FNSI and Christmas in July

Yes, I worked on a Christmas project on Friday night!  I saw this:

on Teri’s Blog back in November, and I knew I wanted to make it.  So I waited until Red was the color for RSC15, and here is my version.  I still need to sew on my buttons.  I’ll do that later tonight or tomorrow.

Although I’m posting a couple of days late, I actually finished by Gifted Gorgeousness early this month.

 

In other exciting news, I finished my quilt from the Christmas Bee 2011 as my Guild UFO challenge this month.  I had pieced it and even started quilting it some time ago, and quickly gave up.  Now that my Sweet 16, which I have named Patience, and I are becoming friends, it was time to finish the quilting.

Each of the six other participants contributed two blocks.  I requested a star block for one, and their choice for the other, highlighting their specialty.  I received embroidery, applique, and paper piecing.  They each also included a small friendship block that was incorporated into the back.  I forgot to photograph the back, and it’s too dark now to attempt anything. 

And if that’s not enough exciting news, I became a Great Aunt!  The little one arrived six weeks early, at 4 pounds, 12 ounces.  She is healthy and strong, and went home from the NICU after only 8 days.  I can’t wait to meet and snuggle her.

Hope you all had a good weekend!  It’s too hot here to go outdoors for a few days, so there’s more stitching to come.

waiting for snuggles…..Sunny

RSC15 Mid-year check in

Our fearless leader, Angela, has been keeping us motivated all year to use our rainbow of scraps.  We’ve done dark blue, pink, yellow, dark green, purple, light blue, and now red.  Pop over to her blog to see what everyone has been up to so far.  I feel like a total slacker compared to some of these energetic quilters! 

Whereas most people are making numerous blocks each month, and might have the makings of several rainbow quilts at the end of the year, I’m making one Dresden plate each month.  Do you like my ‘design wall’?  The only place I can get a decent picture is out on my deck. 

Although I haven’t photographed them yet, I’m embroidering flowers each month in the appropriate color and they will be the centers of the plates.  I’m still contemplating how I might put them all together at the end of the year. 

I’ve also made a doll quilt each month for Get Your Mrs. Claus On.  I love working with this size, and trying to think up something different each month that will work with my available scraps.

I’ve also made several wall hangings and baby quilts from my scraps, as well as 30 placemats.  I’m amazed and excited to see how much can be made from leftovers.  But just when I think I’m starting to get things under control……..

A box of fabric landed on my doorstep today!  My friend Di is preparing for a move, and she’s cleaning and sorting and reducing her stash.  And she sent all her plaids and homespuns to ME! You see, she has a little quilt made from plaids that I just love, so she’s enabling to make my very own!  She had a few other very special items in the box for me, too.  Thanks Di!!!!

I’m very hard at work finishing my Guild UFO project right now.  But today was a beautiful day, so I took the day off.  Bet you can’t guess what I did!

We didn’t actually see a lot to photograph today, so we just enjoyed the water, the blue sky, the wind in the trees, and the birds singing.  In other words, a perfect day.

Enjoying summer……Sunny

A Red FNWF

There was a good chance of rain all day on Friday, and it wasn’t terribly hot, so DH and I grabbed our cameras and took a little tour around the county.  I was hoping to find some old buildings, and perhaps some interesting flowers.  We found both. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red winged blackbird – we never see these in our town.

   

Black-eyed Susans are our state flower.

Oreo cows.  Seriously . Google Oreo cows.

We had a lovely lunch while we were out, so there was no need for a big dinner when we got home.  That left plenty of time for stitching along with the ladies of FNWF.  I’m working with red scraps this month for RSC, so I put the finishing touches on my doll quilt, and made my monthly Dresden.  Visit either link to see what others have been up to.

Today, in celebration of the 4th of July, I’m quilting my Christmas quilt.  It’s made from blocks from a Christmas Bee.  In 2011.  I think it’s high time it got finished, don’t you?  It’s my UFO for the Guild Challenge this month, and I WILL have it finished!

I hope everyone in the US is enjoying a long weekend, and celebrating with fireworks tonight.

Stay safe . . .   Sunny