Another UFO pulled out

This is the next UFO that I'm tackling.  It is a french braid quilt top that I started about 4 years ago.  I have the braided strips done - and then I put them away.  I'm not even sure WHY I put them away. The hard part was done!

So this week I plan to cut and sew the divider strips that go between the braids and then add the borders.

Schnibbles progress

Yesterday I finished putting together the center of my small Schnibbles X-Rated quilt. It just needs a border and then I can quilt it.  My border plan is a narrow blue, then the orange daisy print from this fabric line - called Fresh Flowers.  The pattern called for a white background but I had this bright yellow laying on my cutting table when I got out the charm pack.  It just jumped out and screamed "use me"!

The only sewing I've done today is handquilting on the wedding signature quilt.  I have about 1/4 of the quilting done so far.  I'm sitting in my family room watching the snow begin to fall as I hand quilt and watch golf on TV.

New quilt hanger

Look at the beautiful quilt hanger that my friend Sylvia MADE for me for Christmas!  She's a quilter, a knitter, an educator - and now she's a woodworker.

We saw these at a quilt show this fall and she went home with the idea percolating.  I have no idea when she found the time, but she made some for Christmas gifts.  And I was lucky enough to get one of those gifts!

After plenty of deliberation about where to put it, I hung it up in my guest bedroom this weekend and finally decided which quilt to put into it last night.  It's now holding a lap quilt in blue/yellow/lime green/black.  Anyone walking by the room in the hallway can see it there.

Thank you Sylvia.

Looking for inspiration for sashing

Even though I have some bindings to finish, some handquilting to finish, and numerous other projects to finish . . . I'm still thinking ahead to a different project.  I pulled out a photo of a quilt I made about 4 years ago and gave away.  It has a very basic sashing with cornerstones.

I need to put together a couple of different sets of blocks, but can't decide on a layout or sashing options.  My question is this . . . how boring is this cornerstone layout?  Does it totally lack creativity?  Or is it tried and true?

I'm looking for some better ideas.  Help?

Design Wall Monday

Here is another project from Sunday afternoon sewing.  I've started a small project from the Schnibbles Times Two pattern book. This is just one corner.  I think the next row will be the center of this little quilt.  This was "sort of" one of my UFO's.  I switched the original fabric I had set aside for something else that I purchased a couple of months ago.

It uses a charm pack and I chose Fresh Flowers from Moda.  I may use the original charm pack I had selected and make another one of these with a white background.

Can't wait to work on it again this week.

Another binding in progress

Another day of below zero weather with a nasty wind chill.  It was a good day to hide out in my sewing room.

You may remember an earlier posting about this quilt which was done with a set of friendship exchange blocks. This photo is the top, and the quilting is now done and I've added the binding this afternoon. Once I have the handwork done on the binding I'll show you the finished product.

Wonderful mail from Portugal

I received a wonderful package all the way from Portugal today.  I love mail - especially packages!

Manuela sent me a mug rug for a swap we participated in from Aunt Pitty Pat's blog.  The package was to include a mug, a mug rug, a candy cane, a favorite recipe, and a beverage mix.

How could she know that red is my absolutely favorite color?  And I have a special place in my heart for snowflakes! The mug rug has an appliqued reindeer and there is also a little handmade ornament with a tiny little red reindeer attached to the clip.  I love them! The beverage is a "hot chocolate spoon".  Since it is so cold this weekend, that hot chocolate spoon will probably get used right away.  The recipe is for a traditional Portuguese orange cake which I look forward to trying.   And this snowflake cup will get used all through this long snowy winter.

Many thanks Manuela - I'm loving every item you sent.