Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thankful

I have loads of reasons to be thankful....but I'll keep it simple.  Of course my incredible family but also this family....

(Hoots, me, Claudia and Kerry)
...my Webfabrics family!:)  These are just a few of my buds but I just want them ALL to know I totally appreciate every one of them!;)

Remember that stack of quilts on my bed....here are a couple of them.
 The one on top made out of snowman/winter gear fabric is for my sister...
 This one is for my parents.  Both of them was made out of fabric my pal Kerry (above photo) gave me with a little extra from my stash.  Thanks bunches Kerry!
I had some scraps left from both of them so I made them a couple of table toppers.  Now in the holiday spirit I decided I really wanted one for myself! I have tons of Holiday/Winter fabric and plans for it all but no time so I cheated and used some fabric that had a panel!:)
Who doesn't love The Grinch?:)  Paired him up with some green/blue snowflake fabric, a bit of machine stitching....

....some hand stitching around the rectangles and a great all over design for the backing and....

....Slate is happy!:)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone....even to those across ALL the ponds!:)

~d






Sunday, November 18, 2012

A Virtual Hug

Gearing up for Thanksgiving...baking vegan pies and cookies, casseroles and crisps...there has still been time for some sewing.
 Here is a scrappy 58x46 lap quilt using all Kaffe and Company gibblets.  I love that teal Bella solid!
 I especially love that backing fabric....and using leftovers!  This was quilted by my co-worker Penny...I love that all over design...sort of like clouds but better!:)
 I haven't participated in the Bitty Block Committee for a while but this month's theme is Winter/Christmas and who can pass that up? Not me!!  So I made twelve little snow houses and twelve little snow-covered automobiles.  My sis found that little Alaska stamp and gave it to me as that's where I was born....maybe that's why I like Winter!;)
The November theme at The Sketchbook Challenge is Spice of Life....first thing I thought of was a photo I snapped the day hubby and I went to get our Fall pumpkins. No trip to Nalls Farm Market is complete without Route 11 Sweet Potato Chips and Stewart's soda!!
 There's the Kaffe quilt sitting on top of a couple things I can't show you right now and a new project behind the pile!  I'm still auditioning backgroud fabric for that quilt.
Did some non-quilt sewing too!  My wrapping paper organizer purchased 20 years ago at a school fundraiser finally fell apart....totally apart....bits and pieces apart....no saving apart.  So I pulled the hanger out, used what was left as a template and made another one....that will not fall apart!!  There are two pockets in the back and an opening all the way up the right side so I can put those decorative bags we all collect inside!
 Here is my virtual hug....from my online buddy Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts fame!  We have the truckshow in the shop for her new book Skip the Borders.  I wrapped myself in one of them....and sold three signed copies that day...not including the one I bought!:) Great book....great quilts....check it out!:)


~d

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Pumpkins, Paper Piecing and Pirates....Arrrgghhh!

 Last week we finally got around to buying our Fall pumpkins....never been this late in October!  The one on the left is called a Cinderella Pumpkin.  It's supposed to be the best eating....but that had to wait...while we ate our Route 11 Sweet Potato Chips and Stewart's sodas!!
 Dana at Old Red Barn Co. had a quilt challenge for us. Find a color palette and interpret it any way you want....I found one called "Alone @ the Airport" and I knew that was the one...since that's been our girl....alone at many, many airports!
 Still having fun with English paper piecing....and buttons! 
 This month's theme at the Bitty Block Bee is Sewing.  I was a little stumped because I kept thinking of past sewing theme bitties.....then I looked at my jar of buttons...and made a jar of buttons!  The wee quilt was supposed to be on a clothesline...but it was too short so I made it a hitching post.
(Polly the Patchwork Pirate....arrgh matey!)
At work we have been busy cleaning the shop while Carly is at Quilt Festival in Houston....but we are still having fun!;)
~d