Something Shiney

Do you shop at Connecting Threads?  My magazines have drool blotches but I can usually resist the urge to purchase anything.  Until this ...

I simply couldn't resist the yummy goodness of the cheddar and navy blue combination.

I don't normally purchase fat quarter bundles, but my hope was to develop a palette for a class project in September before purchasing the yardage I need.  Alas, I don't think this combo will work for that quilt.  BUT, I have a plan.

This is when you know it's time to stop sewing ...

Stay tuned for further developments!

Jingle Bells

Before I forget, I want to thank everyone for the lovely comments on my Stay-at-Home Round Robin.  Many were No-Reply comments so I am not able to respond personally.  It warmed my heart to have so many positive reactions.

No, it's not Christmas yet.  After I finished the SAHRR I was looking for my next project and decided to work on an earlier SAHRR that deserved to be finished.  I was trying to set some previously-made 4-patches on point, but my measurements on the setting fabric was off so I put t aside.

Instead, I pulled a project box off the pile, thinking it would be a quick finish.

I thought I only had the bow left to fuse on so I sent Alex downstairs in search of my stash of fusible web.  In the meantime, I checked the contents of the box and discovered only the four white strip sections were complete.  The green edge to the ribbon had been cut, but not the red ribbon. I managed to get the lower portion done before I ran out of steam.  It obviously needs to be evened up.

My attention was diverted by another shiney object; I'll tell you more in the next post.

Around the Robin

I have participated in several stay-at-home round robins in recent years, but this is my first time reaching flimsy status.  It will finish at 46 inches.

A star salvaged from an unfinished table runner was my beginning block.

Round 1 - Block with first initial:  The star needed a border so I (Libby) chose to do London Roads.

Round 2 - HSTs:  I was fortunate that I had a stash of finished HSTs in the appropriate colors.

Round 3 - Stars:  I made Ohio Stars to anchor the corners of Round 2 and the upcoming Round  4.    (talk about a math challenge!)

Round 4 - Slashed Block:  I was able to incorporate the three colors of the star in several.

Round 5 - Log Cabin:  I chose to do a scrappy courthouse steps variation, giving me an opportunity to incorporate more pink in the quilt. The B/W center 4Ps were made from remnants of Round 1.

Round 6 - Kites:  I used those as cornerstones for Round 5 and finished the piece with a 3-inch border.

This was lots of fun and really gave my brain a math workout!  I appreciate all the thought and effort that went into organizing this challenge.

Linking up with  Quilting Gail for the final parade of quilts.

Breaking the Silence

No, I didn't give up blogging for Lent ... I've been through a challenging time, not much sewing going on.  

First, we attended a PGA tournament in Orlando in early March.  We had premier tickets with valet parking, clubhouse access, and on-site transportation.  We enjoyed the special amenities (including daily gifts) and the first two days of the tournament, but apparently the drive down had taken a toll on my legs.  They collapsed twice in one day, the first time being at the clubhouse in the tiny ladies' room stall with no grab bars and an in-swing door!  Fortunately an EMT was able to rescue me. 

So I ended up in the hospital for a day.  I woke from an afternoon nap to see a man standing in my hospital room, holding a vase of flowers and a bag of Trader Joe's chocolate-covered pretzels. 

The gentleman was the Development Director for the tournament and the flowers were from the staff that we had gotten to know those first two days.  I told him how much we had been enjoying the accommodations and complimented the staff and their thoughtfulness, but said the ladies' room definitely needed to be upgraded to ADA standards!  (And he agreed!  I think he was just glad we weren't going to sue!)

The long drive back home didn't help my legs, either so I've been taking it easy, but I did push myself to get the last border on my SAHRR so that I will have something to show in the parade on Monday

Overall I'm happy with the result.  Alex loves it.  I think I will hand it off to a local long-armer to be quilted soon.  I just need to find the right fabric for the back.