Busy busy busy

It looks like June will prove to be a busy month for me. I am sure that I am not alone in working better under a deadline and with specific goals, right? 

​restocking some pot holder inventory

​restocking some pot holder inventory

Last week received an order to restock some pot holders and coasters at Storeroom Vintage. I have to admit it came kind of out of the blue, but I was glad to get the text.  I had posted a little bit about this venture back in early February here, and after taking the first group over there neither of us really followed up after that. Until now. And this time I'm going into it with a little more direction, which I think is helpful. There will be more of these popping up in the next week or so!

​still considering some rearranging - be warned

​still considering some rearranging - be warned

And though it may not seem like it, I've been working bit by bit on the strip quilt. Making a few new strip sets each week, adding the triangle units to what is already up on the wall and then spending another few days pondering. I got a really good suggestion for a way to alter this minimally, but hopefully with maximum impact. I hope to have this top pieced by the beginning of July. The quilting will be a whole other bridge to cross!

​Blocks from the April round of do. good stitches Bliss circle.

​Blocks from the April round of do. good stitches Bliss circle.

And of course the quilt bees! The photo above is for the Bliss circle of do. Good Stitches, which has been undergoing some changes. I have been a member of the Bliss circle since I joined do. Good Stitches a little over 2 years ago. There have been 2 hosts for the circle in that time, the latest of whom chose to take some time away as of early May. Was it compulsion that prompted me to volunteer for the position of host, or simply a desire to see the circle continue and thrive and come back together? I think it's fair to say it was a little of both. But yes, this means I am now host and moderator for the Bliss circle, and happy to be doing it! It's been fun to really touch base and communicate with my fellow bee-mates in this, and I seem to have gotten an overwhelmingly positive and energized response from most of the group, which helps SO MUCH! Amy is getting us started out again this month with her own Flock of HSTs block and tutorial on her blog, 13spools. Amy has chosen the perfect type of block to get us running again, and I'm super appreciative! And in the mean time I'll be putting more of the HST blocks shown above together (and I've collected a few more from members of the group since that photo was taken) and hope to get that quilt top finished by mid-June.

Of course there are also still the Friends + Fabric bee and the Simply Solids bee, marching ahead beautifully to keep in mind!

And now for the non-quilting-related stuff... J and I have finally gotten started on one of the home improvement projects that's been on the list for a little while now. We marched on down to the big Depot store and placed an order for 2 pallets of bricks, sand and gravel to be delivered to the house this week. We're (okay, so far it's really been just J) rebuilding and widening a walkway from the driveway past the veggie garden area (which has yet to be planted this year) to the backyard, as well as laying a new patio in the backyard. 

BEFORE

BEFORE

GOING WIDER

GOING WIDER

ON ITS WAY!

ON ITS WAY!

BEFORE

BEFORE

EXCAVATION BEGINS

EXCAVATION BEGINS

AND CONTINUES

AND CONTINUES

AND CONTINUES STILL (of course I had to include a picture of me helping out at least SOME)

AND CONTINUES STILL (of course I had to include a picture of me helping out at least SOME)

There are a couple more collaborations that are only just beyond the "discussion" stage, but I don't foresee a whole lot of movement on those in the next month. You know what that means, though... Stay tuned!

And though I am sure other things will be popping into the mix over the next few weeks, I feel good about what's on the table, both literally and figuratively! So, enjoy the journey, and if I maybe don't post quite as often as I sometimes do, just imagine that I'm dutifully at work on one of these fun, gratifying projects (and if it's the outdoor one, that image should include a margarita!)

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A do. Good Celebration

Rachel Hauser, who blogs at Stitched in Color, began an amazing group over 2 years ago. She created a group on Flickr for modern quilters who are interested in lending their talent, time and resources toward making quilts to be donated to a variety of charities. There are now 21 "circles" of 10 stitchers and quilters each contributing blocks and finished quilts monthly to the selected organizations. I have been fortunate to be part of the Bliss Circle of do. good stitches since the beginning of 2011. 

About a month or so ago Rachel announced on her blog that she would be hosting a celebration for all of the people who have participated in the efforts of do. Good Stitches throughout the year. Her generous sponsors will be providing gifts and giveaways for dozens of lucky and talented quilters. For the details of the celebration and the prizes, please visit Rachel's blog posts, beginning here.

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Within each of the circles there are a number of designated "quilters" who are responsible in a particular month for choosing block designs, collecting the blocks from the other members of the circle and piecing them together to make the quilt top, then must quilt and bind it all before sending it along to the chosen charity for that group. Those of us who are not "quilters" per se, are considered "stitchers," piecing blocks each month to send to the quilter. I am a "stitcher" where this group is concerned, however I did get ONE opportunity to be at the helm, just over a year ago when our circle needed a substitute quilter to step in for the month of November. And the quilt pictured above is the result of that venture.

It was finished this past March and sent along to our circle's designated charity, Wrap Them in Love. What Rachel and her sponsors are doing is super sweet and thoughtful, but I am sure that most of the other members of this group would agree with me that just getting to take part and give such a little bit of time and inspiration toward something that can offer so much to so many others is celebration enough. 

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Most of the blocks I've made for the group over the last year or so... Those of you who have been following my blog had no doubt seen these in various stages of completion over time, but as the year draws to a close it's kind of nice to throw it all together in one eyeful. Thanks to all who have helped provide me with inspiration and motivation throughout this year. These celebrate you all as well!