Mini 9-patch lovers LOOK at this quilt!

I have found a quilt I know you will love – look at all those mini 9 patches!!! I now need to be on the lookout for some yardage of a dark navy or black to use and also a rust or burnt orange to use where they did. Don’t’ they look great together????

I'm in the HGTV Crayola Challenge that is due in February 2010 so I won't be able to start on this until sometime next spring... but for now, I’m printing out the photo and hanging up in the sewing room!!!

Love from Texas!

TGIF and the swappin is done! ;)

Whooo hooo all of the make up blue mini's and potluck minis have started making their way to their new homes!! and now that packages are arriving I can share some photos.

Here are some of my minis that I contributed to the potluck How about that baby wipe container for holding these little 3.5 unfinished blocks? ;) It holds dozens and dozens!

and here's a peek at my minis after I swapped... A little of everything wouldn't ya say ...and one special blue FQ! Thanks so much kwilt4u!!

oops here is a better close up of my minis.. I did get several repeaters myself but that is OK. I plan to make more than 1 quilt with my mini collection

What a fun year last year was - swapping a variety of colors every quarter. I now look forward to playing with mine sometime after the new year - I have several other projects going on right now... but I'd loved to see what others make with their minis or use them in... Please share photos with us on the board when you do!

and for the Thank God it's Friday part of my title....

It's been an unusual week here... Nora and I got up before the sunrise Wednesday and took a little trip to the local hospital... these photos and captions below can tell the story better than me retyping it all here... click here on this link -
http://www.facebook.com/album....9753328&l=6e928e56bf

it will take you to the photo album of Nora's pretend earrings (seed/nut) extraction adventure!

The seed/nuts have been in there since before September 1st b/c looking back at the calendar that is the date I wrote down that I first took her to see the doctor for her ear infection and pain... We are happy to have them out at last! but have to go back again for another surgery to repair the hole in her ear drum sometime soon..

so needless to say I'm soooooo TGIF today! Hope all of you have a happy weekend!

Thanks to those of you who participated in my swap!

Love from Texas!

Pictures! Pictures! I've missed my pictures!

Well as you may have read - my latest digital camera took a very hard fall about a month ago and left me with no way to take and post photos - other than my phone camera but the quality is just not the same.... however I'm happy to report that about a week ago I thought since it's stuck on the "Cannon" blue welcome screen when I turn it on.... would it hurt if I dropped it again and knocked some sense into it? LOL :P

And that is what I did - and it worked! Still the camera isn't working correctly - I still can't change any of the settings or go to video mode but at least I can take a photo or two now! ;) However, for the record, I do NOT recommend dropping your camera on accident much less on purpose... that's the whole reason I need a new one b/c I've dropped it at least 50 times in the past year :/

and just so you know - I HAVE been working in the sewing room on and off over the past couple weeks... Remember the mini 9-patch swap I hosted last year??? I'm hosting another small "makeup/potluck" swap again due in October for anyone who wanted to use up their leftover strips... or need more :)

The above are 6-7 sets of minis ready to be squared up... and look at this CUTE fabric below -with the hearts!!! I just la,la,love it!!!

I loved it so much - that I didn't want to share these with my swappers!! So I used up all the mini 9-patch blocks along with some other strips to make just a plain checker board mini quilt... or quilt block actually b/c it is only about 12".... each square will finish at 1"

Aaak - forgot to get a final photo of it... but the one above gives you an idea. I don't have anymore of the fabric to use for backing or binding so I'm thinking one day (not anytime soon as I have a list of to do already-see the 1st photo) I'll just simply use KONA white and made up a small doll quilt for one of my girls. ;)

And how about those Star Struck "Leaders & Enders" Bonnie..... how are they coming?

Yep! Still working on them in between sewing other stuff... I need to find a little box or something to drop them into so none of them get lost... just need another 40-50 so these will be going on for a while...

And b/c today is JudyL's Design Wall Monday - I can't actually show you what is on mine - b/c it is a secret project.... a fall mini swap but here's a neat photo that gives a hint. I finished adding the boarders on it last night and today will sandwich it up and begin quilting on it tonight. I think it's gonna roughly finish around 22"

Created with dumpr.net - photo fun

These are the fabrics that I ordered from Connecting Threads for the project. I'm happy with the colors since they are for fall... but good thing this is just a small table topper style quilt b/c I wouldn't want if for my bed... too yellow/orangy. .

But last night for the photo I placed it in the center of my dining room table now and it's growing on me - it really looks good in there - I'd love to show you a photo of what I see when walking by the doorway.... but I can't yet.

Good thing I have a 2nd mini all cut out and ready to sew up... a keeper for me? or perhaps a gift to a special family member... mmmm... I don't know yet. ;)

Glad to be back with a few of my pictures! Hope you didn't delete your bookmark for my site b/c I've been gone so long...

Love from Texas!

Last Call for Minis!

POTLUCK/Make-up Mini 9 Patch Swap Details can be found here. Several readers asked me about joining a while back and to each of you I emailed back with the details... I have not head back yet from any of them... but just wanted to make sure you knew about it if you are still interested. ;) Click on the above link to take you to the swap discussion over on the HGTV Quilter's Message Board.

