New Years Eve

Did you make New Years Resolutions?

Many people look forward to the new year for a new start on old habits. 

~Author Unknown

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Merry Christmas

To wish you the special gifts of this holiday season  -

 Peace, Joy and Lasting Happiness.

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Christmas Eve

 May sugar plums dance in your head . . .

 Heap on the wood!-the wind is chill;
But let it whistle as it will,
We'll keep our Christmas merry still.

 - Sir Walter Scott

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Joining 2013 NewFO Challenge



I'm thinking ahead to next year.   I'm going to join in the 2013 NewFO Challenge.  Now mind you I didn't actually finish any of the projects I started or planned to start in 2012 so I hope to work on those too.  I'm making a pledge that I will try to finish some of them too, well at least one of them.  I have only a few that I know I would like to start for sure and the others to be announced as they tickle my fancy or actually get around to them.  Here are a couple but not listed in any particular order, in an effort to keep me enthusiastic and not to pin myself done.

1. Deck the Halls

2. Tree of Life

3. My Whimsical Garden

4. Sock Monkey Quilt

5. An Edyta Sitar Quilt - TBA

6. A Graceful Baltimore - BOM

So you can cheer me on and poke at me to "keep at it."   I'm going to try to stay inspired, and have some fun every day.

You can join in the fun at Barbara's Cat Patches.

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No PicturesA Graceful BaltimoreA Graceful Baltimore
                                                                                       

Happy Thanksgiving

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!
~Author Unknown

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Veterans Day

To thank and honor all of our Veterans . . .

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Happy Halloween

  
Off we go a haunting…  

Eye of newt, and toe of frog,

Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder’s fork, and blind-worm’s sting,
Lizard’s leg, and owlet’s wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.

 ~William Shakespeare~

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Stash Report 2012 ~ Week 37

I got some sewing done this week.  I'm so easily distracted, my sewing room err studio is such a horrible mess.  It desperately needs to be picked up and organized, I do so much better when things are organized - I like it neat, with things put away.  I started a different project that I had not planned on, an idea that just sorta came to me.  Not the project I wanted to get going but similar.  I now need to decide if this should be three small wall hangings or one large one.   When I get more done I should be able to decide.  Good news is nothing in and again nothing finished, so nothing out but progress made.

Have you seen these "Swatch Buddies"?  It is a reusable fabric swatch fan kit.  There are refills available too.  I pick up one at the store to try.  I've had the different types of books, cards and what not.  What I liked about the Swatch Buddies is you can write information on the label that is attached to the back of each card and attach the fabric to the front.  I can see where someone like myself might need several of these.  There are 48 cards on each swatch fan kit.

 

Stash Busting - Week 37

Added this Week:    0 yards
Added Year to Date:  98.0 yards
Used this Week:    0 yards
Used year to Date:   4 yards
Net Added for 2012:  94.0yards

To see more stash reports, head on over to Judy’s Patchwork Times.

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Stash Report 2012 ~ Week 36

I did get some sewing done this week  - eek! does mending count?  guess not.  I get some other embroidery started, but nothing finish yet.  So, nothing to count out.  I thought I hadn't purchased anything this week, but then surprise - surprise, part of an order  I placed in March came. Fifteen beautiful fat quarters of Sapphire Sea Silk Dupioni.  Ever hopeful this will be a better week and next week there will be more to report.

Stash Busting - Week 36

Added this Week:   3.75 yards
Added Year to Date:   98.0 yards
Used this Week:    0 yards
Used year to Date: 4 yards
Net Added for 2012:   94.0 yards

To see more stash reports, head on over to Judy’s Patchwork Times.

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New FO's for August 2012

For August I went to Idaho to take a advanced class with Claudia  Dinnell, "Digitizing Large Redwork Style Designs for Multi-Hooping".   Oops!   As it turns out this is really a two day class she was presenting in one day, thinking more toward beginning and intermediate digitizers.  But we did spend some time with the advanced part of the class, enough to make me smile.  I had homework that would normally been finished in the second day of class and I'm OK with that.  I'm almost done with the digitizing,  now I want to find another image(s) to add to the wall hanging.  If I don't find something I'll just add more swirls I think.  What do you think?

Go on over to Barbara’s blog Cat Patches and see the new August projects that everyone has started.

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Labor Day

Celebrate the Labor Day Holiday

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Stash Report 2012 ~ Week 35

I'm back on the band-wagon - so to speak.  I've been missing for awhile, we took a "Road Trip" from the west coast to the east coast and back home again on another route.  I had my own personal shop-hop.  My dear hubby makes sure I get to stop at all the quilt/fabric shops of my choice that are close to our route.   I didn't always buy something at each shop, didn't always even buy fabric, maybe a book, pattern, magazine or gadget instead.  I've put away most of what I purchased on the trip but I didn't get it counted exactly - so for here I'll say it was about 15 yards total. 

