National Sewing Month

Hey there!

Did you know that September is National Sewing Month? Well, it is! Learn more here about National Sewing Month. Tell me what's on your sewing table!

It's a nice reminder for me to get to sewing! I worked on organizing and unpacking my sewing room this weekend...still not finished...but made some good headway. You don't realize just how much fabric you own until you start digging into it, at least I don't. And fabric is heavy! I moved fabric around this weekend until I was sore. I am anxious to get everything sorted and organized because Christmas is coming fast! In truth, I should have started any sewing projects for Christmas months ago, but somehow it always sneaks up on me. Work has been very busy these past few months and based on a call I had this morning, it's not going to slow down anytime soon. We'll just call that job security! :)

I did do a lot of embroidery this weekend in an effort to finish a larger piece I've been working on for the past few months. I'll admit that I'm a bit of an embroidery kit hoarder and have several (okay, a lot) other embroidery kits that I'm anxious to get started. 

I have a plumber coming out to look at the shower in my master bathroom, which started leaking this weekend. I love my plumber but talk about an expensive unexpected expense! Homeownership definitely has its advantages, but the maintenance costs have gone up so much in the past couple of years as has everything else.

That's it for now. I wish you a beautiful day of sewing or embroidery! It's starting to almost feel like fall. It's still in the 90s in Texas and I'm looking forward to October when we will actually get cooler daytime temperatures. But until then, we enjoy the cooler evenings.

Happy Quilting and Sewing!

RIP Queen Elizabeth

Yesterday was a hard day with the news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. She's gone to the great Palace in the sky to be with Philip. I'm not British but I do have British, Irish, and Scottish ancestry and have followed the Royals for as long as I can remember. I've been to Buckingham Palace and seen the Queen's Guards, the Tower, and London Bridge. My heart goes out to all British subjects who now transition to a new Monarchy under King Charles and his Queen Consort, Camilla.

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II

I have been searching online for a freehand embroidery pattern of the Queen and cannot find one, so if you know where I can find one, please let me know. I would be excited to do a stitching of her.

I am still working on my quilting room (it's taking forever) but was excited to receive my packs of threads (not that I don't have a ton of thread already) from Sublime Stitching today. I have been a customer of Jenny's for years and she is so sweet! She runs a great little company where you can purchase embroidery thread (which I love), patterns, and tools. Her patterns are contemporary and modern (not your grandma's) which is an exciting change from some of the older patterns out there. So shout out to Jenny!

My daughter-in-law came over for a visit last night. It's always wonderful to see her and I honestly don't see her enough. She is the mom of my 2 beautiful granddaughters (growing up way too fast), who I had over last weekend. We baked a cake and cookies and made a huge amount of buttercream frosting, which ended up all over the kitchen, but we had so much fun.

Mia

Leylia

That's it for today. I am continuing on my hunt for Queen Elizabeth embroidery patterns.

Happy Quilting and Stitching!

It's Been a While

Hi there, I know it's been a long long while since I've posted anything on here, but life (and work) does tend to get in the way sometimes.

I have 5 growing grandkids now and I have moved! Not far from where I used to live, but I sold my house and bought another one that I like so much better. My dear Hootie kitty passed away several years ago, but I got another kitty (rescue) during the COVID lockdown of 2020. Miss Matilda (Tilly) is a real diva and a bit of a pill, but we get along just fine.

Miss Tilly (Diva Kitty)

She's so fluffy!

During lockdown, I did a whole bunch of freehand embroidery and am still embroidering away. I find it relaxing and I can do it while watching TV in the evenings after work.

One of my embroidered pieces

As mentioned earlier, I moved in March of this year and am still getting my quilting room set up (yes, I am slow). But, I bought a new sewing table and cutting table that I am eager to try out! I will post photos when everything is set up.

I hope all of you made it through 2020 and 2021 okay! I'm looking forward to some vacation time in the next few months. In November, I'm going to Chatanooga to attend the Lizzy & Erin Live Hickabilly Christmas event. I am meeting a long-time friend there and we are going to hang out. It will be exciting to travel a bit again. I will post photos after the event.

Cheers and Happy Quilting!

