Giving a quilt again and again

Well, I gave the quilt for the first time today. I'm happy to say that Natalie really liked it and knows that she will get it back again when it is finished. I am struggling with whether I need to re-do the backing. Not sure I am happy with how it turned out but it would also mean undoing the quilting that I have already done. Shared my concerns with Natalie and others and they told me I was crazy. We'll see.

Not sharing the quilt again right now but I will share the cupcake tower we had at the shower. I was really pleased with it. The best part was when people thought I had bought the cupcakes. I loved it. I made chocolate with white icing and strawberry with strawberry icing. Color scheme was pink and yellow. She is having a girl!

Okay, so I thought I was going to be late for the Jelly Roll Sampler so I just worked on block #10. Imagine my surprise when I saw that I still have another week. Oh, well, at least that one is finished. It didn't turn out exactly as the directions and picture showed but after looking at the picture, I think I like it the way it is. No need to re-do. I only have one I think I may do over and that is the first one. I'm just so pleased that I have been keeping up with the block every two weeks. Usually I need a deadline to get anything done. Only two more to go so I should be thinking about how to put them together. Hmmm.

Almost made it

Well, it is on the table, pinned and ready for quilting. But I am taking pressure off myself and will give it to the mother-to-be almost finished. Isn't that how we give a quilt many times over? I just have too many more things to do to get ready for the shower and don't want to rush it. And then there is binding too. Luckily I will see her mother next weekend and can deliver it to her. I really don't like the "put it in the mail and take your chances way of delivering a quilt". It's all good.

Heading off to work in the gift shop at the Pearl Buck House in Hilltown, PA. I recently became a volunteer there. Still in training as a docent for the house tours. If you have never visited and toured the house, be sure to put it on your list. I went there for the first time in December and fell in love with it. She was an amazing woman and we are so lucky to have her home intact as a place to visit.

Happy Sewing everyone!

We meet again...

We had the second meeting of our small quilting group tonight. The show and tell was wonderful. Such talented people in our small group. Fran shared the first block that we are each going to make. It is a spinning hour glass with some partial seams. I think we started with the hardest one. Next month each of us will bring back our finished block. Can't wait to see what they all look like. As different as each of us.

We were discussing what kind of service project we could do throughout the year. We are a small group so we don't want to take on too big a project to start. Does anyone out there have any suggestions for us? We would love to hear your ideas.

The pictures that are displayed show

Dru's pinwheel sampler. She used Breath of Avignon and a gorgeous blue pindot fabric.

Lynn's block of the month quilt from a local shop. It almost looked like wool to us.

We had to include a patriotic mini-quilt.

Lynn's quilt for a graduate class. She designed the applique pattern herself.

Maybe at our next meeting we will finally agree on a name. Each of us is going to give it some thought in the next month.

Almost there

I just had to share how much I did get finished today. I only have to add the border for the top to be done. If only the back would piece itself and the quilting and binding would be done by the quilting fairies. Does anyone know where I can find some good ones?

While sewing I watched the movie, Calendar Girls, with Helen Mirren. I had seen it before but really enjoyed watching it again. Of course, I love almost anything with Dame Helen in it.

Enough for my break, now it is back to work!

Making progress

Good morning. I am happy to say that I made some progress yesterday on the baby quilt. The strip sets are together and cut, now I just have to sew them together. Should go quickly now. (Are they famous last words?) Here is the proof! Note a few projects on the floor under my cutting table.

Of course, when I got up I had to go online and check my emails, Facebook and most importantly, quilterblogs.com. Love that site.

While I was checking I came across a blogiversary giveaway at http://bearpawandbearpaw.blogspot.com/ Jo Avery from Edinburgh is celebrating one year of blogging and her new Etsy shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/mybearpaw

Be sure to go and visit her site. Darling items in her Etsy shop too.

Now, I need to get back to work. Have promised myself I will also get on the treadmill today. If only that was what powered my sewing machine, I would have more motivation.

Have a happy 5th of July.

It is a start...

I finally got to do some sewing tonight. After being out all day, I came home, ate dinner, read the paper, watered the flowers (we have not had any rain for days and days) and finally came to the sewing machine. I cut out and made the 9th block for the Jelly Roll Sampler. It was so easy and quick. If I had known I would have made it sooner. But here it is.

It is too late to start now, since I have to get up early tomorrow, but here is a preview of the fabric I'm going to use for the baby quilt. Shower is next Sunday so I'm now on a time crunch. It is Moda's Love U by Deb Strain.

I'm using a pattern for a jelly roll and will focus on the pink since the baby is a girl. Should be great fun to make.

Home again and still no sewing

How is it that time passes so quickly. Came home yesterday but was very tired after less than 2 hours sleep the night before. I flew from Atlanta to Harrisburg but flight was delayed leaving until 1:30 am due to thunderstorms. Got into the Harrisburg airport at 3:30! Luckily my good friends were willing to get up and come to pick me up.

Home today off and on but didn't get anything accomplished in the sewing department. Really need to start on my baby gift for next Sunday. Good thing that I work best under pressure. Maybe there will be pictures tomorrow.