Couple of more finishes for the year.

I'm adding two more finishes for the year to report for the works in progress challenge.  I have two banners I hope to get done tonight if possible or definitely tomorrow.

This first quilt is called Marbles and is for my nephew.  I made this top in May 2008 and it just sat there without a border.  It was supposed to go to someone else and when that fell through, I had not interest in working on it.  Then, I pulled it out and realizing that it was almost twin size that it would be perfect for a family quilt.  I now have 4 of 6 quilts that will go to this family.  Need one more for a great niece and a great nephew.

This one I started as a mystery quilt in a yahoo group in 2006 and finally decided to get it off the UFO list.  It's quilted on my home sewing machine and it took me almost a week to get it completed.  The colors are a lot richer making for a nice autumn quilt.

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Type-u-later,
Tea in MO
http://www.teaquilts.com

Quilts to Share

I have a few quilts to share.  I've been quilting on my DSM and got some projects off my UFO list before year end.

The American Friendship Round Robin was organized through Teas Snowman Swap Group in 2005.  I made the center based on pattern Stars and Stripes by Shannon Williams.  I then sent it to Yveline Mignot in Florida.  She made the flag panel into a stamp by adding white border.  She then appliqued all those half circles and the final black border.  It was then mailed to Barbara Foster in Missouri who added the applique stars and hearts and the blue spacer border.  It then went to Annette Hester in North Carolina who added the "God bless America, Land of the free" spacer and the rail fence border.  However, adding the eagles made it truely American.  It was then returned to me in Missouri and I just had to add something more to reflect the USA theme.  I made 50 friendship stars and put each state's two-letter abbreviation in the center.  In the spacers on the sides, the fabric has USA  tossed about in various text sizes.  This one quilted up nicely and I am anxiously awaiting for Saturday so I can show it to my small quilting guild that meets monthly in each others homes.

This quilt is for a 2nd cousin.  The coloring in photo is horrible because the fabrics are really pretty.  This quilt was made from the Wicked Easy Quilt pattern that was free on the internet a few years back.  Its twin size and just something for her to take when spending the night with friends.

I've taught the Exploding Star class a few times and this quilt started as my class sample.  I thought I was through teaching my final star class in June so I completed the top.  However, a few months later, I got a contract to teach this class in April 2010 (I know, that how it works.)  So, I'm making a new class sample quilt (actually two as I'm creating an expanded version of the pattern) so my UFOs grew here instead of decreasing.

That's it for now.  Hopefully I can get some projects completed before the month is out.

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Type-u-later,
Tea in MO
http://www.teaquilts.com

Baby Quilt

I'm not a huge fan of fabrics that typically make up baby quilts, unless of course you add them into a scrap quilt. My friend's step-daughter had a baby last Tuesday when she was unexpected induced. I thought I had more time to make a quilt, but it quickly ran out. I made this quilt in a couple of days for the new baby boy. I picked the star fabric at a LQS last month and then picked the two coordinating prints to go with it. Not your typical baby quilt, but it will do.  Quilt is 40" square...

I have been quilting like mad. I have a quilt for a second cousin made, just need to sew two sides of the label. Ive also quilted the American Friendship Round Robin quilt. I'm working on hand sewing the binding and label. In addition, I have quilted a mini exploding star quilt I'm calling Star Explosion. So come back as I'll be posting pictures of these quilts this week.
--------------------------
Type-u-later,
Tea in MO
http://www.teaquilts.com

Finish for November

I just realized that today is the last day of the month and I didn't have any finishes.  So, I finished "Frosty the Star Man" a few minutes ago.  His body is made completely in the hoop on the embroidery machine.  I just needed to make yo-yos and scarf.  I used 1/8" ribbon for his shoe laces and sequins and beads in the yo-yo centers.  This is too cute.  He could have also been a pillow.

--------------------------
Type-u-later,
Tea in MO
http://www.teaquilts.com

My Weekend and Correcting a Seam in Quilt Top

I'm on a roll!  Did not post for three weeks, now I have 3 posts in a week.  I had a productive quilt weekend.  I attended local quilt shop BOM then had an actual sewing quilt guild meeting all on Saturday. 

