this, that, and the other . . .

Not an overly productive week here at casa Panter (or should I say RV?), at least not for me.  I got off to a slow start with the sinus infection and subsequent laryngitis and didn't go back to work until Tuesday -- still not feeling *great*, but functional.  We were sent home early with the possibility of severe weather (yikes!), and I managed to start something new.  How shocking is that?

Actually, I've been playing around with this in EQ for a while now.  I wanted a simple design of 5" square blocks to make up a bigger block that I could easily quilt under the machine as part of a quilt-as-you-go piece.  The overall size is approximately 54" square and the white spaces (because I plan on using the polka dot prints in assorted colors and the Kona white for the alternating squares--exactly as it's pictured above) will make the perfect back drop for some special hand-quilting or embroidery -- I haven't decided which, just yet.  I think this will be Charmed, I'm Sure.  For Everley Jade.  (It's about time.)

I also managed to finish *one* of my two Christmas ornaments for February . . .

I love the yo-yo Christmas tree!! I had some darling embellishments I added as ornaments, which made it for me. On the other hand, I didn't do any of my block swap blocks yet, but there's always this afternoon and if that's the case, I probably need to do at least two sets!

I have been slowly-but-surely working on the quilting on the Antique Rose topper. I finished the roses and the hand-drawn vines around the outside border:

Now I'm stitching-in-the-ditch with the holographic around the outside edge (the purple and green).

If you look closely, you can see I outlined around the yellow center and again around the red center. The sparkly thread just gives it an extra bit of shimmer -- nothing extravagant or overt, just enough to catch your eye here and there. Hopefully I'll finish that up today, as it will make the perfect Slow Sunday Stitching (during Super Bowl L/50 -- I understand why they ditched the roman numerals for this one).

I might have finished it last night, but there was a bit of a problem. I'd taken it with me to Joc's (my folks have been staying with them and so I've been spending quite a bit of time over the past several days with them) to work on as we sat around and chatted last night.  I put it up when we went into dinner, and when I came back out, this is what I saw . . .

Oh my!  I'm just glad she didn't get jabbed by a needle or pin! LOL! Poor Ellie. She'd really like her Neesey to work on something pretty just for her!

Stash remains unchanged this week, which shouldn't be a shock.

I have the fabrics pulled for Evey's quilt, so perhaps they'll be cut and ready to include next week.

Linking up today to Patchwork Times and Kathy's Quilts, my favorite Sunday linkies!  Y'all enjoy the day!

:)

down but not out . . .

This past week wasn't nearly as productive as the week before, namely because I spent it battling off (unsuccessfully) a sinus infection. Bleh! Which is not to say I spent the week feeling terrible, I just didn't feel super-great.  Ya' know what I mean? Thursday I took a trip into the doc's office and came away with a super-duper antibiotic and sinus pain pills, which helped.  Anyway, I did have some very happy-and-bright spots during my week!  

Evey came for a visit on Monday! She loves to move the magnets from one desk to another. And we found that a single piece of tape could occupy her for nearly ten minutes.  LOL!

Then, coming home on Tuesday, I had a surprise squishy waiting for me!

Isn't that fun?!  What a sweet little tea print -- I adore Susan Branch's blog and wasn't even aware she'd had a fabric line!  Kris, of Lavender Quilts, has the uncanny knack for sending sweet little pick-me-ups at just the perfect time!

I also got to spend a little FaceTime with the Panter crew . . . though it's nearly impossible to get them all on the screen at the same time! I usually have to settle for a screen shot of just one at a time!

I'm missing my camp buddy, Sawyer -- we've had some good trail weather here lately, and he loved to ride the golf cart through the camp (and especially down to the creeks) with me! He's getting so tall . . . and for every inch he grows, I think he's losing a tooth!

Ellie came home with me Thursday night for a much needed sleepover  We went to dinner at "Chick-a-lay" and then came home to watch Christmas movies.  It's the evening she asked for -- who am I to deny her?!

She was totally bewildered when I woke up Friday morning with no voice. LOL! As of right now, it's still not returned.  Hopefully before work tomorrow morning I'll find it somewhere!

I did manage to get some handwork in. I finished up the faux-ruched flower piece. Well, it needs a sleeve and a label, but everything else is done.  

This piece was on my UFO list for the year, so it's really nice to have it finished. 

I've also made significant progress in quilting the antique rose topper.  Once I finish the leaves on that rose, I'll have two more roses to do, then I'll quilt a leafy border around the outside (similar to the one I've done on the inside).

This was another of my 2016 UFOs that will be a UFOnomo. Yay!! This will also satisfy my need for some slow stitching today.

My stash report just reflects the 1/2 yard of teapot goodness . . .

And that about wraps me up.  I'll be linking up with Patchwork Times and Kathy's Quilts today -- both blogs are definitely worth checking out; such fun linky parties!!

