No Sewing Today, but...

Today we made our annual summer visit to the Aquarium in Riverhead.  They have added a butterfly/exotic bird exhibit that was really fun.

I managed to snap a picture of an Isabella Luna moth.  You may be more familiar with how they look as a Wooly Bear caterpillar.

A butterfly tried to hitch hike out of the exhibit on the back of my husband's shirt.

We were able to hold a bird.

Pieceful Quilting is a great shop just down the street from the Aquarium.  The ladies who work there are really friendly and helpful.  I wandered through, but I only found one fabric that interested me.  At $11.25 a yard, I was able to resist.  I was not able to resist the fabric by the pound bin.  I found two bags that were an incredible bargain at $6.95 each.  They both contained several slightly less than 1/2 yard cuts, with lots of smaller pieces and some strips.  This one had several cute prints including fabric from "The Hungry Caterpillar" line and a beautiful seashell print (the $11.25 fabric was from the same line).  There was also a quilt block. 

 The green pack has a really lovely sea themed batik and even had a few 2 1/2 inch squares tucked in.

It was a great bargain.  All of it is quality fabric and will come in handy.  My only regret, is that I didn't buy another bag.

It's a Gold Mine in There

 "Nothing [is] so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task." 

--William James

William James must have been a quilter describing his relationship with his UFOs.  Despite my attempts to make friends with my UFOs, they continue to taunt me and refuse to be tamed.   I have decided to ignore them and go on to something new.   While I was looking through my collection of 5 inch squares in preparation for Debra's Quilt Smack Down, I discovered some hidden treasures.

I remember buying a Tumbler template for 5 inch charms from the Missouri Star Quilt Co. awhile back, but didn't remember cutting out any shapes with it.  For those of you who don't own a shape cutting machine, this is a lovely template.  If you have charm squares already cut, you can turn them into a pile of Tumbler blocks in no time.  I also works well with 5 inch strips.  I don't know when I'll get time to work on it, but I created a kit that I can start on when I'm just looking for something to sew.


In June 2010, I completed this quilt called "Quilter's Bounty." 

 I must have really enjoyed piecing it because I found the pattern packed in a baggie with enough of the sewn strip blocks and 2 1/2 inch squares to make another one.  All I have to do is cut the setting squares and strips and I'm good to go.  It's an older pattern so the instructions are not written to be used with a jelly roll , but it would really work up fast if you used one.  The finished quilt is very deceiving.  It looks as though you frame four patch blocks and alternate them with strip blocks.  I'm sure that would be an easy way to go but the pattern offers a quick alternative that works very well..  One more quilt added to the list.

Charity Quilt Smack Down

After finishing up the H2H Charity Challenge, I decided I wasn't going to sign up for anything for awhile and just concentrate on my UFOs.  That was before Debra at Debra's Design Studio  lured me into signing up for a Charity Quilt Smack Down she is hosting on Saturday, August 27 and Sunday, August 28.   The reason she was able to reel me in without a fight was because the quilt she will be making is super easy, uses a ton of scraps and will go to a Veteran's group.  As if that isn't enough, you can send it to her and she will quilt it.  Since I like to piece, but dread quilting, this is an answer to my quilting prayers.

The pattern she will be using is from Barbara at Thinking Out Loud
 
Debra had a Pyramid quilt Smack Down last weekend that I was unable to participate in, but I'll certainly be using her method in the future.

I've already pulled some fabrics from my stash.

Go on! Take a look!  You know you want to do it.