String Beans

I love string beans. I could eat them with every meal. So when I saw the "String Beans" pattern by Loft Creations, I couldn't resist. Besides, Jane was making one and I blatantly stole the pattern inspiration from her! I don't think she minds when I do that ... at least, she's never told me she minds! Best friends don't really mind, do they?



I decided to use the Reunion line by Sweetwater. I worried about the contrast but when I laid out the fabric strips across the background, even the lightest colors contrasted nicely, like that red and white pin-stripey fabric third from the left.

Shoofly blocks are so much fun to make, and I was especially drawn to these enlongated flies. This is a dynamite pattern! And easy!

I started cutting it out on Sunday, but those bindings were calling to me. And Penny was calling to me. "Please come sit by me on the sofa, Mommy." Mommy is such a push-over!

There's another pattern by Loft Creations that I'm going to poke the button on. It's Wringer Washer. I have a lot of leftover Chocolat by 3 Sisters that I was going to toss, but I can make use of it for this pattern, even enlarging it a bit. And I have a lot of leftover '30s fabrics, too. Decisions, decisions!

Or I may choose another route ... since I'm already poking the pattern button at the Fat Quarter Shop. Might have to do some browsing today to see what strikes my fancy! Christmas fabrics? Soft and pretty pastels? Sigh ...

It feels good to be inspired! Thank you, Jane!!

A Binding Finished

I'm plowing my way through these one at a time. These were back from the quilter a year ago. The awfully busy year intervened. Now is the time to just get 'em done.

Penny's official third birthday portrait didn't turn out as I wanted. She was supposed to be ON the quilt, not under it peeking out.



Sigh.......

No way was she going to cooperate. I even had a doggy treat to tempt her. Nope.

Now you can see why she has so many "nicknames."

Punk!

The quilt is "Out of the Bag" by Judy at Patchwork Times. I think we did it as a challenge to pull our fabric from our stashes before she gave us the pattern. You can find it on her "Patterns for Free" link. Here's the quilt. This is a great, quick quilt, Judy. Thanks!!

I'm binding a Halloween one now. Maybe it'll be finished before October!

Celebrations Winner

It rained. I cut a couple of inches off my hair. Penny snored out loud for quite a while. I fiddled with fabric and came up with a quilt I hope to cut tomorrow.

All in all, a good day.

And I spent a long time reading all of the comments, laughing, checking your blogs, following links -- and came away inspired!

Penny actually cooperated tonight and pulled a winner. Of course, I had to chase her down and pry the slip of paper out of her mouth. She was quite put out by that! Brat!

The winner of the $60 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop is ....

Lynne in Hawaii!

.... who said:

WOW! The blog is 6 and Miss Penny is 3 already! Time flies! I understand the 60 very well but that changes on the 14th to 61 for me. Puts me in the old as dirt category...lol. You are so generous! Thanks for the chance.

Congrats, Lynne. I'll order up your gift certificate tomorrow. Have fun shopping!

Thanks to everyone for entering and sending Penny birthday wishes. She appreciates it, and so do I!

Celebrations

It's that time of year again!

Saturday, 2/11, is my sixth blogging anniversary - but more importantly, it's Penny's THIRD birthday! Hard to believe "Slick" is three already. Yep, that's her nickname - along with "Punk" and whatever else seems to fit at the moment.

No pictures this morning. She would have none of that!

This will be a quick give-away. Drawing will be held at 6:00'ish p.m. California time tomorrow night, Saturday 2/11.

Just leave a comment and you'll be entered into the drawing. Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you.

Oh, yeah -- I almost forgot!

The give-away will be $60 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop! Yep, you read that right. 6-0. Cuz that's how old I am....... I didn't think anyone would want a $3 gift certificate to celebrate Penny's age!

Valentiney Box

This box has been sitting here all week, and I just got around to opening it.



I know, I know, I vowed I wasn't going to show purchases any more, but I couldn't help snapping a picture of this box.

Doesn't it conjure up images of Valentine's Day? All that luscious Rouenneries Deux - red and cream with just a touch of gray in it!

Something about French General is so romantic. Maybe it's because it's French inspired. After all, Paris is THE city for lovers.

That bolt in the back -- I couldn't resist getting a whole bolt. I can back two or three French General quilts with it.

Kimberly at the Fat Quarter Shop helped me shop for this box of goodies! I was determined to order it one day but got too busy to get my shopping done. One quick email to her and she hopped right in and did the deed for me! Thanks, Kimberly!

I love the packaging by the Fat Quarter Shop. Everything is folded so neatly and tucked into plastic bags. I recently ordered a piece of yardage from another online store, and was dismayed when it came practically wadded up in a box. I guess I've been spoiled by Kimberly and her staff!!

Opening this box this morning made me feel much better!

Crashed and Burned

Well, that might be a bit dramatic, but that's kind of how I feel right now.

I took a tumble yesterday. One of those instances where you have your hands full and miss the bottom step. I really banged my head and my hands got tangled in the tub I was carrying.

Today I'm sore all over. My head is okay, but I have two or three fingers that are sore and aching. My shoulder was wrenched. It's not damaged but just sore. My left knee is sore. My right hip is sore.

Frankly, I'm surprised there wasn't seismic activity recorded when I hit the ground!

A very busy week this week, but I did manage to get one binding hand stitched and started another.



Baby steps.

But right now I'm baby stepping back to bed. Too bad they don't make full body heating pads!

Ruminations

I've been ruminating this morning. Just trying to get my mind around all the things I want to do .... after I finish The Grand Organization.

Remember all those boxes that were piled up and that I opened a couple of weeks ago? Well, I saved the best for last!





Anew 2011 by Lecein. Brenda Riddle of Little Acorns blog is the designer of this gorgeous fabric. I love Brenda. I call her a gentle soul. I had the pleasure of meeting Brenda in person at the Long Beach quilt show a couple of years ago. Definitely the highlight of my year! And her puppy, Bailey, is Penny's secret love! But, sssshhhhhh, don't tell Speck and Skippy!

I've had this half yard bundle sitting right by my computer this week. I'd love to bathe my whole bedroom in this fabric. It just conjures up peaceful thoughts, doesn't it?

Over the next week or two I'm going to go through patterns and come up with how to use this gorgeous bundle. I'd like a pieced quilt without applique. My reasoning for that is I want to make a long bolster pillow to go across the top of the bed with applique on it. I hope this all makes sense. I can perfectly envision it in my feeble brain.

I have more of Brenda's Lecien fabric from earlier lines, including some yardage. They all go together so wonderfully. I'm positive I can make a quilt for my tall mattress bed without having to shop for more fabric.

Sigh ... guess I'd better get finished up on organizing so I can sew. I'm SO ready to sew!!