A little sewing here and there....

FINALLY, FINALLY feel comfortable in my new sewing studio and been working on several projects to get out the door...and a few just for fun....

For my "Let's Be Together" sewing block swap:

For the shop:

And for me:

Now working on more new class samples....never ending story :)

Monday Morning.....

Still catching up on things and unpacking is almost complete!!  Yet, I found time this past weekend to do some sewing in my new studio.

From my guild we are doing a block swap, where the owner of the blocks prepares little fabric kits for us to make up.  I did two of these funky stars for her.  You can see the tutorial of this design here.

I also did another Let's Be Together Block, but will show it off later this week - and I finished my latest class sample for the Braid Table Runner.  I had fun doing this and this pattern is GREAT----completed it entirely in one afternoon, and hand binding in the evening watching tv!  It's a great gift!

I'm off to work and cruising by end of the week!

It's Tuesday!

And with that brings more painting in new house and more sewing!

I got a little sewing done over the weekend - some cute pot holders for the shop - I have never made one before and it was a new thing to bind a circle - easy, except for making it a continuous binding.  As I tell my students I'm still a newbie - always learning.  I'm very tickled how these turned out though.  The pattern is in the latest Quilt Magazine with a few free patterns with the fabric on their site (and lots of other free patterns):

  

I use to be an avid QNN.com watcher, but once they started charging yearly fees, I stopped.  One of my first and neatest notions I purchased based off of one of the early videos was this Brandy 9" Circle Template and the Brooklyn Revolver Rotary Mat on one side and a ironing mat on the other.  I don't use this too often, but I'm grateful that I own it to use it when I do need it:

I also received my Autumn Swap gift from Heidi, it's a wonderful tote and a zipper pouch - I LOVE them both!  And they are in use already!

More pictures later this week.

TGIF!

Recap of my teases earlier this week.

For Tamera, her block from "Let's Be Together":

And towels are arriving to new homes.  I wasn't prepared as I had hope with this swap.  I've already started making my July towels as I'll be doing them by hand.  My poor embroidery machine is in the shop after these.  I made 12, mailed 10 to the swappers in the group and 2 are going to some surprise recipients :)  All the towels are different - kinda like snowflakes.  Different fabrics, threads and towels - but all have the same design.

Tomorrow is set up for several things!  First, are you participating in "Christmas Quilt Along":

And tomorrow, I'm also going to visit for the first time the Modern Knoxville Guild:

Going to have a fun filled packed weekend!

Crazy past few weeks. . .

I've slack a bit on my blogging over the past few weeks - so much going on.  Hubby visited one weekend, been looking at house to rent/buy, teaching classes, been sick, created new routines.  Busy, busy, busy....not to mention finishing my Ocean Bargello!

So, I'm organizing my thoughts and sewing area to get some projects done now and catch up on blogging - of course reading blogs might take me several days!!

I have of course, gotten a little more sewing in besides the bargello - not much, but a little.  I finished my towels for my swap, they were simple and cute (in my opinion of course :)).  Here's a tease:

I received my fabric from "Let's Be Together" swap from Ms. Tamera in ND and promptly whipped up her block...again a tease until she gets it:

Well, here's a non-teasing picture - this is going to be my backing of my Ocean Bargello - it obviously was my inspiration when this fabric line called Tranquil Moments came into Patches back in the fall of 2009.

I pulled together my fabrics to do February's Jewels in the Crown BOM last night and plan to sew it up this evening.  Tomorrow is dedicated to sewing  - this week will have lots of show and tell!

Be sure to visit my blog this week, I'm excited to start up my Manic Mondays again!  What? You have no clue what that is?  mmmmm, it will be posted at 6 pm EST on Monday!

Have a good weekend!

Happy Monday Morning!

Without further delay, the lucky winner of Friday's Charms is (according to Random.org) is sweet 16, who is Robin!  I'll email you shortly to get your mailing info.  Thanks to everyone who commented--looks like you all were busy this weekend!

I did get a bit of sewing in, time with family, football games (ugh...still not happy with the Ravens), Chinese food, Big Ed's pizza, and lots of hubby loving ....it was a very good weekend indeed!!

