One for Me, One for You: July Results

My July Square
Project # 34 in '50 in 2009 Challenge'


Darcy's July Square

One for Me, One for You: July Sneak Peek

Incredibly beautiful day today. I was actually in a tank top for part of the day, raking leaves and trying to clean up our backyard. This is the kind of weather we're supposed to have throughout October, but instead we had rain, rain and more rain.

We opened up the house for one last airing out and then spent the day outside - me doing yard work, Mike working on our cars - I just couldn't bring myself to not be outside.

The apples Darcy chose to use on this quilt square fit perfectly with today. A perfect fall day.

One for Me, One for You: July Fabrics

My Choice - Heather Ross's West Hill Matryoshka in tan



Darcy's Choice

I can't tell you how surprised I was to find that Heather Ross fabric in a fat quarter stack at Joann's. They rarely ever have the "cool" fabric that all the kids are talking about. Really I the only other time I've seen the good stuff was when the carried a bolt of Alexander Henry's Apples & Pears, like two weeks after I decided to finally order it online.

Though we're getting to the end of this project technically, I have to admit I have fallen behind on my own versions of the squares. I swear I'll catch up on of these days. I'm just not sure it can happen before the holidays.

Oh well, putting together a quilt will be a nice way to jump start my '50 in 2010' count (more likely, seriously cripple any chance of completing 50 projects next year). Despite the fact that it will probably be one crazy ugly quilt, I look forward to finally having it done. I'm kinda getting sick of the fleece blankets, especially the ones we have around. In the winter they are static city. Plus they are dog hair magnets, impossible to get completely clean…and the ones we have really don't match ANY of our decor anymore but I can't justify buying new ones. Plus it will be nice to have like my very own heirloom, especially one that's so special having been created with my best friend.

One for me, One for You: June Results

Sarah's June Square: Project #33 in '50 in 2009 Challenge'



Darcy's June Square: 'Hip to Be Square'

Should I really even be tracking these by month anymore?

I mean, for heaven's sake, I just finished my so-called "June" square at the end of September…and really I only finished one of my two June squares. I've been kinda slacking off on my own versions of the square lately. Understandably, I hope, after finishing the yo-yo square for Darcy, I just didn't have it in me to look at those darn yo-yos any longer. It took me so long just to make all the required yo-yos for both squares that I just had to put them away for awhile. But recently, with both the June & July squares, since I am so so very late in doing them, I just wanted to get them out the door and into their new owner's hands. So one version of each was created and sent on their merry way. I cut everything in twos and I (obviously) document the finished product, so I'm not concerned about keeping up with the whole point of the project - that we'll have identical pieces.

Before I sent out my latest two squares, I laid all the square out on our bed just to see how much longer we need to keep going. And actually, with some sashing between the squares, I think just on more month (August) will be enough for a good size blanket. It won't be a bed blanket, but one large enough to cuddle on the couch and really that's all I'm looking for. Something big enough to actually cover me comfortably while laying on the couch (unlike my concert tee shirt quilt which requires curling into a ball to cover me fully).

Darcy actually has a pretty neat idea of how to quilt her version, which I am really excited to see. I, on the other hand, will probably just quilt around each square. The thing that has me hung up now is what color sashing I'll use. The colors of these blocks are all over the place. I'm not even sure a simple white or black will work as we have creams and browns interspersed throughout. I may have to get your opinions once I get everything done and laid out again. More ideas are better than too few, right?

One for Me, One for You: June Fabrics

Darcy's Choice



My Choice

Betcha were wondering if Darcy & I were still working away at our collaborative quilting project. We are, it's just on bit of a hiatus, after I finished up the first May yo-yo square I needed a massive break.

I'm three months behind now and now holding Darcy up as well. It is my hope I'll be quilting rejuvenated come the beginning of October. I have to get through September and a mid-size issue of the magazine I put together at work. Hopefully I won't need to work 48 hours in 3 days, but I don't really know because this is the first time I'm doing this page count. But I know for sure that after I'm finished, I'll need some serious time at the sewing machine to unwind, but to also feel good about the progress of the project I roped Darcy into. I originally planned that we would do this for a year, so come the end of October (or when I finish the next 4 squares - June, July, August & September) I'll lay all the squares out and reassess. The goal is to have a quilt that is useable - you know, large enough to curl up in comfortably. Hopefully 24 squares will yield a large enough quilt, but I believe Darcy will be up for a couple more months.

