Sunday, March 11, 2007

Time well spent

I'm happy to report that I had a nice productive weekend. I quilted the postage stamp quilt, made the binding and machine stitched it on, and got one of the long edges all hand stitched. I had to clear off my cutting table in order to trim the batting and backing even with the edge of the quilt, so I put all the scraps I'd cut into the proper containers. I'd cut a lot of half square triangles of lots of different sides in addition to strips, squares, crumbs and strings - I matched them all up into pairs, stitched them together, pressed the seams and trimmed them to size. The little half square triangle squares went into the crumb box and the bigger ones went into the drawer of orphan blocks. Lots of rectangles cut from leftover strip sets also went into that drawer. I'm getting a nice collection there so will start putting them into a charity top before too long. I pieced a backing for the bunny rabbit flimsy that I showed you a few days ago, and started pinning it onto the quilting machine. I'll finish doing that tomorrow night, and may even start the quilting.

I found the pattern and templates for Grandmother's Choice in my filing cabinet, and the rest of the backing fabric in my fat quarter stack of backgrounds. Plenty to make two more blocks so I can make them into a 3x3 quilt. I'm eager to working on that one - the bright colors are so pretty against the white. I'll hand piece these two blocks like the rest of them were done - some relaxing work for Tuesday night quilt group. I tucked the spring blocks back into the drawer they came from - I'll think about them another day. I also tucked away the 30's blocks, along with Around the Block with Judy Hopkins. I've marked a bunch of 6" blocks with post-it's that I'll make to add to what I have. I'll have a quilt big enough for a baby quilt or a decorator throw for my little bench in the entry way.

I have a friend on the east coast who is wanting to make some Amish inspired quilts who was talking about shopping for solid colors. Since my solid color fabrics have been sitting on the shelves upstairs for years and years - I very rarely use solids in quilts any more - I told her I'd pull all the Amish-looking colors and send them to her. I'm happy to report that was about half my stash of solids - hooray! I completely filled two $8.10 priority mail boxes - stuffed to the max - plus a $4.05 priority envelope. Took them back to the PO Saturday afternoon. Talk about busting stash - what a great feeling!

I even finished switching out my dishes! I can't believe we were still using our "Winter Dishes" - I refuse to call them Christmas dishes since this year we used them until March. I normally put them away early in February - since the design is holly I figure it's not strictly Christmas - but I've been too busy sewing and visiting with Jeremy, Chelsea, and Sophie. Never mind that we were still drinking coffee, tea and cocoa out of Santa Claus mugs - minor details, right? Now the regular dishes are back out - just in time for our balmy spring-weather day. M-60's outside and mid-70's in the house even without any heat turned on. No wonder I was way too warm in bed last night!

I hate to write a post without pictures. Since I didn't take any pictures of anything I did this weekend. I'll leave you with a couple new pictures of Miss Sophie.

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Gratitudes:
1. Puffy batting quilted up fine on the machine
2. Short sleeve weather
3. More light in the evening - I'm one who likes daylight savings time
4. Fresh baked sourdough bread
5. More stash busted

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19 comments:

Darlene said...

A very productive week end, indeed, Patti.

And, Miss Sophie is an adorable doll-baby! ;-)

Fiona said...

Looking forward to seeing pics of the postage stamp quilt. Sophie always looks such a happy, contented baby.

Carol said...

You were VERY productive...what a great feeling. Miss Sophie just could not be cuter!

Gail said...

You had a very good week, but I hope you spent a WHOLE lot of time hugging and kissing Miss Sophie, I wouldn't have been able to think of much else while she was around.

The Calico Cat said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE the sleeping baby picture... (Kind of reminds me of my sleeping babies... head on the paw and all!)

Juliann in WA said...

that was a productive weekend - and I can't believe how many of you have different dishes for different seasons - cute baby too :)

quiltpixie said...

sounds like you had a great weekend! congrats on getting the bunch of solids out of your house.

Libby said...

*whew* You do get a lot done. Sophie is just adorable - I bet you just can't get enough cuddle time.

Nancy in MT said...

The pic of Sophie sleeping on her arm is priceless.

Leslie said...

I bet it was completely satisfying to *find* the Grandmother's Choice pattern and fabric again. WooHOO! I actually spent some time searching my pattern archive for it for you. I knew I'd seen it before, but not by that name. Glad you found yours!

Judy said...

I love that first picture. She looks like a little person with that arm tucked under her head sleeping! She is just too cute for words!

Good work this weeked Patti!

Susan said...

Pictures of Sophie are delightful. How beautiful she is and so alert. Such a wonderful granddaughter she is already.

Unknown said...

Thank you for all the quilts and blocks you showed us lately. We are very lucky! I love your hand sewed project with the bright colours. Take care.

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh Sophie just gets cuter and cuter!

Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum said...

Love the pic of Sophie on the arm, can't you just spend your days looking at her!

KC Quilter said...

I cannot believe how pretty Sophie is!!! And she just keeps getting prettier! Your friend will be so overwhelmed to get the solids for her Amish quilt. I remember how amazed I was to be the recipient of your generosity! That quilt, by the way, is just awaiting backing fabric, then off to the long-armer's!

Anonymous said...

patti, your sophie is a doll, and it's fun seeing new photos of her an hearing of your busy weekend.

Holly said...

HOW do you get so much done, girl? I'm impressed.

Linda C said...

Stashbusting at its best, Patti. Your friend will be thrilled with it and you cleared out a section of shelving!

What an adorable little "peanut", Miss Sophie is!