I am seeing dots on dots.......

     Welcome to the Dots on Dots blog hop.

If your here for the first time. Please hang out and look around some. Here at the Moon. There is quilting, sewing, cooking, baking and lots of loving!!!

The challenge of this hop was to make a quilt block with dots. I love dots!!! 

I knew just what I was going to do. I had been thinking about this block for a while. I had seen something like it before. But I could remember where..... and couldn't find a tutorial. 

Soooooo... I took a shot at it, my way. It is a pretty old school way to do it. But, I am going to share what I came up with. I hope you like it!!!

Here is the 12 inch block I made for the hop.

I call this block "Echo Star". 

I used Michael Miller's TaDot in three colors.

First, I drew it out on my beloved graph paper. 

I have every computer program imaginable for these sorts of things....... But, I always go back to a pencil and paper.

 After I thought I had figured it out.......

  

Away I went. Cutting and piecing.

It really doesn't look like its going to 

work at this point.................

But, Look it does!!!!! Isn't she pretty???

If you want to try one......... Here goes!

Old school...right :)               HST ( half square triangle) 

Cut and piece this.....

Star 1

1~ 2 inch square of print 3

4-~1 1/4 inch  Stripy HST's ( one triangle print 3, and the other triangle is  the solid with a print 2 strip ) 

2~1 1/4 HST's print 2 and print 3  

2~1 1/4 HST's solid and print 3

3~ 1 1/4 inch squares of solid 

1~ 1 1/4 inch square of print 2                                                                                   

Star 2

2~ 2 inch squares of solid

3~ 2 inch squares of print 2

1~ 2 inch square of print 1

2~ 2 inch HST's of print 1 and print 2

4~ 2 inch Stripy HST ( one triangle print 2, and the other triangle is a solid with a print 1 strip ) 

Star 3

3~ 3 /12 inch squares of solid

6~ 3 1/2 inch HST's of solid and print 1

3~ 3 1/2 inch squares of print 1

This is how I made the Stripy HST.

Sew 2 strips of a solid and a print.

Using a square or triangle ruler....Cut triangles lining up the seam in the middle of the triangle (slightly larger than you will need) Cut 2 with the solid on the right and 2 with the solid on the left. Sew the stripy triangle to a whole triangle to make the square you need. Square up to the correct size.

That will give you the 4 you need.

Lay Star 1 out first. The pieces are so small.

  It is on my 6 inch square ruler.

Then lay out Star 2 and 3

Then lay it all together. 

Sew together Star 1 ...Add Star 1 to Star 2. Sew Star 2 together . Then add Star 2 to Star 3 then finish up the block.  Square up and your done :)

What you do with your block is up to you. 

I made a Mini quilt for my desk.

 By adding some black around the block to suit me. 

And I straight line machine quilted it.

I used some more TaDot to bind it.

You see, my desk was a mess!!!!

I do everything at this desk. Work, Blog, Sew and all kinds of other things. I thought, if I made it pretty.....

I would be nicer to it. 

Hmmmmm we'll see.

Better huh?

I used some Wonder-Under and a scrap of dots 

to make my mouse pad pretty too.

I Just traced my mouse pad onto fabric. Ironed the Wonder-Under  to the fabric. Peeled the paper off the back and ironed fabric to the old ugly mousepad. 

Good as new. And pretty too!!

Another thing ....... I am a beverage-aholic.

 I always have something drink in my hand 

(It rarely has alcohol in it silly, I know what your thinking....).

Coffee in the morning. And a iced something in my mason jar for the rest of the day. Right now ,

I am hooked on Starbucks refreshers!!! Lime..Yummmmm

I do love my Mason Jar. But, it does sweat. And it is often on something important. Leaving water rings everywhere. 

So, I made a cozy for my jar!! 

And, a coaster for when my jar is really having a sweat.

What do you think ????

My daughter Brie thought I needed some better pictures, since my office is kinda dark.... I think she just wanted to play outside. So, we went outside and shot these.

My Mason Jar loves the outside......

So did my lil' quilt......

And Brie.... likes the outside very much. 

I hope you all enjoyed my Dots on Dots blog hop post!!!

Please visit the other bloggers in the hop!! 
Here are the bloggers hopping today!!!

September 10th

Cat Patches

Busy Bee Quilts 

Stitch by Stitch

Mary on Lake Pulaski

Just Let Me Quilt

[Amy's] Crafty Shenanigans

PolkaDotClassic

AnnieOak Designs 

Blueberry Moon ( you are here)

Get the list of Bloggers and the schedule by clicking the badge below.

                                           

P.S. If you make one of these blocks, 

I would LOVE to see a picture!!!

Post on my Flickr group Quilt Love

Or Instagram me @myblueberrymoon

Or even email  keithena@theblueberrymoon.com

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London Called......It was for Brontë.

Remember When I said London was calling?

Well look....It did. And it was for Brontë.

Quilt and pillow ..... Jolly good I'd say.   

    WARNING!!

