Saturday, August 24, 2013

Sewing Studio Linky Party

I found a linky party the other day about
Sewing Studio's and linked in,
but them a storm hit and knocked out my internet
so I'm just getting around to doing the actual blog!
So here goes ....


My sewing room (studio? that sounds so formal!)
is my sanctuary!
A place were I can go and get away from it all.

In the past, this 10 x 12 room which is in the back corner of my home,
has served as a den, play room, office, bedroom for nana and
now my sewing room!
 I have a habit of changing the room around frequently -
but this is it at the moment!
As a sewing room it works well ...
but it will be on the move again when this new
sewing table arrives in December!
Not sure how all the furniture will fit!

When you walk in the first thing you'll see
is pictures of my kids on the far wall
(3 month baby pictures and their graduation pictures -
they make me smile every time I walk walk in!)

Yes I have two sewing machines!
on the left is my Bernina 440 and on the right in my Jenome 6600
my printer is all set up on a rolling file cabinet
and my lap top sits right on top -
with the desk / chair right there it is easy to do any office type work.
I use the one swivel sewing chair between the two sewing machines -
very handy!

The other corner has a bookcase with my book collection!
I LOVE quilting books and actually refer to them frequently.
The top shelf is all machine quilting books,
second shelf has my modern quilting, bag making books,
and Japanese Quilting Magazines,
 third and fourth shelves have specialty quilting books,
and the binders hold patterns from magazines and internet,
the bottom shelf hold quilting DVD's and magazines.

behind my "Janome sewing table"
is stored plastic storage bins -
each with a project waiting to be completed!
The white set of drawers are from "Michaels"
and hold all sorts of quilting "do-dads"!

The closet is great - store LOTS of fabric!
The hangers neatly hold projects in various stages of completion!

On top of my fabric closet is my pull down design wall!
Love it ...
except occasionally I forget that there is a project there...
like this one!
Forgot all about it until I went to snap this pic!!!


When open, all the fabric is for the most part decided into sections:
Japanese Imports, American Asian style;
Amy butler and Kaffee Fassett,
and the rest are grouped by color and or collection.
It's sort of a messed up way of organizing it but it works for me!

You can also see my little tv on the wall next to the closet,
but my favorite way to quilt is...
while watching the "Quilt Show" with Alex and Ricky
on my iPad mini!

On the opposite corner from the door is my antique sewing machine
(given to me by a friend!)
and my Chadwicks Spool Cotton thread holder
which was passed down from my husbands grandfather,
he had it in his store in South Boston 
I just love it

Love opening the drawers and to see the array of colors,
this also make me smile!
Looks like candy!

on the wall by my fabric closet is my collection
of Aurifil threads, silks and other threads

my cutting table is from Joann's.
I like the fact that I can put down a leaf and make it smaller.
The large cutting mat when not in use
is stored behind the bookcase!
Today I have it set up for cutting and pressing binding for the Red Quilt!

So that's it! My little jam packed sanctuary!
Hope you enjoyed the tour!
Stay tuned for another tour in Dec when the new table comes in!!

Please head on over to the Studio Spotlight link 
and check out some fabulous sewing spaces!



Saturday, July 27, 2013

Now it's time for the Borders!

Finally the blocks, sashings and corner stones
are all quilted!


Now it's time to move onto the borders!
Marking and quilting as I go...
around midnight last night
a thought popped into my head and woke me up....
One side of  the feather is quilted backwards!!!
Not really sure why this woke me up ... but it did!

So at 12:30 this morning I'm in my sewing room
"frog stitching" out feathers!
Rip-It ...Rip-It...Rip-It!!!

The swirls on the lower part are curing backwards!
Oops! 
I've decided to leave in the bottom feather....
it will be my dyslexic feather!



My dead line for the quilting is July 30th - 
Do-able.
Quilting the applique - 
Questionable.
 the Piping, binding and beading
Not going to happen!
At least not by July 30th, but hopefully by Sept 14th.

Have two more quilts that need quilting before
SCQG show judging on Sept 14th!

Silver City Quilt Guild's Fourth Show
is September 20th and 21st.
Check here for details.

In between hours of machine quilting I have been able to 
enjoy some time fishing with Hubby at the Canal.
He does the fishing,
I take the pictures and embroider!


For some
spending a summer quilting would not be fun....
for me ...
it's a slice of Heaven!