On the Sewing Table...

What's on your sewing table? That's the question of the day. Seems like I always have something on the sewing table...usually more than one something! Sometimes it's a new project, sometimes it's a UFO...more often than not it's a UFO (a.k.a.,unfinished project)! I hate to admit it, but my unfinished projects are numerous, and one day... in a galaxy far, far away...I will finish them all! HA! 

So, despite all of the unfinished projects, I have a new project on my sewing table this week. In my last post I mentioned it..."a wall hanging kit I bought way back in 2003, and it is a garden scene." I have been sewing all of the squares together for the "back" of the scene, and once that is completed, I can begin the fun part of appliqueing all of the decorative items to it...tree, leaves, flowers, etc. As I mentioned in my last post, I am pretty excited about this project, which is a good thing, since I don't get too excited about much lately (except my grandchildren). 

I was mentioning this project to a friend of mine and she said, "That's great!", and then asked, "Do you have a place to hang it?". Uh...are you supposed to have a place to hang wall hangings before you make them??!! Hmm...I had not considered that! Thoughts? Should you make something you like and then figure out what to do with it, or just make it and worry about it later? I guess I am so used to giving most everything I make away, that it just never even occurred to me that I have absolutely no where to hang a large wall hanging! Oh well...all of my problems should be so small!

So, what's on your sewing table? Anything exciting? Here is a photo of what's on my sewing table!

On my Sewing Table

Happy Sewing and Quilting!

Babies and Springtime!

Once again, it's been quite a while since my last post! But in my defense, I've been a little busy with the arrival of 2 new grand babies in January...2 days apart! Yes, you heard correctly...they were born just 2 days apart. I have a handsome grandson and another beautiful granddaughter, and couldn't be more thrilled. Our little Lily is thrilled to have a baby sister too. Hahaha...after Miabella was born, all Lily could say is "She came out!" She is such a cutie, and already 4-1/2 years old!

Handsome Hudson

Beautiful Miabella

Of course, I was super busy making baby blankets, quilts, burp cloths, and pee pee tepees (http://sewmakeplay.com/2013/01/09/how-to-make-a-pee-pee-teepee/) before they were born! And since their arrival, I have been busy being Nana! The babies have been great for me, and have given me added motivation to sew and quilt again. It's been tough since hubby passed away just over 2 years ago (and it seems like yesterday), so having all of our children and grandchildren nearby has been such a blessing. This is my New Life! :)

Springtime has sprung! And of course, that is added motivation to bring out the bright pretty fabric to work with! The project on my work table right now is a wall hanging kit I bought way back in 2003 (I know what you are thinking!) and it is a garden scene. I was pretty excited when I bought it, and during re-organization of my sewing room a few weeks ago, I ran across it and got excited all over again! So, I actually started on it! I promise photos will be coming!

I did manage to finish a small farm scene wall hanging to send to my mother...now if I could just manage to get down to the post office to send it off...! I used Karen Eckmeier's (http://www.kareneckmeier.com/) applique technique for it, which is one I just love! Mom grew up on a farm and loves farm scenes, so I thought it would be cute hanging on her wall...when I actually send it!

Farm Scene-Unfinished

The Dallas Quilt Show was in March, and I attended as I do every year. I have yet to download the photos I took, but just bought a new computer, so I will be doing that this week. My old computer was a 2005 model and bit the dust. :( Oh well, I really like my new one, but am still figuring some things out on it. So, it looks like I just have a whole lot of catching up to do!

Well, gotta run. More later...with photos...I promise!

Happy Sewing & Quilting!

Big Sister Miss Lily

And Then it was Quilting Weather...

Wow! I did not realize how long it's been since my last post! My apologies...I have been a little busier than I thought!

It is finally cooling off here in Texas...woohoo! I really do enjoy quilting in cooler weather. The summers can be pretty toasty here, so piecing together tops is a better summer activity and quilting is better for winter.

Grand babies are T minus 2 months now...Due in January! The baby sewing is in full swing at my house. My daughter's baby shower is this Saturday and I am not finished sewing everything! My weekend was marathon sewing and quilting, and it looks like my evenings will be the same thing all week. Then next month is my daughter in law's baby shower...yikes! I had better push my needle speed to full speed!! 

