Feeling Neglected

Not me...my sewing machine. Poor thing has been cast away into a corner to gather dust. Honestly, it sat for over 3 weeks without nary a thought. Well, I thought about it. Just couldn't muster up the time to actually put it to work. I actually went through days where I'm pretty certain I was experiencing withdrawal symptoms. I don't generally have an addictive personality, unless you count green chile and pico de gallo, but I was getting a bit shaky.


However, a few days ago, I did dust the poor thing off and begin to whisper sweet nothings into the bobbin case. When I actually sat down behind it, I felt like I was enjoying a long overdue visit with an old friend.


Presently, I need to really work on a quilt block for a dear friend's daughter's wedding quilt. I've been in a quandry as to what to do, but I think I've just about settled upon something. The square we were asked to design is "Texas Cowboy Poetry" and they wanted to incorporate the poems A. had written. A few days ago I stumbled upon this design that I love and want to include


so I'm hoping to get the quilt block done this week.


Before I left for Texas, I started piecing the blocks for another quilt. This fabric line is way out of my comfort zone, but I must have been feeling adventurous that day and I know I must be making it for someone else who will love it - hopefully.



I finished the top for this quilt:




Just need to find a backing.


I embroidered a tea towel for a friend the other day, but I gave it to her without taking a picture. I also have to get quite a few more done for Christmas, but I am in need of some good quality flour sack towels. The ones I picked up locally simply will not do and this little pink angel needs to be on a nice towel.

This baby quilt is in the midst of being pieced as well.
Posting this for Bobbie who let me know I needed to include a photo. Here you go girl, just a peek though:




Then I have this collection of wool.




And here's the backing fabric:






When DH and I were driving back from San Antone, we stopped at this little shop in Brady. I needed some yarn to send to a friend and I thought DH might like to choose some wool for me to make him a vest. Well he saw this enormous wool selection and piped up, "I'm thinking a hunting quilt!" LOL! So we commenced to picking and choosing pieces and I am waitng for the Fall weather to arrrive so that I can begin to piece him a patchwork wool quilt. I adore this man, but I'm not too keen on sewing with wool when its still 90° outside! However, the mountains...in November...in a tent...I'm thinking it'll be mighty handy to have around!

I also put together a jar for a scrapbooking swap last week. We had to alter the jar in the colors chosen (she chose red and blue) and this is what I came up with:


Here's a view from the top:



I hope she likes it. I've never altered anything before and it's been a coon's age since I scrapped anything.

Then I made a few cards for some friends whose twins are turning 2:



These were fun to make, but I don't know where that odd shadow next to Piglet came from.


I am also practicing on my machine quilting skills. At this point, I'm afraid to quilt on a big quilt in fear of making a mess of things.


So there you have it. A sewing - crafting update. It'll probably be a while before I have anything else to share as far as sewing goes because we are on the cusp of beginning our Fall Works in a couple of weeks and my sewing machine will once again be relegated to that lonely corner while I lavish all of my attention on the cast iron cookware.