Snow ...

Snow - Booo Hiss

Ok, I know it's not a lot - in fact it's barely there, just a dusting, none-the-less it is a harbinger of worse to come :( and I am not a fan of winter. So my lovely Japanese Maple has lost all it's gorgeous red leaves. In case you are wondering, yes, that  is an old bed sheet torn into strips and wrapped around the trunk. It's my effort to save that one main branch which has a split in it. I would seriously cry if I lost this beauty, I planted it when I first purchased this place which  I call home :)

So my local FL store had another of their famous 50% off for members sale. Can I resist? Silly question .... On the left is a depression era, feed sack Dresden fan quilt top I purchased many years ago at an antique show. I've decided to finally quilt it and lucked out with this blue polka dot fabric for the backing. I think It will work. I also picked up a supply of white-on-white, oh and some pretty blue, oh and a red fat quarter! It is the Christmas season right? Have to buy some red ....

All that great fabric inspired me. I also picked up this beige houses print and made another, actually three more purse covers! Now I'm totally inspired and have been digging through my stash to find some appropriate browns for one more purse cover. Then I'm definitely DONE with the purses (probably not!)

I don't know why they call these Christmas Cactus ... mine is in full bloom and it's not yet Xmas ! I couldn't resist this pic which includes my spider plant I propagated from a plant at work. I haven't had a Spider plant @ home for years. The previous kitty would eat any Spider plant in the house -  full grazing season for her. My current kitties Simone and Iris haven't even noticed it - yet!
TTFN

Gooood Morning Blogland friends !

Today is my Sunday (I worked the weekend). It was a good weekend, lots of tourists in the library as it was preview day with lots of parents and prospective students. As I was relaxing at the end of my work Sunday I remembered I hadn't shared my latest finished projects. Oh No !!Here is a front pic of the three place mats I made for the guild's donation to Meals on Wheels. Perhaps you remember that I had an orphan block from my Lil' Twister project, and I found some lovely blue & white Star of David fabric. So I made a Happy Hanukkah place mat! On the right is a pic of the reverse side. This year is the end of the Christmas lace panels donated by the mater. So ... next year I will need to be more creative!

Here's a pic of my finished (?) Lil' Twister table runner.

I'm very pleased with my colour choices and the overall effect. However, I had serious troubles (indecision causing multiple unsewing and resewing) troubles with the borders and consequently it's not square, and very wavy, especially in one corner. GRRRR. I'm seriously considering using it as a machine quilting practice piece and just going to town with the quilting. Can't make it any worse! What do you think?

TTFN

Not a winner ;(

I know what you're thinking - a  local guild quilt show is not a competition, and you're right, but it sure would have been nice to win "Best of Show" and another CQA ribbon! I admit I was disappointed, but that's how these things go. Once again I was so close, this was my second/third time being #2!
Contrary to popular believe, quilting is usually a solitary activity, thus there are limited opportunities to receive positive reinforcement from colleagues for all your hours of labour and creativity. Here's a pic of the "honourable mention award" I did receive. It's great that the guild provides a "ribbon" for second place so I do have something to hang on my wall of Honour :). Does your guild do this?

I very much appreciated all the positive comments from most of my fellow quilters. However the remark "I didn't vote for you" from my so-called friend took me aback and was rather unkind. I put  her comment into the sour-grapes category; it reflects on her not me. I may have to re-think our carpooling arrangements!

Here's a pic of the well deserved winning quilt

Congrats Tiny! (yup, that's her name)

TTFN

Woohoo! Spending a rare Sunday at home - not going out - not answering the phone, but not totally unplugged ;) After blogging and catching up on FB will spend the rest of today in the sewing room. Have a couple of place mats to make. Our guild donates holiday place mats to Meals on Wheels.

 

I have 2 half made "Christmasy"place mats from last year ... lovely red Poinsettia fabric with machine made lace panels appliqued in the centre. Then, since I had one orphan twister block , in blues, and my local fabric store had some great blue & white Star of David fabric - on sale - well, could I resist making a third place mat for those who celebrate their own holidays? Will show you completed pic next week!

Parting pic of my beautiful red maple which is quickly loosing all it's foliage ;( . Sad to see it go, but enjoying the colour! Have a great week everyone ...

TTFN