I'm back! - with pillows and an announcement!

First things first - many of you have guessed that I am evidently not the best secret keeper. Baby #2 is on the way! Of course I was trying to wait until the recommended 12 week mark to make it public, but I'm just too excited! We've had our first ultrasound and everything is looking good so far. We're ten weeks along now (although I look more like I'm twenty!) so that puts the due date right around the first of July. I'm feeling pretty good lately as long as I get myself to sleep early. I'm usually a night owl so the ten PM bedtime isn't my favorite, but it seems to be keeping me from falling asleep in my one paltry half decaf cup of coffee in the morning.

Consequently I'm way behind in some sewing projects, especially bees (sorry Chris, Leslie and Angela!) but I'm working on it, and the above picture is the beginnings of my pillow for this round of the Pillow Talk Swap. My partner is down with bright colors and coal solid sashing so I'm hoping this will turn into something that will make her happy. I have a habit as using my swap partners for guinea pigs for new designs and techniques, and this round I decided to bust out the curved hexagon star template I bought after seeing these beautiful blocks by Amy awhile ago. The stars aren't the easiest to pull off, but if you're familiar with curved piecing it's definitely do-able. I'm already mentally drafting a "falling stars" quilt.

Although I am always mailing my swap pieces off on deadline day, I'm always paired with partners who are on the ball and get my present to me very early!

Look at this gorgeous pillow Lori made for me!

She did such a beautiful job with the design and craftmanship. I love the bird fabrics!

And as if the front wasn't lovely enough, check out the back:

Isn't it lovely? The cream and soft pastels look perfect in Lucy's room. Thank you again Lori for all the love and effort you poured into this piece!

Before I go, I just have to do a bit of bragging. My husband Mark was just featured in the latest issue of the Wine Spectator! It's a very highly regarded magazine that has the largest distribution of all the wino publications, so this was quite a honor. He's the big handsome one in the middle, and the photo was taken at our tasting room in Woodinville, Washington. I am one proud wife!

I hope you're all enjoying the beginnings of the holiday season. I've actually been getting a bit of sewing action in lately so I'll be back soon.