Multitasking Is A Wonderful Thing...

I adjusted the plan a bit for my Pure Table quilt. I was attempting to create this quilt using only charm squares and fat quarters, but soon realized that I was going to need yardage to make it the size I wanted. (The finished size will be approximately 60" x 72".)

I popped over to Etsy to one of my favorite sellers (thesproutzstore), and ordered up yardage in a few of the fabric patterns I was already using. My order arrived on Saturday and now I have many more options for finishing my project.

The first thing I decided was to add another band of white from my jelly roll, and then the new blue/brown 4" border. I'm liking how it's looking!
Today, I'll add the tiny white dots on a sand-colored background (the folded piece on the left side of this picture), as my final border. I'm making this one 6" wide. Then, I'll piece the backing fabric and take everything over to Kathy at Sandy's Quilt Shop in Harbour Heights. I want to have this one professionally quilted, instead of doing it myself.

I have enough fabric to make some placemats out of the same patterns, and perhaps a couple of...yup!...mug mats, just for fun!

I finished another project over the weekend, too!
While Evvie and I were stitching away on the Pure quilt, Miss Ellie was busy stitching out the eagle and my nephew's name on a sweatshirt. It's cold in Wisconsin, and this will keep him warm. Ethan is nine years old and involved in scouting. He told me that he'd like to become an Eagle Scout when he grows up. I thought the eagle might be a little inspiration for him.

I sent it off to him yesterday. I know it's going to be a little big for him, but he'll have "room to grow". I hope his mom sends me a photograph of him wearing it when he gets it. Wouldn't that be nice?

January Blissfull ATC Swap - Snow...

The theme this month for our Blissfull ATC Swap group is "White - Snow". My partner this month is Sandi of Maximum Embellishment blog. The first thing I did was visited her site to see what her likes and interests are. If you visit her blog, you'll find - as I did - a recurring fairy theme. I decided it was a perfect place to start for her artist trading card.

I searched the internet for an image of a fairy in the snow and found this one...a graceful beauty, to be sure. (I went back to search the artist's name, but was unable to find it. I won't make that mistake again, and apologize to the artist.)

After I printed the image on fabric, I used a free-motion setting on Evvie, attached the fairy image, some vintage white lace, and the words "Snow Dancer". I added a floral embellishment that reminded me a snowy bouquet and then sparkling beads to finish it.

I packaged it up, along with an extra surprise, and it's now on its way to Canada. I'll share my card from her once it arrives. I sure hope she likes my card, created specifically with her in mind.

Next month's theme is "Love". Won't that be fun?

Thanks again, Wendy for hosting, organizing and doing all the work that is involved for each of us to receive the beautiful creations our partners send us each month. You're an angel, my friend.

I Have Proof...

"No. I never let the dogs up on my lap", he said.

Kes couldn't even believe it. "What the...?"
Fezzik said, "What's wrong, Kessie?"
"You're on Dad's lap? Are you kidding me?"

Fezzie replied with a meek "Come here, Kessie. It's ok.
Lemme give you a little smooch."

Handsome insists he only had The Corgi on his lap because he wanted to make sure that Fezzik wasn't catching a chill. The Corgi jumped into the pool again yesterday. He's so fascinated by the water moving that he can't resist. Of course, the fact that I'd dried him off was of no consequence. Now I have proof that Handsome does, occasionally, let the dog up on his lap. Kes got an extra treat in compensation. Corgi smooches just didn't do it for her. Nice try, Fez.