{A Thought for Today}

The sky is the daily bread for the eyes. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

{One Week & Counting}

One week from today, we'll be hopping a plane at JFK to head out to Colorado. I'm really looking forward to some of this.........

And this........

And this........

See that mountain on the right? The one with the jagged peak. That's Flattop Mountain and that's on the list for this trip. I can't wait.

{Seaside Stars or The Projects Keep Piling Up}

Why do I keep reading quilt blogs?  More often than not I get myself into trouble. Either it's drooling over a new fabric line or oogling a new quilt pattern. This morning I was oogling. Amy Smart of {Diary of a Quilter} blogged about her new {Seaside Stars} pattern. I love star quilts and haven't been able to make one, yet. It took me all of 30 seconds to look at her photos and download it instantly. I love Amy's patterns. Her instructions are written clearly, which is a big plus for me. This is the third pattern I've ordered from her.



Photo by Amy Smart @ Diary of a Quilter

Amy gives instructions for a 72x72 quilt, as well as for twin, queen & king sized quilts. I'm thinking this would make a great quilt for use at the beach, for sunset watching not sunbathing.

Photo by Amy Smart @ Diary of a Quilter

So, I'm going to check my email and download this pattern. It will go in the pile of projects pending. The fun comes when deciding which fabrics to use. I've already got some ideas.

{Project 365+1: Week 34}

{A Thought for Today}

In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.~ Aaron Rose

{You Make Me Want to Swoon}

So, I finished block number five. I really like the way it came out and I like the fabric. The green is the same fabric I'll be using for the quilt back. 

Something I was concerned about happened.....this block, sewn with my new, accurate sewing machine, is the size it's supposed to be- 24 1/2". The other four are 23 1/2". I'll have to do some creative planning to make this one work.

{Project 365+1:Week 33

{A Thought for Today}

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body & soul. ~ John Muir

{Mystery Block of the Month: Month 2}

I've begun to look forward to the 10th of the month and the arrival of the next Mystery Block. The second block, {Mint Julep}, was designed by Lisa Bonegan from {Primitive Gatherings}. This Mystery BOM is offered through {Fat Quarter Shop}. They are very, very generous with the amount of fabric that they include for each block. For last month and this month I was almost able to make two blocks. It seems the only fabric I was short on for a second block is the background fabric, white with grey polka dots. I guess it would be easy enough to purchase some yardage if I was set on making two quilts.

I cut and finished it in one evening. The fabrics of this collection are so pretty and the finished quilt will be beautiful.

{I'm SWOON-ing again}

Well, last night after my husband abandoned me for the next two days, I pulled out the next SWOON block pieces I cut a week & a half ago, started the next episode of {Breaking Bad} and began sewing. It felt good to set up the sewing table in the living room, the ironing board in the kitchen and not have to worry about blocking the television or access to the kitchen cabinets. I fully intend on leaving it all set up until tomorrow morning which is when my hubbie is expected home. 

Why did it feel like I haven't sewn anything in months? Maybe because I haven't sewn anything in months? At least it seems like months. The SWOON block is coming together quickly. I've done a lot of quilt piecing since I made my first SWOON block last October. I'm much more comfortable following a pattern and more confident in my piecing ability. And, I have a new sewing machine since January. This is my first SWOON block using the new machine which has a 1/4 inch quilting foot.  I'm sure I'm getting a much more precise 1/4 inch seam now. One problem.....I hope that I'm not sewing such accurate seams that this block size doesn't match the block size of the other four I've already completed. I guess I'll know tonight when I finish it.

So, the plan for this evening is to  finish up block five, cut out block six, finish Season 4 of {Breaking Bad} and ignore the sink full of dishes until tomorrow morning.

PS: I didn't make the bed this morning either.....

{Project 365+1: Week 32}

{A Thought for Today}

The best thing to hold onto in life is each other~ Audrey Hepburn

{Project 365+1: Week 31}

{A Thought for Today}

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow.  It's what sunflowers do. ~ Helen Keller