check this out!

For those of you who were a part of Project Improv with me last year, guess what? We're famous! Project Improv and Tallgrass Prairie Studio are a part of the Spring Issue of Stitch Magazine. There are two great pictures, one of several of our quilt tops and a close up of one of the blue/green tops. I wish I could tell you if your block is in the picture...I guess you'll have to check it out and see for yourself. It should be on newsstands soon. You'll want to get it anyway. There's lots of great stuff in this issue in addition to us. I love Stitch.

Gosh, I can hardly believe it. I keep looking at it wondering if it's real.

All Present and Accounted For

All of the Project Improv blocks are now present, accounted for and in quilt tops. These are the last six that are on their way to Jackie and Pam for quilting. No, they didn't come out even by magic, I asked a for a little help getting some "come out even blocks" and several of the project improv quilters stepped up and made extra blocks so that I could make the tops and blocks come out even. How sweet is that!! More on those ladies, later...they deserve a post of their own and something special coming their way.

I'll upload 3 pictures of each of these quilts to flickr hopefully later today so you can find your blocks. (It's done...go here if you want to see more pictures.)
I think my original goal of completing the quilts by the end of the summer is pretty reasonable. Just lots of binding to go. Aren't they all so cute!





We have a Spring to Finish May winner too. I'm so proud of everyone who participated. In April we had 247 finishes and in May we had 273 finishes. (that's rounded up because we had some half and third finishes that counted!!) That's FABULOUS! Congrats to everyone. The winner of my goodies is Diane. Check out her blog and her work...you won't be disappointed. I'll get your goodies to you as soon as I can, Diane!

I'm off to Seattle tonight...traveling more next week. Doesn't do much for making progress on the move or getting me back up and sewing again. I miss my sewing machine, my rotary cutter and even my iron.

Final Finishes and A New Beginning

The May Spring to Finish is over. Can you believe how the month flew by? It's time to account for our finishes. I have two more in under the wire. The first is my new thread cabinet.
My dad whipped up the cabinet with some scraps from his shop. My task was to find the yardsticks. A couple of weeks ago my hubby (with his eagle eye) spotted these in a local antique store. I used my trusty miter box, saw, and a bit of glue to finish it off. Isn't it the cutest? I love that the yardsticks are such fun colors and most of them are sewing related. My favorite is in the upper left corner that says, "Modern by Every Measure." It's so me!
The last 6 project improv tops are done. Tonight I need to trim a few threads, take a few pictures, and pack them up. I'll let you know when the pictures are posted so you can see your blocks. All of the blocks are now in quilt tops. I'm so happy!
So, my finishes for the month were these:
1. thread box
2. project improv tops
3. jon's graduation quilt
4. heart baby quilt
5. juicy jungle baby quilt
6. aj's quilt
7. katie's graduation gift
8. 3 virtual quilting bee blocks
Eight for me! Not as many completed quilts as I wanted, but I'm happy. I can't wait to hear how you did.
I'll try and get back this week with the winner of the challenge as soon as I can. I'm going to take some time off to try to finish moving. I've got some precious cargo to get to the other house and it's going to take some time to get organized so I can get sewing again.

Thanks for Springing to Finish with me. It's been a blast!

Spring to Finish...3 More Days

We've got three more days in the May Spring to Finish Challenge. The challenge ends midnight on the 31st. Be sure to come by and comment on Monday's post to tell your number of finishes. I have part of the prize ready, but I need to make the rest this weekend. Can you get one more finish this weekend? You can do it!

I finished this baby quilt last night. The block is from this tutorial. The quilting was inspired by Sarah of MightyMom fame. She commented that the one heart looked lonely all by itself, so I tried to use the quilting to make the connection between that new little life and the exisiting family. How's that for some deep symbolism? Or it's just a bunch of cute little hearts.
The back and binding are a pink, flowered reproduction fabric. I inserted a couple of blocks on the back made from scraps from the hearts. I do love a little surprise on the back of a quilt.
I'm back to working on the Project Improv quilts. I should have 6 more tops ready to send to the quilters either today or tomorrow. This stack is ready to have bindings matched to them and sewn on. My friend Vicki, of Sew Inspired, has been helping hand sew bindings. She has 3 done and is ready for more. Thanks Vicki...you are the best!
I admit I haven't been to the Project Improv flickr group in awhile. I'm going to cruise by this weekend and see what you all have been creating. Maybe we should have a little quilt show of our improv projects? I'll have a Project Improv update sometime next week.

