Quilt Market Envy

Don't you wish you were at Quilt Market this weekend? I sure would like to go. Just once. It has got to be a wonderful experience and a total sensory overload. I scour blogs looking for updates, news, photos. I LOVE to see the fabrics 'in action'. When I do 98% of my fabric shopping online sometimes it is just difficult to know the scale of a print. Yes, even if there is a ruler in the image. I like to see fabrics used in bags and aprons and quilts and skirts and dresses.

This morning Moda has 23. Wait a minute. That should read TWENTY THREE!!!! new collections listed on their site.

I already have some favorites.There are a lot of great prints from the other collections and I could pick and choose from them but for entire collections these are my choices. Of the collections debuting today from Moda, in no particular order;


Basic Grey's 'hello luscious'

Aneela Hoey's 'a walk in the woods'

Lucie Summers' 'SUMMERSVILLE'

Fig Tree Quilts' "California Girl'

3 Sisters' 'Papillon'

Lily Ashbury's 'Trade Winds'

I have to be honest and tell you that at first glance 'California Girl' did not make the cut. I wasn't won over by the blues. Then I went blog hopping and came across the beautiful quilt that Sherri made using this line and a new Fig Tree Quilts pattern (to be released in November). Take a look at the quilt here. Sherri always does a spectacular job. Now I am in love with that collection. Some of the prints remind me of 'Ruby', oddly enough - different designer altogether.

I am in FABRIC LOVE with the reds in 'Papillon'. This collection looks like it would coordinate so well with 'Etchings'. The reds make me think of the reds in Fig Tree Quilts' 'Butterscotch & Roses'. Mmmmmmmmm.

Okay, if I had to choose. You know, like someone was holding a gun to my head to choose my absolute favorite from the TWENTY THREE collections debuting today - hands down, no contest - Basic Grey's 'Hello Luscious'. It is like Chez Moi's 'Sophie' but with an 'edge', because you've gotta love those Grunge solids. It is scheduled for a February '12 release. What could brighten up those mid winter days any better?

I will be scouring the blogs and websites looking for upcoming releases from other companies. Let me know if you find anything!

I was going to post pictures but when I saved them and tried to resize them they were all too blurry to appreciate their loveliness. Just go to the site and check them out for yourself. I wonder what you favorite will be.

Praise - another beautiful fall day!

Prayers - a dear friend from church learned yesterday that her father passed away. She and her husband on driving to Denver. Safe travels for them and for comfort for the entire family at this very sad time.

Stash Report - week ending 4/17

Its hard to stop once I get going again on the fabric buying. Really, this was all part of the same fabric buying spree it just didn't get here as quickly as what was on the report last week.
Amy Butler Cherry Blossom - I've liked this print for a long time and finally gave in.

Some Meadowsweet prints that I thought would look cute in a purse.

Moda Basics by Basic Grey. I really like this entire line but didn't commit to that big of a purchase.

Anna Maria Horner Little Folks voile


Not pictured some lining fabric and a yard of linen for some napkins. I bought those both at JoAnn's on Saturday where I DID see the new Denise Schmidt line. I fondled it, I played with the bolts, I put it back on the shelf and walked away. JoAnn's is just over an hour away from me so no changing my mind this week and returning for some. IF I decide that I NEED some of the new prints it will just have to wait until sometime in May when I might be near another JoAnn's.

Yardage out this week was the Jamie Dress and lining.

9.5 yards in week ending 4/17
3.25 yards out week ending 4/17
53.375 yards YTD IN
47.125 yards YTD OUT

-6.25 yards TOTAL BUSTED 2011

I'm reporting in HERE.

I have now officially added more to my stash than I have busted. phooey. Must work on a remedy for that situation.

Praise - for dear friends. The daughter in a family of dear friends turned 14 this weekend. I remember going to the hospital when she was born.

Prayers - for dear friends. I pray that God would keep them safe and healthy and walking with Him and that our reunion in May would be sweet.

Quilt Along Fun - I hope

I don't even know how I ended up at Lily's Quilts blog. It was one of those, follow a link to another link to another link and there I was. This is what I found when I got there;

You've got to go take a look. Very intriguing. If you want to do just one block, which is approximately 30 x 30, you can do that. If you want to make the entire quilt, which is 60 x 90, you can do that. This is going to be a 'quilt as you go' quilt. I've never attempted that before.

