Mini Summer Quilt.

I forgot to take a picture of my mini summer quilt before I hand sewed the binding down. (Forgive the pins please) I decided to use the fabric I purchased for the snippets, but I only used a few at the water's edge. I also changed the sand fabric to the lighter color batik. I layered it with angellina fibers, and a few tiny shells from a trip to Florida we took a few years ago. Then I layers the entire piece with tule, and quilted the waves, sand and sun rays. You should be able to enlarge the pictures if you click on them. I think the light color made it a little difficult to see. I had a lot of fun making it, so much that I might make another one to keep! :-) The quilt is off to its new home, where I hope it will be loved...

Off to see U2... WOW!

Heading out to the U2 concert! So, so excited.... I've never seen them before. Thanks to my friend who thought of me when another person backed out! What were they thinking...

I'll be back tomorrow with some pictures of my summer mini quilt, I worked it out the kinks, and I'm pretty happy with the end result. Also, I've been dealing with a BAD case of poison ivy. ***trying not to scratch as I type*** I'm on antibiotics, and started steroids today, yuck! All this mixed in with the start of school, pop warner football and cheerleading... which my husband and I both coach... yes, we are crazy! I'm hoping soon to get back to my routine, and devoting some time to my severely neglected blog. Not to mention, I owe myself some serious sewing time.

Introducing.... Quilt Expression 4.0

Here it is.... and it is so awesome!

Well, I've only sewed a few stitches, but it's love at first sight! There are most of the same features of my 2056, and then some!

The throat space is bigger by 2 inches... the bobbin drops in... there is a automatic thread cutter!!!!! I'm sure I could go on and on, but I need to get back to sewing something. ****happy dance inserted here*****

I really need to work on my mini summer quilt. I have a new plan, and it doesn't involve using the little snippets of fabric. Cute idea, and the sample I saw in person at the LQS was very nice, but it's just not coming together well. I do get a little nervous about online swaps sometimes, I want to make something that I think the recipient will really enjoy. (And something that I am proud of too.) Are you ever worried about something you are sending for an online swap?

Mini Quilt Summer Swap....Hmmmm

I've never posted a picture of something so disappointing. Actually I don't think I've ever made something SO not how I imagined it would be. Oh well, you can't hit a home run everytime, I guess.

I spent last weekend trying to put the mini quilt together for the summer quilt swap I joined. I must say, it it not looking like the picture, or how I imagined it would. I think I have some fixin' to do today. Has anyone ever worked with this?



I think I'm doing something very wrong. It is supposed to be an iron on adhesive powder... not working out so well...might be time to switch to a spray adhesive. I am also contemplating loosing the snippets and using batiks cut to look like the water. I better get to work. It's got to be mailed by next week. I'll hopefully post the new and improved version, once I figure it out! LOL

In other big news, I have decided to trade in my machine. The part was STILL (can you believe it's been 3 months) backordered last week, and my warranty runs out at the end of the year. I'm just worried that since the 2056 (my model) is no longer being made by Pfaff, every time I need something repaired that it will take forever. The new machine has more throat space too, and that I definitely something I've been wanting/needing.... I decided to go with the Quilt Expression 4.0. If you have a second, go check it out here.

I'm A Winner

Even though I haven't been sewing much, or posting much for that matter.... I still lurk... and comment... and look ... and drool over... everyone's lovely projects... I happen to have won a little something, too! From Carol's Crafty Creations... I dare you to try to say that 10 times fast! Thank you so much Carol, I love the patterns and the extras!

Cousins and Cannonballs!

This is what we do everyday that I'm not working.... we love to swim in the pool, and try not to get sunburned in the meantime. Sometimes it's not easy when you are 7 years old, and you have red hair, and don't like sunscreen, but we make it work somehow. Those swim shirts are the best invention, ever. My niece is 4, and such a sweet little girl! My kids just love having her over.

The machine saga continues... waiting for the "base tray" part, and it's backordered from Pfaff. Not happy about it, NOT AT ALL! I'm sure you remember me saying I wouldn't mention it again, but I want to say my sewing mojo is with my machine, so that explains for the lack of post about sewing anything, I guess. Having this great weather and swimming has certainly cut into my sewing time too! I didn't realize that I was this much of a slacker in the summer, and I am okay with it. Summer is way to short in New England not to be ;-) I think since I'm new to blogging this year, I never have really documented my (lack of) progress before. Dudes - Stay cool! (the beach bum in me desperately wants to get out!)

