Infant Criss-Cross Dresses

It's summer and we love the houseguests we get to our Florida home this time of the year. We've enjoyed having a dear cousin, her daughter, and a friend for ten days. Also looking forward to seeing our daughter and grandsons in a couple of weeks.  So the sewing room was converted back into a bedroom and not much quilting going on.

However, a quick project to get me going again, has been some cute little infant criss-cross dresses.  You remember them, right? Those cute little reversible dresses with bloomers that criss-cross in the back and button on the shoulder.  I made one in pinks for a friend's daughter, but those bloomers were big enough for me to wear!  Who makes up these sizes for the pattern companies?  So I tried another in a smaller size, in white, and used a different bloomer pattern. It's much closer to the right size.

Some Pics from Pig Out

It was a fun three days quilting with my friends at Pig  Out (Projects In Grocerybags), and I'm looking forward to the next one. My only project was my Hoffman Challenge quilt, and it did not get fully pieced. However, I did manage to get all the machine blanket stitching completed which is a great accomplishment. Here are a few pictures from the Pig Out.



Sheri - Sewing Center Around The Block
















Pig Out Day and AAQI Sale

Today was my second of three days sitting and sewing with my quilting buddies in Fort Walton Beach. I'm working on my Hoffman Challenge Quilt, which I have already given up on twice. I think this time it will get finished, but definitely not using the pattern I had initially created.  Sorry, no pictures today.

Other great news, my first Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative quilt has been sold!  I have no idea who bought it, and may never know. May God bless the generous person who has made this purchase and helped raise money for Alzheimer's research. I am truly honored.

Paducah Pictures

Here is a bit more on my trip to Paducah.

Look who I ran into the first thing, at the convention center in Paducah!

And here are a couple of pictures of Sally (my cousin) and me at the convention center.

Moving on to Hancock's of Paducah, I fell in love with this quilt, hanging from their ceiling. Just had to buy that pattern. It's called "Chaos At The Courthouse" by Relatively Creative Patterns.

My favorite fabric purchase was at "Sew Batik", a kit called "Dove in the Window". Just love the quilting they did on their display sample.



Back From Paducah Quilt Show

I'm back after spending a week at the Paducah Quilt Show. The quilts were just amazing and I think there were more vendors than ever. One of my favorite purchases is a cup holder with attached trash bag that fits on the side of a table. This will be perfect for classes. 

I took this next picture as we were leaving the Convention Center the last day.  This lady must have spent her last dime and REALLY needed a tutorial on how to use the ATM.



Backpack for Paducah Trip

Yesterday, hubby brought home a backpack from one of his trainer's meetings. It has several advertising logos screenprinted on the front. Rather than toss it, because I know we'll never use it, I decided to sew an orphan quilt block over the logos. I needed a large block because those logos covered almost the entire front of that backpack.

When I'm practicing free motion quilt motifs, I sometimes save the blocks, thinking I'll sew them together someday and make a charity quilt out of them. Here's my block and how it looks on the backpack. Perfect for carrying through the vendors area at the quilt show, to keep both hands free to "touch and feel".

I just want to say that these pictures really don't do the backpack justice. The block really doesn't overpower the backpack. I'm sure it would be cuter with a smaller block, but that's what it took to cover those ugly logos.

Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative Quilt For Sale

My first Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative quilt , "Don't Worry Be Happy 1" is up for sale. All AAQI profits fund Alzheimer's research.  Click on the quilt title to be directed to the website. If you have a special person you want to honor, maybe even for Mother's Day, take a look at the quilts on the site.  Your purchase will be going to a great cause.

Alzheimer's Quilt Initiative Quilt #3

Another quilt submitted to the Alzheimer's Quilt Initiative.

Bloom Where You're Planted

"Jellybean" by Thimble Blossoms

I just finished making a quilt using the pattern "Jellybean" by Thimble Blossoms. I chose a blue, brown, and cream color pallet for a more country look. It's such an easy pattern and makes up beautifully.

I missed a great opportunity to do some special quilting in the dark squares, but time was a factor getting this quilt finished.

It's a great pattern for a beginning quilter, but be careful where you place the triangles in the corners. I misplaced them in one block, which caused me to be one block short. I didn't have any extra fabric, so I cut a single block from a coordinating fabric and did a little applique. I like the result, using the love birds applique, since this is a wedding gift.

Mistakes Create Opportunities

It's funny how mistakes can open up opportunities for creativity. I'm making a quilt (kind of a rail fence pattern) that had no fabric left over after making all the cuts. One of the first things I did was cut my fabric in the wrong place. That left me one block short. Here's what I did in its place. It has become the focus of the quilt. Cute for a wedding gift, huh?

Pensacola Quilt Show Finale

Last night the Pensacola Quilt Show closed it's doors until our next show in 2014.  I left so energized with new ideas to try. The quilts were amazing. I am so honored to have been among the winners, especially considering the talent exhibited this year.  Here are my quilt entries.



"Beach Shacks" won a 1st place ribbon

"Just Making A Point" won a 1st place ribbon

"Celebrate" won an Honorable Mention ribbon

"Here We Go Round In Circles"

"In Bloom"

Pensacola Quilt Show

It's almost here! The Pensacola Quilt Show will be this Friday and Saturday. Here's the information:

When:  Friday, March 16th and Saturday, March 17th

Time:   9am - 5pm

Location:  The Expo Hall, Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds
                   6655 West Mobile Highway, Pensacola FL

Admission:  $7  /day, or $10 for a 2 day pass

I had the privilege of sitting in on the judging for a short while yesterday. Wow, did I learn a lot in that short time. The judge really looked those quilts over in-depth and gave very good feedback.  Wish I could have watched her judge my quilts, but that's not allowed.

