Next clue, please

Here are my strip sets--I am ready for the next step! Disregard what they are resting on--my quilt has nothing to do with the mystery!!

Today's accomplishments

include 3/4 of the strip sets done for Becca's mystery and this bag. After I eat something, I'm going back out to the studio to finish the strips. I want the next clue when Becca returns from the Wilds of Wisconsin!

Mama Mia Apron is Here!!!!

and what an awesome one it is!! I could hardly restrain myself from ripping open these gorgeous packages to arranged them artistically to photograph them!! Besides the awesomely and beautifully constructed apron (by the way, I now don't NEED to buy this fabric line!!) Nadine included a fabulous black boa (and suggested I DON'T fry bacon wearing it!!), a beautiful green glass heart, a drink wrap from the same fabric line, (as was the hand crafted card), green cocktail napkins, a recipe for a pineapple limade drink(yum!) and.......a foam microphone to use while belting out "Dancing Queen'!! How fun it that!! My sister will be so envious--we will use whatever we can get our hands on for this purpose. Eat your heart out, Kim!!!
Thanks again, Nadine (apronvalleyroad.blogspot.com)--you done good! And now, Val your swap is complete!

A finish and

the 3rd block. here for your viewing pleasure. The table runner is hanging on the wall at the shop. I also finished a purse and took it to the shop before I thought to take a photo---so the camera will go back to the shop with me!!
Have been at a Ladies retreat at our church camp--will be there all day tomorrow. The speaker used to teach at Bob Jones University and she is very thought provoking and the Word of God was very convicting tonight. Am looking forward to tomorrow. Since the camp is only 3 miles or so away, I am home to sleep in my own comfortable bed!!

Another block done

well, the next stage, anyway. yesterday I quilted and bound the fall table runner. Now I need to remember to take the camera in to the shop tomorrow , since it is hanging up already. Here is a photo of my dining room---couldn't have this mess going on if DH was home. We use the table for dining when he's here, since he cooks. i just reheat leftovers!

A generous giveaway

by Melinda--check out her blog and her button is on my side bar, but probably not hooked up right!! But she is also listed in my blog list.

Today's achievement

I was 'sposed to mow the lawn, but the grass stayed wet and then it started to sprinkle, so, what's a gal to do?? Work on a collective effort quilt for the shop, that's what!! And now I know why I don't do fusible machine applique!! I'll do it by hand any day! But one block is half done--still have to machine app around the pieces---yech!! And the other 2 block backgrounds are done and the second one is ready to be cut out and stuck down, and the 3rd is traced around. This will be the I Believe quilt from Nancy Halvorson using her book and fabrics. Definitely not my cup of tea.

Old project done

I finally got the pillow cases made for the quilt that is currently on our bed. Recognize it, Becca?? It was my first show and tell when we joined the quilt guild way back when!! So....I haven't done anything I had planned on, but oh,well! At least something WAS done!

Fall Tablerunner

moved to finished top yesterday. Now I need to buy the backing and finish it. It will be another shop sample. It seems they are the only things being finished!!
We are having a fabulous fall! (whisper: the rain has not appeared yet in copious amounts!!---shhhh)
Tomorrow I will be observing Labor Day sequestered in my quilt room--DH is at work, so the day is mine to enjoy. I hope to get Becca's mystery up to date and get some borders on some tops that have been waiting for that final step, or maybe I'll get 2 baby quilts started and finished--the babies they are intended for are growing older even as I type!! The glorious options when many WIPs abound are wonderful!!!

Sunflowers

are blooming!! We feed very greedy birds vast amounts of sunflower seeds and they are messy, so we transplanted some of the starts into a pot.
Next year we will start some earlier in the house.

Becca called, so I haven't made it out to the quilt room yet to take advantage of an unexpected day off, but I'm going!!!!

Mystery Fabrics

I think this is the way I'm going on Becca's Mystery, since I haven't seen the quilt or blocks.......
(That was a small whine--didn't deserve any cheese). The black will be background and the purple the accent for all the blocks--my brain couldn't handle any more color decisions!!

Christmas Tree Skirt Class

was very fun. Barb is a very good teacher and we had lots of giggles and laughs. However, Becca should have been there!! Kathy made a fall table topper and the rest of us went Christmas. I finished the top, and it now is in my mountainous pile of tops waiting impatiently to be quilted!

Also did a shop sample--a pot pincher pot holder to go with the apron.