My name is Lisa, and I surivived paper piecing.

The second birthday block for August was the Broken Heart block (from Quilter's Cache), chosen by Margaret. She asked for the block to be done in off-white / cream / beige and 30s reds and yellows. There were two sets of instructions provided for this block - traditional piecing and paper piecing. I tried the traditional piecing but I couldn't get the final blocks to measure up right. Onto the paper piecing.

While at Scotty Dog QS for fabric I received a little paper piecing pep-talk from store owner, Brenda Lou. If I remember correctly, she said she taught the very first paper piecing class here in Eureka seventeen years ago! So I headed home... thought about it for a couple of days and finally took a deep breath and dove in. Five or so hours later it's finished. This block stretched my abilities in quality of work and my attention span. I'm glad it's done and I'm glad Margaret chose it.

Rigby and Lil' Sgt. Pepper

Here's Nell's birthday block for August. She chose a pet theme and I had originally planned on making a turtle but time was running out and I wasn't happy with the turtle pattern I had. I actually got the orange striped fabric from the Obnoxious Fabric Swap I participated in a few months ago! I think it's not quite so obnoxious now. ;)

Apron Swap

So the apron for my partner in the Apron Swap was finished on Sunday and mailed yesterday. She should be getting it by Thursday at the latest. I hope she likes it! I used a Butterick pattern that was at times quite challenging to read. After just as much ripping as sewing it finally came out just right. I added a second pocket and some lace trim in a few places. The pattern called for a back strap between the shoulders in the back but they felt constrictive so I took them out. The straps don't seem to have any problems staying on so I hope my partner is okay with that.

In the end I forgot to take a real finished picture other then a half-way photo and one of my husband modeling it for me. At first he insisted that I was not to post it on my blog, but after begging him I think he feels okay about it now. ;) Perhaps my partner will take a picture and I can remove his incriminating photo.

I also received my apron from Randi from Italy. It's so cute and very useful. I love the pattern and fabric. It has straps that criss cross over the back and then button on the sides. I'm thankful that Randy included multiple button holes so I could button the straps on the shortest length possible. The double pocket is great, and the front pocket has a couple of channels in it that are great for a marking tool, seam ripper, or rotary cutter. I had asked for an apron that I could wear while sewing because I'm always losing my tools!

Birthday Block Swap

I joined the "Birthday Block" swap on About.com. I signed up into a group with 23 other swappers. Everyone is assigned a "birthday" month (may or may not correspond with their actual birthday). They list their preferences for what they want and then when their month comes they receive blocks from the rest of the swappers. For example...

My month is March and I chose Hawaii as a theme. Make any block that reminds you of Hawaii. When my month comes around, the other 23 swappers will each make a block for me. It's a really neat way to get blocks of all different techniques, talents, and fabrics. Then in turn I make blocks for everyone during the year. Each month I only have to make two blocks and that's it! I'm probably not doing a very good job at explaining it so if you're confused then I apologize. You'll probably figure it out as I post the blocks I've made each month.

July was assigned to Christine and Diane. Christine asked for garden themed blocks, flower or vegetable. I made a little tomato block with machine applique. Diane asked for 12'' star blocks with blue and white fabrics. The block is called Amish Star (from Quilter's Cache) but I made a mistake when sewing the corners on and got a different design. I was a little bummed, but by the time I was finished with it I wasn't up to taking it apart.

So far the swap is a lot of fun. It's really not so bad to make just two blocks a month. I've got to get cracking on August's blocks and I'll post soon. I'm also finishing up an apron for an apron swap I joined. Expect pics from all of these swaps soon!

Mamma Mia!

So to get back in the swing of blogging I will do a mini review of Mamma Mia. I'd really wanted to see this since I saw the previews months ago so I took the girls on Thursday. I wasn't terribly sure that they'd like it so much but they loved it just as much as I did. In fact, I can hear them in their bedroom singing along with the soundtrack right now, "Don't gooo wasting your emotionnns, laayy all your love on meee!"

We liked it so much that we dragged Gabe with us on Saturday night to see it again. Isabella was sure to keep her dad from falling asleep; but even he is now finding himself singing the songs all the time. If you think you might like it, or even if you think you might not like it, my suggestion is to go see it in the theater right now. It's a really *great* movie.

Now off to see what my little dancing queens are up to....