Fits of Productivity

 Today was one that I spent most of the day in my workroom ( for a change). I had started a few projects the day before and wanted to see if I could get them finished and with some hard work I did! I completed two table square/ rectangles using some funky fabric. My starting point was the check fabric and the little owls.  These dark photos don't do it justice.

Table square

Table rectangle two

I also made a tweed skirt that I am hoping to wear later in the week for dress down Friday. Its a lovely purple color and will look fabulous with a button up cardigan. If I recall correctly this is the last Friday or second to last to dress down (not wear your uniform but civvies instead) for a small donation to the United Way. Most folks keep it pretty casual, but I like to use it as an opportunity to wear something closer to what I wear on Sunday to church or to a professional meeting. 
I was also able to finish off my first Single Girl quilt as well.  Good thing too as it is going to a good home for Christmas.  The photos aren't the greatest but at least it shows it is DONE. 

Single Girl quilt in blues and browns

fabulous quilting by Arlene

I am going to do two more.  A baby one and another king size.  But I have to work myself up for it.  Slowly I have been collecting fabrics for another king size that will use mostly balis.  It should look fantastic. The baby one, I want to be fun and colorful.  If I can find a neat fabric line with multiple options I may go for it as the fabric for the baby single girl, but so far nothing has grabbed me. 
The other thing I got to work on today was cleaning my workroom abit.  It still is not a tidy as I want it but I put about 20 meters of fabric away, and can see a lot more of the carpet on the floor which is a good thing.  Unfortunately I have too many projects going at the same time, hence the fabric all over.  I think Christmas break will be a good time to have a good clean out.

O Christmas Tree

Its that time already. Yup time to deck the halls.  We put up some garland last night after the Grey Cup game, it need a few additions and some tweaking but will soon be finished. We have two trees up and are working up enough energy to do the third. This will be the wild and very colorful tree.  When we were at the Christmas store we saw a tree that I just loved.  It was gaudy and sparkly and loaded with just about everything in the store.  It was awesome.

The Awesome tree

 They also had a little army of nutcrackers that I had to check out.  I have a collection of nutcrackers my self, about 7.  8 if you count the odd nutcracker penguin.  He is fun and will go well with the crazy tree we still have to do up. But the classic nutcrackers guard the tree and fire place upstairs.

Nut Crackers

I have gotten one more binding done on a quilt top.  Yeah.  Now I need to plant myself in the sewing room with a movie and do the big monster, the Single Girl quilt.  I don't want to show it until its all done, but it is fantastic.  Love what the quilting did to it.

Single Girl No.1 and not the only

Well the top is finally done.  I feel so good about getting this project out of the way  and on the long armer for quilting. It took a bit longer than I had intended but that was due to my lack of drive more than the pattern instructions or any difficulty in piecing it together.
Now what might have you scratching your head and asking if I am crazy is - I want to make a few more.  One for our room using a lot of sea colors and another baby size using something different.  I have seen a few awesome Single Girls made with some kick ass colors that inspire me to try something not so safe. Seeing as I want the baby quilt version to be very different from the normal baby quilt, I thought I would take my cue from a favorite website, Lay Baby Lay. 
Joni has wonderful nursery layouts that are fresh and creative using different colors and theme in a way that is simple and clean but fun.  Anyways quite a few of the nautical theme layouts are my favorites, and I think having a baby quilt using the Single Girl pattern and the admirals color palette will be fun.  In the meantime, this quilt top is off for quilting then to mom and dads in time for Christmas!

Spending time with the Movies

So I have been busy this past week. Not only at work but at home, trying to finish a variety of projects.  To pass the time at my sewing machine, I have been watching Mummies, the Wraith, Gibbs and Probie, and other assorted movies to keep my in my sewing chair.  What have I been making?  Well I have completed 40 single girl quarter sections, have another 40 more to go.  And I am thinking that I am going to do another one of these quilt tops, in king size as well!  Crazy, uh. 
I also a making a violet colored bed skirt to go in our guest room.  The fabric while polyester, has a linen look to it so it will very polished and clean.  Once that is done, then we can finish off the room, just in time for my parents visit for a few days. 

I also made a little travel size laundry bag and a jewellery pouch that I found at Sew4home.  These little pouches will make great hostess gifts.  I can see a few more in my future in different color ways. 

Just what I needed - Distraction

Well I finished another top and its in the bag to go to Arlene the long armer for quilting.  My next project is the Single Girl quilt.  So to distract myself from getting a bit further along on this, I went surfing.  While I was at Lee's blog I noticed that she had a new quilt along going.  Since I need another quilt project to round things out (tongue in cheek here) I am joining up! 
When I started quilting in the early 1990's, there wasn't much available  - a lot of solid cottons and calicoes.  What stood out for me was being able to use color, all sorts of color to make interesting shapes and patterns. I really liked the sense of tradition in quilting, that the blocks I made where ones that Great Grandma and her sister would have made in quilts that went on their beds back in the 1880's.  Anyways I am looking forward to this quilt along.  If you have time, consider joining in!