Field Trip

Today didn't go as planned.

Of course, what day ever does around here.

We were just headed into Osage Beach for a new foot for Mary Jo's sewing machine.  

She is free motion quilting and broke her foot.

Found a few pieces for our Blockswappers

On the way back home, we decided to make a detour in the opposite direction and 

headed to Lebanon, MO

to Buckles, Bobbins and Bolts.

Nice shop, lots of floor space, sparse fabrics, but lots of gift items.

 But---

I did find a few pieces

The piece on the left will be a background for my animal block in Pandemonium

(starting in January)

The birds I thought would be nice in applique.  Every once in a while I  will

broderie perse  one in a vase or other repro block.

(Oh yeah, Margaret, I got a 1/2 yard for you)

Also picked up a couple of repro backgrounds and some

panels for QOV quilts

They had this sample made up that I thought would be great

for DD Kari (loves Halloween).  Got the panel.

Then back home late afternoon.

So before and after dinner, I prepped my applique

and then got it glued to the background for

Block 2 and 3 of Autumn Love.

Now to find the time to stitch down 

(a great project to take to MQX next week-relax after a hectic day in the booth)

Too late to start another project

Until we meet tomorrow

Keep on Sewing!

New Project

Although I got a lot accomplished, I really feel that I slacked off some also.

Visited a lot with my two fellow quilters here both Monday and Tuesday,

chain saw woodcarver is here for the week, doing some amazing work on some tree stumps,

had a local family friend come and visit on Tuesday for supper,

baked an angel food cake,

had some shop business in the AM

and took care of some Quilt of Valor business for a few hours

and am continually answering e-mails.

I finished my Pony Club blocks on Monday.  

1 block set for October

2 block sets for November and

2 block sets for December.

Now that I'm ahead, do you think I will get January, February

and March done by the end of the year.

If you say "YES", you have great confidence in me.

If you say "NO", you are probably right, although I really do have good intentions!

I should have gotten out my Dear Jane next, but wanted to start my 

New Project--YES, another new one.

On Tuesday Free Sew at the shop a few weeks back I mentioned that

Lori Holt (Bee In My Bonnet) 

had a new block of the week (Autumn Love) starting on her blog:

Lori's Blog Link

A few of the gals decided they wanted to do it with me.

Week 4 came out today (Monday).

I couldn't wait any longer to start,

so I spent the rest of Monday (day and night) cutting out ALL of the quilt pieces

bagging them up

 ready to rock and roll.

Today was spent prepping.

Here is  Week 1 cut, applique prepped and ready to stitch.

Why the blue tape--

The block is cut 12", but will be trimmed down to 10 1/2" after the

applique is stitched down.

My 1" tape around all of the edges gives me

a 10" window (finished size of my block)

to lay out all of the applique pieces.  

Now there is no guess work as to how close I can

get to the finished edge.

And here it is totally 

HAND STITCHED down.

I think I will enjoy some hand applique with this project.

Although all of my shapes are cut from freezer paper, 

we are heading into town tomorrow morning to the local quilt shop.

I think I will grab some rinse away stabilizer and use it.  

No need to take it out.  

Should finish my block much faster.

Hoping to get Week 2 prepped and start the stitching tomorrow.

Heading to bed shortly--they are making me get ready to leave by 9:30

Yuck-this is supposed to be vacation.

.