Thank you, Mr. Mailman!

 

I've been receiving some interesting packages in the mail lately! I ordered Downton Abbey fat quarters from the Fat Quarter Shop. This lovely bundle is the Sybil inspired prints. Aren't they gorgeous?? The prints are very interesting and the colors are somewhat muted. I suppose it's indicative of the early 1900's.

 

This next set of fat quarters are fabrics inspired by Edith. They're similar and yet different in many ways just like the characters of Sybil and Edith. There are 2 more fat quarter bundles. One is dedicated to The Dowager and one for Mary. I may still buy those at some point but I bought my 2 favorite fat quarter collections.

I don't have any plan as to how I'll be using this fabric but I just had to have them! I love the show and wanted to have some of the fabric collection. I'm afraid they will sell out soon.

 

This next package came from my Secret Santa. I suppose it's not the typical Christmas gift but Lily loves it! My Secret Santa sent a very thoughtful gift to my cat! I unwrapped the gift and placed the little mice on my kitchen counter. Lily took the whole package in her mouth and started playing with them! After I saw her do that, I quickly took one of the mice out of the packaging for her to play with. She was nice enough to bring him into my bedroom quite early Sunday morning! I think she wanted me to play with her and her new favorite toy!

 

Here she is with her favorite mouse! She loves her new toy. I'm sure she likes the catnip too! Lily and I would like to say thank you to my Secret Santa! Thanks for thinking of Lily!



FMQ Loops

I'm just posting a few pictures of my latest project. I'm free motion quilting loops. This is a bit of a departure for me since I tend to meander as my background filler. I have to keep reminding myself that it's okay to cross threads! It feels as though I'm disobeying the rules! It's a nice departure and I like the way it's progressing.

 

I'm using a variegated pink from Aurifil which is 50 weight 100% cotton. It quilts so nicely and my machine seems to like it! I can never go wrong using Aurifil.

 

 

I'm linking up over at Leah Day's blog which you can find here. There are some great examples of free motion quilting there. Very inspiring! Go take a look! 

 







Thank you, Secret Santa!

 

It's not even Christmas but I've been receiving gifts from my Secret Santa! I received a Thanksgiving card with a very nice message inside. It was very much appreciated. I'm so happy she has visited my blog and has enjoyed viewing my pictures.

 

 

About a week later, I received a huge chocolate bar. She made my day! I've started to eat it but only allowing a few pieces at a time. I don't know about  you but I tend to have a hard time resisting anything chocolate! I really have to keep myself from devouring the whole thing at once!

 

Thank you, Secret Santa!!

Applique Sneak Peak

I have finally started to applique my ornaments onto my bargello table runner. There are a total of 9 ornaments  to applique. I'm hand appliqueing using the freezer paper method. It's the easiest method for me. I've tried a few others but always go back to my trusty freezer paper.





Here's a close up. You can see the red embroidery I added to the edges of the purple strips.

 

I embroidered a snow flake onto this one.

There's some embroidery on both edges of the blue and red fabric. I just used an easy chain stitch to sort of outline the added strips.

The class schedule was just released for MQX East. Anyone planning on going? It was a great show last year. The classes were wonderful and there were many vendors to choose from. The quilts that get into this show are unbelievable! I'm hoping to take a few classes. It's so difficult to pick which ones. There are too many to choose from!

Have a great weekend! I'm hoping to applique a few more ornaments!

Cable Socks

My socks are finished! My second sock was knit so much quicker than the first one. I'm not sure if it was the new needles or just my familiarity with the pattern. I really love this pattern. It's an easy chart to follow and I love the final product!

Here's a close up of the cables. I love how the cables are vertical but the yarn makes a diagonal pattern with the color. I feel this yarn adds so much interest to the socks. Too bad they're socks and won't be really seen while being worn. These are definitely one of my most favorite socks I've knit. I just may have to make them again!

Knitter's Pride Dreamz

 

I've been working on my socks and have been having such a hard time with the darn knitting needles! I've been using the Takumi Bamboo double pointed needles I bought at my local Joann's.  I've broken 2 and the rest of them are all bent. I'm not doing anything crazy with them, just trying to finish up my socks!

I went to the my local knitting shop and asked about alternatives to my bamboo needles. I'm so happy I asked! I bought a set of 6 color coded double pointed needles made of symfonie wood (whatever that is!).  The pack I chose is used for knitting socks.

I couldn't wait to try them out! I started using them right away and love them! They feel more sturdy and are a bit shiny so they yarn just glides over them. I feel as though I'm knitting quicker. I'm very happy with my latest knitting purchase.

If you ever have the chance, splurge on yourself and try them out. I think they'll make a better knitter out of anyone! (At least, that's what I'm hoping for!)

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I'm almost done my socks and will be posting them soon!

A Quilters' Gathering 2013

I went to A Quilters' Gathering this past weekend. It took place at the Radisson in Manchester, NH. It happened to be their 25th anniversary. I love going to this show. There were over 100 quilts to drool over. There are tons of vendors as well. I have a few pictures of some gorgeous quilts to share with you!

 

Creating a Magical Christmas

This piece was a part of the anniversary challenge quilt exhibit.  It was made by Daryl Hillsgrove of Pelham, NH. This quilt show starts the season to make Christmas quilt projects in her family so she made her own tribute to Christmas for the challenge.

 

Twisted 60's



Loved these colors! It's made by Beverly Cook of Beverly, MA. She used paper piecing, 60 degree triangle and prayers!

 

Crossroads



 

This is an original design by Terry L. Crean of Northborough, MA. This quilt was inspired by her son's journey. He made a decision to enter a master's/doctorate program but decided he only enrolled based on what was expected of him but not what he really wanted. Love knowing the background to these quilts! Beautiful quilting which Terry did on her longarm. 

 

                                                                Flowers and Feathers

This quilt was made by Kristin Vierra, Lincoln, NE. This quilt is based off of a quilt called "Winter Bouquet" by Debra Wagner. Kristin changed the size and added her own touches to the background filler. Here's a close up of that gorgeous quilting she did on her longarm.

Beautiful!

 

Rainbow Nouveau

 



I just loved these colors! This was made by Margaret Solomon Gunn of Gorham, ME. I've seen her work in magazines before and was amazed at her intricate quilting and piecing. It's machine pieced but hand appliqued. She used some lovely batiks. The choice of colors and their placement is unbelievable!

 

 

Magic of The Rose

This quilt was absolutely stunning! It was made by Kristin Vierra of Lincoln, NE. It was inspired by a piece of an antique quilt. It was made for the Nebraska State Quilt Guild.

Here's a close up of that beautiful applique.

I have to admit this was my favorite in the show! It's so hard to pick one but the applique won me over!

There you have it! My personal highlights from a phenomenal quilt show! Hope you enjoyed it!