Fiber and Pulp

Photo Catch-Up

I'm taking a break here at the store and I thought I'd share some photos of my recent work with you.

Here are some photos of the little wall quilt I won from Village Quilters last Saturday (I love it! I found out who made it, too:):

I'm still going in circles, trying to focus on one project that needs to be completed at a time. (sigh) Here are some photos of the basket/tote/purse I'm trying to make. The batik fabric I'm using is shown here -- this is how far I've gotten with the base of my tote (50 yards of 1/4" cotton clothesline and a little less than 3/4 yard of fabric). If you look carefully, you can see the two handles I bought beside the bottom. I took one shot from the side with my small snipping scissors (4"?) for scale.

It is looking like Hugh and I will be going to VA from Sunday to Thursday morning. Skip doesn't want to take the time away from his new job (he found out today that the next servicing mission for Hubble Space Telescope, for which he is working on the flight software, is due to take place the same time as our daughter's wedding in October:). I'm looking forward to being outside and taking it easy for a few days - I have been neglecting my 'outside time' lately and I really need it!

I had my six month regular check up with my internist today -- the weather is gloriously spring-y and the grounds of the medical complex are beautifully blooming (cherry trees, pansies, dogwood, etc). I felt like I had been released from a dark prison -- how lovely! :) (luckily, I'm fine, physically:)

Unfocused!

I've been going in more-or-less circles for the past couple of weeks ... being very unfocused. I'm not sure if it is because I'm way, way too busy ... or just more of the usual crazy-ness I seem to generate for my own self. (sigh)

My guild had our bi-annual quilt show this week (Thursday thru Saturday). I had to deliver my quilt on Wed a.m. (the little leaf study) and give two demonstrations (Friday and Saturday). I demo'd making fabric wrapped coiled baskets ("It's A Wrap"). I love the technique (despite my first reaction on hearing about the book -- 'huh! what a way to waste fabric and time!':)...and am making a large-ish tote purse/bag using two of the ready-made handles I bought earlier this spring (at Southern Comforters show down in Bowie).

I've got several samples going for the shop ... and other projects laying about (not focusing very well)...have some classes coming I have to teach ... and am _supposed_ to be going on vacation from 26April to 3May, courtesy my Mom. I have to teach three of those seven days ... so I don't know whether we'll go or not (just to northern VA, along Skyline Drive). (shrug)

Life is certainly never dull! On the other hand, I feel like nothing is getting finished, just slooooowly progressing. :P

Oh, one good note. I went to Quilt Bingo (put on by Village Quilters in Catonsville) on Saturday night and won a quilt! I'll try to take aphoto to share tomorrow -- it is a small wall hanging made with an antique handkerchief and patchwork leaf blocks. I LOVE it .. and it was made by one of my customers (who happens to be a book sharing buddy of mine:).

Finishing

I guess today is a day for finishing projects ... I put the binding on the France Travel Log quilt (you'll have to go to the shop blog to see it tomorrow) ... and just finished knitting a scarf I started during the winter. A pretty-for-to-wear scarf, not a keep-me-warm scarf (though it will probably do that, too:). It turns out to be a bit shorter than I usually make a scarf (only could afford so much of this 'yarn':) ... so I think I might make it into the shawl collar for a vest. There is a vest in the Folk Vests book I've been wanting to make for a couple of years -- this might make a great collar for it. :) Nothing like finishing a project and then turning it into a NEW project, eh? (sigh)

The weather is gray and wet here but blooming gloriously -- pear tree, cherry, magnolia, crab apple, daffodil, grape hyacinth, scilla ... no tulips, yet. :)

I knit/finished knitting while I watched two episodes of Farscape (season 3) tonight. I am becoming a visual junkie -- hardly ever read fiction any more, just watch it (movie, tv, whatever). Can't be still while watching, tho', gotta do something with my hands. :)