Archive for August, 2010

New windows installed!

Monday, August 30th, 2010

They came on Sunday and installed the several thousand dollars worth of windows we bought for this new – old house of ours. The view is even more spectacular through clear glass. And having things all torn up for construction inspired me not only to clean but to re-arrange. Now the long arm is in front of the picture window – note the new easy opening sliding windows – and the rest of the sewing room stuff lines up on the other wall blocking the opening between my studio, formally some other home owner’s living room, and the dining room. I’ve decided to hang a quilt in the dining room to hide the ugly glare of furniture and wires in the doorway – My PhatKat quilt will fit nicely there.  It feels a much more roomy in here! Wonder how long it will last….

On the down side, having all the windows open, well – literally empty, all day Sunday let in a lot of flies.

Hand Applique its not!

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

Take a gander at this new class I’m offering. Hand Applique by Machine – Its scheduled debut is Sunday, September 26 at Bear’s Paw in Towson. It has wash-away freezer paper and a batting/stabilizer all in one. Easily completed in an afternoon too! Still needs quilting – better get on that soon…

Never, Never Throw Any Thing Away!

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

And so it may be come my motto! I’m struggling along today trying to get a good invisible stitch on my Janome, tried all sorts of thread, pushed all sorts of buttons but could still see the stitch A LOT – finally it occurred to me that the sewing machine sequestered in the basement hiding itself from the Goodwill pile may actually have the right stitch – being old enough to only have all utilitarian stitches and nothing fancy.

Eureka! Not only does it do the right stitch, it still works!! And with out a squeak or hummmmm too! Unfortunately, it does not thread its own needle nor does it have needle up or down nor does it have that handy-dandy little thread cutter on the side of the machine but I’ll keep it just the same – just for the stitch!

New Quilt Store in Town

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Finally had time to stop by the new Quilt Store in Elkton,  Maryland,  My Favorite Quilt Shop What a nice set up – big classroom space in the basement – lots of places to wander and look and very nice fabric selection for being such a young shop! I especially liked the “blending room” where all the “solids” in many different shades reside. If you have the time, stop by or at least take a moment to  peruse their website!

new pic in gallery

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Diamond in the Woods just photographed and  loadedt up on my gallery –  I tried to take pictures of more quilts but its just too darn hot outside to work – can’t take good pictures inside, poor light and not enough room to spread out. – so its outside or nothing. I have decided that its outside but still nothing – I’m putting on my suit and jumping in the pool!

Diamond Star at Bear’s Paw

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Lots of interesting color choices at Bear’s Paw – I think my camera didn’t do justice to the colors – the last diamond star is actually shades of purple and lime green – looks sort of blue and yellow in the pictures.

Note the round cutting mat – This smart lady salvaged a warped cutting mat by purchasing a lazy susan at Ikea and attaching the best part of the warped mat to it – very sturdy, nice idea!

PhatKats come is lots of different colors!

Saturday, August 14th, 2010

Had a small but entertaining class at Bear’s Paw Friday –  love the many colors of the cat! Check out the black  and the bright pink backgrounds – Wow! Really makes those cats POP!

Burke QU Guild

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Just returned from Springfield, Virginia, where I was lucky enough to be invited to  show my wares to the Burke Quilter’s Unlimited Guild. I was greeted warmly and hosted nicely by the group and very much enjoyed my visit there.  Thank you to all the ladies there and especially Jenn and Judy!! There was quite a bit a talent in the guild – wish there had been more time for Show-n-Tell from the members. I have a feeling I might have missed something really special!

Block Exchange Project

Monday, August 9th, 2010

I decided to participate in the LadyBugs Quilt Guild’s block exchange last month – the premise being you paid 25 cents for a square of fabric that must be used in a 12-1/2 inch block. Then you bring the block to the meeting, toss it in the kitty with all the other blocks and the kitty gets raffled off. Maybe you get 12 blocks and maybe you get nothing. The guild meeting and drawing for blocks is tonight. Although I don’t win raffles 99.9% of the time, I’m crossing my fingers for the 12 blocks!!

Here sits the last binding….

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

Yes, it is sitting there in prime position – right in my spot on the couch – just waiting for me to turn on HBO and get stitching. I think I have hand sewn down the binding on at least 10 quilts in the last 30 days. Granted some are bigger and some are smaller… After this one is finished, it needs a sleeve too!! And its on a deadline – egad!!! After my summer of binding is over, I will take pictures, really good pictures,  and load them all up in my gallery…eventually….