        Here comes the quilt story....It's a bit long winded.

     When I was 19 I read "Wuthering Heights". Oh, I loved that book! I read it over the summer of 1986. It was a challenge for me. I love to be challenged. It remains as my all time favorite reads. The author of that great tale, Emily Brontë, I found fascinating also. I remember telling myself at the time. If I ever have a daughter. I will name her Brontë. 

     Eight years and two sons later, I did. And she, like the book, has been challenging. In the very best way possible. I have learned so much about who I am by raising her. She is fascinating, complicated, silly, kind, smart, thoughtful, creative, strong-willed and beautiful.

     On tuesday she begins her senior year of high school. She has plans to attend college. She is thinking photo journalism. I am thinking..... I never want her to leave !!!

      Senior years are so tough these days. The stress can be overwhelming for these kids. I have watched some of my son's friends get crushed under the pressure. And some achieve amazing things. I know what lies ahead for her. And it is a lot. The best and most challenging of times. As a mom I can only comfort her. The work and results are all up to her.

      So comfort her I will...

 With this pillow.

                               

 And this quilt.

    This idea came to me a while back.I was going to wait until graduation. 

But for all the reasons I will give. The time was now....

        I know in the days ahead, 

She will come home angry at something some dumb girl said....

"The Boy" will bruise her heart....

The testing will melt her brain....

The teacher just won't understand....

There are sure to be,

Rejection letters......

Failed awards....

Grades that didn't come out as planned......

Plans that seem like they will never succeed.....

But then again there will be,

Great test scores....

Amazing teachers....

Homecoming ........

The Prom .....

The acceptance letter...

Graduation celebrations....

The acceptance letter....

Saying goodbye to friends.....

For each of these moments in time. She can run home and  cuddle up with these gifts of love. She can cry tears of anger, happiness or fear. Scream into the pillow. Hide under the quilt.

But she will know she has a Mom that loves here......

And the goal is to just......

Keep Calm and Graduate on !!!!

More pics....

 If any of you out there have a Senior in your life...... I think this makes a great gift idea. 

UPDATE: Soon I will have the PDF template for the the letters and cap. Also included will be cutting and finishing instructions.  So keep a look out.......

Until then have some fun,
Make your own " Keep Calm" poster at

The Keep Calm-o-matic

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I Took My Quilt for a Walk.......

I would have to say...........She is a bit of a ham!!   
She insisted I shoot her from every angle. 
And that I show off her color and scrumptious texture.She knows it's the texture that really gets us all to snuggle up to her. She even got a little naughty and showed off her backside. Scandalous .............
Just the way I like it. Pin It

The Beginning .........

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Fluffs for Faces...........

   Got Scraps? Maybe a random charm pack lying around?

Great, Here is a plan. Face Fluffs!!

What is a Face Fluff you ask? Well it is a alternative to that harsh wash cloth you wash your face with. With all the sensitive teen and preteen complexions we have around here they are a perfect fit!!

They are so soft and scrumptious ......we will never go back to the old wash cloth.

What to make some?

First you are going to need some fabric scraps. I cut 6 inch squares. But 5 inch charms will work also.

Then you will need some cotton batting ....like Warm and Natural. Again, cut in squares, the size of your fabric. Here is the only special fabric you will need. cotton knit sherpa. I have a few yards lying around from my diaper making days. (Finally found a great reason to use it up). You can buy it at Nature's fabric , DiaperFab  , Diaper Cuts  and there is always listings on Ebay and Etsy.

I love sherpa!!! It is sooooooo soft!!

You can also use soft cotton interlock or stretch terry. I used it before, it is not as soft....But still works well. The knit is important because it stretches in the wash and releases stains and dirt better than woven. Whatever you use....cut it in squares also.

Okay, Everything cut in squares???

Let's go......

You are going to lay down a layer of batting, then a square of sherpa/interlock soft side up. Then your pretty fabric , pretty side facing down toward the fluffy side of your sherpa/interlock.

Very Important. Sandwich your knit between the woven and the batting!!! 

That way it won't get stretched out of shape while you sew.

Sew a seam all around the edge. Leaving an 1 1/2 inches un-sewn for turning inside out. Make sure you turn just between the woven and the knit. Leaving the batting in the middle.

Sew up a bunch ...because you will love them :)

You can sew all around the edge to close the opening and finish the square. On some I did this.....and on others I just sewed the hole shut. I think by just closing the hole makes it looks puffier.....I think it's a preference.

I sewed a little detail on each of fabrics to make it quilty soft and pretty.

This also keeps the batting from shifting in the wash. You can sew just an x or straight lines.

Here is one done by just closing the opening. A little puffier look.

Doesn't that Sherpa look scrumptious ??

All the pretties..........

This is a basket full of Fluffs!! 

 I am putting this one by the girls sink. Enough for a whole week of  super soft skin cleansing. I also am hanging a lingerie/laundry bag on the doorknob of their bathroom.They can just toss in the dirties. So, on laundry day I can grab the bag. Toss it in the sink, give it a soak. A little vinegar in the soak will get rid of any icky. Then in the wash.