Now I just have to get my butt in gear, there are squares to make and fabrics to buy.

One for Me, One for You: May Results

Sarah's May Square Project # 24 in '50 in 2009 Challenge'



Darcy's May Square

One for Me, One for You: May Fabric

My Choice - Amy Butler Midwest Modern 2: Orange Dahlia colorway: Blush/Martini


Darcy's Choice

Just in time for the turn into July, I finished up my May square…and sadly only one. The second sits with pieces collected, I just need a break from the tedium of hand sewing. Hopefully it doesn't become a habit, but I'm allowing myself to move on for a bit just because the construction of one square took nearly month (perhaps more) of pretty continuous work. Where I typically take a weekend or two to spend an afternoon with my squares, my May square was a regular companion, coming with me on a couple road trips and to Tuesday night craft group every week. Plus a few other random nights during the week. It could pretty much be said that I can't stand to look at or touch a second square at the moment.

Which is great, considering I have my Camel Shoulder Warmer to finish. Started back at the beginning of May, it has sat dormant while I fit in a couple other projects with looming deadlines (2 late quilt squares, a wedding gift & a father's day gift). But in the week or so since I finished up the May square (#1), I've been steadily working on my little shrug and am actually nearing completion. Though the 5" of 2x2 ribbing that encompasses the neck, bottom back and the cardigan-like front sides, is starting to wear on my patience much like the quilt square did. I've been working on it pretty diligently, all intention is to enter it into the state fair, and in a few days of working exclusively on the edging this week, I am only 1.75" into the 5" I need.

This thing has been so portable that it has accompanied me to a collegiate league baseball game, craft group a couple times and Fourth of July fireworks all in the two weeks since I got back at it. And tonight I intend to tote it along to the drive-in, when we go see Up & The Proposal (that's another story, but let me just say how ecstatic I am to have moved from one are with a drive-in to another. there's nothing better than seeing 2 first run movies for $6 with the nostalgic novelty). But that means I've been working on it much longer than I usually would be working on a project during the same time period, and I'm beginning to feel like it may never be complete despite how close I seem to be.

One for Me, One for You: April Results

Sarah's April Square
Project #21 in '50 in 2009 Challenge'

I'm digging the whirly gig design. And my favorite part…the thin blue border inside the brown border. Thank goodness for Flickr for quilting inspiration, right?

Darcy's April Square

Darcy was apprehensive of hers. But I'm digging how crazy rainbowy it is. And I think having all those colors in it will help make ties between some other squares that just seemed like oddballs, colorwise.

I've just joined a Flickr group, Quilting Bee Blocks, to share our virtual "quilting bee" with ours. We've been getting some positive response on individual blocks and our project in general so that's encouraging and always nice to hear.

If you're at all interested in quilting, I encourage you to take a look. There is some really terrific stuff shared - yay! for more inspiration!

One for Me, One for You: Additional Inspiration

1. Whirlygiggles Quilt Top, 2. hello, Fall. [little quilt no. 1], 3. Dexter's quilt, 4. Pink Charm Quilt on design wall, 5. Matrjoska doll quilt, 6. little quilt, 7. string quilt blocks, 8. Doll Quilt, 9. New quilt

Yesterday I was feeling pretty uninspired about my quilt squares, so I decided to do something about it. I went on a quilt search through flickr, like the one I did to start us off back in September. It seems to have helped, I have an idea for the April fabric (hint, it's pictured above), but it will involve me purchasing new coordinating fabric. I don't think there's anything in my stash that will do. At next craft group, I'll probably take a break from my Shoulder Warmer and start on May's square as well. It's a more time-extensive idea that hopefully I can finish up before the end of June. And I have an idea for another square…I just have to wait for the right fabric to roll around.

It's fun being inspired, isn't it?

If only this was rubbing off on my actual work load as well. Today I got a wonderful brainstorm for creating a custom recipe box, which has me scoping out ebay for deals on a Yudu. Yikes, right? A personal screen printing machine sounds awesome, and the price tag sure does match but if I came across a deal on ebay, I would be out of my mind not to jump on it.

