A Finish, a Formal, and Snow Washing my rug

I've been working like crazy to get all 110 blocks done for this quilt.   In a previous post I explained how I refound my stash of Thimbleberries fabric and finished up a UFO as well as making this quilt 84" X 88".  I figured it was a good way to use up the stash for good.

 

Well, so much for using up the stash.  But BOY did I make a good dent in it.

Pictured above is how much I have leftover.    I'm ready to work on something new.  This is going back in the closet to be maybe forgotten once again.

This is the backing for the quilt top.  The gold strip was added because I needed more length.  It is positioned between the two matching gold pieces because that particular fabric is directional and the two pieces are not facing the same way. 

Also the color in this photo is way off. . .      my couch is sage green.

This is a better picture of the chrysanthemum print but it's still off.  The background is a rich shade of rust.

Sometimes things happen that just make me smile.  I looked up at my waning spool of thread to see a heart shape as it unwound.

I recently snow washed my looped rug.  I knew I shouldn't put it in the washer and it has been folded at the base of the washer waiting for months.  It snowed last Friday and I decided it was time.  I first shook it thoroughly and then placed in a clean patch of snow.  I covered it with the snow using a broom.  

I beat it with the broom and then swept the snow away.  I should have turned it over and repeated the process but I forgot.

I swept all the snow away,  shook it vigorously again, and brought it inside to dry.  

After I got it inside I noticed some tiny areas that need spot cleaning (the cabin sky etc.) so I quickly got a damp cloth and cleaned those up.  I have a sign at the top of the stairs that says;     NO FOOD OR DRINK ALLOWED DOWNSTAIRS but obviously I have some offenders.

When it was dry I vacuumed it thoroughly.  Ta Da! 

When I have to do it again I think I'll be a little more aggressive.  I was afraid I would damage it somehow with all the moisture but it turned out great.

We had a pumpkin block exchange in my quilt group "Bound Together" in January.  We met last Monday and one of the ladies had put her quilt top together.  There were only 7 of us in the exchange which is an odd number of blocks but I think  she found a fabulous solution.

She also shared this cute star quilt.

Last week one of my granddaughter's needed me to alter a prom dress she had purchased.  She wanted a black formal and the only thing she found (that she liked) needed massive changes.  I had to bring the skirt up in the front, add more fabric to the back top of the dress, take tucks in the front bodice, and add sashes.  It was crazy!  I would have never bought it.

But, she had a great time and I got to be involved in the memory - a bonus.

Now that I've finished the Thimbleberries quilt top I'm going to put a closed sign on my sewing room door.  It's time to accomplish some other things around this house.

Robin