tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45901090808149862922024-02-18T23:41:19.201-08:00Black Hat QuilterAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-70100371805196322112017-02-08T07:42:00.002-08:002017-02-09T09:28:26.416-08:00Antique Surprise! Made In America! <span style="font-size: large;"> What a wonderful morning I had yesterday! I totally love when something happens unexpectedly-and that something is really wonderful. I was just sharing the morning with my husband. He was getting ready to leave on a business trip.We were talking and laughing.....I hear a ding on my phone- I look at it and see that someone has sent me a message on messenger. Curious- I checked it out. It was someone who I did not know. Her message was this: " I have a friend who is looking for someone to quilt a family quilt". I was like- hhmmmm.... cool! So you know--I had to answer right away. It turns out it was a small group of woman ,who were at a local church laying out the quilt top because the owner originally wanted to pin baste it and hand quilt it. Her friends talked to her about a different option----machine quilting it. One of the ladies had seen a previous post of mine on face book about a quilt I had quilted for a customer . I remember that exact quilt too---very vintage looking quilt. Well, we texted back and forth and agreed on them coming over in a couple of hours. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> What a rainy and cold day. When the car pulled up--I felt bad that they had to get out and come to my door. The woman did come out and what a sweet thing--A Grandma ma! She introduced herself and told me she was excited to show me the quilt. It turns out, it is not one that she pieced. It belongs to her Great Niece's Husband's Great Great Grandmother. Wow!!!!That was all I could think right away. Double wow!This woman told me that this young man remembers his Great Great Grandmother sewing together this very top. What a precious memory.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> We took it out of the bag and opened it up. I loved it instantly---it is all scrappy. It looks like an X and O pattern-sort of . As I held it, I ran my hand gently across it. I had to fondle it. This fabric in the quilt is fabric that was all made in America. We don't have that luxury today. I was so jealous---I wish we still had our mills and produced our own textiles. Anyway---back to the quilt.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> We talked about it--we decided to do a simple edge to edge. I thought a gentle design that would reinforce all of the seams without distracting from the design was perfect. She said she would leave the thread choice up to me. She is a seamstress but does not feel she can do the binding. I offered to do it for her and put a label on the back for her. She gave me a big grin when I told her she can archive about the quilt on the label. We talked some more about the quilt and of course- vintage machines. She was so cute--she kept saying : "I have chills on my legs talking to you" , " It is so nice to talk to someone about quilts and machines". I tell you- that woman makes me smile ear to ear.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> When she was leaving she left me with this statement of hers: " I want you to treat this quilt top as if it was your Great Great Grandmothers and do your best". That made my knees go weak and brought tears to my eyes. I simply answered: "Yes, I certainly will!". With warnings of take your time and don't rush, she was out the door and gone. There I stood--looking at this quilt. It is really difficult to express my thoughts and feelings at that moment. I can tell you that I feel as if the Universe has blessed me with a gem. I feel so honored that this woman would bring me her treasure. I truly can not wait to load this up an work on it. You can be sure that I will post some more about it as I work on it. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zK6x5nhIyiPxL5qLrDkfdK023kig0Datv6-9F3IeXmYg2NEm4YUMCwO1CBPLe3oVA63w3PcSVCgvI3P6ZYwNWaqypUE7xUviYND5A4zHe8dQB3BtToEFxLLV8RNClTJ1i38J6H98qzVg/s1600/antique+quilt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zK6x5nhIyiPxL5qLrDkfdK023kig0Datv6-9F3IeXmYg2NEm4YUMCwO1CBPLe3oVA63w3PcSVCgvI3P6ZYwNWaqypUE7xUviYND5A4zHe8dQB3BtToEFxLLV8RNClTJ1i38J6H98qzVg/s320/antique+quilt.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here she is!!!! She is 100% made in America!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0A86PKM3rFFNseISdyfNPd345oVkLxdchcfDjzTbobkZFpgGNdhHzlyQMUOzii2HHeUz-7YFsp9OD7_MI8Hlo7oWG45ia9CKRMV93I8ehcKmCF84WMlP_NNnsRisNeMYpWoARBnkbqiK/s1600/antique+quilt+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0A86PKM3rFFNseISdyfNPd345oVkLxdchcfDjzTbobkZFpgGNdhHzlyQMUOzii2HHeUz-7YFsp9OD7_MI8Hlo7oWG45ia9CKRMV93I8ehcKmCF84WMlP_NNnsRisNeMYpWoARBnkbqiK/s320/antique+quilt+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Closer view of it--isn't it just scrumptious!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinisApH42rypeM49KIisY3qOPbj-FvkRu9X8N8gXuUqUyEwFylltjo_8o2CtCU3JaawmNLuU7yZOTWDNDpgzInOAOoN4b9jwhSxBWtb5_NpqlKDDwHNChv8IYxpPip9ctoiI0jU4Z78em9/s1600/antique+quilt+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinisApH42rypeM49KIisY3qOPbj-FvkRu9X8N8gXuUqUyEwFylltjo_8o2CtCU3JaawmNLuU7yZOTWDNDpgzInOAOoN4b9jwhSxBWtb5_NpqlKDDwHNChv8IYxpPip9ctoiI0jU4Z78em9/s320/antique+quilt+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is a close up view. Look at all of those scraps of fabric. All made in the good ole USA!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibP6SWDDCLVJhM9Yfe6Q36Z3l-1GtRmzIDbaC009Sxp6Nwn0b9dtjVMTCGtz1vgtur-Fr9PxDJXyVd9S9jzn3APuKsxkp9A7QYxrbge7a8d7vQpC2G97Qf0L0xfzPOV3PSNG4N-cWqknFP/s1600/antique+quilt+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibP6SWDDCLVJhM9Yfe6Q36Z3l-1GtRmzIDbaC009Sxp6Nwn0b9dtjVMTCGtz1vgtur-Fr9PxDJXyVd9S9jzn3APuKsxkp9A7QYxrbge7a8d7vQpC2G97Qf0L0xfzPOV3PSNG4N-cWqknFP/s320/antique+quilt+4.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Look at that---she hand stitched this whole quilt together!! This quilt is priceless!!! What a wonderful family heirloom!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-43231648122275067102017-02-01T08:03:00.000-08:002017-02-01T08:03:43.649-08:00My Golf Quilt <span style="font-size: large;">Oh I am thinking of Spring.... and wishing for Spring to get here. Can you blame me?----I am sitting here looking out my window and there is snow to the right of me, and snow to the left of me. Snow, snow and more snow. With it being the first day of February, I am getting excited. I always feel better when January has passed. For some reason, I feel that we have made it through the roughness of Winter and the hope of Spring is that much closer.</span><div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> With thoughts of Spring running through my head- I want to share with you a quilt that I hold near and dear to my heart. It is truly a one of a kind. I designed this quilt totally on a whim. My husband planted the seed of this concept into my brain--add a little sunshine, and water... Wha-la, a quilt is born! My husband and his father are big time Golfers. They have been since I can remember. One day, my husband came to me and said:" You know what would be a neat quilt?" I respond sarcastically : " I can think of a few, but what do you have in mind?" My husband: " I think a Golf type of quilt would be great- I bet you don't see that around." Me: " Hhhhmmmm... you are right, I have not seen one before, let me think on it." My husband: " That would make a great Christmas gift for my Dad." So you see how the seed was planted?! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I thought about this idea for awhile. I wrote down little notes to myself. I looked for different type of fabric on line. I was debating on going with traditional blocks--or just free spirit it. I decided to free spirit the whole thing. I also brought my younger brother into the fold on this concept. My younger brother- Mike, is an Artist. When I need a really good drawing for what ever reason---I go to my brother. He is the best. I called him on the phone and presented my idea to him. Now---he is a serious artist, so what I was asking of him would sort of be out of the box for him. I needed him to help me with applique designs.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Next, came the other design concept. I wanted not only Golf theme fabric in it, I wanted true Golf items in it. That led me on an Internet search that lasted a couple of weeks. I decided that I wanted certain Golf Flags to be in the quilt. There is one that I am so excited about getting- it cost me more to ship it then to buy it. It is from the golf course in Scotland- St Andrew's Golf course.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> I brought out scraps of fabric from my stash for the appliques, I bought background, sashing and boarder fabric. Away I went---I literally worked on it day and night. I have to tell you, cutting into the Golf flags made me a bit nervous and edgy. I kept thinking- If I screw up--I am screwed, I will have to buy more. I would like to say that I had an ultimate design plan. I didn't- after I cut down the flags, I laid them out on the floor on how I wanted them. Then I put in my applique blocks. Next came figuring out the sashings and fillers- that was totally by the seat of my pants. After all that--it was stitch- iron, stitch-iron, etc.... for some time. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> After about a month ( I was working full time as a Nurse during all of this ), I finally had it all pieced together! I loved it! It was so cool looking to me. I had already bought the backing and batting so I put it on the longarm. To be honest, I was stumped for a bit. I kept asking myself--" how do you quilt on Golf Flags?" What design should I do so that it is "manly" and won't take away from the whole quilt top. I kept it simple. I did straight lines, meander, ribbon and golf tee's and balls on it. Finally--after what seemed like forever--it was done!!!! I just needed to wait for Christmas to come. That year, we planned on spending the holidays with his family, so I was looking forward to watching him open his gift. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Here it is! I love it! It is totally unique and one of a kind. I can't thank my brother enough for all of his artistic talent and assisting me in this. Love you Mike!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4rGgTA1FtSSaiq0PK1zWSO16tvKjSIjWwdvR9dsByG9VK20pvsu499nfq9TyCUhCERMiwQvjio0x5W2oez-akLUW7nHOUzv6JeIafyHlUUOLCE1HvlSv5oAI_dupa7qp-OTO71RB2-FF/s1600/golf+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4rGgTA1FtSSaiq0PK1zWSO16tvKjSIjWwdvR9dsByG9VK20pvsu499nfq9TyCUhCERMiwQvjio0x5W2oez-akLUW7nHOUzv6JeIafyHlUUOLCE1HvlSv5oAI_dupa7qp-OTO71RB2-FF/s320/golf+8.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My first one of kind Golf Quilt!!π</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4rPOTTZ8WuCaI2nI_VkOt4tMTNW6kn23S1XYA9yTtTKGxKUliKiylcWg9TjBDEDmfKGu6TO99qcrAiqDnV80D2As6h7K504wMHAfm8_7pQxuB-BrK84vVC9RXcPy7xpu1CIl_EdITJJ4/s1600/golf+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4rPOTTZ8WuCaI2nI_VkOt4tMTNW6kn23S1XYA9yTtTKGxKUliKiylcWg9TjBDEDmfKGu6TO99qcrAiqDnV80D2As6h7K504wMHAfm8_7pQxuB-BrK84vVC9RXcPy7xpu1CIl_EdITJJ4/s320/golf+7.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is the most expensive flag on the whole quilt! I am so happy that I did buy it and put it in. I think it adds more meaning to it. The other flags are from other Golf courses that he did play at. In the picture below is a flag with the large initials of TC on it. That is for Tri-county Golf Course near my home that they play at often.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUH1hc4vjwXoAIToesqOk2PG6R-5fRA2KH5rinDuLWa0KCR59wqtCnoK9vOR5gsP5JwG6AaPiDT1XdCKWkUMml2vyOlpEvGOUu6AWIxJ1kMY1tH6mneKp8TKCBbQetj2Gwep6Y3PyLuu6/s1600/golf+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUH1hc4vjwXoAIToesqOk2PG6R-5fRA2KH5rinDuLWa0KCR59wqtCnoK9vOR5gsP5JwG6AaPiDT1XdCKWkUMml2vyOlpEvGOUu6AWIxJ1kMY1tH6mneKp8TKCBbQetj2Gwep6Y3PyLuu6/s320/golf+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6oXaOWf2MdPriUgpAMb18yWcCnsf4XVEdkZHfnK6_18lSYJCVV6_ZKxXBKVuf9WHGad4W1mh2dqeQduKyNpQlC5A0HlTKiGS741i1cBdKG2gmAPEONZPLUQrefXE_-Yhl0NAEs4n7lYa/s1600/golf+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6oXaOWf2MdPriUgpAMb18yWcCnsf4XVEdkZHfnK6_18lSYJCVV6_ZKxXBKVuf9WHGad4W1mh2dqeQduKyNpQlC5A0HlTKiGS741i1cBdKG2gmAPEONZPLUQrefXE_-Yhl0NAEs4n7lYa/s320/golf+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The appliqued words are from a quote from Pastor Billy Graham. The "Net Zero"is my Father in law's nick name.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JP0E9WXths_xIA2qsv9C2Qn6FNbqKqH6qeLFXsASg3YyAibZm68CgcGNObYZMG6NzCbaAgBDEDFi4PPZtIj2s6_mJNfKc1e5J0qgxmJNt0QYrmxwD-5yfeTBkjfMbIajXmhs2Xf_Tn_R/s1600/gof+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JP0E9WXths_xIA2qsv9C2Qn6FNbqKqH6qeLFXsASg3YyAibZm68CgcGNObYZMG6NzCbaAgBDEDFi4PPZtIj2s6_mJNfKc1e5J0qgxmJNt0QYrmxwD-5yfeTBkjfMbIajXmhs2Xf_Tn_R/s320/gof+5.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Isn't the golf clubs so darn cute?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalbS4JENHJR9J8hlmBHGy3JTXX7YZ9vMYtvjckJH7dJoY33MOmBCuFD9sE_GPJJFnExTgBLMGIwvz8oHCcyGHZoDdkipkvvHynlApTg_Xj2dUAKPY-gJ0jtI78dMwMhNgi1DFoMCN6BJV/s1600/golf+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalbS4JENHJR9J8hlmBHGy3JTXX7YZ9vMYtvjckJH7dJoY33MOmBCuFD9sE_GPJJFnExTgBLMGIwvz8oHCcyGHZoDdkipkvvHynlApTg_Xj2dUAKPY-gJ0jtI78dMwMhNgi1DFoMCN6BJV/s320/golf+4.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love the golf bag in here</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSdPh-3yB6ya5Pqlf-sOYN4NkA6uBCyPe2A5wgY-S_Sb3KOKUBYeMJu9pL1ywM8UEmwlMUTCtRjzeUGGX0iRsMgDFdwB_5PjwDk88Ws_3nfudE31A-nUXcMYaLwjuFkpChm3gMrwqdhfz/s1600/golf+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSdPh-3yB6ya5Pqlf-sOYN4NkA6uBCyPe2A5wgY-S_Sb3KOKUBYeMJu9pL1ywM8UEmwlMUTCtRjzeUGGX0iRsMgDFdwB_5PjwDk88Ws_3nfudE31A-nUXcMYaLwjuFkpChm3gMrwqdhfz/s320/golf+6.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think that my brother did such a great job on this project. His drawings were what helped to make the quilt so special. His attention to detail was so appreciated.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-Jm6I6kgZZ8RHOzgx3uN4MSgUqMTrfJHR1whmYzEJZzxriG-IK85bQJkTqBYR_rAbcBjhfwYfa2mNwZeAoZYzBFKd_-dRUPaimosSsce8Qs1v2FW8GNhyphenhyphenS2N7LhFLU62QCpkcnKWFvJW/s1600/golf+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-Jm6I6kgZZ8RHOzgx3uN4MSgUqMTrfJHR1whmYzEJZzxriG-IK85bQJkTqBYR_rAbcBjhfwYfa2mNwZeAoZYzBFKd_-dRUPaimosSsce8Qs1v2FW8GNhyphenhyphenS2N7LhFLU62QCpkcnKWFvJW/s320/golf+9.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is the back to show off the quilting</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZCcDjCZp5l5c3PrnFyZAn6NOXTQ5205FDHZD0Nea4pYSnF0hZ-mjDaMwTgb7O8Byo7NQzvvVFo0wNTgnNc9XjU_T4NIrC6qlW5vvXH9kNvUK06pvWONDNeRK2OAf9IZwznrYM4pQ8lyN/s1600/golf+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZCcDjCZp5l5c3PrnFyZAn6NOXTQ5205FDHZD0Nea4pYSnF0hZ-mjDaMwTgb7O8Byo7NQzvvVFo0wNTgnNc9XjU_T4NIrC6qlW5vvXH9kNvUK06pvWONDNeRK2OAf9IZwznrYM4pQ8lyN/s320/golf+10.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I decided to design and embroider out the label with my embroidery machine to give it that something extra special touch.<br /><br /><br />I have to tell you, my Father in law was so surprised and shocked when he opened his gift. The look on his face was priceless!!! He was totally speechless. It was worth every stitch!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-3092799230472004232017-01-31T08:25:00.000-08:002017-01-31T08:25:39.625-08:00"Peaceful Quilting"<span style="font-size: large;"> Hhhhmmmmm........this is just what I need. I need some "Peaceful Quilting" in my life right now. I need to be able to go into my studio, shut the door and just grab fabric and stitch it together. I need to sew without a plan, without a thought, without an issue running crazy like in my head. I need my passion to heal my soul, my nerves, my emotions and my thoughts right now. Quilting does that for me--it is my therapy, it is my muse, it is my happy place, and it is my passion. I am sure many of you can relate to this and feel the same way.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Life is so darn crazy right now, the world is moving so fast...... Thoughts and opinions from everyone are everywhere. I have the joy and blessing of knowing many people and being able to call them my friends. I am even blessed to say that my family members are like my friends also. I love my brothers and their wives. They are a true blessing and without them-my life would not be good. On the flip side-most of my friends and family members are so similar to me. We are strong willed people, we stand up for ourselves and others, we are free to offer our opinion. Isn't that one of the rights and privilege as an American citizen?! Yep-it sure is: Freedom of Speech. I love this privilege and bask in it often. It is wonderful that many people are taking advantage of this freedom also. But..... I feel like I am being bombarded by so many thoughts and opinions from every direction. I have family and friends (that were loving before to each other) fighting and arguing constantly. So sad, so stressful. I feel like I am stuck between them. Not a fun place to be. Know that I love you all.