Friday, August 20, 2010

and on we go.

Pin It This is sort of a mixed post... full of contrasts.

First the business --

I'm making calculations for this:
chubby stars quilt along banner copy

Here's a link to the flickr group for those who want to join in our {chubby} star quilt along.

I've had a slight delay though -- despite searching through every drawer in the office sewing room, I could not find the calculator.

Calculating yardage for four different quilt sizes (call me crazy -- but I just don't think you'll all want to make a King size with me) without a calculator has been a bit tedious... so the hubs is picking up a calculator for me while he's also out picking up parts for the harvester.

I'll have a full directions post, with fabric requirements in the next day or so, but for those extra curious or anxious to get started, I can tell you this much now:

Each block will be 8" finished, and the design consists of a snowball and chain/X blocks interacting.

Each snowball block requires:

one - 8 1/2" square  (focal fabric) and
four - 2 7/8" squares (contrast for the star points)

Each X block requires:

eight - 2 1/2" squares (background fabric -- white/neutral)
sixteen - 1 1/2" squares (background fabric -- white/neutral -- strip pieced)
sixteen - 1 1/2" squares (chain print)
eight - (scant) 2 1/4" squares (contrast star points)

DSC_0633

I got started on my first few blocks last night, because I needed some cheering up and Nicey Jane is good for cheering up...

*warning -- here's where the post gets sad*

We had to say goodbye to an old friend last night.  He's really sick with cancer all through his liver, kidneys, and lungs.  It's been a bit sad at the Jacobsen house.

DSC_0619

We sure will miss our Duke.

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Thankfully, I've had something other than Nicey Jane to also help cheer me up.

This little beauty will be coming to see me soon (and you know there will be one to see one of you too).

AccuQuilt Go! Cutter

I am thrilled to try this pattern.  

Curves can't scare me... (ok, maybe a little sometimes)

(Images from the AccuQuilt site)

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I think I still need a little cheering up.  Here are a few more images from our camping trip last week.

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28 comments:

AllieKatMom said...

First sorry about the pooch :(
Second that fence pic is cracking me up!
Third!! HOW THE HECK did you get a go cutter? REALLY! How can I get one! I NEEED ONE!

KarrieLyne said...

I'm so sorry about Duke sweetie. We just went through that last year. :( Hugs for you!

I'm glad you get to try out a Go too! Isn't it so fun getting news like that!?

Karen said...

Tracey, I'm so sorry about Duke! You have my sympathy. Although you'll never find another quite like him, maybe someday you'll get another.

I love the blocks and want to do the QAL, but cannot at this time as I have too many projects going on. I'm sure you can relate. So, I'll follow along for a while till I get caught up here.

Hugs, Karen

Natalia from Piece N Quilt said...

So sorry about Duke! BUT how awesome that you're getting a go! I am so excited for you!! NOW how do I enter to win!!!

Beverly {Flamingo Toes} said...

I'm so sorry about your Duke. We just got home from saying Goodbye to our Missy and I saw your post. She was sick too.
Our thoughts are with you.

Katie B said...

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about Duke! I know he will be missed. We have an old yellow lab too, and they are simply the best dogs.

I'm very excited to start the quiltalong! I should probably finish up the quilt I'm working on asap.

SheilaC said...

Tracey sorry to hear about Duke.... never easy to say goodbye :(

Take care

SheilaC

holly | bijou lovely said...

Oh Tracey I'm so sorry about Duke! How sad.

Awesome that you're getting a go cutter! It seems like everyone but me has one now!! Maybe I'll win one from you :)

Cherie said...

I am so sorry for your family and Duke. Our 9 year old lab will be having surgery in ~10 days to see if her growths are malignant, too. I'm so sad to think about Duke. I know that we will go through the same thing at some point, and what hurts me more than anything is that she is my daughters' best friend :( Cyberhugs to you all {{{{hugs}}}}

By the way, I am thinking about the chubby blocks for our bee. They seem like a great way to focus on the large prints.

Regina said...

No no no. Poor Duke :( I hate hate hate cancer. Hope you can find more things to help cheer you up. I know how heartbreaking this is for you.

