I'm Ba-a-a-ack!!!!!

I have been and now I am back!!! As always Puducah was wonderful---one because my "Best Bud", Diane was here. We had lots to talk about and as always she provided wonderful insight and support to both me and my family. Second, the quilts were as usual awe-inspiring. It was hard for me to imagine that a woman (or in some instances, a man) actually made these masterpieces! They were absolutely beautiful and although I always come away with renewed creative energy, I can't imagine I would ever be able to create such masterpieces. If you get a chance, go to the AQS web and have a look.

I of course, added my own economic stimulus--Diane and I didn't do as much impulse buying as on other occasions, but I did bring some "stuff" back. My prize purchase I think is the rotary blade sharpener by USA. It REALLY does work!!! Although it was a bit pricey ($29) given the cost of blades, I figure if I sharpen three blades I would have made my money back (and I already have). The next thing I got and am anxious to try out is two little fabric dye kits. They each will dye 30 fat 1/8th in a variety of colors. I plan to try them this week-end---I'll post pictures (if the results look nice). I of course did get some fabric to add to my stash, a couple of patterns and of course a set of templates, but other than that, I stuck to my budget.






What I did get however, was the strawberry shortcake!!! The quality has remained consistent and the lines indicate that others agree!

I've missed you and I am glad to be back!!!!

Hugs!!!!!

Time for Puducah!!!!!

Tomorrow, Diane gets here and then on Thursday, bright and early we head out for Puducah!!!!!! What fun we will have!!!! I will try to remember to take pictures of the fun!

Hugs!! Gotta go clean the downstairs bathroom! :-)

Thanks for the KIND comments!!!

As you have probably read in an earlier posting, I "submitted" to the First Annual Blogger Quilt Show. If you haven't had a chance to look, you really should. I haven't gotten a chance to go through them all, but I plan to spend some time today. Although I tell myself I am going to only look at the quilts to save time, I find the stories of the quilts make the actually picture so meaningful. There are funny stories, sad/touching ones and some that remind me of some of the experiences I have had.

I also must thank the people who took time and came by and left me a comment. Thank you so much!! I am trying to do the same, but I am taking so long in looking, and oooing, till I am really behind--but I will catch up :-).

I also want to share that in reading my post last Sunday, I was in a bit of a sad mood. My problem remains, but things are looking much better!!! I know everything will be okay--so I have decided to not worry!

I am currently working hard to get ready for Diane's visit!!!! We are going to have such a good time. I am cleaning and dusting and once finish, will forbid anyone to make a mess! Only three more days!!!!!

Hugs!

First Annual Blogger Quilt Festival

As I was surfing blogger land, I came across this neat invitation to the "First Annual Blogger Quilt Festival". The directive was to take a picture of your favorite or special quilt, post it on your blog with an explanation about it and then post a link back.

As I thought about my quilts, I have to admit, I really like all my quilts! The one that I choose isn't any more special than the others, but I really love the colors. It was a Mystery for my Guild and we completed it in one day. Because it was a mystery, I didn't choose the colors for the quilt, but rather choose them because I like them. I love bright colors and some of them are really not what you would expect to see together. The border fabric was purchased at the 2008 AQS Puducah show at Hancocks of Puducah, in the back room. For those of you who have ever been there, you know the fun chaos that exist with oodles of quilters, pawing through oodles of fabric, looking for just the right yardage, and then when you find it, looking for more (since it is all in one yard lengths). You usually wave what you are looking for in the air and ask if anyone finds another piece to let you know. This is how I got this fabric. As a result, every time I look at the quilt, I smile with the good memories associated with it.....the fun of finding the fabric and the fun I had making it into a quilt.

Hope you enjoy looking at my "entry" into the Quilt Festival! Click on the Annual Quilt Festival button and enjoy the other beautiful "entries". Think about "entering" yourself!

Fabric Purchase

I had to run out for an errand last evening. It just so happened, that errand took me next door to Joanne's. Where ever there is fabric I at least stop in and look. When I sewed primarily garments, I bought the majority of my fabric from Cloth World and later when it became Joanne's, I continued to shop there. Although I prefer Quilt Shops, unfortunately, there aren't any in close proximity to my home. I have also found that within the last year, the quality of fabric has increased significantly at Joanne's. They are carrying names long associated with quality fabric, in the case of the cupcake fabric, Michael Miller.

