{Post 1,238} Lady in Waiting

Yesterday I was out and unexpectedly had 2-1/2 hours on my hands.  There was a mix-up as to when I needed to pick up some folks at the airport, and I ended up realizing there had been a mistake after waiting an hour at the airport.  The time sort of flew because I was reading an interesting book on my Kindle.  Going home would have been a huge waste of time.  What's a girl to do?

Fortunately, I still had my "lady-in-waiting" bag in my purse from my recent FL trip.  This phrase is one I got from my friend, Janet, at the Rogue Quilter blog.  I was able to make 2 whole more hexagons and attach them to the mother ship.  

First picture shows a PIECED center hexagon (I didn't have one fabric big enough, but I couldn't let that little detail stop me from making progress).  Second picture is the progress so far on this project.  I have a bobbin in the top left hexagon to show scale.

{Post 1,217} Little Bits of Progress

I'm trying to keep my chin up, but I feel horrible...my throat is so sore.  Just took Benadryl, so I'll be leaving soon......

I did a little sewing here and there through the day.  I also slept like a rock for a while.

Here is my half hexagon quilt.  My husband as quilt holder.  Six hexagons strong:

I also finished hand sewing the binding on my Pumpkin Patch.  We have friends coming to visit in about a month, and I think I'll give it to the wife, who is a very good friend of mine.

THIS is what 400" of binding looks like.  Pictures don't show scale, do they?  Well, this will have to be ironed out then ironed in half tomorrow.  I'm done for today.

Some of you have asked about this two-fabric binding technique.  I used it on this mini.  For my large (queen-sized) quilt, I added 1/4" to the accent fabric, cutting them in 2" strips.  I cut the black in 1-1/2" strips.  Directions for the binding are here.  I used invisible thread for the topstitching on my mini.  

{Post 1,198} Trip Project

We left for Ohio Thursday AM and got back tonight.

Here are the first 5 blocks of my half hexagon project.  The bottom right one is not sewn to the rest.  This is about 7-1/2" x 10-1/2".  I like the way it's turning out.  I don't have a plan for it, as usual with my quilts.

I surprised my sister with her Charming Stars quilt, but I forgot to get a picture.  I was deeply burdened about something the day before we left for the trip, and it overshadowed most of my thoughts for the past few days.  It's a wonder I didn't forget more things!

My sister's oldest daughter's graduation was the reason for our trip.  I spent most of Friday afternoon and evening making many chocolate-covered pretzels and 3 batches of strawberry-pretzel salad.  Mmm-mmm.  Saturday AM I baked two Texas Sheet Cakes and decorated one.  A woman at the Kingsville, OH Wal-mart bakery saved the day by scrounging up one last graduation cap with which I could decorate the top.  The picture is not great, but there are white, lime green, and hot pink sprinkles under the cap (those were the colors she requested).  

I also finished a whole Grandmother's Flower Garden block on the way back today.  My dear husband drove all but the last hour, bless his heart ;)

Picture of that tomorrow.

{Post 1,187} New Hand-Sewing Project

I am devoting my sewing time to finishing the string shirt borders on my Squares Surrounded quilt top.  Making great progress.  I have a pile of small shirt scraps.  Then.  it.  happened.  I sewed this:

Every dark scrap was the perfect size.  Really.  It was meant to be.