Working Again

Well, the sewing machine seems to be working today.  Maybe I've just overworked it?  No, I still think I have a problem, but for the moment, I can sew.  I finished only 2 things today, a block for a swap I'm in, and yet another triangle.

Would you believe my one year 'blogiversary' slipped by this week without any notice from me?  I had planned to have a nice giveaway, but I guess I'd better get it organized before I post it.  In case you hadn't noticed, I'm one of the world's best procrastinators. 

I've been spending some time trying to get my sewing room cleaned up and organized.  I came across this nice little pile of red 4 inch squares.  I don't remember why I was collecting them, but whatever it was, I'm no longer interested.  So does anyone want them?  If so, leave me a comment and I'll send them off to someone.

Oh NO

This was such a good day, and then such a very bad day.  I finished up all the sewing I had committed to do for a friend, and was so looking forward to getting back to making triangles.  I got one cut out, started putting the pieces together, and my sewing machine stopped sewing!  It's breaking threads, making knots, and just generally locking up.  The last time this happened, I had to take it in for a repair.  I'm hoping I can figure it out and get back to work.  So no pictures to show you today; just a very sad face :(.

Gifties from Vacation

As I told you in my last post, I had a lovely visit, not only with my sisters, but with a blogging friend, Pat.  She brought me this gift,

a pattern for seasonal pillow covers and this cute little magnet.  But of course, those of you who follow my blog know that I am very forgetful.  My little gift for Pat was still in my sewing room at home.  Oh well, thank goodness for the USPS.

And speaking of gifts, look what my sister gave me!  She loves to make purses, and has given me several.  I asked her to make me one from Christmas fabrics, and isn't it beautiful?  I'm going to buy her some Christmas fabrics for her stash since she has used some of it on me. 

And again, speaking of magnets, you probably also know that my husband and I love to travel.  Since magnets are always available in touristy places, I always pick up one from each place that we visit.  I don't usually buy any other travel souvenirs,  because I really don't need (or want) them.  So how do you display magnets?  On the fridge, of course!  I've always had refrigerator magnets for the kids' art and school projects, but now my refrigerator reminds me of beautiful places I've visited.  I know, it's tacky, but I love it.

My only sewing activity so far has been to continue with my triangles. (the left one isn't really wonky - I just couldn't get it smoothed out for the picture)  And I've signed up to make a block for a comfort quilt, and I've signed up for a new block swap.  I see them on blogs and I just can't keep from putting my name in.  At least I'll never run out of projects!!

Vacation Recap

It's good to be home again after several days away.  We went first to the DC area for a wedding.  It was an Indian wedding, and they're always fun.  Although we weren't there in time for the wedding, we did get to go to the reception.  There is always entertainment, usually a variety of dancing, both traditional and Bollywood.  This time, however, I saw a dance I'd never seen before, and it was wonderful.  All the women from the bride's family danced, following and surrounding one of the group who carried a basket of candles or lights on her head while she danced. The picture doesn't do it justice since they were moving so fast. It just made you want to get up and dance with them. It was very infectious, because soon there were so many people on the floor I couldn't see the dancers.

The rest of my time away was spent visiting my sisters who live on the Eastern Shore in Maryland and Delaware.  I only get to see them about once a year, and I had a wonderful visit.  Because of the heat, we mostly just stayed in and 'caught up'.  That's always a favorite for me.  My sisters are both really good cooks, so I know there will always be plenty of good food on the table for every meal.  Besides the wonderful cooking, is there any better corn on the cob than Eastern Shore?  I doubt it.
While I was there I had the opportunity to meet one of my blogging friends, Pat.  We met for lunch in Georgetown, Delaware in an old, genteel hotel restaurant.  She brought along another quilting blogger, Kathy, (sorry I can't seem to get the link to work to her blog).  For those of you were in Pat's Green and Cream No Sew Swap, she participated in that one so you have one of her blocks!  It was such a pleasure to spend time with an online friend, and before I knew it, 2 hours had passed. This is a picture of the whole group, from left to right, Kathy, my sister Sarah, Pat, and me.  The waiter, whose name I can't remember either, Pat, got a really big smile from all of us and so a really good picture.

