A bit of a distraction

Gosh, I didn't mean to take such a long break between posts but, don't forget, I've been "power sewing". In the next few weeks, I'll be showing you the progress I made. Can't show things just yet.

So, I figured I'd better get busy with my Christmas decorating because we are leaving for Seattle on Tuesday and won't be home till next Sunday. And then it's...December. I have tons of decorations, and it takes me forever to put them up. I had some help today.

This is Jack. He's was into everything!

He really loves greenery. Even the fake kind.

Wonder what he sees in that bucket?

Finally, I had to banish him to the deck because he was undoing everything I was doing! (don't worry, he didn't stay out there long. After all...just look at that cute little face).

Hooray...one thing crossed off my list. It's Block #1 of "Wool Garden". You too can order yours from Karen at Farmhouse Woolens.

Have a happy Thanksgiving and I'll be back in a week.

Works in progress (WIP's) and a challenge

Last night I was reading Carrie's blog and saw that she had posted some quilts she was working on. One of them is a top that I also started about 2 years ago and never finished. It got me thinking about all the WIP's I have going and so I decided to get them all out, take pictures of them for you, and give myself a deadline for finishing them. In my mind, my deadline was going to be Thanksgiving. Well, after pulling out too many to count, I realized that Thanksgiving isn't a very realistic date. So, I decided that I'm going to give myself until next Sunday (the 23rd) to get as many done as I possibly can. I know Thanksgiving is AFTER that, but I thought if I "power sew", maybe I can get them down to a manageable amount and then set another deadline. So, my challenge to you is...get out all your WIP's, UFO's, PIG's (projects in grocery sacks) or whatever you want to call them and either set a deadline for yourself or "power sew" with me for the next 10 days and let's see how much we can get done.

Here we go with mine.


This is "Birds of a Feather" by Blackbird Designs. It needs the applique for the borders prepped and sewn. I'm doing this one by hand.

Block of the month - Block #1. It's Jan Patek's latest Girl Gang project. Karen and I are doing this and keeping each other on track. We have to post a picture on Dec. 5th of the finished block. Want to join us? Just go to The Quilted Crow's website and order it for yourself.

Block of the Month - Block #1. This just arrived from Farmhouse Woolens and I want to keep up with it. I love working with wool.

This one still has some machine applique to finish and then it needs to be quilted.

All I have to do on this is prepare the backing and then it will be ready to go to the quilter. This is "Jo's Whig Rose" by Jo Morton.

This one has been finished for about 2 years. It needs backing and then quilting.

Even Jack is wondering what's going on with "Quilting the Garden", another Blackbird Designs pattern. It's supposed to have scalloped borders and I just keep putting off doing the marking before it goes to the quilter. The backing on this one is already done. It's just so large that it's cumbersome to work with.

This little one is another Jo Morton design. I can't figure out what design to use for quilting. Any ideas?

"Winter Wonderland" by Crabapple Hill has been in progress for over a year. I usually work on this when we're traveling. We'll be traveling for Thanksgiving, so I'll work on it some more then. I still have lots to do on it.

This one is called "Stars around the Garden". I'm not happy with the fabric I chose in a couple of the blocks, so am planning on re-doing them. Aghhhh!

I don't know why I haven't worked on this one in awhile because I really love it. It is "Reminiscence" by The Rabbit Factory. It's all hand applique.

Another Crabapple Hill design. Ready for quilting.

Emma wants a Minkee pillow. This one shouldn't take too long. It's for Christmas. (THIS year).

And don't forget the Tee Pee I showed you in the last post that's also for Emma for Christmas.

Just need to add the french knot berries and then make it into a little pillow.

While I was working on the little pillow, I started thinking about a project in this book that I've been wanting to make. It would be darling for Christmas... Should I forget it for now?

I just looked over at my machine and look what those little wool pennies have done. Do you think they are trying to tell me to get off the computer and start "power sewing"?

Wow, I'm so overwhelmed, I just might go out and join the wildlife that is in our yard.

So, that's what I have to do. How about you?

Shopping in PJ's

And I don't mean on the internet!

Yesterday The Stitchin Post , home of the Sister's Outdoor Quilt Show, had their annual Pajama Sale. The earlier you get there, the bigger the discount, and if you are wearing your PJ's, you get an extra 5% off.


Obviously, lots of people thought it was worth their while to wear theirs.

Here are Valori and Jean, owners of the shop. Such good sports to let me take their picture. They had both been there since before 6am. Ouch!

And here's my loot. The red floral in the upper left is what I'm going to use to make a tent for Emma for Christmas. Wish me luck!

Since I was up and out of the house so early, I thought I should go to the Fairgrounds to a Christmas Boutique.

Saw lots of signs...

Snowmen...

Santas...and

Angels. Did I buy anything? Hmmmm, it's a secret!

Then, since I was at the fairgrounds and close to my favorite antique mall, I decided to head on over there.

It's in an old railroad station.

The "porch" is usually filled with fun things. Not so much yesterday. Did I buy anything? Well, funny you should ask. While I was at Market, a little gift bag appeared out of no where in the booth. I thought I might have an inkling of who it was from, and since I'm not the type to wait to open something, I tore into it. Look what was in it. These darling little pillows from Karen. I had mentioned to her that she needs to write a pattern for them and I'd be the first in line to buy it. Well, she made me some. Isn't that just the sweetest thing? I'm still after her to make up patterns to sell on her wonderful website, Farm House Woolens. I think I may have convinced her. Yea! (get back in the sewing cave, Karen) :)

Since I didn't have anything cute to put them in, I bought this Amish scoop at the antique mall.

And here's how they look. Cute huh? Thanks Karen!

And here's my latest obsession. I'm going in circles! Any suggestions on what I should do with them?

Quilt Market, finale!

So, last but certainly not least, are some of the the Moda designers. I'll start with the Moda booth and all the sales reps waiting for market to open to start all the appointments with the quilt shops.



This is Bob. He is the rep for the local quilt store where I used to work. Always smiling. Here are Alma and Barb from Blackbird Designs. I love everything they do. And they are just as nice as you would want them to be. Their booth won 1st place for best single booth. It was beautiful. See the ribbon in front of this gorgeous wall hanging? Yep, first place!

That pillow on the bed was to die for! And those little baskets on the quilt? All applique'd. (did I spell that right?).

This is Sandy Klop of American Jane designs (with hubby, Stan). She's a special lady. I look forward to seeing her every market.

And here are Barb and Mary of Me and My Sister. Their newest fabric line, Oh Cherry Oh is oh so bright and cheerful, just like they are.

Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree . Her fabric is always a top seller. It will be this time too.

This is the Kansas Troubles booth. I sat in the far chair and pretended that I made all those quilts. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love all the Kansas Troubles fabrics. I think I have fat packs of every line and it's really hard for me to cut into them. It's a sickness, I know. LOL

This is Lynne Hagmeier who IS Kansas Troubles. She agreed to be photographed with me if I'd just leave. Tee Hee.

So, that's a wrap for Fall Quilt Market 2008. Lots of inspiration everywhere and definitely something for everyone. Hope you enjoyed the tour.