BellaOnline Forums Hobbies and Crafts Quilting Just checking in!

Although I haven't touched a quilt block for several month, I still wanted to post here. When I started coming to this forum I said that my interests come and go. That I may do several quilts at a time, then go on to another type of project for years before I come back to quilting. That seems to be what is happening right now, with one exception. I have retained enough interest through this website and this forum to keep my mind actively involved in quilting. I am always anxious to get the newsletter each week from Judie, I continue to read her articles and I search for patterns.

The little variety store in our small town where I pick up almost all of my fabric is going out of business. Right now all the fabrics are 50% off. I am picking up lots of red, white, and blue pieces - adding to my stash for my 50-states quilt even if I'm not adding completed blocks at this time and several others judging by how much I have. But I'm not increasing my general stash. I have no idea what future projects might be, and my husband and I are still thinking of down-sizing our home - we're just not happy with the senior housing available. I have, however, started purchasing for my next grandchild graduation quilt - I'll need that by next June.

I have also completed a few of the projects shown in the gifts Judie gives us each week. I so much enjoy looking at them. Thanks Judie.

And before I close, I wanted to congratulate Judie on her 5. Indeed something to celebrate. As a family (but not personally) we are dealing with the impact of cancer and it is such a struggle. Both parents of one of my daughters-in-law have it ~ one terminal.

While I haven't anything to offer in the line of quilting, I just wanted you to know that I do check in on a regular basis.

Happy Summer or Happy Winter - wherever you are. GrannyH

Hi,I have just moved to my new house in the South of England and am settled for the first time in 4 years. I have now set up my sewing room and am working on several new projects. One is a 1 block quilt, where you enlarge a block to 4 or even 5 times larger that the original, which in my case was a 12" block enlarged to a 48" block, and it is turning out very well. I am also am also working on other unusual blocks, made by simply cutting 2 1/2" strips 1 light and 1 dark colour and laying alternate strips , right sides together and sub-cutting into 4" squares, mark the diagonals and sew either side of line,cut and you have the makings of 2 separate blocks. Details on Fons and Porters at QNNTV.

Hi GrannyH, so good to hear from you. Yes my anniversary was a biggie, and we had a huge party with lots of noise and of course a dear friend made a birthday cake with the no. 5 and candles. I feel so blessed to be able to celebrate with my lovely friends both here in Brisbane and across the world through Bellaonline. Some advice to those who are fighting the good fight - never give up, remain hopefull, surround yourself with positive people and never give up. Oh! did I mention - NEVER GIVE UP!!!!

Cheerio for now

Hi Olivier, it must be wonderful to feel settled in your home after such a long time. We quilters need a place to sit and create and dream and expand our horizons. Your quilting creations sound very interesting and I hope you continue to enjoy your quilting journey.
Cheerio for now

I am a new quilter. Guess I'm starting a little late since I am 61 years old, but I had never had the time until I retired. I am just finishing up my first quilt. It is 74X74 inches. The pattern is triangles in a circle. I do not know what it is called. I have had my ups and downs with this quilt. I am doing it on my own. But I have learned so many things along the way. Everything is done now except the binding and I will start that tomorrow. I am so proud to have completed this. It is hard to imagine that people have completed many of them. I plan to try some applique next but on a smaller scale; maybe a wallhanging. I enjoy reading what others post and hearing about their experiences.

Hello Dewdrop38, welcome to Bellaonline Quilting. I had to laugh when I read that your first quilt is 74 inches square - so many new quilters I know have made the BIGGEST quilt for their first quilt. Love it!, show's you how confident quilters are!

I hope that you've joined a quilt group or craft group, as this will help you in your learning journey, along with taking the odd class or two to increase your skills.

Stay in touch Dewdrop 38, keep us posted and remember you're amongst friends!!

Cheerio for now

Congratulations dewdrop38. I think it's great that you finished your first project. I have finished several, but still haven't completed that first one. I just have the binding to do on my most recent quilt ~ my grandson's graduation gift. Then I'm going back to a UFP, but not my first one.

Good luck with applique work ~ check out some of the articles here at BellaO and you'll see some of Judie's work, excellent. But it's something I don't plan on ever starting. I will probably always be a sampler person ~ one of a kind blocks for me.

GrannyH