IT'S COMING TOGETHER!

You wouldn't believe how long it took me to get this layed out. I have to say I wasn't really in love with all the fabric in this line but I was determined to use it all (especially since I won it)! And I'm glad I did. I absolutely love it and can't wait to get it finished. I've really enjoyed making this quilt, despite a few bumps along the way. Let's just say me and my seam ripper have become very good friends! Anyway, I can't WAIT to get this finished. I'm planning on a coordinating purple or gray for the back and I'm even going to FMQ this one - Yikes!

SLOW...and not steady!

I FINALLY got started on my circle quilt! I've done all the cutting and spent AGES matching the circles to the squares. Why does this always take me so long? Here's a little peak! I've already got my thread so I'm ready to start sewing the circles.

Here's another sneak peak of something I've been working on. I've had the idea for this quilt in my head for ages. It's a bit of an experiment and I'm not sure how it will turn out. If I like the results this may become my first pattern!

I'M SO EXCITED!!

Remember these...

I won these several months ago in a giveaway. I've been trying to decide for the longest time what quilt to make...well, after careful consideration I've come to a decision. Let's just say it involves circles - eek!!! This one is going to be for me. I wanted to get a last picture of them before they have their bath tonight and the cutting begins! I'll keep you updated on my progress!

NEW PROJECT!

This is what happens when you don't have a real baby to model your projects...

Lissie is such a good sport - she got extra kitty treats after this!

PRODUCTIVITY!!!

On my design "wall." It's pretty bright, but I love it. My scraps are getting out of control.

A few finishes...

Wow, straight line quilting...


Scraps - LOVE it,,,



The binding is not finished on the next two, but I wanted to get their pictures up...

All these quilts are being added to this pile and are destined for the Dunbar Craft Fair (November 27). See you all there!

And last, but not least, Lissie...!

She's Home!!!

I picked her up yesterday morning, and we've been very busy. She's running like a charm (although she always has)!

I have been dying to make a "scrap" quilt, but really didn't think I had enough scraps. Was I wrong! Once I started pulling out fabrics, I realized I actually had tons, and was able to put this together yesterday...

I really like the way this turned out. It was so much fun putting it together. It's nice not to worry about colour placement and just start sewing. I see more of these in my quilting future!

Cutting...

It's all I can do. I bit the bullet and took my machine in for servicing yesterday. I was told ten days, but I'm hoping it's sooner. I miss her already!

This is one of the first pictures I took of Stewart. I think it look's like he's smiling! (What's with the wonky eye?)

A NEW LOVE!

Move over Kona white and Kona snow...This is my new love - Kona carnation! This picture doesn't do it justice - it's the most gorgeous colour of pink, not too dark, not too light, jusssssst right! It's become my new favourite and I'm completely inspired and feel ready to branch out! I'm hoping to finish this little quilt tomorrow - I think I'll do some straight line quilting (I already have the perfect thread)! I'll post a picture when it's done! Hope everyone has a great long WE!

QUILT IN A DAY!!!

When I woke up yesterday morning, I challenged myself to complete a quilt in a day! Could I really do it? There was only one way to find out! I pulled out some pre-cut vintage charm squares and a leftover piece of Kona snow and got going! This little quilt came together pretty easily - no major snags except for a few tension issues with my free-motion and a mis-cut with the binding - oops! Measure twice - cut once! Anyway, I finished hand-stitching the binding at about 9:45 last night. I tossed it in the washer and dryer this afternoon.

It's a little on the small side (30" x 36"), but I think it's cute!

I have to give partial credit to Kaffe Fassett for this one. I attended a talk he gave at UBC on Friday night. When an audience member asked how he was able to accomplish so much, he replied simply, "The 'F' word," which he went on to explain, stands for FOCUS (which is what I intend to do)! Anyway, here is a picture of it...

I should also mention, I got three loads of laundry done, dusted, vacuumed, ate lunch (standing over the sink), changed the sheets, played with the cats, yacked on the phone, went out for dinner, and made my lunch for the next day! Not bad (considering I slept in until 7:30)!

LATE NIGHT FINISHES!

I stayed up until midnight last night (waaaaaaay past my bedtime) to finish these. They're fresh out of the dryer and heading to my shop!!!

I DID IT!

Finally, my lifelong dream of having my own shop has been realized.

I took the plunge and opened my Etsy shop. You can find it here!

Let me know what you think!

I'll be posting new items for sale as they become available!

NEW FAVOURITE COLOUR COMBO!

This is my new favour colour combo. Now all I have to do is find a back. I can't wait to finish this one. This top is based on a pattern found here! I just made every second block with white rings! I think it looks pretty cute. I wasn't sure how it would turn out but I really love it!

Lissie wanted to be on the blog, too!

NEW SHOP GRAND OPENING!!!

My good friend Caroline just opened her Etsy shop! She sells jewellery as well as all sorts of beaded bookmarks, key holders, and stitch markers - "Beautiful items for gifts or to treat yourself." You can see a sampling of her gorgeous products below! Having seen a lot of the items myself, I can say they are absolutely some of the cutest pieces I have ever seen (and I've seen a lot)!

The GRAND OPENING SPECIAL is 25% off anything PINK for the month of September. In addition, anyone who mentions they saw PINK PAJAMAS on the Tabbiegirl Blog will receive free shipping on their first order. As well, the first FOLLOWER from the Tabbiegirl Blog who places an order will receive their choice of a SEWING bookmark or key holder FREE! You can find her Etsy site here!

I KNEW THIS DAY WAS COMING...

