QAL Blocks 1 & 2

I'm thrilled to say that I've finished Blocks 1 & 2 from the Clover and Violet Garden Steps Quilt Along.
After a fabulous suggestion by Messy Karen to try using greys with gorgeous pink fabrics I had selected as a contender, I was completely unable to see anything other than grey working with the pinks.

After a slow start, with fabric selections and with something about the first block not tweaking me, I was thrilled with the second block design, and then I saw this which completely inspired me, all those french knots gave some lovely texture to the topiaries. So I've just finished the first two blocks, although it looks like I've just missed the deadline. *sigh*

Close ups of the embroidered centres

Oh well. I have a feeling there will some blocks that I LOVE, and some that just leave me a bit meh. Everyone has their own personal style, for me it's all about the little details, so the third block is unfortunately leaving me in the latter state. However... The embroidery design in the post below the third block that was used to demonstrate the tracing methods - I LOVE, so I'm planning to alter it to fit into the square centre.
Bike

I have a busy 2 months ahead of me, so I'll try to push out some work in that time, I have a feeling that while I'll be busy, the blog will be rather quiet!

Dilemma

I'm having a bit of a fabric dilemma. I'm trying to pick my fabric for the Clover and Violet QAL.
Do I go the lazy way and use these gorgeous central park jelly rolls?

Or do I go spend a smidge more money and time and make this lot work?

I think the green side needs more tones, everything is "reading" the same, except that green on top, whihc I don't have enough of - I'm trying to find more, since it just looks Perfect! So, if I go this way (and to be honest I'm more inclined to) I need to find a fat quarter of Tapestry by Michelle Wojcicki for Alvlyn Inc.

Opinions are very welcome!!!

Wettest Summer ever

Seriously, I think this is the wettest summer I've ever lived through, and this is coming from a girl who grew up in Northwest Coast of North America.
Tomorrow is the first day of Fall, and we're slated for more rain over the next week. The road to Chatty's school has water over a section, and the water under the bridge that was impassable during last years flash flood, is rising. After last years drama, the parents I was chatting to this morning were a lot more wary of the weather conditions. So far, even with the ground being supersaturated, there is still som edrainage, so the out to the school was still driveable this afternoon. You can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be watching the river levels like a hawk, for the next bit though.

I did paperwork today, so no sewing. I'll leave you with a recent photo of some extremely uptight and mind bending (for me) hand quilting I'm working on.

New Profile photo

Hi everyone,
Well, as you've probably noticed, daily, weekly, make that monthly blogging is not my forte!
I've updated my profile photo, a few months ago, (6?) I hacked off 2 feet of my hair, it was a neccessary change, I felt bogged down under all that hair.  Now I'm ready to grow it out again, or find a better hairdresser!  Every single one of the good ones that both myself and my friends would recommend have disappeared.  In one case it was because the whole extended building burnt down and the lady has decided not to relocate.  Anyways... I'm currently sporting a mop that I hate.

So, what's new?  Well, I'm still stamping, jewellery making and quilting.  I'm trying ever so hard not to start any new quilting projects due to the horrific backlog that I'm currently carrying.  I am however joining this quiltalong -


I'll be tweaking the directions a smidge to allow me the laziness convenience of using a jellyroll and a bit.

The new stuff? Well, I'm simplifying.  Trying to reduce the processed foods, spend more time (productively) in the garden.  We have had some pretty great harvests so far, including mammoth Zucchini's.  Tried stuffed zucchini flowers, can't say I was overly impressed, I certainly wouldn't rave like a couple of the people who recommended I try making them would, perhaps I lack the "touch".  There's currently a surprise watermelon or two, a slew of butternut squashes and tomatoes running rampant.  I found a brilliant company that delivers dairy, bakery and produce directly from the farms, at market prices, so we're enjoying the convenience of that.  Nothing quite so pleasing to open the front door monday morning to fresh milk and bread. 
We've reduce the kids activities which means that the afterschool times are more laid back, last year we were out everyday afterschool, the days were long.

So hopefully we'll see more of each other now that things are slightly more sedate.