Mountain Musings

3 Questions: Fabric Pens, Pinked Edges, & Siggy Blocks?

This post will answer some questions that were asked in the comments section when the 101 Blocks post was written.

1. First, Kathie wondered about the quality of the fabric pen that I used to sign the siggy blocks or "signature" blocks. Here's a picture of my pens:

I have used these Pigma Micron pens for several projects but have never washed an item after using them--always assuming that they are permanent as advertised. 

To be able to answer Kathie's question, I just washed a leftover siggy block to test the pen. The ink seemed to hold up well and didn't fade or smear.

2. Second question, Sherrin asked about the zig-zags on the edges of the blocks I made. Here's a picture of an extra siggy that wasn't mailed. Can you see the pinked edges on both sides of the printed fabric?

They are pinked when Moda manufactures the pre-cuts they produce. Honey Buns are strips that are 1 1/2" wide and 45" long. For this block I cut strips that were 4 1/2" long that were sewn on each side of a Kona white 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" piece to produce the siggy block. I'm guessing the pinked edges just help with any fraying.

3. And the third question was by Val who lives in the UK who said she has no clue what siggy blocks are. Val, quilters all over the United States, and in fact all over the world, make siggy (signature) blocks to swap.

I joined in a Modern Siggy Swap and made 101 blocks (like the one above) which were mailed to the coordinator of the Swap. She will divvy out all the blocks she receives from participants so everyone will receive one of my blocks, and I will receive a block from each of the participants. It's exciting because there are so many different fabrics that will be sewn together to make a very colorful quilt.

I love this idea because I will end up completing a quilt that has a block in it from quilters all over the world with their names and where they live.

Here's a link to some Flickr pictures of siggies which show some of the blocks others have made for this Swap. I'll receive some of those blocks you see pictured.

I hope this helps to answer everyone's questions.

~Deb

Independence Day Celebration

Our holiday weekend proved to be very enjoyable! We traveled to a friend's home in northern Virginia to celebrate the 4th with delicious food for lunch, afternoon speeches, a children's parade, singing, games, a cookout, and firing of the cannon at the end of the evening.

Below: Hannah and Jonathan participated in some musical entertainment. The orchestra played All Hail the Power of Jesus Name and Yankee Doodle as the audience joined in on the hymn.

Readings of the Declaration of Independence and Patrick Henry's Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death speech were highlights of the afternoon.

Here's the scene with the small (but effective) cannon after the guys ignited some gun powder. We enjoyed the day of celebrating with our friends!

Here we are, my sweetie and me--a bit tired, at the end of the day. And even though we didn't stay late enough with our friends for their fireworks, we managed to see several town's displays along the interstate as we drove home. Neat.

Hope your 4th was a safe and happy one, too.

~ Deb

58

1. I love quilts...but you probably already knew that from reading the blog.

2. I have several quilts in various stages of completion. Why can't I start and finish one at a time before beginning another one? Any other quilters do the same thing?

3. My Bernina is one of my favorite and most used purchases.

4. My Canon Rebel camera ranks right up there, too.

5. I love taking pictures of everything to document life...I just wish I could take better pictures.

6. Each member of our family has their own camera. Hannah and I probably use ours the most.

7. Next month I hope to take lots of pictures.

8. Our 30th wedding anniversary is in August--time to fill up the camera card.

9. Today Tom and I are going to apply for passports!!

10. We have no clue yet where the passports will take us.

11. I think planning a trip is part of the fun. We'd better get with it!

12. I L-O-V-E to travel.

13. For our 25th anniversary we traveled to the Grand Canyon. It was our first time out West, and we loved it!

14. I've always wanted to own a Bed and Breakfast.

15. A friend gave me some good advice one time. She said we already have a Bed and Breakfast, and we get to choose our guests.

16. I liked her logic and have since concentrated on blessing friends here rather than running a business.

17. Sarah makes the best Stuffed French Toast when we have overnight guests.

18. When the girls have their own homes, I'm not sure I'll be able to function in my own kitchen. Unfortunately, I'm not kidding!

19. I'm not much of a shopper...unless it's in a quilt shop.

20. I posted one of these lists almost 5 years ago. You can read it here. I thought I would never come up with 20 things about me.

21. Our four children were born in 4 1/2 years.

22. Too bad I didn't have Sarah's cloth diapers during those busy Huggies' years. 

23. I look forward to having lots of grandchildren, Lord willing.

24. I would like for them to live close by so I can get to know them.

25. I think family is important.

26. I turned over in a canoe once when Tom and I were engaged.

27. I haven't gotten into a canoe since...and don't plan on it ever again.

28. One year for my birthday Tom planned a rafting trip for the family on the Shenandoah River. 

29. The trip brought back canoe memories for me...but with only Class 1 and 2 rapids it was safe enough for me to enjoy it.

30. After my recent trip to the hospital, I don't want to see the inside of one again any time soon.

31. My sister and I were in the hospital at the same time to have our tonsils removed. I was 13, and she was 9. I still remember all the ice cream we were allowed to have.

32. I always wanted to be a Candy Striper.

33. Who knows...maybe one day I'll be one of those senior citizens who volunteers at the local hospital.

34. I love hearing wind chimes.

35. The wind blows so much where we live that we often have to take our chimes down before they blow down.

36. I like to collect things: Noah's Arks, cows, sunflowers, birdhouses, frogs, angels, American primitive flags...now I focus mainly on collecting fabric.

37. Growing up, we went to the Great Smoky Mountains on vacation every summer.

38. I loved the mountains and am so glad the Lord placed us where we are so I can see the mountains every time I look outside.

39. I wear Crocs 24-6. On Sundays I take them off for a few hours.

40. Back in the early 90s when Tom first suggested getting a computer, I thought it was a crazy idea and that we should save the money.

41. Saying I'm quite attached to my laptop is an understatement.

42. A couple of years ago when Tom gave me a Blackberry I wondered why in the world I would need something like that.

43. I love it when I can check email the instant it comes in on my Blackberry. Saying I'm quite addicted would be accurate.

44. I'm beginning to think my husband has some great ideas.

45. I love making lists and crossing things off the lists.

46. I like meeting new people and making new friends.

47. I've been up in a hot-air balloon and loved it.

48. Something I would love to learn how to do: make soap.

49. I love campfires and S'mores...but not camping.

50. I'm not a fan of going to the mall and only go once or twice a year...when the free gifts are available for Estee Lauder.

51. I've never skied in my life. I think that might be more dangerous than canoeing.

52. I have no recollection of my grandparents. That's one reason I would like to know my grandchildren.

53. I haven't mentioned yet that I love flowers...but that's something else that's well known if you've read the blog for any length of time.

54. Coneflowers and yarrow are two of my favorite flowers.

55. Spring has overtaken fall as my favorite season...mainly because of flowers.

56. I don't really like surprises because I like to know what's going on. But everyone gets a thrill out of surprising me because it's hard to do.

57. C-e-l-e-b-r-a-t-e is one of my favorite words in the English language.

58. Today's my birthday! And I made it to the end of this list. Now that's reason to celebrate!

~Deb