My quilt is moving along.  I wish I had a finished top to show you, but I changed my plan and am adding a different border that is taking much more time (of course).  It is going to be so much better than plan a, that I am not complaining (much) about plan b.

So you all want to make x's, don't you?  I have to say, first and foremost, that I had no idea where to start when I first saw the inspiration for this quilt.  I am not really a quilter.  I'm just working on earning that title.  Of course, since Sarah led me to said inspiration and is making her very own string x quilt, I asked her where I should start.  She graciously sent me a big flickr mail with loads of info, lots of tips and then another one after that.  Big thanks to you, Sarah.  Really.

I think it all clicked for me when Sarah pointed me to Heather Bailey's Freshcut quilt.  Of course I had seen it before - I do read her blog and a huge chunk of this quilt is made out of her fabric.  Well, wouldn't you know, it's an string x quilt, too?  Well, kind of, at least.  The fabrics that make up her x's aren't the same so they don't look like x's per se, but the idea is the same.  While reading the supply list, I noticed the 12.5" square quilting ruler.  That was my "A-ha!" moment.  I had thought I would have to piece rectangles and then trim them to make squares, but a ruler?  Genius!  And of course, a real quilter would know they actually existed.  See, I told you I am a fake-o quilter.  You should believe me.  OK, now I am sure you can still do this without a square ruler. I just justified my purchase because the squares for the Virtual Quilting Bee need to be 12.5" too....and look, that is just 12 more squares for me to use it on!

So I started where Heather has you start.  I cut 4" x 18" strips out of my white fabric.  Lots of them.  My quilt takes 36. At this point, I stopped following Heather's directions and just started adding fabrics in my studied random way - you know....so it looks random, but in all actuality is very studied.  I think I managed not over thinking it about, um, 50% of the time (I am being generous with myself here, too).  Anyhow, at this point, I took my rotary cutter and cut various widths of various fabrics and started piecing.

I used 1/4" seam allowances throughout and pressed the seams away from the white strip.  I placed my ruler over the white strip to see how long each additional strip needed to be.  Sometimes I used 4 fabrics, sometimes up to 6.  I didn't worry about straight lines and matching the colored strips.  I like it all wonky.  Once I had 4 blocks pieced, I used my ruler and squared them up.

To do this, I lined up the white strip with the lines on my cutting mat and then centered the ruler on the middle line. 

Then using the rotary cutter, I trimmed the excess away.

Next, I sewed them together in to an x.  Match up those seams (where the white meets the colors) and use lots of pins.  Don't skimp here - trust me.  It is no fun to rip out uneven seams.

I was afraid if I waited until all 36 were sewn to make the actual x's, I would never finish it.  You know - the random factor - it would be overwhelming.  It was a good plan.

I stopped after 9 x's - now all I need to do is add borders to make it the size I want.  Of course, in a perfect world, I would make 3 more x's for Euro shams...one thing at a time, Erin.

Confused yet?  Please say no.  If you are really befuddled, ask away.  I will try my best to explain better.  And if you have lasted this long, you might want to know I have updated my blog links in the sidebar.  Check them out, people.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a border to finish piecing.

Just when I thought spring might actually be here, it started snowing.  No matter - there is plenty of green inside to inspire me.

Time for me to get sewing.  I have a quilt to finish.  Happy weekend everyone!

Helen is a bunny who likes a bit of an adventure.

On Tuesday, she put on her shoes

and her favorite pink sweater and headed out for new lands.  Arizona is far away, but she knows that her new friend, Mary, is waiting for her.

After they play for a long time, Helen thinks she'll be ready for a nap.  It's a good thing she packed her pillow and quilt.

Sweet dreams Helen.  We will miss you.

Helen is from wee wonderfuls put-together book 1.  Her sweater is also a wee wonderfuls pattern.  The doll quilt and pillow were made by me without a pattern.  Making Helen and her things was so much fun for me.  Thanks so much for swapping with us, Jen and Mary.  We love everything you sent!

Click on the photo to see the great things we got!  They also sent us two great books, but Kate has hidden them somewhere.  Most likely, they are in her bed.

Happy leap day everyone!

I went to the doctor yesterday.  The mysterious comes again, goes again wrist pain finally made me do it.  I had really put off the visit - I was so so so afraid of what I would hear.  This is my right hand - the one I use to write, cook, knit, sew, and, yes, mouse click.  Just thinking of what could be causing all this pain when I don't remember injuring my wrist has had me trembling in my boots.  There was one diagnosis I did not want to hear.  I think you know which one I mean.  I am not going to even type it.  That is how scared of it I am.

