Tack Sharp and Freeze Action

Two different challenges this week - both of them hurt my brain!!

Freeze Action -
That really shouldn't be too hard right? I mean I photograph a ton of sports I should be able to come up with something "in this week" . So I first thought - well I will focus on the basketball and catch it in motion.  Problem.... every time the ball came straight at me, I flinched! Yep!!

You try watching a game through a 200mm lens - you will flinch too!

Then I decided I will try to catch a pivotal point in the game - and maybe show the intent of stopping the ball - this is what I came up with:

A rejection.

I probably should have tried to get more feet in the shot - to show how high 40 is jumping,

But - well I didn't ;-(

the next challenge was Tack Sharp - 

and I'll tell you what - you practice and learn and hope to get that Bokah effect - trying to do the opposite - challenges your brain.

i went hiking one day and took a LOT of photos of nature - I tried all the Tack sharp techniques, but still - due to a little teensy tiny breeze -the trees were just a bit blurred.. ( don't worry - I will still show them to you later)

Then I decided to set something up inside to take care of the wind problem - and this is what I did.

The upper left hand corner still bothers me, so I will still practice this technique

That is my photo story for this week ;-)

February 2016 Scrappy Block of the month

Hopefully you all enjoyed the January Block and reduced a few scraps?  The direct link can now be found under the Free Patterns Tab above.

Ready for February?

We are again working with our 2 ½ inch strips – so pull some lights and darks and here we go:

Light                                                                                                     

1 - 2 ½ x 2 ½ inch square

1 - 2 ½ x 4 ½

1 - 2 ½ x 6 ½

1 - 2 ½ x 8 ½

1 - 2 ½ x 10 ½

Darks

Color # 1  (in this ex : Blue)

1 – 2 ½ x 2 ½ inch square

1 – 2 ½ x 4 ½

1 – 2 ½ x 10 1/2

1 – 2 ½ x 12 ½

Color #2  ( in this ex: Red)

1 – 2 ½ x 6 ½

1 – 2 ½ x 8 ½

I cut 5 at a time and stitched them together like a traditional Log cabin – starting with the white 2 ½ sq and the Blue 2 ½ square. Then Ironed to the dark and added the 2 ½ x 4 ½ Blue.

Continue adding your pieces until your block is 12 ½ inch square as below:

Enjoy!!!  And hope you are using some of those 2 ½ inch scraps!!!

This will work for more color schemes of course - a while ago we did some in Yellow and Blues - I have done them in Grey and Black - just whatever scraps I had hanging around - 

If you would like a Pdf file - I have listed it in my Craftsy Store ( for free)
AlyciaQuilts pattern store


PS - if you do make this block - consider making them, or a whole top and donating it to Quilts of Valor - to show our Veterans touched by war some love. You can find a list of Regional Coordinators at QOVF.org  under the regional coordinator tab.  

2016 Quilts of Valor AND Finished Friday

I am combining both a Quilt of Valor show ( we will call it The End of the Month show) and a few Finishes ( of course Quilts of Valor) for me!

Ready??
First -

A finish for me! This is a pattern I designed ( can be found in my Craftsy store) . This one was pieced by my wonderful friend Laura - and I quilted it!!

Then another on that I quilted

The 9 patches were made by Better

Sharon Pieced the Quilt

And I Quilted it

Next we have 2 quilts pieced by Agnes 

they were quilted by JoAnn in Sterling

Then we have a Yummy Yummy quilt

Pieced and quilted by Liz M in Co Spgs

Isn't that just fantastic??

Oh!! another one I quilted

It was pieced by Ronda In Sterling

This twister was pieced by Connie and Kathy

Quilted by Jimmie in the Springs

Mary has a group in Holyoke

They pieced these two and they were quilted by Ann in Co Spgs

The one below was pieced by Diana and quilted by Sue

( also - I finally got my tree down - in time for February)

Last one - this one was pieced by my Mom

and Sue S Quilted it

Happy Finished Friday

Happy End of the QOV show today

Go forth and Quilt!

Linking to:

TGIFFriday

Fabric Frenzy Friday

Confessions of a fabric addict

Show off Saturday

2016 Quilts of Valor Jan 27

This has been a great big Busy time - I have so many more photos to share - so this one - may be pretty photo heavy..... you can handle it though right?

First we have one Pieced by Connie and Kathy

Quilted by Sue S

( you see these 3 names a lot don't you! )

Next we have a quilt from Jackie S

Quitled by Sue S

Another Lovely from Kathy and Connie

Quilted by Sue

Next we have one From Jessica and her sewing gals

Quilted by Sue

This lovely String quilt was pieced by Pam

Quilted by Ingunn

A really cool Batik Quilt pieced by Sheree

Quilted by Ingunn

This one was pieced by Harriett

Quilted by Ingunn

Pieced by Diana

Quilted by Meg

Sort of funny story - I sent the quilt off to Meg to Quilt, She took it to High Prairie Quilt Store to show it off, Diana, who works there says - OH! That's the one I pieced.!!  Small world eh?  

Pieced and Quilted by Sharon B

LOVE all the various sizes of these stars!!!

