More Pix

One of the things I love about going to a retreat is the generosity of other quilters. When I asked if I could take a photo of their work they were always happy to allow it. I don't have makers names, or even pattern names, but these were some of my favorite design walls~

If you click on the pix, they will open larger. ;-)

I am planning a unicorn quilt in my future, that pattern is by Elizabeth Hartman

There were design walls all around the gym, even on the floor~

That's it for today~

Until next time~

Happy Stitchin'!!

I'm Baaa-aaack!!

Wow! Where did the past two weeks go?

I have been hopping, have you?

I have done a lot of pattern testing and more will be revealed on that later. 

I also went to a 4 day retreat. :o  And had an absolute blast!

This is the back of the van before retreat~

Yes, two sewing machines are in there. I always take a back-up.

Plus we had a repairman come in and for $50 he would clean your machine.

My old Pfaff now purrs like a kitten. :-)

I take my own table & chair also.

The retreat is held at a Salvation Army camp and we set up in their gym.

They do have some tables, but not a lot and we had 110 retreaters this time! I never take a chance on them having an available table. ;-) 

I also take 2 suitcases~ one with my clothes, the other with my projects. :-)

As for what I accomplished?

I will be back with that, but I'll leave you with this photo~

We do a block challenge and in your registration there is a 6 inch square; you need to use the majority of it in your block, and your block should tie into the theme in some way-- that one is a very loose interpretation.  This wall is 50 of the blocks, by the time it was time to vote, there were 60+ blocks. 

You vote for your top 3 favorites.  We have tried in years past to vote for most creative, best applique etc and it was too hard to count the votes, so it was simplified this year. 

Until next time~

Happy Stitchin'!!

Never A Dull Moment Here!

From bags to quilts, my machine just keeps hopping! :-)

Happy April!

 Have you gotten pranked today? So far, I have not, but hubby has been busy, so I don't think he has thought much about it...yet. I will let you know if he gets me! :-) 

I have autumn quilts, but nothing for Halloween. And I wanted a Halloween quilt. So when I saw this pattern test by Erica of Kitchen Table Quilting I just knew it was 'the one'!

This is The Tessa Quilt and will be available on her website soon.

 Although the fabric in the sashing looks white in the photo, it is really a white with tiny orange dots surrounded by a ring of red. :-) It was chilly and breezy and you would not believe how many shots I had to take to get just this one! And still the side curled a bit. :-)

I plan to quilt it with a minky back so it will be all snuggly come fall.

What are you working on today?  I have another quilt pattern test and a bag test on my cutting table, so I must get back to the fun! LOL

Until next time~

Happy Stitchin'!!

A Fun Little Bag~

Last week I finished a pattern test for Tori of Toriska Bags & Crafts.

Tori has one of those wonderful minds that can really think outside the box and this bag is proof! 

There is very little hand sewing~ just to finish a turning place~, and loads of special features!  

She also tells you how to add different pockets for your needs, to adjust the size to fit your phone, or whatever else you want to carry. And she did some videos to help you through the trickier parts. :-)

The result is the Elite Crossbody Wallet~

I added alll the pockets! 

Slip pockets inside and out, card slots inside and a zipper pocket inside.

I am hoping my DDIL will love this one. ;)

 The pattern comes in two sizes~ wallet and tablet size. This is the wallet and my phone fits perfectly.

Be sure to check out the links above, she has special pricing through Saturday.

A special thank you to all of you who took the time to answer my question in my last post.  My comments really do work!  It seems we all like to press our bindings in half to start, but not everyone presses them over. I generally don't on big quilts because i didn't like wrestling with them at the ironing board, but I think I will from now on.  (I don't know if you see the following gibberish~ I don't know how to get rid of it!)               <3 all="" and="" appreciate="" big="" binding="" bindings="" br="" but="" comments="" do="" don="" from="" generally="" get="" half="" i="" in="" is="" it="" like="" look.="" loved="" mixed.="" my="" nbsp="" now="" on.="" one.="" other="" our="" press="" pressed="" pressing="" quilts="" really="" seeing="" seems="" side="" t="" that="" the="" then="" think="" time="" to="" took="" very="" we="" will="" with="" work="" wrestle="" write="" you="">

I'll be back in a few days with a new quilt!

