stitchin' up a storm

This isn't news to the observant,

(I gave it away in this post)

but - I've been hand quilting for the past week.

I know.

I wasn't going to.

I'm not normally a wishy-washy person,

but this quilt,

it just wants what it wants...

Turns out,

the quilt was right;

it's far too luscious 

to quickly FMQ and be done with it.

This is a pleasure project, after all.

That said, though,

I think I may FMQ the (remaining octagon of the ) stars blocks.

I know.

I know.

I said I wasn't seeing mixed quilting in this one.

But I think I can see it now.

Plus,
as much as I am enjoying working on this quilt,
I do have lots of other projects I need to get to,
and not just a ton of time to get to 'em...

Linking up with Do-it-Yourselfer Lee

In the past week,
I've also made 2 dresses (1 for Lily and 1 for myself)

 and started on a couple of belly bands for my KacyGirl 
and got 3 grocery bags for another gift 1/2 finished -
but no photos of any of that.

In addition to sewing, I also read about sewing.

We got

Stitchin' and Pullin: A Gee's Bend Quilt

from the library a few weeks ago.

I'd read it to myself, but I hadn't read it to Lex, and I knew she'd love it.

When I read it to the girls, I got choked up a few times.
Sweet book.

We'll need to check it out again.

And now I need to add 'research Gee's Bend Quilts' to my list...