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> That is why I am going to go in my studio and shut the door. I am going to turn on my music and go to my over flowing scrap bins and just do piecing. I love 4 patch blocks. There is just something about them. They are cute-they are versatile. You can make them in any size and they will fit in and complement many quilts. I do two different types of 4 patch blocks. I like to make them with an obvious dark paired with a very light or white fabric..or... I like to do a dark tone paired with a lighter tone. Both choices feed my soul. Both choices play nice together. Ha---what am I going to do with all of these scrappy 4 patch blocks you ask?? I have to just grin and say--" I am not sure yet". I know, I know---I seem to say that a lot lately with all of my scrappy blocks. I assure you- I have a plan, I just don't know it yet! π</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapfvYFPkV3QMbASLDZaJDYsRcrM8shoiOsPNPLWQux0BGZrLS9s8wj4Y7iIVFV3yWaHlV5igRQXtRo1ay1BkYiXMFAF9awopU7OAzilWOypa9zxgScEBpqhN5S9kpeT8sFtoFJZn3q8sV/s1600/scrappy+4+patch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapfvYFPkV3QMbASLDZaJDYsRcrM8shoiOsPNPLWQux0BGZrLS9s8wj4Y7iIVFV3yWaHlV5igRQXtRo1ay1BkYiXMFAF9awopU7OAzilWOypa9zxgScEBpqhN5S9kpeT8sFtoFJZn3q8sV/s320/scrappy+4+patch.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> These are just some of the many blocks I have pieced together. They are still in their raw stage. These 4 patch blocks are made with 2 1/2 squares. I just cut them and throw them into a bin. I then randomly reach in and pair them up together. then I press them and sew them to another random pair to create the 4 patch.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> I have been doing this for some time now. I have even taken my bins to Quilt Retreat and sat down for hours sewing them. For me, it is very therapeutic....It helps to calm me and raise my vibration in many wonderful ways.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> So while the outside world is bumping horns and expressing their freedom...... I am going to go into my comforting studio and do some "Peaceful Quilting" to express my freedom. Thank You Creator for this gift. I wish peace and love to all of my family and friends-- and yes---to the whole world. God bless Americaπ</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-22930186664595827462017-01-28T08:14:00.000-08:002017-01-28T08:14:27.763-08:00T Shirt Quilt <span style="font-size: large;"> Today- I have the honor of showing you a special quilt. Don't get me wrong, I think all quilts are special in their own way, but this one has a little something-something if you know what I mean. π. A few months back I received a call from a former co-worker. I thought she was calling just to chit chat, soon into the call, I realized the real reason. Her dad had recently passed and she was wondering if I could make her a T Shirt quilt. I was like--Oh my gosh, Yes!!!! This is were I personally think that quilts help comfort and heal. "T Shirt Quilts" fall under the category as a "Memory Quilt". Very important. We talked a bit more on the phone and made arrangements for me to get the t shirts.</span><div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Once I received them all- I laid them all out on my studio floor and looked them over. I had my pen and paper out and I started to make notes and write down what ever ideas came into my head. I was not given the usually amount of t shirts to work with that you see in many of these types of quilts. No big deal---I just knew that I would have to be creative. We had decided on a nice size lap quilt. Now...... I just have to say this...I do not like little lap quilts. I fully expect a lap quilt to cover me from my chin and down over my toes. If you want to cuddle with your quilt, why would you want your toes peeking out? Am I right?--of course I am!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> I took my time with this quilt. I would draw a plan and then change it, this happened a few times. Oh was I happy the day that I finished the plan and could go to the store and buy the supplies. I couldn't wait to start on it. Got home and scurried into my studio, shut the door and went to town. I ironed Pellon on the the back of all the shirts, I cut them down to the size that I wanted, I arranged them all out on the floor on how they were to be placed. In the mean time, I was washing the background fabric first. I had chosen a really nice soft flannel. I know that flannel shrinks terribly, so off to the washer and dryer it went. The flannel was ready to be cut once my t shirts were all cut. Great timing! Measure, measure--cut, cut and then repeat. That was the theme in my room that day. Remember I said earlier that I would have to be creative because I did not have many t shirts? I was only given 11 shirts. I used the scraps of the shirts and made quilt blocks. I planned on using them as fillers so that it would brake up all of the background material I was planning on using. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> When it was all cut out and the blocks were all sewn--I had it all laying out again. I was getting so excited. I could see it taking shape. Now came the time to start sewing in the background fabric---stitch after stitch after stitch....a couple hours later...Wha la!!!!! The whole top was pieced. I loved it!!! It was just as I had pictured in my mind.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Looking at the shirts that her father wore, I had gotten the sense that he may have been a former military man---or at least, a very patriotic man. Given that knowledge----I choose a red background fabric and a dark blue backing/binding fabric. I used a batting that was mostly cotton but some polyester to give some loft. I loaded it all up on my longarm frame. I used Superior Threads Magnifico #2151 to quilt. I did an edge to edge free motion meander on it. Near one of the shirts that I could tell that he wore frequently- I wrote his name into the quilt.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> The binding went on pretty fast. I sat in the living room and watched a few movies. I had already sewn in the label. I like to do it in the bottom corner. Labels are very important! We as quilters need to archive our quilts so that the future generations know all about them. Plus, the label allows you to put more then just information on it. You can write your feelings, your emotions, hand sign your name---all things that help breath life into the quilt.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, the day came to deliver it!!! I drove to my old place of work--excitement building in me with each step. Well fate is a funny thing----as it turns out, Susan was in a meeting. That just meant I had to sit and be patient for a bit. When I finally saw her--I could not open it up and display it fast enough. Now, of course you know me--I made her close her eyes until it was open all the way. She loved it!!! You could see her happiness in her face in every way. That totally warmed my heart!!! π<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTA5UeDK2FjsQbkk4VzB4LnszRHw3mfQ3yQzYeN3hyphenhyphen528nmmM8eCVO4bbQCD3pw6ETk-MAII9KnbLBlEqD0gKqJFCoqx4pqMsISJiFWoW6WhI4w2eeXMHraPJekL-7F9TJ-OkSkVq8Ec_o/s1600/sue+t+shirt+quilt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTA5UeDK2FjsQbkk4VzB4LnszRHw3mfQ3yQzYeN3hyphenhyphen528nmmM8eCVO4bbQCD3pw6ETk-MAII9KnbLBlEqD0gKqJFCoqx4pqMsISJiFWoW6WhI4w2eeXMHraPJekL-7F9TJ-OkSkVq8Ec_o/s320/sue+t+shirt+quilt.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here it is!!! Ta Da!!! Isn't it wonderful?! I can just picture Susan wrapped up in it and feeling surrounded by her Dad</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5SBbWWzhfsUTDmYYniYUO9122TIGp6GP9jnBIiABVVqJP-Yn1U06RvdZ5a2L816RubMC0hpVzz2Dc2Ry5mQjn9Tbdke7NpBkkRuVoFt8C6PMk449zudIz2tiS3livt1Dnycg73kvxwP0/s1600/sue+t+shirt+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5SBbWWzhfsUTDmYYniYUO9122TIGp6GP9jnBIiABVVqJP-Yn1U06RvdZ5a2L816RubMC0hpVzz2Dc2Ry5mQjn9Tbdke7NpBkkRuVoFt8C6PMk449zudIz2tiS3livt1Dnycg73kvxwP0/s320/sue+t+shirt+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is a close up of the meander stitch. I love this red flannel---it is like a mottled red flannel. So soft and fun to fondle and cuddle with!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwK-xTQJwbYQiCrC-dzSrENVajFv1ko4_cQFfBzdj5ob0zStZcoJ91WDSvE3F_HFgaFO-oMkftAlK2XncmG7CQp7cogjiKCvXbaTGrlw3GRA1bH0aNCCbtUhDU1MpGginn2h9z_zTYvWd/s1600/sue+t+shirt+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwK-xTQJwbYQiCrC-dzSrENVajFv1ko4_cQFfBzdj5ob0zStZcoJ91WDSvE3F_HFgaFO-oMkftAlK2XncmG7CQp7cogjiKCvXbaTGrlw3GRA1bH0aNCCbtUhDU1MpGginn2h9z_zTYvWd/s320/sue+t+shirt+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The picture does not show the true blue color of the backing---or the color of the thread as I would have liked. But I do like the way the quilting is shown.<br /><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">P.S.- She loved the Label!</span></div>
<div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-10387741467935926732017-01-25T08:43:00.000-08:002017-01-25T08:43:39.154-08:00Treadle String Blocks Galore!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1sgfV99ilQZj8KYAz3XBcbCoFKezueawwJNMtKp3ZnNK48M_n40Vwb12jWoI3lXZcAWfkEt5wWjS_FeV05Rz-Jk0bGq_K7QOqdKjwqgEvH_zgDagzjIgbEWklgzAd9RFiLpFfGlMD2ip/s1600/sting+blocks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1sgfV99ilQZj8KYAz3XBcbCoFKezueawwJNMtKp3ZnNK48M_n40Vwb12jWoI3lXZcAWfkEt5wWjS_FeV05Rz-Jk0bGq_K7QOqdKjwqgEvH_zgDagzjIgbEWklgzAd9RFiLpFfGlMD2ip/s320/sting+blocks.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Good morning- Good morning-Good morning! Nothing like waking up and walking into your sewing studio to put you in an instant good mood! I love it---I feel so fortunate that I can do this. This is the first thing I did----well, after I let the dogs out and I made my cup of " morning jump start", aka: coffee. The sun is not totally shining in all of it's glory--but it is out there enough to shine through my sky lights in my studio to greet me in a warm and fuzzy way. I walked right over to the treadle that I have been working on for the past couple of days. I have been working on a different WIP. I have been shuffling between my crumb blocks and my paper string blocks. I just love it.<br />
<br />
String blocks are the best! They are so fun, simple, mindless, relaxing and of course- addicting! I have been working on my string blocks for some time now. I have a little over 200 of them. I have made mine 5 1/2 by 5 1/2. I am not going with any particular color scheme--just plain ole scrappy. Now, I do have in mind down the road to do a string block quilt with a certain color scheme order. I have seen pictures of them and they are just so darn stunning. I can not really explain the draw to them-- it is like I become mesmerized and I just drift off dreaming about them. I know- crazy right?! Guilty as charged. I can't help myself.<br />
<br />
My scraps for the string blocks are a mix of my own and a whole bunch that are donations from my friends. You can call my friends my enablers. I think it is so darn cool when they drop off bags of scraps for me. I tell them---no scrap is too small, let me decide if it is usable. They always get a chuckle out of it. My scraps are like candy to a baby. I have always had a hard time tossing them in the garbage. When I was a new quilter, I didn't know what to do with them. Then I discovered Bonnie Hunter---that is when my whole quilting world changed. I have to say that it changed for the better. I took off with her ideas like a bullet out of the gun and never looked back. Thank you Creator!!!<br />
<br />
My way of doing it is not as organized as my wonder teacher Bonnie. My way is to--open up a tote of scraps- dump them out on the floor next to my feet and just randomly grab a piece and sew it on. There are times I have to snip the width or the size to make it the way I want it to be. Like her, I sew it onto a piece of telephone paper. I use a stick glue to hold the first piece in place. I don't worry about a quarter inch seam allowance---I just sew where I want to. I do make my stitch length shorter because it does help when I rip the paper off the back and it doesn't stress out the piecing. I like to keep my ironing board next to me while I do scrap blocks. For me, I find it helps to press the pieces into place before I sew on the next piece. When I am ready to trim it down, I like to use spray starch , press with a hot iron, let it cool and then block it. Works like a charm.<br />
<br />
When I do string blocks, I really love to do them on one of my treadles. I love my treadles so much. These iron beauties are such a treasure and a blessing. I love the stitches that they produce-excellent. I love the sound that they make as they are sewing. Their sound is so different from the modern electronic machines of today. Sometimes I sew in silence, but most times I play music in the background. Because I do not worry about a seam allowance--I don't mind switching up what machines I use. I like to share the love with all of my machines.<br />
<br />
Recently- I have been working on my oldest treadle. It is a White. It is a coffin top. It is my only coffin top. It does have a vibrating shuttle. I believe it is called a White VS II. The bobbin winder is really different from all of my other treadles. I had to do a lot of searching on the net to figure out how to wind a bobbin. I bought it from a local antique store for $100. It did not come with many attachments--but I do have 3 bobbins for it--that is fine by me. The table itself is in great condition. The decals are a bit worn and rough looking, but considering her age---I think she looks great. I believe she has been around since the time of the Civil War. Not exactly sure of her age. When I sew on her, I think about the previous owner or owners. I wonder about them: who were they, where did they live, what type of sewing did they do, did they like to sew? If only we could time travel and observe--that would be so cool. Maintenance of these machines are pretty easy. Keep them cleaned and oiled. Treat them with love and kindness and they will remain loyal and work hard for you for years to come.<br />
<br />
What do you think? Want to come join me? I promise you will have a ball!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gHbHZZ8MznAipfdDthhX4S9X8Tp7S6GiCGZ5EnZ-WOkELaQRBA5eULSX3Xamd9oQs4rsAULczFO-08bG93e_X22UAS8WSHC-8FRaWr1Z8avYL2OqCcVCAWJWvNGbpGFaoJ_n_t0FlljN/s1600/white+treadle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gHbHZZ8MznAipfdDthhX4S9X8Tp7S6GiCGZ5EnZ-WOkELaQRBA5eULSX3Xamd9oQs4rsAULczFO-08bG93e_X22UAS8WSHC-8FRaWr1Z8avYL2OqCcVCAWJWvNGbpGFaoJ_n_t0FlljN/s320/white+treadle.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> My White VS II. Isn't she a beauty?!!! Do you see my doily under the thread? I made it. I think it just adds to the charm. I am using Coats and Clark thread-- for some reason , my older machines work better with it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5jaQz3AkJBl1vR-ZX4lM3DfN9NnhAU_slZslj8q57MzP3rck6jdTBYV_CJlGRAeDDJaHaLkCqfoMbYlnAfgo6vZkn44TGw0VkvrKiQcq94s22ZWPvlenBi8WsfmT_c1jm5t0BDMLK2i_/s1600/back+white+treadle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5jaQz3AkJBl1vR-ZX4lM3DfN9NnhAU_slZslj8q57MzP3rck6jdTBYV_CJlGRAeDDJaHaLkCqfoMbYlnAfgo6vZkn44TGw0VkvrKiQcq94s22ZWPvlenBi8WsfmT_c1jm5t0BDMLK2i_/s320/back+white+treadle.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the back of her. Because she is a coffin top- she doesn't go inside the table when done sewing. Do you see the wood peg there behind her. That is to hold the wt of the treadle head when cleaning and oiling the underneath.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QtVVCo358I10eVEtm9zBQoirT5CbW1rtvZXoNpTygHJQ4a7L0meQDcK8fim1Mnf70RLnJPeqMb7mlbtiv54KdIczfcB6JGf1_JYL5ZU83482jl-W8wuCNBQuf99EzQZIz4dfCKBFrgHi/s1600/treadle+sliders.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QtVVCo358I10eVEtm9zBQoirT5CbW1rtvZXoNpTygHJQ4a7L0meQDcK8fim1Mnf70RLnJPeqMb7mlbtiv54KdIczfcB6JGf1_JYL5ZU83482jl-W8wuCNBQuf99EzQZIz4dfCKBFrgHi/s320/treadle+sliders.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I use these sliders under all of my treadles. The treadle legs have wheels on them, but I do not find them easy to move. Plus they make an awful noise while moving. These sliders help me to slide on rug and floor. I like to move my treadles around my studio when sewing or even to move outside.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8oI0MPFXzlcEwegN3SSNQERjIMByeEGKQeRBxvQaGvUzY_QiG8uiJSZRJdLJ-lmQPdLreIYSI0qiowhctdELKO52HO8BlRno2IMiYkiTHGox6s2vwMPB2T5WPAUJ9PKEiFXATwRQzOmz/s1600/5+in+paper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8oI0MPFXzlcEwegN3SSNQERjIMByeEGKQeRBxvQaGvUzY_QiG8uiJSZRJdLJ-lmQPdLreIYSI0qiowhctdELKO52HO8BlRno2IMiYkiTHGox6s2vwMPB2T5WPAUJ9PKEiFXATwRQzOmz/s320/5+in+paper.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are just some blocks cut up from telephone book paper.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_NrJrnZubXbMOjjDXMGH3ajX4m5KIfm5S9jMKGuyutG2i5T3uMwSHCmHkp0PPTBQYfAKGMTPL4YSHSDzVlNiFdcbMYzgPtwQW1iFKL32gCh527-aeoZeUagLd7laZ2m0TWLuhyphenhyphenJXX6im/s1600/string+block.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_NrJrnZubXbMOjjDXMGH3ajX4m5KIfm5S9jMKGuyutG2i5T3uMwSHCmHkp0PPTBQYfAKGMTPL4YSHSDzVlNiFdcbMYzgPtwQW1iFKL32gCh527-aeoZeUagLd7laZ2m0TWLuhyphenhyphenJXX6im/s320/string+block.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like to glue down the first piece so it doesn't slide on the paper. When I sew, I don't worry about the seam- I just make sure I don't have a too narrow of a seam.