Monday, April 29, 2013

Design Wall

Design wall.  I've read about them and seen many different ways of making them.  I've tried laying my quilt out on the floor, and on the bed.  I even tried hanging a piece of felt inside the closet in my sewing room.  But nothing was working for me.

I have a very large wall space in my sewing/laundry area.  It is pretty much wasted space, because the washer and dryer are right across from this wall, not leaving very much room.
 
So with the help of my very tall hubby, we hung a flannel backed plastic table cloth and taped it down with painters tape. 
I hung the blocks from a quilt that is in the works.  Kept it up over the weekend to see if the blocks would stay put.

So far so good :-)

 BTW, I have been saving black and white fabric for a while, waiting for just the right quilt pattern.  I found this pattern on All People Quilt.

I have an account at this website, so I hope you can open the link.  They often have some really pretty patterns.

Have you solved your Design wall problem??  Does it help you to visualize your quilt in the making?

Have a Happy Quilting day!

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Safe travels

Today is the last day for the AQS Quilt Show in Paducah.  I always loved this sign post from Florida pointing to Quiltville and Paducah KY. 

I have heard the Quilt show was very well attended, and it was cold for Kentucky this time of year.  And the Dogwoods were in full bloom!

Safe travels home............

Happy Quilting!

Friday, April 26, 2013

A couple of old gals

Yesterday I thought I would try to clean up the Singer 66-16 that I found at a thrift shop.  I've read you should only clean these vintage machines with sewing machine oil.  So I gave it a once over. 

However I could not open the bottom so I was not able to oil that area.  I need to get one of the men folk to lift it out for me.

It does have a nice even stitch. 

Much like this sweet little beauty...........


I'd really love to try machine quilting with the 66-16.  It has an 8 1/2" harp opening.  However I need to find a darning foot to fit. Anyone have a source for attachments?

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

What do you think?


 As Quilters, something happens when we cross over the threshold of a Quilt show.  I think the change affects each of us differently.  There are no specific symptoms but something definitely takes place within each one of us.

It is a magical journey that starts the moment we enter the building.  It provides pleasure to our senses.  We are surrounded with beauty on every side.

We need a plan!  Where do we start?  Do we look at the quilts first?

Or perhaps we should scope out the vendors.  There is always a prize piece of fabric and the latest designs in patterns.  It is enough to make my head spin!

About eight years ago I attended my first major Quilt show in Nashville with two of my quilting buddies.  We stayed at the Opryland hotel where the Quilt show was being hosted.  As we entered the doors we could not believe how much there was to see!  Rows and rows of vendors and some of the most beautiful quilts we have ever laid our eyes on.  By the end of the first day we were on overload!  When we headed back to our room we brought out all of our bags for close inspection.  We would oooo and ahhh with so much delight, stroking each others fabrics and reviewing all the books and patterns we purchased.  For the next two days we enjoyed the euphoria of every quilting treat that was available.

In the years since that first Quilt show, I have attended the Quilt Festival in Chicago and the AQS Quilt show in Paducah.  Each one has its own unique spin on the Quilting community.  It's what drives the psychological part of our desire to make beautiful things.  The mere thought of a trip to a Quilt show is enough to start my exit from reality.  It is  a mystery that once again brings me back to the reason why I love to quilt.  For the beauty of it, and the love of seeing and experiencing what others have created in the world of fabric.

(p.s. I had planned to go to Paducah this week, but due to my accident and surgery I cancelled my plans.  Maybe another year.)

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Tell me...........

It is always fun reading other quilt blogs and seeing their collections.  Whether it is scissors, threads, or pin cushions.  My collection has turned out to be --- project bags!



It all started so simply when I would find a pattern and fabric that I liked.  It only made sense to me to keep the fabric and pattern all together...... in a bag.  First it was a bag from the LQS.  They were always in pretty colors.  But then as I collect more fabrics for yet another project, I wandered over to the plastic grocery bags.  Before long I was finding other bags to use.  The "green bags from the stores worked great!  And we cannot forget the giveaway bags from the Quilt shows.  My favorite is using the large over sized zippy bags.  Then one day my hubby comes home with canvas bags from a convention.  These were even sturdier and had handles that held more weight.  whewwww...... I was overrun with project bags.

So have I become a bag lady??  There are so many projects that I have in mind. But before I can even start on the first project, I am drawn to a new one.  Oh MY! Am I the only one dealing with this problem??

Friday, April 19, 2013

Not quite a finish.......... but

...... I've been working on this quilt.  It's for a new baby boy, born just a week ago. 


I've got to hurry and get it done, or he will out grow it before he can even use it!

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Real vs Fabric






These are some of the spring flowers I have planted in my yard. All things are new again. Flowers bursting with new life.

The breath of spring is never far behind in my fabric garden.

"I never get tired of looking at my fabric. It's like looking at a beautiful garden that never goes to seed."

