One Quilt Down...More to Go!

So, I finally finished the baby quilt for my friend (photos at left), and she loves it! Whew! I actually made another top for this project, but it wasn't that great, so I made the top you see here (with the artistic advice of hubby) and like it much better. The back of the quilt is red chenille...decidedly not my favorite fabric to work with! Finally found the red chenille at www.fabric.com where they seem to have pretty much what I need when I am in a pinch for fabric. Red chenille was tough to find...which was surprising! Anyway, my kitties seem to love the chenille, so I am thinking they may get a small  "cat nap quilt" made with it.

Now on to the next project...making another baby quilt for another friend...pink and brown this time. Just got some great fabric and now I need to get a little more so I can start on it. I am seeing pinwheels in my head for this quilt...but will keep you posted!

I have been babysitting my grandbaby Lily some in the past several weeks and am loving every minute of it! At two and a half months her personality is really starting to develop and with her red hair, perhaps a bit of a temper too. She is adorable and I am a doting grandmother...so what more can I say!!

Pirate Quilt is still a work in progress and probably will be for a while yet. I just haven't had much time lately to sit and work on it. I am working on the Kraken block and since this is a block of my own design, I am excited to see how it turns out. Hubby designed the last block for me...the actual Pirate block. The pirate that was in the quilt kit was just too cartoony looking, so hubby found a much better, more realistic pirate for me...can't wait to see how that one turns out too!

As they say, Sew may quilts...sew little time!! Guess that is how it goes! Oh...BTW...the movie AVATAR is really good...you should go see it!! We are looking forward next week to the new Sherlock Holmes movie too!

Well, that's it for now. Happy Sewing and Quilting!! :)

Sewing Green

Today is really cold and yet my thoughts are on global warming and recycling, or "going green" as most people term it today. I have been reading in so many places about recycling to help the planet...grocery stores and bookstores are selling reusable "green" bags so we don't put so much plastic in the landfills.

Back in the 70s (and yes, I know I am dating myself) I often wondered why people weren't worried about trashing up the planet and endangering the environment. I'd like to think that I was just 30 years ahead of the time in my thinking! After my oldest daughter was born, I recycled aluminum cans...but then, it wasn't really to be "green" it was so I could afford diapers and formula! I suppose diapers and formula are too expensive to be able to buy then now with "can money", and they don't give much for the cans any more...but at the time it was wonderful to get money and clean up the planet at the same time!

As usual, my thoughts lead me back to sewing and trying to sew "green"...no, not green fabric! There have been several articles in quilt magazines about reusing and recycling fabric and I thought I would share some things I have learned, or done myself.

1. Use your scraps...even the smallest ones. Get creative about this and use them in applique or patchwork.
2. Recycle old clothes from your closet, your kids' closet, and hubby's closet too. Cut up clothes and put the fabric in your stash. Hubby's ties are a great source of silk and his dress shirts can be used for all types of projects!
3. Shop in thrift stores to gather crazy quilt fabric...little girls fancy dresses are a great source for velvet, satin and lace!
4. Reuse buttons, snaps, hooks, and trims from old garments
5. Chain piece to conserve thread (it's not cheap these days either!)
6. Learn to applique to use smaller pieces of scraps
7. Keep your sewing machine in good shape...don't let it end up in the landfill because you failed to maintain it properly.
8. Recycle vintage tablecloths, napkins and handkerchiefs and use them in your quilts or garments
9. Recycle worn towels and washcloths to make baby bibs or use as jacket lining.
10. Reuse things around the house for quilt or garment embellishment..get creative...look in your kitchen junk drawer or bathroom for small things such as beads, pop tops, pieces of ribbon, etc.
11. Use sustainable fabrics and batting such as cotton and bamboo

Can you think of more ways to recyle or reuse material in sewing or quilting? I would love to hear your ideas! There are books on the subject as well at www.amazon.com, so check them out! Try sewing "green" and see how you like it. Remember, the art of quilting in this country began with pioneer women reusing worn clothing to make bed quilts! Sew, let's get creative and "green" at the same time!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!!

