CherylTheQuiltNut

Tuesday was a happy day!

2010-02-17T11:14:00.005-05:00

Even in the light snow yesterday, my friend and I went out to Simsbury to Sew Inspired Quilt Shop for the Fat Quarter Frenzy Sale. Oh what a dream. I came home with 40 FQ's and a few remnants. It was absolutely a delightful adventure. Then we decided to go to Marji's Yarncrafts for yet another fiber fix. Below is a mosaic of what I came home with. Now I'm going to work up in the sewing room for the rest of the day. The fabric is calling me! It's all just luscious!

First Sock

2010-02-02T16:01:00.001-05:00

This is how far I've gotten so far on the sock - not sure I'm feeling the love right now.

Knitting

2010-01-28T12:32:00.005-05:00

Lately I've been obsessed with knitting. As a result knitting needles have been found from my "old stash" and accumulated and acquired recently. To that end I had put the short and small stuff in my old "notions box" and the long needles in an old freezer wrap box. Obviously I needed a knitting/crochet needle case. This is what I came up with - I still need a closure (thinking ribbon and beads like I do with my folios). I'm gonna work with it for a while, then make a gift or two once I tweak what I did. The fabric is some upholsery samples I was given - I think it might be a little heavy for all the layers - may not use it for the pockets in future ones. The possibilities are endless - that's for sure!

Elden's Quilt

2010-01-16T11:16:00.003-05:00

Elden wanted a SpongeBob Squarepants quilt for xmas. I couldn't find focus fabric locally so I ordered some blocks on Ebay. They were ok, but not fussy cut like I would have done. He didn't seem to mind though. I forgot to take a pic of the back. it's Navy flannel, with cars and street signs - very cool and he has two sides for variety.

Melissa and Dave's Quilt

2010-01-16T11:10:00.003-05:00

This was xmas gift for Melissa and Dave. They have a quilt that I made for them years ago which is in dire need of repair so this is a replacement. I used some of almost all the batiks I have in my stash for the four patches, then alternated them with blending blocks. They have a combination of cream and robin's egg blue walls - so it goes quite well.

Quilt top .... ready to build ...

2009-11-11T17:39:00.003-05:00

Just finished this quilt top - it's a gift for a friend that is building a colonial house. Not sure when the house project will be done (as it's gone on forever) but this will be built and waiting for that day!

The middle is blocks from Mr. B's Benartex club that I had (all reproduction lines). It came out kind of cute!

Not totally sure blogging is for me ...

2009-11-07T11:23:00.004-05:00

since so much time goes by between posts. Some people challenge themselves to post daily, weekly, a special thing on a certain day of the week and manage to do it. I just don't see that being me - now mind you - it's not that I don't have the time - I'm on the computer enough, that's for sure - I just don't think my projects, or me for that matter is all that interesting. I certainly do admire the people who write the blogs I read - and it's a long list.

So ... that being said, I'm gonna keep the blog, but will probably just post finished projects and other stuff "whenever". Sort of a crafty chronical - maybe I'll even rename it - who knows? I think I'm even gonna change the header of this blog ....uh oh - getting inspired (for the moment anyway!).

Here's pics of a couple of binders I made out of upholstery fabric - these will be donated to the craft fair at my friend's church - but I think I'm gonna make more for gifts - they came out really good. I looked for patterns on the net but ended up drawing one up myself by looking at one I've had for years. I'm sure there is a pattern similar out there though.

It's been a while - yet again ....

2009-09-25T10:34:00.003-05:00

this time has been longer than ever since I started blogging. Guess it's not quite in my blood yet or something. Things at the Mucci residence have been busy - I haven't been doing much in the way of quilting, but the days tick away and I am busy - just can't say what I've been doing - it's all a blur.

One thing is that computer time is kind of limited since I've taken it out of the living room. It's hard to actually watch a show, spend quality time with Donnie and peck away at the computer all at the same time. So... I picked up knitting to watch evening TV with and it's much easier to view TV and have a conversation. Pics at 11.

Also have been reading - which is something I haven't done much of - guess I'm making up for it now. Here's a pic of Jet and Donnie from the car show we went to last Sunday. The edited version didn't upload - not sure why.

Unexpected inspiration today ...

2009-07-07T21:59:00.003-05:00

I was home today and watched some of the Michael Jackson memorial service. Thought it was done very well and didn't expect to be so moved by it. Most interesting was listening to MLK's Son - so eloquent. He quoted his father from what I believe is this speech. I found it very inspirational.

What Is Your Life's Blueprint?
Six months before he was assassinated, King spoke to a group of students at Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia on October 26, 1967.

