A Special Evening with Nancy Zieman

Hello Blog Friends,

I have been hard at work finishing the quilts I started earlier in the year.  Hopefully by the end of this weekend, the UFO pile will be much smaller. 

I wanted to tell you about a very nice evening I spent last night.  I had the opportunity to attend a presentation and book signing by Nancy Zieman.  I'm hoping some of you have know of Nancy from her PBS program Sewing with Nancy.  If not, you can get more information at:  http://wpt.org/SewingWithNancy.org  or on Nancy's blog at http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/

Nancy has written a book about her life.  It's not just a chronicle of her accomplishments, but is also a story of how she overcame adversity and physical challenges to get to where she is today.  Nancy grew up in a rural area not far from Winneconne (just SW of Appleton, WI).  The presentation was attended by fans like me and by high school and neighborhood friends from the Winneconne area.

I had a wonderful time and Nancy inscribed my copy of her book.

 

More next time on those UFOs...

Daisy Chain Table Topper

Hello Blog Friends!

Well, I've been back at the sewing machine and have completed one of the UFOs hanging in wait on my craft room door.  I didn't share this one with you before this, since it was a gift for Mom's birthday this past week.  Since she reads the blog faithfully (like a good mother should!), I didn't want to spoil the surprise.

I bought this cute little topper as a kit, from eBay of all places.  The coordinating fabrics are all from the "He Loves Me" line from Maywood.  I had enough for the topper, but could not find any coordinating fabric anywhere on the 'net for the back, since it is several years out of print.  So, off to my local quilt shop, and found a perfect olive green (for the back and binding) from the Moda Marbles series.

The topper sewed up quickly.  Notice the mitered corners in the border. I ran a line of decorative flower stitches along the daisy line in the outer border, stitch in ditch on both sides of the inner border, and did a small free motion meander in the center.

I had a large enough piece of the border fabric left over, so I incorporated it in the back.  I also stitched the label in this border.

I think it turned out well.  Mom was pleased with it.  It now graces her dining room table.







I've begun the finishing work on Heather's Jewel Box.  So far the backing is made, and I'm ready for pinning and quilting.  I have a tight timetable on this one...it needs to be finished by April 6 so I can give it over to her mother, who will deliver it to her later in the month.

I'll check back with you in about a week once it is finished.  Meanwhile, happy sewing and thanks for visiting!

National Quilting Day 2014.

Hello Blogger Friends!

What better way to celebrate National Quilting Day than with a Quilt Show?  I celebrated today by attending the Sewing and Quilting Expo in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  The Expo included a judged Quilt Show, a local Vendor Mall, and a wide variety of workshops presented by some very talented local quilters.  Here are some of the quilts that caught my eye:


I loved this one.  It features lighthouses in Door County, Wis.  One of my favorite subjects and places!

 

This one features airplanes in the centers of the squares.

 

An M.C. Escher-esque piece.

 

A little whimsy to end the day.

 

I attended three lectures given by Chris Kirsch which included techniques for adding curves and arcs to quilts, fiber art possibilities, and binding treatments and techniques.  All three lectures were accompanied by a trunk show of her incredible work.  Here is a picture of Chris and one of her amazing art quilts.

 

 

I learned about foundation paper piecing from Ann Wanke with some very valuable insider tips and how-tos.  She also shared some samples of her small scale beautiful work.  I enjoyed this class, as I really haven't done any paper piecing.  I have actually shied away from patterns requiring paper piecing, thinking it was too difficult and daunting a task.  Ann's demo made it look easy and I think I might try it!  My final lecture of the day was with Wendy Rieves, who shared some ideas about making quilt labels.  She also shared some of her award winning work.

I came away from the day with ideas and inspiration.  Hopefully you will be seeing the fruits of that inspiration in the near future.  For now, however, it is nose to the grindstone to finish the UFOs I told you about in earlier posts.

FYI:  The sewing machine is finally back home in its cabinet after a lengthy stay at the repair shop.  She's glad to be home again and is anxious to get working again.  So am I.  I'll update you with progress on my next post.

Until then...

Rhapsody in Red Tote Bag

Greetings Blogger friends!

I've finished my last project before the sewing machine goes to the shop for a much deserved tune up. 

Here is my Rhapsody in Red tote bag.

I originally purchased this bag as a kit from Connecting Threads.  However, I decided to change out some fabrics, and make it my very own.  I made this bag specifically to carry my tablet with tablet cover.  It was fairly simple to make and I think it turned out great!

And it's my favorite color, too.

See you again next time....

Urban Graffiti, Top Done

Hello Blog Friends!

Welcome back.  I'm happy to announce that I've finished the Urban Graffiti quilt top! 

Block and outer border fabrics from Timeless Treasures Modern collection.  Sashing and inner border is Marbles Black by Moda.  Pattern is Urban Graffiti by Cotton Tales Patterns.

I love it!

I'm hard at work at my next project.  This one is for me and is made in my favorite color.  Any guesses???  Till next time.....

Urban Graffiti, New Project

Hello Fellow Bloggers!

Have you ever seen a group of fabrics that just totally grabbed you and you had to make something with them?  If you're reading this, then the answer is mostly likely...Yes!  Well, I was in Antoinette's Quilt Shop in Plover in December (getting a Christmas gift card for my mother) when I saw these fabrics.  I just don't know why, but I just love them, and I loved the quilt sample using them.  But, because it was Christmas and I still had shopping to do, I reluctantly left without them.  But, I did not forget them!  We were over to Plover several weeks ago to visit Mom, and of course, we stopped in at Antoinette's again.  This time the fabrics just wouldn't let me go away empty handed, so they came home with me.  Here they are:

These fabrics are from the Modern line by Timeless Treasures.  Pattern is called Urban Graffiti by Cotton Tales Patterns.  Fabrics have been washed, pressed, cut, and construction has started.  I'll show you the finished quilt top next post.

Until then....

Snack Attack! Top is Done!

Welcome back, blog friends!

The sewing machine has been humming again, and this time I'm ready to share my progress so far on the Snack Attack jar quilt.

Here is the finished quilt top.  All I can say is "WOW!"  I  just love it!

I used a wood grain fabric for the "shelves", sides, top and bottom of the shelving unit the jars are sitting in.  I also found a fun print with small multi dots for the outer border.  I really love this quilt, and I think my grandson will too.

What is absolutely wonderful about it, is that I have enough of the snack prints to make at least 3 more quilts.  I think I'll make one for myself, one as a raffle donation for church, and one for....I don't know yet? 

I'm just getting started on the next project...more next time!  See you then...