The craftsy blog of the month

Now this looks really interesting.  Craftsy.com is offering a BOM by teaching you a specific quilt technique per block.  The very pretty Amy Gibson will be the teacher and in the end you will make 20 blocks that will form a quilted throw once joined.

The interesting part though is that it is presented by video.  You will have the teacher right by your side in your own sewing space.

No off you go and check this out HERE

Heleen Pinkster's Theme BOM

For 2012 Heleen Pinkster chose SHOES as her theme for a BOM.  Her first shoe is a Ski shoe - foundation pieced and this is what it looks like.

Start downloading your first block pattern and remember to check back for new blocks over HERE

Mumm's the Word - Anniversary Sampler BOM by Debbie Mumm

In celebration of the first decade of Debbie Mumm designs this 6 installment Quilt BOM is offered over HERE

You can already download January's installment now over HERE

While you're at it also take a look at all the other interesting projects (some even free) shared by Debbie Mumm on her website over HERE

Katie McMullen's "Butterflies in my Flower Garden"

Katie designed this BOM and offers it on the Hearts 'n Hand Quilt Guild's blog.  This guild is one of the largest in the St. Louis area and what I like about these 7 blocks forming the quilt is that it is drawn in pen and paper - black and white.

So it will be rather interesting to see everyone's take on how 7 blocks will be put together in a quilt and which colors were chosen.  The general idea is that you do what appeals to you:  Paint, Applique or Red work.

For the instructions on these blocks, click HERE

To get all 7 block patterns, click HERE

The Hearts 'n Hands Quilt Guild will show 3 examples on their blog, so another entry in your diary to check out their blog regularly over HERE

Now don't be discouraged by the black and white sketches.  I know we are spoiled with color and digital images nowadays but take it and make it your own.  Try different layouts, add the odd block or two and get bold and daring with your colors.  It can be fun.

Angie Padilla's BOM's

Okay people I don't mean to sound like a stuck record but January is traditionally the start of several BOM's in blog land and I realize taste differs so if I only give a link to one it might not fall in everyone's taste.  Therefore, for the next couple of posts I am going to inundate you with BOM's.  Make your pick or even better, let's see who finishes the most!!

Angie Padilla offers no less than 3 different BOM's and you can choose between:
1. Asian Teapots

2. Itching to be Stitching

3.Quilt Labels

Now remember these only stay free for one month and then it is time to pay, so mark your calendars or even better Angie will remind you when she posts a new block if you sign up for her FREE newsletter.  How much easier can it get?

So get downloading or then at least get the fabric requirements until the first block is posted by clicking HERE

Funky Chickens BOM

Sindy from FatCat Patterns has a brand new BOM for 2012 and something this colorful makes you want to start with it right away.  Take a look at her new Funky Chickens Block of the Month.

Get your block patterns free by downloading the new block at the beginning of the month otherwise you'll have to pay for those you missed.  If you cannot wait for your next block, the whole pattern can be purchased immediately when you visit Sindy's website by clicking HERE.

Now let's get this new year rolling!!

Happy New Year!!

May 2012 be one to remember for a very long time!!

I don't make New Year's resolutions EVER.  I simply don't keep them so I came up with an alternative.  I choose a quote for a year (Google search if you wonder where I get these from) and try to make a single quote apply to whatever I do during that year.  Past quotes that come to mind right now, are:

"Life is about the choices you make" - forcing me to look at my options and choosing the right one
"The easiest thing in life is to blame someone else" - making me ponder on my involvement in a mishap or unfortunate situation.
"It is always good in the end, if it is not.... then it is not the end".  -  Keeping me from giving up too soon or getting negative too fast.

This year however I got this lovely e-mail and for 2012 I wish to have the attributes of a dog as described in the mail.  Enjoy!

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker.  The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
 
 I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer.  I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
 
 As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be 
 good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure.  They felt as 
 though Shane might learn something from the experience.
 
 The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him.  Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.  Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
 
 The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.  We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
 
 Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''
 
 Startled, we all turned to him.  What came out of his mouth next stunned me.  I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.  It has changed the way I try to live.
 
 He said, ''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'' 
 
 The Six-year-old continued, 
 
 ''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''
 
 Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
 
 When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
 
 Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
 
 Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure 
 Ecstasy.
 
 Take naps.
 
 Stretch before rising.
 
 Run, romp, and play daily.
 
 Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
 
 Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
 
 On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
 
 On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
 
 When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
 
 Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
 
 Be loyal.
 
 Never pretend to be something you're not.
 
 If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
 
 When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle 
 them gently.
 
 There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and 
 people who create it. 
 
 You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, 
 and focus on the good. 
 
 So, love the people who treat you right. 
 Think good thoughts for the ones who don't. 
 Life is too short to be anything but happy. 
 Falling down is part of LIFE...
 Getting back up is LIVING...