M.I.A.

It's been a challenging couple of weeks. I apologize for not replying to your emails and comments. I do want to thank all that sent their heartfelt thoughts regarding Stella. I miss her so much. She was such a huge part of my life. The house feels empty. Sigh!

I have not been quilting ... haven't even given it a thought. When things are challenging, one of my methods of coping is ... cleaning/purging. And purging I have been. I have so much stuff! I don't think I'll live that long to use it all. Off it goes.

If I want to get back to the S.A.L. I do need to clean my cutting table. It has become a dumpling ground.

I guess now it's not about purging but cleaning up the dumping station! 

Off to get some tidying up done so that I can get motivated to work on the Churn Dash blocks. I still have ten (10) prints to cut up and then it's piecing time!

Cheers   !

R.I.P Stella

 You were an amazing companion. Always there for me. 

Ready to offer a helping paw.

Thank you for being a part of my life.

You are greatly missed.

I made up my mind ...

 I've been thinking about the Churn Dash SAL and what size quilt/blocks I wanted to make. One thing I was certain, I wanted to use up some of my scraps. 

I've decided on the 9 inch block and a bed size quilt.

I pulled out my scrap bins and got to work sorting and cutting ... my goal? To reduce my scrap stash!

Since it's a scrappy look, I didn't think about the fabrics, placing myself in a 1850's frame of mind ... use what you have.

Then, I came upon this fabric ....

And I'm thinking ... "it's my last piece, I can't cut into it" ... "I can't get this fabric anymore" ... What is it about fabric that makes me one want to hang on to it? I seriously started to think about this ... "why do I want to save this last piece?" ... finally reasoned with myself ... instead of having a large piece of it, I'll have it safe in a quilt ... chop ... chop ... LOL

This is what I have cut up so far ... all the backgrounds for the 50 blocks ... I'm still missing a few prints for the blocks.

Now, I'm just making sure the colours are balanced out. Do like what I have so far ... and I didn't even think about the colour choices ... just cut! ;)

Are you participating in Chookyblues Churn Dash SAL? If so, how are you coming along?

Thanks for stopping by. Catch you all later?

Zoom ... Zoom ... Chookshed party

 It was a hectic work night ... short staffed, busy as all heck ... I didn't think I was going to make it to Chookyblue's zoom party. But after a way too long work night, I finally said enough is enough .... 2:00 am (ET) I turned off my work computer.

Went downstairs, made myself a drink and joined the party ... Chookshed's 10th Anniversary Celebration!

It was great catching up with everyone. I so enjoy these zoom gatherings. I find them inspiring. 

Thank you Donna for hosting these ... Happy Anniversary!

UFO reduction mode

 After the "Next Door Neighbor" semi completion/flimsy stage, I decided to pull out another project to work on. Many many many moons ago (May 2010) I started Trick or Treat by Blackbird Designs. I just love that quilt.  It's from the book When the Cold Wind Blows

I must have been in a block prep mood before I put the project way because I have lots and lots of basket prepped and ready to machine appliqué ... Bonus!

I quickly got to work and started machine appliquéing

I will admit, it gets a tad tedious machine appliquéing baskets after baskets, which is probably why I put it away. After a while, I tend to get sloppy, which is an indication that I need to pull away. In the space of a couple of days, did manage to complete this pile.

It is a gorgeous quilt and I do intend to finish it. It's just going to take some time.

For those curious to see the finished quilt ....

Now I need to get busy on the Churn Dash SAL. 

Catch you all later! Cheers!