Crafty Cooks Apron Swap

I entered the Crafty Cooks Apron and Recipe Swap over on Flickr. It is such a lovely swap organized by Fiona from Celtic Thistle Stitches and Sam from Cup of Tea and a Slice of Cake. I have been crazy busy and I finished it the apron just in time for mailing deadline. I hope my partner likes it. She requested something in pinks and greens. The pattern I used for the apron was from the book Sew, So Cute. I found the book at my local Joan's on clearance right at the time I was trying to figure out how to make the apron for my partner. Don't you love when things just work out? The pattern for this apron presented a great challenge for me; I had never pieced curves before. Honestly, I didn't think I could do it. But after reading the instructions a few times, I did it! (and it turns out curves are not so scary anymore). I really like the way the apron turned out. To go with the apron I also made a potholder as a little extra for my partner. They are now on their way to their new home. I really hope she likes it.

I hope you are having a wonderful week!

Martha

...

Yesterday my husband and I spent a lovely day at the beach. The weather was great... very sunny and not foggy at all (here in California's Central Coast most days are cool and fog is a normal occurrence). We walked on the beach, had a yummy lunch watching the sea lions and harbor seals swim around and nap soaking up the warm sun. We also ventured more into town and explored the Secret Gardens of Old Monterey. Beautiful, secluded gardens filled with native plants that make you feel time has stood still since the days of Spanish California. It was very fun and relaxing... Today we are back at home and I had time to do some sewing. I hope to share with you some of my finishes soon. 

Martha

Sunday

Today we enjoyed of a lovely day of spring. The weather was warm and for some reason it felt like the sun was shining brighter. We spent some time in the garden watering the plants and enjoying how the garden is changing. The wisteria blossoms are slowly fading away and the vines are filling up with lush green foliage. My succulents are blooming, which makes me very happy.  For a moment this past winter I was deciding against growing them anymore. The winter hit them pretty hard and I thought maybe the weather around here was not suited for them. But now, that I see they are setting very well in the garden I'm thinking about increasing my collection. Also, the peach tree is looking healthy and it looks like we are going to have a good crop this year. I'm looking forward to making peach jams and preserves.

I also spent some time in my sewing room. It was a good sewing day. I finished quilting  my Star Quilt, now I just need to add the binding... almost there, almost there!

Have a wonderful week!

Martha

Pattern Review

Paper piecing... that is how I spent a big part of my Sunday. And oh boy did I have fun! Diane From Blank Pages asked me to test one of her new patterns. I'm utterly delighted to have tested another pattern for her. Diane is extremely talented and all of her designs are incredible. (You might recall of when I reviewed her pattern Illusion here and the mini quilt I made with the block here). This pattern is the latest one on her series My ABCs an alphabet paper piecing pattern. This pattern contains the numbers 0-9 and 19 common punctuation marks and it is to be used along with her previously released alphabet patterns. 

I made the exclamation point, the question mark and the number 5.  Each block finishes off at 3" tall. So I enlarged the punctuation marks to 150%. I wanted them to be a bit larger because I'm going to use the blocks to make a cushion. The number I made it exactly as it is in the pattern and it is so cute! This is a great pattern and all the instructions provided are very concise and even gives instructions for enlarging the pattern. All in all, a great pattern. I can see myself using it over and over again.

Please visit Diane's blog to check out the release date for this pattern  and the link to her store for the rest of her patterns. 

Martha.

Sarting A New Project: The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt

Ever since I became interested in quilting, I have been fascinated with the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt. I thought I will make that quilt some day... However, trying to accomplish this quilt felt a bit daunting: with all the intricate blocks and tiny piecing. But lately I have been thinking;  I will never feel ready unless I try it. And with some encouragement from Beth who started hers a few weeks ago I think I feel ready for the challenge. Well sort of. Let me share a little secret with you: this is not the first time the I attempt to start. Last week I made a few blocks using fabric from my stash, but I figured I wasn't going to have enough to complete the quilt, so I order more fabric. Well, when the new fabric arrived it didn't complement much the fabric that I had already set aside (lesson learned: late night fabric shopping is not for me, lol). So I reconfigured my fabric choices and I made two new blocks today. Yay, for a second start!

I hope you are having a lovely weekend.

Martha.

Purple

Spring has definitely sprung around here.  Everywhere I look the grass is  lush green and many plants are  in full bloom. Though everyone in the Weekend Doings household has to deal with the pesky seasonal allergies, spring continues to be my favorite season. My dog Mona has been having the hardest time (poor thing she is allergic to so many things), so we have to limit the time she spends outside. Luckily, my allergies are a bit more under control and I can still spend a lot of time outdoors enjoying the warm and sunny weather. Right now, the wisteria vine, one of my favorite plants in the garden is laden with petty blossoms. When standing under the trellises that support the vines there is a soft purple glow from the sun shining through the purple flowers. I just wish that the lovely purple display lasted longer or even all year. 

XX

Martha

Making Progress...

Hi everyone! I hope you had a lovely weekend. I'm very happy that today I was able to make some progress on my Star quilt: I finished the quilt top and basted it. Yay! It is just a few steps closer from being finished  and put to use. I can't wait...

Martha.

March Recap

March went by so fast! I can't believe it is already April 1st. (I hope nobody played any practical jokes on you today!). My favorite part about March was that Spring arrived around here. I love seeing all the plants coming back to life after being dormant all winter. Also, spring means it is time to start planting our vegetable garden! Now I'm really looking forward to what April will bring.

Martha.