A Work in Progress

For some time now I have wanted to make a boxed square quilt, like the one on the cover of this book. I don't have a huge stash, or lots of scraps, so I decided to wait until the right fabric 'spoke' to me.

I thought I had found the perfect fabric this summer, when I received my Hello Betty layer cakes. Now I am not so sure.

I like the way each block looks, but I am worried about the busy-ness of the overall quilt. So, while all the blocks are made, the arrangement (and re-arrangement) of the blocks has put me at a standstill. I have even asked my husband for his opinion. (I received his usual "It looks good to me" response.)

 

I do have one small finish. Our son-in-law's parents have invited us to their home for a Christmas get-together this Friday. My husband will take a bottle of wine for the host, and I had considered making a wine bottle bag when I remembered my new paper piecing book. I think this is much nicer than a bottle bag. The hostess has lots of pretty votive candle holders, so I have some scented candles for her, too.

I enjoyed reading everyone's Thanksgiving posts. It sounds like you all had lots of good things to eat!


Back to my sewing room to work on my Hello Betty quilt.


Sandy


Hello Betty quilt update:
Thanks for all your thoughtful comments. It seems I had the solution to my problem all along. I purchased some cream/off-white solid fabric last week. After a quick trip through the washer and dryer, it was ready to be cut into sashing strips. The layer cakes contained three solids in addition to all the prints. Now, I wanted to use all of these fabrics, I just didn't know how. With your help, I think I have solved my problem.

Tessa came into my sewing room to tell me that she and Katie are getting hungry.

Thanks everyone!

Let It Snow

This past Monday, November 15, the temperature was a balmy 7 degrees Celsius. Today the high might be minus 12. Winter is here! My dogs love the snow, but even they were cold this morning. Katie, on the left, is part Sheltie and part American Eskimo. Tessa is a purebred Sheltie. 

I have been working on my paper-pieced log cabin quilt. It is slow going. I have decided that I don't like the wide white borders on this quilt. Not very compatible (or practical) with the dogs, three grandkids, or my husband for that matter. (Plus, I'm never sure how to quilt borders.)

I did manage to finish this table mat in time for Hallowe'en. More paper piecing! The stuffed pumpkin is a favourite. It comes out in early September and hangs around until the Christmas decorations appear. (It was a birthday gift six or seven years ago.)


What I would really like to be doing about now is working on some holiday projects. Perhaps I'll play my new Michael Buble CD (Let it Snow) and wait for inspiration to strike.


Sandy


Note: 7 degrees Celsius is approximately 45 degrees Fahrenheit 
    -12 degrees Celsius is approximately 10 degrees Fahrenheit