It Won't Be a Secret Much Longer

This beauty, that is. Remember, a few weeks ago, I shared the binding with you. . .

So, during the Big 10 Tournament basketball games that we've watched these past couple of days, I finished stitching the binding. We will be gifting the surprise to our newest retiree on Saturday here at my house where we will gather for brunch.

I promise it will be worth the wait.

I've got a busy week with things other-than-quilting. Program material for Emma's upcoming h.s. musical production, make a couple of costumes for said musical, a writing project that our town's historical society is beginning, cleaning and cooking for Saturday's brunch. That's the big stuff. You know the small stuff that has to happen on a daily basis. Because of the deadline-nature of some of these projects, my blogging frequency might take a hit, unfortunately. I've made a concerted effort since starting back up the first of the year to keep my posting regular and frequent.

We shall see what we shall see. . .

Happy Quilting, Friends.

Friday Morning Quilting Group

It was my turn to play hostess to the Friday morning group. Those every-other Fridays sure seem to come awfully fast!

I had no finishes to share, but the rest of the girls had several.

Sharon brought some hope for sunnier days to our dreary Ohio weather with her tablerunner featuring watermelon slices. We have had clouds, rain, snow, flood watches, and wind this week - we are weary of our long winter and ready for warm, sunny weather!

Sheryll was stitching the binding on this pretty wall hanging. She says that it goes straight in with her Christmas decorations, as this green and red star quilt is going to be used next December for holiday decorating.

Terry had two tops to show us. Both used related colors and fabrics - Civil War-themed fabrics of red, black, gray and off-white.

Good job, Ladies, for getting so much accomplished since our last gathering!

Civil War Blocks Updated

I seem to go in fits and spurts with these Civil War blocks. I have it in my head that they are easy, quick to accomplish, so I hold off doing them weekly. Then, it seems like I just turn around and behold! I have 3 or 4 that I need to get caught up on!

Earlier today I rectified that just a bit by completing 2 blocks.

This is called Lincoln's Platform. I wish the colors in the pic were truer - the flower is burgundy, and I think it looks sort of brown in this photo. I used some new fat quarters that I've recently bought, but right at the moment I couldn't even tell you what line they are from!

This block is called Birds in the Air. I love blue quilts. This might just be the inspiration for my to do a blue quilt.

Short post this time around . . . seems like life is calling extra loud today!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Saturday Delivery Excitement

The US Postal Service came through for me yesterday, as the package from Miss Rosie and her person, Carrie arrived yesterday. I was uber-excited to receive it, as I had been keeping an eye out for it. :D

Inside, were the most scrumptious goodies. First, the book and fabric pack that Carrie gave away for the comment in the 'post-project clean-up' discussion.

A lovely note from the generous Carrie, and the book Simply Charming by Tara Lynn Darr. Let me just say right now that I love this book! It is entirely possible that I will make most, if not all, the projects in this book. They are darling!! Traditional blocks, stash-friendly, and small - what's not to like??

Along with the great book came this Fat Eighth bundle of Collection for a Cause Faith. BEE-YOO-TI-FUL!!! Again, just so scrumptious I could dive right in and start gobbling it up!! (Much restraint on my part to finish the project I'm on before daring to indulge!!)

And in true Carrie and Rosie fashion, their generosity knows no bounds...bonus goodness was included.

Not one, but two! charm packs of Lily and Will. Gorgeous designs and colors! The roll of French General FaLaLaLaLa just puts me over the top! I've been a fanatic for FG ever since they came out with Rouenerries (did I spell that right?). Can you believe my incredible luck??

One of the reasons I began reading blogs was seeing the photographs of the amazing projects that quilters were working on and completing. Then I found a few that I consistently admired, so I 'followed'. Next, I began writing a blog, and it's just blossomed from there. It was ages before I ever left a comment, but soon I was regularly commenting, and then that led to entering giveaways.

My goodness gracious, getting to talk to other quilters from all points around the globe - that's just like living a dream! How else would I ever have corresponded with one of my 'favoritest' designers - Carrie Nelson?!? That's how great blogging is; it brings people together. I'm a small-potatoes blogger compared to a lot of others out there. Regardless of how involved a blogger wants to be, the access one gains to hundreds of other quilters, designers, authors, shop owners, and more, is nearly unlimited. What resources, too; if I ever find myself stumped about something, the answer is just a blog question, comment or search away!

Ehhh, pardon that tangent!

Thank you so very, very much Carrie and Miss Rosie for the wonderful chance to win goodies in your giveaway! I love the book and the fabrics; your generosity is incredible!

Happy quilting, friends!

Shame, Guilt and Embarrassment

The Triumvirate of Motivation.

Yep.

