More Soiree

I have used both charm packs and this is what I have, so I think I'll try to get 1 or 2 more.... I really think the simplicity of the block shows the larger scale prints well.  I'm leaning towards setting them all together, without any sashing.  I'll need some yardage for the outer border, with the solid  pink for the inner border.  I also think it would be really nice to have a design wall.  Currently the kitchen counter breakfast bar area serves the purpose, but then I have to stand on a chair to get a good look at things, or take a picture.  It's pretty funny when someone comes into the kitchen and asks what I'm doing!  

If you get a chance, go check out Judi's blog for a giveaway.   It's a good one!  Well, I really should unglue myself from cyberspace.  Yesterday was 90 degrees, even too hot for me in April... today is a more seasonal 60, and a beautiful sunny day.  I'm going to do some garden clean up, an hopefully get some flowers planted, too.  

The winner is....me?

Well, today is turning out to be a great day! I found out I won the bag giveaway I entered on artfullyooglebloops blog! This started out as a 5 bag giveaway (all the way from Samoa on Barb's blog!!!!!) with a twist, and this was round number four. I'll get to choose one bag, and then I'll be having a giveaway for the last bag (with a little extra surprise) on my blog soon... so keep checking back! I'm so excited, this is my first giveaway win!!!! Especially bags as beautiful and as well traveled as these have been!

I went to the monthly Charm Class last night, and it was supposed to be scrappy, but I didn't have enough charms cut for the class. Soooo, I got two packs of Moda Soire'e, which I've been drooling over .... and I had some bubblegum pink kona on hand. This is the progress so far....



Not sure if I'm going to separate it with sashing or set them all together.  I'd like some opinions for the setting, so please feel free to let me know which you think looks nicer.   I like the one with the diamond in the middle, but I if don't sash them, the x appears Hmmm.... Decisions, decisions.

I finished sock #1.... My husband asked me "if" I was going to make the other one. Funny, since most people wouldn't even question that, since you need a pair to actually use them.  I have to say he gets me though, and knows that yes, I'll  probably make it... WHEN I'll make it is another question entirely.  I have to admit, I was very pleased with myself, though :)   For my first sock endeavor, it turned out pretty cool.  And it fits, which is always a bonus.  My knitting skills are basic at best!  Love the yarn... Stripes without changing yarn is a good thing.  Hope Martha doesn't charge me royalty for that one  :0

April Vacation

I have been slacking on my projects this week. The kids are on April vacation, and really don't want to sit around and watch me sew, and I can't say I blame them! The weather has been one extreme to the next, too. Sunny and beautiful one minute, pouring and windy the next! I did manage to finish my Aunt Millie's block, and I'm getting really close to the toe on sock #1. I'm not crazy about having to repeat the whole sock again, it's a very boring stockinette stitch. Next time I'm going to have to put in a pattern around the cuff. I was really stuck on "turning the heel", but I found some great instructions on ask.com. What did we do before computers????

Turtle Quilt

I am finished with the batik turtle quilt, happy dance inserted here! I did some loops on most of the blocks and outer border. I did my interpretation of a starfish in the middle of the blue block with "waves" around them. The small purple blocks have a free motion turtle, and the inner border has a continuous circle thing... I don't really know what to call any of the motifs, I just kept going with it. Pretty happy with the overall efffect. I used 2 spools (1000 yards, whoah) of the King Tut variagated thread. It's super easy to work with, doesn't break or get tangled at all, so it's my new favorite quilting thread.

I am having such a great time looking at ALL of the beautiful quilts posted on the Online Quilt Festival, check it out if you have some time. Expect to be there a while though, last time I check there were 380 quilter's links there! I am also happy that it got me a few nice compliments on my post too!

I also want to say a special thanks to my 2 followers: Sherry and Sandra. I have to admit, it's great fun to blog, but it's even better when you know people are actually reading the posts! I also want to thank Pat and Quilt Hollow for all of thier advice for my blog. Being a fairly new blogger, I need all of the help I can get :) Go check out their blogs and see all of their fantastic work!

Online Quilt Festival

What a great idea! Head on over to Amy's blog here and check out the online quilt festival. I am posting a picture of my favorite quilt. Hard to choose one, but I consider it my favorite for many reasons: 1. It was my first full size quilt that I completed. 2. My first attempt at free motion quilting. 3. The quilt I see every day hanging in my dining room.  4. Love the colors and any sampler project gets my attention every time!  5. Made it in a 11 week class with a DF, who introduced me to quilting. (took longer than the class, but that is the norm for me)

I think I've mentioned before that it is my sewing room first, dining room second. We really only ever have a chance to actually eat in there when I clear out my "stuff"! It has great light though, and the table is the perfect size. Plus, my DH never complains about it, so I think it works for now...