Thanks so much for your kind words about Jon's graduation quilt. For those of you who asked, yes, he liked it. I think he appreciated the extra work that went into saving it too.

Have a wonderful weekend!

The Invasion

This is the state of my living room at 7 a.m. this morning. My oldest (19 going on 20) is moving in with us for a few months. We will be moving out in June...he'll be renting this from us...the problem...a two month overlap and trying to fit all of his possessions (junk, crap, etc) and him into our little townhome in the meantime. Allow me a bit of whining...
... how long can you stretch out a move...days, weeks...
...it had to rain..which means wet shoes and mud...
...how many times can you bump into a wall carrying a dresser?
...i know those sheets he brought over stuffed into a box haven't been washed since he moved out...
...how many t shirts does one boy need?
...i'm biting my tongue trying not to say those 'mom' things I promised him I wouldn't say...
wish me luck.
In the midst of this I did manage one small finish. A very late birthday present for a friend. She picked the colors the fabrics and even requested the quilting. Made it easy for me. I'm happy to have it done for her. It's a combination of vintage sheets and Kona cotton in pink and pomegranate.

I made this block for Project Improv from some leftover Lush. I haven't contributed to the blue/green colorway yet, so I did.
The final deadline for me to receive your blocks is Friday. Please make sure they arrive here by then. After that I can't guarantee that they will be in a quilt. I've finished one more red/aqua, two more orange/pink and one more blue/green top. (I'll take pictures when the sun comes out!) There will be 3 more tops (one in each colorway). To make it all come out even, I have a group of quilters who have volunteered to make blocks to fill in the last 3 tops. I will contact them on Friday. Volunteers: look for an email or a flickr mail from me on Friday.

Meanwhile these blocks have arrived. Do they belong to you? The first are from Oregon...this quilter made 4 great blocks. I need your first name. Please drop me a comment or an email.
This one is from Minnesota...your last name starts with a K. I need your first name. Help!
Other blocks that arrived:
Jill NY - 2 blocks and the cutest little pin. Thanks!
Jessica B OR - 1 block
Liz T - AZ 1 block

Overall I've been pretty fortunate...I've only had a few block incidents, a crazy cat ate two blocks, and I punctured a couple with my trimming scissors. I think we may have had one lost in the mail. Karen, I have searched high and low for your block. It's not in a quilt and I can't find it. I'm so sorry. Drop me an email and we can talk about what to do.

Please check your name in the sidebar....if I have your block you have a star by your name. Drop me an email if it's not right. Thanks!

Top of the List and a Tutorial

I was visiting a few of the folks who are joining in on the Spring to Finish challenge and I've seen some goal lists. Love that!

This one is at the top of my list, Jon's graduation quilt. Jon asked for minimal, modern and masculine. He chose the fabrics and I gave the challenge to my Common Threads virtual quilting bee buddies. They have made some fabulous blocks for me to work with.

They are each a work of art in themselves, so I decided to frame them and display them like paintings on a gallery wall. The blue and cream are both linen. I have one more row of blocks to add and then more blue linen for the bottom. (I'm still waiting for a few blocks to arrive.)

It's an oversized twin. I've gone as far as I can go on this one until I get more blocks. Due date to finish: May 23rd. I want him to unwrap a finished quilt.

So, want to see one of the prizes for all of you who have accepted the Spring to Finish challenge? Here it is:
14" pillow cover made from Orla Kiely dishtowels

If you'd like to make a pillow like this for yourself, I did a tutorial just for you. Just click here to download the pdf. If you'd like to join in on the challenge, check out this post.

PROJECT IMPROV
Want to see your block in a quilt top? Instead of loading 30 pictures and 17 sets of names I'm trying something different.

Here is a pdf with a list of all the quilts and their contributors. Download the pdf, then find your name and the quilt's color/number (e.g. red/aqua #3) and head to the Project Improv flickr group and find the pictures for that quilt. You should be able to find your block in the quilts. I uploaded 3 pictures of each quilt. 17 quilt tops: 6 quilted, 11 more in progress and more blocks are still waiting to be made into tops. You can also click on the flickr badge in the sidebar and go to my Project Improv flickr set.

