What have I been up to...

Okay, honestly I have been doing so much but it largely consists of things I cannot devote 60 minutes to blogging about.  Does that ever happen to you?  You are just so busy DOING that you can't spend any spare time for SHARING?

However, the point of this blog is to document my Doings so I can't just abandon that altogether.  So, here we go, a very short rundown.  A bookmarker so to speak...

I am largely still spending the bulk of my free time sorting through the Modern Low Volume Swap piles and finishing up the last bits of cutting.  While I am finding it very therapeutic and, this may sound weird, fun even, the Mr. is kind of getting sick of this as it is becoming a habit for me to retreat into my sewing room and cut, sort, cut, sort, cut, sort...  

So he made me take time out on Sunday to do a bit of this:

And of course as you can see from the first photo above...Miss O adored the swings.

Plus, all the time spent in my sewing room cutting has allowed my mind to wander and caused me to really fuss over the palette for Peaches & Cream as you may have read in my last post.  I was so frustrated that I pulled a whole separate set of soft pinky girly fabrics, tossed in some osnaburg, and threw this up on my design wall just to PROVE that I could commit to something soft and feminine.  It was like some wicked itch I needed to Get Out of my system.

Thanks to everyone who gave me their feedback on my post about value.  Overall, you each said in your own way Trust Your Heart!  With that in mind my heart really sings when I look at the set of fabrics I finally settled on for Peaches & Cream.

Last, but not least, is this random project using Shelburne Falls by Denyse Schmidt.  I am calling it Distraction as I tend to do a bit here and there as I need mental breaks from other things.  It reminds me of what Mary Fons said during her QuiltCon Lecture (No, I wasn't there, I saw it via Craftsy for Free!) that creating blocks can be like eating little bits of candy?  I'm totally not quoting her exactly as this isn't what she said verbatim, but if you saw the lecture I think you will remember the comment she made.  Anyway...she's right, it is no pressure and has been really helpful to feel productive in between spurts of energy.

Back to cutting fabric and sorting piles.  

What are you all up to?

- rebecca lynne

Value Advice Please!

I always have a struggle with value.  It just isn't something that comes naturally to me when I work with color.  I have enough color theory at the forefront of my brain to intuitively know what colors *match* and what *complements* but even as far back as my studies in college my professor criticized the lack of value in my painting.  He kept saying it looked flat.  I thought it looked spot on and had no idea what he was talking about.  To me - flat looked good.  This is probably why I shied away from color altogether after that experience because it was just safer than defending my preferences for flat.

Option: Flat

When I chose this palette I wanted something soft and muted...but as it sat on my shelf and I worked on other projects around it I wondered if it was a bit flat.  All the colors are largely in the medium range.  I played around with a few layouts via computer and it still reads pretty medium all around.  But, is that what I want?  Does that give me the soft look I want?  Do I have to stick with all mediums?

Option: Flat Different Layout

So I looked in my stash and thought about adding Kona Eggplant.  It would add a dark and pick up some of the purples in the other prints.  

Option: Eggplant & Beige & Peach

The purple really stands out and everything else fades.  It just becomes Dark and Medium.  Plus, it is no longer soft.

Option: Daisy & Beige & Peach

Then I cut the purple and added the Posy Bouquet in Daisy which reads closer to white.  I left in a beigey print.  Still soft, but I missed the depth, maybe warmth, that the purple added.

Option: Eggplant & Daisy & Peach

THEN...I cut out all the beige, left in the peaches because I really do love all of those ranges, kept in the Posy Bouquet in Daisy AND the Kona Eggplant.  

This is where I am now.  I'm leaning towards this last option because it is still sweet, but warm, and tender.  I think I'd use the eggplant sparingly but enough to add depth.  Maybe more cream and less peach?

Clearly I need to mull this over before I cut anything...  I am thinking of adding at least a peak of yellow if not an all yellow binding to really make it that little sweet girly feel I am trying to get.  I tried adding it within the layout and it really popped too much making it a much louder composition than I am going for.

