The beginnings of something

Now that wasn't so bad. Once I finally decided on something and drummed up the courage to cut into some fabric, I didn't want to stop! My inspiration wheel was turning and suddenly my project list grew longer and longer as I found several quilts and items I can't wait to make out of my stash fabrics. Yes, my stash fabrics! But of course, buying a small amount of new fabric never hurts...oh the justification of a fabric addict.

However, just when I was getting into the swing of things, a winter cold has stopped me in my tracks. Luckily I'm on the mend and I feel a good solid weekend of sewing in my very near future.

What are you working on these days?

Now let's see if I remember how to do this

It's been so long since I've sewn or blogged, and now I'm pretty rusty at both. Since we moved last April, I've unpacked my sewing machine and fabric, but both have been sitting where I left them hardly touched ever since. I keep going into the room we've designated as a sewing room (for now, that will soon change) and staring at my fabric, wanting to make something, but afraid to start. The picture above is actually a baby blanket in progress that has since been finished (since the summer) and given to its intended recipient. But, I'm rusty at taking photos and uploading, so it's all I've got for now. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to convince myself to quit staring and start doing. Just jump in. There's nothing to be afraid of. Right?

The reason I've been away

Although it's not over yet, I suspect that I'll always look back on this summer and think, "Geesh, what the heck did I get myself into?" With hope, I'll also think, it was so worth it. I ran a 10 miler, a 10k and in a week and a half I'll have completed my second ever triathlon. I went to Paris with my mom and sister and presented at a conference. I went to the beach with friends. I've also painted three rooms, and with even more hope, I'll have completely refinished a kitchen. Oh, wait, let me back up a little bit.

We bought a house. (Photo from one year ago of house with overgrown front yard. Don't worry, we got rid of all those plants soon after we moved in before they completely overtook the house!.)

After a very stressful and dramatic house search, we finally bought a house and moved in April. We soon learned that HGTV makes things look way too easy. Even painting a room is not simple. But so far, the end result has been worth all of the sweat and tears. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some kitchen cabinets to finish sanding .

Wishing on a Wednesday

Oh please can I stay home today so I can paint my toes red and then create something beautiful? Saturday can't come soon enough!

1. Half Square Triangle Quilt, 2. Dogs Allowed!, 3. spotted squares quilt, 4. a quilt to sit on it!, 5. Stacked coins quilt, 6. Front: Gray Tangerine Stacked Coin Baby Quilt, 7. Bridie's Quilt, 8. if only ..., 9. Shoo fly quilt on couch

Blossom Quilt

Thanks for all of the nice comments about the Bee quilt. After finishing that quilt, I just couldn't stop quilting. I decided to finally finish the Blossom quilt that I started last May.

As you may remember, I was inspired to make this quilt after seeing this lovely version. I pieced the top using a jelly roll and charm pack of the Blossom by Urban Chicks fabrics.

I used fabric from the same line for the back. I love this fabric.

I've got another quilt or two in the works. I really can't stop (and I'm ok with that)!

Bee quilt

There may be a blizzard outside, but we're cozy inside under our bee quilt.

As you may recall, I finished quilting this two snowstorms ago (three storms in less than three months = wild!). It was a beast to quilt, and that was just doing horizontal lines. I'm not sure I could have handled any other type of quilting. I love the horizontal lines though. I really do.

Let's talk a little about this blue. I originally wanted to use something a bit brighter (ala Amy Butler lotus blue) for the back, but my local fabric store is sadly lacking in solid colors these days. So I "settled" for this pale blue. After living with it for a little while though, I now think it's perfect blue for this quilt. A brighter blue would have been too much.


Thanks to all the participants of the Pieced Together Quilting Bee for helping me create this beauty!

Snow

I have a confession. I dislike January. It's the worst time of year. There, I said it. I didn't blog at all during January but now it's over. Let's move on.

Another blizzard hit Washington, DC this weekend. There's currently about two feet of snow outside my door. It's lovely. It gives me the perfect excuse to hole up inside and work on another quilt. Oh, it's good to be sewing again!