proud of it,
Suzy

AccuQuilt Now Offers GO! Custom Dies!!!!

Oh, heart be still!  I'm am swooning!  Custom dies for the GO!  I've been dying for this option since the beginning of my GO! die obsession!  You'd better believe I hopped on that bandwagon as soon as I opened the e-mail notification.

I've been especially craving a die for my FQs that I can cut multiple shapes from in one pass for my scrappy quilts.  I love me my scrappy quilts!  Yep, I've already submitted my prototype (using my trusty EQ7 program) -- here it is:

I know you're eyeing that 1/2" strip and going "hmmmm" since there would be nuttin' left over after 1/4" seams, but they will be used in string quilts and I will use tiny seam allowances.  I didn't want anything to go to waste.

The overall size of the blades will be 8-1/2" wide by 21-1/2" long, so I'll just have to fold my FQs in half once and I can cut 3 FQs in one fell crank.  I didn't want to make it 9" x 22" in case the FQs are cut a smidge too small.  So whatcha think?

I think I'm in looovvveee!
Suzy

P.S.  I see another FQ die in my future utilizing brick shapes and half-square triangles...(*fans self*)

Setbacks...and Playing Catch-Up

Whew...that was a long blog break.  I've been outta commission in one way or another for longer than I thought.  First was the ribs thing...and just as I was getting all healed up, bam, I messed up the tendons in my left arm and shoulder.  Man!  The pain was worse than labor pain...no lie!  At least with labor pain, you get the slight reprieve between contractions -- not so with this kinda pain!  So after dr. visits and quartizone (sp?) shots and pain meds, I was finally feeling up to snuff again and just in time for my trip up north to spend three weeks over Christmas with my sister and her family.  It was a great visit, up until a week before I left and then, bammm, a lousy cold.  I blame my brother-in-law, he started it.  Then I got home and the cold kept getting worse and worse.  Finally dragged my stubborn butt to the dr's and what do you know -- bronchitis, strep throat, sinus infection and TWO ear infections.  Jeez, can a girl get any luckier?

Anyway, I'm doing much better now, although I still have a lingering cough.  Hope that's it for me in the poor health department for the remainder of the year.  LOL!

On the sewing front, nothing got done while I was out of commission; except for one good week at my sister's when they were at work and my niece was in school.  That's when I managed to get quite a few Farmer's Wife blocks done.  I'm now in the mid-50's!!!!  Honest, I will post pictures soon on that.  :o)

My Easy Street sat stagnant at the four patches (first step), until recently.  Now I'm caught up on all the parts and am starting to put it together.  I have the four corner units done and one of the side units.  I'm getting there!  I'm loving how it's turning out and the final quilts that everyone is posting are gorgeous!

I'm also working on a mystery lap-sized quilt that I had a workshop for this past weekend.  Just have the borders to put on.  It was a fun class and we didn't know what we were getting fabric-wise as all the kits were in brown paperbags.  I'm happy I got oriental fabrics, but not sure yet if I like how they play together.  I'll have to let it marinate.  If I still don't love it, I'll donate it to our guild charity.  Here's a pic of it layed out while it was still awaiting row construction:

Well, that's it for now.  Hope you all are healthy and happy in this New Year!
Suzy

Projects In Progress...

Three weeks later and my ribs are feeling much better.  Not 100%, probably more like 90%, but I can now spend quality time at the computer and sewing machine.  Here's what I've been working on...

This little applique project will finish at 16" square.  I'm not sure yet what I will do with it; whether I'll frame it, or make a pillow out of it, or maybe even the center of a quilt.  I'm still stitching around the shapes with a buttonhole stitch in black rayon thread.  I'm loving how it looks.  :o)

And this little (soon to be big) project is Bonnie Hunter's latest online mystery.  This week we are to make 192 four patches from 2" cut squares.  I'm following her color suggestions; just because when I pulled them from my stash they looked so pretty together.

I used my AccuQuilt GO! to cut all the 2" squares, which made that step go very quickly.  And since I have a touch of OCD (smile), I've arranged all like "twosies" together in piles and as I sew I am picking up one from the first pile and matching it with one from each of the other piles; then picking up one from the second pile and matching it with one from each of the other piles; etc., so I don't get two of the same "twosies" in a four patch.  That's why you'll see some of my "twosie" piles on the slant -- I've matched those with the others already.  I know that probably didn't make sense to you, but it does to me.  LOL!

It's only week 1, so it's not too late to join.  Come on in, the water's fine!  Click here for the mystery information, and here for the linky post to some of the other crazies committed quilters who are having fun along with me!  Hehe.

See ya next week with my results of the next step of Bonnie's mystery,
Suzy

Houston Pics

Hi all.  Finally getting around to posting the pics from Houston.  See, I broke my ribs the day after I got back from the trip.  Don't ask.  Stupidity on my part...  I'm slowly healing, but can't spend much time sitting at the computer without it aggravating them.

Anyway, suffice it to say we had a great time, although I'll never travel that distance in a bus again!  LOL!  Hope you enjoy the pictures.  I apologize for the blurry ones.  Must have been so excited that my hands were trembling.  Teehee.  The gorgeous red, white and blue quilt was the Best of Show.  Breathtakingly amazing.  I'd write more, but, well, the ribs thing.

Click here for the pictures!

Catch up with ya later,
Suzy