National Sewing Month-Days 24-26

 Daily sewing continues as I celebrate (my word for the year) National Sewing Month. It's hard to believe we are this far into September already. Wednesday was my last day with the grands so after they went to bed and I patiently waited for Crystal and Mike to get home, I stitched more parts onto Circle of Jewels.  Thursday I pretty much was a slug so spent quite a bit of time in the recliner with my hexies and jewel parts. I think I have all the parts ready and now it's time to get serious about the top. Serious is my new term for obsession.

Today I wanted to sit at my machine for a while. I had a stack of 12 18" batik blocks that I wanted to get sewn up. I hung them on the design wall yesterday and today I sat down and sewed them up. In just a few minutes, I had a quilt top. Why did I wait so long to do this!!!  This photo is from my original post-July 20, 2009.   I bet I have a whole new crop of ugliness to make another top.  Not that they are all ugly--a few of them, yes!!--but beauty is in the eye......

The top is 54 x 72.  I think I am going to just quilt it up as is. It will make a nice cuddle quilt for a teen.  Although...I do have some black batik left from this quilt that will make a great border.  I wonder if there is enough for a 6" border and then some fun, scrappy binding.......Would you look at that! A new plan as I write. 

The batik strips came from strip swaps.  I don't even know how many swaps I have participated in over the years. Lots!  Each swap always has a couple of strips that make me go HUH??? but I take them and keep them and used quite a few of them here. I added a few of my favorites strips too.  Now my collection is 5 years larger. It's time to pull our a strips book or 2 and find something fun to make with them. 

Here is a fun picture from retreat. I love sitting back and watching the interaction of my friends. We are such a fun group!