wondering where I've been?

LOL, I've been wondering the same thing--just what have I been doing with my time in the last 10 days since I posted?  It has rushed on by, somehow.

I'm still committed to walking though this week I had to take two days off due to quilting functions.  ( I'll tell you about that later. ) I've been alternating  6 or 7 laps though one day recently I did 8 rounds for 2.2 miles.  My watch battery died and I had forgotten to click off a lap.  LOL,  I lived.  I come home and walk Oscar in spite of how many laps I've gone.  The watch just verifies that I am keeping up the pace of 0.28 miles per lap in 5 minutes or less.

It has been quite warm and up in the mid 90's for a week with high 60's-low 70's for overnight "lows".   Next week they say high 90's and up to 100 is possible.  Oh, boy!  In years past I used to get out there around 6 a.m. and try to beat the sun.  Not possible now.  You see, when I cannot get to sleep until after 1, 2 (and like last night 3 a.m---ugh!),  there is no way I can get out there any earlier than 7:30, 8 in the morning.   It doesn't help that some of the sun break is gone with the Public Works Dept. taking so many of the trees down but this is a good thing for the residents in the long run.   Turns out they are building a new community center that I assume will replace the old house that is used as the Senior Center.   I see workers out there quite often and will watch this progress.

This past Monday Jane, Aline and I went to the guild sew-in.  The city workers that displaced us the entire month of May from the place we meet are STILL working on the building, tearing up the restrooms apparently.  The President tracked down another venue but they must have events scheduled in the later part of the week so it went on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday instead.  They had a lively bunch of line dancers when we got there but it only lasted an hour.  I sorta missed the music when it stopped, LOL.  We just planned on going the one day as I had a list of mile long of things to do on Tuesday--errands and things at home.

I took my little Hexagon Merry Go Round project and got a little bit of it done but have not touched it since returning home other than to un-pack my stuff a couple days later.   Some of the girls were working on pillowcases as there is a community service project to provid them for the girls at Big Oak Ranch.  Sarah also had kits for cute little Fold-up Fabric Needle Holders from Crafty Lady Lindsay's blog.   I didn't get too far with THAT either and want to replace the felt part with another darker color that I know I have here at home.  Actually, Sarah used two layers so it formed another smaller pocket, I think anyway.  The one she had done was really cute!

So what's been happening?

• I shot most of a Thursday afternoon a week ago at the gastroenterologist's office.  Enough time as elapsed that I get to have a repeat colonscopy.  I think they forgot about me as I was the absolute last patient to leave the place and the appt was for 1:45.
• Tuesday I was busy checking little jobs off the list.  
• Wednesday was the play in the kitchen day and I had to overcome a moment of madness and talk myself out of making zucchini muffins or bread and just put the gratings in the freezer for a cooler day.  My neighbors have a garden this year and I know those zukes are going nuts as I've seen the vines.  I will have to help out with the bounty, LOL.  Some home grown tomatoes were most appreciated too.
• Thursday turned into update the computer day.  That danged desktop is such a pain compared to the tablet I use.  Takes forever for the stuff in the background to finish up whatever it is doing and open a page, email, program.  Drives me nuts!  
• Friday, laundry and a little house straightening and a few more errands.  I've got to re-do the casing on  a pair of shorts and kept forgetting to pick up the elastic I needed for the jobs.  That and watch batteries.  Well, not anymore, LOL.  Now to fix the pants so I can wear them.  Kinda fun getting back into my old clothes or some I've not been able to wear but hung on to "just in case". 

Today Jane's husband Hugh had offered to drive us over to the Birmingham Quiltfest 2015 show.  It had started on Friday but today was better for their schedules.  I'll write up another post or two tomorrow to share some pictures with you.  Lord knows, I am not personally getting any sewing done.  I am such a slug though a more space organized one lately, LOL.

This is what we saw when we arrived though Jane and I did hop out of the car to take the pictures as we were leaving.   Rather than let this be a totally picture-less post I hope you enjoy seeing their quilt covered mobile!  I think I've got the photos all uploaded from camera and the phone camera and edited to share.  Silly me did not think about replacing the battery with the recharged one before I grabbed it so I had to finish taking the last row of quilt favorites with the backup method.  

