Winding Ways...in Pieces

It's been a real struggle to steal away time, but I did begin cutting a new quilt top. I suppose I should finish old projects before starting a new one, but, well, you know how that goes...

I'm using the Winding Ways template pattern from Fat Quarter Friendly Quilts by Fons & Porter...hope it turns out half as nice as the one in the photo. :)

Less sewing, more shopping. :)

Well, no, I haven't been doing a lot of sewing.

Duh, right?

No photos = no fun.

Well, I've had a little fun. :) I'm just about done with my fourth redwork block (pitiful, I know) and of course I'm thinking ahead to what I'd like to work on next. I got a little carried away on what was supposed to be just a very little shopping trip to pick up a few things...instead I didn't get a thing on my list but ended up purchasing 8 yards of this...

It's soooooooo Thimbleberries-ish isn't it??? I love it. I tend to buy 1/2 yards or 1 yard at a time, but I know that this will be a border and a backing. It's some of that premium quilters cotton from JoAnn Fabrics, (Stone Hill Collection/Prarie Home/Floral). Now I'm on the hunt for a quilt to make with it. I'm hoping I can use some things that I already have and not go buy more - but I suppose it wouldn't be all that terrible if I had to go shopping again! :)

Here I am. :)

Wheeeeeewwww! Have you noticed, it's fall? Where did the summer go? Lol*

Well school has begun, and I have been busy with a capital B. Both of my daughters are in gymnastics this year, and it's looking as though my oldest will be in dance as well. Aside from toting them from school, and place to place, I have been trying to get my house organized, and remove the junk that has cluttered up my sewing room. I can barely walk in there! I'm not brave enough to show a picture of it though!!! Lol* I have been doing a lot of thinking about sewing. Lol* Things are just starting to get back into a routine, so maybe I'll have some time for crafting very soon. :)

Just wanted to let you all in blogland know I didn't forget you. :)

Seeds and Rain

Here's a picture of my gardening experiment for 2008...all of this except for the cannas were grown from seed this year. In mid May I labeled popsickle sticks with the name of each flower, and basically, tossed all the seeds around in different spots. Part of me didn't think they'd actually grow!

I really don't know what to do with this area right now. It's more congested than I like, and next year I will space the plants out a bit more if I can. For now I may just leave it as it until next spring, then do an overhaul.

I've also been saving milk jugs like mad.

These are for my 2009 garden experiment! I thought I'd try winter sowing, where you use milk jugs or other household things to make mini-greenhouses. You put your seeds in these containers and leave them outside during the winter and, hopefully, you get plants a little earlier than you might if you'd waited until after frost to sow directly into the ground. I've already started collecting seeds from some of the plants I already have too. Can't wait to see what happens! If all goes well, I can envision dozens of milk jugs lining up along the back of the house next spring!

Fat Quarter Shop Shopping

Alright, I just can't resist sharing this purchase...Fat Quarter Shop is seriously my favorite of all online quilt shops. I have been oogling the fabric and price shopping for items they carry for years...but I have yet to find anyone who's as on top of new lines as Fat Quarter Shop with as reasonable shipping. I finally put in a purchase for some things I couldn't live without...and now I'm really in love. Shipping was only $5 (it would have cost me more in gas to go the shop nearest me). I placed my order Wednesday and it was here (from Texas to Ohio) by Saturday. Isn't that awesome? I even emailed the famous Kimberly from the FQS to tell her how happy and pleased I was and within a day she'd replied back with the nicest little note.

From the line Cottage Romance by Willowberry Lane, I picked up 1/2 yard each of this scallop/stripe print and the floral. If this doesn't make your mouth water then there's got to be something wrong with you! Lol***

Not as great a picture, from the Winter line by Minick & Simpson I purchased a charm pack and 1/2 yard of red with adorable little candy canes on it. TOO cute. I think this will be a table topper or something for the mantle.

Redwork & Shopping

I wanted to share a few more of my redwork blocks with you. I know these get a little boring after a while so I'll try to refrain from blogging about this project until it's at the very least together in a top. :)

Lily of the valley...

Violas...one of my favorite flowers...too bad they are a favorite of the bunnies that live nearby too. :)

Also did some shopping yesterday at Jo-Ann's. I had been eyeing this line of Debbie Mum fabric for a while, and decided, finally, to pick up a few yards. Not normally my taste, but, maybe a Christmas gift?

I am really excited about this thrift purchase...a set of six cotton napkins I found made from reproduction vintage fabric. Washed a few times and very soft...I think it will look so pretty in something mixed with real vintage.

Last but not least, just a little note regarding Mary Ellen's Best Press. I mentioned a few posts ago that I bought some to try, and wanted to share, that I love it! It's way better than starch, and I love working with fabric that I've used it on. It seems to make a real difference with sewing bias pieces also. I now use it on all of my fabric after prewashing. My only complaint is they don't give you enough in that little bottle! Maybe I get carried away with it, but I think I used just shy of 1/4 of the bottle on that buzz saw quilt alone! :) Sure looks good though. Lol*

Redwork & The Plant Inspector

:) I needed to start another project like I need a hole in my head. But what fun I'm having...

Redwork has been popping up all around me. I've always wanted to try it, so I did. :) Both of my daughters love the, ahem, "biiiiirrrrddddeeeee!", so I know this block's a keeper.

In other news, I recently hired an assistant to help inspect the garden for pests. She has requested I pay her promptly at the end of each work day in yellow m&m's.