Playing with Pastels

Let me start off by saying that, despite seeing a whole lot of Cherry Baby fabrics hanging out here lately, I'm not really a pastel person. There's nothing wrong with pastels. They're cool. They're lovely. I just tend to gravitate to more saturated colors. But, as most of you know, sometimes fabrics just call to you. They say "play with me". And hey, who am I to ignore it when fabric is talking?

First step to play with fabrics? Yeah, that would have been clean the mess in my sewing area. Here's an "after" shot. Still a few things on the table (it's never REALLY clear -- but, getting ready to sew now takes all of 2 minutes rather than the hour and 1/2 it took to get it to this point).

And then, while I do have a few other projects I need to get to -- I played. I will have the "need to finish" projects done this week -- but, well, some bad news over the weekend kind of sent me into a place where I needed to play. I needed to remember that while this winter seems to have been dragging on forever, the world won't seem like it's in perpetual hibernation forever -- and that there is rebirth and renewal that will come.

So, this is what I came up with. In a few ways it's totally unlike what I usually do. It's pastel for one thing. And then, well, it's a pretty darned traditional quilt piecing design. (I like traditional designs, I just don't make very many of them) Of course, I did add my own "twist" to the traditional -- but, hmmm...

I'm just not sure it works. I had an idea for a series of four of these little quilts (this one is about 18 1/2 by 18 1/2). I was going to play with different border and edge treatments and kind of do an ode to spring (and yes, one of them in a slightly smaller size to accommodate borders was going to be for my Four Season's Swap). I also had some vague ideas of doing some embroidery embellishment to the top. I'm just not sure it's worth continuing on with -- or whether I should call the experiment a bust and start over.

I think part of the problem is lack of contrast in the fabrics. The design I chose (bonus points if you can tell what the design IS -- I'm not sure I can and I made it) is one that should have a bit more contrast. Maybe I was being influenced by all of the lovely blended quilts (the link takes you to Nicole's finished challenge quilts, but the post has links to others) I was seeing last month?

Part of the problem is surely my own fault -- I'm usually of the "more fabrics is better" school of thought (why use one or two when you can use 10 or 20?). And I did that here -- maybe confining myself to 5 or 10 would have been better than the, um, I think 30 or so I did use? (gotta love those jelly rolls -- oh, yeah, that was how I got into this mess in the first place) But seriously folks -- here's a bit of a closeup with the sun shining on it, how could I have chosen just a few of these fabrics?

I guess the question now is whether to keep on trucking with this experiment or not? Any advice, opinions? For those of you involved in the Four Seasons swap -- um, would you hate something like this (though not this one) in your mailbox? I welcome some good, constructive criticism here. In the meantime -- I have a few "have to finish it" projects that are calling out to me. Oh yeah, and some blog reading to catch up on, oh, and laundry, grocery shopping, etc. I suppose it will keep me out of trouble. But oh, I really want to play!

A Quilter's Christmas

Before we head into 2008 I thought I would share some of the goodies Santa (aka Mom and family members) and others sent me during my mini-blog break. I've been truly spoiled this year in terms of crafting/quilting toys to play with!


First up is a wonderful coffee table book I won from Tracey over at Thee Handworks. It came in the mail the week before Christmas and I've been having so much fun reading through it. Of course, with a new book in the house I also had to tell myself to get back to my sewing! Thank you so much for this fabulous book!!! Now that the major crunch for Christmas is over, I'm looking forward to a few sessions curled on the couch with this one!


Another blog "win" that I just need to share is this one! I left a comment over at the Michael Miller fabrics blog Making It Fun, they decided to send something to everyone who commented so it was a double pleasure for me! These are "samples" (in quotes because to me 4 yards of anything is more than just a "sample") of the new trim lines they have coming out in January. Let me just say that the ruffled ric rac is just WAAAYYYYY too cute and I can't wait to find a project to use it in! And the bias tape? Oh my, this I can think of uses for too! (and just how did they know I love orange??) I'm thinking I'm in trouble when the full line comes out as well :0).



As for the goodies from family, oh my! I got this lovely trio from my Mom (along with some blades for the rotary cutter, some new needles for my machine, oh -- and since I didn't get a photo of it -- a new Rowenta professional iron!!! WOooo Hooooo!!!). I love the new rotary cutter (I've been wanting one since I first saw them over at Stashmaster's blog this fall) and I can't wait to test drive it! As for the embroidery scissors -- my old, falling apart, orange handled Fiskars have met their maker!


