Just a sweet featherling

(see full image)

I am trying to blog a bit more using my instagram photos. Hope this works!

so, I've been away for a while

I lost my father in August.

His illness and death ripped the rug out from under my feet.

We banded together to support each other, my mother, brother, husband, sister-in-law and son. Family and friends have taken care of us. I really didn't feel like sewing, quilting or blogging. I retreated, taking care of Mom, and myself.

But, I have begun sewing and quilting again. I am planning on maybe a weekly blog post. Unless I have something fantastic to share.

For now, here is one of the projects I am working on, the Metro Hoops pattern by Sew Kind of Wonderful.

Please check back, I have other stuff to share!

Not too productive

Not a very productive sewing week, to start, but I got a bit of motivation this weekend. I received some incredible hand-dyed scraps from Vicki at Field Trips in Fiber and they inspired me.

I have pieced a top for our guild's charity, Senior Services. We had a sew-in this afternoon and I got it basted. Nice to have something to quilt on this week.

 

busy as a one-legged man in a room full of long tailed cats

Mixing metaphors is a fun little thing I do, but the past few weeks have been crazy.

My husband is 4 1/2 weeks post hip-replacement and doing well. My new boss is settling quite nicely into her mad travel schedule, but is making a welcome difference at work. My new co-worker is into her second week and is also a welcome addition in the office! Amazing what a change in personnel can do for the morale of an office.

Anyway, the whirlwind of December is upon me, and I am just going with it. Tonight was our Christmas party in the Triad Modern Quilt Guild. We enjoyed a Secret Santa gift-exchange and a zipper pouch swap. We also ate delightful treats and enjoyed each others company.

me with my pouch goodies!

The delightful, amazing and talented Lee, had my name in our pouch swap. I adore my pouch!!!! Check out her blog, she is a great designer and shares fantastic tutorials!

In my limited spare time, I have been working on a new quilt, using a 2 1/2" strip roll of Chicopee by Denyse Schmidt. This collection wormed its way into my brain, the cool color combos really sparkle and it inspired me to really stretch myself. Thus, I am working on this:

Can't wait for my winter vacation to be able to finish!

Anyway, as the Christmas season arrives, I feel very blessed with my guild and quilty friends. They add such a delight to my life!

a freebie and some gratitude

I have been working on 2 different quilts. I love to have 3 going, like this: 1. Being quilted, 2. being pieced, 3. conceptualizing. It is very relaxing for me as the 3 quilts push all other worries from my mind.
So here is a flimsy (unquilted quilt top) I have finished. It is what I call a freebie since all the fabric came from my scrap box.

on the design wall

detail

The center blocks are all strips of whites and neutrals. I love how the dark neutrals make the entire quilt look really aged. The sashing is a grey mottle, and the border are strips arranged in ROY G. BIV order. I am really happy with how it turned out. This is destined to be a donation quilt for my guild.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day here in the US. I have been through a tumultuous year but I am so very thankful for my life, my family and friends. I wish for all of you a Thanksgiving Day filled with love and friendship.

My work in progress

I have cut into my halloween stash and love the craziness of it all!
Normally I get in the halloween mood too late to make a quilt, but this year, it struck earlier. And it is fun!