“Robots in a Maze”

Quilt For Pearce:  

Here’s the info on “Robots in a Maze” .  It was a kit  I bought at Cabin Fever Quilt Shop in Auburn for $56.99 which included the pattern and fabric for a crib/lap size 48″ x 57″ top and the binding.  It was one of their own designs.  I found the same yellow sprocket fabric for the back at Quilters Paradise in Escondido.  I quilted it by stitching 1/4″ inside the seams.  I don’t know that I really liked that technique, but it didn’t hurt the look of the quilt and it gave me an opportunity to try it.  And Yes, I hand stitched the binding. I usually machine stitch the binding, but now that I’m no longer a novice quilter I felt guilty since machine finishing the binding isn’t a recommended practice.

This was a fun one to make with the bright colors and thoughts of little Pearce on the way.  As I predicted he was “finished” before the quilt was.  I think he’ll still like cuddling up in it to watch tv.  Not right now though because it’s about 100 degrees where he lives. 🙂 

                                 

Bet you thought I wasn’t coming back???

Mustang Quilt

Detail View-Mustang

I said I would post the last quilt I made at Christmas time.  I guess I forgot.  Here it is. along with a detail view.

It’s been busy since the winter holidays and I haven’t had the opportunity to work on my projects.  I find that I have several “UFO’s” as I learned my unfinished’s are called.  I must really be getting into it now with “stash” fabric and “UFO’s”.  Below are two of my UFO’s that are almost FO’s 🙂  They just require quilting and the binding.  The Robot Quilt was a kit I purchased the last time I visited Auburn.  Little Pearce wasn’t born yet and his Grandma Tompkins helped me choose one for him.  It’s coming Pearce, I promise.

I signed up for a class at Starry Night Hollow in Encinitas.  It’s held on Thursday evenings.  I’m just finishing up my first quilt with them.  It’s called Salsa.  Here’s a peek. This one has to be quilted and bound also.

Barbara, the instructor, came over from Sewing Sisters who shut their doors recently.  I was sad to see them go.  Barbara’s influence in the fabrics is showing up at Starry Night Hollow and I’m excited to know that they will be carrying Kaffe Fasset.  I just received a book I ordered from Amazon of Kaffe Fasset quilts. Be watching for some bright unconventional looking quilts.  That is after I finish the UFO’s I already have.

Recently, I was invited to join in a fabric exchange.  It was for purple fabric. My favorite.   My sewing circle is rather small so I wasn’t all that helpful in the cause, but I did receive a few pieces of fabric.  One day you may see an all purple quilt posted here.

I’ll be starting a new quilt this week.  I’ve already selected the fabric and I’m excited to get started. I’ll fill in the details for the quilts posted above and my new project the next opportunity I get. 

All the tools, bags and goodies I’ve received have come in so handy during these classes.  I learn something new every time.  Thanks to everyone for being so encouraging.

Thanks for visiting.  I’ll try to keep up.  Summer is coming!

What I’ve been up to.

I tell you what!!!! Work is cutting into my sewing time and what’s with the NEED to eat, and Thanksgiving dinner and all that decorating for Christmas. Sheesh!  Who needs a clean house and clean clothes or clean hair for that matter. Who cares if my white dog is brown and my brown dog is black and HEY! Who are these people in my house?  LOL

Here are some things I’ve been sewing when I haven’t been doing “other stuff”.

   This is the Christmas Panel my Dear Sister sent to me for my birthday.  It was quick and looks so festive on the dining room table. I LOVED receiving a package from Cabin Fever Quilt Shoppe in Auburn.  Every time I visit I feel anxious until I get to the Quilt Shop.

  I found this great Christmas fabric at the Quilt Show in Long beach.  I thought it looked scandinavian so I purchased a bit of it to use for family gifts.  I like the way it made into the cuffs on these pillow cases. The soft plaid fabric came from Starry Night Hollow in Encinitas.  Starry Night is the closest quilt shop to my home and lucky for me they have some of the highest quality fabrics and a very creative staff.  You won’t find their patterns any place else.  I have several I will sew as soon as I finish the gifts.

   These two Braid Runner’s  by G E Designs are a “Quilt as you go” technique.  These were really fun to make.  I chose the pattern and the jelly roll batik fabric from Quilters Paradise with a particular person in mind.  The jelly roll contained enough fabric to make two and maybe even three runners.  The brown batik for the backing and 

borders was also purchased at Quilters Paradise.  They have sucha  wonderful helpful staff there.  I always feel welcome there.  I will definately be making more of these. The size is approximately 17″ x 52″.  The pattern suggests you place your fabric from light to dark, but I like the effect of dark to light.

I gotta get going.  I still have a few things to finish, photograph and mail.  I love thinking about the person(s) I’m making the gifts for and hoping they will enjoy receiving and using them, but it sure is hard parting with them sometimes.  I do have to remind everyone that I’m still perfecting my skills and techniques.  I’m hoping to take a new class or two after the holidays.  One begins in January at Sowing Sisters another is at Starry Night Hollow.  By the way Sowing Sisters is for sale.  See side bar for more info.

Work in Progress August

 

Unfinished Halloween quilt

Wow, I just haven’t had time to finish any of my projects and post updates here. I was lucky to be able to use my new Baby Lock Espire sewing machine to complete the “Shake, Rattle and Roll” and the Moda “Pumpkins Gone Wild” quilt tops before I started back to work on August 13th.

I also was able to cut out and begin to construct the Simplicity #3874 dress.  I have the bodice constructed.  I’m eager to find out if it’s going to fit.

I attempted a cupcake pin cushion from a pattern I purchased at Beverly’s Crafts and Fabrics.  The pattern has an error in it, but I figured it out.  It’s difficult to sew something that small on the machine.  Perhaps once I get my lessons set up I can pick up some tips to sewing small objects.

  I’ve been so busy since then I haven’t been able to sew a stitch. My sewing room is looking pretty messy right now with all these unfinished projects draped here and there.

It’s not all work that has kept me away from my sewing though.  I was able to visit family and meet two of my three great nephews. (See Flickr) I followed the 18 month old around and enjoyed all his antics. I marveled at his energy, his rapid aquisition of new words, his awesome pitching arm (I’d guess that came straight from Dad). Let face it I loved every movement he made.

I met my little 6 month old nephew too.  All happy face, hair sticking up, teething, bouncing little boy.  He loves when his grandma sings “On Top Of Old Smokey.” He smiles, bounces and kicks his legs like crazy.  

Ok, Ok, Ok!  I was able to sneak away and visit “Cabin Fever Quilt Shop,”  Grandma Mary sneaked away with me and found the greatest little halloween project that the ladies were putting together into kits.  She’ll be able to make four placemats, and a table center cloth that will put all in the halloween mood.

I had a wonderful visit but returned to a hectic week at work.  “It takes a village to raise a child” and lots of  classroom supplies.