Problems and Packages :)

Have been MIA lately. Not entirely missing, but certainly away from the computer. I started working on a baby quilt using a cute cowboy applique pattern as a way to hopefully get myself back in the sewing/quilting zone. It began as an experiment to see how one of the blocks would work out, then I decided to put the single block into a small quilt.

Unfortunately, I decided not to follow the complete directions for the block, which was a mistake. It doesn't bother me too much as I 1) learned to be a bit more thoughtful when deciding to skip a step, 2) was using scraps and small pieces from my stash, and 3) didn't originally plan anything more than a practice block. It can be salvaged is my favorite mantra.

Things were going along gang-busters and then new problems cropped up. What to use for backing fabric? And what the heck happened to my huge roll of batting? Where was that large queen size roll? I have lots of nice size pieces, but none quite large enough for this; I know I have a queen size roll somewhere! Ah, well...maybe not.

So yesterday, in addition to my other errands, I added a visit to JoAnn's. Surprise, JoAnn's had no Warm & Natural in prepackaged rolls. In fact, no cotton batting in their usual packages. On to Hancock's. Again, no Warm & Natural and no Hobb's. What gives?

(And the waiting! Both JoAnn's and Hancock's had only two people in the store, and one in each store, didn't appear even when called. Women lining up to get fabric cut. Women in line to check out. The lines grow. No help appears until people begin contemplating leaving their purchases and the store.)

Hancock's did have one brand of cotton batting (their brand - Sew Perfect), so I bought a queen size package of that. I've never used this brand before. Have any of you?

Good Mail! After a long period of trying to use my stash and my scraps, I made a couple of online purchases last week, and yesterday the first package arrived. Now that was a pleasant surprise!

The 1/2 yard cuts below came from Pink Chalk Fabrics.
Some Katie Jump Rope Posies, Midwest Modern Garden Maze, and Henry Alexander's Yen Rose Red, Mod Dot Red, Jewel Mobile Aqua, and Tillbrook Toadstool Green. I love them! Bright and cheerful!

My errands and visits yesterday took most of the morning, and after a break for lunch, most of the afternoon; but I got them all done, including the shower gift for Saturday and the paper to wrap it in. I often assume I have enough appropriate paper and then have to go back later because it came up a little short. This time, I bought 2 rolls of paper, cute ribbon, and the card, so the wrapping will cause no problems.


Latest documentary: A Century of Quilts: A Century in Cloth. I had seen a portion of this PBS special some time back, so it was a pleasure to see the entire film. My only complaint: not long enough.