Making a List and Checking Quilts Off

 Last night while chatting with the in-laws I was able to finish the stitching on the binding of Lilac Potpourri.  I'm so happy with the border and quilting and the way it evolved itself as it went along.  The only initial plan was to use some scraps from the green and purple jars. 

Speaking of evolution from a need to use scraps --the postage stamps are quilted and trimmed.  All that remains is attaching the binding which has already been cut.  I started with a brand new 1,200 yard spool of thread at the beginning and still needed more.  I think I'll put some stats on the label for this one.  I haven't added it all up yet, but there have to be about 4,000 pieces in this one. 
Kurt and his parents have taken the younger kids to a swim meet while Anna stayed behind to rest.  Actual performances start for Joseph today and the rehearsal yesterday was scheduled for 12 hours.  We are encouraging her to have as much quiet time as possible in between.  She says the actor playing Joseph was on American Idol the same season as Carrie Underwood.  He didn't win, but Anna thinks he is still a very good singer anyway.  We are all going to the evening performance tonight. 

Done With That One

 Lilac Potpourri is done.  All that remains is the stitch the binding.  Not sure if I will do that by hand or try machine stitching.  The purple and green blocks are mile a minute blocks from the Rainbow scrap challenge.  March was green and April was purple I believe. 

 Still continuing to do my usual summer organization and clean up.  This was the laundry room a couple of days ago.  It took a beating when I cleaned up the study as most of my sewing stuff lives in here when it isn't being used.  The idea is that the study can be a guest bedroom when we have company. 

Everything has found its way back to wherever it is supposed to be and is ready for the next project to come along and mess it all up again.  I forgot I had a new die for the GO that hasn't even been opened.  I'm going to have to give that a try. 
The next two days are training days for school.  We are getting new books next year and they are going to show us all the special features and bells and whistles.  Anna is also going to start her rehearsals for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  She is pretty excited. 

Monday Meandering

 Lilac Potpourri is loaded on the frame and the first little bit of quilting is started.  I did a pattern earlier in a double bubble kind of thing, this is a variation of that with a pointy outer bubble to look like leaves.  It is kind of hard to see with the lime green thread, it really blends in well.

 

 Kurt hung up the tiki masks that the girls painted at surf and art camp.  I think they look really nice next to the pool.

I tried to talk Ryan into making one as well.  Kurt even saved a palm stem when he trimmed the trees this weekend.  Ryan doesn't want to though, so it is just the two masks for now. 
I don't want to fold the postage stamps up and let it get wrinkled so that it needs to be ironed again.  Instead it is just going to hang out on the floor of the formal living room until Lilac Potpourri is ready to come off of the frame.
I am really lucky that Kurt isn't the kind of husband that comments when he comes home and trips over a quilt on the floor.  I know some ladies who rush home to get everything tidied up before their husbands get home for the day.  Hard to imagine living like that.  I will make sure it all gets picked up before company comes this weekend.  Seems reasonable enough to me. 

B-Utiful Day

Whilst cleaning the study I collected and organized all of the quilts in progress that are to the flimsy stage.  most of them are waiting for borders.  After sorting them into order of priority, I decided to get started on the purple and green quilt which is going to be called Lilac Potpourri.

 Lizzie was right there to help of course.  I can't quilt without some sort of company or help. 

Borders were up first.  An inner striped section first and a wider patterned border after that. 

The backing used most of the extra fabric, and a bit of green from the stash to help stretch it out.

Even the binding is ready to go -- more of the stripe to go with the inner border. I think I'll go ahead and load it on the frame, and then chip away at the next on the list.
Sydney came back from her slumber party all tired and out of sorts, Ryan and Anna are playing at friends.  Kurt is doing projects around the house -- so nice to have a quiet Saturday at home.