Progress . . . .

I completed the last of my nautical bluework blocks tonight!!!! I started these blocks last April just prior to our trip to Florida. I thought they would make a great project to work on while sitting in the airport, flying in the plane and during other quiet moments throughout the vacation. Prior to our departure I carefully searched Continental Airlines' website to ensure I was able to carry a needle and scissors onto the plane. Luckily I was able to bring a pair of scissors that were less than 4" so I packed up my project including my favorite stork scissors and off to the airport we went. No issues going to security to fly to Orlando and no issues flying back into Newark. Fantastic -- the perfect travel project, no prep work, just one color thread and a basic embroidery stitch. Later in the year I would travel to Toronto on business with the same project, same scissors. No issues leaving Newark with the scissors and needle in tow. BUT when I went through security in Toronto to return to the States, I was told my scissors could not fly in the cabin with me. Evidently you can fly within the United States with scissors and you can leave the United States with scissors. However, one is not allowed to bring scissors into the country -- go figure. So since I did not want to check my carry on and wait forever to get my luggage upon my late night return to Newark, I left my little stork scissors in Toronto. I hope they have made a Canadian quilter happy :) Next time I fly I am bringing a container of dental floss to cut my thread.

Here is a sampling of the blocks - there are 15 in all. I plan to alternate the bluework blocks with a modified nine patch.



I have the border fabric picked out -- a lighthouse toile that I found at one of the quilt shows a couple years ago. Now to find the fabrics for the modified nine patch --- hmmm guess I will have something to look for in Lancaster. I might have to revoke my promise to leave the checkbook home.