Inspiration at the Arboretum

Photos from the Dallas Arboretum

So I hope you are having a good week! Monday was an absolutely beautiful day, so hubby, our oldest daughter and I went to the Dallas Arboretum www.dallasarboretum.org just to get outdoors and have a relaxing time. The Dallas Arboretum is just great, however, in the fall there aren't as many flowers to look at, but still beautiful nonetheless. For me, it was just very inspirational and my head was full of quilting ideas (naturally), so I just wanted to share some of the hundred or so photos that I took that day. As mentioned in a previous post, it is just amazing where inspiration and ideas come from, and nature is just full of inspiration. I can (and will) look at the photos I took time and time again, and each time something new will jump out at me, or a new idea will take root. Because I love to applique, the unique trellises and different serene scenes give me so many ideas for appliqued wallhangings. I love the different textures and colors of the trees, especially in autumn when the leaves are changing or gone all together. The trees take on such different character in autumn, like giants getting ready to do battle against the winter winds. They disrobe and seem to stand stark in the cold, unmoving and strong. Ah well...enough of that!

I have a baby quilt to finish this week, and it would seem that the week is already half over and I have thousands of stitches to go before I sleep!

Enjoy the photos! Happy sewing and quilting!!

Fabric Frenzy

Well, the baby quilt I was "finishing" for a friend of mine (photo above) is finally done and dropped off yesterday...I am so happy that she loved it! Now on to the next project, which is a baby quilt for another friend of mine. EQ 5 allowed me to design the quilt, so I spent two hours the other day cutting fabric and I still have fabric left to cut! (EQ 5 is software that helps you to design quilts...the new upgrade is EQ 6, which you can find at www.electricquilt.com) I would upgrade to EQ 6, but am running it on an older computer with Windows 98...and before you make any comments...I know...old technology, but it still works! Anyway, this particular quilt is to be backed in red chenille fabric and I finally got that in yesterday! Whew! So now the piecing can begin!

More New Fabric!!

Happy Weekend Everyone!

I am so excited that I got my fabric that I ordered from the U.K.! Yep, that's it at the top. As I posted in a previous blog, I had seen a picture of the fabric in the magazine Irish Quilting. It took me an email to Nutex and searching a bit to find a supplier, but finally found the fabric at www.britanniafabric.co.uk. I ended up ordering 3 yards of it, as I was sure that would last me a while. The fabric is really gorgeous and my idea is to use a lot of it for applique. The castle especially! I love to make small landscape wall hangings and the castle...and the house too...would go perfect on these.

Speaking of small landscape wall hangings...I learned how to do these after reading an article and following a pattern by Karen Eckmeier. She has several books out and my favorite book is "Accidental Landscapes"...which you can find at www.amazon.com. Ms. Eckmeier has a great technique and I love the way the landscapes turn out. You can make a different one every time. I have made a few of the landscapes and plan to use my new fabric to make more!!

Currently, I have finished one baby quilt and am starting to work on another one. The second one is a commission from an old friend of mine, so I have designed something that I hope she is happy with. She wants red chenille on the back of the quilt and I had the darndest time finding red chenille! I finally had to resort to ording it from www.fabric.com and it should be here early next week.

No quilting for me tonight as we will be attending my in-laws 61st wedding anniversary! That's right...61 years of marriage! The family is having a big family dinner for them, and we will get to see our little grand daughter tonight...I am so excited!!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!!

Thoughts on Inspiration

Just pondering where quilters get their inspirations. Some quilters have said they get their inspiration from their family, places where they live, places where they travel, photos and the like. I find that my quilting inspirations can come from almost anywhere or anything. Sometimes the small simple things are what inspire me the most, and sometimes it takes more. This morning hubby and I went to get the oil changed in our car and while I was waiting I could see different patterns as I looked around the waiting room...patterns that could be made into quilts! Maybe I just have quilts on the brain, but next time you are in a new place look around and find the patterns on the walls, in the rugs, wallpaper, the way things are arranged. Get in the habit of carrying around a small blank book or a small book with grid paper to jot down your pattern inspirations.