I do have some pictures to share.....I received my second towel from Cindy in our Towel Swap II, isn't he adorable:

I got my towels for Februarys's swap.  They will be different, but I'm excited with what I have planned for the towels - that is one of my milestone goals for this week (will post those later in the day):

Then, because of the "Meet The Teachers" Event at the shop, I had to finish up another sample.  I finished making a sample for my Quilting Basics 102 class:

Also, was able to squeeze in one more block for the Goose Tracks:

I think both classes are filling up!  My Pizza Party class is also filling up...the event was a huge success and I got to meet a lot of "regular" customers.  I normally work in the back so I don't get too see alot of faces, that is why I'm so excited to be teaching again!

I also got my BOM from the 12 Days of Christmas this weekend and my Tonga BOM....so I'll have BOMs to work on this week!  Also a lot of work on the computer and more sewing for work.  Glad to be at home today, going to be busy today!!

Hump de Dump Day!

Well, being stuck inside for a few days one would think I have tons done - well, not really.  It's easier to do computer work and hang out with my kids than focus on some sewing goals.  Yet, I have knocked a few off my weekly list!

I am enjoying doing my Hoopsisters, Goose Track.  It's not challenging, just time consuming and I'm finding tips that will help the class.  The key in doing this kind of project is organization.  Here's what I set up to start my first Month's Blocks:

Here is one of 4 of the blocks:

I'm not sure on how to do the coloring on this project, but I'm definitely going with a ocean/beach feel mainly because it will hang in my bedroom at some point.  Now Jess (co-worker/boss) is doing her blocks 8" (mine are 5" finished) and her's will be very contrasting and bright - which I would love to do as well, but no place to hang in my home.

I also recieve my January Towel from Australia yesterday in my first month towel swap - - look at the detail, I'm very impressed.  Again, thank you Shelia!

And I finished 8 Pay It Forwards - weeeeeee!!  Unsure when I'll pop them into the mail - roads are still iffy in some areas here, so probably tomorrow on my way home from work.

Another day at home - it's my normal day off and the kids are home again, so I plan to do more sewing and some computer work!  Always busy it seems, but trust me I do get down time :)

Happy Hump Day!

Weekend overview. . .

A lot to share this wintery Monday morning here in East Tennessee...first can we get a brrrrrrrrrrr.... :)

Had my first class at Gina's Sewing Center this weekend.

As I tried to explain all the options of technique, thread color, layouts and watching bright excited smiles with blank bright eyes.  I think they got the gist of it :)  My class is full with 10 ladies all doing different blocks and techniques for the Rose of Remembrance Block of the Month program!

I think the best part was knowing several of them decided to take the Quilting Basics 101 class with me next week - I must have presented myself as knowing a lot of good useful information, huh??  And a few more joined the Hoopsisters Goose Tracks BOM next month!  So, I have groupies!  You have no idea how wonderful that feels. 

This BOM hosted by the shop is only meeting quarterly and I personally not doing the entire quilt -- the little table runner I did was my extend of this quilt.


And Michele over at the Quilt Gallery is hosting another swap that I'm joining!!  The Mug Rug Swap!  I really do prefer swaps with a finish project - saves me headaches later with trying to find a way to finish up x-number of blocks that aren't done properly.  Go over and check it out---it is a fast turn around swap, but still do-able:

And finally my design wall and this week's projects:

This is going to be my HoopSister's Goose Tracks background, I'm going to start making blocks this week for this monthly class.

I offer a "Pay It Forward" post on my Facebook over the weekend, so I dug into my stash and pulled all sorts of things from it!  It excited me to know I'm using my stash and knowing folks want it :)  I spent most of Sunday cutting up 5" squares and sewing them up making little sets of .....secret stuff to pop into the mail over the next few weeks.  I'll share pictures as they arrive to their new destinations :)

 

And one more picture, here's the block I made for Ms. Linda for our first month of Let's Bee Together Swap, it has arrived safely in her hands:

Whew, what a long post!!  

 

One more thing to say, Happy Birthday to my future Daughter-in-Law, Fallon!  Hope your day is filled with sweetness! 

 

Boy, I sure was wordy today!  Have a great Monday!

Towel Swapping

I'm hosting a towel swap and I'm a few people short of 12 - 12 people would make the most ideal swap!  It's an appliqued style towel swap.  You pick a month, send out 11 towels (making 12, keeping one for yourself).  You do have to be fully committed and I have all the details and a yahoo group set up if you are interested -  please email me at quiltingpirate at gmail dot com.

