Bella Fiore...

Well here it is... my latest wholecloth pattern named "Bella Fiore". Its on the frame and the background fill is started, BUT (that dreaded but)... I am not happy with how the main design is looking. We'll see, sometimes I get this "trauma" while still early in the quilting process... it may start to grow on me -- or not?



Of course, part of the "trauma" is because this is one of my entries for the PSL Crazy Quilters 2010 Show -- yep, entered on paper, but just started quilting (ahhhhh). Apparently I am just a little bit nuts.


Okay, on another note -- I hope that you all have a wonderful New Year filled with everything that is good because 2010 is going to be a fantastic year! Have fun and stay safe!

One busy week... and a Christmas too!

I can't believe it has been a full week since my last post. Shame, shame on me! Anyway, I hope all of you had wonderful holidays! But, wow, it has been so busy here. Yes, busy cleaning... you might not know this about me... I am messy, messy in the stuff all-over-cluttery way. I had to "find" our dining room table in order to have Christmas dinner. Our dining room table is the "catch-all" for any and everything that enters this house -- any item entering the house must reside there for at least 24 hours. So before we could sit at the "company's coming" table I had to find it which caused some "busy". Then of course, at least one full day of baking cookies. We kept it quite mild this year with only sugar and chocolate chip... less cookies, less calories! Yeah right - doesn't work that way! Anyway Christmas morning was wonderful -- only two electronic dilemmas, both of which resolved themselves quickly and easily. Dinner was here... my darling MIL made lasagna and brought it over, while my darling hubby smoked a ham. If you have never smelled a smoking ham, it is an amazing aroma... don't you wish we had smell-o-blog? LOL! Needless to say, it was delicious and there's still some lasagna leftovers!

But, all of yesterday and all of today was "ribbons". Me, my MIL, and even Joe spent several hours in ribbon production for the PSL Crazy Quilters show... here was a picture from early this morning... we got quite a bit more accomplished during today. They are actually starting to resemble award ribbons now! Will post more pics later.

Sharman's Vintage Garden... done.

Okay, Jeannie has been way too productive in her quilt making! Here is Sharman's Vintage Garden (embroideries and pattern by Jenny Haskins) -- another king size embroidered quilt! I think this one turned out great -- just a couple pics!





Jeannie will be teaching this quilt as her 2010 BOM Embroidered Quilt. Check it out here!

Gails quilt is done

It was really done yesterday, but I'm a little slow in uploading the pics... sorry

The pattern is The Feathered Goose by Judy Niemeyer.

Next up...

Okay, other than a quick run to the Jam Patch tomorrow morning, here is what I'll be working on for the entire weekend -- I can't wait! This top belongs to Gail, it is The Feathered Goose pattern by Judy Niemeyer and I have been drooling over it since I received it!!!

Not only is it an awesome pattern, but it is also done in what I refer to as my colors -- deep rich autumn tones!! I have such big plans for this quilt -- hopefully my sore aching body will cooperate! It's getting better, and my range of movement is improving... LOL!

Oh, before I forget, another reason why I love quilting for Gail... take a look at her piecing; its not often I'll show the backside of an unquilted top, but ladies, this is pretty close to perfect piecing if I must say so!

Susan's Summer Wine

Here is another Summer Wine Quilt (embroideries and quilt pattern by Jenny Haskins - http://www.jennyhaskins.com/). This beauty was done by Susan -- she really did a great job!

To see a full view of this quilt, you'll have to attend the PSL Crazy Quilters Show in February!

Old World Santa...

Here is Denise's Old World Santa Sampler. I just love this quilt! Hopefully Denise will too...

French Braid

Here is a peek at Jessie's French Braid quilt. Jessie used a "faux" cathedral window for her center panel -- looks very pieced to me! Way to go Jessie - very nice quilt!

Back to work...

Today begins the transition back into work mode! After two days of extremely painful travel (I'll get to that in a minute) I am back home and ready to get back to work. I am already missing my family -- you just cannot fill enough giggles, stupidity, almost pee'd yourself from laughing, and love into a one week visit -- let alone, catch up on over seven years! Needless to say, there will be another visit in the planning soon!

