Dallas Quilt Show Next Month

Just wanted to let everyone know that the Dallas Quilt Show, sponsored by the Dallas Quilters Guild, is in March....specifically March 11, 12, 13...so mark your calendars!  Here's the link http://www.quiltersguildofdallas.org/quiltcelebration2011/default.htm. Tickets are $8...$7 for seniors over 65. I really enjoy the Dallas Quilt Show...so many quilts and love the vendors! If you live in the area, or can drive or fly in for the show, it is really worth it. I always take photos, but the Guild is really good about posting photos of the winning quilts on their website shortly after the show.

That's it for now...a show and now I have to go and get some things done!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!

Jammin' with My Janome...

Yes, I have been jammin' with my Janome...because I can't really call it sewing on such a fun machine! I was putting together a quilt top for a baby gift (for the baby born in December!) and am still amazed at how quiet the Janome is...I just can't get over it! One of my favorite features is the thread cutter on the machine! I know...I know...it is a simple thing, but I believe that I am saving lots of thread by using it. And, of course, using less thread means that I am sewing green! The quilt top that I put together today is a scrap quilt...so again, sewing green by using up smaller scraps.

The weather...after the past two weeks deep freeze...was almost balmy today. We are supposed to get up into the 70s by Wednesday, and....cross your fingers...it will stay that way for a bit. Still nice quilting weather, but makes me think about other sewing and embroidery projects.

That's it for today...good night..or good morning all!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!

Quilting in the year 2011...and Janome review!

First Snow 2011

More snow!

Well, so far, 2011 has been a rather unique year in several ways. Last week we had a record deep freeze and most businesses and schools were closed 4 days in a row...this is just unheard of in the south! And to top it all off the Super Bowl was in town with some major hiccups...not sure it will ever be held in Dallas again!! On a personal note...I have completed 2 quilts this year already and am working on a baby quilt (I won't mention that the baby was born in December 2010!), and getting ready to finish some quilts that were started long long ago!

Have you ever thought about dollmaking? Well, I made a soft doll for our little granddaughter last week. Now you would think (as did I) a doll...small, easy project...not so much! It took me hours to make a doll dress! Okay, okay...I used a pattern for a 20" doll on an 18" doll thinking "sure, it will fit...maybe even be too big"...wrong! After struggling with the dress for quite some time...ripping part of the neckline to get it onto the doll and having to modify the neckling...I finally got it made...*whew*! So just remember...as I didn't...measure twice, cut once...on any project you attempt! Lesson learned!! :)

JANOME REVIEW
Since we were snowed/iced in last week...I finally got a chance to sit down with my new Janome and give it a whirl. Hubby bought the Janome 8050 for me several months ago, but I have been so busy with commission quilts that I had not had the chance to play with it. Let me tell you...it is GREAT! I LOVE it! It has so many features and stitches on it...wow! Oh, and sooo much quieter than my Singer! Don't get me wrong...I still love my industrial Singer, but the Janome has so many more features on it that will come in handy. The Janome has over 40 different stitches, including 3 blanket stitches for applique...these stitches will definitely come in handy! I love the drop in bobbin and the fact that it has a see-through plate so you can actually see how much thread is on your bobbin. I also like way the Janome winds the bobbins...it is fast, and simple and you don't have to remember to push anything in after you are done winding the bobbin. It did take me a while and a good reading of the manual to figure out how to change the top thread tension...it wasn't real obvious at first. Oh and FYI...the manual is well written and easy to follow with some great tips. Always keep your sewing machine manual handy...even if you think you know your sewing machine inside and out...there will always be that one thing you forget or didn't realize, but it will be in your manual. Now, I know that with Singer sewing machines you can download the manuals for the various machines...I don't see anything like that on the Janome website http://janome.com/, so I recommend making a copy of your manual and putting it in a safe place (like your file drawer, or other place in your house) in case anything happens to your original manual. Hubby bought my Janome at Hancocks http://www.hancockfabrics.com/ and this Janome is specific to Hancocks, but I believe that if this particular machine is made and works well, then all of their other machines would be made with the same quality....I know that is true with Singer and Brother sewing machines. Bottom line...I am delighted with my new Janome and recommend you run out and get one for yourself!

Well, today happens to be a beautiful day, so I am off to run errands with hubby and soak up some Vitamin D from the sunshine!!

Happy Sewing and Quilting...and stay warm my friends!!

