Sitting on It

Backing fabric and perle #8 quilting threads have arrived. I don't have a table large enough to pin a quilt easily so I have to sit on the floor and on top of the quilt to pin. And since I don't have air conditioning (really!) and since it's been over 90 degrees lately and since I'm going to be hand quilting this one and have it on my lap -  I think I will be "sitting on it" for quite some time. My goal is to have it completed by September 1.

Butterflies and Dragonflies

This is my last block I need to stitch on for the Butterflies and Dragonflies RR over on CQI Yahoo Group. Each lady sends around a block and the other ladies embellish it according to theme. This is Meg's block and she mostly wanted dragonflies so I added a beaded turquoise one, an organza and bullion one and a perle #8 one in gold. I also added an organza fluttery butterfly to break up the herringbone seam I added at top. I also added the curvy stem stitched seam with buttonhole flowers.

This is Meg's whole block after several ladies have added their touches.

Sewing Seams

I'm off this week. We were supposed to be camping with extended family; however, my husband has had to have hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatments unexpectedly (2 hrs a day for 20 days) so that threw a wrench into our plans. Instead, the granddaughters (aged 7) are camping with us in the backyard out here in the country.

Today I set up the sewing machines I bought on sale for them a couple of months ago and they got their first lessons in learning to sew straight seams. I tore up some muslin I had into strips as well as a  45 cent sheet from the thrift store and they spent a couple of hours learning about sewing machines and sewing seams. They think they are ready for pillow and/or pillowcase making but I told them I need to see quite a few straight seams before they advance on to that.    Groan....

Dessert Plates

I've finished my dresden "Dessert Plates" top full of chocolates of all kinds.  I'm waiting for the backing fabric (chocolate macaroons) to arrive in the mail. I have already received the variegated brown perle #8 I'm going to use for the hand quilting. Not sure I like the border that much (it's kind of bright but fabrics do match the centers) ...but it will have to do now.

Linking up at Connie's Quilting by the River Linky Party

How Do You Like My New Threads?

They glow! I already had the white skein and the DMC spool. Combined together they glow pretty well in the dark. My new threads include several different types from Kreinik - grape and watermelon 1/16 ribbon, tangerine 1/8 inch ribbon, lime and lemon #8 fine braid and tangerine and blueberry blending filament.

Working on another of my Midnight Fantasy Garden blocks. I crocheted the white embroidery floss (6 strands - 7 hook) and the tangerine and grape 1/16 inch ribbon into flowers. It was not difficult to work with and the ribbon seemed like it was made of plastic. The fairy wings have some stem stitched white floss and stem stitched lime braid as well as some violet silk (or was it rayon) stitching like is on her dress and then all is outlined with lime backstitch.  I used a glow in the dark fabric pen to color in fairy skin.

Haven't used the blending filaments or the 1/8 ribbon yet but stay tuned...it's a work in process.

I'm Not a Bright Person...

...so how did I end up with so many bright fabric scraps?

I'm using up smaller scraps too small for further Heartstring quilts. This is my first spider web (or is it cob web?) quilt since my previous attempt using my 30s fabrics that did not go well. So, this is practice before I return to my more controlled spider web (or is it cob web?) I'm using scraps so didn't get too concerned or rip out a piece I saw turned wrong side up. I'm not even concerned that some of the webs are touching and some aren't (at least I don't think I am. Really, I'm not).  After all...I'm not a bright person ;-) and I'm using up scraps and I'm practicing building a better web. It's a MODERN quilt, I say. Oh, what a tangled web we weave....

And I'm looking for the bottom of the scrap boxes. And I'm linking up to Connie's Quilting by the River linky party. 

Centered

I took a little bit of advice from everyone's comments when I asked what I should use for the dresden centers - solid, complementary, gold...14 more to go.  Thanks, everyone. 

Centered: Self-confident, goal-oriented, and well-balanced.

Not sure about the self-confident part but I have a specific goal in mind for these and I sure hope they now look well-balanced.