It's not a very intriguiing title, is it? It might change if I become inspired. However, here is my latest work-in-progress.

The first layer is gray batik with an appliquéd circle. Second layer is silk organza (printed on my home computer). My Epson will print on just about any fabric as long as it is well trimmed and ironed to freezer paper. The printed crane images are from Dover clip Matsuya Japanese Crest Designs. Funny, the black bars looked great at 10:30 last night. Now that I see them in day light they will definitely have to be redone!

Lastly, I embroidered a crane; the crane image is clip art that comes with CorelDRAW.

Here is my current work-in-progress. I faced the circles and when turning, left just a little of the facing fabric showing. Makes a nice ring of color around the circles with very little work.

I am (im)patiently waiting for my order from Superior Threads to arrive before I can start quilting. I needed a special coloration for this little quilt - Rainbow Mango, Mango! I wish I had one of all of their threads on hand so I did not have to wait even a day or two. Oh BTW, I'm thinking about doing handstitching!?!

Here is the quilt that convinced me that I needed to find a way to improve my fabric cutting skills. It was a consignment quilt - 120" x 120". Yes folks, that is 10 feet by 10 feet!!! It is shown here on a very tall queen size bed. I used Eleanor Burns Quilt in A Day method and it was really not too intimidating. However it is not a quilt that I want to make very often either.

I have not found an iPad app that will cut my fabric for me! However here is the next best thing for the way I work.

First, I have a cutting board with L-shaped bumpers at the back and one side (you can move it to either side). What makes it so perfect for me are the bumpers - I push my ruler up to a bumper and it keeps the ruler straight with much less strain on my hands. The first strip I used to cut would be perfect but as I continued along strips would become increasingly wonky - but no more!

Second, I have my rulers hanging beside my cutting station. If they are easy to see, I am more likely to use the right one for the job. I hang the rotary cutter up so it is out of the way when not in use.

Third, I buy extra rotary replacement blades when I have a coupon for Hancock's or Hobbylobby so that I always have several on hand. Dull blades make for sloppy cuts and tired hands.

Lovely day here in Texas. 102 degrees, not a cloud in the sky. Maybe I should stop looking up and look where I am walking!