Slow Stitching Projects

My current handwork projects are my English paper pieced hexagons and the project from the workshop with Becky Goldsmith.

This is the first rosette, made with French General fabrics, that I worked on during our trip to New Mexico.

This is what I plan on working on today while watching the Olympics wrap up. 

I enjoy alternating between the two projects.

I’m linking up with Kathy’s Slow Stitching Sunday post today.

Back From Vacation

We spent last week enjoying a respite from the Central Texas heat as well as the noise and traffic associated with the annual boat races.  It was our first trip to Ruidoso, New Mexico, where the temps are lower and the altitude higher. 

We had a delightful cabin full of amenities. 

Maddie enjoyed her new world from a favorite perch.  Harley was with us too, but wasn’t much for posing.

Our excursions included a trip to the Hubbard Museum where a fabulous exhibit of art quilts was on display. 

This one really captured my heart.

We attended the horse races where I lost $2 and Bob lost 60 cents. It was fun to watch the people as well as the ponies.

I also did some quilting!

This is what my lap looked like on the drive coming and going (whenever Maddie would get off it, that is). 

When I wasn’t in the car, my handwork focused on my Becky Goldsmith applique project.  Stems are now stitched down on all four quadrants and flowers are gradually being added.

I even got some machine stitching in.  This is the breakfast nook I claimed as my sewing station. 

…and some of the paper pieced triangle units for my “Good Golly!” Project.

Best of all…by happy accident our cabin was an easy stroll from Martha’s Fabric Store. 

This place is crammed with all kinds of fabric and home décor items, much like the independent fabric stores I remember from childhood. 

I was told Martha died at the age of 94 and her daughters continue the business.

I made three stops there (easy walking distance, remember?).  I’m pretty sure Bob will choose lodging farther from Martha's for our next visit to Ruidoso.

The day after our return was Guild day and I delivered 11 more anti-ouch pouches bringing my 2016 total to 85.

Gleanings and Slow Stitching

Our Guild lost a very sweet lady in July.  Pat always had a smile of her face that bespoke both wisdom and joy.  She also was an avid quilter with a huge fabric stash.   

The family kindly invited the quilting community to go through her sewing supplies before handing the rest over to Goodwill.  By the time I arrived, all the quilting cotton had been claimed by various charity sewing groups, which I know she would have wanted.  I do wish I had arrived early enough to see it, though.  It was housed in a separate structure on her property and I am told it was beautifully organized.  I always love to see how others set up their storage and sewing spaces.

I was invited to go through her (very full) closet of craft books and laid claim to some.  

I also got to choose a few patterns and even found a project box.  Some of the books will find a home in my own library; some I will pass along to others after I’ve taken the time to browse through them. 

Very often when I go to events like estate sales, I leave with a sense of sadness.  This time, however, I left feeling uplifted, as if Pat knew and approved of what we were doing.

My slow stitching today continues to be the applique blocks I showed last Sunday.  Gradually I am becoming more comfortable with the technique Becky Goldsmith teaches.  I hope to be working on it in front of my computer during Quilt-Cam this afternoon.  However, I’ve had to miss the several recent Quilt-Cams due to technical glitches (mostly at my end), so I may end up joining hubby watching the Olympics instead.  At least there are two very appealing choices before me!

Maddie certainly appears to be enjoying her lazy Sunday morning.

I’m linking up with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching.