More projects for the pile...

First I just have to say that I thought it would be a bit intimidating to catch up after a week away from reading blogs and I was right! Eeeek -- so many of you have been busy, busy, busy! I'm feeling a bit like a slug here. Despite my enthusiasm for finishing up my current quilt (1/2 quilted with everything set for making the binding too) I haven't had time to get to it. I've been running errands, reading blogs (there's a LOT to catch up on) and oh, yeah, I may have gone to a quilt shop today 'cause there was a great sale. Um, just maybe mind you. No photos of the haul though -- not yet anyway :0).

Second -- thanks for all the love about the toes! And about Mom -- she's pretty great (and no, I'm not just saying that 'cause she spoils me -- not that I mind that part -- but because it's true). As I've mentioned once, or maybe twice, Mom is great at finding projects for me (or is it helping me find projects to do that may benefit someone she likes and/or herself? Not sure here, though since I usually enjoy doing them I don't know that it matters). This trip was no exception -- so I have new fabrics and projects to add to the seemingly ever growing pile of potential projects. Hehehehe.

First up was a totally unexpected find. I took Mom over to the LQS to see my Holly Jolly (still mulling over the name here -- but since the fabric name and the name I'm probably going to give it are the same...) quilt top hanging in the store. We did get a photo but it's on Mom's new digital camera. And I forgot to upload it before she left. She said she would try and e-mail me a copy this weekend. I may have to wait for her to send me a physical copy though. Long story here -- let's just say Mom chooses not to mess around with computers more than necessary and learns what she needs to get done what she wants. She can learn more -- she chooses not to. And this isn't an insult -- she admits it! While we were there we saw this adorable little train panel. Have I mentioned that dd LOVES trains? No? Well -- she does. Absolutely loves "choo choos" and one of her favorite CD's is Choo Choo Soul (note here -- if you have young ones who like music, this is one of those children's albums that parents can actually like. Two months in and I don't want to gouge my eyes out when she requests/demands I connect the ipod in the car!) One of the biggest hits at her birthday was her Brio starter train set. And despite the lovely little bag I made to keep it in, I tend to step on the darned things more often than not! Given dd's train obsession Mom and I agreed she NEEDED this panel as a play mat for her trains. And of course, the go-along fabrics for backing and binding. I'm going to keep this one pretty simple. The border fabric may go on the back with the blue or around the front, haven't decided final size, the red will be the binding and the quilting will be super simple -- follow the train tracks! A quick and easy and a way to practice some machine quilting. And since dd has seen the fabrics (and wants to play with them NOW thank you very much) this one may get booted up in the line of must do's.

Also for dd, while we were out and about doing some shopping we just happened to be near one of my other favorite LQS's. (now how in the world could THAT happen I wonder?) While there I found this fun little print. For some reason, even though they make her a bit nervous in person, dd also loves puppies. The new neighbors across the way have a lab puppy dd asks about every day. So, a way to make something for her with a fun puppy fabric. I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do with this -- a bag maybe, possibly some pajama pants. I'm pondering. While there I also picked up this book. Some cute designs in there and some possibilities for future projects.

And the final project to add to the mix is one I've mentioned before. Remember my great-grandmother's star quilt top with the unfortunate backing? Mom agreed that it needed a new backing and binding and we went looking for something we liked to do the repair work. There are a ton of blues and pinks in the stars (and cheddars, and browns, and greens, etc.) but we liked the way these two looked with the top. And since I'm leaving it a summer spread with no quilting -- I thought these gave a nice light look.

So that's it for the goodies I got while Mom was in town -- three (maybe four depending on what I do with dd's puppy fabric) new projects in the que. And that doesn't even touch the damage I did today -- I have GOT to learn to resist sales. But somehow the $3.00 a yard clearance fabric was just calling my name! Arrgh! Off to catch up on some more blog reading/commenting so I can get back to sewing!