Good morning!! Spring is now in full swing here in Iowa and it is a glorious! I love spring and summer, so I feel like I have woken up from a long sleep. It feels good to feel good! 

Last week I finished quilting my Farmer's Wife quilt. I didn't do a very good job with the picture, so use your imagination. I chose to stitch in the ditch with most of them. I used wool batting so it has a bit of loft. As I was working on it, I doubted myself the whole time that I was making a mistake and was tempted to rip it all out and start over, but hubby encouraged me to keep going and he thought it looked just fine. It is what it is. No going back now! 

And the back view...The author of the Farmer's Wife, Laurie Hird, has a new Farmer's Wife 30's book coming out. I have a stash full of 30's, so I may tackle that one in the years to come. 

On the sewing front. I am making Thimble Blossoms new quilt pattern Swoon Sixteen for a friend of mine. As the name suggests, the blocks finish at 16" instead of the 24" that the original Swoon pattern  made. For her quilt, she chose Horizon by Kate Spain and a teal Grunge background. Again, the picture isn't very good. In real life, the colors really pop on the teal background. I am making the pattern bigger, so I need to make 20 blocks. Each one takes about an hour to make, so it is slow going. I have 12 more to go. 

New fabric has joined my stash, Ambleside by Brenda Riddle. The colors are so happy and fun...I have no plans for them yet. And see the thread? I purchased silk thread last weekend to give it a try. Silk thread is very fine, but strong! I can't wait to give it a try!

That's the news in my neck of the woods. If anyone has quilted with silk thread, I would love to hear about your experience. =)

Have a happy Thursday!!

Good morning!! Spring is now in full swing here in Iowa and it is a glorious! I love spring and summer, so I feel like I have woken up from a long sleep. It feels good to feel good! 

Last week I finished quilting my Farmer's Wife quilt. I didn't do a very good job with the picture, so use your imagination. I chose to stitch in the ditch with most of them. I used wool batting so it has a bit of loft. As I was working on it, I doubted myself the whole time that I was making a mistake and was tempted to rip it all out and start over, but hubby encouraged me to keep going and he thought it looked just fine. It is what it is. No going back now! 

And the back view...The author of the Farmer's Wife, Laurie Hird, has a new Farmer's Wife 30's book coming out. I have a stash full of 30's, so I may tackle that one in the years to come. 

On the sewing front. I am making Thimble Blossoms new quilt pattern Swoon Sixteen for a friend of mine. As the name suggests, the blocks finish at 16" instead of the 24" that the original Swoon pattern  made. For her quilt, she chose Horizon by Kate Spain and a teal Grunge background. Again, the picture isn't very good. In real life, the colors really pop on the teal background. I am making the pattern bigger, so I need to make 20 blocks. Each one takes about an hour to make, so it is slow going. I have 12 more to go. 

New fabric has joined my stash, Ambleside by Brenda Riddle. The colors are so happy and fun...I have no plans for them yet. And see the thread? I purchased silk thread last weekend to give it a try. Silk thread is very fine, but strong! I can't wait to give it a try!

That's the news in my neck of the woods. If anyone has quilted with silk thread, I would love to hear about your experience. =)

Have a happy Thursday!!

Yes, I am going to be a Farmer's Wife because I just won Karen Walker's generous giveaway of her first six classes on how to make the Farmer's Wife blocks using modern techniques. No templates! Yay!! If you recall, I gave making the Farmer's Wife a try and gave it up quickly. I found it to be too hard. I am so excited to follow Karen's tips and techniques on how to make the Farmer's Wife quilt and *fingers crossed* end up with a beautiful quilt. =)

Reading the reviews about Karen's classes had persuaded to give making the Farmer's Wife quilt another go. If I hadn't won her giveaway, I planned on purchasing them. 'Tis true! My husband has wanted me to make this quilt for forever, so he is one happy camper, too!!

If you would want to be a farmer, too, you can find Karen's Farmer's Wife Revival classes on Craftsy. =)

I'll be back sometime this week with another giveaway from my stash. =)

Yes, I am going to be a Farmer's Wife because I just won Karen Walker's generous giveaway of her first six classes on how to make the Farmer's Wife blocks using modern techniques. No templates! Yay!! If you recall, I gave making the Farmer's Wife a try and gave it up quickly. I found it to be too hard. I am so excited to follow Karen's tips and techniques on how to make the Farmer's Wife quilt and *fingers crossed* end up with a beautiful quilt. =)

Reading the reviews about Karen's classes had persuaded to give making the Farmer's Wife quilt another go. If I hadn't won her giveaway, I planned on purchasing them. 'Tis true! My husband has wanted me to make this quilt for forever, so he is one happy camper, too!!

