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Saturday, October 22, 2011

Friday Night Sew In

   I was able to participate in the Friday Night Sew In for the first time. That was fun. I continued working on my Strawberry Marmelade quilt. It has been sitting, lonely, waiting for me since Sunday (see previous entry).
   So much for thinking I wouldn't need to use the step stool to reach the top of my design wall. I was up and down on that stool. I think I should have gone ahead and made the design wall go up to the ceiling. Then my quilt wouldn't be drooping off at the bottom.
   I started joining my diagonal rows at the bottom left corner. I know a lot of you speedy sewers would have accomplished a lot more than this. I only spent a little over two hours before I became too bleary eyed to continue. Thanks to the organizers of Friday Night Sew In. Without that appointment, I might have let Friday night slip by without getting into my sewing room.
   Today DH and I will make a trip to my LQS in Lexington to pick up my walking foot. Then I will be able to do more machine quilting practice on that baby quilt. My plan is to get good enough at machine quilting to be able to get some of my unquilted tops quilted. I'm not getting any younger and these tops have been waiting around for YEARS to be completed.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

A Productive Day

What a great Saturday. I spent the whole day diddling around in my sewing room. I found two more of my grandmother's quilts and got them hung up in the quilt closet. I spent time getting the correct needle position for a consistent scant 1/4" on my sewing machine. I also made a few projects that have been on the top of my to do list.
I made this cute little thread catcher. It is from Primitive Gatherings, copyright 2011. I have to pay closer attention to where I come across these things. I would like to give credit and thanks to the designer. I am keeping this on my sewing table. It is meant to use when hand sewing, but I don't do that anymore unless I have to.
I also made this chick pin cushion. I got the pattern the other day on a blog I follow. It was designed by Deonn Stott from Quiltscapes Quilting. I still have to stuff it and get some little beads for the eyes. When I saw these online I knew I just had to make some, so here is the first one.

I made the blocks for the Strawberry Marmelade quilt that was posted on Moda Bakeshop recently. It is from Sweetwater Cotton Shoppe. I love the fabric. It is Together by Brannock and Patek. Today I plan to sew the top together with the background and setting squares.

It's been a long time since I have accomplished so much sewing in one day. Feels great. Thanks for stopping by.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Another Blogger BOM

While pawing through my stash, intending to use some of my red/white/blue, I came across some scraps of Christmas prints. I have never made a Christmas quilt. These pieces are left over from various crafts and a tree skirt that I made. I think it is time to come up with a Christmas themed quilt. So I will be making two blocks each month. What fun.

Blogger BOM

I have finally had time to complete the first block in the BOM sponsored by Canton Village Quilt Works. If I knew how to put in links or how to attach buttons I would. I just don't have those skills. I have caught up with grading all of my students' work and have submitted midterm grades. Phew! This afternoon was a well-deserved time for sewing.
I hadn't intended to do a black background, but I didn't like the look of any of the neutrals in my stash. I had a very small amount of a light gray solid that would have worked, but I didn't want to run out of the background. I have my fingers crossed that I will have enough of this black. I really love the other fabrics in the block. The gold and the greens are left overs from other projects. The purple/magenta/turquoise are fabrics that I bought YEARS ago with a project in mind. Unfortunately, I never got around to the project (now long forgotten) so the fabrics will find a life in this project. 

I am still getting used to my machine so my quarter inch seams are not really consistent yet. My block is slightly under 8.5" and it is a bit off square. I am not going to do any trimming until it is time to assemble all of the blocks.

I am thinking about making a different color way while I am at it. I have lots of red/white/blue. I know I have enough to do another quilt. 

Hey, those Tigers are giving us a nice extended season. I don't know if they will be able to hang in there for the World Series. They have so many injuries right now. They may cause me to have a heart attack if they keep playing the way they have been. I'm looking forward to the next game on Saturday.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Rabbit, Rabbit!

It's the 1st of October already. Where has the time gone? No pictures today. I haven't had much opportunity to even touch the sewing machine this week. This is the week my students submit their biggest assignment of the semester for me. I am buried in correcting.

I am camped out in front of the TV this afternoon while I grade papers. This is a red letter day. Michigan State football and Detroit Tigers both play on the same day, and both are televised so I can see them. Go Green! Go Tigers!

Thanks for stopping by.