Some New Stuff

I told you all the other day that I was going to Nashua, NH to A Quilter's Sampler. There were no quilts to see. There were vendors and classes to take. My friend, Mary Rose, and I decided it would be fun to visit the vendors. We both got the day off from work and decided to leave mid-morning. We got there around 11AM. There was one room set up for the vendors. It wasn't very big at all. There were only about 7 or 8 vendors set up and 2 of them sold sewing machines. Neither one of us is interested in buying a sewing machine right now. One vendor sold fancy handled seam rippers and awls. Interesting, but we wanted fabric! I ended up buying a scrap pattern and a book from a store I go to very frequently! The owner actually knows me and we chatted for awhile.

The book has some great patterns to use with either sized twister ruler. I love the twister! I'm actually working on a pattern I sort of came up with. I'll show you when the top is done. This pattern seemed like another great way of using up various sizes of scraps in our stash. The pattern reminds me of a log cabin.

Mary Rose and I wanted to do more shopping so we found a shop near the show and I bought this fabric.

I bought this fabric so I can make more tote bags. The tote bags I make look so good with a striped bottom and the other fabrics coordinate so well. I just couldn't resist!

I'm working tomorrow but I actually have everything all set for my mom for Mother's Day. I took her shopping yesterday and I bought her a new pair of shoes. I've also bought her a couple of books and made her a mug rug.

My mom loves quilts but usually isn't too excited about quilted accessories. I thought this would be so cute to have next to her in the family room. She and my dad practically live in that room. It would look adorable in there and she'd have a nice place to put her tea mug on. I hope she likes it!

Giveaway received!

I won a giveaway from Mary at Made With Love by Mary a few weeks ago and I received my lovely gifts today! I got these beautiful autumn strips from Connecting Threads. Don't they just remind you of fall?? They're 2 1/2 inch strips and there are 24 of them. I'm not sure this picture really captures their rich colors. Mary was kind enough to send me instructions on how to make a Jelly Roll Race quilt using these strips. I have never bought a jelly roll. If any of you know of any great links or patterns, please share them with me!! I've just started to take a look around the internet for ideas.

Mary also sent me some thread that matches the strips perfectly! I've never used this thread before but have always wanted to try it. I love the products from Connecting Threads. They are well made and have great prices. I'll let you know what I think.

I am almost done machine quilting another block on my sampler quilt. I've worked the last two days and haven't done much. Also, my daughter is graduating from college in a couple of weeks and the English Honor Society had a little ceremony where they presented seniors with cords they will wear at graduation. It was a nice ceremony complete with a buffet. Can't believe she's graduating already! Seems like she just started college!!

I plan on sewing tomorrow but Friday I'm going to A Quilter's Sampler in Nashua, NH. It's not a quilt show. You can take classes and shop the vendors but there are no quilts to see. I plan on hitting the vendors.  There's always something I can find to buy!

Hope you all visit Mary's blog. She's always working on some gorgeous quilts. I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I do!

More Machine Quilting!!

This is the second block I machine quilted from my sampler quilt. I think you can see the quilting pretty clearly in this picture. I quilted a leaf in each corner of the square within a square. I just made a larger version in the center. The remaining squares have a variation of the same motif.

I tackled this block next. I also quilted leaves over the 4-patches. I think my leaf shape is getting a bitter smoother looking and I'm also not marking the block at all. I just sort of keep an idea of what I'm doing.

Here's a close up of the previous block.

It's nice to machine quilt and finish the quilt myself. However, it's a bit difficult maneuvering the quilt. I've become used to making my leaves without moving the entire quilt. I can sew towards me and away from me and then I re-position the quilt. It cuts my "moving" time in half! The other hard part is that each block is different so I can't quilt each block the same. It takes a little bit of decision making before I can start the quilting process. I feel like I'm really getting used to machine quilting a good sized quilt. I think quilting on a small sample is great to learn the pattern but nothing really prepares you for the real thing. You just have to dive in and do it!

I have 3 blocks done so 9 to go! Then, the borders! Too much to think about. I'll do one block at a time!!

Two Finishes

I just finished this tote bag for a friend's daughter's graduation. She likes purple and is going away to school. Her mom thought she would like it. She'll be a theater/drama major and has to take dance classes. We're hoping she can use it to tote her dance stuff around. It's a great bag to make. I have one for myself. The directions are very clear and easy to follow. I actually sewed the binding down by machine. It's the first time I tried it. It was so fast! I loved it! Here's another view of the bag:

 The binding is easily accessible by the sewing machine since it's at the very top. The pocket on the front comes in very handy. It's tilted but nothing falls out of it. There are no pockets inside but it is very roomy. I hope she likes it!!