Sunday I decided that my scatter brain syndrome was actually caused by having 30+ quilt tops that need to be quilted.  A large portion of those are bed size quilts.  So, I decided to organize them to send some out for professional long arm machine quilting.  Of course, the tops I wanted quilted were not the ones I made backs for in August.  So, I sat down and made backs for the remaining 8 tops.  Then I contacted 3 long armers and have 7 quilts I will distribute between them.  I dropped off 3 yesterday, another 2 tomorrow, and 2 more next Tuesday.  Now I feel a little better.  This stint even caused me to put a quilt I had already basted in my sewing chair where I cannot ignore it.  So, it's either sewing on the quilt or no sewing at all.

As I was working on a back for this quilt top that I pieced in April 2006.  I noticed something very strange.  Do you see it?

I have no idea how the blue strips got in the pink area.  I didn't do it...did I.  I thought that was very funny as I have this quilt posted on my website ( http://teaquilts.com/more_wips.htm ) and didn't notice it when I took the photo years ago.

My first thought was to leave it in the quilt as is.  But that small amount of obsessive compulsive behavior that resides in me wouldn't let it be.  I then went looking for the fabric I used for the stars but found I do not have any more in my stash.

Then I thought, if I remember correctly, I have one or two left over strings from piecing this quilt and the star points were already sewn on the strings.  So, I went to my stash of strings left over from strip piecing, you know the stuff that a lot of people trash.  Oh my, I have an excellent memory.  After only a few minutes of looking, this is what I found. 

So I made a hole in my quilt top like this.

And filled it in and now my quilt top looks like this -

Now I'll never be convinced to throw my scraps and extra pieced strips away.  This one paid off big time!

--------------------------

Type-u-later,

Tea in MO

http://www.teaquilts.com

I won!!

Well, I sort of won by a designer's kindness.  Let me explain.  Quiltmaker has a new magazine now on the stands,

I partiicipated in a blog hop last week, trying to be the lucky winner of above mentioned magazine.  The designers are great, the blocks are wonderful.  I just received it in the mail and just performed a quick page flip.  The blocks are all new original designs.  I'm going to have fun with this.  I was not one of the fortunate hoppers to win outright, but Joni Pike of Sew Special Designs (designed block #7 on page 15) e-mailed the participants to let them know who won her drawing.  I appreciated her letting us know who won, so I let her know.  And then because I was the only one to do so, I won a magazine.  That's not why I thanked her, but it does shows that a little kindness really does bring great rewards.  I love the magazine and now I'm off to read it!

--------------------------

Type-u-later,

Tea in MO

http://www.teaquilts.com

Progress Report

I've done so much in the last few weeks, but none of it included finishing any quilts.  Since I can't remember all the events that occurred, I thought I'd show some of the projects that I've worked on.

Topsy Turvy Nine Patch.  I still need to add three more rows.  I just got tired to making half-square rectangles.  Very graphic design that depicts movement.  This pattern is by Judy Laquidara.

Friends & Fellows by Jessica Smith.  My quilt group is working on this mystery.  It's due at our December meeting.  Still need to add the 3 borders suggested by the pattern.  I really, really didn't want to at this is just a gigantic quilt! (Not really, just feels that way - its about 87" square when done.)

The Mock Log Cabin was a project we started for those who stayed overnight during the quilt show.  As you can see, I haven't done much more.

I worked a bit more on my Scarecrow project, but ran out of black scraps that would work with this design.  I decided to wait to complete it until I get more appropriate black scraps instead of out right cutting them from stash.

Then I realized my scrap box is out of control again.  I had my scraps sorted by color.  However, a crafter in one of my clubs gave me some scraps and then with everything I've been working on the last 6 months have just created two boxes of scraps that are not sorted.  To make it worse, I can't sort them into my current system as it is just too much.  So, I decided to make a few mock blocks of patterns that I can cut the scraps for.  This is the first one, Pinwheels on Parade, by Pat Speth in More Nickel Quilts.