I want to ask you a question, and that is: What is your life's blueprint?

Whenever a building is constructed, you usually have an architect who draws a blueprint, and that blueprint serves as the pattern, as the guide, and a building is not well erected without a good, solid blueprint.

Now each of you is in the process of building the structure of your lives, and the question is whether you have a proper, a solid and a sound blueprint.

I want to suggest some of the things that should begin your life's blueprint. Number one in your life's blueprint, should be a deep belief in your own dignity, your worth and your own somebodiness. Don't allow anybody to make you fell that you're nobody. Always feel that you count. Always feel that you have worth, and always feel that your life has ultimate significance.

Secondly, in your life's blueprint you must have as the basic principle the determination to achieve excellence in your various fields of endeavor. You're going to be deciding as the days, as the years unfold what you will do in life — what your life's work will be. Set out to do it well.

And I say to you, my young friends, doors are opening to you--doors of opportunities that were not open to your mothers and your fathers — and the great challenge facing you is to be ready to face these doors as they open.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, the great essayist, said in a lecture in 1871, "If a man can write a better book or preach a better sermon or make a better mousetrap than his neighbor, even if he builds his house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his door."

This hasn't always been true — but it will become increasingly true, and so I would urge you to study hard, to burn the midnight oil; I would say to you, don't drop out of school. I understand all the sociological reasons, but I urge you that in spite of your economic plight, in spite of the situation that you're forced to live in — stay in school.

And when you discover what you will be in your life, set out to do it as if God Almighty called you at this particular moment in history to do it. don't just set out to do a good job. Set out to do such a good job that the living, the dead or the unborn couldn't do it any better.

If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well. If you can't be a pine at the top of the hill, be a shrub in the valley. Be be the best little shrub on the side of the hill.

Be a bush if you can't be a tree. If you can't be a highway, just be a trail. If you can't be a sun, be a star. For it isn't by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.

— From the estate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

Ramblings ....

2009-06-23T14:06:00.002-05:00

Well, still working on the flannel quilt for my friend made out of her late husband's flannel shirts - just have to put the back together and bind it and it will be done. I think I made it into more work than I needed to but the horse is out of the barn at this point. Pics soon.

Made my first purchase at ETSY last night! DH bought me a Pandora chain so I was looking for beads and spacers for it - bought a few - such a great experience I think it's gonna become one of my favorite places to shop on-line! Pics soon!

Memory Quilt and Project Improv

2009-06-03T19:10:00.001-05:00

This is the quilt I made for my Mom and Dad's 50th Wedding anniversary. It took me quite a while to do it as I decided to use duponi silk fat quarters and some great fabric I had for the border and back. I printed the photos on pretreated fabric made for the job. Mom and I went through and figured out the dates and players in the pictures (I knew the players) which was an adventure. It was fun but glad it's done and in Mom and Dad's posession.

Been on blogging break ... this is what we've been doing!

2009-05-20T08:51:00.003-05:00

Haven't really been working as much as I'd like to in the sewing room as we've been sick and then the yard has been calling. Managed to clean up all the flower beds, preen and mulch - tried to set up for less maintenance in the future - and even enjoy the task before it gets really hot. We are on our 4th yard of mulch - my back says .... "that's alot of mulch!"

Mom and Dad are coming for a visit next week - so doing lots of work around the inside of the house as well.

I am working on two projects, only can't post about them because they are a secret - shhhhhh. Will post when the secret is out ... in the meantime here's some shots of the yard!

Update on Sewing Room

2009-04-23T08:06:00.003-05:00

Thanks all for the kind comments on the sewing room - have been working up there on projects and it is delightful for sure. Just remember, the pictures were taken before any work was done! The challenge will be to keep it close to that neat and organized. I will say that it's easier to work on something with a clear surface - so maybe there is hope! Huggz to all!

Sewing Room is Finally Finished ......

2009-04-15T10:13:00.004-05:00

Or should I say as finished as something creative like a sewing room gets! Anyway - it's certainly livable sans a porta pottie (no BR upstairs) and perhaps a microwave (which would upset DH if I never came down to visit!). Anyway pics are on my facebook account here with descriptions.

It's been a long time ....

2009-04-06T14:44:00.002-05:00

Wow - I just realized that I haven't posted anything in almost a month. I've been so busy - sort of over busy with projects and such that I forget about the blog. Slapping myself now! In the midst of all of this I decided to undertake a total reorganization of my quilting "studio" - which was spurred on by getting involved with Pat Sloan's Quilting Place on facebook - I've got the room half painted with a very fun color and will be going to IKEA on Wednesday to get storage for my stash and such. Anyway - it's gonna be a mystery and I will post a before and after probably by the end of the week.

