3 Day Weekend...

This is a 3 day weekend for me, so I'm hoping to accomplish a lot!

First things first.  I must tell you about a package I received in the mail this week...a late birthday package.  From my almost birthday twin, Lindy.  I met her on a rug hooking forum several years ago.  Lindy blogs here.  Her birthday is the day before mine. 

I was absolutely stunned by what she sent...

'Border Music' by the author of 'Bridges of Madison County', pink grapefruit body lotion (yummy!), and fabric.  Yes, FABRIC!  She sent enough of the Curio by basicgrey for Moda fabric for me to make a lap-sized quilt top.  And, the pattern for it...kaleidoscope.  Here's what it will look like...

Isn't that absolutely gorgeous?  Lindy knows me well...this fabric is so me.  I cannot wait to get started...it absolutely is the next quilt in line.

I didn't take a photo of the cookbooks she sent...several specialized recipe books...catfish, fast simple meals, chocolate and others.  Definitely some must-try recipes there.  See those pocket pie molds?  We're going to try those out real soon.  {grin}

I've not been idle this past week.  I've been working on my blocks for the Poppy quilt.  (note to self:  please come up with a better name for it!)  I have 13 of the 21 Rubik blocks finished.  I am so pleased with how they're looking!  Here's one of them... 

I am sure that you're wondering how (knowing how un-random I can be) I decided on the layout of those 9 squares.  Cuz, you know, each of the 21 Rubik blocks will be different.  I'll tell you my secret...I numbered my fabric squares, then used finished sudoku puzzles to number the spaces.  Clever, hey?  {grin}  Also, there are 9 squares per block, but I have only 7 prints.  I thought about adding in some Kona solids or some of the olive green colorway Poppy fabric, but decided against it.  Instead, I am trying to find different areas of the same fabric to use.  Twice.  For example, the first square in each of rows 2 & 3 are the same fabric.  Hard to tell with them, isn't it.  Course, not all of the repeats in all of the blocks are as different as those, but I wasn't going to be OCD about it. 

Also.  The Rubik blocks have 4 different layouts...1 centered and 3 off-centered.  It's a very fun quilt top to put together.  

We got 5" of heavy, wet snow yesterday.  Looks much like my header photo...which was taken a few years ago.  Course, the temp will be in the 50's this next week, so the snow will be gone very soon. 

Have a great weekend, and please do let me know what you're up to.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."   Jeremiah 29:11

Keeping Busy...

I kept myself busy yesterday.

I finished cutting out all of the

solid pieces for the Poppy quilt.

I was able to get 7 blocks put together.

Well, to be more accurate,

I sewed 7 centers for the Rubik's blocks.

I still need to add solid fabric around these

pieces to make them measure 12.5 inches square.   

While watching the Academy Awards,

I finished block 5 Granny Square

for my hand-pieced quiltalong.

Although I am enjoying the hand sewing,

I am happy that this is a small quilt. 

That's all for now...

have a good day!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."   Jeremiah 29:11

Two Finishes and A Start...

Well.

I figured out what was going

on with my digital camera!

The battery compartment door is loose,

therefore the batteries are

not making good contact.

Drat!

This happened with my last camera.

I wonder if someone can fix it?

I suppose I should ask/call around...

would be better than buying a new camera.  

In the meantime...

if I hold the door shut so

that the batteries are making contact,

I am able to take photos.

Not the easiest, but workable for now.  

With that being said,

I can now show you a few

finishes from this week.

I used this pattern...

 

to make this bag for my niece, Michelle.

Michelle loves blue...any and all blues.

I have it on good authority that she will love this.

And, here is block 4 of the hand-pieced

quiltalong I am doing with Erin.

This is the Bear Paw block.

6.5 inches.

Do you love those 4 fussy-cut

squares as much as I do?

{grin}

I try to not have too many projects

going on at the same time.

I think I'm in a good place

right now to start something new.

I bought this fabric over a year ago

and have been chomping at the bit

to use it.

So, today, I started.

The fabric is

'Poppy Collection' by Laura Gunn.

Here is the collection in the spice colorway.

It's for my bedroom...quilt, curtains and pillows.

The quilt pattern I'm using is by

Ashley of Film In The Fridge.

It's called Rubik's Crush

and can be seen here.

With 12.5 inch blocks,

it is especially suited for large print fabrics.

Which Poppy is.

I fussy cut one poppy block...
I had to!

It is way too pretty to not show

it in its entirety.

Wouldn't you agree?

(I have more yardage of that particular

fabric which will make up part of the backing.)

See the 2.5 inch squares
toward the top of the photo?
That's just some of them...
there are 189 total.

I should be able to start piecing tomorrow.

Can't wait!

What are you up to this weekend?

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."   Jeremiah 29:11