Work seems to get in the way...

Once again it has been a long time since my last post.  Since school has started, my time has become sew limited.  I have been sewing some but nothing to show quite yet. Several WIP's but no finishes.

I also needed to take my beloved machine in for a cleaning and tune up.  I was aghast when they said that he (the repairman) was 12 days out in his workload.  What was I going to do? Yes, I do have another machine but nothing like my Elna! I love it sew!! My second machine is a Husqvarna...not a shabby machine but in comparison...oh how I miss my Elna!  And yes I have a third machine and a serger but...

A couple of things of note...I have joined the Ghastlies Blog Hop! Watch for some great project from this wonderfully disturbing line of fabric by Alexander Henry.  Madame Samm over at Sew I Quilt is our host. Here is my Ghastlies signature.

Secondly, this month's Friday Night Sew-In is September 16th. Won't you join us?  Hope over to Heidi's blog and sign up. It's a great excuse to stay in a sew. 

Finally, I signed up for a swap on Flickr called Little Quilt. This is round 2 and I'm joining (if they want me.) I'm new to this so hopefully will figure out all the technical things...which is not one of my fortes. 

I leave you with some pictures of wedding sewing/crafts that I have not shared. What's a post without pictures?

I spent many hours [they were kinda addicting] making these fabric flowers for the headbands/barrettes/veil for the bridesmaids, flower girls and the bride. As well as the flowers on the flower girl dresses [which I also made.] 

I also hand stitched this pearl and lace cuff for my daughter.

in progress

Last weekend, we were camping in WI for the long weekend...an annual event with friends! This weekend is a 'bees and honey' weekend. We (not I, but my DH and friends) will rob the hives today and Sunday is the day we harvest this year's honey. YUM! 

Well, I'm hoping for some quilty finishes soon! In the meantime...

The last 2 blocks...

for Block-A-Palooza were released this week (Monday & today)! I have been really good at keeping up and here are the last 2:

Next week we will be putting it all together!  I think I may remake a block or 2 as I'm not completely happy with a few.  I didn't take a picture of all 16 blocks together yet. I'll have to do that soon as it always helps in seeing how they look together.  

I also finished my March block for the Birdie Stitches BOM.  

Isn't it cute?

Back in the early part of February, Cara over at Cara Quilts sponsored The Basics Charity Challenge.  You can read about it here.  There were several prizes for incentive but the challenge was an easy and not expensive act to do.  Although my DH and I volunteer at our local homeless center, I accepted the challenge and went out to buy some twin size fitted sheets and dropped them off at the center.  

Just last week, Cara notified me that I had won one of the incentive prizes, Bari J's new book Inspired to Sew! I love it...it has beautiful illustrations and I can't wait to try a project.  I especially like Bari's Chicago connection...my hometown! 

I have been thinking of ways to repurpose things and here is one that I recently made.  

Instead of dog-eared corners in my books to mark my place, I now have these easy to make corners.  They remind me of photo corners and neatly fit over the corner of the page.  And they are much prettier! 

What do you think?

Do you remember my extreme wedding dress makeover?  Well, I promised to make the bride her wedding veil.  She wanted a simple, single layer veil.  I used some lace from the original dress to cover the comb.  

I leave you with another challenge.  Rachel over at p.s. i quilt has joined Moda in their Just One Star challenge.  They need 1800 star blocks by May 1st.  Rachel has challenge us in making just one star this week...in the mail by Monday! Quilters Unite! We can do it! They are so easy to make...I made 2!

{name blurred on purpose}

Have you made yours?