New orchid!

it may be cold, but at least it's a sunny cold.

Snowball

While it is winter here today, and one of the coldest days we have had so far, that isn't what I'm referring to by the word snowball. In fact I am using the word as a verb, as in " the project began to snowball, getting bigger and bigger as I rolled along..."

The day started in a quiet way, doing entries on the computer. After a while my eyes saw the lovely little pile of ribbon across the room. on Sunday Kerry had mentioned the idea of weaving ribbon..... Well, of course this was the moment I had to try this. Not having any specific project in mind is not a deterrent on a day like today. I just determined to make a "rectangle", because you can always use a rectangle, right?

So I made a rectangle, tacking down the ends of a handful of ribbons to a fabric base. Then I placed ribbons at ninety degree angle to them, and wove them over and under... Later I topstitched many of them down to stabilize the weave.

That's when things began to roll right out of control.
It has now turned into a five hour project, so far, and is well on it's way to becoming a knitting bag. I hadn't known that I needed a knitting bag, but oh well.
It is also one of those projects where it is impossible to describe the sequence of what you did to make it. However, I have a bandaid on one hand, glue on the other, and I had to research many websites to try to figure out how to use an "internal metal spring purse frame".
Although I am not yet finished, I decided now was the time to share this all with you.

Owlivia

The Owlivia panel wasn't too hard. There are instructions printed on it that tell you what to do. Thee only thing I changed was that I quilted it first to add more body and to make it a smoother pillow. Also, I didn't have enough stuffing, so I filled it up with scraps of batting.

Thursdays plan

I have an ambitious list of sewing projects for today!
1. Finish the quilting on my current quilt in progress. It is in really happy colors, and is made from a jelly roll, with a pattern I have already gotten written..
2. Make this new Owlivia pillow, which I think ills quilt first before cutting and sewing-- well at lest I want to get this started
3. Pick out some fabric for placemats that will feature some of the new ribbon

Ribbon brainstorming

I still haven't worked out what to do for a ribbon based challenge for the store. In the meantime, I did bring home some ribbon because I just had to possess some of it. Now I'm thinking about how to use some in a project and so I returned to some of the photos I took at quilt market in the Renaissance Ribbon booth.
Notebook cover, cushion, tote bag, pincushion, napkin ring, placemats, wall hanging, .....
I'm currently leaning toward placemats....

Black and White Block 10

This week's block is called Medallion.  It is part of our Saturday Surprise Sampler Block program that you can learn more about by clicking on the page tab above, or by pressing here.

It's one we've done in previous rounds, but I still like it a lot! 

Running back to Saskatoon...

Well, maybe not running, but flying. I spent yesterday on planes, trains (between terminals) and automobiles to make the trek back home. it is a three plane trip.
One oasis of pleasure amid all of that is found in the Minneapolis main concourse at Surdyck's wine bar and restaurant. I think I've mentioned it before, but it is worth revisiting, it's that good.

New Ribbon! and a contest!

We just received more new ribbons from Renaissance Ribbons,
their website is   here
Aren't they amazing?

Black and white zebra

Amy Butler, mosaic

Amy Butler, Blue on Gray Sari Petal

Anna Maria Horner, Spinning wheel, coral and cream

Gold tape with Black edges

Antique Gold metallic tape

Ivory and Gold Greek Key

Kaffe Fassett, Guinea Flower on Black and white

Kaffe Fassett, Plum and Orange Kite tail

Kaffe Fassett, Orange and Purple palm fan

Kaffe Fassett, blue and purple phase stripes

plus, there are 17 other ribbons that came a couple of weeks ago from Renaissance as well! 
It was really difficult to choose which ribbons to order.  Much harder than to order fabric.  There were so many options, and it was hard to envisage how each one could be useful in a project. 


In December, I wrote a post on all the ribbon inspirations that I acquired at their booth at Quilt Market in Houston,   here. 

Now, I am anxious to put some of these ideas into practice.

We should have a contest!  At the store, for using ribbons in a project!  This is a new idea-- I need help brainstorming for this contest, so all input is welcomed! ( including ideas on prizes, categories, parameters, etc,)