Just for Michelle

I had a lovely visit with my sister and my mom the other day!!!  My sister lives in between my mom and me so we scheduled an impromptu and quick sleepover/quilting lesson.  We agreed no cameras or picture taking allowed ;-)

What we didn't plan was my sister's air-conditioner breaking (in hot south Georgia) and my car getting a flat tire just as I was exiting the highway!!!  We still found time to eat and laugh in between repairmen and tow trucks, but I basically threw the sewing machine, quilt kit and supplies at my sister and said... here you go...have fun!

So, Michelle, here you are...an instructional video to at least get you started on cutting your fabric.

I have never spent a lot of time on You Tube and was a little overwhelmed with the amount of quilting videos out there.  Does anyone have a favorite go to quilt video you can recommend?  Thanks.

Have an amazing day!!!

Studio Tour

Several of you asked if I would show pictures of my new studio.  It's still a work in progress and will be for a long time.  I am thrilled to have a dedicated sewing room, but I lost my built-ins and large closet.  Instead of rushing to buy new furniture (which is how I usually operate), I will first organize my fabric stash and then evaluate the options based on my need (which is so not like me).

But as long as you keep that in mind, I'll show you a couple of pictures.  

Here is my cutting area.  It used to be the cutting and ironing spot, but I folded down the ironing side.  I like that it doesn't have to share ;-)

The iron has it's own place now.  I'm getting used to the ironing board...even though it reminds me of household chores.

The design wall hasn't been put to work yet....just some fun blocks from my 15 minutes of play.  As you can see, my husband's electronic guru hasn't hooked up my TV yet.

I moved my machine so that it faces the window now.  I love the view it provides...not the pool as before, but I get to see my birdbath given to me by my mom ;-)  It makes me smile!

Well...I hope you enjoyed the tour.  There is still work to be done, but isn't that always the way?!

Have an amazing day!!!

Siggy blocks and stuff

Yeah!  I received my siggy blocks from round one!  Again, I enjoyed looking through all the blocks checking the names and locations and admiring the fabrics.  Lots of variety!

This batch has more of an international flair than my round two.  I recognize some names from the second round and am pleased to see different names as well.  I'm excited to see some of my favorite bloggers represented!  One block has my maiden name...wondered if we are related...hmm.  One thing's for sure:  there are a lot of Michelle/Michele quilters out there!  Maybe the name caught my eye because it's my sister's name.

Speaking of which, I am heading in her direction now...gonna add her name to the long list of Michelle quilters! She asked for it ;-)  I have all kinds of goodies packed in my car to tempt her....rotary cutter, cutting mat, rulers, patterns, fabric, pins, Quilter's Home magazine, sewing machine.  Am I forgetting anything?

I tried to get this book today.  I went to FOUR local shops with no luck.  If I had known it would be so hard to find, I would already have ordered it!  That's what I get for trying to support my LQS...don't even get me started.  Oh well, I'll just have to wait until Amazon delivers it to my door.

Have an amazing day!!!

Back to Work

I don't know why I have such a hard time coming up with a quilt for my daughter's bed.  I have started and discarded so many projects for her, you can't even imagine.  

But I'm back to work trying again.  I received this color stack from Pink Chalk Fabrics and this seems like a perfect place to start.  Don't you love those peace fabrics?!  I have some other great fabrics that I think will look nice mixed in...like those Tufted Tweets I won from Robert Kaufman, for example.

This should be so much better than the latest round of discarded blocks .... which I did not even take pictures of .... even though I spent all day working on them.

I also pulled this LOVE wip out to work on.  This is another project that I don't understand why I can't get it going.  I love this fabric...just think I haven't found the perfect pattern for it yet.

Maybe I can squeeze some sewing time in today.  I'll be taking a quick road trip to my sister's tomorrow....going to lure her to the dark side...quilting ;-)

Have an amazing day!!!!

Sew & Tell Friday #36

I showed this on a previous Friday, but I tweaked it, made some additions and finished the binding.

My laundry line quilt is now officially completed and hanging in my laundry room!  The inspiration for this came from the brilliantly talented Jacquie.

I only have this one picture.  Since I was not using a flash most of them are blurry.  Remember I was concerned about the laundry basket appearing to float in the air?  Someone suggested I add ric rac for grass, and Hope gave me the flower idea.  I have a thing about dragonflies so had to add one of those too.