After posting yesterday the mess I call my sewing room, these 3 emotions nagged me all day. I did get a fair amount of work done on my Long Road Home project, but I kept glancing at something that could/should be put away or picked up or straightened. It got so bad that I decided to bite the bullet and take action.

By gosh, I cleaned my sewing room. Yeah, I know! Shock and awe!!

Let's do a before and after.

Here is the before pic standing in the doorway:

And after:

Here's the before shot from my seat at the sewing machine:

And after:

I folded yards and yards of fabric and put it away. I cleaned off the blue dresser that butts up to my sewing table. I separated scraps and found storage for them. I threw out a lot: old lists, boxes, packaging, catalogs, etc. Three empty bins are now filled with planned projects for this year (hopefully!). Last,I ran the sweeper. Whew. What a task, but I am quite pleased.

Now, there are certainly some areas that still need attention. The Clean Police would still probably write me a ticket, you know?? Take that that tub just under the front of the ironing board, for example. It is completely full of Kaffe Fassett fabrics. I cannot lift it nor scoot it. So I really, I mean really, need to just start stitching. I could work for a year on nothing else but this bin, and still probably not be able to use it all. (That sounds like a lovely challenge, though!)

I tucked away a stack of patterns that I've removed from magazines or copied off the internet. These need to find their way into plastic sleeves, and then into a binder. I've got the sleeves and the binder, but I'll get to it another day.

I really want to stay focused on Long Road Home.

I've gone from this:

To this:

To this:

I know I'm going to love this quilt, but I really think the next one I make will have way bigger pieces. I have a need for speed!

A Cluttered Workspace

I make no bones about it. When I work in the sewing room, all I need is a path to the sewing machine and a somewhat cleaned-off ironing board, my ipod tuned in to some good old classics like The Eagles or Journey, and my Ott-lite. Consequently, my sewing room looks like this at the moment:

Oh, dear, I can't believe I'm showing this mess...oh, well, there is my path from the door of my sewing room. Just go past the dresser with the open drawer, the pile of recent on-line purchases, and make a left at the 2 empty bins on the floor.

This is the view from my sewing chair. The closet on the opposite wall has DH/s summer clothes hanging on the left, and my quilt tops hanging on the right. The chair, aka 'The Thoughtful Spot,'  has two tubs of fabric stacked in it from last week when I was digging around for a particular red. Generally, that chair is clear for sitting and thinking great thoughts. In the foreground are the stacks prepared for my current project, Long Road Home.

Ok, so here's the reason why I bared my soul (and my messiness) to all of the blogosphere. About a week ago, I made a comment on a blog. The topic asked how quilters handle post-project clean-up. Obviously, my comment wanted to know "What cleanup???"

So, this blogger was offering a giveaway to 2 responders who shared their stories, and the random generator selected my number! How cool is that? Just goes to show that a cleaned-up sewing room would have gotten me nowhere in that giveaway!

Here's the most awesome part of all...the blogger was one of my favorite designers: Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie Quilt Company! I have had a quilting love affair with her since seeing "Tag Sale" made up and on display in a quilt shop. I tracked down the pattern, made it, HAND QUILTED it, and currently use it on my guest bed (when I can keep my two girls' hands off it!)

(Brief tangent: Erin, DD#1, told me as I was quilting it, "Mom, this is the prettiest quilt you've ever made." Awwww, shucks.)

So, Carrie, and Miss Rosie, I thank you not only for offering the giveaway, but also for the years of great patterns! I own at least 3 of your books and at least a dozen Schnibbles patterns.

I will post the giveaway goodies upon their arrival.

Please feel free to make me feel better about my messy workspace by sharing your own messy stories! I need validation!! lol

PS: Tag Sale is one of the quilts pictured up there in my blog header.

Sick Laptop

Why is it that laptops get sick so often? I blame it on the fact that my laptop is not 100% mine - several other members of my family use it, and I gladly let them. BUT, one can't control all the potential for viruses when many users are visiting many websites and downloading many programs and adding many devices, etc., etc.

So, while I figure out how to fix my little gem, I get to use DH's computer. Thanks, Honey!!

I had the "other man" over this morning...

He brought me a package. I ordered some sale fabric from Hancock's of Paducah. Two of the 4 came today. That means I will get the other 2 as a surprise in the near future. I've been seeing some comments in blogland about the price of fabric going up. I guess I hadn't noticed any significant increases recently, but I do think when we are in the $10/yard neighborhood, we are getting to a point that makes me hesitate on purchases. That's the beauty of buying sale fabric...if you can find what you like/want/need, then it's the only way to go.

I got these 2 for 45% off. Nice.

Tomorrow, I get to show you 2 pics of my sewing room...I tell you this to prepare you for the dreadful mess you are in for!! Consider this fair warning!