Baby Quilt Front

Back of Baby Quilt

I finished the one baby quilt I was working on (see photos), and decided to keep that one for my house. Since it was sort of a "practice" quilt after many months of not quilting, it is rather special to me now. But not to worry, I am finishing up the baby quilt for my daughter...she actually sewed the top together, under my instruction, and did a very nice job! Now if I can just finish the binding by Saturday...! The quilting came out very nicely on it...photos will be posted soon, I promise. 

For my daughter in law, there is a quilt in progress. It's kind of a surprise, so I can't go into much detail right now. She is having a girl, so any guesses as to the color? :) I will divulge that I am using one of my favorite blocks...the Snowball block...in the quilt! Making Snowball blocks makes me really happy...as crazy as that might sound! If you have never made Snowball blocks, try it and see if they make you happy too. They are super easy and make such a nice design when put together. Here is a quick online tutorial http://www.straw.com/quilting/articles/snowball1.html.

Snowball block

Hmmm...Snowball block...sort of appropriate for winter weather, don't you think?! 

That's it for now folks! More updates to follow. Oh and, sorry to say that I did not make it to the International Quilt Show in Houston this past weekend, but go to the website to see the winning quilts, they are beautiful. I absolutely love the top winning quilt...and I happen to have a very similar photo! Check it out at http://www.quilts.org/winners.html

Happy Quilting and Sewing!

Quilting as Therapy

Why do you quilt? What do you get out of quilting? Quilting is certainly not an inexpensive hobby...at least not anymore. So why do you quilt? 

I was thinking back to the reasons why I started quilting, and there were several, but mainly relaxation. Yes, quilting, with all of its frustrations, is very relaxing to me and great therapy! My aunt was a fiber artist for most of her life, and she was a very gentle and relaxed soul. I believe it was because she worked with textiles and took great comfort in the feel of fabric. Have I mentioned lately that I love fabric?! :) 

Since I started quilting again after my husband's death, I am finding that relaxation factor, but it is also quite energizing. It gets my mind going and I start designing quilts in my head. I get a feeling of accomplishment and the sense that I am doing something positive in my life. Even just sewing something as simple as a baby burp cloth gives me great satisfaction and relaxation. Most of us work at jobs that, well let's face it, are not terribly exciting, so having a hobby that is fulfilling and relaxing at the same time is priceless. And, as I have discussed here before, quilting and sewing can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want it to be, because you can recycle/re-purpose fabric from old clothes, sheets, blankets and a variety of things. Buying quilt fabric from a quilt shop is a lot of fun...but that's where quilting and sewing gets expensive. Shopping for fabric yardage at a thrift store is fun and challenging...not to mention more cost effective and "green". So, why do you quilt?

And now for a change of subject...Embroidery

I'm so excited! I ordered some embroidery transfer patterns from one of my favorite quilt sites http://www.sublimestitching.com/ and got them in the mail yesterday! They were having a 1/2 off embroidery pattern sale, so I took full advantage! Here is a pic of what I got!

Embroidery Patterns

Baby Quilt

I am making progress on the baby quilt...the quilting is nearly finished and I can't wait to start on the binding! I am posting photos, so you can see the back and binding fabric I chose for this quilt. The back is a black polka dot print...and normally I wouldn't use a black back for a baby quilt, but for this quilt I challenged myself to use fabric, thread and batting that I already have and buy nothing new. So far, so good! This quilt is all from my stash! I believe I will be able to finish it without having to buy anything for it. BTW...my stash got smaller when I moved, but my sewing room is still too full! Oh...and also, I had a piece of Fusi Boo batting (http://www.fairfieldworld.com/product/51) large enough for the quilt, so I saved myself a lot of baste pinning and time!

Yellow is the binding; Black is the back

Quilted top

This weekend I will start on a crib skirt for my daughter's nursery...she is having a baby boy, and wants a crib skirt, quilt and matching pillows. Then I will make all of that for my daughter in law, who is having another baby girl! Yes, I have my work cut out for me...and I couldn't be more excited!

More later...
Happy Sewing and Quilting!