Busy Summers

Hi Friends!  Well, I tell ya, this summer has been a wild one!  Things have been really humming along since we last spoke.  I'll admit, a nice long vacation would do me some good.  Alas, I'm not getting one.  So, onward we plow!

A few weekends ago, a bunch of us went to Mascoutah for our little stay-in-your-own-bed retreat that we have every few months.  It's always so great to catch up with friends!  I did manage to sew in between the socializing!  Donna D and I put our heads together and worked on Splendid Sampler blocks.  She's doing hers in multiple color batiks and it looks fantastic!  She's also more caught up than I am...

As I was uploading these photos, I realized I duplicated one.  I think it's interesting that I chose a plaid for both blocks in the same spots.  I must have been REAL sure about my decision!  Also, chose red both times...

I think I had this one done last time I blogged but forgot to take a picture.  I LOVE it.

As, I scrolled down, I thought there was something wrong with this next picture.  Nope, it really is that pale.  Wierd next to all my red!

 I don't save salvages, although I love the look of those blocks.  So, I chose stripes instead.  More red.

 Here we go with some pink.  My sweet little rosettes.

 Now, this next one...I looks really wonky in the picture but I think its just a problem with my pressing.  The middle is supposed to be a lemon.  I'm not an expert with curved piecing and such a tiny little block didn't help things much.  What can I pretend mine is?  Persimmon, maybe?  One of those moments that having such a limited color palette was really annoying.

 My pencils!  Donna D was really helpful picking out fabrics for this block.  You know, paper piecing.  ( insert body shutter here).  And, I'm really happy with the outcome.

 I'm a huge fan of designer Kristyne Czepuyk!  You should  check out her blog Pretty By Hand, she makes the cutest stuff!  She designed this next block.  I still have to add the embroidery down the light pink pieces.  Totally forgot about that...

And, for one brief, beautiful moment, I was almost caught up.  It's been a week again already.  So, that puts me 4 or 5 blocks behind again.  We put the English Paper Piecing blocks off to the end but then didn't get to them.  I guess thats better than a dozen...

I've recently restocked my Etsy shop, I'd love for you to take a look!  I also very recently made my first whole bolt purchase!  That was very exciting and nausiating all at the same time!  Woowee, it's expensive when you do that!  I can't wait to show you my new website, too!  I've been working diligently to get that up and running.  I work on it until I'm completely frustrated, then I go back and what I was so frustrated with starts to make sense.  I've got kind of a rhythm going...  On The Brighter Side Fabrics is going to happen!  And, I'm really excited about it!  Until next time, much love!

Plucking Along

Well, hello there friends.  Lots of goings on around here.  Not too much of it sewing.  But, I have done some since I last blogged.

These are my most recent Splendid Sampler blocks.  I'm REALLY happy with this one.  I just love all these fabrics so much!

I chose to only go forward.  Maybe, when it's over, I'll decide to re-do a few.  Namely my paper piecing.  We'll just have to see what we see...

This little fan is a personal best.  Usually, my Dresden plates are really wonky.  This one's pretty round.  Then, I did a crappy zigzag with the center...Totally missed the edge on half of it.  I really needed a closer thread match but I was trying to use what I had.

One of the bonus blocks.  This was a derby hat in honor of the Kentucky Derby.  Yep.  I'm a little behind...

 A really cute sewing machine.

While doing this paper pieced heart, I did learn a few things.  1) my iPad doesn't give me many printer options.  2) just make it bigger, it'll be fine.

So, since I couldn't check the "print full size" option, I just went bigger on the sides and cut it down when I was done.

I'll have to print from one of the desk tops when I want to do something a little more complicated in the future.  Then, I decided to skip that one really cute block of the dress and thread spool.  Maybe later.

This is such a sweet little block.  By now, I'm probably another 10 blocks behind.  It's a long weekend.  Who knows, maybe I'll catch up.

Yeah, probably not.  But, let's look on the brighter side!

Nice plug for my Etsy shop, right?  Have you taken a look?  You might find something you need:)

In other news, one of my daughters moved out.  I was NOT emotionally ready for that to happen.  But, it did and I'm sure I'll get used to it eventually.  I keep telling myself people grow up, they move out.  It's all totally normal.  And, we do try to appear normal when we can.

I'm dealing with my pain by turning her room into a studio.  It's been the plan for years, and I'm excited for it but also very conflicted.  Life is so complicated.  Parenting is complicated.

I now have lots of room for books.  I haven't been a big book collector over the years because there was no where to put them.  Just look at all the room I have now!  I'm researching the right floral arrangement for the top shelf.  I also have that cool vintage, aqua, sewing machine to use as decoration.  It's heavy though and I'm not sure if I should put another brace in first.  The middle gets a little saggy if the weight goes to the middle.  I've got enough sagging going on by myself!  Don't need the shelves sagging, too!

I got matching binders and mag holders because, you know, I'm a diva.

Neither of the girls wanted their old dressers, so now that's my paint/ dye/ shipping storage.  I was able to display my Sew Tweets wall hanging, finally.  I made that about 5 years ago and had no where to put it until now.

I added shelving to their 5 foot closet.  And, took over their linen closet for my quilts.  No more bins in the basement!

Next up, I plan on making a design wall.  I've already spent too much $$ on the shelving.  I really need to pace myself.  And, I'll be putting up new curtains.  I'm thinking Pam Kitty Morning with aqua dots.  Yikes.  That'll take a whole bolt.  4 windows. $$  And, I'll want a big peg board painted pink with white trim.  $$$$$

Please check out my Etsy shop, I'm gonna need some cash:)




Enough of that, I'm giving myself another anxiety attack...

I did a crazy quilt block for my July CQJP.  The tatted flowers are purchased.  There is gold hatched in to the bee hive, I wish that showed better in the photo.  That's an "H" in the white block.  Not sure how obvious it is.  I did a double running stitch and then wove through them to give the letter some substance.  The bright pink flower was all you could see at first.  The peach button is my first attempt at doing a bezel technique.  I can definitely use some practice on that.  I used one of the czech buttons Rich bought me for my birthday.  Love it!  Far bottom right is a yellow rose for my mom.  Her favorite.  I pretty much did the whole block in 2 days.  I just couldn't stop myself.  I find stitching to be the best therapy!

Here is my finished block from a Batik Me round robin.  I made the block and 5 others did the stitching.  It's all so cute.  I just love that sun!  And the butterflies are so sweet!  It's all very fun and cheerful!  Good job ladies!

Until next time, my friends!  Have a fantastic holiday (if you're in the US) and be safe!

Heather