I used to fantasize how lovely it would be if my son became a doctor. Or maybe a jeweler. Sometimes you don't get what you want, you get what you need. (Thanks Mick). My son is a getting his graduate degree in Computer Science. Yes indeed, he is. Are you making the connection?
He came home this weekend and took my seemingly dead laptop apart. Honestly, can you even imagine? How the heck can anyone even get in there? Well he did. It turned out that the damage from my coffee spill mishap wasn't fatal after all. But the computer was pouting and needed some coaxing and prodding to wake up and carry on properly. It was interesting to see all that lies underneath the keyboard on a lap top. Once you see what is under there, you can understand why spilling some sort of liquid would be a disaster.
Now that things are all better (Thank You Ahren!), I vow never to have an open cup of any sort of liquid in the vicinity of my laptop. If I do have any coffee, it will be in the old Tommy Tippy cup Sara used to use when she was a baby. Notice the dishtowel underneath the laptop? Just a precaution.
Now. On to the Red and White Snowball Challenge! How is it going girls? I have my 480 half square triangles all done. Man, that was a lot of HSTs. I used the Easy Angle ruler to make mine, but half square triangle papers would be a good way to go with this task too. I was just weary of the paper method, having just done a million HSTs that way recently. This is what 480 half square triangle units looks like:
The way I kept track of how many I had was to stack them in 10 piles of 48. I got 12 HSTs out of each 21 inch long fabric strip pairing. I made myself do 4 sets at a sitting (48 HSTs), and before you know it they were done.
Next, I was on to the strip sets needed for the middle part of each block. I am using 21 inch long strips for those too. Just so you know, you need to make 7 strip sets to get your 49 or 50 2 1/2 inch units. If you are using 21 inch long strips of fabric like I am.
One word of advice: follow the pressing instructions very carefully. You will be glad you did.
I have finished 100 of the 118 red side units that I need for my blocks and borders. I haven't started in on making the light units yet. This quilt isn't one of those snappy things you can throw together in a weekend. But isn't it nice to work on something that takes a bit of effort? I agree.
One thing I always always do when I am making any quilt, is to make a test block first thing. It is kind of an incentive thing for me I think. These are the two blocks you will be making for the quilt.
So, how are you all progressing? Let's have a status update!
42 responses to “Back In Business”
Love the test block idea.. I always need incentive!
Love the test block idea.. I always need incentive!
I am not participating in the Red and White Snowball challenge, but I am watching with great anticipation to see the projects coming together! I am relatively new to following the blogosphere, so I mostly observe A LOT of activity. I imagine at some point I will participate. That said, your progress is inspiring, and it is looking more and more likely that I will make a Snowball quilt one of these days.
I am not participating in the Red and White Snowball challenge, but I am watching with great anticipation to see the projects coming together! I am relatively new to following the blogosphere, so I mostly observe A LOT of activity. I imagine at some point I will participate. That said, your progress is inspiring, and it is looking more and more likely that I will make a Snowball quilt one of these days.
Hey Nicole, are you making yours twice as big as the pattern in the book? Just curious, that’s a lot of red blocks! Great Job!
Hey Nicole, are you making yours twice as big as the pattern in the book? Just curious, that’s a lot of red blocks! Great Job!
Tommy Tippy – I wish I still had mine. I loved that cup *s*
Tommy Tippy – I wish I still had mine. I loved that cup *s*
Oh, major kudos to you for doing all your HSTs. I’m slogging away on mine. I need more incentive than you do, I guess, since I’ve made about eight test blocks – lol! P.S. Thanks for your swap package – just received it on Friday!
Oh, major kudos to you for doing all your HSTs. I’m slogging away on mine. I need more incentive than you do, I guess, since I’ve made about eight test blocks – lol! P.S. Thanks for your swap package – just received it on Friday!
oh, 118 sides, not blocks, I should finish my first cup of coffee before leaving comments. Still Great Job!!
oh, 118 sides, not blocks, I should finish my first cup of coffee before leaving comments. Still Great Job!!
Hey Nicole, You know it would look reeeaaal cute if you were to have a little quilt under your computer instead of a dishtowel.
Hey Nicole, You know it would look reeeaaal cute if you were to have a little quilt under your computer instead of a dishtowel.
It is going to be wonderful! I always make a test block too.:)
It is going to be wonderful! I always make a test block too.:)
I’m still amazed that somebody can go into a car engine and fix it. I don’t even want to think about the insides of a computer. That’s too scary.
I’m a few steps behind you and the snowball challenge quilt. I have all the squares cut and marked but not sewn. I didn’t do them like you did. I finished up the October Garden units that I was chain piecing, so now they’re out of the way and I can start on the snowball squares.
Glad you’re computer is fixed.
I’m still amazed that somebody can go into a car engine and fix it. I don’t even want to think about the insides of a computer. That’s too scary.
I’m a few steps behind you and the snowball challenge quilt. I have all the squares cut and marked but not sewn. I didn’t do them like you did. I finished up the October Garden units that I was chain piecing, so now they’re out of the way and I can start on the snowball squares.
Glad you’re computer is fixed.