Emerald Forest from Batiks...Inspired by Bali will be an excellent way to use my batik scraps.  I'm using my Accu Go Cutter to cut the strips.  Will be all colors when completed.

For this one, I pulled green and blue 2.5" strips.  Then decided to add a few red ones to pop it every now and then.

I have 3 more projects that are not listed here (didn't take enough pictures) and another 2 that are for challenge projects that I can't show. 

The SITP quilt I'm working on is a few steps farther.  I have 3 rows pieced; just got tired of the darn thing.  Go figure...

As you can see, I can't seem to get focused on any one thing to get it done.  My mind is so scattered lately.  I'm trying to decrease items on my UFO list but I keep adding stuff.  I give up for the moment.  I'm going with the flow if that's what currently making me happy!

--------------------------

Type-u-later,

Tea in MO

http://www.teaquilts.com

SITP Update

I've been busy, just not sure where all the time went.  I have worked on my Shakespeare in the Park quilt.  I have all the 12" blocks completed and am working on the 6" star blocks.  I have 10 of the 40 needed sewn.  My goal is to get the top pieces before putting it away.  I just do not like putting projects away with a lot of piecing left needing done.  Here's what is looks like so far:

--------------------------
Type-u-later,
Tea in MO
http://www.teaquilts.com

Retreat at a Quilt Shop

Saturday me and three friends stayed the night in a quilt shop.  The quilt shop is a 3 floor home with a basement.  The first floor is the quilt shop and the basement holds some fabrics, kitchen and classroom.  We sewed in the classroom and we each had a table to ourselves.  The second floor had 3 bedrooms with two twin beds in each and a full bath.  The 3rd floor is her storage area but she also had a bed up there to have bed turnings.  She took us up there and showed us at least 30 quilts.  This is our second year during this.  The best part is that we get to shop in the middle of the night and you don't have to worry about missing items you left at home.

I worked on my Shakespeare in the Park quilt which is designed by Judy Martin in The Creative Pattern Book.  Here is my photo.  I made 16 rising star blocks and 4 snail's trail blocks.  I am assembling line piecing the other 21 snail's trail blocks and have them half done.  It was a successful weekend.  Now I have to put all the stuff away.

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Type-u-later,
Tea in MO
http://www.teaquilts.com

The Abbey Bag

I've been very busy, just haven't had time to post.  Let's see, I've added to my Works in Progress by adding a number of quilts:  Treasure Hunt (twin size made for quilt show vendor shop hop), Treasure Hunt (crib size from leftovers after deciding to make previous quilt smaller), Trip Around the Scrap Basket (crib size to teach at quilt retreat February 2010), Trip Around the Scrap Basket (twin size after deciding the previous one was too small :o), Shakespeare in the Park, Log Cabin Variation (quilt show Friday night security project), and miniature for guild challenge due in January (don't have a name yet). 

So, because of all the started WIPs and having nothing completed for a few weeks, I decided to make this pincushion last night.  The pattern is "The Abbey Bag" but right now I can't tell you what company made it.  It went together very well and it's pretty.  I like that it has a pocket inside so that I can put my seam ripper in it at quilt-a-ways.

Oh, I did enter two quilts into the Quintessential Quilt show hosted by Circle in the Square guild.  Both of my entries were accepted into the juried show and I won honorable mention (3rd place) on Round Robin in the traditional bed quilt category.

That's it for me, what about you?

--------------------------
Type-u-later,
Tea in MO
http://www.teaquilts.com

Quilt Show Slideshow

Here is a slideshow with some of the quilts shown in the quilt show over the weekend.

--------------------------
Type-u-later,
Tea in MO
http://www.teaquilts.com

QUILT SHOW!!!

Wondering where I've been?  Okay, maybe not.  I'll share with you anyway.  I'm chairperson for the guild's quilt show this weekend.  We have been working really hard to make the show a success.  If you are in the metropolitan St. Louis, Missouri area or up to 2 hours away (smile) come pay us a visit.  We have a beautiful raffle quilt (photo), brown bag raffle of items made/donated by guild members, demonstrations, vendors and over 300 quilted items.  Wanetha Ebker is our featured quilter and her work is impeccable.  Voting by the public is on Saturday with ribbons in place on Sunday.  Admission is $5 for everyone 10 years of age and over.  If you stop by, ask for me so I can say hello to you personally.

