Need help

Well the top is finished. The center panel is a scanned copy of part of the baby shower invitation. I also put his first initial above the panel. Now I need help. Since this is from my stash, I only have 3 fabrics left to use as borders. I was thinking of a smaller border on the inside and a wider border on the outside of the quilt. I just cannot decide which fabrics to use. The fabrics are to the right of the quilt and I did not get a full picture of them. They are incorporated in the log cabins so you can see the prints better there. If I use the softer blue, it might look blah, but if I use the brighter yellow it may pull out the yellow too much in the blocks. Maybe the softer yellow and blue? I want to keep the borders simple so I can hurry up and finish the quilt. Any ideas?

Notions and fabrics

Thought I would share some recent purchases I made. The 5 inch squares and fat quarters were from ebay. In the next picture are items from the World Quilt Show and my stop at The Quilted Crow in Boxborough, Ma. which was on the way to our son's home in Westford, Ma. At the Quilted Crow, I purchased Jo Morton fat quarters and 2 patterns. If you are ever in the area you must stop at The Quilted Crow. It is not large but adorable.

One of the purchases that I am very glad I made was at the quilt show. Martelli Enterprises was there. I have seen their rotary cutter on the internet, but did not know anyone who had one. I could never find it in any local quilt store and was very happy to have the opportunity to see it in person. I bought the rotary cutter and have been using it often since I came home. What a pleasure. I have a problem with carpal tunnel syndrome and this cutter is a dream and cuts like butter. So far it has my endorsement as a great ergonomic cutter. Some of my other purchases were more reproduction fat quarters, a ruler that Bonnie Hunter recommends for one of her patterns, and a tube of gel that goes on the Featherweight gears. The bag and entrance fee to the quilt store were paid by my generous son.

If you noticed my messy cutting table, it is now clean and organized for my next project, a baby quilt. Yes, I finally decided on a pattern. I am in the process of finishing log cabin squares that measure 7.5". I also made a copy of part of the shower invitation which will be in the center of the quilt. I will share it with you once I have the top put together. Well, it is late and I am tired. I hope to have more pictures soon in my next post.

World Quilt Show

We left on Friday to spend the weekend with our son in Westford Ma. On Saturday we drove to Manchester , NH, to see the World Quilt Show. It turned out to be a great day because while I attended the show, DH, my son and daughter-in-law were able to see a hugh car show right next to the hotel. I hope you enjoy the slide show of some of the quilts.

I've been gambling!

In the last couple of days, I have given into gambling. I have never been on ebay, but in a moment of pure innocence I looked up fabric on ebay. I told myself I would just bid real low to see what happens and I got hooked. The results are the 5 " squares pictured here and 2 expected deliveries for another charm package and a set of fat quarters. I now have to stop cold turkey because ebay keeps calling to me and little purchases add up. Not to mention, do I need more fabric!!!

I have been doing some sewing in between babysitting. The quilting on the table runner is not going as fast I had hoped. It also is far from perfect. Since it is for my use, I won't critique it too much when I use it. (Who am I kidding. I will be annoyed every time I see the stitch that swayed off a little.) My mantra will be, I will not rip it out, I will not rip it out.

Tuesday evening I went to the library group and we will be making a table runner. It requires templates. One of the templates is down right confusing. Two of the woman, kept making mistakes trying to draw this particular template. I did not even try because I did not have the template sheet with me. Also, I think I can concentrate better at home. Then again, I do not have to make it. It is times like this that I love rotary cutters and strip piecing.

You know what, I have to give it a try and challenges are good for the brain.

Table Runner

The last few days have been busy with things other than sewing. I was able to put a little bit of sewing in the evenings and organizing of my fabrics. Today I woke up very lathargic and had no energy. I slept on and off for a good part of the day. We were supposed to go to my daughter's for dinner, but for the first time I did not accept the invitation. I was just not myself. Later today, I made myself go into my sewing room and was able to finish the Thimbleberries table runner top. I was surprised at how big it is, but am glad because it will go on my dining room table for the holidays. I hope to have it quilted by machine tomorrow so I can sew on the binding at my quilting group on Tuesday evening.

I was able to borrow the quilting book from my library that was on Patti's blog http://quiltingisstillmypassion.blogspot.com/. She made the most adorable bear quilt with small log cabins. The book has some lovely quilts, but all those little log cabins look tedious. I would consider one of the quilts in the book for the upcoming shower, but am afraid that I would not finish it in time. I will put it on my list of to do quilts.

A Fall Day?