Mom also indulged my renewed knitty interests too (sorry if you only want quilty content but these yarns are going to be showing up again on my blog -- as well as a few others I need to post about!). I got this wonderful knitting carrier (and I may have bought Mom one as well in red) as well as the yarns and the new pair of addi turbos inside of it. Yummy, yummy.


That Koigu yarn is just so much fun to work with and I just couldn't resist casting on this on Christmas day. (ok, yes, I still have a purple sock to finish -- I know -- but I'm having second sock issues and I just couldn't resist this one. Especially since after my gift making frenzy of the past two months -- this one is self-indulgent in the extreme since it's for me!) I'm loving how this one is turning out!


If you were wondering what pattern it is, it's the chevron scarf from the Last Minute Knitted Gifts book I got for Christmas as well (along with its companion Patchwork book!!!). I love this book and I finally have my own copy (and can stop borrowing it from the library). Since this is the third project I've made from the book already -- I think it's a pretty sure investment!


I also got this yummy Noro yarn to make a pair of fingerless mitts from. Another project that is all for me that I can't wait to get started on! It's not as colorful as some of the Noro yarns -- but, ummm, can we say silk and cashmere??!!?? Oh yes, I can see my hands staying warm as I knit up and quilt up a storm this year!


And finally (at least for today) I also got this fun ball of white fluff with iridescent sparklies in it to try my hand at making some of these that I saw over at Trail Mix designs (and in the book -- but, seeing them made up really was the bug). I got the One Skein book as well for Christmas so I'm all set to whip up a few little cupcake goodies. These should be fun to make!


I did get a few other things for Christmas (pj's, the first season of Veronica Mars -- good for watching while knitting and/or sewing) and other assorted goodies though none really relating to crafting/sewing/quilting. I guess Santa appreciated all the time I spent in the sweat shop before Christmas! I am still trying to catch up on my blog reading and I have at least three more posts I've been plotting in my head! Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful New Year's celebration tonight -- me? I think I'm going to be playing with my new toys and thinking about taking down my Christmas decorations!

Checking It Twice

Or in my case, since I've made a list I'm not sure now I can complete, I'm double checking it to see where I can cut corners and/or delete items. *Sigh* Still -- some of it is getting done. Despite other holiday delays, I do have progress to show (and a second post in one day!).

4. Knit bag for B's gift. Almost done. Need to finish the icord. DONE !!!! And really, since the actual bag has been done for about a month -- um, about time. The pattern is from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, and may I say again how much I LOVE this book? I swear there are about 10 more patterns I want to try and play with! (AFTER Christmas that is -- the list of things I want to do in the new year is a whole 'nother ball of wax)

13. Doll crib mattress for dd. I have the stuff I need to make it. DONE!!!! Or, well, in this photo it's ALMOST done. I had to go out to Joann's and pick up some more button forms to finish the tufting (yes -- I am insane -- was there ever any doubt?) It even fits in the doll crib perfectly -- and what is this?

It looks like the dollies wanted to test out the new bed, and do a dry run for Christmas morning. But look -- they now have arms that are attached. And faces!!!!

Yep -- I finally stopped putting off until the last possible minute the part of the dolls that scared me pondering the hair color decisions and went for it. And now I have some decisions to make -- see, I've had some vague ideas that I would finish BOTH dolls and give them to Tinkerbell for Christmas. Hmmm...but, well, see above about having to be a bit more realistic. Up until this point working on two of them has been relatively easy -- but we're now at the point where I'm going to have to make clothing and doll quilts. Um, I have time, honestly, to make one set of clothing. That is if I want the doll to have a quilt and/or some of the other accessories (I've already decided her coat and purse will wait and I'm tempted to say her PJs will as well). So -- the quandary -- do I go with blondie there or with red?

I'm not all that fond of blondie's hair color. I thought I could make it look a bit more "natural" than the straight up yellow (I had vague ideas of trying to match Tink's blond/brown locks). This, of course, was before reality set in and I remembered that my skills with paint and a brush are -- um, well, not non-existent, but, limited is a better word. That plus -- it looks like blondie here got into her mother's makeup and decided to do some clown cheeks.

