So Close . . . And Yet

Sew & Tell Friday

So close to finishing my grandmother's quilt! She pieced this entirely from scraps about 25 years ago, and did a lovely job. I was hoping to get it quilted and back to her for Christmas, but here I am, a week away, and I still have 14 lines of quilting plus the binding left to go, not to mention 1500 miles of mail trails. It has been fun working with fabrics from my childhood (I nearly always got at least matching shirt & shorts from everyone's leftovers.)

And yet . . . . I was going to try to power through it today, but it's starting to pucker. I don't want to mess it up! I ended up doing straight diagonal lines in order to quilt with the grain--this baby is full of bias edges. With more time, I might be able to get a few lines in highlighting the pattern as well.

I have a few other Christmas gifts to start finish, too. So I might set this aside a bit so I can work on it calmly. My grandmother is 92, and I want to do a good job yet get it back to her very soon.

For more great Sew & Tells, click on the side button to the left!

Happy Holidays to all ~ and peace through it all!

Gratitudes & Highlights

• Lovely, yet busy holiday season--we have snow!
• Awesome confirmation kids who raised $700 with bake sale for local adopt-a-family gifts--how much fun to shop with 20 kids & spend a total of $1200! They are learning the joys of serving.
  
• At least half a day to sew!
  

Sew & Tell Friday

::Nov STUD Swap::

I had so much FUN with this little quilt--I got the background finished fairly early in November, then I had a fantastic cold. Finally this week I was able to finish the yo-yos--only to find that the ones I'd made were not BIG enough (didn't take into account overlapping them).

Frantically, I made some larger ones and searched for buttons (I wanted to mail it on time to be in the Dec swap!). In the end, I was really pleased with the results. I didn't even want to mail it off! Nearly done with a smaller version (using the first yo-yo's) for myself.

 

November's theme is "Winter with a Twist." I have something sweet (candy border), something sparkly (lots of fairy frost and shiny thread), and something vintage (like--yo-yos).

Lessons learned:

1. Overlap yo-yos look cool.
2. One can spend oh-so-much time choosing buttons!
3. Backstitch rayon quilting because rayon thread slips out of knots.

Can't wait to get going on the December SWAP ~ Go Green!

For more Sew & Tell fun, go here.

This has been a tough week, but my GRATITUDES are:

• Satisfaction in finishing a truly nice swap.
• Great meatloaf sandwich for lunch (it reminds me of Grandma)
• No need to shop much for Christmas gifts--most of my family is perfectly happy with HANDMADE!

 

::WIP Wednesday -- Secret Project::

I can't show my work in progress--no more peeks until my swap partner receives her winter mini. I hope she likes it, but if not she can send it back (I like it!)

I am a little behind schedule due to this monster cold--I can't remember the last time I had one last a week! Praying it will dramatically improve before Sunday when I'm playing flute in church (deep breathing is kind of essential for that :)

 My best wishes to everyone out there for a Happy Thanksgiving! We are looking forward to game day with 2 teenage boys before going to Grandma & Grandpa for a big supper! Have a blessed day doing something you want!

Gratitudes

The beginning of holidays!

Relative health (achoo!)

Sunday I can start playing all my Christmas CDs at work :)

Sew-n-Tell Friday

The Good, the Bad, and the . . . .

Actually, there is no ugly, unless you count the cold I seem to be finally catching (and maybe the state of my house at the end of the week).

Anywho, let's start with the GOOD--this sweet block from the Scrappy Christmas Block Swap came clear from England! I have a pair of teddy bear blocks in classic Christmas colors, and since none of my swapped pairs go with each other, I've quilted these two into mini quilts, just right for a candle or candy dish. Rafael's Mum did a beautiful piecing job, which my quilting made a little wonky, but I think my friend in Japan will just love this little table topper.

Next, I have two doll quilts for her daughters, fluffy bunnies, fluffy batting, and plenty of ric rac. I finished these last spring, but now they're ready to go into a box and sail across the ocean.

With 2 boys, I love having little girlfriends for whom to sew! And, I'm thrilled to have this package ready--I often miss deadlines when it comes to Christmas, and this wonderful lady was my 16 year old's first baby sitter when she was a Japanese student here in Iowa. She didn't know he could crawl for 2 weeks because she usually held him the entire time I was teaching! She is a sweetheart and a great mom.

Now for the BAD --none of these things can be crossed off my list of UFOs to complete for the JOY Challenge or even off my list of Christmas gift must-haves--because they weren't ever on  a list!

