I got an email reminder from Ami that my World Series quilt HAS TO BE IN HER HANDS BY AUGUST 1ST. It’s as if she knew that my foot is enough better that I can stand for short periods to cut, iron, and sew. So I got to work Monday and constructed the background.

A friend suggested that this quilt be pink. Since that’s the primary color of the quilt I made for the traveling exhibit I thought that made sense. I like pink and, more importantly, it feels right for this quilt. Pink feels hopeful and there is a kernel of hopefulness in the sentiment I am trying to convey (click to go to my first post about this quilt).

Usually I build this sort of block on the wall but because of my foot, I
looked at it flat on my table during construction. I was glad when I
put it on the wall that it looks the way I intended it to. The actual
block is a little lighter than it looks here but it is still an active
background. My intention is to put strong colors on top of it and that
will push the background back.

The next question is which side is up? I looked at it four ways. Below it is turned once, clockwise…

Turned once more, clockwise…

And again…

When you piece backgrounds, especially ones made from a variety of
fabrics, it’s a good idea to look at them turned different ways. What you thought was ‘up’ may or may not be the best orientation.

We recently started making margaritas from scratch. No wonder people drink them – they are so good! I love them. In fact I love them so much that I can't quit drinking them once I start. That's not a good thing since too much tequila goes directly to my head. 

Yesterday morning I wondered "What would happen if we used water instead of tequila?" Steve whipped one up last night and it's darned good! There's still some Cointreau in it so it's not alcohol-free, but it's a lot better than it was before.

Becky Goldsmith's FauxRita Recipe

• 3/4 ounce Cointreau
• 1 1/2 oz lime juice
• 3/4 to 1 1/2 oz water
• 6-8 small ice cubes

Salt the edge of your glass if you like. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker (or a jar with a lid). Shake well and pour it all into a glass. Make it pretty with a slice of lime. Enjoy!

NOTE: The less water you use, the more this tastes like a real margarita. I don't mind mine with a little more water than is listed above. I'm going to try it tonight with a little less Cointreau.

On another note, I see Dr. Hayes today and should get the big bandage off of my foot. I'm not totally healed but I might be able to walk a bit AND get my foot wet. Maybe he'll let me get in the pool!

This is what you can find online when you lots of time on your hands…

A giant (Trojan?) rabbit made from found wood. Florentijn Hofman is a Dutch installation artist whose work makes me smile. Wouldn't you love to walk on this yellow road…

Check out his site. It is guaranteed to lift your spirits! I want this bird in my backyard!

Seen on Martha Stewart's site…

All you need are some glass bottles and jars and enamel suitable for glass. The instructions are on her site here. It's probably good that I have to stay put and work at the computer with my foot up. I could fritter away days doing the projects I have found online.

The episode that I taped last September with Ricky and Alex is now up on The Quilt Show site. I hope you are a member of TQS and can view the episode. I really don't like watching myself so I'll be interested to hear what you all think!

I've been thinking about the design of the quilt I am making for the World Series Quilt Challenge. I thought it would be fun to share my progress with you. So far I have an idea and a very rough sketch. I often start this way. I know it's not pretty, but it is what I do.

I wish I made notes in lovely letters, but I don't always do that either. I type a lot better than I write. If you can't read it, my scratches say: "When I am empty of my memories – please pick them up and keep them safe for me." It is this idea that I will try to put into my quilt.