The past few days I've been rededicating myself to a little thing called exercise. I bought a new fitness game for the Wii on Tuesday (EA Sports Active), and am so far thoroughly impressed. It actually is a workout. As Mike put it the other day, I was "damp" from my 20 minute workout. I'm on day three of a 30 day challenge, and I'm pretty serious about sticking with it. It's much easier to stick to so far than Wii Fit because it actually is like a personal trainer. The game decides what I do on a given day, keeps the exercises going at a pretty smooth pace and has variety. I do much better when it's not up to me to decide what exercises to do - where on Wii Fit I'd do the things I was more comfortable with. Tomorrow is my first rest day, but I think I'll supplement some Wii Fit yoga just to keep in a groove without straining my body too much.

In addition, to my new dedication to some physical activity, we have also been working around the house in preparation for this weekend's birthday celebration. First landscaping the front yard early in the week, and the past couple days I've been working on the upstairs. The craft room is probably the cleanest and most organized that it has every been and the rest of the upstairs was finished up tonight. Heck I even cleaned out the bathroom linen cabinet and my drawer. Old things were tossed (or recycled), items were organized, it's amazing. There were probably more pressing things that should have been done, as our downstairs has become a disaster while focusing on other parts of the house, but I figured while I had the motivation I better do it.

All of this plus the strive to blog more regularly has definitely kept me up way past my bedtime. I haven't been sleeping in any later, but then again I was getting up pretty late anyways so if I let myself stay in bed any longer I would be late for work every day. I'm sure I'll crash one of these days, but it's nice to be busy with actual things and not sitting around watching an hour or so of tv at night. It's funny because I'm always disappointed at the end of the tv season, but then I realize how much more time I have.

I have some pretty big food plans for this weekend, so hopefully I don't relapse into my time-suck ways because it would be nice to get some knitting or quilting in too during the long weekend. And let's hope for some sun and in return some good craft and food pics to share next week!

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Don't forget to enter my Blogiversary/Birthday Giveaway for the Everlasting Birthday cupcake hat! Enter through May 25 at 7:20pm CST by sharing your favorite birthday tradition or memory on Wednesday's post. We've had some fun memories shared so far, come on over and join in the fun!

One for Me, One for You: April Fabric

My April Choice


Darcy's April Choice

Any ideas of what kind of quilt square I should create with Darcy's fabric?

Darcy is actually all caught up, so I need to get cracking. Ideally I'd finish both April and May's square and find fabric for June (and possibly July) by the first of June.

I have a few ideas that I think lend themselves more to the May fabric you have yet to see. So as of right now I'm a bit stumped. Send any inspiration my way!

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Don't forget to enter my Blogiversary/Birthday Giveaway for the Everlasting Birthday cupcake hat! Enter through May 25 at 7:20pm CST by sharing your favorite birthday tradition or memory on Wednesday's post. We've had some fun memories shared so far, come on over and join in the fun!

One for Me, One for You: March Results

Sarah's March Square
Project # 17 in '50 in 2009 Challenge'



Darcy's March Square

This is going to be one crazy quilt when it's all done…ok, 2 crazy quilts. I have no idea how all these squares will go together. Will they each need to be framed with some unifying neutral? Or can I get away with just butting each up to the next?

However it does turn out, it's exciting to think I'll have a handmade quilt of my very own at the end of it. We didn't really have anything like that growing up. Something to snuggle up to while watching tv on a chilly day. Perhaps its the weather here that has me thinking that. After another round of big storms last night, we have the house open and the cool post-storm air flowing through the house. As I'm getting ready to veg out and catch up on a few episodes of The Office and 30 Rock, I'm cold and trying to think of the best blanket that's not too warm but big enough to cover all me and that won't attract too much Nibbler hair. And I'm thinking right now, my One for Me, One for You quilt would be perfect.

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Don't forget to enter my Blogiversary/Birthday Giveaway for the Everlasting Birthday cupcake hat! Enter through May 25 at 7:20pm CST by sharing your favorite birthday tradition or memory on Wednesday's post!

One for Me, One for You: March Sneak Peek

One for Me, One for You: March Fabric

My March Choice - Heather Ross' Mendocino Ivory in the Sunset colorway



Darcy's March Choice

How can you not love Heather Ross' fabric?

I just wish I had been into fabric earlier because I missed out on a lot of great prints. I was happy to get my hands on this Mendocino, though and it just makes me happy looking at it.

Any ideas on the perfect way to use my remaining 3/4 yd?

It's funny, that's the problem I have. I fall in love with a print, but I'm not much of a sewer so I have no idea what to use the fabric for. That is also why I limit myself to buying only a yard. No reason to horde massive amounts of fabric if I can't figure out what to do with it.