[Miss O pretty much wears all pink with a yellow sweater/hat these days!]

Critique Please?  What are your thoughts?  Which Option and why...or is there something else I haven't considered?

- rebecca lynne

Modern Family Tree: An Echo Bella Quilt Top

As some of you already know, I was working furiously on a very secret project in the beginning of March.  In fact, if you follow me on Instagram then you may have seen this in the works.  

I was doing so much sewing and I couldn't share it!  It was killing me...

I can finally reveal this very special quilt top.  Believe it or not, it is a Modern Family Tree!

For years I have wanted to make my mother-in-law a special quilt.  She is always making quilts for other people and mentioned to me years ago that no one makes quilts for her.  That was when I decided that we just had to make something special for her and I wanted it to relate to our family.  This was in 2008 when I was pregnant with Miss E.  The Mr. and I brainstormed for awhile...a block for each family member, a family tree, a combo, how do we do that, do we pick a fabric for each person, do we pick a style for each person...when finally the Mr. came up with a brilliant idea.  Creating a *key* where each piece of fabric represents a number, then creating a block with each person's birthday worked out in fabric.

Well, the idea was great and I got to work immediately using some really stunning reproduction Civil War prints.  But, I got pregnant again and we had to wait until we found out Miss V's birthday.  Then I worked on it a little more until bam, I was pregnant again!  And same problem...I had to wait to learn Miss O's birthday.

This year when my mother-in-law's milestone birthday was coming up I realized I had to abandon the first quilt top (maybe I'll finish it someday) and begin with new fabrics.  I chose Lotta Jansdotter's Echo and Bella lines because I know my mother-in-law loves them!

Here is the breakdown...

The Mr., shown here in the 2nd row at the end with a blue squidgy star, is the youngest of three.  I am the pink squidgy star...to be cute I decided to make my brother-in-law and I, the "out-laws" if you will, a little off center and in our own row to signify our being married into the family.  And the last row are the five grandchildren in chronological order with the three little Misses at the end shown here with their purple squidgy stars!  If you look closely you will see that Miss O (last block in 4th row) and her Aunt (left furthest block in 2nd row) share the same birthday...different years.  Pretty cool right?

I am so proud of this top because it is really personal without being in your face about its meaning.  Not only that, and clearly I am biased, but I also think it is a pretty gorgeous quilt top.  I can't help but see a little bit of each family member's personality in their individual block.  It was so awesome to collaborate with the Mr. on something so special.  I hope it will give my mother-in-law a great story to tell to people who ask about it.  

I will be using the Ikea Britten Nummer for backing.  

(I love how the written out numbers in the backing fabric will secretly play on the design idea from the top where each fabric symbolizes a number!)  

But, what shall I do for quilting.  Any suggestions?

- rebecca lynne

Come meet me...

{source}

...Western New York Modern Quilt Guild style...
Leave me a comment to let me know you stopped by.
You never know, maybe I'll be so touched by the visit that I'll pick someone to send a surprise...  ;)

Read the interview here!

- rebecca lynne

Sewing Machine Adultery: Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8900 Review

 

Alright.  The time has come.  I tried the Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8900 a few weekends ago.  I immediately came home and wrote down my impressions, but took a pause before finalizing this post because I really wanted to think about what I thought of the machine so I can give an honest impression.  I am going to put my questions in pink, if you know the answer do tell!

First, let's be real here, I am not paid to review machines nor do I have any affiliation with any sewing machine manufacturer or shop.  There is a reason why the first piece of advice anyone gives you when machine shopping is go try them yourself.  Because, no matter this is only my opinion, and please, what the hell do I know anyway?

