Back yet again

Wow, I can't believe it's been more than three months since I last posted! This is only like my third post for the year.   I don't know why I can't seem to post on a regular basis.  I read blogs everyday, but I sure haven't felt like writing. I haven't even made many comments on blogs.  As my mother would say, "my get up and go got up and went."

 I've been quite busy with sewing, and enjoying every minute of it.  I went to a quilt retreat in March and had a ball.  The class I took was for a Sherman's March quilt, but I made it in pink, green and cream which makes it look like tulips.  I have the top all put together and and just need to add one more border.  I'll show it as soon as I get that done. 


In addition to this class, I also took a class on making a West Virginia star block.  I just love it, and I'm trying to decide if I want to make a whole quilt.  This block was a lot of work, and I don't know if I want to commit to so much work.  I had bought the (WV state color) fabrics several years ago for just such a project but it will really take a lot of time to put together.  We'll see...

I've finally started working on the sesquicentennial memorial Civil War quilt by Barbara Brackman.  If you're doing this quilt-along, you know that she is posting instructions for 8" blocks.  I'm making 12" blocks so that I can make it a large quilt, so I'm having to redraft a few of the blocks.  Fortunately, though, most will just mean different measurents.   I have so much Civil War reproduction fabric from the DJ quilt, and this seemed like just the right project to use it up, or at least make a dent in it.  These are the blocks I've completed, and since we're more than half way through the year, I'm quite a bit behind.  I'm not sure about some of my color choices, but I'll decide later if I want to remake any of them. 

Last month as I was working on the quilting for my latest 'Quilt for Kids', my sewing machine absolutely locked up.  I couldn't even turn the wheel at all.  Fortunately, I was able to get it repaired within a few days, and tried again to finish that little quilt.  Unbelievably, it happened again!  It made me so mad I just turned it off and left the room.  When I went back the next day, I worked on it a little bit and got it sewing again, but now I'm afraid to try to finish the quilt!! I'm afraid it will jam up again.  I think I'll get my old machine out and see if it will do the job.  I don't care if it breaks or not, so of course, it will be just fine. 

Throughout the winter and spring, I was also really working on several cross stitch UFOs.  I love to do it, but my poor old eyes won't always see it well enough to work on it.  Anyway, these are my latest finishes.  Sorry for the glare, but I didn't think to take a picture before framing them.

And last but not least, here's a brand new MBA!  I'm a very proud mama.