The other option is red. Red's cheeks look rosy without being garish. But, well, see above about skills with a paintbrush. See -- I may have, just may have mind you, made a boo boo when painting her hairline. I could claim that red here has super fine hair and has a few wisps escaping an otherwise careful do -- but, well, it's a mistake. And an obvious one. And I'm not sure if I can let it go.

So -- there are the options (the third option -- start again and re-do is NOT viable). Unless someone has some suggestions about how to get the fabric paint off the part I don't want it on for red -- I have to choose one or the other. Any suggestions? Picks? Help?

In the meantime -- both these ladies are nekkid -- and I need to get cracking on making some clothes!

Progress from Santa's Sweat Shop

So, some progress in the past couple of days. This is good. If I can keep up this pace everything should be done in time for Christmas. This year even. Well -- ok, so I may have to speed it up a little...

Anyhooo --- I thought I would share the full extent of the insanity that I'm playing with here in the cornfields. So, like Santa it's time to make my list. Check it twice. And see whether I'm going to get done or not. In no particular order of importance, my "to do before Christmas" list:

1. Commission for Mom. Done!!! In the mail. Out of here! Yahoo!!! (all 5 of whatever it is I was making)

2. Gift for my god daughter. Done!!!! A cutie pie little pair of funky monkey pj's (she loves monkeys -- go figure). And, as a bonus, a little bag to put them in (instant and reusable wrapping paper -- woo hooo). And before you think I'm crazy for making the bag (well -- you will when you see the rest of my list) I will say that I wasn't going to do it. Until, well, someone -- I'm not naming any names mind you, but someone may have forgotten to look and see if this fabric is directional before cutting out the PJ bottoms. And, well, this someone may have had to recut them (thank goodness I someone bought WAY more fabric than the pattern called for). And well -- someone may have decided to make lemonade out of lemons with the bottoms that were cut upside down. Someone mind you -- I'm not admitting to the mistake!

3. PJ's for dd. DONE. Remember that we've been in Santa and Rudolph heavy rotation these days? These will be part of her advent calendar gifts this year. I saw the fabric at Joann's and couldn't resist. Not the best stuff in the world to use -- but for a pair of PJs that are going to be worn for a limited time -- yeah, it works. And since I already was making a pair for my god daughter -- easy enough to make two instead of one.

And just because I can't resist -- a close up of the t-shirt. A simple patch top stitched down. And I chose Santa vs. Rudolph because she loves Santa. Me? I'm in love with that green and red polka dot fabric. Don't know why -- it makes me happy!

4. Knit bag for B's gift. Almost done. Need to finish the icord -- she's getting a smaller (and different color) version of this (the cover photo, not the cabled one).

5. Knit bag for AL's gift. Haven't started. Need to get B's gift off needles.

6. Weave in ends of knit scarf for AL's gift.

7. One on One doll quilt exchange. Blocks made. Need to get together, quilt and bind.

8. C's messenger bag. I have the stuff -- need to design and make.

9. Train panel play mat for dd. Need to back, sandwich, quilt and bind.

10. Hand quilted pillow. About 80% done. I have the hand quilting done. Need to make the pillow backing and binding. Not too bad.

11. Ornaments for teacher gifts. Done!!!

12. Dolly for dd. In progress. Doll body made, need to finish stuffing, attach arms and paint on the face and hair. After that just need to make an outfit. Or two. As for the accessories -- um, we'll see. (and no -- you're not seeing double. I couldn't decide which color fabric to use for the body so I made two. I probably won't give both to dd -- I'll figure out what to with the second one later).

13. Doll crib mattress for dd. I have the stuff I need to make it. Simply covering some foam so shouldn't take long.

14. MIL's apron. I was going to make my mil a quilt this year. Really. I was. I even have the fabrics cut and ready. Um, so not going to happen. I mentioned this to her -- and sweet woman that she is understands completely and asked for an apron. An apron? I can do an apron. And I KNOW this project is an afternoon or less.

15. Small handbag/bag for S. This one -- um, she may be getting a gift card. This one is truly an "If I can get around to it" gift. Though, PamKittyMorning's pattern does work up quickly...

16. Messenger bag for DH. May get delayed until his birthday. Since it was supposed to be a gift for our anniversary, leaving it a bit longer may be ok.