I'm thinking very seriously about giving it a try. At least the one block. If I like that I will continue on with the other blocks. This is what I'm thinking about using;


Each Dresden circle has 21 'blades' so I thought it would be fun to try using this rainbow of fabric. I've printed off the templates but I've yet to cut into any of the fabric. I'm a rule follower so I will wait until Lynne posts that step. I'm also a procrastinator so the waiting works perfectly for me. Let me know if you're joining in the Quilt Along too!

Praise - our dear friend who is in China and was sick for 5 days is finally feeling better.

Prayers - for our friend, that she would be fully recovered and able to get back to her classes (teaching music and learning Chinese).

Stash Report-week ending 3/6/11

I've tried to be strong. I've tried so very hard to stay on this fabric diet. I look at fabric online almost every day. I even fill up carts and make wish lists. I'm weak. There are so many fabrics that I'd love to buy. Some have even been on sale. I've resisted most of them. My all time favorite Fig Tree line since I have gotten back into quilting has been Patisserie. I have a layer cake of it and a teensy bit of yardage that is set aside with a pattern in mind. But I've been looking for another layer cake. I found one, full price and was about to buy it and then I got a sales notice from The Quilt Shoppe. I thought they had already closed their doors but this said that all remaining fabrics were 50% off. So of course, being weak, I went to take a look. There was ONE layer cake and ONE Jelly Roll of Moda's Patisserie! I put them in my cart and thought about them for a bit. Just for a bit, because I knew that at 50% off they wouldn't last long. I bought both of them thinking that surely one or the other or maybe both had really already been purchased by someone ahead of me and they site was not updated yet.

This is what showed up in my mailbox yesterday!!!



I want to use the Jelly Roll to make THIS pattern by Margot. I can hardly wait for that pattern to be released. I'm not sure what I will use as the border at this point. I'll have to start searching for some yardage and hope it will be available in June. I'm still undecided which pattern to use with the layer cake but I have a few ideas. I know that I will keep at least one of these quilts.

So all that to say, here is my stash report for the week.

6 yards in week ending 3/6
9.875 yards out week ending 3/6
15.75 yards YTD IN
28.50 yards YTD OUT

12.75 yards TOTAL BUSTED 2011

I am linking up here with my stash report.


The yardage OUT is what I've used for the Thimble Blossoms 'A Piece of Cake' quilt using Moda's Cotton Blossoms daughter colorway. I am sewing the binding to the back now and should probably finish that up tonight or tomorrow night while hubby and I watch a movie. I should have pictures of the completed, washed & dried quilt later this week.

Praise - Today we had sunshine AND snow. At the same time! God is so amazing.

Prayers - continued prayers for Katy (church friend), Grant and Joanne. For healing for their bodies. For strength and comfort and rest.

Icing FAIL

I'm just going to count it all as practice. It was either that or break all the cookies and eat them. I wanted to make cookies for my niece who is turning 21 on Wednesday. Well I made them and sent them but they are definitely not what I was hoping for. I just could NOT get the icing to cooperate. Each time I have made cookies now the icing has been different. You'd think I would be getting better at it but that isn't happening yet. Sort of keeping it real here. Just sort of. I'm not showing you the full assortment because I was so unhappy with them.


I would love to be able to do the fancy lace work with the royal icing so I practiced a bit.


I had some sunshine streaming into my sewing room window so I thought I would try a better picture of the Bliss baby quilt.


Praise - Praise, Praise, Praise! My friend from church who was diagnosed with bone cancer heard from her doctor today that they believe she is going to go into remission much sooner than expected!!!!

Prayers - for my friend, that she is much more optimistic now. Prayers for the treatments that she still has to endure.

More of January

Just a few more things I wanted to share with you about January before it is a distant memory for all of us.

I knew what I wanted for a Christmas ornament in 2010 once the tree was up but I didn't spend any time looking for it until after Christmas. I found dearjes on Etsy and fell in love with her little nests. We had a few conversations via Etsy messages and she was able to personalize an empty nest just for me! It has a great clip on the bottom so it can be attached to the tree.
Isn't it adorable? An empty nest to commemorate that my children are both off to college.

