Rainbows Almost Done

So, one thing about being home and nursing my allergic reaction was that I found a lot of time for movies and sewing.  And yes, thank you, I am feeling much better -- nearly 100% now.

I am also happy to report that all of my bottled rainbow blocks are sewn!  Aren't they pretty?  I really had a hard time pulling them off the design wall to put them all together, but I am also quite giddy to see what a washing does to the edges of the scraps!  Come on soft fraying!

I have had a lot of time take in the beauty around me too and realized that my red rose bush is blooming!  Last year I had one rose late in the summer, this year since the deer seem to really have left my flowers alone, I see a ton of buds coming!

I also am seeing this pink rose bush bloom for the first time.  Again, this was a plant that the deer ate regularly and once the buds were eaten it took a year to nurse the rose bush back to life again.  I had no idea these were pink (it was here when we moved in), and they smell divine!

Our mountain laurel is also starting to open up.  I only have one bunch of these flowers on the whole bush, but I removed a vine that must have been choking it as well as some dead branches.  I bet this one makes a nice come back next year.  And in the meantime, I just love this one!

I couldn't resist bringing flowers into the house.  Here is that pink rose.  Really smells so good.  And it doesn't get much cuter than a rose in a tiny mason jar.  I'm also joining the Cottage Garden Party at Fishtail Cottage!

Sammy approved.  And she is a hoot as she had to smell each and every rose or peony I cut and brought in.  This one has such a curiosity for all things, makes me laugh sometimes!

Once I finally mustered the energy, I took the bottled rainbow blocks down one by one and started to put them together.  It's funny piecing with batting already in place. 

And yes, I am just loving my sewing table.  The extra table arm on the left there was so handy to hold and prop up the weight as the quilt grew in size. 

Once the last seam was sewn, I dashed outside to put it on the laundry line to take all that rainbow-y goodness in.  I'm a horrible tease... aren't I?

It's everything bright and cheery as I hoped!  I adore seeing all those scraps in a place where they can be enjoyed and the colors are so much fun that you can't help but smile when you see them. 

I am also sharing my progress at Quilt Story for Fabric Tuesday.  I haven't had much to share there lately, but it's nice to be back!

We'll have a closer look at my works in progress tomorrow.  And I've nearly figured out the backing and binding, but haven't started the basting or quilting yet.  Maybe this week.

Thanks for popping in and hope you are easing into the week nicely!

Making Over A Sewing Table!

Way way back in October I started a project to make over a sewing table that came from a fabulous sewer in my family. 

It's a very sturdy table that had seen better days.  So it got primed and painted a dazzling apple green to bring it back to life.  Then with a touch of hand painting and new knobs, she was looking fantastic!

I had some fun painting on part the flips open.  The dandelion wishing flower has always been one of my favorite symbols of being free or blowing with the wind. 

And I chose the "Sew Free...like no one's watching!" saying to remind me to always follow what's in my heart; not a trend or fad.

I was even able to sink my sewing machine into the table like the original design intended!

The Mister used brackets to create a platform in the table at just the right height for my sewing machine.  It's brilliant and I feel like it's going to take my sewing up a few notches!  I do have to take the sewing machine out if I want to close the extra table on the left, but I'm in love!

And here she is in action for the first time!

If you need me I'm sure you can find me by the beautiful green sewing table.  I'm home recouping from head to toe poison ivy these next few days... ugg!  I'm hoping sewing provides a nice distraction from the itching. 

My Big Huge Weekend Recap

I have found myself lately with a lot of three day weekends.  And it's been wonderful!!  This weekend was no exception.  I also have to admit that I find myself ignoring the computer as much as possible over these long weekends (looking forward to catching up with you and your blogs!).

So, what do I do with all this free time?  I have no clue.  It always seems to go by too quickly, but thank goodness for digital cameras to catch glimpses of the excitement. 

I feel like this is my book report on what I did this weekend...

I finished the last of the flowers on my crewel project and worked on the borders.  I can't wait to show you more of this tomorrow... because yes! I finished this and even made it in to a pillow!!!

I am finally working on rehabbing an old sewing table I was given.  I'll give you more of the back story another day, but here I cleaned it, primed it, and yes... I have even painted it a bright inspiring color!!  More to come in this saga!

 I changed out the old dingy and puppy chewed laces on my kicks.  Loving the bright party blue!!

I went to the Sheep and Wool Festival.  Bonus, was getting to share it with my mom and sister (in love).  It was awesome!!

I got to see a baby kangaroo

I loved this picture of a llama decked out with feathers.

I got up close and personal with sheep, goats, llamas, and even alpacas!!  You haven't lived until you have pet an alpaca!!!

I was inspired by a sea of deep amazing colors in every direction!  It was a place to really touch your way through... I've never felt so much soft yarn in one place.

I came home with a few goodies for myself.  A few green and brown wools to work into my fiber art piece. 

And I picked up some baby alpaca wool and am working it into a nice long and soft scarf for myself.  I am loosely following this project, but am thinking more scarf than shrug.

And there you have it.  Things I didn't grab shots of.... Cold Stone ice cream in cake batter flavor, an amazing steak cooked up by my very own Mr. Happy, puppy wrangling -- Sammy gets her stitches out this week, bathroom remodeling, and goodness knows I'm forgetting probably a ton of other things.

I guess this could also be called my Big Huge Teaser Post... since I have so much more to show you on most of these projects.  

Hope you are off to a great start this week!!