
Despite the gray skies outside, it's a beautiful February day here, because I am surrounding myself with lots of gorgeous color. I've been stitching up a storm! So much so in fact, that I just noticed a little callous on my right index finger (where I grab the sewing needle to pull it through fabric).
All this manic stitching is paying off though, as I'm making wonderful progress on my projects. The hot pad (above) turned out darling; I still need to sew a plastic ring on top to hang it in the kitchen. It's entirely decorative, of course, and will likely never see any serious action near the stove. Let's hope not anyway, because it's only lined with cotton flannel.

"Work" on the hexagon quilt continues... I've added a few more embroidered patches. These are fun, and although they are small, only about 3" in diameter, they seem to take as long as anything because they are so detailed. I'm using just two strands of cotton floss; and occasionally three. And working it all in the tiniest of stitches.

For about a week now, the quilt has been taking shape and growing; I have it all laid out on the floor and have begun stitching various small sections together. I think I'll add another row to make this more of a rectangle though, because it lacks symmetry otherwise, something I didn't consider until I stood back and looked at it. Definitely a learning process as I go along. Every quilt I've ever made has taught me something.

As far as fabrics go, these are mostly older and "vintage" with a few newer prints scattered around. This is a great stash-buster project! Especially for all these small bits--with otherwise limited potential. I wanted to make this quilt bright and colorful, and it is certainly that.

A rainbow of color, that's what.
We frequently get rainbows here in the northwest, and particularly over this back field behind our house at certain times of the day. When this happens, everyone scurries to the windows for a look-see, and if it's good and spectacular we will properly trip over each other to find a camera before the brilliance fades. This was a three camera event rainbow, as I recall.

Inside sewing headquarters...my stash of rainbow colors for stitching everything under the sun. And then some.