I don't even have to fold them...Just stack and stuff in the basket.

Notes:

If you want to  use little scraps and get really creative.... you could make little 6 inch quilt blocks , string blocks would be cute.

I think a stack of these for a preteen girlie would be a nice gift. With a drawstring bag and a bottle of gentle face wash. She would be getting a great gift that will promote good daily habits...... And they are Pretty!!! 

They also make excellent baby wash clothes. Teacher gift??? I can think of a hundred ways to gift them. 

Don't want to sew some.....

That's okay. I will list some on my Etsy Shop for ya !!! 

If they are not listed shoot me a email. I sew to please :)

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A Story......

This is a story that will give you a giggle, a warning, and a unsolicited product review.


Here goes.
  A few weeks ago when I was working on the quilt bags. I was at the point of putting them on the quilting frame and quilting. I quilted the white one first so if I messed up, there would be less chance of noticing.  About 3 hours later it was done. I took a break and decided to finish up the black one the following day.
  Well, it turned out to be "One of THOSE days"  I was tired and anxious. But I really wanted to finish these up. I remembered reading on a blog one time that a glass of wine and a couple pieces of chocolate would help relax you......tense quilter, frustrated quilt she said... Seemed like pretty sage advice right about then. So, I poured a nice big glass of my favorite red......popped a couple pieces of dove promises. And away I went. 
I was humming along beautifully. The wine was amazing, the chocolates were tasty, the quilting was looking great, and I had the Kings of Leon piping through my ears with the greatest invention ever......the Ipod. 
It was going so well in fact......I flew though all the bobbins I had pre-wound. I took a break. Indulged in another glass, a couple more chocolates then wound some more bobbins. When I was done. I plugged a new bobbin in the ol' Viking. And started sewing again. Not noticing that I had set my glass on top of the frame while I had been winding bobbins........ Yup, you guessed it. Big glass of Red Zinfandel plopped right over onto the quilt.
Being that I was feeling pretty "happy" due to my relaxation methods. I didn't freak out a bit. I cleaned what I could with a towel. And finished it up. 


At about the time I had stitched my last stitch..... My daughter Brontë got home from a date. She officially issued my a SWI (sewing while intoxicated), laughed hysterically, told the rest of the family that was still awake at almost midnight..... then fed me a much needed snack. {smiles}
I went to bed soon after.


Upon awaking the next day, with the glare of the morning sun, I saw the result of my misadventure. A huge reddish-purple stain on an otherwise beautifully done quilt. UUUHHHGGG!!! 


 A million worst case  scenarios through my head. Like, my 6 year old that the quilt was designed for/with ......seeing it and saying " You were doing WHAT?  That is WHAT on my quilt?" Or, maybe she takes it for show and tell....and TELLS!!!
This called for some planning.... I concealed my crime while I sewed on the binding. I do this by hand. It took skills.
 Then when the binding was done I tossed it in the laundry tub filled with with cold water and a cup of.......
Here comes the product review..............
And this amazing stuff!!!!!!

Saved my keister !!! Yes it did!!
I let it soak for maybe 30 minutes ....threw it in the wash and voilà !! Stain gone!! Hallelujah !!!
I vowed not to speak of it again......But, then again funny right????


I hope you got a giggle out of my little misadventure.
And this product I am raving about is awesome. 
For the warning. Don't drink and sew!!! 
Just kidding....only drink white wine while you sew. And only 1 glass!!!
Have a great day!!!





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I Have Been Framed.....

Yes, I have been framed..........And I like it!!!


Does anyone out there shop on Craigslist ? The Hubs does, all the time. Who knew he would find me a quilting frame?!?!?! Cheap.... (Cheap was the only way I was going to get one) gotta love my guy!!


I am not sure if it will work for all quilts.  Because you use a pantograph method and I have a mid-arm machine. So, I can only work in 5 inch rows. Which worked well on the quilt bags. I think they are pretty and it was quick!! 


Now for this " Bricks and Mortar " quilt.... The jury is still out. 


This is a blurry photo but if you look at the top shelf of the frame .... Brontë Made a stone pattern pantograph for me to follow along. I sewed around each stone 3 times hoping that 
after it washes the stones will pop up some....we'll see.

We wanted the end result to look kinda like this.....

I think we aimed kinda high since I am a newbie.... big time!!!!


Here is how it went,

 And here is what I ended up with (sorry pics are yellow, monsoon season makes for strange lighting).....

And the back.....

I made more mistakes than I care to mention. There are birds nests and missed stitches galore. It took hours and hours.......... 
And I love it!! Totally worth it and I can only get better......I hope!!
Now to bind this beast. I was thinking either gray, orange or pieced with the prints. Can't decide. What do you think?
I would love to hear any advice y'all might have on quilting!
I need all the help I can get.
In the meantime.
I can't wait to bind , wash , the cuddle this one!!

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