I'll admit...

I had no business picking up these pretty Sunkissed prints yesterday. To make an apron I told the hubs.

Even though just the other day I pulled these fabrics out of the stash cabinet because I meant to make them into aprons long ago. What will I do with 5 new aprons? Thats a tricky question. Well, at least I don't hoard books anymore. Aprons will take up way less space, and be lighter to move. Right?

I found a jumbo spool of cotton to quilt the king size quilt. Maybe that will happen soon. I wouldn't hold my breath.

We are still tuning into the news often to see how things are going in Northern Japan. I know the thousands of Americans up there in Misawa are said to be cold and without power, but hopefully the power and steam will be restored soon. I just imagine all of those young families with no power or heat. If this had happen 3 years ago I would have been huddled with my 5 week old baby freaking out! So I can only imagine how scared a lot of people are.

And one of the nearby towns, which base residents frequent to go to the mall, fish market, or Toys R Us has been destroyed. A few of the most horrifying images you see on tv are from that town. It is very sad.

a broken heart

The beach in Misawa

the castle in Hirosaki

a festival in Misawa

Big Buddha in Aomori

For the place I called home for 4 years.

And the kind wonderful people that made my heart happy.

I will be glued to CNN all day. No sewing.

Finally

Remember when I made DOZENS of placemats for Christmas? Would you believe it, I didn't make my household even one set?! Maybe I was just too sick of them to want any. But for lack of having a St Patty's table linens set, I decided it was time. Now my table is adorned with shamrock placemats. Very festive indeed.

I decided to do a quilting pattern that was random lines turning back and forth at the edge. I like how it turned out.

Other things going through the Juki today... Some chain piecing on a new project...

Some blocks for another new project....

a pieced backing for the See Bass quilt... I was in the groove today!

And genius me I found a good use for the paper the batting bolt is wrapped in!

Never before blogged

These are 2 quilts I made before I started blogging.

Playground Giggles

Bright and happy eh?

Summer Snowballs

Just wanted to share. And mention that I will NEVER make a king sized quilt again! But the one I currently have on my to do list has been basted (finally)

still seeing RED

Just coming up to the surface to say I'll be drowning in the red scraps a bit longer.

Other excuses near the top....

I'm waiting for my table insert to quilt my king.

I'm too whooped after the monster goes to bed to pin baste.

basically, I have no motivation to finish or begin anything.

Scrap Box Chronicles

I've had enough of this scrap!

I've decided to embark on a scrap busting effort.

Today I started with my brimming black/brown/gray bin. The basket on the left is trash. The bin on the right has pieces worthy of a ticker tape, small bits.

I decided I definitely want to shoot for a scrappy strings quilt. I cut strips 2.5 wide and 1.5 wide. I'm not sure yet if I will mix them or plan 2 separate projects.

These are the 3x3 squares I got out of the bin.

I put just a few hunks of fabric back in.

This bin is next. Wish me luck!

Fun in the Mail, Love on the Cup,and Smile on the Spoon.

The winner of the Ticker Tape quilt, a friend from high school, quilter, who also resides west of the Mississippi, sent a fun note to me, and a WALLET!! She is a loyal reader, and apparently makes oodles and oodles of these awesome wallets! I was unaware, since she doesn't keep a quilt blog. ahem!

I was totally shrieking when I opened it! (the hubs came into the room to see why I was having a stroke.)

I love it Julie! THANK YOU!

I put my things in it, and it is totally perfect!

Look at me with a 20 spot!(its payday, no doubt it will be gone before the week is over)

Genius! It made my week!(probably my month)

Also in the mail, my 2010 quilt mug! Once, Piefixesanything commented about my collection of snapfish mugs with peoples' photos on them. So, I kept my 2009 quilt mug a secret since it seems weird to make a mug of your favorite quilts. But, I cannot help it, using it makes me happy,and I am totally geeked to have the new one!

2010 on the left, 2009 on the right.

2010s debut. I was grinning ear to ear this morning.

And this makes me smile. Doesn't it make you smile?

I'm so happy its mine and I get to stir things with it.