Should be a fun week

A new week with a new adventure!  The Springfield MO quilt show is this week and we are going up to vend.  I love vending at shows for several reasons:  I get to see beautiful quilts, and I get to visit with the nicest people.   

I stitched this little piece this week.  Very quick, fun, and small enough to quilt on my Bernina. 

Got over the blahs from last week.  Decided #1 - age is just a number so get over it, #2 - floaters aren't really so bad after all (I learned if you try to focus on one that it scurries away so when there's a particularly annoying one, I look at it and wha-la, it goes into hiding LOL), #3 - although my husband's vision continues to decline in his left eye, his right eye is still good and we are thankful for that.

If you're in the area and planning to go to the show in Springfield, stop by the Sew Graceful booth and say hi!

A lot happened

It's been a busy few weeks.  First, my husband had another stroke in his eye.  He had one in his left eye about 4 years ago which caused blindness in the left eye.  Fortunately (and surprisingly), he regained sight.  This stroke was in the same eye but wasn't as severe.  His vision is very blurry but we are hopeful full sight will return.  The perplexing thing is what caused this stroke.  We've done lots of reading and found they are caused by high blood pressure, low blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, or diabetes -- none of which pertain to him.  He had a carotid artery ultrasound to rule out blockage or placque.  So, we are kind of in limbo.

I had a birthday.....ever have one of those birthdays where you just feel old?  Well, if so, you know what I'm saying.  I felt old.  A few days later, I experienced very quick flashes of light followed by black dots and squiggles in front of my left eye.  Yep, I have floaters to contend with now. 

A friend appliqued the center portion of this top and I added the half square triangles.  Wish I could say it was lots of fun but that would be a lie.  The pattern was very poorly written (no measurements given for the center pieced part) so I referred to the pattern that was recently published in Quiltmania.  Those measurements were incorrect but I didn't know that until the center had been appliqued.  Consequently, my sashing strip had to be cut larger so the triangles would fit. As a designer, I realize errors happen that's not what really disappointed me.....the disappointment was that the designer wouldn't even have the courtesy to answer my e-mail asking for a corrected version.  Oh well, it's over.  If you're planning to make this and would like corrected measurements, I'll be happy to share. 

 

 

This cool weather is making me itch to hand applique.  How about you?  Do you find yourself wanting to applique in cooler weather?



We're not scary

I could start by saying good intentions, blah, blah, blah but you know where that's going.  So, I'll simply share a really fun piece I recently finished.  It's called "We're not Scary".  The designer, Jo Ann Mullaly, suggested attaching a piece of batting behind the muslin and then stitching.  Since I'd never tried the technique and am open to new ideas, I gave it a try.  I'd have to give the technique 2 thumbs up.  If you'd like a kit, you can get one at Sew Graceful Quilting.

Lately it seems like I am the queen of starting projects and not finishing them.  I've got three laying on my sewing table in various stages of finish.  Lists really help and I think it's time to get the list tablet out and use it.

Back and ready for cooler weather

My visit to Washington DC was wonderful.  I was a bit apprehensive about the whole public transportation thing but my apprehension was unfounded.  By the end of the week, we were pros at catching the bus to the metro.  We did a lot of walking but that was fine because I'm used to walking.  We had such a good time that my husband and I are planning a future trip. 

I don't know if you're like me but I always bring WAY more than I have time to work on.  I finished the stitching on this pin cushion.   

I also finished stitching this table runner. 

I'm working on several designs for the Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine....applique, of course! 

I'm ready for cooler weather:  the kind of weather where it's not uncomfortable to sit under a quilt while it's being bound.

Chocolate Bon Bons

I'm betting the title of this post got your attention if you love chocolate even half as much as I do!  Chocolate Bon Bons is the name of my quilt that's in the current issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine. 

I know subscribers have received their magazine so shops should receive their shipment soon.  If you'd like a kit you can order one at Sew Graceful Quilting. 

Like me, you probably have your favorite blogs you check out regularly.  Imagine my surprise last night when I checked in with Nancy in Montana and read she liked my quilt.  I had to read her blog entry to my husband.  Here's a link to her blog is you'd like to keep up with her.  http://tominerfolkart.blogspot.com/

I've finished several small projects.  This little Halloween pillow was quick and fun to stitch.  I finished it with a zipper so I will be able to change it with the seasons.

I made this sheep and blanket (the blanket isn't finished quite yet).  Sew Graceful Quilting is offering it as a block of the month.  It's not on the website yet but will be soon.  In the interim, you can call Darlene at 479-372-7403 to get your name on the list.

I'm trying to get some projects ready to take on my trip to Washington DC next week.  I'm very excited about visiting the DAR museum.  It's been on my "must visit some day" list for quite some time.  The only other time I visited DC was on a bus trip from Gettysburg.  We were able to see the highlights but 2 hours at the Smithsonian is just teasing a person!  Any other secrets I don't want to miss out on?

Primitive Quilts and Projects Fall Issue

I'm excited to hear what you think of the quilt I have in the fall issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects.  Those who know me know I usually slip a little brown into most quilts I make.  This one is no exception.  Since I can't post a photo of my quilt yet, I'll post a photo of the cover of the magazine.  Dawn Heese's quilt is on the cover - very fall looking.

Hope you have a nice July 4th holiday.  We don't have any special plans (every day is special) so will do our normal walk and run at the park, come home and sew.  Even though it's hot, I'm itching to start a wool project.........strange, huh?

Lots going on

As is getting to be the norm, I've neglected blogging.  It's not that I didn't want to write, but more that I haven't taken the time to do so.  The past few years we've remodeled the outside of our home - the deck, roof, shed....you know....the boring stuff.  I've wanted to do the inside for years and 2012 is finally my year. 

So, the past few weeks we've removed wallpaper and repainted the kitchen and bathrooms.  Now I know why painters aren't cheap, and they're worth every penny.  What a lot of work!  Since the baseboards and counters were going away we didn't have to tape everything but it was still way more work than I liked!

We now have granite counters in the kitchen and bathrooms, new sinks, new faucets, new garbage disposal, and new bathroom fixtures.  We also have new floors, new backsplash, new toilets, and new mirrors.  It's been kind of stressful but now that it's over (except for cleaning up the grit that never seems to go away), it's been so worth it. 

In between all that work, I vended at quilts shows in Tulsa and Wichita.  Of course, that meant making samples, making kits, packing and unpacking.  But it was SO worth it!  Quilt shows are just so much fun.

Here's a fun piece (the upper one - you've already seen the bird one).  It's all cotton with a little embroidery.  It was small enough I could quilt it on my Bernina. 
 

I will get back to the Baltimore quilt but have given myself permission to set it aside for now.  I had hoped to have it finished by the end of this year but realize that's not realistic.  I don't want to just slop it together just for the sake of finishing it so it'll wait a while longer.  

I will be back much sooner with more photos (just have to get them all together!)