Looking back at last year's on going Quarterly Swap:

Round 1 - 36 participants sent in 187 blue sets & 166 brown sets = 3530 minis

Round 2 - 31 participants sent in 168 red sets & 151 orange sets = 3190 minis

Round 3 - 24 participants sent in 179 green sets = 1790 minis

Round 4 - 18 participants sent in 112 purple sets & 104 yellow sets = 2160 minis

Total mini blocks swapped for the year = 10,670 minis!!!

TEN THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED, SEVENTY BLOCKS!!!

We had a very successful swap, and I am so lucky to have such great swappers to work with! Thanks everyone! ;)
and here are the ones that get to stay here and live with me - until they grow up to become something beautiful! ;)

Love from Texas!

for those who have asked about joining my MINI swap

There have been several blog visitors who have asked about my mini block swap - even a few mini swappers who joined us mid year after reading about it here... so I'll share some info here for you to read and decide if you'd like to join us in March... never too early to get started! I know it takes me 3 months to work on mine...

http://boards.hgtv.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=1084078532&f=5894011632&m=1761045983&r=7081014293#7081014293

I hope the above link works for you –it will take you to the board where the swap is talked about and also guidelines and rules are posted – to give you an idea on how it works. ;) The thread is locked so you can't add to it but you can read everything you need to know. I'll be posting a new thread for the POTLUCK/makeup swap due to me by March 31.. a little later on... so stay tuned.



Also anyone visiting the HGTV board who isn't a member YET, you should know - where there are photos posted on my thread or other threads, it will show up as a red “don’t” sign like no smoking.. but if you join and log in, then the photos will show up for you.

We will be having a POTLUCK/makeup swap this year. Where any color goes.. those will be due to me at the end of March. Must be at my house BEFORE the last day of March please - so I'll have time to swap and return before I have to pack to leave on my April retreat.

I don’t know how long you have followed my blog – and I didn’t post a lot about it in the beginning… but to give you and idea of what we swapped, In 2008 we did blue and brown for Round 1, red and orange for Round 2, greens in Round 3, and purple and yellow for Round 4.

I do think there are some swappers planning to send in some black prints for the potluck as well as a mixture of everything else. I’d love to have you join us! ;) Just sign up at the HGTV board.. b/c that is the main way I contact all of my swappers and keep them informed.

Before my twins were born I did a monthly noodle swap… but knew that I couldn't spend that much time on swaps after the babies so for 2008 I did the minis each quarter of the year. We did evacuate twice back to back for hurricanes this year… so I know I will not be holding anything during those months this year (just in case)



After this POTLUCK/makeup mini swap I have no plans to host anything until after I return from my Circle of Friends Retreat at the end of April. Then after I return, I hope host a Quiltville block swap (on the HGTV board) and we'll be using men's shirts as the fabrics.

So as you can see there are swaps in the works.. and you are welcome to come join in on all the fun!

Oh, and soon (mid February) on the HGTV board, you’ll read me announcing our upcoming 4th Annual Fat Quarter Bingo Game!!! It is huge every year! That is how I go the name bingo-bonnie :o)


Last year there were over 2300 FQs in the jackpot! So I’m sure you will want to join in the fun… but the game is only for HGTV members… ;) so before you can play you need to get signed up!

Well gotta run. Click on the link, read over the guidelines…and let me know if you want to join us – also let me know what your HGTV board nickname will be. ;) so I can put you on my list.

Thanks for visiting my blog! Love from Texas! bonnie





Love from Texas!

oh no I didn't.... Oh YES I DID :P

Hummm.... Bonnie... what is it that you did...? Today I climbed up on TOP of my dining room table..... and not only did I climb up on it but I took a PHOTO of myself too while I was up there!!!

I know... I know... excuse me where are my manners??? I should have warned everyone before posting a photo of myself like that.. oops. and I should have sucked in.. well it wouldn't have shown anyway.. b/c of the blousing shirt... oh well..

So the question is...why did I climb up on TOP of my dining room table today??? Well I started playing with a pile of mini 9 patches that started out looking like this..
I played some this morning before leaving for play group and then some more after I got home... and then some more after the babies went down for their afternoon nap...and well....just look!

Ta-Dah!!!!

need to get a little closer....

and from the other side

oh and I forgot to give credit where credit is due!!! these minis are from the swap I held all of last year... every 3 months I swapped assigned colors each round... limit of 10 sets of 10 per color each time.

Several of my wonderful swappers were so generous and included extras or what I call "leftovers" and thanks to all of them - these beautiful photo is possible.

(Notice the blues? I made blues that first round but none of mine were swappable b/ my sizes were off.. bad hostess bad! bad! but look at the ones at the top right in the 1st photo - those are all leftovers that my swappers gave to me!)

I think the most number of sets I ever made to swap was for the green group - I made 6 or 7 sets...? or was that the oranges?? I in no way, no how - made the most number of sets! Not even close!

Yes, that is right.... there are others out there who I call "SUPERSWAPPWERS" who swapped out 10 sets of each color each time!!! yep, 100 blocks of each... = 700 blocks they have...one swapper did 20 sets.... wow... her pile would make my 500+ look like spare change!!!!