Thankful for a great machine Janome 6600 (thank you mom),
air conditioning, a pool that feels like a hot tub! and
a very understanding family!


Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Stitching in the New England heat wave!

Spent the heat wave at the canal watching my husband fish!
The sun was brutally hot, we only lasted an hour in the sun,
thankfully there was a bit of shade which made the
six hours of fishing
(2 bites, 1 snapped line, no dinner!)
a bit more enjoyable!

I was prepared! Brought along my latest
embroidery project
"Sun and Sea"
 by Sandi Bard Designs.

A very cute design of small children at the beach!
Using a variegated Sulky 12 wt thread #4014
it runs from a medium blue to  aqua 
very pretty and reminds me of the ocean!


To beat the heat at home
(thank you central air conditioning)
worked on outlining my applique,
it's a work in progress,
I've never done this before so
there is a bit of a learning curve going on!

Enjoying the process!

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Happy 4th of July ... spent in the ditch!

Yup I'm in a ditch!
Stitching the ditch that is!
Finally at the stage where the machine quilting has started!


 Getting as close as I can!

 Love my Sharon Schamber's Halo.
Gives great control, no gloves and my shoulders
are not killing me!


Since my new Janome 6600 has a 9 inch bed I can 
fit the quilt thru with ease. My Bernina 440 only had a 7inch
bed which made quilting larger quilts a bit more, 
Difficult, Challenging, "Interesting"!

The Aunt Millie's Garden Quilt is 70 x 80 and fits thru nicely!
Very Happy!!

Monday, July 1, 2013

My LQS is having a retirement sale ... I'm so sad

It is so sad when a quilt shop closes ...
I have been a customer at Quilter's Stash for 11 years, 
worked on the floor with customers and taught classes
for 9 years... and now it's sad to say
but they are having a retirement sale.

Quilter's Stash has always been my favorite quilt shop,
the selection of fabric is wide a fresh,
the classes and teachers are fabulous,
and the classroom is the best around,
and I have meet some of the BEST Quilty Ladies there!

I'm just not sure what I'll do now (tearing up)
without my favorite LQS just 20 minutes away.





Sue is having a retirement sale starting on July 5th
where everything is 25% off.
Check here for shop details.

Let's help Sue retire with a bang, stock up on
things you will need ( notions, patterns, books, fabric).
There will be new inventory
coming in during the summer so check in often.

I will miss you Sue (and Barry!) Quilter's Stash
will be my favorite Quilty place forever.





Sunday, June 23, 2013

Gammill Classic + LongArm For Sale

My girlfriend Diana is selling her long arm
~so thought I'd help her get the word out!

Diana is a fabulous quilter who has really
own grown her machine! She has her eyes set
on another more advanced machine.


Here is an example of her machine quilting work...




As you can see quilting is her business!


FOR SALE:

Gammill Classic +
Long Arm Quilting Machine

Details:
Very well maintained, stitch regulated, clean
comes with 12' table, dozens of pant graphs (paper patterns), 
extra parts, service manual, and a full day of instructions 
from an experienced, award winning machine quilter.

Price: 
$7500.00
as is - cash and carry - a must see!

Contact:
Institchesquilts@aol.com
if interested

Saturday, June 22, 2013

The quilting design process...


After playing around with quilting designs,
this is what I've come up with.



Now onto basting (not my favorite phase)
 using the Sharon Schamber's method.


Tomorrow ... may the quilting begin!

A Morning with Alex Anderson

My friend Joan and I spent the morning with Alex Anderson!

This is the third time I have had the privilege
of hearing Alex speak.
SO Inspirational!

She asked everyone....
 do you quilt? 
or are you a quilter?

There is a difference!

A quilter enjoys the entire process,  start to finish!
(Ok I'm not a fan of basting my quilts, but I think I'm a Quilter!)

She talked about how quilters have a virtual tool belt,
and it's up to the quilter to fill the pockets with tools,
to expand their quilting knowledge, learn new methods, 
and recommended taking classes to open new doors.
(Even Alex take classes!)

Great Advice!

It was a fabulous way to spend a morning.


Sunday, June 16, 2013

Aunt Millie's Garden appliqué ... DONE!

Another long term project ... done!
Can not believe it that I started this quilt
back in ....Ummm .... 2010? or was it 2009?

Anyway it's not when you start,
it's all about finishing,
and enjoying the process along the way.

