Thursday, December 19, 2013

Really Random Thursday, 12/19/13

A winner and a winner.

First, the winner of the SMS Giveaway Day, was number 22, Katy, who said:

I follow your blog via Bloglinv'.
Thanks, Katy! 
And I was a winner as well. Have you seen the phenomenal quilts made by Geta?
She lives in Romania and making stunningly amazing quilts. And I won six of her patterns! I won't be able to do justice to them, but I'm sure going to try them! Interestingly, I had already purchased a couple of her patterns, this one just last week: 
It is all English paper pieced with really detailed instructions and templates. I'm excited to try these other patterns as well. And please PLEASE take some time to go look at her work.




I've been sewing. Surprised that you are seeing some actual sewing on a Really Random Thursday? I have caught up on my blocks for the Mid Century Modern Bee. Rene' wanted a string block. 
I had the best time going through my scraps. This is a messy process but really fun. In fact, I'm thinking I might want to "organize" my scrap situation in the new year by making a whole quilt for myself out of these blocks. 

These blocks are for Mary.

I had fun choosing the perfect fun texty prints just for her.
I finished knitting my Honey Cowl. It is really kind of wrong to even call it that. I made so many mistakes on the pattern that I might have designed my own pattern. But the yarn from Phydeaux Designs is fabulous and the mistakes don't show up so much since it is variegated.
This week my friend Dotty (she is the one who started me on my quilting journey)  took several of us out for a holiday lunch at a really wonderful restaurant. It was in a town nearby, an elegant restaurant kind of on the outskirts of town. The food was really good. I took this picture for Mark because he comes from Minnesota where they drink "pop." 
Upper right: Dotty and Jennifer (her daughter--which explains the funny picture), 
Lower left: Deborah and Vicki

I forgot to post this picture from a couple of weeks ago. Mark and I were at Charlotte's school for grandparents day. Even though I have a total abhorrence to slithery things, these were kind of cute didn't totally freak me out. They were clever actually--made out of neckties.
As I was waiting in the long check-out line at Joann's yesterday, I saw these in the "impulse buy" section: cute little lipglosses. Stocking stuffer possibilities?
And I'm testing a pattern that Amanda Jean wrote last weekend for those cute little "candy" packs--the 2 1/2" squares. 
Isn't it a cute block? The pattern is great. You can find it here. The little bricks are fused on. All my blocks are completed and now I'm trying to decide on (a) sashing/no sashing, and (b) what thread color to use to stitch around each of the individual blocks. I thought of zigzagging around each brick with black because I'm too lazy to change color so many times  as a design element. Amanda Jean suggested using grey instead. Do you have thoughts/suggestions? And why I didn't think of this design myself, well, I can't even figure that out, considering I look at this clock in my sewing room nearly every day.
I'll close with this thought. I feel this way sometimes, especially with Christmas less than a week away. Which reminds me--Really Random Thursday will return on January 9 so  we can all take some time off and return in the new year, okay? Have a wonderful holiday, everyone. See you next year! 
Your turn.


17 comments:

05 08
Lorna McMahon said... #

I have to agree that Geta's quilts are simply amazing. The kids at our vacation bible school made those necktie snakes this summer. They are creepy and cute! Isn't that too funny! Your clock was telling you it was time to be inspired! Thanks for hosting the linky and Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Anonymous said... #

Love your string block! Geta's quilts are truly amazing.

M-R Charbonneau said... #

I love that poster and those blocks! Happy holidays, Cindy!

Carla said... #

What a fun post! Lovely to see Deborah and Vicki together with you. When are you all coming up here? I'll do lunch : )
Have a wonderful Holiday with your family. The clock is just too cool. Have fun quilting your new quilt top. It looks great.

FlourishingPalms said... #

So much to make me smile here, Cindy! A Florida friend turned me on to Geta's stuff, and I've been so-o tempted to buy a pattern... and then haven't. Looks like you have lots of fun options ahead in the realm of EPP. By the way, said Florida friend bought Geta's actual Flower Ball quilt, and has it hanging over the bed in her guest room - I've seen it! Wonderful!

Cute lip gloss, and your clock is to die for. I need a new sewing room clock, and am taking my time to find just the right one. Hmm, maybe with sewing notions on it?

Have a blessed and happy Christmas, Cindy! Live a colorful life in 2014!

Needled Mom said... #

I love Geta's patterns. I just downloaded one myself. Those lip glosses are sooo cute.

Have a wonderful Christmas season and we will see you in 2014.

Katy Cameron said... #

Great selection of random, as ever! Love the Escher-like nature of those patterns

Mrs Flying Blind... said... #

Yay I see Deborah!!!

Anne / Springleaf Studios said... #

I love that sign Cindy. The possibilities are endless and I'm looking forward to where they will take me next year. And looking forward to another year of the Mid Century Modern Bee!!

Scrapatches said... #

I'm back! Thanks for hosting. Congrats on the pattern wins! Geta's designs are so beautiful. I was fortunate enough to win a couple of her patterns earlier this year that I still need to attempt ... :) Pat

Rachel said... #

Great randomness. I love Geta's designs. I haven't purchased any since I am rather intimidated. The clock is wonderful, I assume you made the quilt to match!?

Rachaeldaisy said... #

What a lot of fun randoms! Geta's patterns are amazing! I wonder which one you'll make first? Wonderful bee blocks! I love that the ones for Mary are so simple and let the fabrics be the feature.

Lucy | Charm About You said... #

What an awesome lot of inspiration! Great bee blocks, I love strings too. Amanda Jean's pattern is so cool and I love how different it looks with the solids. I personally prefer no sashing, and maybe a wide border with curved corners like your clock?! I have no good ideas about thread colour, sorry. The clock is stunning, I have clock envy.

Vicki said... #

Whoa...those patterns are amazing! Love the double pouch pattern.

Susan at TheBoredZombie.com said... #

Such a busy lady! Those little lipsticks are so cute!

Debbie said... #

great random post! Sorry I'm so behind in my reading! ;-/

OPQuilt said... #

Another great random post. You crack me up with your comment about the clock and the block. Sometimes we can't see things that are right before our face. And now that I'm OLDER, I'm sure my moments like that will increase exponentially. I'd better always keep my glasses on, so I can find them when I need them.

Elizabeth