10 more tops are on the way to Jackie and Pam for quilting....the first 6 tops have arrived at my house...all quilted and beautiful. Can't wait to show you...I'm working on pictures. I will tell you this...you all should buy a plane ticket right this very minute and come and visit just so you can see these gorgeous quilts in person. When I unpacked the box, I had to call Jackie right away and tell her thank you. She and Pam did a phenomenal job on these quilts. There are a couple of pictures up on flickr, but they don't come close to the beauty of these quilts in person.

Project Improv arrivals:
Patty MI - 1 block
Michelle B CA - 1 block (the fabric is divine!)
Barbara S TX - 1 block
Erin UT - 1 block
josie NY - 1 block
Solidia IN - 3 blocks
Britt NC - 1 block
Rebecca - 1 block
Annie - 1 block and more fabulous chocolate! thanks!!
Meagan AL - 2 blocks and stamps. thanks for the stamps...postage is adding up and everything helps!
Summer NV - 2 blocks

Spring to Finish!

I need a little motivation...do you? Maybe we can motivate each other. I have 17 projects in some state of progress as I write this post. I'm dedicating the remaining days of the month of April to getting at least some of those projects moved from works in progress to finishes. Want to join me? Here's how it works. Grab the 'spring to finish' button and put it on your blog. (Email me if you need the code.) Dig those projects out of the closet and work like the dickens during the month of April to get things finished. The goal...at least one finish. You might want to record your finishes on your blog.

Then come back here on April 30 and leave a comment telling how many finishes you achieved from today thru the 30th. You keep track...it's the honor system. I know you are honorable. Then on April 30th we'll celebrate. I'll be putting together a slam bang package of goodies...fabric of course and maybe some surprises. I'll preview the prize later for some more motivation. The more finishes, the more entries you receive. Simple enough. So, let's get sewing.

Isn't the button cute? Made it myself. (insert picture of me beaming and patting myself on the back!)

Project Improv arrivals:
Staci NY - 1 block
Sheree TX - 3 blocks and fabric...thanks sheree! the stripes are sweeet! (i need to think of something special for those!)
Someone from Midland MI - 2 red/aqua blocks...who are you????
Jenifer TX - 1 block
Amy UT - 1 block
Kristin WA - 2 blocks
Jenn TN - 1 block
Ralitza Bulgaria - 2 blocks

I Love My Mailman

First, because he's a nice guy and he puts your packages up on the porch to keep them dry and protected and second because he delivers things like this! Feast your eyes...oogle it for a long time...look closely at the piecing and quilting. It's all mine and I didn't have to make it. This is the work of Jackie, of Canton Village Quilt Works (she's one of our project improv longarm quilters). Aren't we fortunate to have her!
I signed up for a Pay It Forward a year ago on Jackie's blog. Wasn't that sneaky of her to wait a whole year....I'd forgotten all about it and it sure made for a nice surprise. She sent a beautiful pin too, and chocolate. The pin is downstairs on my coat. Jackie, I adore this quilt. It's so me and it's perfect in every way. I can't tell you how it made my day. Thank you doesn't seem enough. I'll treasure this and make sure it has a special place in my house.
My mailman has also delivered all the scraps in this bag. This is my magic 'Scraps to Treasure' bag. So far it contains treasures from Stacey, Emily, Anna M., Lolly, Anna K. and Penny. Nine of us are sharing scraps and each of us has committed to making a project (or two), and the only requirement, we have to use all of the scraps. Our goal to finish projects is October. Penny is our fearless leader. Thanks everyone! I love what you've sent and my mind is churning with ideas to put them to use. You can see everyone's contributions and projects here.
I have been doing a few things besides the project improv tops...drinking lots of coffee and I made a cover for Bernie...dust is the enemy you know. (pattern is free from Spool)
...and more spidey blocks...so many more to do.