For some reason I woke up today at 9:15 am. I never sleep that late. DH, who is usually still in bed when I wake, was awake having his coffee and reading the paper. He said he woke up at 9 am and I was snoring loudly. Come on, we know women do not snore! :-) I was really disappointed I slept so late because I had plans of working on my table runner early this morning. But what was really a bummer was the fact that it was beautiful outside and I wasted part of the morning sleeping. I immediately had my tea, ran around vacumming, and at 11 am had 2 big pancakes with fresh blueberries and walnuts. Blueberries and walnuts are supposed to be good for you. I do not think the butter and syrup count as good for you. I then took my shower, dressed and went for a walk with my husband.

I know Summer is not officially over, but today felt like a Fall day. Even my geraniums are starting to look spent as the days grow shorter. Maybe I should give them one last shot of plant food to revive them.

Our cat, Kitty, (We are very creative with our animals names) is also starting to show the changes of her coat which sheds at this time of year. Seems weird, but she sheds and then her coat comes in real thick for winter. After our walk, we went to our library, read some magazines, and I picked up a book they had on hold for me. I had them also send for a quilting book that I saw on one of the blogs (I cannot remember which one). The book had the cutest baby quilts made out of log cabins. When I get it, I will show it to you. Finally, we came home and I worked awhile in my sewing room. Sometimes I feel that DH would like me to spend time with him in front of the TV. Tonight, I decided to sit and watch Bones with him, but as soon as it was over I was out of there and back to sewing.

This is what I am working on.

The apples and trees will go around the table runner.

The tree pieces were getting a little confusing. I layed them out before piecing them and then kept them piled up when finished so I could refer to them for the next one. This would be a fast project except I have other projects that I am working on. I still do not know what kind of quilt I will be making for the baby shower. Once I decide, I will have to devote all my time to that quilt.

I am back!

Officially, we were to visit our son in Ma. this past weekend, but thought it best to stay home. The weather forecast was not good and when one gets older driving can be more difficult. We were prepared to leave on Friday, clothes were ironed and packed. Mentally I was ready so when we made the decision to stay home, I went into a slump. We did not know what to do with ourselves. I think it was harder for my husband because he does not have any hobbies (besides playing the horses and lotto!). After cleaning, I finally slipped into my sewing room and escaped the disappointment. On Saturday, I went to my library group (some good came out of staying home) and sewed and chatted with the other women. There were only 8 of us. I guess the rest were afraid of the bad weather that had not come yet. Later that day, my husband, in his infinite wisdom, suggested we go out to dinner. Food seems to placate the soul so off we went in the rain. It is moments like these that I know that I will never be a size 10, 12 or 14, never mind 16!

Sunday was a surprise. DD called that morning and asked us to come for dinner because it was Grandparents day. She said it was last minute and would just be making what she had. It turned out to be a nice day, the food was great, and we enjoyed the grandchildren and their other grandparents.

I have some pictures of things I worked on. The threadworks are 2 of the free designs from Lynette Anderson's designs http://lynetteandersondesigns.typepad.com/. I am not very good at needlework, but enjoyed it. There are more free designs, but I am a slow neddleworker.

The 2 blocks are numbers 8 and 9 from my library group. The table runner below them is not finished. It is from one of my thimbleberries books and will have apples around the border. So...., you see mentally I am back and sewing!

Block #3

Here is block #3 from the Be Attitudes Quilt. I am behind and have to catch up. This block was very appropriate because I was losing my patience as I sewed and the fabric on the letters kept fraying. For me, the blanket stitch is a very slow process. Accuracy is hard as you approach turns. I guess by the time I finish these blocks, I should have a pretty good handle on the blanket stitch. (I hope!)

The baby quilt was delivered today so that is one more project out of the way. I still have not decided on what to make for the next baby shower in October. The father of the baby had called my daughter and asked about my making a quilt for his future son. She told him that she thought I was intending on making one for the shower. I guess I cannot get out of this one. I just need ideas for a sports theme that is still childish. I need inspiration my fellow bloggers!

Tomorrow is my library group so I will work there on their block of the month. Hope to have it finished and will post it.

We did attend a Labor Day barbecue at the home of one of my son's friends. Lots of food and a DJ. At one point, the DJ said he hoped everyone was having fun because the party was not over until 4 am . Could you imagine? I would just be turning over in my bed for a few more hours of sleep at 4 am and would be very annoyed to hear music until that time. Oh well, I am glad we do not live near the party. It was nice and quiet when I fell asleep at 10:30.

Between Bonnie Hunter and Judy Laquidara, there has been a mystery quilt and a block of the month. I want to do it all, but can not seem to fit it in with my other projects. There are bloggers who have participated. Check out Bonnie's and Judy's sites to see those who posted their work.