Quilting on the Plateau Quilt Show

Whew! Just finished all the online promo'ing I can think to do for our guild's quilt show. I don't know how many online calendars I found...5 or 6 maybe.

Plus I used www.ontheradio.net to find websites for stations within 100 miles of us and either emailed or filled in online forms on as many as I could to be added to community calendars.

I am so glad to have that off my to do list!

Come to the show if you can! It's sure to please! I will be set up & we run a big sale in our Brick & Mortar that weekend too!
www.sewsweetquilters.com

2009 Projects ~ #27 American Legion Charity Reversible Quilt

Here I am again, giddy with accomplishment! I get the most unique feeling when I finish a bed sized traditional quilt. It is just too hard to explain.

A few months ago, I made an online appeal for red/white or blue/white nine patches to incorporate into a quilt for my local American Legion post that is building a new facility. They currently meet in a courtroom, restaurant, or other public place.

I think it is important for all Americans to show pride and honor to all veterans. Their selfless service is what our lives are built upon. Stop to consider how different your life would be if no one had defended our country 60 years ago or 8 years ago when it was attacked.

So, I wanted to do something, though it be small in comparison, to show my appreciation and to give the Legion something to earn funds. I was blessed to receive donations from a few special friends from Texas and California.

As you can see in the pictures, the quilt is a queen size and is reversible. Though the layout is simple, the quilt really pops from the varigated red white & blue thread. I loved working with this thread & highly recommend it (YLI long staple Egyptian Cotton).

I am off now to call the gentleman to come pick it up. Thank you all for reading, and for helping me make this become reality

2009 Projects ~ #26 Pink Teddy Bear Rag Quilt & Diaper Bag Set

This HOT pink fabric is textured and just too fun! I searched the stash high & low and finally found a nice compliment in this country blue with hearts & flowers.

The bag is a nice large bag with 14 pockets. Perfect to hold stuff for mommy & daughter.

Think I will save this one for an upcoming craft show.

2009 Projects ~ #25 John Deere Flannel Receiving Blanket

Don't you love how the cammo is actually tractors? I thought that was too cute to pass up!

This one is smaller than a crib quilt. Perfect for the carseat, or for little babies.

Wrap up your favorite little farmer in this cuddly soft flannel! It's in the Etsy Store!

2009 Projects #24~Baby Boy Chenille Rag Crib Quilt

Do you ever get so excited when thrift store shopping you can't stop your mind from running to what you will use your newest find for? (yes, I am southern & we end sentences in prepositions)

Well, that happened to me a couple weeks ago when I scored a gorgeous yellow chenille. 100% Austrialian Cotton. MMMMMM

Here's the first (there will be more) creation using my soft & cozy chenille. Perfect for year round use! You can find it in my Etsy store!

Free Mulch! I bet you can get some too!

Do you ever see those tree trimming trucks in your neighborhood? They usually are contracted by the electric companies to remove those limbs that could cause a power outage if they were to fall. Usually this set up includes a mobile chipper.

Usually these guys fill up the chipper before they finish the day & need a place to offload. In our area, they are thankful to have someone offer to take it. We popped into our local Energy Co-Op and put in our request a couple weeks ago.

I woke up with this pile on Wednesday morning (I left a few markers like the mailbox across the street & the cinder blocks on the right so you can really get a feel for how HUGE this pile is).

We did this a couple years ago and had great success with it. Since all the wood is green, you have to let it sit and compost for the summer, but by fall, I will be spreading new, FREE mulch.

2009 Projects ~ #23 Elegant Pleated Purse Set

I absolutely love this Henry Glass print. It is classy and still fun.

Listed on etsy, this purse is accompanied by a matching wallet & key fob. I hope you will click the pic & check out the set!

I lined the purse with a mint green broadcloth cotton and used the same for the strap. I gave the closure a generous width, so that all kinds of goodies could be kept in this classy, but slouchy bag.

What is this fabric? What color is it?

Have you ever had trouble with online fabric descriptions or acurately describing color?

Here are a couple great resources to bookmark:
http://milloutletfabric.com/fabric.html#glossary

http://chir.ag/projects/name-that-color/

2009 Projects ~ #22 Funky Ruffle Batik Purse Set

What fun this purse was to make. Really challenged my skills to read & understand directions. Ok, they were really BAD directions, so I got to wing it and make it my own. I love the outcome.

The billfold wallet is also a new creation for me and I like the way it came together, but know how I will make changes in the next one. I love making up my own patterns, and the process of tweaking it with each new incarnation.

This set is for sale in my Etsy store! Plenty of time to ship internationally for Mother's Day. Totally cool gift for all the hipster moms! Click the pic to go to the listing :-)

From "Quilting on a Budget"~ Using Glad Press N Seal in your Quilting

http://quiltingonabudget.blogspot.com/2009/04/using-glad-press-n-seal-in-your.html

This is just the Aha! moment of the month for me. So many cost effective ideas/uses for this product, OUTSIDE the kitchen. Check out how to use it for quilting, templates, applique and even embroidery.