Where is my sense of priority? 
Where is my self-discipline? 
(Just possibly I have never possessed these 2 gifts.) I admit, finishing is the hardest part for me, and right now I REALLY want to start a completely new project--which would be totally insane. Oh well, I am who I am.

Instead, if I manage to spend a couple hours this morning cleaning the bathroom and grocery shopping, I will give myself some sewing time this afternoon, finishing up my November Swap quilty. It's been  a lot of fun to work on so far, but no show until my partner receives it! I hope to get it in the mail by Monday.

Check out more Sew-n-Tell Fridays here!

Gratitudes

• The sun continues to shine in Iowa in November
• I have the entire day off! First Friday in weeks
• I am blessed to be able to spend time making things I love for people I love. Wouldn't life be boring otherwise?
  

Sunday STUD

::November:: Swap Til You Drop (STUD!) Quilty Received!

Thanks to my swap partner for this sweet little quilt. The theme is winter with a twist~it had to have 3 of these 4: something sweet (candy cane fabric), something soft (flannel mittens), something sparkly (snowflakes & gold quilting), and something vintage.

I think she did a great job~and check out the goodies she included: scraps from this quilt, some nice hot things to drink on a winter's eve, a coaster & a notebook. A lovely package all around. And she's so speedy! THANK YOU!!

As soon as it snows, I'll be hanging this up in my office!

I love these swaps~like the sew-n-tell, they really motivate me to get a little somethin' done. It's fun to ponder what to make my partner, and it's fun to receive such a nice surprise. My November SWAP is coming along--probably done this Friday. I can't show you what it is until she receives it. :)

Gratitudes

• Quilting projects to keep me insane
• A sweet DH who makes me coffee EVERY morning
• The cutest (if not stinkiest) corgi mix who follows me around as if I'm the center of the universe--unless someone else has some food.

Have a great week! The best time of year is coming soon!

Sew & Tell Friday 3

Actually, the title should read Sew & Tell Friday 3.

This is the Saga of the Quilt That Wouldn't Finish





Monday All week I have been struggling with this little bugger. I've been waiting a week to pin the layers together. I drew the back out 3 TIMES before I sewed it together. I finally get a chance to do the sandwich and the back is twice as big as the front--which turned out to be just too puny to be a lap quilt, especially for my dad.

Wednesday Then I hear the rest of the family will be together for Thanksgiving, so I think if I hurry, I could get it in the mail with their other little gifts so they could open them together (why not show off the quilt to everyone instead of just him?). So I cut off part of the backing to make an additional border on the top. I take it all to work so I can pin baste it on the big tables--now the top is much bigger than the back (I probably had enough for both but I just whacked off one section of the back instead of measuring).

Thursday I go to the fabric shop for just 1.5 yards more of the green dragonflies--no one can find the green dragonflies. "We have a big bolt." "Where did it go?" The computer shows 7 yds inventory left. I spend an hour (during employee sewing night) eating cupcakes and searching for the green dragonflies. Finally, 5 minutes before leaving, I find a 3yd piece in the remnant stack, on the bottom, shoved back out of sight.

Friday I will try to get the back repieced so tomorrow when I'm at the shop with the BIG tables I can get it pin basted. Unfortunately, because I'm working Saturday and have extra stuff Sunday, I probably won't have time to quilt it IN THE SIMPLEST WAY POSSIBLE until next Friday.

*sigh* At least it's progress. After all this UFO WIP is only 2 years old!

For much more pleasant Sew & Tell, goes to Amy's website.

Gratitudes
Found the green dragonflies!
The aroma of minestrone soup just waiting for DH to get home.
Getting closer to ADVENT, my favorite time of year.

Sunday Stash 3

Here's what I'm thinkin' about for my November STUD swap--I need something soft (?), something sparkly, something sweet, and something vintage--or at least 3 out of 4. The soft one has me stumped, but I think I have the rest covered. The theme is winter/holiday.

Gratitudes

• Mostly recovered from Friday's lock-in with 24 middle school students--they were so good!
• Enjoying so much sunshine after such a rainy October.
• Happy to have a plan for Christmas gifts/WIPS--it lowers the stress considerably!

Have a great week!

Kolleen

::WIP Wednesday:: JOY!

http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/2009/11/joy-in-new-year.html

Ok, so I'm ready to find some JOY in the New Year by WIP-ing my UFOs into shape! Today is the day I accept Tall Grass Prairie Studio's challenge. I have at least an even dozen, that's 12, UFOs. Actually, I'm gonna call these Works In Progress--more positive.