The quilt didn't turn out as wonderful as I had imagined, but it was fun to make.  This post explained how each item on the line represents a family member and the meaning on the fabrics chosen.

This quilt did help me get over my aversion to the color orange(I LOVE this orange binding fabric)....not to mention putting the colors orange and blue touching.  My dislike of the blue/orange combination goes waaaaaaay back to college...it's a Seminole (good guys) versus Gator (bad guys) thing ;-)  Go Noles!!!!

Head over to Sew and Tell Friday headquarters to see all the fabulous finishes.  

Have an amazing weekend!!!!

Recategorization

Recently Lesly wrote an interesting post regarding WIPs versus UFOs.  It's a wonderful post that got me to thinking about how I categorized my projects and also removed some of the guilt I felt about putting one project aside and starting another.   Now my sidebar reflects this distinction.  What about you....do you distinguish your projects in any particular way?  

Yesterday I received my siggy blocks from round two!!!!!  Julie and her friends did an awesome (and fast) job!  I don't think there are any duplicates in fabric.  In fact, I am amazed at the range of gorgeous fabric blocks I received.  I don't really know what I expected (as I still haven't received round one blocks), but I am thrilled with these!  Can't wait to put them all together in a quilt.

What fun I had going through all these 100 blocks, reading the names and locations and petting the fabulous fabrics!!!  I received one of my blocks...one from Julie...two from guild members...Mississippi, Alabama, and Montana are represented in the bunch...a blog I follow is also included....a follower...fellow Sew and Tell Friday-ers...

This round had more than 100 participants so not sure how Julie distributed the blocks, but it's almost like my blocks were customized just for me!!!!!!

I can't wait to get my round one blocks.  I hear they are on the way....time to stalk the postal carrier ;-)

Have an amazing day!!!

Wonderful Wednesday!

I finally found a little time to sew!!!  Yeah!

I added more hexagons to my collection.  Still have a long way to go to finish this quilt along, but I'm getting there.

These strips are sewn and cut...hope to sew them together today.

I usually keep my Wonderful Wednesday posts wordless for the most part, but I have to say thank you to Sheryl of Random Threadz.

These way too cute batik moose panels safely arrived....finally.   For a week the USPS said they had been delivered, but I did not receive them.  After numerous phone calls between Sheryl and myself {which I thoroughly enjoyed despite the circumstances}, between Sheryl and the USPS on her end, and between me and the USPS {which I did not enjoy} on this end, they finally and mysteriously appeared in my mailbox {thanks I believe to a neighbor who mistakenly received them}.  

In the meantime, Sheryl located more moose panels (not available in this colorway anymore) for me and ordered them hours before I received the lost package.  She knew how much I REALLY needed wanted those moose.  I had seen some of her pattern designs and kits at Quilting in the Country and also fell in love with the unusual batiks she used.  My pictures do not do them justice.  {Click here to see a better picture and a pattern using the moose.}  I also ordered these adorable lizards, and Sheryl had thrown in an extra lizard panel and a fun frog panel.  Thanks Sheryl, you rock!

Have an amazing day!!!

Winners

Thank you for all the lovely birthday wishes and congratulations on my 200th post.  I enjoyed reading them all!!

The random number generator aka my personal assistant selected two names:

Congratulations to Hope who will receive the table runner kit and Shelly who will get the cowboy fat quarters!!!  {Check your inbox for my email.}  My daughter had so much fun playing "random number generator" that I have a feeling there will be more giveaways here in the near future ;-)

I've been a real slacker when it comes to sewing (hence the Fan Mountain photo rather than quilt photos).  I was disappointed to find that my boxes had not miraculously unpacked themselves while I was on vacation.   The sewing machine got some use at our guild's Sew Day on Saturday.  I didn't have my camera with me so can't share any pictures, but it was another great day spent with fun creative people.

I rearranged my new studio over the weekend and hope to spend some time in there....creating....not unpacking!

Have an amazing day!!!

Goodies....for me...for you

Last week, I celebrated my birthday and my blog had its 200th post!

This pile of mail/bills was waiting for me,

but, so were these packages!  I couldn't wait to see what's inside.  {I'll reveal the contents in a later post.}  What's even better is that I know I have more packages on the way!

To celebrate my birthday and 200th post (and to make room for my new stuff), I am giving away this Fresh and Fancy table runner kit and

this bundle of eight cowboy themed fat quarters.