Flower Valley Quilt Show

held at Atonement Lutheran Church

1285 New Florissant Road

Florissant, MO  63031

Sat, September 26, 2009  10am-4pm

Sun, September 27, 2009  Noon-4pm

-------------------------
Type-u-later,
Tea in MO
http://www.teaquilts.com

Bamboo and Pinwheels

Here are the quilts I made for twin nephews. The blocks for each quilt is made at the same time in a 2-for-1 type pattern. Bamboo was the main pattern and Pinwheels is the results left when cutting the triangles for the Bamboo quilt.

I realized Sunday that I haven't made the demo quilt top for the vendor shop hop at our quilt show at the end of the month. So, I've been frantically making flying geese. The quilt is 89 x 109 but while making it, I decided to make mine into two quilts instead. So...I now have two more WIPs on my list. My justification for the size is that I have a lot of quilt tops to quilt and the larger ones are just too tiresome to quilt on my domestic sewing machine. A little craziness now for a saner disposition when it's time to quilt. Plus, I can use the 2nd quilt as a family quilt.

-------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com

Winner and what I'm up to...

I just got off telephone with my mother. I asked her to pick a number between 1 and 4. She picked #2 so Mo you are the winner! Email me privately your snail mail addy and I'll get your package in the mail on Tuesday. Congratulations! I have been very busy since last post. I have 2 more quilts done that I'll upload this week. I've also added a border and basted another. I have 24 heart blocks that I decided to make into 2 family quilts. Now, I need to add final border to both quilts. So, instead of 1 UFO for this project, it's now 2. I really, really want to get my UFO list down, but a group is starting the "Shakespeare in the Park" quilt by Judy Martin. I've been wanting to do that quilt for years! I've been in the group but since the others had started, I've conveniently ignored starting the project. Well, the group is starting a new session and if I don't play now, I may never get this quilt done. I picked by fabrics and have them waiting for a retreat in October. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Now I must go back to cleaning and cooking for tomorrow. My entire family is having dinner at my home. Have a wonderful Labor Day! -------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com

One Year Drawing

I realized by chance last evening that today is my one year blog anniversary. I officially opened the blog on September 2, 2008 but didn't post for a while due to computer issues. Then, I kind of forgot about it as the holidays were my priority.

Anyway, I thought to celebrate the event with a drawing (how creative :0). Let's see; I'm giving away three Halloween FQs. In addition, the lucky winner will receive a cell phone holder made by me. They were such a huge success with my guild committee chairs that I thought I share one with you.

What do you need to do? Just post something, anything here. You don't have to tell any friends (you can if you want to but that will reduce your chance to win) as I'd love for one of my current readers to win. I'll pick a winner on Sunday, so enter by Saturday night to ensure you are included.

Good luck!

-------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com

Trick or Treat?

Here is the photo of the Halloween treat bags. I made them "in the hoop" on my embroidery machine. For some reason, the candy corn bags came out perfect, but the Frankenstein ones did not. Oh well, they will do. I plan to use them to hang on doors. Two are for little ones in Atlanta, one for co-worker who decorates her door, one for my office door, and the last one for a door at home. These little boogers took about 1-1/2 hours to make. Designs are from C-Some Stitches.

-------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com

Bulls Eye Quilt Slide Show

This is a few years old, but I was excited to see all the quilts in one slide show. A few people in my guild mentioned starting a bulls eye quilt and they will love this. -------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com

