Haste, Makes Waste!!

I am diligently working on checking things off my UFO/WIP list.

Hopefully, this darling table topper from Kim Diehl's book, Simple Seasons, will be done in time for Easter next year if I just work an hour a day on the applique. 

However, when I rush to the finish line, it gets further and further away.

My Album Quilt, from Kathleen Tracy's new book, Civil War Sewing Circle, was this close to a finish when I noticed I had placed three VERY similar blocks all together (they are on the right side and all 3 blocks use the same brown fabric and 2 blocks are identical.)  Yikes! Time for a little unsewing.

Good reason to see what the Decorah Eagles are up to and work on a little hand applique!

Making Progress

I spent the last two days challenging myself and striking another project off my UFO/WIP list!!

I machine quilted this top for a friend to help raise funds for breast cancer research.

The challenge was to replicate the quilting that had already been done.

The pre-existing quilting was little ribbons with roses in the middle of them. 

I used freezer paper to draw a replica, made several copies and then ironed them randomly over the quilt top.  I then free motioned around the shapes, connecting them with a little flourish. This is a technique I have adapted from Mary Mashuta.  She uses freezer paper templates and a walking foot, but why not use the templates to make my free motion shapes more consistent.  This isn't the first time I have used this technique and it will not be the last.

I made one more CW block, but I am still behind!  My friend, Doreen, from Aunt Reen's Place, placed my past blocks in a quilt block grid for me.  I'll have to get it posted to my sidebar.

Next up is to set all the blocks for my album quilt.  

I'm making progress...and the list is getting smaller.  

Argentinian Giants

The first bloom on my Argentinian Giant Cactus.

This bloom is almost 7" in diameter and will last only one day.

Luckily, there are over 20 blooms on the plant this year.

Several years ago, I attended a seminar by Ruth McDowell.

A picture of these magnificient flowers was the inspiration for the quilt I designed during the week long seminar.  I called it 'Argentinian Giants Tossed with Swiss Chard.'

 

The flowers range from my white one to some very intense magenta colored ones. Examples of the full range of colors can be found sprinkled among the gardens in our neighborhood.

It amazes me the delicate beauty that can be found in this harsh environment.

Temperatures over 100 were recorded this last week downtown.

It is getting close to time to head north!



A Day at the Beach

Every once in awhile I like to do something out of the box for me.  This weekend's project with my DD, who has very different fabric tastes than I do, was a simple landscape scene from the book, Accidental Landscapes, by Karen Eckmeier.

Here is a close up view of the seed bead embellishment in the sand.

And some thread couching in the surf.

Still have a little more embellishing to do and then it will be framed.

Looks pretty realistic to me.

Just need to park myself on a lounge chair in the sand, read a good book, and listen to the waves lap up on the shore...I wish.

Blogging Frustration!

Is it my computer, my internet server or blogger?

It can take what seems like ages to open a post from the blogs I follow and another eternity to try and leave a message.  Since I do not have much patience, I have not kept up with reading and commenting.  I have tried, believe me! So please forgive me for not leaving a comment.  I know their importance and will keep trying. 

In the meantime, I have been busy.

Finished piecing Paris in the Fall by This and That, a BOM available at TOWQS.

A small group of gals all worked together to each make one and we had a little party Thursday to celebrate its completion, but that is a story best kept to myself. LOL! 

Who knew almond flavored champagne was so tasty!

I did manage to complete 1 more CW block, but I am still 2 behind. 

I am anxious to make a red and white quilt!  I have loved seeing all the pictures and reading the articles about the show in NYC.  Wish I could have seen it in person!

Wordless Wednesday...a day late!

A Giveaway with a Cause!

The call has gone out to the quilting community to lend a hand to the devastated peoples of Japan. My friend, Merumo, at Pleasentree, has organized her own fundraising project to help her home country.

She is holding a raffle for 4 fabulous quilts donated by 4 talented and generous quilters.

By donating to the American Red Cross, you can buy your tickets to enter the drawing.  But the drawing will be held on March 26th, so hurry over to Merumo's blog for details on how to enter.

Remember Calico Comfort?

I have decided it will be my donation to the Quilters Newsletter campaign.

Visit their blog post for more information, but here is how you can be part of this important worldwide response:

• Send quilts of any size from baby to adult to:

Dana Jones

Quilters Newsletter

741 Corporate Circle, Suite A

Golden, CO 80401

• Mark your box: “Quilts for Japan.”

• Send quilts as soon as possible and no later than April 30, 2011.

• Enclose your name, address, phone number, and email address with the quilts.

Hope you'll join me!