We saw friends from here in Calhoun County from various other groups and from Friendship Quilters too but they are in a nearby county so expected that.  Good show and good selection of vendors.  I got a couple of dark blue fat quarters and some white on white yardage for the Disappearing 4 patch I want to do with pals Norma and Cher, long distance sew-in next weekend.  Oh, and a small Kaleido-Ruler from Marti Michell that a vendor from Vicksburg, MS had.  She said Marti will be teaching a class at their quiltfest event.  We had lunch in Pelham at Applebee's before coming home.  Oscar was stuck in the house in his crate as it had looked like rain/storms which freaks him out.  I felt guilty about it but figured better safe than sorry.  Of course, any rain that might have come evaporated in the heat, no doubt.

It being Father's Day tomorrow let me pass on greetings to my dad.  I love and appreciate you so much.    I barely got to say "hi" last Sunday when Mom picked up so will try to call.

I'm going to get on my jammies and hope that sleep does not elude me again tonight.  I'm tired-------

sew-in's and quilt groups

Each quilt group has its own unique blend of attributes, it would seem.  Some are guilds so they are run by the Roberts Rule of Order and parliamentary procedure; others are more informal.  Some have outside speakers or imported talent, with slide shows or trunk shows while other the programs or demos are done by group members.  Some are hands on and others just talk about quilting.   Some you get stuck on some committee and going to endless board meetings or quilt show meetings until you swear you are going to have your eyes roll back up into your head retreading the same ground over and over.   Some are more into community service projects and others are more into workshops, field trips and traveling to quilt shows hither and yon.  Some are different just because of who makes up the group.  Some I know would not be a good fit for me and no way will I ever darken their door.  Still, you learn something from every group of quilters that you are involved with.  It is our nature to share and do what we can to preserve the art of quilting and pass it on.  That should be the goal of any quilt group, in my humble opinion.

Personally I love hands on, the sharing and collaboration.  Friendship Quilters is a guild and I think I mostly go for the sew-ins.  I was an officer (secretary) for two years and now do the website and newsletter.   I know practically everyone in the group, and they know me.  Good bunch!   So, in spite of the fact that I had a lot of catching up to do when I got back from my week away Jane, Aline and I were off to Pell City on 22nd for one of the sew-in days.  This one was the Christmas in August one so Loretta and Lorri had some projects lined up.  Friday some of the ladies were working on cute holiday aprons.  Another day hanging towels and then double ended oven mitts using  THIS  site as a jumping off point.   Some of the materials were provided for the "class" if you signed up.  We were not sure which day we were going to be there so just asked for the pattern.    They were doing it on Saturday so Loretta gave us the link and the insul-bright.  I'm not quite ready to play with it yet.

I was working on assembly the blocks for the happy couple's tree skirt wedding present.  No, I am still not going to show it to you as it is going to have to be one of my See You in September Hop items (I'm due up on the 16th),  I had all the rows completed by the time I left though there was one more Joing seam required.   Tuesday at Belles I got the sections joined and bordered.  Thursday I got the backing and batting prepped and went back over the church to pin it.  I'll be quilting once I update the blog with this post.

There were door prizes, gifties, gift bags and smoked chicken for lunch courtesy of one of the member's husbands.  We have been brown bagging it or running out for something this year instead of having a hospitality committee provide the food as we had in the past.  You bring something to share or snack on and that arrangement seems to be working.  Friday was more like a potluck meal then.  They also had quilter garage sale items set up.

This was the swag in my bag though I wound up with two magazines and/or patterns.   Sarah who I had been sitting by at lunch had gotten the book  you see below in her bag....... and she had donated it!!    I swapped her my Quilter's Newsletter magazine from mine.  Jackie said we did not empty out the old magazines even when they had dropped the price to 10 cents each so they put them in the gift bags instead, LOL.  The pattern was one that Celisia got but she didn't want to swap for the book.

