a fusible day

I spent the morning fusing ornaments and a table runner for the Christmas bazaar. I figured since it's August I better get back on track and get some things done so I'll have something for the bazaar. I worked on some reindeer ornament this week, they've been tea dyed and need to dry. I love working with wool and love everything Primitive Gatherings designs. I may have to make another set of ornaments for me!

Reindeer have been speaking to me lately and I love this little table runner. I think I may have a santa by the same designer, I'll need to look for it.

While I was cutting and fusing I listened to a new to me podcast that has quickly become a favorite. It's by sandyquiltz and you can find it at http://quilter.podbean.com/

She has a friendly pleasant voice and has lots of interesting ideas.

A fun way to spend time in the sewing room.

my new purse!

I had a wonderful time in Knoxville at the AQS show a few weeks ago and bought the pattern for this purse there. It was easy to make and I love the leather handles. The pattern is called "Westwood handbag" from Quilt Plus-http://http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=1872879168657685913
They had the most amazing purses on display, most made from Japanese fabrics. And the handles!!! Oh my, I had never seen so many handles in one place and in so many colors. Of course I got brown. If you ever get a chance to go to one of the AQS shows-go!!! I had two lectures with Alex Anderson which were great and I prowled the vendor booths and got lots of goodies. Now to find the time to sew.



I've started quilting the shop hop quilt, I want to finish it and give it to Jaime for Christmas, it'll look good on her brown wall. My machine quilting is gradually improving and I've stopped taking out stitches. I'll wait and see how they look when it's done. And it will be on a high wall!

I’m Back!

I've been busy with work since going full time in October; I do love my job but miss sewing. Soooo I've decided to start blogging again with the hopes I'll be accountable and sew more.

I have worked on some things for a Christmas bazaar-I have some ornaments made and some bags.

This is a cool tote bag that folds up.

I love the aboriginal fabric! I purchased it at a new quilt shop in Lexington-Q-first in quilting. This is a wonderful shop co-owned by my friend Laura Schneider. It’s my favorite shop!

I also made a lap quilt for my secret pal at work! The quilt pattern is Day and Night by Eleanor Burns. So I guess I have been getting things done.

still stitching!

I’ve been working on my wool blocks and now have all of them fused. I’m working on this block adding some stitching for embellishment.

I love the curls and how the stitching adds to the flowers. I’m not sure why there’s a dark streak in one of the flowers.

Here are the next three blocks that need to be stitched-I think they’re even pretty without thread!

I have several blocks that I’m going to go back and add stitching too:

And these blocks are done!

Working with wool is sooo much fun and addicting.

I finished Jaime’s professional tote but forgot to take pictures. I’ve also been doing some hand appliqué on my flower blocks. I guess I have a thing for flowers! Have you seen the Circuit Rider’s Quilt?? http://www.honeybeefabrics.com/store/products/details/?product=CircuitRdr I’ve been obsessing about it and plan on getting the book when I go to the AQS show in Knoxville. If I can wait that long! It takes my breath away. Gorgeous quilt.

Work has been getting in the way of sewing; I’ve worked a few extra days and we finally finished our summer programs. We had 200+ kids some days. Now we are settling in for our move in Sept. Can’t wait for the new library, it’s gonna be awesome.

wool!

I'm back to working on my wool bom after getting to attend the class show and tell. I missed all the classes as they were on days that I worked. I was so inspired by the quilts! They were awesome!! The lady in red is the one who taught the class-Karen Witt. Her website is http://www.reproductionquilts.com/index.html. I'm not sure who the other lady is. Cindy Ford had done a wonderful job embellishing her quilt; now I'm going back and adding more stitching to my blocks. Wool is so much fun to work with-it has that 'feel good' feeling. I hope that makes sense. Here is a picture of Cindy's work-

I’m making another professional tote for Jaime. This one will be for summer. I’m at a stand still until I can find 2 blue zippers. Our local Wal-Mart only had one, three are needed. I’ll have to wait until I can get to Lexington to visit a fabric store. I feel so deprived living in a small town!
Here' the outside of the bag-

It really goes together quickly but is a pain to cut out, there are lots and lots of pieces. I cut my patterns out of freezer paper and had gotten two patterns mixed up so I cut way more pieces than needed. Lesson learned-label pattern pieces with the pattern name!! On the plus side I'll be able to make a Sail Rigger bag too.

Have you seen Kim Diehl’s new book?? I order her books sight unseen, I love her designs. There are so many I want to make that I can’t decide which to start on! At least I never get bored.
http://www.kimdiehl.com/

I am such a bad blogger! I can't believe it's been over a month since I blogged. I have been sewing; I finished another grommet purse, wallet, and eyeglass case for a friend for Mother's Day. And I finished my Mock Smock! It turned out nicely and I will be making another one. I don't like to wear aprons that hang around my neck and I'm a messy cook so I need something. The pockets attach with buttons; the next one I make will have regular pockets that can stand up to use. I should have paid more attention to the print-I have the cupcakes right side up but the pie slices are more noticable and upside down. I think I may make a sewing apron. I've thought about using a chatelaine but it hangs around the neck! So I will add a pincushion and extra pockets for scissors and threads. I have big plans!!

I spent Mother's Day with Jaime and had a wonderful time. I got to visit one of my favorite quilt shops and found out they will be closing at the end of the month. Everything was on sale so I purchased some patterns and fabric and will be going back again before they close. I will miss their shop.

Jaime has a bird's nest in her grill! No grilling out out for her. It's the largest nest I've seen and when you raise the lid to the grill it starts expanding up and up! It's a very industrious mother bird!

My friend Nancy went to the Redbud festival last month and sent me some wonderful pictures. Beautiful quilts and I heard they had some nice classes. I hope to get to go next year.

Nancy is an author!!! She publishes children's books-check out her website-http://www.nancykellyallen.com/

Here are some of the great quilts she saw=

I have fallen way behind with my monthly goals! I started the year with such good intentions. I am working on the signature quilt and it will be a Christmas gift. I've gotten side tracked with other projects, so much to do and so little time. As long as I get to quilt or dream about quilting every day I am making progress; just at a slower pace. Just keep stitching and enjoy the process!

it's a jacket!

I finished the jacket!! It turned out pretty, not my normal colors but nice for spring. And I can certainly use it now since our weather has turned nippy again. We had snow yesterday but at least it didn't stick. I am sooo ready for spring!

I'm finally posting pictures of the things I picked up in Pigeon Forge. A good selection of things-fabric, patterns, a book, and some tools. I didn't get everything I wanted! I left several patterns at the Cherry Pit that I liked. They do the best block of the month kits-http://www.quiltingatthecherrypit.com/about.html

I got some great marking pins and the Clover needle threader I had heard so much about. And it works! It's wonderful for mature eyes like mine.

I got the pattern and fabric for a smock at the Cherry Pit; that's my next project. I'm a very messy cook and need lots of coverage. Most aprons hang around the neck and that bothers me so I can't wait to try the smock. The cupcake fabric that Annie found is perfect for it.
I also bought a purse pattern and a jelly roll to make it. It's called Grids and Grommets by Indygo Junction. I made a matching wallet from a pattern in my stash. I really like the purse pattern since it's different from any purses I've made. Have any of you seen Melly and Me patterns?? http://www.mellyandme.typepad.com/ They're just too cute. I saw them in Pigeon Forge but didn't get any so I had to order them when I got home. I ordered 3- the flamingo, dog and another purse pattern. Patterns are a real weakness for me. I just can't help myself.

I think I just blew my goal of finishing up ufo's this year. I keep adding to the list; I'll just have to live a long, long time.