it would be an understatement to say that i am very much looking forward to october. i am going to organize my sewing table (the mess is a bit embarrassing at this moment), finish a few quilts, and get started on some new projects that have been brewing and stewing in my head all summer.

one of those projects involves mini quilts - this paper pieced star was made in one day and i oh so love it. wouldn't you like one to hang on your wall or keep on your dresser?

xo for now

look at what arrived in my mail box the other day! a beautiful package of illustrated, delicate and bold, floral and graphic fabrics that i might just have to keep on my shelf to admire for a little while. there are some ideas floating around in my head about what this collection could become but for now i am happy to simply admire them until the perfect plan comes along.

fabric collection is miscellany by julia rothman for cloud9 fabrics
purchased from hawthorne threads

swoon block #2 done.
both blocks quilted.
(and machine quilted at that. pat one the back for a new skill.)
now to back and bind.
et voila, new pillows!

it took me a long time to cut all of the pieces for this enormous (twenty four by twenty four inches!) quilt block - let's just say that miss frances mae is not the best helper. she very much enjoys sitting her little bum down right in the center of my cutting mat and kicking and twirling and screaming. she also wants nothing more than to sit on my lap while my sewing machine is going. while i love that she wants to watch and occasionally help, it takes a lot of energy to stop those quick little fingers from going under the veryveryvery fast needle.

anyways: after about three hours of work, here's the first swoon block made by my own two hands. and while this one is not destined for a full quilt, i can't wait to get started on more and more!

spiderweb mini quilt: done!
oh how nice it is to both start and finish a project all in one day.
a nice sense of accomplishment on my end, thank you very much.

and now to gather the prettiest shells and stones i can find at the seashore, a good bar of local chocolate, and some other fancy vineyard goodies - wrap it all up in brown paper packaging, and send this baby to its rightful owner! (wink, wink. can you guess who you are!?)