One of the things on my list of goals - learn to decorate sugar cookies. With some of the money that I received for Christmas I have been buying some supplies to help with that goal. Here is my first attempt.

I was pretty pleased with how it went. I shipped the majority of these off to the kids. They were really excited about them. I love that about my kids.

Here was my second attempt. Uhhhhh, not as nice. I had leftover icing and so I made up another batch of cookies to practice. I brought the refrigerated icing to room temperature and boy, oh boy! It was all I could do to keep it on the cookies! So different from the first experience. Hubby has the job of eating all of these. I know they aren't pretty, just keeping it real!


To go along with College Girl's cookies I made this Mug Rug for her. I have seen these all around blog land, wasn't really sure of them then something clicked and I wanted to make one. I played with my design for awhile, on the back of envelopes and on some scratch paper. I got all of the pieces cut out and applied to the background and then I just stalled. I was afraid of messing it up with the free motion quilting to outline the figures. I finally decided to go with the same color thread on each piece rather than a black/charcoal sketchy look. I was pretty sure my stitching would be such a mess and that I would hate the dark thread.


I even surprised myself by 'coloring outside the lines' and making the bird's little top knot.


I actually liked creating the tree bark effect. The little clumps of snow were the hardest since they were so small.


I even liked how the back looked! But I did cover it with a piece of the blue w/snowflakes like the front just to keep those stitches protected.


With a mug to give you an idea of the size. I used a tutorial I found at That girl... That quilt for applying the binding by machine. Thanks, Jennifer! What a time saver that was! I cut the binding at 2" wide so there wouldn't be so much overlap on such a small project.

I'm linking up to the Quiltstory blog for Fabric Tuesday. Their button is on the right at the top if you want to link up too!

I did also do some reading this month. Two non-fiction books. One of them called HOME by Julie Andrews. It didn't thrill me at all. Slow, too many details that didn't interest me at all. Sorry, Julie. You sing pretty though!

The other was a fantastic page turner called In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer by Irene Opdyke. Just incredible what she went through. I can't imagine doing any of the things she did, it takes a certain kind of courage for sure. I highly recommend this book.

For January I also memorized two verses of scripture. Psalm 65:11 to start the year off and then Psalm 46:1.

No scrapbooking, not a lot of exercise, the eating was healthier than December!

Okay, bring on February!

Praise - for the family that God has given me, individuals who love and appreciate one another and the things we do for each other.

Prayers - for Joanne of The Simple Wife, Sandi of my online scrapping friends, and Katy from church, who all need continued prayer for the health struggles they are facing.

Happy New Year!

Hard to believe that it is now;


We went to a very casual party with lots of great friends from church. It was a great get together but I'm glad to be home now. The kids are going to continue to party some here but I think I might head to bed. I'll be posting a list of my goals soon.

Praise - for the fellowship we have with a great church family.

Prayers - for this new year, that my walk with God would grow even stronger, that I would find opportunities to serve Him, for the health and protection of my family & friends and for the men & women in the armed services.

Flimsies done before Christmas

I really thought I would have this quilt done before the 26th but that didn't happen.

This is going to be for the gal at church that has been diagnosed with bone cancer. I'm going to back it with white minkee (she is always cold). I hope it brightens her days some. College girl chose the Moda Verna layer cake from my stock of fabric, thinking that this friend would like some color to enjoy during our long winter. Gotta love when there is someone here to help with decisions like that!

This one was finished on Christmas Eve and quickly wrapped up. I am giving this to College Boy's girlfriend (and family friend) who just graduated from Wheaton College. This was her combination graduation/Christmas gift. Fabric is Moda Origins. Backing this one with brown minkee.


Both quilt tops were made using the Easy Bake pattern by Allison of Cluck Cluck Sew. Great pattern, goes together quickly, clear directions. Thanks, Allison!

Praise - that doctors were able to give our friend from church a diagnosis - multiple myeloma. A drug company has offered to give her the drugs for the first part of her treatment - HUGE praise!

Prayers - for the treatments our friend will now undergo, for her immune system, for her strength, for her spiritual well being.

Hope yours was Merry!

We had a wonderful Christmas. I was so thankful that today was Sunday and we could go to church and continue the celebration.