<br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-22484811969969149172017-01-22T06:36:00.001-08:002017-01-22T06:36:15.487-08:00Treadle Talk And Itsy Bitsy Gems Today I wanted to show a WIP that I have been doing since this past summer. This past summer was so darn hot for me. On top of that- we had the Amish at my home doing repair work on roofs, ceilings and doors. They were here for a good couple of weeks. If you have ever had work done in your home-you know that dust and dirt come out of know where and go everywhere. There is no fighting it and no getting angry over it because it doesn't help. You just have to wait till it is all over and then bust your hind end cleaning it up. And need I say that my Sewing Studio was greatly effected during this whole ordeal. Well.....at one point during all of the work, I became anxious and fidgety because I could not get to my machines. I didn't sew because I did not want all of that yucky stuff to find it's way into the inside of my machines and ruin them. As I was walking around my studio picking up chunks of plaster and wood, and other untidy things- I saw....... no, I heard my one treadle calling out to me! Ha---I know, you think I have lost it- as I am grinning while typing this out. I have 5 treadles and there was one that was only partially covered--that was the one calling to me. I swear she said: " Nadine--come play with me today, this messy boy stuff will not bother or hurt me". I don't know about you- but when my treadle talks to me-- I LISTEN!!!!πππ<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The treadle that was calling out to me is my beautiful Franklin. She is so darn pretty. She sews like a dream. Her art work is of the Egyptian style. Her cabinet is different from all of my others. From what I have read on it-it is a cabinet that was for apartments. The iron treadle wheel and foot pedal are all housed on the inside of the cabinet, so when the front door is closed---nothing is visible. Simply beautiful. Who ever owned it previously to me must have loved it a great deal. You can clearly see that she was used a great deal, but she is in great condition. Back to my story- I saw her and the bright idea of moving her out of the studio and onto my deck outside with some scraps of material, my iron and ironing board was larger then life in my head. So, without paying attention to the questioning looks on all of the hard working Amish men---I wheeled everything past them and out to my deck. I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner. I love Bonnie Hunter and she has mentioned a few times how she has taken her treadle out on her deck and sewed the day away. That day I did just that and let me tell you---it was FABULOUS!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I did not bring a current project out with me, mainly because they were all packed away safely. What I did was..... I grabbed a bunch of scraps, my cutting mat, blade, scissors, ironing board and iron. I decided to do something that I have wanting to do for awhile. I wanted to make " Crumb Blocks". I so love Bonnie Hunter's quilt that was made out of crumb blocks. I thought I would give it a try. I decided to make mine 3 1/2 by 3 1/2 square. I just grabbed what ever little piece of scrap that I saw in the heap. It didn't matter the size, color, shape or width. I just grabbed it and started sewing them all together. When I thought it was big enough---I squared it up. I used spray starch on it before I trimmed. They are so beautiful! This type of sewing is so relaxing and mindless. Literally hours went by in a snap of a finger. When I had about a dozen, I laid them out on a table and admired them. So darn pretty.<br />
</div>
<div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1bOyMFv0ZIxJ0k3eucvbMYaIBmyj8T1g56l4RmbEp-fe5W_AlQZGRrUmvPpqXMScvThZpJR5Bah8hun59CxXpDd9JSY70P2jDy-kQuBbpcwsHQgBUhA7aRsglyQ4PTC4fzAz9iBXwkp1/s1600/IMG_1368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1bOyMFv0ZIxJ0k3eucvbMYaIBmyj8T1g56l4RmbEp-fe5W_AlQZGRrUmvPpqXMScvThZpJR5Bah8hun59CxXpDd9JSY70P2jDy-kQuBbpcwsHQgBUhA7aRsglyQ4PTC4fzAz9iBXwkp1/s320/IMG_1368.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />Here are a few of the Crumb Blocks that I have made so far.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have a bag filled with more. I am not sure as of now what I will do with them. I know that they will be put into a quilt top. I just have not come out with a clear plan for the design of the top. For now, I will continue to work on making more. To me, this is a project that I will do here and there between other projects. I will slowly let my bag fill with more blocks. I will keep you up to date as I move along with these. These are small crumb blocks- in my minds eye, I see bigger ones in the future!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Have you made any crumb blocks? If not---let loose and give it a try. I promise you that you won't regret it!π</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-89437449572602502622017-01-21T06:24:00.001-08:002017-01-21T06:24:27.746-08:00Design Concept Of Family Love I woke this morning cuddled under one of my favorite quilts. I love the quilt that is currently on my bed. I love looking at it and I love sleeping underneath it. The quilt is special to me in many ways. One of the things that makes it so special is that I designed it. I crack up when I say that because I am by far not a Pro Quilt Designer. I am just someone who loves fabric, cutting it up and sewing it back together in a way that pleases me. There are many great and wonderful patterns out in the Quilty World that we can use. Those are great---and they were designed by someone else. To me---the way my mind works------If you design it, then that quilt becomes extra wonderful, extra special and A+++! Between the planning, buying, cutting, placement, piecing and then quilting it-I have poured myself on every level into the making and then presenting of the quilt. When I am piecing it, I get lost in my world of thoughts and emotions. I tend to go down memory lane and have conversations in my head about it. Time goes by quickly, the sun rotates from the east and then down in the north. Day after day the cycle continues until it is finished. That is what happens to me when I make most of my quilts. So, I do wonder if it is like this for all Quilters?? I kinda think so- at least all of the ones that I have ever met.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today I want to show you a quilt from a customer of mine. I call her Rebecca the Quilter. Do you recognize that name?? You should- I have mentioned her a few times on my blog. She makes wonderful quilts. To me they are unique and special. Special because most of them seem personally designed to me. Meaning---most of them have been her creation. I love that. I can tell when I am quilting them that she puts time, thought and effort into her quilts. This quilt today has meaning- it has" Family"meaning. I would describe this quilt as modern meets scrappy meets family.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4c5xBe7HD04qpVpwXvpv6yxwq0C-rZi6bOfuEc09BXtRzcj00ZV22R7wCBAC7-ss43LhSWISa_qj1dyuy-m49QlJuFQKwHw8A9IJgX2kHlUeGjpZq6C1Ol3LMp9DOrjnSeN_bHlHi1Td/s1600/IMG_1332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4c5xBe7HD04qpVpwXvpv6yxwq0C-rZi6bOfuEc09BXtRzcj00ZV22R7wCBAC7-ss43LhSWISa_qj1dyuy-m49QlJuFQKwHw8A9IJgX2kHlUeGjpZq6C1Ol3LMp9DOrjnSeN_bHlHi1Td/s320/IMG_1332.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The blocks are scrappy log cabin against a white back ground. What brings emotional meaning to this quilt is that each block represents a family member and the blocks are placed in the order of how a family tree would be. People who are special in her life. Does that not hit you in your heart?!!! It definitely does mine. This was made for a special woman in her life. Not only do the blocks have meaning- but so does the quilt design that she picked. She picked an edge to edge meander stitch with white Glide thread. This stitch was used often by the person this quilt was made for. While I was quilting it, I had to smile and agree- the meander stitch was a good choice. In this picture, you can see that the quilt is still attached to the top leader cloth of the frame---but can you see a bit of her backing material? It is black and white with words printed on it. Perfect backing for this quilt. I love her choices for backing on a quilt. They are pretty neat.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclKKmqZeYH6VWOz2kihNQBFXu2VUCGvGnvjwWlxy-NnzIMeo6DqR8jBDTtxdqqPm-3zp79FlnjYGTbdog8AnUjHRktzuvls4tj065OLD4kJUknXRFSdZePBNvZ_WHRpzHJxNOWhUpkF5P/s1600/IMG_1330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclKKmqZeYH6VWOz2kihNQBFXu2VUCGvGnvjwWlxy-NnzIMeo6DqR8jBDTtxdqqPm-3zp79FlnjYGTbdog8AnUjHRktzuvls4tj065OLD4kJUknXRFSdZePBNvZ_WHRpzHJxNOWhUpkF5P/s320/IMG_1330.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqOXQJty9JuZMTQhYUS0ibYPyp8rW7oxuaZSkLrJbLlHtWXERU-sVVwihCFUIKeixLJa27yDj5bARY8wE5lrt25hs58XsDQpsrud7j9gbnFs6ObBRu2mcedndpk80T9BkrvJPDqkJOafs/s1600/IMG_1331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqOXQJty9JuZMTQhYUS0ibYPyp8rW7oxuaZSkLrJbLlHtWXERU-sVVwihCFUIKeixLJa27yDj5bARY8wE5lrt25hs58XsDQpsrud7j9gbnFs6ObBRu2mcedndpk80T9BkrvJPDqkJOafs/s320/IMG_1331.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To me- this quilt is so wonderful. It is jam packed with loving meaning and emotion. I can't wait to see it with the binding on. I can't wait to hear that she presented it to that special someone. It makes my heart swell. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today I have another quilt top to go on the frame. It is another top with much meaning. It will be a good day working on this. It will definitely put me in my happy place like the one I am showing today. Later on, I want to play with my machines and fabric and see what I can create. Happy sewing everyone!π<br /><div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-5178519363242756302017-01-19T07:58:00.001-08:002017-01-19T08:00:27.310-08:00Rain-Snowmen-Buttons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Ahhhhh..... it is so nice to be able to sit and blog this morning. I have to apologize for the lack of consistency with this blog. I am having some big time issues with my computer and being able to connect to the Internet and stay on. This has all been happening since my bank account and my computer were hacked into a month ago. Very frustrating to say the least. OK,enough of that- on the the good stuff!<br />
<br />
Well, the weather here has been very rainy and chilly. It has washed away all of the snow we had a few weeks back. I am not so much a snow lover, and I would rather it rain then snow. I especially would rather drive in rain then snow. That is what actually happened the other morning. I was signed up for a class at Creekside Quilting in Arcade. That is a very long drive for me. Most of it is all back roads through the country side. It is a very pretty drive when the weather is sunny and warm. I had prepared for the class the night before and even spoke to Rochelle ( our grand leader ) about the weather the next day. There were warnings of an ice storm that was to hit us. The only thing I could do was say my prayers and wait to see what the morning was. Thank you Creator, it was just a very rainy and gloomy looking day. I can handle that. My husband packed up the car for me and away I went.<br />
<br />
I love taking classes. I love learning new things and playing around with fabric and notions. I love sharing the time with like minded people. I love going to Creekside. I arrived an hour later and greeted by many smiley faces. All good! My spot was clear and waiting for me to set up. Some of the faces of the other ladies I knew--and the others are now familiar to me. That is another upside to going to class---you meet new people. I had to smile when I looked around at everyone's machines. We all brought a Viking Sewing machine to work on. They were all different models. Kinda cool.<br />
<br />
The class was from a project from Kim Diehl in her "Simple Christmas Tidings" book. I love this book. This is the second project that I have made from her. Love, love, love it! We made the "Button Blizzard Pillow". It is a pillow with an applique of a Snowman made from different wool pieces and surrounded by buttons acting as snow against a background of your choice. The picture is of black material-that is also what I choose to do. Let me tell you- this class was so much fun. I enjoyed myself so much. We broke for lunch and then continued on. The time flew. We talked, laughed, shared ideas and supplies and gave each other encouragement. It was awesome! To know me is to know that I love snowmen. Not the real ones---the crafty ones. I also love buttons! I have such a collection of them! This project was perfect for me. I was able to go through my assortment of buttons and just grab and use. Thank you Rochelle for showing my how my machine will sew on a button for me. It makes putting on buttons a breeze!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJTgFxVesfBkMgVbj_WOX1NSsM110clmmcr9u-u8V8xx2q77BG2IGJ5_KLgiSPvECaJiACZTmIXFnA_8p61sp1Cb5vch8Q3DZw6xuCNjIQkWPy8uXqTsFBXxbyo0oDGeH39Xd4AxqHshp/s1600/IMG_1350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJTgFxVesfBkMgVbj_WOX1NSsM110clmmcr9u-u8V8xx2q77BG2IGJ5_KLgiSPvECaJiACZTmIXFnA_8p61sp1Cb5vch8Q3DZw6xuCNjIQkWPy8uXqTsFBXxbyo0oDGeH39Xd4AxqHshp/s320/IMG_1350.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is our Fearless Leader to help with every step along the way- Thanks Rochelle!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpoYt9z3Tj1BExscMslvLWgDI62sEspGITcpaFOh4X-AJfyYwZnGarl8mjsYrKa6sj08LGFFjBdmnwKdhyLBk9f2Z2BzATs8lZOYh-9jS2FbAirSdqYyinJ7akf2CMOmz3XKDnGEqZebZ/s1600/IMG_1353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpoYt9z3Tj1BExscMslvLWgDI62sEspGITcpaFOh4X-AJfyYwZnGarl8mjsYrKa6sj08LGFFjBdmnwKdhyLBk9f2Z2BzATs8lZOYh-9jS2FbAirSdqYyinJ7akf2CMOmz3XKDnGEqZebZ/s320/IMG_1353.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Rochelle's pillow. She is showing it off during our lunch break.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjmokhP58Fn2yqDesPPwSAcF8ULWKlYhaFTbKAv0-54AiXiWSIVep-SGKAu4gGw13oo8vye1e72lERYkKQ6_v5bOtvKepp2oc5ZHHond37sU2vJjM3d4xj9ZPu4oYzY9_6B6hB7TYrDg9/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjmokhP58Fn2yqDesPPwSAcF8ULWKlYhaFTbKAv0-54AiXiWSIVep-SGKAu4gGw13oo8vye1e72lERYkKQ6_v5bOtvKepp2oc5ZHHond37sU2vJjM3d4xj9ZPu4oYzY9_6B6hB7TYrDg9/s320/IMG_1352.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Focused and hard at work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00BA5nJQ2uAa36Jbw22gupTe0mtK9eH_vqMDhMS_cISQAZB-cXOn1DePiIqMy0KucXEw2Er0guzW5ywnEZ5D5rRlv5Kv_dFPyl0xqMiN5JSuCvJfsBPn1r9uGnitIdBH0Y49HkZhU6JbU/s1600/IMG_1351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00BA5nJQ2uAa36Jbw22gupTe0mtK9eH_vqMDhMS_cISQAZB-cXOn1DePiIqMy0KucXEw2Er0guzW5ywnEZ5D5rRlv5Kv_dFPyl0xqMiN5JSuCvJfsBPn1r9uGnitIdBH0Y49HkZhU6JbU/s320/IMG_1351.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone is working hard. We all learned new tricks. Look at these Viking machines hard at work!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The day really was such a treat for all of us. It was such a good feeling knowing that we were all going home with a finished project. And would you believe it----when we were all done, the sun decided to come out and grace us all.π<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawicHB5apP9Iz9gG-8wVVAi2kMJNEVTgnHZA2e-Avku9NBkOqsTyWXMCNaBso1Ig6S8mhEh3f0r6vm2jfeqCwUT9kO-o-qNEP0WAG5lrUc9J5I3-ZI-0OylDizXV2pyafEXffMH0mG4kz/s1600/IMG_1354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawicHB5apP9Iz9gG-8wVVAi2kMJNEVTgnHZA2e-Avku9NBkOqsTyWXMCNaBso1Ig6S8mhEh3f0r6vm2jfeqCwUT9kO-o-qNEP0WAG5lrUc9J5I3-ZI-0OylDizXV2pyafEXffMH0mG4kz/s320/IMG_1354.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here they are!!!! Aren't they so darn adorable!!! Can you guess which one is mine? Mine is the only one with a bunch of buttons and red rick rack around the outside. I love how they are all different and unique.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kGPBwQvBS-pxHbPnn9anOdo1-UK4pY_oKo5aJavxVga3z6Nl3v8ICMBIZ-Z6Az1QpsZH2bnJ-OESdDDFEt5J-ZQyERZy_bpxJk8U108yk1Gzh-z2-VgwqtmUa4C0tdV5gFZo_ANUTLDJ/s1600/IMG_1365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kGPBwQvBS-pxHbPnn9anOdo1-UK4pY_oKo5aJavxVga3z6Nl3v8ICMBIZ-Z6Az1QpsZH2bnJ-OESdDDFEt5J-ZQyERZy_bpxJk8U108yk1Gzh-z2-VgwqtmUa4C0tdV5gFZo_ANUTLDJ/s320/IMG_1365.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I was so motivated after class that when I went home---I just had to make up this table runner from scraps. It was another convenient moment for me to use up more buttons. I just love them!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-33692538793915137742017-01-15T07:07:00.001-08:002017-01-15T07:10:11.432-08:00Quilting Pleasure Well Good Morning to all! It is off to a good start in my neck of the woods. I have not been able to blog for a few days because my computer has not been playing nice. I am not sure if it is still under the weather from the cyber attack a few weeks ago or if this is something new. Either way, it is working now so I am going to go for it.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Even though I have not been able to connect with everyone on the net, I have been very busy here. I am down to one child still home-but will be going back to college today. We have all been plagued with some sort of virus/bacteria for weeks non stop. My youngest son has literally not been totally well since Thanksgiving. I think that at college and living in the dorms--it is just one big bacteria fest and everyone passes everything around to each other---and then---they bring it home to share with their families. Lovely, just lovely. Well---the good news is that Joseph is finally healed, and the rest of us are on our way. So-- me being totally busy??----- that is a Big Fat Yes! I have been playing Nurse to everyone. I have also been working hard on customer quilts. I was able to accomplish much with them and shipped them back to their anxiously waiting owners. I will be able to share pictures of these quilts now that they are back home. </div>
