What was I thinking??

As I fell into bed Saturday night with the knowledge that #1 my booth is empty and has to be filled for the next show #2 I had the next two days off from my "real job" all I could think was....I want to sew for me, just me.....nobody else but me.  I did start to sing that a little. 

So with my mind set that I wasn't going to turn on the longarm, and I wasn't going to start to freak out and start mass producing (well thats not quite true...hold for the rest of the story)....I went down to the studio and pulled one of many project boxes down.  Have I mentioned I used to have NO UFO's?  Then I started hanging out with all of the crazy ladies.....and that went to hell in a handcart.  Anyway, I decided two years ago, I was going to make a quilt for my bed...I know, unheard of if you are a quilter.  So I picked the courthouse step block, one of my favorites.   Now here is the part that some of you are going to "get" and the other peeps are going to roll your eyes to the back of your head. 
My blocks finished measure at 5".  Are ya still with me?  Oh, we have a California King size bed. 

So needless to say, I need almost 500 blocks.  I am up to almost 250, so halfway there...
It just felt so good to turn on the boob tube and pick and choose various strips I have thrown in the box, for noone, but me.  Take some time today, and do something, anything YOU want and love to do, for me.....a seam a day truly does keep my blues away.
Till next time.
T

First day of the Show is successful!

Mom and I are vending out at the Lynden craft and Antique show....I think this is our 6th year.
This picture is from 2 years ago.  See the cute picture frames....Mom does this thing called "punchneedle", she really is fabulous at it and ladies line up to get first choice on opening day. 

My Dad created and made the booth.  It really does have a homey feel with a fireplace in the corner you can't see in this pic.  I am so fortunate to have such crafty parents.

I enjoy doing the little shadow box artwork.  This one said "Live, Laugh, Sew!
Take time today......because a seam a day keeps the blues away.
T

Can I do this from my iPad ?

Well, here goes.

Paper Piecing....love it or hate it

So.....are you one of the haters of paper piecing?  Or the lovers?  I can honestly say the first time I tried it I was reduced to tears.  I put the fabric upside down, put the seam allowance on the wrong side, had my fabric to short...you name it, I did it.  That was early in my sewing career, so about 9 years ago. 

Due to the fact I am into self punishment, I decided to try it again....and I LOVE it....once you wrap your mind around the process it is wonderfully acurate.  The above is one I made a couple of years ago.  It measures 10 inches square. 

This book is fantastic one to add to your collection.  The gals instuctions are fantastic.  Let me save you some time, and frustration.

This is the paper that seemed to stand up and work the best for me.

Can you see this?  This is one section, or diamond. 

Having small numbered cups are a must for this project. 

This is what it looks like before you fold on the dotted lines.  This one has a black background .  I will post a picture of the finished product, after I inset the background.  Unfortunately I am not a rock star when it comes to inset seams.
And again.....a seam a day, keeps the blues away!
T

Pumpkins anyone?

I made these pumpkins a few years ago and they flew out the door.  My Mom and I vend at the Lynden Craft and Antique Show.  October 18-20.

They are made of velvet, dyed with Rit....a combo of colors that I had to reperfect, due to the fact I can't remember what I had for dinner last night, let alone what colors I dumped together to get this great color. 

I thought.....awwww heck I have the dye why not make a few.  The difference in the color is real velvet vs Joannes version of "velvet".  Lacking in great stems this year, I made my own with jute, and half a bottle of Elmers glue. 
Thank you to my friend Karen O for reminding me.....a seam a day, keeps the blues away.
T

Rob Appel

Rob Appel did a trunk show for us Monday night at Moonlight Quilters.  www.moonlightquilters.org
You can go to the web site to see more of his work.

He is very high energy, kept our attention for a hour and a half.  The actual background fabric in this piece is the red, everything else is on top of it. 

This one caught my attention for the pure amount of work in it.

Red wolf is the name of this one.  Can't wait to see Donna C's version of this one.

This was my all time favorite.  It was very life like.   If you have a chance to hear him speak or take a workshop from him, go for it!  He has a Facebook page and a website...check him out.
That's all for tonight,
A stitch a day, keeps the blues away!
T

Judy Irish

Judy came and did a workshop for our group Running with Scissors.  I must say this lady is simple Amazing!  She is 70 years young and is a force.  She must get more done in a week than I produce all year. 

This belongs to my friend Tonya that was able to take the class, she focused on the fabric weaving and embelishing.  I can't wait to see this piece completed. 

She also taught her version of a lonestar, I love how she used the border fabric and grabbed onto the dot theme and ran with it.  I would never have thought to use the peach fabric in this way.  When I was in the fabric store yesterday I found myself looking at bigger prints in a whole new way.
Sorry for the poor picture, but this gal doesn't stand still for more than 5 seconds.

She also did some teaching of machine quilting.....I know, all this in one day??  Like I said, Amazing.  Fantastic doodles for a kids quilt.

This is some more of her thread work, this may have also had some fabric painting on it.

This was my very favorite! 
If you ever have the opportunity to take a class from her, DO IT.  She is funny, creative and a very lovely lady. 
As always, a seam a day, keeps the blues away.
T