Still No Sew

I still haven't touched my sewing machine and my handwork projects have sat idle as I finish up the commission cross stitch piece.  It is in the blocking stage at this point so hopefully we will be back to a regular schedule.

Although -----  our local quilt guild is involved  with a special program this weekend.  We hung and laid out our part of this combined event Friday night and the flowers will be placed Saturday morning. 

I gifted a large bag of fabrics for the tabletop planter crafting - more out of the stash even if I can't sew it.  I hope to visit this crafting and assist if need be.  Of course, I want to attend the tea.  The flowers are up for the weekend, but we are leaving the quilt displays up until Monday evening and I will be back with the crew for take down.

I look forward to my sewing time with my blogging buddies - miss you all!
Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Slow Stitching

I have been missing, but still stitching - mostly hand work.  The next temperature rosette is showing that Spring is trying here.  Trying is the word as we get a warmer tease with some pretty wild weather.  We had our first thunder/lightening storm a couple of nights ago that shook the valley!  The high winds that came with it did more tree damage which will result in plenty of firewood for the next winter season.

82 - 72 - 74 - 64 - 62 - 60 - 68

I haven't touched my sewing machine in days due to concentrating on getting this piece finished.  I have about 300 miles of back stitching to do and if you do cross stitch, you know how tedious that is.  This is worked on 16 count Aida cloth with one, two, and three strands of DMC thread for a lot of dimension.  I can't wait for this to be finished - my eyes will be glad too.

BUT it is Mother's Day and I deserve a little machine time.  I did a presentation on making journal covers at our last quilt guild meeting and those sample pieces are sitting there.  I have three that are designed for my grandkids to cover composition notebooks for their journaling.  Maybe I can get these finished so I can send them on with some other goodies.

Enjoy your day,

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

In The Pink

I was happy to see that the RSC18 month's color was pink as I was already working a project with those.  This is the pattern I used for the class that I taught on Thursday.  You can find it HERE if you would like to play with these.  It had everything we needed to practice our 'pointy' skills on.  Flip corners, matching those pointy seams, HSTs, and geese.

We, also, covered proper use of rulers, proper pressing for better seams and flatter blocks, fabric choices,  and how to math blocks.  A student brought a project that she wanted help on how to set her blocks on point and that was a good lesson too.

  
I have loved seeing everyone posting 'blooming things' and we have finally jumped into Spring here  I pulled up all my bulbs in the fall and passed them on to my daughter.  BUT look!  I must have missed a few and have never had so many tulips bloom before - the squirrels and chippers eat the bulbs and woodchuck the flowers.  Ah yes, the dandelions are prolific as well.

The apple trees are starting to show some leaf and bloom.  I just hope we don't have a drop of temps when they need those bees pollinating.  I would love to have a year of abundant fruit once again - last year there wasn't a single apple on this tree.

This guy had to follow me around as I checked for flowery appearances of Spring - and storm damage.  He's been a faithful walker with me were as Bella is in a bit of a hiding mood of late.  She's had a grudge with my travels taking me away and terrified by the season's first bad thunderstorms.

My machine stitching will be slow to stand still at times as I am working full time on completing a commissioned cross stitch piece and I have a deadline to meet.

Once the rains let up, I need to run up to the store for some staples - kitty treats, bread, milk, and TP.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon  

Scrappy Wednesday

Spring is really trying to show itself here in the NorEast with a few slip-up days here and there such as the weekend snow.  BUT I do think we are finally heading into the up swing of the Season.  This latest temperature rosette had a bit of aqua thrown in with the greens.  We might even get some brighter greens soon. 

54 - 54 -51 - 60 - 46 - 46 - 62

The diamonds made a lot of progress during the quilt show.  One full and on almost there.  A sweet guild member raided her stash and found a FQ pack she had gotten at a 'porch sale'.  Thank you Steff!

It's been a while since a finish this year.  The little pineapple was just waiting for the binding to be added and sewn down when I had to break for the show.  You can find the pineapple pattern HERE.

With a new month, it was time to pull a block slip from the cup.  Next up is 'Clam Shell' and I probably will do a mini or maybe use it as a trim on a bag.  I'm very busy the month of May, so a small project is on the list.

I am still finding bags and boxes of HSTs and corner cut-offs.  Today I will look to see what is in this bag to play with.

I must have used these blue cut-offs from this donated bag  in another project as some are stitched.  I will pull all the blues in this bag and see what I can do with these 1.5" unfinished HSTs once I have the pile done.

I like to work 10 at a time, finger press, trim and then pin into groups of 10.  A nice day's bit of stitch time.  Also, a walk outside is in order as they say we might (?) hit 80 today.

I, also, have to pack my car as I head out bright and early tomorrow morning to go teach a class on improving techniques' for HSTs, Geese, and all things pointy.  Should be fun.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon