16 Nines

We completed round two of the Ninnie Nines swap this week. Thirty three quilters participated this time. We have one last round coming up in July.

This portable design board is a large piece of foam core, covered with cotton batting.  When I lean it against the fire place, I catch glimpses of the project as I pass during the day. It makes me happy! I can't wait to combine these blocks with the other two rounds.  I'll have 48 blocks to play with!

WIP Wednesday

 Hi there! I didn't intend for an entire week to go by without a post. Lots of good stuff is going on around here, but not much sewing. 

Finishes:

Julia and I took a class last weekend to make these cute Peek-a-Boo bags. Julia's is on the left, with the cute quahogs.

I used an orphan block on the back of my bag. It was one of the only blocks I made during Jackie's blogger's BOM last year in Fall 2011.  This post says I'm keeping up with the BOM. Ha! That was the last block I made. Month #2!

Last week, there were Boy Scout pillowcases; this week - Girl Scouts. I made one for the last remaining girl in my troop who earned the Gold Award and one for the top cookie seller in our area.

I made 10 giant tissue paper flowers for our Girl Scout Bridging ceremony. Each color represents a different line in the Girl Scout Law. We had older girls reading the script, and little girls placing the flowers in the umbrella stand "vase."

And now my job is done. After 14 years as a Girl Scout volunteer, that was my last event. I'm happy to be moving on, but I hope my Girl Scout friends will still invite me to lunch!

In Progress:
Julia finished a dozen more Old Italian blocks this week.

She's up to 20 blocks now. I was tempted to mix them all up to see how it will look, but I'll save that bit of fun for her.

In family news:
Pete went to his senior prom. He went with a bunch of friends (no date), so we had to pose him with Grandma.

His band played on Main Street during a 5K race. They were supposed to entertain the runners as they passed by, but by the time they got set up all the runners were gone. Oh, well. They played their whole set to the ice cream eaters and innocent bystanders instead.

We're gearing up for graduation. He bought a patch to attach to the top of his cap and I bought a lapel pin for his gown. He is one proud poolee!

After all this running around, I'll be happy to sit with a glass of iced tea and visit the WIP Wednesday goodies.

WIP Wednesday

This week, all I have is a little bit of this and that. It's better than nothing, I suppose.

Finish: The only finish this week was a Boy Scout pillowcase for a new Eagle Scout. It has become a tradition for me to make one for each new Eagle in Pete's troop. I'll continue until I run out of fabric!

Before I put away the stash of BSA prints, I prepared some kits. The next time The next 4 times I need one, the fabric selection and cutting is already done!

Swaps: Sixteen 9-patches are ready for the next round of Ninnie Nines. A whole week early!

Last round, I pressed the last 2 seams open. This time, they wanted to whirl.

Bright hopes blocks are ready to be mailed to Jana for the Modern Stash Bee. She liked my little Low Volume Bright Hopes, and asked us to make 12" blocks. It should be a cool quilt.

 In Progress: Julia is making progress on Fred's quilt. Eight blocks done, 56 to go!

This is how she left things when she went to the beach. Machine turned on, pieces waiting to be sewn. Her college roommate came down to visit for the day, and the beach was calling!

Have a great day and visit the other fun WIP links.

Last Day of School

 Today is our last day of high school. Woohoo! I will never again need to ask, "Did you do your homework?"

Aww. Look how cute he was on the first day of school!

 

The backpack was almost as big as him!

 

Now he hikes/runs with 80 pounds of rocks in his pack. Yesterday was "rent-a-senior" day and he fireman-carried a friend to his classes. He's so cool.

No more bus riding for Pete. Now he drives the Marine Mobile.

 

 We're grateful to the Marine Corps for giving him a real purpose and reason to graduate. He is excelling as a poolee and can't wait to leave for recruit training in September.

Fresh Fabric

 I'm weak. I can't resist a sale! This is what I bought last week from Pink Castle Fabrics and Fabric Worm.

The reds and blues are for Pete's quilt (a few from each shop).

 And an assortment of stash builders.

I was lucky to catch this goldfinch in the yard today, the first one I've seen this season.

Thank you to everyone who voted for my selvedge quilt in the Festival of Strings! Voting closes in a few hours. If you haven't voted yet, please hop over. It only takes 3 clicks.

Quick Pic

We are in the middle of a crazy busy, fun weekend. All I have time for is a quick post from my phone.

I just finished a pillowcase which will be an Eagle Scout gift for a boy in Pete's troop. It is pictured on the chess board Pete made in wood shop class.

Enjoy the day!

Festival of Strings Finalist!

 My Emerald Selvedge Spiderweb is a finalist in the Festival of Strings being hosted by Stitched in Color! This was such a fun quilt to make, and I'm really excited that other folks like it as much as I do. 

 If you have a minute, please hop over here and vote.

Thank you for voting, and thank you to Rachel for choosing this quilt as a finalist!