Okay, to the painful part... remember my last post -- the ice skating -- yep, during all that fun I fell. It hurt, but I got up and continued skating and having a blast. As you know, we went outside and had a great "snow" ball fight. Well, maybe you didn't know this, but the older you get, the less you bounce! Later than evening my body explained to me that during my fall I apparently bruised several of my ribs -- ouch! It is a bearable pain -- unless, yes, unless you spend 20 hours in a seated position in a bouncing truck -- then the pain is no longer bearable and becomes extreme! So, like I said in the beginning, today is "transition" day -- let the muscles around my ribs stretch back out and stop "bouncing" from the ride and slowly ease back into movement mode!

Don't worry, it takes a lot to slow me down!

After Thanksgiving fun sale...

Today was a fantastically great day... no sales, just pure fun! Two adults, three almost adults, and one child on ice skates... awesome fun!

And then, behind the parking lot... the ice scrapings pile from the Zamboni -- this may seem like nothing to all of you; but let me tell you, this is the closest thing to snow that my son has seen in almost 8 years!!! We have a wonderful mod-snowball fight -- too cool for words -- I managed to grab two quick pictures before being sucked into the snowball fighting vortex!

Just wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving!

may your stuffing be tasty

may your turkey be plump

may your potatoes and gravy

never have a lump

may your yams be delicious

and your pies take the prize

and may your Thanksgiving dinner

stay off your thighs

Shopping...

Here is some fabric I purchased at a cute little shop in Mount Holly, the Village Quilter, not a real big store, but some really nice stuff. Anyway, I think this fabric will become another Onion quilt, since I "lost" that one to my sister. You can read more about the original onion quilt here, here, or here.

Here is some beautiful silk dupioni that I found at the Little Sewing Shoppe, also in Mount Holly. The photo does not do it justice (as usual), it is a beautiful lavender purple and the other piece is a crisp snowy white. I am planning a "modified" wholecloth using both pieces, yes I know, it won't really be a wholecloth if I piece them, but it will be awesome. I'll have to figure this one out... 1 1/3 yard of the purple (that's all that was left) and a 1 1/2 of the white. Apparently these were pretty popular colors.

Both of these stores are part of Mill Race Village, an eclectic little village of artisan shops and hand-made goods. It is part of a restoration project of a very old neighborhood in an attempt to preserve the history of Mount Holly.

Long lost family...

well not really lost, just misplaced in another state! Here's my son with his cousins that he hasn't seen in about 5 years!

They have had a blast today spending some much needed catch-up time!

Here's a funny link of my nephew (aka Helicopter) attempting the pole vault. LOL!!

Vacation Day 1

One deer down, two more to go!!

No, seriously.. the doe hanging was hunted, the two in the background were just passing through the yard!

Sally's Log Cabin

Here is a quick look at Sally's log cabin quilt -- pretty big, 101x115!

Aquamarine... done!

It is Saturday -- Jeannie's quilt is done -- so that means I am still on schedule! Hurrah, hooray, woohoo!!! Here are a couple of final pics of Jeannie's quilt -- I think this one is going in the PSL show so you'll all be able to check it out up close soon enough!



Like I told Jeannie when she picked the quilt up... this is an awesome quilt!

Ooops, I almost forgot to let you all know... Jeannie teaches these beautiful quilts -- check out her website when you get a chance www.learnsewsimple.com

Aquamarine... somewhere in the quilt???

I know I've missed a day or so in posting, but I am totally engrossed in Jeannie's quilt. I'm making EVERY attempt to say on schedule and have this done by Saturday. We will have to wait and see, here is a picture from yesterday -

Needless to say, as much as I wanted to attend the World Quilt Show (at the Palm Beach County Convention Center) on Friday it will not be happening. I've got way too much work to do prior to vacation. I am sure we will fit it in on Sunday -- not much can interfere with a perfect family day! So, if anyone is going on Friday or Saturday, please feel free to let me know how it is - thanks!

