Stitching Day

It was a quiet day at my house and I relaxed in my red chair to finish this piece.

Little House Needleworks - "Music & Books"

stitched on Lugana "potato" 28 count.

Started 7/1/09 and finished 8/3/09

Why I get nothing done - Excuse #159

Another reason why I never get anything done is because I have so many projects to choose from, it takes all my time just to make a choice.

There are quilting projects to last for the next 20 years. On this recent retreat I made two quilt tops that now need borders and finished enough blocks to make another quilt top. Add that to the umpteen unfinished projects already piled up in my Quilt Studio and it takes me an hour or more to just sort through things when deciding what I should tackle next.

If I concentrated on one craft I might be considered normal or sane. But NO, I have to stick my nose into almost every craft known to man. On my red chair (the chair where I stitch and knit) alone are piled two knitting projects and FOUR, count them, FOUR counted cross-stitch projects. Three are new as of today.
Yes, I went shopping today with my friend Brenda. We NEEDED to go to the local stitchery to pick out a project (or three) for me to take on vacation the end of August. I wanted a project (or three) that did not require using a magnifying glass. My eyesight is not the best so when I stitch at home I use a magnifying glass in order to do 28count stitching. I wanted a project (or three) that could be done on a larger canvas. Brenda brought one from her "store" and we picked out two more at the shop. Did I need THREE? No. But at least I didn't buy the other two that tempted me, nor the new Little House Needlework patterns that I had not previously seen.

On top of having too much to do, I then came home and read post after post of a blog that Brenda recommended. spinsterstitcher.blogspot.com What a great blog! She is funny and does a great job of writing - plus she does beautiful stitching work and has a lovely home - AND a crazy cute dog.

See why I don't get things done? I'm much too busy shopping or reading blogs or organizing all my stuff or pondering what to do.

Oh well, there is always tomorrow. I think I'll go read a book right now.............

Quilt Retreat 2009

Having recently arrived home from the Quilt Retreat that some of us from our Bee group enjoy each year, I decided to post the few photos that I took. My camera is actly up and I was anxious to see if the pictures were in focus.

This is Aline and she worked very hard on this colorful flower quilt. Aline is a retired graphic artist who works in a highly organized and precise manner.

Lindsay finished this Brown Bear quilt and many other projects. Lindsay is always busy with her family and teaching school, so this retreat is her one time in the year to get a lot of quilting done.

Carol (K) started this quilt last year and had difficulty with the piecing of the sashing because there is a pattern in the print that did not match up correctly. She finally gave up and offered it to anyone who wanted it at one of our Bee meetings. Lindsay took it, added green cornerstones, and gave it back to Carol. Carol finished it and we all think the cornerstones make this little quilt all the better.

Carol also made this Buggy Barn Birthday Cake banner for her grandson who will turn One in a few months.

Here is Linsay again with the first quilt that she finished and a pillowcase she made to match. (She bought the quilt kit last year on our retreat.)

Our hostess, Carol (B) worked on this beautiful flower wall hanging. (I did not get a picture of Carol). She did the button-hole stitching around all the tiny, tiny applique pieces.

Lastly, this is me with a scrappy quilt I pieced. It will get a border and then be donated. Please notice the quilt behind me. This hangs in the room where we spend our time working. The opposite wall is all windows looking out onto a beautiful lake. It is the perfect place for a long weekend of quilting with friends.

Today I am grateful for -

1. Quilting friends

2. Safe travel

3. Pie at the Norske Restaurant in Osseo Wisconsin

3rd Round

Squares is the theme for the third round of this Round Robin quilt that my friend Lindsay and I are exchanging. I chose to do Square in a Square in a Square and made the top and bottom blocks larger to change the square size of the quilt. In order to get precise sizing for these odd shaped blocks, I used Electric Quilt 6 to do my math and give me the ability to do the blocks using paper-piecing. Let me tell you, I was thrilled when everything fit together perfectly! The next round will be applique and I will get this quilt back. I've seen the "square" round and it is a delightful checkerboard. Pictures to come........(soon, I hope).

Rainy Fourth of July

Our Bee group is exchanging these five-inch blocks every month. Instead of making a Queen sized quilt (which requires 410 blocks) I decided that I would make two smaller quilts that could be used on the antique beds in my guest bedroom. This is the first one which got borders today.

Here is a close-up of the border fabric. (Thanks Gail for helping me pick it out.)

(Oops - the border is kind of blurry. Those little black spots are tiny little fern branches.)

Scarf finished

While waiting for the plumber to arrive, I finished up this winter scarf. The yarn is bulky and very silky soft - Deborah Norville's Serenity Chunky Weight. I used a simple knit three, purl three pattern. Don't know if I will keep it for myself, or put it on the mitten tree at church, or give it as a gift. It will keep someone's neck nice and warm this coming winter.

(Why am I waiting for the plumber? Ah yes, the outside spigot needs replacing. There goes my quilting budget for the next two months!)

Stars & Stripes

Finished this little counted cross-stitch piece today.

Stars & Stripes, by Little House Needleworks

on Summer Khaki Lugana, 28 count