Design Wall Monday

And I have something on my wall.

I am trying to decide how I want to set my Snowbound blocks from 2010.  And I am seeking your input.  Here they are with the snowball blocks I am using.  But this is not the way I originally planned.

Here is my original plan using sashing and cornerstones (EQ7).  My problem is that I really like what I am seeing on the DW and, of course, it would be a lot easier to put together.  What do you think?

Also on the DW, way up in the right hand corner, is the beginning of my March Journal Quilt.  I started it late last week but got sidetracked by the UFO that had been “yelling” at me to liberate it from the box it had been sitting in for at least the last 6 months (see it here). 

You see I got all the borders appliqued and the stems didn’t meet like I thought I had planned.  But this weekend I figured out how to finish them to my satisfaction.  However I must say it is not easy to applique flowers when they are now on a queen sized quilt top.  And here we are with the applique borders completed. 

Next came the piano key borders.  Actually, I have them done and they now are on the top, also.  I even staystitched the outside edge so nothing will come apart while I am waiting to be able to quilt it.  I spent most of Sunday putting the backing together.  This quilt is made with 30s repro fabrics, not my favorite.  So I used all of the larger pieces that were left over so it will be a scrappy backing but will be the same fabrics that I used on the front.

But I don’t want anyone to think that I haven’t been enjoying the beautiful weather we have been having.  I have been spending part of every day outside, reading.  What a pleasure that is.  And yesterday I found this: 

This is my first rosebud of the Spring.  Isn’t she beautiful?

Now, hop on over to Judy’s blog to check out all the quilting inspiration there.

Finally, Some Sewing

It seems that anniversary celebrations and recovery from same caused me to do very little in the studio all last week.  But Sunday I made up for all that and this is what is on my Design Wall.

First I completed Blocks 3 & 4 of the LQS BOM: Underground Railroad.  I love the Wagon Wheel block and may consider doing several of these as a whole quilt.

Next was Block 3 of the current Bunny Hill Designs BOM called Henrietta Whiskers.  This is also a great illustration of what happens when you don’t turn the pattern over for fusible applique.  But it is my quilt so it is OK.

And last but not least is Block 3 from Molly’s Place Boots BOM.  It is always fun to go through all the saved scraps to see what will go together for a project and it is rarely what I might have planned.

As of right now I am caught up with all my BOMs and can begin to work on some other projects.

But, before I do that I am starting with a new Weight Watchers group today (this makes 3).  My manager emailed me that there was a group of teachers that wanted to start a WW at work meeting “right away” and so off I go.  At first all I could think of that this takes another day away from the studio but with a little organization, I’m sure I will be able to make it work.

The End

The last part of Universal we visited was SeussVille.  This was where I saw the most quilting inspiration and it was through the colors.  I can’t be as “wonkey” as he was.

 

And the most striking part was the Merry-Go-Round.  Of course that animals are directly out of the Dr. Seuss books

 

and the colors were brilliant. 

I was really taken with this ride, not to go on but to watch.  I’m sure some parents wondered if I wasn’t a stalker as I was taking pictures of the animals and their children just happened to get in the picture, too.

And then it was time to leave the park and get ready to go home.

We had such a wonderful time, some rides, good food, great family visit, and the love of our children than made it possible.  We came home very happy people.

Next week, back to real life and quilting.

Harry Potter at Universal

Probably the most impressive part of Universal’s Islands of Adventure is the Hogwarts Structure in the Harry Potter park.

It sits on a cliff but opens up to the road that leads to Diagon Alley.  The ride is held inside Hogwarts.

This griffin meets you as you enter the building.  Because it is so very dim inside, it wasn’t possible to get very many pictures.

 

Here is the sorting hat, encouraging us through the school.

We were unable to take any pictures during the ride.  We felt like we were soring on a broom, following Harry through the castle, being chased by a dragon, spiders, death eaters, etc.  But in the end we were congratulated by the HP cast for getting through the ride and invited back to Hogwarts, anytime.  I’m ready!

