Bits and Pieces

Another week of summer is now in the books.  It seems to be going so quickly.  There just never seem to be enough hours in the day for all I want to do.  I know most everyone can relate.

Little bits of stitching time does eventually make for finishes.  This summer I have been participating in the Elm Street Quilts QAL and now have it to the flimsy stage.  There is still time to join in on the fun.

I received my nativity piece back from the framers and they did a great job on it.

I guess my Santa cross stitch was a bit too obvious last week.  He has such a recognizable face.  Now.....to put him together.

I was playing a bit with some jelly (Gelli) printing this week - just for some different play time.

From that I made a fabric postcard.

What has consumed the majority of my stitching time this week has been trying to finish up the horse quilt.  It is getting there and I'll show photos once it is finished.  The 16th birthday is at the end of the month so I still have a few days left.  ;-)

Linking up this week with Myra at Busy Hands Quilts.

Minding My Ps and Qs

This week we started on the consonants in our Repeat QAL - Ps and Qs.  I can actually start spelling words now.

It has been a busy week with birthdays here friends and family.  Last evening we celebrated three birthdays and will celebrate another two this evening.  Although as friends we don't really exchange gifts, I made a few small gifts - a mug rug and a needle case.

I watched some of the little ones last Friday and one of the grandsons came prepared to bake cupcakes.  He had even written the recipe down to bring along.

As we were getting the cupcakes in the oven, I found these two making use of the empty bowl.

One of the granddaughters had a cross country horse event near Solvang over the weekend so we went up to watch her perform.  She and London were flawless in their jumps.

I was very lucky and won this beautiful stack of RJR solids from Cindy's blog - Live a Colorful Life.  They look so pretty all neat and tidy, but I can't wait to untie the ribbon and start sewing with them.

The baby cockatiel is finally getting his face and neck feathers.  I love the ones that will eventually stick up on top of his head.  He is also getting very demanding when it comes to feeding.  The poor dad can't seem to get a break.  Guess it is just like all babies.

In closing....this is what happens when you leave your phone alone and the grandchildren are around.

e...e...eeeee

So.... how many of us are making the Elm Street QAL quilt?  This week the first sewing started and I had such fun choosing fabrics and putting my e's together.

My computer got sick this week so it has spent the last week in caring hands and has finally been returned.  I'm still trying to navigate around all of the new applications since it was all updated.

Meanwhile, I have had a little more time to spend in my sewing space which was great.  I managed to get my Round Robin quilt finished.  

The signature blocks were used on the back.

When our British friends were here in the spring we made her beautiful zig zag quilt.  There were a lot of leftover bits that were cut off the edges.  I squared those up and made usable blocks with them for a donation baby quilt.  

Then I backed it with the sweetest plush fabric.  It is so soft and cuddly.

I also finished my bee blocks for the MCM bee that I participate in each month.  These blocks were such fun to make and I think it will make a spectacular finish.  

We are forecast for a heat wave this weekend.  I am looking forward to it as it has been such a cool summer for us so far.  We were at my nephew's wedding last Saturday evening and people were wearing their ski parkas or were wrapped in blankets to keep warm.  It was crazy.