Mardi Gras

That time of year when you can unleash your crazy side and let the good times roll. I found this pattern that allowed me to do just that.

Yes I did, I played and went crazy.  It all started with this fun pattern from The Quiltery. You know, one of my favorite pattern places!   This "Masquerade Ball" pattern just screamed Mardi Gras to me!

 

These wild women

 

are what Mardi Gras is all about!

I chose a background fabric that had some poly in it. (my bad) Then I used a poly thread, that actually shrunk up a bit when I put an iron to it. Lemons for some, but lemonade for me!  It sparked that crazy "texture" thing inside me. I decided it was time to throw caution to the wind and just go for it.

I've been trying to break out of "my" box of boring borders a bit. Now was the time to do something I had never done before. I started by drawing out these shapes on paper. I traced them to my borders, stretching them by eyeball, (oh so technical, I know) when needed.

 And started quilting away. When I was done, it was just so flat looking.  I decided to go back over things with a silver metallic thread.  It was a subtle change, that made a big difference in the end!
Who knew...

 

I definitely need more practice on framing in my borders, but it wasn't too bad for a first time.

And I couldn't have had more fun!!

 

Don't you love this big mask in the corner?

And when it comes to texture...

my heart goes pitter-pat every time I look at this.

Yes, this is the quilt that "did in" my favorite Moosie sewing machine. 

I guess all that quilting and re-quilting was about all her poor little heart could take!

:-(

May you RIP...

But on a brighter note:

 New Orleans hosts the Mardi Gras celebration.  A celebration that lasts over 2 weeks. The parades started last Saturday!  I've never been, but I have heard the stories!  Some are legendary, and I won't share the names to protect the innocent! LOL!!  Feel free to share your tales from the "Big Easy" though!  (if you dare)   :-)

Grow your own blog hop winner

It's been a fabulous few weeks visiting over 500 blogs! I've made many new friends, and look forward to seeing what the year has to bring for them. Hope you have found it as inspirational as I have.

 I promised a give a way... and today is the day!

Random.org tells me that #43 is the winner

trudieJanuary 25, 2014 at 9:41 PM

I just joined your blog and am looking forward to many more posts. I,too, started my blog about a year ago to track my own progress throughout the year. Sometimes life gets hectic and my posts are way late but that's ok too. Feel free to visit me at grammysstudio.blogspot.com

Congratulations Trudie. I've sent an email to get your mailing info, and will get your package on it's way to you!  Thanks "sew" much for being a new follower.

                             A big thanks to all my followers, new and old!
                                                        :-)

Love is in the Air!

 

Won't you...

 

Valentine!

Happy Valentines day!

Hope the Chocolate Fairy brings lots of good things to eat!

:-)

Baby it's Cold Outside (free pattern)

 

Is this just the cutest thing you have ever seen.

Best yet, it's a free pattern from 

The Red Boot Quilt Company

You need to act fast, it will only  be available for free until the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi are over on Feb 24th. You don't want to miss it!

http://www.redbootquilts.com/ 

Thank you Toni for this wonderful pattern!

*****************

Just another added note. I am getting a LOT of no reply bloggers. If you have upgraded to Google+ your likely one of them. I had the same issue myself and was not able to solve the problem, so I switched back to the old Google format. Please leave an email address in your comments so I can reply to you!

:-)

PIG and a sad day

I'm sure your all wondering why it's a sad day for a PIG???

The Pig is, my Project in a Grocery Sack

The sad is, that ole Moosie gave up on me!

 

It's true, my favorite machine in the world bit the dust!

It's so tragic!

My Bernina 220 was just stitching away and started to make terrible noises.

Thank goodness I stopped and took the quilt I was free motioning out before the head locked up. I would have been a very unhappy camper if I had had to cut the quilt out of it!

She always looked out for me, that wonderful machine!

It's at the sewing machine hospital, but it's not looking good. The part has been on back order for over a month, and they don't make this machine any more!

:-( 

I'm so sad!

I did manage to get this PIG done first.

 Ahhh, Alaska memories from fishing days!

 

I even found a thread that went perfect with it, in my stash!

                             No more boring borders. I'm on a mission
                              to try to break out of my box and try new
                               things!  We will see how long this lasts.
                                                                                ;-)

Psssst...I haven't told my hubby yet, but I bought a new Bernina last week at the sewing expo. It's not that I really needed another machine, but I so loved my Bernina.  Heck once I get the moose skin ordered and put on it, he will never even know it's not the old machine!  LOL!!  A girl's gotta do, what a girls gotta do!

Update: I have had a lot of requests as to where I got the "skin" for my machine. Bernina offers them for their 200 series machines thru their website, but they are down to just a 215 in that series. They don't seem to be available or other models.  I have a lot of no-reply bloggers asking. If your on Google + your likely a no reply blogger. I've had the same issue, gave up trying to fix it, and went back to the regular Google, myself. Just make sure you put and email addy in your comment so I can get back to you!  :-)