Now for a change of pace......

So when I last left you, I was wondering what to tackle next, feeling my usual overwhelmed, panicky feeling of too much stash, too little time. 

Well, here's the first thing I turned to -- the Margaret Harris Sampler from the new Blackbird Designs Honeysuckle Manor book.

Now my version will have to be a bit different.  I had a piece of 30ct WDW Straw, not the 35ct Straw called for.  So I decided to do it over one on the 30ct.  Which means I won't be able to do the name or date over one since I'm already stitching the whole thing over one.  :D   But that's ok.  I'm planning on putting my maternal grandmother's name in where "Walnut Iowa" is, and perhaps my initials and date where Margaret's name is.  Or my grandmother's birthdate.  If I can remember what that is.  Here's as far as I've gotten (I'm using the Belle Soie called for):

Pretty boring, I know.  Well, so anyway, I was stitching away on this, and thinking about the fact that I have this other project that I need to get to.  So I ended up putting Margaret Harris down long enough to do this.  Tah dah!

My first quilt project in years!!  It's the first block of a BOM from Material Obsession called Tessellation by Brigitte Giblin.  Isn't it cool?!  I've never done fussy cutting before!

I have to say that Material Obsession had me obsessing about amazing fabric combinations in wild fabrics that I normally wouldn't think of using.  (I'm usually a repro fabric kind of girl.)  And when this BOM came up, I had to go for it -- it's English paper pieced, my favorite thing in the whole world!  The finished piece does have to be appliqued down on that background fabric, but that's ok -- hand applique is my other favorite thing!  :D   I have to say it felt good to be quilting again.  I also have to say that if I actually finish this quilt (I hope I do!), I may have it machine quilted -- a shocking statement coming from me, the hand quilting snob.

Laurie, thanks for urging me to start a quilt -- I'm glad I did!  And Loretta, if you're reading this, this BOM is your fault -- I discovered Material Obsession because of you! 

So now you know why I've posted again so soon -- 2 posts in one week just doesn't usually happen.  But I'm just so psyched about my new quilt project!  Now to get around to using the millions of fabrics and kits I've managed to collect from Kim!  lol!

In other news, the tree service still hasn't come to take that widowmaker branch down.  Sigh.  Which means we've had to adjust to not using the garage, not using the back door (which is the door we ALWAYS use), and not using most of the driveway.  Such a pain!  But I do understand -- after all we had so many branches down, I can just imagine all the jobs that must have come in to them after the storm.  The nice thing is that it's so warm that the snow is melting nicely.  The ground is still totally covered, but at least there's a lot less snow!

In the unfinished business category, lots of you were wondering why I need to use a toothbrush on Sarah Woodham.  Well, I actually ended up using a lint roller -- the fancy equivalent of wrapping a piece of tape around one's fingers and using it to get the lint.  I think it helped.  I'm assuming the fiber just left tiny bits of lint on the fabric, although I guess it may also have very slightly bled onto the fabric as well.

Someone else asked about the new Quaker designs in the new Goode Huswife Book of Designs IV.  I think the best I can do is to post a link to Ann's webpage with a picture of all the designs in the book.  Go here.

Quick Edit:  Forgot to say I won this perfect bottle cap pin cushion from Lynn.  I was so thrilled!  I've been using it constantly -- it's the perfect size!  Thank you so much, Lynn!  I love it!

Thanks for stopping by and saying hi!  I really appreciate all your comments!