Plaidly Update and Fabric Loving

I am making some serious progress on the Plaidly Pocket Quilt!  The quilting is nearly done, I am moving to quilt the outer most row tonight.  I'm not looking forward to binding, but will muster the nerve to get on it!  If you know of a binding tutorial... could you be a doll and leave it for me in the comments or email me with it?  Purdy please?

I have done a lot of pinning and re-pinning over the last few days.  Pinning and I aren't BFF.

This quilt has also been interesting since I broke one needle and bent two others in a matter of a few hours.  After the first one, I was thinking ohhhh this happens.  After the second one, I was thinking I am so doing something wrong.  The third made me look everything over and I think I nipped it.

I couldn't be happier with how the quilting is coming out overall.  The quilting I decided on is adding to the plaid square look nicely and I enjoy holding this quilt so much -- its so darn soft!!  It has been pure joy putting this together and I just can't wait to see it to it's new home shortly!

I have also taken out a bunch of other fabrics to be put on the chopping block (cutting block?).  Once I start getting into these sewing grooves I get pretty obsessed with making things and just gotta keep rolling.  Hurt me, right?

Can you see what these will become?  It's funny... I can look at fabric stacks like these and already start to see in my head what they will be.  I know... it's some sort of sickness isn't it.  Either way.. I love it and wouldn't have it any other way!

I was also recently inspired by Miranda at Miranda and Charlie (who I met through Stash Manicure) to do something with my scraps (who were sadly stuffed in a box and mostly unseen for a year).  Here is what Miranda did.  She took her scraps and put them in a pretty glass jar.  So simple, so genius!!  Such a cool way to be able to see all the scraps together for inspiration!!  Below are pictures of Miranda's scrappy jar.

Here is my attempt at putting together a scrappy jar. 

I took a vase that wasn't being used and stuffed the 'ole scraps in the there (they're free of that boring dark box)! 

It really is fun to reach in and grab a scrap and remember what else that fabric was included in.  It's also helpful to see all the scraps mixed together like this.  As, I spin the vase I can start to visualize different things I want to try!

And yes, that is pirate skull and cross bones ribbon.  It's ok to have ribbon in my scrappy jar -- after all ribbon needs love too!

I'm feeling so full of ideas today and am being sure to jot them all down.  Can't wait to get back to my sewing machine!

Midweek Blues - while the power was out

Jientje, over at Heaven is in Belgium has been participating in a photo meme called "Midweek Blues."  Each time I see her blue photo's I melt a little.  Just take a look at this one here it's one my favorites! 

I think I have a weakness for blues at the moment as I think about how I will incorporate blues into my kitchen.  The same kitchen that has a deep wine colored floor.

"Midweek Blues" is hosted by Rebecca at The Dusty Cellar.  And talk about melting... you should see some of her blue shots from flowers to pottery and books to skies (their is a surprise ending to this post that is a must see)!!  (Plus her doggies are adorable!!)

So, while the power was out this past weekend I did have a little bit of juice in the camera and all that time free of ironing, tv, and chores left me with the perfect excuse to play with some natural light and things that are blue.


No power means no heat, so Mr. Happy and I spent a bunch of time bringing wood in from the wood pile.  The wood pile that is covered with a blue tarp.  I'm not sure that I have ever looked at the tarp before and said, "wow, that's a great blue"... but looking at it next to the snow and the brown of the wood seemed to  give it a whole new feeling.

I can't resist throwing in a "Katie Sniffing by the Wood Pile" snap either.  I can just hear her little nose working as her sense of curiosity had her searching for the culprit guilty of leaving cracked nuts near the tarp.  She looks hard at work, doesn't she?

My second blue snap is one of a vase that I adore.  I have been playing with ways to get blue and red to compliment each other.  I think it may be all about the tones of the colors.  But just look at this shot.  I'm not sure if it's the lighting, the tones of the colors, or the fact that I just love brick and this vase.  It makes me smile!

So, there you have it!  Blue!  Beautiful blue!  You can bet that I will be on the look out for more blue as I go about my happy week!