11/2/14

News for November

Looking for the October NewFO Linky Party?
Click right here.

Today I have a hodge podge of things to tell you about. For one thing, I've finished my first project for November. This is a pay-it-forward gift for a Facebook friend from high school. I can't show you the whole thing just yet because I want it to be a surprise for her. She might read my blog...I'm not really sure. Anyway, just to be sure, I'm only posting a peek. I'll reveal it in just a few days...as soon as I know she has it.


I finished the embroidery this morning, and then I headed downstairs to do a little bit of quilting on it. It's a small piece, and my plan was to stitch right next to the embroidery and applique, which I can probably do more easily on Big Bertha than on Eliza. But then when I got to the sewing machine...


Uh-oh. So, I guess no sewing for me today. Actually, it was easy to move him from the chair. All I had to do was open the glass door, and he flew out the door thinking something exciting was about to happen. It wasn't. The door slid closed behind him. Bummer.

This morning I was sitting reading my Google quilting alerts when I came across an article in another blog. You may recall when I blogged about the Astronomical Quilt Block Challenge. Karen Nyberg, an astronaut and quilter on board the International Space Station challenged quilters to make star blocks to be included in quilts that would be on display at this year's International Quilt Festival in Houston. Well, I'm never one to be left out of that kind of challenge, and so I submitted this block:


So my thanks go to Quilters Haven blog for posting this article about the 28 quilts made from the 2,200 blocks submitted. Click on that link I've given you and you can see some of the quilts on display. I searched for my block, but I don't see it in any of the quilts pictured. Nevertheless, it's fun knowing it's actually there. I just wish I could be in Houston to see it for myself. Here's a picture of Karen Nyberg standing in front of the quilt that contains her block made while in space. Cool!



So it's practically my favorite day of the year when I wake up on the morning we fall back. What could be better than a day of sewing that contains an extra hour?

Cats, maybe.


Gracie would never admit it, but she kind of likes Smitty these days. He's always so exuberant when he sees her that he wants to throw a front leg over her shoulders and bite her on the neck. She's learned that this is only a momentary insult, and she's learned to go with it sans grrrrrrrring. They head outside together first thing in the morning, and then sit side by side when they come in to enjoy their kitty treats. Yesterday, they decided a soft bed on a warm flannel quilt was preferable to going outside in the cold. 

And now that I have a vacant seat in the sewing room, I'm heading down there to spend the rest of the day in sewlful bliss. What's on your agenda for this Fall Back day?

8 comments:

Brown Family said...

Maybe your block is behind Karen! It is a beautiful quilt. I will go look at the others. Smitty and Gracie look like good buddies!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

How cool is that - I sent a block too, but don't even remember what it looked like and never photo'ed it. I seem to have one or the other fur pile on my favorite sewing chair, too - but they refuse to move. That is a super photo of the two together.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

How cool is that - I sent a block too, but don't even remember what it looked like and never photo'ed it. I seem to have one or the other fur pile on my favorite sewing chair, too - but they refuse to move. That is a super photo of the two together.

Christine M said...

Lovely sneak peek, Barbara. It's very pretty. Your star block looks lovely. I had a look at the quilts. They are amazing. We don't have a cat here and Molly doesn't come into my sewing room, so I never have a problem getting a seat!

Dana Gaffney said...

You made me laugh, I do that all the time, open the slider and close it behind them, they always look at me like I betrayed them and they run back in through their door before I've made it out of the room. Maybe Gracie knows she'd like Smitty's warmth this winter.

Lou said...

Wish I would of known you had the block accepted... I was in Houston and could of looked for it:( Maybe next time!!!!
I listened to her as I was walking through some of the quilts. She was really funny!

Lou said...

Just saw a post on FB from International Quilt Festival that they will be posting all the quiltsfrom the Star Block Challenge..... maybe like them and you will get to see yours!!!!

quiltzyx said...

I think your star block must be just behind her right shoulder. Yep, it must be there.
I love when Daylight STEALING Time ends! I went to a friend's 60th b'day party Saturday night. I wasn't out too late, home by 11-ish. But after 3 hrs sleep the three prior nights, I was a bit bushed. I wish they would be like AZ, and NOT change. The amount of daylight isn't going to be any different, no matter what time they say it is, right?