Project Improv arrivals:
....they're coming like crazy now...thanks everyone...keep'em coming. Thanks for the emails letting me know when blocks will be arriving. You all are the best. CHECK THE SIDEBAR TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR STAR.
Amanda KY - 2 blocks and cash for postage...thanks!
Beth KS - 1 block
Cheryl A Canada - 2 blocks (thanks for the fabric...yours finally made it to the post office. thanks for the CD too...the boy disappeared downstairs with it...)
Anna PA - 2 blocks
Carla MO - 1 block (great binding, Carla thanks! the pen will help for all those labels!)
Kat NC - 2 blocks (thanks so much for the fabric...i adore those letters and you know I love the color!)
Priscilla MI - 2 blocks (thanks for the tea...perfect! and the money will go right to postage...thanks!)
Amory TX - 1 block
Kajsa Finland - 2 blocks (thanks my friend...you made my day!)
Kate IL - 3 blocks (thanks for everything Kate...the fabric is perfect and I think a pillow for an auction quilt will be perfect (how about orange/pink?)
Carol T WI - 4 blocks (thank for the cash, Carol...so sweet of you!)
Melanie WI - 1 block
Nani CA - 2 blocks
Gerrie - GA - 2 blocks
Stephanie HI - 1 block
AmandaJean WI - 1 block
Ashley VT - 2 blocks
Julie R VT - 2 blocks (thanks for the fabric Julie...it's gorgeous...great binding for an orange/pink quilt!)
Mel UT - w blocks
Saranya Thailand - 3 blocks
Jean MD - 1 block
Jennifer F TN 2 blocks
Natalie Washington, DC - 1 block
Andrea WA - 3 blocks and money for coffee! thanks, you know i need that!
Heleen Netherlands - 2 blocks ( and a special heart from these two dutch gals!)
Corry Netherlands - 2 blocks
Iva KS - 6 blocks (thanks...Kansas represents!)
Jill D NY - 3 blocks
Melinda MO - 3 blocks (thanks for the cash...we'll put it to good use!)

We have some sun today to I'll try to get a photo shoot of all the quilt tops today. 10 more tops are done...that makes 17 total so far....more in the works!

sew crazy!!!!

This is blue green #3, #4, red/aqua #3, #4, pink/orange #3, #4, #5...more to come...it's SEW CRAZY around here. Stay tuned for complete pictures and more to come...

Project Improv Coming Together

Isn't this a pretty block? It was made by Gabriella from Seattle. Gabriella just got her first sewing machine and decided to use it to make a block for Project Improv. The best thing about this is that Gabriella is just 11 years old. Isn't that the greatest? This is one talented young lady. Don't you just love when the younger generation gets involved in the art of quilting? I'm excited to put her block into one of the quilts. Gabriella, you're on the sidebar and an official participant of Project Improv. You go girl!

A couple more Project Improv quilts for your viewing pleasure. This is red/aqua #2.
I made the quilt from fabric donated by an anonymous donor. Thanks, whoever you are. It turned out to be its own quilt because when I trimmed all the blocks I absentmindedly trimmed them all to 12 inches instead of 12.5. So, I added the dark brown sashing and borders and made it a top all its own.
This is blue/green #3 with blocks from these quilters.
Maggie*2 Iowa
Helen*2 Australia
Jackie*2 Connecticut
Dallas Belgium
Kristin Oregon
Cheryl New York
Rita*2 California
Robin Florida
Amber Hawaii
Ronit*2 Michigan
Laura Florida
Bekhy*4 Oregon

There are 8 more quilts in the construction process. Stay tuned for more reveals each day this week. I also got an email from Jackie this morning that the first quilted tops should be on their way soon. Aren't you just itching to see them? I know I am.


Project Improv arrivals:
Heather T. TX - 2 blocks
Dayna WI - 1 block
Tammy TX - 1 block
Cheryl CT - 2 blocks
Ellen TX - 2 blocks
Karen P CA - 1 block
Audrey CO - 4 blocks
Melody CA - 2 blocks
Andrea UK - 3 blocks (thanks for my button...i'll wear it with pride!)
Nichole IA - 2 blocks and 3 bindings (thanks so much!!)
Tif TX - 1 block
Christy VA - 4 more blocks, thanks!!
Marit Norway - 1 block and chocolate, thanks!
Brita WA - 1 block and more chocolate...very dark and goooood!
Gabriella WA - 1 block
Mary C WA - 2 blocks (arrived awhile ago...one still not located) how can i lose a block? arrrrg!