<div>
One of the neat things on quilting other people's quilts is that I am able to see different patterns, colors, fabrics and sewing styles all different from my own. It is educational and fun for me at the same time. No two quilters are the same. I love that!π I love that everyone is different and their design concept is all their own. I feel very fortunate to be able to take some part in their creativity. It opens my eyes up to different possibilities. It makes the gears in my head turn to things that I want to try for myself in the future. When I receive quilt tops from my customers---I really take my time looking at them. I like to look at all the different fabric. I like to see how people put blocks together to make an all over quilt top. So far--none of my clients are the notorious " Quilt Police". That is a really good thing! Quilt Police squash creativity and love of sewing. They are not welcomed in my studio.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I want to share this quilt that I recently finished for my customer who I call Quilter Rebecca. She is the lovely owner of the "White Modern "quilt that I shared earlier in my posts. I love her style. This top of hers I have had for a bit. One of the things that I love about Rebecca's quilting style is that she takes her time and puts thought into picking out her backing material. I wish I had a photo to show you of the back. For some unknown reason-I don't have that photo any longer. I love the unique fabric that she chooses. This block is kinda cool because it is made up of a plus sign and an X. One of those blocks that are two for the price of one sort of thing. She seems like such a free spirit to me. I love it!πππ</div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOj2ZycxMaepq1us43BJwh8gDE7GxDrTJ8kDsftcGhCO6C1MVTErAFBausXoV93TCgjpF21gGWj2BR8D5e0AAa67gdXnRHyHGdp4dMO0MqYw0owwHTyKxOHJuf9-MTtyWphH435q-mG4l/s1600/IMG_1333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOj2ZycxMaepq1us43BJwh8gDE7GxDrTJ8kDsftcGhCO6C1MVTErAFBausXoV93TCgjpF21gGWj2BR8D5e0AAa67gdXnRHyHGdp4dMO0MqYw0owwHTyKxOHJuf9-MTtyWphH435q-mG4l/s320/IMG_1333.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't this just so much eye candy?! I love the total scrappy look to it. I love the aqua boarder. Rebecca wanted an edge to edge flower design. We decided on Khaki colored Glide thread. I decided not to use my robotics to stitch it out. This was done all free hand. I just love to do free motion quilting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUgYuZ4Nsx4ywxOlXy7L2ATyVmSZxkUQ4qDFoSrb07rUQpUyXbMmxezoBn6HH-VM5uCg8ED0NUAph6sb7LxWQw_z_-mdfpErX6MTZ6Aqxklcl7gAYf4HkAz3x9oXJh0LWJzvd0NeVQIOV/s1600/IMG_1334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUgYuZ4Nsx4ywxOlXy7L2ATyVmSZxkUQ4qDFoSrb07rUQpUyXbMmxezoBn6HH-VM5uCg8ED0NUAph6sb7LxWQw_z_-mdfpErX6MTZ6Aqxklcl7gAYf4HkAz3x9oXJh0LWJzvd0NeVQIOV/s320/IMG_1334.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the texture in the quilt. I think that the Khaki colored thread went very well with it. It just seems to play nice with all of the fabric colors. It blends so well. It is my go to color of thread for many quilts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7-9k4p-BYVNwCC4NuB4yI4BwqNfoNhRWpSJq-X6aIF5gSRhHRJmjmfWr9yMMCxh71jAFVKsnkK6uTARG1y9bQSgMFx_z7-b4e01Etn4ZlOmC1idlCvslzzzkjRyMeLvdhVrl9rdk9Zue/s1600/IMG_1335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7-9k4p-BYVNwCC4NuB4yI4BwqNfoNhRWpSJq-X6aIF5gSRhHRJmjmfWr9yMMCxh71jAFVKsnkK6uTARG1y9bQSgMFx_z7-b4e01Etn4ZlOmC1idlCvslzzzkjRyMeLvdhVrl9rdk9Zue/s320/IMG_1335.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see the flower stitched out in the middle of the "X"?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmFm8_g8IfdlYAsI94A2Nn62oQ8M3cXO3xhV18xVAF9G2MsJmyWHMAo6clCgpZBV8vNQn_7tRYm-Q6CmSp-b_gnzHXO_xx8ddCtkCBkGMkBTIa84ycAIc2A3mX5jXl_BYvzPluhMcfifI/s1600/IMG_1336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmFm8_g8IfdlYAsI94A2Nn62oQ8M3cXO3xhV18xVAF9G2MsJmyWHMAo6clCgpZBV8vNQn_7tRYm-Q6CmSp-b_gnzHXO_xx8ddCtkCBkGMkBTIa84ycAIc2A3mX5jXl_BYvzPluhMcfifI/s320/IMG_1336.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flower design really showed well on the aqua boarder. It made me smile as I was stitching it out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-24018051888609847712017-01-12T06:23:00.000-08:002017-01-22T17:08:29.100-08:00There's No Place Like Home! Here it is---one of the posts that I have been waiting to write and share! I am soooooo excited to share this!!!! I had to wait to give it back to the owner before I posted anything on it. I am so excited to share this quilt that one of my customers pieced-Rochelle. It is a pattern from Bonnie Hunter. It is the scrappy house quilt. It is beautiful in every way--- and I have to say-Rochelle, you did an awesome job on this quilt top!!! This is Rochelle's first scrappy quilt. I remember when she was starting it and she was trying to let go and not control the color combinations of each house. When you are starting to be scrappy, there really is a switch in your brain that has to be flipped, because we as quilters are so used to being in control and being specific on what goes where. I think quilting scrappy really helps to allow your creative juices to flow. Rochelle and I spoke about this a few times. I had suggested to throw the material scraps in a bag and just reach in and grab. What ever you have in your hand, then use it no matter what. I am not sure if she used that suggestion, but for me, it does help.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was given this quilt top a couple of months ago. I was so thrilled to receive it. I love this quilt.So many different scraps of fabric, so many colors. It is so darn cute! There is something about the house block that I love. And of course, with me loving Bonnie Hunter and this is her pattern---well, it is a match made in heaven!!!! I myself. have a House Quilt on my "To Do List". Rochelle worked diligently on this quilt top. She put in a great deal of time and effort. Slowly the top grew. It was such a delight to visit her in the shop and see how her house blocks were coming along. If memory serves me right, she had other ladies come to the shop and sew house blocks for their own quilts. I would love to see their quilt tops. I bet they had so much fun getting together, sharing fabric and ideas and watching each others houses grow into beautiful neighborhoods!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well, when I was given this quilt top- I was told these sweet 5 words: "Do what ever you want". As a quilter, as a longarmer, I can not tell you what that does to your whole complete body to hear that from a customer. It is like all the neurons,atoms and protons are firing off in your body at once. Like a virtual Forth of July going off in your head. My mind started going in a million directions at once on all of the possibilities---not to mention if I wanted to use matching thread or contrasting thread. Oh decisions, decisions, decisions....! I can not tell you how many times I would lay the top out and look at it. I would get my doodle pad out and start drawing designs. I bought several shades of various colors of Glide thread to start off with. There were so many thoughts floating through my head, I think it would immobilize me, because I would catch myself standing in my studio just starring off- stuck in my own little world of creativity. This happened more then I want to admit.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When I read what Rochelle had appliqued on the top: "There's No Place Like Home". It set me off into a sort of a Wizard of Oz type of thinking. I was sort of thinking of all those houses in Munchkin Land--the brick pathways, the flowers, the trees, the house trimmings. With that in mind, I knew I wanted real type of flowers, and then not so real type. I wanted pathways, I wanted a sun in the lighter colors, and none in the dark-as if it was night. I wanted smoke coming out of the chimneys. I decided on using matching and slightly contrasting color of threads. I was thinking of various custom quilting designs I could use in the sashings and boarders. I recently purchased my robotic system for my Long Arm- so I knew I wanted to incorporate that also. So.......... with all of those thoughts and ideas running crazy in my head....I started with all the stitch in the ditch in the sashings and boarders first. I then used the computer to do some block stitches in 3 of the boarders and in all of the corner stone blocks. In the sashings, I used matching thread and did a variation of a ribbon candy stitch. I did a "lacy" type of stitch surrounding the appliqued letters to help make them pop. I then did my free motion style of feathering around the whole boarder of the quilt. After all of that--the top was pretty much sewn to the backing, so I felt confident to move the top back and forth on the frame so that I can start in on the house blocks.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I can't say that by stitching the house blocks was were all the fun began---because truthfully, I was having fun from the start. I loved combining my computer program with my free motion. Awesome!!! But, I can honestly say, that my creative mind was really "<span style="background-color: yellow;">running full speed ahea</span><span style="background-color: yellow;">d" </span>while doing the blocks. Out came my doodle book and all my different colored of threads and away I went. It took me awhile to do it all. I did not rush, I enjoyed the whole process. It took me almost 2 months to do this quilt---but and I mean BUT----I had two big holidays in the middle of all this and kids coming and going from College. Trying to balance all of this was a bit tricky.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I remember the feeling of completing the last block. I couldn't believe it was done. I stood in awe just looking at the whole top---moving it forward and backward on the frame. I stopped counting bobbins after the 15th one. To me, the quilt is beautiful. With the scrappy piecing from Rochelle, and the custom quilting on the top---this is a truly one of a kind quilt. It is special. It is unique. Oh--I want one! Here are some pictures that I took. I wish I was a much better photographer because these pictures don't do the quilt justice. These pictures were all taken with the quilt unbound. I can hardly wait to see it with the binding on it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5uc5leN3AL54Dnzz7q2bgvgdlwRNZ6mv2Et2KXRkmruSblOpYA12CDy8esMaLrdVrCw5-QvtG5BGsn7vqo_D8t_-iyM_5KVmPwj-3Dlj2U6-sI4YPie_5S-Xmyw2AnPQjNi8JE837JJ6/s1600/IMG_1337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5uc5leN3AL54Dnzz7q2bgvgdlwRNZ6mv2Et2KXRkmruSblOpYA12CDy8esMaLrdVrCw5-QvtG5BGsn7vqo_D8t_-iyM_5KVmPwj-3Dlj2U6-sI4YPie_5S-Xmyw2AnPQjNi8JE837JJ6/s320/IMG_1337.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here it is... all of it's scrappy goodness!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGSQ9pnxRunMYKQCHfNMZfe2YfZewq7JGDy8-PRzGHjrDCpUvmYPry9zsXhUYsMxhl8dMBzP62q-L-pJ6XA5au2mWoxh6Pm1xMlORxReGPjc8UH09zgC7RWZo5yztLs_ki0mZzA6mnvYa/s1600/IMG_1338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGSQ9pnxRunMYKQCHfNMZfe2YfZewq7JGDy8-PRzGHjrDCpUvmYPry9zsXhUYsMxhl8dMBzP62q-L-pJ6XA5au2mWoxh6Pm1xMlORxReGPjc8UH09zgC7RWZo5yztLs_ki0mZzA6mnvYa/s320/IMG_1338.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the top of the quilt with all of the appliqued letters. Can you see the lacy stitching I did around the letters?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3zB_CmaBH40skGCne8TKwZ7_P06wJD_5d5R4IJLnjyKlHeTYMHXQGDCWYoceaKGXPJUgfys0OyjwMe7ftPU_Xm7GtWuHZCuoqFUcmtrAyamkbHUuUbT0HAu43Ac2pvqUJ7R4GT5VHoVa/s1600/IMG_1339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3zB_CmaBH40skGCne8TKwZ7_P06wJD_5d5R4IJLnjyKlHeTYMHXQGDCWYoceaKGXPJUgfys0OyjwMe7ftPU_Xm7GtWuHZCuoqFUcmtrAyamkbHUuUbT0HAu43Ac2pvqUJ7R4GT5VHoVa/s320/IMG_1339.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the teddy bear in the window. Great fussy cut job Rochelle!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBMDeyqkGZ39wf91QG3nZrvKAiT5LLwTbl_ZymTRJDubsKNBmHuKyZQkv7VH8biI8P6ypazG0Ps69skfuy-IG_GVL5PGbop7hyJKk8N-DnDyx6UVYZJXlVXPOAyU942z-Xva2N8EkSkWM/s1600/IMG_1340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBMDeyqkGZ39wf91QG3nZrvKAiT5LLwTbl_ZymTRJDubsKNBmHuKyZQkv7VH8biI8P6ypazG0Ps69skfuy-IG_GVL5PGbop7hyJKk8N-DnDyx6UVYZJXlVXPOAyU942z-Xva2N8EkSkWM/s320/IMG_1340.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This house has a whimsical inspired landscaping</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcQ3D737RILEq4uxpKBJOxqVVwY3w-DAarJmz72c1gPfmqXBnb5ZvtLupjqsAwN7xPcarSNU86aVvUR4DG0ZuMZ1jxCV-CeLQPnMgAcuM7xtan401zLNlLgTTGA-ycmKn4jZuW5A5B65L/s1600/IMG_1341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcQ3D737RILEq4uxpKBJOxqVVwY3w-DAarJmz72c1gPfmqXBnb5ZvtLupjqsAwN7xPcarSNU86aVvUR4DG0ZuMZ1jxCV-CeLQPnMgAcuM7xtan401zLNlLgTTGA-ycmKn4jZuW5A5B65L/s320/IMG_1341.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside capstone block with matching thread. Design is from my computer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy2HiWevOIA8NLzBEsvfQdaldGzpC_VPrrh64RNMWNhyphenhyphenR6SKBz9AqFwUycSjZkEILJBVs9nk7X4GsnBd5yV8uo3zWw4Nro1COG9VcLdyXCX2GpfgF-XxV6yXmBIwwBrSMqYX0Vapmo_VJ/s1600/IMG_1342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy2HiWevOIA8NLzBEsvfQdaldGzpC_VPrrh64RNMWNhyphenhyphenR6SKBz9AqFwUycSjZkEILJBVs9nk7X4GsnBd5yV8uo3zWw4Nro1COG9VcLdyXCX2GpfgF-XxV6yXmBIwwBrSMqYX0Vapmo_VJ/s320/IMG_1342.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These stitches are from my computer also. I put them in the middle of the outside boarders with the free motion feathering to the right and left of it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebJm4rlNg3GfS-qA74jYQa0LMH5-6iufRwlktX3Zuuluah4S-CcKZ5ViP-W2QXHc-MJSaDzhMKhxQ-iBbmoDZ4lhsRYZOpF37Qr-nQtvQ0IhWxnk1LkyS09cJ3AkT3mqJ_NvNEo5iLbQc/s1600/IMG_1343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebJm4rlNg3GfS-qA74jYQa0LMH5-6iufRwlktX3Zuuluah4S-CcKZ5ViP-W2QXHc-MJSaDzhMKhxQ-iBbmoDZ4lhsRYZOpF37Qr-nQtvQ0IhWxnk1LkyS09cJ3AkT3mqJ_NvNEo5iLbQc/s320/IMG_1343.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of my free motion feather stitch on outside boarder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGED5pSnUYGC5sTn7FD1tLLEVHXOi5ircvbARtCBG2j8XhVUdQyVSbghyfbbIUCDQz3fyJK6QlMcJo_nfsjotM6RLUZCaj-hZLU8Erc1iHHsW0yuwTLkQ97dMa6PjHu4uU9WkzjgwgRK9O/s1600/IMG_1344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGED5pSnUYGC5sTn7FD1tLLEVHXOi5ircvbARtCBG2j8XhVUdQyVSbghyfbbIUCDQz3fyJK6QlMcJo_nfsjotM6RLUZCaj-hZLU8Erc1iHHsW0yuwTLkQ97dMa6PjHu4uU9WkzjgwgRK9O/s320/IMG_1344.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More feathering. I love to do feathers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyF7TDO2HWFdKrSi9FRsIttqrQB3_6eoceYGJmNNiKpd7HxsYU5-lvKGJTCEmWKBW5UcAcP9uYQMjtpJDy1xOhH6ynkvCwSPkBWLy2MPabU0x0rmQibvUB5qXtfh3PonB-xVVMuA3oD2f/s1600/IMG_1345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyF7TDO2HWFdKrSi9FRsIttqrQB3_6eoceYGJmNNiKpd7HxsYU5-lvKGJTCEmWKBW5UcAcP9uYQMjtpJDy1xOhH6ynkvCwSPkBWLy2MPabU0x0rmQibvUB5qXtfh3PonB-xVVMuA3oD2f/s320/IMG_1345.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More whimsical block stitching. It is very difficult to see the design in the grey blocks. I used matching thread. Those designs are from the computer also.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBLgZ66rxGAfr6jJ41jR3KmzO4qgR7iryacluD1e_lvf9IEpMLOMDVDvby6A9CylFI4PVYprxHpB7vEAWrM6wqemllMMa9ZM55UBddN_FMCm3cN__CsrZWrkGBAil1UUQzU7lx5pIaHNh/s1600/IMG_1346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBLgZ66rxGAfr6jJ41jR3KmzO4qgR7iryacluD1e_lvf9IEpMLOMDVDvby6A9CylFI4PVYprxHpB7vEAWrM6wqemllMMa9ZM55UBddN_FMCm3cN__CsrZWrkGBAil1UUQzU7lx5pIaHNh/s320/IMG_1346.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-33756698299257977422017-01-07T07:28:00.000-08:002017-01-07T07:28:18.113-08:00A Sewing Winter Wonderland! Wow- oh- wow!! Those were the first words out of mouth this morning. I had such a view waiting for me when I opened my door to let the dogs out. Behold--- A Winter Wonderland! I went to bed last night with the snow coming down yet again. I knew that it was snowing pretty hard at that time---but I did not expect this. I have to admit-it is very pretty. There is something mystical about a fresh snow covered landscape. Don't get me wrong--- I would much prefer a beautiful warm spring/summer day. But that is not the case. It is January and I live in upper western New York state. So for now, this is my scenery--it is my winter wonderland.<br />
<br />
I have been making plans these past couple of days to meet up with some friends that I have not visited with in a while. Life can get crazy busy for all of us, especially around the holidays. Now that all of the madness is over and we can get back to our normal lives, I want to see some of my favorite people that have been missing. I have some of the best people as my friends. They are all different, smart, intelligent, kind, powerful, loving, confident woman. They add so much to my life for just being themselves and being my friend. I guess you can easily say that they enrich my life. It feeds my soul on all levels when I am able to spend time with them. That is what I was hoping to do yesterday and the next couple of days. I just need mother nature to work with me on this. I had to cancel a lunch date yesterday--very disappointing. Now, after looking out the door and watching more snow fall, I am loosing hope of meeting up with anyone today. I live out in what my mother would call " the country". Houses are not close together, there are no street lights, I live on a road-not a street, there are no sidewalks. There are many farms around me, along with wooded private property. It is beautiful and peaceful. That being said, I also have to admit that as far as snow plows from the village coming through---it is very infrequent. So, that makes travel adventurous at times.<br />