I got these for half off the marked price at one of the girl's tables.  A set of Quilt in a Day fussy cut rulers and the other is a Magic Square ruler for marking, cutting half square triangles.  I liked the idea of the slotted lines on the ruler as the quick quarter thing I have while it works fine, I have lost one and snapped another in half like a twig when I got hung up with it somewhere.  We'll see how this does.  To avoid her having to make change I also got a package of magnetic clasps like you use on a purse, not shown.

This little present came with a caveat "don't get excited about what the box says as that may not be what is inside"  Sounds like home and the growing up years, LOL.  Loretta's mom lost her husband the week after I lost my DJ.   Because of structural problems to her home, she has moved in with Loretta till they can build her a mother-in-law spot.  Miss Annie Laura is really having to downsize.  Earlier she donated quite a bit of her sewing materials to the group and for the sew-in some of her Santa collection.  This is the Santa that came home with me.  He will hold a cheese ball inside his belly area with a matching knife.  Oh and you should have seen how cute she was all dressed up like Mrs. Claus!  That is one lady who really gets into Christmas, I tell you.  LOL

A fun day!  I mostly worked on the newsletter on Saturday as the girls were giving me stuff to include in the September addition.  I figured I was less likely to misplace some of the papers or omit something if I got started with it while fresh on my mind.  That was a good plan actually as I was able to get it out a few days earlier than usual.

As I said I finished up the sewing on my tree skirt on Tuesday at Bama Belles.   There were just 6 of us there this time.  I showed Bev how to use the twister ruler to make the wreath we had explored in the past.  I gave mine to my niece/god daughter last year and half thought about doing it again.  Bev had her base already pieced so it was just as matter of giving her a few hints.  Like cut all the in the same direction either up or across.  Pin the sections to a piece of batting so you can keep them in order for sewing.  Mark a dot on the ruler with nail polish or something so you consistently put the ruler in the same position when you line it up over the seam cross sections.   Though I had brought my revolving mat in case she wanted to use it, she and Donna teamed up with Donna standing on the other side of the kitchen "island" cutting the other side so neither one had to be a contortionist.   BTW, the pattern is just two pictures essentially on the quilting board site   http://www.quiltingboard.com/pictures-f5/twister-t74576.html

Lois had some neat tops to pin and did so with help from Donna.  Janet and I consulted about how to cut more 4 patch posie blocks from her fall themed fabric---the "notes" had gotten cold, LOL.  Bev got back to the quilt finishing she was working on as that Lick Skillet Quilt show is only about 12 days away.  Most of the group belongs to more than one quilt group and this is their first ever show.  Valera wanted some opinions about which inner border fabric to use on a large Christmas project she has been working on.  She also had a scaled down version of that ubiquitous 10 minute table runner that seems to have made the rounds not only on the net but here locally.  I love that small one!
I know that the guild members have each had to make and donate 5 items for the guild country store.  Maybe these were her items??  They went off to lunch while I had brought something and I intended to get my sewing done before I went home--and accomplished my goal.  I had not brought my backing though and then wished I had!

Oh what kind of a name is "Lick Skillet",  you might wonder? It is the original name of Oxford, Alabama, back in 1830 .  Oxford  is more of an upscale sounding name and it was renamed 22 years later when the town was incorporated.  You can read one version of the story behind the unusual name on the city pages HERE while wikipedia relates another.

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You may recall my saying that I had mailed a box of stuff back to myself from my folks?  It arrived.

I was doing a bit of knitting on the trip as I need some replacement dish cloths.  This is the 2nd one and I following the directions on it, LOL.

Mom likes these crocheted ones that I think you use a knit-crochet type deal on.  That is not the right name but the right name is not coming to me at the moment.  I've got one but never used it and she sent this one with me so I would see how they assemble.  I made the first dish cloth super huge on the way out to Denver mostly because I couldn't get up and get the instructions out of my bag (1st row, seat belt light on) to start the decreases, LOL.  Looks like it is on steroids.  I boogered up one corner of it too.  I think I started INCREASING again as it almost looked like I was making a handle for it instead of decreasing to 4 stitches and binding off.  Talking with my family and not paying attention!!!  The other pile is some pineapple log cabin foundations stamped on muslin, from Alice via Warren.