And I'm kinda excited because my new-found swaps have really helped me set some goals and stick with the progress I can make, without freakin' out over missed deadlines. Deep, huh? My hope is that my stash will shrink considerably. And there's more good news there in the form of inspiration from an article (Fabric Guilt) in the Int'l Quilt Fest: Quilt Scene mag by Charlotte Angotti. She has officially given us permission to buy bits of fabric to make those UFOs SING--after all, they are all UFOs for a reason.

So this is a long way of saying, I can fall in love with all that stuff all over again. Maybe in January I can start some of the projects that are not technically unfinished or even in-progress--just bags of fabric with a pattern, sitting lonely in the closet. I think I've gone toward TMI at this point.

Hope you are inspired this Wednesday!

Gratitudes

More lovely fall weather!

Getting a quilt basted at lunch.

Sweet teenage boys busy learning the ways of the world--are they really mine?

Lucky Me -- Mini Shopping Spree!

I was so happy to receive my birthday gift from my husband--a mini shopping spree at Pink Chalk Fabrics. I'd been waiting for a couple days!

• The new Quilt Festival Quilt Scene magazine--a nice combo of projects and show details--some beautiful quilts at Houston, of course. 
• Some August Fields Fresh Start in Tangerine--really a nice home decor weight (can't wait to find something to go with it and make a new bag). 
• Finally, some Folklorico Azucar in Spice--Day of the Dead fabric (appropriate for my birthday). It has wonderful glitter outlines everywhere. I plan to make something for DH with it--he loves that stuff.

My brain has been spinning with ideas for the Swap Until You Drop November swap. I told my partner blue and white for the winter theme, but now I'm thinkin' . . . .

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Gratitudes
Nice quiet birthdays with a long nap after work.
Lots of sunshine after a cloudy, rainy October.
More quilting projects to think about than I could possibly DO!

Sunday Stash 11022009

I went shopping stashing! Today's Sunday Stash are my picks for the 4 little girls bags (see Santa's list) I'm making for Christmas.

1. For the yellow bag the main fabric is flowers by Lakehouse. 
2. For the blue bag, I found this cute goldfish print--maybe it's Japanese--possibly Kona Bay? 
3. For the purple, I'm going to try this Robert Kaufman, 
4. and for the pink, some Michael Miller. 

For each bag I think I'll use either a solid or a grosgrain ribbon for the straps. And I think the pockets will need a little dudin up, like an appliqued flower or goldfish. To keep it all easy, I'll be using the ever popular Poochie Bag from Happy Zombie as my basic pattern. This pattern is so cute, and doesn't really even take full fat quarters! Thank you, Happy Zombie! Time to get to work!

Gratitudes

A beautiful, sunny day.

The chance to sew ALL afternoon!

The fact that my upcoming birthday (tomorrow!) is not quite a milestone! (And as one of my friends said, we look at least as good as our mothers at this age.)

Sew & Tell Friday 2

It's finally Friday! This week I have been working on this UFO, previously posted about here. It is a 4 patch frenzy--four repeats of one fabric are stacked exactly, cut into squares, and then each stack is sewn together.

I got the blocks sashed (it's all actually darker) and borders sewn on. The dragon flies is part of the backing. Now I just need a chance to pin it together and get it quilted. My hope was to quilt it today, but I ended up working most of the day. It rained all day--a perfect quilting day. Maybe Sunday afternoon . . . .

I can't wait to get this finished--it is a very late birthday present for my dad. Click on the left button to visit all the other Sew & Tells!

Makin' A List and Checkin' It Twice

Since Christmas is actually on the horizon, I've been thinking about projects. Our family does not exchange a lot of gifts--we draw names (2) in my husband's family plus give something to each little kid (4 not counting ours). In my family we don't really exchange gifts, but I like to send a little handmade something. In the past, I've made dishcloths, earrings, scarves, pillowcases-- most often things I can make while watching tv.

I'm pretty happy that I've even been thinking about our list already--way ahead of schedule for me. So here is what I need to get done in the next two months:

• 5 sets of produce bags (3 each?) ~ when I saw these in Sewing Green and then the ones Alicia made (Posy Gets Cozy--see blog log), I thought they would be perfect for my green, often organic family. I think I'll use unbleached muslin and lots of little scraps!
  