<br />
I had hopes of driving out to Forestville and visiting with one of my dear friends- Margaret. In fact, she is the friend who has helped put this website together for me. I would not be here if it were not for her and her daughter's support. I was looking forward to talking, sharing, coffee, and laughing for a couple of hours with her. Well.......I think I will have to go with plan B for today and make plans another day with my friend. I have been working hard in my studio on my customers quilts. I have not returned them yet to their rightful owners, so I can not show any pictures yet. No worries----it will be soon that I can share them. With it being the weekend, I think that I will give myself permission to go have play time in my studio and sew some creative pretties for me. I have a few projects that I work on a little at a time. They have been pretty ignored lately, so it is time to dust them off and work on them. It makes me excited to think about a day of just play in the studio. I will play some good music, have coffee and fondle fabric all day. Time to get the crock pot out and fill it--this way, I will have a wonderful dinner cooking with no stress on my play day.<br />
<br />
I wonder.....what is everyone's plan "B" for today???<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnv8XSRco3_BSzwZZxMt8-8gViH0-D1K2A0RUNlzxe7N5LBMAgUjr7EMuDXBkjt6_6S5Qw_fS_BirpE43MTeq9Vfgg7Xgr6EX7FB9jNoDwgyGLf4tu1KMfJeQ2adcjD2AqpJmMZD_iinR/s1600/IMG_1326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnv8XSRco3_BSzwZZxMt8-8gViH0-D1K2A0RUNlzxe7N5LBMAgUjr7EMuDXBkjt6_6S5Qw_fS_BirpE43MTeq9Vfgg7Xgr6EX7FB9jNoDwgyGLf4tu1KMfJeQ2adcjD2AqpJmMZD_iinR/s320/IMG_1326.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My poor fur baby -Bongi is trying to find his way through the snow. What remains of my garden is hidden under all of the whiteness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfZuZy5fg1e_UWyCiyKxztf9TGB3aKLxZhtEOrtBwvvFH28F8_ZMxA65i5OakpRLC4DM7rbkWSoWhP_4voJsW_juiqMaem5HCNzhLEAvrVafdZ5oWayHs1Cyd_531t9ogtYZDSvsX0yHQ/s1600/IMG_1327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfZuZy5fg1e_UWyCiyKxztf9TGB3aKLxZhtEOrtBwvvFH28F8_ZMxA65i5OakpRLC4DM7rbkWSoWhP_4voJsW_juiqMaem5HCNzhLEAvrVafdZ5oWayHs1Cyd_531t9ogtYZDSvsX0yHQ/s320/IMG_1327.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The backyard is so beautiful with all of the trees covered. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcxIMgkaOkKHEit1dOoFQpF7swPSMTxpHmRMlKs8i0HhGnIJQ10qbr6jJEWUCm3Iw9UWkjdwoBAOOScnFjFYfrIubxrcPcwYj0QOhTI5UvKTSgVz5HLKMXsIQ_rrcwedVHt08aofzhkg7/s1600/IMG_1328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcxIMgkaOkKHEit1dOoFQpF7swPSMTxpHmRMlKs8i0HhGnIJQ10qbr6jJEWUCm3Iw9UWkjdwoBAOOScnFjFYfrIubxrcPcwYj0QOhTI5UvKTSgVz5HLKMXsIQ_rrcwedVHt08aofzhkg7/s320/IMG_1328.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OK---I am not looking forward to shoveling off the deck.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-27662667505429632312017-01-06T09:17:00.000-08:002017-01-06T09:20:04.859-08:00Why Do I Sew? Why Do You Sew? As I was going through my email this morning, I came across a post asking : "Why do you sew?". I found that interesting. It made me sit and think while I was sipping on my morning cup of coffee. I asked myself--why do I sew? Where did this desire come from? Why do I like it so much???? Before I knew it, one cup of coffee turned into 3 cups of coffee. I was doing a lot of thinking on this one.<br />
<br />
I think that I have always been around sewing to some extent. When I was younger, my mother had a beautiful sewing machine. She was always sewing skirts and dresses for herself. She would often make dresses for me with matching ones for my dolls. I always loved that she did that. My mother did many other crafts also. From her, I learned a few of them. As I grew older and then on my own, I would keep on with those crafts or eventually come across some new ones and try my hand at it. For a long time in my teenage years and early adult hood, I loved to Crochet and to do Cross Stitch Embroidery. These kept my hands busy while I was raising my children. I never really felt a desire during those years to sit and learn sewing. I wish I had, my mother would have been a great teacher.<br />
<br />
It wasn't until after the death of my mother, that I turned to the sewing machine. I truly believe that in all of my grief and sorrow that I was led to my first grown up machine of my own. Maybe my mom was helping to sooth my grief from heaven. I remember weeks after the funeral- my husband wanted to take the kids and go see his parents in Long Island. I was very depressed and lost in my own thoughts and feelings. I just could not bring myself to driving over 8 hours and then spend a week with happy people. It just was not something I could wrap my head around. I had been surrounded by people who were so heart broken for me and my family. I had so many people stopping over to help in any way. There was a constant flow of people in and out of my house for weeks. So, when my husband decided to travel, I thought--OK, I need this quiet time. I need this time to just be.<br />
<br />
So I did. For the first few days, I just sat outside in my yard and looked out at the woods. Silently thinking. Going through all of my emotions. Talking to all of nature and venting my grief. Eventually, I had decided to go in the car and go towards the mall. For what ever reason, I found myself walking into a Joann Fabric Store. I felt like I was on auto pilot. I went straight back to where all of their sewing machines for sale where. At that time- the Viking Dealer was there. I walked up to the dealer and spoke with her at length. She showed me all of the different machines and what they could do. I was amazed!!!! Well....... an hour or so later, I walked out with a new purchased sewing/embroidery machine. I remember sort of being in shock all the way home with this new machine in the back seat of my car. I could not believe that I bought it. I did not know how to sew--I could not even sew a straight line. I also could not believe how much I spent on this machine. It was seven thousand dollars. I never discussed this with my husband. I figured he would find out about it once he came home.<br />
<br />
The next few days that followed, I poured myself into the machine. I read the directions. I put thread in it, did the bobbin, put fabric under the needle and then pressed on the foot petal. Away it went! I fell deeply in love with the sound of the machine. I started to frequent the Joann Fabric store and buy all sorts of fabric and different color threads and stabilizers. I found out that I loved the embroider aspect of my machine, but....that I loved to quilt. That was the beginning of a beautiful relationship. I soon discovered Quilt shops, Quilting magazines, On line sites, You Tube videos, etc.....<br />
<br />
Flash forward to the present. I am now the "Black Hat Quilter". I have 14 different sewing machines-many are vintage. I own a wonderful Serger Machine. Best of all--I own my Long Arm Machine. I have been retired for a year now from Nursing. I have loved every moment of stepping into my studio to create. I would never have thought this would be the path that I would follow. Who would of thought that in the deepest despair of sorrow and grief for the loss of my mother--that I would find sewing and sewing would find me and together- I would heal. It has been wonderful and beautiful every step of the way. I feel totally blessed. I know in my heart that my mother is aware of my sewing and that I am feeling better-though I still miss her greatly. I believe she is with me and watching me sew and she is happy with that.<br />
<br />
<br />
So with that being said...... I wonder about everyone else. How did you come to sewing? How did you acquire your sewing machine? Who influenced you?? <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjfn2_A7tAhEJ2TM3wINRjv81D5R8ertKn2_2z8wUI_Af1z9r2ih-LBadfjxuK58eaOwURSHh2XOuxH6t_q5VwErJOl6zOwgVGIJCoKEAWHOllqymWl4vDUixOSJ5PCWSpCjuDuZkTpLh/s1600/10_30_2016%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjfn2_A7tAhEJ2TM3wINRjv81D5R8ertKn2_2z8wUI_Af1z9r2ih-LBadfjxuK58eaOwURSHh2XOuxH6t_q5VwErJOl6zOwgVGIJCoKEAWHOllqymWl4vDUixOSJ5PCWSpCjuDuZkTpLh/s320/10_30_2016%255B2%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-90566680265452827752017-01-01T08:21:00.000-08:002017-01-01T08:21:53.099-08:00Welcome 2017!!!!!Wow----can you believe it-----it is 2017! I don't know about everyone else, but for me-2016 went by very fast. What a heck of a year. I am not going to say it was bad----I had many wonderful things happen for me, but it was not what I had envisioned it to be. I spent my New Years Eve with family and friends. It was wonderful. I did a great deal of thinking of past celebrations. I took stock in what I had accomplished in 2016. I said many prayers of gratitude for all of the blessings that I had. I am grateful. My family and I were blessed with many wonderful gifts this past year. The Black Hat Quilter was blessed in so many ways. I am so thrilled for all of the upgrades I was able to do. It is not to say that there were not any sad moments--because life is life and there were some. BUT---and I mean a big BUT- I am not going to focus on those moments. I am not ready to decide on any New Years resolutions yet. I do know that I want to truly welcome 2017 in with open arms and hope in my heart and spirit for not only myself but to all of my family, friends, and customers.<br />
<br />
Is it possible to have a one day resolution???? I hope so---because I am going to state this " one day resolution"! For today----I will only concentrate on good vibrational thoughts and actions. I want to start a ball rolling down the proverbial hill for me. I hope this ball gathers speed and weight through out the year. If you think good things--you will become a magnet and draw good things towards you.<br />
<br />
I have people to visit with today and a wonderful dinner to make before I send people back on the road to their homes. Not sure if I will be able to sew at all today. It has been many days since I was able to get to my machines and create joy. The holidays have been all too consuming. I am sure many people can relate to that.<br />
<br />
So---- for today. Let us all just be: be happy, content, joyful, hopeful---and together!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48vAEcXXWaBtbQlm_feGYjvw8sEaXz1ZY49ycnQ1dUD-F-e7OYKb5Jh6o8YZHt-8XiKN0aFE3tpmxTxCGLCh07y2_p8jEXwgos6xRX-8H-DsHe_pmFBGr3KiL0OIAACK8OplXrQV5j6nL/s1600/20131222_172152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48vAEcXXWaBtbQlm_feGYjvw8sEaXz1ZY49ycnQ1dUD-F-e7OYKb5Jh6o8YZHt-8XiKN0aFE3tpmxTxCGLCh07y2_p8jEXwgos6xRX-8H-DsHe_pmFBGr3KiL0OIAACK8OplXrQV5j6nL/s320/20131222_172152.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My family---the most important people to me. Without them---I simply would just not be. The Black Hat Quilter would not be. I love my family. I love my customers. Happy New Year to everyone!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-72139438585397781012016-12-22T07:09:00.001-08:002016-12-22T07:09:24.329-08:00Merry Christmas!I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas! I hope the reason for the season is in all of your hearts. I wish love, health and happiness to all of you as my Christmas gift. I will not be posting for a couple of days. I am taking time off to spend with my children. As you know, I do not get to see them often, so I soak up all of their goodness when I can. I will be having much family time. I will not be sewing until after Christmas---all of my gifts are made and on their way to their new owners. Smile, be happy and enjoy each other!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrQ-rwiuKhlrMpob8grBwUrAxkKTGuLLfXVSVwPZHatRVlx7VN0LuO4wigM6-CV-koN4sncIWlmVL2mX6ks-gmAcxxAi8RcCx9lq9hniiSQgiWGcFrPwLQdC8pmRGngus9EzKTJW3vRng/s1600/Santa+American+Quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrQ-rwiuKhlrMpob8grBwUrAxkKTGuLLfXVSVwPZHatRVlx7VN0LuO4wigM6-CV-koN4sncIWlmVL2mX6ks-gmAcxxAi8RcCx9lq9hniiSQgiWGcFrPwLQdC8pmRGngus9EzKTJW3vRng/s1600/Santa+American+Quilt.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZFrFmyco-tRj0FiwtjmFo-D6Ss9FBjwsbmL1bnv1PMlc_gj2tqWbec9_8LW4kwLKy4W1sv_Kx2x68Ne4M75OjHJNGw_HzZFMzALCElqHhM4XcVohIWQpD2Pm73ER66GB79JKJ6T8A34v/s1600/Santa+Quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZFrFmyco-tRj0FiwtjmFo-D6Ss9FBjwsbmL1bnv1PMlc_gj2tqWbec9_8LW4kwLKy4W1sv_Kx2x68Ne4M75OjHJNGw_HzZFMzALCElqHhM4XcVohIWQpD2Pm73ER66GB79JKJ6T8A34v/s320/Santa+Quilt.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-25513215178310052642016-12-20T07:52:00.000-08:002016-12-20T07:57:45.240-08:00Busy, Busy, Busy! Oh time is going by so fast---and yet, I find that my sewing is going so slow! I am not sure if other people feel this way, but right now, I feel like I take one step forward and two steps back. I wish I could wiggle my nose and make all of my projects complete. Why do I do this to myself? Why do I make such demands on myself? I always say----"Nadine, you did it again!" And then I find myself adding this to the comment: " You should have started these during the summer!" You would think that after all of these years, I would finally take my own advice, do myself a huge favor---and just start in the summer months.<br />
<br />
OK, deep breath--in and out. Better. I know I have a few more days to work on these projects. It will work out. I will probably have to pull a few late nights here though. Can you relate? Please tell me I am not the only one doing this " sew like mad" thing right before Christmas.<br />
<br />
On another note here, I do feel pretty satisfied in my accomplishments yesterday. I had made myself a check list and I have to say---I had them all checked off by the time I went to bed. That is a good thing. At one point, I had to chuckle at myself. I was working on the longarm and having my embroidery machine stitch out more ornaments at the same time. That was something I never did before. I usually just sit there and gawk at my machine while it is stitching out a design. But.....time waits for no one, and there is no rest for the weary.<br />
<br />
Here are some more of the ornaments that I have been making. Someone on an earlier post said that they look Victorian. I have to admit----they do! I can not believe that I did not notice this before, since I love the Victorian era. I do not think I mentioned what collection these ornaments are from.They are: Christmas Lace II by Betty Svensson. I bought it from the Husqvarna dealer a few years back.<br />
<br />
I have something to show that I made, but I want to finish stitching it out first. Hopefully I can show it off tomorrow. Till then, enjoy your day. Keep working at checking off all that you can on your to do lists!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYM1AjfFyjex1BgfdOE1sztEU-_CfWbdLIcMIMfEMGg71_-nW4s9S0FW6TtEdxxYXGTQ17Csc2xKywb2HBF-HtVYmvQSziifXXtnhqLVg1Ztgwd6fFpqYaZeTFk73ilVejEgizEW-LQLH1/s1600/IMG_1321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYM1AjfFyjex1BgfdOE1sztEU-_CfWbdLIcMIMfEMGg71_-nW4s9S0FW6TtEdxxYXGTQ17Csc2xKywb2HBF-HtVYmvQSziifXXtnhqLVg1Ztgwd6fFpqYaZeTFk73ilVejEgizEW-LQLH1/s320/IMG_1321.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry--I can not figure out how to rotate this silly picture. I just love these ornaments. The ribbons for hanging will be added today. Couldn't you see crystals hot glued on them--wouldn't that look nice?!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRakeZ6ujiImV5J1E2EsYUaD6nqvAikEO8MRYIx3s9FmQ2cwLHOKMUoRuPNeBrEMeLmI7CrkT4iDZ8wcvS6wO2TYi0BMT_I1lBvLYhpgQag6O3dx83nUjmMlDKC5ZrIvB9rBO2n_63OUf/s1600/IMG_1322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRakeZ6ujiImV5J1E2EsYUaD6nqvAikEO8MRYIx3s9FmQ2cwLHOKMUoRuPNeBrEMeLmI7CrkT4iDZ8wcvS6wO2TYi0BMT_I1lBvLYhpgQag6O3dx83nUjmMlDKC5ZrIvB9rBO2n_63OUf/s320/IMG_1322.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Love all of the possibilities n this collection.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-91527107401560203682016-12-19T08:13:00.000-08:002016-12-19T08:13:14.972-08:00Christmas Ornaments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
'Tis the season for sewing!!! I uncovered my embroidery machine yesterday and decided it was high time to load up a design and get stitchen"! I have not used my embroidery machine in a long time. I can't even remember the last time I embroidered something. What a shame! Shame on me! I have committed machine abuse...... something that I can not tolerate. Well, I changed that all yesterday when I uncovered it, put in the thread and bobbin, picked out a design and pressed start. What a lovely thing to watch.<br />
I actually own a couple sewing embroidery machines. They are Vikings. I own a Diamond and a Designer Ruby. They are able to do amazing things. Let me rephrase that: they do amazing things when you use them. My machines came with pre loaded designs. I have also purchased Cd's with pretty designs and downloaded them from varies sites on the Internet. It is so exciting to buy a pattern, load it into my machine, put in choice of colored thread and press start----the machine starts moving. The needle goes up and down all around the hoop-before you know it, you have a beautiful design. I always sit there in amazement watching it. Hours can go by without me moving. I use to do all kinds of hand embroidery. Now that I am older and I own these wonderful machines, I don't do it anymore.<br />
