Orca Bay Clue #2-blue strings

I had so much fun sorting my strings. I was amazed that I had so many blue strings. And I did not even open my Pineapple block container that has a few pounds of strings!
These blocks are so tiny and sweet!
I press my strings before sewing them to the foundation paper. Then a good finger pressing is all that is needed before trimming. The paper is still on these blocks.

 My Sony Wega TV died last week. It did not go quietly. It was very scary. I am glad I was in the room when it happened. Electricity and I do not mix well. I have a very healthy respect for it's dangers.

Hubby did some searching for me and he found a 46" Sony Bravia LCD on clearance! I went and bought it immediately. Not only is it 10" larger than the old TV. It is 30 pounds lighter and is nearly totally flat. It fits so nice on my corner stand.
There is now a ledge for my TV watching MaggieMae to sit on. She used to have to watch it from the end table.

 She knows there will be a flash and always shuts her eyes. Smart kitty!

 She is watching her favorite channel. Animal planet of course. I also have a DVD called "A Cat Sitter". All kinds of little creatures making small sounds and moving around so she can chase them across the screen. The only issue I have is that her little body does block the remote control's signal.
My cats are not spoiled at all! HA!

 I love sewing with Presencia thread. I use 50 weight on top and the 60 weight for bobbins. I have matching colors in both weights. They do make a 40 weight but I am in love with King Tut for the top quilting thread. I have emptied one of the 50 weight cones. That is a lot of thread! This thread is 100% cotton and there is almost no lint.
I had been using SO FINE! by John Flynn for bobbin threads. But I have been having issues with it. It sews wonderfully and is great for piecing until I noticed that if I use a good hot iron (and who doesn't) it MELTS AWAY!  It is a polyester thread. The seams then open like a zipper. So I will only use it for quilting now not for piecing. Bummer!

I have all my reds cut up for the Quiltvilleswap exchange. I could not resist making a few red string blocks. But then I decided I had better stop making them as we do not know the size for the Orca Bay red string blocks yet!

Lots of sewing not much blogging

I seem to be in a "funk" I cannot explain. I am getting lots of sewing done yet feel like being a hermit and not sharing. What is going on with me? I do not think I am depressed just withdrawn....but I still love you all!

I keep working with these scraps and more and more items are getting made! And I still have more scraps! I made a sample Log Cabin block before cutting into Gladys' fabric. We want Log Cabin blocks all around the border on her Deer Quilt. As a result I ended up making four blocks and they became place mats! WHOOHOOO!

 I joined another swap of neutral 2 1/2" strips. This swap is connected to Bonnie Hunter's Yahoo group "Quiltvilleswap". I have swapped with them many times. I cut up and bagged these strips in record time. I will get them in the mail on Friday. It is so exciting to get the return packages back. I get so much variety in my scrappy fabrics swapping this way!

 I am the Hostess on the Yahoo group called "Postage Stamp Swap". We/I swap 1 1/2" squares of fabrics that we call Postage Stamps. I am hostessing neutral swaps and Everything But the Kitchen Sink" swaps on alternating months. This keeps me on my toes and on a first name basis with my Post Office workers!

 And here they are just before I left for the Post Office. I love these pink crates. So girlie and yet so functional. And I just remembered I neglected to take a picture of my newest purchase for organization. I found a hot pink/purple 3 ring binder and spent the day punching holes in all of my Bonnie papers. I will have all her wonderful patterns and tricks in one great location! Pictures to follow.

 I LOVE MY BREAD MACHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Look at this perfect loaf. Yummy too!

 Here is one of the 48 Log Cabin blocks I have made for the Deer Quilt. I added two small framing borders to the quilt today. Now I need to add more fabrics to the outsides to make them accept the Log Cabin blocks. I am thinking this quilt will be a BIG 112"X120"! Gladys said she wanted it BIG!

A basket of strips that made the Log Cabin blocks.