We are having glorious weather! It makes it very difficult to stay inside and work!!

Alfie loves playing with his ball when we’re outside. He has a fascination with piles of leaves- I think he likes the rustling sound that they make. I am convinced that he truly has an imagination and likes to pretend that his tennis ball is prey! I guess I really should rake up those last remaining leaves in the flower beds, but I just don’t have the heart- he loves them so.

He is extremely entertaining to watch when he is playing:

Somehow, work IS getting done in the studio. I just finished the final 2 samples for the Cozy Afternoon BOM (I’ve made a total of 3 samples for this) and sent them off to the long arm quilter. Then, binding. Then- done! The photo on the left is the appliqued version while I was sewing on the final border. The photo on the right is the embroidered version.

At first, I wasn’t sure about the fabrics that I chose for the embroidered version- the fabrics have a very traditional/vintage/reproduction feeling, but the embroidery designs are pretty whimsical. Also, I’m really NOT a blue and gray kind of person! My colors tend to be quite cheerful… I wasn’t sure how it would look, but I’m glad that I went with it because I love how it came out. I think it’s a very calming palette, perfect for the theme of the quilt.

The first sample that I completed is the piecing-only version. For this, I used modern fabrics and a really cool floral for the borders, setting squares, and block centers. I finished the binding last week, and now it is on the bed in the spare bedroom:

I am working on finishing up the pattern writing for the Block of the Month. You have no idea how long that takes!!! I always underestimate how long it will take me to write a pattern- by a lot!! I will be so glad when that part is finished.

Next, I will be finishing up the cutting and folding of the fabric kits for the Block of the Month (kits are now sold out). They are starting to pile up in the studio, but they sure are pretty!!

If you’re not signed up for the Free block of the month yet, you can sign up using the box in the upper right side bar, or click here.

In the meantime, I haven’t had any embroidery to work on in the evenings! I’ve just been too busy during the day to plan out and sketch a new project. I am hoping to get something drawn out in the next day or so, so that I will have something to work on in the evenings and if we take any long car trips. However, I have been catching up on reading my gigantic pile of magazines, so that is good.

OK, peeps! Time to get off the computer, ha ha. Let’s go do something creative today!