Prayers for fallen and injured firefighters

Today on the 100th anniversary of the Chicago stockyard that killed 21 firefighters we lost 2 in a building collapse.

It's never easy when you hear someone passes, it's especially hard when it's someone risking their lives to save others. These 2 men died searching for squatters that may or may not have been in the building.

Lt. Edward Stringer was a relief lieutenant whos job was to fill in for those on furlough, sick leave, vacation, etc.

Corey Ankum is a former police officer who leaves behind a wife and one year old baby who was only on the department for two years.

Along with the men who passed there were several injures, a few who still remain hospitalized at this time. Please say a prayer for the fallen and their families. Please also pray for the members of the CFD as they mourn the loss of two of their own.

God speed gentlemen.

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life

So thanks to a soon to be ex my computer is on its last legs and I'm just babying it until I can get a new one. In the mean time I have figured out how to post on my phone.

Work is still work, still loving it and still having fun. Quilty stuff has been on the back burner for a few reasons. There is the divorce, a nasty mother, my wonderful kids, and a new person of the male kind in my life.

We've known each other a few months so and just taking it slowly as we both just ended serious relationships at the start of summer. We get along great, have alot of the same views (well we will ignore the fact he's a cubs fan), and he gets me and understands my job. I'm just enjoying the company of a good friend and someone who listens to me. Oh, and he's not a drinker which is awesome.

Life is good right now. Certain things could be better but I'm content with things right now so I can focus on enjoying the holidays.

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getting back into the swing of things

Hello everyone!

I want to extend a special thank you to my readers for their kind comments.  I also want to thank each person who has purchased a pattern, I appreciate it more than you know :)  I still don't have my kids but each day is getting slightly better.  Felt good to take a break from blogging and just focusing on life, having some fun with friends, and busting my tail at work taking any available shifts I can. 

As for quilty news, I've been working on my bee blocks, and began work on an overdue baby quilt (isn't that always the case?!).  I also have a few more patterns in the works so hopefully I can get some samples made and get some new ones out there!

Work is going well.  I'm out of my probationary period so I feel more solidified in my job now and feel like I can breathe a little easier.  It's amazing to have a job where you can go to work everyday and love what you do and look forward to doing it. 

So for now that's my update!  Hope to be around these parts a little more :)

quasi update on me

Things haven't been going well at all.  Found out my mother completely used  me and my money to get into this house we're in now.  She's losing her house to foreclosure and/or the taxman because she bought a house she knew she couldn't afford so she fed me this sob story on how her husband was cheating on her and she wanted to leave him.  So we got this house based on the fact she wanted to leave him.

She took over the house.  She's treating me like I'm a teenager.  I'm not the destitute daughter that can't pay her bills, in fact it's quite the opposite.  I can't have ANYTHING of mine outside my bedroom.  If I do she throws a hissy fit.  Shoes, jackets, camera, cell phone, iron, whatever, you name it, I can't have it anywhere outside my room.  She put my dogs crate in my room, I had no room with it in there and she flipped out when I brought it into the living room. 

Long story short, turns out she completely lied to me.  Used me and my money, now she's trying to kick me out claiming the landlord doesn't want me here and that I'm a royal slob.  What mother uses their own child for money then immediately tells them to get out?  We weren't here 2 weeks before she started attempting to kick me out.  And of course, the money I had is gone so I have no where to go and because of that a judge gave temporary custody of my two sweet babies to my loser, unemployed, alcoholic, ex without a driver's license.  My own mother caused me to lose custody of my kids to a completely unfit individual.  

So instead of my mother having my back she's got a knife in it.  Once I can get out of here and cut my losses I no longer want to see or speak to her again.  I couldn't imagine doing that to my children, EVER!  So, here's hoping I can get find a place, get my kids back, and cut her out of my life for good.  I'm thinking of putting my shit in storage and renting a room somewhere to save some money to get my own place.  And want to know the double whammy?  My ex TRASHED my credit so of course no one wants to rent to me. 

need some time to clear my head

Well, I'm finally in my new house but I'm taking a bit of a blogging break.  Something happened today that needs my full 100% attention.  To all my fellow Star Sampler gals, I'll be picking up where we left off in a couple months.  I deeply apologize for having to take a break but my family and kids need to come first.

My fellow Bee members....I'll still be doing the blocks and all but my communication in the flickr group will be limited. 

I'm truly sorry. 

ay yi yi

Good Lord where has time gone?!  It's darn near September!  Just a little update post on life.

