Back in the Saddle Again!

I've been back from my business trip to Texas for a week and am happy to report that my presentation was great. Thank you all for your well wishes!

It's been three weeks since I've picked up a needle of any kind for any length of time. Last weekend was our monthly meeting of Jo's Little Women and being around like minded people had me energized.

As you know, our instructor is the wonderfully talented (and published author), Jan Vaine. Here is Jan holding up the project that we're working on now. I really like her idea of using a plaid for the setting triangles.

For Show and Tell, Cherie brought two of the Jo projects she's been working on. Both are beautifully pieced. I didn't make this one with all the half square triangles. It's definitely one I'll come back too as it's grown a little bit on me. I think I'll go with red and blue for my version. Or maybe something with black....

Here is Cherie with her Lizzy's Little Quilt. I managed to complete this one.

I've learned that these little projects appear to be quick. Very deceptive. So I decided today to not leave it for the last minute and get started. My color ability leaves much to be desired and I always agonize over every choice and am rarely completely satisfied. I also am not fond of the cutting out step. So it wasn't the most fun day for me. Especially after it seemed I cut for ages and ended up with this little bitty pile. Not even the complete project but just the pieces for the 9 pieced center blocks. 28 fabrics I think. Even though these parts of the process are not my favorite, it felt good to be back in the sewing room.

I also ended up with a mess in the sewing room. This picture was after I'd folded up a lot of the fabric that I'd pulled. I didn't follow my 5 minute rule today (clean for just 5 minutes when I'm done). Most of the time, I'm successful with that rule and it's amazing what can be accomplished in 5 minutes. Today just wasn't a day for it!

I've also picked back up my knitting and my stitching. I'll probably have a stitching update for you later in the week.

Though I've not been posting, I have been keeping up with blog reading. So many exciting things going on in blog land! I continue to be wow'd by and inspired by each of you. Thank you for visiting my blog!

First Framed Piece and Quilting Peek

I picked up the first piece I've had framed from the framers a week or so ago.

Close up of the frame. The fabric color is more accurate here than in the picture above.

Here is a peek of my 2010 $5 quilt in the process of assembly. I'm at the point now where I have hours of thread clipping and ironing in front of me. I decided I'm done with this for the weekend. Anyone who knows me, knows I hate to iron.

Here's a quick pic I took of Cody. He hates getting his picture taken. A second before he was sitting up pretty, looking right at me. A second after this picture, he'd taken off.

I'll most likely be taking a blog break. I started my new job this week and I have to give a presentation in Texas the week of the 14th. A one hour presentation on a topic on which I knew nothing about on the 1st. The yet to be created presentation I can handle, the questions I'm not sure about. So I'll probably have some late nights this week and possibly spend some time in the office over the weekend. While I won't be posting myself, I'll continue to read your blogs. I'm always so inspired by you! Happy stitches!