Christmas Blocks

Today I worked a full day at the quilt store as 'shop girl'. I often work a little in that guise as well as teach there, but never before a full day behind the counter. It was really fun, I hope I remembered everything I needed to do :-)

Tonight I started foundation piecing some of the blocks I need to make a Christmas table runner. This is the second of five projects I will make for the upcoming workshop. I love the fabrics in the centre of the blocks. Doesn't the one in the middle look like those old fashioned Spirographs? I used to love that toy, I wonder if my Mum still has it?

I have a total of ten blocks to make - five will be like the two you see in the picture, and the other five will have the brighter green and the red on the outside of the blocks. It will make it more interesting when the blocks are stitched together. There will be a panel at each end of the runner, and it will have an applique of some sort. I'm thinking maybe a snowflake or something. I'll decide when I get there. I love the fun colours that Christmas prints are including at the moment - I never would have called the bright green a Christmas colour, and yet here it is and I love it!

Also - I haven't forgotten about those of you looking for information about piecing batt together - I hope to have a few minutes to put a demo together for you this weekend. And regarding the paisley fabric, I haven't had any luck yet finding out who it's by, but I also haven't given up. More news as it comes to hand! x o x

Mothers Day

I hope everyone had a lovely Mother's Day. I know a wonderful day was had here. I had my parents, brothers, sister in-law, grand parents, my cousin and her daughter over for a BBQ lunch. Of course we massively over-catered - being that we had too much food here in the first place, and then everyone brought along more to contribute. Part of what makes a family gathering special right? We all get to eat leftovers for days afterwards :-)

My husband and children gave such nice gifts. Cameron purchased the pincushion at the Mother's Day stall at school - I'm still amazed that he knew just the thing to get me. And they all contributed to the lovely purse set. I may have had a whole lot to do with the purses ... like, I may or may not have chosen it from the catalogue, and actually gone to the store to get it ... and well, you get the idea :-) And even my Mum got in on the act and gave me the little afternoon tea set in the background. Lucky me :-)

So far today I've been quilting on Maureen's quilt - I think I'm around two thirds done. I'll have it finished this evening for sure, and then I hope to get a start on a cot quilt for Jenny. Tomorrow I'm going to start piecing on another of the projects for the Christmas workshop. I found some lovely Christmas fabrics at the shop last week - more little Christmas pictures, these ones have lime green, so I had to choose a lime green coordinate. More later when I have something to share. Have a great day. x o x

It's done!

Just minutes ago I stitched the last of the binding to the quilt for my Mum. I actually didn't think I could get it done in time, so I'm just thrilled that it's complete :-)

Tomorrow I will finish up the chores around the house so I'm ready for Mother's Day and our influx of guests, and get some grocery shopping done. Think of me in the morning taking Cameron to his first ever basketball game. We tried on his top today, and it comes almost down to his knees - in fact, I'll be surprised if you can see his shorts underneath. His little team are called the Panthers - he's so excited. This afternoon he also had his first Auskick session for the year - it would be so much fun if he gets the chance to play at Aami Stadium again, that was the most exciting thing ever!

Now I'm just going to put a little laundry away, and then hit the sheets. It has really been quite a week!

Blue Ridge Beauty

Do you remember this quilt top I made a while back? It's Bonnie's Blue Ridge Beauty pattern, with a different border treatment. I love love love this quilt, and some day will have to make another one for myself.

Last year I gave it to my Mum with the promise that I'd quilt it up for her - and so far I haven't gotten it done. Last night I thought it would be really nice if I could have it done before Mothers Day. I pinned it this morning, and I've started quilting, so I'll see how far I get before other things get in the way. I have offered to have the family over for a BBQ on Sunday, so I'll also have to get the house 'company ready' in addition to working on Wednesday and Thursday. Even if I don't quite make it, I'm sure Mum will be pleased that it's in progress.

On Jeana's Journal, there is a post regarding personal economies and what we do to pinch pennies. I thought I'd quickly share one of my favourite things. I often piece batts together. Last night I pieced the batt together for the blue and cream quilt, and it used 22 smaller pieces. Last month I also pieced together a batt for the Cinnamon Christmas quilt, and that one used 25 smaller pieces. It feels like I've got free batt when I do this - and it means I can save the money toward some more fabric or thread, which are the parts of a quilt that we actually do see. I must admit - I'm also curious to know what other people do in the spirit of economy.

