A Calmer Day

There were no catastrophies today because I decided to take a break from cleaning and hang out in the Sweat Shop instead. I'm trying hard to balance the need to get everything cleaned and organized with the need to not overdo it with my hands, so it seemed wise to take the day off. (Besides, I'm always pretty good at justifying whatever I want to do, remember?!)

So what DID I do? You know what? I'm not really sure! It seems like I spent just about the whole day in the Sweat Shop and only made two blocks. It's weird how time speeds up and slows down that way, isn't it? Yesterday the new block pattern for the Jelly Roll Sampler Quilt Along was posted, and it's a neat one! I made two versions of the block today--and I suppose embroidering the design on the first one DID take some time, so I guess that's where half my day got sucked up now that I think about it.

The embroidery design is called Bat Boy, and it's a free pattern on the blog of Andrea Zuill. (Click HERE to get to her blog, and while you're there, check out her embroidered dog portraits--really cool! You can also click into "free patterns" in her side bar under "categories.") After finishing that block, I wanted to make a second one using the same pattern but with no embroidery, so I pieced a pumpkin for the center of the second block:

Eventually I'd like to end up with 16 blocks for a four-by-four block setting. And since I've been playing with the idea of using a twist-and-turn setting for these, tonight I started to think about ordering some extra fabric while it's still available here and there, and guess what? I found a source online that had several fabrics from the Spooktacular line at just under $3 a yard. SCORE! I ordered enough to use it as a backing too. I love finding bargains on something I really like, don't you?!

I think it's back to cleaning tomorrow, but I hope I won't have any catastrophies to report by the end of the day. Thanks for stopping by to visit!