Waiting For Spring

I fell off the wagon last weekend.

The remainder of a Borders gift certificate (thanks again to the Florida Knechts) was burning a hole in my pocket, and I was out for a rare evening with my sister, so we ended up at the bookstore. (To clarify, only three of the books here are from this recent trip and, yes, I do have bookshelves, they just happen to be full.  So sue me.)

Now, bookstores of all kinds are for me what quilt shops are for quilters who don't own one.  I could spend hours just perusing the shelves.  And while many friends extol the virtues of the electronic devices for reading, I can't understand giving up margin notes and reading while I eat.  And most importantly, what do you use for home decorating? 

This comes around to sewing because having new novels in the house means that my attention is diverted from the sewing machine, where it should be focused.  I am a rabid user of audio books for this reason, but nothing in the world replaces a beautiful new book that I can hold in my hands.  So I've been reading while the rain has poured and the winds have blown in recent days, and then the guilt overwhelms me and I turn on the iron.

But now I am on to my last new book (the newest Father Tim novel by Jan Karon, In The Company Of Others, for all those old Mitford fans out there) and I am not such a greedy reader with it, not needing to read it straight through right now.  So last night I put the binding on our newest baby quilt, an Attic Windows using a new panel from Benartex: Baby Geniuses Speak Up.  Judy Castle quilted a very cute teddy bear design in the outer border - be sure to look at it when you visit with us.

In the last week I've also made a spring table runner that had long been on my "to do" list.  This Cottage Basket Table Runner is from Nancy Halvorsen's book Cottage Charms (Art To Heart) and it's one of those pieces that looks much more complicated than it is --just takes time for the fusible applique and blanket stitching.  How cute for spring, right?  The little bunny bag is also from the same book.

See the Easter eggs in the picture?  We have classes coming up for both the Yo-Yo Egg at right (March 26th) and the folded fabric eggs in the basket (April 9th), so let us know if you want to add these lovely eggs to your list of Easter goodies.  (Time is of the essence for the Yo-Yo Egg; you'll need to make your yo-yo's in advance.)

Here's something else that's new - more colors of Wool Felt!  Can't you see an Easter egg or two in that lovely shade of lavender called Hydrangea?  Yummy.

Tomorrow is our morning class in the easy Mitered Placemat (you can still join us - just show up at 9 am with your sewing machine and fat quarters).  Tonight I'll prep for that and, well, maybe read just a little bit.