I Need A Huge Favor...

Remember when I used this fabric to make the quilts and pillowcases for the Flying Cloud? I want to continue the musical theme in our rolling home and I'm nearly out of it. I'm hoping desperate to find more!

Would all of my sewing/quilting peeps please search your stash for me? If you have it and you're willing to part with it, just contact me with the amount of fabric you have and how much you're asking for it.

This fabric is called "Rhapsody of Grace" (Screen Print #D 6784) by Sandra Benava for Robert Kaufman Fabrics.  I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that one or more of you can help me locate more of it.

Added to answer a couple of questions: Ideally, I'd like to find a whole bolt, but I'll be happy with as much as I can find. Also: This is not a current line fabric. It was current last year.

Thanks a million!

Back In The Saddle Again...

I'm working on a commission right now. My client saw the Flying Cloud quilts and wants one for his sailboat's bunk. When I showed him these fabrics, he immediately agreed to this color scheme. "Make it up and I'll send you a check", he said. That's how we sealed the deal.

I'm working on a deadline to have all my work finished on it by April 25th, and then Kathy (Sandy's Quilt Shop) will quilt the top for me. Am I odd because I really enjoy doing the last step...the binding? I really do! I know that some quilters actually hate this step, which I just don't understand. I love this final process for finishing my quilts. It's almost meditation for me.

Today, I'm finishing a pair of potholders for the quilt guild's sales boutique, and then I'll work on this - which I'm calling the "Marie J" quilt - until I have to pack up to go to the guild meeting this evening.

After the guild meetings, we always stay longer to visit over snacks. I signed up to bring "something savory" (others always bring the sweets and beverages), so I have to allot some time to make my contribution for the snack table. There are always wonderful little noshes to sample, so I wanted to be sure to bring something nice. I'm making sausage rolls. They're really easy to make and quite delicious. I'll take a few pictures and share my sinfully simple recipe for them tomorrow.

I'm sure that all of the Marie J blocks will be assembled and I'll get some of the border work complete before I leave to meet up with the girls. What are you doing today?

Golden Slumbers...

They're finished and "installed" in the Flying Cloud. I got the two quilts back from Kathy on Friday and I bound them over the weekend.

Flying Cloud quilt - Manly (Handsome's) is on the left and Flying Cloud quilt - Girly (mine) is on the right. Handsome's is 12" longer overall because he needed the extra length.
After I finished binding the quilts and they were ready to go to the "cottage", I realized that I needed coordinating pillow cases. I've made multiples of these, but they give you an idea of the main fabric, trim and borders I used for each pair.

These pillow cases are easy to make. I created six of them in about an hour and a half, so they're quick projects too. Sorry I didn't get photos of them on the pillows in the cottage. Let me know if you'd like a photo tutorial for the pillowcases.
One more view of the bedroom in our cottage. I wanted you to be able to see the difference on the borders, too. Handsome's (Manly) quilt is more musical and a little darker than mine. My (Girly) quilt has more flowers, but does have border and binding in the same music-themed fabric so that they "go together"...just like Handsome and I do! More cottage projects soon. I do have a question for my crafty pals out there. The photo above is from "Julry" on etsy (Here's her link) Do any of you have tutorials for safety pin button bracelets like this?

My friend, Natalie of Hungry Hippie has shared one, but Sharon of Corgis in my Garden has been looking for one that uses lots of buttons with shanks. Something on the order of the one in this photo. I told Sharon I would put the question out there and see what my readers might be able to share.
Finally, I want to remind you that my Second Blog Birthday giveaways end on the 31st. There's still time to enter. You can click on the giveaway button here to enter.

Thanks, always for visiting and leaving comments for me. Good luck to all who have already entered the drawing! See you again tomorrow.

I Couldn't Resist...

No apologies. No excuses. I bought them. I couldn't resist them. I'm glad I have them. I love them! You can't make me feel guilty, so don't even try!

The main fabric is from Robert Kaufman and it's called "On The Road". A collection of sweet, colorful campers to be sewn into something beautiful for the coach. I'm not sure what I'll make yet, but you know I'll share it with you when I do.

I purchased the fabrics (including the Kona cottons and the Patty Young "Sanctuary Citrus Scrub" fabric) from an etsy shop called "Sew Fresh Fabrics". (Here's their link) I just love all their colorful fabric choices - and Becca and Peg offer fast, friendly service.
I also visited Anna's shop,lillalotta, when I saw that she was offering a wider printed twill tape. It's approximately two inches wide.

My order arrived from her yesterday, too. When I pulled out the tapes and put them on top of the fabrics, I got excited.
Wouldn't these be great on a patchwork pillow for the camper? I know! That's what I was thinking, too!

Plans fell through for the ballgame, but it was alright. I spent the afternoon in the studio instead. I started and finished my Margarita green/white outfit - except for hemming the skirt - which I'll do first thing today. Then, I'll ask Handsome to snap a photo of me wearing it so I can show you.

I also ran down to Harbor Heights first thing yesterday because Kathy had called to let me know that the Flying Cloud quilts were ready for me to pick up. The design she chose to stitch on my quilts is just perfect for them! (Thank you, Kathy! I love them both!)

I'll bind them today (the other garment projects are on hold til I bind these quilts), and then you'll get to see those finished, too.

I hope you have something fun or creative (better yet, both!) planned for today. More project debuts tomorrow.

Into Each Life...

a little rain must fall.
Of course, nothing major, in this case.
I think they changed the formula for my favorite spray.
My favorite Egyptian Cotton Linen Spray.