Have a blessing-filled Sunday . . . and first day of February, tomorrow (what? already?!)! 

:)

girls guild snow sew . . .

With emphasis on the sew!

I enjoyed another really productive week.  Really, really productive.  But before I get to that, I had some really cute helpers at work on Thursday . . .

Aren't they sweet in their matchy-matchy outfits?  They're both growing so quickly. They love to play with the magnets on the desk, which keeps them entertained so their mama and I can visit for a bit, too!  :)

Thursday evening was guild night, and I'd read on the Fabric Therapy blog that Teresa was considering driving into Huntsville to attend the meeting (she's just moved to Alabama in the past six months or so). I emailed her and suggested that I couldn't make the meeting, but I was having dinner with my Stitcher's group beforehand, and she was welcome to join us and meet a few gals beforehand.

She took me up on the offer, so I got to meet another quilter-blogger-sister! It was fun! If you haven't ever visited her blog, you should do so . . . she's very talented and among other things, she creates the most darling applique blocks!!

I took opportunities to stitch all week long . . . which is a little tough, as cold as it's been, because it takes a while to warm the Nook up to comfortable temps! But I've been determined and it's paid off nicely. Not only did I finish my two January ornaments, but finished an additional two, as well!

I found another 'kit' for a mini yo-yo Christmas tree, but I haven't put it together yet.  Next month I'll definitely try the gingerbread man ornaments.

I also finished two sets of the swap blocks this week . . .

(Just showing one set.) Only fourteen more sets to go! I'm using "The Method" for piecing these nine patches.  It's simple, quick, and easy, and I end up with two perfect blocks -- a negative and a positive -- with each pairing. I can see where this method would be particularly nice when piecing up smaller blocks!

Friday afternoon it started snowing. It was a pretty decent little snowfall, considering we're in the Heart of Dixie!

I had to wear my boots to and from the Nook, so as not to track snow and 'muck' into my room!

Saturday I could leave them on the porch, but Friday evening I had to pull them inside and leave them over the trashcan. Otherwise they'd have been filled with snow when I went to put them back on!

I tackled two UFOs to a near finish.  My antique rose block (which remains unnamed) is in the process of being hand-quilted.

I finished it like I did the twisted Christmas Hexie topper.

And I finally got off my duff and did something with the HST, faux ruched flowers piece. It's unnamed, too. 

It's now back, quilted and in the process of having the binding stitched on! Between this and the other, I'll have my choice of hand-stitching for this afternoon's slow stitching.

I used a touch of stash; between backings and bindings, it was a solid three-quarters of a yard!  I'll nickel and dime that stash on down!

Progress is progress, right?

Linking up this morning with Patchwork Times and Kathy's Quilts.  Have a blessing-filled Sunday and stay warm!!

:)

a rousing end . . .

Last night was our regular guild meeting and I was really looking forward to it. We did a round robin of easy holiday crafts and I was one of the teachers!!  I was so excited to share the sweet little felt poinsettia pins that I've made for several years now, from lil fish studios! 

I just needed to make a quick stop in Michael's before heading to the meeting...

And that was my downfall.  I was going in and out so quickly, I didn't even bother to take my phone.  Or my car keys.  Aye yi yi!! Luckily, we have AAA and so I called for service. That was at 6:08 p.m.  The social hour at our meeting starts at 6:30 and the meeting at 7:00.  

The agent at AAA said the service would be there by 7:08.  What can I do but wait?!?!  Luckily, I really didn't have to wait long . . . happy story, the responder arrived at 6:23!  Less than five minutes later, I'm on the road again.  WHEW! Thank you AAA!

There were some fun surprises waiting for me when I got there. 

Isn't it pretty??  It's the tote from the International Quilt Festival in Houston!  The quilt on the cover?  That was made by my friend and fellow guild member, Barbara Black!  How cool, huh?  She blogs over at My Joyful Journey.  She's a wonderful and talented quilter *and* teacher and a dear friend, too!

She also brought back some of the pretty pins from Houston . . . aren't I lucky?!  

I was also lucky enough to purchase from her an acrylic template for the Antique Rose block (like the one I made here).

I turned up my nose at the acrylic template . . . but that was before the POTC blocks and understanding how the templates can really be a powerful tool to enhance your block design!  I may have to give the Antique Rose block another shot.  *grin*

Ya' know, the magic mirror works with the Antique Rose template, too . . . 

Isn't that awesome?! That reminds me, I need to announce a winner!  I left it in the reliable hands of random.org and my winner was:

Yay, Sandi!  I've notified her and I'll have it to her next week. Sandi blogs at Quilt Cabana Patterns -- you should go check her out -- she posted her block from 100 Blocks today -- it's really cute!

I'm off to play in fabric.  With mirrors and templates, of course!

:)