Though wouldn't it make an awesome summer blouse? I'm guessing I don't have enough to do that, but I think it's still pretty available (shocking, I know, I jumped on this bandwagon before it retired).

The thing is the only clothes I've ever sewn were a pair of boxer shorts and a vest back when I was like in 5th grade. The thought of making a blouse scares me royally. But as of late I've gotten it my head that I'm ready to start making some clothes to wear, and then reading Made From Scratch: Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life by Jenna Woginrich kinda drove that idea into high gear…that and the hat that I'm all hatted out on the knitting front. So I think my next project will be a knitted cardigan or shrug. I ripped out an old project that I realized I would never finish and wound all the yarn into balls and skein-like things, so I'm ready. I even weighed it all, so I know my approximate yardage and though my initial pattern won't work out because I don't have enough yarn, I think I found a replacement I'll like. I have one or two more projects on the table (like Nibbler's doggie diaper bag!) that I'd like to finish up before next weekend, and then I'll be ready to start…just in time for summer, ha! Luckily air conditioned offices are pretty chill, so a shrug will probably come in handy.

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By the way, if anyone recognizes any of the fabric (like the burnt orange cotton plant print above) that I post but don't have the stats for, I'd love to know! Please share, I'd like to make the record of this 'One for Me, One for You' project as complete as possible.

There are a few others as well, like March and January.

One for Me, One for You: February Results

Sarah's February Square
Project #13 in '50 in 2009 Challenge'

I'm feeling genuinely happy today. There's a slight bounce in my step…and it's not even LOST night! I'm definitely looking forward to a couple days worth of comped time off, after working on one giant project exclusively for what seemed like forever.

Yesterday I was even able to complete some other projects, and even that felt good.

And what makes a day even better?

Well, spring chick and a blossoming flower. Perhaps both Darcy and I were getting a bit of spring fever when we put together our latest 'One for Me, One for You' squares?

Though now that I think of it, she lives in the land of perpetual nice weather…hmm. I guess I'm the only one with spring fever.

Darcy's February Square

It's interesting to see how we each use the other's fabric.

From what I can tell, Darcy goes into each month with an idea of what she wants the square to look like. Then she makes my fabric fit in somewhere, whether is becomes the background or just the center of the flower (as in this month's square).

I, on the other hand, completely wait until I see her fabric choice first. Then I ho and hum about it, until I finally realize the month's deadline has passed by a week, so I'd better get moving. I tend to make the fabric choice the centerpiece of the square and go sorting through my relatively small stash to find something that works or head to the fat quarter aisle of the fabric store.

I don't think either approach is right, I just think it depends on the individual's execution of fabric coordination that can make or break the piece. Darcy, I think, has been pretty successful. I on the other hand, feel as if I flounder each and every time.

Which is so funny considering most people would assume I have the upper hand being in the "art" field.

Though I must say, I'm proud of my creativity to use only things from my stash on my spring chick square. I was a bit overwhelmed by the magnitude of colors in Darcy's fabric choice, but when I pulled out the brown polka dot fabric, I thought I could make it work. But of course there wasn't enough fabric to cut 2 squares for the background. I was determined to make it work and not go spend my precious allowance money on more of the same fabric, which would defeat the purpose of "shopping" from my stash. So I used those handy math skills I learned back in high school (and yes, the last time I took a math class was in high school) and figured out how to make 2 large enough patched squares from not enough straight fabric!

It was seriously amazing.

Now if only I could apply those same math skills to my hat knitting.

One for Me, One for You: February Fabric or Miracle Cleaner

My February Choice - Alexander Henry's Juicy Lemon



Darcy's February Choice

Finally a day of relaxation.

Second draft (the tight one before it goes to press) was off to our client yesterday…exactly at five.

Despite the long hours this past week, it was still a rush until the end because my printer would not cooperate. I started printing at 3:30 and was still printing up until 4:54. It seemed to be going great, I even thought I might be able to head out early…and then my printer laughed in my face.

Oh well, it's done.

And after falling asleep on the couch last night at like 8:30, I was up relatively early and finally got to clean up our house which has been neglected the past couple weeks with both Mike and I working long hours.

During my clean up I discovered a miracle cleaner! So tough that it was able to cut through the grease and dust build-up on our stove hood (something I last unsuccessfully tried to clean at Thanksgiving).

