Alphabet and more...

 There are so many fun things going on at my house ... some exciting sewing projects, new chicks, and two new ducks and of course a lot of yard work.  If it weren't for the gnats (no-see-ums), the yard work would be much more enjoyable :-), but the weather is so fabulous!   I've had a small finish, "Sail Away", which is being given to my doctor, friend and neighbor.  That's my nephews dog, Izzy, who was visiting.  :-)  I used the serpentine stitch to quilt it and love the look of fish netting for my sailing friend! 

Today, I've been working on Moda's Spell it With Fabric ... Super simple alphabet pattern (and numbers) ... Moda Designer Blog Hop. Four assorted blocks are needed to finish the quilt and I stitched up the last two today. 

It just so happened that Cheri Leffler, friend and former owner of the LQS years ago, asked me to review her book, "Animal Parade" ... soon to be released by Martingale.  I was totally delighted and flattered.  Two days ago, I received the book and today have four of her animal blocks done!  They are going to fit into my Moda Alphabet quilt beautifully!!  

The animals are so darn cute!  The cover says, "Adorable Applique Quilt Patterns for Babies", but I think any young child would adore a "Who Dat" owl quilt and more!!  Wait until you see the penguins!!

I love machine applique and was unable to develop that love for needle turn.  This book is suitable for both styles of applique, needle turn and fusible-web. Anyhow, more on the book and the alphabet later!

As soon as I get my alphabet sewn together, I'm anxious to get my triangle top sandwiched and quilted.  This is a QAL by Paula at The Sassy Quilter.  I have a rough idea of the straight line stitching that I'll do on my machine.  

  

When the edges were trimmed, I had all of these (12) pieced half-triangle scraps and I saw what another quilter had done playing with her scraps.  So, I started playing and realized I had a great looking kite when two triangle halves were pieced together.  So, in no time, I had made two future pillows (or pillow shams), to go with the triangle quilt.  

Not sure when these will be finished, as I'm so deep, in unfinished tops at the moment!  I dove into Material Girl Quilts Layer Cake Sampler QAL ... and what was I thinking!  I did six blocks, after waiting for another layer cake of April Showers (which I adore), ran out of my background fabric, and waited some more.  So, do I pick it up again (is it worth finishing?!!) and work on umpteen more blocks?  I do love half square triangles and using the Bloc Loc ruler.  

The good thing about so many WIP's is the fact that I always have something to work on that fits my mood :-)  And I love joining Flickr groups ... so much fun to share progress with fellow quilters.

I wish I had taken a "before" picture of my scrap basket!  Oh my gosh, it was piled high and I just didn't want to spend the time organizing and sorting.  But the time finally came when I had to do something, so last night, with the nothing good on TV blaring, I organized.

Sure did become a much more manageable assortment!  

It's been a full fabulous day and I'm now so happy to post!!  

Deb

...and my first attempt to link up with Lee at Freshly Pieced!

Linking up to Freshly Pieced

Another WIP Thursday

The door to my sewing room is open catching the spring winds, leaves and probably pollen!  But, its so beautiful!  After a week out of town, the following week sick with bronchitis, things are a bit behind and crazy.  I got back to sewing two days ago and its wonderful to be back on my machine!  I picked a project that would allow me to just sew without much thought or planning.  So, picking up 4 charm packs, two of "Hearty Good Wishes" by Janet Clare for Moda, and two solid parchment-colored packs, and using the new free pattern by the Fat Quarter Shop (Charm Pack Cherry), I began a throw for my favorite doctor!  He loves to sail, so this was perfect for him!  

I wanted the back to have more color to it, so chose this coral and appliqued an anchor in the blue "pearl bracelet" ... imagine the bracelets as lines on a boat :-)

And the label ...

Now I've got my batting after a fun trip to my LQS, Block Therapy, yesterday and its gonna be fun to straight line stitch the quilting this weekend.  

I got caught up with my Mystery Quilt blocks last night, blocks 9 and 10:

And this is what I started before leaving town:

The patterns are "Spell It With Moda Fabric!", Moda Designer Blog Hop that began the month of February.  After watching a bit, I just couldn't resist joining in!  All it takes is a jelly roll and some background fabric, sashing fabric ... I'm using some low volumes from my stash for the background.  The completed tops I've seen online are super great.  This is a very addictive project!  

Tomorrow is Friday, which means Material Girl Quilts is coming out with her two newest blocks for the Layer Cake Sampler Quilt along.  How could I resist this one?!  I had a layer cake ... I had lots of layer cakes :-), but I do need a background color, preferably another layer cake.  So, pictures of this to follow soon!  

I still have some catching up to do with Quilty Fun and any choice of projects to begin, depending on my mood!  Guess that's the fun of having several or more :-) going at the same time!  

Happy happy weekend!