  This is that packet of half yard Civil War prints I mentioned in the last post.  Again from Alice via Warren.

She was exploring curved piecing.   The blue and white mini piece was made from a large polka dot fabric while the other one looked as though she was trying her hand quilting stitches.  There are a boat load of the red and yellow blocks and a boatload more cut out.  Not entirely sure where this was headed but it will show up in donation quilts.  Play with them and see if a pattern emerge, I guess.

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On the home front,  it is looking like it might pour any minute after being overcast most of the day.  Weather dude said it might by evening hours and into Sunday.  Looks like that might be spot on.  We are presently about 3 inches behind on our normal rain for which is a departure from last year and being about 12-14 over that.  The yard looks dry again and only the weeds---and the kudzu, of course---growing.  The kudzu will slow down after it flowers but a good bit of it has returned in that strip I had cleared off earlier this summer.  As long as it is not trailing along the ground I will probably leave it alone.    I am on deadline for the hop after all and not willing to go roast outside in the 90-95 degree temperatures at this point to beat it back.

It gets this hot and humid and it is all I can do to want to walk my dog out in the lane.  We go into the city park daily and do about 2 1/2 laps.  They have just completed a project on the park and along the Chief Ladiga Trail to open up the back of the park that faces west  so you can view the trail better  I hate that they took those trees down but I am like that about any tree, really.  They probably have their reasons and some plan that I am not aware of.   It will reduce the shade along the trail more than the park but not so much the time of day that Oscar and I go.  Yesterday they were blowing straw bales over the freshly graded dirt so we gave them a wide arc.

We also have a new neighbor at the end of the lane loop.  The house had been empty since before Christmas anyway.  Looks to be a retired couple.  I see them outside on the porch when Oscar and I have been out walking in the lane and have spoken to them, wave as I go by but so far I have not made any baked goods or formerly introduced myself.   Maybe once it cools down a bit and I don't mind turning on the oven.  As new folks come in another couple will be leaving.  Robbie, Glynda and Robert's son and his wife just closed on a house and will be moving about 10 miles or so from here.

This holiday weekend is going okay so far.  DJ and I had no traditions as might have previous ones.  I might cook out, I might not.   Didn't go anywhere.  I probably should have put the flag up but didn't mostly that was because of the forecast.  I might have to get up on the ladder in the pouring rain to retrieve it.  Anyway, I hope that you have a happy and safe holiday weekend.  I know folks around here are just happy to have college and high school football back.  Alabama is playing in the Georgia Dome I think but Auburn vs Arkansas game may be a little dampened.

THX for stopping by---------I'll be posting the See You in September blog hop schedule soon as it starts on the 3rd  (Wednesday!)  and runs through the 16th.  No way am I ready for my day either. gotta hit it!

Sew-in report

 What a fun day with the girlfriends at guild!  The event is always three days but the only one where all 4 of us could get away was Friday so we loaded up in Jane's SUV and off we went.  Terri's husband offered to help pack up the back end thinking we needed a hand to fight 4 machines and accompanying bags and supplies in there  but this was NOT our first rodeo, LOL.

I had elected to work on a little rewards project though I certainly could have started on my guild alphabet challenge piece, due next month.  Just not in the mood to sew strip sets.  This little bag kit from Quilt Taffy that I got with the giveaway from Carol's of Just Let Me Quilt fame was just ticket.   The pattern is from "Whatcha Got?" from This and That patterns designed by Sherri K. Falls.  Corrie packed it up with a charm pack of Moda's American Jane Potluck.  With 42- 2.5 inch squares this large size only uses half of the pack so I could conceivably make another.  I am pretty sure that the Ashville Quilt Shop has what Corrie called "Pez" fabric on hand.  Using the same fabric for the backing and lining, she had sent 1/2 yard of the measuring tape fabric.  I would have to track down some vinyl or pet screening would work too.

