Friday, March 25, 2016

Surprise!!!!

I am expecting a package in the mail with the blocking wires, pins and mats  that I ordered so that I can block my lace shawl that is off the needles.


This took me only six days to get to this point and that is only working on it after my regular daytime job.  It really was easy.

So, when there was a package sitting at my front door this afternoon, I figured my order came really quick!!  Yeah!!  But, I was expecting my package to be a little longer to accommodate the long  blocking wires.  

Then my second thought was that my friend saw my post about needing some 30's fabrics (which I don't need now, and I certainly didn't need a box weighing as much as this box did).  

But...I was in for a surprise.  

Don't know why yet (I have to place a phone call to let my friend know that I received this package from her) but it was filled to the brim with lovely fabric with a note saying every time she saw this fabric, she  thought of me, so she finally got around to sending it my way. 


This is The Farmer Fancy and you can see the whole line  under its name.

There are two 1/4 yards (left to right), two 1/2 yards, one 2 1/4 yards and a 4 yard piece.  Wow!  What can I say?  Thank you doesn't seem enough. 

The selvage says it is a line from Windham Fabrics called the Farmer Fancy in Association with The National Museum of the American Coverlet Museum.  

This is just beautiful!!

There were a couple of free patterns on Windham Fabrics' website, so I will have to see if these fabrics will fit the bill for any of those  patterns.  

My mind is already trying to formulate a pattern that will utilize these pretty fabrics.  

Little does Sheila know how much this package means to me.  Life has been crazy around here since October, but I do see a light at the end of that tunnel and then I will have lots of time to come up with something for this lovely line of fabrics.  

Thank you Sheila!

Saturday, March 19, 2016

Moving right along.....



Garden Chevrons, one of my projects for an upcoming retreat is about 90-95 percent cut out.  I still have to draw out my template for the borders and cut them out and I have to check with my friends to see if I can sponge a couple scraps off of them for  my prints.  I bought a bunch, but I was using a lot of my scraps, too.  Unfortunately, not all my scraps could yield a set of (four  - 8"x 2 1/2" strips AND two - 6 1/2" x 2 1/2: strips that were matching).  I am trying to keep it real scrappy.  I needed 68 sets and I had 68 fabrics, so I thought I was good.   Just didn't realize each of those fabrics weren't big enough to accommodate.  Oh well, what's a few more scraps, right?

Also, I have made a lot of progress on my lace shawl. 


After a couple of starts, rip outs and re-starts, I am well on my way.  I am almost finished with the 5th repeat and there are only 6.  Then after that there are some plain rows before I can bind off.  There is blocking that will need to be done which will be a first for me, so that should be interesting.  

Looks like this is going to be a productive weekend.  

Tomorrow I plan on getting to the long arm.  I have plenty of projects where that is concerned.  

Wish me luck that nothing interferes with my day tomorrow.  



Wednesday, March 16, 2016

I'm a quilter!!!

So tell me.....

how do these things follow me home?


My sister-in-law convinced me this one (Flirty) is quick and easy. 

I picked this merino wool in a colorway call "solitude".  

When I went into the yarn shop, I saw Peacock's Pride made up and just had to have it.  


I still need to go back and find a contrasting yarn that will go with this beautiful turquoise. 

But...this one is done in brioche knitting.

I don't know how to do brioche knitting.  

What was I thinking?

But.....I want it.

Oh...help me.  

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Rainbow's Pot of Gold


See that?!!

The pot of gold is right on the beach outside the penthouse condo I spent a week at in paradise (Luquillo Beach, PR).  

Then there were the three days afterwards spent at Gran Melia in Puerto Rico where we just relaxed. 


I am still basking in all that warmth and sunshine (even though it is just in my head).  

Oh....I could just live at that resort! 

I have been away from my sewing for two weeks now and didn't even think about it while we were gone, but I have two retreats coming up and I need to start thinking about getting prepared for them. 

So, today the quilty chics and I went on a little excursion and went to Mabelena's in Ortonville, MI to look for some solids for the Garden Chevrons quilt that I am prepping for one of the retreats; and this is what I came up with.  


The print in the upper left is the backing and the small print on the upper right is the binding.  ohhhh....I am getting excited about this quilt. 

Also, picked up a few 30s  and some other small prints to go along with the jelly roll  that I received that inspired this quilt to begin with.  



For the second quilt that I need prepped for another retreat, the Diamond Detour, I picked up a background solid.  I decided on a lighter gray making it look even more modern with subtle changes in the grays rather than going with a deeper gray or white.  In my head, I envision this to be really contemporary.  We will see.  


I need to start cutting out my pieces and then I will be all set for my upcoming retreats.  I have time, but we all know how time flies.  

Also, I picked up a dot fabric for the scrappy setting blocks for my Halloween Cats quilt.  


Ok...back to those warm memories.




See the bird?  That's what happens when you sit still too long.  













Michigan quilters, take note

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