A Busy Month

I haven't been blogging or quilting or getting my household chores done even.  Life is good but really busy right now.  Tuesday night I made the pants part of a costume for my grandson who is a lion in his 2nd grade play...Circus, Circus.  He has lines and gets to sing a little solo.  Can't wait for the performance day!  I have no pictures of the costume as I was working on it past midnight and the pants were delivered early the next morning.  Sleep trumped a photo session!  It was fun to be finally sewing something!

Here is a picture of a quilt top I found in 1986 in my grandmother's closet after she had passed away.  I am not sure if she made it or where it came from or when it might have been made.  She was mainly a knitter although I think she sewed a little when she was younger.  There are several pretty appliqued tulip blocks.  Most of the quilt top is in good shape and I am thinking of taking the blocks apart and resetting them somehow.  The plan is not really worked out in my head yet.  (Hey, it's only been in my possession 25 years!  Don't rush me!)

But here is some fabric I found recently that might work with the blocks in some fashion.

Pretty good match, huh?

:o)

Keeping Some Balance

It has been so long since I have been in front of my sewing machine.  I have missed it and I have missed blogging too.  Life keeps getting in the way...in a good way...grandchildren...friends...busy times.  But my head is always swirling with ideas and things I want to sew.  To keep some balance while I am away from my machine, I have been hitting some internet fabric sales.  The first collection that I have been eyeing for a while is Moda's Lollipop.  I saw it on sale at Burgundy Buttons.  I really didn't need to buy fabric, but a girl has to do what a girl has to do, right? 

 

I really like the greens in this collection.  I have since discovered a couple more prints to add and am awaiting their arrival.  I am probably going to make a kid quilt for my grandchildren to snuggle under when they visit.  I know it is really 'matchy-matchy' but I like it.

Then I saw the Max and Whiskers collection on sale, as well.  Yes, I felt a purchase was necessary for my mental balance (i.e. I caved) and  so I bought these lovelies too.

They will also more than likely become another 'matchy-matchy' kid quilt for the grandkids too. Now if someone would only have a sale on 'sewing time', I'd be all set.

:o)

No sewing except in my head...and a WIN!

No sewing this week due to babysitting...cleaning...company coming..  I did do some quilt dreaming and I ordered some fabric online.  Had to stay sane somehow, didn't I?   But the BIG NEWS is I won a Lil' Twister Template Tool from a giveaway Jackie sponsored over at the Canton Village Quilt Works blog.  It hasn't arrived yet (maybe tomorrow)  but I can't wait to try it.  Jackie has made some beautiful things with the template shown here!

Because I should have a picture in my post, I'll show you something my daughter made to take to college 10 years ago.  (Seriously?  It's been 10 years?)  I believe this is her first quilt.  (The photo was taken with an old camera under flourescent lighting.  Bleh.)  I love it that she sews!

:o)

Another shopping trip...

I am trying to beat the rain blues here in the Seattle area.  Here is another fabric store I visited...Pacific Fabrics & Crafts...the Bellevue, Washington store.

It is sort of like a chain store, but a local chain of a local quilt and fabric store.  They stock many local quilt shop brands you would see at a LQS in Ohio.  But the atmosphere felt more like a small Joann Fabric store. 

I found some fat quarters of Moda's Max and Whiskers fabric to take home to preview for a possible kid's quilt for Grandma's house.

 I found some interesting pre-printed fabric to make tea towels, an apron and a 54" X 60" table cloth.  My SIL loves anything strawberry and most things vintage.  The quality of this fabric was really nice and very substantial.  It is a very similar weight as some vintage table linens I have that were my mom's.  I think my SIL will love the finished products when she receives them in our Christmas exchange.  (No, she doesn't  know I have a blog.)

There is a huge selection of notions at this store.  I do love to look for new notions!  I found this tape measure which I think will be very useful in measuring fabric for quilt backs and curtains.  Roscoe's Pa cautioned me to check the tape for accuracy when I get home.  I'll probably use an Omnigrid yard stick to be sure this tape is right on.

 And since I am often the family 'go to' person when it comes to shortening jeans and making repairs, I thought this thread would be nice to have on hand.  The terrible lighting in this picture prevents you from seeing the thread is lightly variegated in color the way many jeans are.  I already have a spool of jeans thread in the orange/yellow color that a lot of jeans companies use for trim.  I had never seen the blue before.