Now for the other things. Hope you get a calculator soon and I have to say that my four year old boy would think having a harvester must be one of the coolest things ever! Thank you again for organizing this quilt along! Feel free to take your time getting started. I'm really behind on my projects ;)

Congrats on the Go Cutter! I think I'd be jumping up and down and running around in circles if I had one arriving on my doorstep! So exciting!

Hope you had a fun camping trip!

Jenn said...

Perhaps you were a little distracted and sad from the doggie news (sorry), but don't you have a calculator on the computer? I usually just use that one (or the one on my iphone).

Sarah Craig said...

Hi, Tracey! I'm so sorry to hear about your dog Duke - we've had several labs over the years and they are such wonderful dogs - it's always hard to say goodbye. But you will have wonderful memories of him......

You are so lucky on that Go cutter - how do you get to get to test one out?

Can't wait for the quilt-along!

Sarah Craig said...

By the way, we've got to get Lilli and Steiger together! He is so-o-o-o-o cute!!

Donna S. said...

That loss is so hard. Sorry that you are going thru that. Man, I would love to try a Go cutter.

Unknown said...

It's such a sad time when we lose one of our pets. my heart is with you. try to remember his good life and all the fun you've had. Congrats on the GO!!!

Anne D said...

Thanks for the quilt along. I am looking forward to it.
I am so sorry to hear about Duke. Dogs are such an important member of the family.

Brooke said...

Sorry to hear about Duke. A couple Christmases ago, we lost our black lab Tucker to cancer too. We'd had him since I was 16 and it was really difficult to see him go. I like to picture him in doggy heaven frolicking in the snow with his tongue hanging out.

Sara said...

Sorry to hear about Duke. I am dreading having to go through that whole "saying goodbye to my dog thing" when he gets to that point of just being old (hopefully nothing worse). They are our second half honestly and it's losing a child somewhat. A friend of mine went through this a few years ago and she wouldn't come out of her house for a week or two. Keep your head up Tracey and enjoy that Accuquilt--LUCKY!

Luv 2 Kreate said...

So sorry about your pup...I would be lost without mine :(

Can't wait for the quilt along...have no idea what fabrics I will use.

And OMG how on earth did you manage to get a GO!

Sherry said...

My sympathies to your family on the loss of Duke. . .I know exactly what you are going through.

Vesuviusmama said...

I feel your sadness, having to say goodbye to Duke. He looks a lot like my yellow lab, and reading your post made my heart ache for the day I'm sure we'll have to say goodbye to our Biscuit. If I were to get a GO cutter, I would tackle some curves, too. Good luck with that and make sure you let us know how it goes. Look forward to seeing your Chubby Stars quilt with that lovely Nicey Jane fabric!

Janette said...

Sorry to hear your sad news but happy tht you are doing a quilt along. I am now to quilting so understand the snowball as there is a picture but totally lost of the other so I am really looking forward to the tutorial. Janette

Mandy said...

I'm so sorry about your pup! :( Looks like you have some other fun stuff going on to help get you through! xo

Poppyprint said...

Oh dear, that is terrible news about Duke. So, so sorry Tracey.

Looking forward to seeing how you like the 'Go' - they seem to be sending them all over for trials and giveaways, so maybe I'll get lucky and win one!

Kelli said...

Sorry to hear about Duke! He looks like a gorgeous fella.
Steiger is such a cutie!
I am pretty sure you may have convinved me to TRY the quiltalong...

Mama Pea said...

So sorry to hear about your dog. It's the third or fourth one in the past month or so. So sad...the worst thing is that we outlive our pets. Hope your happy memories help you through your difficult time. Curves scare me a little, too. I would love to try that pattern with the GO so I couldn't blame any potential problems on poor cutting!

Kate D. Spain said...

tracey, i'm so deeply sorry to hear about your sweet friend, Duke. It's such a difficult thing to go through especially because our beloved pets are such constants in our lives. When they're gone, something significant goes with them, and the steadfast routine shifts so suddenly. Try to focus on the love that grew between Duke and your family. That is something very special to be cherished. my thoughts are with you. hugs, kate

Tyler & Brenda said...

So sorry to hear about Duke.

On the other hand that Go cutter looks amazing. I hope you enjoy using it.

Brenda

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