Spots

I was intrigued by Audrey's quilt-along from the beginning.
First, was her block -- a circle appliquéd to a square -- simple & perfect.
Secondly, was the idea of making a small block everyday for a year. I loved the diary-like aspect of that! A small block, like all the other blocks, but each would reflect the day you had -- good or bad, bright or dull. Again, simple & perfect.

But my appliqué skills aren't the best & I was daunted by the idea of making a block every day for a year. Still, I wanted to play along. So when I began making plans for my trip to California, I thought the time was right for some handwork & I starting thinking about an abbreviated, non-diary version of Quilty 365.

I cut squares & prepared circles from a variety of dotty fabrics, gathered sewing materials into a little travel box & I was ready to go! While I was away from home I made 30-40 squares.

Also while I was away, I got sick. After I returned home, I spent nearly a whole week in bed -- stuffy head, congested chest, fever -- hand-sewing was all I had the energy for. When I ran out of block parts, I managed to cut more background squares & circles. Now that I am better, I am still enjoying making these blocks. I now have nearly 80 with a good deal more ready to go. I'm not sure how big this quilt will get. But for now I am having a very nice time.

Unexcused absence

Where have I been?

No place exotic -- well, Kansas, which I like, but I would not call it "exotic". I went to visit my MIL. For fun, we went to the first ever Kansas City Regional Quilt Festival. Organized by 16 area quilt guilds, the KCRQF has been in the planning stages for at least 2 years. They put on a great show! A good do-able size -- not too big, not too small -- lots of great quilts, lots of vendors. MIL & I went together on Saturday & on Sunday, took our 13-year-old granddaughter/niece, our Next Generation Quilter! She was especially intrigued by the Bargello quilts.

Back at home, I rested from the 14-hour drive by catching up on work, housework, etc. Then, after a few days, I caught Shug's cold -- I coughed & snotted for about 2 weeks, very tedious & tiresome. I was itching to sew, but had no energy. Finally back in front of a sewing machine, I continue to plod away on the hummingbird stars. I like the block, but am not enjoying *making* the block -- it is fiddle-y & fussy -- so I'm going to make fewer than I had originally intended, then add big, wide borders. I've decided how I want to quilt it -- now I'm excited to get it done!

And geese, there always seem to be geese.

Slow start

New Year's Eve I felt myself taking a cold. Not a big deal in the realm of things, but it had its way with me for better than a week: a couple days dragging around, 1 whole day in bed, a couple more days dragging around. On the fitness front, I hadn't the energy to exercise & I craved carbs & fats not fruits & vegetables. (Please tell me I'm not alone here!) So, some catching up to do there.

In spite of being puny, I managed my first 2 finishes for the year: I put the last stitches in the binding of a veeeerrrry late milestone birthday quilt. A green Irish chain with 3 inch 9-patches -- simple, clean & fun. I did straight-line, walking foot quilting diagonally through the 9-patches & free-motion diagonals with little shamrocks in the white squares. There's room for improvement, but I like how it finished up.

Then I quilted & bound my scrappy-trip-along top. I'm not sure why I made it so small -- it's only 48 inches square. The top was finished early last year at the height of the Scrappy-Trip-Along Fever. I think I lost steam because I wasn't loving mine as much as I was loving what other people were making -- comparison is the thief of joy! But it is amazing what the distance of 12 months can do -- now I wish I had made it bigger. It is the 4th quilt I've quilted using a manipulated programmed stitch on my machine: a multi-stitch zigzag that looks wavy & curvy when you increase the stitch length. I love how it looks & especially love it after washing & drying. A delicious little cuddle quilt!