And what's even better is it was homemade (and therefore cheaper) and much greener than anything I've bought at the store. The only initial cost was about $3 for a box of borax because we had everything else on hand - and that's going to last me an eternity.


Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner (courtsey of Mrs Clean)
- 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
- 2 tsp Borax
- 1/2 tsp Liquid Soap
- 2 c Hot Water

Mix all ingredients in 16oz spray bottle, shake well and fight the grim!


How's that for a twofer post, not only do you get to see the latest 'One for Me, One for You' fabric but you get a recipe for cleaning success as well! Just in time for spring cleaning.

One for Me, One for You: January Results

Sarah's January Square
Project # 11 in '50 in 2009 Challenge'

Darcy's January Square

Posted only 2 months late (exactly, o0ps).


The past week has been super crazy trying to meet a deadline at work (like working 36 hours, Sat-Mon). The proof is in so I'm taking a breath for a couple days until the revisions come back and then it's back to the grindstone.

And by taking a breath, I mean not doing much besides drinking chocolate milkshakes and watching Dancing with the Stars until it is a semi-acceptable hour to go to sleep. Cooking, cleaning, even thinking are things far from the top of my to do list, so today you get pictures.

I've got alot of 'One for Me, One for You' catching up to do, so perhaps posting will be a bit more frequent.

One For Me, One For You: Sneak Peek…Tweet

We're a little behind, this I know. Yesterday I sent out both January and February quilt squares, as well as March fabric. Got the month's fabric out before the end of the month, so that's progress…I guess. Perhaps April will be the month to catch up, but from what I hear Darcy's going to Thailand for a week or two and I have a list as long as a roll of toilet paper of things that need to be done by Easter, so probably not.

This week has been busy at work, I've been laying out a magazine for the majority of the week. Deadline's Monday and by then I have to have all 104 pages printed. Considering that it can take half a day to print out a 34 page version of this magazine, I came to the realization upon waking up this morning that I need to have the whole thing done before Monday.

So what was going to be a working Saturday weekend, is almost 100% sure going to be a working Saturday and Sunday weekend. I needed a vacation like two weeks ago, so imagine what I'll feel like after working 12 days straight. Yikes, poor Mike!

Off to pack up the dog (lucky her, she's coming to work with me), run a couple errands and then off to work to put in at least a half a day at the office.

From what I hear, there's a strong possibility that we will be getting 5 inches of heavy, wet snow tonight, so perhaps a work computer will be packed up and brought home with me tonight.

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On a side note (but related to my photo and post title), I've been twittering (or is it tweeting?) more regularly, especially since dear ole Craft N Clutter has become a bit neglected as of late. I've added a roll to my side bar, so follow me if you'd like!

One for Me, One for You: January Fabric

My January Choice - Alexander Henry's Mocca, Red/Chocolate



Darcy's January Choice

Yeah, so we're a bit behind. February has started and we're just getting started on January's square. I'm determined to keep us on the monthly square track, though. If we start going bi-monthly, it'll take at least two years to accumulate enough quilt squares for a quilt. That's too long of a commitment…to keep two people interested in a project that long, I feel it would be unrealistic.

Now the question is, what can I do to up my game? I mean, you saw Darcy's last square, right?

One for Me, One for You: November/December Results

Darcy's November/December Square

Despite being nearly a month late, I have to give Darcy major props on her latest square for our 'One for Me, One for You' quilting collaboration.

Everything's hand stitched on. For a funky, colorful result that definitely raises the bar for quality and creativity.

Sigh, now I have to step my game up for the next square.

Sarah's November/December Square
Project #41 in '50 in 2008 Challenge'

And in comparison, mine just looks bore-ing! I'm happy with it, and it sure did help to have won that stack of Amy Butler Midwest Modern fat quarters. Though the colorway was different from what Darcy sent, I was able to piece this baby together only using fabric from my stash.

Now that's always a good thing.

Off to brainstorm a geniusly creative idea for my next square. Fabric selections to come, as well as my solution for storing/displaying all these quilt squares until the end.

One for Me, One for You: Sneak Peek

A brief glimpse of the quilt square I sent out yesterday for our November/December challenge. Only seven days late, not bad. Though I must say I was done with the actual quilting on the 1st, but it took me a week to embroider my signature/date.

Perhaps I should come up with a fast method than embroidery.


You'll see the full results of both squares when I receive Darcy's.