Still unpacking.

I need to hang this in my sewing room so I'll see it everyday.

My favorite Binding tool

 I just use this little ruler, aligning the 1/4 inch up on the edge of the quilt top, and mark a dot ....works pretty fast for me.





I like to sew a diagonal seam to match the seams joining the binding strips.

What do I do with this?

This is my oldest UFO.  I can't find the pattern/instructions.  I have a box of baggies of fabric cut up..I can't figure out the pattern.  I think my friend Bev K. had our guild make this many years ago.  I have a few yards of each fabric left over...it is suppose to be a lap size.

The bad thing is, I didn't know what I was doing...that white fabric is a blend...it won't fit the other blocks.  This was in the day of making templates and I hand sewed the white pieces. (12 blocks pieced with a white BLEND!)

I will think on it a few days...but, more than likely it'll be back in the UFO box. If you have any ideas let me know.

I made a few shawls

I have a dear, sweet neighbor named Grace Learn who makes these wonderful shawls and I just had to make one too.  Here is the two I have made so far.  Working on another colorful one.  Which one do you think I can get away with wearing...I mean....as an old lady?   I can't wait to wear them.  Thanks to Grace I am addicted to making them and I love them! I am not sure my little granddaughter, Jolie, would like one......I want to make her one too.

My favorite quilting buddy came to see me!

Can you guess who is with Teena?  Glenn...of course...and little Danica, her granddaughter.  Isn't she a doll. I haven't seen Teena in many years.  What a joy it was to get to share an evening with her and Glenn.   (Thank you, thank you, thank you Glenn for venturing up and down these hills out of your way to come my way!)

My Blue Collection

I promised to post a photo of my Blue Collection.  I love all the Maggie Walker designs.  I have Roseville and A Gathering of Angels to do. I love the fabrics.  I was fortunate enough to get to meet Maggie Walker and take a photo of the original Blue Collection at the quilt show in Houston a few years back.

Finally getting this baby quilt pin basted

I can get on the floor long enough to baste a baby quilt but not anything bigger. :(  It's been a long time since I have even tried it.  If I get behind on getting a baby quilt out I usually make it a bit larger.  This one is larger but I am not behind yet.  Going to get it quilted today... I hope. I will try to quilt the baby's first name in the border. The back is flannel.

Heat press batting tape.

Have you tried this?  I think 10 yards would go a long way for $8.00 if it didn't shift at all. Maybe it is best for smaller projects? I really waste batting all the time. 

I'm ready....

for my very first quilt-a-long! It takes me a long time to audition which fabric to use for what...well, except for a string quilt....anyway, I am so excited about this quilt-a-long.  (You'd think I was a school girl getting ready for school or something.)  Did I pick the right one to start with?  I think so.  I welcome all advice with free motion quilting using a domestic machine. I am trying to guess the designs we will do...maybe it'll be designs in a vertical line which I have never done....humm....but what about the vertical seams in this pieced top?  Free motion....seems like it would go OVER the seams.  Well...we shall see.  :-) 

Today...another row added.

Gonna take a break from this string quilt. I can't figure out what size I want to make it. It doesn't look too much different from yesterday.  (I have very little orange fabric to continue). Some of these fabrics might look familiar to you. (I have friends who have shared their stash with me...especially dark fabrics). Most of my fabric is older.  I have not purchased very much fabric for the last 5-6 years.

On my design wall today

I have been wanting to do something with my scrap strips.  There are so many options ... kalidescope?...spider?....on paper?  or muslin?  or?   I finally decided on an 8 1/2 inch square of white-on-white foundation (My white center). I wished I had made the center white strip one inch instead of 2 inches. I got the color placement idea from Penny here. I need to hurry up and get this finished as my sewing room is a mess with piles of scraps everywhere!

 I can't seem to remember to set the current time on my camera.  I am 4 years off!

Circles

My sewing room is workable.  My Dh put up a super light for me.  What a treat!  I still have arranging to do but I just had to go cut up some fabric.  First on my to do list was the blocks for the Cancer is Sew Done group.

