Jealous

So many quilters and stitcher's blogs are listing all their goals for 2011.  There are challenges and groups to join.  There are lists and inspirations galore.  Frankly, I'm jealous.  My quilt studio and my cutting table are such a mess I can't even find the UFO's to make a list.  I feel like I have been left behind in the dust. Tomorrow though - ah yes tomorrow - I plan to clean up that cutting table, clean the quilt studio, organize all the unfinished projects, make a list, and move forward along with all the other ambitious quilters.

As for my stitching, I have the three projects which I showed yesterday along with my unfinished Christmas At Hawk Run Hollow.  Those are the only UFO's in the stitching category.  Of course I have lots and lots of patterns, some even kitted, but those are my backup in case I get snowed in for the rest of the winter.

Today, being Sunday, most of my day is taken up with church activities and lunch with the family.  Once I got home I had to do the Sudoku puzzle in the newspaper, check email, and work on an article for the church newsletter.  Then I finally settled down for a some stitching time and made a little progress on "Reading" as you can see in the picture below.

Yes, I am jealous of those more organized than I am, but the remedy will come tomorrow when you can see the dust flying from my house.  If you hear reports of a whirlwind, check to see if it is northwest of Chicago.

Slow, slow progress

Yes, I am making very slow progress on the projects posted recently on this blog.  Today I had a chance to work on the borders for the blue & white nine-patch and hope to get them finished tomorrow.

My sewing time was made easier by the addition of a new bendable light given to me by my cousin.  Every time I threaded my needle today I hit my target the first time - and I'm sure it was because of the good light spotlighting the needle and presser foot.

While watching TV tonight I also worked a little on this Halloween stitchery.  This is a particularly slow project because the 32 count fabric is a real challenge for me to see.  I can only do a little at a time before everything starts to get blurry.  However, I so enjoy stitching, even though it goes so slowly.

Today I am grateful for -
1.  Visiting with friends.
2.  My new bendable light.
3.  Enjoying Dancing With The Stars.
4.  The Down comforter I recently purchased.

Busy Saturday

I just wanted to make a sample block from Sharon Craig's new book, Layer 'Em Up #3, so I chose an easy block and before I knew it, I had a whole quilt top done. It is a good table-topper size, not my colors at all, and the pink sashing kind of takes center stage.

Here is a close-up of one of the fabrics - a scrap piece of musical instruments that has been in my stash for years.

As long as I got the top done, I decided to also pick out a backing and make a binding. I found this wild wavy stripe in my stash and thought it would finish off the quilt nicely.

After spending part of Friday with my friend, Brenda, who is a master stitcher, I decided to start a new stitching project. This piece also has bright colors that are not my usual choice.

I must be in a wild and crazy mood. : )

Today I am very grateful for air conditioning and my nice, chilly Quilt Studio (in the basement).