Working Wednesday

Happy Halloween!!!!

 

Today is Working Wednesday!  I have taken it easy the past few days to catch up on some little things after returning from the retreat!  I will share more about that later this week!  I have several projects in the works right now and I am going to sew today, so I will have plenty to share this week!

Hang there to see some updated on projects and some new ones!   

A couple of my pumpkins on the porch!  Not sure if I will carve them or not!

 

Hope you have a Happy Halloween!

Thankful Thursday

Today is Thursday!

 

I am Thankful for the Quilt Retreat that is coming up!  I can't wait!  I will be there with a few great quilters and friends for a relaxing weekend of quilting and fun!   I plan on getting lots done this weekend and to have fun!

 

 

 

Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel. 

~Author Unknown

 

Hope you have a vert Thankful Thursday!

Tuesday Talk

Happy Tuesday!

 

This is just a quick post today!  I am so busy rounding up everything for my retreat later this week.  I am getting projects together and doing last minute errands.  I am so excited about our retreat.  It is our local modern quilt guild fall retreat.  We had a retreat in the spring and it was just wonderful!  I plan to work hard to get several projects pieced.  I will take plenty of photos and share later!

Have you ever been on a quilt or scrapbook retreat?  If so, tell us about it!

 

My beautiful mums!

 

Hope you have a Terrific Tuesday!

 



Monday Mayhem

Happy Monday!

 

I hope you had a great weekend!  Mine was very busy!  I am getting ready for my quilt retreat later this week.  Mayhem started yesterday as I was finally starting to figure out what I am going to work on at the retreat.  I have plenty of projects, but just was not sure which ones to work on.  I have one project completely cut and ready to go.  It is a fairly simple quilt and should not take long to piece.  I was afraid I was not going to have enough fabric for it, but it all worked out.  Today, I have to decide which other projects I might take.  I was so focused on the one yesterday, that is all I thought about.  Anyway, that will be my mayhem for today through Wednesday.  I just need to make sure I have everything I need to take with me and then it will be on to a fun weekend!  I will take pics this week to give you peeks of some of my new projects!

 

Just wanted to leave you with a bright and happy photo today of my little pansies on the front porch!

 

 

Hope you have a Happy and Marvelous Monday!



Sunday Sampler

Happy Sunday!!!

 

 

Today is such a beautiful day here in East TN!  The leaves are changing, the air is crisp and the sun is shining brightly in a clear, bright blue sky!  The above photo is of some of the beautiful leaves on my maple tree in the back yard!  I am knocking out some chores right now as I sit here and type.  I am working on laundry at the moment and have to go clean the kitchen and my table in a few, so I can get ready to cut some fabric and sew!

 

Today, I have to get some things ready for our upcoming retreat.  I have to make some decisions on what projects I am going to work on and what supplies I need to take.  I have plenty of projects to work on, but I just have to narrow them down, so I do not drag too many things with me.  Have you done that before...gone to a sew-in or a retreat and taken way too many things with you to work on, thinking you were going to get them done?  LOL  I sure have! 

 

I wanted to share a quick project I did on Friday.  This is a Trick or Treat Bag for my nephew and his first Halloween.  Now, he is only six months old, but he will will going to a Trunk or Treat at their church, possibly a Boo at the Zoo and they are going to go to a pumpkin patch to pick a pumpkin!  Although he will not understand it right now, it will be some great memories.  I remember doing those things with my son and we had so much fun!  Oh...and he is dressing as Spiderman...

Baby Spidey!  He will be so cute...can't wait to see the pics!

 

This is his Trick or Treat Bag I made.  The print fabric is from Henry Glass and I bought it last Halloween.  I also used Kona Orange and Kona Coal.  I lined it with some fabric that had orange stars on a black background.  It was a fat quarter I picked up in the remnant bin at Joann's last year.  I used Warm and White Batting and I quilted it with straight lines on the bottom, which I did box in.  I also quilted the back panel in straight lines following several lines on the fabric.  I did straight line on the front print panel following those few lines also.  Then, I chose to use a big zigzag up and down the two orange panels and on the handles.  I did a very small zigzag along the top to finish the bag.  I think it turned out just adorable.  I did not really follow a pattern, although I did reference several bag making techniques to make sure I did it correctly.  The bag dimensions are about 10"x 8"x3.5".  I didn't measure it before I popped it in the mail yesterday. 

Trick or Treat Bag

Front of Trick or Treat Bag

 

Back of Trick or Treat Bag

Inside of Trick or Treat bag

 

Hope you have a great day!

Sewing Saturday

Happy Saturday!