I am not much of an artist, but with the help of grid paper I can draw squares, rectangles and triangles. I don't believe you have to be an artist to design your own quilts either. Sometimes, when perusing through the latest quilt magazine I become intimidated reading about professional quilters and quilt designers because it seems they all have art degrees or fine art degrees or some other "art" credential...I don't have that. But then I think about where they get their inspiration and realize that anyone....even me...can be inspired by the beauty around us. Nature is a great place to start since our Creator is a great designer and uses cool patterns and colors. I love butterflies and I think it is because they come in so many colors and designs...just like quilts! Think about what inspires you and don't forget to jot it down next time!

Happy Sewing & Quilting!

Ramblings of a Fabriholic, Quilt Binding, etc...

We discussed what a Fabriholic was the other day and lo and behold I came across a website that has a quiz to see if you are a Fabriholic!! Take the quiz here www.quiltbug.com/articles/fabriholic.htm . Hahaha...I thought it was pretty funny and as you can imagine, I tested out to be one!

Right now I am on the hunt for red chenille to back a baby quilt for a friend of mine. Do you realize how expensive this stuff is??!! Trying to find the best price for chenille is exhausting, and of course, I find so many other delightful fabrics along the way!! I have been pretty good lately about buying fabric...seeing as how hubby and I are both unemployed right now. But, I did pick up a few remnants of fabric over at Hobby Lobby the other day...didn't spend too much money!! Fabric is like chocolate...just can't resist it!

Currently, I am finishing up a baby quilt for another friend. She had started it, but didn't have time to finish quilting it...so I finished quilting it and am in the process of binding. When I was making the binding I thought about what type of binding most quilters use on their quilts. What do you do? Do you self-bind? Make French binding? Use pre-made binding? Personally, I prefer to make my own French binding....and always make extra to use later in smaller projects.

When I first started quilting I used self-binding a lot, and then I learned how to make binding and...call me crazy...I just love making binding! This allows you to use the fabric you want and to make as much as you want. I have used the pre-made bindings, and don't get me wrong, if you are in a hurry they are genius. A good website to purchase them at is www.popsbindings.com where they call them "Lollipops".  These are designer bindings and fun to use. JoAnn Fabrics also sells pre-made bindings, but they aren't as fun as Lollipops! So, if you are in a hurry and don't have the luxury of time to make your own binding it is good to know that you can buy them already made. But, if you like making your own binding...as I do...then here are some tips!

Tips for making quilt binding:

• Always make more than you need. This comes in handy later for smaller projects like wall hangings and mini quilts.
• Press binding in half -- DON'T iron binding!
• Sew together smaller pieces of binding to make a fun binding for a child's or baby's quilt.
• When sewing binding on to quilt, get some good instructions and follow them to ensure nice corners and smooth application. I have a book by Fons & Porter that outlines a good technique.
• Use nice thread to applique the back of the binding on for durability. I use silk thread...yep...it is way more expensive, but you get a really nice durably applied binding.

Well, that's it for today...time to get back to my sewing machine!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!!

Minkey Binkey

Just wanted to share photos of the Minkey Binkey I whipped up yesterday for our little grandbaby Lily. Hubby and I went over to see her today, and naturally I knew she had to have another blanket from Nana!

These Minky blankets are fairly simple to make and I have made several over the past couple of years. I got started making them when a friend of mine wanted me to make a gift to take to a baby shower. She had seen the expensive blankets made of Minky in the baby boutiques, but didn't want to pay the exorbitant prices they were charging (and who could blame her!). Anyway, she took me to a baby boutique to show them to me and asked if I could make something similar. After looking the blankets over carefully, I said that I would come up with something. It didn't take me long to come up with a way to make the blankets and now I have them down to quite a science...takes me about an hour to make one. The trick to working with Minky is pinning...you have to pin about every 1/2" otherwise it it a little slippy to work with. But, if you pin it properly, then it is pretty easy to work with (it didn't take me long to figure this trick out!). You can buy Minky at a lot of places, but www.minkydelight.com has a great assortment of colors and textures of Minky...they also have some on sale (and this stuff doesn't go on sale too often at most places). Try working with Minky and let me know what you think!