• 4 little bags for 4 little girls ~ right now I'm thinking the poochie bag by Happy Zombie. These are quick and easy and delightful, and I already made one for another little girl, so I know what I'm doing!
• 3 pj pants for the men in my house ~ these are fun and my LQS has some new flannel and batiks that will work well
• 2 market style bags for 2 friends ~ I've know them since 2nd grade, and I think this red Metro Market will be a lot of fun!
  
• 1 lap quilt ~ I would like to finish up the wonky log cabin quilt I started for ORBC Quilt Along (click on the side bar button) for the name I drew. I hope this SIL will appreciate these batiks and crazy pattern. Just 8 blocks left to make!

Let's see, there are 8 weeks until Christmas. Realistically, I get one full day and maybe a couple hours more on a weekend to sew. I should be able to crank out the produce bags in a weekend. Maybe 2 poochie bags in a weekend. Certainly 2 market bags in a weekend. That's 4 weeks. I might rethink the pj pants--it's really cheaper to buy ready-made. But I think I can manage the lap quilt if I stick with my plan.

Well this sounds ambitious, even to the eternally optimistic me. I'm in a swap, too. On the other hand, it would be sooo COOL to finish all these! Let the countdown begin!

Sunday Stash

I have been searching my stash for bag fabrics. I have 5 to make for Christmas, but here is one I'm making for myself. The focus fabric in front is "Birds of Norway" by Michael Miller with a coordinating print. Then 2 Kona Cottons--I think olive and stone. The button is from Dill's new line--marvelous chunky buttons in lots of earthy colors. I wish I could do a better job with the photo colors. The green is not so intense--earthier really.

I can't wait to start this, but first I'm trying to finish the 4 patch frenzy UFO I showed earlier--just need to piece the back and quilt it!

Gratitudes
Some sunny weather, although a whole day at a time.
A cute 14 yo who just got his driver's permit and has become my permanent chauffer.
Looking forward to the Harvest Festival at church--the confirmation kids are helping the little kids play lots of games and do crafts.

Have a good start to your week!
Kolleen

Pay It Forward

Ok, I have been seeing this around, so now it's my turn. I signed up for PIF with Rene and now it's my turn. The first 3 people to comment on this will receive SOMETHING handmade from me within the next year as long as you blog about it and get 3 people to sign up with each of you. Questions? Just leave a comment and I will email you. This could be as much fun as a swap!

Sew & Tell Friday

Poochie Bag
Originally uploaded by QuiltyBee

Do you think a newly turned 6-year old girl will like this? It's her birthday tomorrow, and I was looking for bag patterns to try--this is the Poochie Bag from Happy Zombie! She also had a cute variation at Moda Bake Shop for trick-or-treat/gift bags. This is such a great pattern!

I am lucky enough to also have 4 nieces (the rest of us all have boys), so this year for Christmas they are all getting bags.

The poochie bag is so very easy to follow--although I admit I didn't quite follow the directions (I find that nearly impossible). I added batting for a bit of firmness. Otherwise, I tried to do exactly as Happy Zombie so clearly described. I really like the results and will spend some time today digging through my stash for some more baggy collections--3 fat quarters is all I need for each one!

If you'd like to join Sew & Tell, just visit Amy! Have a great weekend!

Gratitudes:
Healthy (relatively) men in the house
Most of a day off work
Fun with fabric (plus I received my STUD swap from Julie--more about that later!)

WIP Wednesday

Four Patch Frenzy
Originally uploaded by QuiltyBee

I pulled these out of the UFO box, started 2 years ago! (See more blocks at my flickr.) They are a take-off on the 4 patch frenzy (stack four layers, aligning the repeat exactly, sew each stack together). Just ironing them up got me interested again--although I'm not sure I have quite enough for a lap quilt. This project is intended for my dad, back when he turned 65! (Sorry, Dad--we're all so slow). I think I will back it with red dragonflies.

I'm not sure how to quilt this--probably in grey since the fabric is dark with greens, greys and golds and the sashing is this dark, dark grey. I'm most comfortable with straight lines, but this seems to call out for a spiral or something. Got to get them sewn together first!

It's rainy here but supposed to be nice by Friday, my day with any time at home. Hmmm--sewing or yard clean up? Yard clean up or sewing? Do I really have to ask? Boys were just made for yard clean up, right?