17. Advent calendar. Yeah, I know it's already December. I know this should have been done a week ago. Um...it's not. On the plus side, it's almost done. Really. I just need to finish sewing down the binding and the hanging sleeve. Though, I would appreciate it if you didn't look too closely at the quilting. This was a quick and dirty. I've had this panel by Makower UK hanging around since dd was in an infant carrier. So, it's been a PIP (sorry -- I don't keep my undone projects in grocery sacks. I keep them in plastic bins -- so PIP instead of PIG) since sometime in 2005. So, this is a bit of a stashbusting effort, and a FWYH entry.

I'm really not in love with it either (HEY -- HEY -- I see you, I told you NOT to look at the quilting!) -- which may be one reason it's taken me so long to finish it. It's cute and all, but -- not sure. It just doesn't sing to me. And I've been seeing such cute ideas for Advent calendars all over the blogosphere. Really -- look here, and here, and well -- there's an entire flickr group dedicated to them. Some of the ideas are really great and they are fun and funky -- something my little offering isn't. Hmmnn...next year. At least I can introduce the concept this year and then work on a new one that speaks more about our family's personality AFTER the holidays. For now -- those little tiny pockets (honestly, you can't fit much in them) will get stuffed with pieces of paper that either give dd a chance at some goodies in a grab bag and/or activities we have planned (including some more handmade Christmasy goodness -- but, um, this list thing is starting to depress me -- so, I'll take pics and talk about it as those happen).

And what am I doing hanging out on my blog?!? (other than taking a break from the slave driver elves here in the sweat shop?) I've got sewing to do!

Been Busy

But instead of the cleaning (which, there is even more of than I thought. Does it NEVER end? There are advantages to living with a husband who just doesn't see the dirt -- but when it comes time to clean it, um, never mind...), I've actually managed to get some sewing done!!! Woooo Hoooo!

I'm still in Finish What You Have mode here -- I'm really liking the phrasing on this one. I may even borrow another phrase I saw in blogland over the summer soon -- Use What You Have (sounds so much better than "Fabric Diet"). So, no new projects to share, but progress on others -- oh yes.

First up is the t-shirt "dress" I made for my daughter a while back. (OMG -- I just looked at the date on that -- was it really over a month ago??? I have GOT to stop leaving projects 1/2 done -- especially ones that have the potential to be grown out of!!!! It's one thing for a quilt to take 6 months or more to finish, but a child's SHIRT?!?!) I finally got around to putting on the yoyo's I wanted to add. I'm still not sure about these -- not sure what is bugging me. The colors I chose, how many? I don't know. I could add more yoyo's -- super easy to make using those yo yo makers.

Taking any away may be a problem though. 'Cause, I'm not guaranteeing it or anything but I'm pretty sure I used applique to attach these things. Now, the thing is -- applique is NOT my thing. (at least, not yet -- I may be chaging my mind about avoiding it at all costs though) Applique is one of those scary quilting terms and skills I've managed to avoid quite nicely for the past six years. But, I think I may have done some. By hand. And I don't hate it. So, no, these yo yo's are NOT coming out.


Aside from the whole I finally did some applique thing -- these are also attached to t-shirt material! Do you know the pain involved in trying to remove them?? I don't THINK so. So, add some -- I can. Depends on other opinions -- what do you think? But for right now, I'm going to consider it DONE. DD can wear it tomorrow for its first test round of spills, paints, and other gunk to get spilled on.



My other progress has been with the %#@*&*#*& challenge of bias binding. Some of you may recall that I managed to screw up make a mistake while I was making my bias binding for 'Cause I Can't Crochet. I finally got up my courage and tried it again. This time, paying attention to what I was doing. (and thanks to dh for volunteering to do the grocery shopping with toddler in tow when I said "I NEED to sew today" -- he may not see dirt, but, well -- there are many other reasons I love him) So, binding done -- and on the bias this time. Quilt trimmed. Binding attached. Now all I have to do is sit and do the handsewing. (what IS it with all this hand work?) Luckily -- it's premier week for all the new fall network shows. I can sit, I can sew, I can watch TV -- sounds like a plan to me!

So, off to do some more cleaning, some more sewing, if I'm lucky I will get to the post office today to send off some goodies -- I need another me!

'Cause I Can't Crochet

Ok, I mentioned recently that I can't crochet. I've tried. I just can't. For the most part I am ok with this. I can live without it. BUT -- I love crocheted afghans. My grandmother made me this lovely one when I was a baby. (notice -- over 30 years old and the pink is still intense -- gotta love that acrylic yarn!) I remember rainy days curled under my mom's green and white striped one (also made by my grandmother) sacking out in front of the television. I had a twin sized pink and white one that was on my bed as a kid as well. Add to this I keep seeing these "ripple" afghans on other people's blogs. Really. Lots of other blogs. There's even an entire blog devoted to a "ripple along". I want to play. But. I CAN'T CROCHET!!!!!! ARRGGHHHH!

