I made this tote two weeks ago for my sister's birthday, which we celebrated today. So now I can post it. (We also toasted our father's 100th birthday which would have been on this date). The fabrics are from a Moda charm square packet called 'Dandelion Girl'. I think she liked it.
I took a class with Nora McMeeking back in March, where I started this quilt. It's from her book "Bella Bella Quilts". Today my mini-group helped me decide on how to do the borders. I'll post the final quilt when it's done, but it's been so long since I put any quilt up, I thought I'd show my work so far.
I think I'm hooked!
This one uses 'Fresh Air' charm squares by Moda.
I made another charm square bag today using a packet of kid-oriented fabrics. It turned out bright and cheery. I think my granddaughter will like it, but since I have two granddaughters I have to make another one before I can part with it.
Buzzy Bee is one! Oh, and what fun we had on her one year old birthday. Cousins came from afar... Lili and Hadley from Atlanta, Jake, Ben and Maddie from Minnesota. Many friends joined in the fun... Naomi, Owen, Calvin, Tal, Dominique, Sofia, Paulinho, Joao Vitor and even Auntie Bee Wendy-lin... and many other friends of mom and dad's buzzed on by to play and sing Happy Birthday to lil' Bee. We had Brazilian treats (brigadeiro, coxinha, empadinha, pao de queijo), hot dogs and popcorn. We had some fun activities too... We all buzzed around with our antennas and stingers (thanks to the help of auntie Tracy and Rosana). And we played ' pin the stinger on the bee', and smashed the pinata to pieces. The pinata had already gone headless because mom put too much candie in it! Well, Bee surely had a wonderful time and wants to thank all who came and thought of her on her birthday. Here are some pictures to show all the fun we had.
Auntie Clare & Bee, Neuci & Bee, tia Rosana, dad & Bee, Auntie Wendy-lin & Be
This time of the year is just perfect...and even more now after Bia's
birth. In the lunar year she turns one on Good Friday...but by the
Gregorian calendar her one year birthday is just in a couple more weeks. Our Easter was beautiful...the weather was great... Peter and KB came to visit... we all worked in the garden...great friends joined us for a leg of lamb and sweet bread... all in all we cannot complain.
We worked hard in the back area of our house. Thanks Pete and KB for the great help! Now we have a small lawn and a few roses in the back...still have a lot to do in the front of the house though. Sunday we had a nice breakfast and went off to church...looking our best. Doesn't Bia look like a China doll? Dress given by vo' Ruth. So cute! Then back at the house John made one of the best legs of lamb I've had in my life. Peter and Barty approved...though Barty had an indigestion later after swallowing the huge bone - no more cooked bones for him!
The wildflowers in Mitchell Canyon were in full bloom today. Here's a sampling of what we saw on our hike this morning. Top to bottom: Mt. Diablo globe lily, California poppy, Indian paintbrush, California poppy again (I just love these), blue-eyed grass, blow-wives, and ? If you can identify the last one, let me know. I highly recommend a visit to this Mt. Diablo trail at this time of year. You won't be disappointed.
I finished this vest yesterday. The pattern is 'Amber's Vest' from Rag Merchant. I used mostly imported Japanese fabrics. The taupes I used were purchased last year at PIQF, plus some I bought since then. I was very glad to finally finish it, as it's been in progress for most of the past year. I even lost the pattern for awhile and had to buy a second one (found it later). I changed my mind on the fabrics numerous times. I'm semi-pleased with the result....not overjoyed, but it's wearable.
Last night I finished this tote bag from the 'Charm Party Tote' pattern. I used Moda charm squares of the 'Chocolat' collection, which I had purchased with no particular reason except that I liked them. The lining and handles also came from my stash. All I had to buy was the Pellon Fusible Fleece. What a fun project! It went together easily and quickly.
