Ok, so it isn't a complete quilt. But, hey. I have been diligently going down to the studio and putting in my hour a day. Maybe even more! The baby is a trial, the way she is refusing to take a nice two hour nap twice a day, but I am making it work. Thank goodness for the baby monitor, which allows me to run down there and steel a few minutes while she is taking her cat naps.
As you see, I am working on the Kiss Me blocks AND the Dresden Plate blocks. The thing I love about Fig Tree fabrics is that you get such a total Look when you use them. Everything kind of blends with everything else. If you use these two quilts in the same room they will play beautifully together.
Next week I am going on a little trip with my kids to Lake Tahoe. I won't take my sewing machine, as there is no room in the car, what with the high chair, the portacrib, the diapers, the baby toys.... I will however, be taking some hand sewing projects. Birdie Stitches is making a long awaited reappearance, and I may just try to applique my Dresden blocks to their backgrounds. Don't worry about me, I plan to keep busy. I may get in some reading by the pool as well.
If you are looking for some fun summer reading, I have some recommendations for you. I recently finished a wonderful book called Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, by Tom Franklin. Really a great read. Kept me right on the edge of my seat. Two Southern men who were boyhood friends grow up and become estranged, and then find out as adults they have more in common than they ever could have imagined.
I am also reading a series called "Bloody Jack" that my sisters recommended to me. It is technically young adult fiction, but I am enjoying every bit of it. A young orphan on the streets of London finds a job as a "ships boy" on a British Naval ship that is going on a mission for a couple of years. Great story, and by the way, the boy is really a girl....
Oh how pretty!! I am in love with your dresdens, AND your Kiss Me blocks! WHen you first posted the picture of the pattern and fabrics I thought it was going to be pretty, it makes me want to order some California Girl and the pattern!!! :) I agree with you that Fig Tree fabrics just blend so nicely and I think they ALWAYS give such a beautiful finished quilt. I can relate to the quickie trips to your sewing studio when you have your grandaughter. I keep one of our little grandbaies on Fridays(She is 13 months) and usually don't get much done in the sewing department when she is here. But she makes me smile and laugh and gives the best hugs ever!! :) Have a good time away!
Posted by: Chris | June 06, 2012 at 05:14 AM
Wonderful fabrics, wonderful blocks, and wonderful progress! Applause, applause! You are so right, these two quilts will look stellar in the same room at the same time. Will one be small enough to hang on the wall?
Your plan for an hour a day is working out well, to say the least!
Oh! What a delight to anticipate a visit to such a beautiful location as Lake Tahoe, and in such good company, too! Yes, handwork for the journey will be just the ticket.
Happy Wednesday!
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | June 06, 2012 at 05:58 AM
Your blocks look great! I try to slip in an hour a day of sewing too. Many times it stretches into more but some days an hour is all I have to spare. You can get a lot done in an hour. . .
Posted by: Robin Booth | June 06, 2012 at 06:29 AM
I'm continuing to be inspired when I see beautiful Dresden Plates. They're gorgeous.
Posted by: Christine Thomas | June 06, 2012 at 06:30 AM
I love all of your blocks...I think I am going to have to make that "kiss me" quilt too...it's been on my list for awhile...and seeing your blocks makes me want to make it!
Posted by: sherri | June 06, 2012 at 08:31 AM
Your hour a day seems to be working great, Nicole! You're so right about that total look - this is going to be a gorgeous quilt!
Cheers!
Posted by: Candace | June 06, 2012 at 08:50 AM
Love the Fig Tree fabrics. My grandsons, now 5 and almost 3, do not take naps at all so it's full on boy play when I look after them. I'm awfully tired when they leave. My Birdie Stitches are at our lake camp so I work on them when I am there but they are going slowly.
Posted by: Chris | June 06, 2012 at 10:01 AM
Where is my Kiss Me kit? Oh where, oh where? I too am planning to start on Birdie Stitches - everything printed off and waiting on my background fabric to arrive today from FQS! Using a combo of Ruby and Vintage Modern and doing all redwork for the embroidery. I hope it turns out as well as I imagine. My first embroidery project! I love Lake Tahoe, many fond memories of skiing vacations and my first 'adult' trip with boyfriend back in the 90s... good times. Take care and have a safe trip...
Posted by: Jennifer | June 06, 2012 at 10:21 AM
Nicole, if you are enjoying the Bloody Jack series, do yourself a favour and put down the book. Find yourself an audio version narrated by Katherine Kellgren instead. The stories just come alive under her magnificent interpretation of the voices and characters and accents - you won't want to stop listening. Little Jacky Faber can keep you company for your hour a day in your lovely little studio. I got mine at audible.com, and also through the ebook lending service at my local library. I promise you won't be disappointed!
Posted by: Anne | June 06, 2012 at 03:06 PM
That hour a day is really paying off. The blocks look great. Just think, that's 30 hours a month or at least 30 blocks a month!!.
Posted by: Karen E | June 06, 2012 at 06:30 PM
ALSO, I agree with Nicole above. You can listen to the books on CD AND sew at the same time!!
Posted by: Karen E | June 06, 2012 at 06:31 PM
Your blocks are wonderful!
Posted by: Sherry | June 06, 2012 at 08:14 PM