I wanted to do some fun sewing yesterday--I wanted to reward myself for all the hard work I have been doing with the customer quilt that is on the long arm. With Christmas coming fast- I decided to sew a few Christmas Ornaments. I choose the color red. I could use other colors, but red is one of my favorite colors. My CD offers many ornaments to choose from. That was the difficult part. It took me a long time to choose which ones I wanted. Finally the choice was made. I put the stabilizer on the hoop that dissolves in water: Aqua Magic, connected it to the machine and away it went. I sat there with a cup of coffee in my hand with my eyes glued to the stitch out. I don't think I will ever get over watching it sew. It really is amazing. I really do love it.<br />
Before too long, it was done. I took it from the machine. Cut the pieces out and placed them in a bowl of warm water. The Aqua Magic dissolved immediately. Fascinating! Took them out of the bowl and placed them on a towel to dry. I left them to dry in the studio during the night. I couldn't wait to see them this morning. They are dry and beautiful. I am going to put ribbon on them so that they can hang. I am so inspired by this----I think I will pick out some more ornaments and stitch them out. Oh happy happy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The weather here is currently freezing and snowing---it looks a lot like Christmas. Fitting weather to stay in doors and love my machines and create some more goodness. Hope you all have a great day. I hope you all make something lovely today!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxMGUWg-jAGkEdIdVg0PUnXwnOkWyT7vpzZiSerpZZS882aapM8Xq4Rtz3xFJ7gN1tL_m3j3hQ5snZ-lBnLVipM-zEOan7ZpeFeaVAPVlUx3LPSRvRhOCgmkw3wRd_vVtwoNjA43sRF30/s1600/IMG_1315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxMGUWg-jAGkEdIdVg0PUnXwnOkWyT7vpzZiSerpZZS882aapM8Xq4Rtz3xFJ7gN1tL_m3j3hQ5snZ-lBnLVipM-zEOan7ZpeFeaVAPVlUx3LPSRvRhOCgmkw3wRd_vVtwoNjA43sRF30/s320/IMG_1315.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are the ornaments up on my computer. I have the 6D Embroidery program on my computer. I love it. It helps to do many wonderful things with my embroidery designs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pPhK2CHcGgU35OKK0sIUZozl6ZCs_06v7ofJMSStB3XZmFn8Z68vnHtefJ35weZWqi3KAdf2n620es2JxRuEJmYH3Zf1CpPqug5q_nMNavOtyy4OopK8Yrmb7QiMU0tF-80L4eRI9RIZ/s1600/IMG_1314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pPhK2CHcGgU35OKK0sIUZozl6ZCs_06v7ofJMSStB3XZmFn8Z68vnHtefJ35weZWqi3KAdf2n620es2JxRuEJmYH3Zf1CpPqug5q_nMNavOtyy4OopK8Yrmb7QiMU0tF-80L4eRI9RIZ/s320/IMG_1314.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is all loaded onto my machine. The hoop is in place and it is currently starting to stitch the first ornament.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSC2dYQjwLnEtVahYZptTpuoFqMb97xVqjrSqUrD2hL4bhQKabvv9INB3UORf8MkQ9M__KmgZ5t6cCBN2PyDefHxQFGA_R9TE8_WHyIfNk-m0fV524rgpUXQEaadAU-8Xs4HMC6UL9gvx6/s1600/IMG_1313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSC2dYQjwLnEtVahYZptTpuoFqMb97xVqjrSqUrD2hL4bhQKabvv9INB3UORf8MkQ9M__KmgZ5t6cCBN2PyDefHxQFGA_R9TE8_WHyIfNk-m0fV524rgpUXQEaadAU-8Xs4HMC6UL9gvx6/s320/IMG_1313.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is so cool watching it stitch out and start to take shape. It is captivating to watch.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeM7qdEJm2hrTqjx3H-NE2TWYlKyR0btsFUznO7aIDPAEnKMzcYLduBEEWXPX2zQUDlLQ84n9YFfViNm8VpCp2gVUvkFZikQ_RJYife0VHEQpYpLhI1YxilXfgJ8T1364cqyd87BG69Z8V/s1600/IMG_1319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeM7qdEJm2hrTqjx3H-NE2TWYlKyR0btsFUznO7aIDPAEnKMzcYLduBEEWXPX2zQUDlLQ84n9YFfViNm8VpCp2gVUvkFZikQ_RJYife0VHEQpYpLhI1YxilXfgJ8T1364cqyd87BG69Z8V/s320/IMG_1319.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here is the finished product! Aren't they lovely??!!! They are addicting to make---I see some more being made in my immediate future!</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-25307919326160172372016-12-17T07:25:00.000-08:002016-12-17T07:30:21.193-08:00Christmas PastToday is a day of going down memory lane. The weather is cold and snowy. I am not feeling ambitious to go out and about in it. Warm and fuzzy clothes with a good cup of coffee in my hand is a great way to be. With the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season on us, it is making me want to just slow down for a minute and savor the moment. My list is a mile long of all the things that need to be finished, the fun events that are scheduled, the wrapping and sending off of gifts, etc...... You know the deal. No one is free from this craziness. Days are going by very fast---truly, in just a blink of an eye a week has past! What is happening? The answer is - life. Life is happening. We are so busy with our lists, responsibilities, getting ready for the next day-that we whiz right through the day without thinking about it. I find myself thinking about the people in my life.<br />
<div>
<br />
<div>
I remember a few years ago, that I heard from my daughter that her good friend,Rachel, was coming home from college for Christmas, but would be leaving soon to move to Florida. I was like: wow, how can this be? Is she old enough to do this? Is she ready to do this?? With these thoughts going through my head, I thought about what I could do to wish her well and send her on her way with love. So...... even though it was a week before Christmas day- I got busy on making her a quilt. I wanted to make something special for her. I wanted her to know that she is loved. I wanted her to know that I care and that I wish her the best on her new adventure. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I decided on a pattern called " 3 Sisters". I choose this pattern not only because I liked it and it looked fun to make, but because it made me think of Rachel, her mom and her sister----three ladies, three sisters in spirit. I had already had the material in my stash. I even remember were I bought it from--Creekside Quilting in Arcade. I worked as fast as I could on cutting, piecing and then quilting it on the longarm. I had a fast approaching deadline. Rachel was coming over to say goodbye before she left. I cut it so close, that she was actually walking up to my door when I was sewing the last of the binding stitches!!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was so happy to see her! Many hugs and good wishes were given. She was so shocked when I presented the quilt to her. I could see the emotion of happiness and surprise all over her cute face. The time---that blasted thing called time-----it went by so fast. She no sooner came, then she was gone. Gone to travel her own road of life.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5M-afbUqvSuh0VUZ7qqXgZTzTIQPnV2bi1eP_4F8qlINMPCdZ9z3GIHc8parMAAPqY5ZyGhzyIO7BCsqakLpjoX4DdL3E-VGcxKgnJoBAqdQfc5yKwjh4WXpb6UHSEwvKxj9B76Jb0Dn/s1600/IMG_8524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5M-afbUqvSuh0VUZ7qqXgZTzTIQPnV2bi1eP_4F8qlINMPCdZ9z3GIHc8parMAAPqY5ZyGhzyIO7BCsqakLpjoX4DdL3E-VGcxKgnJoBAqdQfc5yKwjh4WXpb6UHSEwvKxj9B76Jb0Dn/s320/IMG_8524.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful smile on a beautiful girl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YxTrTHsjZWFIF62vqS7TuDmBJ7pBgJLfX2qWa9zACU-faQdZ7CWYf5rys0OGxns6Vg9p5kRIf-sbci-MQRgMhA0dxf-A-kFkxOL-Lx7ml2YW7ibo8qiq4Ih_6SCqYt1mlc9EP2EkZ9Du/s1600/IMG952698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YxTrTHsjZWFIF62vqS7TuDmBJ7pBgJLfX2qWa9zACU-faQdZ7CWYf5rys0OGxns6Vg9p5kRIf-sbci-MQRgMhA0dxf-A-kFkxOL-Lx7ml2YW7ibo8qiq4Ih_6SCqYt1mlc9EP2EkZ9Du/s320/IMG952698.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this picture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Flash forward to the present. I would like to say that I have seen Rachel many time since she left. The truth is, is that I have not seen her since that day a couple of Christmases ago. Time goes by, and here we are. I would love to say that she took her quilt with her and cuddled with it many nights when she was alone. I would love to say that the quilt has comforted her while she was away from her mom. That she felt all the love that was put into the making of it for her. No I can not. Sadly it has been folded up and stored at her mom's home in her old room.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I feel sad thinking about this quilt. Quilts are made to be used. Made to comfort and heal. Made from love and given in love. At least, that is how I view it. I miss Rachel. She is doing well. She is traveling the States and loving life. Good for her!!!! My only wish is that the quilt that is lonely and waiting for her - was with her and traveling around and gathering miles on it as well.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-17040249016941816992016-12-15T08:02:00.000-08:002016-12-16T06:28:59.493-08:00Northern LightsAs I am flipping through my pictures, I came across a few lovely shots of a customer quilt that I had done earlier this year. I love this quilt- it was so much fun to play with. Did I say play with??? I sure did! I love to free motion quilt with my long arm. I receive a variety of types of quilts from my customers. They are all beautiful. What I have not had the joy of working a lot on, are the "Modern" style quilts. You know the ones----they are made of mostly solid colors. The designs on them may vary, but there is always wide open spaces on them. Some people call this "negative space". I like the term wide open better. It just seems so much more positive. Sewing is positive, quilting is positive-so why shouldn't the words to describe it be positive???<br />
<br />
A few months back, I received a quilt top from a customer of mine. I knew about this top for awhile and couldn't wait to get my hands on it. It is very modern in it's look. It is made up of different colors with a sort of zig zag'ish block style. At first glance, it reminded me of a rainbow. She told me the pattern was called " Northern Lights". It really is a neat pattern. When I brought it home into my studio and hung it up on my design board, I just stood there and stared at it. All sorts of cool ideas and designs were floating in and out of my little head. I also was thinking of various thread choices and colors. So many ideas--it was over whelming trying to narrow it all down and pick a few. I have to admit, it took me awhile to really do just that--narrow it down and finally make a pick. Aaaahhhhh, choices, choices and more choices.<br />
<br />
Well, I finally did choose. I decided to use matching threads for each color and to do a different design for each color. I ordered the color of threads that I did not have and started to draw on blank sheets of paper what I wanted to sew. That took a couple of days. Enough time to allow the thread to arrive. It only took a couple of days. I quickly loaded it up on the frame and started the process. Oh how much fun it was. I was having so much fun just stitching away. I was in my own little world, my own little zone. I can't even tell you what the weather was doing outside. I lost all track of time, and just sewed and sewed and sewed. I really had so much fun quilting this top, that it is sinful.<br />
When I finally finished- I remember feeling like the cat who ate the mouse. I felt stuffed and satiated in a quilty sort of way. I called Rochelle and let her know. I could not wait to give it to her.<br />
<br />
Here are some of the pictures. I was so exited to do this top and give it back, that in my excitement-----I forgot to take pictures. I actually took these with my cell phone after I showed her the quilt. I am not a good photographer--so the pictures do not do it justice.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHnzcjUX9hD3W91dGvjLH5LAoHlib_C3z-NvCE9tUurtwIvfoV-lA_02wYFjVKRg_vX9LrF5u0_-ZIR26SQh5AzSCoyxxPkZEQTcuZ8O30x2tVc2GE2MadZxLI7cMyjnMQL7-YmnQjKlH/s1600/IMG_1102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHnzcjUX9hD3W91dGvjLH5LAoHlib_C3z-NvCE9tUurtwIvfoV-lA_02wYFjVKRg_vX9LrF5u0_-ZIR26SQh5AzSCoyxxPkZEQTcuZ8O30x2tVc2GE2MadZxLI7cMyjnMQL7-YmnQjKlH/s320/IMG_1102.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the whole quilt top. As you can see, there is still extra batting and backing attached. I never cut it off. I let the owner do it when they are ready to bind it. Taking scissors to some one's quilt scares me to the bones.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5LBCgUC_K_d15i2icaO82CVdCWiEzxzMH9s4wc5nR_KZu9BhkCvgMIvNwtKVrB1b5Tl-JZI4DokrErD6KbOizIXuVP8PJpS29e_gCubxbCMOZ6QphB3exriAhE_emDjoLUI8M-a68CRH/s1600/IMG_1092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5LBCgUC_K_d15i2icaO82CVdCWiEzxzMH9s4wc5nR_KZu9BhkCvgMIvNwtKVrB1b5Tl-JZI4DokrErD6KbOizIXuVP8PJpS29e_gCubxbCMOZ6QphB3exriAhE_emDjoLUI8M-a68CRH/s320/IMG_1092.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a design that I totally created. I love the movement it creates</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvssm_m3-VmnJtQgNyF2RitbxOYTDgJzYGNIdkTz6JEhJouizqyCyfDuC1q36qhEX-9MOtlpUdsJKXK44law954zVuDiy-9oDsZvBRO60g3fACckFWSz70uuiD-XF0cRL11de68N3ZwL-/s1600/IMG_1093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvssm_m3-VmnJtQgNyF2RitbxOYTDgJzYGNIdkTz6JEhJouizqyCyfDuC1q36qhEX-9MOtlpUdsJKXK44law954zVuDiy-9oDsZvBRO60g3fACckFWSz70uuiD-XF0cRL11de68N3ZwL-/s320/IMG_1093.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of my favorite designs on the quilt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjdYnWJOHkfCYwoVyFcRxDQHSA_3GdvMFaOWlp0CBduFBfThQuRpSoniE2l3zcnmnT-fhtafnwByVCGZcHbGpzN1gddMwqkhliMhDbFKas4lzlG-tQvkMZIM2GqQ8bZ_OqRPatNapM4-w/s1600/IMG_1094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjdYnWJOHkfCYwoVyFcRxDQHSA_3GdvMFaOWlp0CBduFBfThQuRpSoniE2l3zcnmnT-fhtafnwByVCGZcHbGpzN1gddMwqkhliMhDbFKas4lzlG-tQvkMZIM2GqQ8bZ_OqRPatNapM4-w/s320/IMG_1094.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> I love how I was able to sew lines and combine them with other flowing designs to create neat looks. Modern quilts are fun to quilt. They really do allow for your creative side to shine through</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifamdrOjRrRCaaTVR-O75G9Kv5ThpDKWwBT3LlaAlBGNBirP5piZIl7V5yE_2N-8RaI3uYg5oS5XcuVLSKkkZf3Ra_-HXzlma3DTzEDvsavSi5glxAHiQtKeJ07yOyvO7eDfxos-kfXoLY/s1600/IMG_1095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifamdrOjRrRCaaTVR-O75G9Kv5ThpDKWwBT3LlaAlBGNBirP5piZIl7V5yE_2N-8RaI3uYg5oS5XcuVLSKkkZf3Ra_-HXzlma3DTzEDvsavSi5glxAHiQtKeJ07yOyvO7eDfxos-kfXoLY/s320/IMG_1095.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtkZjGQPcgmAdDpxpTIBKZoalzKclDL9ktwMxKcMyTgkhdIaCiw8-y3SDnheGPELKcddM_SS7A1r5zedd3wV7nCK3JoJ5tCHHTI0_SqUagNDdHgzGIwFshi_stB7BCkKrc6BmJRgEJL1r/s1600/IMG_1096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtkZjGQPcgmAdDpxpTIBKZoalzKclDL9ktwMxKcMyTgkhdIaCiw8-y3SDnheGPELKcddM_SS7A1r5zedd3wV7nCK3JoJ5tCHHTI0_SqUagNDdHgzGIwFshi_stB7BCkKrc6BmJRgEJL1r/s320/IMG_1096.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mfVNPzO3S7q0R0hYQ5d_lO09U5BoNCzlBVF7lxR8Mg0A2XHknmO1utFjrlilMAKpLja0oiD9GG8JdwDLll4XaPtjdXnVRHrOm04_hv8o7zO1NsaVG3cOsyoz1tGY83I0Z7A4kye9Os55/s1600/IMG_1097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mfVNPzO3S7q0R0hYQ5d_lO09U5BoNCzlBVF7lxR8Mg0A2XHknmO1utFjrlilMAKpLja0oiD9GG8JdwDLll4XaPtjdXnVRHrOm04_hv8o7zO1NsaVG3cOsyoz1tGY83I0Z7A4kye9Os55/s320/IMG_1097.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ556EMxBEEmz6CiaST4wPaW-ZC9T8hXvMpUZahFeIsDMbkJRH5tplB-e3VGQNxW81wQlrjnw6zpwhNoCQ9gsP7hg1lROI-I5agSP0xgFpz4KTSg3L5EaE764bKqMTcCYu_soOVBeR5SsL/s1600/IMG_1098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ556EMxBEEmz6CiaST4wPaW-ZC9T8hXvMpUZahFeIsDMbkJRH5tplB-e3VGQNxW81wQlrjnw6zpwhNoCQ9gsP7hg1lROI-I5agSP0xgFpz4KTSg3L5EaE764bKqMTcCYu_soOVBeR5SsL/s320/IMG_1098.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwaE2fj0dXNQqAkuc7X_w8Oz1TFqEOAqoqpxfgbjZidm4JLyG5ZhG-xcCeimTWdx1HIs2PJmv3azSIL_RUS4Mj94lL0jSyLGDmyXPtsjyYcjA9Bk72-CU01SxPJp_nJz6UD3laSG3fowY/s1600/IMG_1099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwaE2fj0dXNQqAkuc7X_w8Oz1TFqEOAqoqpxfgbjZidm4JLyG5ZhG-xcCeimTWdx1HIs2PJmv3azSIL_RUS4Mj94lL0jSyLGDmyXPtsjyYcjA9Bk72-CU01SxPJp_nJz6UD3laSG3fowY/s320/IMG_1099.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Oq5gthtyFZ8_OdhF9Q710ofzEf0V4m07l4Uh4hMq2Re7S2dG1yp6JMzlcwdlAtVheiV_J3uj1C46IMj0sjW1cmzkr5zwS9MIorGGHS7iH6QnVuuUwwWLfodqwO5EXeGKsdI1-ObJr-1x/s1600/IMG_1100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Oq5gthtyFZ8_OdhF9Q710ofzEf0V4m07l4Uh4hMq2Re7S2dG1yp6JMzlcwdlAtVheiV_J3uj1C46IMj0sjW1cmzkr5zwS9MIorGGHS7iH6QnVuuUwwWLfodqwO5EXeGKsdI1-ObJr-1x/s320/IMG_1100.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love stitching out feathers. Who doesn't love feathers???</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbIssnRu0j_cteCY0yMttAtJBvySnkd5uS7Z9Mb0cQyTqMR0AgNDNETxvzWE7xMMSM-ol1bLf0Rd4K4jm_ID6vjr1Rx727kE5nKFCt77bQqdOJrYjEz870LShtT_7au8twxbYYFeu1vFF/s1600/IMG_1101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbIssnRu0j_cteCY0yMttAtJBvySnkd5uS7Z9Mb0cQyTqMR0AgNDNETxvzWE7xMMSM-ol1bLf0Rd4K4jm_ID6vjr1Rx727kE5nKFCt77bQqdOJrYjEz870LShtT_7au8twxbYYFeu1vFF/s320/IMG_1101.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My own version of an Oak leaf</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I know that the pattern is called Northern Lights--but for me, I call it Northern Candy. I felt like a child in a candy store the whole time I worked on this top. Thanks Rochelle!!!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-90670086491429933732016-12-14T09:02:00.000-08:002016-12-14T09:04:54.644-08:00From Me to YouBurrrrrr......rub arms up and down each other.....run for coffee.....stand by heater. Yep, that is what my first minutes of my day were like. If you haven't guessed by now---let me tell you then, Babe-it is cold outside!!!! I know, it is December and I do live in upper Western New York---but, for me, it never gets any easier. The sad thing is that we just started our cold weather. Winter is not officially here for 7 days. Not going to complain though-----this past summer was so painfully hot to me. We are now getting the cold weather that I remember begging for. Be careful for what you ask for people.<br />
