Happy Birds finish and strings

Big Finish - Happy Birds. I am just squeaking in at the end of the month for One Monthly Goal and Ufo 2017. Of course, it is raining outside, so this is my best picture opportunity. I am well pleased with this finish. Effort versus results is a good ratio. I learned a lot from making this. I am a finisher, even if it takes putting it aside to warm back up to it. I don't like making mistakes at first, but I can warm up to that as well. As I keep going, the first mistakes really don't seem as sad. So I guess, we need to practice at everything including making mistakes to get any better.
This is a Jen Kingwell design.

I also finished the pink sampler as part of my one monthly goal.
So far, One monthly goal has really kept me on task to complete 5 projects that I would have just set aside if left to my own devices. I need the extra accountability. Thank you Patty.

I declared last Saturday to be string Saturday. Any chance I had to sew, I worked on string/crumb piecing. I made 12 sashings for wonky wishes. I need 71. So I am making progress. I am using an old children's drawing pad. The paper is 9 x12 so I just need to remember to leave at least 1/2 inch at the end since I need 3 1/2 x 12 1/2. It tears easily and is recycling.

I am linking to
 SewCan She

rsc17 super saturday
One monthly Goal

garlic knots

I have been anxious to start something new. I had a small batch of scraps that needed to be cut down into useable sizes, so I started cutting for garlic knots a Bonnie Hunter pattern from her quiltville store. The next thing I knew 2 inch strips were flying everywhere, and I had cut the all the colors and most of the neutrals. See that little shoe box of pieces? how can that be a whole quilt?
How can that ever make a dent in the scraps? Oh, I will keep trying. Still it is sooo cute.

When it grows up it wants to be... the pattern is here

Our guild presentation by Pam Durant last night included a Marie Webster quilt. One of two that were commissioned of her. I think it is beautiful. Maybe someday...

Remember this finish?

it is featured on midweek makers - thanks Cathy and Susan

I am linking to:
WOW
Midweek Makers
Jo's Country Junction UFO
Bee Social
Silly Mama WIP

pink sampler finish

I have a finish. The pink sampler is quilted and bound and ready to be gifted to my friend who loves pink. This is one of my one monthly goal finishes. I received these blocks as an orphan adoption. you can read about it here. Many thanks to Cathy. I love it.

I brought home a few treasures from the fiber fair. I have never spun alpaca before, and this lady was very encouraging, so I bought this from her alpaca named Halesisa.

As I sit more and more, I thought this lamb fleece would be comfy. The gray stripe is a merino combed roving for me. And the dark roving was a blend for my hubby.

I haven't heard of this sheep before in our markets. It's called Gotland. The Gotland, also called the Gotland Pelt, is a breed of domestic sheep named for the Swedish island of Gotland. wikipedia

The fiber is very soft.

And then there was this crazy color lady with a booth full of all kinds of color, and I had to add some to my stash.

When will I find the time to spin again? I love the quiet, calm of spinning, but, I forget it when I am looking for something to do. I have a few hand stitching projects that keep me busy. This yummy fiber is too tempting to resist. soon....

I am linking to:
WOW
Midweek Makers
Jo's Country Junction UFO
Bee Social
Silly Mama WIP

first border happy birds

I was finally brave enough to try attaching a border to Happy Birds. I needed to cut it down 1/2 inch, but, because the hexagons are centered, I took 1/4 in off each side of the hexagons. I knew that could be "dangerous". I had never bothered with mitered corners either, so this was challenging. Deep breath...take it slow.. reread 100 times...etc. I didn't do too bad. The miters are right, but even after fiddling, the checks didn't line up as I had hoped. But the quilt is a little off already, we will be happy.

Now I have to get brave enough to actually trim the miters off in the back. Maybe when I am ready to add border#2. afterall, a girl can only sweat so much at a time.

This is on the longarm frame..   so exciting.

I am linking to:
WOW
Midweek Makers
Jo's Country Junction UFO
Bee Social
Silly Mama WIP

I have a top

I just love comments and I appreciate that you take the time to leave them. How do you know just what to say?

The top is finished! I have the backing and binding ready as well. Let's keep our fingers crossed- Spring is calling.

Looking at some of our ash trees, we discovered the D shaped hole, and the bark is crumbly, and there were some really odd tracks through the wood. And we saw an emerald ash borer larva. We are doomed. Our little bit of woods will be dead soon. Our biggest concern is a giant tree at our front door. Old and majestic. Nothing can cure the problem. We just need to watch our wooded friends die.
Sigh....

I am linking to:

Making Monday

Moving it Forward Monday 

 Patchwork Times

Main Crush Monday

Happy Saturday

We had some visitors. Poor things, the pool isn't open yet. It was a blustery day, probably the leftovers of bad weather down south. The pool cover wanted to fly off but not the ducks. LOL

Just a bit of birthday cake with a really wonderful frosting.
I had read somewhere that to make a box cake taste like it came from the bakery. I needed to add an additional egg, substitute milk for the water, and replace the oil with melted butter double the amount. I was afraid to do the whole butter thing, cholesterol and all, but I did the rest, and it made a wonderful box cake taste spectacular. The icing was a whip cream cheese frosting found here. This was a very successful frosting and a big favorite for the birthday boy.

Still arranging floating stars on the design wall

And I have decided on borders for the pink sampler quilt. This will be my first RSC 17 challenge for the month since it is multi colored. Ok, I am stretching the rules but.... I want this done.

Today will be a much needed day on the longarm so it will be ready for the pink quilt soon.
Happy Saturday.

 SewCan She
Oh scrap

rsc17 super saturday