Praise - that our Heavenly Father would send His one and only Son to the world to save us. That HE is the reason for this season.

Prayers - for the lady from our church who will hear what the doctors have to say about her diagnosis on Monday at 1pm. The family is emotionally raw right now although they are leaning on the Lord and the church family has come around them to support, encourage and love them.

May Day! May Day!

The first day of May started out blustery here in north Idaho but ended up being a sunny day with blue skies. The temperatures were somewhere in the 50's. Can you believe there is snow in the forecast this week? Crazy!

Today was also National Scrapbook Day and probably the first in 10 years that I haven't spent the day scrapping with online friends. Pretty sad. The scrapping community that I was a part of closed the doors at the end of December and I just haven't made a big effort to find another place. Yes, I realize that I can scrapbook on my own but it just won't be the same. Sigh...

So tomorrow I will be giving this quilt;

to its new owner. She has no idea. You see it goes like this,
Out of the blue, on April 6th Des sent me the directions for the quilt and I started immediately to work on it. I mean right then I figured out which fabric I had on hand that would work and I set to work.

When my hubby comes into my sewing room he almost always asks what I’m working on and who it is for since sometimes I am making gifts and sometimes it is for one of the kids or maybe someone has asked me to sew something for them. I had NO IDEA who this quilt would be for, but I wanted an answer for when hubby asked. So I thought while I sewed and then it came to me, I would give this quilt to the lady in our church that was having her birthday next. I had no clue who that might be. I told myself to look it up in the directory when I went upstairs. Well I went upstairs a few times and came back down to my sewing room and would be frustrated because I forgot to look. Same thing the next day, I would totally forget to look (my mind is going, I tell ya!). So fast forward to the next night, a Wednesday and we are off to Bible study. I hadn’t been to church on Easter (sick) and so I picked up a bulletin at the back of the church and carried it up to my seat. When I opened it up I saw the list of birthdays for the week. I was surprised at the name I saw. God had orchestrated the entire thing of course. If the instructions had been given to me months ago or even the next week this all would have played out differently, but God knew. I even thought for just a fraction of a second to give it to someone else. I hadn't told hubby yet of my plan so who would know? Oh yeah, God would know and I would know too. You see, the lady this was going to, well we have a past and it is a rocky one and things aren't all that smooth now. Oh, we are pleasant with one another but nothing more than necessary. So on the way home from Bible study I told hubby. He got the biggest kick out of it all. He thought it was GREAT! He was excited for this quilt to be finished and given away. I have never had hubby and my son so interested in when a quilt would be done!

Once I knew who the quilt was for, I prayed for her while I sewed. I prayed for her relationship with God, I prayed for her marriage, I prayed for her role as a wife and mother and I thanked God for her. Yes, I even talked to Him about my own attitude and part in this relationship. I actually wrote up most of this story to give to her with the quilt. I am going to give the package to her husband to put in the car and have him give it to her when they get home.

I wonder what God has planned next for me! I sure hope it involves fabric. ;)

Praise - for such an AWESOME God! That He orchestrates even the little things in my life to glorify Himself.

Prayers - I pray that I would not have the teeniest hesitation to be obedient to Him and that I would trust His timing and perfect will.

4/23-4/28 Update on the weekend

I had a great trip to the big city. My friend and I chatted the entire way, stopped for lunch in a cute cafe and I worked on my Blush runner binding.

Here is the reason that I went to the big city in the first place;



Isn't she beautiful? Well I know she is, inside AND out.

It was a nice ceremony. About 48 students were inducted into the Ivy Honorary Society which is focused on Scholarship, Leadership and Service. We're so proud of you College Girl!! I'm so glad that I was able to be present at the event.

I had the wrong shoes so walking much was out of the question. We tried to view the apartment where college girl wants to live next year but despite the signs that said OPEN HOUSE, they were closed. It was such a lovely day we ate our lunch in the sunshine;


I stitched more on the binding before going to bed on Saturday and Sunday after church I sat in the sun and finished that and then started on the Verna quilt binding. Such a relaxed weekend. It was good to see college girl and my friends.

Met up with my road trip friend on Monday morning and we made the long trek back home. Chatting about our weekend with our daughters and I stitched away on the Verna binding. When both were finished I got them washed and dried.


