It's about time, don't you know?

I know, I know, it's been FOREVER since I've written anything here.  I've started countless times.  Have had lots of ideas.  I've even written them in my head - and please tell me that I'm not the only one who composes thoughts into stories in my head at a time when I can't write them down..... like when I'm driving or taking a shower....

No, the problem is not in coming up with the ideas or getting started.  It's more in the completion.

You see, I get started, then get distracted, then lose my train of thought, and by the time I make it back to finish things, everything that I wrote is so out of date that I have to start all over again.  And hope that I can remain focused long enough to finish.  Obviously, that focus thing hasn't been working in my favor recently. 

And I have to tell you that it is not only with my blog.  It's with everything. Which explains why I just finished my latest book a few weeks ago - the one that was supposed to be finished in May - and why there is a lag between when I got the books delivered to me and when I'm posting it for all of blogdom to see.

But because I'm determined to finish this one tonight, {even if I have to pinch myself to stay awake} I'll move it along and show you my latest book and projects....

 

 

Originally, I was going to do the book with only a few color pages showing the projects and have the text pages for the instructions in black and white.  More like my older books.  But after getting the entire book laid out, I just didn't like it.  So, I went back through the whole thing, added color to all the diagrams, and re-worked it to have color on every page.  And I must say that it was worth it.  A lot of extra work, yes.  But so worth the end result.

So, here are the projects....

This is such a cheerful quilt!  I was really trying to make the blocks look like buttons and flowers without having to do any applique, and I think it turned out well.

 

 

For this one, I took the owl that is on one of the prints in the Buttons and Blooms fabric line and appliqued him on the pillow.  The swirls that you see coming from the branches were actually stitched on with my machine, because I was trying to save some time.  I simply threaded my #16 pearle cotton floss through the upper part of the machine and used some Aurofil thread in the bobbin.  It was quick, easy, and effective!

This tote bag uses two small parts of the panel that is in this line.  They become the pockets on the outside (yes, that's a pocket, and there's another one on the other side using a different panel section.  I sized this to be pretty generous, so keep in mind that ANY fabrics can be used for this.  Make one for the winter and one for the summer.  I think a heavy weight home dec fabric would look great for this bag too.  I'm just sayin'.....

 

This table runner was so much fun to put together!  And I used up some more of my really jumbo rick rack in the process!

 

No, this one is not a panel..... it is actually painted on the fabric using the Shiva Paintstiks!  In the book, I give specific instructions on using the paint and in addition to the colors I used in Make It Merry (burnt umber, crimson, ivory black and meadow green) I used yellow ochre and slate blue.  If you've never used these paints, you're missing out!

 

You can probably tell that this is another portion of the panel print, along with the large border stripe print.  But my favorite thing about this quilt is all the buttons my mom stitched on for me in the border!

 

Once again I ask, can you ever have too many pincusions?!  I love the size and weight of this wool one.  The little needle book is removeable so you can stash it in your sewing kit, or leave it attached. 

And finally, Ollie the Owl.....

 

I had so much fun making Ollie and he seems content to sit by my machine and watch me stitch away.  Now, if only I could find the time to get to my machine to sew!

And that is all!  I have added Buttons and Blooms to my website, so be sure to check it out there....

www.whimsicalquilts.com

Before I go, I wanted to thank all of you for being so supportive and understanding while I try to get everything done yet still enjoy a little time with my kids this summer.   The high school graduation went great, and this summer has been awesome with both my boys home and all their friends congregating in our basement.  But the next several weeks are going to be hard, especially once they are both gone.  I will be finding out what it is like to once again have the house quiet and picked up.  Am I looking forward to it?  Yes and no.  But I guess I'll find out and I'll keep you posted!

Now, I can't believe I did it!  I finished an entire blog post in one night.  Wow.  I think that deserves a good night sleep.....

Good Night!

 

Comments

[leeanne]

Wonderful, I am like you in regards to having all the ideas in my head,but getting the out it another story!
Love the look of your new book, sew whimsical!

[Melissa]

I have been thinking about you lately. :) (Gee, I hope that's not creepy since we've never even met...) I have been watching for a new post, and this was worth the wait! I LOVE the projects from your new book. My favorites are the buttons and flowers quilt and the pincushion and needle-keep. But the others aren't far behind on my list. :) Thanks for sharing it all!
I'm glad you have taken some time to enjoy your family - us empty nesters know that it all goes by too fast.
And you are definitely not the only one who starts posts and doesn't finish them, in spite of composing some really awesome ones while driving. Have a great day!

[Carol Kohrs]

Hi Terry,

I love to see your creative work and admire it so much.