I need everyone to check the sidebar of my blog. If your name has a star by it, your blocks have arrived. no star = no block as of yet. Please check me for accuracy. I want to make sure I'm keeping track. I have a block from a Jennifer, but I don't know which one you are. Help me out, please. If your name is missing, let me know that too.

The April 1st deadline to send your block is fast approaching. I know we have families, jobs, laundry, pets, and all sorts of other commitments, so if you're going to be late, don't fret, just let me know. It will help me plan for the quilts to come. It's going to take time to get all the blocks into quilts so time is on your side. It sure would be nice to see stars by all those names on the sidebar. I know we can do it!

Have a great week everyone! I'm going to get by to visit blogs this week...I really am....

The Selvedge Apprentice

This is a story of a quilter who admires from afar...another seamstress...a queen. The Selvedge Queen as I call her. She calls herself the creative selvedge freak woman. She's probably closer to accurate. She creates with abandon....fabulous, almost miraculous projects from her house filled with selvedges. I imagine her in her sewing room surrounded by waist deep piles of selvedges, barely able to move from her cutting mat to the sewing machine. I drop by often to marvel at her skill, her creativity and her wild and uproarious sense of humor. Thanks to her I'm often grinning from ear to ear with my morning coffee. You may know her as Jodie, the woman behind RicRac. I've done a few little things with selvedges. Thanks to Jodie I started saving those little snippets of color and text. Little by little my bucket filled. I wondered what I might make from that bucket of jewels?

When I found out about my gallery show this summer I knew I wanted to make something special for the show. Then Ashley, one of my Block Party virtual quilting bee friends asked us to make spiderweb blocks for her turn. I was pretty apprehensive about it...you know, paper piecing. Ick! But, I did it and I really enjoyed this one. No lines to follow. I like that. So, what about a spiderweb quilt with selvedges? Maybe that was the project I was looking for. So, I made one section, then another and now I have this.


I used the templates from Bonnie at Quiltville and adapted her directions to make it work for selvedges. The center kites are a kona cotton called iced frappe. It's a very light aqua...icy is a good description. I think I like it as the centers. I'm varying how much fabric is visible on the selvedges. I like to show the fabric...I want the quilt to be colorful and interesting.

I've learned that selvedges can be deceiving. What looks like it could wrap around the world, as soon as you start trimming and sewing disappears in a blink of an eye. We shall see how big I can make this baby.

Jodie, I bow to your selvedge greatness.

Signed,
your humble apprentice



I was also able to put my circle experiments into a quilt top. I'm not totally satisfied with it, but I do think it's funky and bold and might make a nice baby quilt. I think quilting might make this come alive. I learned a bunch about piecing circles, though and I hope to put that to good use in another quilt for the show.

Project Improv
Arriving this week:
cacilie - switzerland 3 blocks
jackie b - 1 block (so many goodies, i'm spoiled! chocolate, a go cup coffee sleeve (beautiful) the sweetest origami mobile and even cash to help with postage. thanks my friend!)
lisa t - mi 3 blocks (thanks for swapping fabric with me...yours is on the way!)
debbie w - va 2 blocks, backing fabric (thanks for the sachets...they're in use already!)
gail n - mi 3 blocks and fabric (thanks! your fabric will combine nicely with debbie's to make a back!)
ayumi - ca 1 block and my first piece of japanese fabric...thanks so much!
paige - il 1 block
allie - ut 3 blocks
marie - wa 5 MORE blocks (thanks so much!!)
shelly - tx 1 block and 2 spools of thread. (they match boxes on my scrap quilt...gues where they are going?)
deb k - mi 2 blocks and money for postage

thanks so much folks. your generosity is heart warming.

project improv quilt tops are on the sewing agenda for the weekend. we're supposed to get the mother of all spring snow storms....as long as i don't lose power, it could be a VERY productive weekend. Let's hope so!

Oh, there's a flickr badge in my sidebar that takes you to the set in my flickr photostream with all the Project Improv quilt tops. A quick way to see all the tops that are completed so far.

