An Interesting Day at the Beach

I believe I was one of the odder sights at the beach we went to this weekend.

Initial Plan

Coming up on the to do list is a neutral log cabin.  So I pulled out and started arranging some tans I purchased recently.  (I must have a deadline I'm avoiding!)

First there are some darker tans.  I think I bought them planning for the floral fabric to be the lightest in this set.  However, despite the pale flowers, I think it reads a bit darker out of the store lighting.

New Plan?

So I tried laying them out another way.  There are so many different shades in that floral piece that it's hard to figure out where to put it, but I'm leaning towards this second layout.

Then there are some lighter tans.  These fell into place much easier.

Now I just have to pick a center for my cabins.  I'd like to follow the neutral theme, but I'm still not sure whether I should go light or dark.  Perhaps a cream solid would work...  Now there's an interesting idea.

Linking up with Let's Bee Social and WiP Wednesday.

Rainbow Hand Quilting - 20%

Once again more time has been spent outside than has been devoted to quilting.  I've hiked three more mountains (for a total of 10 peaks in the last 30 days!), ran a few more miles, and I even got to spend a little time relaxing on the beach!  But my legs have now demanded a break from the madness, so hopefully there will be improved sewing progress in the next week.

There are 20 squares in the panel and I have quilted the first four.  The row with the tiger and the stripes is the center of the quilt; I work my way out from the middle.

I wasn't about to trace all those little dots!

The quilting is easier to see from the back - this rainbow thread stands out really well on the yellow flannel.

The large circle impression is from the quilting hoop.  That will relax out.

I'm pretty happy with how the quilting is coming along, but I'm quickly being reminded of why I didn't like working with this thread the last time I used it.  It unravels all over the place!  I don't know if this is a common issue with variegated thread, but I wouldn't recommend using Mettler variegated.

Linking up with Let's Bee Social and WiP Wednesday.

June Charity

I completed my blocks in June!  (Which is more than I can say for my June cross-stitch box.).

I loved the colors in the June palette and, if I can be honest, I've been looking for an excuse to use these colors for some time now.  And the best part of these blocks is that my husband really liked the colors too.  So as soon as I decide whether to keep the stripe or go more neutral, I'll be headed off to the quilt store to get more slate blue - a fat quarter doesn't make that much background!

So proud!  All my stripes go the same way.

The next question is whether I will be brave enough to try using the tiny triangle pieces I cut off!

Linking up with Let's Bee Social.