Vintage Goodness

My great blogging buddy Serena sent my a yummy bag of vintage goodness to go along with the crazy swap quilt she sent me, and I just had to share a picture of them. We both started blogging this year, and I feel so lucky to have made a connection with her. Thanks again Serena- you are too kind! I can't wait to mix them in with what I already have!

My plans for the fabric is to add it to this pile of 30's....

And make a whole bunch of these!...

Truth be told, I am using a plastic template called a Quilt-Patti. It's pretty easy, no paper to remove after being sewn together. If I'm being totally honest, I bought them at the LQS, when they opened... well, probably 5 years ago. But, I have been hoarding, I mean collecting, these fat quarters since. I think there's enough now for a nice mix of colors and patterns. Not even going to think about what color to set them with. Maybe another row of white, and then a solid purple? TBD at a later date!

Feeling blah!

I have been a very bad blogger this week. No posts since last Sunday, and none for a week before that. Granted I was away, but I haven't had much sewing time, and I think the blogging and the sewing go hand in hand for me. I get excited to show new things I'm working on, or even dare I say... things I have completed. My sewing mojo will return, I'm sure of it!

My blogging buddy Serena gave me a friendship award that I have to post about: Thank you Serena- I have enjoyed becoming friends via blogging and email... You have so much energy, a beautiful little girl, and another one on the way, I don't know how you do it all! Plus, you are always posting about creative and thought provoking things. So thank you, my fellow quilter, I truly appreciate it! I'm also supposed to pass it along, but I just tagged a bunch of you with the honest scrap award, and I don't want to go overboard with the tagging thing. I know you all understand. I want to take this time to acknowledge those of you who visit me and leave comments. I look forward to reading them, and I think it's one of the best parts of blogging!

This what I worked on for the ocean breezes quilt. I only have a small bit done, and I still have to topstitch the the corners over to make the curves. It really is a neat technique, and I love how it gives the pattern movement. You can see the curve in the bottom right hand corner. I can't wait to show you more... hopefully soon!

Home Again!

We are back from vacation, and we had a great week! Weather was nice, and the ocean water didn't give me the instant numbing pain either, so although I wouldn't say it was warm, it was tolerable. Anyone who has been in the water off the coast of Maine knows what I am talking about! Feels so good to sleep in my own bed though. We have a king, so sharing a double bed takes a lot of getting use to!!! I wasn't able to get my laptop working in the hotel, so I was reading and commenting from my husband's computer, but I couldn't load pics, etc., so I decided to take the week off from posting. I have a lot of catching up to do, but I was working today, and when I got home tonight my husband had finished ALL of the laundry!!! I mean piles of it! He's the best, and he even folds it all. He's way better at completing things in a timely manner than I. Enough blabbing on...

I did not stitch one bit all week. Had those 3 block prepped, and well...Nuthin'...Nada...Zilch. Not even worried about it though. However, I did buy the most awesome things at a antique quilt store while on vacation. I go to her shop every year, and I want to buy so much more. There is so many beautiful, stunning antique quilts there. It takes my breath away to see them all in one place. A little warning, all of the completed quilts are priced way, way out of my range. But, I always manage to find a great deal on a top or block that I just can't pass up! All of them are anywhere from circa 1700-1940. I bought this. 1940's... 74x90... feedsack arcs... and the pink is WOW!!!! I bought some binding fabric on sale, and a great backing, photos of those another time...


Here's what else I bought. I am going to put them together as a wall hanging and do a little sashing between or something. It makes me sad to think of all the beautiful things that people put so much effort into, and they are just UFO's for decades. Here's hoping I don't leave a ton of the same for my kids to discard someday!!! I'm looking forward to catching up on everyone's posts, tomorrow. I'm beat! Off to bed.....got to catch up on a little thing called....sleep. :-0

Pincushion Swap and a Few Blocks

I sent out my pincushion to my partner yesterday, and mine came in the mail as well! I love it, and it's so nice! It's a felted wool flower in the cutest little garden pot. I think it's a neat coincidence that I just started needle felting, and then I received this beauty! Thanks to my partner Linda, she has a great blog that I have added to my list. I forgot to take a picture of the pncushion I made, oh well. I sealed the package and then said, oops!

These are my blocks from the class last night. I don't love the green on the darker blue, I'm going to switch it out to orange or red I think. Not enough contrast for my liking... The class was fun though, and I haven't sewn with my friend Chris in a long time, and she's just a fun person to be with. Thanks to Barbara for all of her tips on the technique! I can't wait to get more blocks sewn, so that next time I can do the topstiching. That is what makes the blocks look like they are curved, and gives it lots of movement. I am on vacation next week, so I might not be posting... I'll see how the connection is, etc. I'm looking forward to some relaxation and fun!!!! ;-)