BOM Blocks 1 and 2-Piece, Love Applique

Well, it turns out this BOM is very quick to put togther, and with only a couple of evenings after work I have churned out Blocks 1 and 2! Here are some pics for you to enjoy:
Here is "block" 1. With this project, they're more like sections than blocks.


Here you see two shots, one before and one after I've button-hole stitched the fusible applique. I went with my favorite method, fusible applique and machine button-hole stitch.




Here is section 2, the first try.


I didn't like how light the green of the leaves turned out, so I switched fabrics. Here is my final block, before the buttonhole finish:


So, I'm off to finish the button hold and section 2 will be done! Perhaps you'll find a picture of sections 1 and 2 attached to each other later tonite!

New Block of the Month-As Promised

OK, so I promised at Moda University that I would post pics and info about the new block of the month idea I've been cooking up. Here are the basics, about 90% organized and decided upon in my head. I'm still fine tuning the details, and won't be starting it until my sample is all but quilted, so you have some time to ask questions, get details, and think about how much fun you'll have participating!

First, the quilt. A pattern I picked up in Salt Lake City at a quilt shop about 2 or 3 years ago. Not exactly a new pattern, but one that I loved and have been saving for the right time and fabric.

Next, my idea of how this will work:

1. A 12 month block of the month. Pick up your pattern by the 10th of each month. First pattern section is FREE as long as you pay for each month's kit for the entire 12 months! You will get a fabric kit with a variety of fat quarters and a background fabric that will make the entire top. I don't know prices yet, as I'm making mine first to determine how much fabric you really need.

2. On months 2 thru 12, bring in your finished block so I can take a pic, OR email me a picture of your block if you are not in my area. This is meant to be fun for everyone, no matter where you live! I want to share all of the different quilts and different fabric combinations, so pictures will be posted either here or on the shop's Facebook page for everyone to view. Even if you get the same fabrics as someone else, you're bound to pick different fabrics for different blocks, so no two quilts will be the same!

3. If you complete and bring/email a picture of your block each month by the 10th, you will get the next portion of the pattern for FREE!!! (Do you all love FREE stuff as much as me???) If not.......sorry, you will have to buy your next pattern to continue.

4. I will post tips, tricks, and pictures of the steps my quilt goes through each month to help you construct yours.

5. After you receive the 12th month's instructions, submit a picture/bring your quilt in by the 10th of the 13th month to be entered into a Grand Prize Drawing!!! Number of prizes is yet to be determined, and will depend on just how many people are participating. The Grandest of Grand Prizes??? FREE (yes, another FREE thing!) Quilting for you quilt top! If you get your quilt, back, and batt to me I will quilt it for FREE! If enough people participate, I might even quilt 2 for free, and will also include a second and third place prize.

Questions, suggestions, and/or general comments? Please reply, I'd love your feedback!

Oh, So, TIRED!

Let me start by saying that working a 40 hour/week regular job AND running a business STINKS. Would someone tell me why I didn't request tomorrow off, because I will be lucky to crawl out of bed and drag myself anywhere in the morning. I am so tired, in fact, that I didn't even have the energy to be in this picture of my quilt show booth:


I did, however, actually finish a few things this week in the way of quilt projects. They are the Ellie Bag, and my Spring Needle Punch. Why yes, this is the same needle punch I started over a year ago. Thanks for rubbing it in!

Here are some pics:





Now, off to bed with me!

How Many Places Can I Be at Once?

After resisting for as long as possible, I finally broke down and joined Twitter. I even figured out how to get a fun background, currently featuring one of the fabrics from Moda's new Hunky Dory line. And now, I've created a page on Facebook just for The Crazy Quilter. Although it is a pathetic, empty space at the moment, I have plans to make it fun and wonderful with lots of pictures. You can visit it here:

The Crazy Quilter on Facebook

Have fun looking, more pictures coming soon!

OK People, Here's the Scoop

So......A realty sign went up in front of the quilt shop this week, and apparently caused quite a stir. If you're wondering what the deal is (and even if you aren't) here's the scoop (the super condensed version, anyways):

I no longer live in Deary. Last year was quite a year for me, and due to several very big life changes I moved to another small town about 30 minutes from Deary. This happened in August of last year, within the same 2 week period that I also started a new full time job in Moscow, which is 30 minutes from Deary as well as 30 minutes from my house. (Picture a big triangle, with my house, Deary, and Moscow each at a point of the triangle)

I have spent almost every weekend since then driving back and forth between my home and Deary. I have spent Monday thru Friday commuting between my home and Moscow, and often (every evening for the most recent 2-3 weeks) I have driven the entire triangle every day, as I go to Moscow in the morning, to Deary after work, and then finally home.

It has not taken me too long to realize this is a pace I do not want to keep up with. Long story short, either
(1) I don't keep my full time job (not really a choice, can you say "health insurance"???)
(2) I don't keep the quilt shop, or
(3)I find a way to move the quilt shop closer to my home or my job.

So, I guess you can figure out which one I have chosen. I AM NOT selling the business, only the location. I hope to find a super awesome location in Moscow as soon as the building in Deary sells. While I love the atmosphere of my current location, and I am thankful to have had it available to me for the past few years, if I want to make the quilt shop work for me long term I need a solution better than running myself into the ground.

A Look at What's Happening

There are a few things I'd like to share with everyone about what's happening this Spring at The Crazy Quilter.

Coming up quickly is the Clarkston Quilt Show, at which I will be vending. It is April 24th and 25th, and if you'd like more information see their webpage here!

Following closely behind that will be Spring Quilt Market, in Minneapolis this year! I made my reservations this past week, after a few weeks and weighing cost against benefit, etc. etc. I decided I just couldn't pass it up. Quilt Market is always a great time for me to get re-energized about quilting, not to mention a chance to see everything new and wonderful about to flood quilt shops everywhere. How can I pass up an opportunity to get it first?? I can't.......so coming the 3rd weekend in May my husband and I will be traveling to Minnesota. My mom has decided to sit this one out, since she is busy building her own business, which I'll post about later this week I hope! So.......now I get to train C on how to pack as lightly as possible, stuff one suitcase into another to allow for carrying home all kinds of great goodies from market, and survive on nothing but pure adrenaline and lots of Starbucks for 3 days. (sounds like F-U-N!!!)

I'm expecting a new book (new to me, at least) called "One Yard Wonders" this week. I ordered one copy for myself to investigate, so I'll share what I find out with you all soon. It's full of projects that use one yard of fabric, great for stash-busting all of those cuts of fabric we all collect because we love the print but don't have the perfect project yet.

After a long, dry spell of no new fabrics, Spring will finally be bringing in some great new things from Moda, Blank, and a few others! Believe it or not, it was once again time to order new Christmas fabric from Moda. I placed my order this past week, so watch for it to arrive sometime in July.

Super Fast and Easy Apron

Looking for a gift? Want to make it yourself but don't think you have the time?
I discovered this apron pattern just before Christmas and LOVE it! It take less than 2hours to make these great No Neck Stress Aprons! The loop on the front pocket holds a dish towel, and you can customize the size and depth of the pockets on the front.
So grab your favorite two or 3 fabrics and let's make an apron!