Fiber Babble: A Mini Update

A Mini Update

August 30, 2009

"And talking of powers of deduction, I've just taken on an interesting new case." "Birds of a Feather" by Jacqueline Winspear ♦♦♦♦◊

Wow, it's been fairly zoo-ish around Casa del Babble. The dust hasn't quite settled yet but I've gotten a nag or two because I haven't updated my blog to share all of the excitement (or not).

Nearly all of the August activities have been quilt-related, though I managed to sneak in a little bit of yarn action and a few stitches on a Christmas project.

So, let's begin, eh?

The Harvest Stars mini, made for a swap on the Quilter's Last Resort forum, has been received by it's new owner.

This means that I can post more pictures here even if I can't yet reveal to the rest of the world who the recipient is.

(Click to biggify & see the quilting)

You've seen the quilt top before, so the pics are just an update to show the quilting. Threads on the top include Sulky metallic, Coats & Clark Cotton and Sulky variegated rayon. Bobbin thread for machine quilting is Coats & Clark Dual Duty.

The label is folded/tied, and while I was sewing it on (by hand!!) I had the bright idea to leave the top open so that it could double as a little pocket. I stuck some of the backing fabric into the pocket before mailing so that the recipient could make a hanging sleeve if she wanted to.

I haven't yet received the quilt that was made for me in the swap (the deadline to mail isn't until August 31). I was just commenting on the forum recently about how quilters are such patient people when it comes to cutting up lots of little pieces and sewing them back together again, but when it comes to waiting for goodies to show up in the mail, many of us are whiney babies!!

Mr. W.'s dad has a twin brother. Said brother and brother's wife are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary next month. (Woo!) The invitation to the party (which we won't be attending) says, "No gifts."

Of course I immediately decided to make a gift for them.

This is Golden Voyage, the unquilted version. It's since been quilted, but my camera's battery seems to need recharging (I just realized) and I apparently didn't put the charger where it belongs after using it last time. :sigh:

So, the pattern is Storm at Sea; the components are 2x2", 2x4" and 4x4", with a finished (bound) size of 15" square. It was paper foundation pieced with fabrics I got in a FQ pack on the shop-hop I went on earlier in the month.

(What? I didn't mention the shop-hop? What was I thinking?? When I recharge the camera's battery, I'll share some pictures with you!)

I guess you'll get to see this one again, after I'm able to photograph the quilting & stuff. I just have the handwork on the binding and the label to finish before it flies off to somewhere in the upper Midwest.

I also got in some stitching earlier in the month on the Christmas Littles that were generously provided *free* by Cheryl at Willowberry Designs.

These 2½" cuties took me about a TV show each; I am always shocked by how long it takes me to stitch/embroider something. Am I really slow, or do I have unrealistic expectations?

So these will (I think) go into some sort of project with another Christmas stitchery: Currently (hah!) I'm working on Gail Pan's "Merry Christmas" stitchery. I hit a tiny snag when I realized that I was so careful about lightly marking the design on the background that I couldn't actually SEE then entire design when it was time to stitch it. In front of the TV. In the evening.

So there you have it. In addition to the fiber-y goodness I've shared with you today, I also survived teaching the Tree-Hugger's Scrap Quilt class at The Paisley Duck, I've been working on a couple of patterns and covers for PETaL Patterns, I've been wearing the "Queen Ding-a-Ling" crown for two bell ensembles over the summer, I'm putting the finishing touches on R2D2 and have recently begun making a shop sample of a PETaL Patterns pattern for the Paisley Duck.

It has just occurred to me why I haven't written a blog post in almost 25 days:

I'm tired.

Labels: quilting, stitchery

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7 Comments:

At 8/31/2009 4:09 AM,

Crispy Babbled Back:

Lots of great eye candy!! I love your thinking, "No Gift" means "Get Sewing" LOL. I also love your bigify term and may shamelessly steal it :0)

Crispy

At 8/31/2009 12:52 PM,

Carrie P. Babbled Back:

I am tired just reading all that you have been doing. The quilting on the swap quilt is great. Somehow I missed downloading those little Christmas stitcheries. I read Cheryl's blog all the time.Thanks for sharing.

At 9/02/2009 10:47 PM,

Gimpy Cat Babbled Back:

Thanks for sparing some time to write FB, have missed your blogging. Your quilt is beautiful, the emborideries are coming along great, who cares if it takes a whole night for each one, just think, in less than a fortnight you have a dozen blocks! Glad the class went well, looking forward to pics and seeing your store sample - when have time, after you rested your feet and when you arent so tired!

At 9/03/2009 2:52 PM,

Deb Babbled Back:

Fibberbabble.. my mother loved it I was able to see it in person she brought it with her to show me and the whole thing from the fabric choices to the added touch of the pocket is gorgeous!! your special talents go beyond words thanks so much!!

At 9/04/2009 5:17 AM,

Brenda Babbled Back:

Oh, Stop complaining! We've waited long enough for your little crumb of a post...I wanted pages and pages of thrills and chills, and exciting news. You give me a little a quilt backing, a block and a little embroidery and you think you're done? Hello? what about the trip to Spain, the bungie jumping and swimming the Panama Canal? Did you just forget? LOL!I'll be checking back for those posts, LOL!
Now about that little pocket thing, hmmmm..... I can do that. NOT! Hahahaahaha!I think the label is the coolest part of the quilt, but I never add one because I am clueless. You're so fancy! I love it!
Now go have yoursef some adventures so you can tell us all bout it; at least one of us should be having fun and it sure isn't me, LOL~

At 11/06/2009 7:03 PM,

Unknown Babbled Back:

You have been a very busy gal... love you quilting... and your pocket on the back for the extra fabric... clever idea... and those little things you embroidered are very cute.. I did them too and put them into a little basket and will use it for a Xmas candy dish.... golo

At 11/06/2009 7:05 PM,

golo8 Babbled Back:

You have been a busy gal... love your quilting and the little pocket you made with the extra fabric...clever idea... those little thingys from Cheryl were fun to do and I made them into the little basket and will use it for a xmas candy dish... golo