So what's a poor quilter who secretly harbors the idea of owning a ripple afghan to do? Hmmm. Die a frustrating and ripple-less death I guess. Hold on a second, not so fast -- enter the Bleeker Street fabrics. These just sang to me. And, I know this probably isn't the designer's intent -- but they reminded me of the 70's. The decade of my childhood. The decade when this fascination with a craft I cannot do developed. Ok -- really pretty fabrics, I really shouldn't buy them. I have other projects I need to do. Add in the Denyse Schmidt quilting book I bought after seeing the lovely quilt projects Samantha over at Diary of a Mad Fabri-holic was making (fun book btw -- some really cute projects, though I don't always love her piecing techniques. Way too many templates for me but you could definitely adapt to some free piecing) and you have a quilter obsessed. I spent breaks from finishing my Holly Jolly Christmas top looking at the Denyse Schmidt book and calculating yardage as well as design/color options. And thinking, that maybe, just maybe my crochet handicap could be overcome. A trip back to the LQS to buy the fabrics with plan in hand and, I may not be able to crochet...

but I CAN cut, piece and put together a quilt top that is totally inspired by my love of crocheted afghans! This one went together really quickly and despite all of the bias edges (um -- every row after it is put together has all outside edges composed of bias *shudder*), having to match seam points, and trying to work with a rather large twin sized top in my tiny working area -- it was FUN! (oh, and another thanks to dh for acting as my human quilt rack so I could get a photo of this one for you this morning) I love the way this one came together and the way the colors work.

And thanks to Judy over at Quilting with Ragdolls, I have a strange thought that maybe I can quilt this one by myself. (I really must be insane for this -- but I'm gonna TRY) Nothing too complicated here, I'm not up for that, but some straight line echo quilting of the zigzags (a la DS's recommendations in her book) will give the look of the individually crocheted lines as well. So, the backing is prepared, I pressed the ripples out of the batting I bought yesterday, and I'm ready to move some furniture so I can baste this puppy up. With any luck, I will be quilting on this one tonight. And unlike some of my other quilts -- this one had a name even before I began. This one -- is 'Cause I Can't Crochet.

Short break for reading...

Like many of you, I took a short break from sewing this weekend to read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Nope, no spoilers here -- but can I just say WOW?? And, admit to a tiny bit of sadness that Harry's saga is done. I've been reading these books since shortly before the second book came out. I can mark certain life events by what was happening when the books were released. Including the first midnight release I attended for Goblet of Fire -- the night before I had to pick up my aunt at the airport to help my parents move several thousand miles away. And The Half-Blood Prince -- precisely 20 days after the birth of my daughter -- and me taking her, in her carrier, to get my book at midnight. So many memories, not only of the characters but of my life reading the books. *sigh* Oh well, I still have one fun part left. I've read the American version -- now to get my hands on a British edition to round out THAT collection. (um, and yes, I have paper back versions for the American ones as well -- ok, so I may be a bit obsessive about my HP books!)

So, now it's back to sewing and working on my Bleeker Street fabric quilt. I'm almost done. By the end of the day (even before that really) I should have a flimsy to report. Wooo Hooo! In the meantime -- one more hint :0). I know, I'm being a stinker on this one! But really -- I'm having a ton of fun with this one and I can't wait to show it all together. Until then -- have a great day!

Mi, Mi, Mi....

Oh, wait a minute, I wasn't supposed to SING -- I was tagged by Sue over at the Magpie's Nest for the MeMeme that Finn started. Oh, yeah! So, without further ado -- and a few days later than I thought I would get to this here it goes:

5 Things To Do Before I Die:

• See my daughter grown, happy, healthy, and relatively well adjusted


• Visit Paris again. I love this city.


• Visit New Orleans with my husband again. We got engaged there -- on the steps of St. Louis Cathedral at the stroke of midnight on Halloween. All around a magical night. And a magical city.


• Go to the British Museum (oh, and the rest of London too :0) )


• Live -- yes, kind of a prerequisite to dying but, I'm one who believes like Auntie Mame that life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!