I am posting a picture of this gentleman. I have never met him, I can't even tell you his name. I do know that he is a nice man---how can he not be, he is the father to one of my friends from the Center. I love this picture for a few reasons. One---he asked her to show it to me. Two----he is loving on this afghan that was made just for him. Three----It touches my heart.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONsuvmnwPF_C1CRWMH3qu44WsbTVrYYjkOfYwvDtb_5NGeLNwyGaXHMtYjMnBpzfYcvaSFZgaJF7zNgojMvSW3IERsbBj6KRpDkXtIEk_lYgkFEsahs2oXJTRTIcjSeesXev4czljN7yR/s1600/IMG_1312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONsuvmnwPF_C1CRWMH3qu44WsbTVrYYjkOfYwvDtb_5NGeLNwyGaXHMtYjMnBpzfYcvaSFZgaJF7zNgojMvSW3IERsbBj6KRpDkXtIEk_lYgkFEsahs2oXJTRTIcjSeesXev4czljN7yR/s320/IMG_1312.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gift of warmth and love</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In the middle of this past summer, my whole house was torn upside down. We had the Amish come and do some major work on roofs, ceilings, walls and doors. It was greatly needed, but much chaos and mess. During this time, my poor little Gia (yorkiepoo), hurt her back and couldn't walk or stand. It was so stressful and terrible. Well, life is life and we never know what will happen from one day to the next. I received a text from a friend of mine-Rochelle. Her mom just passed away suddenly. I remember standing in my kitchen just starring at my phone. So sad. So hard to think about. It took me back to when my mother was suddenly and tragically taken from me. There are those moments in life that you will always know where you were and what you were doing when it strikes. Needless to say---I felt so bad for her and her family. Immediately placed them into my prayers. I can't remember the sequence of events or the exact time space of everything because of what was happening on my home front, but I did receive a call from Rochelle some time later. She told me about finding an afghan that her mom was in the middle of making for her dad. She asked me if I could finish it. I was so shocked and moved that she would think of asking me this. What an honor. This afghan clearly meant something to all of them. This clearly needed to be finished and gifted to her dad. Rochelle only had the partially completed afghan and a couple more skeins of the yarn her mom was using. I would have to figure out what hook she used and figure out the stitch pattern.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rochelle and her husband dropped off the package to me on a very hot sunny day. They were gracious enough to look past all of the crazy chaos happening at my home. When you have people come to your home the first time---there is always an urge and a need for it to be clean and orderly. Well, not in this case. God bless them. I remember peering into the bag and thinking to myself- sure, no problem-easy peasy--but what the heck kind of stitch is this???? I knew it was some sort of a shell stitch. That was it. I tried pulling back the yarn to unravel a few stitches---but it did not make sense. Some of the stitches were done differently then the others. I took it to another friend of mine who crochets a great deal. She too, had a similar problem figuring it out. She even brought out all of her hooks to help figure out what size I needed. After a few hours, we came up with a stitch that we thought worked well, and I was on my way to the store to buy the hook that I needed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I worked on the afghan at night when things were calmer and cooler in the house. I would think of Rochelle and her family. I prayed to her mom and asked her to help me finish this in a good way. I prayed to Creator to help bless my stitching, help me re-create what this woman had done. I kept thinking about how important this afghan was and what it meant to the family. I felt so honored and humbled every time I sat and worked on it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The day finally came when I was finished. I was so happy that it was done and looked good. I honestly could not tell where her mom ended and where I picked up. Mission accomplished. I made the call to Rochelle and happy to tell her the news. She picked it up and away she went. I have thought many times about that afghan and the meaning of it. I have thought many a time of her mom in heaven watching me work on her gift to her husband. I have crocheted many items in the past---but I am a Quilter to the bone. Working on this afghan made me use muscles I have not used in a long time. It made me reflect on the meaning of creating something, of gifting, of our family and loved ones, on extending ourselves to help others, the joys and pains of life.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So----needless to say, I was very happy when her father had this picture taken of him and asked her to forward it to me. He loves it and he said it is so warm. Way awesome!!! Way good!!! Today was so cold to me when I got out of bed----I couldn't help thinking of cuddling under quilts and afghans. This picture is picture perfect for today. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-69860915453670626222016-12-12T08:00:00.000-08:002016-12-12T14:03:19.799-08:00Meet Shea-this smoochy bundle of goodness!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9raSqwRBV1CQGOFhZpTo_dfj_aH2u5FrECslANsa1u3Snr3IX7ylskRDHJUoL7nDN61WQxY5z2nc-Zsl_3Nr-w3CppES8zUVVeNUs4-T7tUZjGm4LRUPNZi_WI_DFiF98HPWKievVbCin/s1600/IMG_1308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9raSqwRBV1CQGOFhZpTo_dfj_aH2u5FrECslANsa1u3Snr3IX7ylskRDHJUoL7nDN61WQxY5z2nc-Zsl_3Nr-w3CppES8zUVVeNUs4-T7tUZjGm4LRUPNZi_WI_DFiF98HPWKievVbCin/s320/IMG_1308.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSvXHMy-NExwjK8Npxq0G0ymoangjJIHLPOxLRGp8liJvZjUybXcXsaRs9Zo16qfScKHwovWMvXzpuQ5r8HcLTSy15Rp6_YgXIHwheNN0ieqe8xRHuRjkkhruyXVYzOl_Uv4hi4xSbUk0/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSvXHMy-NExwjK8Npxq0G0ymoangjJIHLPOxLRGp8liJvZjUybXcXsaRs9Zo16qfScKHwovWMvXzpuQ5r8HcLTSy15Rp6_YgXIHwheNN0ieqe8xRHuRjkkhruyXVYzOl_Uv4hi4xSbUk0/s320/IMG_1304.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-uYjzuyoiI5T83KADea4cGu86PHxwZhAq0bBxZj2Wh66OTq9bn3yBvYpYo45TetyFxo2qfBX9hmN5rkxmbJxops1GpPtEbQIBvi-s5XLMnHjfivEJ9sPbx3m3bzrZgHzLTIyPBZfZpPi/s1600/IMG_1305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-uYjzuyoiI5T83KADea4cGu86PHxwZhAq0bBxZj2Wh66OTq9bn3yBvYpYo45TetyFxo2qfBX9hmN5rkxmbJxops1GpPtEbQIBvi-s5XLMnHjfivEJ9sPbx3m3bzrZgHzLTIyPBZfZpPi/s320/IMG_1305.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6n55rMgMiAZ6HhjAaBb7Re7qUSLzrMvn29FIPgn466DCAsCGccImXt4fTU3eXqOv290QzY6ZwB9HlSdfPQDdIvx59udvO18OlecFIEQA910z5BL8YUfzh7LJBgCffUfBFK75ndXcoV2WR/s1600/IMG_1303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6n55rMgMiAZ6HhjAaBb7Re7qUSLzrMvn29FIPgn466DCAsCGccImXt4fTU3eXqOv290QzY6ZwB9HlSdfPQDdIvx59udvO18OlecFIEQA910z5BL8YUfzh7LJBgCffUfBFK75ndXcoV2WR/s320/IMG_1303.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Shea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have been waiting to write this post for some time now. To me, this is a special one. It is special in many ways. All of them good in my mind. I want you to meet Shea Schaus. Isn't she so darn cute??!!! This little honey was born earlier this year to one of my favorite Doctors- Dr B Schaus.. As you know, I am a Nurse. I had the pleasure of working with her daddy at my last place of employment. He was new to our Center and full of life. I liked working with him right away. You can't help working along side someone for a couple of years and not get to know them. It was exciting to hear that he met someone. It was exciting to hear they became engaged. It was exciting to hear about the wedding and it was more exciting to hear of their pregnancy. Prayers of happiness and health for the baby was started immediately. I had retired almost a year ago to this date from Nursing---so I did not hear more of the baby to be for awhile. As a quilter---what do you think was going through my mind?? HHHhhmmmmm....... I wonder. Yes of course- making a quilt. The hardest part was deciding on what pattern and then the color. I decided to wait for the birth to see if the baby was a boy or girl. I had a feeling it was going to be a girl. One day, I was at the Quilt Barn in Boston NY, with a friend of mine. I came across a Precious Moment panel. It struck me hard- and could not stop looking at it. I knew right then---I was going to use this to make the quilt. So, I bought all of the supplies and brought it home. I was so excited to make this quilt. I have not made a baby quilt in a long time. I decided to make a chenille quilt using flannel against the cotton panel. I used three different colored flannels for contrast--all matching the panel. I really wanted the new baby to be warm. Eventually---I got the call that the newest member of the Schaus family was born!!!! A girl! It made me smile to hear the news---I smiled all day! Next came finding out the correct spelling of her name---I needed to know for the label on the quilt. I was in continuous communication with a couple of my Nurse friends back at the Center to secretly find out for me. Ha- I would have loved to be fly on the wall, to see his face, every time one of them asked him about his daughter's name. Well-mission accomplished---got the spelling and finished the label and quilt. Again, I made calls to my friends and found out what day he would be there working and the best time with his schedule to come.<br />
Back up a few months: I really could not wait to bring this quilt to him. I wanted him to know that I was so happy for him and his wife. Prior to presenting the quilt to him- I had been up to the Center to drop off a customer order. He came over to me and showed me a picture of his baby. He was a proud Daddy. He had a total smitten look to his face. My heart glowed for him and his wife. But------I did notice something as soon as I looked at the picture. Besides thinking, " Oh my god how beautiful she is!", I noticed something else. I did not say anything and I could see it on his face when he showed me her picture. His beautiful daughter was born with Down Syndrome. My heart hurt for him and his wife. I went home that day with a sad heart and one filled with prayers for them. Down syndrome is a genetic disorder. It is one of the most common chromosome abnormalities in humans. This news was sad, but, to me, it is not the worst in life. Though hard to deal with at first,this is workable, this is just a speed bump in life. As a Nurse---I have many sad stories. As a person----I have family and friends that deal with sadness and disabilities. I thought long and hard about this news. There is a family in Silver Creek- Mr and Mrs Hotelling. Their daughter Laurel was born with Down Syndrome. Through their hard work, love and dedication-they have raised awareness of this genetic disorder and disabilities. They have organized and put on the "Laurel Run" for 20 years. The event is named in honor of their daughter.The run is held in Silver Creek, NY. Laurel is special. Her smile is contagious-her love of life is amazing and humbling. My immediate family, brothers and friends have attended and participated in the Laurel Run for years. It is very important to us. I encourage every one to become aware and involved with your community. I encourage everyone to contact the National Down Syndrome Society to learn, understand and reach out.<br />
When I brought the quilt to Dr. Schaus- he was surprised and filled with smiles. I was thrilled that he liked it. I made him promise to send me pictures of her with it. And he did. I have held on to them and looked at them often. They make me happy when I look at them.<br />
Looking at Shea smiling up at the camera is so awesome! It is so overwhelmingly wonderful to see her on my quilt that I made. She makes my quilt look good. She is a natural model! She is so smoochy precious and so squeezable cute! Making quilts for babies, special occasions, family, children, neighbors, community fund raisers---all good, all needed and the benefits are shared with the giving and the receiving. Be good to each other. Enjoy looking at the smile on this adorable face..... I know I do.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuzFH2DCI88_2Oi3_ZypzC9zvXSQzh8E78mOQHBQ9y9ONiJZx-tzMbtKUQdd7mzCFLTPbZkZgoIS2pduCq7o9tC0BvFkCW5RgTq_D4OwumTzAUwOF77-oP92tnD643pHGxKaQ8WJmVt4Q/s1600/IMG_1309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuzFH2DCI88_2Oi3_ZypzC9zvXSQzh8E78mOQHBQ9y9ONiJZx-tzMbtKUQdd7mzCFLTPbZkZgoIS2pduCq7o9tC0BvFkCW5RgTq_D4OwumTzAUwOF77-oP92tnD643pHGxKaQ8WJmVt4Q/s320/IMG_1309.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the most recent picture of Shea. Isn't her smile contagious??? Do you notice the quilt she is playing on??? This picture made my day when I saw it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-7103643387244622952016-12-08T08:16:00.002-08:002016-12-08T08:16:55.722-08:00Meet Lovely EmmaAaahhhhhh..... don't you just love dolls?! I mean of course- homemade dolls. They are the absolute best. I have such a soft spot for them in my heart. I love these precious creations. My mother use to collect dolls-but they were not handmade. They were all store bought. I have never really cared for those types. I have made a few soft handmade ones for myself and as gifts. I have purchased a few from craft shows. Here is my latest purchase. Meet Emma!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KtazEXaB7pd0WfT7DoKMSoko8SsNVuVZCEnDw_QqTL37Eb4fT6nKd4TOGBM3OpoFSuG00EF0umNiLf8x3FmEkL2-V_-zquJCiTCcZ7QzxSKlPHcNu3slmZ8xk4nMNTAO0r3T6v35AYpC/s1600/IMG_1291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KtazEXaB7pd0WfT7DoKMSoko8SsNVuVZCEnDw_QqTL37Eb4fT6nKd4TOGBM3OpoFSuG00EF0umNiLf8x3FmEkL2-V_-zquJCiTCcZ7QzxSKlPHcNu3slmZ8xk4nMNTAO0r3T6v35AYpC/s320/IMG_1291.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful Emma</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
She was made by the loving crafty hands of a customer/friend of mine. Rebecca Davison-March. I have her listed as "Rebecca Quilter" in my phone, because this is how we first became acquainted. She is a fellow Quilter, full time mom of three and works outside of the house full time. It amazes me how women are so strong and talented that we can raise children, work full time and still create beautiful things. A couple of months ago, Rebecca showed me a picture of a group of dolls that she had made her little girls. I was like: OMG- I love them! She sells them on eBay. They are all hand crafted, made with vintage items and unique cashmere hair.They all are a bit different and unique. I had made the request for dark hair and to have a vintage/Victorian look. Looking at dolls like this, takes me back in time to a simpler life. I think of Victorian times, along with the Civil War era, I am as fascinated with the Victorian era, as I am the Civil War era---there is just something about that time that just grabs my attention and I can't get enough.<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2Hi6Vho-hAz3T2aIeyTuepiwqTMc1bjPmNkTEKZUiqDnpHEUdivejb8z869zq98vBiwywy3EUQhP7GoWwGXCT9pbZNRx2R3NzTxI0BiB3OJdO02mvtcX27sBiGCtjhC4O3pn4vUpWC21/s1600/IMG_1292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2Hi6Vho-hAz3T2aIeyTuepiwqTMc1bjPmNkTEKZUiqDnpHEUdivejb8z869zq98vBiwywy3EUQhP7GoWwGXCT9pbZNRx2R3NzTxI0BiB3OJdO02mvtcX27sBiGCtjhC4O3pn4vUpWC21/s320/IMG_1292.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">she is in a antique doll cradle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I just received her yesterday. I have a good dear friend-Margaret Logan, who has been graciously acting as a go between for Rebecca and I. Margaret has not only brought us together, but is bridging the miles between us and helping us to connect. Thank you Margaret!!! Well, as I was saying- I just got her and I was so thrilled when I looked in the bag and saw her. I immediately placed her in this antique doll cradle that I found a couple of years ago. She looks at home sitting there-doesn't she? The cradle sits next to one of my vintage Treadle Singer sewing machines. I keep them both in my living room. They great together. Looking at her inspires me to get back to making my own cloth dolls. I think this will be good to do right after the new year. Thank you Rebecca for my Emma!<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-86159418308331641312016-12-06T06:59:00.002-08:002016-12-06T06:59:12.118-08:00Keeping Busy- and SmilingWith this Holiday Season upon us-----I am so very aware of how busy everyone is and all of the "To do lists" that are out there. I love and dislike this season. Don't get me wrong---I love the reason for the season---I just hate all of the commercialism that seems to grow and grow each year. It is so funny, when I was a child----I was so unaware of this craziness, I just wanted for Jesus to have his birthday and for Santa to come. Ahhhhhh----the innocence of childhood. As an adult---I still want to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I no longer wait for Santa ( or do I?....... hahahaha). I do though want to enjoy every bit of it. I want to be with all of my children, sit back with my husband and talk about the wonderful things to come in the new year, I want to see my family members that I do not live close to, I want to cook and eat our traditional foods, I want to play music that is up lifting and joyful. I want to be in the moment. Then----if there is a chance for me to slip away and play with my machines and create something beautiful on a wonderful day of rejoicing---then it all adds up to a perfect day. So, with these thoughts and desires of mine-----I force myself to stay focused. Look at my list-ha ha, and smile at each one listed. It is my personal list of what I realistically want and will do this Holiday Season. I will share a bit of it with you. Maybe it will inspire you on your list:<br />