Sunny Spring Saturday

What a beautiful day!

We have had bursts of traffic in the store today and everyone seems to have "spring joy". Not a sour mood in the whole lot today :)

DH-FNQ got the entire vegetable garden turned today, just in time for our next round of rain . I will finish spreading the compost after work (been sneaking back there when I can...shhh). Then let the rain do the hard work and I will be able to rake & plant on our next pretty day! I usually plant the veggies by 4/15, so I am a little behind, but the rain has been relentless this spring.

But, March & April Showers have brought some pretty spring flowers

2009 Projects ~ #21 Cream and Black Pockets-A-Plenty Purse

I have a rag purse in my store with these fabrics and it inspired a local customer to choose a different purse design.

I absolutely love the black print and it is so pretty with the cabbage roses in the cream print, don't you think?

She also opted for the flap & button over a snap. That added great character to this purse for sure!

2009 Projects~#20 Hippy Chic Batik Purse Set

This is the last of this awesome batik bolt. I love this print and wanted to send it out with a bang!

This purse incorporated reclaimed denim & denim pockets on the interior. What an upcycled *green* cutie!

I have listed this as a 3 piece set on Etsy, so click the pic to check it out, as well as the other items ready to ship today!

{don't forget, Mother's Day is just around the corner!}

2009 Projects~#19 Grazing Horses Purse Set

Living in "horse country" like I do, I love this fabric and thought the print would work well for a purse. I have listed this set for sale on Etsy. Of course, like all things I list for sale online, they are also available at Bluetick Antiques too!

Click the pic of each to go to Etsy & check 'em out!

Yesterday's Accomplishments

I have been craving a store "redesign" for a while, and finally got to part of it yesterday.

It's very dark outside today, so my pics needed considerable editing, but I think you can get the gist. This is just one room in the store and I still have some work to do, but it felt good to re-merchandise and do some deep cleaning. Spring and the tourism season is just around the corner!

So it's not crossed off the mental list, but it got a little check mark :)

New Week, New Goals

I have decided that I need to set some goals of things I want to accomplish for each week. So this week I am going to do a better job of not procrastinating on some of my long-dreamed-of projects (all not quilting related). So look for updates through the week on my (still) mental to-do list.

If all else fails...I will actually write them down so that they can get crossed off. I just hate the stress that a list creates...le sigh...

Sewing Saturday & Sunday

I am so stoked about the turnout for our little contest! I love reading all the comments on your fave & unfave parts of the quilting process.

Reading all those comments motivated me to finish my quilt top! It was the thought of all the ironing that kept me procrastinating. Knowing I was not alone gave me the kick in the pants I needed!

Once I finish quilting the American Legion Quilt, I will have this strippy cutie all basted & ready to go!

Spring Fling Giveaway from FabricsNQuilts.net

I am in awe over nature today! Sunday is was 75, then it was snowing Monday & Tuesday, and today it is almost 60 again (with 68 forecasted for tomorrow).

I am so excited that all my plants seem to have survived I want to give us all a little kick start to enjoying spring!

Leave a comment on this post by 4/14 Midnight Central time and get a chance to win this cute little bundle of fat quarters (moda)!

Include a comment telling me what your favorite (or least favorite) part of quilting is & your name is entered twice!

Always worried you don't find all the Easter eggs?

NO NEED TO WORRY with these cuties!

Check out retro mama's tutorial on making the cutest everlasting eggs. I can totally see these in vintage egg cups as the perfect pin cushion/gift!

Check out all her ready to go cuties on Etsy http://retromama.etsy.com/

If April showers bring May flowers...

I suppose I don't expect many flowers this year. It is pretty to look at though. We had 75 degrees Sunday & snow Monday. We should be back in the mid 60's by Thursday.

I have only planted broccoli up to this point, so I hope it is not lost. We will know tomorrow! My spring flowers were full of buds, I hope they still flower, but if not, there is always next year!

Sewing Saturday & Sunday

I am having fun quilting the American Legion quilt! I have 1/3 done so far & am ready to jump back to that machine this afternoon.

Tomorrow MAY see some sewing, but it will be first tax prep day (ugh). If I do get to the sewing machine, I will get the rest of my rows together on my strip quilt. I also need to baste the next section of the sampler quilt I am handquilting. It sounds like I have alot going on when I crunch it all in one blog post!

2009 Projects~#18 Another Pockets-a-Plenty Purse

Here is another Pockets-A-Plenty purse! This is made from the moda collection I have for sale, London Lawns II. I made this purse a bit larger than the last and really like the size better.

There are 6 pockets inside and out and the bag closes with a delicate pearl snap. This purse would be the most elegant market tote in town!

My mom gets a new purse with each season from my completed projects and I had her in mind when making this one, so we will just have to wait & see if this makes it to the sales floor!