How could they?
The fragrance is still the same -
except that it now seems to be severely watered down.

I've been using this spray for over five years.
I've even bragged it up to all of you.
I have to admit that I'm slightly peeved.

I want my old spray back.

I used the last of the old batch on these (now finished) Flying Cloud quilt fronts and backs. These went off to Kathy at Sandy's Quilt Shop on Thursday so that she could perform her thread magic on them.

Kathy said that everyone at the shop always knows when I bring my quilt tops in because they smell so good. She said she could barely smell the cotton spray on these tops this time. My quilts consistently smell clean (I'm fanatic about that)...but also unique because of the spray. I like that.

I don't want to use lavender or chamomile. Heck, I'll fall asleep trying to piece them! I'm going to be looking for an explanation from someone about my cotton spray. If anyone knows anything about whether or not they've changed the formulation, please shed a little light on this for me. If I learn anything more, I'll be sure to let you know.

In the meantime, I'm taking suggestions for an alternative from my blogger girlfriends. Anyone have any ideas?

Almost...

Flying Clouds - Girly version

The "girly" version of the Flying Cloud quilt is ready to go to Kathy for machine quilting. I'm nearly finished with the "manly" version, too.

Flying Clouds - Manly version

See the difference? Darker fabrics and less floral. Actually, the darker gold is a music-themed fabric that I have a lot of. It will also be the border for the quilt. Perfect for Handsome. The 1.5" border on his is one of the "girly" quilt fabrics from mine, and the music-themed fabric is the 1.5" border on mine.Flying Clouds - Closeup of the Manly version before sewing

I'll be adding the 1.5" and 6.5" borders to the "manly" version today and then take them both over to Kathy's late afternoon. The backing for both will be the travel-themed fabric that I purchased especially for this project.

I spoke with our granddaughters yesterday. My six year old sweetheart asked me how I was going to spend my day (after telling me what her plans were). When I told her I was going to be sewing on the two quilts, referring to one as "girly" (for Grandma) and one as "manly" (for Grandpa), she got quite the kick out of it. Her mom told me that she repeated the references as she handed the phone to her little sister...and then she giggled. I'm glad that I was able to tickle her...even if it was long distance.

Quilting In The Afternoon...

I got to spend part of another day with my two blog girlfriends before my "mystery" girlfriend had to leave to head home today. One of my readers, blog friend, Mimi of NoMimikry, refers to a day spent with girlfriends as "Weibertag". I like that and will use it again. Thanks, Mimi.

The three of us had a grand time again. I'll reveal more photos on Saturday, after I know she's back home. Of course, Friday is Fezzik's day, so I'll wait my turn again until the weekend.

After I got back home, I headed back to the studio for a little while. I started sewing the Flying Clouds - Girly quilt blocks. I'm about half finished with the pinwheels and then I'll add borders.
That's my plan for today.
If you haven't entered my 600th Friend Giveaway yet, click on the picture above to link to the giveaway and sign up before the drawing ends at 11 pm tomorrow.

Bikers, Blankets and Stuffed Garlic Bread...

The men-folk returned from their motorcycle ride to The Keys on Friday morning. They had a wonderful time and the weather was perfect for their excursion. I'm not ashamed to admit I was glad to have Handsome back home. It's just not the same around here when he's away.

Amid the rehearsing, household chores and other boring tasks, I managed to cut and assemble some of the blocks for my Flying Clouds - "Girly" version last week. I can now show you what they'll look like. I haven't squared them up yet, though. I won't do that until all of them have been assembled.

The "Manly" version for Handsome will have the same green dot/cream on cream combination, but the floral will be less...well...floral, and I'll be combining it with a music-themed fabric for the darker value on that half of the block. I'll be doing those next week.

Friday afternoon was filled with music as we had our Chorale tech rehearsal for this evening's concert, and then I made dinner (Emeril's Kicked Up Stuffed Garlic Bread - this is the recipe link) for all the guys. (Warning: If you make this, you'll be hooked! Have I ever lied to you?) It's always a huge hit around here. It's simple, quick and easy...and delicious.

I'd love to chat longer with you today, but I have a lot to do before we head over to the Performing Arts Center to sing tonight.

Before I close, I just want to remind you to enter my 600th Friends Giveaway if you haven't done so yet. The link button is near the top of my left sidebar. I'll be back soon with quilt updates and perhaps a musical video or two. Have a wonderful Saturday, friends.

Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This...

I thought you might like to see the next assortment of fabrics I'm going to play with. They're going to become quilts for the Flying Cloud. One quilt - the one for me - will be more flowery, and the other will be more masculine for Handsome. They'll cover us on chilly evenings as we slumber in our new coach.
This fabric will be made into pillowcases. It's appropriately called "On The Road" by Dan Morris for Robert Kaufman. It will make wonderful cases as it's extremely soft. I'll also use it for accents on the quilts.
This fabric will be featured prominently in my quilt. It's called "Silence Beauty" (I know, it's not a title befitting me, is it?). It's manufactured by Quilt Gate. This floral will be beautiful with all the birch wood in the coach, and I love the soft colors.

So, I'm going to make two nearly-twin size quilts. They'll be perfect for naps or full-fledged sleeping. I have a slot open with Kathy to have them machine quilted on March 8th. Tick. Tock. Here we go again. Off to the races!

I hope you have a great day planned. The weather here is perfect and my view from the studio is peaceful and serene even as I'm cutting fabrics and whirring away at the sewing machine. I promise I'll show you photo updates, but I can assure you that Prissy is really earning her keep these days.