Time To Stop Faffing....

 ....and get serious about sewing the goose border for my medallion quilt.  I had all of my focus fabric and most of my LV charms cut out last week.  I have my paper piecing templates printed and ready to roll.  I just needed a bit of time to dust off my reversed-piecing-guided-by-sunlight skills.   Time to settle in mentally.

This past weekend I dove in and pieced geese like a maniac.  I had a small bit of help...or distraction...or spot quality inspections.  It's good he's cute.

After a day and a half I had 19 of my templates finished and five remaining.  Now that's real progress - enough to keep me motivated to finish off those last few in no time at all.

I am 100% jazzed about they are coming together.  Paper piecing makes those points extra pointy, which I love.  The color in this photo doesn't do the focus fabric justice - stinkin' winter sun.  They are bright, saturated and shine with the LV background.  De-lighted. 

Although I am not looking forward to pulling the paper out of the back, I can not wait to stitch these together into rows.   Do you think we'll have a finished medallion top next week?  Here's hoping!

Bits and Bobs

Summer has officially started here in Galway...at least as far as we have summer.  The days are long and it's less rainy.  That's summer.  I have been spending lots of time camping, reading on the front porch, walking Molly on the beach and starting my very own garden.  Happy happy happy.  Very little time with my sewing machine, though.

I did start a new cross stitch project.  It travels with me so easily, so it is nearly irresistible.  This hoop began as a gift for someone special who has a big day in their near future.  I will give you sneak peeks between now and the "unveiling" to keep it hush hush.  

This is my first time using blue aida. It's quite difficult to see the holes while indoors, so I am a slow, sloppy stitcher in front of the TV.  The blue background is super outside as the sun shines through from the back.  Live and learn.

I also did a little test goose block the other day.  This paper pieced block by Jeli Quilts is such a treat to make so I look forward to diving in and making block after block after block for my medallion quilt.  I think I now know to what size I need to precut my scraps to minimize waste.  It's a good place to start anyway.  

That's the news.  Nothing earth shattering, mostly just puttering around and enjoying a bit of quiet time.