Time Out

It has been a little over 2 weeks since my last post.  And, trust me, it wasn't by choice.  My school (work) year came to a close with more than the usual graduations, birthdays, traveling and helping relatives move.  Now, being a teacher for 9 years, I'm used to the emotional and physical "crash" at the end of 2nd semester, however this year I'm having to deal with some unexpected health issues that have brought my leisure activities to a screeching halt.  And unfortunately I've had to take a break from sewing and blogging.  I really miss visiting your blogs and sharing in your quilting experiences...it has been a real struggle for me. I'll gradually work my way back because I MISS it SO much but I have to take it slow. 

Anyway, today was the first time in weeks I was able to spend time with my sewing machine and I finished one of my swap blocks...and that felt good!  So here it is...for Carolyn...in the Let's Bee Together swap from some FUN fabric she sent:

It's called Wind Blown Square from a book I have by Beth Donaldson

I'll post a sneak peak on the LBT site and hopefully she won't be viewing my post here before the block makes it to her in the mail. 

I hope to be able to share more in the next few days as I finish my other swaps for June and also post my May blocks.

Time Flies...and sometimes we just need a Time Out.

Like it or not, life handed me one.

Hope to be in touch again soon!

So. Sweet. Sophie.

No sweeter finish for me than this...

Sophia Annabelle

Born: June 1, 2011

7lb. 2oz, 19in.

When my neice, Erica, first told me the name she and Brian had chosen for their little baby girl was Sophia, I thought it was so pretty, so original, so vintage.  I decided the quilt I would make for Sophie should reflect that vintage feel.  I found this pattern, called Baby's Little Goslings, in a book I'd picked up a while ago knowing someday it would be perfect for a very special baby. 

Instead of more contemporary pastels, I decided to go with the dotted fabric from Fig Tree I'd been holding onto for just the right moment.  The soft creamy, peachy, orange florals surrounding the dotted flying geese was also used for the backing.

Since I always name my quilts, this one became "So Sweet Sophie" and I created a label (that was not yet sewn on during my photo shoot) in keeping with the vintage theme. You can click the pic for a close up.

But my very favorite part of this quilt is the prairie point border.  Partly because I've been wanting to try something with prairie points, but mostly because I think it's the perfect finish as a reflection of the larger flying geese blocks.

For my non-quilting friends, prairie points are those little folded triangles around the edge. 

(I like folding fabric just as much as folding paper...fabric origami.)

I had such a fun time photographing the final project, hence

 the So Sweet Sophie parade that follows:

Now it's all washed, warm and comfy...ready to be delivered this weekend to

So Sweet Sophie

Thanks for all your interest and comments throughout this process.

It's so nice to be able to share such sweetness.

Aaargh!

Aaargh!  It's been one of those days...or maybe I should say weeks.  Craziness from one day to the next!  Between problems with my sewing machine and me just being tired and careless, I've found myself many times cursing under my breath like a pirate!  My baby quilt is coming along (good thing since my neice had her baby, Sophie on June 1st). 

But I did end up ripping out an entire edge to undo the backing that wasn't supposed to have been sewn into the prairie point border.  Eventually, I got it straightened out and should have the backing/binding finished tomorrow.  I love how the prairie points are turning out and I learned a lot about how I will attach this type of border in the future and have an easier time of it.

Aaargh!! Speaking of pirates, I managed to get out to see the new POTC, On Stranger Tides last friday (I think anyway...the last two weeks have been such a blur of activity...graduations...birthdays...newborns...school ending for summer, yay!).  But anyway....

I wouldn't say it was the BEST of the four, but it definitely lived up to the three previous movies. Very entertaining...and who doesn't just love Johnny Depp's, Captain Jack Sparrow?

Aaargh!!  Also in the midst of the craziness of the last few weeks, I had to watch my Roger accept defeat at the hands of the rogue spaniard, Rafa once again.  He had some sweet victories on the way to the French Open final but in the end wasn't able to come through with the goods.  Aw, well...it was a great tennis match in spite of the loss and tomorrow's another day and the beginning of another tournament and so it goes.

Aaargh!!  I can't believe it's been almost two weeks since I posted anything here.  Like I said, it's been crazy busy and I'm hoping now with school out I'll have lots of time to quilt & blog! Good thing because I have several projects in the works.  Can't wait!