Quilting and Sewing

I was so happy to start quilting my Disco Quilt. I came up with 2 designs which I will alternate between the blocks. I'm not quite sure I like that ribbon candy in that area. It's sort of big. On the other hand, I do think it fills the space nicely. I'm going to sleep on it and see if I still like it in the morning.

This is just another view. I love my new Sure Foot! It's so much nicer to use rulers and not have to be worried about the foot jumping over it. I'll show pictures next time!

I've made another 4 blocks for Carolina Chain. I only have 11 blocks left! I forgot to take into account the side blocks I still have to make but they're much smaller and quicker to make than the main blocks I've been working on.

I already have 5 blocks made for Fast Forward. This quilt is as quick and easy as Carolina Chain is slow and tedious! It's so nice to be working on 2 very different quilts. I love that Tilda fabric! This pattern is perfect to show it off!

I was happy to be off today and able to play in my sewing room as well as with my longarm. I must admit that General Hospital is one of my guilty pleasures. Due to the impeachment hearings, General Hospital wasn't on. More time to sew! I had such a fun day! Why do I have to work????

I Like Thursday #34

Welcome to I Like Thursday! We're a group of bloggers who write about positive and uplifting items we find throughout the week. Go visit LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color for more fun posts to read. We had no snow after last week's warm temperatures. Until today! We got a little snow this morning. I'm so glad it's already melting. I loved not having to drive through it to go to work. I'm off!

I received this great travel mug. It's the nicest little saying about quilters. I can really identify with it!

I got this mug too! Isn't she the cutest little kitty?? She looks like she's bundled up nice and warm for the winter.

This was my big gift for Christmas. My husband bought me the overhead HandiQuilter lights. I had my machine serviced a few day ago. While servicing my machine, he also installed the lights. They make a huge difference. They're so bright and I can really see so much better! I've been waiting for Nick, the service guy, to come for awhile now. I'm so glad he got my machine up to date. I'm already loading the next quilt I'll be working on! I can't wait to start quilting!

That's it for this week! See you next time!

Late Christmas Gift

I received a late Christmas gift. Isn't this little suitcase the cutest thing??

The inside is just as adorable! I saw a tiny remnant of a price tag so I think she got it at TJ Maxx. Who would have thought to look there??

Look at what was inside! I got a magnetic bowl, 2 charm packs and a layer cake. My friend is not a quilter so I asked her how she even knew about Riley Blake. She said she found these items at Zulily. I've never been on that website but I'm going to check it out. I was so happy to get these gifts. So fun!

I Like Thursday #33

Welcome to I Like Thursday! My daughter got a new calendar for Christmas. I love seeing cats in fun surroundings. This one is a bit chubby and he's got the television controls! He looks quite comfortable to me!

I bought this at JoAnn's at few years ago. I always love anything to do with the beach. I feel it makes the nicest addition to any room, any decor. It reminds me of the summer. I usually need it when we're in the middle of the cold winter!

I got this for Christmas. I had one years ago but it would never stay on the ruler. I'm hoping this is a new and improved version. Has anyone used this before? I'm going to have to try it out. I keep forgetting I have it!

Seeing this pile of blocks makes me very happy! I've been working on Carolina Chain for a long time but decided it needs to be finished. I have 56 blocks done out of 75! 19 more to go! I feel I'm finally making some good progress on this one.

Those are my likes for this week! It's awfully cold here this morning but I have to go out later. I'm hoping to get some sewing done before I leave. Please visit LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color for more fun and positive posts!! Stay warm!

New Year, New Project

I've been diligently working on Carolina Chain, (more about that later!), when I came across this pattern. It's called Fast Forward by Victoria Findlay Wolfe. I'm a great fan of her work and was pleasantly surprised to find this was a free project on the Marcus Fabrics website. I've been collecting Plum Garden by Tilda and thought this would be a great fabric to showcase this gorgeous fabric. The blocks will finish at 16 inches square. The quilt will be 80" X 80". It's a fun and quick quilt to work on. It only needs 13 blocks. 

I've made these blocks since Christmas. I work on 4 blocks at a time. Each picture has 4 finished blocks but they are not sewn to each other. I just grouped them for the photograph. Each block is made up of 4 9-patches. Each block takes quite some time to cut. I have to look through my scraps and keep the dark/light contrast in mind. I'm going to love it when it's done. I have 52 blocks done out of 75. I'm getting there, little by little. This quilt will finish at about 77"X 89 1/2". I love the size.

My days are divided by either cutting or sewing. I usually don't cut and sew the same day. I have too much to do on my days off. Tomorrow is a cutting day! I wish I could say by scraps look like they're decreasing but they're not! They actually look like they're increasing. 

I Like Thursday #32

Welcome to I Like Thursday! I'm late but I finally got home to post this. I wanted to wish everybody a Happy New Year! I can't believe it's 2020! When I was in grammar school, we would figure out our age at the year 2000. I'm amazed that it's 20 years beyond that! Time goes by so quickly!

Since it was New Year's Day yesterday, I wanted to make a fun dinner. I made these Paleo Eggrolls in the air fryer. You would never know they weren't fried. They're so good. I made 16 which means we have leftovers for tonight! I'll heat them up in the toaster oven so they'll get crispy again. I bought the wraps at the supermarket. They're vegan and very easy to work with.

I got this book as a Goodreads Giveaway. It's a little disturbing. Three families become very friendly. The parents get along well as do the children. However, there's something weird going on. It's very interesting. I'm looking forward to see how it's going to end. I'm about 2/3 of the way through. 

Now that the holidays are over, I went to the mall and shopped for myself! I usually use this cream but haven't been able to buy it for awhile. I'm so happy to report I bought it and started using it again. It has the nicest smell. I don't see a huge difference in my skin but it makes me feel better that I'm using it! It has lots of great stuff in it to treat wrinkles and fine lines. I plan on fighting the aging process as best as I can!

That's it for my likes this week. I'm hoping that everything goes back to normal now. I feel we've all been too busy and relaxing would be great! Please go on over and visit LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color for more fun and positive posts! 

A Quilter's Christmas

We all know Christmas is the time to exchange gifts. I'm lucky enough to exchange gifts with some of my quilt friends. This picture shows all the lovely items given to me this Christmas by Dawn who blogs at Relaxing Robin. I met Dawn through our blogs. She made me a tree mug rug, which I'm already using! She also made my the nicest zippered pouch that included all these great gifts! I got tissues, needle holder, charm pack, lint remover and a cute sewing kit! How nice is Dawn?! Thank you so much! Quilting friends are the best!!

I met Star years ago on line and we actually met in person. We always keep in touch through Facebook. Star knits, crochets and quilts. This year, she sent me this crocheted hat. It's so warm and fits me perfectly! I hear we're having another storm Monday and of course, I'm working. I'll be wearing this hat for sure! Thank you, Star!

My favorite quilt magazine used to be Quilter's Newsletter Magazine. I was so sad when they stopped publishing. Years ago, they had a Pin Pal section. This was before email, the internet, etc. Well, I started writing to Sarah Cooper from England close to 25 years ago. And we're still writing to each other! We actually met in person back in 2001. We exchange gifts every Christmas. She gifted me tea, hand cream, cookies, chocolates and a lace knitting book. You can tell she knows me well! Thank you for my gifts as well as our ongoing friendship!

Social media has it's negative qualities which we all seem to hear about. But there are so many positive sides as well. I would never have met Dawn or Star without social media. Sarah and I still send actual letters to each other but will message each other on Facebook as well. It's a wonderful way of keeping in touch.