 

I hope your weekend is starting out well.  I am working on several quick projects this weekend.  One is a Trick or Treat bag for my nephew.  I just have to line it and put handles on it.  I am going to finish it here in a few.  I will show you photos tomorrow!   Here's a couple of pumpkins I have on my front porch.  I haven't decided if I am going to decorate them or just leave them plain.  I have four total pumpkins, big and small.  I just love the white pumpkin...it is so different!

 

 

Do you have projects you are working on?  Let me know what they are!  

It's going to be a great, productive weekend!

 

Have a great Saturday!

Fun Friday

Happy Friday!

 

It's time to have some fun!  It's going to be a busy weekend for me!  I have lots of little projects to get finished and several that I need to get started.  I have to run and do a few things today and then I am going to settle in to some serious sewing!  I bought some Christmas fabric the other day and here is some of what I bought!  I love snowmen and I just couldn't resist this line from Basic Grey!  Love these little snowmen and I just love these colors!  I think this might end up as a Christmas quilt, but who knows!  I just love it!

 

What kind of fun things do you have planned for this Friday and the weekend?  Let me know!  

 

Have a Fantastic Friday!

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday!

 

It's time for Thankful Thursday!  Today, I am thankful for fall flowers!  I decided to plant some fall mums and pansies about two weeks ago.  I planted my flowers in the different pots I had on my front porch that had been sitting empty for some time.  I had been lazy and just never got around to planting flowers this year or last.  I was tired of no color and I wanted something I could enjoy and take care of.  Here is a photo of my Burgundy mums with some pansies scattered around!  I love pansies because they look like happy faces and these mums were just getting ready to bloom when I bought them.  These flowers make me happy and make me want to get to sewing something pretty!

 

 

"Flowers are those little colorful beacons of the sun from which

we get sunshine when dark, somber skies blanket our thoughts." 

~Dodinsky, www.dodinsky.com

 

Have a very Terrific, Thankful Thursday!

Working Wednesday

Happy Wednesday to All!

 

I hope your day is starting out well!  I have several WIPs going right now.  I just finished two mug rug last night and started a little Halloween Trick or Treat tote for my nephew.  I am going to finish it later today.  Then, I have to start on a new some other projects.  I am trying to prioritize them, so I can knock some out quickly.  This morning, I am going to a fabulous little fabric store that is near the mountains.  She always has some great stuff at great prices.  I can't wait to see what she has today!  For now, I will leave you with a picture of some cute little penguin fabric I picked up the other day! 

 

Isn't it just adorable!  I am not sure what I am going to use it for, but I knew I had to have it!

 

Hope you have a Wonderful Wednesday!

Tuesday Talk

Happy Tuesday!

 

It's Tuesday and it's time to talk!  I wanted to share my wonderful swap item I received in the mail!  This is from our Fall Table Runner Swap in the Sew SwapIt group!  I received this from my lovely friend Lawana!  This is the most gorgeous table runner!  She knew one of my favorite colors was blue and that I love the ocean, beach and lighthouses!  I also am not a big fan of earthy colors.  One of her favorite colors is also blue and where she lives, they have wonderful blue asters in the fall. 

So, from there, she created this absolutely wonderful table runner for me!!!!  It is so me!!!!

 

Absolutely beautiful---so much detail in the piecing and pleating! 

Love the lighthouse fabric and the batik fabric looks like the blue asters!

 

Goodies from the swap---she knew I loved Nascar also!  Love both these fabrics and the Kleenex!  :)

Coaster/mug rug for my cocoa!

Close up of detail on the pleating---Just beautiful!

Love the little flip-flops..so beachy!  Love the stitching also..reminds me of waves!

Love this star and the ships wheel!

I just absolutely LOVE, LOVE this table runner!

 

I am so honored that Lawana made such a wonderful piece of quilt work for me!  I know this took a lot of time and it will truly be treasure forever!  Thank you so much Lawana!

 

Tell me what item you treasure that you have received from someone!

 

Have a Happy Tuesday!

Monday Mayhem

It's Monday!

 

I hope all of you had a wonderful weekend!  I was a little slack last week and this weekend here on the blog, because I was very busy, but I also wasn't feeling so great.  I had a little catch in my back and it just kinda wore me down.  It's not 100% yet, but it is much better than it was.  I rested some this weekend and that helped.  So, I am ready for a new week!

 

Time for some Mayhem!  I sat down this weekend and re-wrote my To-Do list and...it is getting very long!  I had better get busy!  I am working on several very small projects which I should be able to finish today.  I have to get really focused though, so that I can get everything done!  It is amazing how time flies and I cannot believe it is already October!  Where has that time gone?