Circles.....oh my gosh...I believe in following the pattern exactly for the first block and  after that, do as I please.  Circles....uh....I followed the tutorial....

What's a needle-turn hand appliquer to do?.....circles.....(I am used to LITTLE circles)......this tutorial called for raw edge zig zag...no fusible web, no stabilizer on the back....wow...not sure I can do this machine stuff.

After the first block I decided it was pretty cool.  I did run for the spray starch and with my little stilleto....it ended up being fun and I had to make me stop making them.  It would of been nice if my needle-down would work.

 I think I'll make a quilt with this block...someday. I kept wondering how the quilter was going to quilt it.

Card Class this week.

I Won! What a super nice surprise.

Sorry for the delay. I have been unpacking for a few weeks now. I am finally getting a photo of the three adorable Feeling Groovy FQ's by Windham Fabrics From Granny Quilts give-a-way. Very cute!  Thanks Mary,

My Favorite Wedding Gift

Here is a photo of what I like to make as a wedding gift. This is one I made for my friend, Mary. Sometimes I use the couple's wedding colors. My friend Teena shared the pattern with me. When I unpack my sewing I can post the pattern if anyone is interested.

Moving

I have spent all week packing. Moving from Texas to Arkansas. Wonder how all my sewing will fit in the new sewing room. Will be interesting. Looking forward to getting this blog going when i get moved. See ya then.

Fabric Bookmarks

I know several who are looking for a fabric bookmark idea. I loved this technique from Pink Chalk Studio. I plan to use the design of a flower or folk art image. (First I have to get this pellon from JoAnns before I move away from a JoAnn's).

Card Making Class

Thinking of a project that is not "King size"

I will have to come up with another quilt for me. Thinking of doing a bed topper or a bed "runner". Here is the book I got at Linda's shop, Remember Me Quilt Shop.

Flower Basket

This was a beginner challenge some years ago. I can't wait to do another dimensional flower wall hanging. I have been collecting coral colored fat quarters for my next one.

Heart Wall hanging

This is my second heart wall hanging. It was fun to do. I need to get a picture of Becky's. It is really pretty. I love it.

Shoo Fly quilt for Derrick and Melissa.

I didn't think I could finish another king quilt this year. I love the scrappy look. My DH helped me put this in the frame for pen basting.

I love flowers, the bigger the better.

I thought my sewing room needed a splash of color.

Allen's quilt finally finished

Each block consists of 8 pieces. I hand pieced the majority of it. I decided to finish it using the sewing machine. I didn't think I would live long enough to get it finished at the rate I was going. (2 years to hand piece it).

Another eagle on my design wall.

This pattern gives instructions for fused applique but I am doing needle turn with the exception of the head. Kinda doing a few different techniques of applique along with fused. This is a pattern from Keepsake Quilting.

A few less UFO's

First shown here is my Ricky Tims Harmonic Convergence, (not sure it came out right). Next, for my husband, a photo wall hanging with family photos inserted in the pockets. Then a miniature from a miniature magazine. (I tried to collect all the miniature magazines. I absolutely love miniature quilts!)
Last is my Amish like table topper. This was from a quilting lesson from Merrily. She is great and I love her quilt shop.

My quilting family in Arkansas

Here is a photo taken May 2009 of my quilting buddies in Arkansas.I sure do miss them.
Sitting left to right is Phyllis Bailey, Margaret Wilburn, Maureen Hoggins, and Carol Lewis. Standing left to right is Gail Hunger, Nancy Miller, Sue Bailey, Mary Borus, Mary Dedera, Jan Lawson, and Sharry Neumann. We all have our own special talents but we love and support each other more than anything.

Color Me Happy

I am new to blogging. I spend way too much time reading blogs and not making one myself. Not sure I have the time to even learn how to do it. I may try.

I am happy in my little spot of this world, just quilting and sharing life with my wonderful husband and running around every chance I get with my sister, Becky. Outside of missing my son, grandkids and fur-kids, life is good.