Saturday, September 22, 2012

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.

the block



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

Thursday, September 20, 2012

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!

this is the place

we're getting close

that's her!

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Close, but no cigar...yet.

Pretty enough -- from a distance,

ok-ish

certainly functional,

hmmm, not so good

but it doesn't stand up to close inspection.

oh, ick

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!

Sunday, September 09, 2012

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.)

kitty blocks

pippa & kitty block

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!).

2 sides of pup tote

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!

scrap tote from 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!

Untitled

Monday, September 03, 2012

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.

Laura's Lightning

Back-lit Laura's Lightningg

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!