If you would want to be a farmer, too, you can find Karen's Farmer's Wife Revival classes on Craftsy. =)

I'll be back sometime this week with another giveaway from my stash. =)

*~*Comments closed. Winner will be announced soon. 


Thank you for all your kind and encouraging comments. I appreciated each and every one!


MY blog readers are the best!!*~*

After my epic fail earlier today, I did something else this afternoon to give myself a break. I was really frustrated. Sewing is supposed to be fun and all I kept thinking was, "Am I having fun yet??" Not to accept defeat too easily, tonight I went ahead and attempted the second (and easier) block I had planned on making earlier today. My goal was to end the day on a good note. 

It wasn't a good note. 

It went together fairly well, though it was still very frustrating tricky figuring out how to connect the sections. 

Then the ruler test...

I am admitting defeat. 

There, I said it...

I am canceling the quilt-along. 

I am wracked with guilt...

The Farmer's Wife quilt is not for me. 

*sigh*

There is a ton of interest, so if someone else wants to host the quilt-along, you have my blessing. =)

I am sitting her feeling like a failure with a huge letter "L" on my forehead, but the reality is this...If I am not having fun making this quilt, I am wasting my time and time is short.

 I thank you in advance for understanding....

So, that said....To make it up to all of you who were looking foreword to the quilt-along, how about a giveaway instead? =D

I have four fat quarters by Michael Miller up for grabs and one or two more surprises just might find their way into the winner's package, as well. =) 

The giveaway will be open until noon on Thursday the 19th of July. Just leave a comment and make sure I am able to contact you via email. =) 

I really am sorry...I hope you all forgive me....

*~*Comments closed. Winner will be announced soon. 


Thank you for all your kind and encouraging comments. I appreciated each and every one!


MY blog readers are the best!!*~*

After my epic fail earlier today, I did something else this afternoon to give myself a break. I was really frustrated. Sewing is supposed to be fun and all I kept thinking was, "Am I having fun yet??" Not to accept defeat too easily, tonight I went ahead and attempted the second (and easier) block I had planned on making earlier today. My goal was to end the day on a good note. 

It wasn't a good note. 

It went together fairly well, though it was still very frustrating tricky figuring out how to connect the sections. 

Then the ruler test...

I am admitting defeat. 

There, I said it...

I am canceling the quilt-along. 

I am wracked with guilt...

The Farmer's Wife quilt is not for me. 

*sigh*

There is a ton of interest, so if someone else wants to host the quilt-along, you have my blessing. =)

I am sitting her feeling like a failure with a huge letter "L" on my forehead, but the reality is this...If I am not having fun making this quilt, I am wasting my time and time is short.

 I thank you in advance for understanding....

So, that said....To make it up to all of you who were looking foreword to the quilt-along, how about a giveaway instead? =D

I have four fat quarters by Michael Miller up for grabs and one or two more surprises just might find their way into the winner's package, as well. =) 

The giveaway will be open until noon on Thursday the 19th of July. Just leave a comment and make sure I am able to contact you via email. =) 

I really am sorry...I hope you all forgive me....

{Epic} Fail...

I'm in way over my head....Can I quit and cancel this whole quilt along idea? 

I'm in way over my head....Can I quit and cancel this whole quilt along idea? 

Farmer's Wife

I'm working on a couple of my Farmer's Wife blocks today. Blocks numbers 17, Cats and Mice, and 103, Whirlwind. 

What are you up to? 

I'm working on a couple of my Farmer's Wife blocks today. Blocks numbers 17, Cats and Mice, and 103, Whirlwind. 

What are you up to? 

I am excited (and flattered) to see how many of you who are jumping in and joining me on this adventure. =) 

Today, I am going to start a link list of resources that I have found helpful. Feel free to share what you have found and I will add them to the list. This is a joint venture, after all. =) 

* The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt Along ~ Yahoo group

This group has many helpful files all ready to go. It's where I found the files so I can foundation paper piece my blocks, for those who are interested in making their blocks that way. They also have a check off list you can use to mark off the blocks you have made as you make them. This will be very handy if you aren't making them in order. I probably won't be, so I have it printed and in my book ready to go.

* Jodi@ Pleasant Home  

Jodi shows how she organized her templates so they were all ready to go and didn't get lost in the shuffle of life. She also has a great idea about journaling on the page of the block that is being made as a way to have a diary of sorts for future generations to read and enjoy. I find that idea so lovely and sweet I decided to do that for sure. 

