I'm on the committee which plans our Guild Retreat in September each year. This year, our theme will be "Snowbound" . . . with a focus on scrap quilts, the type of quilts which one might make if confined to home during a blizzard, forced to use what is on hand. I have a notebook full of ideas, and some hand-outs already written. One favorite that I have nearly forgotten is the postage stamp basket block, based on the 1978 postage stamp. Yesterday, taking my sewing box, I went to an auction, deciding to stay, as I appliqued the handle of a left-over basket block, and completed a tea cup block . . . another UFO. When both were done, I thought about how "cute" they are, and realized I have an addiction to little blocks.

I recently finished assembling my Dear Jane top, the center portion of which was a collaborative effort with friends several years ago. I have all the fabrics selected to commence on Linda Franz' Quilted Diamonds, dubbed, "Dear Jane with Attitude" by my friend, Marguerite. I've been working on little perfume bottle blocks, made with florals and abstract fabrics with gold on them. I have 4 pieced mitten blocks made, and a stack of fabrics to continue that theme. The tea cup blocks are all cut from small scale florals to resemble china cups.

I completed the choices in my sewing box as I watched and listened at the auction, even tossing out a "sympathy" bid a few times. Anyone interested in a blue carnival glass punchbowl, 12 cups with the "S" hooks to suspend them from the side of the bowl, and a blue ladle?