Workshop in Progress -2/16

I'm sad to say I missed a couple of Workshop's in Progress.  I didn't mean to, I just got so busy that I didn't have time to post.  And I was actually working on some things.  I do have a question this week, though.  I have been hand quilting my Nicey Jane Quilt and I love the way it's coming along.  (wish I could be working on it, but see yesterday's post for why I can't).  I outlined each pinwheel 1/4" from the edge with Pearl Cotton #8

and then I came back in to each square and did a series of four circles, each 1" larger than the previous.

My question is this:  What should I do in the borders?  I'm thinking of doing a fan or maybe some feathers. But I'm just not sure.  I'm totally open to suggestions.  This border is four inches wide and I had cut the strips too short and had to come up with that funny little wedge in the corner since I didn't have enough of the blue fabric to cut new borders.  It doesn't show up too much in this picture.

So, what would you guys do?

Too Much

Well, I admit it...I can occasionally become obsessed with things.  And I've done it recently with my Nicey Jane Quilt I told you about here.  I have had the top layered up for awhile, but became obsessed with that crewel pillow I bought on Ebay.  A few weeks ago, I got the quilt back out and started hand quilting it with Pearl Cotton #8 in white.  It's fun to do and I had forgotten how much I enjoy hand quilting.  It gives me a project to work on while G and I watch TV at night.  But....I think I may have gone overboard, cause this is what my finger looks like right now.

See how red and swollen that knuckle is?  The finger won't even bend very far.  It's been like that for days and I still keep coming home and quilting every night.  What is wrong with me?  I have decided to let the finger rest for a few days (sob) and see if it gets better.  I'm thinking I can still work on my hexagon project while I waiting, right?

G and I had a quiet Valentines day at home.  I picked up a wonderful salad with fresh grilled flank steak on the way home and we watched the latest Masterpiece Theater.  It was really good.  It's called Any Human Heart.  We just finished watching the last Masterpiece Theater series; Downton Abbey.  Also really good and they say they are in production for a second season of that one.  It was so beautifully shot, gorgeous scenery, beautiful costumes.  And then this is what I made for desert.  Tahitian Vanilla Bean Gelato with my homemade hot fudge sauce and chopped walnuts.  YUM!

Workshop in Progress - 2/2

Okay, week two of the commitment and here I am posting again!  I am SO impressed with myself....well, we will see how I am doing three months from now!  I started the next border on the quilt I posted last week.  This border has curved seams and when I first started on the quilt a couple of years ago, I thought I would hand piece this one because of the curved seams.  But, I found these cool templates.  Then I treated myself to that rotary cutting mat that spins.  I waited for the 50% off sale at JoAnn's and bought it then.  I LOVE it.  It really makes the job easy when you are cutting all the way around a template.  Usually, I just try and contort my arms around the whole thing and then I end up with the piece way out of kilter.

So, check out my first attempt at this tiny curved seam....

I only have to make 109 more of these for Border No 5 in this quilt.  I don't really have a question for this week's workshop, just posting progress on a quilt I started on five years ago!

I also signed up for the Create! A Project a Day that Scrap Studio is hosting.  She issued a challenge to do something creative every day in February.  I signed up because I thought it might "unblock" me.  I certainly could use a jumpstart these days.  So, on Day 1 I sewed up the completed crewel into a pillow.  I didn't have the correct sized pillow insert but I wanted to shoot a pic for the blog so I put the next size down into it.

As soon as the ice melts, I'll run out and get a bigger pillow form.