Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude?

Well, It may not be a change in latitude, but it certainly is a change in attitude. This is the Block in a Bag for Sept. Yes - you read correctly - not due till the 4th Tuesday in Sept. And it is totally done. Theme - Chinese Lantern.

It feels good and also odd to have this done so far in advance.

So I did another block I want to just make into a tiny wallhanging.

Maybe I just need to get that out of the way early in the month so I feel free to work on other things?

I took my new baby to the beach

There is nothing quite like a convertible and the beach.....

Finished LoggyBunnies

I love Paris

Where oh where did July go? It flew by so fast - I think I missed it.

However - I did finish by block in a bag for July. The theme was travel. Well, the two places I really want to go are Paris and Italy - so Paris it is.....The fabric provided was so great - I hated to cut it....and I am so glad I made one block out of another fabric for myself - -now I am not sure WHAT I will do with it - but I have it:

(Is that a quilter/fabric lover statement or what?)

This is the Sample.

This is the submitted block and fabric closeups:

So - Christmas in July was great fun....I made several great purchases. Here are some of the things I made to sell.... I made several of these aprons,

a crayon and coloring book bag,

This lovely apron, a bunch of these square pincushions

and these really funny cupcake pincushions.

Just when I think I am going to be ahead of the game....

New projects pop up. Our quilt guild is having a Christmas in July sale....so we have been encouraged to make items to offer for a suggested donation to raise money for our next guild show - we need quilt stands....so of course instead of working on my block for this month - I am making aprons and pincushions and who knows what else.

Also - I had to hurry up and quilt the loggybunnies since the baby was born last week. I got to see her today....well I could sorta see her - - I stayed up till 4 am finishing the binding...so my eyes are RATHER TIRED...but she is a lovely perfect little baby girl...and Mom and Dad are doing well and proud as punch....and they liked the quilt...One of these days - I am going to keep track of the hours I spent on a project....no that is probably as bad of an idea as when I started keeping track of my spending. Well, actually that was a good thing - I became less wasteful..and more conscious of what I was spending. Ok, maybe it is as bad as when I figured out what I make /hour if I work at home every evening like I used to do....THAT WAS DISGUSTING......

So - coming up - -photos of the finished baby quilt - - I hope I got all the extra threads off and the pins out.....and some aprons, pincushions and who knows what else.

Roosters Rule

Chicken/Rooster Theme for Block in a Bag......

I searched and searched for rooster patterns similar to a ceramic rooster I saw on a catalog......and then tried to mush together a few different images - - a whole 'nother month of researching ......

My son's idea for the chicken theme was to skip looking for a chicken or rooster pattern - -and make a cow...I am not sure what he is talking about....and then he says - you know - like the chick-fil-a cow saying "eat more chicken." A funny idea but I wasn't sure it would fly with the block recipient....so back to searching for more chickens..roosters.....

Finally I found a reasonable pattern and cut it out, fused it on, stitched around it with regular thread and didn't like that at all.

Started over and used invisible thread...which I have never used. I never liked that shiny look the stitches gave off....but it was better than the regular thread that didn't match. Of course there were many minutes of adjusting the tension for the invisible thread and the bobbin thread to work together properly....changing the needle.....

Yes, I am growing and learning....but would someone remind me WHY I signed up for this stressful activity?????

So here they are......cockadoodledoo.....

Why is this Chicken Music Playing??????

The chickens are coming.......

I have neglected my blog....

but that's ok.................Don't Worry - Be Happy!!

Yes, I have not been attending to my blog. A combination of stressful and damanding work schedule (is that a freudian slip?? - dam manding - instead of demanding.....oh dear)

and one very happy event.....

My son is now out of the Marine corps...and home. Those years sure did fly by it seems now - though it didn't seem like it while he was in Iraq....It is so great having him here. He is such a funny guy. I forgot that. He is so happy to be free to choose what to do - and has spent a lot of time fixing and repairing things here at the house - - taking me with him everywhere he goes - -we spend time laughing together at Walmart and Lowes and grocery stores....Yes - this big guy being home requires a LOT more cooking than I had been doing. I forgot how much I liked cooking though - so that has been great. Lots of his friends always coming and going - - so the need for food and beverage is always great. The hours are usually much later than I have been keeping...but there is a smile on my face....so why worry about being tired.

I have some hilarious stories I will be sharing about some of the fun we are having....to come.....

Did I mention there are now weapons everywhere? Yes, yes...we are now well protected.

(Sssshhhh - his quilt however - that I started when he left - - still isn't done...oh dear. No matter - too hot for quilts right now.)

Missing - Block in a Bag 4 Month of May

I must apologize, and I have regrets regarding block in a bag 4...the house block....it was actually my favorite of all the ones I have done so far......and I forgot to take a picture of it.

The recipient made a point to thank me for such a lovely block - so I was proud. Maybe I am getting better at this.....with the exception of still researching ideas all month - - and then a mad dash to finish it the weekend/night before it is due.

Actually, I was still stitching around the windows of the house the afternoon of the guild meeting...so obviously I am getting worse about getting it done in advance....

It was really lovely - - so I took a picture of the pattern, just to give you an idea.... And actually my block looked a good bit like this one. I did use a stony fabric for the house - but I left off the date above the door.