Tuesday, January 18, 2011

I can't believe

it's the 18th of January and it's my first post for the year! Where did all the holidays go? Why am I back at work? Feels like I've never been away.

I hope your year has started off well. Mine has been nice and relaxing, low key, just what I craved after a hectic year of traveling. I grabbed any minute I could to sew and have made some progress - but it doesn't seem much in the photos.

First up - Sallie Ann. The second panel is whizzing along - maybe I will have this done in a year (I'm not making any promises)!! I think that's fast for a large applique quilt.


I've spent some time cutting and machining the little Phebe borders. I'm sewing the dogtooth on freezer paper - takes so long but the finish is worth it I think.

Here's a close up.

On the back burner is the Lollypop trees - a little progress - not much.

I chose a lighter brown than I had originally intended so it didn't get lost on the background. I think it works OK.

There are so many fabulous projects around in blogland at the moment - I'm trying to avoid the temptation but a couple are really attracting my attention.

One is the Barbara B. Snyder quilt. How great is that? And Barbara Brackman also has a series of free patterns commemorating the Civil War 150th anniversary.

I have signed up for the new Sue Spargo BOM - so that should be enough to keep me busy and take me out of my comfort zone for the year. Are you choosing a project for this year to challenge yourself? If so I'd love to hear about it.

Had a great day with the Sisters on Saturday; my first for a couple of months since I missed the December meeting. It was so great to catch up with the gals - so productive and the conversation is always I*N*T*E*R*E*S*T*I*N*G!! Hopefully there will be an SSS blog soon.

I will finish with a few snaps of my recent road trip with my DD. I enjoyed spending some one on one time with her - she's a great companion - we should do it more often.

Found a good country Chinese restaurant in Gundagai - the only thing open on the New Year holiday. Gundagai is a pretty little town - this is the Mill House down on the river
A fabulous pear sculpture outside the National gallery

I love pears - such a great shape - actually I think I am a little pear shaped.

Gorgeous girl in the hotel pool - she was a little miffed that I didn't get in - alas do not currently have bathers - not a water baby myself.

We stopped off here on the way home

For those of you non-Aussies, yes that is a car on the roof and a crashed plane! The pub was a character in an Australian comic strip which was well read and loved. Many years ago this replica was built - a bit of a hoot!

Hope you have had a relaxing holiday season and are recharged for 2011.

Buongiorno,

Deb

21 comments:

Janet said...

What a lovely read your post is. I'm loving the Sallie Ann and the Phebe quilt looks sensational too.
The lollypop trees look so much fun on the chocolate, it's great. I don't think you'll be short of projects this year.

Teresa Rawson said...

I've missed your posts, but this was certainly worth the wait...your Phebe is stunning!! The applique is gorgeous, but WOW on the beauty and accuracy of the piecing on those triangle borders!! Whatever you are doing with the freezer paper is well worth it! I've tried sawtooth borders with small HST, but never tried one of these...just wonderful!

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

ranette said...

Yeah! I'm glad you're back, I've missed you and your luscious posts!

Looks to me like you've made great progress on all of your lovely quilts. You should join Barbara Brackman's Civil War blocks...fairly simple, but rewarding. Sue Spargo's bom...Wow! I cannot wait to follow your progress on this one. I seriously thought it over, but didn't do it :( Now I'm sad...lol...I'll just live vicariously through you!

Gorgeous daughter!

Sue-Anne said...

HI Deb, You must have driven right past my place on your trip!!! The Ettamogah Pub is one of our local tourist attractions.

Love Sallie Ann and Phebe is looking fantastic.

Donna in SW PA said...

Everything look great .

Margaret said...

I had to laugh about your DD. My DD is much more of a water baby than me as well. Glad you had fun with your DD. Isn't it amazing when they become adults and your friend? I love all your quilt progress. It's always so wonderful to see such amazing quilts in progress. Hope your 2011 is wonderful! (love the car on the roof!)

Lori said...

Your applique is gorgeous!! I love the brown background for the lollipops.
What a fun trip it looks like you had!!

Michele said...

Welcome back, be assured that you were missed. Such a long stretch w/o NSandH.
Sallie Ann is really beautiful. Michele

Anonymous said...

When you get started on the Sue Spargo BOM please post pictures. I signed up to do that one, but haven't gotten my first block yet. I have never worked in wools, but had done lots of applique. I wanted to try something new and out of my comfort zone. Trudy

antique quilter said...

great post love seeing all your progress! I was wondering if you went a way for a bit, nice that you and your DD was able to spend some time together.
Phebe border looks amazing!
oh looks like you have enough to keep you busy all year!
hmmm wonder what other projects you will start?????
glad you were able to make it to the SSS always love hearing about those meetings and seeing phots's!
Kathie

Kim said...

Deb, I know I say this every time I get a peek of it, but I absolutely LOVE your Phebe quilt. It is just stunning! :o) Your daughter is stunning as well! Good to hear you're enjoying your summer!

Liz said...

Nice to see you again, loving the applique and Phebe is looking fabulous. I didn't sign up for the new Sue Spargo, still haven't finished 2010s yet so I thought I should give this one a miss. I shall be watching yours to see what I'm missing out on..
Lizzie
xxx

jean said...

This post has been worth the wait Deb. Glad you have rested and managed to grab some sewing time.
Love the pear sculpture and yes I am pear shaped maybe that is why I love the pear form so much lol.
Great post keep em coming

Anonymous said...

Hi Deb
Glad to see you back! Looks like your holiday was very productive - Phebe is looking AMAZING - love it. I'm tempted to undertake another challenging quilt, but my current list is still long...there is a fabulous Baltimore BOM starting soon....

Janet said...

What a wonderful finish the scrappy dogtooth is - I love it!! Your Sally Ann panel is lovely as well. It sounds like you have lots to keep you busy in 2011 :0)

Taryn said...

I am glad you enjoyed your break. They do wrap up much too quickly, don't they? Phebe has been calling my name for over a year now and seeing yours makes me say it is time to begin. I do have several other long term commitments so I must decide how much time I can spend on them. Glad you are back posting and wishing you a belated Happy New Year!

Cardygirl said...

It is amazing how quickly the Christmas break whizzes by & "normal" life returns!Your work is beautiful & I love the Lollypop trees on the chocolate. You have lots of lovely stitching to do this year! Glad you had a fun break with your dear girl!

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Welcome back Deb, doesn't the time fly by? Love seeing what you are working on. xo

Brenda said...

Like you I have signed up for the Sue Spargo BOM. Anxiously waiting for the first installment.

Dorothy said...

Hi Deb, Your Phebe is looking great. There's a LOT more sawtooth to go. I thought they were never ending. Sue Spargo is due back here next year, her class was great last year and she is so lovely.

Betsy said...

Debbie, Sallie Ann looks beautiful. Is there a source where I can purchase the pattern?

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