busy bee

It's so funny with these online bees: you work and work and then you have to send all your handiwork away. Don't get me wrong: I love online bees! I feel like I've been challenged in so many creative ways. And I'm having fun along the way! They just tend to add to that know-I've-been-busy-but-don't-have-anything-to-show-for-it feeling. Ever get that feeling? Either way, here's a quick recap.

A few Common Threads blocks:

A (looong) strip for Rossie in our first round of the Mid Mod Quilt Bee (bottom left):

Oh yeah, and there was my potholder for Carrie (for our Asheville Modern Quilt Guild secret potholder swap-a-roo).

More in the works and coming soon... feeling the sewing and quilting bug taking over again! Oh, and the plus signs...

start of something good: pluses and minuses

Pluses and minuses... how I love thee! Seriously geeking out over these blocks. I made the one on the left and then couldn't help putting it together when Rossie's block arrived on Friday. I've got plans for a few more myself, but the fact that there will be something from everyone in the group is so exciting. Aren't virtual quilting bees cool?!?

march of the quilt blocks

I apologize for the backlog here, but it really is necessary. Two rounds behind, and I was starting to feel the pangs of guilt. But here they are: red cross blocks for Jacquie and some mixed-bag blocks for Nadia over at Common Threads. I'm loving the way these blocks look on this big wooden buffet at work!






And drumroll please.... April is my month! I've been round and round on the design, but I think the red cross blocks really tipped me over the edge. And dang... I better get to the fabric store. But not before I head out of town for a quick vacation. This winter has really kicked my butt on the weather front. How bout you? Time for some beach camping con family and margaritas! Be back soon with a post on the newly formed Asheville Modern Quilt Guild!

in the lab... (er, sewing room)

I spent my weekend experimenting with some quilting designs that have been in my head for a while. The first is a quilt block that I've been dreaming about for my round of the Common Threads quilting bee. I'm wondering if I can actually make the vertical lines match up and how well those colors will play out over a queen size quilt... open to suggestions!

Then I worked on some stitched holiday cards with some super cute green (of course) polka dot fabric I found. I love stitching on paper... it always surprises me that it's so easy to do.

And finally, the girlies got some new bling.... matching, of course. Aw, (spoiled rotten) mama's girls!

crafty holiday weekends....

....are the best! Especially when you've got two lovely assistants. Here they are, "guarding" the sewing room (or more likely hoping someone will come round the corner with cheese!).

First on my to do list: blocks for Rebekah's round of the Common Threads Quilting Bee. Her fabrics were terrific to work with! We each made 15 inch blocks that are going to be put together with grey sashing... so cool! I've been thinking about my month - which isn't until April - and I'm starting to get excited. By then, the mister and I will have a new queen-sized bed (hopefully!) that will need a lovely covering...

And finally, a wild crafting hair moment: I decided to make something Christmas-y for our table - just a simple quilted placemat. Ye olde Christmas ficus just seemed a bit lonley this year.

and I'm back!

Gosh, it's been a crazy month and a half. I didn't think I'd be gone that long, but a lot of life has happened. Let's see: we moved across town (bye bye beautiful porch for all that sunny picture taking), suffered some seriously bad machine mojo (computer, sewing machine, scooter), and Billy started a nursing job (woohoo!). Things were just starting to settle back down... I even was a little crafty. First a sock monkey for Craft Hope...

...and then some quilt blocks for Common Threads...

.... and then we almost ran over a puppy on the way to our friend's house. And, because fate is cruel, she looks exactly like Baby! No tags, no microchip, and no calls from her previous owners despite the fact that she's an utter sweetheart. We've named her Violet for now, but the jury's still out as to whether Baby can handle a younger, spunkier, fartier sybling in the midst of so many other changes. Pheww... puppies are a lot of work! Hopefully, I'll get to use the craft room - oh, yes, the room of crafts! - soon. I'm thinking Violet may have crafty tendencies....

virtual quilting bee, round #1

Here is installment #1 of my round with the Common Threads virtual quilting bee. What fun! I love the colors Amber chose... It'll make it hard come my turn. I think my favorite part of both blocks is the tone-on-tone blue stripes. I'm thinking I'll have to put that technique to use again sometime soon.

Unfortunately, these blocks have done the unthinkable: they have killed my sewing machine. Well, actually, it was probably the 20+ years of steady use without a servicing. Either way, I'm taking her in for a checkup: fingers crossed. Gosh, I never thought I would get so emotionally attached to a machine.

And I can't help but share some lovely shots from our weekend camping in the mountains. We camped at Lake Santeetlah - which was still warm enough to for swimming (oh, moonlight swims!) - and did a little bit of hiking at Joyce Kilmer. And Baby took her first canoe ride... like a champ! Admittedly, we were trying to extract one last flurry of summer fun, but the nip in the air is nice, too.