This quilt did that for me,
Truly enjoyed every minute of this one.
Good thing, it did take forever!! (almost!)

dimensions 72 x 83
Really pleased with the combination of
Kaffe Fassett and Amy Butler fabrics on
the red batik.

I did change the corners from the original pattern.
Just didn't like how the pattern had the top and bottom
boarders running off the sides and not connecting with
the side boarders. But of course left that fix to the last minute
so it was a tiny challenge to come up with something!
But I think this works!

Now for the EXCITING part ...

deciding on a quilting design.
Planning on quilting this on my
Janome Memory Craft 6600!

This will be the first quilt that I have quilted
on my new Janome!

I am looking forward to that process too!
Visioning feathers, swirls and flowers!

Monday, May 27, 2013

DONE ... Winter Taupe Snow Days Quilt top is Done!!

My Winter Taupe Snow Days Quilt top is done!
Eighteen months in the making
(did work on just a few other projects along the way!)


This quilt has been a joy to embroider and piece
and absolute joy.
Can't say that about too many quilts but
this one just had a serenity about it.
I loved every minute of the process.

Now for the next phase ... the quilting!
Many thoughts and ideas are floating through my brain,
Yes I have decided to quilt it myself!
Hoping this phase is as serene and joyous as
putting it all together was!
Some how I think it will be....

Taupe Winter Snow Days Center .... DONE!!!

Today I finished the center of my
Taupe Winter Snow Days

Happy, Happy, Happy!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Winter Taupe Snow Days Quilt ... coming along!

Finally all of the outside embroidered and pieced blocks are done!



Not it's time to start piecing the center!
This has been just the most wonderfully calming
quilt to work on.
It has taken over a year to slowly embroider
all of the blocks ... but well worth it.

Still trying to decide exactly how I want to quilt it ...
Can't procrastinate too long as it
must be ready for the SCQG show in September!

Sunday, May 12, 2013

A Masters in Business

So proud of my son
he earned his Masters in Business yesterday
from UMass Dartmouth


Everyone received a special pin:
UMass 
Dartmouth 
Strong

there was a strong security presence
and the ceremony went off very well despite the rain!

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Making Blocks for Boston for BMQG

I spent the weekend making
Blue, Yellow, Grey and White blocks
for the Boston Modern Quilt Guild effort


Starting with a Mariners Compass,
 it is one of my favorite blocks
 I know it's not very modern,
but I liked it and
hope someone else will too!

Then using one of my newest books....


I made three more blocks....

Diamond Ripples


Follow the Leader


and
Seeing Double

Think I'll keep going...


If you are interested in making blocks to
"Quilts For Boston"
effort please check out
the BMQG blog for details.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Quilts for Boston

I've tried for several days to write this post,
still feeling numb from the events that unfolded
at the Boston Marathon.

You see I was sitting at my sewing machine working 
on my Winter Taupe quilt when I received a text from my daughter
"Somethings happened at the finish line, I'm fine"
 I turned on the tv and my heart sank.

My daughter was volunteering at the medical tent
as part of her college experience.
I am so thankful she was unharmed and was able
to help those in need.

As a quilter there are ways to help others and 
the best way is to do what we do best...
make blocks and quilts.

I am please to share the fact that 
The Boston Modern Quilt Guild is asking for help
in making blocks and quilts for the survivors of the
Boston Marathon bombings.

Check the BMQG blog for the details

Blocks are due by May 24, 2013


SO let's do what we do best...
Let's Quilt.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Winners Announced ...

Announcing the Winners of 
Jennifer Chiaverini's book "The Giving Quilt" and Pins



Jennifer Walston

and

Linda Long

Congratulations!

Please contact me ...

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Winter Taupe Snow Days quilt coming together....

Next step in the process...

Trimming the embroidered blocks....

Stitching up my Japanese taupe fabrics....


Bringing the embroidery into the pieced taupe blocks....


It's coming together ....


Loving this process!

Now the big dilemma ...How to Quilt it?

Any Suggestions?

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

"The Giving Quilt" by Jennifer Chiaverini ... Giveaway!

A few weeks ago Plume Books contacted me to see if I would be interested
in offering my blog readers a special give away ...
Ummm .... YES!




From Plume Books: 
Thanksgiving inspires generosity once a year, but what happens to the spirit of giving on the other 364 days? In THE GIVING QUILT, now available in paperback from Plume, New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Chiaverini takes a page from her own life to deliver an emotional and poignant story very close to her heart. As a long-time member and advocate of Project Linus, an organization dedicated to providing handmade quilts and blankets to children in need, Jennifer decided to donate a very unique and special gift—a prime spot in one of her bestselling novels.



