What are you working on?

Caroline asked that question on the Crazy Exchange - so I thought I'd let you all see what I am working on.

CTA will begin a new training session and we have decided to have a little sewing project for the ladies to do (and allow us to see a bit of their skills), so I was making samples of an extremely simple burp cloth that Q.A. makes.
I'm not sure you can see, but simply take two pieces of flannel, sandwich them together with a consistent seam, clip the corners and turn them right side out (envelope) and if your topstitch is close enough to the edge you don't even have to hand sew the opening closed. "dead" easy! We did this last year with the Somali ladies to help them with sewing 'straight' seams.



This is the backing for DD's birthday quilt - Amalie's Log Cabin. I am hand quilting the stars as I have not done a perfect job. My bias edges, apparently, got away from me a bit. So as the Duch girls said, it is a bit hobbily bobbily. This way I am quilting the stars down and can do a quick machine edge to finish it off. It thought this quite a lovely fabric.









And finally I finished up a table runner, in tan and teal. I am quite enamoured with the color scheme so will make myself some blocks for a little table topper. [what the heck, why not?]









I learned that the latest family baby will be a boy, not a girl, for my younger nephew and wife. Good thing I didn't get anything pink started, heh? I guess the ultrasound was incorrectly predicting a girl, at first.

What are you working on?

Phew - what a time!

If you even had a quick glance at Caroline's blog you know that there was not a lot of 'sitting around' time going on around here. It was a pretty much non-stop 12 days. In fact, during the last 2 days there was a bit of consternation about whether everyone could fit all their purchases into their 2+ suitcases. There were projects to be completed, washing fabric, a quick trip (?) back to one fabric store with some sun bleached fabrics, which they very graciously gave to the purchaser AND gave her full credit. We bought muslin (apparently difficult to locate in the Netherlands) and batting (expensive) - both by the yards. Thank goodness for Jo-Ann's great coupons. Tools and toys, clothes for the children and gifts for husbands and spouses. The economy of the Pacific Northwest benefited mightily by the visit of these three great women.

I was the recipient of several fabulous gifts, including:

A beautiful book about the history of quilting in the Netherlands. I can read some of it, and there are no end of exquisite pictures.


Now are these not just the cutest little chicken egg warmers? And they are really easy to make - I've made 8 already as Easter gifts. (Nice that she shared the pattern with me.)


An incredible alphabet and quilt block stitchery, framed.








And, of course, a great bucket-full of marvelous memories. [Caroline has posted even more photos on her blog - so check it out if you wish]

We were so busy I really haven't accomplished much on my own. I am working on the pieced back of one piece and machine quilting another. Those are both gifts so photos must wait for completion and delivery, I think. Oh yes and my DD's birthday is coming up, so must get her gift finished. I did buy backing and got it washed. Now just for the next parts for completion.

I wish you the kind of joy I have experienced with fellow quilters - such fabulous people. Aren't we so lucky? Life is good!

They're hhhheeeeeeerrrreee

The "Dutch Invasion" has begun. For details of our adventures, check out:
Carolyn's blog

Really, we are having a great time and it is only day #1. Tomorrow it is a visit to the Pike Place Market and the Dutch designed Library. Fun, fun, fun!

Sunday afternoon

When I was last visiting in the Netherlands I met a group of simply charming Dutch stitchers. In fact, with lovely weather, Simone hosted 6 of us for a potluck lunch. She has now gone on to begin her own etsy. (should that be capitalized?) It is written in both Dutch and English, so check it out and check out her opening give away:

http://atelier-soedidee.blogspot.com/2010/03/give-away.html

I should also mention another friend, Willemijn, with an etsy, who now has a blog (although it is written entirely in Dutch. Maybe we can influence her as her command of English is very good)

http://www.happystitches.nl/shop/blog/

Keeping busy

Report on non-quilty activities:

When I was a working girl, our job descriptions used to include a phrase something like 'other duties as assigned'. This is a time of other duties, as needed. As some of you know, in just over a week, 3 quilting gal friends will arrive from the Netherlands. That means that a) my house needs a good cleaning, b) that several of those "I'm gonna get around to it" projects need completion and c) I need to 'clear the decks' of life in general, so that I can dedicate 12 days to playing. I am happy to report that I think we're just about there.


The jigsaw puzzle is complete and can be put away to clear the table for whatever is needed in one bedroom.




The floor and the wall behind the toilet (and the rest of the room) have been scrubbed [on hands and knees]. [I used Spic 'n Span. My mom used to use that. Ah the old smell.] I'm sure that you usually do that job with regularity, but I must admit to avoiding it for as long as I can.

Most of the dusting has been done. I will leave vacuuming to the last minute so it doesn't have to be done again. If they want to complain about how dirty my windows are - they can have a bucket and sponge. :-)

We're gonna have a great time and we'll share photos with you. Caro and I have had fabulous visits in the past and now we have 2 more friends to share it with. Lucky us! Life IS good!