A little fabric shopping...

I need more fabric like I need to see more rain.  Yes, I am in the Pacific Northwest again.  The weather has been rain, light rain, heavy rain, more rain.  I can walk to an awesome fabric store.  And I have a fancy smancy windproof umbrella now.   I had to go visit, right? 

 I found these goodies at Quiltworks Northwest in Bellevue, Washington.

More yummy aboriginals...I kept it at fat quarters this time.  I apologize for the photos.  They were taken in some rather dreary temporary housing.   Dealing with the lighting here is beyond my photo taking expertise.  Here are some close ups.

And some fabric for pillow covers or mostly because I just really liked it...

:o)

The Matisse is Finished!

:o)

Recent acquistions

I have started the hand sewing on the binding of my Matisse quilt.  Roscoe's Pa has seen it and really likes it.  :o)  I will snap a picture of it after I finish the binding which hopefully will be soon.  In the meantime, I will show you some recent acquisitions.

Santa brought me the 16 inch Olfa revolving cutting board.  It has been handy with squaring up the 8 1/2 inch blocks for my Matisse quilt.  No more stretching around the cutting table in rather unnatural positions to cut each side.  Just turn the board.   It occurs to me now that this picture would have been better had I had a piece of fabric on it and a rotary cutter and ruler.  Next time...

Also helpful was the 8 1/2 Omnigrip square.

And finally, Santa brought me a sleeve board which I plan to use in constructing doll clothes and little girl clothes.  I struggled with the last few items that I made from this category when pressing on my over-sized ironing board.  I am hoping this will help get better results.

 I like that I can hang this when not in use.

:o)

Almost Done and a Binding Tip!

I am finally sewing the binding on to my Matisse quilt.  All that is left will be the hand sewing of the binding to the back of the quilt.   I have really bonded with this quilt!  Note to self:  Always sew with fabric you love. 

There are many ways to manage your unsewn binding while you sew it on to a quilt.  This happens to be my way.  Roll your prepared binding into a roll.

Find a small recycled gift bag.

Place the binding roll in said gift bag and pull out the end of the roll.

Place bag on the floor next to your chair.  Begin to bind.  Voila!  The binding will easily pull out of the gift bag and stay straight as you apply it to the quilt.

:o)

Satisfied.

Okay.  We all can't be Matisse or even artists.  But there is a place for folks like me.  I can see what is good in others' work so maybe with some more practice I can be happier with my visions...or non-visions.  LOL. I am satisfied with this layout.  It is not a wallhanging.  It is a lap quilt.  It's very pretty up close.  I am ready to sew.

:o|

Oh boy.

Eh, no.  Bleh!  Back to the drawing board.  Oh.  I didn't use one.  This was improv or whatever.  Sigh.

:o(

Puzzle Pieces

Here are the blocks arranged from lighter to darker.  Next comes the fun of putting the colors together.  I have a feel for the results but I am not good with seeing what I want and then doing it.  The results are always a surprise for me!

:o)

Progressing...

I have been cutting...

preparing the binding, and making the back.

:o)

Back at it again...

I started the Matisse quilt.  Hooray! 

 Still in the thinking...

and planning stage.

PS  Got a new sewing machine light socket for my new LED light.  No more flickering.  It's awesome!

:o)

Almost good...

I picked up my machine on Saturday from being serviced.  The machine is a Bernina 1230 that I got in the 80's and I LOVE her.  The only thing I wish is that she had a larger area to push a quilt through for machine quilting. 

I got a new LED light to replace my old flickering standard light bulb.  The LED is awesome with 10 individual lights that fit flush with the machine lighting area.  What genius to come up with something like this. The bad news is the LED flickers just like the old standard bulb.  Must be a short in the socket…darn!  I’ll have to take my machine back for some more work.

:o|

I'm back!

Hi everyone!  I am home from my 24/7 granny nanny job.  It was so much fun and I am suffering from grandkid withdrawal.  I am so blessed.  New #6 is a heart-stealer and such a good baby.

Look what was in my mailbox when I got home!!!  I have always wanted a Kona Cotton Color Card.  Roscoe's Pa thought I should just order one then.  Worked for me! 

I am totally captivated with looking at all the colors and thinking of all the possibilities. 

If you ever get a chance to get one, I think you will be glad you did!

:o)