Secondly, keep in mind that I sew on a 15 year old sewing machine.  Now some of you may be thinking that in the scheme of things that really isn't that old.  True.  There are older machines.  I've sewn on lots of older machines and I learned to sew on industrial machines as a textile major in college.  However, when I bought my Bernina Activa 130 it was one of the few computerized machines available.  It was unique, a pioneer if you will, into the world of computerized sewing.  From my point of view I've always considered my machine to be cutting edge - until I recently realized that duh it isn't anymore!  That was such a shock and you can read about my impressions on that here.

Third, and most importantly, I am looking for insight here.  It is not my intention to offend.  I'm used to my Bernina after 15 years of using it.  So if you are a Janome lover and I mention something that I am on the fence about or am flat out negative towards please feel free to educate me!  That is the whole purpose behind Sewing Machine Adultery.  I encourage anyone reading this post later to peruse the comments and see what people add to my thoughts.

My husband and I drove out to Super-Stitch to peruse the Janomes.  I have to say that this was a huge bonus as it was only 30 minutes away.  Unlike most of the other places that sell machines in my area I could actually go there and take classes easily without feeling like I've spent a lot of time on travel. When you purchase a machine there they throw in all the awesome classes, maintenance, and what I like to think of as *tutoring* or a get to know your machine course too.  The owners and staff were incredibly nice and, I shit you not, it was the first time that I walked into a local fabric shop where I didn't feel judged, sneered at, or the cold shoulder.  Granted, I was there with husband and infant in tow so maybe they took me more seriously than if I were a youngish looking woman entering the store alone.  Nevertheless, it made me feel so welcome and right off the bat that alone made me really really really love to buy a machine from these people.  {Ann if you are reading this I completely mean that!}

I didn't fool around.  As soon as I was approached I said exactly what I was looking for, the 8900.  We discussed what I currently sew on, what type of sewing I do, I explained that I'd been a Bernina lover for 15 years and that I would be trying an industrial machine (Juki TL-2010Q) the following weekend.  After asking where I'd like to begin (6600?  8200?) I said let's go right for the 8900 - go big or go home right?

Holy Crap!  Let's be clear for those of you who do not know me.  I am a gadget geek, I want the latest & greatest updated version of whatever thingamabob there is, the more buttons it has the better, the larger the manual is to figure out all the random "who would ever need that feature anyway" the happier I am.  I am that kind of technology nerd.  I learned DOS as a child, took word processing in high school, have almost every version of an MP3 that has existed, and until parenthood I have always been the owner of whatever new cellular phone/camera/computer currently in vogue.  Believe me, if I had the budget, my technology itch would be scratched as much as financially feasible.

For me to say that at first I felt completely overwhelmed by all the STUFF, well damn, that is saying something.  Keep in mind that this is also because I am catching up.  I mean, my machine is b-a-s-i-c.  A $100 sewing machine at Walmart has more features than my machine these days.  At first I couldn't get my mind wrapped around pushing a button and sewing - my foot instinctually kept moving but it was completely useless.  What???  Where am I Star Trek?  (Yes, I am a Trekkie, shutup.)  I had this really weird disconnected feeling.  A bit uncomfortable but not so far as being discomfort.  More of a, *I could definitely get used to this* kind of uncomfortable.  Like driving my mom's BMW with its purring engine, fancy key fob, heated seats, and bluetooth phone system.  The feeling that I know I really shouldn't like it too much, because bam, before I know it I would be in love!  [When we last drove the BMW the Mr. translated the sounds of the car.  For instance, the perfectly toned BMW "Ding" = "Life is good, you are driving a BMW."]

