Thanks for the input

A big thank you to those who responded to my request for input on fabric choices from my last post.  After looking over and considering all suggestions, I realized that my first reaction to using the pink stripe with the cabbages was just wrong and am now leaning towards that option. Frankly I had dismissed it early on but thanks to several suggestions to try it, I took a second look and think that it will be the way to go.  I really need to cut into that cabbage fabric and get it up onto the design wall but, I just finished putting together the quilt that had been lingering on that wall for weeks and threw these blocks up late last night. Now I am trying to decide which pink to use in the centers, the light solid or the darker dotted fabric.  This quilt is truly inspired by blog reading and now by bloggers input and I just am loving it.  I know that before I discovered the world of quilt blogging I would never have considered any of the projects on this post. I am constantly amazed at all the ideas I see and am truly seeing my quilting change as a result.

Though I have been very busy with babysitting I was able to finish this border for our guild's raffle quilt.  I took kits to the guild meeting on Friday and the quilt was met with enthusiasm by guild members.  We are making Kim McLean's quilt Stars and Sprigs for our raffle quilt and I am looking forward to seeing finished blocks and putting it together.

DH was home for a few days this week which was nice, especially having him around to help look after the new grandson.  That meant not quite as much sewing time but I was able to stitch another block on Birdie Stitches.  No babysitting today though, so I look forward to a whole day of stitching.

New Directions

Isn't it funny how our quilting path often mimics our life path.  Lately my life has been moving in a new direction and I see my quilts are doing the same.  A case in point is this quilt that I began yesterday.

When I began the process I knew exactly what fabrics I intended to use for the setting triangles and borders, why I had even bought the fabrics with this quilt in mind, but as I progressed I felt unsure of my original choice and thought that a new direction was in order.  Can you figure out which fabric the first choice?

The pattern I am using is Wagon Wheel by Laundry Basket quilts that I recently saw in a trunk show at my LQS.  But the colors weren't speaking to me and I was drawn to the beautiful cabbage print. Yep, that was my first choice.

The print was sitting out when I unpacked some new fat quarters that I had ordered online and they looked so fun and unexpected with the cabbages that I felt the cabbages were better with them. Now I am unsure which direction to take with the quilt in the top photos.  The teal floral with the pink small border or the cabbages with the green border?  What do you think?  Just like in life, it is hard to know when you are making the right choice cause both would work!

Here is another direction I've been heading in, or rather heading back to.  Last year I began the Birdie Stitches BOM  by Little Miss Shabby.  I kept up with it for the first six months but sady ran out of steam. This block is from June of last year.  While I did remember to download the patterns every month, I sorta stalled on the actual stitching. But these happy colors are calling to me and I am in need of handwork so I prepped the next 6 blocks and hopefully will get back on track.


Well this new blogger has decided I need to end here. Hope you enjoy whatever direction you are headed.

Half done

 Not much new to show for the last week but I have sewn half of the border for the Stars and Sprigs quilt.  I do love how this is looking and really hope that this quilt draws in many ticket buyers. 

Here is the whole border laid out along my sofa for the photo. You can see that it is all prepped and ready to finish sewing.  One of the things I love about doing needleturn is watching it truly come to life as it is stitched down. See how much more detailed it looks once stitched.

Good job I had all this prepped as this week my knee went out. It was Friday evening and as DH is out of town, it meant a call to DS who came to the rescue and took me to the ER. It seems that I have perhaps torn a cartalige in my knee and am currently in a brace to make sure that my knee is stable. I have to start babysitting tomorrow and a few changes in location should allow me to continue. I actually feel fine now, as my knee is back in place, so I am hopeful that it won't be too long til I am good again. Oh well, I can still do handwork!

Fun days ahead

With DH's move behind us I am looking forward to getting into the swing of life again.  First on my list of "to do's" is the raffle quilt for my quilt guilt.  I agreed to spearhead this project back in the fall when I thought life was going to be getting simpler and I would have lots of time.  I was so wrong about that and now I am way behind but working hard to catch up.  Here is half of the border that I will be sewing, all prepped and ready to begin stitching (well once I prep the other half).  It is from the pattern Stars and Sprigs by Kim McLean and is being done in Kaffe fabrics.  So fun to fussy cut those leaves and buds.  Hope the guild members get as excited about this quilt as I am.  I've been busy with making the kits for the pieced and appliqued blocks to give to guild members and was so happy to have help from Deborah, Jackie and Stella in cutting and assembly.
 

Since I finished the applique on this quilt and on the block from my last post I am all caught up with my prepped applique so the timing for that border is perfect.  Now I just have to find time to sew this top together so I can clear the design wall.

This little darling is what is going to be taking up much of my time in the days ahead.  My new grandson, Christopher.  In one week his mom must go back to work to finish out the school year (she is a teacher).  Since she plans to be a stay at home mom after that, I am thrilled to be able to help out with babysitting for 6 weeks. So 4 days a week will be filled with the fun of a baby.  I can't wait to go back to the days of feeding, changing and holding a baby and the best part is I get to return him to Mom and Dad every night.  I'm hoping this baby stuff will be easier when you get some sleep every night!

Happy Stitching

Back to sewing

Now that DH is settled into his new home in Florida and starting his new job it is time for me to get back to some stitching.  I've almost finished this last lotus block for my Chinese embroidery style quilt.  I need to design the borders so I hope to find the inspiration for that soon.  Notice the little tail.  Our Yorkie is missing DH something fierce and she was in my face while I was trying to take the photo.  She really is his dog, especially in the morning and now is going around the house looking for him and crying.  I know how she feels but at least I have my stitching to distract me!