As you can see I did not get too far with it.  What  you don't see from this lousy picture is that the little charm squares are actually already sewn to a piece of vinyl that Corrie had cut saying "it is hard to see on the mat" and since she had to cut a section off to kit it up, she cut it to size.  I appreciate it!  I would have had the front completely done but after carefully arranging the color sequencing the way I thought I wanted it, I sewed on section upside down and had a concentration of red in one corner.  Rip----again!   I had also misunderstood the folding part for the zipper tabs.  DUH, do it like you do purse straps and you won't have to worry about a raw edge!  A glue stick or a dot of glue and the touch of an iron would have helped to hold the zipper in place at the tab end but no one had one with them.  I am tossing one in my sewing bag while I am thinking about it!  Since I was traveling "light" yesterday (see the comments about 4 machines etc in the back of the SUV, LOL), half the house could not come with me!

We had a brown bag lunch with the group though some of the ladies did run out for lunch.  Our program gal and her mom bring their camper and stay out at the lake for the three day run of the sew-in to prevent that running back and forth from their home which I think is a 2 hour round trip away.  I know when I go for two days by myself I have thought about just staying overnight in a hotel one night rather than trucking back and forth, have my own personal retreat.  Now it would take some planning for the critters.

We 4 had talked about possibly stopping for an early supper depending on what time we left the sew-in.  Frankly after nibbling on some of the food people had brought to share, including Terri's frosted pumpkin bars and my cookie brownies I don't think any of us were ready to have Mexican food at 3:30.  We'll shoot for another time.

Speaking of critters, I don't know what these two were doing all day while I was gone but look at these two lazy bones.  Skyler is lolling around on
the bed though he did greet me at the door.  Sometimes this is his playing pose too.  Run and chase down the hallway and he leaps on either bed and wants you to either pet his belly or flop down with him.

Oscar on the other hand:   yeah we walked up and down the lane when I got home like we often do but poor thing looks exhausted.  I would expect this after the park laps.   Tough job patrolling the back yard, tossing his rawhide bone around and digging little holes in the back yard?  It had been a hot day and by evening it was a bit muggy.  I assume that dogs can get overheated just like people do?  I heard some distant rumbling and it looked like rain was on its way in again.

Miss Kathrine called and said that Kit Kit had turned her nose up at the Friskies canned food that she had been giving her .She, like Skyler eats primarily dry food with the wet more like a treat bite.  Did I want to try it?  Skyler is a Fancy Feast guy but I could see if he would eat it rather than let it go to waste.  OR Oscar will eat anything, LOL.  I went across the lane, visited with her a bit, played with the cat though she was being mighty feisty.  Her post-surgery confinement is coming to an end and Miss Katherine is ready for Kit Kit AKA Mamacita to be back to neighborhood cat status.  She has been getting into EVERYTHING.

I needed to run out to get something for supper after our visit since our early supper plans had fallen through.  As I was coming home and waiting to make a turn at one of the t-intersections near here, a lady was turning and rolling down her window looking right at me.  It looked like she needed some help.  She asked if I knew where the McClellan ball fields were.  I had a fair idea and told her it would be far easier to just have her follow me over than try to explain where to turn and such.  "Whip a u-ie and I'll get you over there."  I was not doing anything important last night other than unpacking from sewing.

Remember where I had the picnic recently and the pictures of the aquatic and fitness center?  The diamonds and football field are in that same complex.  Maybe even soccer field or two as well? I hopped out of the car to tell her that I thought this was the spot and parking was also available across the road, it being the same complex and property.  Bless her, she offered to give me some gas money but I wouldn't hear of it.  Only a couple miles drive and I am always running over that direction for some reason.   I asked where she was from just to get her on the right track towards home once the game was over.   By that time, it was really darkening up so I hope all those folks did not get wet sitting out watching the team in the All Star game.   I had some rain on the windshield but not too much to worry about using the wipers.

