This quilt block is for Courtney.  She sent the teal, russet and off white solids and asked us to make a square bordered in the off white.  I added two plaids from some of Fatty's repurposed work shirts and the strip of polka dot.  I really like this square - I think her quilt is going to be a knock out.

OK - it's Monday.  I've got a lot to do.  See you later.

I know I said siesta.  It's coming, just not quite yet.

We arrived home on Saturday evening.  After a quick dinner, and because my bag was missing and I couldn't start the laundry (too bad, huh?), I made my April Virtual Quilting Bee Block.

Amanda Jean sent us red and white solids and as soon as I saw them, I knew what I wanted to do.  I used the same basic strip piecing that I did in the pillow.  I am really pleased with how it turned out.  I like the wonky squares and am planning on doing something like this on a larger scale.  I need to remember that it really takes a lot of fabric, though.  I had a small panic moment when the square was just shy of 12.5" in one direction because I didn't have much white fabric left.   A quick survey of the scraps and a few ripped seams later, I was in business.

I thought it looked like a wonky window pane, but when I showed the finished square to Fatty, he said it looked like sky scrapers.  I took another look and now, sky scrapers it is.  I think it will play nicely with the other blocks that have been finished.

My bag arrived yesterday.  Off to finish the laundry.  Have a great Monday.

Before we get too far into April, here is my Virtual Quilting Bee block for March.

Kathy asked for log cabin blocks and she pointed us to Gee's Bend and Nancy Crow for inspiration.  She sent the gray and blue polka dot fabric as well as the aqua, blue and brown diamond print.  I am happy to say that all of the other fabrics came from my stash.  I wish I had more gray, but I used my only scrap from the elephant quilt and it was from squaring up the edges!  Funny enough, I didn't piece the block with this orientation in mind.  If you rotate it 90 degrees to the left, you'll see how I pieced it.  When I was finished though, I liked this orientation better.  Quilting just seems to be full of happy accidents for me.

To get an idea of how this quilt is coming together and see more of last month's blocks, check out the flickr group.  I think both quilts are going to look great!

Today is just one of those days.  You know the kind I mean.  It's rainy and gloomy and crawling back into bed seems like the best idea.  Until I remember that there is physical therapy to do, groceries to buy, help needed at school, miles to run (most likely on that awful contraption known as a treadmill), laundry to fold, a house to clean.  So what do I do?

Play with fabric for a bit, ponder choices, wonder why there is no grayish blue fabric in the stash.  Find a spot next to a window, take some photos, rearrange the fabrics, think of the different possibilities.  Look at the clock and snap back to reality.  On with the sneakers and the rain coat, up with the hood and out the door.

What are you doing today?

It's a Friday in February...ho hum.  Just think in two more weeks it'll be March.   That gives me hope.

Not much happening over here.  I've been making x's like crazy.  Well, not too crazy - I have three done.  They each take me a little more than an hour - an hour and a half if I obsess about the random factor.  So really, they take an hour and a half each.  Who am I kidding?  I hope to finish the entire quilt top by next weekend.  If I make an x a day that is entirely do-able.  If I stop obsessing about pattern and color, it will be a piece of cake.  Wish me luck.

Jennifer has received my quilt square.  I love it and she likes it so all is well.  Pop on over to the virtual quilting bee group on Flickr.  I love how it is coming together!

Tomorrow looks promising - I have a sewing class to learn how to use my Bernina Stitch Regulator (woo hoo!) and a date with my man  (yippee!).   Hope your weekend holds just as much promise.  Enjoy!

I printed my goods for the gocco swap today.  It was trial and error to find the right mix of yellow and brown, but in the end, I think it turned out good.  I am a novice at this thing, for sure.  It makes me nervous to be sending my item out knowing it is a bit, er,  rough around the edges.  I'll be interested to see what people think.  Fingers crossed.

I am working on my first quilt square for the Bee.  Jennifer sent the print in the background and the yellow chenille for inspiration.  I just hope it goes together like I have it in my head.   And that it goes with the other 11 blocks, too.  And that she likes it.  Once again, nerves.

Up this weekend....finishing our handmade valentines for Sarah's swap, working on Miniswap and trying to get one very very very overdue package in the mail.  Thank goodness that recipient is patient and kind and sweet.  Oh, I just wrote thank goodness.  Coincidence?  I think not.

Happy Friday.