Tuesday, August 12, 2008

A tisket, a tasket.....

I have an empty basket *VBS* And it looks like this. But it wasn't empty yesterday when I came home from Betsy's. I know I've mentioned that she is on a mission to reduce stash this summer. And she's been doing a great job of it!! She has whipped out quilts right and left. Three nice snuggle quilts(read afghan size) are on their way to a Twin Cities hospital Cancer Unit(her daughters friend was treated there for luekemia). That's just the tip of the iceberg. I've lost count of how many she's cranked out. The lull she's experiencing has resulted in shelf clean and refolding of stash.
 All of this is what was in the basket yeaterday. The basket is Betsy's. She fills it with 'stuff' she no longer wants and I help her dispose of it *VBS* This basketful was amazing!
 Here it's all stacked in one pile. Most of it dates back to my quilt shop, early 1990's. Some VIPs and Joan Kessler for Concord fabrics from the Ben Franklin. Lots and lots of country blues. oh joy!! The pieces range from scraps and trimmed off backings to 3 and 4 yard pieces. She thought I could make backings...oh ya, definitely!!! I looked through it when I got home, to see how much there was and of what. Then, last evening I went blog hopping. I happened to be reading Sue's blog, From the magpie's nest, and she mention a challenge that Tonya and Bonnie are hosting, and she had a link to it *VBS* Of course I had to check it out. Maybe that's where my mo-jo has gone in search of greener pastures.
 And of course I fell for it, hook, line and sinker, as they say! The Jacks over Six is a favorite block, and to use 3.5" pieced units is wonderful to work with. I've always made them with 2.5". As I went off to bed, I was thinking and dreamed of lime green witches underwear mixed with flashy flamingoes, and chili peppers dancing with fancy cats! But morning found me thinking about what Bonnie had said in her blog. Her blocks are less bright than Tonya's. She is using the fabrics she wants to get used up. The one that are no longer loved or noticed. Suddenly it occurred to me that the Betsy Basket Bounty was perfect for this project. So I began pressing and cutting. It's harder for me to work with yardages than scraps, but I'm biting the bullet and plowing onward. And you never can tell, that lime green witches underwear might just appear when you least expect it....LOL
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14 comments:

jovaliquilts said...

You must know you're not the only one who would like to find lime green witches' underwear fabric! ;)

Looks like you are having fun!

Donna said...

hope the witch shows her knickers :-) When I work with yardage I often find myself whacking it into smaller peices so I can call them "large scraps" :-)

Katie said...

Tonya and Bonnie got many of us thinking and actually sewing. As always, I love your work.

Myra said...

Did you find your Mo-Jo Finn? It kind of looks like it... 8-)
Empty baskets don't last long around my place... 8-)
Happy stitchings!

quiltmom anna said...

Hi Finn
Your friend Betsy is a true quilt friend - what a good way to get you finding your MO- Jo- to give you fabric to use up- I can see a smile on your face and sense a spring in your step.
When the quilt is finished you even have a name for it - Betsy's Basket Bounty...
Happy Quilting Finn
Regards
Anna

Tonya Ricucci said...

these blocks are great,Finn. I love how using the bigger block size really makes these bold.

Granny Lyn said...

baskets of fun!!!

I LOVE the scrappiness of those blocks, and I"m sure the witch pantaloons would fit in there somewhere!!! tee hee

julieQ said...

Yum! Gifted quilting fabric is magic! I love the fungly project, too. Seems like you got a little mojo back! The hot summer can sap it right out of you...

Magpie Sue said...

Obviously you're going to *have* to make a block with witch's underwear in it now! Your public demands it! I'm impressed that you emptied that basket so quickly ;- )

Holly said...

Your fungly is looking great, Finn. I love those blocks!

Kim said...

Thanks for the name of the block Finn!! I am using them for a mystery for one of my yahoo groups and never knew the name of it. I love your blocks....hmmmmm wonder if I can use 2 different loud novelties for this...lol
enjoy your day.

quiltingnana said...

just visited your orphan train site. What a wonderful way to honor the children who rode the train. It's amazing how so many people don't know the story of the orphan trains...

Your quilts are lovely

Helen in the UK said...

Congrats on biting the bullet and joining the fungly challenge. Looks like it has got your mo-jo fired up again :)

Bonnie K. Hunter said...

Weeeeeee fun!! I am loving the combinations.....it's just a good laugh to put unlikelies together!

Bonnie