Yum

As a change from the usual flowers and vines, this year, a patio tomato graces my front porch.



Is anything tastier than a tomato, ripened on the vine and eaten still warm from the sun?

I picked a couple of these last night, chopped them up and added them to some pasta, olive oil and fresh basil. Then, poured a glass of Pinot Grigio and enjoyed. Yum.

So Nice

Thank you, Rian, for this sweet award.

She likes it. She really likes it.

Here's the photo I received from my swap partner, Dawn, of her daughter Ela with her new doll quilt. I have her permission to share.

Who knew? I was making a quilt for a living doll.

Edited to add, I should have seen it coming (but didn't). A second quilt for twin brother Raif is in the works.

Doll Quilt for Ela

Today, I received the sweetest note from Dawn, my swap partner in DQS2. My quilt made the trip from middle America to Istanbul Turkey in 6 days and was well-received by her almost three year old, Ela.

It was killing me to NOT share a photo . . . but now I can :-)



I hoped the black cat would look like the black Moroccan cat that I'd been told was part of the family. Ela recognized Pasa immediately. Yay!

Jinxed?

Kate's Birthday Block swap has been interesting . . . and frustrating.

When I made the first block, I saw red when the red fabric bled. It had to be re-made.

This weekend, I made the second block and realized (just in time) that dyslexic me had screwed up the orientation of one of the units. Rip, rip, rip and resew and it's OK now . . . I think. Here's the before and after.



I made the third block today. I like the fabrics; it follows Amy's guidelines, but I hate it. It's back to the drawing board on that one.

I am feeling jinxed.

Making Lemonade and Birthday Blocks

The saying goes, When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.

This would be the lemon in my life at the moment . . . a vehicle that has an intermittent won't start problem–always at an inconvenient place and time.

The mechnic didn't finish on Friday and so I am spending the weekend, carless, at home.

And here's the lemonade--two of three blocks made for Kate's Birthday Blocks Swap.



The Dresdan Star block on the left is for Robin who asked for a 10 inch block in Traditional Christmas Colors. The 9 inch Snowflake block in purples on white on the right is for Deb.

I also made a block for Amy . . . who said she wanted to be surprised. (Check out the cool blocks she's already received from Kathi and Kate on her blog).

Discovering Mudcloth

I made this virtual mudcloth at the Smithsonian's site, Discovering Mudcloth. Three interesting artists who create, work with, or are inspired by mudcloth are featured.

It's Leaving, on a Jet Plane . . .

I'm just back from the post office. My Doll Quilt for the swap is (finally) on its way. It's going to be hard not to share a photo for a few days.

If you haven't received your quilt yet, this could be it . . . as viewed from the back (one last tease).



Bye bye quilt!

Doll Quilt Swap Update

Earlier this week, I received this beautiful doll quilt from Deedan.



Here are some details–of the interesting fabrics, red ties and perfectly mitered binding.



I honestly didn't know what to expect from this experience, especially since I didn't provide any clues at all, specifying Quilter's Choice. I might have mentioned that I intended to hang it in my office . . . what a happy coincidence that it coordinates so well with the walls and my lamp.



One quilt received and one almost sent. I am finally putting the last stitches into my own very late Doll Quilt.



Today, at lunch, I sewed on the label. Tonight I'll finish sewing the binding down and then it will be ready for it's long, international trip. Here's another sneek peek.



Look for complete photos of my quilt in a few days. I'm very happy with it--I hope my swap partner will be, too.