I will be thinking of you with your empty nest as we send off the first child. It's all new to me!

Carol

[Laura Hathawy]

Hi Terry,

I just love the picture of you and your son! What a laugh! Today is my daughter's last day as a student as she finishes her Master Degree! Like so much of life, it goes so fast.

I think that owl will be at my house soon!

Laura

[paulette doyle]

Your new book looks WONDERFUL!! Good luck with the empty nest...perhaps writing another new book would help?? :o)
Take care and enjoy!!
P

[Patty Beardslee]

I love all your designs. So cute and so homey feeling. I love to work with bright wild color but always get drawn back to the country blues and reds. I love the pin cushion!!

[Pauline]

OMG.....I thought you were talking about me. I've been blogging just over a year now and I still struggle.....I've got lots of posts floating around in my head and when I sit down to type......it's like I'm brain dead....lots of starts and like you they are outdated before I get back to finishing...so I delete and start again... never was good at composition in school. I luv your patterns and books Terri....got at number of them in my quilting library and would luv to add 'Buttons and Blooms' too. The quilt, tote bag, table runner and pin cushion are all projects I can see myself making. Thanks for sharing...I'm going to try really hard to get a post on my blog tonight...after my quilt meeting...wish me luck, I'm going to need it!!

[Tricia in OK]

Hi Terri! I'm like the second girl that wrote you. I've really missed seeing you here, your like an old friend except like she said it sounds really weird, we don't know each other either. lol, my best friend,(my sister) lives 150 miles away, we talk on the phone but I haven't seen her in 3yrs. so I enjoy coming to your blog and a few others to see what goes on in your lives, it kind of fills in gaps and I enjoy what you do sooooo much. I hope you enjoyed the time with your wonderful family, you all seem to have such a great time together. Thank you for the wonderful new book as always I love it and your new fabric! Tricia

[Debbie St.Germain]

I know that feeling, I have been getting foggier by the day and finally found out I have lyme, so going through the process of the ups and downs while the meds get to work. I love your new book and I love the panels, and I always love pin cushions, they make the perfect gifts for friends.

Debbie

[Sylvie BG]

Wonderful book ! I love all the projects ! :-)
Thanks a lot for sharing these pictures with us.
Hi from France,
Sylvie

[Carolyn Tilburg, Carriage House Quilts]

I love the new book. Will you make the wall hanging with the paint stix into a pattern or just part of the book?

[Deb Fox-McHugh]

Looks awesome-must have it!!

[Sew Create It - Jane]

LOL - your first paragraph rang so true with me!! I do it all the time and even went as far as dictating a post onto my phone while driving! It was so funny when I played it back that I was laughing too hard to type it up! What was I thinking! :o)

Glad you managed to get started and share those wonderful pictures...that quilt is so sweet!

[Leslie Brodbeck]

It was good to meet you, Terri! We are very excited to be getting this new line of material and patterns in!!!! Maybe we will see you next year for Checker's Open House. :)

[Raquel Raurell]

Hi Terry! I've find your block and i like very much because I saw some designs in a shop of my city VIC near Barcelona Catalunya (Spain). I am very happy to know your block and I will follow you on my blog
http://lacistelladelstresors.blogspot.com/
Thank you for your sweet and peace designs!

[Margaret Witt]

I love each and everyone of those projects,, I have one of your books that I treasure.. Know I will love this one too.
Maggey

[Jil]

This my first visit to your blog and its not my last! I loved the pic with your son So cute..Congratulations!!! I really enjoy looking at your work, it is so lovely and friendly. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[Raewyn]

The book sounds beautiful and the projects are gorgeous. Congratulations on all your hard work [and for getting a post out :-)]

[Jenn]

As soon as I saw this line for the first time, my mind immediately jumped to the lighter and more whimsical side of the movie "Coraline". I am in love with this fabric! Now to figure out what to make with it...

[Arantxa puntadas]

Todo precioso, me encanta. besos

[Ullan tilkut]

Hi! Greetings from Finland! I love the quilts! They are so nice, stunning! I am very happy that I found your blog! It's fantastic! I'll come back again! It's so nice to find other quilters from other countries! :)

[Anna]

Красота такая, что слов не хватит! Какае же Вы молодцы!!!

[Kassie Terrell]

Are any of the items on your site for sale? I would love to buy 4 of the owl pillows.

[Linda Schipper]

Hello Terry....
I had to laugh when you wrote about composing things in your head. I've found that if I carry a small portable recorder with me that it works better than composing in my head. Memories of what you want or need to say are sometimes lost, but the spoken (recorded) word stays with you.
Your items are absolutely beautiful!! Thanks for sharing with us.

Linda Schipper