It's a SALE!

I'm in the mood for a sale and I hope you are too!  Especially since the holidays are coming up...

I've added lots of new items to the shop and will continue to do so during the next month. I've got a whole stack of things you haven't seen in the shop previously, plus I'm adding lots of fabrics too!

If you see something you want, make sure you use the coupon code Holidays2015 and a 20% discount will be applied to your purchase(s). The coupon expires 12/31/15.

Hope you have fun!!

Take care,

Going to take a little break...

I'm going to take a week+ break from the shop beginning early next Saturday morning.

 When I open it up again I will have a few new items to list!!

Take care,

edited to reflect changes

Did you know?

Did you know that I have three of Melody Johnson's art quilt patterns in my shop?

I'm not even sure she makes them available anymore, but I've been holding onto these for awhile now.

Take care,

Playing catch up!

Since February is my birthday month I decided I was going to thoroughly enjoy it. So, I sorta took the month off from blogging, and it felt relaxing and rewarding to step away from the computer. But, I certainly don't mean to imply that I didn't do anything creative because that was not the case at all.

I finished the quilting on my Gothic Prairie quilt and love, love, love how it looks. Just simple wavy, horizontal lines across the quilt. I'm torn about this, but I've decided I will be selling this quilt in my etsy shop. It will be listed there in the next couple of days.

I also made the decision to re-start my Goodnight Irene quilt, and I used some of the previous sewn-together blocks to make mug rugs (I forgot to take pics) for friends and this cute little basket (which has already been used quite a bit).

I joined a new mini group. It's geared towards a more "artsy" or at least, less traditional approach to quilting, although we can work on whatever we want. I like the attitude and the sense of freedom that comes with it. We've been meeting a little over a month now and I'm really enjoying it and my new friends. We all have different skill levels and different interests so it makes it educational as well as inspirational - plus it's just so much fun!!

I found that I needed a ironing pad/carrier in order to take my iron with me to group meetings so I searched online and found this pattern. I was able to make it in one afternoon, after I located and purchased the ironing board fabric and the insul-bright. It was easy enough to assemble and sew, although it was slow sewing since it's five layers of batting, fabric, insul-bright, and ironing board fabric. I just used the walking foot and took it slow, being careful to check the backside to make sure it was lying smooth and that I was catching all the edges in my binding. It's clever, don't you think? My husband loves it! I've been asked the question, "is it possible to set a hot iron down on it?" and I honestly don't know the answer. I'm planning on letting the iron cool off somewhat before I pack it up, but if someone does know I would love to hear about it.

I made a new zipper pouch for carrying threads to quilting class. I know I read somewhere what to do when making bags with zippers like this one so that the zipper wouldn't ripple. Darned if I can remember where I read it or what it was I should do. If anyone knows, I would love to be reminded.

I've also signed up for a couple of classes being held in the next couple of months. Two are bag classes and one is a quilt class with Louisa L. Smith. I'm excited!

And, I've been knitting socks again. So fun! I've missed it and so far, it doesn't seem to be a problem for my shoulder. Yeah!! Tesserae pattern in BMFA Socks That Rock lightweight, Purple Rain colorway. Just finishing up the toe on the second sock! 

and, finally... I'm presently working on this... a Scrap Vomit!! The blocks are on the design wall, but I need to make just a couple more before I can sew the quilt top together. I've been working on this on Tuesdays and Thursdays when I'm at my quilt group meetings.

Whew! That was a lot of effort! Both writing this post as well as all the sewing/quilting/knitting, but I'm not complaining. I haven't gotten this much accomplished this quickly in a very long time.

Take care,

Reminds me of a lovely summer day!

I made this quilt a couple of years ago and stuck it in my pile of quilts and promptly forgot about it. I guess that's because I made two quilts - same design, same fabrics - one just a lot bigger than this one. Well, I don't need two of them! :)

So this one is in the shop!

Take care,

Needlepoint kit...

Do you like needlepoint? If you do, I wanted to let you know about this lovely kit that I have just listed in my shop.

It's called Floral Urn... and it's here if you're interested.

Take care,

Yes, I know it's a bit early...

It is a bit early to be working on Halloween items I know, but I felt the urge this year, and thought to myself, "go for it." For the first time in a very long time, I'll be ready for the holiday when it arrives.

I've been making mug rugs. They're so much fun to make... they're quick and easy!

They are in the shop, along with a couple more!

Working on these reminded me of the quilt I made for my niece and nephew back in September 2010. I enjoyed making it and was going to make one for myself too, but just ran out of steam. I still haven't gotten around to it, but it's in the plans for one of these days...

I'm thinking of joining in Bonnie Hunter's Labor Day Yard Sale on Monday, so be sure and check back with me then. She sells some wonderful things and has quite a number of participants so you'll want to check her blog on Monday for the links!

Take care,

My tote / market / book / beach bag is finished!

I got my bag photographed finally and although I'm not thrilled with the way it looks in the photos, at least they're done. I tried all kinds of different locations and settings and this was the best I could do (for now). I'll have to work on getting a good place set up for product photos. In the meantime, I thought you might like to see it. I love the fabrics in this.

The exterior fabric is a home dec cotton with a linen-like texture, so it's a tiny bit heavier in weight than a quilting fabric and gives the bag a more substantial feel, especially since it isn't quilted. The lining is a quilting cotton.

It's in the shop!

Hope you all had a great weekend! They go waaaaaaay too fast for me. I sold my Accuquilt Studio Cutter and accessories recently so DH and I drove to Hermosa Beach to deliver it on Saturday. Wow... was it crowded down there near the Fourteenth St. pier. Too many people for me. I remember when it was easy to find parking and easy to get anywhere to shop or go to the beach. Obviously, those days are long gone, but I sure do miss them!

Take care,

Computer fix was easy / now you can see my scarf!

The computer fix entailed replacing a keyboard. Easy fix and I feel lucky!!

I'm now able to show you the finished scarf... This one was lots of fun to knit since I didn't follow directions in regards to color. I just changed colors whenever I felt like it and didn't have any idea how it would turn out. I'm actually pretty happy with it.

I think all the colors work and I like that it changes coloring as it moves the length of the scarf. It's 63" x 7". I used BMFA Socks That Rock yarn in colorways: Red Clover Honey, Tide Pooling, Watermelon Tourmaline, Sugarplums, Faulty Dyer, & Count Clockula for those wanting to know.

It's in the shop!

Puttering... and making quilt bindings.

We're having a quiet day. We decided to stick around the house and just relax so I've been in my sewing room all day. Straightening up, moving things around, re-organizing, and just generally enjoying myself. I haven't had this kind of day for a very long time. It helps that I've got a good "book on tape" to listen to while I'm puttering. Are they still called "books on tape"?

I've also been making some quilt bindings to list on etsy. I love quilt bindings and I especially love it when then go with but aren't one of the fabrics I've used in the quilt. It's so much more challenging to make it work, I think. I love scrappy quilt bindings too and probably make them for my quilts more often than not. It's also a good way to use up scraps.

 Hope you're all enjoying your day too!

Take care,

This is what I've been doing...

I've been cutting scrappy jelly rolls for the etsy shop. I'm getting kinda excited about it. It will be a fun new adventure.

I was offered the opportunity to teach in my LQS today. That's kind of exciting too and I'll have to start thinking about what I want to teach.

My SALE is still going strong (and I'm begging you to visit)!! We've got GREAT prices...come see! Please help me clean out the shop this month. Please, please, please. I'm anxious to open my etsy shop. 

Take care,