As more resources are found, I will add them here. =) 

I am excited (and flattered) to see how many of you who are jumping in and joining me on this adventure. =) 

Today, I am going to start a link list of resources that I have found helpful. Feel free to share what you have found and I will add them to the list. This is a joint venture, after all. =) 

* The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt Along ~ Yahoo group

This group has many helpful files all ready to go. It's where I found the files so I can foundation paper piece my blocks, for those who are interested in making their blocks that way. They also have a check off list you can use to mark off the blocks you have made as you make them. This will be very handy if you aren't making them in order. I probably won't be, so I have it printed and in my book ready to go.

* Jodi@ Pleasant Home  

Jodi shows how she organized her templates so they were all ready to go and didn't get lost in the shuffle of life. She also has a great idea about journaling on the page of the block that is being made as a way to have a diary of sorts for future generations to read and enjoy. I find that idea so lovely and sweet I decided to do that for sure. 

As more resources are found, I will add them here. =) 

I am so excited to get this Farmer's Wife Quilt-Along started! Thanks for all the feedback and the encouragement. =) 

First, for those who would want one, I made a button. I like buttons. =) I like making them, too. You can find it in my sidebar on the right. Simply copy the code in the text box and paste it into your own blog sidebar. I assume you all know how to do that. If not, just let me know. 

For those who are visiting for the first time, the reason why I am starting another Farmer's Wife quilt-along instead of joining the ones already happening out in the blog world is because I felt funny jumping in the middle of the established groups...Lets just say I have left over hang ups from childhood. 'Nuff said...When I shared on my blog last week about wanting to make a Farmer's Wife quilt, others spoke up and said they would like to quilt-along with me, so here we are. =) 

I like things to be simple and easy. Our lives are all busy enough, right? So here is how this is going to work.

Go as quickly or as slowly as you want. 

I told you it would be easy! 

My plan is to do at least two blocks a month and my goal is to do them all. I need to sit down and work out a reasonable end goal date to have the blocks all finished. I don't want to be doing this 6 years from now. =D

The only requirement is you need to have your own book so you will know how to make the blocks. There is a ton of information out on the web on how to use the paper templates or how to make the blocks using foundation paper piecing (which is my plan). We can share information about the resources we have found as we go along. 

Lets "meet" on the 3rd Thursday of every month to do a show and share of the blocks we have finished. (I don't know how we will meet yet, but will let you all know when I have it figured out.) This should give everyone time to get their fabric choices figured out, buy the book and get some blocks made to show off. 

Feel free to spread the word. The more the merrier, as far as I am concerned. =) 

If you have any questions, or suggestions, I am all ears.

This will be FUN!!

I am so excited to get this Farmer's Wife Quilt-Along started! Thanks for all the feedback and the encouragement. =) 

First, for those who would want one, I made a button. I like buttons. =) I like making them, too. You can find it in my sidebar on the right. Simply copy the code in the text box and paste it into your own blog sidebar. I assume you all know how to do that. If not, just let me know. 

For those who are visiting for the first time, the reason why I am starting another Farmer's Wife quilt-along instead of joining the ones already happening out in the blog world is because I felt funny jumping in the middle of the established groups...Lets just say I have left over hang ups from childhood. 'Nuff said...When I shared on my blog last week about wanting to make a Farmer's Wife quilt, others spoke up and said they would like to quilt-along with me, so here we are. =) 

I like things to be simple and easy. Our lives are all busy enough, right? So here is how this is going to work.

Go as quickly or as slowly as you want. 

I told you it would be easy! 

My plan is to do at least two blocks a month and my goal is to do them all. I need to sit down and work out a reasonable end goal date to have the blocks all finished. I don't want to be doing this 6 years from now. =D

The only requirement is you need to have your own book so you will know how to make the blocks. There is a ton of information out on the web on how to use the paper templates or how to make the blocks using foundation paper piecing (which is my plan). We can share information about the resources we have found as we go along. 

Lets "meet" on the 3rd Thursday of every month to do a show and share of the blocks we have finished. (I don't know how we will meet yet, but will let you all know when I have it figured out.) This should give everyone time to get their fabric choices figured out, buy the book and get some blocks made to show off. 

Feel free to spread the word. The more the merrier, as far as I am concerned. =) 

If you have any questions, or suggestions, I am all ears.

This will be FUN!!

Russ and I don't always see eye to eye when it comes to fabric styles. He likes the more earthy/muted tones, while I love color, color, color can't get enough color. Today, however,  we both agree  Flea Market Fancy is a beautiful fabric collection that fits both of our styles. It's both earthy and colorful. Perfection. 