No new pictures today

I am almost finished with my AMG block, and I've been quilting the batik turtles all week. On and off, of course! I have the binding 3/4 done, but I really have to go to bed. I'm usually not a quitter, but I have to go to sleep. I'm working this weekend, and I need my beauty rest:) Oh, the 12 hour shifts can be a pain. I must work though, got to be able to afford all the fabric, and thread, and books, and patterns.... you get the picture. Have a great weekend!

I have a little bit to show... I've been working on the next AMG block. I'm trying to start another block, but it requires a hand pieced flower with 8 points. It's a good thing that there is a circle appliqued over the center, that's all I'm saying.... I'm not a hand piecer, and probably never will be. I just can't seem to get myself to like it. I start getting sweaty just thinking about it. Funny though, I can applique and embroider all day! I guess some things are just not for me. The perfectionist in me HATES to admit it though:)


I finished my block roll too! It's about 23 1/2 by 28 inches. Big enough for the applique blocks I'm working on now, and the bigger 20 inch squares for the next quilt. I'm happy with how it turned out. I used a mailing tube cut down for the center of it. With the caps that come with it for the ends, I made them into little pincushions. So all in all I think it's pretty, and pretty useful too!


Last but not least, I've made some progress on my sock. It's all stockinette right now, so it's very easy. I'll be getting to the heel soon, so I'll let you know how that goes... I hope that everyone had a lovely Easter, we sure did, so I am thankful.

Feeling A Little Better....

I have my next Aunt Millie's block all prepped. I have been trying many different methods for the blocks so far, and this month I used the spray starch and heat resistant template plastic. I have to say, it looks like the time consuming process is actually worth it! The seams are all turned under, and now I can just sit and stitch, which I think is the best part!


I'm posting a picture of my Miranda Bag. I made it last summer with asian fabrics, something I wouldn't normally quilt with, but the fabric was so pretty, I just couldn't leave it behind! I purchased some black and white fabric to make another bag, from the Miranda Bag pattern. It is for my mother-in-law for mother's day. I know my mother checks this blog, so her present has to stay off the blog... she'll peek even if I say not to! I do have to admit though, I'm just like her in that respect, so I understand :)

My other most recent project is to make a quilt blog roll/carrier to bring all of my applique blocks out with me. I found a great fairy frost charm pack, and 1/2 yard to coordinate with it for the interior. I'll definitely embellish the outside, too. Maybe some yo-yo flowers, or wool, rick rack and ribbons, oh my!

Yucky Day

The Red Sox were rained out of opening day today, and as if it couldn't get worse, I had to have a root canal today. I. am. going. to. bed.

Check out Judi's blog for a great giveaway! http://greenfairyquilts.blogspot.com/ Good luck! I finished the blue bracelet today, glad I got that out of my system, now back to the fabric pile.... Wait I hear it calling me! Gotta Go!

Happy Birthday to me..... I sewed the next Chilly Charmers block, in the nick of time I might add.   Tomorrow morning is the First Saturday Sampler at the shop, at 9:30 am.  Nothing like waiting until the last minute!

My dear husband took me to a quilt shop today (new to me, about 45 min from  home) and spend over 2 hours there while I picked out fabric and a few other items!  He really is the best, and I feel lucky to be married almost 10 years to him.  Wow, where does the time go!  He bought me a ton of fabric from the Moda Beach House line by Barbara Adams and Alma Allen .  I mixed a few other fabrics in, too.  On a mission to find the gold they used... I see some quality online searching in my future.   I already owned the book that the project is in.  It's called In Full Bloom, and I'm doing the cover project Posies in the Valley.  I really don't "need" to start another project now, but that's what birthdays are for, I decided today.  

We also went to a great Irish Pub- get this name- Waxy O'Connor's for dinner, and had cake after.  I feel spoiled!

New Bracelet

So, this really isn't quilting, BUT while I was quilt shopping, I met a woman who had the most gorgeous bracelet on.  Of course, I had to find out where she got it, and then she told me it was knitted.  I was instantly in love.  I ran home and went to the website to order my own kit,  I highly recommend the site. (www.earthfaire.com)  Earth Faire is the name, beading is the game!  There are far too many things I want, but I settled on this purple number for my friend's upcoming birthday, and I'm going to make a aqua one for myself.  They are knitted with size 0 needles, and Kreinik mettalic thread.  They are called Bead Stew, and they have many, many more colors and sizes to choose from.  It took me a few hours to complete it, and I can't wait to make more, more, more!