Happy Quilting!

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Spring is in the air .....

..... even in the quilt shops!!

What a burst of color!!

Happy Quilting!

Friday, April 12, 2013

Taking a tour

Last week my hubby and I took a drive north of where we live to look at a used long arm.  The quilt shop sells new HQ machines, but when people up-grade, they try to sell their older machines.

I love looking around quilt shops and breathing in all the inspiration.




I



No long arm for me.  The frames are too large for the area where I would put it.  And they are still a little hard for me to manuever in a standing position.  But it was fun to take a look anyway.

It's almost like going to a Quilt show :-)

Happy Quilting.


Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Win Win!!

There is something fun about receiving a package in the mail.  It's like opening a present at Christmas.  Yesterday there was a box at my front door.  This is what was inside!

A prize I won from the Golden Quilters Awards.  SewCalGal hosts these Awards every year and there are many many wonderful sponsors, one of which is Aurifil. 

Don't these colors look yummy!! I can't wait to try these Aurifil threads.  I have heard such great reviews from other quilters.

And now the winners of The Giving Quilt -

and

I will notify you by emailPlease send me your mailing addresses.

BTW, I drew two names that were no-reply bloggers, which left me no choice but to draw new winners.  If you never win a giveaway that you have entered, have you checked to see if your account is set up as NO-REPLY??  SewCalGal has a great article on how to find out and fix this problem.  I'm sorry that the first winners did not have a way to be contacted, but you can check your account HERE.

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Monday, April 8, 2013

Dinner al fresco

The weather has been so gorgeous here.  We have finally left the cold bitter chill behind and brought back the warm days and balmy nights.

This weekend we ate at a favorite pizza place.

And dined al fresco :-)

This was my view from my seat.

Yum!  Delicious salad and Coal Fired pizza.


I will be closing the book giveaway tonight.  Please sign up on last Monday's post for a copy of The Giving Quilt. 

Friday, April 5, 2013

Serve in Your Own Backyard

Thank you!  Thank you for all the kind and sweet comments left on Wednesday.  It was so wonderful to have so many of you leave birthday greetings.  You all are such sweet blogging friends.

After reading The Giving Quilt, I've been doing a little evaluating of the amount of fabric I have, sitting in my stash, doing absolutely nothing.  This morning We All Sew published a very good article about finding places to donate handmade items.  In the past I've sent quilts to Japan, Joplin, and under the covering of Operation Homefront Quilts, to the family members of those who gave their life during the recent war.  

So it seems to me that we all can look around and find places in our own backyard that have just as great a need.  Whether it is Project Linus or the local Childrens hospital.  Check out the article by We All Sew.

If you have not already signed up for a copy of The Giving Quilt, please take a moment to read my review and leave a comment on Monday's post.  You can find it HERE.

Happy Quilting!


Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Happy Day


 Don't just count your years,
Make your years count!

Once a year, we each have a special day.  I hope you  will help me celebrate mine :-) 

Happy Quilting!

Monday, April 1, 2013

The Giving Quilt



“The Giving Quilt”.  I can’t think of a more appropriate name for this book written by Jennifer Chiaverini. 

I had the opportunity to review Ms Chiaverini’s latest novel, carrying me through to another segment of the Elm Creek Quilters.  I’ve read several of the previous books, and found this one to be equally enchanting. 

Admitting that I was totally captivated with “The Giving Quilt”  would be a little bit of an understatement.  Becoming reacquainted with Sylvia Bergstrom and the Elm Creek Quilters was like reuniting with old friends.  Even reminiscing about the quilt teachers that have moved on, it felt like I just walked in the back door, poured a cup of coffee, and picked up where we left off..

The ladies that we meet at this Quiltsgiving retreat each have a fascinating story to share.  Most of them teachers in their own way, having shared their love of quilting, books, athletics, and children, yet each one walking through a painful highway leading up to the entrance of the stately Manor where the quilt retreats are held.   In many ways, it was real life played out as each of these strong women waged a battle overcoming what appears to be insurmountable odds.  Do they all overcome these odds?  I think you need to read “The Giving Quilt” to find out for yourself.

What I enjoy most about Ms. Chiaverini’s books is her ability to draw you into the lives of her characters.  In many ways, it’s as if she has walked in their very shoes.  But that is what all good writers are supposed to do, right?

As a bonus, Plume books has offered to share two copies of The Giving Quilt with my readers.  They are including quilt pins representing the last three Elm Creek Quilters novels in this prize giveaway. If you would love to read this book please tell me if there is a  Project Linus in your area.  One comment per person.  I will leave this giveaway open for one week.  And be sure that I have a way to contact you.  If you are a no-reply blogger, please leave your email address.  If there is no way to contact you, I will draw another name.

In any case, I’d encourage you to obtain a copy of The Giving Quilt to add to your library.  There is nothing like sitting down with old friends.   

Except when we make new ones.