Project Improv - Charity Block Deadline Approaching

I had my mail held while I was out of town for the week. This is the top of the pile. It's high time for a Project Improv update:

213 quilters
246 blocks received from 95 quilters
6 tops completed and being quilted

Thank you everyone! The deadline for the charity blocks is fast approaching. April 1 is only 11 days away. Can you believe how time has flown by? Remember, the project continues for our personal improvisational projects. Check out the flickr group for inspiration. Lot's of great projects have been completed and are in progress.

I started a discussion thread in the Project Improv flickr group on the possibility of auctioning some of the quilts to raise money for charity in addition to direct donation of the quilts. I would love to hear some more opinions on the idea or if any of you have experience with charity auctions I would love you to share your expertise. We have some time to figure this out, but I want it to be the best it can be. So drop over here and put in your two cents.

Here's what was in that stack of mail:
jacquie - 4 blocks (mine wasn't really in the stack, but i have been making blocks!)
michele - binding...thanks so much my friend!
melisaa - 2 blocks
autumn - 1 block
christy - 3 blocks
beth - 3 blocks
robin - 2 blocks
connie - 2 blocks and some great stuff for. thanks connie. (i'm pretty sweet right now!)
pam - 4 blocks
carrie - backing and binding...they're perfect carrie!
kim - 1 block
jackie - 2 blocks and binding...thanks...the binding is all pieced and is so cute!
kathy m - pink backing...and 6 more quilt backs! they're all so beautiful, thank you!
rachel - $20 for postage...you are the sweetest!
maggie - 6 blocks
nova - 1 block
heidi - backing, 2 bindings, ribbon yarn, bias tape and a beautiful handmade coffee cup. thanks heidi! the backing is pieced so beautifully. thanks for everything!
michaela - 2 blocks
katy - 1 block
leah (uk) - 2 blocks
bonnie - 2 blocks and money for postage...thanks bonnie, it really helps!
leah (tx) - 4 blocks, money for postage and a darling atc with great advice...create something today!
susie - 1 block
lindsey - 1 block
pat - 1 block
sue - 1 block
regi - 1 block
gretchen - 3 blocks, gorgeous african fabric (which i will keep!) and a great postcard...i've been there too, gretchen!!
millie - 4 blocks
pam - 3 blocks, binding, and wonderful fabrics. thanks so much pam. i love the sparkly ribbon too and the fabrics are fabulous!!! i'm using that zebra print in a pillow for my son.

Please let me know if you don't see yours. I don't want anything getting lost. Thanks!


I thought you might like to see some of the backings and bindings that are ready to go. All quality, beautiful fabric. The backs will be as fab as the fronts of these quilts. These should all have corresponding tops soon. Heidi pieced the pink/orange one third from the top. You can see it here. I think it should be a quilt front. She put a LOT of work into this back. Thanks Heidi!

It was great to have a week WITH my hubby instead of him being alone in Chicago and me in KC. The boys came for a few days too. Family time always refreshes me. I got to meet and spend some time with a blog friend. More on that later! I'm happy to be home and back with my sewing machine. I'm off. Time to unpack, do laundry, clean the house, sew and maybe I'll should pick up some food so we can eat. Have a great weekend!

Special People #2 Backing Me Up!

And then there were 6...

I couple of posts ago I put out a call for some help with backings and bindings for the Project Improv Charity quilts. Many of you have offered sewing help and if we all lived in the same neighborhood it would be so much easier to drop off a set of blocks at your house or have you all over for a giant binding session. It's harder when we're spread across the country and the world. Postage is pretty prohibitive for sending blocks and quilts back and forth and back and forth, but that doesn't mean I'm not getting any help. I sure am. First, all the comments and the moral support mean more than you know. It motivates me to tackle the sewing, so thanks.

Kathy Mack, you all know Kathy of Pink Chalk Studio and Pink Chalk Fabrics. Kathy is not only a participant, she's also one of those folks who've got my back. When she signed up for the project she let me know right away that she could help with backing and binding the quilts and for me to contact her when it was time. I did, and did she ever come through. Kathy has committed 10 sets of backs and bindings for the quilts, but not just the fabric, she's making them for me. Can you believe that, with her busy schedule (I'm assuming that, Kathy, but I'll bet it's true!) The first backs arrived this weekend. I can't tell you how much time this has saved me, not to mention how beautiful they are and how they will enhance the quilts. Thank you Kathy. If Pink Chalk isn't a site you visit, you should go now. Kathy is an sewing expert, pattern designer and a pretty savvy business woman. I've learned so much from her, even about a great margarita!