Have a great day! x o x

Piecing?

I got so much piecing done today *cough*. Well, actually, I didn't, but this evening I've managed to add the outside star points to the blocks I made the other day.

And speaking of the other day - where did the last four days go??

But back to today ... this morning I finished quilting on a customers quilt - and then this afternoon got busy doing chores. My house has gotten really neglected while I've been so busy. Tonight I would like to begin quilting on another quilt - I'll see if I have the energy in reserve ...

It has been a great weekend, starting with yesterday morning. A fun treat for Cheryl and I was to spend some time at the Magill Quilters 'Biggest Morning Tea'. It was so nice, and a very worthy cause, with proceeds going to Breast Cancer Research. When we got back to the shop, I was able to see the new AP&Q magazine had arrived, and it has one of my quilts in it. My 'Galaxy of Scraps' quilt that I made a little while back. I think there will be another of mine in the next issue too!

When I got home I started quilting some more, and almost finished the project, and found that I hadn't been supplied with quite enough thread. I had 20 minutes before the stores were due to close - not enough time to get to Quiltaholics, but enough to get to Spotlight. Amy and I dashed over, and with only 15 minutes got the thread I needed, and managed to pick up the fabrics you see there in the picture. Talk about power shopping! The blues will be wonderful for the Star Happy quilt, and the paisley - well, just because.

Well, that's it from me - I'll try not to leave it so long between posts next time - I promise!

Star Happy

This evening I have made a tiny start on the 'Star Happy' quilt Linda and I will be making together. Not much progress so far, but I have done a lot of the cutting. This project will use a great many 6.5", 3.5" and 2" squares and strips, so I've plundered the scrap boxes already. It was fun to do a little piecing of my own, so I will look forward to when I have a chance to do some more work on it.

Next on my agenda for today is to pack lunches etc for tomorrow, and then I'll hopefully still have time to pin a quilt for tomorrow morning. It's 'all quilting - all the time' here!

And on the kitty front, Gracie is just fine after her 'little procedure', and though the vet suggested we need to keep her quiet and not bouncing around too much, we haven't been able to achieve it. Better run ... TTYL :-)

Gracie

Marty snapped this picture of Gracie yesterday - doesn't she look thrilled? It's actually really hard to get a nice photo of her because she's quite dark - this picture is one in a million that has worked out.

Today Gracie is visiting with the Vet. She's just over six months old now, so we decided it was time for her to be neutered and micro chipped. She won't like it, but to us, it's the responsible thing to do.

In quilting news, I'm almost done with the deadlines I had set for myself to achieve before Wednesday. I'll be able to get some chores done now, and relax a little too. In the last eight days, I have quilted three customer quilts, pieced one shop sample, quilted and bound two shop samples, photographed and written the pattern for one shop sample. I feel I've achieved a lot, and I'm looking forward to working on some projects of my own. I still have more projects to quilt, but my pressure has eased a little.

Well, that's it from me - I promise quilty pictures in the next post.
x o x

It may get quiet ...

... as I stitch my way out from under this pile of work. Seriously, I'm going as fast as I can. I've a feeling the housework will be somewhat neglected ... but let's hope I can keep up with the family's nutritional needs while I hunker down in the sewing room.

Be sure to have a wonderful weekend, and I look forward to hearing all the reports from Paducah KY. x o x

Name that fabric ...

Almost finished quilting the next project - a shop sample for a range of fabrics that came in a short while ago.

I was on the phone to Cheryl today talking about what binding I'd like to use. "I think I need the black fabric ... the one that looks like tadpoles hugging". We understand each other - she found it, and she's put it aside for me.

Don't you see the tadpoles hugging? Or is it just me?

Cinnamon Christmas

I've been working hard and here's the end result. The quilt is called Cinnamon Christmas - named for the images in the centres of the blocks. Cheri asked the other day what fabric the pictures were - I thought I'd share with everyone - it's called 'A Country Chritmas' by Makower.

It doesn't really show up in the picture, but the project is all quilted now, and I've attached the binding. I just need to hand sew the reverse side. I'd like to finish that part off tonight so I can leave the quilt at the store tomorrow. This is the first of five projects for the Christmas in July workshop. I have a couple of customer quilts I need to work on before I start on the next project, which will be a table runner.

Best get back to work - I've been stressing a little over my workload lately, which is unlike me. I don't usually stress over anything. My friend Linda put it perfectly when I spoke to her yesterday. She said 'Work steady'. Says it all really, doesn't it?

