Keeping Busy

 I've been keeping busy with holiday happenings and here's a few things I've been working on.

This has been done awhile, it is my November "Let's Be Together" block:

And  I have received 6 of my blocks back:

Been doing a wee bit of knitting - like quilting I have serveral on going projects, so it's nice to toss in a quickie dishcloth:

Monday Mumbles...

Halloween is a week away and I have done some sewing that reflects my favorite holiday celebration.  I took my Pumpkin Grins by Quilt In A Day and enlarged it to about 45" - - I'm working on the binding which will be a scalloped edging:

I think I need to resize the mouth a bit more, but he's good enough for us.

I also taught a class for the Braid Runner and one of my friends missed the class but wanted a runner for her kitchen table.  This was the first time I enlarge one of these runners (this is my MOST favorite pattern/gift).  I add 3 extra braids - the picture doesn't do it justice:

And I totally forgot to mail out my Let's Bee Together block swap (being it was my month to mail), so all 11 blocks are in the mail today and hopefully will come back to me looking like this:

It will be fun putting those together.  I've made up enough for about 12 more blocks.  This was a great way to use my stash for a new project.  Now if I can find time and more uses for my stash I would be happy!

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 :)

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!

Let's Be Together Block Swap

I realized I never showed of my 2 blocks I sent out over the past 2 months.  I think both ladies have received them.  One didn't come with directions, so I had to improvise and hope she still uses it in her quilt.

This month's is REALLY fun.  The Melissa is using Chili Peppers fabric and I love it and made something very special for her block.  It goes into the mail tomorrow, so I'll show it off next week!

I've done some sewing!

Coming out of the winter blues is refreshing and humbling when you realize (so it seems) you left so many things unattended - mainly yourself.

Now with spring around the corner and our move into a new home, things are busy again with cleaning and planning a garden.  Very exciting.  I've even started a new blog just for that experience.  Our Journey into Suburbia Homesteading. 

I know over the next few weeks, my life will be dedicate to shaping up a house we are planning to rent, but I also still have classes going on and need to sew for them.  So, please be patient with my posts here :)

I've worked on several Block of the Month programs (and will join another one on March 24th).  And also my Let's Be Together block was well received from its new owner:

My Tonga Back to Nature BOM (last regular block March's should be the medallion in the center):

And my 12 Days of Christmas:

New class to teach tonight, should be fun:

Next goal is to get my Jewels in the Crown BOM done for March.

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!

Design Wall Sunday

Let's see what I do have in quilting related pictures for the past two weeks?  I mentioned how I won a little table topper that screams me at Christmas Party for work, right?

As I'm putting away holiday items today, it will be placed on one of my many flat surfaces - unsure where yet.

I also got my December - 12 Days of Christmas Block completed....ugh, it was the most tedious one so far.  LOTS of small pieces.

I also am in the year long swap at Let's Bee Together and received my first package of fabric and promptly whipped up a scrappy feel block for Ms. Linda.  I'll show the whole thing once she recieves it, but here's a teaser:

And I also received my winnings from a blog giveaway a couple weeks ago from Cheryll in Australia!  Thank you again to Cheryll!  I just love the ribbon:

Now for my design wall this week.  I've been straightening up and cleaning my sewing area this morning and I have so many things I want to work on.  I have several classes I'm teaching at Gina's, so those are top priority - nothing to show on my design wall this morning, but hopefully I can share an image or two throughout the week!

Now to clean house, put away decorations and find time for Starbucks and sewing!

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!