Found a new house!  Yay!  I love it!  Comes with a pool table(!), a jacuzzi style bath tub with a TV in the basement bathroom, 120" projection screen theater, full size wet bar, massive back yard, 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and the best part?  Landlord pays ALL utilities (except cable & net) and pays for the lawn service!  Been busy packing, moving, and working.  Leaves me NO time for fun :(  Oh, and best part?  Basement is red, very easy to convert it to my red/aqua room!

Lost my camera somewhere.  Brought it to work because we see some interesting characters passing by on the streets.  Just so you know, I would *NEVER* take pics of my patients, just the goof balls on the street.  Kinda like the dude bustin' some mad moves and rockin' it out as he walked down the street.  Or the random lady sitting on a garbage can yelling at random people for random stuff.  Or funny license plates (I DOOBIE anyone??).  Or the 7 rigs we had posted at the same hospital, still trying to figure that out.  Might have fallen out in the ambulance, might have fallen out in my car (which is a pit right now due to the move), might have fallen out somewhere random.  Don't know, I'm a sad panda.

My iPod won't sync with my computer thanks to the damage the ex did to it when he threw his tantrum.  Double sad panda.

Got my little quiltie from DQS9 today!!! yay!  But can't take pics of it's awesomeness due to the above.  Made a different one for my partner because I ended up buying fabrics that totally fit her better than my original.

My cat scratched the crap outta my pooch :(  She got him real good on 2 spots on his back, he's a hurtin' dude, I feel so bad for him.  Thank God they're pretty superficial.

I decided to do a hexi quilt.  I swapped for some awesome fabrics, I need to do about 952 more for a 50x60 quilt.  Guess what I do when waiting for a call??  Yep, get paid to sew hexies!!!  How can my job not rock?

My car hates me I'm convinced of it.

I nearly burned my frozen pizza writing this blog post.

Went to see my friend @ his treatment facility where he's getting help for his alcohol problem yesterday and I must say that I'm so proud of him.  He looks SO much better than when I saw him last and he's on the path to a new life.  He's one of my best friends and I love him to pieces.  He's a fireman and used to be a paramedic and he is the one responsible for giving me the kick in the pants to follow a life long (well, since about 6th grade) dream of mine to become a paramedic.  He let his license lapse but one of his goals is to get it back.  Right now he lives close to me, but once I move I'll be about 90 mins away and that makes me cry, I'll miss being able to just go over to his house on a whim.  His face absolutely lit up when he saw me yesterday and I hope he realizes I'm totally on his side.  I met him working at the nursing home a couple years ago.  I never thought I'd meet such a great person at work.  


Realized my ex is, and always will be, an ass bag.  That's all I'm sayin' about that one.  


Well, if you don't hear from me for a little while you'll know I'm still alive!  Now I'm off to Home Depot to get more keys cut before they close!

i guess we need a winner, huh?

And random.org gave us:

which belongs to:

Please email me using the contact me button at the top!  Congrats!

oh how I love my job!

***if you're looking for the giveaway click here!***

I got a job as a paramedic about a month ago, and finally now, after jumping through all the legal hoops and orientations, and stuff like that I'm now doing precepted shifts to change my license to a different system.  Well, even though I'm doing patient care I cannot be in the back of the ambulance during transport due to the systems rules & regs so I drive. 

Driving lights & sirens isn't as easy as it looks but man oh man do I *LOVE* the dirty looks I get from pedestrians trying to have a phone conversation and I pass by and just ruin their chats!  Or from other motorists when I have to drive into oncoming traffic, and yes, that happens A LOT!  Or the puzzled looks I get when I stop at a red light (company policy plus some people are plain idiots and think they don't have to stop) then continue.



But I have to say I absolutely LOVE the construction worker today that dropped everything to direct traffic and move the cars in front of me out of my way that were stopped b/c of a red light.  Mr. Construction Worker--thank you! you made my day a little better & got me to my patient a little quicker.

So, a little note from your friendly paramedic quilter--always pull to the right when you see/hear lights and sirens.  If you're in a left turn lane STAY there! I'll go around you, please do not make a left turn in front of me.  And if you're a pedestrian on foot please stay on the street corner, if you're on a bicycle and riding on the street please act like a car and pull to the right. 

modern fabrics--a list

How often do you see swaps or projects out there that require modern fabrics?  What exactly constitutes a modern fabric?  is it a designer? is it a color scheme? is it certain pattern? style? trend?!  Your head, probably like mine was spinning when I first heard the term 'modern fabric'. 

Typically when I think of 'modern' fabric the first thing that pops into my head is not your gramma's typical fabric!  No more drab muted colors (mauve and seafoam anyone?!), dainty flowery prints, intricate detailing, or limited choices.  Modern, to me, entails bold colors, contrast, daring color combinations, clean lines, simple detailing, and trendy.  Birds and owls are hot trends right now, therefore I would consider that more modern.  Polka dots are timeless but I would consider an organized polka dot pattern modern, or a polka dot pattern with more than 2 colors.  Big polka dots are also hot right now.