So all my Florida Panhandle area  friends, hope you can make it to the show. It should be awesome. I think I heard that we have over 250 quilts entered in the competition. In addition, we'll also have 40 quilts from the Hoffman Fabrics Quilt Challenge (and my Hoffman challenge quilt is in this trunk, yeah!).  We will also have 45 minute mini classes ongoing throughout each day. There will be silent auctions going on and some great vendors.  So come on out and enjoy the fun!

Texture Magic

Have you ever tried Texture Magic?  I'm working with it now trying to incorporate it into a quilt for added dimension. I think I like it!  I free motion stitched clam shells in a circular pattern onto the fabric and Texture Magic. I used an iridescent thread in my bobbin, so it added a lot of sparkle to the right side of the fabric when I was finished.  I did not use any batting, but I'm sure that would also look good.  After steaming it, the shrinking was complete and I'm pleased with the results.

Getting Ready For Pensacola Quilt Show

Just one more month until the Pensacola Quilt Show on March 16th & 17th.  I'm making some items to be sold in the boutique.  These are mug rugs with matching mugs. These little quilted mug rugs are made from scraps in my stash and are just big enough for a cup and a cookie.

One More Alzheimer's Art Quilt

Superbowl Sunday was the perfect day to settle into the sewing room, watch the game on TV, and work on another Alzheimer's Art Quilt. I had so many little 60 degree triangles left over from the first quilt that I had plenty for the second quilt.  It's in the mail tomorrow!

Alzheimer's Art Quilt

If you read yesterday's post, you know that I got a little sidetracked making a small quilt for the Alzheimers' Art Quilt Intiative.  It was a fun and quick project with surprising results.

If you look closely, you might see a half block out of place. I got interrupted and when the project was complete I saw the misplacement.  But isn't that just how Alzheimer's Disease raises its ugly head?  I remember when we learned that my mom had this disease, we could look back and see the signs that were there. It just hit us so unexpectedly and we never saw it coming.  Alzheimer's mixes things up in the brain long before we recognize it.  So this little quilt was meant to be exactly as it ended up.

You might not be able to see the quilting because of the bright print and piecing. Those are little hexagon pieced blocks. In each part of the hexagons I quilted a little question mark, again symbolic of all the questions still to be answered through research.

When I find out the registration information on my quilt and auction information I'll post it here on my blog as well as on Facebook. Hopefully some of my friends might like to support Alzheimer's research by bidding on this little quilt (which ended up to be 8 1/4" X 9").

Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative

To start this new year, I made a list of quilt projects I wanted to complete and I prioritized my list. But already into the end of January I'm deviating from my plan! Such is the quilting life.

The Gulf States Quilting Association is sponsoring the Alzheimer's Art Quilts as part of their quilt show this year. We got a great pep talk today at one of my guild meetings encouraging members to participate. This project is very worthwhile because the quilts donated are sold or auctioned, with the proceeds donated to Alzheimer's research.  It's also a cause that tugs at my heart because Alzheimer's has embedded itself in my own family.

So here I go, getting sidetracked again. But this tiny quilt, only 8 1/2" X 11", will be finished very quickly, allowing me to get right back on my plan.  I think I've decided to work on some hexagons. They will be very small blocks, about 3 inches in diameter. Should be fun!

If you would like to make a small quilt for donation, you can find information at the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative website.

Hippy Hippy Shake Shake Finally Completed

It was supposed to be a very quick quilt. Somehow I dragged this one out far too long.  I wanted to deviate from the pattern on the flower stems, so I selected a fluffy yarn as a substitute for the gathered raw edge fabric.  The flower centers were another deviation, selecting minkie instead of a gathered fabric. Then I decided to try free motion quilting WITHOUT my Bernina Stitch Regulator (BSR), just to see if I could do it.  And I did!  It's certainly not perfect, but I am pleased to know that I can FMQ without the aid of the BSR.

I think a ruffled border would have been cute, but I was out of fabric and want to move on to another project.  



Cleaning the Sewing Machine - Don't Use Compressed Air !!

Here is a great link with pictures showing why we should not use compressed air to clean our sewing machines. http://bearhugquiltworks.blogspot.com/2012/01/words-to-wise.html

Hippy Hippy Shake Shake by Abbey Lane Quilts

Update: 1/11/12
Guess I'm just lazy. The instructions for making the applique stems and vine are way more than I want to do.  So I picked up some brown Boucle yarn at Joann's today. I'll just zigzag that right onto the quilt. So fun too. This is the first time I've actually drawn a large pattern on a quilt. Had to do it in order to follow the curvy lines for those stems and vines. Here's a look as I get started.

Jan 9, 2012.......

 I really wanted a quick and easy project right after Christmas.  I picked up this pattern last month at our "Bake Shop" meeting at the quilt shop.  Got all my fat quarters ready and discovered some were cut a bit short. No problem, I could adjust my column widths to whatever I want.  This is a super easy quilt. But it's BIG!  It started getting a bit boring as I was chainstitching, so I added a couple of glasses of wine to my evening stitching. I deleted the wine when one of my columns was beginning to take a curve instead of staying straight.  But I'm on my way.Going with pastels in pink, yellow, teal, and green. I have the quilt body assembled now and will cut out the applique flowers next. Progress pictures......

Pattern

All 32 of  my short colums finished.

All the columns are stitched, on the design
wall, and ready to join. 

What do you think? Shall we do white flowers with pink centers?????