Texanese Quilt Done and More Winter Fun!

"Texanese" Quilt

Boot Block

Texas block

Prickly Pear block (the original Yellow Rose of TX)

Longhorn block

Back of "Texanese" Quilt

At last the "Texanese" (Texas themed with Asian fabrics) is done, delivered and Japan-bound! Photos are above..enjoy! For some reason this quilt was a tough assignment and I wasn't altogether pleased with during the designing, piecing, quilting process, however, it turned out okay...I think! My customer seemed very happy and excited about it...so I will consider it a success. (BTW...I used Fusi Boo fusible batting on this wall hanging...my favorite fusible batting!) You might notice that I used smaller Snowball blocks in this wallhanging!! Now onto the next project!!



There are several quilts in my sewing room that need quilting, so I may take some time to just work on them...after I finish another baby quilt for a friend of mine...a little late, as her son was born in December!! Oops! Oh well, as long as he gets it before he is college bound...right?! :) I also have quilts rolling around in my head which I need to produce so they can free up space in my brain. Ah....and then there is the Pirate Quilt which needs finishing...so much more work to do for me!!

When I was hand sewing the binding on the Texanese quilt (I always do my hand sewing in front of the TV), I saw a fascinating show on PBS called "b organic" and I was instantly hooked. Their website is http://borganic.net/ and they have projects, how-to videos and all sorts of things. Check out the website and let me know what you think!! The episode I caught was how to repurpose old sweaters, and how to make garden chaps...I know!...I was really excited!! Talk about sewing green...this show is a must see for all of you that love to sew green! Plus, the hostess of the show was sewing on an industrial Singer very much like the one I use!! So you see, this show has all kinds of things that got me excited! I plan on trying some of the projects from the show, so I will keep you posted.


Oh...another one of my projects is to make a soft doll and doll clothes for my GBaby Lily. I have everything I need to get started, so hopefully I can post photos soon. I have never made soft dolls before, but I am intrigued by how to make them and how they look...so many different kinds with so many different looks!

It has been a while since I have done embroidery and I am thinking the doll project will help me get back into embroidery. I have been missing it. Again...all sorts of projects in my sewing room that require embroidery!!


The weather has been really nice the past few days, but it looks like we are in for another freezing spell for the rest of the week...maybe even snow! I am not a fan of the cold or snow, but I like the fact that it is the best quilting weather!!

That's it for now! What are you working on this winter? Have you finished any quilts in 2011?? Post comments to me with the links where your quilt or embroidery projects reside!! I love to look at your work!!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!



GBaby Lily dressed to party!!



Snowball Blizzard!



Snowball quilt

  

Butterflies on Snowball quilt




Back of Snowball quilt



Close up shot





Well, I delievered the Snowball quilt (photos above) yesterday to a very happy customer! Yeah...I love those happy customers! Since the snowball quilt was a hit, and I really enjoyed making the snowball blocks, I am currently making a snowball wallhanging...it's a snowball blizzard in my sewing room!! This snowball wallhanging has been rather interesting to design...my client wanted "a Texas themed wallhanging using Asian fabrics"...oookay...!! I had to really put on my thinking and design cap, and consult my graphics designer hubby to come up with this one!! The top is done, now the quilting is underway on this unusual wallhanging. I used 4 1/2 inch squares combined with 1 1/2" squares to make the snowballs...yes, I have lots of tiny little triangles left over. I did some hand applique and used some Texas graphics and fabrics and voila...a wallhanging that is going to Japan!! Whew! Photos will be posted before delivery.

There are some projects I am itching to make, so I am hoping after the Japan-bound wallhanging is delivered I can begin some of my long awaited projects. One project is to make a soft doll for my granddaughter...I actually found a cute pattern in a quilt magazine and I have gathered all of the necessary supplies to put it together! My youngest daughter is due a quilt from me...fabric is gathered, now I just need to design a quilt and put it together...poof...a quilt will be born!!

Lately, hubby and I have been in "cleanout" mode...trying to clean out closets, etc. I have found so much good fabric this way! I have clothes to cut up and stash...yippee...more fabric!! :) Actually, I have also decided that a button jar...box...whatever...is in order. Do you realize how many buttons you can recycle...or repurpose from old clothing?? I really hadn't thought about it until I started cutting clothing up for fabric. You can actually cut the zippers out and repurpose those. I have seen those great flower brooches that you make with zippers and might give it a try! Sewing green...saving the earth...you gotta love it! Have you found any great fabric sources? I love to repurpose and reuse stuff...it just makes me feel good!

