2009 Projects~#17 Windmills in the Stars

Drum Roll Please!



The black & white quilt is completed! I loved this project start to finish! Learned neato things, as I do with all my bed quilt projects and challenged myself to let someone else quilt it. She did a wonderful job.

See all the pics in my Etsy Listing! Just click the pic!

2009 Projects~#16 Pockets-a-Plenty Handbag

Who doesn't love a bunch of pockets in their bag? Even if you don't use them all, isn't it decadent knowing you have so many stashing spots?

This purse has 6 pockets inside & 6 pockets outside. Perfect for the on-the-go seasons that are around the corner! You will be able to find this in my online stores later today.

2009 Projects~#15 Retro & Funky Handbag

This fabric jumped up & whispered in my ear..."I want to be a purse."

How do you argue with that? You will be able to find this in my online stores later today.

This fabric was a gift from this great quilter. Check out her baby quilts to wrap your bundle of joy up for a nice snuggle!

Basting & Binding

Last night was so quilting-productive!


Other than eating (yummo roast beef & fixin's), I stayed in the studio all night. Finished my backing for the American Legion Quilt (right). You can see that today I have been basting...

I also got the binding attached on the black & white quilt, so I will have a nice project for TV watching this evening.

I even was able to attach 6 strips on the string quilt!

I almost hated to go to bed! I was on such a roll!

I hear it's ready!

Got a message that the long armer has finished my black & white stars! I didn't get the message in time to pick it up yesterday, so I rushed right over this morning.

And dad-nab-it! She was closed until tomorrow!

So, tomorrow is another day.... I will have to gaze upon the before pic until then....

Update to www.fabricsnquilts.net

What a great blog contest this month! I had a bunch of great new links to add to www.fabricsnquilts.net

I am always happy to link up your favorite charity or free pattern website, just leave a comment, shoot me an email, convo in Etsy or twitter it to me!

Sewing Sunny Sunday?

Oh my! It is one gorgeous day here!

I did sew on the final borders for my American Legion quilt top this morning, but then the day warmed & I just had to soak up my share of Vitamin D!

I hand turned a section of the vegetable garden, about 6' x 18'. Hopefully we can get some broccoli, spinach & lettuce working soon! This section of the garden is a drop in the bucket of what has to be turned, but, hey, I can use the exercise! I just have to take it a little at a time with my bad back.

so, I am off to grab a cool diet drink & decide what else I can do in the sunshine! I bet I will sit & handquilt this evening. I love my handquilting, as I feel absolutely no pressure to do it. It makes it so rewarding when I actually work on it!

2009 Projects~#14 John Deere & Flannel Rag Lap Quilt

I bought this John Deere fabric last year (along with a couple other prints along the same line) and have just finally gotten inspired to use them. Inspired...by the fact that I realized my yellow flannel was a PERFECT match!

This is a great size for covering your lap in the recliner or wheelchair, wrap up your little farmer, or for a play mat.

It is listed on Artfire for immediate delivery to your homestead!

2009 Projects~#13 Bright Bamboo Purse

I love this fabric & have been challenged on how to use it from day 1.

My oh-so-smart friend, RagaMuffinQuilts said how about a purse with bamboo handles? Well, YEAH!

However, I had these too cute orange handles staring at me, so they got to go first!

I really love it! It's bold & still feminine with the dangly handles!

It can be yours!

Happy National Quilting Day!

I have been flittering around the internet today, spreading the quilting joy!

I listed my first items on Artfire. Easy to list, but hard to figure out the rest of the selling experience. Love that they are very twitter responsive over there @Artfire so it is easy to get real time help (M-F).

I also listed some of my handcrafted items on our "Local Sales Network" which is like Craig's List. A win/win, as it may help drive local traffic into the B&M *grins*

There are great sales on Etsy today in honor of our big day! Check this forum thread for those great deals!

There is also a forum thread to post a link to your favorite quilt on Etsy!

Spring is Springing & Debris is Cleaning

Well, it rhymed :)

Here are my guys in the process of cutting up the big fallen trees from last week's storm. I was manning the store, so I didn't get to play. But they know the bonfire is ALL ME!