Cheryl in CT

Scrub Top - finis'!

2009-03-12T13:04:00.002-05:00

The infamous scrub top is finally finished! I used an old threadbare top that I loved as a pattern and here it is! I will be making more - they are really easy and I have fabric in the house to use even! The picture is much lighter and doesn't do the print justice.

Building Bright and Sunny

2009-02-25T11:27:00.004-05:00

At the beginning of the month I was doing this. These are the blocks I've come up with so far. This quilt will be for my bedroom, which is yellow and I want bright and sunny. I'm pretty sure it's gonna be sashed in white. There are 19 squares here (11" each) - guess I'll make one more so I can do a 4x5 grid - then I'll go from there. I'm liking it alot so far.

Another UFO is DONE!

2009-02-25T10:59:00.003-05:00

This baby quilt was pieced before xmas and it took until last night to put the last stitches in the binding. Can you say "PROCRASTINATOR"? The balls have been done for quite a while just waiting. This quilt is for Elden's (our grandson) daycare provider that just had a baby. Feels good to get this off my plate! [Click on pic for more detail]

Oh - and the beautiful daffodils were a gift from my friend Nancy that she got at the CT Garden show - aren't they pretty?

I Built a House!

2009-02-16T13:42:00.003-05:00

I read a blog entitled "Adventures in Green Quilting". Even though I've been buying alot of new fabric lately I've been trying really hard to use what I have as well. The new fabric has more to do with my changing tastes in color and design. Anyway - the woman (Joanna Norman) that writes this blog is offering a free BOM for 2009 entitled "Come Over To My House". The block pictured below is January. Kinda cute. I think this will make a nice wall hanging. Today I downloaded the block for February - it's 4 apartments - should be fun.

More Stash Enhancement

2009-02-14T09:30:00.002-05:00

Received my last package of fabric I ordered last weekend from http://www.quiltfabriccloseouts.com/. The fabric is just gorgeous and feels so silky. Very good quality and very good service - I'll definately go back there again.

The bottom four cuts here are from the Urban Garden collection and are just luscious. The top two I just loved - and you have to buy what you love - right?!

These are pretty much solids with a twist. The colors from selvedge to selvedge transition from light to dark. It was hard to show in the picture - what is shown here is the middle tone of each. This gives alot of flexibility with the solids. Also it has a tone on tone quality which adds some depth. In the past I've bought other color transition fabrics which were just blocks of colors in the same hue and loved them so couldn't resist.

Postcards

2009-02-14T09:17:00.005-05:00

Made some fabric postcards for Valentines Day! These were the first ones I ever made and I think they came out pretty well. Mary talks about them all the time in her blog and they sound like such fun I looked up her tutorial on how to make them! These pics can be posted now that the recipients have their cards!

Stash Enhancement

2009-02-12T15:55:00.005-05:00

I know I will never die with the most fabric - but I can continue to try. lol These are my latest acquisitions - there is more on the way - and I still have to take pictures of the latest batiks I purchased a while ago - there is something about posing it and seeing it pictured that inspires me.

These fabrics are from www.auntbeassewingbasket.com

These are from www.cottage-quilts.com

Cutting more Strips

2009-02-02T15:18:00.004-05:00

Well, I've been puttering again in the sewing room - really in the mood to create and have had this quilt in my mind for a while for the bedroom - really only colors in my mind, but colors in a quilt. So I started cutting strips for this said quilt using Flea Market Fancy guidelines - need to make a sort of large quilt so cutting more squares than this calls for. Here's what I've got so far:

Pink and White Baby Quilt - New UFO

2009-01-29T13:13:00.009-05:00

Decided to make a small quilt using only scraps that I had and found a bunch of two inch squares from Valentine Day hangings I made last year for gifts. It was based on Finn's quilt at CHICKPEA SEWING STUDIO. It came out pretty well if I say so myself. Someone is going to have to have a baby girl soon!

Independence Day Quilt - turning into a Project Improv effort

2009-01-29T12:40:00.008-05:00

So I've been working on the raffle quilt and it's coming together pretty well. Made 4 more blocks since the last post. I am working without a plan - so it's gonna be an interesting process putting all the blocks together in the final product. These are the most recent blocks:

I made another block which I'm thinking may be too white and too big for the quilt, so what do you do with those types of blocks? Make a hanging for the door of course!

