Note to self:

The next time you work hard on a project & really pull out the stops -- especially if the project is for a contest -- say, for example, the Modern Quilt Guild's QuiltCon block challenge -- read the directions more carefully.

It says "avoid appliqué" -- 3 flowers, 4 stems, 24 (!) leaves -- it is pretty much ALL appliqué!

I saw the space shuttle, Endeavour!

It was AWESOME!

Shug & I live about 10 minutes away from the facility to whom Jim Lovell was speaking when he said, "Houston, we have a problem." Our area is full of people who work, directly or indirectly, for the space industry. So when we learned that the space shuttle, Endeavour, would be making a stop here on her final trip to the west coast, we figured we would join the crowd of locals going to see it.

Well.

There wasn't a 'crowd' -- there were hoards, throngs, thousands & thousands of people that were not just 'local' but had driven hours, some even flew in! We left work a little early -- to get a jump on the crowd -- wink, wink. We spent about 2 to 2.5 hours in bumper-to-bumper traffic arriving at & leaving the airfield. But we also spent about 45 minutes walking around  & seeing the shuttle. It was worth every minute: seeing that amazing ship, being among all the people saying good-bye to it & good-bye to an era, an era meaningful to the country, but especially meaningful Houston.

It was AWESOME!

Close, but no cigar...yet.

Pretty enough -- from a distance,



certainly functional,



but it doesn't stand up to close inspection.



I messed up the corners where the zipper end covers are. I already had to do some un-picking from this coarsely woven Echino & didn't want to attempt more so I opted for a Quick & Dirty fix & just zigzagged over the ends. The next one will be better -- I promise!

I'm sewing cats & dogs.

I had kind if a hellish week at work -- long days of hard & stressful work. By the weekend, I was sore & cranky & tired & ready for some rejuvenating time with my fabric & sewing machine.

I had promised some blocks to Tonya at  Lazy Gal Quilting & made some Kitty Love blocks. I used the method from her book Word Play Quilts & added a representation of her dear Pokey. (I had some help from Pippa.)

I finished this tote a while ago but didn't want to show it off until its new owner received it. Those are her pups, Frankie & Piper (cute girls!).



And it has occurred to me that I have a couple of swaps & prizes that I never showed off -- shame on me!

Here's the bag made for me by Jacey in the HMQG scrap swap back in January -- love it! It is always filled with projects & has done quite a bit of traveling. Thanks, Jacey!



In May, I won the 12 in '12 link-up from Liz at Fat Chick Quilts. I got this pair of adorable little purses. I'm still trying to decide what special treasures they will hold, until then I just enjoy looking at them. Thanks, Liz!

Streak of Lightning QAL -- Peakies & Dippies

That is what I've started calling the block pair that make up this quilt: Peakies & Dippies.

The Peakies are the ones that have the upward part of the lightning bolt -- the peak -- on the bottom of the block; the Dippies have the downward part of the bolt -- the dip -- on the bottom.

Oh well, it makes sense to me.

My top may be done, though I am toying with the idea of adding another row on one side, just to make it a bit wider -- it would better fit the guest bed that way, maybe even Shug's & my bed. Either way -- more piecing or layering to quilt -- I think I'm going to let it rest for a while before I move ahead.





I *might* rest too!

p.s. I've been saving the scraps from these blocks, thinking about Beth's Dump and Sew project. Now this method really scares me! I am not a natural at this kind of quilt-making, but I want to try spreading my wings, so I'll give it a go!