Aquamarine... morning two

Did I forget to mention how large this quilt is... ready... 112 inches square! It is definitely a big girl! I quilted all morning and this is what I have to show you --

Hope everyone enjoys... more pics later, or possibly tomorrow as that pesky life thingy is going to sneak up on me this afternoon! I'll try, but no promises!

Aquamarine Ambience... the beginning

Here is the beginning of Jeannie's Aquamarine Ambience (pattern by Simon and Jenny Haskins). This is only one of the borders -- but it is my favorite -- nothing but open quilting space...... ooohhh aaahhh! Anyway, here is a peek

I can't wait to get down to the embroidered blocks, and then on to color number two in the sashing and outer border. I'll be posting pictures as I go so stay tuned!

Christmas Irish Chain

Here is Dianne's Christmas themed Irish Chain -- just beautiful!

It will be on its way back home to Alabama tomorrow -- hope Dianne likes it!

Really quick... in a nutshell

Okay, here is a quick post of some of the things I've been working on...

This is a tiny (and I mean tiny) little view of my Member Challenge for the PSL Crazy Quilters show! That's all I can show without giving it away -- no it is no where near done!

Here's a look at Sallie's It's a Bling Thing quilt (in the book Let the Good Times Roll by Anka Treasures) - I love her colors!

Here's Fern's Happy Hauntings (by Verna Mosquera of the Vintage Spool). I'm a Halloween person and I absolutely love this quilt! I think I'll get started on it soon (around mid March of next year)!

Here's a Memory Quilt made by Kelly -- her own design.

shame on me...

I have neglected my own blog; but not anything else! I have been a crazy woman quilting away in an attempt to get ahead of myself so that I will be able to take my vacation! Yes, an actual vacation, can you believe it -- not just a non-working normal day, an actual get in the truck-pack up the family and drive somewhere not in this state vacation! WOW! I can't wait, but I also realize I have much work to do, so until I have time to actually dump the camera and upload some pics, this is all you're getting. Sorry if that sounds rude, but I didn't want all my blogger friends to think that I had forgotten you... I will do my best to upload some pics soon!

Sheila's Quilt

Another beauty by Sheila -- I'm not sure of the pattern name on this one, but it is done in beautiful neutrals (totally my colors)! It is similar to a two cornered cross-cut snowball with smaller cornerstones -- if that makes any sense?!!

Oliver has wings...

and they've been a long time coming. My oh my have I been busy! I spent most of last night and all of today working for myself. It is such a wonderful place to be -- one that I don't visit often enough!

So here he is... he still needs some shading here and there and the bottom of the background needs to be finished; but, for the most part he is just about finished. That is the painting part is just about finished... now on to the invisible applique, and then on to the thread play, and then the quilting...

Soon... soon... if I say it enough maybe it'll be soon!

SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR!

Its almost time for the South Florida Fair... one of my family's favorites! Here is a link to their website http://www.southfloridafair.com/ make sure you click and check it out. The fair runs from January 15 - 31, 2010 and promises to be fun.

Okay, that was the shameless plug, but its true, it really is one of my family's favorites and this year I'll be entering something (not sure what, but something). Anyway, one of my customers is heading up the Community Creative Skills & Crafts division so she has asked me to send a shout out to all my other wonderful customers for some entries. You can view and download the handbook here. It contains all the information you will need, including Rules & Regulations, and also the Official Entry Form. In case you were wondering, entries are due January 2-4, 2010 and you can pick them up on February 1, 2010. Now don't you all want to win?!! Good, so get some of your awesome quilts and get them to the fair! Just a personal note here, these dates do conflict with the scheduled judging for the PSL Crazy Quilters Show; but you can always enter some of your winning entries from the PSL 2008 show since they can't be re-judged and they will still be back in time in case you want or need to show them again at the PSL Show. This is also great for all those over-achievers that have more entries than the rules allow, send the extras to the South Florida Fair!