Hubby was completely floored when I told him the Verna quilt was for his mother for Mother's Day. He had no idea I was even making it! I think it is just hard to distinquish one project from another when he walks into my sewing room.



I have still sewed SOMETHING everyday. Once the runner and quilt were done I went back to the POSH quilt binding. I am ALMOST done with that, hopefully tonight after the VBS meeting that I need to attend.

I also have a purse cut out and fabric for three children's aprons ready to cut out. I've gotta get busy!

Praise - for the wonderful time spent with college girl and friends and the safe travels.

Prayers - for the preparations and the first meeting for VBS.

Big ol' list!

Here we go for the April edition of;

Since my goal is to sew EVERY day this month I figured I might actually get a few projects done so I could be ambitious with my goals for the month.

First up a copy of a purse that I made in 2008;

College girl's BFF loved the purse that I made in February and so college girl has asked me to make one so that she can give it to her BFF. This green is so springy!

I received this charm pack for Christmas and wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it. I like each and every print in this line so I'm thinking of making a simple 4x10 or 4x9 tablerunner. No pattern. Nothing fancy.Just gonna let those prints shine!

The Verna 'lap' quilt;

I would like to get the flimsy done for this Cotton Blossoms quilt. I've listed it before but then set it aside for other projects.

Another project that I have set aside too many times. This is for a good friend of mine. She probably thinks I have forgotten all about it.

This for another friend of mine. She has no idea about this so hasn't been disappointed that it hasn't happened yet.


Quite the list huh? I am already dreaming of other things I would like to work on. A pair of baby shoes, half square triangles for a quilt, little zipper pouches and a couple of other purses. I guess I'd better get sewing!

Praise - for the snow that we've gotten today. It is so pretty on top of the spring brown.

Prayers - for college girl's weekend. Because of snow in the Pacific NW her plans for Easter weekend have changed (the pass is probably going to close).

February Tag

Joan tagged us this month for the;

My February Favorites;

1. Faith

2. Family

3. Friends

4. Fabric

5. Food

***EDIT**** What was I thinking??? My all time favorite that should be on the list. I just can't figure out where...before fabric? definitely before food, pretty sure it is after friends. Anyway, #6 FROSTING!!!! Duh. How could I have forgotten that.


Praise - College girl got the summer job she has wanted since she was in junior high.

Prayers - We should hear something from the prospective house buyers today, praying it will be a solid offer.

Panache Reveal

Finally I can show you the project that I made using the Moda PANACHE fabrics. A table runner and napkins for my friend.

And here is the back, LOOK! My first pieced backing!! The runner is reversible (as are the napkins).

The package finally arrived at her house last week, while I was in California. She said she loves it and that it matches her kitchen/dining room! Her walls are red below the chair rail and I was on the lookout for a fun fabric that would go in that room. The pattern is from the book Charmed and Dangerous by Heather Mulder Peterson.

Praise - the little boy that had surgery this morning is doing well, staying overnight in the hospital and recovering from the swelling.

Prayers - for my son, that he would take the necessary steps to get on top of his school work, that he would see the importance of doing a good job and making this a priority.

A Few Things That Make Me Smile

On Saturday my son came home and brought me a big envelope. Strange, I didn't order anything. Then I looked at the return address and saw it was from my friend in Maryland. Look at what she sent to me, just to cheer me up and because she knew that I was trying so hard not to spend money on scrapping or sewing. There are red glittery alpha stickers (they remind me of the Ruby Slippers!) an assortment of chipboard shapes and alphas, stamps that will be perfect to use on greeting cards, some paisley emery boards and a notepad and some chipboard embellishments for scrapbooking. What a FUN envelope to open and it sure did make me smile. I can't wait to spend a day scrapbooking and use some of this! Thank you, dear friend!

* * * * * * *

Another package I got a week or so ago. This was from Victoria at Bumble Bean. I had entered a giveaway and this was a consolation prize! There is a Martha Negley print (on the left) and the print right is from a collection called Holly Hill. I am not sure who designed the middle print. Thanks so much!

* * * * * * *

Something I love to do is bake and although I certainly do NOT need to be eating the baked goods, I have a willing family (none of whom put on a pound no matter how much of the stuff they eat). I had been making different cookies lately and when the last of those were gone I asked my son what he wanted next. He said 'remember those filled cupcakes you made awhile back? Those would be good.' So last night, while the guys went for a 4wheeler ride I whipped up these.