At any rate, with coupons in hand, I stopped at Joanne's and found that a large majority of their fabric was 30% to 40% off--so I couldn't use my coupons (this new rule I don't like). I purchased two fabric lengths that I plan to use on quilt backs. I think my backs should be as pretty as my fronts, so I usually buy fabric for this when it is on-sale, or with my coupons. Don't you love the cupcake fabric? I intend to put the two together for a pieced back. I am not sure for which quilt, but I've learned that if I buy something I like, I will always create a suitable quilt for it's use.

Only a few more days and then my "Best Bud" Diane will be here and we will be off to Puducah and loads of fun. I am saving the majority of my "quilt allowance" for that trip. I don't have a long list really---some threads, pantographs, templates (not as many since I have the Accucquilt Go!), some patterns and of course some batiks and hand dyes. My shopping has become more discriminate, since I am less likely to make impulse buys like I once did. I think I was just overstimulated with all the choices. At any rate, I am really looking forward to the time--one because I get to have some "girl time" with my quilting buddy!

Have a great day!

Happy Monday!

This is the completed "Secret Sister Sampler" (AKA S3). The story behind the quilt is a fun one. Every year my guild (The Iris Guild) has a drawing for your secret sister. Last year my sister was Trish. For six months she gave me two quilt block patterns and the fabrics to make them (in this case, civil war reproductions). The block names were clues to her identity (I didn't guess correctly). Because I don't do "small" I added some additional blocks. The challenge was to have my quilt made in time for the Christmas Party when the sisters identities is made known. The setting is the Big Block Quilt Pattern. I really like how it turned out. I normally don't use civil war repros since I find the colors not as bright as I like, but I like how this turned out. The setting material and border/sashing are fabrics I choose. Unfortunately, the picture shows the quilt upside down. The top is actually the bottom since one of the blocks is a basket. The picture is also dark, I took it inside and it is cloudy here, but I hope you get the idea. I am going to take it for show-n-tell--I washed and dried it so it is nice and crinkly.

The other quilt is one I made during a "Quilt for an Hour" quilting challenge led by Judy of Patchwork Times Quilt blog (it is listed as one of the blogs I follow). I really like it as well. Every fabric came from my stash.

I also want to thank Zlaty for her kind words of encouragement. If in fact "what doesn't kill you, will make you strong" is true---I am one strong girl :-)

Hugs!!

Easter Sunday!

Today is beautiful---lots of sunshine and cool (as it always seems to be after storms). It is as if the air has been cleaned of all extraneous substances and is starting anew.

I have some very serious personal worries right now, but I am assured that everything will work out okay! I am so happy to be blessed with good health and a sound mind (I think) to be able to figure it out. In addition, I also have a supportive husband and children who are right there with me!

I am going to cook a good dinner (with homemade dessert AND bread) and have dinner with my daughter, GS, and DH--and marvel at the process by which we are here.

My wish for you is a blessed day as well!

Hugs!

No New News!

Just stopped by to say "hey"! I am going to get my lap top hooked up so I can post pictures, but until then I just wanted to make a brief visit.

We had more storms yesterday! Unfortunately, they were pretty bad. Several neighborhoods were hit pretty hard with a lost of life. The town that sustained a lot of damage is rather close to us--in fact I pass by it on my way to work. Although spring and summer are my favorite times of the year---in case of weather, it is the most dangerous because of the tornadoes. When we lived in Florida, people would always commit about the hurricanes--but honestly, you had so much advance warning, you could really prepare. That isn't the case with tornadoes, although the warning systems have gotten much better, people are often still caught off guard, or there really isn't anywhere to go.

We have a neat closet in our garage that is almost under a part of the house. We are going to have a contractor investigate and see if this maybe can't be turned into a storm shelter. My nephew in Oklahoma built a shelter in his garage so maybe we can see if this closet will do.

Well, I guess I will go and clean a bit and then do some piecing. I am working on the "Hidden Nine-Patch", binding the sampler, and finishing up knitting the first sock in pair for my GS....plus I have to find time to cook somewhere in there.

Hope you day is a productive one!

Hugs!!!

Spring Storms!