5 Things I Can Do:

• Kiss "owies" and make them better
• Perform minor surgery on furry companions to "fix it"


• Balance my checkbook (not that I do it often enough, but I CAN)


• Multi-task -- not that special when you realize that any mother out there learns this one in a hurry, but I could do it before I had a child so, I'm gonna include it.


• Do minor plumbing and home repair (replace light fixtures, paint, install baseboards, replace doors, install shelving, etc.). While all of the fabric in the house is mine -- so are all of the power tools. Go figure.

5 Things I Cannot Do... Yet:

• Hand quilt. I am gearing myself up for this one -- but I think it will be a can do that soon.


• Crochet. Honestly. I can't. I can knit, sew, embroider, cross stitch, etc. But I can NOT crochet. I've tried. People have attempted to teach me. I'm a hopeless case. And ya know what -- I'm actually ok with this.


• Feel comfortable with balancing work, home, child. I'm working on this one. I have the feeling this one is also a continual work in progress thing.


• Applique. My feelings on this one are somewhere between my attitude about hand quilting and crochet.


• Parallel park well. This requires practice. Since there are darned few places where it is necessary around here -- don't know that I will get it.

5 Things That Attract Me to the Opposite Sex:

• Honesty


• Compassion


• Sense of humor (must be at least as twisted and dark as my own)


• Sense of adventure


• Snuggleability. No -- I can't explain it any better than that.

5 Celebrity Crushes: -- I've seen many people not answer this one, I told my dh about it and his first response was to laugh and then tell me my first answer. *G* I knew I married him for a reason!

• Orlando Bloom


• Johnny Depp


• Harrison Ford (this one goes WAY back -- Luke who? Give me Han!)


• Chris Jericho (if you don't watch WWE this will make NO sense -- and no, I find no contradiction in my intellectual side clashing with my enjoyment of wrestling)


• Hugh Jackman (he had me at *shnict* -- again, another weird cultural reference but watch the X-men and remember that I was a comic book junkie long and long ago)

5 People I'd Like to Do This (Tag! You're it!):

• Tracey at Ozcountryquiltingmum (this is because you seemed to want to do the last one :0) )


• Lisa at Stashmaster


• Bonnie at Rainy Day Quilts (Bonnie is one of my dearest friends and the mother of my goddaughter -- she's started her own blog, with her own lovely quilts, check it out and encourage more posts!)


• Valerie at Un Arc En Ciel Dans Le Lavabo


• Anyone else who would like to do this -- I'm so lousy at this part :0)

And just so this post isn't totally non-quilt related, a peek at my current project. Just a peek mind you -- this is one of those projects where it really isn't going to look right until the top is done. Luckily, it's working up fast!

Not very helpful? Ok -- one more hint. What could it be? What could it be? Hehehe. Sorry, that's all you're getting for now. More soon. I promise!

Progress Report...

Oh my, where has the time flown? I am having trouble believing it is already Saturday night and my last post was on Monday! Geesh. I meant to post on Wednesday, but, well, life in a house with a two year old is not always predictable.

The consensus from my last post seems to be that my list of things "to-do" is way too long. It may well be. Especially since I found out this week (after I posted my list) that I've gotten a temporary job doing some research. The extra money will be nice, but it means less quilting time. *sigh* I don't suppose anyone out there knows of a kind benefactor who would like to sponsor me to live a life of comfort (not asking for luxury here) while quietly creating quilts and other fabric related crafts? Anyone? Nope -- didn't think so. But, despite this latest wrinkle -- I have made some progress on my list. I have two items done:

• mil's quilt completely cut! YEAH! Now to start sewing (but that was a maybe for this month anyway -- but it would be nice)


• strips for leaders/enders cut and I had enough of the solid white to cut the foundation bodies for my goddaugther's jacket. WOO HOOO! And another 1/2 yard of leftover muslin from another project for the hood! YEAH!

No pictures of these two. The cut strips and wedge shapes for mil's x-mas gift aren't very interesting right now. And while I know you are all perishing to see 48 2.5" strips of white fabric for my leaders/enders project -- well, um, if you really insist I'll take one, but it is kind of boring.

