Fabrics and Pincushions

Last week, or maybe the week before, I received the following.  First I got these wonderful pre-cuts from my friend for whom I made the little girl quilt earlier this year.  She got these in Hawaii.  What a fantastic surprise!

I can't wait until I can figure out what to make with these. The larger squares are sooooo soft.

And then I bought these fabrics from Ayumi.  Oops, I meant to put a link to her blog, Pink Penguin.

I love her pincushions so I couldn't resist buying one.  Her work is beautiful. (I actually asked her to make one because there weren't any in her shop.)

and she put these fabrics, just because she's so sweet!

Time for me to get sewing ...

15 Minute Challenge - week ??

I am linking up again with Kate's 15 Minute Challenge.  Another so-so week.

Tuesday - nothing

Wednesday - nada

Thursday - zilch

Friday - added first side of 1st border (BYG duvet cover)

Saturday - nothing

Sunday - added one side of border .. wrong way; unsewed it (BYG)

Monday - finished first border (BYG)

Okay, I finally have the entire duvet cover pieced and the first border on.  I need to figure out how much bigger it needs to be, hopefully will be able to do that tonight.

Here are some pictures.  I didn't take them outside so they're not as nice as they could be but the colors are fairly accurate.  I got the pattern from here.  (www.allpeoplequilt.com).

Favorite Things Friday

I am finally linking up with Shay at QIMP to share a favorite -- I almost missed it.

My favorite this week is this tree.

I don't know if I've posted pictures of it before.  I probably have.  It's in my favorite place, Eagle Harbor, Michigan.  Every time I am there, I take at least one picture of it.  It's probably over 100 years old.  There used to be two of them, but the other one didn't make it through the winter one year.  (They have horrible winters there and since it's right on Lake Superior, some terrific storms too.)

Here are a few more pictures ..

Wordless Wednesday

Recipe from here.

Wordless Wednesday

15 Minute Challenge - Week 24

Tuesday - nada
Wednesday - zilch
Thursday - sewed together rows 1 and 2 of the byg duvet cover
Friday - nothing
Saturday - added rows 3 and 4 to BYG
Sunday - started to make two potholders .. machine went goofy.  need to get it serviced.
Monday - took the sewing machine to the shop; bought 2 yards of fabric.

What was wrong with my sewing machine was me (almost one of those, it didn't work because it wasn't plugged in sort of moments).  Apparently I didn't have the bobbin threaded properly so the tension was totally whacked, but it wasn't actually broken. It had been a while since it had been serviced so I left it there anyway.  When I go to pick it up, I'm going to get some other thread.

My sewing machine is back home.  I haven't done any sewing tonight but will work on the potholders tonight just to finish something.

Check out Life In Pieces to see what everyone else has been up to this week.

Blanket

I posted about a blanket I made for my new grandson here, but didn't post a picture.  A friend requested I post a picture, so here it is.

The fabric is a type of minkee and the binding was pre-made and sewn on.  I learned a few things.  1) don't sew the fabrics together on the reverse side; just on the front; 2) sew more slowly (I didn't); 3) sew all the way to each edge, so that the corners lay nicely together.  It turned out okay, but the next one (if I make another) will be better.

Oh and here's another $1 item for my list. I want to make the top.

We'll see.

Favorite Things Friday

I'm having a little trouble coming up with one favorite this week so here's my list ..

my newly painted toenails
the quilt on my bed
new babies
the devil cat
using the last staple in the stapler
sitting and talking with my daughters on the bed
hearing birds chirp at night
chocolate
having a good hair day
spending time sewing
eating popcorn with friends

Check out Shay's Favorite Things Friday to see some other favorites.