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Sunday, November 13, 2016

Trunk Full of Quilts


A big thanks to Soma for hosting this fun filled trunk show.
There is nothing I like better than peeking into the trunks and sewing spaces of my fellow quilters. They inspire me "sew" much.
And yes, you have all created a monster here.


Grab your hardhats and join me, in a peek into my cabinet.
Well, one of em anyway!
It's a mess, but it's my working cabinet...
what can I say?
:-)


My quilting started about 15 years ago.
This is a quilt from my very first class.
I had just gotten an embroidery machine
 and couldn't wait to start stitching.
While the colors are a bit sad, it still holds a dear spot in my heart.


With a few years practice under my belt, the colors started to
 brighten up a bit!  If you look hard, you'll see the boo-boo I made. 
Never saw it until it was quilted and hung for photos!
LOL!!


Then I found my passion...fusible applique.
I love mixing it with traditional quilt blocks.


Soon fusible applique took over my life...
and there was no turning back for this girl.
;-)


This McKenna Ryan quilt is mounted on an artist canvas
 and hangs in my living room.


"Seaside Summer" was the theme
for the Island Batik Ambassadors, this summer.
The fabrics were nothing short of "perfect" for this project.


I also enjoy the craziness of "mega" piecing.
This quilt is reversible and done completely with scraps.



That inspiration came from a member of the QuiltingBoard.com
She was so gracious to share just how to do this with me.


I went crazy with scrap busting after that.
This log cabin is done in 1" strips.
Never throw a scrap away is my motto!
;-)


The most beloved stash buster to date, is the
Bonnie Hunter Mystery - Orca Bay.
I tripled the size and added a row of Orca's to mine.
(I actually burned out a brand new iron making this one)


Since I started with a "walk of shame" photo, I might as well
end up this post with one as well.
:-0

Looks like I need to get some quilting done, 
as well as clean up that cabinet.
hummmmm...

So there you have it!  Your the reason this monster exists!
And I can't say I regret it one bit.
Hope you have enjoyed this little trip thru my "Trunk"
It's safe to remove your hard hat now!

Til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'






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Saturday, November 12, 2016

Winter Wonderland with Island Batik


It's that time of year, and the new batiks are hitting the shelves.


These new ones, just fill my heart with joy!
I have to admit, that my favorite colorway in this line, is the center one. There is just something about that "denim" look that speaks to me. 
Could it be that endless rows on jeans in my closet???
LOL!!


Yes, that denim color proved to be the perfect background 
for this jolly ole guy!
He comes from the "Art to Heart" Christmas Favorites book.


While quilting his beard those reindeer seemed to just melt away.
That's one of the fun parts of working with batik prints.
No matter the pattern, they work up beautifully in any project.


And when you step back, they seem to magically re-appear.
Check out your LQS for these new beauties and
make a little magic yourself!
;-)
Now as for me...
I'm thinking my favorite denim batik would work up great in a recycle denim raggy quilt. Oh, would that not be warm and wonderful?

Till next time...
Keep on Stitchin'





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Friday, November 11, 2016

Modern Bear Paw Quilt Along


I think we can all agree it's been a week for the record here in the USA.
No matter where you stand on politics, it's touched us all.
This blog is my personnel space. A place where I can go to escape and really live the life I choose. I choose to "like" people and make my life the best I can make it for me...hopefully inspiring a few along the way.
So, when it turned ugly with the elections here this year, I turned to my favorite escape.
Quilting.

Little did I know, that when Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts 
offered up this quilt along, 
it was actually going to save me from all the crazy in the world.
Little did I know that as the crazy really blossomed, those tiny little
 paw-prints were going to save me!
Yep, I put the petal to the metal and blocked out all that was going on around me. Probably a good 10-12 hours was spent on Tuesday pretending that the world wasn't there. Just me and my Modern Bear Paw...
It was a good day, in my sewing room anyway!

I jumped out of bed on Wednesday and put this guy on the longarm.
Nice thing about the longarm is, that it really blocks out the noise from the TV. I know shutting the TV off works too... but that's no motivation to finish this guy up.
LOL!


As I look at it completed, I'm so happy that I was able to find the fabrics from Northcott. 
Hey Northcott, you need to re-release these beauties.
I was asleep at the wheel when they first came out I guess.
Now that I've seen them, I want more more more!
:-)


I think I have a new wall paper for my computer now too.

"Sew" you see...
it's not been that bad of a week...
it's all in how you look at things!

You can check out this Quilt Along over at Sew Fresh Quilts
for yourself right
HERE
A big thanks Lorna for saving my sanity
and providing us all,  with this fabulous pattern!


Now I'm getting ready for the next big piecing event!
These look familiar to anyone?
Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt,
"En Provence" is rapidly approaching.
Nov 25th
That's just 2 weeks away.
You can read more about it right
HERE 

til then...
Keep on Stitchin'

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Monday, November 7, 2016

Home From Houston

It's always hard to come home from a fun trip to Houston with friends.
The International Quilt Festival was as wonderful as ever this year. We added and extra day to our trip and still didn't make it thru everything.
But our bags were full when we reached the airport and I even had an additional box of batting. LOL!!


Just because I don't have a zillion things on my plate already, 
I had to buy more patterns. 
I'm always on the lookout for Jacqueline de Jong's booth when I'm there.
While I haven't started on the one I bought 2 years ago...
I planned on adding another to my pattern stash.
Until her husband tormented me with that, buy one get one half off deal!
I'm a sucker for a sale....so yep, I've had to buy another!
:-)


Can I really go anywhere and not buy Halloween fabric?
It's a sickness I tell you.


For those of you who paper piece...
Add A Quarter has revamped their rulers.
Now one of the edges is a sharp edge, to use for folding...
No more looking for the postcard, when folding back papers.
It even came with a little pattern to practice with.


My big score of the show...
Fat Quarters!
Cause I needed them like a whole in the head, but they were 
25 for $20 and many of them are batiks!
That's $.80 each, who can pass up a bargain like that?

I also found some purse hardware, needles, a fingertip stiletto, starch brush, and special freezer paper for hand applique.
Yes, I'm going to give it a shot!

I got a good start on Christmas shopping done at the show.
Whoo hoo! 

Then of course, my box of batting. 
I do love Thermore by Hobbs and you just can't
 get it around here anymore.

One of the "Flying Quilters" that went along, 
bought a new sewing machine.
I'm always excited when it comes to shopping for new machines.
Actually, I guess I should say, she bought 2 machines.
Bernina, had a screaming deal on classroom machines from the show,
as well as a buy it and get your choice of adding an embroidery
unit or getting a little 330 machine free.
That little one is perfect for taking to classes.
OK, I'm really jealous of her and her new machines!
;-)

The other "Flying Quilter"...lets just say she went crazy in her own
way...She bought a new car the day before we left.
LOL!!

I kept my head...
I really wanted a "Feather Weight" machine, but I'm holding out
till I find a purple one. It wasn't to be had at the show. 
:-(

Maybe next year!


This wonderful surprise was in my mailbox when I returned home.
A delightful set of DVD's and tools from 
Paula Reid of "Batts in the Attic".
I can hardly wait to open it up and see what trouble I can get myself into.
A big thanks to Paula.
Your the best!


It was extra special to be able to meet up with, fellow Island Batik
Ambassador Suzy Webster and her mom.
They were dancing on Cloud 9 from winning first place for "group" 
quilts. Four of them worked on this stunning quilt. 
Believe me, this photo just does not do 
it justice. You go girls!

I've got lots of quilt photos to share...
soon!

Til then...
Keep on Stitchin'

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Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Pumpkin Fest Wrap up with Island Batik

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