Independence Day Quilt

2009-01-22T19:57:00.005-05:00

I committed to make a quilt for Independence Day to be raffled off at the nursing home where I work for the resident social fund. I've decided that I will make a bunch of different blocks using different techniques (paper piecing, wonky piecing, etc.) and somehow put it all together. So far I have 3 blocks done. There is some time before this has to be done, so I'm gonna do a few blocks a week through February, then somehow assemble it all! Here's the first 3 blocks.

My First Wonky Log Cabin

2009-01-19T13:44:00.002-05:00

Here's my first attempt at a wonky log cabin block. I used Jacquie's tutorial (http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/2008/04/for-dana-wonky-log-cabin-block-tutorial.html) as a guide and went at it. I think it came out ok - definately out of the box for me!

New Block for Project Improv!

2009-01-18T10:44:00.004-05:00

I did it - a simple block for Project Improv! I had this busy colorful fabric that I've been eyeing forever - never really knew what to do with it - pulled it out and decided to play with it and this is what I came up with. The fabric is so busy that I decided to go simple. The next block I'm making will be using smaller pieces of the busy fabric and draw more from the focus colors, but this one was so pleasing that I went with it. I guess that's the point - go with what works at the moment!

Cutting Strips for Stash

2009-01-17T09:57:00.002-05:00

I've been thinking about fabric and how to make it more useful - I know - who could say fabric isn't useful? My stash is comprised of mostly one yard or greater pieces or scraps which is comprised of strips from other projects or just plain old scraps. In the reading on other blogs I've noticed that people work from strips that they cut from their fabrics. Tonya talks about it in this post on her blog: http://lazygalquilting.blogspot.com/2008/11/cutting-strips.html. Makes alot of sense to me so now I have another dilemna - what sizes do I cut the strips and how do I organize them? Talk about overthinking! I think my answer is like the nike commercial: Just DO IT! So...I'm on my way to cut strips and see how it goes! Any suggestions would certainly be welcome - especially from my PROJECT IMPROV buddies!

2009-01-14T18:06:00.002-05:00

What a great day I had. Went to my friend Nancy's house and we had a "craft" day. I worked on some hand sewing and pinbasted a couple of quilts. .She hemmed her handwoven dishtowels and then did a little spinning. While we were accomplishing these things we got the chance to chat and pump up our enthusiasm for future projects - fabric postcards, etc. I can't wait

2009-01-10T18:18:00.011-05:00

My Donnie is really a great guy in so many ways. Today when we were decluttering and cleaning was a perfect example. Check it out - he's vacuuming!

On Thursday I went to Costco after work to pick up a few things and while I was there bought him a present - the cute little Armor All Utility Vac with all the attachments. He was thrilled to say the least. He wanted this before xmas and I talked him out of buying it thinking I would give the kids a hint. Well, that never happened for one reason or another.

Anyway - I hope the novelty of this new toy doesn't wear off too quick.

2009-01-10T18:05:00.004-05:00

Today wasn't much of a sewing day as Donnie and I decided that this weekend would be focused on decluttering/cleaning. I did get a small amount done on a small baby quilt I started using pink/red squares that I cut a long time ago for valentine wall hangings. Anyway - I will post about that soon.

The news of the day, though, is that we filled a 96 gallon trash container with junk - literally! I am so amazed that we lived with all that for so long - mostly in the sewing/computer room and the old room across the hall from there. We have lots more to get rid of but that will require me going through basket making supplies to give to a friend that still does baskets and finding out a place to donate/recycle old computer/electronic equipment (any suggestions?). Definate progress was made for sure - we are going to do more tomorrow morning too.

2009-01-09T12:33:00.002-05:00

Good morning...got a good nights sleep, drank a fabulous cuppa jo that my dear dear husband left for me in the thermous, sat down to read e-mail and found the e-mail on the details of Project Improv. I'm so excited!

Since I have to go to work for 3pm I decided to do a little work formatting my new blog. Learned a lot. I guess I'll get better at it as time goes on. The next job I will do on the blog is fill in my profile and maybe even some text in the header. Since I've been missing school (love the learning process) this is right up my alley!

2009-01-08T21:03:00.002-05:00

I'm struggling with this blogging thing. Not sure why I'm doing it, why I want to do it, or what I am even going to blog about. I've read a lot of things about blogging - enough to know that it's a good way to chronicle creative endeavors as well as journal life's happenings - I guess its just that place to start I'm having trouble finding.

So I'm gonna start with the group I've just joined - Project Improv. I've always wanted to do unique works - but seem to stick with traditional blocks and labor over the colors, etc. - I'm thinking this will stretch my imagination and lead me in a different direction. I've also committed to make a block for a charity quilt through this group in the orange/pink family of colors. This will be interesting as well. We'll see.

Until tomorrow.