But I'm getting ahead of myself. First, I wanted to tell you that you were all so adamant that I should enter the Hello Sun quilt in the Oregon State Fair, I went straight to the fair's website and filled out the online form. And now I am terribly excited, and I blame you.
As it turns out, I can enter as a 0-5 years experience competitor. After 2013, I'll have to enter as a more-than-five-years experience quilter. As it is, I can still stay in the "baby" competition. Also, my quilt will be in the "combination traditional piecing and applique" and the "small quilts" categories. Small quilts have a perimeter of less than 260 inches. So that's where it stands. I still need to add a hanging sleeve and a label, and then I am in, baby! Wish me luck! No cash prizes, which is fine with me. But if I could win a ribbon that would be so incredibly cool.
So, back to my NewFO. I started on it yesterday afternoon. I'm making this strawberry table runner that I found in The Quilter magazine.
Yesterday, I made the baskets.
Then, this morning I added the fruit.
Once that was all fused down, I top-stitched it.
When I did that flower center, I got my stitching turned around so that the buttonhole stitch was going in the wrong direction. I decided it gave the flower center some texture and left it as is. I did the other one the same way. Did I ever tell you that I think perfection is highly over-rated?
Once that was done, I sewed the whole table runner top together.
All it needs now is quilting and binding. But it will have to get in line behind quite a few other projects. Besides, I didn't want to finish it and make everybody mad when I posted a finish in the NewFO Challenge!
So then I turned my attention to making a block for this month's Block Lotto.
blocklotto.com
For this month's block, we are making "row houses" with "I spy" windows and doors. Mine is a vine-covered animal house.
I've missed the Block Lotto the past couple of months, so I wanted to make a block this month.
And that pretty much ended my sewing day. Dinner is in the crockpot, and I'm just waiting for Mike to finish up his work outside.
This morning when I woke up I was talking to myself (as I often do), saying, "Let's see...my dental appointment is at 9:50, and that means I need to leave at 8:50, and that means I need to be in the shower at 8:15, and that means......." Then it occurred to me, it was Sunday! (Hoy! Smacks hand to forehead. What a dunce! What an ultra moron!) And it was the greatest feeling.
When I wake up tomorrow.....not so much. Tomorrow, I need to get up and get going early (for me) so I can get to my regular check-up at the dentist. I'm telling you, July has been a regular health care extravaganza what with two visits to the dentist and the big squash all in the space of about ten days. Man, I should buy a lottery ticket or something with my luck this good.
Or maybe not. Maybe I'll just come home and finish up the top for the True Hope quilt, which I'm hoping to have finished and ready to quilt for next month. I need to add the borders and I need to make a back, which I'll piece together with the fabrics from the front.
And the July block for the Hello Moon quilt is out. I've been keeping up with those because they are such fun to make, so I'll probably do that too if I have time.
What's on your agenda for Monday? I hope you had a lovely weekend.
22 comments:
Hey, I *like* the flower center that way! And your True Hope quilt top is just gorgeous. Do you already know what quilting you want to do?
Wishing you luck, but you probably won't need it. It's a wonderful quilt.
Yeah for your!! We will all be waiting anxiously along side you to see how things end up!! Monday - oy, some housework needs to be done and that pile of 'to-be-quilted' needs sorting - me to finish and a few may just get sent out to the longarmers, just so the pile gets down.
I have done that too, and it gives a whole new look to the flower.
Debbie
July has just flown hasn't it? Even so, you've made good progress on your July NewFO. I didn't make as much as I wanted, but I'll have something to post on Wednesday.
I can't wait til Monday! It's my first day back with my machine after being on vacation all month and I have several bee blocks that MUST get done and put in the mail. The kids will be at camp, so hooray for Monday!
Ditto what BillieBee said. You are so right about a ribbon from the State Fair being COOL! My Monday was far less quilt productive. I had two university assignments due in this morning and a 2.5hr computer lab on drawing and interpreting weather diagrams. At 4.37pm we had a nice little quake, just to make sure we don't forget what it is like. I would prefer not to be on the 6th floor when these things happen and it did seem to go on for quite while. Turned out was a little 4.7Mw. I took that as my cue to head for home where my EPP (English Paper Pieced) Hexagons were waiting. Ahh, Kaffe Fassett fabrics, how I love you. As a bonus, I got big cuddles from my furry friends when I came through the door too! Mind you, it was dinner time... You don't think they had an ulterior motive, do you?
With all of your followers supporting you how can your beautiful quilt not get a ribbon. Love the fruit baskets and the True Hope quilt top is lovely.
When you are doing our applique and have overlapping items, do you cut out the part underneath the top piece so it's fewer layers? My quilt shop instructor said it was an option. I'm new to it and would like your opinion.
Yeah for entering in the fair. Good luck. Today is work and then hopefully a little play time on the long arm.
I'm proud of you! So where is the state fair? will you be able to go? A ribbon will look so good in your sewing room.
You are such a funny person. I've had days like that too where I'm not sure what day of the week it is when I wake up. It's always good when it earlier than you think, though. Your starwberry tablerunner is very cute. My Monday will be working on a customer quilt -- I'm way behind on my schedule. Have someone coming by that needs help with another quilt top and I need to get busy. Have a great day.
I'm having the same health care July as you and I'm all caught up, yippee! The table runner is cute as can be and if you don't win a ribbon at the fair for your sun quilt I'll know the judges are blind! I'm canning peaches today after picking tons yesterday - yikes! Have a good day.
Hubby asked me yesterday as we picked our blueberries..."what will you do with these?" I told him, blueberry chutney, of course! LOL
Got my fingers crossed for your entry in the fair...ah, the big squash. Just did that last month. Oy. Good to have it over with. :)
You're right about that perfection thing. I'm gentler on myself as far as that goes. I've already frittered away half the morning walking the dog, walking myself, drinking tea, reading the newspaper and catching up on blogs & emails. Haven't even made the bed, yet. Hoping to get the borders quilted on a project. We'll see how that goes.
I'm a great fan of all your work. I'm sure your Hello Sun quilt will win a ribbon! I love that animal house block. And of course you had to have a cute kitty looking out the window!
Good luck at the fair! It's a great quilt. I really like your runner!
That table runner is really cute. Sorry to hear about all the Dr. stuff. My Mom seems to be dealing with the same the past few weeks. Oh boy! I'd better get taking some pictures for the NewFo post!!
Good luck at the fair!
I could also see you putting in your guitar quilt you made for your son and the quilt that went to Ireland. They could win ribbons also, they are so fantastic!!
So many people are going to be enjoying your quilt at the Fair!
Cute tablerunner - love the polka dot strawberries. :)
I LOVE the animal house block, such a cute idea. :D
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