Back to Work

All I wanted to do this morning was sleep in. I dreaded going back to work - figured my desk would be stacked to the ceiling. And, to my surprise it wasn't .... wish I had a penny for every minute I spend worrying about what never happened. If I did, I wouldn't have to work (ha!)

Table Runners, FRIENDS Swap and Christmas

This is the back side of the top of a table runner under way. I had to take a picture. The seams bunted just right and everything went together without use of the seam ripper! And the finished size measured correctly according to the wonderful skill building book "Quilters Academy - Vol. 1" by Harriett & Carrie Hargrave. Love that book.  I haven't posted the practice pieces, however, I am studiously working through the lessons in the book. The process has been rewarding.

On to the table runner. All I have so far is the top. I think it is turning off fairly well. This is a Christmas gift for a dear friends, who loves birds and gardening. I believe she will enjoy this.

The funny thing is I lost on of the 5" blocks just before I was ready to start sewing them together. It fell or blew right off the table when I turned my head away to take a sip of coffee.

Oh, look Cha Cha found it! Isn't she a brilliant cat? 

This "incident" was approximately 5 minutes after she came out from hiding under the bed. Earlier this morning I ran to the store - wasn't gone long.  Miss Cat must have figured I was finally gone for the day. She's less than thrilled with me taking time off from work. I cramp her day time activities. Back to the story - I guess she failed to hear the car drive up because she was playing in the dried beans soaking in the pan sitting in the kitchen sink. My "What are you doing?" sent her streaking down the hall to hide under the bed, where she stayed for quite some time. The little darling came out just to help me sew! Sweet kitty!

This picture is the Christmas table runner I have been working on.  It is narrow to fit the table it is being made for. I had to stop because the border fabric I purchased is way too busy. I am thinking it is going to need a fairly solid muted green.  Hmm, I am thinking with a different border fabric this may become a fall table topper rather than a Christmas table topper. Food for thought anyway.

My FRIENDS Swap goodies are close to ready to ship to Australia. Just a few loose ends to tie up. The swap has been loads of fun! I'm thinking I will probably do it again!

I have spend days blog hopping to the over 130 blogs participating in the Fall Into Fall Giveaway. I've greatly enjoyed the journey, have added a few new blogs to my regular reading list and put my name in the pot for some wonderful giveaways. If you haven't checked it out, I recommend you get busy. Just click the button on my sidebar to be "magically" directed to the fun.

Well, that's it for today. I have sewing to finish before I have to go back to work tomorrow. Not to mention my house could use a bit of cleaning. Until next time .... Happy Quilting!

Christmas

Started a Christmas project today. This is the beginning of a table runner. I did not get much done - had several not so great starts, which required the use of a seam ripper. Ughh! All of you bloggers make this quilting look so easy. I find myself thinking oh yes, I can do that! I am finding the doing a bit more complicated than my thinking. But Rome was not built in a day!

I kept hoping the local quilt shop would have a new quilters class. They have been telling me to check back in the fall; however, although the weather remains Hot in Florida, it is October. No class has been listed. So, I purchased the Quilters Academy by Harriet Hargrave and Carrie Hargrave. I am told it is a great skill building - learning to quilt book. I intend to start on page one and do the projects in order.  I have been pleased so far with the few projects I have worked on; however, I know I have lots to learn. I'm also thinking I need to go take a picture taking class! The colors are much richer in the above than they appear on the screen.

Anyway ... I am having a grand time learning a new skill! Happy quilting!

Nine Patch & Strip Quilt

Here is a section of the crazy nine patch quilt I am making for a favorite niece.  She loves yellow and bright colors. Then for the younger sister - same color scheme - she hasn't really expressed color preference. The child is much too busy!

The colors are not coming out in their true intensity in my pictures. I need a design wall ... somewhere down the road.

And, I have been so busy the last few weeks.

I have been scrambling to complete my gift selection for a F R I E N D S swap I am involved in. I have had loads of fun and am very glad I decided to participate.

Remember to check out the Fall Into Fall blog hop which started Friday, 10/1/10.  You can click the button the my sidebar and be off and running. There are 140+ blog owners and several companies participating. Each site is holding a special giveaway. All the winners will be selected the 15th, so you have two weeks to visit each and every blog.

Two additional exciting blog hops are happening right now.  Fall-O-Ween has 10 wonderful designers who are sharing some fantastic projects. There will be a grand prize winner once the blog hop is over. Also, Pat Sloan is  sponsoring a blog hop. Grand prize is a complete set of her new rulers - the ones that sharpen your rotary cutter while cutting. Blog buttons for both of these hops are on my side bar. Get busy and check it all out.

More later. Happy quilting and blog hopping.