See that little wrench and screwdriver - yup, it's time for servicing!!! My poor baby needs some well-deserved TLC and R&R. The only problem is...it's going to take 2-2 1/2 weeks. Whatever shall I do....

These guys will just have to wait patiently for their binding. Time to break out the knitting needles!!!

TWO FINISHES AND A TOP!!!

Finally, some finished projects!

A sweet little coin quilt - I LOVE coin quilts! and pink and brown!

I call this my "ultra-modern" baby quilt - from a pattern by Kate Conklin. Would I make this again, probably not, but I loved the process. Check out the back below - my most favourite fabric EVER!

Here it is in more detail. It's going to go on the back of this, too...

Baby log cabin made entirely from scraps. I'm trying to be a little more bold with fabric choices. I'm trying to get away from buying "a line" of fabric and doing the mix and match thing, which I think makes for more interesting quilts. I'm beginning to enjoy the challenge of starting with a fabric I love and adding to it.

I think I've got my mojo back!!! (Thanks to my husband for help with the photoshoot!)

IN CASE ANYONE'S WONDERING...

I'll be back! It's TOO HOT to sew! I can't go near my machine or fabric right now. It's supposed to cool off over the next few days. I'll be back soon with a few finishes and a few new projects - just in case anyone's wondering!!!

INTUITION...It's a Wonderful Thing!!!

New needle - check!

Feed dogs down - check!

Correct thread - check!

Free motion foot inserted - check!

Off I go!!!!

Wait a sec - something doesn't "feel"right"

I decided to listen to my "spidey sense," pulled it out and checked the back - Sooooo glad I did!

Re-threaded my machine and off I went!

(This is the back of the quilt I was whining about a few days ago!)

There's a sneak peak of the top below! I'll put up a picture of the finished product when I get the binding done. So glad I decided to fix this one - I LOVE it now!!!

FRUSTRATION!

I think I've lost my quilting mojo. Since returning from vacation, I just can't seem to get going. I finished a quilt top on Sunday I've been itching to make for ages. Let's just say the idea in my head did not translate well to fabric. I'm going to finish it anyway and post a picture - maybe. I can't seem to silence the voice of my inner critic and let my inner creator take over! Is it possible I have quilting burnout - I've only been at it for five years. I have so my projects floating around in my head but can't seem to focus on one! This is sooooooo frustrating. Maybe it's the heat - maybe I need a break. I don't know. Okay, I'll stop rambling now! I'll be back...eventually!

WE'RE HERE!!!

We've finally arrived for our annual summer trip to Osoyoos!!! These pictures are the view from my deck!

This picture shows the last athletes finishing the swim portion of the Desert Classic Half Marathon which takes place every year. I hope no one got eaten by the Ogopogo!!!

PLANS...

I've officially started my summer holiday and I have BIG plans!!! Aside from reading, sleeping, eating, staring at the lake, staring at nothing, etc., these quilts all need their bindings to be sewn, and...

I've been wanting to start this quilt for ages! The templates are cut so I thought this would be a great time to get all the little pieces cut too. I've chosen some reproduction fabrics based on a finished quilt someone had posted on flickr.com. Not sure if I want to use white or cream background. Perhaps when my "rings" are done it will be an easier decision. This project may be somewhat of a challenge - I'm terrified of curved piecing!

IT FITS!

I have been trying for ages to find a cover for my Kitchenaid (yes, I finally got a Kitchenaid for my birthday last year from my generous family)! It seems they don't make covers for them so I looked for a tutorial and with a little "tweaking" this is the finished product. I think it looks pretty good! (And now I won't have to wash my Kitchenaid every time I want to use it.)

TA-DA!!!

Modern Chain top finished - hurray! It's hard to get a sense of the colours - they don't seem to photograph well. They are beautiful jewel tones of purple, pink, orange, turquoise, green. I went out this morning and got the backing and binding which was a bit of a challenge, but I'm pretty happy with what I got! Can't wait to see this one all done. I'm trying not to form an opinion of my quilts until they are completed. I think it's the quilting that really brings them to life!

MODERN CHAIN PROGRESS!

This is actually going together a lot quicker than I thought. I'm not looking forward to the layout - I find this probably the most challenging part of making a quilt. Perhaps someone will help me (Jeanette)!!!

PROGRESS!!

I finally got started on my Modern Chain. This is actually my second start. I made my first set of blocks with some of my vintage fabric and did NOT like the results (anyone want some finished blocks)! So I started again with part of a jelly roll generously given to me by my sister-in-law Jeanette (I think she just got sick of me fondling it every time I saw it in her sewing room)! Anyway, I'm much happier with the results this time around. I think you really need 18 completely differnt fabrics for this quilt. I hope to get the blocks finished and the top pieced together this week!! The construction of this quilt seems a bit tedious. I'm trying to enjoy the process, but I'm really looking forward to seeing the finished product.

UPDATE!!!

Do NOT leave new fabric unattended on cutting table (dining room table)!!! (See previous post.)

I WON!!!

I can't believe it - I won a giveaway! Wheeeeee! These arrived today from Hawthorne Threads (my new favourite online source for fabrics). That's 24 - yup, count 'em - 24 FQ of Hope Valley! The giveaway was put on by Ashley from Film in The Fridge to celebrate the second anniversary of her blog. The only thing now is to figure out what to make - I think a quilt for myself may be in order. Any suggestions!

NOT SO SURE...

Not sure if I like this or not. I usually like the quilts I make (for the most part). I have been wanting to make this quilt for ages. Perhaps I looked at the top for too long before getting it finished. Maybe it will grow on me!

This, on the other hand, I love. (I'm sure it will look better with the binding, but I wanted to post the picture because I think it's so cute!)