I also began work on my goddaughter's jacket. This one got bumped to near the front of the list because, well, her birthday is July 3rd and well, she's going to be 3. I really want to get her her gift on time. Now, mind you, I still haven't gotten her mother HER birthday gift (which was two days after my daughter's) but still. Bonnie asked for me to use pink. She also said use scraps. Well, hopefully there is enough pink here -- though I'm beginning to think I'm leaning awfully far towards the oranges and greens. But is is mostly from scraps I have from other projects (June No-Buy, one week down how many more to go?). I went a bit crazy with the DayZ fabric from LakeHouse Direct last summer and I have a ton if scraps left from other projects. (ok, so I may also have quite a few 1/2 yards and some yardage left too, but that's a whole 'nother issue). It may sound like I don't like this one -- not true, I am LOVING how this jacket is coming together -- just not sure how Bonnie and my goddaughter are going to feel about my creative license with color selection. We'll see what happens. Now I've got to do the quilting to hold these pieces down and get the fronts arranged and the hood pieces -- then I need to put the whole thing together...ok, enough talking about it. Lots of quilted lines to hold down raw edged applique pieces here I come!

More photos and progress next time -- I have a couple more things in the works. A test for one of my "to-do" list items and another project that wasn't even on the radar until after I made my list. Hope everyone has/had a great weekend and I will try to be better about posting next week.

Pillow Progress and Random stuff...

There has been work going on here this week -- I just haven't been posting. Thanks to everyone for their kind comments about my shopping spree. I do try to respond to all comments left with an e-mail, but for those of you who are "no-reply" I'll say thank you here!

Mostly I've been working on Mom's pillows. I've finished the tops, now I just need to sandwich them and do the quilting before creating the backings. I'm pretty pleased with how they have turned out (well, mostly -- there is one I'm not too thrilled with, but not so unthrilled that I plan to do anything about it), but now I have a quandary.

My quilting skills (machine -- I haven't done any hand quilting) are not the greatest and I'm not sure how to tackle these. I probably should just close my eyes (metaphorically) and take the plunge and hope for the best. I'm never going to get any better if I don't practice. I did make a practice sandwich and stitch away (no, no picture of the practice) and by the time I had filled up the sandwich I was feeling better -- but still have very little control. Since these are decorative pillows that are unlikely to see much wear, not so concerned, but I would like them to look at least decent. If any of you have suggestions about how/what you would d0 with them, I would appreciate it. Frankly, I'm at the point where either I'm going to dive in or I'm going to put these away for a bit. Since they were SUPPOSED to be mother's day gifts (for this year mind you) I shouldn't do that -- but I have so many other projects clamoring for me to get back to them and/or start them!

Oh, and sorry for the sippy cup in this photo. My daughter was trying to "help" when I was taking these pictures and I was lucky to get this one at all -- she's adorable, cute, and wants to help but doesn't always understand what is or is not helpful.

There were a lot more photos that included the back of her head and other body parts as she tried to lay across the pillow tops. Good thing I have a digital camera -- think I would have torn out my hair if I had had to pay to have some of them developed! Then again, I will put up with a lot for sloppy wet toddler kisses and giggles. Those make it all worth while!

I do have another finished project to post -- but I need to edit the photos since I promised another blogger I would show part of the progress. So, I decided to make a little tutorial -- just need to find the time to do the edits. Hopefully I can find the time to do that and get it posted tomorrow. Of course, I've also been saying that I need to run to the store and start cleaning up my sewing area for the past several days as well -- but I took most of today off to read a new book that had nothing to do with school. Bliss. It was fun, it was mindless, it was pure enjoyment. Oh -- I forget what that is like during the school year!

This last picture is here just because. Or, well, partly just because. I had to run back to one of the quilt shops I visited last week for a fabric I should have bought then (which I will show in the tutorial). Next door to the shop is a lovely sushi place. Since it was the right time of the day, I treated myself to some take-out for lunch and some for dh for later. So 1/2 of this was for me -- 1/2 for him. But really the picture is here because I was chatting online with a friend of mine this week whom I hadn't spoken to in ages and had to post it for her. We've been friends since we were in 8th grade together and she remembers when I wouldn't have touched sushi with someone else's mouth (and she loved it). We've both changed a lot since then -- grown up, tastes have changed, live in almost opposite ends of the country. I now eat and love sushi -- but one thing hasn't changed, she's still my friend, and I still can give her a hard time. So DBFWWW, if you read this -- this sushi's for you. It was lovely. And I thought of you while eating it. Hang in there, it won't be long until you can indulge again! And for my quilting friends in blogland -- it is just kind of pretty -- there HAS to be a quilt in there somewhere.