When I started out, I used to just start sewing quilt blocks, without knowing for sure how big the finished quilt would be. I tried to make the biggest possible quilt from whatever fabrics I had chosen for the project. A few years ago, someone I met suggested that I try some smaller projects for a while. Something I could complete relatively quickly. Less chance to become a UFO, I figure. My smallest quilt so far is a 7x12" crazy pieced "tiny table topper" and my biggest is 80x80". When giving a quilt as a gift, I usually make a 60x60" size. I have made place mats. I chose novelty fabrics that the recipients would really, really like, and that would go with the rest of the house. No way they could find those in a store! I also make "purse pals" for gifts: tissue holders, coin purses, zippered pouches. I have decided to make myself a set of 18x24" wall hangings. I will only need one hanger, since I will rotate them around the seasons. I need to make myself some table runners and table toppers, to protect the wood tables. I want to make more tote bags and purses. And quilted jackets. I only have one so far, and it used a raw edge technique. I want something more tailored.

This was my first year participating in the birthday block exchange and really enjoyed it. I found that I was making blocks I'd not have thought of making for myself, and then learned that I like a lot of patterns that I didn't think I would. Having the list by the beginning of the year worked well because my heaviest sewing time is winter and I got all my blocks made then. Now I just get to enjoy watching the process unroll. And I got my first block gift from Kate today! I love it and many thanks, Kate!!! So... that said, I'd be happy to participate in a 2012 birthday block with any who prefer not to sit out this year. Maybe there would only be enough people for 1 group. And I'd be glad to help with coordinating it, now that Michele is handling the monthly lotto. I doubt that I'd participate in any kind of notions/birthday gift exchange, as, like magothyrivergirl, I have plenty of those, more than I can find room for! Have never done a challenge, and would have to read the guidelines before committing to participate in one. But I doubt that I would.. I have enough challenges on the shelves of my quilting room! Just another two cents worth.. and we know what two cents is worth these days!

Always test everything before using it on your quilt. I tried the PressNSeal for hand quilting some floral designs. To draw the design onto the PNS, I tried ballpoint pen, Sharpie pen, and also some of the lighter color markers. The problem I had, even though I let them all dry for 48 hours first, the color of the marker kept rubbing off onto my thread. The thread got darker and darker. When I took it out, there were dots on the fabric. Using it as a stencil might work with removable markers, but I'm not sure if chalk would stay on the fabric when you pull off the PNS? BlueBars

I love the planning stages, looking for the pattern or design I want to use, picking out fabrics (either buying or combing through my stash), and deciding on the size, borders, backing, and binding. The cutting out????....hmmmm.....not so much! So I tend to cut as I go, cutting enough for only a few blocks. What I enjoy the most is piecing blocks. I just love to see the seams match up and the block pieces go together just so. I love to put the blocks up on my design wall as I make them, that way I can see if I need to add or dilute any one color. If I cut out all the blocks at once, I'm afraid I would end up wasting blocks that didn't fit in. I do my own quilting most of the time, but the quilting is not my favorite thing to do. I usually end up with back and shoulder strain. And I love to sew my bindings on by hand! But you know what? When you are sewing with friends, none of the tedious parts of quilting seem so bad! Teresa