Until then~

Happy Stitchin"

A Question?

Hi! Are you out there?

Am I just not getting comments, or doesn't it work?  Please let me know! ;-)

Do you press your bindings when adding them to your quilt?

I confess I normally don't, except when I am adding the faux piping-type binding.

Then I press. 

First from back to front~

 

 And then I press the front down so I get decent corners. 

Ok, they don't always turn out as pressed, but they are pretty good.

It seems like there is always one that wants to be different. ;)

Does that happen to you too?

I can't show you what I made...yet. But it is finished and ready for Spring!! 

Which is tomorrow!!! :-)  I am so ready!! LOL

I made a little pouch for a gift this weekend~ I love how it turned out. :-)

I hope the recipient does too! This is the Bellevue Pouch from Season one of the Minikins Bundle by Sara of Sew Sweetness. 

Until next time~

Happy Stitchin'!!

Do You Love to Read?

I absolutely love to read!

I kept a log of books I read last year and along the way forgot to write a few down, but the total was 75 books! Not audio books, not counting magazines or quilt books. Just novels, primarily fiction, either historical fiction or a good James Patterson. ;-)

I am past a dozen this year, and I know I forgot to write down the ones I returned to the library a few weeks ago. Oops.

Anyway, did you know Sara @ Sew Sweetness has a Book Club this year?   And she has designed an accompanying project to go with each book.... and it is a free pattern! :-)

The first book was 'The Sewing Machine' by Natalie Fergie

It was a quick read and a really good story!

The accompanying project was the Clydebank Tote.

Here is mine...

 The pattern comes in two sizes. It has a top closing zipper, and two inside zipper pockets.

I made the largest size and it is going to make a perfect 

'Mary Poppins' bag when I visit grandkiddoes! :-) 

I did change mine up slightly; adding the faux leather to the sides and bottom, and adding purse feet to the bottom.  The fabrics are all quilters cottons and the great shape comes from the foam interfacing.

I hope you will join me in reading the next book and doing the project. If you do, please let me know in the comments. ;-)  The book is 'The Last Runaway' by Tracy Chevalier

I checked it out of the library and could hardly put it down last night!

Until next time~

Happy Stitchin'!!

Where Did February Go?!

..or for that matter the first 10 days of March!?!  

Time is just flying at my house! How about yours?

We have had a week of snow and ice, another of cold temps and today I looked out and my neighbors crocus are blooming!!  My daffodils are about 6 inches out of the ground~ yes! Spring is coming!!

My sewing machine has been working like crazy, but I have very little I can show for all the time logged. Eventually, just not today. ;-)

I can show you the quilt I am working on in-between pattern tests and other things.  :-)

This is the beginning of the Olivia Quilt from Kitchen Table Quilting. I did not pattern test this one, but when I saw it I knew it was perfect for the charm squares I had!  I am making this for my grandson, so rescue vehicles seemed like fun. :-) He is at the age where he loves to line up his cars and play. 

I joined a St Patrick's Day postcard swap and mine are made and sent~

I also made a couple notebook covers on my embroidery machine for gifts~

funny, but I only managed to get a photo of one of them. :o

And finally, I made a diaper bag backpack. This was a pattern test for Sallie Tomato and you can find the pattern HERE

 

It is called the Tripper.  Great for day trips too! ;-)

It is really roomy and I am sure my DS and DDIL will find it very handy when my newest grandbaby arrives.  

 

I am headed back to my sewing machine and hopefully you will see more of me soon!

Until next time~

Happy stitchin'!! :-)