Awesome day yesterday!

As planned, I did spend the day at Dawn's sewing and it was quite the productive day.  At the top of my list was to finish the color catcher string block top that I posted about here.  I finally decided on a layout, but needed 4 more blocks first.  I happened to have exactly 4 more color catcher foundations on hand from washing my aunt's quilt.  I pieced those first using the strings from the scrap bag I just finished cutting up to add variety to the strings I had already used.  Actually, I found out that I must have previously cut up some amount from that bag as some of the fabrics had already been used, so I think I got even more from the bag then I thought.

Here is the almost finished top.  I say almost finished because Dawn and I concluded that the yellow squares need some sort of applique in them as they are so large.  First we were thinking hearts, but those don't really go with the overall look or name of the quilt, which we are calling All That Jazz because it reminded her husband of New Orleans and Mardi Gras.  I already have a quilt named Mardi Gras so that name was out.  Then I thought of purple flowers with a yellow center, but that doesn't really go either, so now I'm thinking a square of the purple border fabric placed askew in each of the yellow squares.  What do you all think?  Any and all ideas are welcome.  Leave me a comment or send me an email with your opinions, please.

We took a break to go get lunch and while we were at it, we checked out a new quilt shop in our area.  It's really nice and we will definitely be back.  I picked up a few pieces to come home with me.  The pink was on sale for $6/yard, so great deal on that one and I definitely couldn't pass up lime with dots, or the geometric bright pattern.

And finally, if you are still reading, my DH called part way through the day and was confused that I had received a FedEx package.  He read me the return address and I knew it had to be the scraps that Thelma of Cupcakes 'n' Daisies had sent me.  We were chatting about scraps one day and I told Thelma that I would gladly take her scraps off her hands whenever she wanted.  Next thing I know she's offering me her bag of Faceted Jewels scraps.  Scraps that are Batiks to boot.  Of course I said yes immediately and the bag arrived yesterday.  I thought it was a quart size bag, but it was a GALLON ziploc and it was full.  And let me tell you folks, these are not scraps.  These are perfectly cut or pieced unit components that Thelma didn't use in her quilt, so the bag is actually more like a quilt kit then a bag of scraps.  THANK YOU THELMA!!!!  I already have 4-5 ideas swirling as to what to do with these pieces and once I decide, everything is ready to just sit down and sew.  Fun, fun.  I sorted all of the pieces and then put them back away in the bag while my ideas are marinating.  Here is what was in the bag.

Whew, what a great day yesterday, from start to finish.  I had planned to work today, but not sure how that's going to go.  I'm not motivated at all.  I have a massage later, which I desparately need, and I still have some household things to take care of before I can even get started on work, so there's not much of a window left at that point to get anything major done.  And the Oscars are tonight, so forget working after the massage.  So, I think maybe it will be a light day of work getting some billing done, always a good thing if I want to get paid, and maybe some "pre prep" work and corporate extensions.  Easy stuff.  And then back to the salt mines tomorrow.