Peoples' Choice Awards, Top Chef All Stars. Peoples' Choice Awards, Top Chef All Stars...

And Selena Gomez is all teary-eyed as one of her bandmates (who looks like he must be the son of Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong) hands her an award. Is this girl what, 14? 15? Switch to Top Chef...you go Angelo!!!

Today was our first fabric impulse purchase of 2011. I know, it's late (the 5th), but I didn't get out much this weekend. But this one was well worth waiting for, and it's a minor one, and yes, it is definitely going to become much larger.

What do you think?

I have officially jumped on the Color of 2011...Grey. This is from Moda's French General La Petite Ecole line. 1 yd, three half yards, two charm packs, and on my way to fabric.com to add more. This was all my local quilt shop carried. I had stopped in on the way home from work to see what they had that might work for the Fiesta BOM (see left sidebar), and on my way out, I saw the display for this. What reeled me in was touching the fabric. You know how they talk about the 'hand' of the fabric? Well, let me tell you, this one has been well cared for, and slathered in Crabtree and Evelyn's finest. To stroke it, is like stroking silk. What am I going to do with this? Absolutely no clue, but like my actual French fabrics and South African Indigos, it is a fabric that spoke to me (buy me, stroke me, adore me, leave me in a prominent place in the studio where you can gaze upon me daily....). I'm a sucker for Moda--especially French General.

Clearly neither I, nor the hubs collective work pool won Mega Millions yesterday. We're over it. Congrats to the two winners in Idaho and Washington...you go!!! Speaking of winners, you too can be a winner in my monthly Fan Appreciation giveaway. All you've got to do is be a follower and comment, and comment often. Every comment made is an entry for a prize. This month's prize will be announced shortly.

Last night I figured out half of a heart from the lame instruction Checkerboard Hearts quilt. I think it's going to work out. We shall see.

(O-M-G! She didn't use Thangles!!!!!)

The new slippers (in the right size) arrived today. They're Acorns. Gotta love the hubs, he gives great slipper. I'll give the Uggs a rest for a while as I break these in. These are wool felt, hand (?) embroidered mules, very comfy.

New year-round addition to the studio. I've had this endearing little fairy for a few years now. She was displaced from her usual spot this year so I brought her up to the studio, handed her a vintage spool of thread that perfectly matches and planted her on the bookshelf where she can watch over all things quilty.

That is when she's not fiddling with her 'do.

Back to work on the hearts. In the meantime, our little fairy needs an appropriate name. Any ideas? Scissor bling if I choose your suggestion.

Which Path Do I Take? (and a little giveaway)

Last night I finished sewing together the Drunkard's Path squares (more on that later). Now to decide on which layout to use, sew those blocks together and then use whatever die works on the GO to create some border action.

Which would you pick?

This is the first layout (above) and it's the one I think my daughter will choose (edited to add that what I think my daughter would choose is often not what she does choose, so don't be swayed by my influence here--it's a crap shoot), let's call this one 'Beachballs'.

The next layout we'll call 'Northbound Seagulls'  (focus on the solid colors and you'll see the bird shape):

And then if we flip a couple blocks, we have 'Circle of Gulls' (again, focus on the solids):

And finally, we have 'Gull Formation':

Leave a comment with your pick and I'll draw from all who chose the one my daughter picked and I'll send you an envelope of floral  butterflies (backed with fusible web, if that's what you prefer) cut from the Accuquilt or a scissor bling.

Back to Accuquilt. Since we can all benefit from each other's mistakes and successes, I'll share my experience with you as I work my way through the dies I have. I'm going to put a 'hints and tips' in my sidebar for easy reference to highlight the important things, so check there often.

The great thing about the Accuquilt Drunkard's Path die is that it cuts a little tab into each piece to make it easy to align.

Put a pin in the middle, then hop over and align the two edges.

Flex it into an arc and pin it together. It fits together smoothly.

1/4" stitch the seam, it's all smooth.

Flip and press (this photo isn't pressed yet). Obviously you can cut these out in less than 10 minutes, but it's going to take you significantly longer to sew them together. It helps if you press with Best Press before you stitch and then again once your squares are sewn together.

Cutting with the GO! is fun and fast, but pinning, stitching and pressing can be exhausting work...just ask Paco.

Scissor Bling Giveaway Reminder

Last call for free bling. These are the two scissor leashes up for grabs this week. You've got until the stroke of midnight Saturday night to post a comment and I'll announce winners on Sunday. Again, be sure if your name doesn't link back to your blog with an email on the profile, to include your email address in your entry. Excellent chances so far...only 3 entries.

I've been working on Neptune. A bit more work in the sashing and then I need to figure out a pattern to quilt in the border...something seaworthy might be nice. I've free-styled some 'waves' (and I use the term lightly---VERY lightly) in the sashing.

Tomorrow's adventure is either a trip to this discount fabric store I just heard about that's up in Thurmont (hmmm...maybe I'll run into Michelle Obama...it is right in the Camp David neighborhood...you think she's interested in 30% off already deeply discounted fabric?) or maybe a trip to the Quilters Unlimited show an hour in the opposite direction in Chantilly, VA. Depends on what the hubs is up for....he needs to play chauffeur to make up for playing softball Tues-Fri, and going out with our daughter Saturday night (Grace Jones and the Nocturnals at the 9:30 Club, and next week the two of them go see Patty Griffith and Buddy Guy..a bit of daddy/daughter bonding over beers and loud music). This is what happens when you're conveniently too booked to take me out for my birthday. Paybacks are Hell, aren't they, honey?