It turns out I have tendinitis.  Hopefully with some anti-inflammatories and physical therapy, I will be right as rain in a short time.  I am so thankful that this isn't some big deal.  Really, truly thankful.  But, truthfully, I could kick myself for waiting so long to get there.  If I had gone two weeks ago, maybe my tangled yoke cardigan would be further along than it is.

Don't let Scout fool you.  She may be looking out the window, but she is way more interested in that ball of yarn.  Typical cat.  Anyhow, if pain hadn't forced me to put down the needles, I wouldn't have made so much of this:

So I guess I still come out a winner.  7 down, 2 to go.  Directions on making an X coming soon.

Back to my blog break.

making gifts for friends

finishing up our miniswap goodies

playing with free motion quilting

I whipped up one of Blair's rice pillows last night.  She wasn't kidding when she said it could be done in little time.  Mine was in the microwave about 15 minutes after I had started it.  It is the perfect thing for my sore back/shoulder.

I used scraps from some pillowcases I made a few weeks ago.  The eyelet ruffle was already on the sheeting.  Here is another time I am so happy to have a serger.  I just turned it on and with a few seams I was in business.  Like Molly, I made a case that can come off and be washed.  Good thing, too.  It's going to have to be washed to get all the cat hair off.  Miss Scout likes it just as much as I do.

Oh, and the x's....6 down, 3 to go.  The ones above aren't sewn together.  I am waiting until I have them all finished to see obsess over how it's all going to come together.  So far, just looking at them all together is making me a happy girl.

So the weekend was great.  Juno was fantabulous.  Really.  Fatty and I went to our favorite Mexican joint then to the bookstore before the movie.  This is our standard date night and it has been a long time since we had one.  So good.  I like date night.  It just makes me happy.

During the day, I had my class on the Bernina Stitch Regulator (BSR).  Yes, I have a Bernina.  I know, I know...you all thought I had a Babylock.  Well, I do.  And as much as I love that machine, it has spent too much time in the shop within the past year.  I think that is because I use it for utilitarian, everyday sewing so much more than I use it for embroidery.  Anyhow, I have been on the look out for a back-up machine for awhile.  What I ended up with is now my primary machine, with the Ellageo taking back up status.  I got a great deal on the Bernina Aurora 430 back in November.  I didn't open the box until January.  I know that is plain crazy, but I just didn't have time for a learning curve with all the holiday gifts hanging over my head.

So I started the new year with a new machine.  And I love it.  I have been using it for my x quilt (5 x's down, 4 to go, in case you were wondering) and did my first batch of applique t-shirts on it without too many problems.  Good, right?  Well, after my BSR class, it is even better.  It is great.  I can now free motion quilt (which never worked so well on the Babylock).  Look and see:

It's not the best, but look!  I stitched a house with a tree free hand and then wrote with thread.  So cool!

I also drew a bicycle for fatty.  If you look closely, you can see my name upside down, stitched with a double needle.  Fun stuff, I tell you.

And here is some bobbin work - the fancy, glittery thread goes in the bobbin and you use regular thread up top.  So cool!  Glitter and loops, for you, Daria.

It is safe to say that I am addicted to the free motion thing now.  I need to practice a TON more, but then, watch out!  The project ideas are swimming in my head.  Of course, I am going to play it safe and use the walking foot for the string x quilt - I think it begs for straight lines.  Then it's pillows and potholders with free motion.  I can't wait!

I finished my first X for my quilt.

It was so much fun to make!  Each of the four squares that make one x is 12" - I am figuring I need 9 x's (or 36 individual squares) to make a queen sized quilt.  I like the randomness of it - and it is random.  I tried very hard not to over think it.  I must put some more dark greens in the next one or that one strip is going to stand out.  I am hoping to knock out a couple more x's this week.  I hurt my wrist so I am taking a little knitting vacation.  That just leaves more time to sew!

I also finished my square for the Virtual Quilting Bee, but that one is under wraps until it gets to its destination.  Well, one person had a sneak peek.  But that's it.  I'm not sharing any more.  You can see the fabrics that made it in the final square here.  Once I got sewing, it came together pretty well.  I sent it off today so watch the mail, Jennifer.  I hope you like it.