From Another Country?

I feel like a foreigner on blogspot as so much has changed.  During my last post in November I noticed some of the changes but didn't get a chance to look around.  I found I do not like the new way we have to read our news feed from blogs that we follow.

My life has been busy as usual with teaching quiltmaking, line dancing, and computer programs.  My schedule always seems to get jammed packed without a lot of prior notice and I find myself doing the next thing that has to be done.  I'm so glad it's spring as I really need to do a major spring cleaning. I really don't see how that will happen either as I have a few trips planned in the coming months.

I recognize that my blog will be incomplete with finishes as I made a few Christmas gifts and those were on my cell phone which was stolen.  I also noticed that I wasn't keeping up with my Excel spreadsheet of my projects either.  Today I clean that up as best as I could. Time permitting, I will try to add some of the projects I didn't get to share during 2013.

I have been squeezing a little quilting time in my schedule and I have a few finishes to report. This quilt is one I made and donated as a charity quilt.  I used my Studio die cutter to cut the pieces so it was quick and easy to put together. I named this one Jewels.

Tropical Paisleys is my round robin quilt.  I decided to get this one quilted so it wouldn't sit in the pile of quilt tops that need to be completed.  I made the center paisley block; Debra added the paisley embroidery border; Sarah added the drunkards path units; Norma added the sticks border; Cynthia added the final border.  I am very happy with my quilt and it will be hanging in my home in a few days when I switch out my winter quilts.

JSS: Twisting Triangles is a favorite as I got to use some batik scraps.  For some reason I didn't want to mix my batik scraps with my other ones.  Silly, I know.

Butterfly Glow is another favorite!  It's a machine embroidered quilt as you go technique by Eileen Roche of Designs in Machine Embroidery.  While I love the finished project, I didn't enjoy the stitching due to various design issues with the files.  I persevered and change things as needed.  I might do a product review of this product.

Here is a close up of all that pretty stitching!

Tonight I decided to make a collage of the projects I would like to finish next.  I'm hoping that by posting the list, I will get them completed.

I have lots of photos to upload of some WIPs and show-n-tell from scrap quilting club.  Keep your fingers crossed that I come back a few more times this week to post some more! :0)
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Design Wall Monday

I haven't done much sewing until today.  I'm actually working on churn dash blocks for a round robin quilt.  However, I got a little bored because it wasn't what I really want to work on.  I would have love to make a new Halloween quilt but I didn't get started earlier.  I definitely didn't want to add stress by trying to get it completed by next Thursday.

So, I decided that since my mother loved the spiral table runner I made her last year for Christmas that I'd make her another one. Here is the one I made last year using a 9 degree wedge ruler.

Yesterday I pulled a few Christmas theme prints from my stash. I even got to use an old JoAnn's fabric (last green fabric on right) from a block of the month so long ago that I can remember the year. I'd decided years ago that I wasn't going to use the border fabric as intended.

I took those fabrics and cut strips and sewed them into stratas.  I then cut the stratas with a 10 degree wedge ruler.  I love the colors in this one!  Also, instead of organizing the fabrics from light to dark like I did in the first runner, I organized them from one color family to another color family.  That made the light areas float in the center.

\Here is a comparison of the two sizes.  Also note that I have two extra strips in the Christmas runner that I wasn't able to cut the first time I made the quilt.

I still had a little time left before bed and I also got to play with another project using Christmas fabrics.  Now I need to figure out what to do with the center; pieced or plain.

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

Finishes in time for Christmas gifts

I've been getting a few small items started and completed.  Christmas gifts has definitely motivated me.  First up is the witch silhoutte.  Looking at it now, I should have trimmed a little off the right side.  I completely forgot. :(  This one is for my daughter.

Then I finished the Cinnamon Spice table runner for my mom.  I started this one at the Missouri State Quilter's Guild retreat in October. I thought I had it quilted but found it in the pile last week so I finished it too.

Then while browsing google reader, I found this cut pattern for a little tree quilt and thought it would be a great gift for someone too. I had the scrap club work on it yesterday.  It was so much fun and very quick to make.  I'm calling mine Tipsy Trees. Thanks Drew for the quilting idea.  You can make one too by going to  http://jaceycraft.blogspot.com/2012/11/hcb-happy-trees-mini-quilt.html

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

Missouri State Quilters Guild Retreat

On Friday I left work three hours early to go to a quilt retreat organized by the Missouri State Quilters Guild.  I had been a member for about 3 years and I think my membership lapsed for about a year or two.  I'd always wanted to go but could never coordinate the dates into my schedule or couldn't get my friends' schedules to fit.  Well, this year it fit my schedule and I decided to attend. I had so much fun.  The hotel was great, the food was great (except for the extra strong coffee), the company was exceptional and I met old and new friends alike.  I'm going to work very hard to keep my schedule open to attend next year.

I've NEVER been to a retreat with almost 150 participants. It wasn't even in my imagination!  The organizers under Pat Smith's direction did a fantastic job. It takes many hands to pull off a wonderful event. Thank you to all the workers this weekend.

One-half of the participants during the Jelly Roll Race. I didn't participate but about eleven people did.  It was a hoot.

I took the Spicy Spiral Table Runner class.  I enjoyed the class and the process so much so that I plan to make a few more. I have a few photos of the class results, with my quilt being first. I'm making it for my mom who loves neutral colors.

 Then, we had a scrappy hat contest. I took photos of some of my favorites around my sitting area.  A few of them are winners, but I can't remember which one is which.  However, the nest won first place.

 The retreat chairperson gave her hat to one of the severs (I think his name is David) and he humored us and put it on and did a fancy bow.

For the challenge quilt, this was viewer's choice.

 Here is the raffle table. Can't see all the products, Here are three more shots with close up. I just had to buy a set of tickets. And I did.

See that sewing machine, I could use that for traveling, or how about the Rowenta traveling irons, I could use them too.

I love fabric too, or how about updating some of my rulers.  See  that Ott Lite i the back. Oh my, I must purchase more tickets. And I did get more.

Now, who don't need more storage containers and the flowers were even up for grabs.

I'm trying to be cool, but in my head I hear "Oh, please call me number and call it early as I really, really want one of those travel iron.

My number got called, but not early enough to get the irons or the sewing machine.  I did get some pretty dot fabrics I had my eyes on as well.














This post doesn't even begin to show everything that happened at retreat  I was having so much fun that I forgot to take pictures. We received very nice welcome packets, door prizes a lot of intangible items that a monetary value couldn't be placed.  We have wonder quilt shops from around the state supply our need to purchase "just one more item" LOL, display quilts, etc.
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Type-u-later,

http://www.teaquilts.com