More Universal Pictures

Shortly after we got to Universal we found ourselves watching a river raft ride. DH really wanted to go and after some begging my sister agreed to go with him. My BIL and I decided we would watch from a bridge. This picture is of the rapids that came down to the bridge.

It seemed like we waited forever but finally “here they came.” Watch for the lady in the hat and the bald man, they belong to me.

They came rocking and rolling and were already yelling. It just looked like fun to me so I couldn’t see why they would be yelling. Of course, they were laughing, too.

At this point some of the people seem to see something. I wonder what it could be?

Oh, my, there is a water fall. What’s going to happen?

As my BIL said, “shower anyone?” Our two got soaked. And, I’m afraid, we thought it was really funny. And you’d think they would have been happy that we were there to take pictures of their wonderful time at Universal.

After the above ride, we couldn’t talk them into going on this one. I wonder why?

Tomorrow I will share pictures from Hogwarts and the Dr. Seuss village. What imagination some people have.

Great Food

Did I tell you that my BIL is a chef.  Not as an occupation but as an avocation?  Our first night here he made Spring Rolls because he knows I/we love his so much.  These were actually the leftovers we had on Monday night because we gobbled them down so fast on Saturday that none were left for a pretty picture.

This was our breakfast Sunday morning as we were getting ready to head out to Universal/Harry.  I have to tell you that I was worried that I wouldn’t walk enough to work it off, but no worries later.

When we got back home we had ribs but we were so hungry that I didn’t have time to take a a picture.  I do, however, have a picture of what we had for desert.

Know what this is?  I’ll give you a hint.

Have you guessed?

Not yet?

Here’s another hint coming up…..

That’s right, Smoores!  We made them over the candles in the center of the table: we ate by candlelight by the pool.

Monday morning we had Scones.  This was the one my sister ate: mine was had without jelly and whipped cream.  These were also made by my BIL and they say they taste just like the scones they have when they are CA.

At Universal we at Mythos, a top rated theme park restaurant.  It looks like you are going into a cave, doesn’t it?

This was Mushroom wrapped filet.  And very good, I might add.

 

Crab cake sliders.

 

 

 

 

 

And Pad Thai.  Doesn’t this all look good?  And it WAS!!

I would be showing pictures of what was served this morning but I guess the vacation is over, nothing.  They did make coffee for us but now it must be time for us to get on the road. 

I’ll have one more Universal/Harry post but it will do it tomorrow, at home. 

Inspiration from Hogwarts

To see what is on my design wall, go here.  I have not been in the studio since last Wednesday and will not get back in there until this Wednesday.  Why, you ask?  Well, I am currently in Orlando and am visiting with Harry Potter at Universal Studios Theme Park.    I am here for quilting  inspirational purposes, only.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.  Oh, and I am also visiting with my sister and brother in law (more about them tomorrow).

And here is the happy couple (remember we are belatedly celebrating our anniversary) with their mugs of Butter Beer.  To us it tastes like a light, somewhat sweet root beer and then they put a marshmellowy foam on the top.  It was good but a little too sweet to ask for seconds.  I will, however, be drinking my diet root beer in my mug from now on.

We went Sunday and walked all around the park, checking out all the rides and points of interest and even picking up a couple of t-shirts.  Today we will be going back to go on some of the rides (none of the roller-coaster type ones) and eating at Mythos, a well ranked theme park restaurant. 

The part of the park I was most impressed with is Diagon Alley and Hogwarts. 

This was our first view and with all the people, it reminded me of when all the children and parents were there getting school supplies to go to Hogwarts School. 

 

 

 

 

And you can even buy your own magic wand but I’m guessing they don’t teach you how to use them as well as Harry and Hermione. 

And then on to Hogwarts.  We didn’t go on the ride, yet, but walked through and it is very impressive.  Loved the talking pictures and the little talk by Dumbledore. 

We did visit other parts of the park. Oh, did I say that my sister came with us?  Here we are with one of the participants in Jurassic Park.  I do plan to continue our tour tomorrow so please check back.  Meanwhile be sure to see what people who are at home and sewing are doing by going to Judy’s blog.