WHAT WAS I THINKING ?

What was I thinking?  I purchased all this fabric on Tuesday.  Not that I don't have a huge stash already, or for that matter, lots of projects in the works as it is.  There are a couple of gift baby quilts to finish, my block of the month that's been forgotten for at least two months.  And, oh yes, the pajamas for my 12 grandchildren for Christmas.  And I have nothing in mind for any of this fabric.  But of course it was on sale.  End of month/end of bolt sale.  If there is 5 yards or less on a bolt and you buy it all, you get it at a 40% discount.  Just can't refuse.  And I do really love all the fabrics.  They will be lovely for something.

And speaking of loving fabric:  I can't wait to get my hands on daughter, Anna Maria's flannels for those Christmas PJs.  I've been busy playing with some wonderful voile that's in her collection that will be debuting (along with the flannel and other new designs) at the Houston quilt market next week.  She asked me to make patchwork from the  3 color ways of her voile so that she can make it in to a pillow to showcase the fabric.  Now you may be thinking that voile is not appropriate for that home-dec use.  Ah, but it is--if you put lightweight fusible fabric on the back.  Anna Maria told me a really easy way to do it for this particular project.  I cut the different fabrics in to 5" squares, then laid them on the sticky side of the Pelon, "butting" them closely against one another and ironed them in place.  Then with right sides together, I folded the fabric on the line where the fabrics meet, and made a 1/2" seam.  Then I cut the seams to press them open.

I then did the same thing with all the perpendicular "meetings".  So easy as the perpendicular seams automatically are where they need to be--no pinning.  Hooray.

And viola, a beautiful patchwork design of your favorite light weight fabrics that will stand up to some healthy home dec uses.

Oh, sorry I can't show you the front of the patches--that will have to come AFTER market.  

In the meantime, enjoy dreaming of all the possible new fabrics that will be available to us soon--just as soon as  our favorite fabric retailers get the fabrics they order next week!

OOPS, EYES CLOSED

Oops, my eyes are closed, but at least you can see the sweater vest I finally finished.

I'm debating whether I should add buttons or not.  I am going to add loops on the side for the belt (which I guess still needs some blocking to keep it from twisting). 

Not a very good or flattering photo, but at least you can see the vest.

TIME OUT

I took a little time out today from my usual quilting and knitting to make this little book bag and eyeglass case for my DGD's birthday.  Actually it made me do a few hours of free motion quilting getting all those butterflies outlined--not very even or neat stitches, but at least I won't have any 4-H judges (ah, the memories) checking it out.

The baby bunny quilt is finished.  (It's been folded, hence the creases.)

And I did make a decent label, for a change.  

Gotta go wrap the quilt so I can give it this weekend when I see my goddaughter (baby's mama) at my grandson's baptism.

OPA !

No knitting, sewing, or quilting for me over the past weekend.

Our church hosted their 30th annual Greek Fest, with lots of Greek folk dancing  by our young people:

Greek cooking demonstrations:

lots of Greek pastries for sale (I cashiered the pastry line), a variety wonderful Greek food, and all kinds of things from Greece.  

But for me, the best is our being able to share our centuries old Orthodox Christian faith with those who take the church tour.   (Scroll down to the bottom of the church tour page for photos of the beautiful mosaic iconography.)

Oh, and yes, I am back to cutting for another baby quilt now.

BACK TO WORK

Hooray, I'm back in the quilting and knitting mode.

I finished my grandson's vest the other night.  And for me, I'm really ahead; his birthday isn't until October 30!  Wow, how did that happen?

And as I am typing, the "glue basting" on the  binding for my current baby quilt is drying.  I'll be back in the sewing room to get that sewn on here in a jiffy.

And I must remember to thank my neighbors for wonderful flowers making for the lovely view I have as I sew.

THE HAPPY COUPLE

And here's the happy couple!

Weddings Are So Wonderful . . .

. . . and even more wonderful when you're involved in the preparations.  Especially if you're the mother of the bride, live 300 miles away, and are still able to be a part of it all.

So I have been honored to get a few things ready before I head to my daughter's tomorrow to help out even a bit more for the wedding on Saturday. 

The crowns that I had started last week took a bit of a turn.  I was not pleased with the way the silk looked on the inside where it was stitched together, so at my husband's suggestion, I simply wrapped them with 5/8 inch ribbon.  Then added a ribbon cross which is centered with a silk yo-yo.  At least I got to use a little bit of that silk!

Perhaps the most fun, though, was putting it all together after I got the sacramental elements:  candles with matching cross bows, the "common cup" and tray.

And then, of course, there are the obligatory (at least by Greek standards) Jordan almond favors for all who attend.  Oh, and yes, there are boxes of powder sugar wedding cookies all ready and waiting to go in the car for my journey tomorrow.

Sorry, I cannot invite you all--family only.  But maybe I'll have some photos next time around--in a couple weeks.