February UFO choice

I totally didn't get to a UFO for February!  I'm so embarrassed!  Since the month is almost over I'm just going to call it a wash :(  Oh well, I'll show you my choice for March in a few days!

new toy

So I found these on another bloggers blog (sorry can't remember which!) and knew I had to find them.  I was at the store the other day needing to buy more pens for work and these were right there so I had to buy them.  They're the Pilot Frixion and are they awesome!  They're an erasable gel pen that erases with the heat of an iron!

Before:

After:

The kids thought this was amazing!  I let them color all over my little ironing table and they erased it with the iron.  Good 15 minutes of entertainment.

I did notice there was almost a clear haze left behind immediately after ironing that seemed to lessen after a few minutes so I'd be wary of using it to mark a quilt top but it would be great for marking on the back of squares you plan to use to make HSTs.  

I paid about $4 for 2 of them so they're not too expensive.  It's fun to play with too!

First Dear Jane Blocks

Here they are!  My first 6 Dear Jane Blocks.

Top (L-R) A-1, A-2, A-3
Middle B-1
Bottom C-1 C-2

Finished is better than perfect!  They don't look terrible from a distance but that C-2 was such a PITA!  I have no idea why it was so difficult for me but it was, I may re-do it at a later time.  So far I'm loving this project!  Some of the blocks go quickly, others take a little longer, but that's normal for quilting in general.

I know that I have to be super organized in order for me to want to continue this journey so I have my own little system that seems to be working for now.  Each month the individual block instructions are emailed to you in PDF format along with a progress chart.  I took a binder and page protectors to hold all the instructions.  I printed them all off (and will continue to do so) so I can have the instructions at the ready without having to deal with a computer wanting to sleep itself.  It'll also be nice to have in case I get crazy enough to make another DJ.  

This is my binder, book, and needle case.  The binder is only 1" and I'm pretty certain I'll need a bigger one later on down the road.  Since I only have one month's worth of instructions it's just those in there right now. I'm going to continue to organize them by month, then by block number, alphabetically, then numerically.  Triangles and kites will go to the back.  Some blocks only have 2 pages of instructions, others have 6 or 7.  I chose sheet protectors because I decided to prepare the blocks when they come in so I can just grab them and start stitching.  This way I can put all the pieces with the directions.  

As you can see I had a spiral binding put on my DJ book.  A lot of the blocks can be paper pieced so this makes it easier to copy them on my home printer or trace them on freezer paper.  

The little needle case has just a simple piece of felt on the inside and two pockets.  I'm going to make another one because I realized I want elastic bands to hold my spool of thread and my little scissors.  

I also have a little 6x8 rotary mat and a 6 1/2" square ruler that I use for these blocks.  I've also discovered a better way of doing a couple blocks, eliminating some unnecessary steps.  

In a few months I'll do a review of the BOM club in general, so far, so good, I can only imagine it getting better!

good mail day!

I've been feeling really, really crappy lately, most likely it's viral meningitis but since it's the same treatment as any other virus I opted not to have a spinal tap, thus earning a diagnosis of viral syndrome.  I go back to the doc tomorrow for a follow up to my Monday night in the ER.  

That's why today's mail day was AWESOME!!  Fat quarter bundle of some Ruby prints and Camille's new pattern Hopscotch.  Also my first bunch of fabrics for the Dear Jane BOM from Twiddletails!!  Each block will have it's own print, so 225 different fabrics in this quilt, I'm so super excited for this one :D  Sorry for the crappy photo, it's all I could muster up at this time.

2/14

Wishing you all a Happy Valentine's Day!  I'm spending mine nursing suspected viral meningitis, 5 hrs in the ER overnight getting fluids and pain meds with my wonderful boyfriend by my side, I'm feeling better since getting the fluids but still really blah.  

January UFO results

Here are the Dresdens!!!  I didn't get them tacked down to a backing, but I'm probably going to sew them to a wide piece of fabric since I opted for a single color.  So, here are the plates!

I'm so in love with these blocks it's not even funny.  I often oogle them just because they're so gorgeous.