Spider Web, Dancing in the Garden

Every once in awhile I get a little giddy at all the blocks I've made for my Spinster Quilt.  I've finished nearly 90 of them and am a little sad that this process will be over soon.  (Soon, as within a year.)  I finished three blocks this week and have a treat from the garden to share as well.  

Square Dance

Too literal?  Squares for the square dance? They kind of look like they are dancing don't they?

I know, this has very little to do with the Spinster quilt other than I can see it as I work at my sewing machine.  I just had to share this because it is a very confused rhododendron and needs to go back to sleep.  Of course, it never actually blooms when it is supposed to so I'm enjoying this while it lasts.

Spider Web

 Just in time for Halloween, a Spider Web.  I thought these ovals looked like little spider eggs which is probably not what the fabric artist had in mind when creating this pattern.  Also, I've got tons of these types of webs all over the exterior of my house and in the garage.  At some point in time, battle must be done with my trusty broom.

Star Gardener

Through absolutely no fault of my own, I managed to have 3 wild orchids come up in my yard this summer.  I'd like to take credit, but we all know nature takes it all in this case.  At any rate, they were purple and beautiful.  Had I actually planted them and got them to grow on my own, I would have been quite the Star Gardener.  (See what I did there?)

Next up, Squash Blossoms, Steps to the Altar, and a Star of Hope.

Forest Fantasy - Fully Pieced

We are having an incredible fall, here in the Pacific Northwest.  I honestly can't remember the last time it rained.  Things are so dry that I actually had to water yesterday to keep my rhododendrons alive.  I'm not complaining, however.  I really like taking my walk at lunchtime when it isn't raining and when I don't have to worry about a change of clothes for the way back.  I also enjoy standing outside with my morning cup of coffee and breathing in the smells of the pine trees.  These are the moments that remind me why I live here and I enjoy them all so very much.  

Having finished my yard work, and what I think might be the last time I mow the lawn this year, I turned by attention to finishing up piecing the Forest Fantasy quilt.  I think that it is fitting that the weather cooperated and I was able to take its picture outside with the woods shading part of it.  My next step it putting together the back and then getting long-arm time.  Maybe I will be lucky enough to get that taken care of this Friday. Next up, my long neglected Spinster quilt.  But, Spinsters are patient so I know that she's fine.  

You know what's awesome?

Getting a new sewing machine. That's what's awesome.  So, when we last talked, I mentioned gently beating my old sewing machine to death for being difficult.  I would clearly have to get another one, but which one and can it take a punch?  A friend of mine mentioned that she got a Pfaff and loves it because it has a walking foot attached which means that your top fabric will be held in place against your bottom fabric (I may be paraphrasing the awesomeness of the attached walking foot). She also mentioned that I should go check out the vendors at the Puyallup Fair (pronounced "fair") because lots of vendors come to the fair and they bring with them fabulous deals.  I asked the handsome and brave AH to come with me and we (I) played with sewing machines and fell in love with the Pfaff.  It was on sale and I had the handsome and clever AH with me to carry it to the parking lot. How could I resist this perfect storm of excellence in sewing machine buying?  I couldn't.  Since then, I've been playing with the Pfaff and I have to say that I love it.  It sews like butter - not that margarine crap, actual butter.  I've been cranking through the blocks for the Forest Fantasy quilt and loving every minute of it.  

 

First, I sewed the blocks I've made earlier together. 

 Then, I sewed those blocks together to make a lovely square and now get to sew these into strips.

Much progress has been made and did I mention that I love my new sewing machine?  Because I do love my new sewing machine.  Oh, and the old one was given away to a good home where she miraculously started working again.  Probably because it feels as if it is in a safe place and no longer subject to righteous beatings.