I am traveling this week for work -- luckily I am in Dallas and the weather has been absolutely perfect! Sunny, clear blue skies with temperatures in the '70s. After dealing with the snow and cold in the Northeast this is definitely a welcome break and a little sunshine for my soul. The days have been long and there hasn't been any time for handwork but at least the weather is cooperating. Before I know it I will be back to the reality of winter but hey it is only a few more weeks until pitchers and catchers report for spring training so Spring can't be too far away -- I hope!
Happy Stitchin!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Officially Tired of Winter
Okay so I know I live in the Northeast and I know that it is January and it is supposed to be snowy and cold but . . . . I am tired of dealing with the snow and cold. We got our first snowstorm of the season on October 28. According to the folklore, the date of the first snowfall where you can see the tracks of chickens determines how many storms in the coming winter. So if you believe the folklore, we are supposed to get 28 storms this winter . . . I lost track of how many we have had so far but it sure feels like it has been at least 28!
Somewhere in the middle of the end-year mayhem at work there was a lull and I was home at a reasonable time. The days prior had been long and I had the urge to just sit and sew at the machine. I wanted something that was mindless sewing --- that left out the houses (too much accuracy needed) and it left out the blue and white star quilt for the same reason. Hmm while cleaning my sewing room during my time off after the holidays I came across a kit that I had purchased several years ago at the LQS known for its kits. The best part about these kits is that all of the fabric is cut for you -- all you do is purchase and go home and sew! That night I strip pieced all of the "A" blocks (48 in all). A few days later I spent a snowy afternoon at a friends house sewing and strip pieced the "B" blocks (just 36). Saturday evening DH was engrossed in some movie or another and I spent four hours piecing my blocks into rows and the rows into a quilt top!
Below is a close up of the blocks. It reminds me of Spring.
Somewhere in the middle of the end-year mayhem at work there was a lull and I was home at a reasonable time. The days prior had been long and I had the urge to just sit and sew at the machine. I wanted something that was mindless sewing --- that left out the houses (too much accuracy needed) and it left out the blue and white star quilt for the same reason. Hmm while cleaning my sewing room during my time off after the holidays I came across a kit that I had purchased several years ago at the LQS known for its kits. The best part about these kits is that all of the fabric is cut for you -- all you do is purchase and go home and sew! That night I strip pieced all of the "A" blocks (48 in all). A few days later I spent a snowy afternoon at a friends house sewing and strip pieced the "B" blocks (just 36). Saturday evening DH was engrossed in some movie or another and I spent four hours piecing my blocks into rows and the rows into a quilt top!
Below is a close up of the blocks. It reminds me of Spring.
Ah but my dilemma . . . . I remember when I purchased the kit that I wasn't thrilled with the inner border but the shop owner convinced me that it made the quilt "pop". However even after several years, I am still not thrilled with the "green". I keep thinking it should be a purple or a blue. I know it is hard to see from the pictures but I am curious as to what others think. The floral is the outer border. In hindsight I wish I had just purchased more of the fabric used in the setting triangles and used that for a border.
I am hoping to make a decision and get the borders on before our firehouse sew day next month so I can bring it for show & tell and give it to my long arm quilter for quilting.
Happy Stitchin!
Happy Stitchin!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Ring in the New!
To start the New Year I thought I would start a new embroidery project. It is a block of the month called "Ring In The New" by Kathy Schmitz. They are 4x6 designs which are relatively quick to stitch. I have completed January and started February. Since I don't have a good track record in keeping up with BOMs I thought I would just continue to stitch them until all 12 are complete.
I have also started another BOM by Gail Pan. Did I just say I didn't have a great track record? What was I thinking?
With all of these new projects being started, I even found time to make two photo pillows which are first anniversary presents for the bride & groom. Last year I made a photo quilt for the happy couple. According to the bride's mother, they love the quilt and have hung it on the wall in their new home. AND I am still cutting the 1 1/4" squares needed for the border of my little houses quilt!
Happy Stitchin!
With all of these new projects being started, I even found time to make two photo pillows which are first anniversary presents for the bride & groom. Last year I made a photo quilt for the happy couple. According to the bride's mother, they love the quilt and have hung it on the wall in their new home. AND I am still cutting the 1 1/4" squares needed for the border of my little houses quilt!
Happy Stitchin!
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