Second Quilt Entry

This was my second quilt show entry.  I made it for my daughter, Laurie's high school graduation.  I took a 5 day class from Mary Lou Weidman at Empty Spools (http://www.emptyspoolsseminars.com/) to learn to make her style of storybook quilts.  It was an exciting workshop and this was all designed (with her help) by me.  You draw your pattern on an 8 1/2 X 11" page and take it to Kinko's to have it blown up to the actual size.  You make your "Hoochy Mama" border blocks first, audition your center, then add the center using hand applique.  There is so much joy in this quilt.  My husband and friends helped me with the design.  I won a 2nd place ribbon for this!

My First Quilt Entry

This is the first quilt I entered in a show here.  This was a fun quilt I made my daughter, Emily, for her high school graduation.

I could not find a clear picture of the totally finished quilt, so here is the top.  Emily loved (and still loves) purses and I thought this was a fun, funky pattern for a teenager.  I added lots of embellishments to it after the quilting was done.  It made me so happy to see this hanging at the show.  It was not worthy of any ribbons but I did have a couple of quilters ask me for the pattern information so they could find it to make daughters and granddaughters a quilt.  That's better than a ribbon if you ask me!  I was someone's quilt inspiration.

Quilt Show

Our guild's Quilt Show is in two weeks and I decided to enter four quilts this year.  I will show them to you after the show -- I will say you've seen one of them already.  It is a big decision to enter a quilt and put your work out there for judging.  I've done it two other times and have one 2nd place ribbon.  My decision isn't based on whether I can win though.  It's the joy I felt making particular quilts that I want to share with others.

My daughter, Laurie, was the first in our family to enter a quilt in a show.  We took a mother-daughter class together when she was in fifth grade.  She was great at making triangles -- before the triangle rulers came out and revolutionized triangles!  Her quilt was not judge, just shown.  I was so proud to see it in the show.

The name of the quilt is "Memories of Laura" based on the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  I think it is quite an accomplishment for a 10 year old (and her mom)!

Some Works in Progress

It's been a busy week and it seems I didn't find time to grab the camera to take some blog pictures.  I've been working on some embroidery and I thought you might like to see some of it.  They are definitely still works in progress!

This is an adorable Snow Angel I finished.  Here is the piece with the borders on it:

It's a small wall hanging.  I need to piece the backing, machine quilt it and then do some beading on the snowflakes.  It should be lovely and I'll be sure to post the finished piece.

This is another embroidery piece that needs finish work.  My friend, Loretta, sent me the pattern and floss last year as part of my huge birthday gift.

I just hand washed it and it's drying.  I can't decide if I'll frame it, make it a small wall hanging or frame it.  I used this pattern to teach some of my sewing group to embroider.  It has all the basic stitches in it:  backstitch, daisy stitch, satin stitch and french knots.

I should be back in a couple of days with some news.  I need to find all my saved photos, the program just denied me access!  So my husband will have to help tomorrow!

It's March!

My the year is flying.  It's March 1 -- which is also my birthday.  I grew up outside of Chicago where March always came in like a lion.   I always wanted to have my birthday when it went out like a lamb (like my dear friend, Sue).  I always loved the adorable spring lambs.  One birthday, my grandma made me a sweet lamb birthday cake.  It's still my favorite birthday cake ever.

We had a wonder  birthday luncheon yesterday for my sister and I (her birthday was last week).  Tonight my darling daughter, Laurie, is making me a surprise birthday dinner.  I'm waiting to open many of the cards and gifts that arrived from dear friends after dinner.

Happy March!  Spring is on its way. 

 I can't wait to make some fun spring/Easter cards and try some

 machine embroidery to make some dishtowels.

A Little Sewing Help

Last night my sister came over (from across the street) to do a little sewing.  Well, I did the sewing and cutting and she did some pinning and designing.  She's making some fun shabby chic bags for her little

shop -- the design is still top secret so no picutres yet.  She's still working out some of her ideas.

This is what she brought over to help us relax -- sewing is very stressful for her!

As you can tell, this is the AFTER picture.  I'm proud to say our seams were straight!

We actually had a glass a piece so that's not excessive at all!  And I had the best night's sleep I've had in months.  I usually struggle to sleep past 5 a.m.  You can see part of my latest quilt top finishes with calculations for backings and bindings.

Next time she comes over, she said she's bringing cheese and crackers with the wine.  This could eventually lead to dinner and dessert too.

Pillowcases

I hosted a pillowcase making workshop at my home recently. We were making them for a local children's cancer foundation. Now, most of the ladies do not sew -- we had a lot of fun telling junior high home ec stories while having dessert! My good friend and I were the teachers/coordinators of the sewing activities. We had them using a ruler, rotary cutter, folding the layers like a taco, trimming, pressing and making french seams. It really was a blast. Unfortunately, there were technical difficulties with the camera settings so my husband did a makeover with me.

These are a couple of the cute pillowcases we made! And here's another picture of some in various phases of completion. We need to have another night of sewing to finish this round of them.