 

One of the projects I am getting ready to work on is a Secret Santa Exchange gift for my Sew SwapIt group.  I found some really colorful reindeer fabric this weekend and I am going to pair it with a couple of Kona solids to make a special gift for my swap partner.  I am debating on exactly what I am going to make, but I love this fabric and I have several things in mind!  We will see!

 

 

It's is going to be a busy week!  Let me know what you are working on this week!

 

Have a Marvelous Monday!

 

Fun Friday

Happy Friday!

 

TGIF!  It is Friday!  It's been a long week and I am glad the weekend is almost here.  It has not been a very productive week, but that OK.  I will work hard this next week to get some things done.  :)

 

I wanted to share the fall table runner I recently did for a swap.  It is on its way to its new home and since it is out of the country, I am waiting anxiously its arrival.  I used a pattern in the book from Dare to Be Square by Boo Davis.  I modified the Chain Reaction Table Runner so that I could make wonky stars!  I just love the pumpkin fabric and I love how it turned out!

 

Front

 

Front

 

Close up

Close up of wonky star

 

Back

 

Binding

 

Let me know what you think!

 

Have a Fantastic Friday!

Thankful Thursday

It's Thursday!

 

Today, it's simple...I am thankful for sunshine!  It has been very gloomy here and cold and rainy!  I don't mind it being cold or the rain, but being both cold and rainy is just miserable!  So, today it's sunny and I am thankful!  Not much sewing going on though as I have a little catch in my back.  Hopefully tomorrow I will be back at it!  Have a great and thankful evening!

 

"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others

cannot keep it from themselves."
~James M. Barrie

 

Working Wednesday

It's Wednesday!

Time to get to work!  Just a quick post! 

 

I am working on several swap items, a tote and some other things! 

Going to be a busy rest of the day and week!  Let me know what you are working on!

 

Have a great day!

 

 

Tuesday Talk

Happy Tuesday!

 

Hope things are going well in your little corner of the world!  It's time for Tuesday Talk! 

If you sew or quilt, do you like the modern, more free style of quilting?  Are you more of a traditionalist and stick to patterns?  Or...are you somewhere in between? 

 

For me, I am sort of in between traditional and modern, in that I like some of the traditional style of blocks, such as log cabins, pinwheels and stars.  Really though, I am drawn to much more of the modern style and making things your own.  I love the wonky log cabins and wonky stars much more than I do the traditional style.  I love pretty clean and simple lines, graphic in nature.  I love to straight line quilt also.  I think the modern style of quilting suits me much better since I do like the graphic looks and clean lines.

 

How about you?  What's your style and why?  Let me know what you think!

Have a Terrific Tuesday!

Monday Mayhem

Welcome to Monday!

 

Today is mayhem here on the blog.  I have lots to get done this week and I am starting full force this morning.  I was busy yesterday doing lots of sewing.  I did my charity blocks for our guild, and I have some Secret Santa gifts in the works.  I am going to be working hard today!  Here is a peek of the tote bag I am working on for my sister.  This is one of several projects in the works!

 

 

Off to make a valiant effort on knocking out some projects today!

Let me know what you are currently working on!

 

Have a great Monday!

Sunday Sampler

Happy Sunday!

 

Today is Sunday Sampler!  I hope your day is starting well.  I wanted to share my goodies from a recent swap our Modern Guild did.  We called it the Scrappy Swap Exchange.  The participants brought in a Ziploc bag of scraps and we put them each in a brown paper bag.  We mixed the bags up and then handed them out, making sure everyone got someone else's bag.  We had til the next meeting to make some kind of small goody for our swap partner.  We had asked them what they might want and if we could add any fabric to theirs.  We could make potholders, pincushions, small pouch, small wall hanging, etc.  We had so much fun with this.  I put only Kona solids in my bag and asked that they only add one print if needed and could make whatever they wanted.  Here is what I received in the exchange---two beautiful potholders!  My friend Georgette got my bag and added this incredibly cute polka dot print to my solids.  These polka dots bring all the colors together and give it such a bright pop!  These are so ME!  I just absolutely LOVE them!!!

 

 

I had to add these today because I just think they are so happy! 

 

Have a Super Sunday!

Sewing Saturday!

Happy Saturday!

