Oliver was a little bit early and I was a little bit late with this one.  I couldn’t decide on fabrics, even after I saw a great pattern idea at Karen’s blog.  I am still not 100% sure of the fabric/color choices, but I am overall happy with the design.  I also pieced some maverick stars on the back, and was really happy with the outcome of that.  I will have to try that again, maybe on the front and back next time.

Project Birthday Aprons may be underway shortly, however I seem to have lost a piece of fabric.  Granted I have thousands of pieces of fabric, but I don’t really lose things so I am a little concerned.

Today I walked to Bloomingfoods in a tshirt, jeans and flip flops.  Yay Spring!

Despite the ice on Lake Griffy and the small patches of snow left on the ground, spring finally made it here late last week.  My days off coincided perfectly with two of the most beautiful sunshiny days yet.  Saturday Elizabeth and I took her two dogs out to the lake for a long hike and it was GLORIOUS.  There are even crocus up in my neighborhood and downtown.

And Baby Oliver’s quilt has finally been started.  I was getting worried that by the time I had it all figured out perfectly (which I totally don’t), he would be a teenager.  My interest in quilting can be very up and down and right now I am inspired and working hard on two at once (which is sort of rare for me).

Off to give Going Bovine one more chance.  It is one really strange book.

Thank god that February is behind us and we are into March.  Even though today was sunny and beautiful, there is STILL snow lingering.  This makes about 80 days in a row that we have had snow on the ground.   Today I walked (IN THE SUNSHINE!) down to the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show today and while most of the quilt there aren’t really my style, the colors alone are inspiring enough.  I bought some fabric and gearing up for a long overdue robot/space quilt.  I have had a hard time picking the right fabrics, but think it is time to just start cutting.   The quilt above is finally finished and is for an auction to benefit the Community Kitchen, where a friend of mine is on the board.

Knitting Olympics are officially over (as are the real Olympics) and I ended up with three hats, also to donate.  My goal was four, so sort of fell short but it was also the end of February of which the last two weeks were horrible gray hell.  So what can you do?

Tim’s boss and his wife recently had a baby girl, what better excuse to make a super sweet modern quilt AND Year of Making Stuff Item #34?  I made 6 different blocks with 7 different fabrics and played with the layout.  The fabrics are a nice mix of mellow pinks I had on hand and some fat quarters I received from Regina as a gift, which includes the browns and golds.  I love the total effect.  Today is a gorgeous sunny day…the kind where it was sort of hard to take a good photo of a quilt with lots of white in it.  As always, it looks better in person.

My mom recently told me about the 3/50 Project.  There has been some arguments recently in our city council about banning chain stores downtown.  Some arguments against maintain that chain stores are beneficial to our local community because they are employing people who live here.  We want people employed.  However, this website claims that out of $100 dollars spent in a chain store, $43 stays within the local community.  Compare that to $68 that stays in the community if the $100 is spent at a local brick and mortar store.  Nothing is contributed locally if that money is spent online.  I am lucky to live in a city that does have great local stores and restaurants, but I could do better at supporting them, especially the stores.  I very rarely eat at a chain restaurant, but again I am lucky that there are great local eateries within walking distance to my job and home.  I am trying to do more grocery shopping at my co-op instead of Kroger, and thinking about holiday gifts purchased at local stores.  Think about where you spend your money.  It really might make a difference.

Sunday I strolled around Rosehill Cemetery and took in some beautiful fall color on a glorious day.  In about a week, the leaves will be done and the grays and browns will be here all winter.  Not very inspiring to look forward to, but I am still relishing the seasons and love the chill in the air.  It means knitting, tights, soups, quilts, scarves and gloves.

Baby Berry quilt is finished, but needs a wash and dry before I take photos.  I am rather slowly working on the same knitting project and am starting to outline yet another baby quilt.  They were thinking it might be a girl which turns out to not be the case, so I am thinking of robots.

Halloween is right around the corner, I have plans, a costume idea, candy, and pumpkins still to carve.

Its done.  I feel like it is a little anti-climactic as its been done for a few weeks now, I just hadn’t washed it and hung it to take a proper photo.  Even then, its a little dark at the bottom.  This is the 1200+ piece twin sized quilt that will go to the new shelter for the Middle Way House.  I wrote more eloquently about this quilt back in JUNE!  Heh.  I am glad it is done.  Now I am on to making three baby quilts for friends who are due this winter.  Also, smaller projects. Things I can actually finish!  I am way behind in my YOMS…this is only #31!

I did my last bit of Lotus stuff yesterday, went to the park to watch Ugandan drums and song and check out the parade.  I think the marching bands just aren’t measuring up to the one three years ago.  I did my unorganized volunteer shift as a door watcher at the Methodist Church (vacuuming between pews after included!) and went back to work today.

We also picked new dates to meet up for the Cutters Craft Brigade!  Third Sundays at 5:30pm at Fountain Square mall (at least for October and November).  Join us for craftiness and possibly snacks.

What a crazy week, and the weekend isn’t even over.  Mid-week I got sick and skipped two days of work which is unheard of for me!  Overlapping my days home, Tim got a sinus infection and it was a pitiful day and a half around here with several DVDs and some soup.  We had tickets to Kings of Leon on Friday, and I was actually feeling better, but there wasn’t anyway Tim could go.  So thanks to Steph, we unloaded those tickets, and I headed to Lotus with Jenn (which was my original plan anyway).  I had a great time at Lotus, with my favorite being the Watcha Clan from Marseilles.  Close second would go to either Prano Graszt from Hungary or Los de Abajo.

Today I am going to check out Kinobe & Soul Beat Africa (Ugandan song, dance and drums) in the park before I head over to my volunteer shift at Lotus.  After the crappy weather yesterday, today is gorgeous!

Finally finishing the twin sized quilt with 1260+ pieces took up most of my craft time in September.  It’s done, I am so relieved and ready to move on to other things!  Faster things!  It isn’t washed yet, so hence, no photos but soon dear Internet, soon.

I realized today that I have taken very few photos this months.  I need to get back in the habit of taking the camera out at any old time and snapping a few photos.  Don’t know why I haven’t.  Fall in Indiana is glorious.

Today I went with Jenn to Nashville and Gnaw Bone for a lovely outing and to do some shopping.  We had good luck at the flea market on 46, where I bought this perfect little sewing box for 10 bucks and two softball bats for Tim for 8.

Junk in one person’s basement is a treasure to someone else.  I scored a “new” bike from some friends who have moved to Indy and definitely were not taking this bike with them.  I love it!  It is a little creaky, and only one speed, but perfect for tooling around town.

My knee has been somewhat slow to heal (and annoying), so this week has been slow.  Tim and I did have a nice First Friday date last night and even played some pool at the Vid.  But I haven’t been able to finish any little projects lately, but it isn’t for lack of crafting!

Update: 50 out of the 320 blocks are sewn together, leaving 270 to go.  Not too bad!

Also, come and join the Cutters Craft Brigade’s Facebook group!  Residency in Btown not required, only a love of crafts.