( right after I piped the PBish filling into them)

(and here they are after I frosted them)

I was going to get all fancy and pipe the frosting on but I got tired and just wanted to be done.

* * * * * * *

Praise - I got back on the treadmill today! No more excuses!!! I walked for 60 minutes/3.25

miles.

Prayers - that I would get back on the treadmill tomorrow and the day after and the day after...

It was a Quilt Show Saturday

My friend and I started out early, after all we had a 1.5 hour drive ahead. My friend's sister who happens to be a quilter was going to meet us there. These gals were GREAT Quilt Show companions. They were funny, they were appreciative, they were very much into the detail and workmanship that had been put into the quilts. We looked at EVERY quilt displayed. Here are just a FEW pictures. The photo of one of my favorite quilts did not turn out so great so I am not showing that here. Taking photos was not easy with so many people there and the lighting was an issue as well. Anyway, on with the show!

Most of the flowers in this quilt have a raggy edge (some pinked) that is not attached. You might be able to see it better in the second image.


I call this one the tearjerker quilt. It is a lovely photo quilt that anyone could appreciate, then I read the entry card. OH.MY. The quilter's younger sister was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's at age 53. The quilter made this as a gift for her sister, to help her remember people and events. She stated on the card that it helped her to accept what was happening to her sister as well. She said making the quilt brought on many tears but also smiles and laughter.

I didn't get a picture of the whole quilt here but I just LOVED the border and the quilting!!

This is one of those itty-bitty, never in my lifetime quilts. It was MAYBE 12" across.

I just LOVED this quilt!! It is just so darn cute, little paper doll dude. It makes me smile. :D

The photo does NOT do this next quilt justice. It is called COPPER PENNY and it was just gorgeous! It had a beautiful depth to it as well as some shine.

I am not sure if this qualifies as a watercolor quilt but I really liked it. Each of those squares is a flower.

A log cabin with a tulip growing from the center. The center square is also not the traditional log cabin center shape. I loved the color scheme of this one.


I really liked this saying;


There were MANY MANY quilts featuring applique this year. I don't know if this is a new trend or if I just didn't notice them before. Another trend, machine embroidery featured on the quilt. It did not change my mind about selling my embroidery module.

I was a little disappointed in the vendors this year. First of all, I did not see ANYONE demonstrating the new Bernina 830. I was sure someone would be there to do that. I was wrong. I have seen the machine demonstrations in the past, even when there was not a big release coming up soon. Secondly the booths themselves didn't have that over the top inspiration that I usually love about them. I am used to seeing purses and totes and aprons and quilts just spilling over each booth, so much so that I tend to miss things on my first go 'round and discover more when I make the rounds again. I wasn't WOWed by anything in the booths that I can recall. Thirdly, the fabric. Let's say the LACK OF fabric. Oh there was fabric but really, nothing NEW and EXCITING! Some of it was fabric I saw at last year's show. There was not a whole lot of the new fabrics that I know others are able to get in their local quilt store. I was really looking forward to seeing it all in person. The one exception was seeing some of 'Recipe for Friendship' in one booth. I was surprised to see how big the paisleys were, not how I envisioned them at all. I still like that print but was just surprised. ONE booth had some 'Ava Rose'. Some. Phooey. None of the red or grey. I went with a list of things to look for and I didn't get one thing from my list. I'll show you later this week what I DID get! I need to take a photo.

It was a long, fun day. My dogs were barking after all that walking. I dropped my friend off at her son's house and then I went to a quilt store. They did not have 3 of the items on my list that I thought they might but they did have the miniature vacuum attachments for machine cleaning. I bought that. I stopped at a Hancock's after that and just spent time looking at pattern catalogs and home dec fabric. I did get some fleece that was on sale so it wasn't a total loss. ;)

Praise - that my trip to and from the Quilt Show was safe and uneventful. That my son had the time of his life helping out on an infomercial shoot. That my hubby was safe helping someone bring in their hay. Finally that my daughter had a TERRIFIC time at the retreat! Prayers - that we would get final approval, this week,to move ahead with the new house.