Color combinations is another thing that I think dictates modern.  A fabric with lime green, red, pink, and grey is not exactly something that sounds pretty on paper but when you see it, it looks stunning.  Red and aqua is another hot color combination.  Anything turquoise is hot too.  Colors are bright and vibrant.  

Certainly when you hear a designer's name it automatically sets off that lightbulb that it's a modern fabric.  Other designers that might not set off that 'modern lightbulb' can most definitely be considered modern, I think there are some designers that can create both modern and traditional fabrics.  And one thing to remember is that what's considered modern today might not be considered modern 5 years from now. 

I also think that when you pair modern fabrics with some very traditional style patterns you can create a gorgeous masterpiece and we're finding more and more of that happening.  My own Star Sampler Quilt Along is made using some very traditional patterns but as I'm putting together the tutorials along with the fabrics (I'm using Tula Pink's Plume) I'm stunned at how fabric choices can really up the ante so to speak. 

When trying to decide if something is a modern fabric or not ask yourself a couple questions.  How would I classify this color? is it bright, muted, drab?  What about the print on the fabric itself? is it fresh? timeless? crisp? unique?  Is it trendy? 

And remember this, not all modern fabric has to break the bank.  I have found some great quality fabric that fits all the modern 'standards' at Hobby Lobby for less than $5 a yard. You can also have fabric that looks modern and is of a crappy quality.  Just remember, when swapping, use high quality fabrics!

I hope this has helped to de-mystify modern fabrics for you!

Pattern Giveaway!

To make up for my lame blogging attempts I'm going to do a giveaway!

Up for grabs is a copy of my pattern Peaks and Valleys and 18 jelly roll strips from Moda Half Moon, there is only 1 black strip in the mini roll so it's mostly whites.

 

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment!

No need to become a follower, but if you do leave a comment and get an extra entry.  If you're already a follower you can leave a comment for an extra entry.  I'll pick a winner sometime on Saturday 8/21!

And if you don't win you can always purchase a pattern in my etsy shop for just $6!  Price lowered by $2!

keep your eyes peeled

Giveaway coming later today!

*star sampler* block 9

Block 9 is here! 

Here is what you will need:

From your SOLID (mine is brown):

• 8 - 2 1/2" squares
• 8 - 2 7/8" squares
• 2 - 3 1/4" squares

From PRINT 1 (mine is lime green fleur de lis):

• 4 - 2 7/8" squares cut diagonally to make 8 triangles
• 4 - 2 7/8" squares NOT cut diagonally

From PRINT 2 (mine is a combo of 3 prints, hot pink, pink feathers and lime green floral print)

• 4 - 2 7/8" squares (mine are the hot pink)
• 2 - 3 1/4" squares (mine are the pink feathers)
• 4 - 2 1/2" squares (mine are the lime green floral print) 

 
Now, start by marking a diagonal line on the back of all 8 of your solid 2 7/8" squares.  I don't have a photo of this since my line wasn't very noticeable on the back of my brown. 

Pair one solid 2 7/8" square with the 2 7/8" squares from Print 1 and Print 2.  Stitch a SCANT 1/4" seam on each side of the diagonal line. 

It's very important that this is a SCANT seam!!!  Each square in this block should measure 2 1/2", you can always trim them down if they're slightly too big, better too big than too small!

Now trim each of those blocks on the drawn line and press your HSTs open.

Now, repeat the above 2 steps with your 3 1/4" squares.

Next take the blocks you made with your 3 1/4" squares and cut them in half diagonally like this, do this to all the triangles so it will yield 8 total solid/print triangles:

Take your 8 triangles of Print 1 and pair it with the above pieces.

These blocks should resemble something like this:

Now lay out your entire block so it looks like this, your center pieces are the 2 1/2 inch squares from your Print 2!:

Note: each of row has 6 - 2 1/2" squares and there are 6 rows.  You should have 36 pieces total.


(pssst....mine isn't sewn together yet!  i laid it out on my desk right where my sewing machine goes to take the pic, and whoops I was too freakin' lazy to move them all to sew them!)

swap update

I've decided to cancel the swap.  With a very pathetic turn out it only makes sense.  Hopefully in the future we can revisit the idea but for now, I have to say it's over. 

Thanks to those who signed up, I appreciate it. 

Star sampler block 9 will be posted later today.