...yep... I did... I did. *giggle*giggle* I was taking photos of the colorful blocks and caught my reflection and just for fun too my own photo a couple times... and THEN BLOGGED them!!! ........and probably never in a million years would I have shared photos of me like THOSE.. usually I'm just a head shot kinda gal...

but I have great news to share - may as well share here with my online friends..

my insurance company APPROVED my surgery!!!

I'm still waiting to get the final details, but one day either THIS coming Mon, Tue or Wed.. or the first 3 days of the following week...I'm having a breast REDUCTION surgery!!!

My heart is pounding just tying this! aak!! I don't know why suddenly I'm so scared about it. (I started last October trying to push to get it done) and have wanted this for evah!

I can't wait to finally BUY clothes that fit MY new BODY! shirts with buttons! and maybe a coat that really fits too?! and buy bras! bras that really fit!!! I was last measured at a 36 FFF... yep three F's! and that was before the twins were born... but finding a cup size for a 36 measurement is IMPOSSIBLE... so I've been hanging out of to and sides and underneath sides..OUCH of the largest bras I can find in stores.. usually a 36 DDD...:( So you can bet I'm lookin forward to throwing those away - perhaps a bra burning!?!?! LOL

and yesterday upon receiving the news... I immediately called my step mom and Dad.. they are on stand by to come down from Kentucky to help take care of the babies...when ever I get the finalized date **crossing fingers that I find out tomorrow**

So in case you don't see me on line in a week or so - that's why... until then I gotta get busy cleaning house and doing laundry! My Dad and step mom will be here as early as this weekend! aak!!!! and the guest bed is covered with fabric!

Oh and one last thing to share.. :)

I don't have photos from tonight.. but before David got home from work.. I got down and played for over an hour down in the floor with the babies... superman flying, tickling...and of course hiding under my quilt with them under there too giggling and having a good ole time!!! aaahhh I'm gonna miss that for the next few weeks while I heal...

==============and for any HGTV quilter's board members - here is a important Fat Quarter Bingo Update Announcement=================

I had planned to send email invites according to groups from last year's bingo... send Group A for a week and reply.. then group B and so on..for a month and then afterwards.. post a sign up for new players on board..but be patient with me... it didn't happen this month (January) but I am hoping to start the email invites in February..depending on my recovery.. mostly if I do the surgery this coming week or the next...so please everyone be patient OK? just a little longer I promise! This year's game is sure to be bigger and better than any of the previous 3 years ;)

Love from Texas!

I've got mail again

This is a first - a photo of me with the mail LOL :P David brought the mail in the house when he got home tonight and he offered totake my photo with the box while we waited on supper to come out of the oven.

Please excuse my all natural look - today was a soooo stay at home day (except picking up Nora at preschool) and I even forgot that one of the babies had crowned me when we were playin in the floor - I just noticed that now.

hummm, no wonder David greeted me with, "Hello Queen Mother" and a kiss on the cheek when he got home. :) LOL and offered to take my photo! That sneak!

quiltsewpieceful - your minis have arrived here in Texas! Still waiting on 4 others, which only 2 of them have kept me updated.. so I'll wait on those 2 and if the others aren't here by then, then I'm swapping already... if they show up late, I'll hold for the makeup/potluck due in March. ;)

Love from Texas!

my mini progress for Round 4

has been super slow! I feel like such a LOOSER! b/c I haven't spent any time much on making my own minis for Round 4 the final round for the year - we're swappin purples and golds... and there are so many super scrumptious, mouth watering cute little 9 patches arriving in the mail each day now... and I'm gonna be lucky if I can get mine own made in time! aak!

uham, swappers, do as I say not as I do! LOL :P b/c I'd so love to have swapped 10 sets each round... but I guess a few is better than none.

I won't go into the whole list of why nots... not b/c I haven't had the time - a I get as many hours in a day as the rest of the world - but the main reason is that I just have been too tired and lazy at night after the kids are in bed.

Somehow, however I'm not too tired to sit down with the computer a few hours each night though. (I'm gonna work on that for 2009) and another reason I feel like a looser is b/c above in the photo of the white/gold/white you'll notice I cut way more than 10... (10 per set) and now I don't have enough fabric left over to make the other segment to finish the extras... SIGH!

I'm pretty sure this FQ came from Granny's Attic - when I went home to KY for Thanksgiving... so hopefully I can email Karen and ask her to take a look at my "closeup" at the top of this post and see if she has any more of it and order it from her.

I love how PINNING MAKES PERFECT :)

These are two of my three yellow sets I made... and although I didn't think I'd make the deadline for making any purples - I did set aside these three fabrics...

and lucky for me I'm still waiting on 5-6 people to mail their packages, I'll go ahead and start cutting and sewing and see if I can get any done before the rest of the swappers arrive.

As soon as everyone else is here, I'll clear off the table and begin the swapping... if my purples are done fine, if not fine. We will be having a POTLUCK / make up due the end of March '09 so what I don't finish now can be swapped later.

Love from Texas!