These are the socks I've been working on for my son. Not sure if you remember but my son's college apartment had a fire this past December. He lost a pair of socks I had knit him years ago. He asked me if I could make them again for him. Luckily, I found the same yarn I had used to knit the original pair of socks. Just put them through the wash today. I'll give them to him this weekend but it may be too warm to wear them. I bet he'll be happy just to have them back!

Blogger's BOM #8

Here is April's block for Blogger's Block of the Month. I changed it up just a little so I could have some of my background fabric in there. Amy of Mrs. Schmenkman Quilts sponsored our block this month.
It wasn't a difficult block but the seams were rather bulky in some areas. My sewing machine didn't really like them but it worked out pretty good. Once I was nice to the machine, things got better.

Here are all the blocks so far. I have no idea how the blocks will be set. It should be interesting! I like them all so far.

The mystery quilt at my guild is almost over. I have made 8 rows of blocks. Since next month is the last month of clues, I think we'll be sewing the rows together and actually making a quilt top.

These are the blocks I made following the clues for the mystery quilt. They're very similar except one block has medium prints in the corners and dark squares while the other is reversed.

 The blocks are all in rows but I'm not sure what the final layout will be. I have a feeling that every other row will be flipped around. The last clue will tell us! It's a fun way to make a quilt and I used only fabric I had in my stash. At our June meeting, we usually display all the mystery tops and it's amazing to see how different they all are.

More Machine Quilting and a New Project

I started machine quilting the blocks surrounding the center panel. Actually, I should say I started quilting one block! This is the block but it's so hard to see any of the quilting. There are lines radiating in the 4 corner squares as well as outer triangles. I've decided that lines are easy. I have no problem following a line. The problem begins with loops and swirls. I'm not talking about free motion but actually following a curved line. My machine never seems to want to go where it's supposed to!

 You can see some lines radiating out here and one of my loops on the red fabric. I'm just using my camera phone so it's difficult to see. It's a little wobbly and not exactly where I wanted it but it's all right for now. I truly believe we all need to just practice. The finished quilt will not be perfect but it's a great way to gain some experience. Just moving this quilt around is an experience!

These are just close ups of the same block. I tried swirls in the pink border. They were fun and fast! I liked sewing them the best!

I also started a new project. I have a lot of quilting to do but I like piecing and finishing smaller items also. So I started a tote bag for my friend's daughter who is graduating from high school in June. I was told her favorite colors are purple. I'm using a pattern from Atkinson Designs. I've made it many times before. It's called Lynn's Tote from the Let's Do Lunch book. Here are the fabrics.

I've already cut them and pinned them to batting and backing. The straps and body of the tote bag are all ready to be machine quilted and then sewn together. That square piece is from the fabric lining and will be a pocket on the front of the bag.

I'm done for the day. I have to work the next 2 days and will be busy. I'll probably knit after work.  I'm half done the second sock for my son so the pair is almost done!! Knitting is so relaxing after a crazy day at work. I received the new Vogue Knitting today. They have some amazing lace shawl patterns. So pretty. Something to make in the future maybe!!

Liebster Blog Award!!

                           


Pauline from The Little House on the Hill was kind enough to present me with the Liebster Blog Award!!

Also, Marelize of New Beginnings was also kind enough to present me with another Liebster Blog Award! I am just thrilled!!

The Liebster Award (German for favorite) is for bloggers with 200 followers or less. As a recipient
of the award, you have the chance to thank and link back to the blogger who gave it to you as well as
pass it along to five other deserving blogs.

I started blogging this past September as a way of documenting what I have been working on in my quilting and knitting projects. I was hoping to make friends and learn new techniques as well. I work part time and really look forward to being home and checking out my blog and whatever is going on in the blogworld. I really cherish my days off so I can work on my projects. I get a great sense of accomplishment when I actually finish something. I'll have to admit I don't get the same satisfaction from my job.


The Liebster Conventions says that:
 

1.  Thank your award presenter on your blog and link back to him/her.

    2. Copy and paste the award to your blog.

   3.  Present the Liebster Award to 5 blogs that you think deserve to be recognized.

    4.  Let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.

    5. Have faith that your follower will spread the love too.

 

Isn't this great fun??!!


Five blogs I follow and would like to award:

Auntie Em at Quilt Crossing http://quiltcrossing.blogspot.com/


Sharon at A Few of My Favorite Things
http://sharonsfavorites.blogspot.com/


Sandra Kaye
http://sandrakayedesigns.blogspot.com/


Dora
http://doraquilts.blogspot.com/


Danielle at Fresh Off the Spool
http://freshoffthespool-danih03.blogspot.com/


Thank you, Pauline! I'm so surprised but so happy you gave me this award!!
Hope everyone gets a chance to check out these lovely blogs! Enjoy!!

I'm working tomorrow but wish you all a nice weekend!