On hold for summer

I have been slowly doing some applique work on my latest quilt wall hanging for my bathroom. I had forgotten how meditative doing hand work can be, and I can actually SIT for a while! I have been taking a slow pace this summer so far, but it will speed up next week when a new quilting semester begins. I plan on finishing up what I have started, not starting a new project unless it really calls to me.When the fog rolls in, I will be working on this project and letting the flowers grow!

I'm still creating

Coming up with some new projects is fun for me, but it helps to be motivated by a class or an event. I began my Spring Quilting class 2 wks ago and we have some projects we can chose from. The first one is a "quick and easy" which is a Star quilt. I had Tommy pick out some fabrics for a lap quilt. Here are 2 of the stars finished so far. It will move along quickly and I hope to keep up with the rest of the class this time. Wish me luck!

Another Quilt

I have been working on this quilt since my very first class. It is called a "Medallion" and has 36 squares called "log cabins", the green part that looks like a ribbon. Each one took me one hour to make by "paper piecing" a technique in which you sew on paper that is numbered for each strip to add on. A solid border will be put on the very edge next and then I will put the batting on the back and continue to sew the back material and quilt the entire thing. In the center and on all four corners are little fairies. I hope to put this on the bed in the grand kid's room when it's finished. Hopefully before the youngest gets into college!

Yo!

My friend, Karen, is always on the cutting edge! Pardon the pun. We have coffee on Monday mornings and she brought her little basket full of Yo-Yo's. Little gathered hearts and circles made with a plastic template you click together with a piece of cotton sandwiched between. They are sooo cute, and can be made by any novice seamstress. This gives new meaning to the act of sitting. My fingers get to stay busy, and I can use up some of the quilting scraps from my projects in my weekly class.

Quilting is creating

After a long break from my Quilting class, I am back to sewing. Finishing old projects, like this fold up bag for cosmetics (vinyl and all!) that was from our Winter session, and of course Ella's quilt which is my really first "start to finish "creation and labor of love. I have enjoyed the comradarie of the class and everyone's talented differences.
Our first class was a "quick and easy" Single Irish Chain. I made most of it during class time.
It will be a small, 40" square to put on our bed as an accent. Right now I'm feeling rather accomplished, but that won't last. A new quilt is always on the horizon!

Christmas Stockings

I had the distinct honor of making my Ella Amberley's Christmas Stocking. I began about 2 months before the season and finished up in time for Santa's appearance. It is hanging proudly next to her brothers, mom, and dad's. Even though the whole christmas thing is over, these are still hanging proudly from their mantle and I must say they could stay there until Easter and I would be happy. I could hide some eggs in those puppies--hey, maybe I've got something there?

Stone Coasters

New year, new projects

For Christmas I got busy and watched a YouTube video my friend Karen e-mailed me on making coasters out of ceramic tiles. I happened to have a box of white tiles in my backyard (doesn't everybody?) So, I got to work and cleaned off a couple dozen and made some for gifts. I have to say, there was some experimenting with the Stazon ink I used on the slick tiles, but I was happy with the results. One more craft I can do for not much money. Of course, the best part of learning anything new is the shopping part! I love Michael, whoever he is. I have made him a rich man!