We have started swapping this month and Cindy mailed out her towel to our group already (but if you join you will get a January towel as well!) and she picked a perfect applique embroidery snowman!!  I LOVE the towel she did him on!

Thank you again Ms. Cindy!!

Spreading a little cheer. . .

I have things I want to share with you, so please pop over to these sites and see what they are all about!

First, we need just a few more players with us for the next year doing this online Bee. Check out Let's Bee Together Blog for all the details!




Next, a friend I've known for many years makes her own jewelry and sells it. I have purchased several items from her over the years and my latest purchase is wonderful to say the least. Please go and pick out a nice holiday gift just for you from her Etsy store - - that is what I did. Here's my new earrings:

 You can visit her store here:  Sihaya Designs Jewelry

She also has a blog if you want to watch for updates:  Sihaya Designs Jewelry

Do you like to blog hop?  What about shop hopping?  I'm sure most of you have done this, but I just spent a few hours this weekend visiting 175+ online shops just to qualify for the huge give aways they do at the end of the time.  I did win a $25 pack of fabric from the FabShop Hop several years ago, and figured I need to win again :)  There are some really cool sites out there and I collected a few new ideas.  Start off here to find how to hop and good luck!

And one more fun site I discovered while hopping.  I haven't visited Stitch'n Heaven in Texas' website in a while and I missed out on this....this is cool and very piratical....you might see some of my own booty up for sell soon!!  (decided not to use their logos, fear of copyrights and all --and they are REALLY CUTE) 

My Sewing Booty

Now back to some sewing, Mondays are work at home days!

Swapping on the internet. . .

Since I have moved in July, I hardly get any mail. So, when the package comes at the beginning of the month for my new towel (from my 12 month towel swap) I get all excited and so do my girls!

Yesterday I received my December towel from Deb and I just LOVE IT!

I don't think I ever posted a picture of my November swap, but it has a definite "thanksgiving" feel to it.

I REALLY hope we do this swap again next year (our year ends in March). I love getting a new towel every month!

Speaking of monthly swaps, I've joined a similar style swap and there is still room in our group. Notice the new bright and shiney yellow button on the right? Hosted by Ms. Linda at Stray Stitches, please join us for fun!!





And here's my oldest Christmas quilt . . . I've had it since 1993 and got it from JC Penneys of all places for $45!! We were stationed in Japan when I purchased it. Still love it!

It's a work day, so I'm off to Gina's to make a few bucks!

Current Block of the Months. . .

Ok, only one....the Stay At Home Round Robin, stage 4 done:

And found these blocks from my first swap with Ms. Betsy and finally just put them together....goes into the pile of "need to be quilted" --I ought to work on that pile :)

My day off and a lot of sewing will happen, several commission pieces to be worked on. 

Yep, this is a boring post....

Been sewing. . .

I've been working a lot this week on my bargello and a few other projects.  I've got a customer order for a lonestar top...never made one before and was very intimated by the whole thing.  Once I actually sat down and figured it out, WAL-LA....easy peasy!  Just takes a little more time.  Here's half of what I've done....

I hope to have my second section of bargello done by end of this weekend, only 13 more strips to attach.  But I wanted something quick to do and feel accomplished...so I visited a few new quilt shops in my area this week and found the perfect fabric I have been looking for to finish my wacky cottages.....and I whipped them together this morning:

I moved a few in a different order because I like the way the months were represented.  It turned out bigger than I expected and I used every 2 yards of border fabric :) I'm happy with it.

Now to do some weekend running around and coming back to my bargello!

Ta Dah!!!

Finish, quick, simple and easy and another UFO off my list.

I just searched back into my blog, and the last top I complete for me was in December.  I am almost in tears.  While I have done quite a few for commission work, it saddens me I haven't found time for my own projects.  Trying to work on that, I'm so use to completing 3-4 tops a month.....granted I have lots that need quilting! :)

I need to find a longarmer that rents out a machine, I don't plan to get my own until next summer and I have lots of tops with backings and bindings that need quilting.

I think I'm pulling out my Ocean Tranquility Bargello top and putting it on the design wall.  I need to get that done!