Getting back in the groove!!!

So, where was I when I last wrote? I think on the 6th round of my block from the class, right? I'm happy to report I finished that block. I may even have been getting better at this technique by the end. Now I only have to make 3 more of these to complete the project. (there are 121 pieces in each block)

As shown on the website, the completed piece has different colors in the center of the design.



I liked that, so I chose some interesting stuff to go in that spot. I got the block done and looked at it in my mirrors to see a preview of the quilt.















HMMMM, maybe I'd like it better with all the same fabrics as shown on the pattern cover? I turned the mirrors and decided I did like that better. So I took off those last two pieces and replaced them.



I'd place links here, but everything at the website has the same link. For the class project, look for "Twirling Logs" on the George's classes page. For the pattern, look for "Cosmos" on the patterns page.






Meanwhile, I still have to get things ready for the scrap quilt classes I'll be teaching after the first of the year. (Did I mention we'll be doing our own thing, in addition to continuing to carry the Scrap Therapy patterns?)

This is the first one I have adapted to the squares I already have cut. I saw this quilt at the "In the Beginning" fabric website and thought it would be perfect for my squares! Now that it's pieced I'm not so sure I love the black squares with my fabrics. I think it will be named "Candy Kisses". (anyone have a better suggestion?)
Notice all the pincushions made by the "pocket people"! Aren't they wonderful?







We have at least one more football game to attend before Jake's season is over. Then I look forward to long sewing weekends every week for a while. Maybe, just maybe I'll be able to finish the things on my 2010 UFO list before 2011 arrives????

I am grateful for:
Getting things done.
A bonus warm day with the windows open in the house.
80's music (it's silly, but I love it).
Playing with my fabric, even when I don't love the result.
An unscheduled week.

The show was a blast- thank goodness it's over!

Last week was the Museum Quilt Guild's biennial "Stitches in Time" quilt show. Anyone who has ever been part of a quilt show can agree with the title of this post! It was four very long days of hard work, fun and fellowship with guild members and other quilts and shopping- of course there was shopping. I would never give it up, but I was TIRED at the end!
I put up pictures, and captioned as many as I could here. (It's snapfish again, so I hope you saved your password from the last time). I didn't get pictures of my own quilts, except in group shots. But you've seen them all before anyway, right?


I was happy- and VERY surprised to win an award for my machine quilting - of all things- on two of my pieces. One is this piece I made for the "Thirty something and a Pearl" challenge, titled I (heart) Pansies. I struggled so with machine quilting when I first started to do it, that it is a wonderful feeling to be recognized for it now!







I was also very happy for my BFF MaryLee, who won awards for the BFF quilts she made- here you can see them side by side.











The high point of the show was the chance to meet and spend time learning from George and Virginia Siciliano, here shown holding the block we were making in class. I can't believe I didn't take a better picture of it, but you can see the project at George's website. Look for "Twirling Logs" on the page for George's classes. (there isn't a separate link for the workshops)




The first picture is the progress I made in class- about 4 hours. The other one is where it is as of today. Needless to say it will be a while before I have the project finished.














I am grateful for:
Warm Fall days to finish up outside.
A patient man who tries to understand.
A nice long talk with Guy.
The luxury of spending whole days at the sewing machine.
teamwork and cooperation.

Not so dreary after all, and sock making

So, it rained almost every day since I last posted. One day I was singing the rain rain rain fell down down down ( from Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day). But after three straight days of grey, cold, dreary, rain I was starting to feel kind of grey myself! It was a treat the other day that the rain let up long enough for me to go out and get the mail. I discovered there is beauty on a dreary day, if you go looking for it!

The nasturtium leaves look like someone played with a bedazzler!






Remember all the Lady's Mantle in my garden? The dead blossoms have turned to jewels in the rain!













And look at this spider's web!!! Just like the ones fairies from Fantasia decorated, right?












OK, I did the second sock of a pair ( sort of) from Cat Bordhi's book Personal Footprints.
Here are the steps ( no pun intended.) Note: This is not intended to be a pattern. If you want the details, they are in the book.

Cast on 6 stitches and divide between your needles ( I use 2 circulars for socks)

Increase until your sock fits your toe

That's MY "personal footprint" in my sock, to see if it's time to increase yet.

I went a few rows past the "lifelines" to show you how your sock looks with them inserted. You will open this up to make the leg later.

Decrease for the heel, but do not close the end yet. Place the stitches on some string for now.

Cut the stitches in the row between the lifelines. ( Hubby had to help as this was a three hand operation to get the picture)

Open up the leg by carefully unraveling the stitches in that middle row.

Reinsert the needles into the stitches with the lifelines in them. Remove the lifelines.

Join yarn and begin knitting the leg.

When you finish the leg, make sure the heel fits, then reinsert the needles. Close the heel with a three needle bind off.

This sock is actually a different pattern than the first. I figured since it was an experiment, I'd try more than one leg pattern! I'm not sure why they aren't the same length. (oops!)

I am grateful for:

Brief periods of sunshine to refresh my spirit!

A productive time in the garden. ( of course I won't know how productive until next June!)

Hubby and son having some bonding time.

A few days to relax before the quilt show.

I found some late season zucchini for bread!