Mirage Quilt

I was busy over the weekend. I'm working behind the scenes on the quilt guild's show at the end of September. Still, and in order to keep my sanity (however overrated that is), I keep pushing forth at the sewing machine. I finished this recycled bargello style quilt that I will donate to charity. It was already pieced with the green border on it. I had it hanging in an oval hand quilting frame for years. I took it down about 2 years ago, deciding to make it into a quilt instead of trashing it. I added the pieced and final borders. Now, it is a nice lap quilt. For those don't know, my goal is to make at least one quilt for everyone in my family and some of my "special friends." I counted this weekend and I need 17 more. I started with over 100. I'm working on 6 quilts that will go to the same family that I hope to have done by year end. I find when you give one child a quilt in the household, you will be nagged constantly until they all get a quilt. This is my nephew's family who has 3 sons (1 set of twins) and 2 daughters. Of course I have go make one for my nephew as well. The Floral Gardens quilt (see previous post) will go to one daughter and I just basted the Pinwheels quilt for one of the twins. One quilt needs 2 borders added. And I have 3 more with back already made waiting to be quilted. I'm so happy about the declining number of quilts needed for family/friends. I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel...

-------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com

Floral Garden

This is definitely one quilt where the photo is really, really bad. The quilt is actually quite pretty but this picture say something different. This is a quilt using all floral or leafy fabrics for my great niece.

I've been working on another 5 quilt tops for family members. I added borders to 3 of them and have 1 more to go. The other one has borders already. I went to JoAnns today and purchased 8 yards of 90" muslin for the back. I'm tired of sewing quilt backs! So, if these quilts are to be done by year end, I took the easy and quickest route. In addition, I took an old bargello top that I had hanging in a quilt hoop on the wall down and made it into a a larger top by adding 2 borders. I have that basted for quilting and will donate it to charity.

Also, I made one Halloween treat bag. I'll try to make a couple more before posting a picture.

-------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com

Chocolateberries

pI have another finish for the month! I started collecting pink and chocolate fabrics in 2006. I didn't have any idea what to do with them until I saw this quilt at a retreat in 2007. I immediately pieced the top and then it sat for 2 years waiting to be quilted. This is the last of the quilts I quilted on my friend's long arm. (SORRY, this picture is determined to enter the blog sideways. I tried numerous times and in different pic sizes.)

-------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com

Guild Gift

I just had to give this one its own post. Various members of Flower Valley Quilt Guild made this quilt top as a thank you gift for being President the past 2 years. “Wow!”, that was my first thought. The blocks are 12" finished sawtooth star album style blocks and there are over 50 blocks. This baby is HUGE. They know of my love for scrap quilts. Even though the picture doesn't show it, the background fabrics are scrappy too. I was bewildered and so surprised. Sarah, on the left, will provide the backing and batting and will quilt on her Tin Lizzie. So, I don't even have to add it to my UFO list! This was just so great and I am beside myself. Special thank you to Vickie Unger and Lenore Schuff for organizing and sewing the blocks together into the top. Vickie and Lenore were vice presidents during my tenure. I really, really appreciate your thoughtfulness and time to organize this much appreciated gift. -------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com

Completed Reconciliation and Crazy Pumpkin

I felt a little guilty about starting the fall projects that I sat my tush down and hand sewed the binding on the quilt yesterday. I had guild meeting and showed the quilt, receiving a lot of oohs and aahs. This quilt was started in 2006 as a chain on/off of those extra triangles we throw away when making flying geese units using the old method with rectangles and squares, from making snowball, and from bow tie blocks. I had to cut a few of the 4" half square triangles but that was it. The quilt has 1,680 half square triangles for a total of 3,360 pieces. This will be a great addition to my scrap quilt lecture. I got the Crazy Pumpkin quilt finished yesterday too. I show it at guild as well and they were amazed that the embroidery machine even added the stitches! This was way too much fun so if you have an embroidery machine give it a try. -------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com

Crazy and I know it

What's so crazy? I have 113 unfinished projects and what do I do? I started not one, but two more. I did make and sew binding on the Reconciliation quilt (see previous post) and am now handing sewing it to the back of the quilt. However, I went to Anita Goodesign and saw this Crazy Pumpkin Quilt design pack and just couldn't resist. I have all the blocks made as of yesterday. So, I need to put them together and decide how to quilt something like this. It's really pretty. For you machine embroiders, they are giving away a crazy quilt design pack after taking a 10 question survey that really fast to maneuver through. The download is immediately afterwards. Enjoy! The other project I started (yesterday) is the Ragamuffin Scarecrow pattern I mention a few posts back. With fall right around the corner, I'm preparing to get my house in seasonal compliance. I've pieced the pumpkin head and have all the fabrics laid out for the shirt and top of the overalls which I'll piece tonight.

