Modern Nine-Patch

I finished my nine-patch quilt along top about a week ago{maybe closer to two, I can't remember, so much going on!} I just now got around to taking pictures of it. Believe it or not every time I remembered to take pictures we've had rainy or overcast days around here. So I made my son's bed today {a rare sight} and decided there was enough sunshiny-ness to take some nice pictures.


My top is only 42 blocks instead of the 70 blocks being made by most. Today is day 61 of the quilt-a-long. So yeah, I went at a much slower pace than one block a day. I finally got my fabric for the backing in the mail. It's the pink and aqua fabric in the same line. I'll be doing a little bit of piecing on the back of the quilt. For the binding I want the dark navy blue {I still need to order this.}

I also finally found some Warm n' White to use as the batting. I'm definitely feeling the frustration of not having a good fabric store around. There is a Hobby Lobby but their stock of quilting items is pretty scarce. At least they carry a decent rang of Kona Cotton Solids. There is also a tiny LQS (Local Quilt Shop.) But they don't carry many fabrics in my taste range! There is a Hancock Fabric's store in Birmingham and a Joann's in Georgia, but each of those is over an hour away!

I've been forced to shop online and I detest it! I hate paying for shipping. I hate not being able to feel the fabrics. I hate not being able to see the "real" color of the fabrics and thread. I hate forgetting to add something to my order, or not ordering enough and then having to pay for shipping again. I hate having to wait a couple of days to get my fabric, sometimes I just want to get to work! But, I guess I can live with all of those nuances because the only other option would be to not quilt at all *gasp* Thank goodness for the internet!

Blocks 2,3,4 and Fiber Art Show

So I decided to catch up on the quilt-a-long before I get too far behind. I'm really liking this one block a day business. I feel as though I can make each and every block perfect, or as close to it as possible, because each block has my undivided attention. There are no deadlines and no long tedious days of cutting pieces - does anyone else find cutting rather boring? Best of all there is not a giant stack of pieces waiting to be pieced into a quilt making it feel like there is so much left to do.

I have come a long way in quilting and I love how my nine-patch blocks are having perfectly matched corners! It seriously makes me giddy!

Block #2

Block #3


Block #4

I'm feeling a bit ambitious and have decided to enter this quilt into the Calhoun County Community Fiber Art Show. The show will feature featuring quilting, knitting, crochet, needlework and other fiber arts made by past and present residents of Calhoun County and the surrounding counties.
...assuming I stay on track with the block-a-day plan, I should be done with all of my blocks on September 6, giving me a month and a half to finish it up in time for the October 23rd entry deadline.

"I've spoken my piece and counted to three." There I said it, wrote it down, and shared it with you. Now it's official! LOL

I expect you guys to hold me accountable!

Quilting, blueberries, and jam

What can you get for $8? Well in my neck of the woods you can get a gallon of pick-your-own super-plump-n-juicy-fall-off-the-bush blueberries! Yum!

(this is not a ramekin it's a 2 qt dish!)

To me summer goes hand in hand with blueberries. It's not summer with out blueberries, and watermelon - can't forget the watermelon! I was so excited to find a blueberry patch within 15 minutes of our place here in Alabama. We went again this morning for a total of 3 visits so far.
I have not made plans for today's crop, but I better make some plans soon before they are all gone! The season is almost over and my husband thinks I should go back at least 2 more times! Easy for him to say, I'm the one who is out in the unbearably hot, humid, mosquito infested,- not to mention fire ants, blueberry patch for an hour+ per gallon!

Oh blueberries how do I love thee, let me count the ways:
By the handful
Blubbery pancakes
Blueberry cobbler
Blueberry Pie
Melt in your mouth Blueberry cake
Blueberry buckle
Blueberry smoothies
Blueberry jam
Blueberry Sauce
Blueberry Clafouti

hungry yet?

Finding myself with a plethora of blueberries I have wandered into the world of canning. I made my first, and quite successful I might add, batch of blueberry jam. I just followed the recipe on the "Ball" pectin box. I used my blender's "pulse" button to make quick work of the blueberries. It took me a while to make the jam but only because I followed the directions and took my time so I wouldn't mess up. Next time will be so much quicker. I still need to make labels for my jars, but aren't they pretty? Oh and it tastes amazing to boot!

Yesterday I sewed up my first block for the nine-patch quilt-a-long. I'm already in love with the quilt! I can't wait to see it finished. My quilt will only be 49 blocks instead of 70 blocks.