The "All That Jazz" Quilt

I've been thinking about what I want to do with my block for the "All That Jazz" quilt. I can't start on it for another week or so as I have two more Christmas gifts to complete but I wanted to begin getting my ideas together.

My first instinct was to work with the Mardi Gras theme. That would certainly give me loads of options for sparkly things like beads and sequins. But I did have to remind myself that it wasn't just Louisiana that was affected by the hurricane. Mississippi was devastated as well by storm.

I decided to do some Googling and found out that Louisiana and Mississippi shared the same state flower, the Magnolia. How cool is that?! And, I have a Magnolia tree in my backyard! So I know very well what they look like!

Considering that "All That Jazz" is the project title, I have to get some music in there too. My mom threw some ideas at me, my dad reminded me that Louis Armstrong was a popular Jazz artist and my friend Chris had some ideas for me too. But I somehow can't settle on anything yet except for wanting to use the Magnolia flower on it.

I think the first step and best option is to get my block pieced and go from there. I have two color options in mind. The first being the Mardi Gras colors - gold, green and purple. That might be my way of working Mardi Gras into my block without limiting it only to that theme. My second color options are bright yellow, hot pink and electric blue. Yes, I like to work with a limited palette rather than just grabbing a bunch of different colors and seeing what I end up with. I'll have to pull out my stash and see what clicks in my mind as I play with my fabrics.

If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions for my block, please feel free to leave me a comment.

In the meantime, I'll complete the last of my Christmas gifts (sorry I can't post photos until after the holidays) and then I'll get started on my "All That Jazz" block.

Sharon, our organizer from In A Minute Ago Blog has set up a Flickr Group so we can post photos of our blocks as we work on them. If you'd like to follow everyone's progress, click here.

Crazy Quilt Fundraiser For Katrina Survivors

Sharon B. at In A Minute Ago blog has organized a fundraiser for Crazy Quilters to help the Katrina hurricane survivors.

Please pour yourself a glass of iced tea and read about the fundraiser here.

Flea Market Trip And Transfers

Scott and I went to another flea market and antique show on Sunday. I was so disappointed. We walked the entire market and all I found was this Vintage Simplicity Apron pattern from 1954. The envelope is quite tattered but the pattern is in mint condition!



Well, at least I found something!

However, after returning home Monday after eye dr. appts. and ordering new glasses for both Scott and I, the mail arrived. Scott went out for it and came back in waving a package! It was from Robin, one of the girls from my chat board. Robin had been to a swap meet and found a whole bunch of vintage transfers which she picked up for me. Wow! These are so wonderful!











What a nice surprise it was to receive these lovely transfers from Robin after such a disappointing flea market trip! Thank you so much Robin, for thinking of me!

Goodies From The Land Down Under

Recently, my friend Gina of Patra's Place in Australia, offered to send me some pieces of vintage lace from her collection for my Crazy Quilting. I asked Gina if we could do a trade and she agreed. Gina asked for some Aunt Martha's Iron-On transfers since they don't seem to be available in Australia.

So when I was in WalMart, I picked out some tranfer designs that I thought she would like and I mailed them to her last week. I don't think my package has arrived yet. But Gina's package arrived here last Friday. Wow! What beautiful things she sent me! I've scanned a few of the pieces to post here:



The black lace has metallic threads in it! Very sparkly!



Aren't these unusual? They just don't make anything like this these days!



Along with all the beautiful lace pieces, Gina also sent me a small piece of fabric with a pretty teapot and teacup on it. I plan to cut the motifs out and hand applique them onto a a block.

And then, Gina sent me this little bookmark with gorgeous Blue Wrens on it! She knows how much I love birds and I'm absolutely facinated with the colorful birds in Australia.

Thank you so much Gina! I love everything!

Autumn Cleaning

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days. Been busy trying to organize drawers and cabinets, basically some Autumn cleaning. I still have a ways to go but every now and then, I get this bee in my bonnet and have to clear some things out!

I'll have something interesting for tomorrow so please check back.