Just leave a comment, and I will draw two names at random.  I'll leave the giveaway open until Friday.  Make sure you leave an email address.

Have an amazing day!!!

Crosses

While I was in Montana, I made this fun cross block from Heather's scraps and leftover fabric from the Siggy Swap.

I joined V's 15 Minutes Play and posted about my fifteen minutes of playtime making this.  It's a great place to play and share.  Check it out.


My Dad gave me this cross for our Montana home.

I love it...especially the turquoise beads in the center.  We were trying to find the best place to hang it...

...but my Dad found the perfect spot!  On another cross ;-)

I had to say goodbye to Montana for a while.....hello to Florida....and the heat.  But it's good to be home.

Have an amazing day!!!

Sew & Tell Friday #35

It's our last day in Big Sky {boo hoo}.  The last few days here have been gorgeous!  Today,  I hope to hike to my favorite place...if there isn't too much snow.

I have another small finish for Sew and Tell this week.  I made a case for my iPad based on Quilt Dad's tutorial.  My supplies here are limited, so I made a few changes.  Instead of piecing the sleeve, I used this Paula Prass fabric.  It is too pretty to cut up.  I didn't have any batting so just used a solid fabric behind the printed fabric and zigzagged here and there.  I did use the Moda Snuggle fabric for the lining as the instructions suggested.

I added a button and closure so my iPad wouldn't slide out.  This "button" came in a little pouch of PJs I bought a while back.  I'm so glad I saved this little token.  I think it is really cute.  I used embroidery floss inside the three hearts to attach the token to the front.

Here is my setup on the deck for reading.  Love the cowboy wine glass but not crazy about needing the reading glasses ;-)

What did you finish this week?  Add it to Amy's blog.  While you are there see what others have been up to.  You will be inspired.

Have an amazing weekend!!!  I'll be heading back to Florida....and the heat.

Fun Finds

I miss many of the summer events going on in Big Sky because they usually occur after I'm gone.  However,  today I was able to attend the first Big Sky Farmer's Market of the season.  The day was another picture perfect postcard kind of day....blue cloudless sky....cool breeze....creative vendors....live music....neighbors chatting....kids running around playing.....BBQ, apple pie, adult beverages....and my camera sitting at home.

I spent a lot of time at JuJu's booth talking with Lorri about her fabulous upcycled clothes.  I wanted them all!  I picked out this skirt and tank top for my daughter.

The shirt is embellished with embroidery floss stitches and cute buttons.  The skirt is made from t-shirts including this one from Big Sky.  Each item is a "one-of-a-kind fashion statement that is oh-soooo-green!"  I love how Lorri and Chris take thrift store items and turn them into really cool clothing.  Go read their story....very interesting.

Aren't the tags great?  I love that the gear is made in Big Sky.  The back of the tag gives the creator's name of each handmade item.

You can't just have one JuJu skirt!!!!  They also make boxer shorts, but my son wouldn't let me photograph his ;-)

I also found a vendor selling cute baby items made with adorable fabric.  While I was browsing, Facebook informed me that my friend had a baby girl so I had an excuse to buy something ;-)  I enjoyed chatting with the creator of these wonderful gifts.  She gave me permission to post pictures on my blog.  I wish I had gotten her name.  She has two small children which means not much time for blogging {I tried to convince her}, and her business cards had not arrived yet.  Maybe she'll stop by here and leave her contact information ;-)

I chose this fabulous changing pad made with this lovely pink bird fabric backed with chocolate brown minkee.  Don't you just love it?!  My friend made her baby a quilt in pinks and browns so I think this will be perfect....and I don't have to deal with sewing the minkee;-)

I absolutely love this owl fabric!  It's a bed buddy, and I'm keeping it for myself ;-)  The instructions say to place it in the microwave for a couple of minutes and use for sore muscles.  Just what I need for those after-hike aches and pains.

I have done my fifteen minute a day playtime, but don't have pictures...maybe tomorrow.

Have an amazing day!!!

Wonderful Wednesday!

Been doing more exploring than sewing these last couple of days.

Going to the Sun Road

Goat Lick

meadow of wildflowers

Toby, resident yellow lab, at Historic Tamarack Lodge

view from Elk Horn trail

and some hand stitching on my liberated Amish top.

Have an amazing day!!!