I also snapped some flower pics for my more northern friends to remember that Spring will SPRING very soon for everyone! I also have Hostas and Peonies crowning up through the mulch. Oh happy Spring!

2009 Projects #12~Tumbler Crib Rag Quilt

I cut this quilt out as a kit, but it just spoke up & said, "make me into a rag quilt, please!"

So I did!

You can find it on eBay as part of the group red tag sale

Blog Contest Winner!

Our Winner has been picked!

Congrats to Jenna Z, entry #6!

I will be adding all the fabulous links to http://www.fabricsnquilts.net/ today.

Thanks to all that participated! I hope you found inspiration checking out all the sites posted!

Here is the original blog post:
http://fabricsnquilts.blogspot.com/2009/02/happy-day-giveawayspring-basket-of.html

UFO Update!

I have had a great time working with my strip blocks. I am using 4" blocks and setting them in 4 patches as I pin them to the design wall. Can you imagine how many pins I would need if I didn't? whew!



So, here is my pinned up colorful latest. I have just 8 blocks left to go if I don't keep adding to it. She will be a queen sized quilt when done. I have to say, that I don't see much of a decrease in the old scrap bin either! I guess that means that I have plenty more to work with on the next scrappy quilt!



I have to take all these down now & square them up so I can start constructing the top. That will be no small task! I do love its color!

Stay tuned for the final quilt!

Monday Monday!

I started off my day with my FAVE CD..the Mama's & Papa's. Monday, Monday is on there...and it is really a dreary, foggy, misty Monday here on the TN Plateau!

I got my redesign all done of the workspace. Since I took no "before" pics, you have to take my word for it that this rocks over the prior arrangement. Think of my space like a galley kitchen. I skinny U.

Our place was originally a bar, I my workspace is "behind the bar", as the bar is hard wired into the floor. But it is nice & high so it hides most of my stuff!

Along the left wall is the stereo unit & a nice long counter for the Go Cutter & my embroidery machine. At the end of the U is a small bookcase and my large cutting table....great storage, but no doors. It looks messy on it's best days (no pics *wink*). Then tucked under the bar is a small desk, my ironing board (under teh ironing board is just one of my bags of denim remnants) and the cash register.

So, it's not much to look at, but at least 2 people can function back here now, if necessary!

Sewing Sunday

Yesterday, I decided enough was definitely enough! I decided to rework my work area in the store. It is still a mess, as I decided "go big or go home" was what I needed. I hope this works out better than my last arrangement & allows a little more creativity to flow over here during the day :)

I am closing in on finishing my strip blocks. Not sure how many are left to go, but I am gaining on it!

Today's sewing will be adding the last 2 borders on the American Legion's quilt and then adding borders around the flag panel for the quilt back. I may even get it sandwiched up so I can start quilting it. I picked up a yummy long staple cotton thread by YLI that is varigated red, white & blue. I am excited to work with it!

I think I may just have to do a little more organizing here in the store though before I am off to the studio. I have high hopes for organization on this redesign!

It Smells like a Christmas Tree Farm, But looks AWEFUL!

The Iceman Cometh!

We had ourselves a little ice storm last night. We were among the blessed with just short bursts of power outages overnight (several, but we kept it most of the night & didn't get cold).

Our woods however, well they suffered under the weight of the ice.

We lost a pine, which then took out a maple on its way into my backyard fence..OUCH! We also lost a couple tops to our magnolia. What a bummer! But those nice stiff leaves just cupped all that water & when it froze, it was just too heavy.

As we were surveying that damage, we started to hear an overhead branch start to crack. It was right above our tow-behind trailer, so we quickly pushed & pulled it to a safer spot. The branch hasn't given way yet...but it will.

So, once we get melting...in a few days, NOT today, we will be lumberjacks.

Trying to be a polyanna, I told my DH, well, at least the garden will get a little more sun this year. He shook that off with a grumble. I don't really blame him.

Even my blooming forsythias took a hit. Such is life! Kinda pretty though...

Hovering at 99

Free Shipping to the wonderful soul that is customer #100!

I have 99 sales in my fabric Etsy store & want to thank all of my customers past, present & FUTURE!

