This week I spent some time with my family slinging, straining and jarring honey.  We started keeping bees 3 years ago.  It hasn't been an easy journey, but finally we were able to get some honey.  Actually we got 2 1/2 gallons off one small super.  It looks like we will probably get more this summer.  In a week since we took the frames with the honey and replaced them with empty frames they have already drawn them out.  These are some hard working bees.  We had Russian bees and Italian bees and they didn't work out.  These bees are local Virginia bees. 

The bees seem to have worked some tulip poplars, that is one thing known to make the honey darker and it is in our area.

On the sewing front I am now machine quilting my sister's quilt.  I found this gorgeous batik 106 inches wide and am using it for the backing.  I was going to frame the front in it, but decided not to.  I am going to use it as the binding also.

Of course I have lots of other projects waiting on the sideline.  I am finishing sewing the binding on the green quilt and it is about 3/4 of the way done.  When it is finished I will get a picture to share.

Sew Long for Now

I did the Color Me Happy block for May.  I love working with these batiks.  A friend who is also doing this one said that they are hard to quilt through, but I love the look of them so much I hope it makes it worth it.

 

 I finished piecing the quilt for my sister for her birthday.  She bought a coffee shop in her town and I thought something with a coffee theme would be nice.

I have to tell you a story, I was trying to stand on a chair to take a picture of the quilt looking down so I could get a nice view of the pattern.  I didn't use a pattern I made up how to piece it and I wanted to get a good look to see how I felt about the placement.  I fell off the chair, I landed on my feet, but the chair tipped over into my calf and I ended up falling against my dresser.  I have pain in my back and hip still today and a nice bruise on my leg.  I am so glad I didn't break anything.  The things we do without thinking....I bought a nice teal quilting thread and I am going to get a matching backing and binding to give a little color or maybe use a teal for a border and then use the rest of the coffee bean fabric for the binding.  I will have to decide in the next day or two because her birthday is the 5th of June.

I am hoping to get a binding on my green quilt over the next week and get the batting and backing for my sister's quilt.  I have a long list of things to get caught up on.  Yesterday I went to BOM meeting for the Memory Lane quilt and they had this new line of fabric I just loved!  It was all I could do not to buy any, I really need to finish up some things before I start others.

Sew Long for Now!

I have the best children in the world.  They spoil me when they can.  For Mother's Day they surprised me with new quilting rulers and thread, what more could I ask for. 

I finally finised the Memory Lane row for April. 

Since the first picture is a little hard to see I tried to get a closer picture.  The blocks were relatively easy, but meeting those points when joining the blocks was a bit harder.  Let's just say my seam ripper had a work out on this one.

Yesterday I went on a road trip with two quilting friends.  We went to Patchwork Plus in Dayton, Va.  I had purchased the first two fabrics in the above photo at a local quilt shop and I was looking for something to go with them to make a quilt for my sister.  I found the last two in Dayton.  I love them, especially the last one.  It's called Marblehead by Ro Gregg for Paintbrush Studio.  I haven't seen anything like it in our local shops and it blends great with the original purchase.  I also bought a piece with fish on it to start thinking about a quilt for my Daddy.  We went to Rachel's Quilt Shop in Staunton, Va and I purchased a book called Adoration Quilts by Rachel W.N. Brown.  She is the shop owner and she personalized the book with a note and autograph.  It has lovely applique for Christmas.  The last place we stopped was The Quiltery in Fairfield, Va.  This little shop was a gem.  We got there 20 minutes before they closed so I was so overwhelmed with all they had and their great prices that I just couldn't chose.  I decided since it is only an hour from my house I will be returning there in the future when I have more time to spend.

I am feeling a little crazy right now as I look around at all the projects I have started and all the ideas I suddenly have.  I am almost finished the May block for the Color Me Happy project.  I still have April's blogger BOM to do and soon the May block will be posted.  I have my mother-in-law's quilt to finish the borders on.  I have many more pieces to cut for the next cross quilt.  Now, I have added a quilt for my sister and I am beginning to think of doing one for my Daddy.  Wow, I really need to get organized and finish some of these projects.

Sew Long for Now

The table topper was finished and delivered.  I want to do another one in reds, whites, and blues now that I have learned some things.

I have been working on piecing the next row of the Memory Lane quilt.  The flying geese were fun to make.  I would like to trim them up and get these six blocks pieced and then the row put together by next week. 

I went with a friend of mine to our local quilt guild meeting this past week.  Show and tell was very inspirational!  My friend loaned me a lot, and I mean a lot of quilt magazines to browse though.  So much to see and get ideas from.  I am also excited because we are going on a road trip next week to a quilt shop.  It will be so fun. 

Today is my wonderful husband and I's 26th anniversary.  I got a sweet txt from him this morning telling me he looks forward to 26 more years.  He is a special guy and I love him dearly.  He has encouraged me in my sewing all our married life and I feel truely blessed to be his wife.

Sew Long for Now

 I finished piecing the table topper for my Momma for her birthday, only have to quilt it and it will be ready to give her next week.  I made a few mistakes, but learned quite alot and I love the look of the little pinwheels!

 I started the next row in the Memory Lane quilt.  It has these cute blocks with adorable reproduction fabric!

It has been busy with end of the year activities for the children's outside activities so that's about all I have accomplished this past week.

I have the April blogger's BOM to do, the rest of the Memory Lane row, cutting out the rest of 2nd cross quilt, and sashing my mother-in-laws quilt. 

I was also trying to find a quick project to do for my sister's birthday in June.  She has been so good to me this year and I can never repay her for all she has done.  I think she likes a more modern style.  I will have to be looking around.

Sew Long for Now