Mark It, not Market

A lot of bloggers are posting about quilt market.  With my full time job, that is just not something I can handle now.  So instead of Market,  I am posting about "Mark it" as in "mark your spot in that book you are reading.
The last couple of weeks have been interesting to say the least.  I have been helping a friend who had surgery and then went back into the hospital after a sudden scare with his heart.  Good news there, he is doing well.  There are still a number of things he simply can't do, as he cannot bear weight on his foot.  So I am helping.  Of course this falls on top of my regular duties helping Mom and just "visitin'" with her.  Last evening we went out to supper and did a little shopping. 

I am not complaining at all; just trying to explain why my usual posting has changed.  I am enjoying caring for them both.  (Hey, I like feeling needed!)  However, when I have some down time, I do like to just have some being time, time to rest and refresh.  Hence, not much else gets done.
 However, I did take an hour to sew out two little book marks (see I did get back to that!)

Rose bookmarks each is 1.33"(w) x 3.87"(h)

These are the same design, just a different color. I love the open rose design.  This free standing lace reminds me of cutwork.
Anyway, one of these is a "semi-surprise" for a friend -said friend sometimes reads this blog.  The other was made with a thought in mind. I haven't done any swaps in a while.  So here is my proposal:
If you have something you would like to offer to swap for the extra one, tell me what it is (and if you can, a picture would be nice.)  Tell me which of these you would prefer to get. ( the surprise can wait a bit, and I don't care which I send to the surprisee.)  Due to postage this is USA only. 
I will leave this open a day or so and post the results when it is closed.

CLOSED!  I decided to trade with Donna for the book. I love the idea of trading a bookmark for a book. Ha ha. It has a certain irony to it that I find amusing. 

Saturday Afternoon Sewing

Saturday morning I went to a Floriani Event and met Beth Moon who is one of their educators.  She talks Southern, being from Alabama, so we had a great time.  I learned a few new things and brushed up my stabilizer knowledge.

Then I spent the afternoon and evening sewing on my Tumbler quilt.  I did two more sections -which will complete the top.

I also used up some scraps and extra strips and charms to "make cloth" -i.e. piece the back.   Funny thing is I like the back piece as much or better than the front.

My buddy said " Hey!  That tan strip has a problem- it gets skinnier toward the end"  I said "Yes I know, but the green one next to it does too.  They just face opposite directions so it works out."
LOL...there is always a critic!  (just kidding)
The nice part about this is that I had very little cutting to do - the tumblers were already cut and I still have spares! So it was nice mindless sewing for the most part.  I am still helping the buddy that had surgery.  A week or so after the surgery, he (probably) threw a small blood clot and went into atrial fibrillation.  After a few days in the hospital and numerous scans, he was sent home on a blood thinner.  He is currently doing well, but still needs help occasionally.  (so I am zoinked - I need a vacation.) If the posts are sparse for a bit, or I don't comment on your blogs, forgive me .
I am thankful for all my friends and readers. Today in church one of our sopranos and I sang a duet.  I am told we did well.  It is a real joy to sing praises.  Have a great week, y'all (you folks, people,  you'se guys, etc)

Side Trip - Shopping Trip

I had to go on a trip to rescue a friend who was in the hospital and was being released.  But on the way, I stopped by a store that is not really a quilt shop or fabric store. Another friend had scored a nice fat quarter bundle (at a great price) in the chain store near her home.  I must say I had a bit of longing to find such a deal  Ha!
I hit the store just as the doors opened for the day.  I went up and down a few aisles and found some shower curtain hooks that were much needed.  Then I spied one lonely fabric pack, so I picked it up.  At the end of that aisle there was an end cap that was a gold mine for me.  Yikes! what to get???
When in doubt, buy it all.  LOL  Not really but I was shocked at how much I had spent when the cashier rang it up.  Just over fifty dollars.  My planned budget was "no more than $30."  Oh well! I didn't go over that much.
Here is what I got - minus the shower curtain hooks ($6)
Uh, just ignore the ironing board cover.....

Let's see: I got three 12 packs of fat quarters, one 15 pack of fat quarters, three stacks of 100 five inch squares and one roll of 24 jelly roll strips.  The 15 pack of fat quarters is Free Spirit by Westminster. The are all as pretty as the one on top- big vivid florals.
The 5" square packs are:
100 red/black/white; 100 pastel blenders; and 100 grey/black/gold.  The grey/black/gold is unusual for me.  I almost never buy grey so I am trying to stretch.
The roll of strips will be offered to a co-worker if she is interested. were purchased with a co-worker in mind.  I gave her a jelly roll that I bought and decided that I would probably never use. She used it to make a lap quilt - then I wished I had kept it. LOL.
I think I made a great purchase at Tuesday Mornings.  Thanks for the heads up Barb.

An Explanation and a Painting

First is the explanation.  I have been quiet for a few days.  The fact is I have nothing made from this time to show.  Life has gotten in they way of sewing.  I did get an email telling me that I won a nifty ruler called "Angler 2"  so I will tell you about it when I get it.

As many of you know, I was once a very active painter.  I have numerous canvases and paintings on watercolor paper adorning my home.   I have even more paintings in stacks and boxes.  Ha ha..maybe in years to come (after I am gone) I will get discovered and they will sell for millions.  (just kidding)

I am going to share this painting that I named "Herewith"

This is a somewhat abstract night scene landscape with the moon peeking out from a smoky blue cloud. The moon is reflected several times on the "watery" surfaces in the landscape. To me, the mood of this painting is somewhat mysterious and romantic.  One of the things I love most about this painting is the color scheme and intensity.  Is it any wonder that I like to use batiks, brights and hand dyed fabrics?