Just One Finish

I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted. I've been reading blogs everyday, but just haven't wanted to write one myself.  I also haven't wanted to sew, but I've done a few things which I'll show you.  I have only 11 more pieces to make to have all the pieces made for the Dear Jane.  Then I have to start quilting it.  Maybe that's what's keeping me from finishing - I'm not looking forward to handquilting this project.  So we'll see if I get myself motivated to complete it.

What I have been sewing is a quilt for Quilt for Kids, but I'll wait to show it to you when it's complete.  The other sewing I've done is my set of blocks for a 9 patch swap at juliekquilts.  They're all set to go in the mail tomorrow.

Look at the goodies the mailman brought me this last week.  This first one is from Di.  She does beautiful embroidery, and the little snowman hanger is going to look great with the winter decorations.  Thank you so much, Di.  I'm really going to love using this sweet gift.

The next is from Pip in Australia.  It's a beautiful little woolie pincushion, scissor case, and scissor fob that she made, with the fob on the cutest little pair of Scissoroos.  The workmanship is wonderful and the mother-of-pearl buttons just really set it off.  Then everything was cushioned inside these lovely pale pink and blue fabrics.  I can't wait to find a project for them.  These little scissors are a great size for embroidery and cross stitch, so they'll be used a lot.    Thank you so much, Pip!

I realized today that the end of September is so close (can't believe it), and I don't have an OPAM finish for this month.  Okay, so everything just worked for me today - I had these wonderful new fall fabrics, the OPAM deadline is approaching, and I don't have an autumn table runner.  So my work for today was a no brainer.  I finished this table runner, including the binding.  I did minimal quilting, and may go back later and add more - we'll see.  Anyway, it's on my table and I'm counting it as a finish.

Sewy Stuff

Ok, I don't know how long it's been since I last posted, so I guess it's about time.  Not much is going on here, but I'm still trying to get my DJ done.   I know, I missed my (self-imposed) deadline, but when the cruise came up, I lost a week to it.  Even though it was only a 3 day cruise, it took most of Monday to book it, Tuesday to get ready for it, Wednesday to fly to the port, Thursday through Sunday on the ship and returning home.  Anyway, excuses aside, I missed my deadline.

I've finally made a corner kite,

 and I'm still plugging along on the triangles.  These are the latest.

This is the beautiful square I received in August from monthly block swap I'm in.  It was from Lindy in Australia.  I forgot to take a picture of the one I made for her, but I really liked it. Isn't this the prettiest pattern?

I'm also working on the 6 inch blocks for the 9 patch swap.  I love the fabric and had hoped to use the scraps in one of my DJ triangles, but when I got started today, I realized that not only will I not have any scraps, but I don't have enough to complete my 78 blocks.  At least I have time to order more before the deadline. 

One other good thing this week, I won 2 giveaways!  I don't often win, but 2 in one week is great.  I'll show you when they come in.  No, it's not a GO, but that's okay; these are from bloggers that I follow, so winning them means a lot to me. 

Back to Routine

Travelling alwys throws me off a bit, so that I don't rest well and don't want to do anything.  So even though we've been home since Sunday, I haven't felt like doing anything until today.  I did a little sewing and at least got an August finish for OPAM.  I have worn out my toiletries travel bag, and decided I could make one myself.  Well, it's made, but that's the best I can say for it.  It will serve the purpose.   I'm also back to triangles, but don't have any to show you because my camera's in the bedroom and I don't want to disturb my husband's sleep.  Maybe tomorrow...

Back Home!

Sorry to disappear for a week.  Last Monday my husband's nephew asked us if we wanted to go on a short cruise with him and family to the Bahamas.  It seemed like a good idea so we spent Monday afternoon booking cruise tickets, plane tickets and a hotel room for the night in Orlando.  That's one problem with living in a small town - we always have to go a day in advance to be sure to get there in time.  It's okay, though, we're getting too old for all of that travel stress in one day. 
So anyway, we then spent Tuesday getting everything done - laundry, shopping, packing, etc.  Wednesday, up and off the to Bahamas.  Sounded like fun, but big mistake to go to the Caribbean in the summer.  It was hotter than blazes!!  The ship and food were passable  -  nothing special, but I know I won't go on that cruise line again.  Anyway, not the greatest weekend, but I love being on a ship, and as long as I could stay in out of the heat, I was happy.  I didn't take any pictures, so I don't have anything to show you of my latest trip.  Oh well, we'll go somewhere again before too long and it will be better. (I hope!)

Just One More

I didn't have much time for sewing today, but got this one triangle done.  Since I've told you how much time one triangle can take to make, I timed it today.  It took me one and a half hours to get to this point.

Then with the help of this super ruler, we have this completed triangle.

Deadline Fast Approaching

I can't believe it's been a week since I posted!  It's not that I'm lazy (well, maybe I am).  I've been really busy with sewing.   I'm getting so close to having all the pieces done for my DJ!  I'm still hoping to have it done by the end of the month, but we'll see.  I only have 15 more triangles to make, but each one takes  soooooo long.  A really difficult one can take all of my sewing time for the day!

The mailman brought me a nice surprise today.  It's a gift from Sandi of Legacy of Stitches for giving the correct answer to a question on a post.  Look how this package is wrapped.

Then when I opend it, there's another little package inside. 

And so on until there were 5 beautiful pieces of red, white and blue fabric.  Aren't they pretty?  They would have been perfect in my Red White and Blue quilt, but those squares are all done, and languishing in a box while I try to finish my DJ.  Thank you so much, Sandi!

I've signed up for another swap.  I know, I have more than enough projects underway, but these blocks are just 9 patches which aren't very complicated.  The other deciding factor for me was that it was to be Civil War reproduction fabrics.  Since I have so many from making the DJ, this seemed like a good way to use up some of it.  So anyway, I have to make 50 3 inch squares and 78 6 inch squares.  The 3 inch are done, and I hope to start the 6 inch this weekend.  Lots to keep me busy!

Finally a Post

I can't believe it's been so many days since I last posted.  I thought I was back in the swing of doing routine posts, but I guess I have to work harder.
Look what the mailman brought me today.  Isn't it pretty?  The Maple Leaf block I showed in my last post is for her, but I know she doesn't have it yet, because it's still siting on the table in my family room. 
Shame on me:(.  I told you I was a terrible procrastinator.  I love the 30s fabrics in this block, and it will work quite well with a project I'm planning.

As usual, I'm still triangling.  I've made a few this week, and have several under construction.  The part I can do on the machine is done, and now they need either hand sewing or applique.  Hopefully, I'll make some real progress on them this evening. So, these are the latest.