Finally. . . October

September wasn't a very good month for me. Work was stressful, and I wasn't feeling very well. So, for obvious reason, I wasn't very crafty.

October, however. . .

It's been so warm here until very recently with a brief appearance of rain. Ahhh . . . now its a few degree cooler and slightly more comfortable. I'm very into cardigans, so it looks like we'll be having cardigan weather soon. (Of course, I always wear a cardigan.)

Yesterday, I left work a bit early to pickup up da Mouse, my eleven year old genius bar, from school. She is attending BASIS middle school - very challenging, but definitely in her league. With at least 45 minutes in hand, I made a quick trip to Bella Quilts on Broadway. I haven't been there in a while, and, frankly, I'm not sure why. Here in Tucson, the quilts stores are either very east or very north of central Tucson, which is where I live. So, its a trek going to one of them, and Bella Quilts is probably the nearest one. Anyway, I stopped in, and, mind you, I was there for only about maybe fifteen minutes (because of the travel and traffic time) and, you betta believe, I walked out with some stuff.




Introducing Butterfly Town quilt kit. I just realized that I accidently omitted the pattern, but it's a butterfly pattern. I love the fabrics, especially the florals. I haven't decided which one of my four girls will be the recipient.






There was also a packet of 20 fat quarter reproduction fabrics that I snatched. I have always wanted a small variety of reproduction fabrics. I am thinking of making this for the Banana, my sassy, redheaded eight year old, a Sunbonnet Sue quilt with the fabric. The pattern and fabric definitely suit her personality.

I read a few blogs, too, about English paper piecing, too, and I'm anxious to try my hand at it. I love handpiecing, but I dislike having to mark out lines for the sewing and cutting lines. Hence, the diamond and hexagon pieces. Now to figure out the fabric . . .

Onto what I have been working lately:

I've had these squares cut out for quite a while.
I'm too ashamed to admit how far back. :(

I love pinwheels. In fact, I think the very first quilt I completed had pinwheels. I was in college, and I worked part-time at Clothworld (now defunct). Needless to say, I did a much better job shopping there than actually working.

I sewed up a few more blocks, and I am considering making Em her first baby quilt. Another shameful moment. Sniff. My little Em is almost eight months, and, sadly, I have not officially made her a quilt. I did, however, crochet her two blankets. Pic forthcoming!

Speaking of crochet, I recommenced working on
Hepcat. This is for JJ, my seven year old little miss know-it-all. Amigurumi is pretty cool, if not a little tough on the hands. I will continue to work on him intermittently.

I completed the peg arms, the muzzle, and two ears, but I could only find one. Since JJ's favorite color is blue, I will likely introduce a strong shade of blue, rather than the one used in the book.






And then there's the turkish bed socks. I am o-most (as JJ use to say) done! Of course, that's just the one foot. It's coming out very nicely, especially with the yarn. It might look small, but it stretches. I know its a bit dated and overused, but I like the teal-green-blue combination. In any case, I'm looking forward to wearing these when the weather turns cold, if at all.

Until next time . . .