Sneak Woodland Peek for Julie

Sneak Woodland Peek for Julie
Originally uploaded by QuiltyBee

I spent some time on the Swap Til You Drop (STUD!) mini with the woodland theme. I wish my pictures were better, but I think the old canon is dying! I had a lot of fun with this. Hint: the wonky bug has bitten! Now I just need to quilt & bind it.

I love these swaps and quilt alongs--they really keep me going with a project!

Wonky Progress

Finally got back to my Quilt Along blocks. I switched fabrics--same prints but slightly different colorway. This will be a gift and I needed to go with reds more than purples. I still plan to finish the purple and green blocks. It's thrilling to use up this fabric. (I have so much fabric it should have it's own address.)



Today was rainy and cold, so it was great to get some sewing in--my first Friday off in a few weeks (I'm supposed to have it off). I've joined a new swap--the theme is "Woodland Wonder" and minis less than 16 inches. I have some sweet owl fabric that might work.

My older DS is off on a date, the younger DS (newly minted 14 year old) at a cold & wet football game, and in a minute DH and I will sit on the couch and watch Numbers. Have a good weekend!

Am I Wonky?

Ok, so I'm trying out the Wonky Log Cabin quilt along with Quilt Dad (see the button on the sidebar). These are great for getting some stuff DONE! However, I am also learning some hard lessons.

First off, let me explain that I see myself as very out-of-the-box, non-traditional, nearly a closet hippy type (never mind I missed that time by at least 10 years). I love innovation! I love color! I love NEW! Or so I thought.

Next, I was so excited by this quilt-along because I thought it would help me develop my scrappy, frugal side--we're talkin' major stash buster here. How green of me, don't you think? Maybe.

Lesson 1: It turns out I am not scrappy--I tried, tried, tried to be scrappy for the Scrappy Christmas Block Swap--the pattern called for at least 16 different fabrics. Now I know that I prefer a very controlled number of fabrics (Turning 20s are impossible for me), say 3 or 5. But I thought, monochromatic rings, I can do that. Hmmm. Turns out I NEED to make them not only the same color but the same value if possible. Not too scrappy.

Lesson 2: Wonky--I can do wonky! I'm kinda wonky (read non-perfectionist) already! Oh, oh--to get wonky I need to trim lots of fabric = waste. Couldn't quite do it.

My solution? Cut the strips wonky in the first place so trimming is kept to absolute slivers of fabric. Whew! I was relieved to be making progress!




I can't wait to make more blocks--maybe on Friday I can--I rediscovered a WIP that was going nowhere (possibly because of my refusal to select a variety of fabrics--these are indeed 4 different but terribly similar pieces here), so not only do I get to practice "WONKY" I get to finish up a quilt I started as a gift last year. Check out the great truly wonky (and sometimes scrappy blocks on the quilt along flickr group--just click on the button at the side).

Scrappy Christmas Block Swap DONE!

Woo hoo! I finally got a day off from work--it was great to just sew. And since I'm a little late on my Scrappy Christmas Block Swap (see the button on the sidebar), I just dove in. It took 3 shows of "Campion" on Netflix to finish them. I really like this Scrappy Hedgerow Block pattern from Oh! Fransson--her quilts are all fantastic. And I've always like log cabins and square-in-a-squares. HOWEVER, I have discovered that truly scrappy is very difficult for me. I've never been able to collect "15-20 fat quarters" for a single quilty. I always narrow it down to 3-5 fabrics. I thought this one, with its monochromatic rings might be easier for me, but it bothered me to mix types of fabric (non-Christmas with Christmas, shiny with not, lights and darks). I really wanted to at least make the rings all light or all dark. As a result, my favorite pair is the last, with its outside ring all the same fabric.

I've now joined the Old Red Barn Co. Quilt-a-long--Quilt Dad is doing a wonky log cabin quilt. Again, I don't know if I can do 15-20 FQ, but I am going to try my best to just use my stash and be a bit more spontaneous. Funny, because I really think of myself as an out-of-the-box kind of person, but I just can't mix batiks and asians, or mod and traitional! We'll see what happens next!

DQS 7 Finished!

Finished!
Originally uploaded by QuiltyBee

Finally finished! This little quilt is ready to travel far and wide. I really like the fabrics--wish the photo did the colors justice. The blue is much closer to previous photos. It is a bright quilt without being too intense. And I just can't get a photo of the thread--used a little varigated in the quilting.

I have a couple little things to finish up for the package before it takes a trip, but I also need to finish my scrappy Christmas blocks--they're due in the mail on Tuesday!