*star sampler* block 8

As promised here is block 8!  This one is super simple but a little tedious.  Here is the cutting list for this block:

From your SOLID:

• 4 - 4 1/2" squares
• 8 - 2 1/2" squares

From PRINT 1 (mine is the yellow w/ green feathers):

• 1 - 4 1/2" square

From PRINT 2 (mine is the white-ish color):

• 8 - 2 1/2" squares

From PRINT 3 (mine is the green w/ pink feathers):

• 4 - 4 1/2" squares

Start by drawing a diagonal line on the back of each of your 2 1/2" squares.  I'm only showing you my white because you can barely see the black line on the back of my brown solid.

Now, take one of your PRINT 3 and add a square of your PRINT 2 to one of the corners and sew on the drawn line, **repeat the next 4 steps for each of the four print 3 squares**:

Now, cut 1/4" away from your sewn line to create your seam allowance.

Repeat the previous 2 steps on the other corner:

Your square should now look like this:

Now, repeat the above 4 steps to the other side with your solid, once finished it should look like this and have FOUR squares like this:

Layout your blocks like the finished block below:

guess what??  the white squares and the green feathers were originally cuts I made that were wrong from earlier blocks, so this is a good way to use some scraps :)

star sampler quilt along update

I haven't abandoned you, I PROMISE!!!

Life happens to everyone and I'm no exception.  Still trying to strike a balance between newly single mom, new job, and doing all that comes along with it.  See, being in EMS you have to be part of a certain system that your employer is in and well, I have to switch systems to one other than the one where I was put in when I graduated.  That means learning new standing orders and policies and procedures. 

So please bear with me as I settle into my many new roles :)

i promised pictures!

And here they are!  I finished my Figgy Pudding Christmas quilt, 2 pillows (well soon to be anyways) to match, a soon to be finished potholder, my quilt for Doll Quilt Swap 9, and got back 3 swaps! 

We'll start with the quilt, all wonderful glorious Figgy Pudding!  This pattern is from Green Fairy Quilts and is super simple! 

Here is the backing on the quilt, I pieced it because I didn't buy enough of the damask which is what I wanted the entire back to be but it ended up working out well!

The next two are soon to be pillows to match the quilt.  My version of a ticker tape and then one made using a turnover.

For this one instead of pinning all the pieces down because there are some really small pieces I just ironed on a piece of wonder under on the reverse side and tacked them down that way.  I wanted to use every little scrap of this fabric that I could!

This is the one made with a turnover:

I didn't exactly want my pillows (well they'll be covers) to crinkle up in the wash so I pre-shrunk the batting, we shall see how it works!

This is my quilt for my doll quilt swap partner!  She's been incredibly difficult to pin down because she's been super quiet!  The binding is a faux piped binding using this awesome tutorial.  I absolutely LOVE this quilt!  I hope my partner does too.

Now onto the awesome swaps!  This one arrived first and is the mod bento box swap from Jessica at give it a go, I did get a duplicate square but it's ok because I sent 17 quarters so I can stick the duplicate on the back, on the fence about joining round 2, only because I'll be in the middle of a move.

Next to arrive was the Modern Siggy Swap 2 hosted by the wonderful Julie at jaybird quilts.  LOVE all the fabrics used!

And last, but not least, to arrive was Modern Siggy Swap 1 hosted by Rachel @ ps i quilt.  I sent these back in February!  So happy to have them home :)

So did I make up for my bad blogging?  I know I have to get the next star block up and will work on that tomorrow. 

i've been a bad blogger!

Eee-gads!  I've had very few posts recently!  It's not that I don't have anything to talk about or show you because I do, I've just been SOOOOO busy lately I haven't had the time to really blog.  Hopefully this week I'll get to show off a quilt and what will be a pillow.  I also just started a new job so I have orientation all this week.  Good thing is I only have to work 3 days a week and that's FULL time!  Must have time for quilting!

*star sampler* block 7

This week's block is very easy and a little bit different than the traditional style flying geese star block.  From your SOLID (mine is brown)4 - 3 1/2 inch squares**4 - 3 1/2 x 6 1/2 inch rectangles
From PRINT 1 (mine is the green)1 - 6 1/2 inch square  From PRINT 2 (mine is the hot pink)8 - 3 1/2 inch squares *this is a duplicate layer cake sq)  From PRINT 3 (mine is the white fleur de lis & yellow)4 - 3 1/2 inch squares (I did 2 of each & used scraps)  From PRINT 4 (mine is aqua fleur de lis in the photo)4 - 3 1/2 inch squares**  **- you only need ONE set of these fabrics, these are the corners, if you scroll down further you can find the different layouts, I chose to go w/ my solid over the aqua fleur de lis.

