Been busy .... quilting, avoiding the Bridge traffic & such

I haven't posted in a while. I have been filling my working time (corporate bs) with quilting table runners for Christmas gifts.

I have the unfortunate situation of having to deal with traffic from the recent bridge issue that happened in our fair city. So, I have been either going in very early or very late. When I go in early I come home around 4:00p & actually have energy & time to work on projects. When I go in late ... not so much.

If home early I sometimes find time to work on my mini projects:

Small runner 48" x 12"

I have 3 tops made, all from scrap or estate sale fabrics & 1 more to go. I also have fall fabrics to 'back' them with.

I have planted a fall garden again in a different spot in the city with hopes of having enough sunshine to actually grow something. I put in a couple of raised beds which have now sprouted 'volunteer' tomato & 1 habenero(sp?) plant. I'll post pics this weekend of the beds.

Enjoying a rainy Tuesday night, getting ready to have pork tenderloin, potato cakes & fresh sauteed green beans (from CSA). Will hopefully have another post this coming weekend. Hoping the cool weather comes in like predicted.

Quilt(s) & Shams

First I made a lap (fireside) quilt from donated (& some I contributed myself) Crown Royal Bags.

It is all messed up but will serve it's purpose by the fire. I learned a lot during the process. 1. Sew along the seam lines. 2. Make sure your corners are square. 3. Have many sharp blades to cut that unforgiving felt. 4. Many more that I won't mention.

I also made a quilt & shams recently. I built the quilt top at the retreat I went to a few months back & decided that I would try my hand at machine quilting since it was all (mostly) straight line. I then decided, since I had left over squares cut the appropriate size that I would fabricate shams in miniature squares. I need fluffier pillows to fill out the shams but am happy, over all, with the turnout.

The quilt is a bit wonkeyed but the shams actually are quite uniform. I am learning as I go.... Anyway, the quilt fits the futon perfectly & is perfect when the occasional extra guest needs a bed.

Note: I bought the quilt/sham fabric at an Estate Sale a while back. I think I spent $4 or $5 for about 6 yards. I have much left, even after this disaster.

I am now on to table runners, place mats & pot holders for Thanksgiving/Christmas gifts.

It's a pleasant way to pass an afternoon. Just wish it had rained so I didn't feel so guilty for not getting my fall garden planted.

There is a lot of math involved in quilt making which is definitely NOT my expertise. But, I can follow patterns which have it already figured out.