Hit The Jackpot!

WARNING! Photo Heavy!

I hit the "Jackpot"!!! The fabric and UFO Jackpot that is. I am in the process of organizing my upstairs quilting space. It's the smallest of the 3 bedrooms. While I was digging out the closet and looking in covered bins, I found things that I had forgotten I had! I have not idea when it was purchsed. A 1 year ago, maybe 2 or 3 years ago, I am not sure. What I am sure of is...."I bought it". Here are some pics of my finds:

1930's BOM that I completed, almost.

Online 30's Block Swap

Red &Green Applique-already pin basted and ready for quilting!

TX Blue Bonnets in Purple. This is some of my earlier applique and piecing.

This was during my chicken phase!!! Forgot about this one....

My new FAVE is the Simplicity Side Winder! I love this little thing. It winds bobbins very fast. I have a tendency to wind my bobbins while the machine is still thread, needle and all. I know that can't be good for the machine, but it happens. Needless to say, I have broken a few needles winding bobbins this way. I think I have found a fix for my lack of patience. Here is a pic:

My very timely find was this mini Snowman Quilt w/beading. This was another 1st for me.

My instant gratification project, the Fabric Bowl!

Sushi @ Christmas top is complete!

Here is a quick pic of the craft room WIP:

I think I'll stop now with the finds. I have several more to talk about, but I shall save some for another time.

TQP#10 is recorded and available on ITunes.

Until next time...........

In Just 14 Days

Is anyone else having problems getting in the holiday spirit? Or is it just me. This is my favorite time of year, however, I can't seem to get into the spirit. I have my holiday music blasting in my car and at work hoping it will get me there. I took my tree out of storage yesterday, but it still remains in the bag today. I did muster up the strength to put out my "Snowman" flag and hand my holiday wreath on the front door. In just 14 days, Christmas will be here. Will I be ready. No I am not depressed, but just not in the spirit at this time.

Projects I am working on:

Sushi at Christmas

Jovial Fabric Bowl

If you need a quick gift, do I have a link for you. A must see tutorials by Jenni of the MSQCo - Christmas Tree Skirt from 2 Charm packs. Take a look!

Something I would like to focus on, FMQ Challenge 2012. I hope to improve FMQ'ing so that I can quilt the tops that I piece. I want to be able to take what design is in my head to my finger tips, and end up on a quilt top that I pieced. Then I can say, I made that quilt from start to finish. Once I can accomplish that, then the next step is design!

I am planning to organize my time, stash and my work spaces. I would love to be able to finish more quilts. Right now I am in the "top" phase. I would like to be in the running with those who complete from start to finish.

Check out these book raves: Quilters Academy Vol. 1 & 2, by Harriet Hargrave and Carrie Hargrave, Posh Pocket Tips for Quilters, Posh Pocket Tips for Knitters. I am finding them very informative.

Last but not least, I have finished 75% of the "Thermis" neck warmer for my sister. It's time to start thinking of buttons. It should be completed by the weekend.

Podcast #9 was uploaded.

Until next time

Desperate Quilter

Episode #8 is out. I hope the sound quality is better. Thanks to all who are sticking with me!

As I mentioned in a previous podcast, I went out of town during the Thanksgiving holiday to assist my sister after her surgery. I want to thank the listeners that sent out well wishes to her. You know who you are. Just to update you, she is doing well, using her cane vs her walker and getting up and down the stairs without any assistance.

While I was on my mini vay-cay, is that a word, I planned to focus on my knitting. It was portable and took up less space in my suitcase and my vehicle. Well, all I took with me was knitting, no quilting items. I was at my sister's all of 1 1/2 days, I wanted to quilt. I was told by my sister that she had a sewing machine. Excitement, you can't imagine how excited I was. My sister doesn't sew!! So, she told me she wanted me to fix a seam in 2 pairs of her pants. I said,ok. I went to get the machine out of hiding and to my surprise, this is what I found.

Dressmaker Sewing Machine

I sooooo wanted to quilt. I took the machine, no foot pedal, however there was a "start/stop" button. At my finger tips, I had the ability to sew a straight stitch only. So, I decided to go to a big box store to buy some inexpensive fabric, small cutting mat and rotary cutter to play with. A coupon was involved of course. I figured crumb blocks of sorts would be best. I could make my seam 1/4" using the rotary cutter! Here's what I did. Not to bad for a desperate quilter.

Well, you are not in you local area, you must visit LQS's and LYS's. I did just that. I went to Fabric Hut, also an online shop I order from, in Norfolk, VA. Purchased the Accuquilt Go-Snowman and Batiks there. Also, I visited Nancy's Calico Patch in Newport News, VA and purchased more Batiks and Aurifil thread for piecing. Her shop is an authorized Bernina Dealer. I toyed with the idea of purchasing a Bernett 46, however, I talked myself out of that. This would be a perfect machine for a very young person that has interest in sewing.

Progressing nicely on my Weekend Shawl. I am now on the Sunday pattern repeat! Ten rows to go. Completed a couple of knitting projects while there! I stared another cowl for my sister, at her request. I just love how people say, "can you make me one?" Her color choice is a "neutral/beige".

On my 2+ hour drive home, I caught up on "Quilting for the Rest of Us" podcast, episodes 67-69 and a portion of 70. Listening made the drive home a lot easier.

This is what I started since I got home:

BTW, haven't started my BOM project yet...there was a little bump in the road in my plans!!! Stay tuned!

Until next time.