The Final Week in July. . . .the big move!

So, last week was the official move from an apartment to a large house!  While we are all moved out, we are still a little ways from moving in :)  Realizing we just have too much and weeding it down is time consuming.  That includes my sewing stuff.  Hoping for a little relief this weekend.

I could show pictures of my studio now, but it's not quite ready or organize to do so.  But I can show some of the things I have sew in between the few spare minutes of "me" time over the past month.

First, my finish challenge for my Modern Quilt Guild....ok, let me state just the top is complete.  We had to use ALL 40 charms in a Kona Classic charm pack and allowing for only one other fabric to work with.  Well, loving that tasseling new notion, I used it - it will work out perfectly as a bed runner:

Then, I've done several blocks for my Let's Be Together group:

And finished sewing 2 valances, one for our main bathroom and one for my kitchen....the crabs are gray/blue, that's the theme for the kitchen and the lighthouses/beach is the theme for the bathroom:

And that is about it....we are pretty much caught up....I also received my August towel from Jeanette:

I'm hoping to get more of my studio organized and finish up some class samples this weekend.

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

I love getting mail!

I have been MIA over the past week in blogland...I had over 1000 new blog posts to read...well, I might try to go back through and catch up, but I hit that "Mark As Read" button and now I think I can feel not so guilty.

I have done a little sewing, not much.  Hubby was here for 10 days and most of those days were painting, cleaning our new house, graduation stuff and just being together.  In 12 more days he will be permanently here in Tennessee - very excited as new challenges develop as we try to be a family together again!

I have receive LOTS of wonderful mail though. . . .

I received 2 months of my towel swaps!  May's was from Betsy in Ohio and she did such cutie little birdies:

Then from Michele in Canada (owner of Quilting Gallery website), send her June towels:

I LOVE THEM all!  I get to change my towels soo much more often now that I have such a beautiful selection!
It's my turn again, so I'm in the process of making July's towels now - hope to show them off soon!

Another long weekend. . .

I love it when my husband comes and stays a long weekend.  Though I never get any sewing or cleaning done in the apartment, we do a lot in other areas.

We did take a road trip around a mountain - not intending to, but at least we were able to enjoy it.  I also spotted a Quilt Block on a building in Oliver Springs as part of the Quilt Trail in Tennessee.  Funny thing is this block is only a few miles up the road from me:

This block is so new (2010), I can't even find information on it!

I can't wait for him to finally be down in Tennessee.  The job search is the only thing left for him to get secured!

Last week I did some teaching and some pizza partying.  Watch my other blog for details.  I also received a wonderful Easter towel from Barb last week as part of one of my towel swaps!  Isn't he so cute!  I love him!

Hoping this week goes smoothly as I do have a few classes and a lot of cleaning up to do.  Just hope the warmer temperatures return.

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!!

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!!