Can you feel me standing up straighter? There's another great lady that is supporting me and this project in a big way. It's Jane of JanesFabrics. Jane is another fabric shop owner that responded to my call for help. Jane emailed and said she had fabric that she could donate for quilt backs. I said great, but I never expected this HUGE box to arrive packed, stuffed, jammed with fabric. Jane is most the generous person. Not only has she helped me, she's put together sets of fabric to support the black and white quilt challenge and she has a great store with wonderful fabric. I just got a set of red reproduction fabrics from her. She picked them for me...simply perfect. I think in real life Jane might be Samantha from Bewitched. Those fabrics were at my house before I could blink my eyes. Did you just twitch your nose and zap them to me, Jane? Totally perfect, fast service. Jane has a new little grandbaby too...congrats Grandma Jane!!

Please think about what you might do to say thanks to these gals...hmmm, buy fabric maybe? A quick thank you would be great too.

My son was over for a little while on Monday (for food), when the mailman came with his armload for me. My son commented, "more quilt stuff." As we sat at the table I opened envelopes one by one. And then I came to Peg's. Peg, of Ivy Arts, not only sent two great blocks, but a quilt back, beautifully sewed and a rolled binding to match. There was a beautiful card with 20 dollars tucked inside. For postage, she wrote. She and her friend Becca have been so generous and supportive. My son probably said it best. After I opened Peg's envelope he said, "there are some really nice people in the world." Isn't that the truth. Peg's not the only one either...Katiejean added a piece of fabric in her package to use for a back and after cruising the flickr group I saw the gorgeous back that Heidi has pieced. Thanks Heidi, I can't wait to see it in person! Ronit also sent backing fabric and Katie P sent fabric that was perfect for binding.

I don't know how many quilts will be the final product of Project Improv. I've already put together more than my original estimate and quilters are still joining in. I will keep making tops as long as the blocks come in. My commitment to all of you is that whatever you send this way will make it into a quilt.

I know that was a lot of reading, so how about some eye candy. Two more tops have been completed. Here they are with their contributors. (I'll try to take some better pictures and put them on flickr...no sun around here!)
Blue/Green Quilt #1
Annie Illinois
Maggie Iowa
Bekhy*3 Oregon
Gail Missouri
Chelsea Washington
Kathy Maine
Betty Ninja New Hampshire
Linda Ohio
Jackie Connecticut
Leslie Wyoming
Janis Illinois
Anina Washington
Tess United Kingdom
Ronit Michigan
Heather Washington
Rebecca Massachusetts
Peg Massachusetts
Dallas Belgium

Blue Green Quilt #2
Julie Mississippi
Mary Washington
Jackie Connecticut
Peg Massachusetts
Alissa California
Linda* 2 Ohio
Bekhy*2 Oregon
Helen*2 Australia
Kathy Maine
Cheryl New York
Amber Hawaii
Caron Minnesota
Sarah Canada
Tia Australia
Kristin Oregon
Maggie Iowa
Vicki Kansas

The third blue/green top is in progress and I think I have enough blocks for one more pink/orange top. I have a couple more backs to piece and these will be off to Jackie and Pam for quilting.
More blocks have arrived this week...yippee! Keep them coming folks!
Nancy 2 blocks (thanks for the moonflower seeds and the notepads! it's just about planting time here.)
Jody 1 block
Diana 2 blocks
Jennifer 1 block
Julie O 1 block
Kathy 2 blocks
Amy L 2 blocks
Katiejean 2 blocks
Peg 3 blocks, backing, binding and 20 dollars....thanks Peg!

If you don't see me on the blog for a bit, I'll be sewing. I have loads of things I need to get done and work on around here. Stephanie and Susan, please forgive me for not doing a proper thank you for the wonderful gifts I received from you. I promise I'll get some pictures taken. I really will! I told myself to answer these last comments and then turn OFF the computer. Hold down the fort for me!