Well, as I am up to my eyeballs in Christmas projects, this fun snowball quilt has been put on the back burner until after the holidays. *sigh* Between the things I am making for Christmas and some quilts that I am quilting for others, my time is pretty well called for. I do have my fabrics all picked out and waiting in a project box. Maybe I can throw in a few HST’s now and again. :~)
Well, as I am up to my eyeballs in Christmas projects, this fun snowball quilt has been put on the back burner until after the holidays. *sigh* Between the things I am making for Christmas and some quilts that I am quilting for others, my time is pretty well called for. I do have my fabrics all picked out and waiting in a project box. Maybe I can throw in a few HST’s now and again. :~)
I am so jealous seeing those HST’s. My status is that I have all my fabric cut into strips and have started cutting the triangles and sewing some. I think your 10 piles of 48 sounds like a good method so I may do that too. Mine HST’s are coming out perfect so I’m loving this ruler! But I got a stuffed monkey to make for a grandson and some aprons for Christmas so at some point I’m going to have to shift into that.
I am so jealous seeing those HST’s. My status is that I have all my fabric cut into strips and have started cutting the triangles and sewing some. I think your 10 piles of 48 sounds like a good method so I may do that too. Mine HST’s are coming out perfect so I’m loving this ruler! But I got a stuffed monkey to make for a grandson and some aprons for Christmas so at some point I’m going to have to shift into that.
I got all my HSTs done, my strip sets sewn and recut, and my individual squares cut for the side pieces. Thank you so much again for the tip about that ruler and the HSTs. I would not have gotten them all done so quickly any other way.
I don’t get to work on it again till Saturday but all the pieces are laying on my ironing board so I can look at them till then.
I got all my HSTs done, my strip sets sewn and recut, and my individual squares cut for the side pieces. Thank you so much again for the tip about that ruler and the HSTs. I would not have gotten them all done so quickly any other way.
I don’t get to work on it again till Saturday but all the pieces are laying on my ironing board so I can look at them till then.
Yikes, I just took my fabric out of the envelopes last night! Picture and blog entry today, then I will think about starting the project…have a couple presents to finish for Christmas though!
Yikes, I just took my fabric out of the envelopes last night! Picture and blog entry today, then I will think about starting the project…have a couple presents to finish for Christmas though!
Hey Nicole…doncha thinque the towel should be ON the computer, the better to soak up liquids? Hee hee.
I’m in this snowball challenge with a friend so we worked on it last week. We’re going to work together again tomorrow. I’m making a smaller quilt so cut and sewed the approriated amount of HSTs. Then promptly used them all for the red blocks forgetting to save half for the light blocks. So now I need to make as many HSTs so I can sew light blocks. Don’t think I’m making a small quilt anymore. It’s going together pretty quickly. And it is so fun to do it with a friend. (We ended up in different swaps so it’s fun to see what we are each receiving.)
Hey Nicole…doncha thinque the towel should be ON the computer, the better to soak up liquids? Hee hee.
I’m in this snowball challenge with a friend so we worked on it last week. We’re going to work together again tomorrow. I’m making a smaller quilt so cut and sewed the approriated amount of HSTs. Then promptly used them all for the red blocks forgetting to save half for the light blocks. So now I need to make as many HSTs so I can sew light blocks. Don’t think I’m making a small quilt anymore. It’s going together pretty quickly. And it is so fun to do it with a friend. (We ended up in different swaps so it’s fun to see what we are each receiving.)
It’s great to have a computer geek around. I always have to get my guy to fix, coax, run, whatever, with any kind of electronics we have around the house. I’m clueless.
It’s great to have a computer geek around. I always have to get my guy to fix, coax, run, whatever, with any kind of electronics we have around the house. I’m clueless.
It’s handy to have a computer fixer in the family, and a plumber…. I’m still cutting strips for my snowballs, nothing has been sewn yet. I’m going to be closer to the January 31 deadline than the rest of you over-achievers!
It’s handy to have a computer fixer in the family, and a plumber…. I’m still cutting strips for my snowballs, nothing has been sewn yet. I’m going to be closer to the January 31 deadline than the rest of you over-achievers!
Lookin’ good. I’m doing log cabins right now in red/white, so not doing this one. Do you trim the one dog ear corner when you use this HST method? I’m intrigued.
Lookin’ good. I’m doing log cabins right now in red/white, so not doing this one. Do you trim the one dog ear corner when you use this HST method? I’m intrigued.
Wish i could say that i have started cutting, but i have not…hope to start soon. At least i finally got my strips in the mail 🙂
Wish i could say that i have started cutting, but i have not…hope to start soon. At least i finally got my strips in the mail 🙂
Yay for your son…and you’re getting soo much done! I feel like I’m getting behinder and behinder the faster I go!
Yay for your son…and you’re getting soo much done! I feel like I’m getting behinder and behinder the faster I go!
Give your son a hug for me. I’ve really missed your blogging and wonderful pictures. You have such a great attitude and I like that you share mishaps too. But you have a way of makeing everything seem “doable” (not sure if that is a word?) Anyway, so nice to have you back. And it sure looks like you have been busy in the meantime…
Give your son a hug for me. I’ve really missed your blogging and wonderful pictures. You have such a great attitude and I like that you share mishaps too. But you have a way of makeing everything seem “doable” (not sure if that is a word?) Anyway, so nice to have you back. And it sure looks like you have been busy in the meantime…
YIPPEE! I’m so glad you’re back up and running again. It’s truly amazing to me that anyone could figure all that out…take it apart and get it all back together and working…WOW! Love your blocks…I can’t wait to see this grow!
YIPPEE! I’m so glad you’re back up and running again. It’s truly amazing to me that anyone could figure all that out…take it apart and get it all back together and working…WOW! Love your blocks…I can’t wait to see this grow!