I know I keep talking about this stuff over and over again (like a broken record) without really SHOWING you much! So here goes: I'm headed out of town in mid-April, and won't be truly settled back into the swing of things until early June.
Because that's a big chunk of travel, I've been busy working away at getting myself and the projects on my desk well ahead so I don't have to worry too much about things while I'm gone.
The good news is that everything is progressing very nicely; the bad news is that some of it is top secret and I can only share bits and pieces.
For example. This stack of blocks is the entire quilt project for the first leg of my travels. I am working on sewing them into rows at this moment.
In mid-April I head out with Quilting Adventures Pro (formerly Quilt Retreat at Sea) to Hawaii, the beautiful 50th state of the union. En route, we'll be constructing a brand new, bright and colorful quilt just like this one!
The quilt pattern is an original design called Sea Lilies, and its center is entirely laser pre-cut. The quilt will be revealed to those on the trip one step at a time. No peeking allowed.
It's awesome! I wish I could share more. . .
And these four-patch pin-cushions. I started talking about them way last year.
One of these days I'll show you the complete tutorial on how to make these cute, scrappy critters.
This found stack of oodles of pin cushion parts has been my sew-off project while working on the cruise project and FLOCK kits.
You know what I mean by 'sew-off project' right? It's that in-between 'other' project that keeps your chain piecing going while you're sewing along on the main project (in my case the cruise quilt).
Well, I've got a healthy stack of cushion tops and bottoms waiting for some surface embroidery embellishment and final stuffing and assembly. I think there may be over 100 here! Oi!
Here's something new!
The local quilt shop is doing monthly book reviews, and I've been asked to review this book, Pin Pals by Carrie Nelson. It was released a year or two ago. All the projects are pin cushions! And they involve teeny-tiny pieces . . . Right up my alley, as many of you probably already know.
The review won't be ready until later this year because of the aforementioned and oft repeated upcoming travel schedule. Don't worry I'll link you over to it when it's available. Or like and follow this facebook page so you don't miss any of the upcoming reviews if you are a quilty book nerd.
It doesn't feel right to review a book until I've actually sampled some of the projects. That being said, I'm mixing some of these mini-piecing projects in between the relentless four-patch pin cushion project.
Huh! And this is also new! And really, REALLY exciting (and here I thought I was going to have nothing but yesterday's news today!)
If you're in Stitchery Crossover holding pattern, I must tell you I've already been working very hard behind the scenes on the re-mix. You'll see these fabulous colors again!
. . . And again, and again, just like that Broken Record. However, I promise, the tune is VERY pleasing! (At least I think so!)
Happy Stitching!
Joan Ford
Head Hummingbird
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