Sunday, January 30, 2011

Accuquilt GO! or Accuquilt Dies Giveaway!

Hurry over to SewCalGal's blog and enter for a chance to win your very own Accuquilt GO!.

She is also giving dies to 3 different people!

Enter here

This is the machine I use to cut out the tumbler quilts...the machine cuts the pieces precisely, and the pieces go together so easily and quickly!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

The Sun is Shining!

Today, the sun is shining and it is 49 degrees out!  I'm excited to see the sun shine brightly enough to create the shadows:)  I even felt like going out and taking a few pictures!

Little Mr. Squirrel was in a playful mood today, and acted as if he was posing for me as he scampered through the tree branches and about the yard -


Wow, I'm astonished by how much snow some of you received!  I was griping about the 2 inches of snow we received earlier in the week, but I am not saying another word after seeing pictures of over 3 feet of snow in Connecticut.

My husband had an endoscopy Friday morning. He saw a different doctor this week who is (I hope) going to find out the cause of his intense stomach pain.  The doctor said the endoscopy was clear, I'm so thankful.  Next week he is scheduled to have an ultrasound of his gall bladder. 

I should get at least two of the dog's heads cut out and sewn down this evening for my 'Let Sleeping Dogs Lie', and will post a pic as soon as I do!

Thanks so much for all the recent comments.  If I haven't replied, please excuse me, this has been a very busy week and I will reply as soon as I can.

I can't believe that January is almost gone, even with all the snow days, it has just flown by! 

Saturday, January 22, 2011

My Friday Sewing

I did have fun yesterday!
After my morning coffee, I finished quilting the blue tumbler quilt and added the binding - I even got about half of the binding sewn down!
The blue tumbler is another throw-size quilt (just right to snuggle under while laying on the couch) that I cut out with my Accuquilt GO!   These go together so quickly, it only takes a few hours to cut and piece a throw-sized top.
It is just random scraps from my blue fabric scrap box..no rhyme or reason to the layout.

I am practicing my machine quilting - again - and used nearly 800 yards of thread playing and scribbling on this one.  It should be nice and 'puckery' after its washed.

The backing and binding fabric is much richer in color "in person" and it came from the $2.50 shelf at my LQS! (local quilt shop)  What a bargain!!...I always shop that shelf first, the fabrics are first quality, but have been in the store for a while. 

Next, I cut out and pieced 2 blocks for my "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie" quilt.  The blocks took a while to cut out, and even longer to piece. It is a basic Snail's Trail block with a little adjustment for the dog's head placement.
I think these blocks will have a Schnauzer, a Lab, a Boxer and a Boston Terrier appliqued in the corners. 
The blocks are 16 1/2" unfinished.
It was a fun day of sewing!  Now on to make more blocks and finish sewing that binding down.

I hope I don't have to go out much today, it is only 10 degrees, even though it is bright and sunny!
I do have to run to the LQS for a little more fabric - I like the greys used in these blocks, they have a nice contrast. 

What are you doing today?  I hope you are enjoying your day!

I have linked this up with the FNSI group on flickr

Note: Yep, those are trees in the picture.  Undecorated, at least:))

Friday, January 21, 2011

This-n-that and Friday Night Sew In

At 6 pm this evening, it began to snow.  It's now 9 pm and there is 2 inches of snow on the ground with 6 inches expected before midnight.  Arghhh!!  It has been so dreary, even though it was a little warmer earlier this week, I guess it has given me a case of the blues:)   To chase them away, I've been practicing my free motion quilting.  I still have a long way to go to consider myself 'practiced', but I'm finally getting the hang of maneuvering the quilt and keeping my stitches the same length.

Thursday was my little dogs, Cletus and Earl, fifth birthday!  They are so cute, I hope to have pictures of them when or if the sun ever comes out again:)

I have my pattern and my fabric for the Friday Night Sew In.  

I'm hoping this quilt turns out as cute as the picture...it is hard to see in the picture, but there are sixteen different dogs curled up together.  The pattern is "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie", and I think I will make extra blocks to make the quilt bed-sized.  I just don't know what to do with odd sized quilts:)

.I will take pictures as I construct the quilt, I hope to get most of the blocks cut out and assembled Friday Night!  I've got my tea and chocolate ready.  I think I will bake chocolate chip cookies, too:)

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Time for the Friday Night Sew In!

It's time for the Friday Night Sew In!
Check out all of the details here!

I hope to have a quilt cut out and ready to sew by Friday.
Right now, I'm quilting my blue scrappy tumbler quilt.  It's just a throw, so I'm practicing my machine quilting on it.  I think I got carried away and am quilting it fairly close in a meandering pattern of leaves.  It will take me a while, but when it's finished I'll put a picture here.


Friday, January 14, 2011

Lucy & Norman: Dream On Giveaway!

Go here for a fabulous fabric giveaway! 
Enough for a large quilt..so generous and just beautiful fabrics!

Unruly Quilters

I joined a group blog that is led by Tonya Ricucci, author of 'Word Play Quilts'.  It is both fun and challenging, her goal is to make a group quilt consisting of the words "Bah! Humbug!".
I'm new to this liberated way of assembling wonky letters, and am learning so much from the other more accomplished letter makers in the group!

I do love to learn new ways and techniques, and will keep practicing till I learn more about this wonderful way of making words.  I have a word quilt in mind, and can't wait to start on it.

Forgive the poor quality picture..the colors are much richer and brighter than shown, but even with an Ott lamp shining on the letters, it still came out wonky.
The A is my depiction of a humbug!

Hope this finds everyone warm and happy!  Snow and very cold here!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Sunday Sewing

This is just how I feel today-
Hoping everyone has a relaxing Sunday!  I'll be sewing today...my head is spinning with ideas!

Friday, January 7, 2011

'Stray Stitches' Giveaway!

http://straystitches1.blogspot.com/2010/12/lets-celebrate-2011-with-giveaway.html

An excellent giveaway, if you love fabric like I love fabric!  A wonderful quilt pattern is also included!
She is holding this giveaway in honor of reaching 300 followers.  While you are there, congratulate her!
This giveaway ends soon, so get your name in the hat!