Ready To Go!

As I've mentioned before, I've been quite busy helping my parents with their preparations for an upcoming move, so I have almost no free time for any kind of stitching (or for blogging). However, it's important to me to have some time for myself and for things that I enjoy doing, so I try to keep my Wednesdays free for spending a few fun hours with some of my dear quilting friends. The time I spend with my stitching sisters helps relieve a lot of stress and helps unclutter my mind. I don't know what I'd do without them!

So this morning, my sewing machine tote is packed and ready to go...and so am I! Can't wait!

Just Can't Cut It

I haven't had too much time for quilting lately, but I recently started a new project with some large-print fabric that I've been hoarding for a few years. I had been looking for a pattern that would allow me to show off the fabric without cutting it up and I finally found one I like. Quick and easy, too. Stay tuned and maybe I'll finish it someday!

Excuse the lousy photo...no natural light in my basement quilting studio and the flash washed out the colors a bit.

They've Left My Nest

Due to the fact that I've been helping my parents prepare for an upcoming move, I haven't really had much time for quilting, or much stitching of any kind. Once in a while I have time to help with my guild's charity projects, or I manage to knit a couple of rows of a scarf, but I just don't seem to have big bulks of time to finish large projects....and that means that I don't have much new to blog about.

If you've been reading my blog lately, you know that I recently gave away some of my favorite quilts to a few of my favorite people. The quilts I gave away can be seen in the above photo (click on it to enlarge, if you like). I really love all of this quilts and miss them terribly, but like I've said before, I am so happy that they are with their new families!

Maybe someday I can go visit them!

And Still More Fabric

I recently went on a shop hop to three of my favorite shops (Quilters Corner in Ithaca, NY; O'Susannah's in Watkins Glen, NY; and Endless Mountains Quiltworks in Tunkhannock, PA). They were part of a larger hop that included two other great shops in the Syracuse, NY area (but a bit too far for me this time).

Although I didn't get to all five shops, I did get a free fat quarter from the ones I did visit -- very nice additions to my stash, I must say.

I resisted buying any more fabric at these shops (and boy, do they have gorgeous fabrics to tempt me!), but I did buy a new ruler to try....let's see if I ever get around to using it!

More Fabric?

Fabric keeps finding its way into my stash...

This isn't a lot of fabric, only six fat eighths, but it's now part of my stash. At least I didn't have to spend any money on it.

Since I'm a member of the Ithaca Modern Quilt Guild, I was given these thanks to the Modern Quilt Guild for its latest Michael Miller fabric challenge.

Now all I have to do is figure out what to make....but until then, I think I'll just fondle it.

Adopted!

Over the last couple of years, I've finished a bunch of quilts without potential recipients in mind, and I just put the quilts away in a tote, thinking that someday they'll find homes. I finally got tired of having them hidden away in my house, so I recently offered quilts to family and friends on Facebook. To my delight, a number of people took me up on my offer, so now eight of my quilts are in the process of being adopted! A couple are already with their new owners, a few are ready to be shipped to various places across the country, and a couple will be delivered locally. Some of the new owners will be using the quilts as fundraisers for worthwhile organizations.

Most of these quilts are among my favorites (well, frankly, all of my quilts are my favorites...that's why I make them!), but it makes me feel good knowing who the new owners are and knowing that the quilts will be dearly loved and well taken care of.

This is now a great excuse to make some more quilts!

Spring Quilting

Now that spring is here, it is time to do this!...

I Have a Disability

I was recently diagnosed with being Civil-War reproduction fabric-challenged.

I'm participating in a group project and needed to contribute a 3 1/2-inch block using a cream center with some CW-style fabric. I have tons of scraps of fabric, but finding something that would work was very difficult, even this small in size...thankfully, I found a small scrap that worked.

Then, as part of this project, I was also asked if I could contribute a few small nine-patch blocks, but there was no way I could find enough CW fabric for that...even if all I needed were 1 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch strips!

The project manager knows me well and realized that I am CW fabric-challenged, so she gave me a pass. Thank goodness!