Back In The Saddle Again!

I almost feel like breaking into song - but that would really, really scare the neighbours. Singing is NOT one of my talents. But I am happily ticking things off my list of things to do as quickly as my little fingers can accomplish them. Yes, I have my machine back on the table and whirring away happily (other than the broken needle incident, but we won't talk about that).

First thing I did today was to finish piecing my cushion cover, which I then promptly layered up and basted.

The piecing is not as good as on my first cushion - which should teach me to try and rush through piecing something like HSTs before visitors land on our doorstep. I gave myself a talking to, and then got on with quilting it.

I went with straight line quilting on either side of the seams like I did on the first cushion because I want them to compliment each other, but I love how going around the squares on this one makes the green fabrics stand out and accentuates the square pattern.

Moving swiftly on, I made the label for my June bee blocks, photographed everything (to be shown once permission is granted by Miss June) and then put the 'little something extra' with it so that I have it all ready for wrapping up and posting. Fiona (aka Miss June) was the person who spoke up first when I offered up some of my ugly fabric to a new home. So 12 fat quarters of fabric which I no longer wish to own and she has a very good use for will be winging their way to her shortly.

Here are the fat quarters disguising the blocks beneath.

Next on my list was to put a label on my Brit Quilt Swap mini quilt which I was a bit worried about because the wonderful group of talented ladies in this swap have been posting photos of their labels on the swap flickr site. The more I look at them the more intimidated I get. I had to ponder what to do for a long time. I couldn't print one because my computer is not currently hooked up to the printer. I wanted it to fit with the quilt design. Here is what I eventually came up with -

The pencil 'cleverly' hides the name of recipient.

Our date for posting these quilts is the end of this week. I am getting more and more nervous as the big day approaches. I don't think this is what my partner is expecting at all and really, really hope that once they get over the shock of realising that this one is for them that they genuinely like it.

I still wasn't done for the day. I wanted to make a 'little something extra' for my swap partner too. I also wanted to it to be complimentary to the quilt. I quickly set to FMQing a needle case for her. I have placed a piece of felt over the bottom part because I FMQd her name.

And that is what I have accomplished today - so far.

Happy, happy, happy!

Susan

It is Tuesday so I will be linking this up with Quiltstory's Fabric Tuesday - you can find their button on my sidebar.

Finally! A Use for Ugly Fabrics

Another day of production for me. Not sure why but I seem to have got a bee in my bonnet about doing these HSTs and once I started yesterday I have not been able to stop. So today I pieced them all together - in the original design I intended but I also mean to make more of these triangles and then more of the various combinations that I came up with.

I am inordinately pleased with myself because this is pretty good for me. I really worked hard to make all those little points actually have points. And though it is not perfect I am more than happy with the job I did.

There was a quick break for lunch - which was a treat as John was home and we went out. Woohoo! Then it was back to take this cushion cover to the next step and I made another happy discovery - for me - today. I finally have a use for my 'ugly fabric'. Now I know there is a saying out there in quilting land about there being no ugly fabric but I beg to differ. Back in my early quilting days I thought it was very clever of me to take advantage of those Internet deals you would come across where you could get 25 fat quarters for $25. What a deal! Yes, it was a very good deal, but you were letting someone else choose your fabric. There in lay the problem. They seemed to have a great fondness for dusty, dusky pink fabrics. Or should I say they had an excess of it in stock and muggins here got the bulk of it in her orders.

There is ugly fabric and I have yet to come across a project I have wanted to use these in -

And if you want to argue and say that you love the above fabrics I will give them to you. Gratis! Free! Without cost even for the shipping - anywhere in the world. Just say the word. You can have them. All I ask in return is a photo of how you turned that fabric into a beautiful quilt. And I know everyone has different likes so I would probably love the quilt you made with it. It just wouldn't be for me.

But I have found a use for my ugly fabric - don't worry, I have more so if you want those fat quarters they are still in the stash untouched. But when you are making pillows you do need fabric for the backing that will never be seen. It will be in the pillow interior. So enter today's backing fabric. It looks pretty innocuous but there is some sun damage and I do have to much of it. But not as much now!

A quick baste and I got quilting. I straight line quilted on either side of every seam. This is the result -

I am more than happy with myself. And I would love to stay and chat but I just looked at the clock. I am helping with Brownies tonight and I have to go, well I had to go five minutes ago. Arrrgghhh! And off I go...

Susan