tumbling jewels finished

The weather today has totally redeemed the weekend!  It's a sunny 69, and to me that feels v. warm compared to the rest of the week!  I'll take it ;)
Anyhow, since it was fa-reezing yesterday I didn't feel guilty at all about staying indoors the whole day and finishing the quilt. Here's the finished front view: There's a piece of thread there on the front that I wish I had noticed before I took the pictures! Bah! OH well. Speaking of thread though, I really like the way the variegated jewel tones turned out. And the straight line stitching was a breeze with my old metal machine! Here's the back: The colors are much truer in this picture: As I was taking pictures, I had a constant companion in Joey! He was right next to me the whole time. I was getting an up close of the binding and stitching and then decided he was much cuter! Dontcha think? Anyways, not sure I'm completely crazy about the binding but I had to use it due to the challenge! So, now that that's done - what now? I guess I'll go back to the star quilt I was working on. Or maybe some small projects for some instant gratification?

gadgets and tea

Okay, so I'm taking a break from quilting because I ran out of thread!  LOL.  I thought I had 3 spools of the variegated jewel thread but apparently not.  I think I'll be done with the quilt later today or tomorrow if I poop out :)  So, I got the chance to try out a new gadget this morning.  I had seen it on one of my favorite  quilting bloggers posts and had to try it out.  I saved the torn into package in case you'd like to track one down also.  It's called Kwik Klip and it's for when you are basting with safety pins.  The wooden thing with the metal at the top is the gadget.  So, you know how when you are pulling the safety pin together and have to get the pointy end caught in the little top part (geez I'm so technical!) and your fingers can start to get sore after a gazillion pins?  Well with this thing you get the pin through the layers and then just use the metal part of the gadget to slip the pin closed.  There are little grooves on the end that hold the pin while closing, it's super easy!  Really glad I tracked this down.  Also another little help has been keeping my pins in a little jar.  I just mod podged on some of my favorite fabric to disquise the branding on the lid.  Good stuff.

Last Sunday a few ladies and I got together for high tea in honor of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.  It was wonderful!  We all wore hats and dresses up, Charese and I even had our white gloves on!  This is funny, Jennifer if you read this post - I wore the gloves from when I was a bridesmaid in your wedding!  I've held onto them all this time just in case and they were perfect!  Here's a shot of the table, it was beautiful, and we noshed on finger sandwiches, english muffins with jam, olives, cheese stuffed dates, and individual trifles for dessert!  And, of course, there was no shortage of tea which was lovely.  Funny thing, it started getting overcast and rainy as soon as our tea party started so we really felt that we were in England!  Course the rain and cold have stuck around all week!  Today is a high of 51.
And, off to Joann's for thread!  Hope you all have a fantastic weekend.

tumbling jewels

Okay, so the top is done!  I've decided this quilt's name is "Tumbling Jewels" since I mostly used jewel tones.  Now that I look at the picture I sort of wish I had added another row of orange on the right side somehow.  Hmpf.  eh.

Ugg

Okay, so my partner in the Ugly Fabric Swap has rec'd her package so I can now share the awful with you!  They are not all the worst in the world, but I haven't used them and figured it is time to pass them on.  I get the feeling from her post that she hates them.  For that I am sorry but it's kind of the point.  I am confident she will find a way to work with them, though, as I have the yuck she sent me :)

 At first I thought the far left fabric wasn't too bad.  But, then trying to fit it together with anything else has been sort of a challenge.  She sent 3+ yards of that dark teal/black check so I knew I would really have to find a use for that in a big way.  I've decided the striped one is going to be the binding.  The white can't be used because it's too thin.  I'm using 2 yards of all the others though so I know I won't be breaking the rules.

 And, since I like to try new things and challenge myself I thought this would be the perfect time to try out triangles!  I've wanted to check those out for awhile so I bought a 60 degree template at Joann's and started cutting.  This is what I have so far:

 I'm thinking it's not that great of a picture, but you get the idea.  You can click on the picture to get a closer view.  I'm still in the staring at it phase so this is not totally concrete.  I was going for jewel tones and so far I like it.  I figure I can use it as a picnic blanket, not that I'm going on picnics all the time.  Something I don't care if it gets dirty.

