Playing catch up

I humbly apologize for being so neglectful in my blogging. Summer always seems to be such a busy time. You'd think that I'd have lots of time for sewing & blogging since we haven't been in the fields making hay because of rain. This funny meme pretty much sums it up here.

 

The amount of rain that we have recieved this year is amazing. Just 3 years ago we were in a severe drought &  there wasn't much hay to make. I guess it's encouraging that if you just wait a bit your circumstances just might change.

I am the VP at my local guild (aka; program chair) & we had our first workshop with me as VP two weeks ago. We had a good time & the instructor, Jenifer Dick of 42quilts.com was wonderful. The quilt we were working on was called "Exploding Nine Patch". I was all excited thinking that I could make it scrapppy & use what I had. This was my first block that I tried

It's a pretty block but it didn't have the 3D effect that the pattern showed. AHHHHHH! I was frustrated. Yes I could have continued but it wasn't what I wanted or expected so I had to shop for yardage. Yup the Scrappy Farmer bought yardage, mercy that was rough. I was seriously out of my element but I needed fabric that would work so that I could make some of the project in class. This is what I came up with. 

I was able to use the same black from the first block & just find 3 more fabrics. Now I was cookin' with gas. I was getting that 3D look. Also I should mention that the blocks in the pattern are 20", mine are 10". I just couldn't go that big, small is what I like. I was able to finish this block in class & that made me feel a little better. Last Friday I was sewing with some friends & decided to work on this project .My new 301A started skipping stitches & making lots of loops on the back, the frustration started to build. So the solution is use one of the floor models ( my sewing group meets at the local quilt shop). Nope that wasn't going to work either that machine was jinxed as well. I knew when to call it quits & go home.  I haven't fiddled with the 301A since then but I"m hoping that whatever ails her it'll be an easy fix.

So last Saturday was my birthday & I wanted to sew but I didn't want to work on the yardage project, I wanted scraps! I got out my new Winding Ways die & started cranking fabric through & sat down at my treadle. It had been a while since I've sat down at that machine.  It didn't take long before I was in my element. I've made a little progress so far. I'm really enjoying making these blocks & will definetly make them again in another color way.

I guess I'd better quit yackin' and get some sewing in while I have a chance. Husband has a 3am wake up call for work tomorrow, man that's early. I hope that y'all are doing well.  More later on,

Vicky