Pros

• The throat space!  The glorious 11" of space!  I felt like I was driving a car it was so wide.
• Number of stitches
• Specifically, some cool quilting stitches I'd love to try
• I'd love to utilize the handmade stitch
• I'd love to use the serpentine stitch
• I'd love to figure out uses for every quilting stitch just for the hell of it

• Alphabets - 3 and yes I really want an alphabet feature!
• Start/Stop Button
• I loved that you could hold down the button a little longer to get a slow start/stop
• Let's be real, I felt spoiled by the start/stop, how cool.  Weird at first but fun.
• Auto Thread Cutter!!!  
• Every time I used this I couldn't help but giggle!  It worked well too - it was effortless and all I had to do was move the fabric once it was finished cutting.  Delicious.  Must have this.
• Auto Thread Cutter by Foot Pedal.  
• As someone who is used to using her foot pedal for everything (Bernina Activa 130 has its up/down needle mechanism via foot pedal) I loved this because I like using my feet.  
• Knee lift - how have I lived without this for so long?  And at 5'2" it was just right.  No straining.
• Straight stitch plate = straight stitch  
• Yup, so even if at 2am I am so out of it that I want to do a zig zag but forget to change the plate it doesn't matter, the machine won't let you do anything but a straight stitch with that plate on.  Wow.  Sleepless mothers everywhere rejoice!
• Taking the plate on and off was so simple at just the press of a button.  That doesn't read impressively but after using that feature to switch plates it really was totally easy and I loved it.
• AcuFeed
• This was my first experience with a built in dual feed system.  I know Pfaff, Baby Lock and Bernina have their own variations on this but I've never tried them.  What is the difference? AcuFeed is also detachable - I guess that wasn't always the case so that is a nice option.
• I had no idea that the AcuFeed system worked with different kind of feet!  I thought it was just like a walking foot and that was that.  I mean, true, I have no idea when I would need the other types of AcuFeed feet but there must be a reason for them otherwise why else would that be a big deal?
• As Ann pointed out, using the narrow AcuFeed foot is perfect for sewing quilted fabrics to zippers.  And, having a quilted bag with a zipper that I had just recently sewn with me I knew exactly what she was talking about!
• Ridiculous number of included feet
• Bernina?  Not so many feet included as a standard.  I was shocked by how many feet I was being shown.  I have no idea what I'd use them all for!
• Free motion foot was adjustable so you could turn a screw and get a different height on the foot depending on the thickness of your fabric.  No, not adjusting the presser foot pressure, I am talking about the height of the foot itself.  Very cool.
• Buttons, I know it sounds silly but I like all the gadgety buttons.
• It really purred instead of sounding like a jet engine.  
• I can't say it was silent, but what machine is.  It just sounded like a nice hum.
• Threading was very straightforward, bobbin winding - straightforward

• Beautiful sewing
• The straight stitching was beautiful.  Perfectly straight line.  You couldn't tell top from bottom thread once you took the fabric and turned it over.
• I tried some free motion quilting and loved the space for it, it just felt fun on this machine
• Loved the serpentine quilt stitch
• No awful vibrating.  It felt very solid.
• The speed control.  Very cool.
• Place for storage of feet.
• Clear extension table included.
• Needle threader
• Liked how you pushed down and didn't have to hold it down like some other machines
• It worked once I knew where to put the thread and how to work it!
• Uh, did I mention the throat space?  ;)

Undecideds/Cons?  
I can't really call these cons so much as things I need to decide on a personal level whether I could live with them.  A lot of this comes down to being a Bernina owner (not insinuating that Bernina = better just saying I have habits that come with a Bernina machine) and deciding what I need in a machine.  Also, there is a lot of fact versus myth out there about machine features and some of these things are areas I need to research more. I'd love feedback if you have opinions/advice!