These blankets make really great gifts, and I do them in "baby" size, but they could be made much larger for children or adults as well. For the one I made for little Lily I used the plush Minky, which is so very soft! I am sure that I will make her several more, because as you can see in the photos, she really seemed to like it!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!!

Lily's Minkey Binkey

Lily napping in her Minkey Binkey!

Confessions of a Fabriholic!

Yes, that's right -- I said Fabriholic -- that is what I am! There are people that like fabric and there are people who love fabric and can't get enough of it...that, my friend, is a Fabriholic! With that clarification, I now confess to you that I, Quilting Sue, am a Fabriholic! My stash grows by leaps and bounds and I just never seem to have enough fabric in it. But, I am excited about my new fabric purchase that I just made today!! In my new Irish Quilting magazine I saw an ad for fabric called "Emerald Isles" and just fell in love with it. Searching for it on the web didn't bring any results, so I had to resort to emailing the manufacturer -- Nutex. (Now, to some of you this might seem extreme, but to a Fabriholic...well, you get the picture!). Anyway, they responded with a list of retailers they had sold the fabric to, so after looking them all up, I found a source. I have ordered and paid for it (after consulting with hubby about the cost!) and now all I have to do is look forward to getting it in the mail!! Euphoria!

An old friend of mine came to town this week on business and we got together for the first time in probably 20+ years. We had lunch yesterday and she has commissioned me to make a baby quilt. She actually brought BOLTS of fabric to make the quilt from! So, as soon as I finish this other baby quilt for my other friend...then I have another one to make, which I am really looking forward to. It is pretty exciting to be asked to make quilts...and get paid to do it!

Speaking of quilting...gotta run to go quilt! Have a wonderful day and Happy Quilting!

Quilt Magazine Review

Good Afternoon! Yep, I am still up today...since 5 a.m.! (Shock...I know!)

Hubby and I made our monthly trip to Barnes & Noble this morning to look at our fav magazines and I picked up my new copy of Irish Quilting (my new favorite). As I was reading through it, I decided that you all should know about this great magazine too! I find that reading all of the U.S. quilting magazines is fun, but they tend to all run the same quilts, quilt patterns, ads, etc., and that gets really boring to me. Fresh ideas, new quilts to look at...that's what I want. So...I am recommending that you pick up a copy of Irish Quilting and see if you get some fresh ideas and look at different quilts too. You can follow their blog at http://irishquilting.blogspot.com/ or visit their website at http://www.irishquilting.ie/ and get inspired by something new and different. One of the things I like best about this magazine is they include so many fabulous photos of Ireland...such a beautiful place (no, I've never been, but would LOVE to visit!). They also run some contests that are different from the things we typically see here in the U.S. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Sew get going!

Sew Early

Wow! Can't believe we were up at 5:00 a.m. this morning! Hubby and I got up, dressed and ran over to the IHOP to eat an early breakfast...no reason to be up that early, just were. Being currently unemployed, we have gotten used to sleeping in every day, so today was unusual. But, I am hoping to get a lot more done today...we shall see.

I have been going through my fabric stash, mostly trying to get it organized into my new plastic drawer system, but it is a good idea to periodically just sort through your stash just as a reminder of all of the wonderful fabrics you have. I always think I have a "fabric inventory" in my head, but I tend to forget those pieces that I buy at shows or shops or get from friends. It is fun to rediscover your fabric too! I was also going through my scrap bin (which is now just a large laundry basket under my cutting table) and cutting 5" squares out of the larger scraps. These 5" squares are commonly referred to as "charm squares" or just "charms". Knowing that I want to make more baby charm quilts, I was mostly cutting up fabric appropriate for baby quilts, but you can cut charm squares out of any scrap fabric. Then when you are ready to make a quilt in a hurry, you can skip the cutting part all together, because you have already done it! Plus, it is a great way to save your bigger scraps and have them ready to go. I will make a second pass through my scrap bin and look for scraps suitable to cut into 2" strips and also smaller squares. This will make other projects easier as well.