If you need more info, you can always contact me and I'll do my best to find out, or you can contact Lorie at lorie@southfloridafair.com since she's running it, she would know the most!

Latte... done!

Wow! This is an amazingly beautiful quilt, and it is finally done (of course, we had a few dog-doctor detours). See, like I said -- a gazillion hours later...

This is only a tiny little part of the entire quilt. You'll have to wait until the PSLCQ Show - February 2010 to see the whole thing!

Updates... Latte and Owl

Here's the update on Mary Lou's Latte Quilt...

I didn't get as much accomplished today as I had wanted to... there just aren't enough hours in the day. But, as today was the last daily visit to the vet for post-op care, I'm sure tomorrow will be much more productive. A girl can always hope can't she!

Between last night and tonight I've been a bit productive on the owl project! Here's the latest picture -- it seems I only have a few more pieces and then some final background shading and then Oliver will be ready for quilting.... again, a girl can always hope...

Sheila's Quilt Takes a Ribbon...

FIRST PLACE to be exact! Her amazingly beautiful Be Colourful quilt (pattern by Jacqueline de Jonge) took a First Place ribbon at the 21st Annual Suwannee River Quilt Show, Stephen Foster State Park, White Springs, FL. You can view the original post of her quilt here. I'll have to get a picture of Sheila with the quilt and ribbon and I'll be sure to post it. Congratulations Sheila, well done!

Has anyone seen my mind...

because I'm starting to really wonder where I left it! I worked on Mary Lou's quilt yesterday, went out to dinner with my son, came home and was totally prepared to work on my owl project! You know what they say about the best laid plans... boy they weren't kidding!

I had been talking to Joe earlier and I told him I was planning on working on my owl. So here I was, full from dinner, sipping on a wonderful cup of coffee, preparing my workspace, and excited to be getting back to work on the owl. BAM, it hit me... where did I put my master pattern... oh no, confusion set in, took over, and it all went downhill from there... I looked in the large plastic bin which housed all the fabric, freezer papers, and other parts of this wonderful project -- no sign of the master. Now this is not a small thing I am looking for -- it is the exact size of my owl. So how many places can you hide a 38x50" piece of paper that is not folded up? Apparently I put it in a special place -- so special even I was never to find it! Many of you have never seen me in a tither -- not a good place -- I don't tither often but when I do, oh mine! I started ripping my entire house apart looking for this master. I looked everywhere. I was to the point that I began thinking perhaps I threw it away by accident during the clean-up... you know like when you throw the fork in the garbage and try to put the paper towel in the sink... like one of those moments. Now pure terror set in... where could this pattern be??? Trying to calm down and think what I did when I came home from the retreat... there it was, in the guest room safe and sound, and apparently protected from me!

We'll see what today holds in store... I'll let you know more later! Stay sane and beware of the special-safe places!

Latte... another peek

Here's another peek at Mary Lou's Latte Quilt -- its really starting to come to life now!

Not quite a quilt...

but still, lots of pieces! Here are a couple of pics that my fabulous husband sent to me from his hunting trip--

No, he's not hunting beaver! He just knew I would enjoy seeing and sharing these awesome pictures... since we moved to Florida I haven't seen much woodsy-wildlife so these pictures really made my day!

Latte... the beginning

Today I started on Mary Lou's Latte Quilt (by Kerrie Hay). I will be working on this for the next gazillion hours or so. For those that don't know me well, I tend to exaggerate things... a gazillion hours translates roughly into the next week or so! So here are a few peeks (some of the meandering was done by Mary Lou)...

Okay, see all that onion skin, bouncing bananas, mctavishing (whichever you choose to call it) -- that was not my original idea for the background filler. BUT, here comes that pesky but... this quilt was originally intended for quilt as you go (Mary Lou started this almost 10 years ago...), needless to say, there is a lot of batting in those seams and one of the best ways I know to make it behave is to work with in, not against it... hence all that onion skin quilting!