These swaps are so much fun--I love to see all the photos in progress on the group pool at flickr. Wish I could comment on them all!

Next project--I might have to try something besides a disappearing 9-patch! I do know how to make other blocks :)

Just One More Cup

Just One More Cup
Originally uploaded by QuiltyBee

Another disappearing 9-patch. I heart this block even though my corners didn't match perfectly. I love all the possibilities and the simplicity (in this case) of just three fabrics.

I was especially anxious to get this finished--it's a gift for one of my good friends. The plan is for it to match her kitchen/dining area. She has a big square table, so I hope it fits right in the center. Plus, we love going for coffee together--we talk every second! She is a great friend, and I wouldn't have ever gotten to know her if we hadn't gone on a church trip to New Orleans together.

I might have to make a coffee cup table runner for myself because I can always have just one more cup of java!

So close to finished . . .

I finally got going with my little doll quilt swap piece. Starting with the 3 fabrics shown in the last post, I made 3 nine patch blocks. I just love this dotty orange--wish I could get better pics of the color.

Now for the "disappearing" part--cut each 9-patch into quarters--straight down the middle both ways.


Like magic, no more 9-patch, just a cut block that looks like a lot more work than it is. Next, you get to play with arranging these. Should it go this way or that way?



I really like this arrangement.


In the end, I chose this arrangement. All I have left to do is sew on the binding. I'll get a pic of the final top with quilting tomorrow.


This whole swap has been so much fun! I love looking at all the photos on the flickr pool here--people have come up with incredible little quilts! It's a good thing this is a swap--it would be impossible to actually choose just one! I hope my secret partner likes this one!

DQS7 Sneak Peek

I went into the quilt shop to find "just one more" 30s fabric to go with what I had; I cam out with these 3 fun fabrics! So now I have a completely new plan. I'll give you a hint: I will be making my (current) favorite block with just these 3 fabrics. I hope it will be a FUN doll quilt and my partner will like it, even though it isn't 30s.

It has been so much fun "lurking" around her blog/flickr to see what she is interested in, and also to see the great things people have been coming up with for the swap. I'm really glad I joined!

Stash Addition

Just got this little goodie package from Pink Chalk Fabrics. They always come packaged so neatly and protected. I love that.

Obviously, they don't go together, but they are each appealing. First, Tossed Owls in brown by Timeless Treasures. Next, "Tea Party" by Choco en chocolat. Kona Cotton in Robin's Egg, Buddha Party Dot Plaid, and Metro Market Chickens. I guess I should've waited a day or two to order so I could've gotten a thing or two for the DQS7 or the Scrappy Christmas Block Swap, but I just thought these were fun. I'm going to use the chickens for pot holders, the owls for a lunch bag, and I think the orange might go with some 30 reproductions that I'm considering for the Doll Quilt Swap. (So much for shopping my stash!) Can't wait to start on that this Friday!

Just Needed A Sewing Fix

This week I had just a little time to sew and a small packet of new charms. I SHOULD have finished up a project or two, but I just wanted to make something for me and more important, I wanted to finish it! I had just gotten a packet of charms from Sandy Gervais--I think a collection of Fresh Squeezed. It is so bright and happy--the perfect colors to go with my dishes and things in my dining room. Since my sewing machine is in my dining room, I decided to make something like this, using this technique.

It worked pretty well. Next time, I think the interfacing technique would look better with smaller squares. I experimented a bit with a small 9-patch, quilting it with batting, and it looks nice, although a bit stiff (as Alicia Paulson warned). All in all, it makes a cheery addition to my dining room, and I think it'll help keep the dust off my machine. Thanks to Tiny House via SewMamaSew Blog and PosieGetsCozy for the great inspiration!

Summer

I am so excited. After lurking about blogland since last fall, I have joined Doll Quilt Swap 7. After exploring my swap partner's blog an flickr posts, I have almost decided what to make. I think I can make it both modern and retro--I'm tempted to make two, as many in the DQS7 discussion have mentioned.

I DID make zucchini cake the other day, using this recipe from Tasty Kitchen. It's supposed to be bread; I baked it as a sheet cake. I also cut the oil to 3/4 c and the sugar to 1 3/4 c. The pineapple makes it sweet enough & good for breakfast, too! It has been so cool and rainy this July I was beginning to wonder if it would ever feel like summer (only 3 weeks until school starts!). Zucchini helps.

Once I get some photos, I'll show another project I actually finished this week. It is so great to start and complete something!