Decisions, Decisions...

I really have to decide on a design for my Four Seasons Doll Quilt Swap quilt. There are just too many choices! I've been playing with EQ5 and can't make up my mind. I've always wanted to try a sunburst block, or something else with curves. But I really like needle turn applique, and could see something featuring that in the center block, maybe with oak leaves and acorns... I have given myself until Friday morning to decide as I'll have a child-free opportunity to pop into the fabric shop to pick up what I need. My last swap quilt was almost entirely made from stash fabrics - actually leftover from another project. This time, I don't think I'll have the right colors to pull it off. Given the size, I won't need much of anything and I'm always looking for a good excuse to add to the stash. As though it's not big enough already...

We finally had a bit of rain last night and this morning. Yippee! Everything green has been suffering through a drought and it is just not possible to water everything enough as the heat just sucks the water up. I guess our rain was the leftovers from Tropical Storm Erin. We could have used a bit more rain, but given the flooding others suffered, I think I'll be content with what we got.


I had the opportunity to see some excellent tennis on Saturday afternoon. Every August, a town about 1/2 hour away hosts a Master's tournament that all the top men come to play. My tickets were for the afternoon semi-final, which happened to be
Roger Federer and Leyton Hewitt. The weather was good, the tennis was excellent and Roger won at the end of a long, close match. What a joy to watch him play!

Til next time,

Wendy

Two Weeks to Go...

My children return to school 2 weeks from today. The big yellow bus pulls up in front of the house at 6:38 am and takes them away! The only positive aspect of that horribly early start time is that I am up and busy and can have much accomplished by noon! I will be very sad to see them off to school. They are starting 7th and 8th grade this year. Not that many more years before I'll be taking them off to college. So we have a list of things to do in the next 2 weeks that we haven't managed to accomplish yet this summer. It will be a busy time!

I made some cute little zipper pouches for my Etsy store. I will be listing these over the next day or so. My plan is to try to list something every day or two -- and I'm trying to have a wider assortment of items. We'll see how well I stick to it...


I'm also excited to report that I have signed up for the Four Seasons Quilt Swap. I've added the link in the sidebar. I got my partner's name. She lives in a place I've always wanted to visit. So I'll get to send my little quilt along to a wonderful place! I have been thinking about what sort of quilt I'd like to make this time. The theme is Fall; typical fall colors aren't my usual palette. But I've seen some beautiful batiks in rich colors that might be just the ticket. And the greatest thing about these little swap quilts (other than the deadline!) is the opportunity to try a new technique in a small format. Lots of fun!

Until next time!

August Already?

It can't be. Summer always flies by so quickly. A few more weeks and my kids will be off to school again. I know some districts have already started. Unbelievable! I never like to see them go back to school, but then I can get back on a schedule that allows time to sew.

We have been having a horrible heatwave this week. The forecast calls for one more hideously hot day, then just regular hot days after that. We've either been at the pool (up to our necks in the water), or hiding out somewhere with A/C. The A/C at home can't keep the second floor cool enough and that's where I have my studio. It's been too stuffy to spend much time up there lately. Hopefully it will cool down a bit soon.

I've been thinking alot lately about what items I'd like to make for my Etsy shop in the fall. I've got some ideas, but need some creative time to play with them. I have lots of fabrics to play with, and a few new ones on the way! And I have a few quilt ideas in mind, too. It seems I never lack for things to do, just time to do them....

Until next time,

Wendy

It's Here!

Oh Happy Day! My doll quilt arrived today from far, far away. Half way around the world it travelled, all the way from Australia! It is lovely--all hand stitched and hand quilted! In yummy colors that will go perfectly in my sewing room. And as if the quilt wasn't special enough, the package was loaded with goodies, too! My thoughtful swap partner, Samantha, included some very cute fabric with a back-to-school theme and the current issue of Australian Patchwork & Quilting magazine. What a treat for me. It's a wonderful magazine that I pick up at the fabric shop sometimes when I'm in the mood for a bit of a splurge! So, here are the photos:

Isn't it great! I had so much fun doing the Doll Quilt Swap II. I hope they do it again, I'm already looking forward to the next one!

Now I have to bake a cake - wheat, milk, and peanut-free, for my son who is having a birthday tomorrow. And wrap presents...

Better get busy!

Wendy

My Doll Quilt!

The Doll Quilt I made arrived at its destination last week. So, here are a few pictures of it. The colors really didn't photograph very well, but it was raining so going outside was not an option. Here is "Hollyhocks & Honeybees"...

I wanted to try something different with this quilt, so I machine appliqued the leaves and stems and used yo-yos for the hollyhocks. I wanted them to have fuzzy centers, so I used my pinking shears to cut small circles and attached them with embroidery floss tied in a knot with long tails. All in all, I am very pleased with the result. I learned some new things in the process and realized I need to spend more time machine quilting on pieced quilts to develop my machine quilting skills. Practicing on plain fabric just doesn't give me the same result. Maybe I get nervous or something, but I don't seem to be able to control the pieced quilt as well as plain fabric. I've got lots and lots of fabric in my stash, so I see a number of small quilts in my future. Practice makes perfect....I enjoyed the Doll Quilt Swap experience; it was lots of fun to design a quilt for the first time. I am still waiting, more or less patiently, for my quilt to arrive in the mail.

Until next time!

Wendy

Busy Days...

Well, it's Monday and today was the first weekday this summer that my kids didn't have to be at swim practice! So we slept in a bit, then got up and got to work. I did a little cleaning, a little laundry and thought alot about what I'll be making to put in my Etsy shop next. Before I can do that though, I have some window treatments to make for my sister-in-law, and my sister. But then my little shop needs some serious creative effort. I understand things can be slow in the summer, and I haven't put any effort there for awhile, so my lack of sales is not a surprise. But, I really want to turn things around in the fall so time to plan!!

I'm still anxiously awaiting the arrival of my swap quilt. I mailed mine off to Florida last Wednesday, so it should arrive there soon - if not already. But the mail lady came today with no packages, so I'll keep my fingers crossed for tomorrow. I can't wait to see it. The anticipation is killing me!!!!

So tomorrow morning, its back to swim practice then home to sew!

Bye for now!

Wendy

Finish Line!

We've reached the midpoint of the summer and my early summer activities are wrapping up. My children's summer swim team had its championship meet last night; our team won! I completed half a dozen totebags over the weekend to be given as gifts to swim team helpers. They are very cute, but I forgot to take pictures before I delivered them. And, most importantly, I've finished my swap quilt for the Doll Quilt Swap. I'll be mailing it tomorrow after I try to get some better pictures of it. I think it turned out well; it's my very own design -- no patterns here! I call it "Hollyhocks & Honeybees." Here's a sneak peak...more pictures after it arrives at its new home.


Now to decide which project is next....

That's all for tonight!

Wendy