That's when the accident on purpose happened. Russ asked if I could get more of this fabric to make sure I would have enough for the Farmer's Wife Quilt. Within 30 minutes, I had more on order. Etsy is a wonderful place. Just saying...

Now that the decision has been made on what fabric I'm going to use for the FW quilt , the next decisions are....

• When to start? 
• Who wants to do this with me?
• And how to organize it all? 

It sounds like a lot of you also have wanted to make the quilt but for one reason or another, it hasn't happened and that's only counting the ones that spoke up. I used to co-own/co-manage a homeschooling forum. I know a lot of people lurk. *waving to my shy friends*

The thing is, I consider myself to be an idea person. The organizing and dealing with details is where I fall short. If Russ were awake, he would shout a hearty, "AMEN!" Not that I can't, it's just not my strength. That said, I am willing to do a quilt along/support group or whatever. I know I would have more fun if I had others who were doing it with me. For right now, I am open to ideas on how to do this (am I making this more complicated in my mind than I need to?). When would you all like to start? Right away or after the 4th of July?  I did create a Flickr page, so we can share our blocks if you all want to and we can chat there about stuff. Do we want to make 2 blocks a month or two a week or what? Or, shall we let everyone do their own thing and be cheerleaders for each other, whether someone does one block a week or one block a month.

Am I thinking too hard? 

I ran out of words. Your turn! Speak to me...

Russ and I don't always see eye to eye when it comes to fabric styles. He likes the more earthy/muted tones, while I love color, color, color can't get enough color. Today, however,  we both agree  Flea Market Fancy is a beautiful fabric collection that fits both of our styles. It's both earthy and colorful. Perfection. 

That's when the accident on purpose happened. Russ asked if I could get more of this fabric to make sure I would have enough for the Farmer's Wife Quilt. Within 30 minutes, I had more on order. Etsy is a wonderful place. Just saying...

Now that the decision has been made on what fabric I'm going to use for the FW quilt , the next decisions are....

• When to start? 
• Who wants to do this with me?
• And how to organize it all? 

It sounds like a lot of you also have wanted to make the quilt but for one reason or another, it hasn't happened and that's only counting the ones that spoke up. I used to co-own/co-manage a homeschooling forum. I know a lot of people lurk. *waving to my shy friends*

The thing is, I consider myself to be an idea person. The organizing and dealing with details is where I fall short. If Russ were awake, he would shout a hearty, "AMEN!" Not that I can't, it's just not my strength. That said, I am willing to do a quilt along/support group or whatever. I know I would have more fun if I had others who were doing it with me. For right now, I am open to ideas on how to do this (am I making this more complicated in my mind than I need to?). When would you all like to start? Right away or after the 4th of July?  I did create a Flickr page, so we can share our blocks if you all want to and we can chat there about stuff. Do we want to make 2 blocks a month or two a week or what? Or, shall we let everyone do their own thing and be cheerleaders for each other, whether someone does one block a week or one block a month.

Am I thinking too hard? 

I ran out of words. Your turn! Speak to me...

A couple of years ago, my darling hubby bought me The Farmer's Wife Quilt book. He was intrigued by all the different blocks in the quilt. After looking through it and seeing how the blocks were made using paper templates, I was intimidated and set the book aside.

A few months later, some bloggers started up a few Farmer's Wife quilt-a-longs. I got out the book again, got intimidated again and put it away....again.

Last Saturday, at the MN Quilt Show, Russ was very impressed with the sampler quilts that were on display and asked if I was ever going to make this quilt.


Monday, I got out the book once again, did some more research on line, found a Yahoo group with foundation piecing templates and felt encouraged. I played with the fabric I have in my stash, pondered, thought, debated and decided....

I am going to do this. 

A few blocks at a time. 

Sometimes you've just got to do it....

Anyone care to join me? Lets talk!!

A couple of years ago, my darling hubby bought me The Farmer's Wife Quilt book. He was intrigued by all the different blocks in the quilt. After looking through it and seeing how the blocks were made using paper templates, I was intimidated and set the book aside.

A few months later, some bloggers started up a few Farmer's Wife quilt-a-longs. I got out the book again, got intimidated again and put it away....again.

Last Saturday, at the MN Quilt Show, Russ was very impressed with the sampler quilts that were on display and asked if I was ever going to make this quilt.


Monday, I got out the book once again, did some more research on line, found a Yahoo group with foundation piecing templates and felt encouraged. I played with the fabric I have in my stash, pondered, thought, debated and decided....

I am going to do this. 

A few blocks at a time. 

Sometimes you've just got to do it....

Anyone care to join me? Lets talk!!