So another day dawns.  I am going to try to finish up that little bag today.  I also picked up the missing power cord and foot pedal for the New Home machine I got from Sherry's estate from one of the gals at the sew-in so I have "new to me" machine to try out.   I don't see where the cords and pedal are to pack into the hard shell sewing machine case so it could be that my new bag will house them.   But first, I am going to go dust and vacuum.  THEN I can play.  I've been up since 5:30 so Oscar has walked twice, a load of clothes is done and the dishwasher is already running.  Beyond that, who knows?  Wait for the grass to dry and go spray a weed or two probably.  That is how it goes lately.

THX and checking in

The HO HO HO  blog hop continues for a few more days, ending on Friday August 9th.  Today is Day 5.  I hope you are enjoying it as much as I have.  Such inspiration and creativity from this group of participants.  I have been late getting around to see everyone till later in the afternoon the last two days but would not miss it if it meant looking at midnight, or the next day!

I sincerely appreciate everyone who stopped by Friday and a few since then leaving such sweet comments about the tree skirts I have made for family members' holiday decorating plans.  I do try to answer each email but am a little bit behind if it arrived yesterday or today.  I'll get to it though! 

There were quite a few no reply bloggers, more than usual it would seem.  I replied there but I don't know if anyone ever goes back to look at that.  Please see our most excellent cheerleader Carol's note on how to fix that!  It is not hard and really you have two options around it.  It is particularly disheartening to me when someone has asked a question about something, I have an answer to share but is it a one way conversation.  Not only that but you miss out the blogger's giveaways, those who chose to do so,  and the ones offered by Mdm. Samm from our lovely sponsor (this round Timeless Treasures. )  

So what have I been up to besides answering email?  More stuff I can't really show you, LOL.  A few ideas for the hexie hop actually. One thing is completed.  Another, I am more or less winging it and designing/working it out as I go---up to a hand work part.  Another, well let's just say, I've been nubbing off corners and now I need to vacuum up the floor in the sewing room.

Also I was making an early birthday present for my friend Norma.  One thing she knows is coming as I previewed the fabrics choices with her.  I cannot tell you what either as I made one for me first---that entry that is done.   I asked what color.  Silly me should have known she would pick Lime Green, to her green is the new neutral.  The item will need to live at her house so I wanted to sure I was on the right track, LOL.  All the main components are completed but I cannot join them till an ordered supply comes in.  I'm in a holding pattern for a few days longer, it would appear.   Then because I ruined her surprise, there is an add-on or two. She will get the item I am designing IF it works out, that is.

Today I spent a goodly amount of time out in the kitchen.  Starting off with  a Southern Peach Cobbler using this recipe, on All Recipes  but halved since I had just 4 fresh Alabama grown peaches on hand and some soft spots to work around.    It was good but I thought at first that I had over browned it.  I believe that was the half brown sugar called for in the recipe.  It made the peaches look darker too.  

Then I had planned on making Fish Tacos with Avocado Sauce and Fresh Salsa  from Taste of Home.  The fish is slightly marinated in lemon juice, garlic and oil.  It looked like rain so I baked the fish instead of grilling it as I often do for this, good with tilapia.  DJ does not like avocados as much as I do but he was using the sauce and even using some of the chunked up avocado!   Just a nicely flavored, different kind of meal.  All that took some time to prepare for chilling and then eating!

Lastly, I have some clean out the freezer type vegetable beef soup in the crockpot.   That means you just dump stuff in but the next thing I knew the crock pot was overly filled.   DJ said "how did that happen?  Don't you measure?"  Yeah if I am baking and the amounts are critical to the success of the dish.  Who needs a recipe for soup, after all these years?    I had to take some out to simmer on the stove instead.  Lots for the freezer, LOL, once completed.  

Tomorrow I'll be back out there again though it will be making something to like sheet cake to take to the guild sew-in on Thursday-Friday.  I thought I would try this Peanut Cola Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting from my recipes.  Sheet cakes bake on a jelly roll pan and usually only need about 20 minutes of baking time.  Maybe I won't get so over heated, or have to spend 2 hours out in the kitchen without benefit of a/c.   He turned it on once it hit the normal 81 in the house and after I was done----grrrrrr.   As it was, I had two fans on, cooked in my pj's and had to wait to shower till after the dishwasher was done running.  Oh the life of the domestic goddess, LOL.

