Show-N-Tell starstruck blocks

Every weekend on the HGTV Quilter's Board Holly in South Jersey starts a topic thread for the weekly Show-N-Tell... well since I've already shown you what I've been working on this week in my previous posts... how about I show you what I've worked on tonight?

Since I can't decide on which "RED" to use for the Christmas Lights... and I'm not ready to swap the 4-patches this late tonight... and I'm itching to do something but can't sew on the mystery until I have swapped blocks and also decided on the red.... what is a girl to do?

Pull out an "UFO Project Box" of course! Actually I was in search of another "leaders/enders" to work on ... but to cut up something all new??? Then it dawn on me that I have these blocks I won a couple years back and want to make up some more so I pulled out the pieces and can begin working on these until I'm ready to move on with Christmas Lights... and then can use them in-between blocks.

"Ready, Set, SEW!"

I cant' believe I just stuck these into a baggie after they arrived over 2 years ago! Did I mention lately that I'm loving having a design wall in the sewing room? I can tell that I've become a lot more productive.

Hummmm... Bonnie Hunter shows her Star Struck set as 8 blocks X 10 blocks... so that means I only need about.......humm 80 minus the 29 on the wall and minus another 22 ready to go for leader/enders.... only another 29 after that. ;)

oh and I did cut into one of my reds... after consulting with David to get his opinion. He didn't pick the one I would have but I laid it out on the design wall to see if it will "speak" to me... stay tuned!

EDITED TO ADD: Boy was it fun to take a look back at my previous posts for these blocks - click here to take a walk down memory lane and just LOOK at those teeny tiny twins at the bottom of the page!!!! Boy how fast 2 years has flown by! ;)

Love from Texas!

Stash Sunday Report on Monday

Judy L began a Stash Sunday Report thing a few weeks back - and while I have enjoyed reading everyone who adds to her Mr Linky... I have not had anything to report. Mainly b/c I have not had time to spend working in my sewing room lately. Nora and I did spend a little time in there last week but I didn't even get a good start on cleaning up before one of the twins woke up. :{

However yesterday, during our Sunday afternoon trip, Nora and I went to Wal-Mart and although most usually I don't wonder off to "the back of the store" (fabric area)... yesterday I found my shopping cart taking me there just to "take a quick look."

Yes, I slipped and bought a little... actually a little of several bolts (1/4 yard cuts) and all left on the bolt of two fabrics! However I think I won't be casted out of Judy's club... here is what she said:

Either we did good at not purchasing fabric or we slipped and bought a little. Remember that in my opinion, it's ok to buy things we need and are going to use. I will not have a problem buying some background type fabric when I get low or if I need fabric for a special project. My main goal is to not purchase fabric that will go onto the shelves -- fabric with no project in mind.

Here is what I found...a closer look at the two large pieces... the red and green paisley on cream fabric was in the Christmas section and I love it! Surprisingly it had a very nice feel to it too!! When I saw it I instantly knew it would be perfect as my backing for my Star Struck Quilt when I get it done! Christmas colors but not too Christmasy...

I don't remember exactly how much was on the bolt, but I bought all of it. I want to say a little over 4 or 5 yards... I bought 4 yards of the red to use as an inner boarder and possibly binding and if any is left over it will be used in the HeartStrings Quilt project as my red centers. ;) it has tiny gold polka dots on it that the photo doesn't show very well.

So those quarter yard cuts will be used along with some other reds, greens, whites, and creams from my stash to make more Star Struck Blocks to go with the ones I won in the July Block Lottery this year. My goal is to have this quilt done before this time next year - oh won't it be great, to have a Christmasy Quilt for 2008!? ;c)

Merry Christmas & Love from Texas,

~Bonnie

I won, I won, I WON!!! :P

I won, I won, I WON!!! :P Remember the blocks I mentioned (a couple posts ago) I was making for the HGTV monthly block lotto??? Well, ta-DA - I won! :)

Every month on the HGTV Quilter's message board, OwenJulesMommy hosts a block lotto. For July the block used was Bonnie Hunter's Star Struck block made using her same green, cream or white, and red combination.