- wake up and smile at the beginning of each day<br />
-think quickly of 10 things I am thankful for<br />
-think of each of my children and send a loving thought to them<br />
-envision us all together laughing and talking<br />
-make at least 3 phone calls a day to different friends just to say hello<br />
-make it a point to smile at strangers when I am out and about<br />
<br />
As you can see, it has nothing to do with buying or meeting high expectations that always feel so self defeating. These are things that truly make me happy, smile, feel wonderful and create a better immediate world for me. Now----let it not be said that I will be thinking of my sewing studio and all of my machines with love..... of course I will, I want to make it a point to go into my room everyday and cut out some personal sewing time for just me. It doesn't have to be a big and extravagant sewing project---just something to allow me to go into my studio. Appreciate my room, machines, notions and fabrics. You know----fondling fabric never hurt anyone!!!! Ha!<br />
<br />
Today, I plan to work on a quilt on my longarm. I am doing custom quilting on it for one of my customers. I have looked forward to starting this quilt top for many months. We had issues with batting and backing. So happy we conquered it and I have started it. I am planning my stitching as I go and I am even thinking of using some designs from my robotics on this. That is exciting, because it will be the first real quilt that I will using the robotics on. Way cool-- way exciting. I will post pictures as I move along on it.<br />
<br />
Later I have my Christmas Party for my Guild. It is going to be so much fun and I can't wait to see all of the ladies. We are exchanging Christmas potholders. Doesn't that sound neat?!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmru2WChL-UTdC4wo6W_AySx2MQTt0fQaBnpLc8jGp_fWJJfYnuJu4DqwUHbr4wVsa0kBn7WQ36ciSvIMAlKeRd_hTgdx_5xhAiXcgU7QAo-FdDQL4w1CAUEzM_g5SWDBZ8nT3dvzEkpH6/s1600/20121222_121048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmru2WChL-UTdC4wo6W_AySx2MQTt0fQaBnpLc8jGp_fWJJfYnuJu4DqwUHbr4wVsa0kBn7WQ36ciSvIMAlKeRd_hTgdx_5xhAiXcgU7QAo-FdDQL4w1CAUEzM_g5SWDBZ8nT3dvzEkpH6/s320/20121222_121048.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I came across this picture and had to post it here. I made these Christmas stockings as a gift a couple of years ago. They are of my own design. I just loved making them. They were fun to do from the beginning to the end. I have to admit---I do love making stockings. Maybe that is something I will do in a couple of days. Every time I think of these stockings I have to smile. So---I encourage everyone to make something today that keeps you busy in a good way and that also makes you smile.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-20239287704794979462016-11-28T07:07:00.001-08:002016-12-13T07:00:36.624-08:00Country road take me home....Well--we did it. My family and I flew to California for Thanksgiving, and we made it back safe. We wanted to go and see our daughter and my son who are there. It has been over a year and a half since I have seen Doug, and it has been since this August that I haven't seen my daughter. Hate it, hate that I don't get to see my kids often. Hate that I have to fly out and take a vacation to see them. But.... feel very blessed that I am able to do this. We flew into California on Tuesday and stayed at a hotel in Burbank. Burbank was a great place to stay. Very interesting there. The weather was very nice-perfect for us. Not to hot and not to cool. Total flip flop weather for me. We were able to walk around and take in the sites. We ate at a few local places. One of the restaurants we ate breakfast in was all decked out in the 50's- so cool. There was a small juke box at every table. You could play 3 songs for 25 cents. My kids thought that was the neatest thing---of course we played song after song. One of the things we decided to do was actually on my Husbands birthday---it was the day after Thanksgiving. We went on a tour at Warner Bros Studio in Hollywood. That was so way cool! We saw props from shows like Superman, Batman, Big Bang Theory, Friends,Harry Potter, Gilmore Girls. Pretty little liars, Clint Eastwood and John Wayne movies and more. We love this kind of stuff! It was neat to go into the studios were they film current live shows. It is amazing to see how little the areas are that they film in--not really how it looks on TV. The men in our group went crazy over all of the Batman mobiles and motorcycles---yep, they were all there and all running! My daughter was thrilled with the Gilmore Girls homes and scenes--and yes----Friends. Me---loved the Friends scenes and props--but I really loved the stuff for Harry Potter.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCJJ3YMeVd15USMRajSxPxtRVNBXngf2yxdFDAI358mS8XEpRf1uoiJTgXHo6f5y5yUX7OaXX3qLb1x0dFhY0Xj-aE54bPrnHTb-EZ7KPdBxNLpcUQk6_z9-yHqw4zQ2xfvyrd20gCjLf/s1600/IMG_1279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCJJ3YMeVd15USMRajSxPxtRVNBXngf2yxdFDAI358mS8XEpRf1uoiJTgXHo6f5y5yUX7OaXX3qLb1x0dFhY0Xj-aE54bPrnHTb-EZ7KPdBxNLpcUQk6_z9-yHqw4zQ2xfvyrd20gCjLf/s320/IMG_1279.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marissa and I sitting on the couch from "Friends" TV show</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZghx84GtVtBXbJTGkkEOmvxqaIenS606h-omPJuuODSBTxJgy6KZltQ5w9N_u8vK4xHoRDtMn2LcEUC0s01OqLYZTZwwRCTomF3GIK2EbPC1VMt3LInNqmrO2xkigHNdn1AJzg-raT6x/s1600/IMG_1278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZghx84GtVtBXbJTGkkEOmvxqaIenS606h-omPJuuODSBTxJgy6KZltQ5w9N_u8vK4xHoRDtMn2LcEUC0s01OqLYZTZwwRCTomF3GIK2EbPC1VMt3LInNqmrO2xkigHNdn1AJzg-raT6x/s320/IMG_1278.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were just goofing off here and staging a laugh scene</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uqWVz1ucdk1mELZGfyx_AQW7EkbqnjtN689-umzZL1T4BmYg0Fd2HR23_P9lxakBwG657XlfDex3b3KZaq5oZb5z5sVQLQnArE705pvFWAfzacMM1bMg4TEvXq-JCmFTyegURrOhWLXL/s1600/IMG_1270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uqWVz1ucdk1mELZGfyx_AQW7EkbqnjtN689-umzZL1T4BmYg0Fd2HR23_P9lxakBwG657XlfDex3b3KZaq5oZb5z5sVQLQnArE705pvFWAfzacMM1bMg4TEvXq-JCmFTyegURrOhWLXL/s320/IMG_1270.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marissa behind the counter at the "Central Perks" scene for Friends TV show.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Thanksgiving day was spent at a friends home in Calabasas. Cheryl--great host, beautiful home, wonderful dinner. Her mother and brother joined us. It was a very nice day. How many people will open up their doors on a holiday and invite a group of people in-some that they are meeting for the first time and host a holiday meal??? Not many that is for sure--but this lovely lady did. Thank You Cheryl!! If you haven't guessed yet---that is who I made the blue and grey fabric coil basket for. She liked it and it matched her living room.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGK4LM9O4pVRh5ic__Cz5ZDLORgqT3-qyYvaojnlv-9sHfveBQabh5fsFcPApotqXAW4o_yu9X4PflRa21aAhohUvTLYlx8iQ4sDYL0gC6kAYmH7VZzfK9scgKUuRNz3u5CfQmF_JDTUI/s1600/IMG_1271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGK4LM9O4pVRh5ic__Cz5ZDLORgqT3-qyYvaojnlv-9sHfveBQabh5fsFcPApotqXAW4o_yu9X4PflRa21aAhohUvTLYlx8iQ4sDYL0gC6kAYmH7VZzfK9scgKUuRNz3u5CfQmF_JDTUI/s320/IMG_1271.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to film me on a broom from Harry Potter movie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It is pretty neat to walk around an area that is not your home and see how they prepare for the Holiday season. So weird though to see Christmas lights, trees and wreaths out and about right next to palm trees. Had to take this picture of this Christmas tree. It was huge and you could walk right through it to get to the other shops. At night, this tree was all lite up and pretty.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGw5jB2Cq1NHwC5iOpH46CQhOkS5cgJ-T93lwbApWYFX5EdA0HNr1-m-mOd1R-aFT5eZIi0si6-dBe3Cf_p5tPSpRDdkBs7xKoxex17tbzkuRETCtfpmjRL_bPJWUM-uO95dEs7TTf3xfV/s1600/IMG_1258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGw5jB2Cq1NHwC5iOpH46CQhOkS5cgJ-T93lwbApWYFX5EdA0HNr1-m-mOd1R-aFT5eZIi0si6-dBe3Cf_p5tPSpRDdkBs7xKoxex17tbzkuRETCtfpmjRL_bPJWUM-uO95dEs7TTf3xfV/s320/IMG_1258.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">had to show this- a Christmas tree in California that you can walk through. That is Joe Man standing there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The days went by quickly. Before we knew it, we were flying back home. We flew out of Canada, so coming back was the same. It felt so long of a flight and then the 2 hour drive home felt endless. Back to the cold, back to our fur babies. Our home was waiting safe and sound for us---all thanks to my friend Colleen. She took care of our home and fur babies. She is a true gem. Thank you Colleen!! It was really good to see the kids and spend time with them. In a blink of an eye our trip was over and time to say goodbye again. I really hate saying goodbye. Hello is so much better. It is always nice to be back home though, no place like home. I missed my fur babies and of course...... being the quilter that I am...... I missed all of my machines and fabric. I do have a story that I will share with everyone later about fabric and California. For now,,I am sitting here in my home enjoying a nice cup of coffee and thinking about our next visit with our kids.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-91279020883347617452016-11-22T07:58:00.000-08:002016-11-22T07:58:50.077-08:00Another Fabric Coil BowlI have another Fabric Coil Bowl to show. It is a gift for someone else, I highly doubt they will see this blog or my face book page-so I think it is very safe for me to show you all. I have to say---I really do love this bowl. I made it into an oval shape. I used yellow/gold, blue and grey colored fabrics on it. I was told by an inside source that this recipient has those colors in her home. I have not made an oval shape bowl in like forever--so it was sort of a treat for me to do this. I know that I have mentioned this the other day, but I have to say it again. Making these bowls are not tedious in anyway for me. It is very calming and relaxing. Once I decide on the colors and the shape that I want, I just sit and sew zig zags in circles. What is not to love about that. I play my favorite music, drink my coffee, get lost in my little world in my mind---and then like magic the bowl is done!!!!! Easy peasy! I have altered the pattern in the past. I have made lids for them, I have added accessories, I have made hot mats and mug rugs out of them. They are so useful.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4OLdklBcUowN6MqSKyToTgK4Mvl5k_3THZMQIT1pWJ7_XNwbFMfwnxsMJtWUa4XFYqz4OienIx_JW6xSjmiGF49ldUcZNHK9jOye10bcruTmOpYIOmiLKhMSzcGobYbHuKLdtpaOyNyo/s1600/IMG_1254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4OLdklBcUowN6MqSKyToTgK4Mvl5k_3THZMQIT1pWJ7_XNwbFMfwnxsMJtWUa4XFYqz4OienIx_JW6xSjmiGF49ldUcZNHK9jOye10bcruTmOpYIOmiLKhMSzcGobYbHuKLdtpaOyNyo/s320/IMG_1254.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here it is! TA DA! It sorta reminds me of denim but, I did not use jean material. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAvW-8W3jbKVaPvFVvDFxgu_f7A4Bu8IJzlvOVtyUOxSgsVdscBP-aVAitxQHaW_NKC-CL8r7lO8vmVnHSSWQaofWhUf3bw242gkvG8m_t89QmYygaSaUvKL86hnLDaExE-S134m1GEU8/s1600/IMG_1255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAvW-8W3jbKVaPvFVvDFxgu_f7A4Bu8IJzlvOVtyUOxSgsVdscBP-aVAitxQHaW_NKC-CL8r7lO8vmVnHSSWQaofWhUf3bw242gkvG8m_t89QmYygaSaUvKL86hnLDaExE-S134m1GEU8/s320/IMG_1255.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The inside is nice and bright- this way , you can see to the bottom no matter what you use it for or the lighting in the room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Well, this will be the last post for a couple of days. I am going to focus on the family and the Thanksgiving Day Holiday.As you all are probably feeling--there is much to do and the days go by fast. Of course, my mind will be going a mile a minute thinking of all my WIP, and other projects I can not wait to do and share. I hope everyone has a safe and loving Holiday. Enjoy your families!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IiQZq1JEcXlc4PZqPyNFnY06T5i9Pw3j6_okpvgQOomByRG6LYa-prg1QhmjJS-GtoW9U7NrisDtd9U6wTcx0g1853D3n7jabVY3-jUbgVNjuM951_WfwG-8_Jwnsdlbhqt3YDYDyGSS/s1600/IMG_1256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IiQZq1JEcXlc4PZqPyNFnY06T5i9Pw3j6_okpvgQOomByRG6LYa-prg1QhmjJS-GtoW9U7NrisDtd9U6wTcx0g1853D3n7jabVY3-jUbgVNjuM951_WfwG-8_Jwnsdlbhqt3YDYDyGSS/s320/IMG_1256.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a side view. I love the design on it. I don't like to make the same design over and over.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590109080814986292.post-11008707387671190992016-11-21T07:43:00.000-08:002016-11-21T07:45:33.033-08:00Fabric Coil BowlsI just had to show a couple of pictures of one of my latest fabric coil bowls. I love these bowls. They are easy to make, fun to make and very versatile. These bowls allow you to exercise your creative flow. You can choose what ever color, design, or shape you desire. I have made them custom to sell, and I have made them as gifts for people. There are a few around my home being used in various ways. One of my favorite ones, is a little scrappy bowl that sits right next to my sewing machine. I love it! It is so cute and so tiny. I use it to hold little items such as: seam ripper, stiletto, bobbins, etc.... I have brought this little bowl with me to sew dates and retreats. It is a helper tool for me. The other fabric bowls around my home are used as decorations, to hold rolls for dinner, to hold extra decorations for holidays, bathroom supplies, makeup...... As you can see, I use these bowls for many things. This particular bowl is a gift for my son and daughter in law. They own a spa in California. It is a gift for them. Their spa is purple, silver and white. So- I made this bowl to order. I am not sure where or how they will use it. I have not seen their spa yet----. When I gift them the bowl, I hope to get a good feel of their color scheme and decor then. I may be making a wall quilt or two for them (hint-hint).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVetA5PExX58EDxeQJprYeSQtIhbCTyKwF54cAFvyDVK8Sj6q9fAltg7nd4L01rEwVT52LpQ-o6zIbQziTCMRuJP4mszIuE-ZB3AhqSg0D6LSoEEVwSEdVxIhAMquYlJ0UT4oa6bVfEqkh/s1600/IMG_1242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVetA5PExX58EDxeQJprYeSQtIhbCTyKwF54cAFvyDVK8Sj6q9fAltg7nd4L01rEwVT52LpQ-o6zIbQziTCMRuJP4mszIuE-ZB3AhqSg0D6LSoEEVwSEdVxIhAMquYlJ0UT4oa6bVfEqkh/s320/IMG_1242.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of the latest bowls I have recently made. The colors are a deep purple, whit and grey.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I have a tab here on my site that has some of the various bowls that I have made. I really do enjoy making them. My guild had me teach a class last year. All of the ladies did so well- all of their bowls were different colors and unique. Also, just recently, at my retreat there were a small group of women that wanted me to show them how to make them. The supplies that I use are few and simple. I use all cotton clothes line, fabric glue,basting glue, wonder clip, denim needle, large pins, fabric of choice, a sewing machine that does a zig zag stitch, thread of choice and away I go. I pre cut my fabric into 3/4 inch wide strips. I think that width works the best. I use" ROXANNE" baste it glue, and" Aleene's Fabric Fusion". With all of the trials and errors- I have settled with these products. It can take a good couple of hours to make a bowl. Some people have told me that they find it tedious. I do not. To me, it is relaxing....it is mindless sewing. I can just sit and sew, listen to the sound of my machine, be lost in my thoughts. Before you know it- you have a beautiful bowl at your disposal.<br />
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHC7q9wj0fWbjgBBxMlrikGeA54hIdC_VMZTfdsZQL-wzYLgSq3nJRVzNgflXn1GwM-EBUyXhCpR1MOMasaEFckZQxtWLDQaR3fmaoH7aHxorn0Wqj93HiNXiLhaKQ7YzQcP-sHAnzh92/s1600/IMG_1243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHC7q9wj0fWbjgBBxMlrikGeA54hIdC_VMZTfdsZQL-wzYLgSq3nJRVzNgflXn1GwM-EBUyXhCpR1MOMasaEFckZQxtWLDQaR3fmaoH7aHxorn0Wqj93HiNXiLhaKQ7YzQcP-sHAnzh92/s320/IMG_1243.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the way this bowl came together</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzw3-sdO2DaOBfkeAYzGSa8kjecZ6K_oca0XXOmd1Enhsf8M0gi77DAEYV38Wvz-4ROMndJOUgR3e_aLVXDp6pSnnogzq-Ko428kMrEk2J9z4_itg4IlYrSDdUE86nm8oRrmm1cXYcScl/s1600/IMG_1244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzw3-sdO2DaOBfkeAYzGSa8kjecZ6K_oca0XXOmd1Enhsf8M0gi77DAEYV38Wvz-4ROMndJOUgR3e_aLVXDp6pSnnogzq-Ko428kMrEk2J9z4_itg4IlYrSDdUE86nm8oRrmm1cXYcScl/s320/IMG_1244.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The inside: nice and round and deep enough to use for many things.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542085421623412051noreply@blogger.com0