Orange Crush

Little did I realize how much I really do like orange. After all, my basement family room is orange... all the way around too; not just one wall! However, MFG is the one who chose the color, not me. But I have to admit that after 3 years it has grown on me. Or I've turned a blind eye to it. It took the OP challenge for me to notice these orange walls again.

Pat's orange pile virtual retreat has been been great fun so far and I can't wait to see what's in store tomorrow. You should go check out her site and take a look at all the different color combinations with orange.

Here's what I've accomplished so far on my OP quilt...

And considering the fact that when it gets late my brain stops functioning properly, which only results in far too many mistakes. So I am calling it quits for now.

Catching Up

So here's what I've been up to lately...


Finished a quilt top (the first one for 2009). Yeah, I'm not a quilt-a-week-type gal (or a month for that matter). The pattern is Double Takes I from Anka's Treasures





Even though the Quilt Inspector gave his approval, he did point out my mistakes in the quilt top. Can you find them??? You know, there are some quilters who actually plan a mistake into their quilts. Pshaw! Amateurs!!! My mistakes come naturally.



In my defense for only completing one quilt top so far: I've also been learning to knit; however, there's no need to punish you with a picture of that sad project! And continuing to do the hand quilting on Precious Granddaughter's quilt. And participating in Beth Moore's newest bible study, Esther. (If you've never done a Beth Moore bible study, I would highly recommend you do so soon!)

Also found the fun fabrics for pat sloan's new orange challenge. Don't they make you feel happier just looking at them?!

But while I was shopping for these, I also discovered Pat's new Arabella line in the shop. And of course I had to have some of that too!!! Now I ask you.... how could one possibly pass on these?

I also selected my next quilt project and have already begun the cutting process:

Yes, you are right.... I told you before blue is not one of my favorite colors to work with. But... the green just made it so irresistible.

Next there is the mini scrap swap I'm participating in. This is just a hint (in case she hasn't received them yet) of what I recently mailed to my swap partner...

Lastly, to prove to you that I really did organize and clean my sewing room:

Still kicking around ideas for the window treatments/curtains. Everything in due time. But check out the earlier post and tell me if this is not a definite improvement!

So... what have you been up to?

Pawsitive Tails -- The Quilt Inspector

Some people have quilt cats.

Cats who sit demurely atop a quilt or a stack of fabrics.

Refusing, in their regal-ness, to look at the camera.

Adding an air of aplomb and sophistication to the setting.

I, on the other hand, have.....

BUZZ THE BEAGLE

He is always ready to inspect and provide his input....

Aahhhh

He approves!!!

Buzz blesses this quilt top by doing the

Snoopy Dance!

And all is good with the world :D

Pawsitive Tails - Winter Woes

Mo-ommm.... I'm sooo bo-ored! When will Spring be here?!?!!!

Poor Lucy~

Reflections

An excerpt from A Well-Tended Soul - Staying Beautiful for the Rest of Your Life by Valerie Bell

How Did Mother Get into My Mirror?

Beauty Tips: For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you'll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed; never throw out anybody.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty is reflected in a woman's soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows...read more

Another Fab Contest

A happy Thursday to everyone!

On this frigid and snowy day I am happy to inform you that progress is being made on the disasterous sewing room. All that needs to be done now is to make and hang the curtains. WOO-HOO! I must say that it looks and feels so much better. Well, DUH!!

But even at this stage I feel it will be okay to start on my exchange blocks and finish the quilt in progress without any pangs of guilt.

Before leaving though I have to let you in on another terrific contest. This one is an opportunity to win fat quarters... not-even-on-the-shelf-yet fat quarters... and lots of them!! Just go to Calico Carriage and follow the instructions.

Good luck!
Iva

Dinner Dilemmas

One of the things that I enjoy most about finally joining in on the blogging world is the discovery of the foodie blogs. There are some pretty talented and knowledgeable gourmets and gourmands whose sites have on occasion assisted me in determining what to prepare for dinner.

Personally, I get awfully tired of a making and eating meat and potato meals -- or as I call it "guy food" -- that my two guys are particularly fond of. And right now I am at that point. So tonight, thanks to one of those food blogs, I'm making a good old-fashioned New England-style corn chowder along with some of the Midwestern cornbread I was brought up on.

The chowder has potatoes in it. And it is hearty enough that my guys should be satisfied. Right?

But not only that, it's quick and easy to prepare. Which gives me more time to spend working on getting my sewing room organized.

And the sooner I get my sewing room organized, the sooner I can get to work on a quilt block exchange using these fun Mary Englebreit Recipe for Friendship fabrics!





I've never done a quilt block exchange... so I have no clue what I'm doing!! But I have been assured that it is fun and easy.

I may never be invited to participate again!