Fall!!

I have enjoyed the Wicked blog hop this last week. I like seeing what everyone else is doing. It just seemed like a good idea to show my fall projects, too.

 I saw a picture of this from a quilt show on a blog this morning. I am so anxious to start it, but I have some hand quilting to finish before I will let myself even think about starting it. But I have the most beautiful fabric all ready to go and I can't wait!

Hocuspocusville

Here's a closeup of one of the houses!

I started this years ago and it was my very first hand applique project.  It may be my last since I've now learned to machine applique.  It is supposed to be a bag for trick or treat, and I probably started it back when I had one grandchild instead of seven!  I am thinking now that it wouldn't be too hard to turn this into a small quilt with blues and oranges.  Or maybe a table runner?  I'm thinking.  (Always thinking!!)

Here are some blocks I started years ago.  (See a pattern here?)  I think it's from Judy at Patchwork Times.  I don't know if the pattern is there or not.  I have a whole sackful of beautiful orange, green, and brown batiks to make leaves.  I need to work on this one!

Layout for finished quilt

Last year we spent Halloween in Oaxaca, Mexico, for Dia de los Muertos.  It was a wonderful and we wish we were back there now!  Their attitude toward death and skeletons (caleveras) is so different from ours in the US.  It was a wonderful 3 week trip.  Anyway, I managed to find some fabric shops while I was there.  It was so much fun!  I have several pieces of fabric for Day of the Dead, and even some lace and wall hangings.  I'm going to do something with all these skulls, but I don't know what.  Always thinking!

And, last but not least, my one finished project.  I made this quilt several years ago out of some beautiful charm squares in fall colors.  I just set them on edge, made it too long for the backing, and have used it ever since!

Well, that concludes my fall/Halloween round up.  If you have some fall things up and aren't on the Wicked blog hop, leave me a note so I can come look.  

Happy Halloween!

Rest time!

I can't post a single picture, but I can report progress!!  I'm working on Christmas presents!  Just taking a break for a few minutes now.

Desperately need to hand quilt.  Every minute.  Now.

Have 2 quilts totally ready to quilt with tops and backs made.  Just can't decided to take them to long-arm person or do them myself.

Grace's quilt is all pinned for me to do.

3rd of 4th quilt....top finished today.  Almost finished with back  I'm having to be creative!!

4th quilt.  Finished.  Have to do back and then decide who/how to quilt.

And I actually won something.  Oh, it was an exciting day!! Go here to see Carol's beautiful Counting Sheep design at Fun Threads Designs.  I hope to do it soon.

Left to do.
1.  The quilting.  Oy, the quilting.  What do I do?
2.  Get at least 1 of the two Christmas quilts finished for Christmas.
3.  Hand quilt.  Hand quilt.  Hand quilt.  Hand quilt.

That's all for me!  Isn't this fall beautiful??  Our hayride is next weekend!

October!

Well, I know it's been a long time since I posted.  I was sewing like crazy....hours every day! I was getting so much done!! And then we went to see my grandbabies, and since I've been back I'm a lump.  The inspiration left.  And I just have to get going.  I sit here thinking about what I need to be doing, yet I don't do it!  I'm mad at myself.  I'm even thinking about moving my machine into this living area so I will sew a little bit just on a whim.  I hate to bring the mess, though.

I have a decision to make.  I have some quilts all ready for quilting.  Now what to do.  I am not good enough at free motion to do them, but I don't like my long-arm person.  So they sit there, all folded, with me deciding.

Things I need to be working on:

• 2 projects to be quilted
• 1 backing to be pieced
• Gracie's quilt to be quilted
• 1 quilt top assembled, blocks made
• 1 smaller quilt hand quilted

And that just takes me to Christmas and not even finishing my Comfort and Joy.  Maybe it's the decisions that have me hung up.   Hope you all are accomplishing more than I am.  I enjoy your blogs and projects.