Well, it's 6:30 a.m. and I need to get cracking if I am going to get a lot accomplished today! Have fun going through your fabric stash and Happy Quilting!

Quilt in a Hurry!

Happy Hump Day everyone!

Just found out last night that I have a new deadline on finishing my friend's baby quilt...the week of Thanksgiving!! (gulp!) She gave it to me to finish for her...as she is traveling a lot now...so I said I would. Well, the baby was born last night and the quilt will be taken out to new baby in early December. Part of the quilt is being hand quilted...slower going...and part of it machine quilted. Worked on the hand quilting last night and found that it is going faster than I ever thought it would...but will have to work on it every day from now until it's finished.

Bought some purse handles today and am thinking of making some quilted purses to sell online. A friend of mine told me about http://www.etsy.com/ and it looks like selling on etsy, as well as EBay might bring more success. Worth a try!

Another beautiful day here! Hubby and I ran errands and ate at our favorite seafood place for lunch...$4.95 lunch special...best catfish I have ever had!! YUM!

Well...off to the sewing room! Hoping to see our beautiful granddaughter this week...hard to believe she will be 1 month old tomorrow!! They grow up so fast! :)

Later...

Vacation at the Coast

Ahhh...I just love the coast! Hubby and I went down to the Texas Coast for a few days last week and it was so refreshing for several reasons. First of all, just getting out of town and road tripping is great fun! Second, we just love to go down to the coast and breathe in that salt air...third, it was such a nice change of pace for us! It is always good to get home, but going on a road trip is a great adventure. We visited some really cool places too!

Okay...I admit I did find a nice little quilt shop along the way, so naturally that made the trip way more fun for me! I knew there was a quilt shop in Rockport, TX, http://www.quiltscapes.com/  but had never been to it (saw it online) and when we drove right past it, I knew we had to go back and give it a look! Of course I bought some fabric (you knew I just had to!). But, it was nice nautical and tropical fabric and I had not ever seen it before. The ladies in the shop were extremely nice and I definitely plan on going back the next time we head down that way!

Another interesting place we toured was the Fulton Mansion http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/fulton_mansion/hist.phtml. It is an old Victorian mansion that has been restored and it was so much fun to tour. I took lots of photos because a new quilt idea it cooking in my head...can you guess??!!

The Fulton Mansion

The floors in the mansion reminded me of a quilt pattern!

Oh...and we also saw a replica of the Nina down at Corpus Christi, TX. This is a great reference for my pirate quilt (which is still in progress). I took a lot of photos of this beautiful ship! http://www.corpuschristidaily.com/article_detail.cfm?id=2817

Hubby sitting near the water at Corpus Christi.

We also went to the Texas Maritime Museum in Rockport, TX. http://www.texasmaritimemuseum.org/ They are currently part of the La Belle Expedition find (La Salle's ship). Of course, I took lots more photos...I have more quilt ideas cooking!! :)

Well, back to the sewing room where I have to sort out my new fabric!

Happy Quilting!!

Making a Quilt Sandwich

Hello and Happy Friday!

Sorry I have been absent for a few days, but have been quilting and then sick...bummer. Yes, I have actually been quilting...and finished a quilt for our little Lilly.

While I was making Lilly's quilt, I got to thinking about tips for making a quilt sandwich. For those of you new to quilting...the quilt sandwich is the finished quilt top with the batting in the middle and the backing. All of this gets basted together for quilting. This may seem like a very tedious step to some (and I know sometimes it seems very tedious to me), but putting the quilt sandwich together properly is very important in the overall process of quilting. Thinking back to some of the very puckered or saggy quilts I have seen in my time...not a pretty sight! If they had only taken the time to put the quilt sandwich together properly, those puckers and sags could have been avoided.

Example of a very puckered quilt back!!!

So I took some photos when I was basting the baby quilt for Lilly and hope this helps avoid those puckers and sags!

