Brain Teaser: What is this cool kid project?

In the last week I have been:

- Snowed on (which would not be a big deal to a lot of people, but since I live in a pretty warm climate it was pretty cool to see it)

- Taught to make 'HookEm' horns

- Spoiled while trying to shake off a nasty head cold by not only my incredible husband but also by my beloved sister

- Kissed by all my favorite kids on the planet

- Amazed that at 17 months old anybody could be smart enough to count to the number 9

Hope your life is going at least this well. Even with a cold getting me down, I still feel like the luckiest girl just by being around my loving family.

The above project I made to share with my son's class of 4 yr old kids.

What could it be? Is it a science project? Abstract art? Got any ideas? Usually some of you get my brain teasers spot on.

Meanwhile, have an awesome weekend. I'm thinking a healthy thought for you, me, and the rest of the folks who could use one.

Olympic-a-holic: a 12 step program is in order

Perhaps I should be stopped from watching the Olympics, but gosh they are pretty cool. Speed skating is by far my favorite.

In the 'going for the gold theme' that I started in my last post, above are some of the wedding signature blocks that I created with 1850's reproduction 'Chrome' colored fabric.

This project is slow, but I'm still plugging along at it. I think this new yellow is giving the overall quilt a much needed sparkle.

I recently discovered Peanut Free Planet who sells chocolate chips that are nut free so we are back to being able to making choc chip cookies.

Have you seen the trip around the world variation quilt over at Decaf, please? So stunning. I love working with solids and I love Amish style quilts. This is a quilt that falls into both of those buckets, so enjoy the photos. What a work of art.

Going for the Gold

While the winter Olympics has me glued to the couch like a serious couch potato, all that flashy gold made me think of this gold sweater that I made over Christmas for the baby.

It's the Child's Placket Neck Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson.

I learned a lot knitting it, and had a really great time. I used Manos de Uruguay yarn and it only took 2 balls of it. Now the 4 yr old wants a sweater too. Do I have to make one? He's HUGE in comparison. Is fair only fair?

Oh, and I signed up to take a spinning class using a real spinning wheel next month at A Verb for Keeping Warm. Marianne, if you are reading this I think you should keep me company.

Now on to the 'gold' quilt blocks. I'm breaking out my 1850's 'Chrome' fabric to add to the signature quilt. Chrome is one of those antique colors that just isn't popular for use in today's color pallet.

Maybe it's too over the top? I have a bunch of blocks done. I'll photograph them for you.

Any gold creeping into your quilts these days?

Wedding Signature Quilt - just in time for Valentine's Day

Thanks for the comments on the Catherine Wheel Scarf.

In case one measly photo wasn't enough of it for your personal taste, perhaps you want to look at 56 more of them in my newly created flickr set...or maybe a slide show of scarf photos is in order?

I'm also working hard (again!) on my wedding signature quilt. All those signature blocks collected 6 years ago at our wedding are still waiting to become a quilt.

Each of them is so tiny that it takes me ages to make only a small set of 10 or so, but each night I'm making small amounts of progress and enjoying the process as well.

Things to fall in love with:

This Sunshine Day Baby Afgan by Posie Gets Cozy, OMG beautiful.

The Archipod: posted by design milk blog. Could I move my sewing room into the back yard? Unclear if this thing would hold my fabric collection. Oh and not to mention the yarn. Oh yeah and the fiber. Eek.

This new collection on the way from Liberty of London, as posted at True Up blog. Like I need more Liberty.

Last but not least, this awesome post about Orange County, California. Although I have spent a lot of time there, not sure I have hit everything on their recommended list. Some new ideas here. Cool.

Catherine Wheel Scarf and Zauberball

After looking at Alex of Moonstitches' rhubarb scarf a billion zillion times, and after some of my knit night friends gave me a little nudge (yarn from Sharon and crochet lessons from Dorothy) I created a Catherine Wheel scarf.

Elle of Ellemeno P Blog put a really nice pattern together inspired by the scarf that Alex made, and was generous enough to share it with all.

I used Zauberball yarn which is out of this world beautiful.

I'm thinking of putting up a flickr set with more photos of it. Interested in seeing more?

I was also thinking that if you are looking through the horizontal arm of your sewing machine in order to see your computer monitor in order to do a blog post about quilting, perhaps you are in need of a 12 step program for quilt addicts or something.

Anybody else out there done that before? Am I alone? Have a gone too far?

Dear Hannah Quilt Block in Japanese Taupe Fabric

Another little Dear Hannah taupe block is complete and my collection of them continues to grow.

I used Japanese taupe fabric and the freezer paper applique method. It came together pretty quickly. It takes me longer to cut out the fabric and iron it than to actually applique the pieces down. This block is B-2.

Behind my block is the new book my darling sister got me for Christmas. "I Heart Patchwork" by Rashida Coleman-Hale.

Rashida's blog I Heart Linen is of course very famous, and her work is so very Japanese and perfect in every way. I'm sure you read her blog already, but if you don't perhaps you want to start.

Twins' Garden Style Blog is another place to stop if you're looking for a fresh blog with some beautiful photos and inspiration.

One question for you - Has anybody out there used MagCloud to self publish a magazine? I'm thinking it sounds like a really interesting way to get a collection of your photos out there.

Oh, and finally, the baby is at last feeling better so thank you all for your words of encouragement. He is finally back to his bouncy giggling self. Whew!