Triple Zip-Along, Among Other Things

Though my activities might seem pretty quiet from your perspective, behind this blog, I'm rushing to and fro, keeping up with commitments and activities. Almost all of them are fun.  

Monday evening was the first-Monday-of-the-month Central Florida Modern Quilt Guild meeting. It was the third meeting for our chapter with 19 people in attendance. Though that number might seem small, enthusiasm was high. We're jumping into the deep end with activities, taking on swaps, and BOMs, and a great program for March. I'm really excited about our chapter because everyone who comes is excited too! We'd love it if you'd visit our CentralFloridaMQG blog and check out everything we're doing. While you're there, be sure to appreciate the beautiful logo/header created for us by Emma of ETM Creative, from Des Moines, Iowa (of course!).

If I can share this... I'm totally pumped because Violet Craft, designer of the Madrona Road fabric collection by Michael Miller Fabrics, actually commented on my blog when I posted about finishing my MQG Madrona Road Challenge quilt, "Buckles and Belts." A celebrity quilter came to visit little 'ole me!? I am so humbled. Since commenting, she also emailed to ask my permission to show my Madrona Road Challenge quilt on her blog, as one of her top ten favorites of the challenge. I'm trying not to be too wildly ecstatic about that! Ha!

Buckles and Belts is a quilt into which I put the best of what I know how to do - piecing, appliqué, FMQ and big stitch hand quilting. But it can't go without saying that I received really helpful design input from my dear friend, Carla at Lollyquiltz. There was at least one Skype session when I was hopping between talking to her on my MacBook and the design wall where I moved and arranged buckle blocks and solid strips of fabric! Her input was invaluable. And to think that Carla and I met through our blogs! I don't know how I'd get along without a friend like her - she in Missouri and me in Florida. I thank God, truly, for technology.

UPDATE: Thank you all for your encouragement and support during this challenge. Madrona Road Challenge winners have been posted. Buckles and Belts is NOT one of them.

This week has also seen me participate in Debbie's (AQuiltersTable) Triple Zip-Along. 

The Triple Zip Pouch is 5-1/2" X 7".

If 277 people can join, I figured I can too. You know, you can't start making Christmas gifts too soon! 

Here's Debbie's tute, if you'd like to make one, or two.

Tripe Zip Pouch from the back

We learned this week that our dog, Hogan, needs surgery. He's a 9-1/2 year-old rescued beagle-chow who went into the animal shelter with BB shot near his left eye.

Long story short, he's been blind in that eye for several years. We've been giving him prescription eyedrops to prevent glaucoma, but the battle is lost. His ocular pressure has climbed, and he can't tell us he's been having headaches and pain. After a visit to the opthamologist in the veterinary school at the University of Florida (Gainesville), it's been decided to remove his eye. Surgery is February 20. We're already finding that we're more traumatized by this than he will likely be. No prosthetic eye for Hogan. Apparently they're high maintenance, with the dog continually needing antibiotics to prevent infection. His eye will be sewn shut. Hubby teasingly says he's going to blacken the eye area so we'll have "Hogan The Pirate"! Ar-r-r-gh.

Next week we're excitedly anticipating a five-day visit with our sweet 14 year-old granddaughter, Celina.

By herself, she's flying from Kansas City to Orlando. We'll spend one day at Universal Studios, having a blast at Islands of Adventure. I'm pretty sure I'm just as excited about visiting the Harry Potter activities as she is! I adore those books. Even more, I love having a grandchild visit! Linda