A lack of sewing time

My husband left on a fishing trip and you would think that would give me lots of extra time for bonding with my sewing machine.  No!  I had watering to do.  He planted an extensive vegetable garden, has flowers all over the back and front yard.  I cut grass and did some weeding as well.  His pretty weeds that were flowering are gone.  And the freezer got emptied, defrosted and reorganized in readiness for his return with a cooler full of salmon, halibut and cod.  He didn't disappoint me but another day was spent in packaging the fish and using my vacuum sealer, labelling and again, keeping my freezer organized.  Of course, as soon as he roots through it looking for something, all will be chaos once more. 

I did manage to make some more of the slab blocks for Calgary.  Am taking a class with Sheryl Arkinson tomorrow and she is the author of the book, Sunday Morning Quilts and is willing to put the slabs into quilts for donation to the flood victims. 

We are making these blocks in the class tomorrow and I was a bit concerned that I have already practised by making lots of them but I know that I will learn something new and I will take red and purple fabrics with me and make more blocks to donate to Calgary.... or, maybe start a quilt for me from them? 

I did teach a class this past weekend on this cute table topper.  I seem to have enough table runners but can use more toppers so this was perfect for my tv room end table. A lot of channel quilting on this and I used my Pfaff machine that I cursed the entire time.  I totally detest this machine but needed it for the appliqué.  If anyone wants my machine and thinks they can get it to work, make me an offer!  I love Pfaff... but not this machine.  It is not my friend.

I have a quilt on my design wall made from a layer cake that will be a top that will get donated to the Calgary flood victims.  A friend gave me the Holly Taylor cake plate set and asked if I could piece a top to hand in on Friday and I made something quick and simple so it would be done by today.  

Am also working on a kit I bought from Hamel's quilt shop at the Fraser Valley Quilt show in June and am determined to have the top pieced before the end of July... in keeping with my new rule that any kits purchased must be stitched up immediately!  No adding to the UFO bin allowed. 

And then there is my fifty shades of gray challenge... am thinking... looking at ideas.... just need to do it.