First, and probably most important is to lay your quilt back down (right side down), smooth it out (make sure to press first), and then tape it down tightly. I tend to use the seamstress (sewing) boards for laying out my quilt sandwich. These are made out of thick cardboard (more details on why in a minute) and prevent damage to whatever other surface (such as a table) they are covering. Purchase these at any JoAnns, Hancocks, Hobby Lobby or other craft or sewing store...they are about $10 each. (Tip: to lay out a queen size quilt, you will need 2 boards).

I use painters tape (green or blue) to tightly tape the back down to the board. Painters tape can be purchased at Wal-Mart, Lowes, Home Depot or anywhere that sells paint. I use painters tape because it won't damage the surface, or take the paper off of the cardboard. In fact, I use painters tape for lots of things in my sewing room!! It doesn't leave any sticky residue, even if it stays on for a long time.

Next, lay out the batting on top of the quilt back. Make sure to smooth the batting out from the middle to the sides. Get the batting as smooth as possible...this is very important! (Tip: unroll the batting and lay it out to "rest" for a day or so before making the quilt sandwich. This will get a lot of the crinkles and wrinkles out of it for easier smoothing. The batting can also be put in the dryer for a few minutes to smooth out the wrinkles a bit.)

When you cut the batting, be sure to leave 2-4 inches more than the size of the quilt top and back. As the quilt is quilted the batting will shrink up some, so you want plenty of extra.

If the quilt is to be machine quilted, pin basting is the easier and better choice. For hand quilting, always thread baste the quilt. Start basting (pin or thread) in the middle of the quilt and baste toward the edges.

Make sure pins are at least a handwidth apart or less. Some quilters use the three finger rule: basting pins or stiches must be no more than 3 fingers apart.

When you are done basting, remove the tape from the quilt back and go quilt! Remember to remove the basting pins as you quilt. If hand quilting, the basting thread can remain in the quilt until you are finished quilting, or it can be snipped as you quilt.

I hope these instructions for the quilt sandwich have helped you! Happy Quilting!!

Back to Quilting!

Ah, at last, I am feeling better and am about to return to my quilting!! Yippee! Just checked the pollen count and forecast though and had better get cracking...the pollen count is about to go back up over the next couple of days...so I am making hay while the sun shines (except it's not shining today).

Took more photos of completed blocks from the Pirate Quilt (working title only), so you could see them. Working on the skull/cross bones block currently (no photo yet). Enjoy!

I changed this block up just a bit and added the yellow circle to the middle, simply because I didn't like the look of it before I added the yellow circle.

The telescope block...hmmmm...still think it looks lackluster and needs something else?! Any thoughts?

BTW... The gray behind the block is my felt board. Hubby made it for me by using adhesive spray to stick the gray felt to a large piece of cardboard (like a cut up cardboard box for a water heater or other large piece of cardboard). He actually made me two of these boards and as soon as the sewing room gets organized (poof...) the boards will get hung on the wall to serve as my "block board".

Added an extra palm tree to the "X marks the spot" block because it didn't look balanced enough. I am happy with it now!

Quilt a friend of mine started and gave to me to finish. Just got it yesterday, so haven't started on it yet, but will this week. As you can see from the photo, she has started the quilting.

Rows of the quilt started for baby Lilly. Making her a scrap quilt with flannel and cotton 5" squares. These are such simple, easy quilts to make! Made one for a friend a few months ago and made the whole quilt, start to finish, in one week!

Here's how: Sew seven 5" blocks together to form a row; make 9 rows; sew 9 rows together for the top (making sure to press seams as you go). Pick out a cute back (I love the wide back fabric!!), make the quilt sandwich; quilt (x pattern); bind. This makes a nice size baby quilt and you can include squares of different materials for baby's tactile senses...cotton, flannel, minkee, silk, satin...etc.

Up Late

Once again, I find myself apologizing for not posting anything over that past few days, but it seems the annual winter allergies have hit me hard and early this year. Hubby went out and bought, I think, the whole allergy relief aisle at the store! I have been taking everything that says it decongests, relieves coughing and unstuffs noses...as well as doing some extra snoozing.