• Computerized.  
• Fact/Myth?: There is the argument that a non-computerized machine lasts better and is less fussy.  
• Fact/Myth?: Straight stitch industrial machine is better for free motion quilting.
• Fact/Myth?: 9mm stitch variable can be problematic for long-term straight stitch performance?  
• Plastic bobbin.  
• Fact/Myth?: Metal bobbins are better.  Lots of machines have plastic though so I am not sure if that is true.  I've also heard that metal against metal (like Bernina) is problematic and therefore plastic is better?  Who decides these things anyway.
• Exacting stop.
• After spending the morning with the Janome I came home and sewed a whole quilt top with my Bernina, showing her that I really do love her dearly.  I noticed that my 15 year old computerized machine just stops a whole lot faster by my heel pressing down on the foot pedal than reaching up to hit the start/stop on the Janome...is that just me knowing how to use her better?  Maybe.  Definitely something I need to do more research on.  If you know the answer do tell!
• At the shop I was told "you probably still use your hand wheel on your machine" and yes, I totally do.  Especially when I want an exact spot for the needle to start.  So I never thought about it until later - can I NOT use a hand wheel on this machine?  Because, I like being able to do that.
• Ankles & Feet.
• I am not sure how to say this without pissing some people off - so again, I am not trying to piss you off I am trying to identify what I am unsure about when it comes to this very expensive, would be a life-long commitment, sewing machine.  The feet on this machine seem...wobbly?  That isn't the right word but I guess I mean less than solid.  The feet attach to the ankles of the presser foot mechanism.  In a way it is cool because you can pretty easily attach/detach them to whatever appropriate ankle you are using.  For instance, if you are using the AcuFeed feature then there is an ankle for those feet.  There is a separate ankle for non-AcuFeed feet.  (At least this is how I understood it, again, so much of my time in front of the machine was me trying to keep from drooling on it after using the thread cutter!  If I am mistaken please let me know!  For those of you reading I will edit if this is incorrect.)  While the snap on feet seems cool and easy the owners themselves even fumbled a little at placing them on the ankles.  I know Janome is not the only manufacturer with this feature, and again, not criticizing just comparing...but my Bernina's feet are freaking solid.  I mean, they would dent the wall if I threw them (uh, not that I know that from experience...clearing throat...).  The Bernina's feet are a single ankle/foot piece.  And they are so goddamn easy to put on!  Yes, true, I am used to that after 15 years so maybe some of you Janome folk can tell me how you feel about your feet...am I just not used to this?  Do you get used to it?
• Price tag.  
• $4000 machine.  
• Whew that is a hell of a lot of diapers and groceries for a family with 3 little girls.

Bottom line?  Do I love this machine.  Yes.  Absolutely.  Without a doubt.  Would I use all of the stitches?  Hmmmm...knowing me I would find reasons to use them all just because they are pretty damn cool and I could get creative figuring out projects just to utilize the stitch options.  But, do I need them to sew what I sew?  No.    

For me these questions remain, and in this order:

1. Do I want a computerized machine?
2. Are all the extras worth the time and money it will take to save $4000 for a sewing machine?
3. What do I NEED?  i.e. What kind of sewing am I really going to do? (I know that is Sewing Machine 101 when you look for a sewing machine but my needs keep changing.  I don't just quilt, I don't just make clothes, I don't just do home dec - I do a little of everything!  So what, I need an everything machine?)
4. If I am going to spend $4000.00 on a sewing machine is this The One?  
5. What other sewing machines should I try in that price range?  (Baby Lock Crescendo, Bernina 7 Series, Viking, Pfaff???)

Whew this has been a long post, and given how awesome my Janome Horizon MC8900 experience was it should be.  I was all bouncy and bubbly after trying the machine out - just ask the Mr. he can attest to that!  Thanks again to Super Stitch - I spent a whole Saturday morning there and was offered an incredible deal on an 8900 that had just been traded in with all the bells & whistles.  It was seriously too good to be true - and believe me I did a lot of long sighing in the car ride home - but I am still saving my pennies and in the meantime researching my options.  Anyone in my area interested in a Janome should go visit Super Stitch.  To learn more about the Janome Horizon MC8900 and its specs go to the Janome website and peruse YouTube there are some great videos out there...

The next installment of Sewing Machine Adultery will be my review of the Juki TL-2010Q.