 

It is Sewing Saturday!  Whew!  I have got a lot to do!  I just made a list of current projects I have to do....most by the end of November!  I really need to kick it in gear!  As I made my list, it kept getting longer and longer.  A few projects are for swaps, some are gifts and some are for customers.  I am categorizing them by dates and importance at this point.  Luckily, some are very small projects, so I should be able to knock them out quickly!  I am starting today by doing the two charity blocks for our modern guild.  We are doing improv blocks for this quilt, as the last one turned out so well with all the improv.  We are using Aqua, Orange, Yellow and Gray as our colors for this quilt.  I am using solids, but we can add a print if we want.  So, this is my first project to knock out today.  Then, I am on to several others!  We will see how much I get done!

 

If you are sewing today, let me know what you are working on!

 

Hope you have a Super Spectacular Sewing Saturday!

Fun Friday!

Happy Friday to all!

 

TGIF! 

I hope your week has been a good one so far! 

It has been a busy one for me and its going to be a busy weekend also!

 

I wanted to share my stack of fat quarters I just received!  At our local Modern Quilt Guild meeting, we play a game called Left, Right, Center or as we call it the "Fat Quarter Game."  Participants bring three fat quarters and we roll three dice to begin with.  If the dice lands on R--you pass a FQ to the right, L--pass to left, C--FQ goes in middle of the table to the "STASH".  If you roll a Dot, you keep the FQ til next turn.  You could keep all three FQ, lose all three, or keep one or two.  So, on the next turn, if you have two FQ, you roll two dice, etc.  As the continues around the table, we all stand and oooh and awww at the fabric and whose losing it and gaining it!  It is quite a fun game.  At the end, the person who ends up with the last FQ, wins the stash of fabric!  WooHoo!  We always have a theme of colors and this month was neutrals--mainly solids--white, gray, tan, brown, etc!  Guess what!  I won!  So now, I have 27 FQ's to add to my fabric stash!  I was so happy, because I do not have a lot of the neutral colors.  Yes, I have white and gray, but I did not have some of the browns, creams and tans and I love the three prints that one person brought.  I think I may just have to make a quilt with just this group of fabric!  It could be a really fun quilt!

 

 

Hope you all have a Fun, Fantastic Friday!

Thankful Thursday!

Happy Thursday!

 

This is a very late post today.  I have been running all day long and I have not stopped until now.  I am just a little tired.  Today is Thankful Thursday!  Today, I am thankful for relaxation.  I am now sitting on the computer and taking care of a few things and watching Thursday night football!  It's football...not the Broncos, but I will go the Cardinals!  I just want to do nothing and relax!

 

Two kinds of gratitude: 

The sudden kind we feel for what we take; the larger kind we feel for what we give. 

~Edwin Arlington Robinson

Working Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday!

 

I hope you day is going well!  What's on your sewing agenda today?  For me, this morning I helped my friend Bobbie, to learn how to make Wonky Stars.  She had been admiring my table runner and several other things that I had done with wonky stars.  She thought they were so hard to make, but now she has done it!  She picked some gorgeous fabric for it!  She is making this block the middle block for the start of our local modern guild round robin.  It is such a happy, wonky star!

I just love it!  Here it is: 

 

 

Next on the agenda is working on a tote bag for my sister.  I am making it out of the butterfly/bird fabric I bought not too long ago.  I will take pics of the progress and show you sometime this week!

 

Hope you have a Wonderful Wednesday!

Tuesday Talk

Happy Tuesday!

 

Hope your day is starting off great!  This is just a quick post.  I am running out the door for a busy day today.  I have lots to do and I hope to get some sewing in later today!

 

Question for the day?

Do you do a lot of improv piecing or do you usually follow a pattern?

 

I used to only follow a pattern because that was the only thing I knew to do.  Now, I am venturing out, and trying improv.  Below are two blocks I made for the charity quilt for our guild.  I had these colors and some strips left from a recent project, so I decided to make several blocks.  Now these blocks are not real funky or wonky.  They are just pretty straight forward, but they worked out perfectly for the quilt.  I like clean lines, so this is what I came up with.

 

 

Let me know if you do any improv piecing.

 

Hope you have a Terrific Tuesday!

Monday Mayhem!

It's Monday and It's October!

 

Wow!!  Can you believe it is already October? 

Time has just flown by!  Exciting news today...The Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda is broadcasting LIVE from the University of Tennessee this morning!  WooHoo!  Go VOLS!!! 

Very exciting!  I am not there because it was supposed to be poring rain, so we didn't go.  Here's a pic that was posted a little bit before the show began!  They were singing Rocky Top to the crowd!

 

I am going to give you a little Fall inspiration!  Here is a wonky star that is part of my fall table runner for my swap at Sew SwapIt!  I will be revealing the table runner later this week!  It is on it's way to it's now home as we speak!  Let me know what you think!

 

 

"October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter." 

~Nova Bair

Have a Marvelous Monday!