The hostess took this photo of all of them laid out together. Don't they look great?! I don't know if clicking on it to make larger will show or not but some players used Christmas fabrics which I think is awesome!!! ...and although these 29 blocks would look great with just making up one more to fill up that bottom right corner...then boarders... but I don't know yet if I will stop at 1 or make up some more to complete the top and make it a generous lap size. On Bonnie's page she has just completed a plaid star struck and used 80 blocks. I may have a look thru my own Christmas fabrics and see what I can add to the bunch ;)

I just know it was meant for me to be the winner of these blocks and here are 5 reasons:

1. I have yet to be a monthly block lotto winner this year
2. I had been waiting for a scrappy pattern to come about
3. I love Bonnie's Star Stuck pattern
4. It was my Birthday month (July) so who else would make a better winner ;)
5. I did contributed the most blocks = 15 chances to have my name drawn ;)

Time passing by tooo fast!

Well we finally got around to having Nora's Birthday Party. She actually turned 3 on June 23rd but I wasn't recovered enough to have it then so we were waiting until July and had her party at Chuck-E-Cheese the Saturday after we returned from KY. I just can't believe she is 3 already! Boy time passes by too fast!

I had invited her friends from our weekly playgroup. Four boys and Four girls.... however, only 2 of the boys showed up! Which was a little disappointing for me b/c I paid for party bags for 8 kids but just fine with her - she didn't even notice!
They had a great time playing on all the rides and games and Nora especially thought the TV screen was cool! They stood in front of a blue screen and camera and were on TV with the music videos! While the big kids played the twins were happy in their car seats. I had the double stroller so I was able to push along and keep up and watch Nora having fun with Daddy. Below, Paul Thomas snoozes and Olivia waves her arms!

Last Saturday night, I got the idea to use sponge rollers on Nora's hair hoping it would turn out cute and curly for church on Sunday. Well, I think b/c I only used 5 on each side they were not sectioned off enough b/c the next morning her hair was still damp.... and the curls were a flop. :(
We will try them again though, surprisingly she liked me fixing them in her hair and didn't complain once about sleeping in them. Next time too I may add a little moose too...? Any suggestions from mom's with girls?

Here is Olivia in her Sunday Best last week too :) Those shoes she has on are actually SOCKS!!! and they are so big on her they fall off so I had to keep a close eye on those so we didn't loose one! This little outfit was one of my favorites that Nora once wore. My Aunt Barbara in North Carolina sent it to us when we had Nora along with some other great yard sale finds! :)

"Hey, what about taking my picture!?!?" says Paul Thomas.. sorry brother, Daddy had already changed you out of your Sunday best while Momma was getting a photo of sister. Sadly his out fit will go to the washer then to the box to be put away for the next baby boy. It was very cute on him, but already too small! David was running behind and of course he got Paul Thomas dressed last and at 10:10 was buttoning him up and discovered that the top two buttons on the back would not meet much less button.... so being that we should have left the house at 10:00am we just left and kept a blanket around him the whole time at church so no one noticed the UNbuttoned buttons! LOL :P

After we got home, I snapped this one of Nora in front of "her Jesus". Yes I let her wear her candy necklace to church... and the princess crown too! After all she is God's little princess! :)

I have been getting a few moments here and there to do some sewing. Nothing major just a few blocks. I am lucky if I get 15 minutes each night while Nora takes her bath - but every little bit helps keep me from going crazy!

Above are my blocks I am mailing to OwneJulesMommy for this month's HGTV block lotto. She selected the Star Struck pattern from http://www.quiltville.com/ I got a head start on these blocks in June that is the only way I have as many done as I do. It only takes 1 to win, but i am really hoping that by sending in 15 that I have a greater chance to win these!!! as I am in love with them! My Birthday is July 26 - so wouldn't think make a great birthday gift, if my name was drawn for the block lotto???? :D

Here are a few more photos before I close - We had a lot of rain last week here in SE Texas. Nora and I went out to check the mailbox together and she was delighted to use her own umbrella!

of course the twins didn't get to go out in the rain to play like us "big girls" but instead snoozed inside the house. (Olivia left, Paul Thomas right = 7 weeks old)

Thanks for all the comments that have been left for me :) Those are the best emails of the day :) ~Bonnie