Handwork

We've got several long car trips coming up in the next few weeks and I thought it would be nice to have a simple handwork project to pass the hours.  After sketching a basket pattern on scratch paper, I made a template and used freezer paper to prep a stack of blocks.  I tried out back basting and needle turn applique thinking I would do it that way, but it didn't look nearly as nice.  I also finished marking the border on my hand quilting project, so maybe I can get that one finished up soon. 
The last two days were for curriculum planning at school.  It was nice to go in and have some time to get everything organized and ready to go.  So with Honors Biology taken care of, I can focus in on AP Biology for a while again.  I don't think I want to take a whole stack of books and binders to the beach, but maybe I can just e-mail some of the pdfs to myself and work on the I-pad.  There is a new number book out by Janet Evanovich as well, so I won't be bored. 

Motley Crew

Just finished the back of Scraptastrophy.  It is a modified courthouse steps arrangement that used up an odd assortment of blue hued fabrics that have been lurking in my stash for quite a while.  The fish on the top were from Ryan's baby quilt.  He had a fish theme going when he was born -- 10 years ago.    The flowers one up from the bottom are from Sydney's baby quilt - 8 years ago.  She had a bugs and flowers theme in her nursery.  The red white and blue part in the middle was part of a quilt kit that I bought on clearance when a local craft shop was going out of business -6 years ago.  Now that I've moved some oldies out I think there is some room for newer fabric in the cupboard.  First though, I think I'll go throw this guy on the quilt frame so that people can walk through the family room. 

Design Wall Monday June 27, 2011

 I've been doing nine patches as leaders and enders for a while now.  I thought I might have enough for a top, but I think I'm probably only halfway there.  I was thinking of using the same fabric as alternate squares that I used as the lattice strips in my Postage Stamp Quilt.  I think that I have enough, which is nice, because I always seem to run out of background fabric faster than anything else. 

Scraptastrophy was last in the stack of finished tops awaiting Bs.  I went with random blues to keep the completely random scrap theme going.  I have even more random blues ready to piece together for the back.  Maybe a large random log cabin effect?  We shall see.  I'll visit the orphan binding drawer and this one will be ready for the frame.  Perhaps another double loop variation with a floral kind of motif? 
The kids were grumpy about going to swim team this morning but it got us all up  and out, which can be good in the summer.  This afternoon Anna had a visit to the orthodontist.  In between quilting and kids I got caught up on laundry and did some general cleaning type stuff.  Tomorrow looks about the same and then Wednesday and Thursday I'm in to work half a day.  We are coordinating curriculum as a department and aligning the new textbooks to the new standards and end of course exam.  Should be fun. 

Starlight Done

Just pulled Starlight off the frame!  I'm glad I went with the swirlies instead of the stars.  I think I'll go get the binding put on so I have an excuse to sit and watch TV after the kids go to bed.  I have a couple of things recorded from last week while I was gone.

Small Change in Plans

I tried out some stars and swirls in the border, but they looked too pointy I think.  Instead I am trying out these swirly shapes which are so fun and relaxing to sew.  Kurt has taken all three kids to the beach for surfing and I am still hanging out in my PJs enjoying some quiet time.  I am going to be so totally spoiled by the time school starts again.  Until then, I'm loving life. 

Back to the Bs

I got home last night after a LONG wet ride across the state of Florida.  We've been in a bit of a drought, so it is nice to have the rain, but it made for slow going on the road.  The rain followed me home, which made it a great day to take the kids to see a movie. 
It was a great week at the AP Bio workshop, I'm full of lots of new ideas that just need to be processed and implemented.  It was nice to get away for a few days, but it is always so good to get back home again.  I took the Elm Creek Quilt along for hand quilting and it is getting SO CLOSE to being done.  I am on the last block, so all that remains are the borders.  With several long car trips on the schedule, I think it will be finished soon enough.  I am pondering a basket applique project as my next carry along, I know I saw a cute one on somebodies blog recently. 

This afternoon I pulled out the next quilt on the list in need of borders, backing and binding.  Starlight is now ready for the frame. I think I'll do free hand stars on this for obvious reasons.  I was thinking about white thread, but that would stand out a lot on that green border, maybe lime green? 
Sydney has two friends over for a sleepover, though there isn't any sleeping yet.  Maybe they will all sleep in tomorrow?  Well, maybe not.

Happy Scrappy Saturday

LAST yellow Saturday.  I know lots of you will be happy to see the yellow month end.  I know I am looking forward to next months colors.  There are still 5 more days in the month though, so feel free to finish up yellow at your leisure. 

Joseph and AP

 I'm out of town this week for and AP class but I wanted to put up some pictures of Anna backstage at Joseph.  (Mainly for my mom, who loves it when I post photos of the kids.)  Photography was strictly prohibited during the performance.  Instead the kids choir organizer arranged for all the willing actors to line up backstage assembly line style and pose with the kids before the show started today.  

 These are two of the brothers.  I think the one of the left is Benjamin but I'm not sure about the other one.  All of the brothers played multiple parts and I think he was also the butler

Here is Joseph, also known as Anthony Federov, most famous for finishing fourth in American Idol.  Anna thought it was strange that Joseph was a blond, we watched the movie version with Donny Osmond and it colored her expectations. 
She said everybody was very nice.  Especially all the wives who were "20 ish"  They liked to hang out with the kids.  There was one wife who was "30 ish" and she wasn't mean, but she was very serious and was concentrating very hard.  Anna is sure it has something to do with being older. 
So Kurt took her over to Girl Scout camp straight from the performance this afternoon.  In some ways it is bad timing because I'm sure she is going to be VERY tired, but if the timing had worked out differently she might not have been able to do the play at all.  Sydney will be going to rock climbing camp and Ryan chose Mr. Science.  I'm 7 hours away in a hotel room so lucky Kurt gets to handle everything for the week.  Wish him the best of luck. 

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. 

Bright and Sunny Scrappy Day

Happy Scrappy Saturday. I found some yellow crumb and string blocks while cleaning and organizing yesterday. STILL quilting away at the postage stamps. After running out of thread with only 2 and a half rows left to quilt, I made a trip out yesterday for thread and other essentials. Sewing time will be limited this week due to company, but I'm sure I can still at least finish off the stamps