As you might have assumed by now, not much sewing has been going on over here in the past few days! And your assumption would be correct. We did have the great fortune to be able to go over and visit our baby Lilly before the allergy onslaught...we actually got to babysit her! Changed a couple of diapers (nope...you never forget how) and spend some quality time with her. I miss her dearly...and it's only been a few days.

BTW...it is nearly 2:00 a.m. here and I can't sleep, so I thought I would catch up on my blog!

Where was I?...Oh yes, so we got to see our sweet Lilly. Before we went over to see her, I started a scrap quilt for her. The top is nearly finished, and once I get back in my sewing room it should go pretty quickly. Her mom requested some more burp cloths with the Minkee in the middle, so I will sew some more of those up for her too. (photos forthcoming)

I have several ideas for new quilts, so I have decided to keep a "quilt journal" of sorts. Just a blank book where I scribble my ideas, paste photos and things for ideas. I think that is a good place to start, and will help me to organize my thoughts and ideas a bit better. Getting my sewing room organized is also something that will help...and yep, it is on my "to do" list!

Well, I believe I will try to sleep a bit now. Good night!

(P.S. - If you are reading my blog, please let me know...thanks!)

More Toys!

Well, I said I would let you know how my new photo printer works...but I can't right now. Last night we took the printer out of the box, read the instructions, plugged everything up and it wouldn't print! Problem was that my digital camera is several years old and won't sinc with the printer...SO...hubby and I promptly went out and bought an upgraded digital camera! We are in the process of learning how to work the camera, so we can shoot photos, so we can test the photo printer! Whew! Makes me tired just thinking about it all! Anyway, the new camera should take WAY better photos...which makes me excited, because I have a new grandbaby to take pics of!

Okay...okay...I will settle down for a minute. No quilting yesterday...what with all of the new toys and trips to the store. But I have quilted some this morning and will go back to it in a minute. I think I forgot to mention that I am working on quilted wall hangings for both of my daughters. I am done with one, and will finish the other one...hopefully, today. My new camera will get broken in taking photos of the wallhangings and the other Pirate Quilt blocks.

Probably won't get to go over and see our little Lilly baby until tomorrow, so no new photos of her for now.

Ideas for new quilts are simmering around in my head and I am collecting things for them. I will share my ideas in a later post, because the ideas need to simmer a bit more. Being unemployed sure does bring out my creative side!

Later my friends...quilting time! Sew, get to sewing!!

Okay...I don't want to disappoint anyone, so here is a photo for you...this is the wallhanging I made for baby Lilly. Photo taken at her baby shower...her dad is holding the wallhanging. I just love this Fairy fabric. You can get it at http://www.keepsakequilting.com/

Enjoy!

Granny's New Toy

Our precious grandbaby Lilly got to go home from the hospital today with mom and dad, so we decided to give them a couple of days at home before we went back to annoy them with camera flashes and oooing and awwing. Good thing too, because I just feel tired today. But, as soon as I finish blogging, I will walk down the hallway and enter my sewing realm!

Oh...hubby bought me a new toy today!! Since Granny Sue is going nuts taking photos of our new precious, we bought a photo printer. I haven't set it up yet, but I think it is pretty cool, and it's blue. I can't wait to start playing with it and printing photos, but sewing is a priority today. Anyway, the photo printer is a Canon Selphy CP780 (see photo).

This is going to make it super simple and easy for me to print photos and give them to family and friends, or keep them! I won't have to wait for them to come in the mail, or take my camera card somewhere to print the photos out. I can print photos in my jammies! I just think that is way cool. Once I start using it, I will let you know how it works and if I really like it.

I know I said I would post more photos of the Pirate Quilt blocks...and I will...tomorrow. I just haven't taken the pictures yet because we were at the hospital last night holding our new little grandbaby! Oh...yes, I have photos! Well, see you tomorrow...must go quilt now.

