Puttering...

I've been meaning to sit down and write this post for the last week, but this is the first chance I've had to do it.  How does time get away from me so quickly?  It's already the middle of September, and I'm so not ready for summer to end!!!  Is anyone else desperately trying to hold on to it like I am?

I spent some quality time in my sewing room last weekend.  I was determined to finish a few things - in particular, a quilt I've had on the frame since around June.  I was able to finish the quilting and sew on the binding.  All that remains is to hand stitch it down.  I just got these new Clover Wonder Clips from Clotilde and this will be my first chance to try them out.

Child's Play Quilt ready for binding

I also finished loading the quilt for my Grandpa on the frame and took a couple of passes on it.  I had hoped to finish it this week, but haven't touched it since last weekend.  I've really got to spend some quality time with it tomorrow (after cleaning the house).  My Grandpa's 89 and although he's in good health, I need to get this finished soon!

Grandpa's Quilt loaded on the frame

Looking around, I also saw that I needed to piece the backing for another charity quilt (which I did).  Then I pulled out some Heat Press Batting Together Tape that I'll use to join some scraps together for the batting for that quilt.  In the past I've cut my own strips of stabilizer to do this, but to be honest, the tape is much easier to use.  Better yet, I got the tape for free at a quilting retreat! I also need to make a label for this quilt.

Preparing to join the batting and make a label

I puttered a little bit on my Leap Year quilt. This is the quilt that started out as a Schnibbles sized quilt and I've now decided to make king-sized.  I've cut into the new Layer Cake and organized the fabrics.  I'm starting to make the blocks for the outer border.  I'm not in a rush to get this one done as it's a patriotic quilt, so I really don't need it until next summer...

A little bit of progress on Leap Year

And finally, my quilt bee has decided to do another 'Quilt in a Box' starting in October.  This prompted me to pull out the last one we did in 2008/2009, as my blocks are still sitting in their box exactly as I left them 3 years ago!  This has given me a new incentive to get this put together before too much progress is made on the new one.  I designed the setting I wanted all those years ago and I have all the fabrics, I just never got around to finishing it.  I still love the colors, so hopefully this won't continue to languish...

'Quilt in a Box' blocks and fabrics from 2008/2009

All in all, it was a very productive weekend puttering in my sewing room.  I forgot how much I enjoy spending time in there.  Nowadays, I seem to grab an hour here or there, but rarely do I spend an entire day or afternoon hanging out surrounded by fabric, thread and sewing notions (and my 4-legged buddies).  It reminds me why I refer to it as my happy place!

Until later...

Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. 

Proverbs 12:18 (NLT)