Two-fer Bag fabric

Two-fer Bag

This week I added these fun Handbag Panels from Benartex Fabrics.  I saw them at BU made up with lots of quilting, embroidery and stitching embellishments.  Generally I don't like printed panels but seeing the finished project made me change my mind.  Both of these bags are much cuter than these pictures.

Flapper Handbag fabrics

The Flapper Handbag

Stash Busting - Week 35

Added this Week:  1.5 yards
Added Year to Date:  94..25 yards
Used this Week:   0  yards
Used year to Date: 4 yards
Net Added for 2012:  90.25 yards

To see more stash reports, head on over to Judy’s Patchwork Times.

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Berta's Wedding Quilt ~ A Labor of Love

 

 



Berta's Beautiful Wedding Quilt



 

My friend Berta made the gorgeous white silk dupioni wedding quilt for her little sister.  She gave me permission to post the pictures I took of it on my blog for you see.   I'm sorry that I didn't take more pictures of this spectacular quilt.   Double click on each picture to enlarge it for better viewing. 

Berta wrote out her instructions of how she made her quilt using her Bernina Embroidery V6 Software and her 830 machine.



Bride, Bridesmaids and Flower girls

1.  I took the photos into Microsoft Works Word Processor and made each the size I wanted.

2.  I then printed the photos onto "Printed Treasurer" (used my Joann's 40% coupon) the sew on version not the iron on.

I would like to add that the picture of the bridesmaids helping dress the bride reminded me of Disney's Cinderella.   That is why I placed the blue birds and ribbons on that picture.

Bride and Berta

3. Trimmed each photo leaving a 1/4 inch of white border. 

4. Sewed the prepared Dupioni to each side of the photo using the white 1/4 inch border as my guide.  Then I sewed a strip of the Dupioni across the top  and the bottom.  I made this large enough to fit in the Jumbo hoop and later cut it down to a 12 inch block.                       
 

5.  In the Software I loaded the photo into Art Canvas and made it the size I wanted.

Bride and Flower girls

6.  Took in over into the Embroidery Canvas side.
 

7.  Digitized a line around the photo--Single outline stitch which I took into Object Properties and made the stitch length 10 for a basting stitch.

Bride and Groom

8.  Used my MM ruler and measured my picture in the sewn Dupioni block to be sure my basting stitch and picture in the software were perfect size.   Adjusted if necessary.   Printed a template and cut out the center of the basting stitches to be sure it fit perfectly around the actual picture in the block.

9.  This let me see where the floral designs etc would fall around the picture.  When done I saved all but the picture.

The Wedding Cake

I wanted some of the design to barely fall on the pictures to somewhat disguise the seams.   I then inserted in the designs--Hatched In Africa Heirloom Daisy - and placed them sometimes deleting portions  or  mirror imaging  or adding pieces etc. until I liked what I saw.   Thus framing the pictures. 



Signing the marriage license
pictures cropped, turned and joined together

I  did not stitch out the basting stitches around the pictures but brought them into the sewing machine --I have the Bernina 830 with the virtual positioning but you could do the same thing by printing out a template and see where  the corners hit. I then skipped the first stitching sequence.
 

These were my little sisters original wedding pictures and it was for her 55th anniversary.  I had fun cropping out her Orchid on the bible from one of the bride and groom pictures and enlarged it to the size of the other pictures.   There were 2 pictures of them signing the marriage license.  Cropped each picture and turned them so that they would face each other and brought them into Microsoft Works Word and combined into one picture.

Roberta B.



Thanks Berta for sharing your quilt and instructions.  This quilt was also featured in the August 2012 Software Sampler.   You can see a clip below from Software Sampler.

 

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The Seafair Tradition

 

 

Seafair began as a plan on 1951-52  to celebrate Seattle's centennial and promote the best things about Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.   If you live here, you look forward to Seafair and the fun it brings every year.  Seafair is always the last week of July and first week of August.  Hopefully we are blessed with beautiful sunny weather for Seafair.  There are the Seafair Pirates landing at Alki Beach, the US Navy fleet comes to town with tours available on the many ships, various community festivals and parades and the big Tourchlight Parade on Saturday evening through the streets of downtown Seattle.  Other events include the Torchlight Run, a Triathlon, a Marathon and half Marathon.  The Milk Carton Derby on Greenlake with various races.  There is a Parade of Ships on Elliott Bay with a Parade of Flight overhead of Vintage and contemporary aircraft.  The final day Seafair features the F1 Prop limited and H1 Unlimited Hydroplane races on Lake Washington and the Blue Angles and the Boeing Air Show. 

 

Each year we celebrate our Anniversary with Seafair.  Mom thought it wasn't the best date I could choose for a wedding but we've had many great Anniversaries.