Project Improv Special Person #1

The Project Improv quilts are coming together. Here are the first 4...two in orange/pink, one in red/aqua and a special one that I'll tell you about. I have 3 blue/green tops stacked and ready to sew. One of my local blog friends, Vicki, is coming over Monday to help with piecing and getting the tops ready to send to Jackie and Pam. Seven quilt tops should be in the first mailing. How exciting is that!!

My plan is that as each colorway reaches 20 blocks I'll put together a quilt top. Right now about 65 out of 206 quilters have sent in their blocks. We have a long way to go, but what a wonderful start.

Each quilt will have a label with the names and locations of all the quilters who have contributed to the quilt. I have done my best to keep everything organized and labeled. If you see any mistakes, please let me know. If you don't see your name, don't fret there are still lots of blocks in my stack.

I'm going to do a series of posts on some special folks that are helping me with Project Improv in a big way. Today I want to share about one of the quilters who has gone above and beyond...but first, the quilts.

Here's Orange/Pink #1. It was made with blocks from these quilters:
Molly Massachusetts
Victoria*2 Pennsylvania
Anina Washington
Rebecca Massachusetts
Caron Minnesota
Carrie New Jersey
Sarah Canada
Carol E Minnesota
Emily Utah
Alissa California
Laura J Canada
Katie Washington
Penny Colorado
Marie Washington
Gail Missouri
Patricia Ohio
Kristin Oregon
Heather Washington
Chen Virginia

Another view...can you find your block?

Orange/Pink Quilt #2 Made from blocks from these quilters:

Caron*4 Minnesota
Frogdancer Australia
Chen*2 Virginia
Emily Utah
Victoria Pennsylvania
Katie Washington
Carol*4 Minnesota
Tina Florida
Robin Florida
Penny Colorado
Kristin Oregon
Edith*2 Massachusetts
Here's another view so you can find your block.
Red/Aqua Quilt #1 Made from blocks from these quilters:

Robin Florida
Kristin Oregon
Chen Virginia
Erica Texas
Doris Iowa
Cheri Illinois
Michele South Carolina
Lisa New York
Jacquie*2 Kansas
Gail Missouri
Alison California
Caron Minnesota
Sherri Nevada
Erika North Dakota
Rebecca Massachusetts
Nicolette Netherlands
Sara New York
Lynn North Carolina
Alissa California

Here's another look...can you see your block?
Another look...
Last, but not least is a special quilt with its own set of colors. It's a combination of blue/green blocks and pink orange blocks that were all made by one quilter. Yes, she made all 20 of these blocks, and this is only half of her contribution to Project Improv. Her name is Bekhy and she made a total of 40 blocks.
Here's a closer look. Bekhy told me that her plan was to use a box of her scraps to make her blocks. She started and sewed and sewed until the box was empty. Her commitment was to use that box for her contribution and even though it made SO many blocks, she sent them all. She did say she was tempted to keep some for herself, but she honored her commitment and packed them up and sent them in. Since the blocks had coordinating fabrics I thought they should stay together and become one quilt. I hope that works for you Bekhy.
Look closely at this block. Bekhy not only made a lot of blocks she put so much time and effort into these blocks. They are intricate and beautiful. My mom always said that the mark of a great seamstress is the interior of a garment. Bekhy is an amazing seamstress. Every seam was beautifully sewn, meticulously pressed and the blocks perfectly square. Each block is unique and a work of art in itself. You will see more of her blocks in the blue/green quilts that are ready to be made and there are more pink/orange blocks that will be put into other quilts.
Bekhy doesn't have a blog, but I'd sure love to see all of you comment and tell her how much her work is appreciated. I can't imagine the time it took to make all of those blocks. Thank you Bekhy and thanks to all of you who have contributed so far. These tops are beautiful. I wish you could see them in person.

Blocks received this week:
Amy L - 2 blocks
Katie Jean - 2 blocks
Belva - 1 block and a gorgeous photo...thanks for bringing a bit of spring to my studio.
Rita - 2 blocks
Dallas - 3 blocks and some fabulous chocolate...just enough to share with my two guys!
Susey - 1 block
Kathy - 2 blocks
Bekhy - 40 blocks and backing fabric. Thanks Bekhy...totally above and beyond the call of duty!

Have a wonderful rest of the weekend. Post #2 on a couple of other special people coming soon.