Project update - "maybe" quilt

I'm making progress on my "maybe" quilt. All the basic blocks are finished and now I'm sewing everything together. The main changes will be the background fabric for the center block applique and I opted for a lighter pink for the blocks.

My mother-in-law has given me a loan of her quilting book "Applique Designs My Mother Taught Me To Sew" by Faye Anderson for my center flower wreath. No point in reinventing the wheel if you don't have too :) This book has lovely flowers in it.

Project update - eyesore fabric #1

From this 

to this

to this

to this - so far

Patches 4 Lissa

http://janesfabrics.blogspot.com/2010/07/patches-for-lissa.html

I remember reading Mel's posting about her sister-in-law Lissa a few months ago. My stomach knotted up and I joined with many in praying for her. Here's a fun project for all of you to get involved in :)

http://melsownplace.blogspot.com/2010/06/lissa-update-thank-you.html

update - this is what I am sending (shown before I wrote my message on the cream block.)

Blog of the week - Quiltoholic

Meet Anne Ida (another Scorpio gal, though much younger) from Oslo, Norway. She is a fabulous quilter and loves to share what she creates. Like myself she loves the Elm Creek Novels by Jennifer Chiaverini. She is tackling Sylvia's Bridal Sampler.

Meet Anton, who loves to inspect her work. In this case it's the start to the quilt I received from her in the ALQS4 swap :) How cool is that !!!!! http://quiltoholiker.blogspot.com/ Scroll down to her July 1st. posting and see what she made out of a troublesome table-runner. Lovely.

Here's the finished ALQS4 quilt - "Jacobs Ladder" by Anne Ida R. approx. 191/2"x161/2"
Thanks Anne the quilt is gorgeous.

ALQS4 and Mrs. Moen "eyesore" fabric

We have received our swap recipients. My quilt has a looooong journey ahead of it and the recipient has a beautiful blog. That's all I'm saying for the moment :)

Nina Lise aka - Mrs. Moen http://mrsmoen.blogspot.com/ sent me a package. It's "eyesore" fabric from the 80's that she was unsure what to do with. I loooove the cat fabric. The challenge is to see what we can both come up with. I drew up some designs last week while I was in Ohio. We shall see if any of the fabric "fits" the layouts. Stay tuned.
Oh and Nina thanks for the chocolate. It's currently setting up in my fridge. The heat turned it to liquid :)

A room with a view

Look what I get to see every day from our kitchen window. Makes me feel like I'm living in a tree house!!!

Our Crepe Myrtle is in full bloom and looks lovely. It's also about the only thing that's doing well at the moment. Our Day Lilies look wimpy and the Lambs Ears are now past their best.

I love the shadows it casts on the back walls. It's been cut back about 3 or 4 times since we moved in but is still past the roof in some parts. If you've ever seen a fully grown, old Crepe Myrtle you know those things can get massive. Here in the south most people and companies keep them severely trimmed back.

Our peach tree is coming along and we got out first ripe peaches today. The squirrels are loving them. I wish I could have had a camera yesterday to capture Lucy chasing one of them with it's mouth full.

Look what I found in my drawer

I was rummaging a few days ago and found one of my "patriotic" table toppers. I think I'll keep it on our dining table for the rest of July. It's a basic multi 4 patch with machine applique stars.

I also found another one that just needs to be finished off :) The blocks are from an exchange I participated in a few years ago. There are more of them but I like these four together and will make something else with the rest. I'm contemplating using a dark blue fabric for the back and wrapping it round to the front for the binding.

Scots Corner - On This Date in Scottish History

Here's a fun site if you are interested in Scottish historical figures and events. http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/history/onthisday/
Today's featured notable is John Gibson Lockhart son-in-law to Sir Walter Scott. Amongst other things he wrote biographies of Scott, Burns and Napoleon. He is buried in Dryburgh Abbey near his father-in-law.

Some other random facts for this date in Scottish history. The United States Consulate opened in Edinburgh (1798). Scottish National War Memorial opened (1927). Tomorrow is the birthday of The National Portrait Gallery of Scotland (1889). Happy 121st. Currently closed for renovation it should re-open in late 2011.

For our long time historical allies - the French. Happy Bastille Day :) 

Blog of the week - Ambiance

I'm up to my eyeballs in summer activities and other stuff and will slowly return to my regular blogging activities. I'm working on some basic embroidery and quilting projects that I will share more about once the weather is cooler.

Meet Elizabeth from the Netherlands who has a beautiful blog related to illustrations about quilting, I've been visiting her blog for a while now and never cease to marvel at what she finds to share with everyone. They range from funny to cute to works of art. Enjoy :)
http://beautysalonambiance.blogspot.com/ Aaand some of her quilting projects are pretty good too :)

Project update - doing some embroidery

The basic embroidery for the top block is done. Now I just have to add in some details.