Project updates - a smorgasbord

My two sided "Flowers in the Garden" wall hanging is about complete. Just have to finish embroidering some flower centers. I might reveal next week what it is actually for :) It needs some dog hair removal because darling Lucy decided to jump up on the bed and lie on it and left some blow out behind. Aaaargh !!!!!!
Fabric package #2 has arrived and now I wait for #3. Then I can start my two new quilt projects. Here's a peak at a couple of possible combinations.

4 of the 5 500th posting giveaway packages are in the mail. Keep your eyes peeled ladies :)
My PIF gifts have started arriving. Micki received the mini pillow/pincushion (front and back shown below) and appropriately enough it arrived close to her birthday which was yesterday :) I have to follow up with my other two ladies.

I'm making progress with my main crocheting project. I've discovered muscles in my fingers I forgot I had :) Michaels has a sale at the moment so I bought enough yarn to finish up this project, another one I am working on and an idea for a Christmas present.

I got a fun box in the mail but you will have to go to my other blog to see what that was all about. http://stitchacrosstheborder.blogspot.com/2010/06/lady-of-steeles-hand-embroidery-crafts.html
There's some other fun mystery projects in the works, more about those later.
I sent of my Postcard Pizzazz fabric postcard to Carole Marie for the mystery challenge and realized after it left that I forgot to take a picture. I hope she takes a decent one that I can borrow.

Project updates - somewhat

It's a bit of a variety and a few I cannot show yet :0 If you are visiting for the giveaway scroll past this post.

Back in May I featured Jill Buckley from The Quilt Rat and she challenged me to do doodles so here is #1 :) It's a Kiwi bird....why? ...... I'm one of the cabin mom's at our upcoming church Young Womens camp and our cabin theme is New Zealand. I'm going to try some other doodles with the same bird.

Here's the latest "I love it and want to make it quilt" that's going on my ever expanding list - "Room to Bloom" in the current issue of Quilt Sampler. I love the muted tones, and the contrast between the swirl of the flower stems and the zig -zag effect of the middle border. What can I say, I'm a sucker for almost anything that incorporates applique.

I received my swap package from Dianne K. in the mail this week. Lots of silky goodness. I love the background fabric and have some ideas for it. I'm looking forward to making a quiltie and a few other pieces from all the items. This is a straight swap so she is the recipient of my "beautiful blues" baggie.

Look what Mary from Postcard Pizzazz made :) I  am the lucky recipient of her Texas Bluebonnet mini quilt and her "safety from the flood" prayers.

Sometimes my brain is just downright weird. I was crocheting away and this little object appeared. It's actually a mushroom (shaped) purse but John thought it would look good as a doll hat so here is my wee teddy showing it off :) I am almost finished my first granny square. Two weeks of starting and ripping out etc. etc. but yesterday it was looking like it's finally coming together.

Meet Pumpkin. She and her family have survived the flood but their house needs a lot of work done to it. She is visiting tell the end of next week while her beloveds are out of town on a much needed vacation.

I'm participating in a BofM challenge with Lady of Steeles Hand Embroidery Crafts. I finished up my drawings this week and have sewn up a test square. I cann't show it to you because I am sending the drawings to our hostess and it's not my month yet :)
Some of the fabrics have arrived for my new quilt designs. The rest should be here in a few days. I'm using a combination of fabrics ordered from Sew Mama Sew and Jo-Anns on-line. I'm looking forward to getting the tops started and finishing up some others.

It's an Interior Thing - definitely an attitude of mind

I think I am unnecessarily intimidated about learning to crochet and so with some of my "fun money" I bought these

Then I watched a few You-Tube videos because I still don't understand some of my written patterns.
I like the series "Art of Crochet by Teresa" and her demonstration of a half granny square seems very simple.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc_2P65JKK0
I also like her - Crochet V-stitch Granny Square
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4Arx7mkZdo&NR=1

Here's some of my "aspiring too" pieces from my antique crochet collection. All were made by my great-aunts and grandmothers. Some still have to be put together.

I have used all of the above at some point. My favorite is the green doily.

During the lifetime of my grandmothers and great-aunts it was fairly common to see crocheted items used round the homes as dresser sets, under vases, to edge napkins, as plate covers, teapot warmers, table runners etc. Surprisingly I have no granny square items in my collection but I do know my grandmother made at least one blanket in her lifetime.

Blog of the week - Attic 24

I've visited Attic 24 a number of times because I am soooooo envious of her ability. She crochets (Happy Hookyness) some wonderful pieces and the colors are scrumptious. Add to that her fabulous flower photographs and monthly mosaics. So on this currently rather foggy, grey day what better place to visit for a shot of bright color and fun. http://attic24.typepad.com/
If you go into her archives to April of 2009 you'll see what got me interested in her blog in the first place. Clue -  large wheels and a guerilla.
Note to self - learn to crochet properly. I can knit no problem, and have taught my girls how to,  so you would think it would not be difficult. Not so. The most I've ever accomplished is about 3 rows and a circle that would not lie flat.