Thank You Gifts and Pictures of My Fur Babies

I made these basic little tote bags last night with fabric from my stash.  One will go to a quilting friend who went out of her way to help me with a project.   I'm not sure of her favorite colors and I hope she likes it.  The other will go in my gift drawer.  I have made several of these totes over the last four years and find them very handy. 

And this picture is of Harley (the corgi) and Chloe (a Schnauzer mix...we think), my two special fur babies who keep the house from seeming too empty when DH is out of pocket.   I had never had a dog until three years ago when Harley entered our lives.  We adopted Chloe from a rescue shelter in June. 

 

Thank you, Jo!

Don't you just love getting gifts in the mail?  There's just something special about those that land in the mail box, especially those squishy envelopes we quilters love.

A few days ago Jo, at Jo's Country Junction, held a "I'm Cleaning My Sewing Room" giveaway and I won!  Here's a picture of my loot: three patterns perfect for fall including one that is already started.  What fun!  Thanks for making a beautiful fall day even better, Jo.

Quilts for Grandsons

Since life has quickened its pace this week and I have very little progress to show on current projects, I decided to document two quilts completed a while ago for my grandsons.

This airplane quilt was completed first for the younger.  I had just added the old magazine with the pattern to the stack in the garage for the quilt club giveaway table when the request for the quilt arrived.  As soon as it was done, I started work on one for his older brother who was very specific about wanting US Air Force themed fabric.  Both quilts had to be made to exact dimensions.  They were used on the top level of bunk beds and we did not want excess overhang to interfere with the play areas  beneath.  You can see how "cooperative" the boys were when I asked for pictures!

Rainbow

It was my intent that this blog be all about quilting, but I could not resist sharing this picture.  This was the second rainbow I saw this afternoon.  It lingered the better part of an hour giving my spirits a lift as I prepared dinner.

Design Wall Monday

Work continues on my Two-Step quilt in Civil War Reproduction fabrics of indigo and neutrals.  One panel is pieced, two are laid out and a third is underway.  By necessity, these quilt blocks were done on two different machines resulting in a slight variation in the quarter-inch seams.  That makes piecing the panels a challenge.  So far, though, I'm happy with the result.

I had a very quilty weekend with Jo Morton Club, Dear Jane Club and a trip to Austin for a quilt show.  That's a lot of quilt activity in 48 hours, and it should hold me for a few days.  Quilting work will virtually stop this week.  I am hosting a ladies' circle meeting in my house on Wednesday and assisting with a funeral meal at a time to be determined.  Right now my focus has to be on menus and housecleaning.

Design Wall Monday

Normally I'm not drawn to quilt projects smaller than a throw.  When a brand new quilt shop in our area offered a Jo Morton Club, however, and one of my friends agreed to facilitate, I decided to give it a try.  This was our first assigned task, and I found myself enjoying the process.  It measures approximately 12 X 12 inches with postage-stamp size blocks.  All I need to finish is the binding and label and it will be ready for our second session this weekend.

Getting Ready for Monday

It’s my turn to host the neighborhood Stitch and Chat group Monday and I spent a good chunk of the day cleaning house. Some of our members do more stitching than the others, but we’ve all got the “chat” part down.

Because of the room’s dimensions, it’s hard to get a good picture, but here is my primary sewing station. The TV remote is used less and less these days since I’ve been checking out books on CD from the library. Right now I’m listening to The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson.

Progress Report

I had the best of intentions to really make a dent in my projects yesterday, but ended up having less time to sew than I hoped.  I did finish these 6 1/2 inch blocks.  They are variations of the Oregon Star block with the lights and darks reversed.  I'm not sure the red and black one has encough contrast.  Both blocks are to be included in prayer shawls and I will wait to see how they play with the other blocks before deciding whether or not to redo them.

Design Wall Monday

Nothing really new to show for progress on my design wall, but I have been busy as evidenced by this pile of trimmings.

…and this pile of  blocks in various stages of completion.

Work continues on my quarter-square triangles (what I call my hour glass quilt). DH will be out of pocket a good part of the day. My goal is to put an audio book in the CD player and sew until my eyes cross! We have a chance for rain this week and that makes for really good sewing time.  Maybe next week I’ll be able to show more visible progress.

A Good Quilty Day

I awoke in the wee hours this morning to the sound of thunder and rain, always good news this time of year in the Texas Hill Country.  Later, five of my quilting friends and I spent the day at the "Stitches From the Heart" quilt show in Fredericksburg, Texas.  We saw some beautiful quilts and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  The cooler temperatures seemed to lift everyone's spirits.  I was able to hold myself to two non-related purchases--four batik fat quarters and a pattern I have been wanting for some time.