Sunday's Summary

It is Spring Break and I'm in Austin, TX visiting 2 of our daughters and SIL. I'm so very ready for some warm weather! Back home it doesn't seem like Spring at all. Snow is in the forecast...what happen to an early Spring?

The quilt that I've been showing glimpses of will be delivered this week and then I will reveal the story and some pictures. 

Besides finishing that quilt this week, I made my March Rainbow Scrap Challenge block...yes I know that March is almost over! March's color is orange!

Here are the first 3 month's blocks together.

Pretty!

After watching several more inspiring episodes of The Quilting Show on International Quilting Day, I tried playing a little with stripes. The technique was taught by Anita Grossman Solomon (Episode 902). I found some stripe fabric that I was given in my stash and started cutting squares, stitching and cutting and stitching again. Here are the results.

I think I'll play a little more in the near future Ü

When I get back from Austin, I will be working on quilting my BOM with Quilt Story quilt. This week I sandwiched it...so it is ready to go. 

I have been taking a Craftsy class - Machine Quilting Negative Space with Angela Waters to get ready for quilting this. I purposely made this quilt to have a lot of negative space to practice some quilting in large open spaces. I just hope I can do it!

I'll leave you this week with my fabulous thrift store find! 

Most of these pieces were 25¢, the 2 novelty prints were 50¢, and the Jinny Beyer print was $1 (which is about a yard). Yay!

What have I been up to?

So I haven't posted in awhile...but this is what I've been up to...

First, the June Friday Night Sew-In is on the 18th.  Come join the fun.  I know I have plenty to work on!
This month it is hosted by Bobbi as Heidi is getting ready to move.  Sign up on Bobbi's blog over here.
Don't miss out on the fun!

Secondly, I joined a quilt along hosted by Kelly over at Charming Chatter and Darlene at Quilting Daze.  I have decided to do the mini version following Kelly but have downloaded Darlene's larger quilt pattern to keep for a later date.  This week we were to cut our fabric. I chose to use the charm squares I won at the grand opening of a local quilt store.  I chose Kona White for the background fabric.  Here are my charms all cut and ready to sew. Tomorrow I will cut the Kona for the background.

Thirdly, I have joined in the 7 day give away at Jane's Fabrics and Quilts.  Today was day 4 and I'm just getting around to mentioning it.  Some weeks are like that... I did previously link to Jane's store on my sidebar.  Cute fabrics there so go on over and take a look.  

And finally, I have done most of the quilting on my surprise Happy Camper quilt.  I have also sandwiched the Mariner's Compass quilt and started the quilting on it.  AND I almost finished another stitchery block!  No pictures of these yet.  I still need to unstitch the 2nd Happy Camper blocks and start sewing together the 96 finished red & white blocks for my Robbing Peter to Pay Paul quilt.  

One last  thing to mention...The Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup yesterday and brought it home to Chicago!!  Chicago waited 49 years.  They were a lot of fun to watch! Big celebration tomorrow!

Back from my trip!

Well I promised to let you know what I found while with my husband on his business trip.  Oh, it was quite wonderful!  My first stop was Pine Needles Sewing Center.  This was a lovely bright shop with lots of beautiful fabrics.  Since it was my first, I had a hard time trying to decide what to buy.  I found a very cute bag but they didn't sell the pattern.  It was from Moda made with a line a fabric that they carried.  So I am in search of a bag similar...but I bought this fabric (words) for the lining.  I am also collecting soft pinks and I found a lovely one here.

Next up was the Cottage Rose.  This shop is much smaller but oh so quaint.  The first thing I noticed was Moda's Blush line of fabric.  I already purchased a charm pack of this line just to see it and feel it.  I needed more!  So here is what I got.

I also picked up 2 pieces for my Lincoln Logs stash from their sale room.  The owner also designs some of her own patterns that I really did like.  Need to keep them in mind for another time!

And on to Connie's Quilt Shop just a few blocks away in a little house that is packed with fabric in every room (even the bathtub)!  Too much eye candy to see and touch!  I added to my pinks, my Lincoln Logs stash, and some lovely turquoise, yellows and grays.  

I found a cute little coffee shop in town, so I took a little break (picture later).  That's when my husband called and said he was done.  Already?  SO....I took my husband back to Connie's because I found some backings that I thought he might like for the Mariner's Compass.  He chose one!  After that, we just browsed around some antique stores in Marion.  And treasures we found!  More pictures later!  

If you are ever in the Cedar Rapids area, stop by these lovely shops!  Everyone was so friendly!

And when I got home, a package was waiting for me!  My first ever win! From the March Friday Night Sew-In sponsored by Heidi and Bobbi.  

What's inside?  Some beautiful fabric and the cutest pin cushion handmade by Heidi.  Take a look!

Thanks Heidi!

Now I need to get busy in my sewing room!  

A Milestone!

Today I finished hand stitching the 48th white on red block for the Robbing Peter to Pay Paul quilt.  I first posted about this quilt a short while back.  It is a project that I have slowly working on.  I just seem to go in spurts getting this done.  There are a total of 96 blocks (48 white on red and 48 red on white).  The count for the red on white is at 25.  Take a look!

Progress: I also been slowly working on the Mariner's compass and the 2nd green compass is almost complete.  

Look what was in the mail yesterday!  

I order some 5" squares of Moda's BLUSH.  I really love the colors and patterns in this line.  I just had to have it.  It is like eye candy!

A true find: Look what I found at a local thrift store!  Love these homespun fabrics!

It has been a busy week at work and I'm looking forward to FRIDAY!  Yeah for weekends!  Looks like I'll have time for some sewing!  Later...