Saturday, March 29, 2008

Are you Left Brained or Right Brained?

You Are 65% Left Brained, 35% Right Brained
The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning.
Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others.
If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic.
Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet.

The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility.
Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way.
If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art.
Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.


Two posts in one day! Amazing!

When I was taking the personality quiz that ends my blog page, I saw this one about left brain vs. right brain. (In case you can't read the results at the top, it said I am 65% left-brained and 35% right-brained.) I was pretty sure I knew what I was from taking previous inventories and also because I have become very aware of my learning style. I've also worked in some jobs that would be intolerable to a totally right-brained person! However, I was happy to see that this quiz gave me credit for some right brain function! I give quilting the credit for helping me expand my creativity and helping me to see things in pictures as well as words.

Why don't you take this quiz and post the results on your blog. If you do, would you post a comment to tell me you've done that?

Quilt Show Loot

It's not a big haul, but I'm happy. I went to the Bits 'n Pieces Guild's show today at Queeny Park in St. Louis County. It was a really good show this year, and they had almost all the vendors I wanted to see. (Last year That Thread Shop was there, and I got Aurifil thread, but they weren't there today.) I was invited to attend the next guild meeting, and I think I will probably go. As much as I love my internet buddies, I need some local quiting friends, too.

One of the features of the show was a group of quilts all made from the same pattern, one I bought in Dallas. It's called "Enchanted Autumn", and seeing those quilts inspired me to think about actually making that pattern. LOL

I had been thinking about the Nancy Halvorsen book and was happy to get it at a discount today. I'd like to do the Hearts Entwined table runner and maybe the tote bag. It's darling but really huge (22 x 18 x 10!) I got the bag pattern, "My Mom and Me" by This & That, two yellow fat quarters at only $1.25 apiece, quilt labels, and a cute stencil of a star and smiling crescent moon.

On a side note, I saw a personality test on Debi's blog and decided to take the test myself. The results are posted way down at the bottom of my blog. I'm a Type B+, they say. Debi is a Type A. I guess that makes me a lot like Debi, only with a lower energy level! I wish she could give me a transfusion!!

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Row 3 of Debi's Roosting Robin Row by Row

I finally finished Row 3 of Debi's Roosting Round Robin Row by Row mystery quilt. This block is called "Carrie Nation". I call it "the block with too many pieces"! LOL Just what you would expect from an applique fiend!

I haven't purchased any fabric for this quilt and don't intend to do so. My goal was to make a little dent in my stash, primarly the plaids. (I had more plaids than any human needs.) Actually, I am going through them faster than I had anticipated, so I may have to go stash diving for more complementary fabrics.

Many of my plaids were also used recently in a brick pattern scrap quilt for my DD's job coach. She presented it to him today and said, "He didn't cry, Mom, but his eyes looked very wet." He just called to thank me profusely. I wish I had remembered to photograph that quilt!

Back to the row by row--here are my first three rows. This quilt is just not photographing well! It looks so much prettier in person, and the difference between the two light backgrounds I am using doesn't seem as great. I wish you could really see all the pretty plaids I am using, but they just don't show up. As you can see, I set the third row kind of differently. I kind of liked the zigzag effect, especially since the first row also has this look. At least I finished before the end of March and can't wait to see what Debi has in store for April!



Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Lots of Sewing, Not Much Blogging


Lots of sewing going on here--obviously not much blogging! I got sick of looking at piles in my sewing room and decided to put my head down and finish some stuff!


Here's a set of spiral flower blocks that I hand appliqued. I wish I could credit someone for the pattern, but I've used it many times and the templates are in the bag with all of my other frequently-used templates. I have no specific plans for these blocks--just wanted to make them! I have a drawer full of blocks like that. :>( Those that know me will remember that I like to applique much more than I like to piece!


Here's another Bob the Builder quilt for Project Linus. It's the third I have made from fabrics given to me by Barb V. on the Quilting Passion Forum. I've always had a thing for Bob, and I think it's because he reminds me of my DH! I hope little boys still like Bob!


The plaid brick quilt that I started a couple of months ago is in the dryer and will go to its deserving recipient tomorrow when DD goes to her volunteer job. (Her job coach is the recipient.)


My generous friend, Debi, is celebrating her birthday by posting a giveaway on her blog, Quilting with Debi. Post a comment on her blog to register!


Thursday, March 13, 2008

Loving Grandpa at Work

Guess who's coming over tomorrow? Our two-year-old angel granddaughter, Avery, is coming over; and Nana (my new name) talked Papa (my DH) into buying her a Barbie miniwheel to ride when she visits our house. Here is her sweet Papa assembling it. It's such a nice day that he can work out on the porch. Can you see his ever-present helper, Quincy, peeking under the little bike?

I hope her little legs are long enough to reach the pedals. She seems to have inherited her Nana's short stature. Once she gets the hang of this little vehicle, though, I think she'll love it. Her daddy burned up the wheels of two of them when he was her age.

My husband can do anything, so it should be assembled by the time I finish typing this. Then I get to put on the decals. I better go to bed early tonight to be prepared to run my short legs off chasing Avery tomorrow!

Edited to add: She isn't tall enough yet to ride the little bike--darn! However, she loved the little storage compartment under the seat.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

SuzGuz Block 3 and Valances


Here's more progress on the kitchen front. I have made the valances and really like them! This is above the sink, and there is another one across the bay window. (That one is 20-feet long stretched out--I like them really full.) We are using this aqua as our accent color, since it is the complement to the orangey oak cabinets. I have purchased a few other things in this color, which I'll show you soon!

Jan mentioned that I probably would be glad to have my kitchen back. Well, unfortunately, I've had it back for awhile! It wasn't too torn up to cook for very many days. At this point, I just have to make sure that I don't cook things that'll splatter on the slate back splash because it isn't completely sealed.



I've also finished the third block in Susan Guzman's Block of the Month series. Her patterns are so much fun, and I am enjoying using my polka dot fabrics.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Jungle Animals and Tile Work

I'm still sewing! Here's the latest quilt for a children's charity. It will go to an orphanage in India, as part of a project on the Quilting Passion Forum. It's based on a pattern called "Wicked Easy", with a little tweaking of the fabric "recipe" and the addition of applique.

Here's DH, busy installing the tile back splash in our kitchen spruce-up project. It is much farther along now and looks great with the grout. He does such an excellent job on anything he tries. Before long I'll be able to show some pictures of the finished project.