Start by drawing a diagonal line on the back of each of your PRINT 3.  

Take your PRINT 1 and start by taking one of your PRINT 3 and attach it to the corner of PRINT 1.

Sew on your drawn line, then trim 1/4" away from your sewn line.  Press your seam however you choose.

You need to repeat that for each of the 4 corners.  This is what your center piece should look like:

Now we're going to make the flying geese units.  Take your PRINT 2 and draw a diagonal line on the back of each square.  (let's pretend I have a photo :p)
Take a square of PRINT 2 and place it on top of your SOLID rectangle so the drawn line goes from top center to bottom corner.  Stitch on your sewn line, do this 4 times.

Now whack off the excess by cutting 1/4" away from your seam.  Do this to all four pieces then press.

Now lather, rinse, repeat to the other side. Here comes the color options for the corners.  I chose the solid in my final block but here were the options.

I didn't care for the print.  If you want to save a layer cake square use your solid.  There is enough detail in the center block that you don't need the print in the corners.  
This is my final block!

*star sampler* block 6

I really hate doing this but I was not having good luck with my machine when I went to make this weeks block. I didn't post last week because of the holiday, but this weeks block is the maverick, or wonky, star!

I'm going to direct you to the tutorial at The Silly BooDilly for instructions. This is an EXCELLENT way to use up scraps and miss cuts you may have! Instructions are for a 12 1/2 inch block like we've been making.

Some inspiration
1. Wonky Stars, 2. Wonky stars, 3. wonky star practice run, 4. Wonky Star, 5. brown wonky star, 6. my 3rd wonky star for Blossom, 7. orange wonky star, 8. April Pretty in Pink Bee - Wonky stars, 9. pink wonky star

CSN $50 gift card winner!

Random.org picked lucky 37!!!  Carmen I passed your email to CSN so be on the lookout!

pickles & bacon patterns!

I'm very excited to announce pickles & bacon patterns!!!!!!  The first one I'm releasing is called Peaks and Valleys.  This one is made using 2 jelly rolls, one print and one solid.  It's very easy to make larger if you so desire.  This pattern is VERY simple for beginners and after washing it is approx 47x50 inches.    

 As you can see I made a scrappy binding with some jelly roll strips, I think it enhances the scrappy look!  All fabric is from Moda, the print is Half Moon and the white is just a white jelly roll!

Pattern is available in my Etsy shop.

$50 CSN gift card giveaway!

CSN is giving away a $50 gift certificate to use at one of their 200 stores!  You can find just about anything in their shops from dining room sets to great kitchen items to awesome home decor and stylish baby gear.  They have some seriously awesome stuff, I doubt the lucky winner will have any difficulty spending that $50!  Open to residents of the US and Canada.  Here's how to enter:

• Leave a comment!  
• Become a follower for an additional entry (or tell me you stalk follow me already!)

The giveaway will close on July 7, 2010 at 12:00 pm CST.  Random number generator will be enslaved to choose our lucky winner!  Please leave your email address in your comment so I can pass it on to the wonderful people at CSN.  If you don't want to leave it be ready to claim your prize within 48 hours or I will pick another winner.  Good luck and happy shopping!

Yep that's me!!!  I passed my state test and am now officially a Paramedic!!!!

*star sampler* block 5

Here it is! Better late than never :p This one is super simple and cute to boot! For this block you will need:From your solid:

• 1 - 4 7/8" x 9 3/4" rectangle
• 5 - 4 1/2" squares

From Print 1 (mine is pink):

• 1 - 4 7/8" x 9 3/4" rectangle

From Print 2 (mine is green):

• 8 - 2 1/2" squares 

Start by taking your solid rectangle and draw a vertical line at 4 7/8" that divides the rectangle into 2 squares. 

 Next, draw lines from the lower corner to the vertical line, this will make 4 triangles.  I know you're thinking WTH is this all about!?  Well, just trust me, you won't find this anymore difficult.

 Pair this piece up with your print 1 rectangle, right sides together.  DO NOT SEW on the vertical line.  Just sew 1/4" on either side of the diagonal lines, when you're done press it and set aside.

Now, draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on each square of print #2.  

Take 1 solid square and one print #2 square.  Place it on the fabric so the ends of the line goes from center to center on the solid.  Sew on this line.

Then, measure 1/4" from your sewn line and trim.  Press to the dark side.  

Repeat the previous 2 steps on the other side.  Make 3 more of these for a total of 4.

Now we'll cut apart the rectangle.  Start by cutting ON the vertical line.

Then the on the diagonal lines.

Press your seams to the dark side.  
Arrange in the following manner:

Your final block should look like this!