At Elm Creek Manor, the circle of quilters is hard at work preparing for “Quiltsgiving.” Held annually the week after Thanksgiving, expert and novice quilters from near and far gather for a special winter session of quilt camp to make pieces for Project Linus. As the week unfolds, the quilters respond to the question, “Why do you give?” in ways as varied as the life experiences that drew them to Elm Creek Manor. Each of the quilters, including a librarian, a teacher, a college student, and a quilt shop clerk, uses her unique talents to teach, inspire, and give back to her fellow campers.


With numerous New York Times bestsellers, Chiaverini is undoubtedly one of the masters of both modern and historical women’s fiction. Year after year, Chiaverini’s stories remain beloved by fans and praised by critics.


Jennifer is my favorite author, love how she draws you into the story,
I feel like I know Sylvia and Sarah, 
and all of the nooks and crannies of Elm Creek Manor!

"The Giving Quilt" is now available in paperback, 
and Plume Books was kind enough to send me 
a few copies to offer as a give away!

If you are interested in receiving a copy of "The Giving Quilt"
and a special enameled Elm Creek Quilt Pin!!
Just leave me a comment (make sure I can contact you!)
The giveaway will close on April 18th at midnight (East Coast time)
Please enter only once!
Good Luck!



Tuesday, April 2, 2013

New book by an old Friend ...

Most of you that follow my blog know that I belong
to the Silver City Quilt Guild...

The SCQG is full of wonderful women who are so willing to share
their talents and knowledge with others
especially one .... Jessica.

Jessica was our guild president back in 2007, 
she worked very hard to bring the guild up to date with all things "techy"!
She started our web page, got us on Yahoo, made everyone sit in a circle
at one guild meeting and really introduce themselves...
To me she really brought the guild closer together 
and made it what it is today.

Not too long after her presidency she and her husband relocated
to the New York area and started a family.
I was very sad to see her go, she brought
youth and enthusiasm in to the guild. 

Well I am so happy to see that she has written a book!

Jessica always had an English Paper Piecing project with her,
so it stands to reason her book ... Yup!
English Paper Piecing!


That will be released on June 11, 2013!
I've already pre-ordered my copy!

If it's anything like Jessica it will be a treasure!

To see more check out her blog:
lifeunderquilts.blogspot.com/


My very Best to You Jess!
You Go Girl!




Monday, March 18, 2013

Rhododendron Needlers Quilt Show

Belonging to a quilting guild is a fabulous experience,
it exposes you to many different ideas, techniques and talented ladies!

This past weekend one of the guilds I belong to
 RNQG held their biannual quilt show.

With over 130 quilts on display,
 a very talented group of ladies put on a great show!

We had the opportunity to have our quilts critiqued
by certified quilting judge Pat Harrison.
To me this offers a great opportunity to learn more about
quilting, and how to strive to become a better quilter.


So EXCITED!!!

My Blue Hawaiian Hibiscus Quilt
WON
a Judged ribbon for
Exemplary Hand Quilting!!


Pinch me!!

And .... My sweet little beaded Birdie Stitches
won a first place viewers choice ribbon!


Pinch Me again!!

Must of been the Luck 'O the Irish with me!!
Had my green on too!

Had a chance to white glove and mingle amongst the quilts
(Love white gloving - must be the power of the gloves
and being able to touch the quilts!!)
and work the Comfort Quilt Table...


Notice I have my embroidery hoop out!!


Saturday, March 9, 2013

New England Snow storm

What a difference a day makes!
Yesterday (and the day before!) 
it snowed, and snowed and snowed!

this is the view from my kitchen window

Friday afternoon ~ a snow day from school!
Saturday afternoon ~ bright and sunny

Used my snow day wisely to
worked on a new Sashiko table runner



My Big mistake was choosing a chalk pencil to 
transfer the pattern onto the fabric,
and it started to rub off as I worked on it,
so had to go back a re-traced my lines with my
now it wont rub off.
Lesson learned!


Last weekend I taught a class at 
my local quilt shop
this cute Barbados bag
by Pink Sand Beach Designs



And picked up a few goodies for myself while at the shop!


Fabric, patterns, magazines and a book,
 and my FIRST Bali Pop!

Can't wait to jump in and make a few pretty things!