Houston Here I Come!

Actually, I don't know whether anyone in Houston will really care that I'm coming.  Maybe the desk clerk.

My bags are packed.

You probably are wondering why I have a pair of socks sitting on top of my bag.  That's because they are special socks.  My friend, Clarice, took the time to knit me a pair!  Yes, I now am the proud owner of a pair of hand knitted socks!  I have friends who have knitted socks who have gloated for years about the fact I have to wear "store bought" socks.  Not any more!  The only problem is that I just cannot imagine wearing those beauties for such lowly tasks as walking the Houston convention floor.  Those babies are being saved for evening lounge wear and maybe an occasional special event where shoes are warranted.

Speaking of convention.  Here's a sample layout of  booths.  Don't fool yourself.  It may not look like much but imagine each little block is a booth filled with wonderful items.  Makes staying for only 3 days seem like that's not enough time.

I am looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones.  I'll have photos next week.

What I've Been up To

Most fabric companies offer a free pattern when they release a new line of fabric.  I got to design and make the quilt for Lynette Anderson's new line called Summertime Friends by Lecien Fabric.  Be sure to visit Lynette's blog and see what she created with Summertime Friends.  It is too cute!  She also has fabric bundles available.  You'd be the first in the world to get your hands on this great fabric.

This photo was taken right after the quilt was quilted by Darlene of Sew Graceful Quilting.  That's why you see batting and no binding!

Closeups of the blocks.  You can get an idea of how the quilt is quilted - an overall feather design.  Darlene does it all free hand.  The wool batting really enhances the quilt.

The pattern should be available on Lecien's website shortly after market the end of October. 

   

Civil War Bride Quilt Block #7

The Quil brothers have gone home.  Things are finally back to normal at the Harmon and Edens households.  Thanks for all your well wishes!

I am on a roll.  Here is block #7 of the Civil War Bride quilt.

Those of you who have studied the pattern are probably scratching your heads trying to figure out what is different about my block.  Hint:  look at the toes.  For those who aren't familiar with the pattern, the peacocks have feet with teeny tiny toes - lots of toes.  I tried to applique those itty bitty toes and finally decided that they looked awful so decided my birds are in trees with lots of leaves. 

Here are closeups of the birds so you can see how I used the fabric to my advantage.

Next post I hope to be able to share photos of what I've been up to lately.  I am waiting for the official OK before I share. 

Civil War Bride Quilt Block #6

I guess a more appropriate heading for this blog entry would be "What a week!" because it has certainly been quite a week.  I had hopes of working with these tools all week.

Unfortunately, I worked with these tools all week.  The Quil brothers - you know the ones - Ny and Day have become my best buddies.  I think I am on the mend and going out for lunch tomorrow sounds kind of fun.  We will see....

I did manage to finish block #6 of my Civil War Bride quilt.  To be honest, I had most of it appliqued before the bug hit.  Wanted to let you know that before you began thinking I was some kind of super human who could applique through any health issue!

I know of several new readers of my blog.  This is what the quilt is "supposed" to look like in case you are not familiar with it.  

  

Hope you stay well!

It's been a charming week

If I count small projects as finishes, I have had a very busy week.  Dan and Rhonda at The Rogers Sewing Center carry a nice variety of Moda charm packs.  For those who aren't familiar with charm packs, they are packages of 42-5" squares of Moda fabric.  It's a wonderful way to get a sneak peak of an upcoming Moda line since they are normally sent to shops before the line ships to the shops.

This is a table topper I made from French General's newest line, Maison de Garance.

 
Here is a cute wall hanging using the pack Bliss by Bonnie and Camille.

And here's a wall hanging using a free pattern from Barbara Brackman with April Cornell's Prayer Cloth line.  It could easily be expanded into a throw using more than one charm pack.

 
It was hard to choose just which pack to use since they have such a nice selection.  All the samples can be seen at their shop on 8th Street in Rogers, Arkansas.  They also have the patterns available.  Yes---they are all quilted and bound!

I will be teaching some classes at the Rogers Sewing Center as soon as I can get them some dates.  Keep checking their website for dates and times.

My friend Darlene of Sew Graceful Quilting recently made the decision to devote all her time to her longarm quilting business.  As she wrote on her blog "changes--we love them and we hate them."  I'm sure her friends from The Rabbit's Lair will miss her but also am sure everyone will be glad that she has more time to devote to her quilting studio.  I expect the deadline to have a quilt quilted for Christmas giving this year is past but that just means I'll be way ahead of the game for next year!  Here are just a few examples of the beautiful work she does.

Speaking of changes - I'd better go and change a couple of fabrics I've chosen for my next Civil War Bride quilt block.  I promise to have a block finished to show next week!