My first nine patch using the "Leaders and Enders"

I've been working on a quilt project and as I was trying to explain in the post below about Bonnie Hunters technique using the "Leaders and Enders" I was able to create this nine patch square that will patiently wait till I have enough to put together later on in another project.  I don't have a very big scrap selection yet but working one it :).  I have to say it was fun knowing I was working on two projects as one but really only focusing on the main one.  Kind-a like have a side job. 

To learn more about this you can visit her blog.  http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2005/06/leaders-enders-whys-and-hows.html   Tell her Tina sent you! 

I am hoping to order her book on this subject after Christmas. 

Here is the first of many 9 patch squares created as my "leaders/enders"  I made it using the 2" squares I cut up from the scraps as I was cutting out the main project. 

 

I bet you all are wondering what exactly is that main project..... sorry can't go there right now.  This Santa's helpers has secrets to keep and trust me my darlings that for me is not easy....nope not easy at all!!!

 

 

Lil boy quilter

My sweet grandson Zachary was here for the night sat while his mom and dad celebrated their anniversary. I explained to the little guy that I had a lot to do while he was here and being Zachary he was very happy to "entertain himself" as he put it.  He did pretty good for a while but then got very interested in the quilt I was quilting on. He asked if he could try it.  I let him push the peddle for me and he would stop and start when ever is told him to.  That lil guy stood beside me for over a hour doing this.  Which for him to have is attention on one thing that long is great.  So have to ask would that be considered child labor?  Lol !  After he got tired of that he asked for paper and pencil and a little while later he came back with it and said here mamaw I made you a quilt pattern to quilt next time.  Below is a photo of what he gave me.  Keep in mind he is 7.

Pretty good huh.  So I am hoping to use this pattern and maybe make home a pillow out of it at least

Last night before bed I decided to double check make sure I have the correct rulers for Bonnie's mystery quilt. Ive just about got my cutting tabled cleared for it to begin on fri.  Sure wish she would give us a clue.  I'm excited to start

Gettin Scrappy

Nope not scrapbook scrappy.  But quilt scrappy.  Started cutting out a new quilt top I am making. I am making it out of different Christmas prints using a "cake" stack pattern I found online. I am hoping it goes as fast I have a week to get it done in before I start Bonnie hunters mystery quilt. Read more about it here http://quiltville.blogspot.com/p/celtic-solstice-mystery.html   This is my first mystery quilt and I'm excited about it and a lil nervous on how well I'll be able to keep up or of it's over my head.  I have so far gotten my fabrics picked out most of which came from my stash but I did go yesterday to add to it. :)   Here is a photo of what I have so far

 

 

 This is the color paler she has given us to follow

 

 

 

 

I think I did pretty good, I do feel like I need to add some more neutrals just for the fact that I don't feel like I have a very good verity after looking at so of the others posting in the group. 

This starts on the November 29th.   In between trying to finish up this one last quilt before the mystery quilt begins I have been doing a lil what I refer to as "clear the decks,"  to prepare for this.  

 

I have also added a few more drawers to my room to start sorting my scrap fabrics in as I cut.  I love Bonnie Hunters system that you can find on her blog quiltville  under tips and techniques. 

 

 

 

 

Below is the beginnings of my crumb drawer.  You'll learn more about that later.  See got to give you something to look forward to.

 

 

Bonnie also has another technique she uses that she calls leaders and enders.   Really cool idea that I will be trying as I am working on the mystery quilt.  I'm not sure how to explain it so again if you go to her blog you can read more about it and she also has a book on this.  I am hoping to buy this book after Christmas.  The jest is you are using up scraps that you have cut for her organizing scrap system and sew for example scrappy nine patches as you are sewing the main quilt you are working on.  This way you have them ready for another project they may call for these later and you are saving time, thread, and oh heck it just sounds like a fun way to sew.   The way this works is you would have for example a stack of lights and darks in like a 2 1/2" squares and you would start you project with these and end it with these.  Like I said I'm not very good at explaining it but I tried.  Her blog explains it best.   I am hoping to buy this book after Christmas. 

 

Now do me a favor if your a quilter who don't save those scraps keep me in mind I'll use them in one of my scrappy quilts. 

 

CRAFT SOMETHING TODAY!

 

Tina   AKA Tee Tee

Getting my groove back

Been awhile huh. Well I'm back to getting my craft on at last. Plan on doing better about blogging again about my crafty and life's adventures.  I spent most of the summer on my bike I rode over 1200 miles.  It felt so good to be active like I hadn't been able to be since I was a teen. To set a goal for my self which started out being 500 miles and far exceeding that was amazing to me.  I even rode in my first event ride.  Now that fall is here and winter is around the corner I am back in the gym and back in my crafty place. I have lots I've made in the the past few weeks and lots to do before Christmas.  I plan on posting when I can about what I've made but not yet I'm afraid the people I made these gifts for will read this :(   

Well it's 6 am here and I need to get trendy to work.  But tonight and tomarrow I'll be back in my crafty place.  Looking forward to sharing it with you all. I may post again tonight about what is on it's way to my house this week. 

Tina.