Summer projects....

Watson, our new puppy, is still keeping us really busy.

 He is so much healthier now which is wonderful however brings a whole new set of challenge...as in he is really, really active!  Yikes...he is everywhere ....

Which means little time for quilting.

 I have started hand-quilting my Charleston Baskets.  I am using the red #12 Aurifil with a large eye #8 sharp.  Love how it is coming along.  I am doing a big stitch and this thread just glides through the layers.  So much easier on the hand than using perle cotton!  (white thread in the photo is from basting...tried having my long arm quilter baste it on her machine...so far I like that too!) Even so my hand tires quickly so this will be an all summer project!

Tomorrow is my wedding anniversary...15 years!

My Dh brought home roses...he's a keeper!

Happy Mother's Day...

My Mom 2005 in New Hampshire

Going to spend the day working in the quilting room and maybe planting a few more tomato plants (replacing some eaten by some small animal last week...think I need taller planters!)

I've been trying to work on this quilt for my husband...yes that is golfing toile!  I'm trying to use fabrics with colors that show up around the courses here in April...yes, the Masters.  So there is lots of pink, yellows, green, browns, and a bit or gold/yellow.  I really like the blocks...hate the golf fabric!  This will be a small quilt!

I picked up this crocheted basket doily the other day at the antique mall...really like it but am at odds what to do with it!  Pillow?  Wall hanging?  Gift it and make it someone else's project?  hummm

In need of borders...

My guild has a UFO finish game going on where you are supposed to finish a quilt (or at least move it along the process) each month.  Yikes.  I did find a couple of projects that only need a border or just need binding.  I think I'm going to kit them up today so I can move on them quickly when the spirit moves me!

time for the garden

Because of the summer heat there is a short window of time for me to actually work in the garden each year and now is that time!

Even with the slightly cooler temps (under 90 degrees) I have to limit the time for each work-session.  Nothing gets done quickly!  On top of that there are the garden hazards - namely red ants, poison ivy, snakes, hornets, and random frogs and turtles (that just surprise the heck out of ya!)  Since it is supposed to rain today I'm staying inside and hoping the bits, scratches and random itchy spots all heal!

Maybe I'll ever get some sewing done!

The blocks are starting to come in for out guild's next donation quilts (raises money for Camp Rainbow, a medical camp for children with cancer.)

I picked up a small quilt top on ebay...it is a good fabric study piece!

and how can you not love those big polka dots on the border!

I also got some blocks...seem to have a circular theme going through my collection right now!

These I will make into something...have several ideas floating right now!

Above is an ebay "not so hot" purchase.  Believe me it photographs much better than it looks in person.  I will use it however to inspire a new quilt so I'm not totally unhappy!

Little Watson is growing quickly!  He is looking much more like a terrier now (He was a rescue so not entirely sure what he will turn out to me!)  His hair is filling in so no more bald spots.  He and the cats have come to an understanding (even Dobby!)  This just may all work...

May Guild Meeting

With the new puppy in the house I haven't done much quilting the past two weeks but today did get away to my guild's May meeting.

Always lots of good show and tell...

And this month our program was a bit different.  We played Quilter's Bingo!  I got the idea from a Fons and Porter magazine about 5 years ago!  I had clipped out the pages and put them in my guild file..not quite forgotten but not urgent.  However it was "on-hand" when the group started to look for a quick program this month!

Basically each person makes their own bingo card only it used color and fabric style instead of letters and numbers.

My friend Tari and I called the cards...for the four games (each having one grand prize and at least one second prize.  Our last game had two grand prizes!  Anyway, lots of prizes and lots of fun!  At the end of the game the players tuned in their "cards" and the cards will be sewn together to make quilts for the local Ronald McDonald House!  We have enough to make at least 4 quilts!

Since I didn't get to play (I was calling numbers) one of the guild members shared this find from a yard sale with me...

my quilting rack was broken during our last move and I hadn't gotten around to replacing it!  The hoop without the stand just wasn't working well for me...now I have no excuse!