Bits and Pieces

Sewing time here has been in bits and pieces as have the results.  We've had so many sick little ones around us with high fevers, strep throats, nasty coughs and all else.  I feel like germs are hiding on everything I touch.  I think my sewing space is the only "germ free" zone around here - only because the little ones seldom venture in there.  lol

Having completed all of the blocks needed for Allietare, I was able to find a space big enough to lay them out.

I always like to photograph them before sewing as the pictures seem to pick up any errors made.  Sure enough, right in the top row I had stitched a little four patch in upside down.  It is now fixed and ready to sew together.

See that little oops???

I must say that I am not really a "blue" type of person.  This month the Block Lotto was Birds in the Air using blues and purples.  I made some to donate, but I have been looking at them on my design wall for the last few weeks, liking the way they looked and decided to make a few more to enter into the draw.

Then.....there were the cute little reindeer in Quilt Doodles BOM for 2016.  I don't think I want to make the whole quilt, but I thought a nice long sofa pillow would be fun with these blocks.

He'll be much cuter with eyes and nose.

Lastly, I managed to get my mini top quilted and bound.  I quilted it with a pantograph in a very pale pink.  This is for our monthly Minis and More projects.

 

So.....that is what I have been up to this past week.  How about you?

New Year's Journey

After the hectic holidays we decided to slip away for a few days of quiet and relaxation.  DH booked a winter trip to Chicago via Amtrak.  I must admit that I was a bit concerned about a snow disaster heading into Chicago in January, but it was a delightful trip.  

We flew up to Oakland to take the California Zephyr out of Emeryville.  We've done that trip several times as it passes through both the Sierras and the Rockies.  The scenery was spectacular with all of the snow this year.

View of San Francisco on departure.

Icy Mississippi

Frozen waterfalls.

Tracks in the snow everywhere.  We saw several large herds of elk and antelope.

I always love the sight of the train around the curves.

Majestic sunsets.

Destination.....Chicago.

Nightlights of the city.

The beautiful lobby of the Palmer House in Chicago.

The Peacock doors in the entrance of the hotel.

We flew home on Friday and I enjoyed some fun sewing over the weekend in between laundry loads.  I have completed the block assembly for Allietare.

Beth's Neighborhood Block Party continues with Irene and Ida picking it up this year.  It has always been such a fun event and I knew that I wanted to participate again this year.  This is my block for the party.

There is still time to sign up to join.  Just go here and join the fun.

Now.....I am off to see what button I clicked on my camera to get the date stamp added.....hmmm.

A Good Washing

We've had two delightful days of heavy rains and I cannot tell you how beautiful everything looks today.  Trees and plants that have not seen a good washing in months are simply sparkling.  The mountains surrounding us are covered with snow as it was a cold storm.  The dry riverbed has flowing water in it - such a wonderful sight.  I hope this is our start of El Nino that they have been promising.

Of course, a rainy day means you should stay home ;-) and sew....right?  Other than a couple of power outages, it was a fun day to sit tight and listen to the rain coming down.  This was the first time I have been able to get into my creative space this year so I made the most of it.

I wasn't able to work on the December mini for the Minis and More event so I was excited to get into January's project.  This month it is Sherri McConnell's Hope Chest Mini.  I have mine to the flimsy stage so far.

This year I have become a member of the MCM - Mid Century Modern - bee.  This is such a fun group of super talented women and this month we made blocks for Elizabeth.  The blocks are from an upcoming pattern that she has designed so I cannot show a picture of the full block, but it is going to make a spectacular quilt.  I can't wait to see them all together.

Another bee that I am in this year is the Spelling Bee Quilts (IG #spellingbeequilt).  I've always enjoyed seeing the word quilts and these are my first word blocks.  Again....these go to Elizabeth.  She is going to have her work cut out for her getting two quilts done, but if anyone can do it, she can.  She has a beautiful saying that she has chosen and I am sure it will make a spectacular l-o-v-e quilt.

I've been pruning roses so my hours have been busy with gardening as well.  I think this poor iris is a bit confused as to the proper season, but it was surely pretty.

Happy New Year to all.