Surviving Back to School

My well-meaning thought that I would blog every day crashed just as quickly as I started.  Our family has managed to survive back to school (barely) and we are all getting back in to our routines.  Right now it is a bit busier than it usually is in our family.  Two nights of musical rehearsals has been added to the calendar for both my girls.  They were cast by a local theatrical group in the musical Annie.  They are both pretty excited.  On top of that we have our standard music and dance lessons plus my oldest daughter started band this year.  Each night we are treated to the squeaks melodious sounds of a new trumpet player in the house.  My youngest has also started as a teacher's assistant in dance every Saturday morning.  This has me on the road every day of the week until the end of November...then a little sanity will return.  On the plus, it gives me an outlet for some built up creative juices...helping out with the school choir this year, assisting at the dance studio when needed, and helping with costumes for the musical.  Fun and exciting times!!!

My shawl was finished a while ago and I LOVE it.  Crocheting the end as the bind off was something new for me.  An artist friend in Ottawa took the instructions that I messaged to her and she sent me back step by step photos showing how to do it.  So happy I have friends that understand the need for visuals!  My photo isn't awesome...sorry...I'll try to get some better ones up but in the meantime this is what I have.

I love how the colour changes worked out and the beautiful scalloped look developed in the patterned border.  I'm now anxious to get a new project on my needles...but I am out of yarn.  Imagine a spinner out of yarn!

In the meantime, I have decided to clean out some bins of UFO's. I should count how many are there so you can keep me honest. 

UFO #1: Lone Star Quilt

The strip sets were sewn 6 yrs ago just before life decided to give us a good jolt.  This week the sets were pulled out, ironed, and cut on the 45 degree angle.  They are ready to pin and sew.  That is my goal to start this evening (wish me luck...I have a sick girl at home and she has shared her cold with me...like I said, we getting back in to the school routine!)

The fabrics shown here are a line called "Chocolat" by Moda designed by "3 Sisters".  I purchased it as a kit for the Texas Truffle quilt.  I will probably modify it slightly as I'm not particularly fond of the floral appliques in the corners. I loved, loved this fabric line as soon as I saw it.  My shelves are full of remnants...how can you go wrong with something called "Chocolat"...really??!