- rebecca lynne

Unexpected Birthday Guest

Everyone knows the feeling, you know, the feeling you have when you are unexpectedly a guest to a party involving gifts of some sort?   Whether you were a last minute invite, you forgot to mark your calendar, you were just too busy to realize, whatever the reason for your lack of preparation --- you panic --- "oh crap I have to bring a gift, what am I going to bring, what kind of person is this, what will they like?" panic.

I call B.S. if you are sitting there thinking that you don't know what I am talking about.  No one is that perfect.

Well imagine that panic and then couple it with the parental frustration you inevitably have when you come home Friday night from work to learn about a 4 year old birthday party your child has committed to attending The Next Day.

Really?

I live in the middle of cow country.  If there isn't enough time to order it online then it is going to come from the local grocery store.  In other words, not really the best place to find impromptu gifts for a little girl's 4 year old birthday party!

Crisis: No Gift for a Birthday Party

Solution: Handmade Hairclips

Haha - I totally nailed it.  Birthday Guest Crisis Averted.

The only issue was the guilt I felt when I realized I probably should have been making my own daughters cute clips like this all along but the idea only took hold when I channeled MacGyver during our birthday gift crisis.

Ooops.

Oh well.  At least now I know how to do it.  So now I have no excuses.

How's your weekend unfolding?

- rebecca lynne

By the way - I really appreciated all the responses to my last post regarding child sex abuse.  As I said to many of you via email, it is totally worth finding a local advocacy center who will probably be thrilled to receive donations for victims.  If so, let me know and I'll help you in whatever way I can to provide you with a bear to fill and share!  Let's make Project Fill a Bear widespread!

Project Fill A Bear - Educate yourself about Child Sex Abuse

Does it seem like I've been missing in action lately?  Yeah...well...I've been doing lots of this...  

Cutting up gorgeous fabric into 10" squares.  I swear no other charm size feels as substantial as a 10" square.  It is just solid, like you are really getting a good sample of that fabric.

And as you can imagine all of this cutting results in a lot of trimmings.  Lots and lots and lots of trimmings too small to be scrap.  This, below, is from cutting 4 different fabrics into blocks.  That is a substantial amount of waste.

What do I possibly do with this waste?  Haha, you don't think I actually throw it away do you?

Me?  The I can find a crafty use for everything chica?

For a few months now I have been working on Project Fill A Bear.

This guy's tummy and head are filled with all the trimmings from the last swap, every quilt I've worked on since December, every piece of clothing I've sewn, every bit of fabric waste has gone into his little belly.  Now I'll be starting on his arms and legs.

The bears - I have 20 empty muslin shells - are intended for child sex abuse victims.  Before the age of 18, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys is a victim of sex abuse.  Does that make you uncomfortable?  Good.  It should.  If more people knew what was going on then we could stand up together and act to put an end to this life altering crime.  The first step is to Educate yourself and Teach others the facts.  Make smart choices for your children and your grandchildren - if you don't who will?

This morning was the first time I shared this project with my Guild (via Facebook) and everyone is being so supportive!  Promising me scraps and to even make bears.  I am so touched!  

And when I need a break from ironing and then cutting each 2.5yds of fabric?  I add to my piles.  ;)

If you want to be involved in Project Fill A Bear in some way or learn more about child sex abuse feel free to let me know.  Being afraid or ill-informed is not going to change anything.

- rebecca lynne

Disclosure: I am not affiliated with nor do I work for Darkness to Light.  I am familiar with their work and support their efforts  to empower people about the facts of child sex abuse.

Work it Baby. Advice on Binding Please!

Last weekend I worked furiously on this "It Doesn't Get More Modern Than Gray & White Chevron" quilt for my newest nephew.  I finished the top and was able to do a very very very basic echo of the zig zag to quilt it as well.  The back is Echo.  

Forgive the un-ironed-ness.  I quilted it at my mother in-law's house with her brand new Juki TL 2010Q (review soon) and then drove 8 hours home with it stuffed in the back seat!  Ha!

ADVICE!  Thinking of doing Kona Charcoal for the binding - thoughts???

