Friday, May 31, 2013

Scrap Squad Friday...My Turn!!

 
It's Friday....
 
 
and a SOGGY one at that!!
 
With the cement removed from the old garage, it makes for a treacherous walk out the door.
 
 

 
So what better reason to stay in and read some quilting blogs!!
 
 
Friday also means its another episode of Scrap Squad Reveal
QM scrap squadB3 QM Scrap Squad: Off to the Races by Christa Marcotte
 
This week's quilt comes to you from...
 
ME!!
 
I won't scare you with a picture of myself.
 
This quilt pattern is by Robin Waggoner called Mandarin Express.
 
My inspiration point was this car print and I was off to the races!!
 
 
The red, black and white theme was fitting...
 
 
Racing flag border and all!!!


 
 
And not a quilt goes lately by without Susie's Magic Binding!!!
 
Such an easy way to bind and flange at the same time!
 
 
 Of course, it was quilted by my favorite longarmer, Terry Whitman.
 
As always, another incredible job!!
 
Terry doesn't have a website....YET....I really need to get her one!!
 
Terry's work is one of a kind and unique to each quilt.



 
 
Click HERE for a more detailed look at the making of this quilt
 
 where it is featured on the Quiltmaker Blog today.

Got to go.....

You know that saying...

Make hay when the sun is shining,

Sew when it's raining!!!

(ok..I made it up but it's a should be one)



This Fox has been calling my name all week...

Christa
 
 
 
 


Tuesday, May 28, 2013

How to Remove a Garage....Farmer Style!!

Spring is definitely here....
 
 
Justin's tulips are in full bloom and the gladiolas are up!!
 
On our way home from Regina,
 
 there were some Prairie wind surfers out on the flooded plains.
 
This is not a lake.... just large flooded plain!!
 

 
To think this is was only a couple of weeks ago....a little snow left and a garage still in tact!

 
Till yesterday when we decided to host our own tractor pull....

 
and remove the garage with one felled swoop!!

 
It didn't take long before the job was done!!
 
Arnold's cousins were staying with us and wanted a 'working' vacation.
 
Thanks for your help, Ellen and Gerry!!

 
Today will be removing the old cement.

 
All the cats thought they better take refuge on the swing!!
 
 
 
 
Here's a little action video of the Tractor pull!!
 
 
 
 
This saga continues!!
 
Christa
 
Ps. Thanks for all the birthday wishes!! I didn't work all day!

Friday, May 24, 2013

Scrap Squad Friday...Times Two!!

 
QM scrap squadB3 Carols Mandarin Express
 
I missed posting last week's Friday post for the Scrap Squad
 
 but 
 
you can see it by clicking HERE.
 
 Carol Hubacek from Schererville, Indiana did another creative version of Mandarin Express.
 
 
carolhubacek Carols Mandarin Express
 
You can read all about how she came up with her design.
 
IMG 0813 300x225 Carols Mandarin Express

This week's Squad quilt by Marti Dyer-Allison of Colorado Springs, Colorado
 
 mommachine2 214x300 QM Scrap Squad: Martis Mandarin Grape

You can read about her journey with this quilt HERE

Marti is the person for linking me up with Susie's magic binding I love so much!!

 
 Scrap Squad Mandarin Grape 300x286 QM Scrap Squad: Martis Mandarin Grape


Marti also has a blog called 52quilts.

 She intends to make a quilt for every week of the year.

She is right on track!!

Have a restful weekend....I know I am going to try!!

Christa
 
 
 
 


Thursday, May 23, 2013

Good Things Come in Small Packages

This arrived yesterday....
 
 
It was sent from Quiltmaker's Magazine to each of the Scrappers from Caroline McCormick



 
Our third Scrapper Quilt is by Caroline and is totally paper pieced
 
 and
 
 she thought we could make excellent use of her tools.
 
 Caroline's site has some great information on her products.
 
 

 
I have the 6" inch ruler but this one is going super handy.
 
I don't have any experience with 'Add Enough' so I will have to do research with how to use that one!
 
Thank you, Caroline for the gifts!!
 
Speaking of small packages....
 
Tracey Holzer also participated in the Dreaming of Spring Mini Challenge
 
and
 
her mini has arrived!!
 
 
Be sure to hop on over to The Block Party Blog to check out the work on this amazing little quilt.
 
 
We are off to move some more cows to pasture....

 
I think it's going to be as long a day as our shadows were last night!!
 
Christa
 
 


Wednesday, May 22, 2013

My Texas Quilt is a Star

Spring is definitely in the air...
 
Only one more day of seeding left
 
AND
 
the plum trees are just starting to bloom!!
 
With the rain on Sunday, I was able to get back to my Texas Star quilt.

 
Seems like a long time since I picked out the charm squares...

 
Went into flying geese mode...
 


Rode the pineapple express train...
 
 

 
and sent it off to Terry Whitman to get it quilted.
 
Kind of ironic that she gave it back to me just before she headed down to Texas for a week!!


 
I asked for some linear design as it is a lot of triangles.
 
I think she did an amazing job with all the echoing!!


 
Another spectacular job by my favorite longarmer!!

 
I am in love with Suzie's magic binding technique!!
It makes a faux flange and is a fast and easy way to machine bind your quilt.

 
I used paisley wideback for this quilt.

 
And I even got my label on!!
 

 
Sometimes miracles do happen!!!
 
Christa
 
 
 


Sunday, May 19, 2013

Seed In The Dust...

And your bins will bust....
 


Seed in the mud and it'll be a dud!!
 
That is my favorite motto when it comes to farming from a local farmer namely Bob Hurren!!
 
So we have a good chance of finishing today if all goes well....
 
 
There have been some passing rain clouds.. but so far so good!
 
 
Seeding has been relatively problem free...
 
Minus the two tires and replacing a starter!!!
 

 
I am SOOO getting a manicure in NYC!!
 
Who thought it was a good idea to put the starter at the bottom of an engine??
 
Dawson has found a new vantage point for spotting bunnies...
 
 
And Justin and I even managed to squeeze in planting his 2500 glads...

 
 
 
Now let the growing begin!!
 
 
Off to the field...
 
Christa
 
Ps. Thank you, Mom.... for making us supper tonight!!
 
 
 
 

 

 

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Gift From Germany

My 'Dreaming of Spring' mini quilt exchange arrived yesterday!!
 
 
All the way from Germany.....

 
With all kinds of treats,too!!

 
How adorable is this......


 
So fitting for the 'Dreaming of Spring' theme!!
 
It was made by Ulla Rossmiesl of Frieberg, Germany.

 
I just love the little banner of 'Spring'

 
Each bird has a treat in it's beak




and ribbon for tailfeathers....
 
 
in bright primary colors...

 
Little daisies in the field with French knot centers
 
 
Perfect for Spring!!
 
 
A little pouch of the cutest buttons....
 
 
Chocolate, notepad/pen and some history...
 
I love it!!


 
Good thing I have some Germany friends...maybe they can translate for me!!

 
Ich danke Ihnen, Ulla!!
(Thank you very much!!!)
 
 
Christa
 
 
 

Bucket Bag Tutorial

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