There's A New Mystery on the Street..Easy Street, That Is....

 First I must give a big

THANK YOU

to Bonnie Hunter for sharing a brand new mystery quilt with all of us.

Easy Street, part one was posted Friday, right after Thanksgiving, and I immediately printed the instructions and gathered my black and white strips.

I was so excited to get started I even posted a pic of all my cut strips on my Friday nights post! It's not often I get to make a quilt just for ME. This is the first mystery quilt I've ever started and I'm determined to keep up with each weeks assignment. So in the wee hours of Friday night/Saturday morning I stitched and stitched while the Spouse, and Maggie and the kitty cats slept. I was still a few fabrics shy so I hunted around in my stash and came up with a pkg of black and whites from one of our local guild challenges. It made me smile to see where and when the fabric came from...

I'd forgotten all about this (and yes, that's our shop) - all the fabrics were intact so I obviously didn't actually 'make' the challenge...or maybe this was an extra pack of fabric, yes, I'm sure that's it...lol.

Saturday found us hopping at the quilt shop - so glad that "Small Business Saturday" brought out our faithful supporters and new faces as well. Thankfully the Spouse had longarming to catch up on...so we stayed after hours and I was able to cut and stitch a few more strip sets...and then convince the Spouse he could run a couple errands by 'himself' so I could get my strip sets cut even further...and made up a nice little box of homework.

I never did sew more on Saturday night - I wanted to...oh how I yearned to play...but after chores were done and supper served and dishes washed, it was already late. I'm a night owl, so the late hour wasn't a problem....I sew best in the wee hours. But I knew I couldn't stop at one 4-patch or two....I'd sew until the box was empty. I know ME. And I also knew dear Spouse had set the alarm for an early wake-up on Sunday...it was Football Sunday...our Jacksonville Jaguars were playing at home and we had serious tailgating planned. In fact...I took all of Sunday off from the machine and enjoyed the day AND the game - we WON! I think it was my new outfit that brought our team some luck...

Snazzy or What??? LOL

Life is too short to be serious all the time, dontcha think?

Monday arrived...back to work. I squeezed in an early morning visit to my Mom...then my good friend Marcia came to spend her day off at the shop....

Bless her heart, she helped me make 20 pillowcases - they will be little Christmas pressies for my Mom and her 'friends' at Mom's ALF.  ( FYI - Marcia doesn't normally sew wearing a hat or with her tongue sticking out - we were being silly - haha)

Late Monday afternoon I finally treated myself to some 4-patch making time - and before we left the shop at 5, I'd put together 71 of the 192 patches.

I also found these

Oops! I'm normally a pretty accurate cutter....I sewed them up anyways...I think I have extra...if need be I'll make them work. But seriously, I think it's time for new glasses...

....I'll book an exam next week!

I promised myself I wouldn't publish this post until ALL the 4 patches were done. I started working on the pictures early Monday evening...and discovered our internet was down. So to the sewing room I went while supper baked. I finished the remaining patches. They still need spinning and pressing but

WHAHOO...I'M DONE PART ONE!

Now I can join Bonnies Linky party - click HERE to see who else has been busy. Almost 6 hours ago the count was already at 153....I wonder what number I'll be now?

Don't forget - YOU TOO can join Bonnie and the rest on "Easy Street" - c'mon and play - the more the merrier.

Til Later....

Lynn ~ the Optically Challenged Thimblemouse >"<

Surprise Birthday Kitty and Easy Street "Start"

Some months back my good friend Gail gave me a bag of clothes passed along to her from her step mom. In the bag I found lots of pretties just the right size for my mom. Deep inside the bag, folded among sweaters and blouses I found a treasure. I just knew Gail hadn't seen it...because if she had...since we both are Cat Lovers...she would have 'let it out of the bag'

What did I find? It was a long ago embroidered kitty motif - VERY long ago. I believe it was meant to be a bureau scarf or table runner, but only one end of the fabric was stitched. In fact for the longest time I didn't realize there was another printed motif on the opposite end, the transfer had lightened with age.

There was a 'minute' I thought about keeping it ~ okay, so I'm honest, lol ~ but the thought quickly passed and I knew I had found the perfect birthday surprise for Gail. 

 I added a little accent border of 30's green, along with a 2"checkered border of white and assorted pinks, a scrappy binding..a little hand quilting (please don't look at the stitches, I hand quilt for fun...now and then...mostly then...and I'll never win an award for hand quilting - lol)...and Ta-Da!

The 'find' happened months ago and I wasn't sure I could keep the secret...but I did! It was finished last month and I even managed to hang on to it until Gail's birthday...well almost. I gave it to her two days ago - her birthday is today. Close enough (smile). And no, she did not know it was in the bag, it's also a mystery as to who did the embroidery work - she's going to ask her step mom...we're both anxious to know.

Happy Birthday Gail!

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Speaking of mysteries....I love a good one - yet oddly enough I don't think I've actually ever taken part in a mystery quilt! That's about to change.

Do you follow Quiltvilles' Bonnie Hunter? She's starting another of her infamous mystery quilts - this one's called "Easy Street" - in fact Step One was announced today on her blog. 

Today!

I'm so excited that I've already gotten my strips for the first step all cut - I just had to share them with you.

I'm sure by now many of Bonnie's faithful have cut and stitched and have ALL of step one done. But at least mine are cut! I smiled to myself as I was measuring and slicing...wondering how many others were doing the very same thing at the very same time...can't you just picture it?

If you love a mystery and want to join in - you can read all about Easy Street on the Quiltville website by clicking the badge on the sidebar (top right - this will take you to Bonnie's site - you'll need to click on the Easy Street 'tab' once you're there) or just click right HERE.  I hope you'll join in the fun!

Til later...