My DGD#1 spent the night last night. Her younger sister was having her 12th birthday sleep-over party and of course, a 15 year old is much too OLD to attend. Her sleep-over is at a local hotel---certainly not something her mother ever had for her birthday, but then that is another story beginning with NO money for such "back in the day"---at any rate, I really think that is a pretty good idea==you don't have to clean up before or after :-). My idea of a real party!!!

At any rate, I think I mentioned in an earlier post that I am married to a man who tries to be prepared for any emergency and is always on the alert to make sure we are secure. Last night we had terrible summer storms that in some states brought tornadoes. Our power went out last night---I of course was deep in sleep land, but I must say, at the time he woke me up, I was dreaming about going into a tornado shelter--very interesting isn't it. Now as I said my husband plans for times like this, as such, we have flashlights strategically placed throughout the house (one that is a wind-up one), and a wind-up radio, as well as a tiny little television (in fact 2), the kind that are the size of the old transistor radios. We have a tri-level house and we were sleeping on the top level, so my honey woke us all up and moved us to the lower level. My Granddaughter was very impressed with our planning--"wow, you have flashlights AND tv's AND radio's that don't need batteries!!!!" She said that any time there is bad weather, she thinks she will come over here---. We got our lights back within a couple of hours and thank goodness, nothing more than high winds. Today it is suppose to rain on and off so hopefully we will have a pretty good day. BTW, our big computer was fried with the lightening, even though we had surge protectors---but remember I have a husband who plans---we have 2 laptops AND in fact we also have wireless in the house--so life will go on!

Have a wonderful day and a blessed Easter holiday!!

Hugs!

Thank You!!!

Thank you Millie and Kat for your nice comments about "Emma's Quilt". I hope she will like it as well!

Not one thing new to blog about---I just want to keep up my postings--since once I stop then I will get behind. As soon as I finish the binding on my "secret sis" sampler, then I will have a new pic.

Have a great night! Hugs!

Pictures of "Emma's Quilt"

Here are the pictures of "Emma's Quilt"-- the name of the little girl who is going to receive it. As I said once before, I really like how it turned out. I am always amazed at how much texture quilting adds, and when you wash it, it is even nicer (I think). I don't always wash my quilts immediately after finishing them, but I might start now. I've also included a picture of the backing---I think it is too cute. {I have to be careful I don't break my arm patting myself on the back===:-) }

It is now winter again---raining with almost a light sleet. Yesterday it was 77 degrees!!!!! Go figure!

Have a great day!!!

Finished!

I didn't get any advice unfortunately---don't feel bad--I know you are a busy bunch! At any rate, I decided to go with my "gut" and bind the quilt with my usual straight grain double-fold. The points aren't as sharp, but probably they wouldn't be anyway. I am going to post a picture after I finish sewing down the binding and I wash the quilt. I quilted with a overall tight stipple, and I think it looks nice. I also used poly thread for the first time in quilting, and I must say, I intend to use it again. A lot less lint, and it sinks into the batting nicely. I read on Bonnie's Quiltville site that she uses maxilock--the thread that is usually used in sergers, so I will try that next.

Since I was in a "binding mood", I am also in the process of sewing the binding on to one of the "quilts-in-waiting"---so I will be able to move two off my "to do" list. I think what I will have to do is sew the binding on immediately after I finish quilting--rather than putting them aside to wait for a later day.

Well, must go and finish my binding---I had to take a small break. Take care and have a great day!!!!

Hugs!!

Your Advice Needed!

I have been puzzling (I think that is a word) over the binding on my Hexagon Quilt. I am going to leave the sides as is---I think it looks really neat that way and the original quilt was finished the same way, but I am wondering about the binding.

I usually use a straight on the grain double binding for my quilts. It uses less fabric and works well with the little binding tool I use (see some previous posts). At any rate, since I am not really going around curves, I could still use this type of binding, but what about the "peaks" and "valleys" of the sides. Should I miter the peaks? I guess if I don't rather than peaks, they will become rounded. What about the "valley"---do I miter those?---and if so, exactly how does one do that? Should I use a binding that is cut on the bias for more flexibility? Will this type of binding wear well---remember this is quilt is for a toddler and I really want it to be used---and prevent me from having sharp "peaks"?

Have any of you made a quilt like this? If so, how did you handle the binding? I am almost half finished with the quilting, so will have to make a decision soon.

Thanks in advance!!! Hugs!