If you are working on fall inspired quilts or have some on your blog, post something in this message and I'll mosey on over.

-------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com

Block Swap Round Up

've been having a wonderful time! I had a week of vacation from the job but stayed at home; just needed a break from the office. I'll start with the ugly part. I spent a day and a half cleaning the bedroom and going through all my printed from the Internet patterns, local quilt shops BOMs, and embroidery files instructions - you know all the stuff I just couldn't live without. I threw out a lot of paper and organized what I kept. Then came the boring part. I made backs for 23 quilt tops. Some were made with quilt backings and others were pieced from scraps left over from previous quilt backs. So far, I have 6 more quilt tops that need backs made. I'm sure that will change when I go through my WIPs. This was a two-day job that just needed doing. The best part of the week was that I used my friend's long arm machine to quilt three quilts. I quilted Chocolate Berries (sorry, no photo yet) and Reconciliation which now needs the binding added. Here is a photo of part of the Reconciliation quilt with my daughter standing on a portion of it...oops! I laid it out so I could determine the binding fabric. This quilt is asking for blue binding so I'll start looking through the stash after I cook dinner. I added the binding to this one, Block Swap Round Up, after quilting it on my friend's long arm. I taught a sampler class and used this setting. Isn't it great!

Oh, and the other amazing part of my week was purchasing a new laptop. This one is only from my quilting/embroidery information - not work related and don't have to share computer time with my husband. I'm having fun loading all my software. So far I've only found 2 programs that don't like Vista. I can work around both of them but for one program it's not worth the headache. It'll take me a few more weeks to get it in top shape.

I had a wonderful time off work and am dreading the work that has piled up in my absence. I did check my e-mail during last week to reduce the amount I'd have to sort through on Monday. However, I'm happy I have a job to return to as my husband is still laid off and it's difficult to find employment with so many people in the workforce.

-------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com

Birthday Banner

Yes, I have something for August already. Kathleen of katiedo.com sent me a wonderful birthday surprise. When I opened the zip file, I had three different designs that could be used for birthdays (two of them can be used for any occasion). I brainstormed how to use them and came up with the birthday banner. The patch with my name on it can be exchanged out for other family members, friends, or co-workers birthdays. I changed the colors to make it a unisex banner. I hope you like it. And Kathleen thanks for such a wonderful gift. Now I'll continue working on making quilt backs for tops in my "waiting to be quilted" pile. I've made 11 of 26 on Sunday. It is a very, very boring job. -------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com

WIP Update

I'm updating this post as I just posted pictures previously. The following quilt is the Covered Bridge wall hanging I mentioned in my previous post. I started in July 18 and completed it July 29. Its 26.5 x 22.5. Again, the designs are by Anita Goodesign. I used a gold cord to cover the patchwork seams joining the blocks. I used a widely space zigzag to attach to the top. Then, during quilting, I i zigzag over it again to hold to backing. I did some strategic quilting in the squares to keep them from puffing too much. In the border, I used my embroidery machine to quilt in a leaf design that I rotated here and there. I'm always asked, "how long did it take to sew the blocks?" Well, this time, I time the machine embroidery and it took 24 hours just stitching the blocks. This does not include ironing, cutting, and hooping time. In addition, it took 8 prewound bobbins where the thread is thinner and thus holds more thread on the bobbin.
The following Fall Scene is designed by Dakota Collectibles. I did not time this quilt. I started it on July 24 and finished July 30. It is 15.75" square. While not as complicated as the quilt above, it is a nice addition to my fall decorating.

-------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com

What I'm working on...

