A little Quilt Along Progress

I've been a little under the weather for the last several days. What better way to relax and heal than a little stitching? Two blocks are missing from the pic above. Until I started this project, I had no idea that a fat quarter does not necessarily contain a whole quarter yard of fabric. These quarters were only 17" x 20" instead of 18" x 22". That means that a company making fat quarters out of a standard 13.5 yard bolt of fabric can potentially get an extra three "quarters" out of the bolt. Seems a little ratty to me. Just sayin'!

Elizabeth's cutting directions use "everything but the squeal". There is nothing wrong with the cutting instructions, only the actual size of the quarters. Many other members of the group ran into the same problem. I have purchased another quarter of the brown but have not yet prewashed it and have moved onto the next fabric combinations.




Here is combination #2.

And the third, my favorite, so far...

Wouldn't this be great?

I found this long display counter while antiquing with my mom. Can't you just picture it with fabrics stashed on one side, yarn on the other, that nice long cutting surface, and room to layout and design... It's really long. Like maybe twenty feet or more. Eventually, I hope to finish my very pointy attic and move my craft explosions up there. I don't think this will fit through that tiny attic door so I guess I will have to build my own.

Sigh!

Happy 77th Birthday Daddy!!!

Dad, Boulder Creek 1987, originally uploaded by OrgandyCupcakes.

My dad is a great man. He didn't run a large corporation or win an Olympic Medal. He wasn't the mayor of our small town or famous for anything but his easy laugh. To me, he has always been ten feet tall.

He taught me that upwardly-mobile often means downwardly-noble, that is is more important, to be a success as a human being than it is to succeed in your job. To always do an "honest day's work" and do it cheerfully.

When I was little, he used to take me swimming. I would watch while he swam the length of the pool and back, underwater, without coming up for air, and I wanted to be just like him.

He taught me that it is never too late to pursue a new interest. After retiring, from thirty-five years at his job, he learned to play a new instrument (he already played the trumpet). After a bout with cancer, he picked up another, the violin.

He began gardening a few years ago and has become an expert, sharing the fresh, healthy fruits of his labor with all of us.

I wish I had realized sooner what a great and understanding listener he is. I could have used that ear while I was in high school.

His hips bother him a little but he doesn't let that slow him down. This photo is 22 years old. It's hard to catch him with the camera - he moves too fast! But, he looks pretty much the same.

I love him so!

Time to catch up to the Quilt-A-Long

Here are my fabric choices for the Quilt-A-Long over at Oh Fransson!

If the wee grey paw and the little grey head seem too far apart or oriented at an odd angle, it is because there are two kitties involved in the naughtiness, with promises of more help - every stitch of the way.

I've changed my mind about the Flea Market Fancy. I just might do a second quilt but the green seemed more springy (as opposed to summery).

Block Six - Magic Bunny

A fussy cut from a garage sale find, two floursacks, and some stash scraps including a little plisse for texture.

Block Five - Garden Walk

Block Five - Garden Walk, originally uploaded by OrgandyCupcakes.

Feed and Flour Sacks with other vintage fabrics and a few new scraps.

Block Four - Olivia!

Block Four - Olivia!, originally uploaded by OrgandyCupcakes.

Featuring Olivia, three vintage fabrics, and a few repros.