Oh, when I was talking about tree skirts I have to tell you that I will be making a third one.  My niece who will be celebrating/did celebrate her 2nd or is it her 3rd anniversary will be getting one as well.  I did not want Kristine and Andy to be left out when I had made one for her cousin and one for her brother and sister-in-law.  I asked if she needed/wanted one and she will take me up on my offer.  I will doing something similar to Allison's jewel toned one since she liked it best but picking another block.  That sort of look but not a clone using my Patience Corner idea but scaling it down in size---more like 46 inches finished.    Sort of like this-----but ignore the block colors, being lazy there.

The blocks will be on point--24 of them.  The corners will be notched not squared off but that is the only way I can draw it in EQ.   The center is the cutaway for the tree and the slit will go directly out at the halfway point of the quilt horizontally, as the others did.   I can use some of the leftover fabrics from the other two but had to order more backing and background materials. 

BUT first the hexie things MUST be done!!  I mentioned the guild sew-in.  It is a "Christmas in August" theme, make it/take it format or work on your own stuff.  I am signed up for a few things--some things they are providing kits, others I need to pack for.  That and laundry are my plans for tomorrow though I had a pile of towels to do today after the cooking chores.  Skyler loves warm from the dryer towels  <VBG>  He was looking at me so cutely, till I got the camera out.  Then he flopped and started rolling all over it absorbing the warmth.   Lacking any quilty pictures, we'll go with it.

I may be sewing a bit after supper,  getting started on my main hop entry and thinking about what to  pack up for Thursday.  Should be fun!  THX for stopping by!

WIP Weds

 Me, working on my current WIP.  Cindy had just finished the joining rows on her 2nd top of the day and I was trying to get the last pieced border on my Hopscotch top before we left for my house.  LOL, she tried twice to get my picture but I kept looking back at my work.

Today I just need to add a 3 1/2 inch border of that same rust print all around and then this puppy will be done!

I'll post a few more pictures later in the week but here is Aline with a top she had recently completed from leftover bits of batiks and such.  It will be large enough for taller person so that is always good.

I've got some batting bits to stitch onto an existing piece that I had already prepped before we can pin it up.   Cindy had brought some fabric to share with the Belles, some large enough for backing---there was a perfect neutral toned piece among the selections.  Woohoo!  Love it when a "plan" comes together!

 And here is my pal Cindy with her first completed quilt top.  Cindy is more a hand piecer than a machine piecer but she had her little featherweight just a hummin'.   In fact, she is even teaching hand piecing with some applique at a Joann's near her home in Mt. Juliet (TN)

 I was intrigued with her method of chain piecing her rows---maybe how Eleanor Burns does it but I never try??   It worked for her, that is all that matters.  Cute water melon print!   There was a piece of shamrocks on white that may well work for backing this.

Here is the 2nd one---with Scottie dogs on the pink background. Actually it is a bit longer but folded over.  Cindy pointed out that this was the same print I have in my scrappy bargello quilt but mine has a blue background.   She noticed it as she pulled up the quilt on my bed.

I had found a black print with pink and red words on it that should be perfect for this.  We'll get them pinned and I'll quilt them up for the kids.

This is some of the fabric that Cindy brought that I  kept to use at home.  The top fabric is a good match  for a grouping I have but am not quite sure what I will do with yet---some Marilyn had given me.  I am pretty sure that the two under it will go with another project that is missing a "bridger" piece.

The one of the very bottom will be perfect for the Belles "miles of black" challenge.  I know what I want to do there but just need the light background piece for a three color quilt.  There is may be enough for another quilt or even the backing.

More later----I have a 3rd border to put on!  Then move on to another that I can finish up at the retreat days on Friday and Saturday.  (I'm day tripping for that one)   I just about left the car packed up, LOL.