But mostly, I am spending every free freaking moment CUTTING CUTTING CUTTING FABRIC for this...

And I'm also working on the x2 quilts for my cousins impending twins between cutting fabric for the swap.  You know, like a sanity break from all that pressing and cutting!  I don't have progress photos yet because it is a surprise...

Also looking for sponsors for a new challenge I thought up inspired by this post.  Hopefully more on that sooner than later!

What are you doing these days?

- rebecca lynne

Peaches & Cream

Pouty rosebud mouth, peachy cheeks, salmon creases where your skin touched the mattress, rumpled hair, smooshy just woke up face, and flirty shy wake up smiles.  

Outgrown are so many of the clothes your sisters wore before you.  Outgrown quickly, too quickly.  No other baby of mine will wear them.

Soon there will be no more crib, no more middle of the night bonding, no more quick baby breaths against my neck, no more open mouth kisses. You are my last baby and while you always be a baby to me I know I have to document these last bits...the hush hush of putting you down to sleep, or the shhhhh's to calm you, the way you curl your little body against mine, the glow of your peachy pink skin, the nuzzling, the coos, the toothless grins, the famished frenzied nursing after nap or the groggy silent feeding waltz in the middle of sleep.

My peaches and cream baby.  Where has the time gone?

Top to Bottom: Moda Ruby Cotton Grey Dainty, Kona Salmon, Kona Peach, Deerfield Zig Zag Pink, 3 Sisters Etchings Floral Script, Aneela Hoey Posy Bouquet Honeysuckle, Kona Ivory

- rebecca lynne

Note to self:  This overwhelming sadness all started because Miss O outgrew the awesome crocheted piggy hat, the pink and gray one with the sparkly faceted buttons for eyes.  When I realized no one else was ever going to be small enough to wear that hat in our household it really hit me how much Phi had grown.

Simple Tooth Fairy Pillows TGIFF

A quick finish!  Two Tooth Fairy Pillows using this template for the tooth which I reduced to 85%.

I put my niece and nephew's initials on the back of each using FMQ.

Quick and simple!  I hope the Tooth Fairy is generous...

Linking up

- rebecca lynne

2013 FAL Q2

Alright, once more unto the breach, dear friends!  This time I am going to be a bit more gutsy and add even MORE stuff onto my list.  Who knows, maybe if there is more pressure I'll actually finish more stuff?  (I know, highly unlikely.)

Whatever.  :p  Let's begin shall we?

Project 1: New Nephew Quilt

I began this quilt top months ago.  I know, I'm awful.  My nephew is already born.  What did I expect, that these HSTs would magically put themselves together and become quilt and bound on their own?  Wishful thinking!

Project 2(+): Twin Quilts

Technically this could be 2 projects because it is 2 quilts for a set of soon to be twins.  But, in all fairness I cannot think of the quilts separately because they are clearly going to be a set!  Again, another project where I bought fabric, drew a layout, began cutting and piecing, and whoop - No Fairies have come by and finished it all up for me???  I don't want to reveal too many photos here because it will ruin the surprise but the Mom to be has already seen the fabric so I will post the strips...  Luckily the Twins aren't born yet, but it could be soon!

Project 3: Purple People Pleaser

I cut all the pieces, did the complete layout, and then put this away while in a Studio cleaning frenzy.  And how does it go?  Out of sight, out of mind!  I better finish this while Miss V is still having a purple love affair...

Project 4: Joy, for the Queen

Who am I kidding, this is never going to happen...but what the hell I'll add it to the list anyway.  I can dream can't I?  Since this quilt is for moi I doubt I'll push it to the head of the line, but you never know.

You are linking up to the 2013 FAL Q2 as well aren't you?  Don't leave me hanging!

- rebecca lynne

What a hard sewing machine case is really for.

Miss O has determined that the best used of my sewing machine cover is as a walker.

Who can argue with that?

- rebecca lynne