Indian Summer...

January is quickly coming to an end, and we are finally getting some winter weather in SE Pennsylvania with temperatures in the teens and the prospect of a bit of snow tomorrow. 

Days like this make me long for a fireplace.

Yesterday, as I was trying to finish up this Kaffe zig-zag quilt, I discovered that I had misaligned one of the borders. I spent most of last evening with my trusted friend, the seam ripper, correcting the problem.

Today the quilt top was completed, and I will attempt a better picture when the weather warms up a bit.

I have named it "Indian Summer."

This block for the Autumn Color Project 2012 is now finished and on its way to the

Republic of Moldova.

I am making progress on my CQJP 2013 project. I now have two of these mirror blocks and have started stitching the block that will sit in-between them. 

I went out bead shopping the other day, successfully gathering some new beads and ornaments that might make their way onto this wall hanging.

Tomorrow, I will let you know who will receive the jelly roll set of batiks. 

Until then, stay warm!

WIP - Wednesday

Well, I am making slow and steady progress on this first Autumn Project block that I received. I feel as if I am almost there.
A few more stitches and I'll be done this one.

I am so excited to now have my list of five people

who will be recipients of a surprise gift from me in 2013.

1. Masha   
http://alovchany.blogspot.com/2013/01/creative-pay-it-forward.html

2.  Tina  
http://feedthedogs.net/spilling-energy-2013-creative-pay-it-forward/

3.  Leslie  
http://lesliesitchintobestitchin.blogspot.com/2013/01/2013-creative-pay-it-forward.html

4. Kerrie  
http://prettyladybaby.com/2013/01/05/2013-creative-pay-it-forward/

5.  Iris  
http://agildedyarn.wordpress.com/2013/01/10/2013-creative-pay-it-forward/

I'm going to be spending some time on each blog, getting to know all of you better, and trying to make my gifts to you  as personal as I can. Now, to get to work!

I have also received my first two completed blocks back from the Autumn Project. Such fun! These blocks started here in my home and have been around the world making their way back to me.
This block was embellished by Masha...
Thank you, Masha. It is so beautiful!

And this block was embellished by Natasha.
Thank you, Natasha. Your work is lovely!

Stay tuned! A giveaway is coming up in the next blog post...

Works in Progress

The holidays were absolutely crazy and wonderful. I was blessed to have all of my eleven children here. One day a year, they gather from all over to globe to celebrate being a family. We have named this day 

"Yay Day." This year, it took place on December 28th.

It was filled with reconnecting, spectacular food, games and skits, lots of laughter, and of course...

raspberry Lambic.

Now it is time to recover :)

I uploaded photos on Wednesday in hopes of creating a first ever "Work in Progress Wednesday" post. Well, that never happened. 

I have finally started embellishing the first Autumn Project block that I received.

I chose the second color grouping for the Jinny Beyer quilt. It took me a while, but I think I'm happy with it. I don't think I'll know for sure until I see the first block completed. That is often the way it is.

Finally, I have created my first set of blocks for the CQJP 2013. My thoughts are still rather up in the air. My tentative plan is to embellish the eight outer blocks and then do some bead work in the center block. As I look at this preliminary layout, I think the border fabric is way too busy, however, there is so much time between these humble beginnings and the time when these blocks will be ready to be assembled. I'll wait and see how this journey progresses.

I hope your celebrations were joyous and peaceful!

Happy New Year!!

Hurricane Sandy

For me, Hurricane Sandy has come and gone, but, for so many, the effects will linger for a long time. The coast was hit hard, and the stats are pretty bad. I lost no power, and the only reminder of all the water is the large puddle in my backyard. This actually makes my River Birch very happy.

All day yesterday, I sat at my sewing machine working, listening to the increasing winds and rain, wondering when the power would go off. We were all prepared with candles and flashlights. The lights flickered on and off several times. We were convinced it was inevitable. We were very fortunate.

For the Autumn Color Project 2012, Tatyana from England had dyed so much fabric....enough to construct several blocks. So Masha, the lovely woman who put this project together, asked me to make some more blocks with the fabric, lace, and motifs that I had left.

So, yesterday, I put together three more blocks and STILL have fabric, lace, and motifs left over!

This week, all the blocks will be off to other parts of the world to be embellished.

My thoughts go out to all those affected by the hurricane...

The rebuilding begins...

Autumn Color 2012 - Phase 2

The Autumn Color 2012 Project is well under way. Each participant dyed their own fabric, lace, 

and motif and sent their kits out. I received my first kit from Tatyana in England. I was 

under the impression that we were to send two pieces of fabric, two pieces of lace, 

and one motif.....and this is what I received.

Enough materials to make at least four blocks!

With each kit I receive, I am to construct a 7" crazy quilt block and send it to another person on the list. The following form accompanies each package so that, in the end, each of us will know who did the dying, who constructed the block, and who did the embellishing.

Here is the block I constructed from Tatyana's materials that will now be sent to 

Liudmila in the Republic of Moldova.

Such fun!!!