Christmas-y blocks

I'm still piecing on the Christmas blocks. Actually, it seems like I've done miles and miles of piecing, and not an awful lot to show for it. But in reality, I've almost finished all the blocks. The centre parts of the other blocks are made, and I only need to add the green borders to the alternate blocks.

Don't worry, I won't be setting the blocks together as you see them in the picture. I just wanted to get as many blocks as possible in the shot.

After this quilt top is finished, I will start working on a table runner project for the class, and then I may take a breather and catch up on a little quilting. There is a quilt for my Mum that needs to be finished, and I also have three customer quilts here. Sometimes it seems there's a never ending list of projects that need my attention. Lucky for me I love this job I have :-)

Ohhh, and I forgot to mention in my last post ... Friday was our wedding anniversary. Marty and I have been married 16 years now. Gosh it's flown by. Happy days :-)

To all my friends heading to Paducah for the Quilt Festival - be sure to have the very best time. It's my hope to be joining you there in 2010. This year we'll be heading over for PIQF in Santa Clara CA. I hope to meet lots of you in October.

Christmas workshop

Yesterday I got a really good start on one of the Christmas projects I have designed. I will be doing a Christmas in July workshop at the store, so I'm thinking I really need to get busy given that I'm thinking about a choice of five projects.

This one will be a lap sized quilt - if I recall correctly I think it works out to around 65" square. You can see at the top there are the beginnings of some blocks, and the ones on the left have the plaid fabric in the middle. When they're finished, they'll have the green fabric on the outside - so the blocks will be opposites of the finished blocks in the foreground.

Ummm ... did that make sense? Well, anyways, you'll see the progress soon. I will also make up a table runner, some placemats, a wall hanging ... and something else I'm not entirely sure about yet. All will be revealed in the fullness of time ... and when I've dreamed it up :-)

Also exciting for me is that my wonderful friend Linda (in San Jose) and I are embarking on a new scrap project together. This year we're going to make the blue and cream quilt on the cover of Star Happy Quilts by Judy Martin. I haven't actually made any of her quilts before, but Linda has made many, and she assures me that her patterns are wonderful. I definitely always love the look of her quilts - she's a scrappy quilter, just like me :-)

I have a feeling I'm going to need more project boxes soon - I have a few projects on the boil right now. I'm actually thinking I may also add a few more size 'scrap boxes' to my repertoire. It would seem that 6.5" and 5" may also be good size scraps to cut up for some projects. My cutting may be dictated by space soon. I have a serious investment in Starmaid tubs already!

Better run - we're out for a lunch date shortly ... be sure to have a wonderful day! x o x

Took the scenic route ...

A little while back I ordered some thread from Hancocks of Paducah. Shipping for up to $60 worth of stock is $12, so it makes sense to spend the whole $60.

I managed to get 6 yards of double wide backing fabric - the one with the hot air balloons. I have to say, the balloons are bigger in person than I expected, but still very cute. Some Terry Clothier Thompson pre-printed applique blocks - I'm not sure I needed more faux-applique, but there it is. And the Judie Rothermel fabric there on the left. Ohhh, and the thread. The picture is deceptive ... but that's 3000 yards of thread you see there - YLI thread in my favourite Caffe Romano colourway.

I had to collect it from the post office - and was most surprised when the girl came to the counter with what looked like a burlap bag. And printed on the burlap bag was 'Swiss Post' and also had a label with a London address on it. The original Hancocks shipping bag and label was inside, and looked to be untouched. I did think my parcel was taking a little longer than usual, but not too bad ... it would seem that upon leaving Kentucky USA, my fabric took a mini-break in Europe before heading Down Under. Shame the fabric can't talk ... it would seem it has a story to tell ...

Shoe-Gal

It's no secret that I'm a shoe-gal. And judging by yesterday, I believe it may well be genetic.

Mum took the kids and I to Harbour Town yesterday - for non-locals it's an outlet store shopping mall. Mum needed some shoes, and wanted to get some bits and pieces for the kids.

Well, shoes were definitely purchased. Mum got herself four pairs, she bought me the two pairs in the picture - three pairs for Cameron, and a pair for Amy. Amy's not big on shoes, and instead got a whole pile of clothes.

I wore the black ones out today, and they're super comfortable. I can't wait to wear the faux leapord ones - maybe tomorrow if we go out somewhere. Thank you Mum!