First post of the New Year!

I've not posted before today because my life has been a little boring.  My girlfriend wanted an update of my Orca Bay Mystery quilt that I've been working on.  Here it is.

Tanner testing to see if it will make a nice quilt for him!

Blocks with a 'dark' center

Block with a 'light' center

Showing the 'dark' block as the main block.  The directions call for this setting.

Showing the 'light' block as the main block

Out of the two, I don't know which way I like the best.  Maybe I will try a different setting.  That is after I get all the little pieces finished.  There are approximately 4,000 pieces of fabric in the quilt.  That's why it's taking me so long to finish it.  (That's my excuse)  I have all the dark and light blocks , all the little blue squares, over 1/2 the red triangles, all the brown triangles cut, and all the white triangles cut for the border are done.  That's the update on Orca Bay!

I think that I'll find another quilt that I want to do.  I can do two at once.  I'm a little bored with the Orca Bay and all the little pieces, even though I'm about 1/2 of the way done.  I might get it done by Christmas.

Christmas time is a comin'

Christmas is getting here just to darn fast.  I've still got some more shopping to do for the 2 oldest granddaughters.  Bill and I shopped a little bit for them but didn't get all that we wanted.  Maybe within the next couple of days.  We couldn't go yesterday or today because we had 2 little sick monsters.  Their dad had final exams both days and couldn't miss them.  The granddaughter has strep throat and the little rug rat has a double ear infection.  Considering how sick they were, they were really good.  This picture doesn't look like they are sick.

Little brother loves big sister

Needless to say, I didn't get much sewing in. After they left today, I did get some red string blocks done for my step 4 of Bonnie Hunter's (Quiltville) Orca Bay Mystery Quilt.  I need 65 blocks that are cut in half to make triangles.  I got 10 done!!!!!!!!!!!!  I didn't even start on step 3.  Maybe when the holiday season slows down I'll get caught up.

Step 4 Red string blocks cut in half for triangles.

I did decorate - if you want to call it that - the tree and mantle.  I was looking for a simple look.  I think I got that - real simple.  I did make the tree skirt this past weekend.  I used a 9 degree wedge (which I borrowed from my friend) to cut 40 wedges, sewed them together, and lightly quilted it.  It will do.

My simple tree

My simple mantle.

I couldn't put anything in front of the fireplace because that is Tanner's sleeping area.  I did the best that my non decorating skills will allow.

Looks better showing the mantle and tree together.

I wish that I had been a good girl this year but I think Santa is only going to leave me some coal in my stocking.  Do you think if I'm good for the next 11 days I might get something under this tree???  We shall see!

It's cold outside, it must be winter

Nothing like having to wear a sweatshirt outside.  Well actually, I had on my leather coat yesterday.  The wind was blowing 25 - 30 mph and it was 50 degrees.  The wind chill was much lower. Anyway, thanks to the cold,  it's starting to feel like it's going to be Christmas soon.  I'm getting into the Christmas spirit.  I know, it's about time.
I did some sewing today.  No quilt making.  Although I'm doing Bonnie Hunters new mystery, Orca Bay. I had some of the pieces sewn together over the weekend.  We are on Clue 2 which is 72 - 3 1/2 " square blue string blocks.  I think I have around 25 made.  For Clue 1 it's 244 - 2 1/2" hourglass squares.  I'm making mine brown & white.  I have 10 completed and another 70 ready to sew.  I guess I'm just slow but I will get them done.

Blue String Blocks and Brown and White Hourglass Blocks

 The sewing I did today was for Christmas, I made 10 candy canes.

Candy Canes

Angie Padilla's Bits and Pieces   website is where I got the pattern to make these adorable candy canes. 

My other project today was to make a toilet lid cover.  Since it's for my cowboy 1/2 bath, it's in a southwestern fabric.

Toilet lid cover

Don't I sew the most 'exciting' things?  I did get a purse sent out today for my sister in law.  She saw the one that I made for my big sister and wanted one.  I asked her what color did she want.  The answer was jewel tone.  If you know me and the colors that I like, you know that I don't have any jewel tone fabrics.  This is my interpretation of jewel tone fabric:

Another purse done and gone!

 Yes, of course it has pink/burgundy in it.  All my fabric has the red family colors in it.  Thursday it's girlfriends together time. It will be good to see them.  We always have so much fun together, talking (I don't talk, I just listen), eating, laughing, shopping, and did I mention eating?