Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Tote for Simone

black tote bag with cat fabric pockets and trim
inside of bag showing pocket and bottom insert

I finished a screen tote bag for my daughter-in-law, Simone. She loves the Laurel Burch cat fabrics which form three lined pockets on the outside. For this tote I attached a little zipper bag inside and made a fabric covered bottom insert to help it keep its shape. I think she'll like it.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Report on Retreating

Lucky me! I was fortunate to attend another quilting retreat at The Springs in Gladwin. This time we had a new record attendance of 75 ladies who sewed, shopped, ate and laughed a week-end away. On Sunday, we took a hayride around the property and some brave souls rode the zip line over the river. (not me)
The Quilted Cottage always sets up a little shop in one corner of the downstairs sewing room. They aren't usually dressed this way, but are always cute. They are Jackie and Stacy (owners) and Julie (store manager). I was pretty controlled this time in what I bought. On the left is pillowcase fabric from the breast cancer awareness line. Remember the Snap Happy Bags? Now there are Snap Happy Totes! The other pattern is a cute table topper that can be made for any occasion.

pillowcase fabric and two patterns bought at the retreat
Connie and I worked on more gingerbread potholders which will become shower and Christmas gifts. Connie got a great start on her little stars wallhanging and I turned my nine patches into Sister's Choice blocks.
12 Gingerbread potholders
Connie working on her little star blocks using Jo Morton fabrics
18 Sister's Choice quilt blocks for Grandma and Grandpa's Christmas quilt
The last picture shows one of the dorm rooms. The Quilted Cottage adopted the room and seven groups of ladies made seven quilts for the beds. The bed at the top left has the quilt made by Connie, Helen and me.
Quilts made by us for the dorm room beds at The Springs

Monday, October 26, 2009

STASH REPORT - WEEK 43

STASH REPORT - WEEK 43

Fabric added during this week: 2 yards
Fabric added year to date: 163.75 yards

Fabric used during this weeks 2.5 yard
Fabric used year to date: 145.75 yards

Net fabric busted 2009: (+18.00 yards)

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Pumpkin Patch Primitive Quilt Shoppe Giveaway


Brenda over at Pumpkin Patch Primitive Quilt Shoppe is having a fabulous giveaway of fabric. Click on over to get the details. You don't want to miss out on this giveaway. The more comments she receives, the more fabric she'll give away. Tell her you saw it here!

STASH REPORT - WEEK 42 Plus

STASH REPORT - WEEK 42

Fabric added during thls week: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 161.75 yards

Fabric used during this weeks 9.25 yard
Fabric used year to date: 143.25 yards

Net fabric busted 2009: (+18.50 yards)

Still need to break even, but I'm getting closer!

I sewed a few nine patches today for a Christmas quilt group gift. We're using the directions from Bonnie on Quiltville for the Sister's Choice quilt. I love making nine patches (my favorite block) so this is fun sewing for me.
nine patches by my sewing machines

Connie and I took a class a short time ago at The Quilted Cottage to make "The Wallie". Once in awhile, it's great to take a class where you come home with a finished project. The Wallie will hold my credit cards, driver's license, cell phone and change. The next one I make will have a little strap to clip on a belt loop or to go around my wrist.
The Wallie is a litle fabric wallet
Wallie pattern and my sample

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Caught Up?

Well, at least with reading posts on my Bloglines. Phew! I didn't want to miss anything, but it sure took some time to read them all.

Here's the Disappearing Nine Patch top from my previous post. I want to have it quilted by next Wednesday for a challenge from my Comforts Quilts group.
Disappearing Nine Patch quilt made with sports themed fabrics

Link for Logo


Most of the quilts I have made are miniatures or wall quilts and are no longer mine. This wall hanging is one of my favorites, though, made for a challenge in Shipshewana, Indiana at the Dear Jane Retreat in 2000. Jane blocks were made 50% of their original size and placed inside houses to make a 4 1/2" block. In the book "Dear Jane" by Brenda Papadakis, she gives each block a name, letter and number. At the last minute I decided to add those as the house numbers on each block. My quilt won the challenge! The name of my quilt is Every Home Should Have a Jane.

Added: I should have mentioned it was an ugly fat quarter challenge. We each chose a
paper bag that someone else had brought. My little blocks are all made with one UGLY piece of fabric.




Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Wednesday


Today I mailed my block to Laurie for Terry's quilt. (click on link on my sidebar) It was good to play in my fabric. Earlier this week, I pieced another DNP top. The prints are sports items with centers of bright orange. I also cut out squares for two more DNP quilts.

A few weeks ago, Jim was asked if he wanted to pick raspberries at a friend's house. YES! He came home with this and I made some jam and a pie.







The last photo shows what I woke up with this morning. I was wedged between the two cats and had to carefully extract myself. Wouldn't want to wake the cuties.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

STASH REPORT - WEEKS 39, 40 & 41

STASH REPORT - WEEKS 39, 40 & 41

Fabric added during these weeks: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 161.75 yards

Fabric used during these weeks: .5 yard
Fabric used year to date: 134 yards

Net fabric busted 2009: (+27.75 yards) Still need to break even.

Making almost no progress lately...