Check out the store and maybe snap up free shipping while you are at it!

Stay tuned in to the Etsy store too. Over the next week I will be adding quilt kits!

The inaugural Bee @ Bluetick

I was just having so much fun, I never snapped a pic! What is wrong with me?!

We had a nice turnout & did lots of swapping of tips & techniques. I worked on my handquilting while others were piecing and binding. It was a great time.

I am looking forward to the next one already! AND I will have the batteries all charged up!

Sewing Sunday

It is a blustery overcast day here, which always puts Winnie the Pooh on my mind. So I found this great poster which you can purchase by clicking the pic. It's not mine, just really cool if you are a Piglet fan, like me!

I have spent most of the day just stitching away and thinking of all the things I SHOULD be doing.

I am about to start piecing the strips on the American Legion quilt and have knocked out several more strip blocks today too. I am very anxious to get them to the big design wall.

I want to say thanks to all that sent me 9 patches for the American Legion Quilt. I am so blessed to have an outlet like Blogger and friends that I have made along my internet journey!

Organizing & Grinning all the while!

So, here they are! My 2 new, upcycled, shelving units! Don't the jelly rolls look too cool?!

I took one of the units I had been using to make a cute little coffee station. I am going to find some kind of cuteness to put in the bottom. Looking at it now, maybe I should paint the back panel. hmmmm. I will have to study on that. My hand is kinda spray-painting sore.

Quilt Project Updates

I have found it fun to switch between a wild & colorful project and a tame & orderly one. Can you tell?

The nine patches is the charity quilt you can read all about the details on the right. It will be reversible with a flag panel on the quilt back.

I am excited to get the scrappy quilt blocks onto the big wall so I can start playing with the layout. These are small blocks, around 7", so I have many more to do. They are just so FUN to make. If you haven't tried these string blocks, I highly recommend them. There are links to 2 patterns on my website http://www.fabricsnquilts.net

With the weather starting to turn warm, I will start having a hard time to choose between gardening & quilting vices. Oh the dilemma!

Oh Happy Day! Go Green Displays

With the generosity of a friend, my dear husband pulled these display racks from the recent outdoor home in the "not using pile". Apparently, a small tree had grown up in the pile adding a little extra challenge to the rescue.

3 cans of spray paint later I have this! (I still have one more shelf that is drying & will be added later.)

Oh, I can't wait for it to cure so I can load it up! I have to see how I can best utilize the other racks. Of course, my mind is spinning with ideas....

Sometimes, you feel like Homer Simpson

D'OH!

Well, I was so excited to do my quilt for the veterans, I didn't get the right organization pinned down. I have updated all my posts here on the blog to the correct, American Legion.

I talked with one of the gentlemen today and I am on my motivated way to get a quilt made for them that they can use to raise funds or use in the new facility.

Busy Night Sewing!

I was itchin' all day yesterday to work on my 2 in progress projects, now that I have my design wall back in place.


I played around with placements on the charity quilt and am still tweaking that. It does not sing to me just yet.


I also started on my strip blocks for my next scrappy quilt. Man those are fun! It is so freeing to put purple next to orange next to pink next to green :) I am making very small blocks for this project, but the effect should work out for me. I almost have enough to start playing with placement, but not yet. I will be combining the strip blocks with the scrappy diamond blocks I made from the falling stars' corners. The blocks are about 7" so I may make a throw size quilt for this project.

New Fabric has arrived on site!

54 fabrics, so little time!

I am organizing, petting, and photographing all my new fabrics. I needed to increase my selection in store of marbles, solids & tone on tones in neutral colors, so I just jumped in with both feet!

2009 Projects~#9, #10 and #11 Rag Purses for Local Customers

It had been a while since I made a purse to order & had a windfall of 3 orders in 1 hour last week. Today is pickup day, so I snapped some pics for the scrapbook before the new cuties left me!

The purse on the left is from Moda's Woodland Blooms. A very popular purse combination. The middle purse uses a vintage Waverly home dec print with a beautiful print by Benartex. The last purse has fringed handles and is perfect for the young lady who will pick it up today. Mixing John Deere fabric from springs with some solid brown broadcloth, she will have fun with this purse.