Now it's time to get to quilting!! What projects have you completed in 2011? (I know its early in the year, but maybe you started something last year and finished this year!!) What are you currently working on?

Happy Sewing and Quilting!

More butterflies!!

Snowballs Without Snow and a Little Japanese

Japanese themed wall hanging

Our GBaby dressed up

Back of Japanese wall hanging

Butterflies on Japanese wall hanging

Our sweet little GBaby!!

Gosh, I am soooo sorry that I have not blogged for so long! I have been fairly busy...trying to start a business or two...keeping our little GBaby, who is growing fast...and quilting! Can't belive that 2011 is nearly upon us, and I have so many things to finish for 2010!

Currently, I am making a quilt using the snowball block. This is a block I have been wanting to try out for a while now, so I am pretty excited about how it is turning out! It has been fun to make, and I think the quilt is going to turn out really nice. Here is a link to a snowball block tutorial http://www.straw.com/quilting/articles/snowball1.html... I hope you enjoy making these blocks as much as I have!!

The Japanese theme wall hanging is finished and delivered and another one is on order for February! The Japanese wall hanging (photos above) was a real challenge for me...but one that I really enjoyed in the end. Any time you challenge yourself to do something different, you end up learning so much in the process. For the wall hanging I used an art quilt pattern, but didn't follow it exactly. I tend to use patterns as a starting point and then make the project my own by doing it just a little (or a lot) differently. Are you a strict pattern follower? Or do you use the pattern as a basis for your own designs?

Our GBaby is growing quickly! Our kids are all grown so we tend to forget just how quickly they grow!! She has molars, top and bottom, and can chew most things fairly well now. She is getting tall too!! We just delight in her and love to keep her.

A friend of mine just had a baby boy, so on my design board is a baby quilt...now if I can just find the time to put it on my sewing machine!! The quilt is just a patchwork quilt using 5 inch blocks...a charm quilt of sorts. These are fast and easy to make...and bonus...you use up lots of scraps!

Before we have discussed "sewing green" and lately I have seen a lot of articles on the subject. I get so excited to read these articles, because reusing and repurposing things is a great way to save money, and the environment. Recently, I bought several twin and queen size flat sheets (new and unopened) at a thrift store for $5 each. Sheets are a great source of large amounts of fabric and can be used as quilt backs, cut up for blocks, or embroider a nice design on the sheet and give it as a gift. You can typically find sheets still in the package at thrift stores for a very reasonable price. Thrift stores are a great place to find other sources of fabric...dish towels, duvet covers, bedspreads, long gowns, etc. One article told of a bride who had and all "green" wedding...she made her wedding dress out of a duvet cover, and her decorations were all made of repurposed materials! Wow! How are you "sewing green"? Have you found any good ways to repurpose or recycle everyday materials?

Well, back to the sewing room! I have lots to do, and fortunately it is cold and rainy outside, so it is a great time to be inside!!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!!

Fast and Furiously to the Finish!



Close up of panel quilt.




Panel Quilt finished a few weeks ago



Back of panel quilt. Love this batik!



Our GBaby trying on Nana's glasses!

Whew! It has been a busy last few weeks, and I am still working fast and furiously trying to get a couple of quilts done that are due this month. I am working on a blue/gray/white one and an Asian wall hanging. I would ponder the beauty of this last one, however, I haven't the time.

Once again I was not able to attend the Houston International Quilt Show...you either?! Well, not to worry! I just spent a pleasant half hour reviewing photos of the winners from this year's show... and you can too! http://www.quilts.org/winners.html

Hubby and I had a plumbing leak a couple of weeks ago, which forced us to purge some things from one of our closets...mine! Anyway, despite the wet dog smell of the carpet until it was dried out, it was good that it made us look at things that had been stored away for years...things we didn't even realize we had, and things we knew we had...somewhere. We have vowed to finish cleaning out the closets, and as a bonus I have found several items of clothing I plan to cut up and use in quilts....sewing green! My daughter-in-law also gave me clothes from our little granddaughter's first year (I know...time has gone by so fast!) to make into a quilt. That will be a fun project...when I have the time!

Time to quilt! And, is there ever not a good time to quilt?!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!