Week-end Wrap-up

It was another wonderful week-end. My sister, Connie and I went to the Log Cabin Quilters show in Portage on Saturday. Remember I told you there were going to be thirty-three vendors? This picture shows my total purchases. Now that doesn't mean there weren't temptations, but we were in a uniquely sensible mood. We didn't see anything new, but maybe that's because Quilt Market is just around the corner.

One vendor was selling whole bolts of fabric plus rolls of yardage for very little money. My fabric piece was a yard for $1.50 and I thought it would work well with my Jo Morton fabrics. Mary Ellen's Spray Press is something I've wanted to try since reading favorable reviews online about it. We saw two different scents. The one we bought was lavendar and I really like it.

I'm almost done with another little cross stitch and I have the log cabin borders sewn together for the wedding quilt. Otherwise, I'm browsing through my extensive 'collection' of quilt books and magazines looking for another project to speak to me.

There were many offers to help me find the stitchery magazine. Thank you to everyone for volunteering and to Christine for finding the right place to get one. I'll be watching my mail.

Stitchery Magazine

Is there anyone in blogland who would be able to get this magazine for me? I would gladly trade whatever magazine/s you may want or send money for the purchase. It was posted on Donna's blog a while back and you can see the picture there. Thanks for any help you can give.

Pink Strings Top

I corresponded with the Secret Santa Christmas Swap Elf, Donna, today about my likes and dislikes for the benefit of the person who has my name. Mentioned that I don't really like pinks unless they are paired with browns or are double pinks. So it's rather ironic that I sewed today in my bright pink t-shirt making pink Heartstrings blocks. Hmmmm. Originally, I had planned on using a cute pink print with tennis shoes for the border, but it just didn't look the way I had imagined it. Luckily, I found this print in my stash and it seemed just right. I may applique a few random hearts here and there. After quilting, this quilt will go to the local Habitat for Humanity's auction next spring.

Checking my email, I found that Alice from Quilted Giraffe announced that I had guessed the closet to how many buttons were in her tin and I won the pail of batik fat quarters!!! What a lucky gal I am today! I love getting fun mail so I'll be on the look out for this one.

Tomorrow I'm heading to the Kalamazoo Log Cabin Quilter's Show held in Portage, MI. I hope to keep my fabric buying under control despite the thirty three vendors. Oh, my!

It's Here

Hot off of the pres, Inklingo 3 arrived in the mail today. It is a wonderfully illustrated, excellent book AND cd with project ideas, cutting layouts, and much, much more. Linda has given her full, expert attention to every detail to ensure that this book is her best work yet. And if you're a Monkey fan (and who isn't) he is featured cover to cover in Collection 3. Inklingo prints directly onto fabric so you can skip the templates and pencils. It can be used for both hand and machine piecing. If you haven't heard of it, please check out the link.

Here are the first ten pink string blocks for the October challenge. The fabric is washed, strips and foundations are all cut so the rest should sew up quickly once I get another chance to sew. I had to do a few to see how they would look.

Autumn Quilts & Pumpkins

I love fall even though I am holding onto summer as long as possible. Give me a 65-70 degree day and I'm full of energy. May Britt asked about our favorite season and quilts that depict it. Here are a couple of fall quilts that grace my walls. The scarecrow was made by my sister, Connie for my birthday several years ago. Isn't he adorable? The pattern was in a Piecemaker calendar. The harvest angel I bought at one of my guild's mini auctions and was made by Kathy Pelkki. I love that one, too.

I was at the market the other day and took pictures of pumpkins. They have big ones, little ones, bumpy ones and white ones displayed among gourds and cornstalks and pretty colored mum plants.

Crumbs Update

My Crumb block total is now at 67 blocks with more to come. I repled to Nadine that the fabric in the drawer was finally shrinking. After looking again at my sewing area, I see that statement may have been misleading. Apparently, most of the fabric scraps are now outside of the drawer surrounding my machine. No wonder the drawer is getting empty and my area messier!

Crumb Blocks

The plan for yesterday afternoon was supposed to be tidying up my sewing area while waiting for my sister's call saying Dad had been moved to rehab. Easily sidetracked, I found a drawer that contained bits and pieces of fabrics that seemed to be saying, "Crumb blocks could be made from me." So I ended up with thirty-five 6 1/2" blocks that need a sashing fabric to take them from crumbs to a tasty dessert. The fabric colors are on the medium to darker side. No dent was made in the fabric and the area is now messier than before I began.

I stopped at the Farmer's Market the other day and had to bring home a fall bouquet. Unfortunately, Jasper has been chewing all of the bottom leaves off of the flower stems. He still misses the outside. We need to plant a container of cat grass for him and Annie. Speaking of Annie, this is where you can usually find her in the evening hours. She is a daddy's girl and follows him everywhere.

Saturday morning

Is it just me, or does time go by more quickly these days? I wake up each morning with such great intentions. Before I know it, the day is gone and then the week and the month...

I started a little cross stitched sampler for me after finishing my Dear Jane top a couple of weeks ago. The pattern is called The Red Fence Sampler designed by Nancy Sturgeon for Threads Through Time. Quick and easy is the theme for me these days. I want instant results from my efforts. The sampler still needs to be washed, pressed and framed but the stitching is finished.

My dad had back surgery on Wednesday. When the sign on the wall says "Surgery Waiting" they aren't kidding. It was a long day, but everything went well.

No decision yet on what to make for my SSCS person. I've narrowed it down to a few things, but am having a difficult time picking just one.

Pooh Blocks and niners

Welcome September - it's one of the nicest months of the year, IMHO.

I found some Winne the Pooh fabric in my novelty stash and made a pile of snowball blocks. By the time that pile was finished, the mood had left me for sewing any more blocks. Then I had a lightbulb moment and remembered a container of blocks that I had made when I was doing mindless sewing. There were enough nine patch blocks, when combined with the Pooh blocks to make a little quilt for the Underground Rail Road in Saginaw. The UGRR is a shelter for battered women and children and my guild sends child-themed quilts to them each month. I wonder if this quilt would loosely qualify as an orphan quilt? Finn? There is more Pooh fabric for a small border and then I'll see what other things I can find to keep me busy and productive. Jim is off to a flea market, so I can sew all day.
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Added borders...ready to finish.