Pieced by Fran F

Quilted by Jen

From the Colorado Springs Group

Pieced by Cindy Thomas

Quilted by Jack Thomas

I got a call from Nancy in Ft Collins

She says - oh I have a few Quilts of Valor for you

and, um, this is the few!!!

Aren't these all fantastic?

Each quilt shown today - wow - the Veterans will know they are loved right??

Go Forth and Quilt!!!

Little bit of Allietare progress

I made a little progress - I don't want to brag too much you know, cuz then something will happen and it will sit in this position for a while ( ha ha!!)

I had to move it from my design wall to the "Design Floor"   - And its next to the fireplace so its warm!

We are hoping for snow meltage this week

But this is what hoar frost makes the trees look like!

Linking to:

http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.com/2016/01/lets-bee-social-109.html

http://www.aquiltedpassion.com/2016/01/whoomp-there-it-is-16-my-binding.html

monday.... the day after

So! There was a football game yesterday.

BUT!  Peyton and Brock did not sync their calendars with mine, and so in October we had started planning a QOV presentation.  Yes - these presentations do take that long....

You need to check that you can use the building, make all the quilts, invite the veterans, make sure the quilters are ready to be there..... and then the week before you start hearing a rumor....

The playoffs are that day.   And I have to tell you - that may be the first playoff game for the Broncos in years - I didn't watch.... because  there was something MUCH more important going on...

This:

And while some think that football is life or death..... these Veterans actually KNOW life or death.

The game started at 1, ( as did our sew day)  the presentation started at 4, the Broncos won about 4:20 ish and there was a little clapping, BUT   There were MORE standing ovations for these Veterans.

We heard their stories, we learned some history, we made some Very Very happy hearts.....

And that my friends - was an awesome was to spend a Sunday

A HUGE HUGE shout out to the 30 quilters who showed up and stitched the day away, then went in to presentation mode - they all work so hard and are so appreciated too!! A HUGE shout out to those of you that worked on the quilts ( I'll show some detailed shots later)


And that ... is also why my design wall has not changed one little iota.... but no worries - I know where it is

Windows

The Photo Challenge for this week was Windows.... Oh my gosh!! There are SO many windows around here!!  I had ideas of where I wanted to head out, but then - as I was driving by my neighbors - I had a new idea!!

Here is my Final Photograph that I chose for the Challenge

I liked this one the best - I think it still showed the character of the truck - but also showed the view through the window.

This one ( below) was my runner up - But I felt it had a little too much glare - I still like it!!

And then - I just wanted a photo of the whole thing

There are a lot more too ;-)

Of course - I knew of an old building that I thought would have a cool window

So I did head that way - and I do like it

I just ended up liking the truck better,

When Little Bit and I were out searching for my bridge - 

I saw this building too - 

I think it just had that Prairie feel to it

Kinda cool old house right?

I might have a gazillion more - but these were the favorites....

Until the next post.......

Cobblestones

I have a quilting friend who has such impeccable taste in piecing quilts - that it is such fun to quilt them!! Not only is it a great quilt to  quilt, each time you roll it - you see something new! Something pleasing to the eye!!!

I introduce you to

Cobblestones - by Maxine:

Isn't that SO fantastic????   The colors, the fabrics... the whole thing!!!

Look at all this TINY TINY piecing!!!!

And just to make you feel a little wintery - this is a photo from my 11degree photo shoot day!
It was so eerily silent, no cars, no trucks, no animals......

Have a great one!!!


Linking to:
Ft Worth Fabric Studios
Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Crazy Mom Quilts
Thank Goodness its Friday

2016 Quilts of Valor 1/20

It's Wednesday again!!   I love our Christmas Vacation , but I also love routine. But! I will tell you - I want another week to goof off and maybe sleep in a bit - we have been crazy going all the time!!

So it is time to sit back and relax and enjoy some more Quilty Goodness!

This was the First Mystery that I wrote for Mystery Quilts 4 Military - its called Stars a Waving and can be found here:My Craftsy Site

This one is a Persimmon Mystery quilt that I started a year (okay - maybe 3 years) ago

And finally got it quilted

Next we have one by Carol H

Quitled by Sue S

One below is pieced by Marilyn S

Quilted by Sue S

(below)

Pieced by the Greeley Group

Quilted by Sue S

(below)

At a Veterans Breakfast, I was given a box of blocks. I brought them to our sew day and Sue loved these - the next month - she came back with this!!! The woman in a Machine!!

\

In that same box there were Bow Tie Blocks

Look what Sue made ( and quilted!!!) with them

(below)

Pieced by Kathy and Connie

Quilted by Sue

(below)

Another quilt pieced by the Greeley Group

Quilted by Margaret R

Pieced by Greeley Group

Quilted by Margaret R

Pieced by Connie and Kathy

Quilted by Sue S

And the last one for today

Pieced by Kathy P

Quilted by Sue S

Alright - now you are all inspired!!

Go out and Quilt!!!

A few of you have asked how to join the mystery group ( but you are no reply bloggers)

So here it is again - come join us!!

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MysteryQuilts4Military/info