.Lynn ~ The Thimblemouse >"<

Happy Thanksgiving

Purrrrfectly Innocent? I Think Not

Lovely day at work...lots of happy quilters finding new fabrics that they couldn't leave the shop without...I managed a little bit of sewing in between the rushes...thought I might post a few pics of fun quilty stuff....

instead ....came home tonight and discovered there had been a Party going on.

Of course NO ONE is confessing....

but we have our suspicions....

Maybe it's time for a Kitty Cam?

Meow

Lynn ~ The Thimblemouse >"<

After the Storm - You CAN Make a Difference

It's been two weeks since we've returned from vacation I've been sewing like a crazy quilter making blocks for various quilt block drives for Sandy victims. I thought I'd share what's been accomplished so far and hook you up with links if you would like to lend a hand.

I'll start with the most current "Drives" that I'm aware of ~ there are so many wonderful people out there organizing the quilt troops...please feel free to leave a comment with information if you know of others.

* * * * *

My most awesome friend, Victoria Findlay Wolfe of Bumble Beans Basics, lives in New York City and was at Houston for Quilt Market when "Super Storm"Sandy made a visit. I can't imagine how she felt being away from her family...her home...yet even from Houston she jumped on board to begin planning a way for quilters to help. Already, quilts on hand have been distributed but there is sadly, still such a NEED for more and ASAP as well!

No time to quilt? Purchased Blankets and Quilts are Greatly Appreciated! I sent out 3 blankets

 last week along with 3 pillowcases.

We are starting an ongoing "sit and sew for Sandy" this week at our shop to make quilt blocks and eventually quilts....but I felt so much better being able to at least send these blankets for starters. 

Last week a brand new first time customer dropped off two wonderful purchased King Size quilts...

 ...and today one of my BFFs "Diane" brought in oodles of blankies and lapghans that we'll send up to the "Superstorm Sandy: Quilts & Blankets Drive" 

Please help if you can and spread the word!

Diane also found a very needy 'nursing home' that we'll be sending crocheted and knitted items to. She must not have slept a wink this past weekend...she made hats and scarves and warm snuggly wraps... and more hats and scarves...wow! Her mom helped too!  Thanks Diane and a hug for your Mom!

There are truly Angels among us!

* * * * *

Michele from The Quilting Gallery posted last week about the drive they have started

Quilts from this block drive event will be donated to the Bumble Beans Basics...

don't you just love teamwork???

Michele is looking for block makers ...here's your chance to make a few blocks! The blocks are simple and FUN! I registered to make 6 and started on them today with the tutorial provided on the block drive post. 

The blocks are super scrappy - here's some strips I had laying around from recent projects...(omgosh, please don't tell Bonnie Hunter that my strips just lay around because once upon a time I told her I was going to "organize"....then again, I never did say when....). I also pulled out some 'shorty' binding 'leftovers' and gave them a press (they were stashed for a scrappy binding...this is much more important!). 

Yes, I really REALLY  picked from the fabrics above (and a few others that spilled over and fell on the floor - lol) to make these Super FUN...Super SCRAPPY... Super WONKY....Log Cabin Blocks

The block at the top is finished. The other two you see still need their frames. Just three more to go. FUN!

Don't you wanna make some to help? You do? Then hop on over to The Quilting Gallery  right now and register - it will make your heart happy.

* * * * *
Another finish today

One night when sleep eluded me, I found the tutorial for this "Wonky Sun" block as I blog hopped. I fell in love and bookmarked the tute. When my friend and fellow shopkeep, Nessa Reifsnyder of  Fabricate in Bar Harbor, Maine posted on her FB page last week that she would be hosting a block party to make blocks for Sandy quilts I wanted to hop on a plane and join in. We used to live in Bath when the Spouse was still wearing his sailor boy suit and was stationed in Brunswick...oh how we enjoyed visits to Bar Harbor...but I digress...sorry. Knowing my feet must remain on the ground in the land of sunshine and oranges...I told Nessa I would make a block or two to send up. So yes Nessa...this one's for you...I will be sending some Florida Sunshine up to you soon!
Thank you Fat Quarterly for sharing on your page guest blogger Lee from Freshly Pieced and the designer of this fabulous block!
* * * * *
Below are more blocks for Sandy quilts. I believe boths gals have received all the blocks that they need - but please take a moment to visit their blogs...it's so heartwarming to read about the response they have gotten. You may find you can still help with batting, backing, etc...

In the first days in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the first blog I came across was from Jennifer at Knotted Thread. She posted a plea to make these blocks and has since received commitments for 300 blocks! WhaHoo! I made the ones below and hopefully they've arrived in Hawaii by now.

 I know Jennifer is no longer taking sign ups for more blocks but if you'd like to help with backing or batting, I'm sure you can reach her thru her blog. (I had planned to link you up to the pattern that Jennifer linked us up to, to make these blocks...alas, it's no longer showing on her blog...or maybe it is, but I can't seem to find it).

Next I came across Vesuviusmama at My Patchwork Life and she was hoping for some help with Disappearing 4 Patches. As of last Fridays post she'd received 274 blocks (aren't quilters just the greatest? I'm so happy to be one). Blocks were asked to be done in florals...I dug into our bin of charity fabrics and came up with some pretties for these....

You can contact Vesuviusmama thru her blog if you're interested in helping - I'm not sure if she's still accepting blocks but even if not, I'm sure you can lend her a hand in some way. The tutorial to make these blocks can be found by clicking HERE .
* * * * *
If you haven't had a chance to help in some way towards those who have lost more than we can imagine - I hope this post will give you inspiration. You can make a difference!
Blessings to you All!
Lynn ~ The Thimblemouse >"<

In Honor of Veterans

In Honor of my Dad

and to Veterans Everywhere....

Past and Present

THANK YOU!