And, the other thing I made this weekend was this little framed page.  The Queen's Diamond Jubilee is this weekend and I found those word things as a free download!  The dark red was also a free download.  So, now that's on my little table with my patriotic runner underneath.  Hey, two holidays for the price of one, right?  Memorial day (US)and the Jubilee (UK) :)  A coworker and I are planning to have a little tea party on Sunday to celebrate, it should be fun!

What's everyone else up to lately?  I know I made a half-hearted effort to bring back Weight Loss Wednesday and I'm still thinking that's a good idea.  So far, no weight lost - see why it's a good idea?  LOL  I have been going to zumba at the Y here in town, it's been fun!  I know I look like a total white girl trying to dance so I'm sure it's a laugh for others there too.  I'm going to maybe be brave and go to a water aerobics class......although the thought of being in a swimsuit in public is a little horrifying.  But, I do love to be in the water so I might just get over myself.  This weekend is supposed to be nice and warm so I'm hoping to ride my bike as well.

A Case of the Uglies

Not sure if I mentioned that I am participating in a quilting challenge.  It's the In the Bag Ugly Fabric Quilt Challenge.  I received my fabric over the weekend.  Honestly I don't think it's too awful.  I wasn't sure what to expect.  I sent my fabric out today, I'm a little late but have been preoccupied!  I don't know what my partner will think about what I sent her.  I'll post pics when I know she's gotten it.  I don't think it's particularly ugly per se, but definitely not anything I would ever use.  So, better to pass it on :)
So, now to think about what sort of pattern to use.  The rules are that we have to use 90% of what is sent to us.  That top white printed fabric is really really thin and there is like 2-3 yards of the checked fabric so I might be able to get away without using the white one at all.  I was thinking like pinwheels or maybe triangles?  Still thinking on this one.
So the big new is that my Mom retired!  She is adjusting quite nicely!  Last weekend was a party for her retirement so I drove down for that.  It was fun.  The best part was seeing her with her friends, in her element and having fun with everyone.  Laughter was abundant, along with great food and conversation.  The whole thing was just great!
The weekend before that was a scrapbooking weekend so I really feel like I haven't sewn anything in ages!  Yikes!  I'd better get busy.  Good thing it's a 3 day weekend :)

takin' it easy

First off, Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there, especially mine :) Hopefully everyone is having a pleasant day. As for me, I've been fairly lazy today. Yesterday was a scrapbooking crop that I went to for most of the day, it was nice. We are trying out a new space and it was really great and the best part - FREE! So, the price is definitely right. This morning I got up pretty late and while the coffee was brewing my eye landed on my crochet basket that contains the granny squares that I started like last year. I dragged it out from behind the end table and started it up again. Once the coffee was done the boys and I moved outside because it is bee-you-tee-ful out! Turns out I really only needed one more granny square to finish up a pillow top. Sweet. I joined them all together and then added a couple border rounds. Perfect. Rocky and I had to move to the shade because of our fair complexions :) So, the pics are a little shadowed but you get the idea. It's rhubarb season here and I've got a bag full in the fridge. I bought some strawberries and depending on my energy level I may make a batch of jam this afternoon!

and still loving British stuff

I decided to make something to celebrate the upcoming Queen's Diamond Jubilee that will be going on in England June 2nd. I had been lookin' around Pinterest and found lots of inspiration! This is my first item: I love the way it turned out!  While I was trying to get a picture, Joey kept sticking his schnozzle in the shot. Here he is, what are we looking at, Mom? And, I'm trying to get him to move which he thinks is a game! Okay, sorry for the dog shots, but sometimes I just can't help myself.
Anyways, I want to make a couple more pillowcases and I'm thinking I'd like to embroider a saying onto one.  I really like the one, "if I had a British accent, I'd never shut up."   We'll see what I come up with.
I also made another skirt out of a vintage sheet, no photo.  It's the same pattern at the other one, simple skirt with elastic waist.  This one is pink floral, kind of sherbet-y colors which makes me happy.  What's everyone else up to this weekend??