This one was on the front porch of the hotel.  We were leaving at this point and didn't linger in the heat for any other pictures.  I hope I'll have the opportunity for another visit with Pat, and perhaps to meet other of my blogging friends.

Vacation

My husband and I are going out of town for a few days, so I won't be posting for a few days. ( Of course, I haven't been very good about posting on a reguar basis anyway. )  For the past week I haven't gotten much quilty sewing done because I've been busy making clothes.  I want to get back to my quilts!!  This has made me remember why I don't like to make clothes.
Hopefully I'll be able to keep up with blog reading and commenting, but if not, I'll see you soon!!

Triangling

I've had a great time sewing this week.  I'm really into 'triangling' and am anxious to get them done.  It took about an hour to complete one, and then I decided to work on a corner kite.  I haven't made any of them yet, so this was a new endeavor.  The one I chose takes lot of reverse applique, and hopefully, I'll finish all of that tonight to show you tomorrow.

Monday was the day for the latest block pattern for the Jelly Roll Quilt Along.  I was really happy with how mine turned out.  Then on Tuesday found that there had been a mistake in the instructions so that they didn't match the sample posted.  That's okay with me;  I'll just make them both.  I seldom make small quilts, and had already decided to make enough blocks to make a bed size quilt. 

My daughter's home this weekend and wants me to do a little sewing for her, and until that's done I won't be working on any of my projects.  I made a lot of clothes for her when she was a child, but haven't sewed for her for a long time.  She has picked out a beautiful pattern and fabric, and if my skills are up to it, it will be a really pretty dress.  We'll see...

My sewing room is in such disarray that I can hardly stand it.  I have my projects all over the place, some sewing I'm doing for a friend, and now the sewing for my daughter.  Scraps, pattern pieces, miscellaneous threads , etc., etc.  So once I finish my daughter's dress, no more sewing until the room is in order.  Even I can stand just so much!!

Happy Independence Day

Do you think I'll ever get back in the habit of routine posts?  So far, it seems not. 

Anyway, I have been busy with lots of sewing projects - I just can't concentrate on one for long, it seems.  A year ago, I was spending most of my sewing time on a Double Wedding Ring quilt that I had been planning for a long time.  Then I got into some swaps that took a lot of my attention - Red and Aqua quilt, CW Siggie, apron, Holly Jolly blocks, and on and on.  Don't get me wrong, I've loved each one of them, but they do take a lot of time and attention.  During all of this I started a Dear Jane quilt, planning to have it as a very long term project.  So now here's where I stand since last year; I've completed a quilt from swap blocks (Green and Cream), completed and sashed the Red and Aqua blocks, completed and sashed the blocks from the RWB swap, and the DJ quilt is getting very close to completion (the top, that is). And the DWR quilt that I was really working to complete?  The blocks are in a box - I haven't touched it in months!

I started the DJ on August 29 last year, and I really want to have the top completed by that date this year.  I think I can do it, if I try.  The strips for the top are all put together, and I've completed 20 of the 52 triangles.  I haven't tried any of the corner kites, yet, but since there are only 4 they shouldn't be a problem.   Here's what I've accomplished since Thursday.

For this wonderful holiday weekend I visited the Mountain State Arts and Crafts Fair.  The only money I spent was on food, but I saw some wonderful craftiness.  My camera had a nice trip with me, but it didn't take any pictures!  So, sorry, I can only tell you there were lots of pretty things to see.

I finally got around to setting out my patriotic tabletop display, and realized that I don't have anything that I've made that I can display with it.  So yesterday I made this little basket pad to go with my other patriotic items.  Our kids didn't come home this weekend, and our plans are simple for the evening - a visit with old friends.  I hope that your plans for the 4th are just exactly what you want to do.