Empire Strikes Again

My Dining Room Empire strikes again.

Lest you think all is pretty and creative in my world, let me set the record straight. That is a piece of batting wrapped around our artwork. I've pushed the table to the side, therefore constantly hitting my head on the ugly light fixture. The table is covered with: quilt blocks, a craft kit, computer, mailing information for the bee blocks below, placemats and napkins for dinner, morning tea, my blood pressure monitor, some paperwork of Hubby's, books of the girls, and some very pretty freesias.

And here are the bee blocks I worked on that day:

Improv curves for Christine, inspired by Malka.

Some anything goes blocks for Valerie. I was on a curve role so I tried my hand at these.

Embracing improv in all forms here.

A Clown

We've got a lot of really lovely neighbours. Surrogate grandparents, friends, and folks who generally love to spoil the girls. When one of them asks us for a favour in return I'm more than happy to stand up.

Our neighbours that helped out with plans for the basement and who rescued our damn black dog more than once recently asked me to help out with a commemorative project. She was once quite heavily involved in the Western Showcase at the Calgary Stampede. So when the Stampede folks invited quilt block donations she asked me to help her out.

Her history is deep with the Stampede and she wanted her block to reflect that history and the influence of the art and person of Paul Van Ginkel. So, with his permission she translated some of his artwork of rodeo clowns into a sketch. We worked with the fabrics provided and a few others. Based on her sketch we put together a block. Fused and satin stitched applique, with a touch of thread painting.

Now, I'm not a clown person. I don't have that fear either. This block isn't my kind of thing, personally, but it is a great translation of the sketch and inspiration. And a great appreciation to my neighbour and her history.

For Peanut

This pretty stack NEEDED to be pulled last week. Not for a deadline, although there is that. Not for secret project, although I can't fully share it yet for reasons which will become shortly evident. Mostly, just because I had to. I've been overwhelmed and swamped with things that HAVE to be done. That meant I wasn't playing, I wasn't sewing just because. And I could tell. I was getting cranky, antsy, and frankly a bit bored with the necessary bits of life.

So I decided to pull a pretty pile of fabric and play. Look at all those solids! Well, for me they are a lot of solids. I pressed, I cut, I sewed, I played, I sewed, I pressed, and in my spare moments of time over two days I had a baby quilt.

And I felt so much better!

Not a moment too soon, either. It helped my sanity as our reno kicks into a very mess part and the pregnancy gets closer and closer to the end. Oh, and because this is destined to be a baby quilt for a new niece or nephew due to arrive any day now. See, there is a deadline and a sort of need for secrecy.

Look at us, my sister and I, getting SO CLOSE to the end we're giddy. Yeah, that's it.

Kisses in Progress

I'm making progress on our anniversary quilt. These were some of the blocks yesterday. The blocks are 30" by 35''. By the end of the night I had the top together. It wasn't hard, there are only 9 of these giant blocks together to make up the king-sized quilt top.

The design for this top comes directly from Kananaskis. When Hubby saw it he said it was one of his favourite quilts I'd ever made. I knew I was going to do big blocks, but that pretty much sealed the deal.

So, I've got 6 weeks to finish it up. Once I work up the energy and flexibility to baste the thing. Did I mention it was king-sized?

Are Xs the hugs or kisses of Xs and Os? I routinely have this debate with my husband. I say Xs are the kisses and he argues the opposite. These are the things you talk about after almost 16 years together. What does it matter so long as there are still Xs and Os in your life?