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Antique Black Forest Pin Cushion

Every year at the Sewing & Stitchery Expo in Puyallup there is a vendor that has antique sewing items.









Derin always stops by her booth to see the various antique sewing accessories.  This year he found three Antique Black Forest Pin Cushions or Sewing Caddies.










The Black Forest Carvings include a Bear holding a pin cushion and a thimble.  He purchased the largest of the three.









It is beautifully executed even down to the painted mouth on the bear and the beady eyes.  It is circa the 1880's and the condition is excellent.  I think it is really cool.

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Fourth of July

Independence Day

 Celebrate with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, ceremonies and political speeches.

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Happy Fathers Day

A Happy Father’s Day whether your “kids” walk on 2 or 4 feet.

 

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Old Glory

Flag Day

"As Americans, we have every right to be proud of our culture, our nation, and our flag.

  So raise the flag today and every day with pride!" 

"Flag Day" is a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag, its designers and makers.   Our flag is representative of our independence and our unity as a nation.....one nation, under God, indivisible.   Our flag has a proud and glorious history. It was at the lead of every battle fought by Americans.   Many people have died protecting it.   It even stands proudly on the surface of the moon."

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May 29th ~ 15 Minute Challenge

To say the least this has been a busy week with Dr. follow up appointments (DH is doing much better), working and playing catch-up on the home front.    With the weather getting nicer and I want to be outside, if only to sit and read, I'm going to be taking a Summer Vacation from the 15 Minute Challenge.

Tuesday - Dr.
Wednesday - Work
Thursday - Dr.
Friday - Work
Saturday - Work
Sunday - No
Monday - Sewing

Go on over to Kate's "Life in Pieces" and see how everyone else has been doing last week with their "15 Minute Challenge".

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Stash Report 2012 ~ Week 22

I was bad or good this week. I'm not sure - I didn't buy any new fabric, that's right none, so that was GOOD.  But I didn't get any sewing done either, between Dr. appointments for DH (he had glaucoma surgery and is doing fine except his eye hurts) and working, I didn't get to spent any amount of time in the studio, so that was BAD.   Here's hoping the next week is better.



Stash Busting - Week 22

Added this Week:  0  yards
Added Year to Date: 80.75 yards
Used this Week: 0 yards
Used year to Date: 4 yards
Net Added for 2012: 76.75 yards

To see more stash reports, head on over to Judy’s  Patchwork Times.

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Memorial Day

To honor and remember all Americans who have died in all wars

while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

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Winner of the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway is . . .

Thank you to everyone who visited my blog for the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway.   WOW!   I had 285 people left comments to win the Moda Layer Cake "Fig & Plum". The majority of  the "next" projects to make were baby quilts, followed by making  bags.

Now, just for some info, because it bothers me, of the 285 entries there were 22 entries that were "No-Reply" Bloggers and two of the confirming emails bounced back to me as bad email addresses.   :-{     I replied to everyone who entered, so if you did not get a message from me then you are a "No-Reply" Blogger and probably don't know it.   Please take just a little time to fix your blogger status - I'd be happy to help you if I can, or include your email address in your comment.

Moda Layer Cake  "Fig & Plum"

My Winner is #8 - Suzan O.
Womelsdorf, PA

 The Reluctant Quilter

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Show 'n Tell ~ May 2012

These are pictures from the Bernina Software Sampler and Embroidery Club that I teach at Bernina Northwest in Seattle.

Donna's Cool Ties

 Donna D. and her husband made these "Cool Ties" for their trip to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.  He'll be riding his Harley with his friends and Donna will be driving her Corvette.   She is the entourage!

 

 

 

 

Pat's One Block Wonder

Back of  One Block Wonder

This is Pat H.'s "One Block Wonder" Quilt.  Pat quilted it on the diagonal with a running stitch.  You will be able to see the quilting better on the back side of the quilt.  The quilt just needs the binding and label to complete it.  Pat will be teaching this class in June.

Kathy's Chloe Quilt 

Kathy C. finished her Chloe Quilt.  It is beautiful!   She made it using her 730E.  Kathy had multi-hooping on almost all of her embroidery designs.  She also did the quilting, and embroidered label and the scalloped binding. 

 

Maxine's Wall Hanging

S/W Sampler Fabric Tote

 Maxine E. made this White, Black and Red Wall-hanging using embroidery designs built into her 830E.  Turned out great.

 She made her Textured Fabric from Software into this wonderful tote bag.

 

Ukulele Case

Maxine E. made several Ukulele Cases while she and her husband were in Arizona this year.  She used Hawaiian fabrics and the cases turned out great.

 

Skorts by Maxine

Skorts by Maxine

Maxine E, made skorts for a friend that golfs.  The skorts turned out great.

 

 

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