Again, it's been a while since I've posted. I haven't completed anything since my last post. I did attend the John Deer embroidery event. He has some interesting history on machine embroidery. After the first 3 hours of a 2-day event, I got feed up with the event. It was heavily focused on sales, not just his products, but every quilting/sewing tool imaginable. Even to the point of pushing top of the line embroidery machines. Instead of me paying to attend, they should have paid me for my time. In all honesty, I can say that I did learn something but for the price and time, I will not consider attending one again too soon. Here is a photo of a scarecrow pattern I have that I'd like to finish before fall. I've only had it a few months in my stash. I'm hoping it doesn't become something hanging around for years.

Here is a fall scene I made with Dakota Collectibles embroidery designs. I hope to get this one done by the end of the month. I haven't been slacking, just working on tops but no major finished yet.

Another fall scene I worked this week. This one is from Anita Goodesign machine embroidery design called Covered Bridge. This is gorgeous. I don't like the 30+ color changes, but it sure makes a difference to the shading in the final result. Hope to finish this one too by the end of the month.

I did piece the quilt top from my previous post. Even got around to adding the borders. I just need to make the back before it goes into my WIPs pile. Not sure what I'm doing with it at the moment. I completed my last week as President of a large guild this month. I'm really excited about that. Now, I just have to plan the Quilt Show being held in September. By the way, the cell phone cases went over really big. I think only one person did not have a cell phone so I suggested they re-gift it or use it for their I-pod.

I also met with a hand quilting group, hoping to persuade them to quilt my DJ quilt. No go. While they admired the quilt, they would not touch it with their thread and needles. Gosh, guess I'll have to start back working on it myself.

I feel like so much is in my head but I can't remember it to type it all. Now I remember that I want to share that my birthday is this Tuesday, July 28th. It's not a big year and I don't have big plans but do enjoy having them...as compared to NOT having them. VBG

Enjoy your week and maybe I'll chat with you soon.

-------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com

Design Wall, Split 4-Patch, and Other Happenings

Even though I tried, life got in the way and I wasn't able to blog for a couple of weeks. First, my mom retired and I attended that celebration. The pictures I took have her hugging someone of flowers and/or gifts in her face area so I don't have a suitable photo to show. The event was nice but the occasion was a God send. I wanted her to retire years ago and am so excited that she finally put up her gourmet chef's hat. On July 3rd, I made this design wall from Sew Many Ways. I used an old flannel sheet that I'd already started cutting for my surface. I had to piece sections together to get the correct measurements. I had to go to two hardware stores to get all the PVC parts but it is well worth it. I haven't used it yet as I'm piecing larger items at the moment. The only change I made to the pattern was to hem the bottom of the sheet, not leaving raw edges. I started this Split 4-Patch quilt for my brother in November 2008, wanting to have it done by May this year. That of course didn't happen. However, while waiting, I found the perfect stripe fabric for the 1st border and binding. I cut about 40 inches of fabric on the bias to make both the border and binding, cutting 2.5" strips. It was tedious but I like the "wave" effect created by this fabric. This one fits a full-size bed but was made as extra cover, not the main bedspread.

I forgot to mention last time I wrote that I won the guild's optional blocks. I'll probably receive some more at the next meeting so I haven't done anything with them yet. Any ideas, especially for what to put in some of the empty jars? I'd love to hear from you.

Let's see, what else is going on? I am piecing my Stepping Stones Friendship Stars blocks into rows. Here is a picture I took in 2006. The sampler blocks are from a local quilt shop's BOM. The original setting was to use plain sashing with corner stones between the blocks. I decided upon this setting instead. Made the setting blocks but never pieced them together. I found the pizza box that held this treasure when I cleaned my old sewing room (now storage) this weekend. My plan for this weekend is to attend a 2-day John Deer Adorable Ideas embroidery seminar. I've attended one featuring Anita Goodesign in the past and really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to this prsentation although I can't spend much money. I finally broke down and purchased the Accuquilt's Go Cutter. In addition to the cutter, I also purchased the 2.5" strip cutter and the 8.5" rag square dies. Yikes! I'm hoping to get a lot of scraps cut and to make binding for the 35+ quilt tops that need to be quilted in my UFO pile. If anyone has the cutter, let me know your thoughts.

That's all I can think of at the moment. Chat with you soon.

-------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com