Yesterday I finished the smaller Urban Table Runner.  I ran out of the background fabric I used for the blocks and although I have at least 10 similar fabrics none where close enough for me to use happily!

I quilted and assembled the outside panels for Amanda Jean's purse pattern and picked out a fabric for the lining-that will be the next step. 

I need to buy handles, I've never used those kind before and want to try them.  

The pattern gives directions for making your own too. 

Finally sewed together these Urban Pods blocks for the purse I'm making with them.

There is no pattern for this one.  I'm just winging it. (scary)

I added the center piece; which will be the bottom.  I was thinking if I  do the same lining pockets as I'm doing with the Scrappy one it will be super efficient!!

I have to cut off the top and bottom of the curved blocks to get the look and size right. I guess I should quilt it first and then cut it.

I f-i-n-a-l-l-y loaded my twin CW block-a-day top. I think I'm gonna do baptist fans on it.  

The block a day blocks are almost gone....that is a  good thing for sure!

Oh and before I forget.  I just finished Kate Morton's book 

I loved it!!  Wow.

Fun times, fun times...

Life is good!

We spent the weekend at The Mount. 

It was family weekend.

During a break in the activities Paul and I drove the 15 minutes up to Gettysburg.  It was chilly and very overcast.

But we got in a short visit on the East side of Cemetery Hill.

The foliage is beautiful. This is a shot from the car on PA 76 right before going through the Allegheny Mountain tunnel on the way home.

We weren't able to head out until Friday evening as Paul couldn't take the day off and actually had to stay late.  So although that meant we missed the Friday evening activities for family weekend.  

It gave me some extra time at home.

I finished my little (36 x 36) community outreach baby quilt for the guild.  

I also got the quilting done on my two Urban runners.  I loaded them together on one piece of backing fabric. I wanted to take a picture before I cut them apart, but forgot.

I'm going to go make the binding now and hopefully finish them both today.  

OK so here was the design wall on Saturday.

About 5 minutes after taking this picture, the Twister Jack was taken down.   Something had to give and he was it!  I think having him up there and knowing it would require a huge chunk of time to do the "twister-ing up" was really bogging my mind down.  I'd come downstairs to work and see him and mentally feel a twinge "OH Man it's almost Halloween--gotta get that done"   :(

 Here's what's on the design walls now:

3 anvil blocks

I got the pattern here.

I "made" another slab of blue yesterday too.

 The two Urban Runner's are together and waiting for quilting.

I mentioned in my last post that I got Amanda's latest pattern.
While I was working on the Urban runner's I kept seeing the pattern sitting there begging me to stop everything and make it.
I didn't go that far but I did sew the panels for the front and back together.  I thought I'd just 'get started' on them but it was fun and once started how can you stop?  It did take me a couple hours and that's when I also pieced the blue slab.
So two things done at once, even though neither was what I started with;
sorta works-right?? 

I was on a sewing roll and spied the leftover curved pieces from this quilt.

And just sewed them together in a crazy rainbow-ish stack-no idea what will become of this- I'll stick it in a backing if nothing else.

But I feel better that it's sewn and not just sitting there.

I finally cut out the pieces for the Urban Pods bag I've been wanting to make for 3 months at least--going to try to get them sewn together today.

And I am still working on learning to use  rulers on my HQ.

It was frustrating and slow going at first.
AND that is an understatement!!

All thumbs I was.

Yes, see that bobble, I think my thumb was in the way...very difficult for me to keep my big fat thumb out of the way at first.
Now if it happens I get mad---I know better!

 I am gradually noticing I'm able to manipulate the ruler with more ease. I'm s-l-o-w-l-y figuring it out and just realized this morning that I can start/stop the machine without having to think about it or hit the wrong button on the handle.
I know that sounds funny, but having to concentrate on holding the ruler correctly--level, straight, just the right amount of pressure, make sure my thumb is out of the way-- AND start the machine and THEN start moving the machine was a lot for my brain to do.

I guess I'm starting to have a 'flow' going.  So progress on that front as well!

I started quilting the X's quilt thinking I would SID along all the pieced seams and do any design -with different rulers- in each of the blue areas.   

That  kind of worked for the first row.

But this is what happened.
I was doing too many new things at once and stinking at them all.
Not a good way to learn and feel like I was ever going to get it.

So I changed the plan to SID along all the seams to stabilize the quilt.
It's now off the machine and I can go back to it when I have some more free time and work on one design or with one ruler at a time.

Urban Runner

Yesterday I demo'ed the Quick Curve Ruler for the "Mod Squad", which is a sub group of my guild.  I didn't take my camera and was too nervous to remember anyway even if I had taken it.

The demo went well. I didn't cut a finger off !  Always good.  And a couple of the quilters actually had a few blocks of their own made by the end of our afternoon. 

I showed the cutting and sewing with these blocks

I ran out of the backing fabric, it's old and I doubt I will find it, and the one block up on the right has a different background but that's all I had of it so now am at a stand still with this. And that is fine because I REALLY wanted to start using my 

 new fabric I just bought anyway!! The line is called Winter Lane by Kate & Birdie Paper Co. (a new designer to me) and I  love the aqua, red and browns.

Last night I had the house to myself: 'glorious'!

 I sewed, 

 and sewed

 and sewed

until my eyes nearly fell out and I had to go to bed!

Fun-fun and so therapeutic!!

I work today but can't wait to get the 2nd runner together.  

Oh and last night I bought Amanda Jean's newest pattern.  

She had the original with her when she was in the 'burgh and we spend the day together. Everyone commented about how cute it was.  

  Now to find the time to make it!