Grandma Day 2

Well, we were just exhausted last night, but in a good way. We slept in this morning and hopefully, will go back over and see our sweet baby girl today. Her mom posted some better photos, and the best one is at the end of this post. What a sweet face!

Running errands today and hoping the rains hold off. I will be working on the Pirate quilt some more today, but want to start a quilt for baby doll. Oh and I have some more Pirate quilt blocks done, but still have to photograph them. I will try to do that today or tomorrow so you can see the progress. I have soooo many sewing/quilting projects lined up that is is almost overwhelming! And trying to job hunt and be a new grandma at the same time...just boggles the mind!! Oh well...deep breath and take one thing at a time!

Off to get the day started at nearly noon! Enjoy the photo of our little peach!

My Life Now with Lilly!

Okay...okay...I missed blogging yesterday and most of today, but for very good reason. Yesterday I was trying to get things done around the house so that today we could spend at the hospital waiting on our first grandchild to be born!! Yep...Quilting Granny Sue now! So now we have a baby granddaughter named Leylia Dawn (to be called Lilly). Born today, Oct 5, 8 lbs. 11 oz. and 21" long...and she is gorgeous!! She is like a little peach. (Photos below this post)

It has been a very long day, but mom and baby Lilly are doing very well, and Grandpa (Pappy) and I are so proud. We were up at 5 a.m. this morning so we could dress and eat and get to the hospital. Lilly's parents were at the hospital at 9 p.m. last night, so they had been there a while when we got there. Anyway, baby Lilly was born (don't have exact time) about 2:00 or 2:15ish this afternoon. We all got to hold her at least once (Pappy several times) and she already has our hearts.

I did actually get some appliqueing done on the Pirate Quilt while we were waiting on Lilly to be born, so don't think I slacked off on my quilting today. I fixed up a bag last night with some quilting magazines, a couple of blocks, needles, silk thread and applique pins to take with me to the hospital. I am working on the skull and crossbones block right now and it is coming along nicely. Of course, after meeting our precious granddaughter I have the urge to make her another quilt, which I am sure that I will do very soon. Well, I know you are anxious to see our baby Lilly, so I will get those photos posted while Pappy snores downstairs!! Bye for now.

Rainy Day

Nice relaxing Saturday and now it's raining again...or should I say pouring down buckets again! Hubby and I went over and had lunch with both daughters today. It was so much fun. We got to talking about blogging and different kinds of blogs and ended up laughing so hard we were in tears!!

I also picked up my block of the month (BOM) from Quilt Country (http://www.quiltcountry.com/) in Lewisville. I am doing the batik version of this BOM, and think it will look really great when it is finished. The problem is that I have actually put together a total of 1 block and had trouble with that one. They are using Thangles for the blocks, and even though I have gone to the website (http://www.thangles.com/) and watched the "how to" video I am still not getting it right. Apparently, there is some trick that I am missing. Any advice?

Okay, yesterday I clued you in to the fact that I am working on a pirate quilt and am hand appliquing it. The pattern is called "It's a Pirates Life" (couldn't remember until I looked today).

<--- Here is the pattern, and below are images of some of the blocks that I have finished. I will post photos of the other blocks as I complete them. You might notice that my blocks look a little different from the pattern, but that is my habit to take a pattern and put the "Quilting Sue Spin" on it. Enjoy the photos!






<---I know the mermaid is a little "cartoony", but that is how she was in the pattern, and I added my own embellishments!

First Time!

Well, this is my first ever blog post! I wanted to start this blog to document and share some of my quilting, embroidery, sewing projects and hopefully, helpful tips and product reviews. Please bear with me as I learn how to blog as I go. I have had a website for several years, but wanted a venue that was easier to maintain and update...so here goes!

I will post photos as my projects progress (at least that's the plan!), and will try to give some explanations to go along. Product reviews are something that I love to read and post. I hope these will be helpful to you as you engage in your craft.

One of the projects I am currently working on is a pirate quilt. Photos of the blocks are coming soon! This has been a really fun project for me. It is an applique quilt, and I am hand appliqueing all of the blocks. Very fun!!