Gone Fishin'...

Wow!  I can't believe I haven't written anything for the last two months.  I thank all of you that have been stopping by and checking on the site.  I have been posting some blogs on my main site, but I haven't been doing much sewing.


I frantically made a couple of purses and friendship bags for the Christmas holidays, and that's the last time I used my sewing machine.  I've been so busy traveling and finishing up work projects that everything else has been at a standstill.  I will have a lot of free time next month and plan to get to work on some of those UFO's that piled up.  I think if anything just to finish the tops.  I also have been getting the Pennsylvania Dutch BOM patterns and feel bad every time I just grab the package and put it on the shelf.  So there's lots to do.  


Promise to post more in the upcoming weeks!  Thanks again for sticking around patiently.  Can't wait to see what you've been up to this winter.

Some Fish to Fry - Up a Lazy River Part III

It's been several months since I posted an update to my Up a Lazy River Quilt top.  When last you heard about it, I had cut all the fabric and was beginning to sew the blocks together.  Then I became a senior resident, I bought a bunch of more fabric and patterns, and my subscriptions to McCall's Quilting and BHG Patchwork Quilting magazines started.  So I have not been faithful to this UFO.

Today, though, I took some time to try to get at least a few more blocks done.  There are fifty of these fishes total that I have to make.  I've got a bit more to go now, haven't I? My chalk fabric marker is helping me keep track on my work table... hmmm... I must get disciplined like Nicole at Sister's Choice Quilts and try to sew an hour a day.  Who said sleep was all that important anyway?

Up a Lazy River Project by Carolyn Griffin

using Neptune by Tula Pink for Moda
& Bruce Evans/Ghost Artists for Quilting Treasures fabrics

Shake Your BOM BOM's

One of the reasons I got into sewing and quilt making was my trip to Lancaster County in Pennsylvania and seeing all the beautiful Amish quilts.

I was excited to see this BOM and couldn't wait for my first block pattern to arrive.  It came today!  This is the backing set.  The pattern is called Wiscasset by Minick & Simpson for Moda.

I can't wait to get started on the first block (I love stars and this star pattern)... 

Of course, I will be posting my progress here.

Yeah!

Jelly Roll Excitement

I've had it pre-ordered pretty much since I found out about it, and yesterday it arrived!  I was so excited flipping from page to page.  I can't wait to actually take some time to sit and start thinking about some new projects to add to the ever-growing list.... Boy, my quilt book library is steadily growing!

Here's the link to the blogsite:  The Quilt Room

Snow is in the Air

I love fall.  I love how crisp and cool the air is.  I love the changing of the leaves.  And, I love that it means Christmas is just around the corner.  I told my mom about the Friendship Bag Swap, and she asked if I would make her some gift bags for the aides in the Lab where she gets her blood drawn every three weeks.  So, I found this fun fabric and went at it.  The green background one is called "Angel Cakes" and the white background one is called "Chocolate Christmas Treats."

I used the Moda Bake shop pattern for the Charmed Gift Bag and came up with these three fun bags... I'm sure my mom's Lab techs will enjoy them about as much as she will filling them!

A Touch of Summertime...

Yeah!  I got my Summer Mini Quilt from the swap in the mail today!  Actually, I think it came some time last week, but I was on vacation and just picked up my held mail.  Thank you to TC at fishinmyhair.blogspot.com and thimblechick.blogspot.com for my nice mini quilt and Christmas ornament!

Here are my goodies:

 

Now that is going to get me thinking of getting my Christmas sewing done early! 

Happy Happenstance

While on the interview trail in the Pacific Northwest, my husband and I were traveling through a small town in California called Weaverville.  Imagine my surprise when we turned the corner and saw this...

and this...

and this...

We stopped in front of this...

and I fell in love with this...

 

I would have driven off with it, but lots of other people were stopping to look, too.

It's the "Autumn in the Alps", I later learned.

Sure hope I get a job out here so I can come back next year for a closer look....