I'm Back!

I fell behind in my Quilt-A-Long, but not for lack of trying. However, having survived hosting Thanksgiving dinner, I turned my sights to getting caught up. In one afternoon, I made 3 blocks! Usually, picking the fabric combinations is the longest part of the process for me. This time, though, I felt a little pressure to decide quickly and get caught up.  So, I picked my fabric and then spent far too long cutting!! It was a relief to finally get to the sewing machine! Without further delay, here are the blocks: Crosswalk, Pogo Stick, and Best Friends. Overall, I'm pleased. I am learning a lot of new techniques and forcing myself outside my comfort zone, which is always good.

In other craftiness, I wanted to post some of the other things I have been working on and that contributed to my QAL delinquency. The first project was faster than I expected, largely due to the help of a good friend. A little background for this project....I had bought some fabric while visiting family a couple of years ago. It was a remnant of upholstery fabric and I had no idea how I would use it, but I had to have it! Having gotten it home, I decided it would make a cool pillow in my family room. Unfortunately, since I only had a remnant, I was limited in the size of a pillow; somehow, I decided that a bolster pillow would maximize the fabric. Decision made! It's the first bolster pillow I've ever made and only the second pillow since I started sewing a few years ago. That being said, I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. Have a look!

Now, the final item taking my time was a journey. You may have heard about the shooting that occurred in Newtown, CT last year. The mother of one of the children who was killed attended my college. We are a very small, tight knit community. When news spread, her closest friends sprung into action to do something for her family. What started as an effort to make a quilt for our sister alum evolved into an effort to make a quilt for the family of each of the victims. Alums from over 3 decades all over the country donated money, fabric, and quilting skills to complete this task. Information was gathered from interviews, news releases, and such. I volunteered to make one of the quilts. The little girl whose memory I was honoring loved pink, hair bows, ice cream cones, lighthouses, sea gulls, and drawing peace signs. Quilts are being collected for distribution this month.

That's all for now!! I'm trying to decide which project on my list to tackle next....I'm thinking roman shades for the bedroom. I've only had the supplies since May! And, of course, keeping up with the QAL!