Clean Slate

If you've been here lately, you will know that I've been having binding issues.  I've tried different methods of machine binding, and I have decided to go back to hand sewing my binding onto the back.

I took the binding off this color wheel mini in order to give it a binding a little more worthy of the embroidery ...  a clean slate so to speak ;-)

{If you click on the link, you will see that I really didn't show a good picture of the binding because it was so bad!}

This looks so much better!!!!  I ironed, turned and "clipped" the binding to the back.  It is ready to be hand sewn.  I plan to do that on the plane to Minneapolis Thursday.  

I have a whole stack of quilts waiting for improved binding ;-)

This is another "clean slate"... the background for an applique project for my laundry room.  When I first started blogging, I saw this little quilt and fell in love with it!  Isn't it adorable?!  Jacquie makes the most incredible quilts, and I love her "on the line" series.  I hope she doesn't mind that I am making my own version.

I started by measuring the wall in my laundry room.  Of course when I went to draw out my design, the only paper I could find was tracing paper (still surrounded by boxes in my house).  I'd like the clothing hanging on the line to represent each  member of my family...including Max the dog.  I finally have use for his bandanas I've been saving ;-)  

I've actually made some fun progress on this quilt, but I will save the pictures for another day.

Speaking of Jacquie, I am proud to hang her neighborhood quilt in my new studio...another piece in my art collection!

Have an amazing day!!!

Sew & Tell Friday #32

I found about thirty minutes this week to sew, but it was all the time I needed to finish my themed Reduce, Reuse, Recycle aka Ticker Tape quilt.

I even remembered to add my Rene' Creates tag this time.  The picture is a little blurry...still using my point and shoot camera.

Most of the fabric in this little quilt are from Laura Heine's Cowboys & Cowgirls line from RJR Fabrics. I discovered her shop in Billings.  It is an absolute dream store!  It's a good thing too bad the store is so far away.  I would like to incorporate this selvage strip somehow into the top.  Still working on figuring that out.

A few Sew and Tell Fridays ago, I showed two ticker tape tops and mentioned how I had always wanted to make one ever since seeing Amanda Jean's original.  A month or so ago, Victoria invited me to join her quilt retreat, and next week I get to meet the original Amanda Jean as well as Victoria, Shelly and seven other fabulous quilters!!!!!  I can't wait!!!

Don't forget to check out all the Sew and Tell Friday posts.  I apologize for being a slacker and not visiting each post as I used to do.  Hopefully after next week, I will be back to a normal routine.  I sure miss seeing what everyone is up to.  

Have an amazing weekend!!!

Wonderful Wednesday!

My new backyard has some pretty flowers.

I have always loved hydrangeas and now I have some of my very own!

This is the first time I've had pink hibiscus.  So pretty!

I am posting from my friend's hair salon as my internet has been hit or miss since my husband has a friend doing some fancy wiring in the house.

Have an amazing day!!!

No More Boxes

I wish I could say ALL the boxes are unpacked, but at least the ones in my studio are empty.  It's the only room is the house that is organized!  That's the good news.  The bad news is  I know there are other boxes of fabric and other sewing related items that must have been put in another room.  I'll figure out a place for those when the time comes.

It's nice to have my design wall up again.  I pulled out some orphan blocks and stuck them up there.

Well, the mailman knows I'm here.  I received two wonderful packages today!!!  The first one is from Lesly {all the way from Canada} who recently celebrated her 100th post.  I was the lucky winner of these two patterns.  Aren't they great?  I love The Honey Bee Habitat pattern as it reminds me of my favorite Montana hike Beehive Basin, and those city houses are too cute.  I was so hoping she would send me one of her Darla quilt cards, and I was not disappointed.  Thanks Lesly!

The next package is the Siggy Swap supplies donated by Robert Kaufman that I won from Jaybird Quilts.  I'm not sure if I can cut into this Tufted Tweets fabric for siggy blocks.  What do you think?  I do love them.  Thanks Julie!

I pulled out this cowboy themed Reduce, Reuse, Recycle {my name for Amanda Jean's ticker tape} mini quilt to work on.  I only got as far prepping the binding and pressing the quilt.  Maybe I'll be able to finish it in time for Sew and Tell Friday.

Have an amazing day!!!

Another Sew Day

Saturday was another fun OMQG Sew Day!  I could only participate for a few hours, but I enjoyed every minute.

Julie brought her friend Margaret.  These are two very talented quilters, and I am so excited they are part of our group.  

I didn't pull my camera out until the end so I missed getting a picture of Margaret's handsewing project and Cara's quilt binding project.

Julie worked on this beautiful quilt for a teacher.

Michele worked on these adorable little hexies as well as other projects.  I can't keep up with her...every time I turned around she was working on a different project ;-)

My daughter has become a junior member of the OMQG.  She sewed a bunch of blocks together using fabric from my scrap basket.  This block was made with Beth's leftover quilt fabric (see quilt picture below).  Ally loves cats so this fabric was a big hit.

This is just one of the three quilts Beth worked on.  Beth drives several hours to attend our meetings and Sew Days and usually brings more than one sewing machine with her!  She definitely doesn't sit idle ;-)

The fringe benefits of daughter attending Sew Day....I scored some great fabric everyone contributed some of their fabric to Ally's project.  I think I'll bring Ally to every Sew Day!

Have an amazing day!!

Sew & Tell Friday #31

Not much sewing going on around here to tell about, but I did finish one little thing which allows me to participate this week in Sew and Tell ;-)

This little house mini is finally finished.  I had to rip out and redo the binding.  I had planned on this heading to AAQI, but even with the redo, the binding is not up to par ;-(

I finally managed a picture of the fabric I purchased yesterday when I played hooky from packing.

More fun fabric purchased.  All these goodies are going into a new quilt for my daughter.  

Today is day two of moving.  Last night we slept in the new house.  I just wandered around not knowing which box to unpack first.  Guess what I'll be doing this weekend?

Enjoy browsing through the Sew and Tell posts.  

Have an amazing weekend!!!

Moving Day

is finally here!  I snuck out for a few hours yesterday to catch the end of our guild meeting.

Kathryn was sweet enough to take over the meeting for me, and Michele showed us her great method for paper piecing!

She makes it look so easy!  I think I just need to practice it more before I really get the hang of it, but it's good to know it's possible ;-)

We had three new members join us for June's meeting.  Welcome girls!  (I showed up late so didn't catch their names.)

Our meeting ended with the usual, creative Show and Tell and door prize.  I love Kathryn's experimental piece (her phrase not mine)!  She painted, bleached, appliqued, embroidered and quilted!  Very cool.  There's more on our Flickr page!

I even did some much needed fabric shopping therapy!  I don't have any pictures, but head to Michele's blog to get an idea.  We purchased the same Blah Blah Blah fabric.  While you are there, wish her a happy birthday!

Have an amazing day!!!